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Follow the Bouncing Ball: The Ole Whoops, Whew, Whoops, Whew Play (VIDEO)

In addition to news, Bleacher Nation publishes both rumor and opinion, as well as information reported by other sources. Information on Bleacher Nation may contain errors or inaccuracies, though we try to avoid them. Links to content and the quotation of material from other news sources are not the responsibility of Bleacher Nation. Photos used are the property of Bleacher Nation, are used under a license with Getty Images, are used with permission, are fair use, or are believed to be in the public domain. Legitimate requests to remove copyrighted photos not in the public domain will be honored promptly. Comments by third parties are neither sponsored or endorsed by Bleacher Nation. Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/2019/06/30/follow-the-bouncing-ball-the-ole-whoops-whew-whoops-whew-play-video/

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Overflow thread: Cubs vs. White Sox, Sunday 3/3, 2:05 CT

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Source: https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/3/3/18244095/overflow-thread-cubs-vs-white-sox-sunday-3-3-2-05-ct

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A newly-updated Loop 1-bedroom at the landmark Century Tower

See rent and availability info at http://www.LiveCenturyTower.com

When it made its mark on Chicago’s skyline in 1930, Century Tower was the tallest reinforced concrete building in the world and hosted a bank. In the interim, Century Tower was converted to condominiums and recently transitioned to rental apartments.

The studio to 3-bedroom apartments are undergoing a make-over. They boast high ceilings, efficient floor plans – and the most attractive rent levels in Chicago’s Loop and near-Loop neighborhoods.

Building amenities include a fitness center, a rooftop deck with grilling stations, Pressbox dry cleaning, on-site management, maintenance and leasing staff and 24/7 door staff.

Century Tower’s Theater District location is a short walk from the fabulous Riverwalk, River North dining and nightlife, public transportation, and Millennium and Maggie Daley parks.

Join YoChicago for a narrated walk through one of the apartments in this sponsored video.

Source: http://yochicago.com/a-newly-updated-loop-1-bedroom-at-the-landmark-century-tower/60308/

[browanger55-blog]

Adrian Amos and the Stacked Free Agent Safety Market

Can we all just take a moment to appreciate the talented Safeties available in free agency when the new league year starts next week? The biggest name is probably Earl Thomas, the former Seahawk who openly tried to recruit himself to the Dallas Cowboys in 2017. After breaking his leg with the Seahawks last year, Thomas will try to get his Hall of Fame career back on track in a new locale. Eric Weddle, the former Chargers and Ravens standout, was cut on Tuesday to free up some cap space so that the Ravens can possibly make a run at Tyrann Mathieu. The Giants decided against using the franchise tag on Landon Collins and will let him test the free agent waters where he’ll join LaMarcus Joyner, Adrian Amos, HaHa Clinton-Dix, Tre Boston, Johnathan Cyprien, and more in finding new deals.

Last year in free agency, the safety position moved incredibly slowly with talented players waiting until mid-season to earn a contract. The names at the top of the heap this year should almost certainly create more urgency, and it would not be a big surprise if Thomas, Mathieu, and Collins are off the board quickly to teams like the Cowboys, Chiefs, and Colts.

We all know that free agency can be fool’s gold. With 32 teams bringing their varied team building approaches, desperation, and pocket books, free agency inevitably brings a few high-priced mistakes. Deals are given out to role players to be starters based on projection, aging vets are given big deals based on name brand on the downside of their careers, and maybe worst of all, star-level deals are given to “system” players.

In this sense, the Bears are in really good position entering this year’s free agency. They simply don’t have the cap space to make an astronomically bad deal in the safety market and given the glut of talent on offer, they will likely be able to sit back and watch the prices drop as free agency extends closer to the draft. They also have Deon Bush as a stopgap who, while not an all-star, filled in for the injured Eddie Jackson and played at a serviceable level.

The leverage that NFL free agents have is that 32 teams are potentially vying for their services. The leverage that NFL GM’s have is the supply of a number of similarly talented players at the position and the NFL Draft just six weeks away. As the calendar gets closer and closer to the draft, free agents lose their leverage as teams shift toward filling their needs with a rookie.

In our new podcast, Bears Over Beers, EJ Snyder and I discussed the safety position at length, including some of the options on the roster, free agency, and the draft. If you haven’t yet listened to the podcast, I’ve included it here for your consideration.

I think there are two very real possibilities for the Bears with the safety position this off-season. The first is that the talent above Adrian Amos soaks up the big money in the market and forces the mid-tier players to cut their prices. Given the familiarity Amos has with the system and the success of the defense, he signs a deal with the Bears that both parties can be happy with but less than what Amos was probably hoping to get.

The second possibility is that the Bears go after a guy like Eric Weddle chasing a championship at the end of his career or a guy like Tre Boston who could come at an affordable rate while also drafting a player in the 3rd or 4th round to groom behind the veteran. Signing a player like Weddle, who was cut, wouldn’t count in the compensatory draft picks calculation. If Amos gets a sizable deal and the Bears sign only modest deals in Free Agency, they could (finally) net a free pick in the 2020 draft. As for this year’s crop of rookies, Darnell Savage, Marquise Blair, and Johnathan Abram are names to keep an eye on when the Bears turn in their draft card.

Ryan Pace has shown a willingness to throw multiple resources at a position of need in the past. Luckily, this year’s free agent and draft classes set up well to do just that at safety.

What do you think? Do you see Amos returning or a new veteran pairing up with Eddie Jackson? Are you confident in Deon Bush to take over the role? Do you have a favorite mid-round rookie on your radar?

Poll

Who will start at safety next to Eddie Jackson on opening day for the Bears in 2019?

40%

Adrian Amos

(511 votes)

14%

Big FA signing (Collins, Mathieu)

(176 votes)

26%

Stopgap Veteran (Weddle, Tre Boston)

(331 votes)

4%

Rookie (Savage, Blair, Abram)

(57 votes)

14%

Deon Bush

(180 votes)

1255 votes total Vote Now

Find me on Twitter @gridironborn

Source: https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2019/3/7/18253160/adrian-amos-free-agency-safety-chicago-bears-eric-weddle-landon-collins-tre-boston-tyrann-mathieu

[browanger55-blog]

The Bear’s Den, January 21, 2019

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

BEARRRSSSS

Zeglinski: How the Bears can emulate the 2019 Championship Sunday teams - WGN-TV - Every year, the teams that play on the NFL's Championship Sunday give the rest of the league a template of how they can become contenders. This season, some combination of the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Rams, and Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots, offer that blueprint.

Eurich: How the Bears can find value on safety market this offseason - 247Sports - The Chicago Bears will have a decision to make this offseason when it comes to starting strong safety Adrian Amos. The young safety has developed well the last two seasons and is set to become a free agent later this spring. The Bears currently sit with around $20 million cap space for 2019, meaning they likely will not be going on a spending spree this offseason.

Hawley: Ryan Pace finds success by sustaining his own pace in building the Bears - WGN-TV - Very few people were surprised by the main thing that happened on January 1, 2018, but there was another move made by the Bears that did catch a few off guard.

Kareem Hunt's fate likely to be known by free agency - NFL.com - The league's investigation of former Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt, which includes three incidents, will likely conclude before free agency begins in March. Hunt is then expected to sign with an NFL team.

Zeglinski: Kareem Hunt is a perfect football fit. The Bears still shouldn’t acquire him – The Rock River Times - The concept of second chances is fascinating in our world. As human beings, we all make mistakes. It’s why we’re human. It’s how we learn. When we make mistakes, we hurt people we love and trust. We act as our own worst, neurotic self-saboteurs, sometimes without a second thought.

LeGere: Bears in review -Trubisky made encouraging strides at QB - Daily Herald - Mitch Trubisky is a long way from "mastering" the Chicago Bears' scheme, but his progress in his first year in Matt Nagy's system was mostly encouraging.

Roumeliotis : Kareem Hunt expected to have a job 'sooner rather than later' - NBC Sports Chicago - Free agent running back Kareem Hunt is expected to have a job "sooner rather than later," according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. In the Bears' end-of-season press conference, head coach Matt Nagy didn't shut down the possibility of bringing in the 23-year-old, who was released by the Kansas City Chiefs on Nov. 30 after a video surfaced online in which the running back is seen kicking and shoving a woman.

Perez: Bears grab OT with 1st pick in 2019 NFL mock draft - Bears Wire - The Chicago Bears tap into South Carolina for their first pick in the 2019 NFL draft, according to the Draft Wire's latest mock draft

VIDEO TIME

Tarik Cohen 2018 Highlights - ChicagoBears.com Video - Take a look back at a few of the top plays from Chicago Bears running back/punt returner Tarik Cohen’s Pro Bowl season.

Eddie Jackson 2018 Highlights - ChicagoBears.com Video - Take a look back at a few of the top plays from Chicago Bears defensive back Eddie Jackson’s Pro Bowl season.

Best of Club Dub: 2018 Locker Room Celebrations - ChicagoBears.com Video - Go inside the Bears locker room and look back at the best moments from Club Dub in the 2018 season.

Bears Best 2018 Celebrations - ChicagoBears.com Video - Take a look back at the best celebrations from the Bears during the 2018 season.

Medina: Let’s Enjoy the Heck Out of These Mitch Trubisky Highlights and Dream of a Wonderful Future - Bleacher Nation - Mitch Trubisky’s 10 best plays will “wow” you.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Weidman: 2019 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl showcases athletes - Our Turf Football - OTFB’s Wanda Wiedman had the opportunity to cover the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, and talks about the experience that the players were able to get from it.

NFL’s worst nightmare unfolds in New Orleans – ProFootballTalk - Nine years after an NFC championship game in New Orleans forced the NFL to overhaul the overtime rules, the NFL has more overhauling to do. With the Rams stealing the NFC championship in overtime from the Saints, the league office will be under siege for the inexplicable non-call at the end of re...

Sean Payton: They blew the call – ProFootballTalk - Saints head coach Sean Payton didn’t waste any time speaking to the league office about a non-call on Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman for pass interference near the end of regulation in the NFC Championship Game. Payton didn’t much like what the office had to say.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Packers’ second first-round draft pick in 2019 set at #30 overall after Saints’ loss to Rams - Acme Packing Company - With New Orleans out, we finally have the final positions of both first-round picks.

Packers must use offseason as extension of offensive revamp following coaching change - Acme Packing Company - The final four teams left in the Super Bowl race embody the modern NFL: you can’t win without a good offense. Green Bay has to re-focus on supporting its core mission of building around Aaron Rodgers.

Packers hire Kirk Olivadotti as linebackers coach, per report - Acme Packing Company - The long-time Washington assistant is headed to Green Bay.

New Detroit Lions OC Darrell Bevell spent year off preparing for new coaching job - Pride Of Detroit - It wasn’t your typical year off for Darrell Bevell.

Aldrick Robinson would like to return to the Vikings - Daily Norseman - Could he be a potential solution as WR3?

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Wiltfong: What should we expect from Trubisky is his second year of the Nagy offense - Windy City Gridiron - Let’s take a look at some historical data on how quarterbacks have improved in their second year running an Andy Reid type of offense.

Wiltfong: Bears sign Jordan Williams-Lambert to a reserve/future contract - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears are up to 13 players on reserve/future contracts now.

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

THE RULES

Windy City Gridiron Community Guidelines - SBNation.com - We strive to make our communities open and inclusive to sports fans of all backgrounds. The following is not permitted in comments. No personal attacks, politics, gender based insults of any kind, racial insults, etc.

The Bear’s Den Specific Guidelines – The Bear’s Den is a place for Chicago Bears fans to discuss Chicago Bears football, related NFL stories, and general football talk. It is NOT a place to discuss religion or politics or post political pictures or memes. Unless otherwise stated, the Den is not an open thread, and profanity (including profanity only stated in pictures) is prohibited.

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 Zeglinski; Like us on Facebook.

Source: https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2019/1/21/18191016/chicago-bears-den-offseason-links-news-information-pagano-pace-nagy-halas-trubisky-mack-hicks-amos

[browanger55-blog]

Sophisticated 3-Bedroom with Vintage Charm: 640 W. Fullerton Parkway in Lincoln Park

This high first floor 3-bedroom at 640 W. Fullerton Parkway in East Lincoln Park just came on the market.

This 4-unit building has front balconies and a garage in back.

If it looks familiar, that’s because we chattered about this actual unit back in October 2016. See our chatter here.

It has many vintage features including crown molding, wainscoting, ceiling medallions and a wood burning fireplace in the living room.

French doors lead to a small balcony in the front of the building. The unit also has a private deck off the kitchen in the back of the property.

There’s a full size dining room and built-ins.

The third bedroom has converted into a family room which is open to the kitchen.

The kitchen has modern wood-style cabinets, black counter tops and stainless steel appliances. Those cabinets extend into the family room.

In the 2015 chatter, we debated what those cabinets were with some of you concluding they were a walnut finish from Ikea. Still true?

There’s a master suite with a bathroom and walk-in-closet.

It has central air and garage parking but there’s no in-unit washer/dryer. The listing says there’s one in the basement and there’s a “possible” hook-up in the kitchen area.

The listing says the seller needs to close in December.

Listed at $675,000, it has been reduced $15,000 to $660,000.

That’s just $10,000 above the 2015 selling price of $650,000.

In 2015, it went under contract the first week it was on the market and sold for $1,000 over the list price.

Has Lincoln Park price appreciation stalled?

Emily Sachs Wong at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #1: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed (but the old listing said it was “over” 2000 square feet)

Sold in June 1992 for $302,500

Sold in September 1994 for $323,500

Sold in July 1998 for $425,000

Sold in June 2013 for $425,000

Was listed in October 2015 for $649,000

Sold in December 2015 for $650,000

Originally listed in October 2018 for $675,000

Reduced

Currently listed at $660,000

Assessments are $325 a month (they were also $325 a month in 2015) (includes heat, water, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)

Taxes are now $8,820 (they were $8425 in 2015)

Central Air

Washer/Dryer in the basement but listing says there may be a “possible” hook-up in the kitchen area

Garage parking included

Wood burning fireplace

Bedroom #1: 13×12

Bedroom #2: 11×14

Family room/den/Bedroom #3: 11×14

Deck: 10×20

Source: http://cribchatter.com/?p=25596

[browanger55-blog]

Pet-friendly, full-amenity, luxury apartments at Gateway West Loop

Gateway West Loop has what just may be the West Loop’s best location. It’s a short walk from Loop offices and Randolph Street restaurants, a block from Mary Bartelme Park, next door to Mariano’s and around the corner from Whole Foods.

A studio will be available in mid-June for $1,502 a month, and a one-bedroom early in June for $2,142. Two-bedroom, 2-baths start at $3,405.

Floor plans for Gateway’s apartments are online, along with information about rents and availability dates. The on-site leasing office is open daily. Ask about the current “look and lease” offer.

Join us in the above video for a narrated walk through a furnished one-bedroom model.

Gateway West Loop has a full suite of amenities, including a rooftop pool and sundeck with grilling stations, resident lounges and a fitness center. The rooftop lounge can accommodate a large gathering or a number of smaller get-togethers. It’s a great hangout space any time of the year.

Gateway West Loop is two short blocks south of Randolph Street’s fabled restaurant row.

Gateway West Loop residents who head north to Randolph Street will run a gauntlet of attractive dining options on the way there.

Green Street just north of Gateway West Loop has quietly become the West Loop’s second “restaurant row.”

The two blocks between Gateway West Loop and Randolph St are home to Green Street Meats, Chicken Shop, RM, Parlor Pizza Bar and the dining options at SoHo House.

There’s an abundance of restaurants, bars and nightlife within a short walk. Public transit is steps away, with connections to the Loop, the Illinois Medical District and the University of Illinois at Chicago campus.

Gateway West Loop is pet-friendly and smoke-free. The building has on-site leasing, maintenance and management staff, 24/7 front desk and concierge service, and valet dry cleaning service by Pressbox.

Downtown Loop, West Loop, Gateway West Loop, New construction, Apartments, High-rise, Video

Source: http://yochicago.com/pet-friendly-full-amenity-luxury-apartments-at-gateway-west-loop/61531/

[browanger55-blog]

The 6 prettiest lipsticks to wear this winter

Hi guys!

Happy THURSDAY. Omg–where on earth did this week go? I came down with a cold on Monday afternoon, so I took most of Tuesday off to catch up on sleep–I’m feeling much better now, but that made me even more behind–bah! I feel like the holidays are always an infinite game of catch-up 🙃OH WELL! C’est la Vie!

Today I wanted to share some of the lipstick colors I’ve been loving lately that are perfect to wear during the holidays! There’s a little something for everyone in these shades–from neutrals to pinks to deep vampy statement lipsticks, I’m in love with all of these.

You guys know I’ve been slowly transitioning my beauty products over to cleaner counterparts, and the one thing I really was not ready to let go of was my lipsticks.

I looovveee my MAC. My NARS,  Charlotte Tilbury, and my Givenchy. (But did you know that almost every lipstick has LEAD in it? And…you like, you know–eat it off during lunch, lick it off throughout the day–hot, I know. But seriously! “What’s a little lead?” I would say to myself to justify– but I was being honest with myself, I knew I should probably at least dip my toe in the “clean lipstick” pool to see if I couldn’t find a “better for you” version I could tolerate. If it didn’t work, it didn’t work. Everything in moderation, ya know?)

Well–thankfully, I DID. Two brands, actually!

One is RMS Beauty’s “Wild with Desire” lipstick (I love their orangey RMS red, and the formula is quite similar to MAC’s matte lipsticks!)

The other one is Beautycounter’s Color Intense lipstick.

As you know, Beautycounter become my go-to ever since I started switching over to clean beauty simply because they carry so many kinds of products and having a one-stop shop (where I didn’t have to scour ingredient labels) just made my life 100% easier. Everything I’ve tried from Beautycounter I’ve truly loved. (Aside from their frizz free hair oil–I was hoping it would be like a Moroccanoili, but that NOT GOOD. At least for my hair 😂)

I first tried their sheer lipsticks, which I really liked for daytime (they’re VERY moisturizing, I’d compare their formula to Clinique’s classic formula) but they didn’t give me the pigment I really wanted and definitely didn’t live up to my favorite MAC/Charlotte/NARS/Givenchy in terms of pigment.

Thennnn they came out with their “color intense” lipsticks, and they absolutely NAILED it.

I really love the pigment you get with these lipsticks–like RMS, the color is equivalent to MAC, BUT the formula is actually very hydrating–so you get the color and feel of a creamy matte lipstick without the dryness–quite the opposite actually, it makes my lips actually feel smooth and hydrated (which was my biggest pain point with MAC lipsticks is that if my lips were the least bit dry, they would wreak havoc on them).

 Mini Lipstick Vault Set

Because I wanted to try a lot more colors at a discount, I recently purchased holiday set Mini Lipstick Vault Set (which is kind of a weird name…not sure why it’s called a vault. Probably because it’s going away after holiday forever? Catchy 🤔) and that’s what you’ll see me sharing here today–I really love the colors and so many of them are perfect for holiday, or any time of the year, really.

Honestly, I don’t know why they don’t sell ALL lipsticks in mini sizes. If you’re like me, you lose your lipstick before you can ever finish the tube, so these minis are really the answer to my prayers. (Who needs a full size anyway? Plus it fits easier in your purse!)

With the set, each lipstick comes out to being just $9.87 a lipstick. What a steal!

Obviously, it’s a no brainer for like…you 😜but is also an amazing gift for your sister, bestie, cousin, or mom! It comes in a beautiful holiday box (so you don’t even have to wrap it) PLUS–great idea–ding ding ding–you can split the set apart and gift one mini to each of your girlfriends along with a cute card, or bottle of wine!

Here are my favorite colors of the set! 

9-5: Neutral Mauve

This is my go-to, everyday color. I wear it during the day, I often wear it when I’m going out to dinner and I don’t want a full on red lip. It’s the most stunning brownish pinkish mauve color.

Daydream: Soft, feminine pink

If 9-5 is too brown for you and you’re looking for a warmer pink, definitely try “daydream”–I think this is a perfect lipstick for everyday and is a litttlee something extra while still remaining very natural looking!

Gala: Classic Blue-Red

My other frequent go-to lately when I’m going out at night–this classic red has a cool blue undertone (as opposed to an orangey red, which you’ll see below!) Reds with blue undertones tend to look fantastic on fair skin-tones, which makes it a very popular color in the winter.

Girls’ Night: Orangey Red

If you want more “zazz” than your classic old-hollywood blue red, go for an orange red instead! I love the pop of a bright pout with otherwise fairly neutral makeup–it adds so much to your outfit and of course, is very fun for a holiday party!

Premiere: Moody Plum

This is a perfect hue to wear for a night on the town! I love the moody color, which makes a statement without being loud, and the subtle jammy plum undertones!

Twilight: Dark Berry

Very similar to the above, but with a red undertone instead of purple–it’s like the darker, vampier version of “Gala”–it’s perfect for any festive occasion.

Which color is YOUR favorite? If you’re interested in the set, it’s a limited time holiday edition, so you’ll want to snag it before the holidays are over, but if not, no worries, they sell their full sized lipsticks year round!

For more beauty tips and educational tidbits on how to transition your products over to clean beauty (without pulling your hair out!) sign up for my clean beauty email list–I do fun gifts and giveaways only available to subscribers!

Source: https://thegoldengirlblog.com/the-6-prettiest-lipsticks-to-wear-this-winter/

[browanger55-blog]

Devin Scillian

In the eighth episode of “A Drink With – Detroit” we catch up with television journalist and WDIV Local 4 anchor Devin Scillian before he heads to the newsroom. We talk about the headline he’d like to report on, the monumental moments for Detroit over the last 20 years of his career, the future of mobility in Detroit and how he’s not in the opinion business. He too asks the question… “How many cities get a chance to completely remake themselves?”

Whether you’re a native Detroiter, a transplant or a boomerang, you can’t deny that what’s happening in the city is history in the (re)making. From the work ethic to the entrepreneurial spirit, Detroiters are rolling up their sleeves and rebuilding the city with the same determination as Henry Ford and Berry Gordy before them. And in the end, those visionaries, similar to the ones you’ll meet this season, not only shaped Detroit, they shaped the world. Once the fastest growing city in the world; the place that created America’s middle class. Detroit is still a city that breeds innovation.

Just like the city of Detroit, our guests have stories of perseverance and creativity. Why should you care? You’ll find motivation and inspiration to apply to your own life from listening to the dreamers, future leaders and risk-takers who are making a direct impact on the community. We talk about lessons learned the hard way, what it took to reach success, business advice and what makes Detroit special.

This season we’re partnering with Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit whose mission is co-creating independence and dignity through the power of personal and workforce development. Goodwill Detroit works to ensure that every neighborhood of Detroit experiences the kind of renaissance that we’re seeing in downtown and Midtown. We welcome Jessica McCall, the vice president of marketing and external affairs at Goodwill Detroit, as our special co-host. We’re asking listeners to use “#WhatsGoodDetroit“ when you come across something inspiring, notable or just plain good in the city.

We’re recording in the Foundation Studio at Detroit Foundation Hotel. Our official podcast studio is located within the beautiful boutique hotel which is the former Detroit Fire Department Headquarters and Pontchartrain Wine Cellars.

Just a taste…

As a journalist, what are your favorite questions to ask?

I have what I refer to as the “Grand Canyon theory of life.” It’s really easy to show up to the Grand Canyon and just kind of assume that it has always been this way or that it will never change. The Grand Canyon changes every day and you can look at the Grand Canyon and see all of these layers and how it has been formed by the erosions of wind and water and time and we’re all that way. Most of us are the way we are because life has eroded or shaped the way that we think, what our surroundings have been and formed the way our priorities may be and the way we think that the world should be arranged or aligned. I’m really fascinated by the way that people arrive at who they are. So a lot of my questions I guess — once I get past the who, what, where and why because of the news event of the day— I really like trying to figure out why people think the way they do.

If you could create the headline, what news would you like to share within the next five years in Detroit?

Lions winning first Super Bowl would be really nice. There are a lot of great sports cities in America but few of them are quite like this one because we need the connectivity that a sport provides. When there’s a playoff run going and you see two people who step into an elevator who may not otherwise cross paths but they find themselves talking about, “Who do you think the Tigers are gonna start tomorrow night?” it really creates this level of connectivity that’s really, really vital. We’ve probably made sports too important in American society and yet in this town it really does provide us linkages that are really great.

Photography by Derrick Busman

Listen to the full conversation on Apple Podcasts or SimpleCast.

Did you enjoy this feature? Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss a drink, we promise we’ll never spam you!

Source: http://adrinkwith.com/devin-scillian/

[browanger55-blog]

Man, 50, reported missing from Burnside: police

11/07/2018, 09:16pm

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Police were searching for a 50-year-old man who was reported missing Saturday from the Burnside neighborhood on the Far South Side.

Ian “Buc-Wheat” McKoy was last seen about 2:30 p.m. near the 9300 block of South Cottage Grove, according to a missing person alert from Chicago police.

McKoy was described as a 6-foot-3, 150-pound black man with gray hair. Police said he possibly drove away from home using a red 2004 Chrysler PT cruiser with the Illinois license plates “SP24.” He may require medication.

Ian “Buc-Wheat” McKoy | Chicago police

Anyone with information was asked to call Chicago’s special victim unit at (312) 747-7283.

Source: https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/man-50-reported-missing-from-burnside-police/

[browanger55-blog]

Northern Trust looks to get into crypto custody

(Bloomberg)—Northern Trust Corp., which provides investment management, asset and fund administration services, is looking to get into the embryonic business of safeguarding digital assets such as cryptocurrencies.

The 129-year-old Chicago-based company has begun developing a way to secure digital assets held in custody while seeking to charge lower fees than existing crypto custodians, according to Pete Cherecwich, head of corporate and institutional business.

"The fees right now the custodians are charging are pretty high, not the same fees that we get—ultimately, I believe unsustainable, because it needs to be an efficient model," Cherecwich said. Existing cryptocurrency custodians are charging multiple times more than traditional custodians to safeguard assets, Cherecwich said.

Companies like Coinbase Inc., BitGo and others have started offering or are close to offering custody services to institutional investors. Coinbase is taking on clients with a minimum of $10 million, and charges a $100,000 setup fee and 10 basis points in monthly fees.

Northern Trust already provides accounting services to a few funds that invest a small portion of their assets in cryptocurrency futures, Cherecwich said. Northern Trust won't put out a custody product for digital assets such as cryptocurrencies for at least another 12 months, he said.

Source: https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180731/NEWS01/180739963/northern-trust-looks-to-get-into-cryptocerrency-custody

[browanger55-blog]

Lukewarm Stove: Trading for Stanton, McCutchen, Donaldson, Gray, Diamondbacks, More

Although I’m not at all conflicted about wanting Bryce Harper (or Manny Machado) on this team, I suppose I’m trying to come to terms with the possibility that adding either might simply be out of the Cubs price range this winter – at least, in their minds.

So armed with that harsh (potential) reality, I began browsing around the various top free agent lists and must admit: there are other players out there who could fit the Cubs and improve the offense. No, nobody is going to be Harper or Machado (and that might be the case for several years), but guys like Andrew McCutchen and, say, Josh Donaldson could be had for a fraction of the long-term cost, and, frankly, when added together, could do a lot for this offense (and would probably be enough to force a trade, which could help elsewhere, too).

Of course, the reality is, that even signing these two guys, alone, would probably push the Cubs past the highest luxury tax threshold (LTT), but there would be less long-term risk. And maybe *that’s* where the Cubs’ heads are at right now (i.e. maybe it’s not they don’t have the money or are scared of the LTT, it’s that they don’t want to saddle another monster deal on the roster right now (I’d disagree with that fear, particularly for Harper, but at least I’d understand)).

Ah, well, I suppose we’ll see.

At NY Daily News, Wallace Matthews runs down a number of Mets and Yankees rumors, including the latter’s apparent reluctance to go after Harper at the moment. But he also added a new wrinkle: Might the Yankees be willing to trade Giancarlo Stanton to make room on their roster and payroll for Harper? Stanton, you’ll recall, has a full no-trade clause and already nixed deals to the Cardinals and Giants last offseason, but the Cubs were reportedly one of the places he was willing to accept a deal, so my mind is suddenly running wild, irrational or not.

At the same time, Stanton is due $270M over the next nine seasons (about $30 million will be eaten by the Marlins), so at that point, if the Yankees weren’t willing to eat some money (or take on a big Cubs contract in return), it would be worth the Cubs just keeping their players and signing Machado (who’s rumored to cost about that much), but who knows? Maybe there’s something there. I haven’t seen anything explicitly connecting these dots, but we *do* know that Stanton was previously open to Chicago and that the Yankees might be open to moving him, so, whatever. It’s very early in the offseason. Keep all remote possibilities on the table.

Stanton is days away from turning 29 and slashed .266/.343/.509 (38 HRs) last season. And for what it’s worth, Ken Rosenthal shared the exact same idea, so clearly this is out there: “The Yankees never can be ruled out on any potential acquisition, but barring a dramatic change — say, a trade of Giancarlo Stanton — Bryce Harper would appear to be a difficult fit.”

From an unlikely to be traded Yankee to a very likely to be traded Yankee:

Gray, 28, was one of the hottest trade targets two years ago, but fell off everyone’s radar after a poor showing in 2018 (4.90 ERA, 1.7 WAR). We wouldn’t be surprised to see him wind up with someone like, say, the Reds, who need pitching, can afford to take on the risk and, whaddaya know, now have a pitching coach, Derek Johnson, who was with Gray during his time at Vanderbilt.

Circling back to Rosenthal, he notes that the White Sox could finally be in line for a huge free agent splash – namely, Machado – and that’s something that’s seemed like the right move for them since last winter, when Machado was on the trade block. Anybody up for Machado to the Sox and Harper to the Cubs?

Also at The Athletic, Sahadev Sharma writes that it wouldn’t be fair to say that the addition of Cole Hamels is stopping the Cubs from going after Harper or Machado. Sharma suggests that the failures of Yu Darvish and Tyler Chatwood are what forced the Cubs hang onto Hamels, and that may well be true, but you could still argue that the Cubs didn’t absolutely have to retain Hamels at $20 million. If you could have Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, Jose Quintana, Yu Darvish, and Mike Montgomery as your front five, plus Bryce Harper, wouldn’t you choose that over adding Hamels and no Harper? (Not that it’s always that simple, of course.) Sharma explains that even without Hamels, the Cubs would only barely be able to add Harper – and that’s without any other additions – given their payroll for luxury tax purposes. Maybe so, but there was always the possibility of trades to move some salary. I like Hamels, but his presence – to me – sure seems to make a considerable difference to the Cubs’ payroll planning this offseason.

(Moreover: If the Cubs knew that the addition of Darvish or Chatwood would prevent them from going after Harper, then they shouldn’t have gone after either guy. This isn’t me being a Monday morning quarterback, either. Even if Darvish didn’t get hurt, I would rather have Harper and piece together the rotation for cheap than the alternative – which is now our reality). [Brett: But to be fair, even if the Cubs had done as you suggest and made moves so they could plan to go HARD after Harper, there is no guarantee they’d get him. Far from it. So, bird in hand over Harper in the bush? I can see that perspective, too.]

With all of that said, Sharma writes that the Cubs could go shopping in that second tier – specifically mentioning McCutchen and Donaldson – or on the trade market. It’d require some magic, but Sharma could see Epstein targeting a smaller market club looking to get rid of an impact-bat, whose about to be a free agent like the A’s Khris Davis or the Rockies Nolan Arenado (though both of those clubs are playoff contenders, so). Sharma gets really creative and suggests targeting J.T. Realmuto while pushing Willson Contreras to the outfield, another exciting premise, but this is all very speculative, and Sharma concedes as much. It’s a very interesting read. And he makes a good point: there are creative ways to improve.

At MLB.com, Jon Morosi discusses which teams will seriously pursue *both* Harper and Machado, as well which teams are in on either one. And at NBC Sports Chicago, Cam Ellis picks up the conversation by noting that the White Sox could have interest in either guy. [Brett: The city sure would be fun if the Cubs couldn’t afford those guys and the White Sox landed one, right? And he and Eloy Jimenez mashed for a decade together?]

That excellent Japanese southpaw, Yusei Kikuchi has officially been posted. I still don’t see the Cubs having any interest, but his presence could shake up the market, in general, quite a bit (you don’t always have surprise, 27-year-old left-handed free agent starters). Kikuchi, for what it’s worth, is projected to land a 4-year deal between $40-$60M according to FanGraphs. He’s expected to be a legit, middle-of-the-rotation big league starter.

More belief that the Cubs won’t have the money/desire to pursue top free agents like Harper/Machado, but could be active on the trade market.

Jon Heyman says the Diamondbacks will consider offers for Paul Goldschmidt and Zack Greinke this offseason, and if they’re going to sell off a bit, maybe the Cubs would take a swing at outfielder David Peralta, who bounced back with a big season in 2018 (.293/.352/.516, 130 wRC+) after a couple average years. He’s projected to make $7.7 million in 2019, his second of three arbitration years.

You can expect the Yankees to dominate the talk on the pitching markets this winter:

And finally: OH BABY, YOU … YOU GOT WHAT I NEED:

Brett Taylor contributed to this post.

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/2018/11/06/lukewarm-stove-trading-for-stanton-mccutchen-donaldson-gray-diamondbacks-more/

[browanger55-blog]

Brewers round out staff, add Steve Karsay as bullpen coach

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- The Brewers have rounded out manager Craig Counsell's staff, bringing in Steve Karsay as bullpen coach to work with new pitching coach Chris Hook.

Hook was promoted from pitching coordinator following 11 seasons in Milwaukee's minor league system as an instructor. He'll be joined by Karsay, an 11-year major league veteran who spent the past three seasons as pitching coach at Triple-A Columbus in Cleveland's system. Karsay worked with Indians starters Michael Clevinger and Shane Bieber.

Milwaukee also added Andy Haines as hitting coach. Haines spent one season as assistant hitting coach for the NL Central-rival Chicago Cubs. He was the Cubs' minor league hitting coordinator from 2016-17.

Haines also spent eight seasons with the Marlins organization, where he managed Brewers outfielder and NL MVP Christian Yelich in the minors.

General manager David Stearns also announced Jason Lane would return as assistant hitting coach. Scott Barringer was named head athletic trainer.

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More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports

Source: https://sports.yahoo.com/brewers-round-staff-add-steve-karsay-bullpen-coach-230449601--mlb.html?src=rss

[browanger55-blog]

Joe Maddon “Can’t Wait” to See the Pirates Again in Chicago …

Joe Maddon does not get on teams just for pitching inside, and he does not get on teams just because a guy or two of his has been hit.

But when it’s been YEARS of a particular team, under a particular manager, having a philosophy of pitching up and in without regard for players safety, *AND* having a particular penchant for hitting players on purpose? Yeah, he’s gonna get fed up at some point, like he did today.

Pirates starter Jordan Lyles went up and in one too many times today, with one to Javy Baez setting off Maddon:

And Maddon started yelling and got himself ejected. And then he tried to go after Pirates manager Clint Hurdle to give him a whole lot more of an earful:

Maddon offered his comments on the situation after the game, and he was not holding back. Although he praised the Pirates’ players, he was highly critical of the way they choose to pitch:

This probably reads more sinister than he meant it, and I highly doubt you see the Cubs openly retaliating, but the seed has been planted:

The Pirates were pretty “shrug-y” after the game, as you’d expect when this is what you do:

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/2019/07/04/joe-maddon-cant-wait-to-see-the-pirates-again-in-chicago/

[browanger55-blog]

Getting Off to a Good Start, Hoyer Speaks, Happ Goes Deep, and Other Bullets

OK, Brett. You can do this. Get through the Bullets like every other day. The HYPE HYPE HYPE can be reserved for other places. Go …

Cubs GM Jed Hoyer sat down with Jon Greenberg for a long, two-part interview, which you can and should read here and here. There’s simply too much good and interesting stuff to fairly delve into here, so I strongly recommend you just read them.

I do want to touch on one thing that Hoyer admitted that really stuck out to me here on Opening Day. After talking about how the losses late last year were probably the best outcome for the Cubs if they weren’t going to win the World Series, Hoyer conceded that getting out to a hot start this year is probably more important than most: “It’s important we get off to a good start. I’ll say that. There are seasons where I feel like OK, let’s get into the season and see how things go. Sort of get conditioned to the season and then you take off. I feel like this is a year that I’ll be disappointed if we don’t kind of hit the ground running. I think it’s important for this division and I think it’s important for the psyche of this group after last season. Getting off to a good start is something that I think is really important.”

We’ve seen that the past couple years, since the insanely hot start in 2016, where it felt like the Cubs were resting on their talent, knowing the wins would eventually come (and, to their credit, they did). But that missing sense of urgency might have cost them an early-season win or two, which is obviously something the front office has worked tirelessly this offseason internally to try to avoid this year. Given the very, very competitive division this year, every win is going to project to be critical.

It’s also pretty critical that the Cubs get off to a hot start this year because the early part of their schedule features a whole lot of winnable out-of-division match-ups: Rangers, Marlins (twice), Diamondbacks (twice), and Mariners, all before May 2. You’ve just gotta crush those games.

Ian Happ has started doing the minor league thing again, and he wrecked one:

I hope Happ makes the adjustments he needs to, improves on his contact ability, and is back contributing to the Cubs by May.

Speaking of working on contact up in the zone, David Bote’s issues there last year were REALLY pronounced, and he has worked to alleviate that.

What a freaking bummer: the news originally reported by Cubs Insider is confirmed, and 37-year-old Cubs pitching prospect Luke Hagerty’s season is over. Elbow surgery. The incredible comeback story just got a really long new chapter, I suppose.

This is very awesome and important:

Now former Cubs pitching prospect Rob Zastryzny penned a farewell:

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/2019/03/28/getting-off-to-a-good-start-hoyer-speaks-happ-goes-deep-and-other-bullets/

[browanger55-blog]

[Three Hexes] Shuxon - The Frozen Civilization

Campaign: This world of ice and snow is populated by an enigmatic species that resemble a cross between elves and Zantrans, with a vastly different civilization. They abhor anything that bring chaos and disorder to their lives, which are spent in religious, philosophical or scientific study. The 98,512 inhabitants of this world keep their population in strict order and base their lives on sustaining that exact number at all times. 

Homebase (Hex 0) (01.01): Shuxon City - The city is built in a perfect circle, with each citizen allocated a specific amount of space to live and work in. The bureaucratic society manages all aspects of life and interactions with others by a set of rules, as well as with the help of strange constructs that are maintained by other constructs. The many libraries, laboratories and debate halls are constantly filled with Shuxonese engaged in intellectual pursuits; the goal to be to have their ideas records in the Official Records hall which is built in a series of underground structures that extend deep below the frozen surface.

Three Hexes (Hex scale is 24 miles) Location 1 (00.00): The Pit - The waste that the Shuxonese generate is brought to the Pit by constructs to be either recycled or disposed of. The ice kobolds live in the maze of tunnels, chambers and deep holes, recycling the things that the Shuxonese need and keeping the rest to serve as their materials to build and live with. Happy with this arrangement, the kobolds have slowly built a fantastic city beneath the mountains, keeping it a secret for fear that the Shuxonese would become jealous and take it for themselves. Location 2 (01.00): Obelisk of Mystery - Made of black stone and rising 320 feet above the ground, this massive obelisk has a single entry point fitted perfectly within its east side. The Shuxons have no records of this object nor are they able to enter it or discern its purpose; as a result, the proposal to ignore its existence was approved 932 cycles ago. Those attuned to particular arcane abilities will feel an intense pain the closer they get to the obelisk. Location 3 (02.02): The Fields - A series of ice domes built across ground that is suitable for raising  the algae that the Shuxonese eat. The noisome dwarfs that tend to the farms are at home in the less than clean environment, managed by sullen Shuxons who have been assigned to the duty as punishment. It is only the many constructs that watch constantly keeping the quarrelsome dwarfs in line, although the Shuxonese do allow a down cycle for celebration and 'release of pent up emotions through drinking and undignified behaviors.'

See here for the overall campaign starter for New Worlds, a larger campaign framework that asks "What if your fantasy world was on the bring of ecological failure, and you had to leave it?" I have three worlds to explore in these campaign starters, but they can also stand alone.

Every week, I will be posting "Three Hexes" - simple campaign starters to show that you don't need to do a lot to have interesting settings for people to play in. Feel free to use these in your game, campaign or as ways to spur on your own creativity and imagination!

I've purposefully left a lot of detail out because these are supposed to spur on your imagination! The scale is what I would use in my own world, but if something else suits you better, then go for it. I may have the features moved about on the hexes for clarity, if they don't suit you, move them!

Three Hexes by Michael "Chgowiz" Shorten (chgowiz@gmail.com) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Source: https://chgowiz-games.blogspot.com/2018/08/three-hexes-shuxon-frozen-civilization.html

[browanger55-blog]

A northwest corner 1-bedroom a block west of Lincoln Park

https://www.resideonclarendon.com/ http://www.ResideLiving.com

Buena Park is a quiet, largely residential neighborhood just north of Lakeview.

Join YoChicago in this sponsored video for a narrated walk through one of the apartments at Reside on Clarendon in Buena Park.

Reside Living owns and manages five fully-renovated vintage apartment buildings in the neighborhood: Reside at 849, Reside at 823, Reside on Clarendon, Irving Courts by Reside and Reside on Irving Park.

The buildings have studio to 3-bedroom apartments with hardwood floors, nicely-updated baths and kitchens with gas ranges, built-in microwaves and dishwashers. Individual apartment features vary, but you can always expect Reside apartments to be fresh, clean and move-in ready.

Building amenities include outdoor patios with grilling stations, lobbies with coffee service, nicely-equipped laundry rooms, resident storage lockers and bike rooms with tune-up stations. Management is on-site at Irving Courts.

All of the buildings are a short walk from the fabulous Lincoln Park, Wrigley Field, public transit, bars, restaurants, night life and shopping.

Source: http://yochicago.com/a-northwest-corner-1-bedroom-a-block-west-of-lincoln-park/60790/