Oktoberfest

The best Oktoberfest in the area is always the first one--on Lincoln Avenue in Chicago. Bridget and I went out there on Saturday night (along with our friends Dane Placko and Dave & Michelle Stern) and had a great time. Best beer ever.

Blue Village Vinyl

Great time at Blue Village Vinyl. Saw some old friends, made some new ones, and talked about one of my favorite subjects: Rock and Roll. Thanks to everyone for making us all feel welcome. Bobby Skafish was thrilled to see his old buddies Wendy Snyder and Jimmy Mac McInerney. (Their son Michael also performed)

Bobby Skafish in Westmont

The box of new Bobby Skafish books arrived for Saturday’s signing at Blue Village Vinyl in Westmont (2-3pm).

Your copy of the book is awaiting your purchase Saturday. Bobby will happily sign it for you.

Free Kicks--When Worlds Collide

In this week's episode I tell the story of my meeting with Premier League announcer Arlo White.

Listen to it here.

Chicago Radio Ratings

From this morning's Robert Feder column. The new radio ratings are in. Not many surprises here...

1. WTMX 101.9-FM hot adult contemporary, 5.7 (5.2)
2. WDRV 97.1-FM classic rock, 5.4 (5.4)
3. WVAZ 102.7-FM urban adult contemporary, 5.0 (4.9)
4. WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM all news, 4.8 (4.8)
5. WLIT 93.9-FM adult contemporary, 4.5 (4.3)
6. WSCR 670-AM sports talk, 4.1 (3.8)
7. (tie) WKSC 103.5-FM Top 40, 3.8 (3.3); WLS 94.7-FM classic hits, 3.8 (4.0)
9. WXRT 93.1-FM adult album alternative, 3.5 (3.8)
10. WKQX 101.1-FM alternative rock, 3.4 (3.0)
11. (tie) WBMX 104.3-FM classic hip hop, 3.1 (3.3); WSHE 100.3-FM adult contemporary, 3.1 (2.8)
13. WOJO 105.1-FM Mexican regional, 3.0 (3.1)
14. (tie) WBBM 96.3-FM Top 40, 2.9 (3.0); WRME 87.7-FM soft rock oldies, 2.9 (3.1)
16. (tie) WBEZ 91.5-FM public radio news talk, 2.8 (2.7); WGN 720-AM news talk, 2.8 (3.0);
18. WUSN 99.5-FM country, 2.6 (2.8)
19. WGCI 107.5-FM urban contemporary, 2.5 (2.8)
20. WLS 890-AM news talk, 2.1 (2.2)
21. WLEY 107.9-FM Mexican regional, 2.0 (1.9)
22. WPPN 106.7-FM Spanish adult contemporary, 1.9 (1.9)
23. WEBG 95.5-FM country, 1.6 (1.6)
24. WVIV 93.5-FM Spanish contemporary, 1.5 (1.4)
25. WMVP 1000-AM sports talk, 1.4 (1.5)
26. WERV 95.9-FM classic hits, 1.1 (1.3)
27. WCKL 97.9-FM contemporary Christian, 1.0 (1.5)
28. WMBI 90.1-FM Christian ministry, 0.9 (0.8)
29. WFMT 98.7-FM classical, 0.8 (0.8)
30. WSSR 96.7-FM adult contemporary, 0.6 (0.3)

Let the Hype Begin

Never looked better, @artonthemart.

🐻💯 | #Bears100 pic.twitter.com/Cl8dphN1H9

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) September 5, 2019

Rick at Wrigley

Had a thrilling night at Wrigley. Beautiful weather. Cubs won. And I got to meet my all-time favorite soccer announcer, Arlo White (who threw out the first pitch and sang the seventh inning stretch)

Wrigley sunset pic.twitter.com/5JaMTTKu4c

— Rick Kaempfer (@RickKaempfer) September 4, 2019

Listeners of my podcast Free Kicks will recognize what a thrill it was for me to meet my favorite Premier League announcer Arlo White at my favorite ballpark Wrigley Field. pic.twitter.com/8jF5Ne09AP

— Rick Kaempfer (@RickKaempfer) September 4, 2019

New statues

Legends live on.#Bears100 pic.twitter.com/Ax7slCftiR

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) September 3, 2019

It was the third of September, a day I'll always remember

Tim Virgin

The September issue of Illinois Entertainer is out and features my interview with WKQX afternoon man Tim Virgin.

You can read it here.

Staged Photo

You know that iconic photograph of the Rockefeller Center workers having lunch on a steel beam way above ground? The Washington Post has the real story behind that photo today.

I had no idea.

Family Wedding

Had a great time in Richmond Virginia over the weekend attending a family wedding. Back on the job full time this morning...

This is unbelievable

This exchange between Stuart Varney and Joe Walsh is oddly reminiscent of the torture scenes from "1984."

Varney challenges Walsh: Name an example ofTrump lying.

Walsh names one. Varney denies it.

Walsh: "Do you believe he's ever told the American people a lie?"

Varney: "No." pic.twitter.com/XkDTJEk1dA

— Eric Kleefeld (@EricKleefeld) August 30, 2019

When Worlds Collide

My favorite soccer announcer will be appearing on behalf of my favorite baseball team today...

This is my version of spring training.

Preparing for the most important (only) pitch of my life.

Please PLEASE don’t make it bounce in front of the plate 🙏😆#Cubs #EverybodyIn #WrigleyField pic.twitter.com/l68ZZpsDFE

— Arlo White (@arlowhite) August 30, 2019

What happens when Trump takes on Fox News?

This is what happens...

Check out Neil's latest Common Sense pic.twitter.com/Iwg9ZrxDeH

— Neil Cavuto (@TeamCavuto) August 29, 2019

Of course Hannity later re-inserted Trump's private parts, but for a few minutes there, it was coitus interuptus.

Free Kicks--Mind the (Decreasing) Gap

Our latest Free Kicks podcast has been posted. This week's is about the decreasing gap between the haves and the have nots in the Premier League (minus, of course, Man City and Liverpool)

Listen to it here.

Scott Miller

Congrats to former Chicago radio guy Scott Miller on his new gig. From Robert Feder's column...

It’s been only a year since veteran Chicago radio producer Scott Miller signed on as afternoon host at WJBC, the Cumulus Media news/talk station in Bloomington/Normal. Now he just moved up to mornings. Under a new multiyear deal with the station, Miller will be reunited with news director and morning news anchor Katherine Murphy, with whom he worked at the former FM News 101.1. “I have never felt more a part of a community than I do here,” he said. “And the Central Illinois pork tenderloins are the size of my head. WIN WIN!” Miller also worked as a producer for Oprah Radio, Tribune Broadcasting news/talk WGN 720-AM and Hubbard Radio classic rock WDRV 97.1-FM.

For those of you wondering why I already ordered his calendar

All is calm in Chicago's Monroe Harbor. #chicago pic.twitter.com/pfDyuGLYg2

— Barry Butler (@barrybutler9) August 29, 2019

Champions League Draw

They did the draw today for the 32 teams in the UEFA Champions League. Group F looks the toughest to me.

Group A
Paris Saint-Germain
Real Madrid
Club Brugge
Galatasaray

Group B
Bayern Munich
Tottenham Hotspur
Olympiacos
Red Star Belgrade

Group C
Manchester City
Shakhtar Donetsk
Dinamo Zagreb
Atalanta

Group D
Juventus
Atletico Madrid
Bayer Leverkusen
Lokomotiv Moscow

Group E
Liverpool
Napoli
Red Bull Salzburg
KRC Genk

Group F
Barcelona
Borussia Dortmund
Inter Milan
Slavia Prague

Group G
Zenit
Benfica
Lyon
RB Leipzig

Group H
Chelsea
Ajax
Valencia
Lille

Randy and Becky

Great profiles of "Cubsessions" authors Randy Richardson and Becky Sarwate Maxwell are featured on the Chicago Writers Association website.

Here's Becky.

Here's Randy.

Best in the Biz

BRILLIANT BIG VIRG 🙌

The #UEFA Men’s Player of the Year, @VirgilvDijk 🏆 pic.twitter.com/WpqksHSCyc

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 29, 2019

Rick and Rick

The audio from my interview with Rick Kogan has been posted on the WGN website if you'd iike to listen. My portion begins around the 46 minute mark. https://wgnradio.com/2019/08/27/after-hours-with-rick-kogan-a-night-full-of-great-reads-08-25-19/

Whoops

Unfortunate placement. pic.twitter.com/lz4aOqxFBi

— Fun Signs & Graffiti (@SignsFun) August 28, 2019

Flakus for Manley trade

From this morning's Radio Insight. A strange radio trade has been completed...

Cumulus Media Alternative 101.1 WKQX Chicago has announced the appointment of Jon Manley as Assistant Program Director/Music Director and evening host.

Manley indirectly completes the talent exchange with Entercom Alternative “107.7 The End” KNDD Seattle who hired Walter Flakus as APD/afternoon host in July after parting ways with Manley. Manley had exited KNDD in April after five years with the station. He previously worked as APD/MD at “X107.5” KXTE Las Vegas from 2010-2014 and KEDJ Phoenix from 2003-2010.

By the way, my article in the upcomng Illinois Entertainer will be about KQX afternoon man Tim Virgin.

Pulled over while broadcasting

Fellow radio folks will appreciate this story out of DC. From Inside Radio...

Apparently, Chris Russell, weekend talent at Entercom sports “106.7 The Fan” WJFK-FM Washington, has not heard of hands-free devices that are readily available so one can safely have a phone conversation while driving.

Russell, affectionately known as “Rooster,” was speaking with afternoon host Chad Dukes Monday (Aug. 26) live on the air when he was pulled over for using his cell phone while driving.

“Dukes, I think I’m getting pulled over,” Russell can be heard saying during the call. “This is awesome.” The exchange, which is posted on “The Fan” website, continues with Russell telling Dukes he’s getting pulled over for talking on his phone while driving. “Want to keep us on the line and we can talk to Officer Friendly for you?” Dukes says. A one-sided conversation with the patrolman can be heard live on the air, with Russell saying, “I’m sorry, I was doing a radio interview… I understand, I’m sorry… Okay, okay,” followed by the line going silent. Dukes comes on laughing, saying, “How are we going to top that… How quickly did he snap to? He was giving that cop like a little bit of lip, and then he goes ‘Okay, okay.’

While making for a good bit that Russell will no doubt be reminded of by Dukes and his crew for a long time, it appears this is a somewhat common occurrence in the nation’s capital, where Beltway traffic apparently has radio show guests literally reaching for their phones.

I can answer their question about why he doesn't have a hands-free device. He's a weekend radio guy. He's not making enough money to have a car built in this decade.

My Alma Mater

Pro-Publica has a piece about professors at the U of I who engaged in inappropriate behavior.

So proud.

Salem Cancels Joe Walsh

Now that he's running for president, his talk radio career is over at Salem. Radio Ink has the details.

Walsh has been making the rounds doing interviews just about everywhere, and I happened to catch one yesterday afternoon on MSNBC that was astounding. It was one of the most intense things I've ever seen. Watch it below...

Minutia Men: The Head of the Bobbles

Rick and Dave discuss gruesome injuries, the brattiest kid ever, bacon butter essence, a brush with Werner Klemperer, and an interview with the CEO of the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum.

Listen to it here.

Two Ricks, Roger That

(Rick Kaempfer, Roger Badesch, Rick Kogan)

Had a great time on with Rick Kogan last night on WGN Radio. We talked mostly about my new book "everycubever" but we also talked about Eckhartz Press, including the book written by Roger Badesch, Rick's newsman. We're hoping to get it done in the next year or so.

Thanks so much to everyone there. It was fun driving in to the city and walking around before and after the interview. Snapped a few photos, including this one...

Kathy Hart

From Robert Feder's column this morning...

Kathy Hart, once one-half of the most popular morning duo in Chicago radio history, is heading out west. Hart’s agent, Steve Mandell, confirmed Thursday that she’s moving to Bozeman, Montana, for personal and family reasons. While Hart is open to employment there, he said, she has no job lined up at this time. Hart most recently had been filling in at Tribune Broadcasting news/talk WGN 720-AM. But she’s best known for her 21 years as Eric Ferguson’s partner on Hubbard Radio hot adult-contemporary WTMX 101.9-FM. She parted company with The Mix in 2017 — less than a year after Eric & Kathy were inducted in the Radio Hall of Fame.

US-99 Morning Show

From this morning's RAMP Newsletter...

Stand by for the official quote-filled press release, but RAMP has learned that Scotty Kay has joined the recently launched morning show on Entercom Country WUSN (US99)/Chicago. In late June we reported that Kay had resigned as co-host of Scotty K & Bret Mega Mornings on Cumulus Top 40 KLIF-FM (Hot 93.3)/Dallas and announced he was relocating back to Chicago to once again be a fulltime dad to his son, Chance.

"I'm not sure my heart could be any more full," Kay posted. "Three weeks ago I took a risk for happiness. I quit my job to be closer to my son and bring my family together. Now, because of [US99 PD] Kenny Jay, [VP of Programming] Todd Cavanah and everyone at Entercom Communications, I get the chance to do what I love, in the city that I love, with the people that I love. I'm beyond excited to get back into Country radio. I get to join the incredibly talented Jason Pullman, Katie Bright Christenson and Erin Creedon to bring really special radio to Chicago, on the legendary US99, Chicago's Hottest Country. Call me a crazy, but this all seems too perfect!" Kay added, "Surround yourself with good people, and good things happen. Get ready for some really, really good things! Now someone please get my Florida girl fiancé Shelby a really warm coat!"

Bombshell

I'm in. Can't wait for this one...

Spicey is Dancing with the Stars

Remember Sean Spicer? He was the press secretary for the president when they still did something called press briefings. And he lied every day.

Well, now he's got a new job. He's going to be (probably the first one cut) on Dancing with the Stars. From Politico this morning, a preview...

Two black-shirted production assistants rolled out a lectern to the applause of an in-studio audience waving gold cheer poms, and Spicer offered a wave and a single clap before taking his seat in a director's chair alongside country music singer and former “American Idol” aspirant Lauren Alaina.

“Now that everybody is assembled, honestly — and ignore the fact we're on live television — how many of you are having second thoughts already?” Bergeron asked after the contenders had been revealed. Spicer raised his hand.

“The nice thing is, Sean will be in charge of assessing audience size,” Bergeron later quipped.

Sunset at Wrigley

Went to the game last night and it was absolutely perfect. The temperature was in the low 70s, the atmosphere was electric, there were six homers hit, and the Cubs won. Great night.



I thought my picture was good. This one is better...

Sunset at Wrigley while the #Cubs play the #SFGiants in #Chicago. pic.twitter.com/p7qN6ado4Q

— armando l sanchez (@mandophotos) August 21, 2019

National Radio Day

It's been a busy few days in the Eckhartz Press offices. Sorry for not posting. Yesterday was National Radio Day and I found a few photos from my radio days. These cover the years 1988--2000...

RIP Cedric

He was part of the last Bears Super Bowl team. Sorry to hear the news of his passing in a motorcycle accident over the weekend. Cedric was only 36.

Kudlow is loaded

If he's not drunk here, he's having a stroke...

Dana asks Larry Kudlow about purchasing Greenland "The President knows a thing or two about buying real estate" #FNS pic.twitter.com/HeaxR49JuU

— FoxNewsSunday (@FoxNewsSunday) August 18, 2019

Minutia Men

Rick and Dave talk about sweaty centers, tech-savvy kid savants, inappropriate funeral gifts, Rick’s brush with Jay Leno, and they interview improv artist/author/radio guy Brendan Sullivan. (Ep146)

Listen to it here.

Jersey Shake

The Cubs have a new dance, taught to them by the little leaguers. It's called The Jersey Shake...

We can dance if we want to pic.twitter.com/gsGJjEjh1b

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 19, 2019

Dad Talk

This is one of the themes of my life, as someone who was young when my father died. It has shaped and changed me more than anything else that ever happened to me. I'm obviously not alone...

"I was personally shattered, and then you kind of reform yourself in this quiet, grieving world that was created in the house."

Comedian Stephen Colbert opens up to @andersoncooper about grief and the death of his dad and brothers in a plane crash when he was 10 years old. pic.twitter.com/dUnc5CXSs5

— Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) August 16, 2019

42 Years Ago Today

And he was 42 years old at the time...

Free Kicks

Adam and Rick recap the first week of the Premier League season, including the shocking loss of Adam’s favorite team Chelsea. [Ep40]

We call it "Chelsea Lately"

Listen to it here.

Disney has five billion dollar movies

That is, they have had five movies that made a billion this year. That's a new record. The movie that took them over the top was Toy Story 4.

I saw that one. Disappointing. Not nearly at the level of the nearly perfect first three Toy Story movies. (Although my son, who saw it with me, disagrees. He's 16.)

(The other four billion dollar movies this year are Captain Marvel, Aladdin, Lion King, and Avengers: End Game)

Woodstock

Today is the 50th anniversary of Woodstock. I think this was the music festival's finest moment...

Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame

From Robert Feder's column this morning...

Jeff Joniak, sports director of Entercom all-news WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM and longtime radio voice of the Chicago Bears, will receive the Media Award from the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame September 25. Joniak will be one of 10 inductees at the 23rd annual fundraiser for local charities. Others include Harold Baines, Rick Sutcliffe, Mike Magee, Israel Idonije, Bryant Colby Young, Desmond Howard, Lou Holtz, Jim Phillips and Patrick Kane. Peggy Kusinski, sportscaster for NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5, will emcee the event at Wintrust Arena.

Um...Lou Holtz and Desmond Howard? Really exanding the definition of Chicagoland, aren't we?

One for the ladies

I can relate...

All The Wrinkled Ladies from nicole carpenter on Vimeo.

CBS & Viacom

They are back together again...like they were in my novel "$everance". From this morning's RAMP Newsletter...

After 13 years apart, CBS Corporation and Viacom announced they have entered into a definitive agreement to reunite in an all-stock merger, creating a combined company -- to be called ViacomCBS Inc., which will house CBS Television, CBS All Access, Showtime, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon and BET, as well as Paramount Pictures, the Paramount Network and other major media assets. Bob Bakish, President & Chief Executive Officer of Viacom, will become President & CEO of the combined company, while Joe Ianniello, President & Acting CEO of CBS, will become Chairman & CEO of CBS.

And yes, $everance really was written 13 years ago.

Lounging Rabbit

I don’t want to say that the rabbits in my yard are not afraid, but this one might as well be lounging in a hammock.

Please don't show this picture to my dog Ivy. She's not allowed in the front yard. The rabbit obviously knows this.

Remember this one?

If you didn't want to see Walter Payton's music video about KFC's delicious chicken, well, as usual, you're following the wrong account. pic.twitter.com/ax66vkX9b8

— Super 70s Sports (@Super70sSports) August 13, 2019

Is this even human?

A human body shouldn't be able to do this...

What did you do today? #wow https://t.co/K6PS0EYzXw

— Elizabeth Banks (@ElizabethBanks) August 12, 2019

Paul Simon & Bob Weir

An unusual pairing to say the least, even though they've known each other since 1967...

The Mooch turns on Trump

We started hearing little inklings of this when Minutia Men interviewed the Mooch. At that time, he was just gently chiding his friend. After the most recent racist rampage, Scaramucci was more direct in his criticism. Since then Trump has gone full out against Anthony, and now the circle is complete.

The Mooch: Republicans may need a new candidate for 2020.

This made me laugh

Trump Fact:

New Yorkers don't like Trump.

They have started a petition to request that the stretch of Fifth Avenue between 56th and 59th be renamed President Barack H. Obama Avenue.

If it gets the green light, Trump Tower will have a new address.

Poetic justice or what...?

— Donaldo (@donaldmackenz30) August 10, 2019

A very special Minutia Men

The Museum of Broadcast Communications was kind enough to allow us to record this week's Minutia Men podcast in their radio studio. We invited our old college friends; Emmy award winning journalists Dane Placko and Jay Shatz to join in. What a blast. Thanks to everyone who participated, including our producer Tony Lossano who was there to help us work the controls.

HERE IS THE AUDIO

Field of Dreams

This would be very cool to see...

The Chicago White Sox and the New York Yankees are set to play the first major league game in Dyersville, Iowa, at the site of the 1989 movie "Field of Dreams" in 2020. https://t.co/mTccyZ6NrW

— CBS Chicago (@cbschicago) August 8, 2019

Drunk Shakespeare

My cousin Barb called us up recently and asked if we would be willing to check out something in Chicago called "Drunk Shakespeare." I'm always up for a night on the town, and so I said yes. It was a lot of fun. Hard to explain exactly what we saw, but there were scenes from MacBeth interspersed with drinking and wacky bits. Enjoyed it very much. Check it out if you're looking for an unusual night out.

Free Kicks

The Premier League is back beginning tomorrow night! That means its time to fire up the soccer podcast once again. The new episode of Free Kicks is up at the Radio Misfits podcast network.

Listen to it here.

Least satisfying job?

Thanks so much to Burt Constable for including me in his article this morning. It was fun to talk to him. I tried to defend the producer job, fellow producers...

Read it here.

Love This

I can't stop watching this video pic.twitter.com/6Egrgw12Jb

— Akki (@akkitwts) August 6, 2019

EveryCubEver branches out

Everycubever now also available at Bookies (10324 S. Western Avenue in Chicago). South side Cub fans have not been forgotten. pic.twitter.com/ZdIz8iI3EQ

— Rick Kaempfer (@RickKaempfer) August 6, 2019

Hacked!

If you received an e-mail from me, my apologies. My yahoo account was hacked and it was cloned into a new g-mail account that isn't mine at all.

I would never send an e-mail asking for money.

Sorry about that. What a pain in the ass this has been this morning.

Chicago Radio Ratings

These are the lastest radio ratings in Chicago, Courtesy of Robert Feder...

1. WDRV 97.1-FM classic rock, 5.4 (5.1)
2. WTMX 101.9-FM hot adult contemporary, 5.2 (5.6)
3. WVAZ 102.7-FM urban adult contemporary, 4.9 (4.3)
4. WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM all news, 4.8 (4.8)
5. WLIT 93.9-FM adult contemporary, 4.3 (4.2)
6. WLS 94.7-FM classic hits, 4.0 (4.8)
7. (tie) WXRT 93.1-FM adult album alternative, 3.8 (3.4); WSCR 670-AM sports talk, 3.8 (3.9)
9. (tie) WBMX 104.3-FM classic hip hop, 3.3 (3.7); WKSC 103.5-FM Top 40, 3.3 (3.5)
11. (tie) WOJO 105.1-FM Mexican regional, 3.1 (3.2); WRME 87.7-FM soft rock oldies, 3.1 (3.0)
13. (tie) WBBM 96.3-FM Top 40, 3.0 (2.8); WGN 720-AM news talk, 3.0 (3.0); WKQX 101.1-FM alternative rock, 3.0 (3.0)
16. (tie) WUSN 99.5-FM country, 2.8 (2.7); WGCI 107.5-FM urban contemporary,2.8 (2.8); WSHE 100.3-FM adult contemporary, 2.8 (2.9)
19. WBEZ 91.5-FM public radio news talk, 2.7 (2.5)
20. WLS 890-AM news talk, 2.2 (2.1)
21. (tie) WLEY 107.9-FM Mexican regional, 1.9 (2.0); WPPN 106.7-FM Spanish adult contemporary, 1.9 (2.2); WPWX 92.3-FM urban contemporary, 1.9 (1.9)
24. WEBG 95.5-FM country, 1.6 (1.6)
25. (tie) WCKL 97.9-FM contemporary Christian, 1.5 (1.2); WMVP 1000-AM sports talk, 1.5 (1.2)
27. WVIV 93.5-FM Spanish contemporary, 1.4 (1.7)
28. WERV 95.9-FM classic hits, 1.3 (1.3)
29. (tie) WFMT 98.7-FM classical, 0.8 (1.0); WMBI 90.1-FM Christian ministry, 0.8 (0.8)

My Kind of Town

Beautiful photo by Barry Butler...

Wow this photo by @barrybutler9 just epic pic.twitter.com/1zWUJox7uA

— Justin Breen (@BrEpicBreen) August 5, 2019

Minutia Men, Episode 144

EP144: Rick and Dave discuss litigious dodgeball, cathedral putt-putt, Nazi amusement parks, Warren G. Harding, Rick’s brush with Marilu Henner, and interview rock and roll photographer Mick Rock.

Listen to it here.

Janet's Mom's Final Wish

When Janet Sutherland-Madden's mother passed away recently, one of her final wishes was to donate a hundred of Janet's books ("Nose Over Toes") to the UIC Department of Neurosurgery. That wish was fulfilled over the weekend. Here is a photo of Janet with Dr. Konstantin Slavin.

Dr. Konstantin Slavin's clinical interests are diverse applications of surgical neuromodulation and functional neurosurgery. This includes treatment of pain, movement disorders, epilepsy, and psychiatric diseases with a particular interest in the treatment of facial pain, cancer-related pain, Chiari malformation, stereotactic radiosurgery, brain tumors, and spinal problems. He has received many clinical and professional awards, including "Most Compassionate Doctor," and for many years has been included in the prestigious "Top Surgeons" and "Best Doctors" lists in the USA. Dr. Slavin is a professor of neurosurgery and head of the Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery section at UIC.

The book will be given out to patients who are afflicted with brain aneurysms. Janet is an inspiration to those patients because of her determined and successful recovery. She shows them that anything is possible.

New Radio Hall of Famers

From this morning's RAMP newsletter...

1. Sean "Hollywood" Hamilton -- WKTU/New York and the Weekly Top 30 Countdown, syndicated by Premiere Networks.
2. Harry Harrison -- morning personality, WMCA-AM, WABC-AM and WCBS-FM/New York (Longstanding Local/Regional, 20+ years).
3. The Kevin & Bean Show (Kevin Ryder & Gene "Bean" Baxter), KROQ/Los Angeles (Active Local/Regional, 10+ years).
4. Joe Madison -- Joe Madison, The Black Eagle, SiriusXM's Urban View.
5. Jim Rome -- The Jim Rome Show, CBS Sports Radio (Longstanding Network/Syndication, 20+ years)
6. Ryan Seacrest -- KIIS-FM/Los Angeles, On Air with Ryan Seacrest and American Top 40 with Ryan Seacrest, syndicated by Premiere Networks.
7. John Tesh -- Intelligence for your Life, syndicated by Compass Media Networks (Active Network/Syndication, 10+ years).
8. Dr. Ruth Westheimer -- The Dr. Ruth Show on NBC Radio and host of Sexually Speaking on WYNY/New York.

Rick in Elgin

Got an early start on my day today. A few photos from this mornings broadcast. Thanks to the good folks at the Gail Borden library in Elgin, Mark and Larry from 1410 AM, and George Rawlinson for setting it up and taking these pictures. Had a great time.

Phil Manicki

The August issue of Illinois Entertainer is out and features my interview with the Drive's Phil Manicki

You can read it here.

Cubs Trades

I like these moves...

Cubs get Tony Kemp from the Astros. (He's a nice second baseman with speed and pop. A little guy. Fan favorite type)

Cubs get Nick Castellanos from the Tigers. (Former infielder turned outfielder with a great bat. Last year he was one of the best hitters in the league. Having a down year for him--but way better than what we have.)

And all it cost us was a third string catcher and two pitching prospects that aren't even in our top 15 prospects. I'll take it.

Friday Morning

This Friday morning I'll be appearing at the Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin at 8am--as part of the WRMN 1410AM radio broadcast. Hosts Marky B and Larry Jones will be talking to me for about an hour about the Cubs and my book "EveryCubEver" in the shadow of the library's great new Cubs vs. Sox display (https://www.gailborden.info/).

I'll bring some books along if anyone would like to purchase an autographed copy.

One town that won't let you down

This is pretty darn cool...

Get a load of these gorgeous cumulonimbus clouds doing their thing behind @360chicago and the Chicago skyline 😮 pic.twitter.com/QBox3vpZNX

— Craig Shimala (@cshimala) July 30, 2019

The Alma Mater

I'm a sucker for this one. I don't exactly bleed blue and orange, but I did go there, and graduate from there, and meet some of my best friends ever there...

Another Shooting

There are real-live consequences to racism being allowed to exist in the open. This shooter in California was only 19 years old...

Investigators said three weeks ago the suspect legally purchased an AK-47 style assault rifle in Nevada. Sunday afternoon he walked about a half mile from his car to the festival where he cut through a fence. That day he had posted at least two images to Instagram, one showing the fairgrounds and another that referred to an author with white nationalist views and contained a derogatory reference to mixed race people.

And of course it was an AK-47. This story has already receded from the news. It's that common. This is who we are as a country right now.