Making sense of the Blagojevich retrial
Comments Off 
Posted under: Politics (Non Front Menu), Rod Blagojevich, Urban Issues
The re-trial of Rod Blagojevich began Monday, with the prosecution leaving behind much of the fanfare found in the first trial that resulted in mistrials on 23 of the 24 counts against the former governor.
Blagojevich was tried for racketeering, among a host of other related charges, in 2009. There were many others who were also brought up on charges in the original trial, including some of Blagojevich’s advisors and his brother. This time around, however, the prosecution shed many of the original charges in an attempt to streamline its case, due to complaints from jurors that it was too confusing.
Blagojevich’s defense gears up to begin calling witnesses next week, and in order to parse out the details of the case and to see how it has changed from the first trial, we are providing the affidavits and several motions proposed by the defense for suppressions, and even an acquittal.
NBA playoff stars’ Chicago connections
Comments Off Posted under: Chicago Bulls, Sports & Entertainment, Sports & Entertainment (Non Front Menu)
League MVP and Chicago native Derrick Rose wasn’t the only hometown hero Chicagoans could have rooted for at the start of the NBA playoffs this year. Check out the playoff stats of four stars with a Chicago connection below. Roll over and click on each image to learn more about the players who made heroic efforts to claim this year’s championship.
Photos by Keith Allison licensed under Creative Commons
Wade photo
Rose photo
Brown photo
Garnett photo
Who’s playing this week? Your guide to the games
1 Comment Posted under: Chicago Bulls, Sports & Entertainment, Sports & Entertainment (Non Front Menu), Uncategorized
The Bulls are heating up as they move on to next round of the playoffs against the Heat, and the Chicago Fire are cooling down as they head north to Toronto this week. Take a peek at who’s playing who, how teams fared against each other the last time they faced off and predictions from fans about the outcomes for this week’s series.
Chicago Cubs vs. San Francisco Giants (Home)
May 13, 2011 1:20 PM
“I’m assessing the season already, overall, and I have to say, they usually tend to do better with the difficult opponents, so I’m going to say that they’re going to do fairly well against the Cardinals and the Giants, and then they’re going to go back to their usual ways.” Rebecca Parrilla, 40, Cubs fan from Andersonville
Chicago White Sox vs. Oakland Athletics (Away)
May 13, 2011 9:05 PM
The Chicago White Sox only pulled off 1 of 3 wins during their April series against the Oakland Athletics. Here’s a recap of the last game and tune in for another three-game series this weekend.
Chicago White Sox vs. Oakland Athletics (Away)
May 14, 2011 3:05 PM
According to MLB.com, Gavin Floyd has been confirmed to pitch Saturday’s game.
Chicago Fire vs. Toronto FC (Away)
May 14, 2011 6 PM
Watch the Chicago Fire as they play Toronto FC at BMO Field.
Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat: Game 1 (Home)
May 14, 2011 7 PM
The Bulls beat the Atlanta Hawks Thursday night and will now move on to the Eastern Conference finals, where they will take on the Miami Heat Sunday at 7 p.m.
Chicago Cubs vs. San Francisco Giants (Home)
May 14, 2011 6:10 PM
Mike Harber, 30, a Little Italy resident, on who will take the series: “I think the Giants will probably win. I don’t have a lot of confidence in the Cubs at this point, just to be honest. People get mad at me, but I guess I’m too much of a realist.”
Chicago Cubs vs. San Francisco Giants (Home)
May 15, 2011 1:20 PM
Jeremy English, 26, a Fox Lake resident, on his prediction for the three-game series against the Giants: “Two out of 3 against the Giants. Depending on our pitching matchups, I think we can do it.”
Chicago White Sox vs. Oakland Athletics (Away)
May 15, 2011 3:05 PM
Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds (Away)
May 16, 2011 6:10 PM
Matt Garza may be pitching Monday night’s game against the Cincinnati Reds, according to MLB.com.
Chicago White Sox vs. Texas Rangers (Home)
May 16, 2011 7:10 PM
Check out Bloomberg Sports’ season predictions for the White Sox. Are they living up to their potential?
Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds (Away)
May 17, 2011 6:10 PM
Chicago White Sox vs. Texas Rangers (Home)
May 17, 2011 7:10 PM
The White Sox couldn’t pull off a win in their last spring training game against the Rangers on March 12. Which team do you think will take home more runs this week?
Chicago Cubs vs. Florida Marlins (Away)
May 18, 2011 6:10 PM
Chicago White Sox vs. Cleveland Indians (Home)
May 18, 2011 7:10 PM
Jake Peavy has been listed as the probable pitcher for Wednesday night’s game against the Indians, according to MLB.com. Check out how he’s been playing on ESPN.com.
Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat: Game 2 (Home)
May 18, 2011 7:30 PM
How will the Bulls fare against the Heat with a home-court advantage? Check out this NBA Intelligence recap from the last time both teams played in sweet home Chicago.
Chicago White Sox vs. Cleveland Indians (Home)
May 19, 2011 7:10 PM
Chicago Cubs vs. Florida Marlins (Away)
May 19, 2011 6:10 PM
“Well, you know, 2003, that’s like a rivalry now. We always have to… win those games, but the Marlins have a decent team. I would rank them just a tad bit better than the Cubs at this point. That should actually be a good series. We’ll see what happens.” -Mike Harber, 30, Little Italy resident
Chicago Cubs vs. Boston Red Sox (Away)
May 20, 2011 6:10 PM
Andersonville resident Rebecca Parrilla, 40, on how the Cubs are faring this season: “It’s such a toss-up this year. They’re so inconsistent, and they’re not producing any runs either. That’s the big problem they have, is that they’re not getting RBIs. They’re not getting the hits when they have the base runners. Hopefully, that’s going to turn around.”
Chicago White Sox vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (Home)
May 20, 2011 7:10 PM
Where Chicagoans go to watch soccer
Comments Off Posted under: Beer, Manchester United, Sports & Entertainment
While most Chicagoans are still sleeping off Friday and Saturday night hangovers, a loyal group of soccer enthusiasts gather at bars like North Center’s Globe Pub, 1934 W Irving Park Road, to watch “the beautiful game”. Expats and natives alike pack in – six-hour time difference be damned – to look on as their favorite English Premier League, Major League Soccer and La Liga teams duke it out in age-old rivalries.
Arsenal vs. Stoke
Up bright and early for the 8 a.m. Arsenal vs. Stoke match, financial markets professional Fernando Adler spent some time before kickoff relaying the troubled history between the North London and Straffordshire clubs to a friend.
“They don’t come out to play soccer at all. At all,” Adler explained. “They’re only out there to foul. They are the opposite of Arsenal, the antithesis of Arsenal.”
Originally from Argentina, Adler spent some time working in London, where he became an obsessed Arsenal fan. Though it’d be easier for him to watch at home, he makes the trek to the Globe for the exciting atmosphere.
“This place is awesome,” Adler said. “I think, because it’s kind of a pain to watch these matches, you get more of a hardcore group here, which is nice. Like, people here cry [over games].”
Adler isn’t the only expat who enjoys the Globe.
“Usually when I come in here, more than half of the people are not from the United States. You have English, you have Irish, you have people who have lived in England. A lot of Africans.”
Gary Winters, one of the pub’s owners – and a disgruntled Arsenal fan – also spoke to the Globe’s diverse crowd.
“Liverpool fans usually have the whole back area filled up when they play” Winters said. “And they often lose. And United has a pretty good following. Usually there’s also a whole load of Germans back there.”
Winters spent most of Arsenal’s frustrating match (they lost 3-1) joking around and screaming at the TVs with friends Doug Mraz and Rich Balabuzko.
“Arsenal supporters are by far the best tippers and by far the funniest,” Winters joked.
“And most handsome!” Mraz added.
To quell the disappointing result, the three treated themselves and a few lucky patrons to champagne in celebration of St. Totteringham’s Day, one bright spot in Arsenal’s otherwise painful season.
Manchester United vs. Chelsea
As the bar filled with Chelsea and Man United fans, architect Ani Tipnis and waitress Rose Salvi, both Liverpool fans, prepared to root for Chelsea to beat their team’s biggest rivals.
“It’s not that I want Chelsea to win. I just want United to lose,” noted Tipnis, who’s originally from India.
They shared a table with Roxanne Provence, a public school teacher, and Dili Yang, a grad student, who are both somewhat saddened Arsenal fans who stayed to watch, hoping Arsenal’s London rival Chelsea could thwart United’s chances of winning a record 19 league titles.
Two hours later, however, their prayers were left unanswered after United’s Nemanja Vidic scored the second goal that secured his team’s 2-1 victory over a lackluster Chelsea.
United fans cheered. Chelsea fans headed for the door while Collin Carter, a telecommunications account manager, sat at a now empty table waiting for the La Liga match to begin.
A supporter of both Barcelona and Manchester United, Carter, who was born in Jamaica and has been coming to the Globe since 1999, was clearly happy with the win. “It’s been a good season,” Carter said, with a smile.
Though fans of bitter rivals, Tipnis and Carter, a Scouser – Liverpool backer – and a Red – Manchester backer, – enjoyed some friendly post-match banter, further proof that the Globe isn’t your average football pub.
“It is truly a world bar, in my opinion,” Tipnis said. “You’ll make good friends here.”
Our favorite places to watch our favorite teams
Comments Off Posted under: Beer, Chicago Bulls, Sports & Entertainment, Sports & Entertainment (Non Front Menu)
Some are winning and some are losing, but at least they’re playing.
Chicago has three major teams currently in the hunt for greatness, and with spring finally blooming, there are plenty of places to watch the Bulls battle for Eastern Conference supremacy (and the White Sox and Cubs battle for .500 records).
Check out this edition of the Chicago Loopster for a comprehensive list of some of the best places in the city to watch your teams get their win on. And if you’re in the mood to do a little bit of celebrity-watching at halftime, take a look at our list of Chicago’s top celebrity hangouts.
Additional information courtesy of CBSChicago.com.
BULLS
Victory Liquors – 2610 N. Halsted St., www.victoryliquors.com
With an 84-by-164-inch TV plastered to the wall and three separate rooms for those who prefer to watch in a calmer atmosphere, this Lincoln Park/DePaul bar is a perfect place to cheer on D-Rose and the Bulls in the company of plenty of your fellow enthusiasts.
Four Shadows – 2758 N. Ashland Ave., www.fourshadows.net (Menu)
For those who would rather watch the game with hardcore fans instead of the casual passerby, this is the place for you. This Lakeview spot features 22-ounce Miller Lite stadium cups for four bucks, tons of TVs and some of the best wings and tater tots in town.
WHITE SOX
Cork and Kerry at the Park – 3258 S. Princeton Ave., www.corkandkerrychicago.com
Can’t get in to the game? Head over to Cork and Kerry at the Park. Forget about the fact that it’s located on the outskirts of U.S. Cellular Field, or that you’ll be surrounded by fellow ChiSox fanatics: The food is the big draw here. In addition to featuring traditional game-day food, Cork and Kerry also masterminds specialty items inspired by whatever team the Sox are playing. (And don’t worry – they’ll be happy to make vegetarian accommodations.)
Shoeless Joe’s – 10290 W. Higgins Rd., www.shoelessjoesrosemont.com (Menu)
How can you ignore a White Sox bar with a name like that? CBSChicago.com calls it, “The next best thing to actually being at U.S. Cellular Field,” and not only because it’s named after the infamous Black Sox orchestrator. The menu leaves little to be desired, offering steaks, ribs and burgers, and it features 30 TVs and – big news – a clean bathroom.
CUBS
Murphy’s Bleachers – 3655 N. Sheffield Ave.,www.murphysbleachers.com
This is the go-to spot for Cubs fans before, during and after games. Located right across the street from Wrigley’s bleacher section, Murphy’s boasts plenty of daily specials ($1 mini burgers on Mondays!), an extensive and moderately-priced beer list and it was named Chicago’s best sports bar by AOL CityGuide in 2004.
Sluggers – 3540 N. Clark St., www.sluggersbar.com (Menu)
This Wrigleyville spot loves all of its Chicago sports equally, but with the Blackhawks currently out of season, Cubs fans dominate. With over 30 TVs (including six 10-foot big screens), batting cages, skee ball and dueling pianos after every Cubs home game, you’ll never be bored (even if there’s a rain delay).
CELEBRITY
Rockit Bar & Grill – 22 W. Hubbard, www.rockitbarandgrill.com
Blackhawks phenoms and BFFs Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane enjoy this River North spot, which is definitely known better for its burgers than its plasma TVs. Slightly more upscale, this is a place where you can get the best burger in the nation, according to “Good Morning America,” but you can still enjoy the game.
Hub 51 – 51 W. Hubbard, www.hub51chicago.com
Whether it’s Jessica Simpson, the White Sox’ Gordon Beckham or the Bulls’ Kyle Korver, Hub 51 – though deemed by some to be a bit hoity-toity – is the place to see and be seen while seeing the game. If there’s a game happening sometime from 3 – 6 p.m., definitely stop by for half-price sushi, but outside of those hours, the tacos, crab nachos and ahi tuna burger are must-haves while celeb-watching.
The Fifty/50 – 2047 Division St., www.thefifty50.com
No matter what day of the week it is or what game is on, anyone from the Blackhawks’ Jordan Hendry to the Dodgers’ Marcus Thames to Jake Peavy of the White Sox flocks to The Fifty/50 for some of the best burgers, sweet potato fries and milkshakes in the city, not to mention the beer selection. Warning: Among the three levels of seating, the temptation to people-watch could interfere with your game-watching.
What’s going on in your neighborhood?
May marks the first of six festival-filled months in Chicago. With neighborhood celebrations, cultural events and performances all over the city, some are bound to be just around the corner. To help you make plans, Chicago Loopster has mapped out some of the top events happening in May. For additional events and to see what’s in store June through October, check Metromix and Time Out Chicago.
View Chicago Events – MAY 2011 in a larger map
Featured Events:
Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival – Now in its 27th year, this street party features national, regional and local bands, food, beer, fashion, and arts and crafts – all located at the epicenter of Lakeview.
Celtic Fest – Celtic musicians, bagpipes and fun contests.
Cinco de Mayo Festival – A three day festival celebrating Mexican culture and the holiday. There will be live music, food, arts and crafts, and activities for all ages.
Green City Market – Outdoor farmers market.
Mayfest – This three-day event kicks off Chicago’s festival season with music, dancing, food and the seventh annual Chicago Pet Parade and Dog Expo.
Randolph Street Market Festival – A festival where you can shop for antiques, vintage collectibles and designer apparel from more than 200 dealers as well as enjoy some food and beer.
Turkish Festival – From eating baklava to watching whirling dervishes spin in circles, this festival focusing on Turkish culture will be both educational and entertaining.
Wine Riot – A national event that offers 250 wines from around the globe for you to sample along with wine seminars, fun activities and a DJ.
Lollapalooza 2011 – Chicago sounds off
The city is divided on the recent announcement of Lollapalooza’s 2011 lineup. Tell us what you think below!
