Today’s Wisch List newspaper column from The Daily Journal (Kankakee, Ill.) and The Times (Ottawa, Ill.) …

The WISCH LIST

By Dave Wischnowsky

For the past eight years, I’ve lived just six blocks from Wrigley Field. Considering that proximity, I can’t recall the last time that I’ve waited until mid-May to attend my first Chicago Cubs game of the season.

But such has been the drought level of my interest this year.

As a result, today – my 37th birthday – will be my first time walking through the turnstiles of the Friendly Confines in 2013. As an (almost) annual tradition, I try to attend a Cubs game to celebrate each birthday.

Clearly, I’m not dead-set ion having “happy” ones.

But much to my surprise, the Cubs have actually crept onto my good side as the game approaches. However, as for Chicago as whole, baseball has its weakest springtime pulse in decades – on both sides of town.

I figured I’d check it today, and weigh in with my thoughts about the sub.-500 state of both the Cubs and the White Sox as summer in the city starts to roll around.

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Today’s column from CBS Chicago …

(CBS) And so a darkness has fallen across the land.

The Miami Heat are moving on in the NBA Playoffs.

For the Chicago Bulls, however, there are brighter days head ahead as they lick their wounds following last night’s 94-91 series-ending loss to the team wearing the black jerseys – and black hats – in South Beach.

Rosier ones, too.

Because, Derrick will be back – and so will his cheers. At the same time, I fully expect Bulls vs. Heat to be back too – along with its jeers. If nothing else this month, we saw Miami-Chicago develop all the makings of one of those classic NBA playoff rivalries that will percolate with drama and championship ramifications for years to come.

In many ways, LeBron, Wade & Co. strikes me as Chicago’s new version of the Detroit Pistons’ “Bad Boys,” the hated mountain that the Michael Jordan-era Bulls once had to climb. And while losing to the Heat again is disappointing indeed, just like with the Pistons, this series loss will only make victory all the sweeter when the Bulls finally do beat them.

And in time, I think they eventually will.

Continue reading at CBSChicago.com …

Today’s column from CBS Chicago …

(CBS) So, Mayor Rahm Emanuel reportedly has a $300 million plan to build new basketball arena at McCormick Place and bring the DePaul Blue Demons back into the city after more than 30 years in Rosemont.

But is this place a dream stadium, or just a dream?

And beyond that, could it end up as a nightmare for taxpayers?

On Monday afternoon, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that Emanuel is expected to announce this week his plans to construct a 12,000-seat arena along with two mega hotels on McPier property in the hopes of expanding convention and meeting business in Chicago.

According to the Sun-Times, sources said that the tentative plan is for the arena’s hefty $300 million tab to be divided up among DePaul, a naming rights sponsor, and taxpayer money that would come from a McPier Bond fund and possibly (in other words, surely) city tax-increment financing.

The newspaper reported that DePaul, taxpayers and a corporate sponsor could each be responsible for paying $100 million apiece. It’s startling enough that Emanuel would ask Chicago taxpayers to fund an arena for DePaul hoops when the city just refused to assist the Cubs with the renovation of Wrigley Field. But what really struck me is that the mayor apparently seems to think he really could nab $100 million for this new arena’s naming rights. Because I just have a difficult time seeing that happening.

Continue reading at CBSChicago.com …

This weekend’s Wisch List newspaper column from The Daily Journal (Kankakee, Ill.) and The Times (Ottawa, Ill.) …

The WISCH LIST

By Dave Wischnowsky

Outside the main entrance of Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art just off the Magnificent Mile stands an enormous iron sculpture that measures 48 feet wide and more than 20 feet tall. Rotating a full 360 degrees it boasts white neon letters that spell out a single word.

“MOTHERS.”

This eccentric piece of public artwork – officially named “Work No. 1357, MOTHERS” – was unveiled last August, so it wasn’t designed specifically for Mother’s Day. But it might as well have been.

After all, Martin Creed, the London-based artist behind the project, said the sculpture had to be so large, “because mothers always have to be bigger than you are” and “it feels like mothers are the most important people in the world.”

His artwork also proves that you can actually celebrate Mother’s Day on any day, not just this Sunday. And with that in mind, the following are some great ways to celebrate your mom in Chicagoland this summer.

Since I’m assuming you already have plans for this weekend.

(If not, you’re grounded.)

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Today’s column from CBS Chicago …

(CBS) Contrary to the popular belief in Chicago, Dwyane Wade does do more than just whine about the refs.

He whines about his hometown, too.

Back on March 26, the Miami Heat star complained to Orlando Sun-Sentinel writer Shandel Richardson about how the Windy City doesn’t love him like it should – apparently, because he’s a suburban guy.

Because, you know, that has to be it.

“It’s always been a knock on guys who played in the suburbs,” said Wade, who was born on Chicago’s South Side but played his high school ball at Richards in south suburban Oak Lawn. “You didn’t get as much attention because they think it’s not as tough or whatever the case may be.

“I think I represent the city. Guys are proud of that, but it’s something different between guys that go to school in the city and the suburbs.”

Bearing the headline “Wade’s success doesn’t seem to impress hometown Chicago” along with the subhead “Playing high school ball in suburbs might have kept Wade off Chicago’s radar,” the Sun-Sentinel story argued that if Wade wins his third NBA championship ring this season then he should be considered the greatest player to ever come out of the city.

Continue reading at CBSChicago.com …

Today’s column from CBS Chicago …

(CBS) On Wednesday morning, I spotted a guy walking through the West Loop proudly wearing a bright red Chicago Bulls T-shirt. On the backside, it also proudly bore both Derrick Rose’s name and jersey number.

So, hey, at least somebody in the city still likes the guy.

I kid … Well, sort of.

With Derrick Rose continuing to don a suit instead of a uniform, many Bulls fans in Chicago remain highly critical of the former MVP for sitting out the playoffs in May even though team doctors gave his surgically repaired knee the green light for game action way back in March.

On that topic, however, former Bull and current ESPN analyst Jay Williams told Washington Post columnist Mike Wise this week, “From a player that was in his position about nine years ago, I’m not trying to come back off a damn ACL and go against LeBron every night. Not my first game back. It’s a lose-lose scenario for me. You need to work out the kinks before then.”

Indeed you do. And as I wrote this past weekend, if there ever was a time for Rose to play this season, it certainly isn’t now in the boiling heat of battle with the Miami Heat. Nevertheless, on social media I continue to see fans calling for Rose’s return in Game 3 at the United Center on Friday.

Like Jay Williams, that thought makes zero sense to me.

But I also happen to think this: Playing without Derrick Rose in the playoffs could actually be a very good thing for the Bulls in the long run.

Continue reading at CBSChicago.com …

Today’s column from CBS Chicago …

(CBS) Banished from athletic events at the University of Illinois six years ago, Chief Illiniwek is now standing on the hypothetical sidelines in Champaign, holding a new proposal for his return.

But Chancellor Phyllis Wise won’t let the Chief on the field.

Or even truly consider that possibility.

And speaking as an Illinois alum, that’s just not right.

This morning, the Champaign News-Gazette broke the story that the Council of Chiefs – a group comprised of the men who once portrayed the university’s former symbol – has submitted a plan to the U. of I. administration that would bring back Chief Illiniwek for twice-a-year, on-field appearances for a two-year trial basis.

And here’s the twist: the Peoria Tribe is actually involved.

According to the News-Gazette, the council’s proposal calls for a Chief portrayer to appear on the field of two campus events in a year. There would be no dancing involved, and the Illiniwek costume would be developed by the Council of Chiefs in consultation with the Peoria Tribe of Oklahoma – one of the original Native American tribes of the Illini Confederation.

To continue reading visit CBSChicago.com …

This weekend’s Wisch List newspaper column from The Daily Journal (Kankakee, Ill.) and The Times (Ottawa, Ill.) …

Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s most important patriotic holiday – that would be the nation’s Independence Day, celebrated on Sept. 16.

But Cinco, which commemorates the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, is indeed its most festive. Or, at least it certainly is in Chicago.

It also happens to be one of my fiancée Debbie’s favorite holidays, and as an expert on the city’s cuisine, I asked her for some suggestions this week about the best places to celebrate Cinco de Mayo – on any day of the year.

Mercadito
108 W. Kinzie St.

Spanish for “Little Market,” Mercadito is modeled after the markets that chef Patricio Sandoval shopped at while growing up in the southern region of Mexico. He bills his culinary inspiration as “expertly blending traditional Mexico with creative interpretations of local and seasonal ingredients.”

Mercadito actually originated in New York City before opening its location in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, where it’s also become a phenomenon best known for its delectable tacos and vast array of tequilas.

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Saturday’s column from CBS Chicago …

(CBS) In Chicago, the bloom may be off the Rose.

But that doesn’t mean that Rose should get off the bench.

Nevertheless, with the Bulls a M*A*S*H unit – featuring calf pulls, plantar fasciitis, debilitating viruses and even spinal taps – many Chicagoans are indeed seeing a different kind of red as the team hobbles its way into tonight’s decisive Game 7 against the Nets in Brooklyn.

Following the short-handed Bulls’ narrow loss in Game 6 on Thursday, their frustration – or outrage – with star Derrick Rose has reached a fever pitch. Many can’t understand why the star point guard isn’t playing, now that it’s been one year and six days since he tore his ACL, surpassing his projected recovery timetable of 8-12 months.

On Jan. 31, Rose started taking full contact in practice and was cleared by doctors to return to games on March 9. He has not. And with fans now seeing Rose’s ailing teammates pouring their guts out – literally, in the case of the flu-stricken Nate Robinson – against the Nets, they’re up in arms about their point guard still sitting.

Continue reading at CBSChicago.com …

Today’s column from CBS Chicago …

(CBS) I encountered an endangered species on Wednesday night.

The Wrigleyville Ballhawk.

While out for a run through Lakeview around 9 p.m., I stopped for a breather at the intersection of Kenmore and Waveland beyond Wrigley Field’s left-field bleachers, and as sounds from the Cubs game spilled out over the outfield wall, I watched a trio of men play catch in the street.

Last month, these Ballhawks – one of Wrigleyville’s best-known traditions – expressed concern that their longtime pastime of snaring home run balls as they sail out of the ballpark is in jeopardy.

Talking to the Sun-Times on Opening Day, 51-year-old Ballhawk George Field said that if the Cubs construct their proposed 6,000-foot video board in left field he estimates it would stop 80 percent of the balls from flying out onto Waveland.

Potentially losing the Ballhawks tradition would be a shame, but it wouldn’t be as earth-shaking as, say, losing the neighborhood’s rooftops tradition – or even losing the Cubs from Wrigley Field completely.

Continue reading at CBSChicago.com …