What’s New

When Malachy Towey beat on his drum, it could make a person want to dance a jig — or march off to war.

He probably was the oldest person in Chicago to play the bodhran, a traditional Irish instrument made from a goatskin stretched over a round wooden frame.

Accordionist Jimmy Keane said he was “the first musician I ever saw play the bodhran with his massive hands and knuckles — no sticks, brooms nor brushes for Malachy — just straight from his heart to his hand.”

Jimmy Keane

Those big hands also could replicate the tiny rosettes in the moldings at the Chicago Cultural Center. The founder of Beverly Plastering, he worked as a plasterer at the center and other buildings including hospitals, schools and restaurants.

Mr. Towey, an Irish immigrant from Cloontia in County Mayo, died in his sleep Wednesday at 99 at his Mount Greenwood home.

“He had a wonderful day,” his daughter Esther Muhr said. “He had a great dinner and was really happy and content.”

Provided

Only two weeks ago, he’d played a session at Lanigan’s Irish Pub, 3119 W. 11th St.

“He still was able to play a tune,” said Nick Glynn, a manager there. “He loved the bodhran.”

“He certainly made a mark with his playing and his presence at the session at Lanigan’s all these years,” said Liz Carroll, an acclaimed fiddler from Chicago who was the first American composer to receive Ireland’s top cultural prize for traditional music.

Provided

Young Malachy made his first bodhran at 9. When he was a boy, “The bodhran was usually only played one day of the year in Ireland, and that was what they called St. Stephen’s Day” — Dec. 26,” he said in a 2016 interview with Jay Shefsky on WTTW’s “Chicago Tonight.”

He and his four brothers and sister grew up on a farm. Even during the Great Depression, his parents Bridget and Martin “were completely self-sufficient,” his daughter said. “They made everything or produced everything they needed except for tea and sugar.”

They heated their home with turf-peat cut from bogland.

“When he was a boy, every house was full and there were lots of kids,” she said. But with few jobs, “Eventually, everyone left.”

He followed his brothers to London, where he helped repair the damage from German bombs during the Blitz. He stayed busy because he knew how to do plastering, painting, carpentry and bricklaying.

Able-bodied men went to war, so, “at 17, he had a whole gang of men working under him,” said another daughter, Julia McSweeney.

One day, “He and his brothers were repairing some building that had been damaged in the bombing. and he walked across a roof,” Muhr said. “What he didn’t know was the roof was glass that had been painted black during the blackout” to shield the lights from enemy aircraft. “He fell through the glass really hard on a big table, and he was out of breath, and the table was surrounded by people, and they were all screaming at him. He looked around, and he realized he was lying on a big map of Europe with little boats and flags. It was the British Army’s battle headquarters.”

“He was promptly arrested,” Muhr said. “They let him go right away when they realized he was one of the guys trying to repair the damage.”

Provided

In London, he met Bridget Mooney, a fellow Irish immigrant from Ardee in County Louth. Beside working at a hospital, she had a wartime factory job making timers for bombs, according to their daughters. They married in 1947.

They immigrated again, to Canada, and later to Cleveland. When he visited Chicago for a Gaelic football game, “He realized a lot of his friends were here,” Muhr said, and the Toweys settled in Mount Greenwood in 1963.

He didn’t have a bodhran at first. “You couldn’t go out and kill a goat here,” McSweeney said. “He’d find a flat surface like a tray. He’d keep the beat on that.”

Eventually, Mr. Towey found the traditional drum, and, “as far as I know, I had the only bodhran in Chicago,” he told WTTW.

But after the Chieftains, the Irish maestros of traditional music, became popular, “suddenly you started seeing them everywhere,” Muhr said.

When he came to Lanigan’s a few years ago to watch County Mayo compete in an all-Ireland football match, patrons leaned in to listen to stories from Mr. Towey, who’d witnessed the last time Mayo won the competition. It’s been said Mayo was cursed by a priest after its last all-Ireland victory because the team ignored a nearby funeral procession.

“He was saying I was at the last all-Ireland they won, at [Dublin’s] Croke Park in 1951,” Glynn said. Nearly 70 years later, the team is yet to break its their losing streak.

Provided

Provided

His wife Bridget and son Shamus died before him. Beside daughters Esther Muhr and Julia McSweeney, he’s survived by daughters Marie Szyman and Shirley Saldana, sons Malachy, Kevin and Brendan, 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Arrangements are pending.

Provided

Read More

The coronavirus COVID-19 has people staying indoors, especially now that restaurants and bars are closed statewide for the next two weeks. If you’ve already finished every Netflix and HBO marathon you can think of and are grasping for new ideas, here’s a list of what to do during your self-quarantine. Thanks to online resources, there’s actually a ton of things to do indoors nowadays, from coloring to taking yoga classes, to learning computer coding, knitting, and everything in between.

1. Download an audiobook from Audible

If you aren’t interested in audiobooks, they also offer language instruction and music.

2. Play brain games at Lumosity

Another excellent activity to try when you’re snowed in is Lumosity brain games. You can join a global community of 85 million brain trainers, all committed to challenging their brains with cognitive games designed by in-house scientists. Lumosity will have you diving right in with a Fit Test: three games that each challenge different abilities. That’ll give you your baseline scores, so you can watch how your scores change over time, one of the best things to do indoors.

3. Download sheet music

If you’re social distancing and staying home in Chicago, we also recommend downloading and listening to sheet music from free-scores.com. If you place an instrument or enjoy classical music, this activity with keep you busy. If you don’t already know how to read sheet music, you can learn via this Ted Ed Lesson.

4. Stay curious with TED Ed

You can learn just about anything academic via TED lessons. If you’d like, you can also create your very own lesson. At TED Talks, you can also watch speakers present on pretty much any topic you are interested in and some you didn’t even know existed.

5. Learn an instrument

If you’re self-quarantined and looking to be productive, it may be a good idea to learn a new instrument, one of the best things to do indoors. Why not make use of the free music lessons at ArtistWorks?

6. Take yoga classes from home

MyYogaWorks has everything you need. It requires a paid membership, but you can sign up for a free 14-day trial.

7. Learn to code

Or, if you aren’t interested in coding, take another free class at Khan Academy. Khan Academy offers classes in math, science, engineering, computing, arts and humanities, economics, and finance, as well as test prep and college admissions help. All for free. Forever.

8. Get “Craftsy“

Visit Craftsy to learn fabric crafts, how to bake, decorate cakes, spin, weave, make wood crafts, art, quilts, and way more. For free.

9. Find DIY projects

Take a browse through POPSUGAR‘s DIY section for some creative ideas to tackle while you’re self-quarantined, one of the best things to do indoors.

10. Listen to a free podcast

The LearnOutLoud Podcast Directory offers over 7,000 audio and video podcasts you can learn from. They’ve screened thousands of podcasts to find ones of the highest quality that will instruct, entertain, and inspire you. If you are snowed in and want to stimulate your brain, we recommend viewing the collection available to you on your iPhone or listen to your favorites via Spotify.

11. Build a website

Start here, at WordPress Create, and WordPress will walk you through the steps necessary to do so.

12. Color

Bust out the colored pencils and join in the adult coloring trend. Find printable coloring pages, such as these Mandala pages. Or, if you’d prefer an app, you could do it that way, too. Search “adult coloring” in your app store and prepare to be overwhelmed with options.

At UrbanMatter, U Matter. And we think this matters.

Give more ideas on things to do indoors and what we should write about next in the comments below!

Read More

In light of coronavirus COVID-19, bars and restaurants across Illinois are closed for two weeks. These Chicago restaurants are stepping up and offering delivery and pickup at their establishments to minimize the chaos:

• Mariano’s offers $10 delivery through their app where you can get all of your grocery needs without leaving the house. Get everything you need to be delivered right to your door in as little as two hours. Plus, get free delivery on your first order!
• Home Chef is one of the leading meal kit delivery companies with 3.5 million meals delivered every month. Their online menu features 19 different recipes that rotate weekly and are created for all skill levels and dietary preferences. Home cooks can choose from carb-conscious, calorie-conscious, and vegetarian meals with slow cooker, entree salad, and oven-ready options available as well. Home Chef is delivered right to your door with meal prices starting at $9.95.
  • Home Chef also has meal kits available at Mariano’s stores as an easy dinner option to add to your next grocery delivery!
• Marigold to Go Virtual Restaurant is recently available in Chicago through Enolo Wine Cafe. Enjoy the finest Indian cuisine from Northern and Southern India in the comfort of your home including Chicken Tikki Masala, Gulab Jamun, Saag Paneer, and more. Take-out is provided through Postmates and Uber Eats. First-time diners receive a $20 takeout credit through March 15th when they place their order by calling (312) 477-7657.
• Marchesa offers delivery through GrubHub! Enjoy traditional French cuisine from Chef Didier Durand including Duck Breast, Diver Scallops, Moules Frites, Caviar, European Cheese & Charcuterie, and more.
• River Roast offers delivery through DoorDash! Enjoy your River Roast favorites at home this winter season. Get free delivery with River Roast on your first DoorDash order. River Roast also offers carry-out specials including:
  • Winter Chicken Dinner: whole roast chicken with River Roast potatoes, choice of chopped salad or roasted seasonal veggies ($49)
  • Pork Shank Dinner: 24oz. pork shank with River Roast potatoes, choice of chopped salad or roasted seasonal veggies ($59)
  • Roast Beef Dinner: 16oz. roast beef with River Roast potatoes, choice of chopped salad or roasted seasonal veggies ($75)
• Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap offers delivery and carry out. Enjoy the monthly specials at home including the Brussels with Bacon and Roasted Cauliflower, as well as favorites including Jake’s famous wings, the Tailgate Tower, and more.
• Roka Akor offers delivery through Caviar. Enjoy Roka’s contemporary, chef-driven menu at home from the Chicken Yakitori Skewers to Wagyu Beef and Kimchi Dumplings. Whether you have a taste for seafood, steak, Maki, or comforting options like Miso Soup, Roka has it available to deliver.
• Fry the Coop locations are open for carryout and delivery. Ordering is available online or via phone and employees take down car information for curbside pick-up to maximize social distancing.
• Wells Street Market is currently open for takeout from 11am – 3pm. Most of the vendors will offer takeout through the end of the day and future availability will be shared towards the end of today (3/16) regarding plans for the remainder of the week and beyond.
• Gemini is offering curbside pickup from 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM daily, call (773) 525-2522.
• Coda Di Volpe is offering curbside pickup from 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM, call (773) 687-8568.
• Walton Street Kitchen + Bar is offering curbside pickup or delivery available from 4:30-8:30 PM daily. Call (773) 570-3525. Delivery on Caviar.
• Old Pueblo Cantina is offering curbside pickup or delivery available from 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM daily. Call (773) 697-3727. Delivery on Caviar.
• MAD Social is offering Modern American cuisine for delivery through Grubhub.
• Brew Brew Coffee & Tea is offering Mexican cuisine for pickup and delivery for Pilsen and Avondale locations. You can also support them by buying a gift card you will use later!
• Molly’s Cupcakes South Loop is offering delivery through Grubhub, Caviar, UberEats, and DoorDash.
• Urbanbelly is offering delivery and take-out from 11am to 9pm daily on Caviar, Ritual, and over the phone: 773-904-8606. There is a 20% off neighborhood discount for Wicker Park applicable for all phone orders.
• Harbor: In an effort to take at least one thing off your plate, so you can take care of yourself and your loved ones, Harbor is making it easy and introducing curbside pickup packages. Enjoy a meal for two or a meal for four, complete with a main dish and several sides, and the restaurant team will bring it directly to your car door. Harbor is the South Loop’s newest dining destination located at 1312 S. Wabash and offers a locally inspired and sourced menu from Chef Anthony Bernal. To see what’s on the menu today or to order, please call (312) 736-1570. For more information, please visit their website.
• KINTON RAMEN: The popular Japanese restaurant concept that has taken Canada and now the United States by storm, Kinton Ramen is offering delivery via DoorDash from its two Chicago locations in West Loop (163 N. Sangamon St.) and Wicker Park (1426 N. Milwaukee Ave.). To order, click here and receive free delivery for your first order ($15 minimum). Delivery is also available via Uber Eats and Caviar. Delivery couriers will not enter premises and will be “curb-side” only with extra sanitation processes in place.
• Geja’s Cafe: Geja’s Café, located at 340 W. Armitage, is offering a robust Geja’s To Go Monday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., allowing guests the opportunity to have Geja’s signature items delivered straight to their doors. Menu items include Swiss Gruyere Cheese Fondue with breads, apples, grapes and vegetables for dipping; Belgian Chocolate Fondue with pound cake, Rice Krispie treats, and assorted fruits for dipping; as well as their Gourmet Meat and Cheeseboards. For the full To-Go menu or to make an order, please visit their website or call 773-281-9101. Physical and digital gift cards are also available for purchase here. Through the end of March 2020, for every $100 gift card purchased through their website, the Geja’s team will add an additional $19 to the gift card for you to use when it is safe for the restaurant re-open for normal business.
• Turkitch: With three locations in Chicago, Turkitch Turkish Kitchen is offering delivery via GrubHub (with free delivery and 10% cashback) and Uber Eats and pick-up service at each of its locations. Additionally, as a close neighbor to St. Joseph Hospital, Turkitch encourages guests who are able to sponsor meals to those working the hardest to ensure our community stays safe and healthy. When orders are made for St. Joseph’s, guests will receive 10% off the order and the Turkitch team will deliver the meal safely free of delivery charge. To learn more or to order, please call (773) 453-3323 or visit their website.
• Allgauer’s on the Riverfront: Allgauer’s on the Riverfront, the beloved North Shore restaurant and family-owned business for more than 40 years, located at 2855 N. Milwaukee Ave., will offer curbside pickup for those looking to enjoy selections from their menu at home. For more information, please visit their website.
• Columbus Tap: Columbus Tap, the quintessential gastropub located at the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Tap, 200 N. Columbus Dr., is offering its full menu for takeout. Orders can be placed on Grubhub or by calling (312) 444-9494. For more information or to view their menu, please visit their website.
• the Albert: An art and science-inspired restaurant located in Streeterville at 228 E. Ontario, the Albert offers carryout service with orders placed within the restaurant. To view the restaurant’s full menu, click here.
• ROOH Chicago: ROOH Chicago, one of the top Indian restaurants in Chicago situated in the West Loop at 736 W. Randolph St., is offering dishes available for delivery via Grubhub. To see the full menu, please click here.
• Jet’s Pizza: Jet’s Pizza, known for its Detroit-style deep dish, eight-corner pizza, has 20 Chicago stores that are open for delivery orders. For the full menu or to order a meal for delivery, please visit their website.
• Stan’s Donuts & Coffee has 12 locations across Chicago and the suburbs. Online ordering can be done through our Loyalty app, on our website, via UberEats, GrubHub, DoorDash, and their website. They are also offering a special on gift cards: if you purchase a $50 gift card, you get an extra $10 free!
• Graystone Tavern: Delivery from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. through multiple platforms (Grubhub, Uber Eats, Postmates, DoorDash) as well as curbside pickup (place order via calling the restaurant).
  • MENU includes shareables like wings and fried cauliflower as well as an extensive taco menu, lettuce wraps, salads, DYI Mac ‘n Cheese and more.
• The Rambler: Delivery and curbside pickup available via Postmates, Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub. Diners can also call the restaurant directly to place an order as current staff will also be used to deliver orders as an effort to keep their staff working. Adding lunch delivery as well starting at 11 a.m.
  • MENU features creative bar fare and comfort food like gnocchi mac, stuffed potato skins, Chef JC’s chili, a soup flight, giant pork tenderloin sandwich and more.
• Weber Grill Restaurants is offering Family Grill Packs To-Go. With the whole family currently at home, Weber Grill Restaurants has put together two new family-style grill packages that serve 4 to 5 people, available for delivery via DoorDash and curbside pickup. This is a great option for a family to enjoy – or to have on hand to enjoy over a few days. These fully cooked and ready to serve meals are at a significant discount to purchasing individual entrees with sides. Link to full menu HERE.
  • Classic Dinner Family Pack, $49: Includes pretzel rolls with cheddar and whipped butter, a choice of Black Angus bbq meatloaf, beer can chicken or a combo, and choice of 2 sides from garlic mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli or mixed green salad.
  • Summit Dinner Package, $79: Includes pretzel rolls with cheddar and whipped butter, a choice of grilled marinated strip steak, plank grill salmon or a combo, and choice of 2 sides from garlic mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli or mixed green salad.
• Timothy O’Toole’s Pub (all four locations) is donating 100% of today’s revenue, including gift card sales, to their hourly staff. They will offer carry-out and delivery, they are starting make-at-home meal kits, and are looking to add delivered items people may need, such as fresh bread and bathroom tissue. Order via 312-642-0700; credit cards only please. Also available on UberEats, DoorDash, GrubHub, Ritual.
• Artango Bar & Steakhouse is offering pick-up and delivery, plus a 20% discount for those picking up (may use credit card over the phone). Call 872-208-7441.
• III Forks Prime Steakhouse is offering pick-up. Call (312) 938-4303.
• Bonus Round Game Cafe in Lakeview will no longer offer dining, but they are selling games online. They will deliver them curbside. They’ve added a “tip” option at check-out which will be donated to staff.
• Bar Roma is offering pickup and 20% off the original price from every curbside order directly to the Bar Roma staff. This is in addition to 100% of tips from every order.
• Porkchop, a Chicago bar-b-que brand, today announced that both its newly-opened pop-up fast-casual venue at 1625 N Halsted in Lincoln Park and its mainstay at 5121 Food Hall in Hyde Park will be open for carry-out and delivery during the current pandemic and will be offering pulled pork and pulled chicken sandwiches at a 20% discount.
• Avli Taverna (1335 W. Wrightwood Ave.), Avli River North (702 N. Wells St.) and Avli Winnetka (866 Chestnut St.) will offer a limited menu for delivery, carryout and curbside pick-up. The menu will offer customizable lunch boxes and family meals.
  • Avli Taverna orders can be placed during business hours by calling 773-857-5577 or e-mailing events@avli.us. Avli Taverna offers delivery on GrubHub and Caviar.
  • Avli River North orders can be placed during business hours by calling 312-643-5656 or e-mailing [email protected]. Avli River North offers delivery on Caviar.
  • Avli Winnetka orders can be placed by calling 847-446-9300 or on DoorDash.
• La Josie (740 W. Randolph St.) will remain fully closed through Monday, March 30. Chef/Owner Pepe Barajas has kept on his management staff. The team is using the closure to plan summer fundraising events to benefit industry professionals affected by the shutdown.
• Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta, the iconic pizza restaurant from Rudy Malnati, Jr., will offer free delivery for lunch and dinner at all locations during the remainder of March. Curbside pick-up will also be available. Guests who order or pick-up will also receive a $5 coupon for their next order. Credit cards only. They will also offer one free pizza with every four-pack purchased as a part of their acclaimed Coast-to-Coast national shipping program. National shipping orders can be placed here. Information on locations and delivery can be found here.
• Chiya Chai (2770 N. Milwaukee Ave.), Logan Square’s popular chai cafe, will offer a “Lunch Break” special of 25 percent off delivery orders between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. for local customers that are working from home. Delivery orders can be placed on GrubHub. Chiya Chai is also offering $25 off first-time catering orders. Chiya Chai catering is available for both Chicago and Chicago suburb residents. To view the full catering menu and place an order, visit here. For additional information call the cafe at 773-360-7541.
• Bistronomic (840 N. Wabash Ave.) is offering curbside pick-up at their Gold Coast bistro now through Monday, March 30.
• One Of A Kind Hospitality’s Logan Square concepts including The Old Plank, The Harding Tavern, Cafe Con Leche and Saba Italian Bar + Kitchen will remain open for delivery and pick-up. Orders can be placed by calling the restaurant directly:
  • Cafe Con Leche (2714 N. Milwaukee Ave.) will be open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; 773-289-4274
  • The Harding Tavern (2732 N. Milwaukee Ave.) will be open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; 773-697-9340
  • The Old Plank (2700 N. Milwaukee Ave.) will be open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; 773-661-2190
  • Saba Italian Bar + Kitchen (2715 N. Milwaukee Ave.) will be open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; 773-697-9273

At UrbanMatter, U Matter. And we think this matters.

Tell us what you think matters in your neighborhood and what we should write about next in the comments below!

Featured Image Credit: Weber Grill

Read More

Starting after the business day ends today through March 30, all bars and restaurants in Illinois will remain closed to avoid the spread of coronavirus COVID-19. Restaurants and bars can choose to remain open for delivery, drive-through, and curbside pick-up orders, meaning fast-food restaurants, and other Chicago favorites, will likely continue serving their patrons.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker made the announcement Sunday after citing frustrations that people still flocked to the bars over the St. Patrick’s Day weekend, creating long lines of crowds that went against current social expectations to distance ourselves, as recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Plenty of Chicago events have already been canceled after the CDC recommended crowds of over 50 people disperse.

Coronavirus COVID-19 Survival Guide

Are you looking for ways to avoid spreading coronavirus COVID-19? We put together a complete survival guide for you.

Though establishments expect revenue to drop over the next few weeks, you can help support your favorite restaurants and bars by buying gift cards you plan to use later to front them the money now. With plenty of bars and restaurants stepping up with pickup, delivery, and drive-thru, you still have plenty of places to go for food if you’re in desperate need.

Remember to stay home as much as possible, wash your hands, avoid contact with other people, and keep the faith! Though Illinois bars and restaurants are temporarily closed, they are expected to open back up after two weeks. If we all play our part, this could end quickly.

Read More

Chicago museums started shutting down this past weekend, some with closures all the way through April, so we figured we’d give you a complete list to keep up with the chaos. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends avoiding gatherings of over 50 people, so even if some museums are open, consider staying home to avoid the spread of the virus.

Shedd Aquarium

Closed through April 6

Museum of Science + Industry

Closed through April 6

Adler Planetarium

Closed through April 6

Field Museum

Closed through March 29

Art Institute of Chicago

Closed through March 28

Lincoln Park Zoo

Closed through April 10

Chicago Botanic Garden

Canceled all programs through March 31, grounds will remain open 9 am – 5 pm

Brookfield Zoo

• All Indoor Zoo Facilities & Buildings Closed Through At Least April 1
• Outdoor Zoo Facilities & Exhibits Remain Open 10 am – 5 pm
• All Zoo Events & Large Gatherings Canceled Through At Least April 1

Chicago Children’s Museum

Closed through March 31

Chicago Cultural Center

Closed through April 12

Chicago Fed’s Money Museum

Closed Indefinitely

Chicago History Museum

Closed Indefinitely. Still open on 3/17 as a polling place for the 2020 Democratic Primary Elections.

Clarke House

Closed through April 12

Design Museum

Closed through April 12

DePaul Art Museum

Closed through March 19

DuSable Museum of African American History

Closed through March 31

Garfield Park Conservatory

Canceled programs through March 31, grounds will remain open 9 am – 5 pm

Illinois State Museum

Closed through April 10

International Museum of Surgical Science

Closed Indefinitely

Museum of Broadcast Communications

Closed Indefinitely

Museum of Contemporary Art

Closed through March 29

Museum of Contemporary Photography

Closed through April 8

National Museum of Mexican Art

Closed through March 29

Poetry Foundation

Canceled all programs through March 31

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

Closed for 30 days, starting last Saturday

Smart Museum of Art

Closed through March 30

Read More

We all know and love the penguins at the Shedd Aquarium, but with the museum suddenly closing on March 13 to avoid the spread of coronavirus COVID-19, the lack of visitors has depressed both the staff and its animals. On Sunday, Shedd workers took the penguins out of their habitats and on a field trip of the aquarium, where they came in contact with other animals for the first time.

Penguins in the Amazon?! 🐧🌴

Some of the penguins went on a field trip to meet other animals at Shedd. Wellington seemed most interested in the fishes in Amazon Rising! The black-barred silver dollars also seemed interested in their unusual visitor. pic.twitter.com/KgYWsp5VQD

— Shedd Aquarium (@shedd_aquarium) March 15, 2020

“Some of the penguins went on a field trip to meet other animals at Shedd. Wellington seemed most interested in the fishes in Amazon Rising! The black-barred silver dollars also seemed interested in their unusual visitor,” said the tweet from the Shedd Aquarium official account.

The goal behind this is to ensure all the animals are maintaining their quality of life without constant visitation. Wellington the rockhopper penguin had a chance to meet the fish in the Amazon Rising exhibit, putting smiles on the faces of the thousands of Twitter users who liked the video.

The Shedd Aquarium plans to remain closed through March 29, but continues to share cute animal videos on their Twitter page for anyone looking for relief from the panic.

At UrbanMatter, U Matter. And we think this matters.

Tell us what you think matters in your neighborhood and what we should write about next in the comments below!

Featured Image Credit: Shedd Aquarium

Read More

Chicago Bears: 2020 free agent adds from AFC East by Usayd Koshul

Chicago Bears: Should they consider adding Devonta Freeman? by Usayd Koshul

Next1 of 6Prev post

Use your (arrows) to browse

Chicago Blackhawks (Photo by Maxx Wolfson/Getty Images)

Chicago is one of the best sports towns in the world. So which Chicago Sports moments are the greatest since the year 1990?

When you think of great sports towns in the United States of America, Chicago has to be right up there. They have five professional sports men’s teams that play the four major sports of baseball, hockey, football, and basketball. The Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, and Chicago Cubs are the five Chicago Sports teams that make up this great landscape.

Only the Bears have not won their league’s championship since the year 1990. Every other team has combined for a total of 11 championships which is a remarkable 30 year stretch for the city. None of those eleven championships came in the same year either, which is sort of remarkable in its own right. There have been some great moments throughout Chicago history, and the sports landscape is no different.

Chicago has had some downright awful moments as well. It is a part of sports to win some and lose some. There was a long time where it seemed like nobody would ever win again but that really all changed quickly. To go with some of those awesome winning seasons, have been some great players and managers. Things might seem like they are on the downright now with most of the teams, but there is plenty of ways to turn that all around.

This is a town that is loaded with passionate sports fans. It shows at regular season and playoff games along with large attendance for championship parades. Everyone is looking for a positive in their life so it is good to reflect on some of those good times. These are the five greatest moments from Chicago sports from the year 1990-2020.

Next: Bulls

Next1 of 6Prev post

Use your (arrows) to browse

Load Comments

Read More

Chicago Bulls News: ESPN’s ‘The Last Dance’ series releasing early? by Ryan Heckman

Chicago Sports: Five greatest moments since 1990 by Vincent Parise

Next1 of 6Prev post

Use your (arrows) to browse

Chicago Bears (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

As the Chicago Bears get ready for 2020 NFL Free Agency, what are some free agents the team could add from the AFC East?

With NFL Free Agency officially starting this week, the Chicago Bears are expected to be active and will look to add free agents that can help plug up some roster holes. Currently, the Bears have holes at positions such as defensive end and right guard.

Then there are positions such as wide receiver and cornerback, where the Bears don’t have a glaring need but they could still benefit from adding talent to the position in an effort to create competition or bring in someone to upgrade the position.

The key thing to keep in mind is this: Even with the NFL agreeing to a new CBA and the Bears seeing a jump in their cap space, the Bears still only have so much money. That means the team will need to get creative when it comes to adding talent this offseason.

However, despite having limited salary cap space, if General Manager Ryan Pace plays his cards right, he could see the Bears add talent at certain positions that would be underrated additions or merely upgrades over the players at those respective positions from either 2018 or 2019.

If there is one thing that free agency can allow the Bears to do, it’s adding depth to the roster. The AFC East has a plethora of names such as Shaq Lawson, Brian Poole, and Evan Boehm that the Bears could consider adding.

RELATED PRODUCT

Download theScore App for the latest Pro Football Scores, Stats, News and Odds

Get Now!

Buy Now!

With NFL Free Agency officially here, what are some names that the Bears could explore adding on the open market that played in the AFC East last year? Additionally, for each of the names listed, what are potential contracts each could sign? Let’s break it all down.

Next: Number One

Next1 of 6Prev post

Use your (arrows) to browse

Load Comments

Read More

Chicago Bulls (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images)

Chicago Bears News: Allen Robinson furious with new CBA by Ryan Heckman

Chicago Bears: 2020 free agent adds from AFC East by Usayd Koshul

With everything going on lately, fans may get an earlier look at ESPN’s Chicago Bulls docu-series.

What a rough week it has been, not just in the world of sports, but the world in general. It’s rare we talk about anything outside of the Chicago Bulls, or Chicago sports as a whole, but the globe has been hit hard with the COVID-19 virus and everyone has been impacted in some way.

It is times like these which should make us come together as a nation. Sports fans and non-sports fans alike should be banding together in order to help their fellow human beings out in such a time of crisis.

Already, we have seen so many acts of kindness and benevolence over the last few days. For starters, employees who work at many stadiums and arenas are receiving enormous acts of grace. Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, is one of many people who have pledged to help ensure these employees receive full salary over the course of the next month.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Zion Williamson, Blake Griffin, Kevin Love, Stephen Curry and several other players have made notable commitments to helping many people impacted during this difficult time, including kids who may go without meals after schools shut down temporarily.

One particular act which would excite sports fans everywhere might just be coming to fruition. ESPN has been advertising for their upcoming docu-series on the Chicago Bulls of the 1990’s since late last year, and recently, their ads have changed in a minor way.

Instead of ending the trailer with “Coming in June,” the text now reads “Coming Soon.” It could be something. It could be nothing.

RELATED PRODUCT

Tailgate Men’s Chicago Bulls Long Sleeve Tee Red L

Buy Now!

Buy Now!

What makes a lot of folks eager to know for sure, though, is the fact that Disney owns the majority of rights to ESPN and, just two days ago, “Frozen II” was released months early on the streaming service Disney+. It was quite the gesture to allow kids to stream the movie earlier than planned, especially with so many of them home from school for a while.

Could ESPN be planning to make a similar release with their series “The Last Dance?”

One could only hope.

The series is a 10-part documentary that follows Michael Jordan and the Bulls’ dynasty, with much of the footage never before seen. Since the day the original trailer was released, fans have tried to wait patiently for its airing in June. Now, a glimmer of hope has been offered and we might just be graced with this series earlier than we anticipated.

Must Read

Bears Mock Draft: No need for free agent QB

Read now >>

Between NFL Free Agency and now potentially an early release of what may be the most anticipated sports documentary in the last decade, fans should have a little more to get them through the next few weeks.

Load Comments

Read More

Derek Carr, Chicago Bears (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Chicago Bears: Ranking veteran FA QBs they can bring in for 2020 by Vincent Parise

With the rumors of the Chicago Bears looking to add competition to the quarterback position, Derek Carr would be their best option.

The Chicago Bears need to be smart and make the right move this offseason when it comes to the quarterback position. Yes, they have concerns at tight end and on the offensive line, but it seems that a solid quarterback like Derek Carr wouldn’t need every little thing to be perfect.

That isn’t a dig at Mitchell Trubisky at all, I love Trubisky. I would prefer that Trubisky remains the Bears’ quarterback, but successfully. There is a better option for the Bears right now with Carr. The rumors of the Raiders signing Tom Brady as soon as Wednesday pushes Carr to the curb.

If the Raiders are actively looking to trade Carr away, the Bears could get him for a good price. The Bears could get him with their 43rd draft pick and maybe add a pick later in the draft. Adding Carr to the team pushes Trubisky to the max.

If Trubisky is going to be an elite NFL quarterback, he’ll need to get passed, Carr. Let’s say Trubisky blows Carr out of the water in the offseason and during the preseason, they could trade Carr to a quarterback struggling team for a need.

If it goes the other way around and Carr beats out Trubisky, you now have a better quarterback. You also know what you have with your backup quarterback in Trubisky.

Trubisky has won with this team before. He has a 23-18 record as a starter with Chicago. If Carr were to get hurt or play poorly, they have a quarterback who has won before. Also, quarterback competition brings the best out of both quarterbacks.

RELATED PRODUCT

Download theScore App for the latest Pro Football Scores, Stats, News and Odds

Get Now!

Buy Now!

It’s a win-win for Chicago. If the Bears were planning on drafting a quarterback with the 43rd pick anyway, trading that to the Raiders wouldn’t change much. Instead of drafting a project, you get a solid veteran in the prime of his career.

Related Story

Team talking to Raiders about Carr

Read now >>

It seems like a no-brainer.

Load Comments

Read More