“Here come the Hawks

The mighty Blackhawks

Take the attack, yeah, and

We’ll back you Blackhawks

You’re flyin’ high now

So let’s wrap it up

Let’s go you Hawks, move out

Now all look out

Here come the Hawks (Here come the Hawks)

Here come the Hawks (Here come the Hawks)”

Orchestration by Dick Marx

So, what are Chicagoans doing this New Year’s Eve…December 31, 2024? 

For a truly unique and exciting adventure, hockey fans and casual observers will be making their way to Wrigleyville for the 2025 NHL Winter Classic at Wrigley Field! 

This is Wrigley Field’s second time hosting an NHL outdoor game, having previously hosted the second annual 2009 NHL Winter Classic.

Back then, the Chicago Blackhawks were a year away from winning their first Stanley Cup under the captainship of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. This version features 2024 Calder Memorial Trophy winner Connor Bedard makes his outdoor rink debut against their Central Division rival St. Louis Blues. Kenny Albert, Chicago Blackhawks legend Eddie Olczyk and Brian Boucher will call the game action. 

Chicago Blackhawks history 

As Britannica.com tells it, the Chicago Blackhawks were established in 1926 by Chicago-based businessman Frederic McLaughlin, who was awarded one of the first U.S. expansion franchises by the NHL and subsequently purchased the defunct Portland Rosebuds of the Western Hockey League to form the nucleus of his team. 

They became one of the ‘Original Six’ NHL teams, which include the Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, and New York Rangers.

In 1929, according to Britannica.com, the team moved into Chicago Stadium. ‘The Stadium’ serve as the team’s home until 1994.

Fun facts: Originally known as the Black Hawks (the spelling was changed to “Blackhawks” in 1986 to match the original NHL paperwork), the team had some early success, with Stanley Cup wins in the 1933–34 and 1937–38 seasons. 

And there really was a Black Hawk

According to NHL com, Black Hawk, or Mà-ka-tai-me-she-kià-kiàk, was a respected dignitary and proud leader for the Sauk tribe (present-day Sac & Fox). He committed his life to the preservation and protection of his people, his family and the land they were connected to.

The Black Hawks’ second championship was notable because the Black Hawks won the Stanley Cup after posting a regular-season record of 14–25, the worst record of any team to go on to win the title (that they were in the playoffs at all owed to the fact that six of the NHL’s eight franchises qualified for the postseason).

A 50’s Renaissance 

In the late 1950s, according to Wikipedia sources, the Hawks struck gold once again, acquiring three young prospects-forwards Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita, defenseman Pierre Pilote and star goaltender Glenn Hall.  All four would eventually be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. They bested the rival Detroit Red Wings to win their third Stanley Cup championship. They remained a force to be reckoned with throughout the decade, with Hull enjoying four 50-goal seasons, Mikita winning back-to-back scoring titles and MVP accolades, Pilote winning three consecutive Norris Trophies, and Hall being named the First or Second All-Star goaltender eight out of nine seasons.

The Wirtz Family takes the reigns

Arthur Wirtz and his son Bill took over the team in 1966, beginning a dynasty that continues to this day. In the 1969–70 season the Black Hawks acquired goaltender Tony Esposito, (aka, Tony O) who would go on to set the franchise record with 418 wins and be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Despite the team’s failure to capture the Stanley Cup, the streak featured a number of high points. Notably, Mikita, Hull, Esposito, and Keith Magnusonanchored a Black Hawk team that lost a dramatic seven-game Stanley Cup final to a dominant Canadiens team in 1970–71. 

But as Wiki tells it, the Wirtzes had a reputation for stubbornness and frugality and were vilified by Blackhawks fans for forbidding home games to be televised unless they were picked up by national broadcasters. As Wirtz explained it, broadcasting regular-season home games was “unfair to season-ticket holders.”

In 1988–89, after three-straight first-round defeats and despite a fourth-place finish in their division in the regular season, the Blackhawks made it to the conference finals, thanks to rookies (and future Hall of Famers) goaltender Ed Belfour and center Jeremy Roenick. However, they would once again fail to make the Stanley Cup Finals.

A Millennial Renaissance 

On September 26, 2007, Bill Wirtz died, and was succeeded by his son Rocky, who drastically altered his father’s long-standing policies. Previously, with the third overall pick in the 2006 NHL entry draft, the team selected Frozen Four champion Jonathan Toews and right winger Patrick Kane. Together, along with goaltending by Antii Niemi and Corey Crawford and a strong supporting cast, the team notched three Stanley Cup championships in 2010, 2013 and 2015. 

Today, the team is helmed by once-in-a-generation player Bedard and is poised to take the Blackhawks far into the future, overseen by fourth-generation leaderDanny Wirtz. 

Early Happy New Year, everyone!!

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

We’ve been talking these last few weeks about the New Year, our goals and generally how we can make our lives easier and just a bit better. Staying happy is not just going around smiling and ignoring the negative feelings that come along when things get tough. It’s normal to have feelings of sadness and disappointment when you have significant professional or personal losses. It’s important to give yourself time to grieve before you can accept what has happened.

The thing is: how do some people find ways to move forward and get things done? Often, they develop a plan to move forward. Here are a few things you can plan to do to help cope with the bad times:

Surround yourself with people you trust. Even if that’s the last thing you really want to do, it can help! When you are sad or stressed, you often don’t want to be around others. But sharing your situation makes you realize that often others have had similar feelings and experiences, and they can share how they coped. It’s good to know that you’re not alone. 

Know what is under your control—and what isn’t. When you focus on the things that are under your control you can more easily move forward. You can focus on what actually will make your situation better, feel better and be more productive. 

Try to give others the benefit of the doubt. This is especially important when you are angry about something at work. We sometimes tend to blame others when we are not successful. But not everyone is out to get you, even when it feels like it. Most of the people you work with are potential allies. This helps when you are passed over for something you want. Imagine a positive interpretation of the actions of others!

Find and celebrate small wins. Take notice of smaller things you’ve completed successfully. Sometimes when something negative happens you tend to look for the negatives all across your existence. Smaller successes are easy to overlook, but are a clear sign that you are not cursed. 

These strategies can help get you through any setback! They will help you feel better because they encourage you to move forward and look forward to the future instead of wallowing in self-pity. 

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago

It’s hard to believe that this weekend is our last chance to get into the holiday spirit as Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are next week already.  Which can only mean he’s coming!  But before then, here’s more fun holiday events for your weekend pleasure!!

Don’t be surprised by the swarm of Santas in the West Loop neighborhood as Chicago SantaCon returns with its own version of New York’s infamous SantaCon this Saturday with check-in from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at PB&J (Pizza Beer & Jukebox) located at 205 N. Peoria Street.  This festive Santa Bar Crawl offers an unforgettable night out dressed in your most festive Santa attire (or any other holiday character like an Elf, or the Grinch) as you explore the best bars and pubs with their cheerful decorations and joyous atmospheres.  Your ticket includes over 4+ venues with waived cover fees; generously low drink specials; a live DJ at select venues; and a free after party.  Come join this festive celebration!  Afterall, it’s going to be a holly jolly good time so be sure you’re ready to jingle and mingle!!

Spread some holiday cheer with the young chefs in your family (ages 3-12) at the Little Chefs’ Holiday Donut Decorating class this Saturday (12 p.m-1 p.m.) at Time Out Market Chicago (916 W. Fulton Market) in the West Loop.  2d Restaurant will be hosting this class to teach young chefs how to create festive and delicious Santa’s Belly, Chocolate Reindeer, and Vanilla Snowman donuts.  Plus, a variety of holiday-themed toppings and sprinkles will be available as they create their masterpieces.  All necessary materials and even donuts to take home will be provided!

One of Chicago’s most popular and beloved Christmas traditions is celebrating its 41^st year at The Music Box Theatre Christmas Double Feature and Sing-a-Long now through December 24^th at 3733 N. Southport Avenue in the Wrigleyville neighborhood.  Holiday revelers are greeted by Santa Claus himself who is accompanied by the Music Box organist Dennis Scott to lead you in singing the most cherished Christmas carols of all time.  So no one misses a chance to sing their hearts out, the lyrics will be projected onto the theater’s screen.  Afterwards, it’s time to kickback with your popcorn and pop to enjoy one or both Christmas classic movies being presented – It’s a Wonderful Life and White Christmas!

This year, it just so happens that Hanukkah begins at sundown on Christmas Day!  So, to commemorate this Jewish holiday, the popular 8 Crazy Nights pop-up is returning for its 5^th year to The Graystone Tavern (3441 N. Sheffield Ave.) in the Lakeview neighborhood on Saturdays (11 a.m.-3 a.m.) and Sundays (11 a.m.-2 a.m.) through January 5, 2025.  Over 30,000 blue-and-white lights, dreidel ornaments, a lighted menorah, and a Hanukkah sweater wall fill the bar and its weatherproof patio as you dine on Hanukkah classics like matzo ball soup and latkes along with not-so-classic options like a gelt fudge sundae.  Also featured are vodka-infused donuts, festival of lights martinis, and a giant 18-foot menorah shotski to pair with your meal!

Lastly, it’s our last opportunity to attend the following holiday events as they close down before Christmas:  Marché De Noël (last day Saturday December 21); Winterland at Gallagher Way (last day Sunday December 22); and Christkindlmarket (last day Tuesday December 24).

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HANUKKAH!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

A little over a decade ago, Chef Kevin Hickey had a dream to bring fine dining to a 135-year-old, pre-Prohibition era tavern, located at Loomis Street and the Chicago River, on the border of Chicago’s booming Pilsen and Bridgeport neighborhoods, where Hickey had grown up. 

“This was not a pretty street” back then, Hickey told WTTW in April. 

Thus was born The Duck Inn, a retro-inspiredgastropub styled with mid-century modern furnishings and historic curios of the neighborhood, specializing in New American cuisine…especially their signature duck dishes. 

The restaurant has earned national accolades, including 2024’s James Beard Semi-Finalist for Outstanding Restaurant and Esquire’s Best New Restaurants in America 2015.  As their website notes, he’s nominated for Chef of the Year in the 2025 Banchet Awards.

The Duck Inn was part of a renaissance for the Bridgeport/Pilsen area. 

Now for the important part: The food! As they say on their website, The Duck Inn’s signature dish is a simple yet elegantly-prepared Whole Rotisserie Duck. The legs and thighs are slow-roasted for three hours and the breasts are pan-roasted medium-rare to order. The carved duck is served over greens tossed with duck fat dripping potatoes and seasonal fruits. The final component is a duck jus reduction served at the table.

As they say, “We serve only the ducks made that day so we offer guests the opportunity to preorder the dish and reserve one for the table. Please call (312) 724-8811 in advance to reserve your table and your rotisserie duck.”

Another treat is their Duck Inn Dog, a  tribute to the classic Chicago Hot Dog. It’s made with all-natural beef and duck fat in a hog casing and grilled to a perfect snap, topped with homemade mustard and relish, combined with pickled hot peppers and pickle, tomatoes, onions, and celery salt, nestled in a one-of-a kind brioche poppy seed bun. 

Holiday Treats at The Duck Inn 

The Duck is hosting several holiday events over the next two weeks. On Saturday, December 21, they’re hosting BRUNCHIN’ WITH SANTA! at 11am and 3pm. Santa himself will be stopping by to enjoy a delicious brunch with all guests. Get ready for a morning filled with festive cheer, tasty food, and maybe even a surprise or two from the man in red. Don’t forget to bring your Christmas wish list and get your photo taken with St. Nick. There’s hot cocoa and a special kids menu as well!

Theyarestill accepting orders for take-home Christmas Dinners. A family of four will find plenty on their table by ordering  their $325 STANDING PRIME RIB OF ALL-NATURAL BEEF with mulled red wine sauce and  “all the fixings, or their EVERYTHING BUT THE BEEF for $125. When ‘the fixings/’ include such specialties as Duck Fat Yorkie Pudding, Creamed Kale, Irish cheddar potato casserole , and sticky toffee pudding with whiskey cream for pickup or delivery. Orders will be ready for pickup or delivery on Monday, December 23.

On Tuesday, December 31, The Duck Inn  will ring in the New Year…Duck Inn style, with a $174 per person Multi-Course Tasting Menu, including POMME PAVÉ, with Champagne ranch créme and dill. VENISON TARTARE with spruce & dijon ice cream and pomegranate geleé, and a rosemary & foie gras cracker. CIGALAS LANGOUSTINE has scallop thermidor,  sauternes poached tail and Italian white sturgeon caviar. TORO TUNA is served withUni geoduck, shiso-clam cream and finger lime. DUCK À L’ORANGE is a seared breast with foie-stuffed thigh ballotine bigarade sauce, and blood orange. WAGYU RIBEYE is served with huckleberry chasseur sauce, Italian white truffles, wagyu tallow confit, and lion’s mane mushroom. CHARTREUSE ROOT BEER “FLOAT” has chartreuse meringues,  root beer spice anglaise root beer foam, and mint. Top yourcelebrationwith a CHICAGO SPRITZ, made with Chicago’sown Malort, sparkling prosecco, and orange.

Mine is not the only positive opinion, as these Google reviewers note:

“ I dined in with my brother on Monday. Everything was outstanding. Of course, we got the signature roasted duck which was out of this world. The cocktails and appetizer were fantastic as well. Thank you Mark for your amazing hospitality and suggestions!”

“The amazing food matched the service in this place. Everyone’s so nice and the food is out of this world. I had the duck. It’s by far the best thing I ever had.”

The Duck Inn is located at 2701 S. Eleanor Street.  They are open Monday-Thursday, 5pm-10pm. Saturday, they are open from 5pm-11pm, and Sunday from 10:30am for brunch and go till 10pm. For information and reservations, click here. 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Deciding whether to sell your home as is or invest time and money in making repairs is a crucial decision for homeowners looking to put their property on the market. Both options come with their own set of advantages and challenges that can significantly impact the selling process and outcome. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of selling your home as is versus making repairs, examining factors such as financial implications, market considerations, time and effort required, and potential risks involved in each approach. By understanding the implications of these choices, homeowners can make informed decisions that align with their goals and priorities when selling their property.

Selling Your Home As Is: Pros and Cons

Advantages of Selling As Is

Selling your home as is can save you time and money on renovations. You won’t have to deal with the hassle of fixing up the property before putting it on the market. This can be especially appealing if you’re looking for a quick sale or if you don’t have the funds for major repairs.

Challenges of Selling As Is

On the flip side, selling your home as is may result in a lower sale price. Buyers are often wary of homes that require a lot of work, so you may attract fewer offers or have to negotiate on price. Additionally, you might miss out on potential buyers who are looking for move-in ready homes.

Making Repairs Before Selling: Pros and Cons

Benefits of Making Repairs

Making repairs before selling can increase the value of your home and make it more attractive to potential buyers. By addressing issues upfront, you can command a higher selling price and potentially sell your home faster. Plus, a well-maintained home can stand out in a competitive market.

Drawbacks of Making Repairs

However, making repairs can be costly and time-consuming. It’s important to prioritize which repairs will have the most impact on the sale price versus what you can afford to invest. You also run the risk of over-improving your home for the neighborhood, which may not result in a significant return on investment.

Financial Considerations

When deciding whether to sell your home as is or make repairs, consider your financial situation carefully. Calculate the potential costs of repairs and weigh them against the expected increase in sale price. If you’re on a tight budget, selling as is might be the more practical choice.

Market Impact

The current real estate market conditions can also influence your decision. In a seller’s market with high demand, selling your home as is might not deter buyers as much. However, in a buyer’s market where inventory is high, making repairs can give your home a competitive edge and attract more offers. Keep an eye on market trends and consult with a real estate agent to make an informed decision.

Time and Effort

Selling your home as is can save you time and effort because you won’t have to deal with the hassle of making repairs and upgrades. You can list your home quickly and move on to your next adventure without delay. On the flip side, making repairs can be time-consuming and require a lot of effort, but it can potentially increase the value of your home and attract more buyers.

Potential Risks

Selling your home as is comes with the risk of receiving lower offers due to the property’s condition. Buyers may be wary of hidden issues and lowball their offers, resulting in a lower sale price. On the other hand, making repairs can also pose risks, such as unexpected costs and delays. You may uncover more issues during the repair process that could eat into your budget and prolong the selling timeline.

Bottom-line

Deciding whether to sell your home as is or make repairs depends on your priorities and circumstances. Selling as is can be a quick and convenient option if you’re looking to sell fast and move on. However, making repairs can potentially increase your home’s value and attract more buyers, but it requires time, effort, and investment. Consider your goals and consult with real estate professionals to determine the best approach for selling your home.In conclusion, whether you choose to sell your home as is or make repairs before listing it on the market, it is important to weigh the pros and cons carefully. Consider your financial situation, market conditions, the time and effort you are willing to invest, and the potential risks involved. By evaluating these factors thoughtfully, you can make a decision that best suits your needs and objectives as a homeowner. Ultimately, the key is to make an informed choice that will help you achieve a successful and satisfactory sale of your property.