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routerground6-blog · 5 years

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Cedric Benson was a legend who never acted like one

[This is an excerpt from the Yahoo Sports’ Read and React Newsletter. Subscribe here]

Cedric Benson isn't with us any more.

Typing that is a sobering way to start off the work week and it still seems like there's no way the sentence can be right.

And yet it is true. Benson, the Texas schoolboy legend who ran all the way through eight years in the NFL, died after sustaining injuries in a motorcycle accident on Saturday night.

He was only 36.

A star since the eighth grade

High school football stars are treated like royalty in Texas and Benson will go down as one of the Lone Star state's best and brightest stars. He rushed for almost 8,500 yards with Midland Lee, leading the team to three straight state titles while also starring on the school's baseball team. (He'd be drafted by the Dodgers in 2001.)

When it came time to pick a college, Benson chose to remain under the intense spotlight in his home state and attend the University of Texas. Four physical and bruising 1,000+ yard seasons later, he was made the No. 4 selection in the 2005 draft by the Chicago Bears.

Benson's professional career was never as dominant as the numbers he put up in Texas. He had struggles with teammates, often sulked when criticized by the coaching staff and was arrested for a couple of alcohol-related charges that ended his time in Chicago.

But Benson did have his moments. Benson made a Super Bowl with the Bears in 2006 and put together a couple of solid seasons as a Bengal, rushing for 169 yards in a 2009 playoff game.

Benson signed a one-year deal with the Packers in August 2012, but a foot injury a few months later effectively ended his career at the age of 30.

I covered Benson for two seasons as a columnist for a suburban Chicago newspaper and always enjoyed talking with him. While there were a lot of jerks who dealt in one-word replies in that locker room, Benson was the opposite. If you got him one-on-one, his replies were well-considered and devoid of cliche. He was real.

I can't profess to have known Benson that well, but I nodded along with every word that Aaron Rodgers wrote in tribute to his late friend on Instagram on Sunday.

"Ced and I became fast friends during his short stay in Green Bay and would spend many lunch hours in the cafeteria talking about life and football," Rodgers wrote. "Ced was very smart and thoughtful and I always walked away from our conversations feeling like I learned something or wanted to go research something so that I could keep up with him."

The price of stardom

I actually see a lot of Benson in Rodgers. Both men were blessed with prodigious natural talents that made them rich and famous. And yet both seemingly struggled to reconcile the outsized attention those athletic gifts drew to them.

Some people are born to be stars, but I always got the sense Benson was a tad uncomfortable with this whole arrangement that had started when he was just 14 and proved himself to be a man amongst boys with a football under his arm.

At the end of the final media session just before Super Bowl XLI in Miami, I saw Benson sitting alone at an interview table. I acknowledged him with a head nod and he beckoned me over.

"Are you tired of all this yet?" he asked, motioning to the dog and pony show all around us.

"Yup," I said. "How about you?"

"It's times like these I wish I chose baseball," he said.

That was Benson. Honest and direct. No b.s. He delivered the line with a slight chuckle and I laughed with him.

In retrospect, I'll always wonder how much he was really joking.

Source: https://sports.yahoo.com/cedric-benson-was-a-legend-who-never-acted-like-one-122320999.html?src=rss

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routerground6-blog · 5 years

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'Chicago New Media 1973-1992' pays tribute to the city’s contribution to video games and digital art

Chicago isn't immediately associated with technology's vanguard in the popular imagination. But Gallery 400's current exhibition, "Chicago New Media 1973-1992," focuses on the city's contribution to new media history through a broad installation of video games, digital art, video art, and archival materials. The oldest photograph is a 1910 still from Uptown's Essanay Studios showing a cast of cowboys with horses posed beneath the elaborate (and heavy looking) electric studio lights. Not only is this image evidence of how, as curator Jon Cates puts it, Chicago was "an early contender" for the film industry, it shows a direct correlation between representations of the iconic west and the technology that produced it.

With assistance from Chaz Evans, Jonathan Kinkley and the Video Game Art (VGA) Gallery, Cates highlights the way "new media"—video art, video games, and electronic music—evolved through a radical community of Chicago-based early adopters in the early 70s. "This creative culture of collaborative communities gathered together regularly to perform in various configurations publicly during annual Electronic Visualization Events on the campus of the University of Illinois at Chicago," he says. "Their connections were social, artistic, educational, and technological." The exhibition shows how people like Dan Sandin, Phil Morton, Tom DeFanti, Ted Nelson, Jamie Faye Fenton, and others connected commercial gaming, academic research, and independent art making in a way that permanently impacted the industry. These figures, Cates says, "fostered ethical commitments through new kinds of art, novel in their form and content."

Upon entering the show, the first thing you see are two free-standing, free-to-play arcade- style video games, Mortal Kombat (1992) and Defender (1981), both made by Chicago-based companies Midway Games and Williams Electronics Inc. (now called WMS Games and based out of Nevada). Behind these, a looping program of more than 20 films from 1973 to 2007 by Sandin, DeFanti, Morton, Annette Barbier and Richard Mandeberg, Nancy Bechtol, and more is projected on the wall. These videos are all culled from the Video Data Bank archive—a local library of videos and media art that Morton began in the 70s, collecting video made by artists experimenting with then-new video tools. As Cates puts it, the films in view collapse "distinctions between what is artwork, documentation, or tutorial."

While many technological systems present in the show were originally spearheaded by the combined effort of university and military resources—the Internet, for example, began as a government initiative developed by universities to decentralize information exchanges during the Cold War—young people used the same innovations for their own artistic and ethical experimentation, an option that coincided with the development of more personal technology. Tools like the video camcorder, the personal computer, and reel-to-reel recording devices created new possibilities for self-expression. "A radical turn toward unprecedented opportunities for change provided new pathways for expanding consciousness and collective will through the creation of new genres, voices, and visions of art," Cates says.

Most of these innovations have become so integrated in our daily lives, it's difficult to remember that they are not only recent but also shaped, at least partly, by Chicagoans. Cates and his partners have created a compelling installation with almost 100 contributing artists, scientists, developers, and public program participants. The resulting showcase of once-innovative equipment, archival materials, school curricula, interactive timelines, and video games not only captures the energy of play but also the processes by which we see ourselves today.

To the left of the gallery entrance is Forest (1991), a virtual forest that viewers can only visit through a VR headset, by Ellen Sandor and (art)n: Stephan Meyers, Janine Fron, and Craig Ahmer. Jane Veeder's Montana (1982) loops nearby on a flat-screen TV. The deceptively simple three-minute animation features crude cartoon forms of an eagle and mountains. Similarly illustrated buildings and a pair of opposing camcorders slowly encroach upon the tableau until text pops up: "Good luck electronically visualizing your futures!" Given that a current strategy for addressing climate change today is technological innovation, this work seems particularly prescient.

Flickering through the entire gallery is a massive bull's-eye projection by Jason Salavon. Everything, All at Once (Part III) (2005) uses custom design software to convert a live television broadcast into what the artist describes as "a circle of concentric stripes of color," which changes according to the average colors of its affiliated program. During my visit, the circle was mauve, purple, white, and gray, and a small low-to-the-ground television flitted between the Ellen Degeneres Show and a news report of the Camp Fire in Butte County, California. Although this juxtaposition was coincidental, the effect combined with other works and materials, like that original 1910 photograph, to suggest how representations of American landscapes are and have always been fully enmeshed with technology, whether because 19th century painters went out on surveying trips to map the country's geologic features or because their sublime pictures wouldn't have been believable without photographic evidence. Further echoes of this theme occur later in the show with Siebren Versteeg's post-9/11 work Emergency (2002). Played on a flat-screen television, this video features the tops of summer trees and sky while a simultaneous program produces sounds of emergency vehicles.

The American fantasy of the frontier arguably influenced these new media pioneers to the extent that they insisted upon free information, experimentation, and self-expression. Perhaps what is also American is the refusal to accept traditional hierarchies that would otherwise distinguish high art (painting, for instance) from consumerist culture (video games or—back in the day—photography)—a refusal Cates marks through his deliberate juxtaposition of video games, artist-made video games, art videos, and technological tools. While "Chicago New Media 1973-1992" is the first exhibition to link Chicago's new media community to companies like Bally, Midway, and Williams, academic institutions, and ad hoc art communities, Cates, (who also teaches at SAIC) shows how "an early ethos of playfulness, interactivity and sharing" grew and expanded. This 1970s Chicago Media Arts character, he argues, "becomes massively and widely available starting in the 1990s with a lasting impact from then on up to and including today." v

Source: https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/chicago-new-media-1973-1992-gallery-400/Content?oid=63970577

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routerground6-blog · 5 years

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Learn from the best: Accelerate Summit brings real estate experts together Tuesday

by Meg White February 27, 2019

Next week, we’re doing something big. Chicago Agent magazine is hosting its first-ever full-day real estate event, called the Accelerate Summit, on Tuesday, March 5 at the Merchandise Mart.

Why now? Well, we saw a need, as the market is beginning to shift in new ways.

Of course, the Chicagoland market ramps up pretty much every spring, requiring agents and brokers to compete more aggressively for leads, listings and the attention of buyers and sellers. But as people who interact with real estate professionals every day, we’ve been hearing about a larger trend: This particular spring marks a pivotal moment for agents and brokers, and it’s time to prepare for change in the market. We created the Accelerate Summit to offer a space to build relationships, identify best practices, and gain the necessary knowledge to execute a successful real estate career in changing times.

We did something a little different with registration by restricting it to licensed real estate practitioners only. That was part of an intentional design that allowed us to really focus programming on the needs of working agents and brokers. We’ve lined up an incredible collection of expert speakers and educational sessions, a few of which we’ve highlighted here (see the schedule to the right).

But as many seasoned agents and brokers can attest, much of the magic will likely come in the moments before, after and between sessions, when we’ll all get time to network and trade ideas and points of view with each other. Our writers and editors are particularly looking forward to hearing from attendees and panelists alike on the stories and developments we should be covering over the next year and beyond.

We hope you’ll join us for what promises to be a fruitful day of learning, networking and fun. As of today, there are still tickets available for the summit — as well as tickets to the after-party at the Mart’s Marshall’s Landing. Be sure to check in with us on Facebook or Twitter for the latest news on that, or check the event site for more information.

If you can’t make it, be sure to check out ChicagoAgentMagazine.com next week to read all the takeaways our writers glean from the event. It all fits in with our mission to bring readers news and information that will help them improve their businesses. And with the wide variety of subjects being tackled Tuesday, there’s sure to be something for everyone in our roundup coverage.

Source: https://chicagoagentmagazine.com/2019/02/27/learn-best-accelerate-summit-brings-real-estate-experts-together-tuesday/

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routerground6-blog · 5 years

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The Bear’s Den, May 29, 2019

BEAR DOWN, CHICAGO BEARS, BEAR DOWN!!!!

BEARRRSSSS / FREE AGENCY / DRAFT

Wood: How Did the Bears Use Their Receivers & Tight Ends in 2018? - Da Bears Blog - The offseason is the perfect time to do a deep dive into what exactly we saw on the field last year, so today I want to look more closely at how Chicago used their WRs and TEs in 2018.

Bears set panel times for Celebration Weekend - ChicagoBears.com - The Bears on Tuesday announced the scheduled times for the panel discussions being conducted at the Bears100 Celebration Weekend June 7-9 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont.

Mayer: Jackson, Ridley to co-host camp in Florida - ChicagoBears.com - Bears All-Pro safety Eddie Jackson and rookie receiver Riley Ridley will join forces this summer to give back to the community where they grew up in South Florida.

Medina: Report - The Pro Football Hall of Fame Wanted the Bears to “Host” a 2020 Regular-Season Game in Canton - Bleacher Nation - The Bears playing a “home” game in Canton, Ohio would have been something.

Medina: Mitch Trubisky Is “On the Cusp of Greatness” … And Perhaps a Super Bowl Run - Bleacher Nation - The sky is the limit for QB1.

Medina: Khalil Mack Wants to be the B.O.A.T. - Bleacher Nation - Khalil Mack strives for greatness.

NFC North franchise quarterbacks: Each team’s greatest passer - NFL.com - Will Mitchell Trubisky succeed Jim McMahon as the Chicago Bears’ top passer? Does Aaron Rodgers or Brett Favre claim the Green Bay Packers’ crown? Ali Bhanpuri dives deep into each NFC North team’s history to anoint their best QB1s.

Smith: Bears expecting big second year from Roquan Smith – ProFootballTalk - As a rookie last year, Bears linebacker Roquan Smith was a significant contributor. The Bears are hoping for even more in Year 2. With the Bears making some changes on their defensive coaching staff this offseason, Smith is making a favorable early impression with his new coaches.

Potash: No longer a rookie, Roquan ready for takeoff - Chicago Sun-Times - Bears linebacker Smith is working on all aspects of his game: “I definitely think I can make a larger impact.”

Bears storylines: The Tribune’s Top 100 list, Khalil Mack’s new mentor and Matt Nagy’s spring surprise - Chicago Tribune - The Tribune is set to begin its Top 100 Bears list plus insight on Khalil Mack and Matt Nagy’s “Monday Funday” at Halas Hall.

Stankevitz: Why Roquan Smith will be critical for the Bears repeating as the NFL’s best defense - NBC Sports Chicago - If Roquan Smith develops the way the Bears believe he can, he could be critical in helping the NFL’s reigning top defense stave off regression in 2019.

Mayer: Pagano offers take on key defensive players - ChicagoBears.com - Having worked with the Bears defense since the offseason program began in mid-April, new coordinator Chuck Pagano recently shared his thoughts on some of his top players.

Cox: Sixth-round pick Duke Shelley thankful his draft path brought him to Bears - NBC Sports Chicago - Duke Shelley flew under the radar through the NFL draft process, falling to the Bears in the sixth round. And yet, he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Mayer: Halas featured in Bears Centennial Scrapbook - ChicagoBears.com - The first of four excerpts from the Chicago Bears Centennial Scrapbook focuses on how George Halas helped found the NFL and build it into the behemoth it is today.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Chris Long hopes to remove the stigma of marijuana use – ProFootballTalk - Recently retired NFL defensive end Chris Long recently created a stir by acknowledging to Dan Patrick that (Egads!) Long smoked marijuana during his playing career.

Mike Mayock on Richie Incognito: Can’t have all boy scouts – ProFootballTalk - The Raiders signed veteran guard Richie Incognito on Tuesday and General Manager Mike Mayock fielded questions from reporters about the move later in the day.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Will the Detroit Lions buy in to Matt Patricia? - Pride Of Detroit - ESPN poses an important question for Detroit in 2019.

NFC North Roster Additions: Lions hope for immediate impact from big-name draft picks - Acme Packing Company - The Lions drafted the top TE in the draft and added a National Championship winner that they hope can step in to fill roles ASAP.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Schmitz: Dissecting the Designer - A look into how Matt Nagy’s aggressive creativity affects the Bears’ offense - Windy City Gridiron - Despite a bevy of offseason offensive additions, Chicago Bears Head Coach Matt Nagy remains the most impactful offensive factor heading into 2019.

Wiltfong: Bears and Packers play in 100 days, so here are a few ‘did you knows’ - Windy City Gridiron - We’re only 100 days away from the kickoff to the Chicago Bears 100th season against the Green Bay Packers, and earlier today we asked you guys for a very specific prediction for that game.

Wiltfong: Bears and Packers play in 100 days, so give us your very specific prediction for that game - Windy City Gridiron - We’re 100 days away from the start of the NFL’s 2019 season which is special because it’s not only the NFL’s 100th season, but it’s also the 100th season of the Chicago Bears. By now you’re all...

Schmitz' Bear With Me Podcast: Will HaHa Clinton-Dix have a better season than Adrian Amos? - Windy City Gridiron - On his latest episode of Bear With Me, Robert S. dives into a deep Bears mailbag to answer all sorts of offseason questions.

WCG CONTRIBUTORS BEARS PODCASTS & STREAMS

Windy City Gridiron Podcast Channel which includes Bear With Me from Robert Schmitz, Bears Over Beers featuring Jeff Berckes & EJ Snyder, and T Formation Conversation from Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.; Steven’s Streaming Twitch Channel from Steven Schweickert; and Robert Zeglinski’s The Blitz Network

THE RULES

Click on our names to follow us on Twitter:

WCG Contributors: Jeff Berckes; Patti Curl; Eric Christopher Duerrwaechter; Kev H; Sam Householder; Jacob Infante; Aaron Lemming; Ken Mitchell; Steven Schweickert; Jack Silverstein; EJ Snyder; Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; Whiskey Ranger; Robert Schmitz; Robert Zeglinski; Like us on Facebook.

Source: https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2019/5/29/18643371/chicago-bears-free-agency-draft-offseason-training-activities-camp-pace-nagy

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routerground6-blog · 5 years

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The Inaugural Half Acre Far & Away Invitational

a creative gathering at Harris Theater

Up to this point the only notable beer party over this way is the annual Harvest HopDown Fest at The Plaza on Millennium Park. It’s an October gathering where Park Grill’s PR staff coordinates distributors to come pour packaged mainline offerings from popular regional breweries. It’s a decent party and certainly better than having no bier fest at all on Michigan Avenue.

What we saw on the rooftop of Harris Theater at that same park was a completely different animal. The mighty Half Acre Beer Company invited 61 of their favorite breweries that never make it to our corner of the earth. The lineup was so stacked that you could walk right up to 2018 GABF IPA winners Alvarado Street and Green Cheek with no wait.

Wiseacre, Memphis, TN*

Saturday 10.13.18*

FFF, Munster, IN*

Perennial, STL*

My favorite beer of the fest was probably the understated brilliance of Jester King & Scratch’s Abscission (spontaneously fermented ale with spicebush, grapevine + juniper).

It was less about rankings and more about appreciating what releases your favorite beers snobs are hysterical about. Beers that up to this point many of us only get to read about. Nothing will top seeing the founders of Dark Matter Coffee and Half Acre joyously sharing pours and thanking us for attending. Half Acre’s Benthic three ways (espresso, iced coffee, stout) was hard to deny and had us thinking how lucky we are to live in the same town as those two crews.

This was like attending a beer event for the first time. There were 16 brewers we legit had never even heard of. The sentiment was felt among teams that made the trip to pour their own beers like Pennington, New Jersey’s Referend Bier Blendery. They admitted not being familiar with all the breweries in attendance.

We never party this hard in The Loop. Finally a festival that the bottle share crowd can appreciate. The good folks at Half Acre have set the bar for what a modern beer gathering should feel like.

–Nkosi

Orange County, CA

Referend Bier Blendery

Pennington, New Jersey

Other Notes: -Side Project, Monkish, Casey, Other Half had insane lines during session one.

– During our hot pursuit of Perennial’s Maman and the Other Half/ Angry Chair collab Rice Proxy Treats, we missed out Tired Hands Guava Lavender Milkshake IPA and Kane’s Vanilla Sunday Brunch

-Far & Away participant beers were around town for the weekend at The Beer Temple, Kaiser Tiger and Beermiscuous

-*denotes photo courtesy of Brad Chmielewski

-Enjoy this remarkable collection of beers

3 Floyds Brewing Company THICC BOIS / DDH LACTOSE IPA CHEER TEAM / IPA

18th Street Brewery BLEND / A BLEND OF RUSSIAN IMPERIAL STOUT, MILK STOUT + BARLEY WINE AGED IN BUFFALO TRACE BARRELS SCRATCH AND DENT / IPA

Allagash Brewing Company ALLAGASH WHITE / BELGIAN-STYLE WHEAT BEER SAISON GRATIS / SAISON-STYLE ALE

Alvarado Street Brewery MAI TAI P.A. / TROPICAL IPA CONTAINS NO JUICE / JUICY DOUBLE IPA

American Solera SOMEBODY LOVES YOU IN COPENHAGEN / FRUIT BEER BARREL AGED DILEMMA / BARREL AGED STOUT

Arizona Wilderness Brewing Company REFUGE IPA ABUNDANSEA / IMPERIAL STOUT

easily the best lineup of the year*

Columbus Brewing*

Aslin Beer Co BALE / IMPERIAL STOUT TOTALLY CANON / SOUR ALE

Bagby Beer Company SWEET RIDE / PILSNER GOOF TROOP / AMERICAN IPA

Beavertown Brewery METAMORPH / BRETT IPA MANGO MILK / MANGO MILKSHAKE DIPA (OMNIPOLLO COLLAB)

Bellwoods Brewery FRUIT JELLY KING / DRY-HOPPED SOUR WITH PINK GUAVA

Breakside Brewing WANDERLUST / IPA #MOREFRIENDS #MOREMEMORIES / BARREL AGED RASPBERRY SOUR

Bunker Brewing Company TERRARIUM / IPA MACHINE PILZ / CZECH-STYLE PILSNER

Burial Beer Company FRESH HOP SHADOWCLOCK / PILSNER THE FALL OF THE REBEL ANGELS / SOUR RED WITH CHOKEBERRIES

Casey Brewing & Blending APRICOT FRUIT STAND / ALE AGED IN OAK BARRELS WITH APRICOTS VELVET / ALE AGED IN OAK BARRELS WITH APRICOTS

Cigar City Brewing COCONUT MARSHAL ZHUKOV’S / IMPERIAL STOUT WITH COCONUT GUAYABERA / CITRA PALE ALE

Columbus Brewing Company BODHI / DOUBLE IPA CROCODILE TONGUE / BARREL AGED SOUR ON PEACHES

Creature Comforts Brewing Company BIBO / PILSNER ARCADIANA / SAISON

De La Senne, Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Belgium

Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project SURETTE RESERVA JUNIPER & GIN / PROVISION SOUR ALE SOUR ROSE´ / WILD ALE

De La Senne TARAS BOULBA / BLONDE ALE

Firestone Walker Brewing Company SLOAMBIC / WILD ALE WITH BLACKBERRIES DARK & STORMY / BLENDED ALE WITH GINGER & LIME

Fonta Flora, Morganton, NC

Fonta Flora Brewery WHIPPOORWILL WIT / BELGIAN WITBIER SCUPPADINE / APPALACHIAN WILD ALE

Forest + Main Brewing Company DOCHTER SEIZOEN / SAISON SOLAIRE / SAISON

Founders Brewing Company KBS / BOURBON BARREL AGED STOUT MOSAIC PROMISE / SINGLE HOP PALE ALE

Fremont Brewing Company THE RUSTY NAIL / BOURBON BARREL AGED IMPERIAL STOUT WITH LICORICE AND CINNAMON BARK FIELD TO FERMENT – CITRA / FRESH HOP PALE ALE

Gigantic Brewing Company KOLSCHTASTIC / KOLSCH BIG BRETT LOVE / BRETT SAISON AGED IN VERMOUTH AND FRENCH OAK BARRELS

Great Notion Brewing WIGGLE / HAZY IPA KEY LIME PIE / GOSE WITH KEY LIMES, VANILLA BEANS AND MORE

Green Cheek Beer Co WEST COAST IPA IS DEAD / WEST COAST IPA ATTACK WITH LOVE / HAZY IPA

Hacienda Beer Company L’ETE / BARREL FERMENTED SAISON DDH EVERYTHING EVENTUALLY WITH EL DORADO

Half Acre Beer Company ABOVE & BEYOND / DDH IPA INFUSED WITH MOSAIC VANILLA BENTHIC / BARREL AGED IMPERIAL STOUT WITH COFFEE, COCONUT + VANILLA

Harris Theater Rooftop, Millennium Park

Highland Park Brewery WONDER CLOUD / HAZY IPA HELP YOURSELF / BARREL FERMENTED SAISON

Holy Mountain Brewing KING’S HEAD / BOURBON BARREL AGED DOUBLE OATMEAL BROWN ALE OFFERTORY / ALE AGED IN OAK BARRELS ON MALBEC & SYRAH POMACE

Industrial Arts Brewing Company WRENCH / NEIPA SPLICE / DDH SOUR BEER

Interboro Spirits & Ales OVERTIME / IMPERIAL IPA BUSHBURG / PILSNER

J Wakefield Brewing BLUEBRAKER / SOUR IPA BOSS TYCOON / IMPERIAL STOUT

Jackie O’s Pub & Brewery APPLE BRANDY BARREL OIL OF APHRODITE / BARREL AGED IMPERIAL STOUT BOURBON BARREL BRICK KILN / BARREL-AGED BARLEY WINE

Jester King Brewery ABSCISSION / SPONTANEOUSLY FERMENTED FORAGED ALE (COLLAB WITH SCRATCH) COMMERICAL SUICIDE / MIXED CULTURE MILD ALE

Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales TURBO BAM / RYE FARMHOUSE ALE FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS / FRUIT SAISON

Kane Brewing Company GALAXY PUNCH / INDIA PALE ALE VANILLA SUNDAY BRUNCH / IMPERIAL MILK PORTER

Lawrence Beer Co*

Lawrence Beer Company LECTRIC / IPA BIG PEACH / SAISON

Maine Beer Company SON OF SAPPING MAMMOTH / IPA POST RIDE SNACK / SESSION IPA

Mikkeller SPONTANDOUBLERASPBERRY / SOUR ALE WITH RASPBERRIES TBA

Modern Times Beer YELLOW / SAISON AGED IN WINE BARRELS WITH APRICOTS FELLOWSHIP OF XUL / DESSERT STOUT

Monkish Brewing Company SPACE FOOD / COTTON CANDY SPACE COOKIE DOUBLE MILKSHAKE IPA (COLLAB WITH OMNIPOLLO + TIRED HANDS) GALACTIC RHYME FEDERATION / TRIPLE IPA

New Belgium Brewing Company VOODOO RANGER JUICY HAZE IPA / UNFILTERED IPA TRANSATLANTIQUE / KRIEK

Other Half Brewing Company DDH BROCCOLI / IMPERIAL INDIA PALE ALE RICE PROXY TREATS / IMPERIAL STOUT (COLLAB WITH ANGRY CHAIR)

Oxbow, Newcastle, Maine

Oxbow Brewing Company SASUGA / STAINLESS-AGED SAISON WITH RICE BOBASA / BARREL-AGED SMOKED FARMHOUSE ALE

Perennial Artisan Ales PILS / DRY-HOPPED GERMAN-STYLE PILSNER MAMAN / IMPERIAL STOUT

Prairie Artisan Ales PRAIRIE NOIR / BOURBON BARREL AGED IMPERIAL STOUT PINK GUAVA FUNK / SOUR ALE WITH PINK GUAVA FRUIT

The Referend Bier Blendery BERLINER MESSE: GLORIA GRAND CRU / SPONTANEOUSLY FERMENTED PALE WHEAT ALE TENDER BUTTONS / FRAMBOISE

Sante Adairius Rustic Ales WOVEN / BARREL AGED BLONDE ALE (HALF ACRE COLLAB) RECENCY EFFECT / GIN BARREL AGED SAISON

Shared Brewing FANNY PACK FASHION SHOW / IPA TOMMY FRESH BATCH #2 / TDH DIPA

Door County, Wisco

Side Project Brewing DERIVATION BLEND #10 / BA IMPERIAL STOUT LA RUCHE BLEND #2 / BELGIAN SAISON

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company TRIP IN THE WOODS CHOCOLATE CHIPOTLE STOUT / BARREL AGED IMPERIAL STOUT SINGLE HOP EL DORADO / SESSION IPA

Sun King Brewing PACHANGA / MEXICAN STYLE LAGER AFTERNOON DELIGHT / BOURBON BARREL AGED DOPPELBOCK

Superstition Meadery CHERION / MELOMEL BBA AMANTE / SPECIALTY MEAD

Threes Brewing LOGICAL CONCLUSION / IPA FAR BETWEEN / FOUDRE-FERMENTED FEST BEER

Tired Hands Brewing Company HELLES OTHER PEOPLE GUAVA LAVENDER MILKSHAKE IPA

Transient Artisan Ales WHEN YOU’RE HERE YOU’RE HERE / COCKTAIL INSPIRED OAK AGED SOUR THE JUICE IS LOOSE / DOUBLE IPA

Troon Brewing HI, CHICAGO / HOPPY ALE BYE, CHICAGO / KETTLE SOUR BREWED WITH LACTOSE, RE-FERMENTED WITH MANGO + PASSION FRUIT, CONDITIONED ON MADAGASCAR VANILLA BEANS

Trve Brewing Company CURSED / MIXED CULTURE PALE ALE SOLID HEX / WATERMELON SAISON

Upslope Brewing Company SPRUCE TIP IPA / AMERICAN INDIA PALE ALE TROPICAL FRUIT SOUR / FRUITED BARREL AGED SOUR BEER

The Veil Brewing Company YOUNG & PURE / IPA WE DED MON / TRIPLE IPA

Weldwerks Brewing Company DDH JUICY BITS / HAZY IPA MEXICAN ACHROMATIC / MEXICAN STOUT

Wiseacre Brewing Company TINY BOMB / PILSNER ASTRONAUT STATUS / BOURBON BARREL AGED IMPERIAL STOUT WITH CINNATTMON AND VANILLA BEANS

Source: https://www.chicagobeergeeks.com/2018/10/the-inaugural-half-acre-far-away-invitational/

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Royals SS Mondesi on IL with shoulder injury

Kansas City Royals shortstop Adalberto Mondesi was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday, one day after partially dislocating his left shoulder in Tuesday's game against the Chicago White Sox.

Mondesi suffered the injury while diving for a foul popup from Chicago's Yolmer Sanchez in the fifth inning. He didn't make the catch and was holding his left arm while leaving the field.

Mondesi has been enjoying a solid season, batting .266 with seven homers, 52 RBIs and a major league-leading 31 stolen bases in 82 games.

Kansas City recalled infielder Humberto Arteaga from Triple-A Omaha to replace Mondesi. Arteaga batted .237 with one RBI in 11 games with the Royals earlier this season.

Also, right-hander Jake Newberry was optioned to Omaha to clear a roster spot for left-hander Mike Montgomery, who was acquired from the Chicago Cubs on Monday in exchange for catcher Martin Maldonado.

Newberry went 1-0 with 3.74 ERA in 16 appearances for the Royals this season. Montgomery was 1-2 with a 5.67 ERA in 20 appearances for the Cubs.

--Field Level Media

Source: https://sports.yahoo.com/royals-ss-mondesi-il-shoulder-222011340.html?src=rss

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routerground6-blog · 5 years

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Pre-Gamin’: Mets at Cubs (1:20 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

The Cubs’ damage in the third inning (5H, 2B, 3B, 2BBs and 6 earned runs) was enough to put away the Mets last night, which means we’re off to a good start on this long home series against New York. But with Jacob deGrom looming on Sunday, I’d love to secure at least another win over these next two games, so there’s a little less pressure on the finale.

And to that end, the Cubs have Yu Darvish going for them today and Jason Vargas on the other mound. Vargas wasn’t great his last time out (4.0 IP, 1H, 2ER, 3BB, 4Ks), but he tossed a quality start against the Yankees in New York in the start before that, 9.0 scoreless innings against the Giants in the start before that, and 7.0 innings of 1-run baseball against the Dodgers in Los Angeles in the start before THAT. So, basically … yeah, he’s faced some good teams in their home ballparks recently, and has mostly come out on top. Good luck Cubs. Try not to suck.

Game Info

Chicago Cubs (41-33) vs. New York Mets (35-40) – Friday, June 21st at 1:10 CT on NBC Sports Chicago, MLBN, 670 The Score

Starting Pitchers

Mets: Jason Vargas (L)

versus

Cubs: Yu Darvish (R)

Chicago Cubs:

Kyle Schwarber, LF

Kris Bryant, RF

Anthony Rizzo, 1B

Javy Baez, SS

Willson Contreras, C

David Bote, 3B

Albert Almora Jr., CF

Yu Darvish, P

Addison Russell, 2B

New York Mets:

Jeff McNeil, LF

Pete Alonso, 1B

Robinson Cano, 2B

Michael Conforto, RF

J.D. Davis, 3B

Dominic Smith, LF

Adeiny Hechavarría, SS

Tomas Nido, C

Jason Vargas, P

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/2019/06/21/pre-gamin-mets-at-cubs-120-ct-lineups-broadcast-info-game-thread/

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The Matt Kemp/Yasiel Puig/Alex Wood trade won’t be popular among players

On Friday, I was taking a nap. My phone had been making a few noises, so I checked Twitter and MLB Trade Rumors without really waking up. “It” had happened. The Dodgers off-loaded three contracts (Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig, and Alex Wood), and received a bad one (Homer Bailey) in return. For accepting Bailey’s contract, the Dodgers were to receive prospect shortstop Jeter Downs, as well. I chuckled, and rolled back to bed. This was going to be a very unpopular exchange.

For a stretch in the salary-cap NBA, these sorts of “expiring contract” trades were all the rage. There was one about five years ago where a former NBA All-Star was flipped with a first round draft selection for a second-rounder. The veteran had demonstrably negative market value. Friday’s trade, which I figure I’ll call the “Jeter Downs deal” was a bit along those lines. The reactions on Cubs social media heading into the weekend was less than positive.

However, the Chicago assessment (“Even the Reds are getting better” among many others) isn’t that what I’m looking for. This is a really unpopular trade. This trade either moves the goalposts, or indicates they’d been moved over a year ago. It’s really difficult to argue against that “cost matters” in a sport that doesn’t have a salary cap.

Baseball fans want to get players added to their team that they are familiar with. That they like. They want to keep their favorites around. Those that are less popular, they want to go away. This is understandable, and has been how things work for since most of us have been following. However, things have changed, and this trade advertises the change.

Cost matters, now. Through the last few Collective Bargaining Agreements, owners from the majority have been trying to chisel away at the advantages held by the so-called “big market teams”.

For changes in the CBA, 23 of 30 owners have to agree, as well as 50 percent plus one of the union. Ignoring the union for a moment, the small market cities have a huge advantage. To an extent, this was displayed in the international arena. It was very “wild west” until Theo Epstein arrived with the Cubs. Then, spending limits were inserted. Teams, often from larger markets, violated the limits, and paid a fine. The tourniquet was tightened. Now, the international cap is very firm.

In the draft, teams used to be able to spend whatever they wanted on signing bonuses. Those, as well, have been curtailed. When teams spend “too much” (I don’t like the term, either) on free agency, they lose international space, draft picks, or position in the draft. That, likely, seems a minimal punishment to you. To which I have two principle responses.

One is, this is why the Jeter Downs trade is so unpopular with fans. People, paying massive amounts annually to watch their team (hopefully) win, have been knee-capped by a majority of owners. It’s as if a sentence has been handed down. You can kick and scream, but, in the morning, the Cubs won’t be able to fully use their spending edge on MLB talent.

The second goes to those who have lawyered up. “The penalties. They aren’t that harsh. It’s just a draft pick or international space. They won’t turn things very often.” That isn’t the point, though. When the new CBA is ratified, the 23 will decide it. The five or six dissenters will get a few things added as a binky, but the Royals and Brewers want to be able to sign elite talent in free agency. If the teams at the top don’t “take the whipping,” the next whipping is going to be harder.

It’s entirely possible a team that violates the spending limits could lose a first round draft pick, to be distributed to a team that didn’t go over any limits. I’m not saying that will, or should, happen. However, if $246 million had become $400 million, that could have been the case.

Teams that go over the spending limit and sign a qualifying free agent could lose their entire international spending space. Which wouldn’t change the beer in the bleachers, but the possibility has chilled the free agent market. And it’s apparently a surprise. Even though the creep in that direction has been clear for at least 16 months.

Needless to say, the players in the league loathe this trade. Free agent deals are in the freezer. The low-eight figure deals will still be there for a potential starting pitcher. However, if teams have to make trades like this to add “generational talent”, the union gave away far more than they had imagined in the last pact.

I was researching an entirely different project on Friday morning. I had reason to look at the fourth round of the 2016 MLB Draft. Obviously a recent draft, and on the second day, it would seem odd to find anything “of note” there. Alas, I did. Four of the 30 selected players from that round have debuted in MLB within 30 months. Three were with playoff teams.

Shane Bieber (122nd in the draft) from UCSB started 19 games for the 2018 Indians. While he didn’t appear in the postseason for Cleveland, he figures to be important for the team’s management. At least, until he gets expensive.

In the NL Central, Corbin Burnes (111th overall in that draft class) was a leverage reliever for the Brewers. He pitched in six post-season games. Needless to say, the St. Mary’s College (CA) arm will be pitching often against the Cubs the next few seasons.

I’m not especially familiar with the Braves Bryse Wilson, but he pitched seven innings over three games for the Braves. Pegged from high school (pick 109), he debuted at age 20 in MLB. He could well become a familiar name soon.

Lastly, Joey Lucchesi (Southeast Missouri State and pick 114) started 26 games in 2018 for the Padres. Since you’re curious, the Cubs selected Tom Hatch a bit before those four came off the board, and Tyson Miller after. Both are doing well in the Cubs middle-minors.

Teams are expecting scouts to find MLB talent into the second and third days of the draft. That isn’t me saying it. It’s three post-season squads locating and developing MLB quality assets in rounds thought of by many as throwaway crapshoot selections. Drafting and development are more important than they used to be when pitchers in a pipeline were almost thought of as kindling wood. Players like Jeter Downs (2017 32nd overall pick) are valued by front offices because they are cost-controlled assets.

This is disconcerting to many. For many reasons. Many of these people write articles about baseball, numerous times a week. Suddenly, Jeter Downs is more important than Matt Kemp, it seems. Contracts, when bad, greatly constrict player movement. This isn’t good for MLB writers or fans.

When players who are unknowns become the key articles in trades, the baseball world changes and cringes. “I remember when” ideas are being formed. We want to see players on television we know and like. When the Dodgers trade three major league players for a player they plan to release as soon as the trade is concluded, it could be perceived as a cheapening of the game. When the trade is to make room for someone like Bryce Harper, it seems off-putting.

I feel your pain. Really, I do. At some points, I realized the Cubs added Theo Epstein at the point when adding Epstein would matter less than had it happened before. I’ve been kicking at this nightmare for seven years. At some point, I recalibrated. I’ve adjusted. Are these changes good for the Cubs? No. Are they good for the players? No. Are they good for the strength and equity of the league? Probably.

Money matters now. Prospects being properly developed, matters more now. International spending efficiency matters more now. You don’t have to like it. You can hate it from now until three decades from now. Which is why the Jeter Downs trade is so unpopular. It’s a nod toward front offices being more important, and the games you watch being less essential to the some of the owners than they might have been before.

Source: https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/12/22/17910152/matt-kemp-yasiel-puig-alex-wood-trade-analysis

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routerground6-blog · 5 years

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MLB Pushes for Pace, Options, and DL Rules Changes, and MLBPA Pushes Back

“All the dead time in the last two free-agent markets is a larger threat to our game than any supposed dead time between pitches.”

That quote from the head of the MLB Players Association, Tony Clark, comes in response to the recent MLB proposal to the players association, which reportedly includes the implementation of a pitch clock for the 2019 season. And although I tend to side with the players association on a lot of issues, I think that was a pretty poorly-worded statement.

That’s not to say I disagree with him in spirit – the slow free agent market likely is doing damage to the sport and it’s a real problem that absolutely needs to be addressed – but comparing it to pace-of-play is a kind of a false equivalency. Both issues exist separate from each other. And trying to slow the progress of the former in favor of the latter – in my opinion – will come back to bite the players down the line (and don’t even get me started on his use of “supposed,” in his comments … as if it’s not a real problem).

At the same time, I don’t really blame Clark for making these comments. He’s just playing the same game all sides do at times like this: firing away (sometimes disingenuously) in search of leverage at every corner.

Clark’s comments come in response to the proposal MLB handed to the players association, which includes, among many things, changes like going back to a 15-day disabled list (currently 10), increasing the time optioned players have to spend in the minors (from 10 days to 15 days), and, of course, a pitch clock (I recall also reading about a further reduction in mound visits from six to five, but that was not included in AP’s reporting, for what it’s worth). The goal of the league’s changes to the DL and optioned time is aimed at reducing the number of relief pitchers used (teams were playing crafty games with the recently-shortened shelf-time) in order to help with service time and aid offense by reducing strikeouts. And, of course, the pitch clock is aimed directly at pace-of-play.

But in response to what I consider the sort of changes that should benefit all of baseball in the long-term, the players association is making this about free agency. And that leaves us, the fans, in a tricky position.

On the one hand – as a fan and someone who covers baseball – I agree that the free agent ice-out that began last winter and carried into this offseason is bad for the game. It annoys fans, it frustrates players, and it transform a baseball advantage in attention into a negative. But I’m not about to make concessions to desired rules changes that can improve the on-field game in both the short and long-term in order to make improvements to free agency … because I shouldn’t have to choose. They both need to be addressed, and I think both sides know that, despite their words and actions.

Basically, I’m saying that the commissioner and union shouldn’t turn this into a false choice, and I don’t want you to fall for it. Personally and professionally, I care too much about baseball to let that happen. And I hope the players association and league eventually come to the same realization.

As a final reminder: The league doesn’t actually need the players association’s approval to make any of these rules changes – the commissioner can do so unilaterally on most of these proposals, having already proposed changes a year ago. However, given the contentious nature of that relationship, I believe both sides want to come to an agreement on the changes to the game. Inherently, however, agreements tend to come with concessions from both sides. I hope that’s something everyone keeps in mind as we head ever closer to what’s certain to be at least a threatened work stoppage before the expiration of the current CBA.

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/2019/01/25/mlb-pushes-for-pace-options-and-dl-rules-changes-and-mlbpa-pushes-back/

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Land sale closes for $200 million Triangle Square mixed use project in East Bucktown

Chicago-based Belgravia Group, Ltd. and LMC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Miami-based Lennar Corporation, say that they have closed on the 4.1-acre parcel of land known as Triangle Square.

The Chicago Plan Commission approved Belgravia’s $200 million plan on Nov. 1, Crain’s Chicago Business reported earlier.

Belgravia will construct a new mixed-use project including 66 condominiums, while LMC will develop a another project including 300 apartment homes. The development is at the intersection of Webster and Elston avenues in Chicago’s East Bucktown neighborhood, and adjacent to the 70-acre Lincoln Yards development.

“Closing on this land is the first milestone in ushering this area from its industrial past to its new future as one of the city’s most vibrant live-work-play neighborhoods,” David Goldman, executive vice-president and chief operating officer at Belgravia Group, said in a statement. “We are putting the final touches on our floor plans and look forward to beginning our sales program in January.”

Construction on the masonry and glass condominium building, designed by Chicago-based Sullivan Goulette & Wilson, will begin next summer with first deliveries scheduled for summer 2020.

Meanwhile apartment developer and manager LMC will develop 300 apartment homes in a separate Triangle Square building. The rental building also will include approximately 24,000 sq. ft. of ground-floor retail. The community’s name has not yet been announced.

Future plans call for a third office and retail building. The two-story building is marked to start development after the completion of both residential buildings.

Source: https://chicagoconstructionnews.com/land-sale-close-for-200-million-triangle-square-mixed-use-project-in-east-bucktown/

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routerground6-blog · 5 years

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S&P downgrades sales tax-backed Build Illinois bonds

* S&P…

S&P Global Ratings lowered its ratings on Illinois’ Build Illinois senior- and junior-lien sales tax bonds to ‘BBB’ from ‘AA-’ upon the implementation of our recently released priority-lien tax revenue debt criteria. The outlook is stable.

“The downgrade reflects our view of the state’s general creditworthiness, which, under the new criteria, limits the final ratings on priority-lien tax revenue debt,” said S&P Global Ratings credit analyst Gabriel Petek. Our priority-lien criteria takes into account both the strength and stability of the pledged revenues, as well as the general credit quality of the obligor where taxes are distributed and/or collected, in this case, the state of Illinois.

The ratings reflect what we view as Illinois’:

• Deep and diverse economic base and above-average income levels supporting sales tax collections; • Very strong debt service coverage; and • Strong credit structure that we believe largely insulates bondholders from economic and revenue volatility, with an additional bonds test that significantly constrains future leverage.

Offsetting these strengths, in our view, is the state’s general credit quality (general obligation [GO] rating BBB-/Stable). To date, the Build Illinois bond program’s authorizing legislation has restricted its use to financing capital and infrastructure projects. While this remained the case even throughout the state’s two-year budget impasse, future legislatures could enact laws broadening the program’s allowable uses. In our view, the inability to prohibit future lawmakers from taking such action, combined with the state’s unresolved fiscal imbalances, links the credit quality of the Build Illinois sales tax revenue bonds to the state’s general creditworthiness. Therefore, the rating on the Build Illinois bonds is constrained from going higher unless we raise the state GO rating. […]

The downgrade affects $2.27 billion in existing Build Illinois sales tax bonds and the state’s recent issuance of $250 million of Build Illinois sales tax bonds. The junior-lien bonds are subordinate in the flow of funds to the senior-lien bonds outstanding, but we have assigned the same ratings to bonds of both liens due to the similar credit structure, strong bond protections against dilution of coverage by additional debt, and very strong debt service coverage from the pledged sales tax revenues levied statewide.

This is a bit nuts, if you ask me. They’re backed up by sales taxes, nobody has ever talked about using that bond program for anything other than capital and infrastructure projects and bonds get paid first under Illinois law.

Source: https://capitolfax.com/2018/10/31/sp-downgrades-sales-tax-backed-build-illinois-bonds/

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routerground6-blog · 5 years

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Andy Warhol, Publisher

Jennifer L. Roberts, Harvard University

"In this engrossing book, Lucy Mulroney offers a bracing new account of Andy Warhol’s publication projects as they redefined the rituals of publishing, publicity, and print in America. Drawing upon extensive new archival research treating everything from the ‘coloring parties’ of the 1950s to the late photobook America, Mulroney demonstrates the range, intricacy, and above all the radically collaborative nature of these projects."

Source: https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/A/bo28828037.html

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Bears trade for Aaron Donald!!!

In a shocking move that was nearly overshadowed by their epic triple jersey announcement, the Chicago Bears have swung a deal with the Los Angeles Rams for superstar defensive lineman Aaron Donald. Chicago will send four first round draft picks to L.A. for Donald, with the picks coming in consecutive drafts in 2100, 2101, 2102, and 2103.

The trade was finalized just minutes after Jason La Canfora tweeted out that the Bears had no shot at acquiring Donald.

The price was steep for Bears’ general manager Ryan Pace, but ultimately he did what he had to do to get another top talent for his team. “Four consecutive first rounders is a lot, but I would have traded even more for Donald.” Pace said. “And besides, I won’t be running the Bears eighty years from now so what do I care about mortgaging so far into the future?”

Donald will join Khalil Mack to give the Bears the most devastatingly, dynamic, defensive duo in the NFL, but Mack and Donald are already arguing which of them is Batman and which is Robin.

Donald said via conference call, “Chicago hasn’t had a Batman and Robin duo like me and Mack since Jordan and Pippen were winning titles in the 90’s, but make no mistake about it, I’m Batman.”

“I was here first, so I’m Batman.” Mack said in a one page fax sent to the media shortly after Donald’s conference call ended.

But then in an interesting twist, former Bears’ defensive lineman, Anthony “Spice” Adams, reminded everyone that there’s only one true Batman in Chicago when he retweeted the following.

Adams’ chiming in has jump started speculation that he’s planning an NFL comeback at 38-years old. “Comeback? Me?” Spice said via his MySpace page. “I am in the best shape of my life, so you never know!”

But back to Donald.

He was also asked about those 2014 pre-draft rumors that he would refuse to sign in Chicago if the Bears had drafted him. “All those quotes we’re taken out of context by some fake-media jackass. I’m no a hold-out type of guy”

Most have taken to social media to praise the move, but not everyone is on board with the deal.

Evan Silva feels the Bears gave up too much for the two-time Defensive Player of the Year, saying, “I don’t think Ryan Pace understands how trades work in the NFL.”

Matt Miller claims to have a source that knows a high level NFL executive that told him, “Pace just got fired with this trade.”

Stephen A Smith said, “The Bears and Ryan Pace are stumbling their way to the 2019 season by trading a boat-load of picks for a well past his prime Ndamukong Suh, when they should be trying to figure out how to get out of that terrible Jay Cutler contract.”

Bears’ fans, what are your thoughts on this historic move?

Source: https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2019/4/1/18290423/april-fools-day-joke-chicago-bears-trade-for-aaron-donald-los-angeles-rams-khalil-mack-anthony-adams

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The Bear’s Den, November 17, 2018

BEAR DOWN, CHICAGO BEARS, BEAR DOWN!!!!

BEARRRSSSS

Players to Watch in Bears-Vikings game - ChicagoBears.com - Larry Mayer and Simon Kaufman of ChicagoBears.com discuss the Bears players they’ll be watching on both sides of the ball in Sunday night’s game against the Vikings, including running back Tarik Cohen.

Emma: Khalil Mack Keeps Level Head As Bears Battle For First Place - 670 The Score - ”You can never get too high, you can never get too low,” Khalil Mack says.

Video: Danny Parkins Takes Great Joy In Mike McCarthy’s Failings - 670 The Score - Mike McCarthy can’t seem to get out of his own way.

Emma: Bears’ Dion Sims Ruled Out Against Vikings - 670 The Score - The Bears enter their primetime game with a mostly clean bill of health.

5@5: Is Mack Best Bears Player In 30 Years? - 670 The Score - The Mully & Haugh crew debates a five-pack of questions every weekday.

Campbell: 3 keys for the 6-3 Bears on Sunday night vs. the 5-3-1 Vikings - Chicago Tribune In their biggest game of the season, against the defending NFC North champion, can the Bears maintain control of first place in the division?

Week 11: Can the Bears beat the Vikings in a critical division game? Our team is split - Chicago Tribune - Can the Bears beat the Vikings at home? Tribune writers make their picks

Bear Download podcast: Bears-Vikings in prime time — but not in a helicopter - Chicago Tribune - Welcome to the weekly Bear Download podcast. Listen below or subscribe and listen on iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Play Rich Campbell and Colleen Kane are in the Halas Hall basement to preview Sunday night's Bears-Vikings game for first place in the NFC North. They start by assessing what...

Biggs: Scouting report on Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter - 'One of the freakiest athletes in the NFL' - Chicago Tribune - Danielle Hunter is second in the NFL with 11½ sacks and had at least one in each of the first seven games. He had 3½ sacks and a fumble return for a touchdown in the Vikings’ last game, a victory over the Lions on Nov. 4.

Campbell: 'I believe in him' Bears special teams coordinator Chris Tabor cites narrow misses in vote of confidence for Cody Parkey - Chicago Tribune - Bears special teams coordinator Chris Tabor reiterated his belief in maligned kicker Cody Parkey a day after Parkey practiced at Soldier Field in an attempt to break out of his field-goal-kicking slump.

Stankeviz: As Bears enter season-tipping game, four ascending players could key win over Vikings - NBC Sports Chicago - The Bears have a number of ascending players right now, but four of them specifically could be critical in getting them past the Vikings on Sunday.

Stebbins: Could a new head coach be coming to Bears/Packers rivalry? - NBC Sports Chicago - Could 2018 be Mike McCarthy's last season as Packers head coach? One NFL expert believes so, while also naming an interesting candidate as McCarthy's potential replacement.

Mayer: Nagy expects Bears to be prepared, not tight - ChicagoBears.com - Based on what he’s seen in practice this week, Matt Nagy likes his team’s mindset heading into Sunday night’s first-place clash with the Vikings. “I don’t think you’re going to see tightness within our guys,” said the Bears coach.

Under Center Podcast: With NBC Sports Soccer’s Arlo White and Roger Bennett - NBC Sports Chicago - Two of the biggest Bears fans you’ll meet happen to be two of the most recognizable voices of NBC Sports’ Premier League coverage.

Kaufman: Where to watch, listen to Bears-Vikings game - ChicagoBears.com - The Bears will play their 10th regular-season game at 7:20 pm (CT) on Sunday when they host the Vikings. Here's how you can watch and listen to the contest.

Potash: Here’s who to watch and why in Week 11 - Sun Times - The Bears need this one, because they know they’ll have a tough time beating the Lions on all-time short rest — just 85 hours between kickoffs.

Finley: Stakes are raised for Bears QB Mitch Trubisky vs Vikings - Sun Times - Sunday night against the Vikings, the Bears quarterback will step up in weight class — and in attention given him by a national television audience.

Morrissey: Bears' Cody Parkey on hot seat heading into Vikings game - Sun Times - A lot of it has to do with what kickers look like. They look like you, me and possibly your primary care doctor. They don't look like other players.

Jahns: Answering your Chicago Bears questions in Week 11 - Sun Times - Sun-Times Bears writer Adam L. Jahns answers your questions weekly from Twitter.

Finley: Khalil Mack thinks Sunday could 'tell the story' of season - Sun Times - Four questions as the Bears prepare host the Vikings on “Sunday Night Football":

Kane: What's underneath Allen Robinson’s serious approach to his Bears job? An 'inner fight,' a recovery and a goal - Chicago Tribune - There's a running theme from people who have watched Allen Robinson develop from a Detroit high school football and basketball star to a two-time Big Ten receiving leader to the Bears’ No. 1 target for quarterback Mitch Trubisky.

Campbell: 'These are the games you live for' - Khalil Mack upbeat and focused ahead of Bears' Sunday night showdown against Vikings - Chicago Tribune - Bears outside linebacker Khalil Mack is focused and upbeat ahead of Sunday night's game against the Vikings following his two-sack performance in his return from injury against the Lions on Sunday.

Rosenbloom: Mitch Trubisky talks up Matt Nagy, and it sounds like a shot at canned Bears coach John Fox - Chicago Tribune - If we’re gauging Mitch Trubisky’s improvement — and that’s all we do around here — then he has become as slick at indicting John Fox’s grumpy, losing, hopeless era as he is directing the Bears new dangerous, entertaining, first-place offense.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Marcus Mariota = $100 million man? Plus, Le’Veon Bell’s value - NFL.com - Is Marcus Mariota worth $100 million? Will Le’Veon Bell’s absence end up dooming the Steelers in the playoffs? What makes the Rams’ offense so effective? Bucky Brooks answers those questions in this week’s notebook.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Mike McCarthy on job security: I’m focused on what’s in front of us – ProFootballTalk - Mike McCarthy has paced the sideline in Green Bay for 13 seasons. He has won .624 percent of his regular-season games. Nine times in his tenure the Packers have reached the playoffs, with four NFC Championship Game appearances and a Super Bowl title. That has provided him job security.

Lions-Panthers injury report: Marvin Jones, A’Shawn Robinson OUT vs. Panthers - Pride Of Detroit - Detroit will be missing key pieces on both sides of the ball for Sunday’s game.

Lions-Panthers preview podcast: Is Carolina’s defense bad? - Pride Of Detroit - We break down the Lions’ Week 11 opponent with Cat Scratch Reader’s Brian Beversluis.

VIDEO: Detroit Lions HC Matt Patricia strongly defends decision to practice outdoors - Pride Of Detroit - Matt Patricia offered a lengthy response on his decision to practice outdoors during a home week.

Changing of the guard in the NFC North - Daily Norseman - With Green Bay’s loss to Seattle, the division now goes through Minnesota...or Chicago.

Four Weeks in Prime Time May Determine Vikings Fate - Daily Norseman - Entering the bye-week this year, things seem a little similar to last year. Last year the Vikings were 6-2 heading into the bye week with a little momentum, but were looking at a tough slate the...

Packers’ Jimmy Graham suffered broken thumb in Seattle, per report - Acme Packing Company - To make matters worse, the injury appears to be the result of a bad play away from the football.

Aaron Jones’ ‘pitch count’ continues to stunt the Packers’ 2018 season - Acme Packing Company - The well-documented mismanagement of one of the Packers’ biggest offensive weapons has prevented the unit from sustained drives and was on display once again in Seattle.

Packers Week 11 Snap Counts: Green Bay runs season-low 49 offensive plays in Seattle - Acme Packing Company - A game full of missed opportunities kept the Packers’ offense off the field.

Mike McCarthy’s reliance on “the numbers” underscores the extent of his blunder – ProFootballTalk - Packers coach Mike McCarthy has parlayed the absence of a traditional owner and the presence of a transcendent quarterback into the kind of job security that few other coaches enjoy. McCarthy's ability to escape scrutiny may now be coming to an end, and he has only himself to blame for it.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Berkes: Fantasy Football Forum - Week 11: Nick Chubb Ruins Everything - Windy City Gridiron - You place for all things fantasy football

Zeglinski: Bears-Vikings injury report - All systems go for Sunday Night Football - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears have as clean of a bill of health as you’ll see in mid-November. They’re raring to go for a primetime battle for first place.

Wiltfong: Bears vs. Vikings - TV schedule, odds, streaming, previews, and more - Windy City Gridiron - Huge game this Sunday night. The 5-3-1 Minnesota Vikings, the preseason favorite to win the division, taking on the 6-3 Chicago Bears, a team no one expected to be leading the NFC North at this...

Link: How can the 2018 Chicago Bears become Kings of the (NFC) North? - Windy City Gridiron - Give Andrew’s latest podcast a listen right now!

Wiltfong: Fans of the Bears and Vikings expect their team to win this week - Windy City Gridiron - Welcome to SB Nation FanPulse — a survey of fans across the NFL, powered by SurveyMonkey. Each week, we send 32 polls to 100+ plugged in fans from each team. Bears fans, sign up HERE to join...

WCG CONTRIBUTORS BEARS PODCASTS & STREAMS

2 Minute Drill - Website - iTunes - Andrew Link; Steven’s Streaming – Twitch – Steven Schweickert; T-Formation Conversation - Website - iTunes - Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; WCG Radio - Website - iTunes - Robert Zeglinski

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routerground6-blog · 5 years

Text

Chicago signs off on $2.5 billion North Branch development

The Chicago Plan Commission has signed off on a $2.5 billion development that could bring 14 mixed-use buildings and 7,400 more residents in Chicago’s North Branch Corridor.

The planned development — with 13 acres of open space and a picturesque walkway along the Chicago River — is at 643-to-741 Chicago Ave.

The North Branch Framework is a land use plan for 760 acres along the Chicago River between Kinzie St. and Fullerton Avenue. It is the first framework developed as a part of Mayor Emanuel’s Industrial Corridor Modernization Initiative, a multi-year effort to review Chicago’s designated industrial corridors.

The plan, adopted by the Chicago Plan Commission in May 2017, includes modern land use parameters that will be used by the Chicago Plan Commission, City Council, and the public to assess future development proposals and land use transitions in the North Branch.

In July 2017, City Council approved an ordinance that acts as the initial step to implement the North Branch Framework’s multi-year goals to accommodate mixed-use business growth within the corridor while generating funds for industrial and commercial development throughout the city. These policies include:

– Re-zone of the northern and southern portions of the North Branch Corridor to accommodate the opportunity for mixed-use development. The northern portion of the North Branch was changed mostly to Manufacturing (M) and the southern portion was changed mostly to Downtown Service (DS). The new designations enable a dynamic mix of uses that were previously prohibited by Planned Manufacturing District (PMD) zoning, which remain in the central portion of the corridor.

– Create an Industrial Corridor System Fund that supports industrial projects throughout the city. The fund will be supported by mandatory developer fees triggered by zoning changes from M or DS to a non-industrial classification.

– Expand the City’s existing Neighborhood Opportunity Bonus system to the southern portion of the North Branch corridor. The Neighborhood Opportunity Bonus system generates funding for West, Southwest and South side commercial development projects, local infrastructure and designated City landmarks. Funds are created by voluntary payments from development projects with Downtown (D) district zoning in exchange for increased density.

– Create a North Branch Corridor Bonus system in the northern portion of the North Branch corridor. The North Branch Bonus would enable developers to make voluntary payments in exchange for increased density for new development projects. Revenues would be used to finance transit, open space and other public improvements within the North Branch and other industrial corridors.

Source: https://chicagoconstructionnews.com/chicago-signs-off-on-2-5-billion-north-branch-development/

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