Thursday, February 26, 2026
Monday, February 23, 2026
Publishing Portal--February 23, 2026
The latest news from Eckhartz Press, and a chance to peek into some of the great previous offerings from our humble little publishing company.
=One of the reasons we do this. That moment the author gets the first ever copy of his or her book. That's Bob Williams getting his first copy of Bubble Boy. It's available for pre-order now.
=The books have all gone out, so if you pre-ordered Sirens in the Loop, you should either have it already or it will be there any day.
=Jim Elsener has scheduled his book launch party. Mark it on your calendar. It will be on Thursday March 19th, from 6-8pm at Kappy's American Restuarant at 7200 W. Dempster in Morton Grove!
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=We have it on good authority that Jim also recorded an episode of Minutia Men Celebrity Interview this week. It will be posted on Wednesday.
=The Chili Dog MVP crew have been going all over the country working on their film project. Last week they were in Colorado with Goose Goosage (photo: David Fletcher and Goose). Next week they'll be in Pennsylvania. They have two events there. One in Philly (March 5), and one in Dick Allen's hometown of Wampum (March 7). We met a huge group of Wampum folks at the HOF ceremony in Cooperstown last year and they spent hours working on our pronounciation of the town...which we apparently never quite conquered.
=They've been working on this project for 4+ years now. This week in 2022, Eckhartz Press authors John Owens and Dr. David Fletcher appeared on Rick Kogan's radio show to talk about their book Chili Dog MVP. Kogan is a big White Sox fan and loved the tale about Dick Allen and the 1972 White Sox.
=Don't tell anyone this, but when Rick and Dave go to spring training on March 11, they won't be attending a White Sox spring training game. There's another team in the area they will see. Hint: Rick wrote EveryCubEver.
=Yes, it's true, Rick Kaempfer is not doing an update of EveryCubEver this season (He's done 7 already for cryin' out loud). On the other hand, he does plan on featuring every Hall of Fame Cub on or around their birthdays this year. And those entries will be from EveryCub Ever. This week there are three of them. One was mainly a Negro League star. One has his number flying on the foul pole at Wrigley. And the third one is the only player in history to have been named after a president, and portrayed in a movie by a president. Read all about them here.
=Where were you on Saturday afternoon? We were at a secret location screening of the Mob Adjacent movie with a movie mogul. More details to come.
=One of the most compelling parts of the family memoir written by the Gentile brothers is the intersection of the mob and Hollywood. For instance, stories about two people who would have been celebrating birthdays this week, Jackie Gleason (Feb 26) and Elizabeth Taylor (Feb 27) appear in the pages of Mob Adjacent.
Records Truly Is My Middle Name
=Here's some news for the John Landecker fans out there. John's daughter Amy Landecker has directed her first film and she will be here on March 5, along with her husband Bradley Whitford, to screen it at the Music Box theater. John Landecker will be there to moderate the discussion. We'll be there too...in the audience.
=What a fun night last Monday night at The Getaway in Lincoln Square. Mark Wukas appeared on the talk show hosted by Derek Bish. Good turn out. Great stories.
=If you missed it, don't worry there's another chance to meet him coming up. Mark Wukas will be doing a reading at CWA Live Lit readings at After Words Book Store on March 26.
=Wukas' writing hero, James T. Farrell was born on February 27, 1904. How big of a Farrell fan is Mark? This big...
=Here's one to put on your calendar. March 15th at 3pm, Bob Conlon (Celtic Knot) will be appearing at the G-man tavern on Clark Street (near Wrigley Field) to talk about his book. It will be a conversation with fellow Eckhartz Press author (and Celtic Knot endorser) Brendan Sullivan (The Living Wills). Doors open at 2pm. It's a free event, but they'd like you to RSVP here.
Oscars Biggest Mistakes & Worth a Second Look
=Eric Litt will also be appearing at the Boozy Book Fair (Printers Row Brewing, 4801 N. Austin, Noon-4pm) on February 28th (Saturday)
=This time of year is the busy season for movie expert/Eckhartz Press author Eric Litt. This week in 2022 Eric appeared on the Nick DiGilio podcast to talk about some examples from the past when the Oscars got it wrong.
=Next week he'll make his sixth appearance on Minutia Men Celebrity Interview, picking this year's Oscar winners.
=When you go to see Nick at the Museum of Broadcast Communications on March 15 (above), be sure to also stop by the "5 Decades of the Loop" exhibit there. It was curated by The Loop Files author Rick Kaempfer.
=This week last year 15 former Loopers gathered for drinks in Brookfield. See if you can spot any of them in the photo. Among them former Brandmeier show members (Artie Kennedy, Brendan Sullivan, Jimmy Mac), former Kevin Matthews show members (Cara Carriveau, Geli Corbett, Wendy Snyder), former Steve & Garry show members (Leslie Keiling, Stan Lawrence, Rick Kaempfer), former Danny Bonaduce show members (Neil Sant, Joy Masada, Joe Kraslen), former promotions gurus (Anne Marie Kennedy, Bridget Kaempfer) and former big cheese Larry Wert. All of them are in the book.
=The Loop Files has gone international, by the way. This photo was sent to us by Jim Danner with the message "A great read as we pull into Martinique!"
The Best of Words on Birds
=Nick Digilio--Nick's Pix at the Lake Theater on March 11 in Oak Park. The film will be Zero Dark Thirty.
=Lauren LoGiudice (Inside Melania) brings her Misfit Variety show to the Annoyance March 13. Show's at 9.
=CBS broadcaster James Brown is celebrating a birthday this week (February 25). James was kind enough to provide this endorsement for Randy Merkin's first Eckhartz Press book...
“While we cherish champions in the world of sports, we cheer louder for champions in the game of life. Character, integrity and honesty matter. That sums up Randy Merkin.”
=Randy's second book (Beyond the Glass) will be ready for pre-order in the next few weeks. Stay tuned for more information.
=Vicki Atkinson recapped her successful talk to Wauconda Library this past weekend in her blog. Some inspirational quotes are part of the presentation. Check it out.
=February 24, 1975—Humble Pie played at the International
Amphitheatre in Chicago. Naturally the Flip Side brothers were there. That's Carl & Larry Rosenbaum on either side of Steve Marriott from Humble Pie.
Ken Korber
=Korber is the king of the Eckhartz Press childrens book. We have published quite a few of them. He recently chatted with Chicken Soup for the Soul's Jack Canfield (photo) about those books, and Jack told him that his work was "akin to Chicken Soup for young readers."
=One of the Korber books in the Eckhartz Press catalogue got a great review from Prarie Book Review.
Korber’s child-friendly prose leans into the absurd, turning Marvin’s hair into an unstoppable force of chaos. The rhyme and rhythm of the text add to the escalating absurdity, making Marvin’s suffering all the more comical. His woes are exaggerated but relatable. Korber plays up the humor in Marvin’s stubbornness, while Grace steps in as the friend who sees the obvious solution. Jaime Buckley’s vibrant illustrations crank up the humor. The art doesn’t just complement the text: it amplifies it, turning Marvin’s exaggerated misery into pure visual comedy.
=Beth Jacobellis launched her debut novel this week in 2018, Cameo. Here she is getting her very first copy of the book.
=An incredible example of life imitating art. In 2023 Will Wagner released his novel Talking 'Bout My Generation, which was about what happened to Pete Townshend's guitar after he tossed it into the crowd at Woodstock. This week in 2024, Paul McCartney's bass was returned to him after being lost in 1961.
Leslie Keiling
=This week in 2019, just a few weeks after Pat Colander's death, Lit Pop published a wonderful tribute to the author of Hugh Hefner's First Funeral.
=How interesting was Eckhartz Press author Chet Coppock's life? This week in 2014 (Feb 27) he told the tale of the time he wrestled a bear (photo). He also knew how to promote. I'm sure Tony Randall (born Feb 26) and Jack Klugman were happy to have his help.
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=This week in 2014, Joel Daly was making the publicity rounds promoting his Eckhartz Press memoir about his legendary television career. This is the audio of his interview with WGN radio, along with a photo below.
=Here's an example of Joel in action from 1983, reporting on the biggest television event from the 1980s, the final episode of M*A*S*H. How big was it? Joel was reporting for Channel 7 (ABC) about a show that was airing on Channel 2 (CBS). Still one of the most watched shows in history (2/28/83).
=This week (Feb 28) is the anniversary of late WGN radio morning man Bob Collins' birth. Chuck Swirsky worked with Collins for many years and writes about him in the pages of his Eckhartz Press book Always a Pleasure. He also tells that story in this podcast. Another one of Swirsky's favorites is also celebrating a birthday this week (February 25), former Bull Joakim Noah.
Jerry Reinsdorf
=Would you believe that White Sox & Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf turns 90 years old this week (Feb 25)? He also appears in three different Eckhartz Press books. You'll find stories and photos of him in Rich King's book Ike & Me, Chet Coppock's book Your Dime My Dance Floor and Chuck Swirky's book Always a Pleasure.
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=This week in 2014, Eckhartz Press author Chuck Quinzio was getting some love from the NABAT Union.
=This week in 2017, New City debuted in Chicago. The Chicago publication gave this wonderful testimonial to Donald G. Evans' collection of short stories An Off-White Christmas
- With offhand grace and humor, Evans captures the characters’ burning desires to escape from in-between stages of their lives and their disappointment at the outcome. Illustrations by Hannah Jennings throughout the book resemble ornaments that could hang on a Christmas tree.
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Thursday, February 19, 2026
EveryCubEver--Hall of Famers
Yes, it's true, I'm not doing an update of EveryCubEver this season. On the other hand, I do plan on featuring every Hall of Fame Cub on or around their birthdays this year right here on this blog. And those entries will be from EveryCub Ever.
There are three Cubs Hall of Famers born this week.
February 25—Monte Irvin 1919–2016 (Cubs 1956)
Irvin was a star in the Negro Leagues and didn’t make his debut in the majors until at the age of 30. But even though he only played a few big league seasons and hit only 99 career homers, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1973. He had a few great seasons with the Giants, leading them to the National League pennant in 1951 and the World Series championship in 1954. When the Cubs got him in 1956, he was already 37 years old. His power stroke was diminished, but he was still the best left fielder in the league. In his last big league season he led the National League in fielding percentage and range. When he died in 2016 he was the oldest living major leaguer.
February 25—Ron Santo 1940–2010 (Cubs 1960-1973, Cubs announcer 1990-2010)
After his playing career he joined the Cubs radio broadcast booth, teaming up with the great Pat Hughes. He lost both legs to diabetes during his broadcasting days, and made an even stronger bond with Cubs fans. He never complained about his medical misfortune, and he exhibited the same kind of raw emotion that Cubs fans experienced: incredible joy when they won, and pure agony when they lost. His number was retired in 2003 and a #10 flag now flies on the left field foul pole at Wrigley Field.
Santo also holds the Cubs career record for grounding into the most double plays (240).
Historical note: On the day Neil Armstrong walked on the moon (1969), Santo hit a game-winning home run against the Phillies in Philadelphia.
February 26—Grover Cleveland Alexander 1887–1950 (Cubs 1918-1926)
His 373 wins are the third most in baseball history. And yes, he was a Cub. He won 128 games in his years with the Cubs and had one of the best seasons in baseball history in 1920, when he led the league in wins, ERA, and strikeouts. But Alexander was troubled during his Cubs years. The only reason they got him at all was because the owner of the Phillies didn’t want to get stuck paying the contract of his star pitcher (a three-time 30 game winner) if he got drafted into World War I. He did get drafted, and he came back from the war a changed man.
Old Pete, as he was known, became one of the biggest drinkers in the league during Prohibition. He showed up drunk to games. He fell asleep in the clubhouse and passed out drunk in the dugout. He smoked like a chimney before every game. He ignored his manager and openly challenged his authority. The Cubs understood up to a point. After all, the man was suffering through medical, physical, and mental problems. He was an epileptic and was prone to seizures. His arm started hurting during his Cubs career, and he had the ligament “snapped back into place” by a man named James “Bonesetter” Smith. And throughout it all he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after his horrific war experience.
Somehow, against all odds, he continued to pitch well. In 1923, he pitched 305 innings and walked only 30 men. In 1924, he won his 300th game. But in 1926, after his catcher and best friend Bill Killefer went to the Cardinals, Alexander fell apart. In his last ten games with the Cubs, Old Pete showed up drunk six times and missed two games altogether. The Cubs released him and the Cardinals picked him up on waivers. Back with his best friend Killefer, he regained his pitching touch and led the Cardinals to the World Series championship, winning Game 6, and saving Game 7 of the 1926 series. Two years after his 1950 death, his story was told in the film The Winning Team, starring Ronald Reagan. Grover Cleveland Alexander remains the only player in baseball history to be named after a president and portrayed in a movie by a president.
Historical note: On the day that Warren Harding made history by being the first president to broadcast on the radio (1922), Alexander was on the mound for the Cubs. He lost the game 5-4 to the Giants.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Monday, February 16, 2026
Publishing Portal--February 16, 2026
The latest news from Eckhartz Press, and a chance to peek into some of the great previous offerings from our humble little publishing company.
=Huge event coming up soon for Nick Digilio at the Museum of Broadcast Communications...
Celebrate Oscar Sunday with legendary Chicago film critic and broadcaster Nick Digilio, hosted live by WGN Radio’s Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune columnist and cultural icon. For more than four decades, Nick has entertained audiences through his 35-year career at WGN Radio, where his movie reviews and commentary made him one of Chicago’s most trusted voices in film. Today, he continues that legacy through his two hit podcasts, The Nick D Podcast and That Show Hasn’t Been Funny in Years: An SNL Podcast.
This special live event will feature Nick’s Oscar predictions, insights from his four decades reviewing films, and reflections from his new book, 40 Years, 40 Films. This deeply personal collection features essays on his favorite film from each year, along with his Top 10 lists and stories from his lifelong journey as a passionate moviegoer and respected critic. The program includes a live on-stage conversation, audience Q&A, and book signing.
Museum admission applies. For tickets, visit museum.tv
=Nick Digilio's pick at the Lake Theater in Oak Park this month was the film Crash. Thanks to everyone who came out last Wednesday night to see the film and pick up a copy of Nick's book.
=Have we mentioned that Nick is also writing his follow up book for us about horror movies? That will be out later this year. More info to come.
=Chili Dog MVP co-author John Owens checked in about the progress of his film/TV project based on their book. Eckhartz Press publishers Rick Kaempfer and Dave Stern will be traveling down to Arizona for the debut showing there on March 12. Wanna come? I understand there might some spring training games nearby.
=The poster they came up with for this upcoming series of events is amazing. We'll let John Owens explain...
=An entertaing Q&A with Bob Williams
=Jeff Reiter was hanging out with some superstars from the birding world over the weekend at the Gull Frolic in Winthrop Harbor. Only three authors were invited to participate; Jeff Reiter (The Best of Words on Birds), Dexter Patterson (Birds of the Great Lakes and featured speaker), and Amar Ayyash (The Gull Guide, and the nation's leading expert on gull ID).
=Today's the day the book ships to those of you who pre-ordered it.
=Jim Elsener did a great job on WBEZ on Tuesday talking about it. Listen to it here.
Jim: Thanks to Sasha-Ann Simons (holding “Sirens in the Loop A History of the City News Bureau of Chicago) who moderated our panel discussion about CNB this morning on WBEZ 91.5 FM. Joining me were alumni Rummana Hussain and Abdon Pallasch. I think we made Good Radio.
=Jim will be a guest this week on Minutia Men Celebrity Interview.
=Your chance to meet Mark Wukas is tonight, February 16th at 7:30pm. A musical guest is appearing, too—and it’s free admission. No cover! Come out for a fun evening. Welcome to the Show at the Getaway (4530 N. Lincoln Avenue).
=Vicki Atkinson (Surviving Sue) will be appearing at Wauconda Library (11am-12:30pm) on February 20. Unfortunately, it's sold out.
=On the other hand, her debut novel "Slivers" is now also in the pipeline at Eckhartz Press, and is coming out very soon. If you are a fan of Vicki, you'll love it. What's it all about? See if this intrigues you...
In a single week in the
summer of 1973, a quiet suburban neighborhood implodes when generations of
mystical deceit become too much to bear. Drawn to the web of secrets and lies,
the other worldly slivers refuse to be ignored, pushing one family to
the brink.
]=The Loop Files author Rick Kaempfer is appearing at a book club in the northwestern suburbs of Chicago on February 23.
=Chili Dog MVP--Two upcoming appearances promoting their new film in Pennsylvania. March 5 in Philadelphia, March 7 in Wampum Pennsylvania
=Nick Digilio--Nick's Pix at the Lake Theater on March 11 in Oak Park. The film will be Zero Dark Thirty.
=Lauren LoGiudice (Inside Melania) brings her Misfit Variety show to the Annoyance March 13. Show's at 9.
=Robert Conlon will also be appearing at the G-man (on Clark in Chicago) on March 15.
=Mark Wukas will be doing a reading at CWA Live Lit readings at After Words Book Store on March 26.
=Would you believe that one of the stars of The Loop Files, former Loop personality Kevin Matthews, met Pope Leo this week? It's true. This is not an AI picture. Kevin is a devout Catholic who created a film called "Broken Mary" about a broken statue of the Virgin Mary that he found. He makes appearances at churches around the country with the statue, and talks about how much it affected him. This week, he talked to the Pope about it. The Pope blessed the statue. Not too shabby.
=Saturday's birthday girl (Feb 14) Eckhartz Press author Janet Sutherland was honored last week. She was named Spring VIP for 2026 by POWER, an organization of professional women, for her outstanding contributions and achievements in the media industry. Congrats to Janet. (More info here)
=Janet has another book coming out via Eckhartz Press later this year.
The Sun at the End of the Road
=A very important person in Tony Fitzpatrick's life, director Jonathan Demme, was born this week (February 22, 1944). Demme was an early champion of Tony's art, and later cast him in a few of his films (Married to the Mob, Philadelphia). Tony also designed the soundtrack cover for Demme's film Something Wild. Hard to believe that both Tony and Jonathan are gone now.
Worth a Second Look & Oscars Biggest Mistakes
=Eckhartz Press author Eric Litt has a day job working at WGN-TV. Naturally when you work there you'll run into the biggest star at the station (photo). He may be retired now, but Tom Skilling is celebrating a birthday this week (February
20).
=We dig the video...
=Here's one from the archives. This week in 1977 (February 16), Genesis performed at the Auditorium in Chicago. That show was presented by The Flip Side's concert arm. The Rosenbaum brothers Carl and Larry pose backstage with the band.
=Daily Herald writer Jim Slusher's book To Nudge the World is a collection of his excellent essays from the newspaper over the past 25 years. The one he wrote this week in 2000 (February 17) seems to really have resonance today. It's about something that has slowly eroded in the years since it was written, objective reporting. That piece alone is worth the price of admission. It's an award winner, folks. Book of the Year.
Happy birthday Michael Jordan!
=The greatest player in basketball history appears in several Eckhartz Press books. As he turns 63 (February 17), we imagine him perusing the pages of Your Dime, My Dance Floor by Chet Coppock or Life Behind the Camera by Chuck Quinzio.
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=This was the week in 2014 when Joel Daly began making the rounds to promote his book The Daly News. The book got a great review from Robert Feder (Feb 19). And then Joel appeared on the WGN-TV Morning News. (Feb 20)
Records Truly is My Middle Name
=Two of the most memorable stories in John Landecker's memoir Records Truly Is My Middle Name involve two men who are both celebrating a birthday this week (Feb 18), Dennis DeYoung (Styx) and John Travolta. Dennis tells the tale about the first time he heard his song "Lady" on the radio. It was played by John Landecker on WLS. Dennis really paints a picture of the excitement of the moment. But probably the best story in the book revolves around a John Landecker/John Travolta appearance at Woodfield Mall. It's captured here on tape. It's captured below in a photograph.
=This week in 2016 (February 19), Rich King joined the Chicago Blackhawks at the White House as they visited President Obama. This photo from that day (with fellow sportscaster Jim Rose) appears in the pages of Rich's 2022 memoir Ike & Me.
=This week in 2022, with the pandemic still not fully contained, Bob Boone made an appearance at The Book Stall in Winnetka. Masks were still required.
=This week in 2022 (Feb 19), Randy Merkin also made an appearance in Homewood, Illinois to promote his book. A few photos are here. Former Bears receiver Tom Waddle, who is celebrating a birthday this week (Feb 20), had this to say about Randy...“Randy is an incredible radio talent. His vast knowledge of the business and bottomless pool of contacts are unmatched. I’ve learned a lot about the business from Randy. His talent is only exceeded by his loyalty and integrity. Randy is the best!!!”
=You know who else loves Randy? Another person celebrating a birthday this week (February 20). A man who rates his own chapter in Behind the Glass, Charles Barkley (shown below with Randy).
=This week in 2022 was a busy one, because Ryan Trembath also released the audiobook version of his book Signature Shoes (February 20). You can find it here.
=Randy Richardson and Becky Sarwate interviewed comedian/actor Ike Barinholtz for their Eckhartz Press book Cubsessions. Ike tells the story of his love for his hometown Cubs. Happy birthday Ike! (Feb 18)
=Does Randy Richardson have another book coming soon on Eckhartz Press? Why yes he does. Stay tuned for more information.
=This week in 2012, Rick and Brendan did a presentation about using improv techniques to write. You can see a little bit of that here. One big fan of the book, CSI star William Petersen is celebrating a birthday this week (Feb 21). This is what he had to say about Eckhartz Press's debut release...…a hell of an old-fashioned read. It brings to life ‘the city of broad shoulders’ and makes me homesick. I want a Billy Goat cheesborger and a shot of whiskey.
Valentine's Day special
