Wisch List

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.

Continue reading “Five ways to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Chicago”

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 …

Today’s column from CBS Chicago …

(CBS) The Assembly Hall means a lot to me.

As a kid, it’s where my dad and I watched the Harlem Globetrotters dribble circles around the Washington Generals. And as a youth, it’s where my mom and I saw the cast of Les Misérables bring down the house.

As a teen, it’s where I cheered on my high school’s basketball team during remarkable back-to-back runs to the Elite Eight. And as a college student, it’s where I donned a cap and gown for my commencement from the University of Illinois.

Throughout my entire life, Assembly Hall has also been the site of countless Illini basketball memories shared with both friends and family. So, while I’m thrilled to see the 50-year-old arena is getting a much-needed injection of cash that should preserve it for another 50, I’m also melancholy about seeing its longtime name relegated to the history books.

“It now has a name rather than a description,” University of Illinois Chancellor Phyllis Wise said on Monday during the announcement that as part of $60 million, 30-year naming rights deal the venerable Assembly Hall will now be known as the State Farm Center – starting immediately.

To continue reading, visit CBSChicago.com …

From the Saturday, April 27, editions of The Daily Journal (Kankakee, Ill.) and The Times (Ottawa, Ill.) …

From the heart of Chicago to the heart of Champaign, it’s about 140 miles as the car drives. But if the University of Illinois has its way, the distance between its campus and the metropolis to its north will soon become much shorter than the span your finger traces on a Rand McNally.

Or, at least, it’ll feel that way to millions of Chicagoans.

In August 2011, when he was hired as Illinois’ new athletic director, Mike Thomas proclaimed during his introductory press conference that he wanted the university to be “King of Chicago.”

Whether such a thing can even be accomplished in a city with such diverse interests and college alumni is highly debatable. But in recent months, Illinois has launched a spate of initiatives – both sports-related and otherwise – with the clear intent of increasing the school’s presence and influence as it attempts to put its crown on Chicago.

This month, Illinois announced that Learfield Sports’ Fighting Illini Sports Properties had secured WSCR 670 The Score as its newest radio affiliate on the statewide Illini Sports Network. The terms of the new multi-year arrangement call for the station to carry Illini basketball games starting with the 2013-14 season and Illinois football beginning in 2014.

“This is very exciting news for Fighting Illini fans throughout the Midwest,” Thomas said. “The signal strength and coverage area of WSCR 670 The Score is tremendous, giving our fans the very best ability to listen to Fighting Illini football and basketball.”

With its 50,000-watt signal, WSCR will certainly give Chicago-area fans far better ability to listen than current radio partner, WIND 560, which broadcasts at a meager 5,000 watts.

By comparison, Northwestern and Notre Dame – Illinois’ chief competition in the city for the attention of college sports fans – respectively air their football games on WGN 720 and WLS 1000, which both boast 50,000-watt signals.

Continue reading “‘Conquering’ Chicago would be crowning achievement for U. of I.”

Saturday’s column from CBS Chicago …

(CBS) He may be a natural-born hitter, but when it comes to playing the field, Starlin Castro is not a natural-born shortstop.

He just plays one on TV.

During his rookie season in 2010, Castro committed 27 errors in just 123 games. During his sophomore campaign, he committed 29 in 158. Last season, he committed 27 in 162. And this year, he already had committed four through 21 games heading into Friday night’s in Miami.

I don’t think that’s the kind of “Committed” that the Cubs meant with their slogan this year. But, hey, it fits.

And the problem with Castro is that he doesn’t. Not up the middle at least. And not when the team is likely to soon have another very appealing option to fill his sizable shoes.

Considering that, at some point the Cubs need to seriously consider moving Castro to a position – third base, perhaps – that’s more befitting a career .959 fielding percentage. And they perhaps should consider experimenting with such a switch sooner rather than later.

This spring, Cubs phenom Javy Baez – selected as the No. 9 overall pick in the 2011 MLB Draft – was invited by the Cubs to the big-league camp in Arizona. The invitation positioned Baez as the latest challenger for Castro’s job at shortstop, which Castro knew but was very magnanimous about.

To continue reading, visit CBSChicago.com …

Today’s column from CBS Chicago …

(CBS) The Chicago Bulls are playing a playoff game tonight.

Derrick Rose is not.

So, tell me Bulls fans, how does that make you feel?

I know how ChicagoNow blogger Steve Huisel thinks Rose’s extended on-court absence makes fans feel. On March 27 he wrote, “If you were to ask a Chicago sports fan who’s on their Mt Rushmore of hated Chicago athletes, the most common responses would include Jay Cutler, Carlos Boozer and Alfonso Soriano. All three players entered this city with great promise and ‘love’ from the fans, but currently walk around with a negative connotation. If Derrick Rose isn’t careful, he might be the fourth head to this dubious ‘Mt Rushmore.’”

I know how Rose sitting out makes my buddy Dan feel. On Tuesday, he texted, “The people who actually went to medical school are saying he needs to play. Ask Iverson the difference between games and practice.”

And I know how seeing Rose wearing a suit instead of a uniform makes my Twitter friend Scott feel. On Wednesday he wrote, “If the Bulls win this series and play MIA – 3 months after (Rose) was medically cleared (to practice) – and he’s not out there, I have a prob w/ that.”

Scott went so far as to add that if the Bulls do advance past the Nets to face Miami and “next month New Orleans offered Eric Gordon and two [first round picks for Rose] … I’d consider it.”

I wouldn’t. But I do understand many Bulls fans’ frustration.

Continue reading at CBSChicago.com …

Today’s column from CBS Chicago …

(CBS) Over the weekend, the Big Ten pulled off a heady play when the league leaked word that it’s mercifully dumping the much-maligned Legends and Leaders divisional monikers in favor of geographical names.

However, when it comes to actually rallying to win this conference name game, the Big Ten still stopped short of the goal line.

And Jim Delany’s league has more work to do.

On Saturday, ESPN.com reported that the Big Ten will finally replace the confounding Legends and Leaders names with the clear-cut East and West when Maryland and Rutgers join the expanding league in 2014.

In an additional refreshing move, the Big Ten West also will reportedly now include the six teams located in the Central Time Zone – Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern and Wisconsin – as well as nearby Purdue. Meanwhile, the Big Ten East will include the Eastern Time Zone schools of Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State and Rutgers.

It’s clean. It’s simple. And it’s smart.

But it also isn’t enough.

To continue reading, visit CBSChicago.com …

My Wisch List newspaper column from the Saturday, April 20, editions of The Daily Journal (Kankakee, Ill.) and The Times (Ottawa, Ill.) …

The WISCH LIST

By Dave Wischnowsky

It’s served as a filming location for two Batman movies and one Transformers flick, and it’s sometimes been called “The Incredible Hulk.”

Now, just like Bruce Banner, the super-sized old Chicago Main Post Office could be getting a serious influx of green – as in dollars, not skin.

Standing at 433 W. Van Buren St. on the southwestern fringe of the Loop, the old Chicago Main Post Office is a nine-story-tall monolith that looms alongside the Chicago River and over the city’s Amtrak and Metra tracks. For travelers zipping – or crawling – along on the Eisenhower Expressway it’s a familiar landmark, as I-290 cuts through a massive opening in the base of the structure and morphs into Congress Parkway.

With its floors covering two full city blocks – more than 60 acres – the post office, built in 1921, is a monument to the era when Sears and Montgomery Ward made Chicago the mail-order capital of America.

But over the years, the post office became antiquated. In 1966, for example, a logjam of 10 million pieces of mail actually clogged the building’s system for almost an entire week. And since 1996, when postal operations were moved into a new facility, the post office has actually sat fallow, save for the filming of blockbusters Batman Begins in 2004, The Dark Knight Rises in 2007 and Transformers: Dark of the Moon in 2010.

In October 2009, however, a wealthy British investor named Bill Davies purchased the post office with the plans to transform the massive building into a sprawling retail, residential, commercial and entertainment complex. His aggressive proposal included an initial phase that would create a parking garage and add a 40-story hotel on the building’s east side.

Continue reading “Delivering life to Chicago’s old Post Office”