Tamping down the risk of the virus by staying home for days on end can close you off to the world. Or open you up to what’s important in life (other than having enough toilet paper to wipe your butt).

I was half comatose in front of the smart TV, watching some Ambien-alternative telenovela, eyelids drooping like an iguana on a rock, when the phone rang. “Howard, it’s Richard.”

I’ve known Richard going back to sharing our daughters at the same middle school. Now the “kids” are in their forties and to my delight, he and I have become good friends. But in all that time, I never talked with him over the phone, from dial system to punch tone to cellular. It actually took me several confused seconds to recognize his voice.

Then, presto, “Richard! Hi, thanks for calling!” And I was animated, engaged in gossip and geopolitics and participating rather than slowly sinking into couch potato, binge mode. I was so grateful to Richard for reaching out to me… you doing all right, taking precautions, getting outside for some sun… connecting with me, sharing both apprehension and optimism, the message being, we’re in it together, you’re not alone.

How reassuring, how nurturing, how blessed to have friends! Our joy is enhanced when it is shared, and our sadness lessened.

I think isolation and loneliness will kill more people than the virus. It is a danger that lurks. I know that truism first-hand: my long time best pals from days of corduroy knickers, senior proms, ivy quadrangles, first jobs and second marriages, so many are gone, the “good old days” that connected us lost in poignant memory.

Be thankful for the Richard in your life! And Roger and John, who also called… and cared. Feel the warmth of their friendship and pass it on! Leaf through your neglected Address Book and re-engage. It’s what friendship is all about: being dependable when you are needed; knowing it’s okay to reach out for help when the shoe is on the other foot.

It takes effort, but if we stay too long in our comfortable bathrobes we risk the danger of debilitating confinement, not from a dreaded virus, but the closing walls of a shrinking world.

There’s an old saying that what you think about, you bring about and that is so true. It is exceptionally true when it comes to illnesses. The coronavirus is real and it should definitely be taken seriously. There’s a lot of paranoia surrounding it, a bit too much, but to each its own. Those who should really be concerned are people like me–over 50 years of age and have a threatened immune system. People with asthma and diabetes and the elderly are another community who should concerned as well.

What’s really annoying about this pandemic are those making a profit from it. People who are selfishly buying items they don’t need, jacking up the price of sanitizer, toilet paper and other necessities. These items are being sold on the street or on line; I saw a can of Lysol disinfect spray sell for $60 on eBay. I’m angry because I know that some paranoid person is going to buy it. Shame on the person who sold it.

Hopefully, moving forward, retailers should put a limit on how much cashiers should ring up certain items in order to tell the needy from the greedy. Because I have lupus, I’ve been taking this coronavirus as though it was avoiding the flu. I’ve been taking care of myself as I’ve always been because my son Kameron is famous for bringing in viruses and other ailments in from other classmates, giving them to me. I’ve always kept a massive supply of hand sanitizer/wipes, Kleenex, toilet paper and such like year round so this coronavirus has not startled me not one bit.

Of course, the coronavirus is a different strain and we should definitely take what orders the Governor and the President take seriously, regardless if we like them or not. They are here to protect us as a country. My advice, however, is to do what you’ve been doing to keep yourself clean during the flu season, don’t over indulge in the news (that will run anyone crazy). The news should be used as an informative tool; not a way of life.

Type your email address in the box and click the “create subscription” button. My list is completely spam free, and you can opt out at any time.

Diamond is a five-week-old, wiggly but sweet and fun female golden hamster baby looking for a loving guardian.

Diamond is learning to appreciate attention from her people, lots of different foods and treats including tofu, unsalted whole peanuts, broccoli, spinning on her wheel and exploring her surroundings.

Golden hamsters live alone in their habitats so it’s important to give daily attention and love.

Since this is a baby, she will need patient daily handling and socialization to tame, so she will be gentle and not afraid of humans.

Her adoption fee of $15 benefits the Friends of Petraits Rescue. If you need an entire hamster habitat, 20 gallon long aquarium with lid, bedding, food, exercise wheel, hidey castle and water bottle – everything you need including the hamster – the whole package is available for $75.

To meet and possibly adopt Diamond please contact [email protected]

Diamond is being fostered in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood.

As we enter into the new normal with the coronavirus pandemic reshaping our lives, forcing us to cancel plans and stay at home, A Bite of Chicago, will not be posting our regular Thursday restaurant reviews and specials.

We will be posting restaurant news, information and updates when pertinent. And maybe, depending on how long this goes on, some light-hearted food-related stories.

Please let us know if there is anything we can help you with or any questions you have. 

Today we are giving you a overview of rules, regulations and specials.

Restaurant and Bar Regulations
Through March 30^th

• The consumption of food or beverage is not permitted inside a restaurant or bar
• Congregation of any kind is not permitted inside or outside a restaurant or bar

Customers may enter restaurants to order food and immediately leave upon receiving the food. BACP has put together an FAQ document with answers to the many questions facing business owners and consumers. The following establishments are included in the mandated restaurant and bar closure order:

• Concession stands at movie theaters, bowling alleys and other entertainment venues
• Cafes, coffee bars, ice cream counters and other concession areas within grocery stores
• Coffee shops and cafes
  Drive-thru, delivery and carry out or curbside pick-up may continue, with the restaurant owner responsible to ensure social distancing policies are in place and followed.

All year-round sidewalk cafes, covered or not, should also be closed as part of this order. Food Trucks, bakeries and grocery stores can continue operations, provided that there is no on-site consumption. Concessions at O’Hare and Midway Airports are exempt from the new restrictions in order to ensure food availability for travelers. However, the Chicago Department of Aviation is taking social distancing steps to keep the traveling public and airport employees safe.

Curbside Pick-up

Here is a link to businesses that are offering food delivery and curbside pick-up: https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-food-delivery-curbside-pick-up-coronavirus-20200316-yd47bn4fjrchxfzcs7s4cdxouu-story.html

Ten Restaurant Specials

If you can, support your local restaurants by buying gift cards, getting takeout or delivery and offering a kind word. Many restaurants are going out of the way to serve the public with family dinners, special prices and even grocery delivery. Here’s just a few (check with individual restaurants for more):

Coda Di Volpe

Offering curbside pickup from 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM, call (773) 687-8568.

Gemini

Offering curbside pickup from 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM daily, call (773) 525-2522.

The Smith

Offering pick up and delivery from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily through DoorDash, UberEats and Grubhub. Pick-up orders can also be made by calling the restaurant directly at 312.312.5100. In addition to a-la-carte items, The Smith will offer a Family Meal option that feeds 2-3 people and includes a choice of salad, two sides, a main course and chocolate chip cookies for $35. 

• DoorDash: https://www.doordash.com/business/the-smith-12562/menu/
  Uber Eats:  https://www.ubereats.com/chicago/food-delivery/the-smith-river-north/ciFKkiLrT1CQEDLJkLgoIg
  Grubhub: https://www.grubhub.com/restaurant/the-smith-400-n-clark-st-chicago/1983861

Now through the end of the month, The Smith is also offering a discounted “Thank You” gift card promotion. The following gift card amounts are available for a discounted price:

• $100 gift card for $90
  $500 gift card for $400
  $1,000 gift card for $650
  $5,000 gift card for $2,500

Walton Street Kitchen + Bar

Offering curbside pickup or delivery available from 4:30-8:30 PM daily. Call (773) 570-3525.
Delivery on Caviar here

SELF-ISOLATION, DAY 2

Today it is raining. Not as much fun.

Yesterday was beautiful and sunny. Still, I love rain and it is of course necessary for the grass, bushes and trees to grow. Winter seems to be over. I always think it is nature’s way of taking a shower.

Observations: So today is my second day, counting, of finding myself in self-isolation. I was not as quick to crawl out of bed on this rainy day so I have been slower out of the gate, but have managed to get on with it.

I drove with my dog to the bank (she waited in the car), just to go to the ATM. There were quite a few fewer cars on the road compared to a normal day. No school buses of course. There was a bottle of hand sanitizer next to the ATM, which I used. Later, I thought I would pick up a few groceries, mainly vegetables and fruit. Most of my shopping I had already completed, and I noticed far fewer customers today in the grocery store. Maybe most people have stocked up. Maybe people are adjusting to this self-isolation. One thing I noticed for myself, is that I have simultaneously begun to eat more fruits and vegetables. For my health I am supposed to. They are also cheaper than many frozen and other prepared or canned foods.

Not sure why this is happening; perhaps my brain is trying to make the most of this unusual situation. So many things are closed. I am retired, mostly. I have a part-time job on the weekends in a grocery store. But the restaurants and coffeeshops are closed. What about barbershops and hair salons, wellness spas and massage? So many people who depend on these things for a livelihood.

Changes in my daily life: I cancelled a visit to my son and his family, near Urbana-Champaign. I am over 70 and in a high risk group, but what if I would be a carrier, mildly sick or asymptomatic? I would not want to bring it downstate to the family. I am a hospice volunteer,  visiting patients in the last stages of life. But many of them are in nursing homes, which have restricted visitors.  I belong to the Theosophical Society. Most have likely not heard of it. It is not a religion and not anti-religion, but an international organization which emphasizes studying philosophy, religion and science, and encourages loving kindness. This is not supposed to be an advertising for them. But there is Yoga Tuesday nights and Wednesday nights discussion and meditation, plus other classes, meditation, and others. Well, of course they are also in suspended mode. So Wednesday nights I would have coffee with a friend then go for the discussion group. So…so maybe I will have coffee for myself and call friends. And write. Of course I write (duh… I continue trying to blog). Actually in the back of my mind I have wished for a break in my schedule so I would or could write more. For an old retired guy I am busy with volunteering at various things. I write sporadically. Well, please do NOT blame the epidemic on me, but now I have more time!

Today, I walked, drove, and did a healing meditation for some friends and the world. I do not fantasize that I have the power to heal the world, or my friends. As I said, I have enough work to do managing my own spirit, but meditating is similar to or maybe the same as, prayer. There are many ways people pray and meditate. I do not smoke incense and try to levitate. Mainly because I do not wish to bump my head on the ceiling. But meditating makes me feel better and more focused. I really need focus. And I especially feel better when I meditate for the health and wellness of others.

I am trying to write about this consistently. I feel well and although I realize that my spirit will someday separate from my body, I hope it doesn’t happen soon. But we don’t know do we? An epidemic changes many plans and likely also the way we do many things in life. Some of this can be good. While shopping I have noticed many people wishing other strangers to “stay healthy; be well.” I wish that for all of us.

March 18, 2020

I rarely read anything on Facebook or scroll down far enough to see how people react to my pearls of wisdom.

It is only when alerted that I hear names like Ronnie, Mike, Benedetto, Jim or Gary, but I am insulated from their curious insults by the words of Jesus; Cast not pearls before swine.

So, swine, why are you angry with me?  I’m not the one who lied and said the coronavirus was No big deal. I’m not the one who said it was under control.

I’m not the one who wanted to keep the Grand Princess cruise ship quarantined at sea to prevent her 21 cases of coronavirus from inflating the number of cases here in America.  I’m not the one who said that I like my numbers where they are.

As if 21 more cases of coronavirus would even make a difference (we’re at about 9,000 right now, a number that may soon be dwarfed as testing becomes more available).

To read about a self-obsessed, moron of a president ignoring, downplaying and lying about a coming pandemic, giving it cover to spread among our population, click HERE.

Donald John Trump buried his fat, orange head in the sand while yet another enemy invaded our shores, this one crippling our health care system and our economy.

Let’s get something straight, Messrs Schramm, Zerfoss, et al; I’m no Monday morning quarterback.  I’m not looking in my rear view mirror or making judgments in hindsight.

I’ve been warning of the destructive capability of an ignorant, pathologically lying narcissist for almost FIVE YEARS (four years, ten months and a few days).

Donald John Trump cares about one thing and one thing only; Donald John Trump.

We’ve known about the threat of this coronavirus since the beginning of December.  Not only did Donald John Trump fail to do anything about it, but he took measures to make sure that no one in his administration spoke up.

We’ve seen how the Trump administration and Trump justice department treat whistleblowers.  Who is even left to speak up?

President Barack Obama established a pandemic response team and a global network of scientists and health care professionals to be vigilant for threats to America and the world.

Trump, in his non-stop effort to erase the legacy of America’s only non-white president obliterated all that, rendering the United States blind and behind the curve of any meaningful response.

Trump was warned about all of this, even before he took office.  In what alternate universe is this man on YOUR side?

Now Trump says that he always knew that coronavirus was going to be a pandemic.  That’s obviously a LIE, but it would be worse if it was true.

Why, if he knew it was a pandemic would he spend precious months pretending that it wasn’t even happening?  It was just a couple of weeks ago that he told us that the numbers were going DOWN.

Fox “News” flew cover for his ignorance and lies, only now admitting that they may have downplayed the threat to a fault.

Even while they were advising their own employees to observe the hand-washing and social-distancing protocols being promoted by the “fake” media.

You guys want to hate the messenger, go ahead.  I understand that when there is no defense for the indefensible, you have to attack someone.

We’ve seen that play out ad nauseum in the age of Trump.

What about this, what about that?  Do you think you could’ve done better? How about Hillary, how about Obama, how about Biden?

Well, how about them? How about Calvin Coolidge?

None of those people are president right now and the person who is represents a threat to our very existence.

Contrary to what you’ve been hearing from Sean Hannity, Democrats don’t want to destroy America.  We just see government as a vehicle to improve lives, just as it’s helping out right now.

You want to fix America, take Michael Jackson’s advice.  Start with The Man in the Mirror.

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I woke up to such sad news today. My beloved Playboy magazine may well have published its last print issue due to complications from Covid-19. When I shot my cover pictorial in the last Equality issue on October 22, everyone at the mag seemed so upbeat and positive about the future of Playboy and then, in the blink of an eye–everything changed (for everyone).

Here’s an open letter from the magazine’s editor-in-chief, Ben Kohn:

An Open Letter To Our Team And Partners

March 18, 2020

Dear Team and Partners,

I’m writing to share my deepest wishes for the health and safety of our global community at this time. I also want to take this opportunity to provide an update on the strength of our business and some of the steps we are taking to ensure our continued growth in 2020 and into the decade ahead.

Playboy is many things to many people. A magazine to many, a lifestyle to many more, an apparel brand, a membership club and even, according to some, “a corruptor of our youth.” But throughout the past sixty-six years, one thing has remained constant: our commitment to free expression and breaking taboos, leaning into discomfort, helping audiences express and understand their sexuality, and advocating for the pursuit of pleasure for all.

We are proud to be one of the world’s most recognizable brands–97% of our planet’s population knows what our infamously cheeky, bowtie-wearing Rabbit Head represents. No matter who you speak to, it is a brand that evokes reaction and stimulates conversation. In today’s world, this is immensely powerful. Powerful because in a time when we are divided, conversation is what we need the most. Powerful because it helps burst filter bubbles, cross party lines and engage outside of the silos that increasingly contain us.

Our audience recognizes this power, too. They acknowledge it when they choose to display our logo, wear a Playboy-branded shirt, put on that piece of Rabbit Head jewelry, tear open a Playboy condom or spray that puff of Playboy perfume. They’re inviting you to notice them, to question them, to engage with them and to challenge them. They’re making a personal statement about sex-positivity, free expression and pleasure for all.

We understand our role–and our responsibility–in this interaction. Creating quality, boundary-pushing editorial that advocates for what is right and that leads by example will always be core to our mission. We will never stop seeking to help our audience understand their own sexuality and that of others. Our content, products, partners and experiences are how we drive important conversations, shine a light on inequality, censorship and prejudice, and break down the barriers to pleasure and sexual freedom that so many still face.

Right now, the Playboy brand is more successful than ever before. Our audience is massive. We drive over $3 billion in annual consumer spend worldwide. We reach hundreds of millions of eyeballs every year, across all genders. This past year, our focus has been on meeting audiences where they are. We gained over 4 million new Instagram followers and saw over 50% growth in engagement on our social channels in the past 6 months, grew our digital video subscriptions by almost 30% year-over-year and acquired a direct-to-consumer commerce operation that serves almost 1M active customers every month. At The Playhouse events last spring, we transformed our magazine into a multisensory experience that turned our articles into two-way dialogues with our audience, with panels on cannabis advocacy, female sexuality in the arts and the future of masculinity, among other topics. We held our first sessions of The Playboy Interview Live, and most recently, we brought the famed Playboy Advisor column to life in a social-first digital series providing millions of viewers with the sex-ed we wish we’d had.

We are also immensely proud of our revamped quarterly magazine that is inarguably one of the most beautifully designed print offerings on the market today. But it’s no surprise that media consumption habits have been changing for some time–and while the stories we produce and the artwork we showcase is enjoyed by millions of people on digital platforms, our content in its printed form reaches the hands of only a fraction of our fans.

Last week, as the disruption of the coronavirus pandemic to content production and the supply chain became clearer and clearer, we were forced to accelerate a conversation we’ve been having internally: the question of how to transform our U.S. print product to better suit what consumers want today, and how to utilize our industry-leading content production capabilities to engage in a cultural conversation each and every day, rather than just every three months. With all of this in mind, we have decided that our Spring 2020 Issue, which arrives on U.S. newsstands and as a digital download this week, will be our final printed publication for the year in the U.S. We will move to a digital-first publishing schedule for all of our content including the Playboy Interview, 20Q, the Playboy Advisor and of course our Playmate pictorials. In 2021, alongside our digital content offerings and new consumer product launches, we will bring back fresh and innovative printed offerings in a variety of new forms–through special editions, partnerships with the most provocative creators, timely collections and much more. Print is how we began and print will always be a part of who we are.

Over the past 66 years, we’ve become far more than a magazine. And sometimes you have to let go of the past to make room for the future. So we’re turning our attention to achieving our mission in the most effective and impactful way we can: to help create a culture where all people can pursue pleasure.

We look forward to continuing to work together with all of you to keep our business strong and growing.

Stay safe,

Ben Kohn

CEO, Playboy Enterprises, Inc.

Playboy has been my family for the last 40 years and I have no plans to let them go now. Even if it’s only on a digital platform, my Bunny ears will be attuned to its always timely, diverse and informative articles and photos. Keep it up Playboy and I’ll catch you on the digital ride soon!

Love,

“Candid” Candace Jordan–Your Number One Fan

It started with the posting of schedules on Sunday. Parents were posting down to the minute regimes for the task of homeschooling their kids on Monday. Some parents went so far as to color coordinate their agendas. Some schedules were laminated. Other parents would comment, “Awesome.” “Can I borrow this?” “Can I share it?” Others would post a picture of their down to the minute schedule in the comments.

I mean sure, in my head I had a schedule planned; some notion of how we were going to get through 4 weeks of being at home. I typed it out in the notes app of my phone. I did not however translate my ideas on to paper with graphs and lines rendered in blood, sweat and tears then post it for others to marvel and envy. It briefly inspired me then quickly sparked dread that without such a schedule I’d be doomed. Forever doomed.

I was so grateful when some of these same parents posted midday how quickly their schedules were jettisoned for good old survival mode. They posted about tantrums and resistance counterbalanced with chocolate purchased for bribery. People described what their kids were doing but instead of using “kids” they swapped it out for “co-workers”. A Facebook game was born. Parents were connecting through humor; making the best of imperfection.

Honesty emerged and I was feeling much less pressure to be perfect or present some idyllic version of homeschooling ala Little House on the Prairie. (The Ingalls didn’t homeschool by the way. Why are they one of the first references folx have been using?)

Some parents were still posting about their idyllic homeschool adventures. Pictures of what seemed to be flawless days in spotless houses were posted with cynicism-free updates and vestiges of hope. Good for them.

I’d much rather see the mess. I’d rather commiserate about how the “best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.”

Share great ideas? Yes. Be proud of what you’ve come up with to pass the time? Yupers. Document this time for posterity? Absolutely.

If it’s all gone perfectly? Keep it to yourself.

This is a time for humility. This is a time to use Facebook to connect; not alienate. Life is in the gritty details not the broad strokes. Share the sugar and the salt.

Remember not everything is at it seems.

Let’s be honest and get through this together.

What’s been your biggest “fail” so far? Share in the comments below.

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