DAN PEEK RIDES THAT HIGHWAY IN THE SKY

Among the high profile passings of the great Clarence Clemmons and the troubled Amy Winehouse I fear that the death of Dan Peek might not get the attention it deserves.

I was shocked to learn that the former member of the band America passed away July 24 . I had the honor of communicating with Dan on a number of occasions and he was a kind and talented man who even helped me with a charitable venture with which I am involved regularly.

With fellow bandmates Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnel,Dan helped craft the sound of the 70's,soft rock classics one after another that defined the early part of the decade. His music still resonates after he has left us,with "Lonely People" a never give up anthem for the ages that was the highlight of his amazing music making career.

Dan left the band many years ago. He had had enough of the rock and roll lifestyle. Sex,drugs and rock and roll didn't hold the appeal it once did for Dan and he wrote about those days in a wonderful inside rock and roll book "An American Band" . Dan found solace in becoming a born again Christian and he made his mark writing,singing and producing Christian Rock. His first solo album "All Things Are Possible" was a success and even featured a reunion with his old bandmates on one of the cuts,

Dan has left us much too young..cause of death has yet to be determined. But what HAS been determined is that Dan Peek left an indelible mark on the music world. And for many more years we will be hearing Dan advise us: "Don't give up until you drink from the silver cup,and ride that highway in the sky."

And "Lonely People" concludes with a line that will always endure:

"You never know until you try,"

He gave up a lifestyle and a career as part of a classic rock group to sing his own song,one devoted to faith and spirituality.He followed his heart,he realized his dream,he comes face to face with the God that was so important to him.

Thank you Dan for your talent and your friendship.

Condolences to Dan's wife Cathy and all his friends and family.

To see Dan perform his signature song, go to www.danpeek.com

WHEN THE HEAT IS ON,NEWS ANCHORS ,MEDIA SHOULD COOL IT

I know,I know..it's July and to expect anything less than heat would be unrealistic...even though the most ardent fans of summer weather might admit its been a little extreme in these parts lately.

Yet no one glorifies and sensationalizes the heat of summer like the media. That's a little unfair as they also sensationalize the weather in winter and any other season that dares to deviate from a seasonal norm.

You see,weather is the one thing that affects each living,breathing person. And if you're a living,breathing person, the local stations want you to tune into their newscast. So when they lead with the weather-when they make heat and storms and rain and snow and cold a big deal, they think maybe you'll be more likely to watch.

There are few more annoying on air events than the news anchor (who generally confines comment to proclaiming after hearing the forecast "We'll take it!"--how insipid is that?) complains to the weather forecaster about current conditions.

ABC7's Kathy Brock has made this an art form. She spent April and May grousing and giving playful dirty looks to the weather forecaster about the chill . Thinking she is speaking for us all -as anchors tend to believe- she would say that she was "praying for warm weather" and forever badgering Jerry Taft,Mike Caplan or whomever was forecasting,about when it would ever warm up. Now in the throes of record heat,Brock is whining about how uncomfortable this is and asking for a cool off.

The media warns us about the basics-staying hydrated,cutting down on outdoor activity,using sunscreen...on and on. As if we are space aliens who have never experienced a red hot July or snowy January. We must be told in terms like "dangerous", even "life threatening."

I have lived in Chicago all my life. I've known plenty of hot summers,heatwaves,snowstorms and freezing cold. I don't need the local station or the newspaper trying to lure me with over the top weather tales. I bet you're not that naive either.

It's summer.It's hot. Stay cool. Do what is necessary to deal with the heat. Treat us all like we have a brain.

Does Michaels Move Mean Brandy's Back?

I don't know how closely you follow local media but whether you do or not,let's concentrate today on two media figures with which you may or may not be acquainted.

One is Randy Michaels. Randy Michael's made his name running radio stations and his programming at those stations has sometimes been described as crude which should never be mistaken for unsuccessful. According to the Chicago Tribune, (business section 6/22/2011) he is seen in radio circles as "outrageous and creative" .The story goes on to say that Michaels presided over a raunchy radio format in Tampa called "The Power Pig". Michaels came here as part of the package when Sam Zell bought the Trib and its associated holdings and didn't do well here as CEO of the radio side of the deal. It was he who presided over sweeping changes at WGN that sent the popular "Kathy and Judy" to the sidelines. And in a new book written by a former Chicago Tribune honcho, Michaels tendency to be more frat boy than radio exec is detailed with a story about his adventures out on his balcony outside his office that I won't recount here.

The other media figure is Jonathan Brandmeier.

Known affectionately as "Johnny B" but sometimes referencing himself as "The Lebanese Lord of Lumber" among other humorous monikers, Brandmeier is a Chicago radio icon sitting silently on the sidelines foregoing podcasting or satellite radio ,depriving listeners of one of the premiere radio comedians in the country. Brandmeier bits are the stuff of legends and his "We're All Crazy In Chicago" song still serves a rebel anthem that can stir a crowd gathered anywhere to make merry. In fact,Brandmeier boasts a collection of original songs that need not take a back seat to any of the music heard on his former radio home,The Loop,or other local stations. And besides his gift for comedy ( How I miss his calling Toys R Us at the holidays asking for outrageously named fictional toys) he was no slouch in The Love Dart Lounge - a segment of the show where a musician or group would play live on the radio after a free wheeling and interesting interview conducted by Johnny B. He would ask things the listeners really wanted to know . Brandmeier was irreverent,funny and caring Chicago and the fact that he is not on the air while several radio blowhards preside in this market is an audio crime.

BUT, can the irreverent frat boy Michaels and the similarly equipped Chicago icon come together to make beautiful radio harmony? Why not?

Michaels new company,Merlin Media,just purchased some local radio stations including WKQX and....get this, Brandmeier's old stomping grounds,The Loop. Speculation is heavy that a format change is ahead for at least one of these stations and that format will be talk. Could Michaels make a bigger splash than to bring Jonathan Brandmeier back to The Loop to anchor a new format and gain a foothold in the Chicago market?

I'm no Robert Feder who is the gold standard when it comes to media reporting and opinions on the local radio-tv scene, but I'm going to predict that before 2011 is out, Jonathan Brandmeier will be a player once more on the Chicago radio scene.

Or maybe not.

THE IDES OF JUNE

FOR the uninitiated,IDES stands for the Illinois Department of Employment Security or in layman's terms, the Unemployment Office. I found myself there amongst the great unwashed thanks to an egregious slicing of my work schedule that finds me toiling a mere eight hours per week as of right now and until...who knows? Given that I might need some gasoline somewhere down the road (pun intended) and maybe a frozen dinner a couple of times a week, it seemed prudent to seek unemployment compensation as so many of my fellow Americans have had to do in the last few years.
I spent the previous evening trying to make certain I had everything I needed so it wouldn't be a wasted trip. I collected every official looking form I could locate with the exception of my cat's rabies vaccine verification though I thought given my luck,that is what they might request.
Come the morning I got up early and made an effort to look as neat and as together as possible though I can understand those that might dress in tatters and adopt a forlorn and spacey demeanor. I packed like I was heading to Sioux Falls and picked up a buddy who himself had been paying visits to IDES these past months, and off we went.
Upon arrival, I immediately felt the gaze of my unemployed brethren who may have been gauging my reaction to the fact that there was a good number of people ahead of me. I deprived them of a reaction as there weren't as many people as I had expected given the hour and economy. I received the first of several instructions -"The line is to the right" and "Have 2 ID's ready" from folks who had a job because we do not. I don't begrudge them,in fact I'm envious. If you like to deal with people, this seems like a nice career move.
After filling out the requisite forms,I took a seat to begin the waiting process. The boredom was broken when I looked up to see my cantankerous neighbor rush through the doors and manically charge the administration desk with a hurried tale of woe. He was quickly dispatched to another line where he repeated his clipped and pointed remarks and I never saw him again. But in that few moments he said more words than he has said to me or any other neighbor on my block. He could readily find employment as a grump as he has the skill set but I'm not sure Dick Cheney is hiring.
I took out my phone to text my significant other about the coincidence of seeing my neighbor in this place and moments later she responded with an alert tone that caused the security guard to warn us that we are to turn off cell phones as the sign indicates. Curses! I was certain I had indeed turned down my volume but I hadn't and now my fellow compensation seekers knew it. I was sure they were thinking "No wonder this guy's out of work,he can't read a sign."
We were shortly shepherded into another room where a friendly,middle aged mom type made announcements as to what would happen next. I flashed my friendly smile as this was someone I could work with..someone who would understand my distress, commiserate with my plight and see me off into the world feeling like help was on the way.
After interviewing two people,she left. And her replacement sounded just like the boss who was making the hour cuts that resulted in my being at IDES. He was all business and my attempts at being conversational went for naught. Still he was a professional and we transacted our "business" in 5 minutes or less proving as Tom Petty sung "The Waiting is the hardest part..."
I departed with more literature than I get sent to me during election season as I await the verdict. Tolstoy used fewer words. Will I receive unemployment compensation that will keep me afloat until fall or exist in a world devoid of satellite television, a landline, a daily newspaper and mambo lessons? Well okay I can do without the mambo lessons.

THE ARROGANT ALDERMAN

"Voters here don't appreciate when the machine tries to tell them who to vote for," said Nicholas Spasato who will engage former Alderman Banks chaueffer John Rice in an aldermanic runoff this April (despite getting 3,000 votes less.) It's like Sposato knows me!
Like many of my fellow voters, I don't appreciate having my choice made for me in a room full of cigar smoke and clout by old politicians anxious to retain their slice of the pie. The right to vote is sacred and I'll use it based on what I think and believe because I am capable of making my own decision without having a decision forced on me by overzealous precinct captains and big,obnoxious signs. It's like "If we make our signs super big,people will be impressed enough to vote in this palooka!" Are we that naive?
At my polling place I am fortunate enough to be able to enter through a back entrance and save myself the glad handing superficial rantings of the assembled political weasels. I never get tired of thje election judges look of surprise when I just show up at the desk instead of coming in through the front door.
One of the online blogs observed that looking at the 36th ward,a parent no longer has to tell their child to study hard and get good grades to advance in political service. Just drive well,know the rules of the road and you too might be an alderman one day. With no political record to run on, Alderman John Rice scored almost 7,000 votes due the backing of the machine and will probably win the runoff in April because most of the folks in my ward prefer being sheep instead of shepherd.
Here's a good example of the arrogance of the alderman in a statement made to the Tribune to the other day by John Rice.
"If even one of those other five (candidates) hadn't run I'd be dancing in the street today. Instead I have to take money I would have spent on community baseball and softball programs and use it to print signs so I can win in April.It's a shame."

Yeah,damn that political process that allows people to make a decision. Damn those voters who didn't rubber stamp my candidacy like they were told! And more signs? Rice has more signs than there are voters in this ward and that includes the super sized placards we are so impressed by! And in making that "dance in the street" remark the Alderman completely overlooks the fact that if people in the ward were impressed with his candidacy maybe he would have drawn more than the 50% majority he needed regardless of who or how many others were running.

In April, a guy with very little respect for the will of the people will become alderman,but the smart votes will wind up in the column of Nicholas Sposato.

BEST AND WORST I'VE SEEN-2010

A city having a sportsgasm after Patrick Kane scores a game winning goal nobody saw to bring the Hawks the Stanley Cup. The celebration reverberated in every corner of the city and the multi day party unprecedented.

Health Care Bill passes. No matter how other parties try to slant it,affordable health care for everyone is never going to be seen as a bad thing by anyone who possess all their faculties.

The environmental disaster that was the gulf oil spill provided a pulpit for every grandstanding politician and a punch line for every pundit but the true scope of the disaster was brought home by the vivid pictures of oil soaked wildlife.

"Curb Your Enthusiasm" reigns as the best comedy on television in my view as it wraps up its 7th season with the Seinfeld reunion that should have been.

"The Office" offers consistent comedy on a weekly basis with a cast that can count itself among the best ensembles in sitcom history. But can they endure minus Steve Carrell in 2011?

Chicago weather forecasters continue to panic peddle the weather whenever a cold spell,heat wave,thunderstorm or snow system approaches the city.The weather should make the news,the news shouldn't make the weather. Jerry Taft in particular seems to understand the understated and presents facts minus the frantic. And may our friend Amy Freeze get a new deal to remain on Fox Chicago.

How do they continue to show up on TV? Cheryl Burton,Jim Rose,Janet Davies ,Karen Jordan...Don't contracts expire anymore?

Biggest election disappointment: Joe Berrios elected despite everyone warning it would be a big mistake. Berrios started hiring relatives shorlty after getting in.

Always nice to find a new local restaurant that deserves a second trip...Antico Forno in Elmwood Park.

Two sold out nights for The Harlem Nights Players as they raise money for St.William Parish in April with a Christmas show.

Meeting Jackie Bange,Lise Dominique and the incredible and vibrant Harry Volkman at the event above.

Incredible friends both loyal and supportive who are my extended family.

Disappointing summer sports particularly on the north side where new ownership tanks and a championship seems further away than ever.

The IPOD Touch. Not often a gift can beome part of a lifestyle but I don't know what I did without this thing.

This year I became much less patient with grouches,grumps,the impolite and overly loud. Age may be catching up to me or maybe I just want some peace and quiet.

"Men Of A Certain Age", the best comedy/drama on the air. Ray Romano ,fresh off "Everybody Loves Raymond" is perhaps the most under rated talent in show business.

Jay Leno went from being a homogenized,gladhanding vanilla flavored talk show host to world class weasel and his ratings reflect america's disdain

People feel sorry for you when they hear you are estranged from a family member but that doesn't always have to be a sad event. Its been two years and the air has never smelled fresher.

Conan O'Brien makes people dislike Jay leno more than many do already,and takes his act to TBS where he has yet to show why he was given the Tonight Show in the first place.

The economy claims "Taste of Elmwood Park" ,a popular west suburban summer festival that brought a community together for decades.

The worst contestant ever in reality TV was a woman on "Big Brother" named Rachel Reilly.

Why does anyone watch George Lopez?

A White Christmas

Wacky new years eve weather as a brisk walk can make you work up a sweat.

And So Another Christmas Passed

You only get so many Christmases and we just spent one of our allotted supply, a sad thought on the night a Christmas closes its two month run.

For all those who complain it was too early to hear that carol,too soon to see that store decoration,premature to take out the box of ornaments,it's all over now and it went by in the flash of an eye. And it always leaves me wanting more.

I write this recollection more for myself than anyone who might see it accidentally or on purpose.

There's no day like Christmas Eve. I'll never work on this day,never do anything I don't want to do. I wait for this one all year. Full of anticipation,a pulpable sense of excitement and cheer it is a day of imagination like no other. I was up bright and early doing housecleaning so Christmas would not enter a cluttered home,when I put things on hold to make what I expected to be a quick trip to CVS and the cemetery to visit my folks. It is they-especially my mom-who are responsible for my deep devotion to all things Christmas and I need to spend a few moments with them . On my trip there it never occurred to me their stones would be under snow. I had an orange ribbon to place by their headstones but I couldn't find them. I got my snow brush out of the car and started clearing snow,searching. I had gym shoes on and I was wet and cold (but at least alive) and everytime I bent over my phone keys would stick and let out a loud tone. I took it out of my pants pocket and put it in my coat pocket. After more attempts to clear snow and locate my parents resting place,I gave up and rode away to CVS,delayed by a long Christmas Eve freight. And once there I realized I had only my empty phone case. No phone.

I left CVS right away and jumped into the car heading back to the cemetery while cautioning myself to stay calm.I was rattled and in a hurry and that's a good recipe for a crash. As it snowed I pictured my phone being covered with snow,being found by someone ,or laying out there waiting for me. It took me 45 minutes to get back there--it would normally take 10 but the longest (and most illegal) freight train in the history of the Christmas season tied up traffic for a mile. Finally back to the cemetery I started digging around for the phone. I couldn't find it,but I DID find my folk's headstones. I couldn't do it anymore .I hoped to flag down a mourner and see if they had a cell phone to call my number.I hoped somewhere beneath the snow the phone would ring and give it's location away. Not a creature was stirring,so I resigned myself to driving home,finding another cellphone and heading back a third time as my Christmas Eve and the things I needed to accomplish before nightfall seemed like it would be tabled,my favorite day laid to waste. I came home and finally located a cell phone and jumped back into the car.Making sure the phone had juice I called my missing phone and it started ringing--INSIDE THE CAR. Wedged between the car seat and the compartment next to it, my phone was not among the buried at the cemetery after all. A third trip avoided and Christmas Eve can resume.

House cleaning done,prescription picked up,decorations tweaked and tightened,I was ready for Christmas.

Each year I am fortunate enough to be invited to a friend's family Christmas party where food flows freely (as does the wine and beer) and the spirit of Christmas abounds. Laughs,recollections,presents and caroling around the fire pit -and this year it was loaded with atmosphere as light snow fell...It's always hard to tear myself away from this annual ritual but I must always be home by 10.

Why? Okay this might seem odd.

Starting in about 1982 or so I have been taping the Christmas Eve broadcast of the local news. I have the top news,weather sports and Christmas features from those broadcasts collected and I can't stop doing it every single year.It is my own personal tradition involving and satisfying no one else but me,but I must continue it though it will almost certainly be nothing important now or in the future. And after that,friends come over pre midnight mass and we have a shot to welcome Christmas,share some cookies and a few more laughs,then head to that traditional church service. This year,we were not at our own church,St.William. They shifted midnight mass to 10 PM, a popular trend in parishes but one I don't accept. Not just for the traditional aspect but because midnight mass figures conveniently in to my Eve activities. And through the light snow we drive about a mile to a brightly decorated house of worship where we pray and give thanks for the same things we have done in previous years at our home parish. Though there are no familiar faces,we're still part of a community that welcomes Christmas and relives the best story ever told from the pulpit.

Once home,I make sure the lights are out,but for one of our trees-a small one that keeps Christmas bright consistently-and go to bed to listen to a radio version of "A Christmas Carol". The morning brings Christmas and we only get so many.

I'm going to spend them wisely and full of good cheer.