THE OLD G WHEN ART MEETS ALCHEMY THE OLD G WHEN ART MEETS ALCHEMY
E-NOTES
Publisher CherylMainorNorman
Editor-In-Chief
Kai ElZabar
Chief Content Officier LauraMiller
EditorialAssistant
CreativeDirection
Sales Manager
SalesManager
CopyEditor
StaffWriters
Columnists
Intern&Illustrator
MalachiWebster
CNWStudio,LLC
Kevin Ross
MichaelToliver
MaxBlaisdell
MilaK MarshallPhD
CandiMcCrary
NefferKerr
CabrylBreotti
CL Blackburn
Dr SanjaRicketteStinson
DavidSeaton
ElijahLee
CoverPhotography
BiancaGarcia
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Volume3No 21 October15,2025
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On Leaving a Relationship
Kai ElZabar-Editor-In-Chief
Leavingalong-termrelationshipisnever easy, but sometimes it’s the necessary step towardamorefulfillinglife.
One of the hardest decisions we make is walking away from a relationshipthatsimplyisn’tworking As the saying goes, “Breaking up is hard to dowhenyou love someone. ” And it is especially after you ’ ve invested time and effort trying to repair what’s broken. You’ve tried counseling, therapy, communication exercises. Things seem to improve, and then comes that moment when you must respond from deepwithin your soul and your partner still cannot hear or feel you. Suddenly you ’ re back in that dark pit: silence, anger, blowups, walkouts. That may be the sign that it’s time to consider movingon
Love? What’s love got to do with it? Doescompatibilitycomefirst?Passion can feel like love and create a false senseofharmony.Meanwhile,thereal foundations of partnership shared values, balance, respect get overlooked. I remember my ex, with his fast metabolism, baking cookies and devouring them instantly. I couldn’t do the same, so he and his motherdecidedIwasn’t“fun,”evenas he asked me toweigh myself dailyto keepmyweightincheck
Partnership is the heart of a love relationship. Too many of us let romanticnotionscloudourjudgment IwasultrasensitivetothoseIwantedto please. My mother and my husband were the only two people who could make me cry not out of weakness, but because feeling misunderstood hurtdeeply Iwantedthemtotrulysee me.
Inanylovingconnection,eachperson must commit to the work listening, understanding, accepting differences. That requires asking the right questions from the very start: Do we want children? Does our religion matter? What about the social demands of my career? Can we disagree and still sit down to dinner? These questions matter more than passionalone.
Our emotions are powerful When they’re tied to someone else’s, lettinggo can feel like jumping into the deep end when you can’t swim but staying can feel like drowning in shallow water. Taking that dive is an act of courage Many of us stay in unfulfilling relationshipstoavoidpainorembarrassment. We wonder if the happiness we want even exists We consider settling But deep down, weknowwedeservejoy.
Wearelikeplantsgrowingtowardthelight we instinctively move toward what helps us thrive Even if we came into the world as twins,wearrivedasindividualswithourown paths Summoning the courage to leave a relationship that holds us back is part of honoringthattruth.
The first steps are always the hardest. Let go oftheromanticlensandembracethebeauty that awaits once we release ourselves from whatdrainsus.Onceyoureyesareopen,you can begin disentangling yourself from what hashungaroundyournecklikeanalbatross. Each step forward brings you closer to the relationship you deserve—and to the freedomtofindgenuinehappiness.
The love of my life eventually became the loveofmyyouth
Trump Accuses Democratic Senators of “Sedition”After TheyWarnTroopsAgainstFollowingIllegalOrders
CNW STAFF REPORT
President Donald Trump escalated a political dispute over military authority this week, accusing several Democratic senators of “sedition” and “treason” after they released a video reminding service members of their duty to refuse unlawful orders Trump claimed the senators’ actions were “punishable by death” and suggested theyshould be arrested orjailed
Thevideo, released bya group of Democratic lawmakers who are alsomilitaryveterans,emphasized a longstanding principle of US military law: service members must obey lawful orders but are required to refuse “manifestly unlawful”onesundertheUniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) Thelawmakerssaidtheirmessage was prompted by concerns about the legality of some recent military actions ordered by the Trump administration, including certain strikes and domestic deployments
“Ourlawsareclear:Youcanrefuse illegal orders You must refuse illegal orders,” the senators said in thevideo,framingtheirremarksas a constitutional reminder rather than a political challenge to the WhiteHouse
Trump responded by accusing thesenatorsofunderminingthe chain of command and encouraging insubordination within the armed forces
Speaking to reporters and in posts on social media, he called thelawmakers“traitors,”claimed their remarks constituted “sedition,” and said their actions “should be punishable by DEATH”
Legal experts note that the senators’ statement largely restated existing military law Under the UCMJ, it is a crime forservice members to disobey a lawful order, but it is also a crime to follow an order that is clearly illegal The principle is widely taught in military training and is rooted in post–WorldWarIIjurisprudence
The debate over the limits of lawful authority has prompted comparisons to the military courtroom drama A Few Good Men,whichcentersonaMarine court-martial and the question of whether “just following orders” is a defense for illegal conduct While fictional, the filmreflectsareallegalstandard: troops can be held accountable for carrying out unlawful directives.
The senators’ message, they said, was intended to protect service members from facing such accountability in thefuture.Trump,who has no military background and has previously discouraged his sons from serving, argued that publicly urging troops to scrutinize presidential orders threatened civilian control of the military.
The clash highlights a broader tension between military law, which prioritizes adherence to the Constitution, and politicalconcernsabout maintaining the integrityofthechainof command It also reflects ongoing debate over the boundaries of dissent, particularly after the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol, when Trump’s rhetoric played a central role in the events leading to the insurrection
Illustration: Eli
WhenFleshMeetsSteel:ChicagoLooksAheadto Self‑HealingCyborgMachines
MALACHI WEBSTER - STAFF WRITER
Science fiction’s favorite nightmare machines made of living flesh is inchingclosertothelabbenchthanthe movie screen Around the world, researchers are fusing living cells with electronics to create “biohybrid” robots coveredinselfhealingskin,poweredby muscle,andguidedbytinynetworksof braincells
In June, scientists at the University of Tokyo unveiled a robot face coated in labgrown human skin, complete with collagen “ligaments” that tether the tissue to an underlying mechanical skull The result: a siliconesmooth visage that can smile, frown and, crucially, repair small cuts on its own Unlike earlier synthetic skins that tore easily, this living layer moves with the robot’s mechanics and then knits itself back together when damaged, much likeapapercutclosingovertime
At the same time, engineers in the United States and elsewhere are racing toperfectelectronic“skins”madefrom stretchablepolymersandliquidmetals. Thesethinfilmscansensetouch,strain and temperature while healing their own circuitry after being sliced or punctured One recent prototype restored more than 80% of its sensing ability within seconds of being damaged, a leap forward from earlier designs that needed minutes or hours torecover
Put these threads together and the outline of a new kind of machine emerges: soft, wrapped in living or livinglike tissue, aware of its own wounds and capable of patching them withouthumanhelp
For Chicago, a city anchored by worldclass medical centers and an expanding robotics and AI ecosystem, the implications run far beyond scifi spectacle. Biohybrid devices tiny robots seeded with muscle cells and controlled by light or microelectronics are already being tested as potential tools for minimally invasive surgery, targeted drug delivery and cancer detection Instead of a rigid metal instrument, imagine a soft, wormlike robot that can slither through arteries, sense trouble, and repairits own shell if ittearsalongtheway.
Selfhealing electronic skin could turn prosthetic limbs into sensing, adaptive toolsthatfeelmorelikepartofthebody than equipment bolted on at the shoulder Researchers have demonstrated eskins that stretch to severaltimestheiroriginallength,detect subtle movements and then reform intact after being cut and rejoined. For amputees navigating Chicago’s winter ice or crowded CTA platforms, that resilience could mean fewer repairs, bettergrip,andlongerlastingdevices
The ethical unease is harder to heal Living skin grown for robots raises questionsaboutwherethelinebetweentoolandcreaturebegins especially as labs add nerve cells, bloodvessels and eventuallymore complex sensory systems A crawling robot powered by living brain and muscle cells, as demonstrated in a recent “biobot” study, blurs that line even further. If a machine can move, sense, adapt and selfrepair using biological parts, how should society regulate it? Who is responsible when it fails a software engineer,atissuelab,orboth?
Policy has not caught up Current medical device rules were written for pacemakers and metal implants, not soft robots stitched together from hydrogels, stem cells andAIdriven control circuits Laborlawhas little to sayaboutmachinesthatcanhealthemselvesandreturntoworkwithouta humantechnician Andpubliccomfortwillbeshapedasmuchbyculture as by code; the first time a selfhealing humanoid greets patients in a Chicagoclinic,thereactionmaybewonder,revulsion orboth.
Fornow, these systems remain prototypes: small, fragile and confined to research facilities But the direction is clear Step by step, lab by lab, machines are borrowing strategies from flesh resilience, sensing, selfrepair tosurviveinmessy,unpredictablerealworldenvironments
Chicago has always lived at the intersection of industry and humanity, fromstockyardstosteelmillstoserverfarms Asthecityleansintohealth tech,AI and advanced manufacturing, it maysoon find itself hosting the next stage of that evolution: robots that bruise, bleed (synthetically) and thenquietlystitchthemselveswhole.
When that happens, the most pressingquestion maynot bewhetherthe machinesareparthuman,buthowpreparedhumansaretosharespace andresponsibility withmachinesthatrefusetostaybroken
Art & Alchemy
THE OLD GANDTHE FUSION OFARTAND EXPERTISE REDEFINING MODERN GIN
LAURA MILLER - MANAGING EDITOR
ThefirstthingyounoticeaboutTheOldGisitspresence The matte-black bottle stands with quiet certainty the kind that feels intentional rather than performative It looks modern, culturally fluent, and rooted in a point of view that does not waver once it is in your hand. That clarity comes from two menwhodidnotgrowuptogetherbutspeakwiththeeaseof peoplewhocouldhave.
WhenPeterIbrahimandHebruBrantleytalk,thepartnership becomes obvious before the business storyeven starts Their humor shows up first Brantley likes to say their first encounterinvolvedhimpunchingIbrahiminthechestlikea scene from an old comedy. Ibrahim shakes his head and claims Brantley fell in love with him immediately. Brantley calls him a compulsive liar. Ibrahim accepts the accusation withouthesitation
BIANCA GARCIA - PHOTOGRAPHY
COVERSTORY
Nothing about it feels scripted. Their rhythm is natural full of laughter, interruptions, and small jabs that only workwhen the friendship is real Their closeness forms the quiet architecture beneath the brand. Before there was a product,therewasaconnection Before therewas a bottle, therewas chemistry. Andbeforetherewasaname,therewas a shared sense of what the world was missing.
Theirstrengths meet in awaythat feels organic.Ibrahimspentyearsdeveloping a gin that reflects his palate, his internationalbackground,andhisbelief that gin should be smooth, balanced, and welcoming Brantley shaped the visual identity with the same intention he brings to his artwork, creating a design that carries cultural weight and modern elegance Together, they shaped a brand that feels alive and deliberate, informed by two perspectives working in harmony insteadofcompetition.
The rooms where no one looked like him
Long before The Old G existed, Ibrahimhadbeenpayingattention.For more than 15 years, he worked inside major spirits companies, sitting in strategy meetings, pitch sessions, and boardroomsfromLondontoNewYork to Chicago.The patternwas impossible toignore
“There was a representation problem,” hesays.“EverywhereIwent,everyoneI workedwith, everyone I saw, all looked the same There was no diversity or representation, especially as you get higherintheranks”
He explains it calmly, but the weight is unmistakable Hewanted to see people whoseexperiencesandhistoriesechoed hisown.Herarelydid.
“I wanted to see at least a few people I couldrelateto Buttherewerevery,very fewpeoplewholookedorsoundedlike me ”
“Thisbrand wasbuiltto represent peoplewho rarelysee themselvesin theroom.”
He also understood who was actually shaping nightlife, taste, and spending power He saw the gap between who created culture and who held ownershipintheindustry.
“We were always drinking everyone else’s stuff,” he says “Never anything thatrepresentedus”
At the same time, the absence he felt echoed across the industry. Marketing manager Jonn Richardson, who spent seven years managing the Bacardi portfolio,hadseenthesamething
“I spent seven years managing the Bacardi portfolio, including their gins, andmostofthattimeIwasoneofthe only Black men in the room, ” Richardson says “Not just in Chicago but even in our national meetings Ownership is even rarer. That is why what we ’ re building with The Old G matters.”
Together, these experiences underscorewhythebrandexistsatall
Theartistwhounderstandsthepower ofobjects
While Ibrahim was navigating corporatepatternsthatfeltincreasingly narrow, Brantley was expanding the worldthroughart
Hiswork had become a cultural force, reimagining contemporary Black imagery with emotion and cinematic imagination. His characters carry symbolism His colors carry memory Hisstyleisinstantlyrecognizable.
Despite being noted for their courage and discipline, they faced constant prejudice Retired Col Frank Knox of the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry, better known as the “Rough Riders,” during the Spanish-American War, famously declared of the Buffalo Soldiers: “I neversawbravermenanywhere”
WhenIbrahimsuggestedbuildingagin brand together, Brantley did not see it as a detour He saw it as another medium.
“Thebottlehadtobeastatementpiece,” he says “People display the things that matterto them Wewanted something that could live in someone ’ s collection. Somethingthatdrawscuriosity”
Traditionalginaestheticsrelyonbright blues, greens, and heritage cues Brantley and Ibrahim wanted something different. They studied silhouettes, materials, proportions, and tone. They chose a matte-black finish becauseitfeltintentional,modern,and honesttowhotheywere
“People see it anywhere, and they gravitatetowardit,”Brantleysays.“That curiosity was something Peter and I alwaysintended.”
Aspiritdesignedtochangeminds
If Brantley shaped the design, Ibrahim shapedtheflavor
Ask him how many gins he has tasted, and he answers like a man who has livedthroughthatnumber.
“It is definitely in the thousands,” he says “At some point they come out yournose ”
Smoothwas notan accident.It was engineered, refinedand earned
His journey to The Old G took threeyears Hevisiteddistilleries across continents. He studied production methods, tested ingredients, compared processes, and kept meticulous notes He knewexactlywhat he wanted.
“I knew what the spirit had to be,” he says “Flavorful, but not harsh Something you can drinkneatorwithonemixeror in a cocktail A positive experience.”
Healsoknewgin’sreputationin the United States. Manypeople tried gin once and never returned. They remembered the burn and the sharp edges Ibrahim wanted The Old G to be the opposite He designed it tobesmooth
The process was demanding Hedevelopedbatchafterbatch, adjusting botanicals, refining temperatures, and modifying distillations. He distilled nine timesforclarityandtexture He added an oxygenation process to refine the finish He discarded expensive batches thatdidnotmeetthestandard.
“We probably did between 30 and40finalliquidstogettothis one, ” he says “It was long, laborious,andexpensive.”
The result proved him right
The Old G earned Best Gin in Show at the 2025 Global Spirit Awards, scoring 98 out of 100. The Global Spirit Awards are known for rigorous blind judging, which means the gin’s quality had to speak for itself withoutbrandingorstorytelling influencingthedecision
“No one can take that away, ” Ibrahimsays “Onceyouearnit, itisyours.”
Richardson has seen that reactioneverywhere
“I’ve been in meetings with multimillionaires in the largest hospitality groups and in neighborhood liquor stores on the South Side,” he says “They all say the same thing: that’s some of the best gin they’ve ever had. Gin isn’t the easiest spirit to sell, so that kind of reactionmeanseverything”
A perspective shaped by international background and anartist’seye
Gin’s flavor comes from botanicals sourced across continents. That global foundation fits The Old G naturally Ibrahim brings an internationalbackgroundanda globalpalateshapedbyyearsof travel and spirits expertise. Brantley brings an artist’s eye and a sensitivity to visual storytelling Together, they created a spirit that feels worldly, culturally aware, and groundedinmoderntaste
Theircoreaudienceisadults35 to 55, or in their words, “the peoplewe go outsidewith”It is not a marketing strategy. It is livedexperience
This is the generation that learnedlifelessonsfromShawn Carter lyrics and understands theweightofalinethatfeelslike advice an older relative might have givenyou Theyknowthe bravadoofamoment,thequiet confidence of stepping into a room already carrying your story,andthebluesyundertone that comes from having lived enoughlifetotellitwell
They grew from analog childhoods into digital adulthood without losing their instinct for real connection They value authenticity, intention, and the feel of somethingmadewithcare.The Old Gspeaks to them naturally becauseitsfounderscomefrom thesameworld,sharethesame shorthand, and understand how this generation shows up fortaste,identity,andcraft
Premium craft with real accessibility
Everything about The Old G is premium. The botanicals are organic The distillation is repeated nine times The oxygenation process refines the finish Thedesigniscustomand distinctive. Even so, the founders made a choice about price that reflects the heart of thebrand
“It is thirty-five dollars because we want it to be accessible,” Ibrahim says. “The quality is easily worth far more, but the intention is to meet people wheretheyare.”
Brantley agrees. “We want the people who look like us to access the brand. We do not wanttopricethemout”
Their approach builds community rather than exclusivity. It creates presence without pretense It reflects leadership instead of gatekeeping
Redefiningmoderngin
TheOldGismorethanabottle onashelf Itisashiftinhowthe category can look, who it can speak to, and what it can represent The design reflects culture. The flavor reflects discipline The mission reflects livedexperience.
“The product we are selling is real,” Ibrahim says. “People will understand that the moment theytasteit.”
Brantley’s design ensures you feel that before you even open the bottle For Richardson, the meaningisdeeplypersonal.
“The name speaks to the community Everyone knows an OG who guided them in some way, ” he says. “I meet people in their 20s who are shocked that a regular Black mancanownaliquorbrand
“Manypeopletrygin onceandnevergoback. Wewantedtochange that.”
Notacelebrity Notanathlete Justsomeone committedtoquality.Ourearlyawardsare justthestartofsomethingspecial”
This is art meeting craft. This is culture meeting expertise This isThe Old G And thisisonlythebeginning
ABrokenSystem:HowChicagoFailsViolencePreventionand Rehabilitation
Video captured kids punching, stomping, and draggingthevictimstotheground Themother, CorshawndaHatter,saidshe’dreportedbullying fortwoyearswithoutschoolintervention Other families came forward with similar experiences fromthesamegroupofchildren
A wave of violent incidents has shaken Chicago’s communities, disproportionately affecting Black residents and raising urgent questions about the city’s criminal justice approach The attacks span from brazen commercial burglaries to horrific assaults, each revealing gaps in both prevention and accountability What becomes clearin these examples is a glaring absence of rehabilitationforthosecausingharm both kidsandadultsrepeatedlycyclethroughthe systemwithlittlemeaningfulinterventionor supporttochangetheirpaths Thisisnotjust about crime rates; it is about a system continuallyfailingtorehabilitate,resultingin recurring violence and trauma throughout thecity
"Sip & Savor, a Bronzeville coffee shop owned byTrez Pugh III, was burglarized in September, with thieves stealing nearly $2,000 in alcohol and baked goods The community rallied to support the business, which Pugh built as “ a safe space ” for the neighborhood, including programming for disabled veterans and recovering addicts Multiple Bronzeville businesses faced similar break-ins, part of a pattern CPD has linkedtonearly20burglariescitywide
InRavenswoodManor,two15-year-oldgirls were attacked on November 21st by two men who chased them down and sexually assaulted one at gunpointwhile holding the other at knifepoint. Neighbors have increased patrols and added security cameras, with residents expressing fear that suchviolencecouldhappenintheirtypically quiet neighborhood A South Deering motherandher9-year-oldsonwerebrutally attacked by a group of children outside Orville T. Bright Elementary School on November18th
TheLawrenceReedCase:72Arrests
The most harrowing incident occurred November 17th when Lawrence Reed, 50, allegedlyset26-year-oldBethanyMaGeeonfire aboard a CTABlue Line train Reed purchased gasoline 20 minutes before boarding, poured it onMaGeewithoutprovocation,andignitedher as she tried to escape She remains hospitalized with life-threatening burns covering more than halfherbody
Reed has been arrested 72 times since turning 18,withconvictionsincludingbatteryandarson.
In 2020, he was sentenced to mental health probation for setting a fire at the Thompson Center Justmonthsbeforethetrainattack,Reed was arrested forassaulting a socialworkerwhile apsychiatricpatientatMacNealHospital yeta judge released him on electronic monitoring despiteprosecutors’objections.
Federal prosecutors charged Reed with committing a terrorist attack on mass transportation, carrying a potential life sentence. During custody transport, he repeatedly yelled “burn b**” and “burn alive b**” In court, he declined legal representation and asked to be detained,stating“it’sformyownsafety”
Retributionvs Rehabilitation
ThesecasesilluminateChicago’sstrugglebetween punishmentandprevention
These cases illuminate Chicago’s struggle between punishment and prevention Mayor Brandon Johnson called the CTA attack “ an absolute failure of our criminal justiceandmentalhealthinstitutions,”noting Reed was “clearly mentally unstable” and poseddangertohimselfandthepublic
The tension reflects broader criminal justice debates. Retribution emphasizes accountability and proportional punishment, providing moral closure for victims and deterring future crime
Rehabilitation focuses on addressing root causes poverty, substance abuse, mental illness, lack of education to break cycles of violence.
Evidence shows rehabilitation programs work Northwestern University research found participants in Chicago’s CRED violenceinterventionprogramwere73%less likely to be arrested for violent crimes over two years Yet Chicago allocated only $44 million in federal COVID relief to violence preventionfrom2021-2024,farbelowinitial commitments
The reality: Chicago needs both accountabilityandhealing Reed’scaseshows thatreleasingseverelymentallyillindividuals without treatment endangers communities
The Bright Elementary bullying demonstrates that ignoring early warning signs allows violence to escalate The question isn’t punishment versus rehabilitation it’s how to implement systems that hold people accountable while addressing the conditions that create harm. Until Chicago commits resources to both, thecyclecontinues.
Illustration: Eli
MALACHI WEBSTER - STAFF WRITER
Black-Owned&Chicago-Grown:HolidayFavorites
Theholidayseasonalwaysbringsashiftinthecity Lights go up, families gather, neighborhoods feel warmer and our traditions take center stage This year,weencourageyoutobeintentionalaboutthe places you choose to support Chicago’s Black owned businesses represent food, culture, creativity and community They are the places wherewemeet,celebrateandfeelathome
Whether you are revisiting a familiar favorite or discovering a new venue for the first time, your support helps keep these spaces thriving. At ChicagoNewsWeekly,weplantohighlightBlack ownedbusinessesallseasonlong Wealsowantto hear from you. Tell us your favorites so we can continuetosharethemintheweeksahead
Below is our list of fifteen of the most loved, most talked about and most trusted Black owned businesses in Chicago These spots continuetoearnstrongreviews,loyalcustomers andrealcommunityenergy
Whetheryouarerevisitingafamiliarfavoriteor discoveringanewvenueforthefirsttime,your support helps keep these spaces thriving At Chicago News Weekly, we plan to highlight Blackownedbusinessesallseasonlong Wealso wanttohearfromyou Tellusyourfavoritesso we can continue to share them in the weeks ahead
1.BronzevilleWinery 4420SCottageGroveAve
AbeautifullydesignedSouthSide spacewithlivemusic,curatedwines andawarm,artisticatmosphere Manypeoplecallitoneofthebest datenightspotsinChicago
2 TheStaley 932WRandolphSt
Stylish,modernandperfectfor celebrations.Visitorsoftenhighlight thethoughtfuldetails,polished serviceandsophisticatedcocktails.
3 LexingtonBettySmokehouse 756E111thSt
AwardwinningbarbecuefromChef DominiqueLeach Thebrisket,rib tipsandsmokedturkeyarefavorites forlocalsacrossthecity
4.Cleo’sSouthernCuisine 4248SCottageGroveAve
Soulfulcomfortfoodthattasteslike family Knownforwarmservice, flavorfuldishesandaninviting atmosphere.
5.SignatureSteakhouse 415NMilwaukeeAve ARiverWestfavoritefor anniversariesandspecialnightsout Guestsappreciatethepremiumcuts andelegantpresentation.
6 Taste222 222NCanalSt
Acalmandbrightcaféatmosphere knownforhomemadesoups,fresh saladsandexceptionalservice.A greatspotforlunchorhappyhour
7 Rebel&RyeLounge 414SWellsSt
Anelegantloungewherepeople enjoycuratedcocktails,goodmusic andagrown,relaxedvibe.
8.Sip&Savor Multiplelocations Abelovedcoffeehouserooted incommunity Customers appreciatetheconsistently gooddrinks,friendlystaffand localart
9 Ain’tSheSweetCafé 526E43rdStand9920S WesternAve ASouthSidefavoritefor wraps,smoothiesand desserts.Peopledescribeitas comforting,freshand dependable
10.Pookie’sCrackCakes 105E 47thSt, Knownforsweetpotatocakes, banana pudding and desserts that taste nostalgic and homemade
11.SoulVibez 226WChicagoAve
A lively space for brunch, music and celebrations Guests love the energy and weekendatmosphere
12 BronzevilleSoul 4655SKingDr Authentic soul food with generous portions and warm hospitality A neighborhood staple
13. Semicolon Bookstore & Gallery 1802WGrandAve
A space dedicated to literacy, storytelling and art Visitors describe it as inspiring and intentional
14 The Silver Room (Hyde Park) 1506E53rdSt
A cultural landmark offering jewelry, apparel, art and communityfocusedevents A cornerstone of Chicago’s creativescene
15.KilwinsHydePark 5226SHarperAve
A beloved shop known for handmade fudge, ice cream, chocolates and caramel apples. Family friendly with strongcommunityties
BONUSBUSINESS!
One of your favorite venues Green Dragon Tacos is now Crossover Grill, with the new design, and same quality taoos, thisnewspacelocatedon825W 75 street. Keep them on your radar! th
ThePoweroftheShift
Part3oftheseries
DrSanjaRicketteStinson-Columnist
IIfthepauseiswhereclaritybegins, andthepivotiswherecouragesteps in, then the shift is where transformationtakesroot Theshiftisthemomentwhenwhat God has been stirringinyourspirit becomes visible in your steps It’s the place where faith turns into movement, ideas turn into action, and vision turns into a new lived reality Intruth,theshiftisthemost challenging part of the journey because it requires you to become the person you ’ ve been praying about, preparing for, and pivoting toward The shift doesn’t wait for perfect timing or perfect conditions It shows up asking one question: Are you willing to move differentlynow?
The pivot introduces the new directionbuttheshiftdemandsthat you walk in it. And walking into a new chapter especially after decades in a role, a relationship, a ministry, or a career takes a different kind of strength It’s one thingtosensechange.It’sanotherto stepintoit
Mypivotdidn’tleadmebackward it expandedmeforward.Formany leaders especiallythoseofuswho havepoureddecadesintotheworkof service thepivotcanfeelboth excitingandterrifyingYou’vespent yearsbuildingsystems,solving problems,fillinggaps,andcarryingthe weightofentirecommunitiesonyour shouldersYouridentitybecomes intertwinedwiththework,themission, andthepeopleyou’veserved
Afterretiringfrommorethanthree decades of nonprofit leadership, I felt the weight of this truth I had paused and gained clarity I had pivoted emotionally, spiritually, and professionally But steppinginto the shift meant embracing an identity beyond the familiar It meant trusting that my gifts, wisdom, and leadership didn’t expire when my job description did Consequently, theshiftrequiredmeto:
Usetechnologyinnewways
Step boldly intoAI strategy and digitalinnovation
Launch new platforms for coachingandteaching
Show up with the confidence that God was still writing my story
Walk in purpose without clingingtoanoldposition
Shifting felt like walking on water somedays steadyandmiraculous Other days, it felt like learning to walk all over again But just like Peter, the key was not the water beneath me itwas the One calling meforward
Why theShiftFeelsLikeaStretch
It felt like a stretching, because it is The shift will stretch your comfort zone,yourmindset,yourhabits,and your faith It will stretch your imagination and yourwillingness to trysomethingnew Butthestretchis not a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of growth
Many of us have lived through seasons where we were stretched thin.Yet the shift that I am speaking about it quiet difference because it stretches you upward toward new possibilities, new connections, and new expressions of purpose Being transparent, the shift is emotional, spiritual strategic and necessary Because purpose evolves. Calling deepens Assignment changes And theshiftopensthedoorforallofit
The moment you realize you can’t go back. With shift contains a defining moment a point where going backward is no longer an option Forsome, it’s the moment a job ends, others, it’s when the childrenleavehome.Sometimesit’s the loss of a role, a relationship, a ministry, or a season. And sometimes it’s simply the undeniable sense that “I cannot stay where I’ve been” The shift is the internal agreement that forward is the onlydirection left.This iswhere you take everything from the pause and everything from the pivot and begin to live out the next version of yourself
You stop apologizing for your reinvention.
You stop minimizing your experience.
Youstopwaitingforsomeoneelseto confirmwhatGodalreadysaid In this phase, here’s where you give yourself permission to evolve Viewing it from biblical lenses, scripture is clear No one God call stayed the same. Scripture is clear: “nooneGodcalledstayedthesame”
But a pivot is an invitation to grow beyond what was It’s permission to evolve without apology This is why pivotingisessential: Yourcallingisstillalive Yourwisdomisstillvalid. Yourvoicestillcarriesweight Yourexperienceisstillneeded justinanewform
After pausing in the wilderness and pivoting at the burning bush, Moses shiftedintoleadership Afterlosingeverythingand pivoting toward Naomi, Ruth shifted into destiny
After encountering Jesus, Paul shiftedfrompersecutortopreacher
Even Jesus, after pausing in stillness andpivotingtowardpurpose,shifted intoHispublicministrywithpower Your shift is not about becoming someone new it’s about becoming who you were always meant to be. So, what are some practical ways to embracetheshift
Greatquestion Herearethreetruthstobuildyouintoyour shiftingseason:
1 WalkEvenIfYou’reWobbling:Youdon’tneedconfidence to start; starting building confidence, as consistency will createclarityandyourmovementattractsmomentum
2. Trust What God Developed in the Dark: The many lessons, disappointment, tears, the years of leadership, the quietmomentofuncertainty,noneofitwaswasted Thisis wheretheshiftbeginstomakesense.
3 SurroundYourselfwithForwardThinkers:Noteveryone willunderstandyourshiftandthat’sokay. Somepeopleare connectedtowhoyouwere,andnotwhoyouarebecoming
The shift is your permission to “live again” For many women especially seasoned women over 50 and 60 and beyond the shift is the season where life finally comes into alignment You’veserved,led,sacrificed,built,nurtured,and carried so much. Now the shift invites you to build somethingthatcarriesyou Beveryclear:It’snotselfish,nor isitreckless,ortolate It’salignment
Your shift might look like entrepreneurship, teaching, consulting, writing, becoming an AI strategist, traveling, speaking, mentoring, or rediscovering passions that were placedonhold Whateverformittakes,theshiftisproofthat purposeneverretires.Inconclusion:
Thepausepreparedyou Thepivotredirectedyou. Theshiftwilltransformyou
Andthis righthere,rightnow istheseasontowalkboldly intoeverythingGodisunfolding
Images capture a vibrant evening at Tala Gallery as Press Forward Chicago welcomed its 2025 grant recipients into the Peer Learning Community (PLC) Akey moment features Chicago NewsWeekly’s Chief Content Officer, Laura Miller, in a live interview where she shared her organization’s experience in the Peer Learning Community Program. Photos highlight guests networking across cohorts, celebrating the achievements of the 2024 PLC members, and enjoying appetizers and beverages while DJ Antonio Robles providedthenight’ssoundtrack
PRESS FORWARD – CNW REWIND
Images highlight the Peer Learning Community’s third skill-based gathering on November 6, 2025, hosted at CNW Studios, Chicago News Weekly’s new headquarters. Cohort members explored revenue diversification through collaboration, sharing challenges, identifying areas of alignment, and brainstorming early joint project ideas. The photos capture operations, development, and executive team members engaging in practical frameworks and strengthening relationshipstosupportfuturecollaborativefundraisingandrevenue opportunities.
We'veComeaLongWay,ButAIDSIsStillReal
Listen, I was reading an article last week that reinforced what I already know to be true: AIDS is still real, and it still kills Yes, we ’ ve comealongwaysincethoseearlydaysinthe 1980s thoseterrifyingyearswhenitfeltlikea never-endingplague,aconstantdoomsdayof fearanddread Friends,family,lovers people weredroppinglikeflies.
Backthen,weweremisinformedandtoldit wasa “whitegayman’sdisease”Time and painful experience quickly proved that false Anyone can contract HIVif theyhave sexualcontactwithaninfectedpartner
Recently, I read an article on BlackDoctor.org titled“MyStory:MyDadDiedFromAIDS & I’m HIV Positive.” It’s the story of Duane, whose father died of AIDS 40 years ago Because the stigma was so heavy then, the family told everyone he had died of cancer Duane recalls, “He had been sick on and off for quite some time; the doctors really didn’t knowwhatwasgoingon Inthe’80s,whenmy fatherdied,therewerenomedications…there was a lot of shame and guilt around HIV/AIDS We were really fearful of the stigma…weactuallytoldpeoplehehaddiedof cancer ”
Readingthis,Ismiledsadly,rememberingjust howfarwe’vecome Today,DuaneCrameris an internationally known, award-winning photographer and a powerful advocate for HIVawareness Hesteppedintothatroleafter discovering that his best friend his father haddiedofthedisease
As I read, I thought to myself: we need to be reminded that sexual-relationship etiquette has not changed, my friends Brothers, put a raincoatonit Sisters,makesuretheydo And ladies you have the option of female protection as well Yes, these things may take away some of the spontaneity and romance, but think about the alternative I think we all agree that precautions win the debate every time
After his father’s passing, Duane began volunteering to help create an informed community around HIV/AIDS from a Black perspective a story that needed to be told. Ten years into that work, he contracted HIV through a relationship. Both diagnoses his father’s and his own fueled his passion to educatethecommunityevenmore
Duane’scontinuedadvocacyincludesworking with Merck on Project I Design, an educational campaign that empowers people livingwith HIVtoworkwith theirdoctors on their own terms He urges, “I want our Black community to be authentic and share their experiences, especiallywith theirdoctors Too oftenwedon’ttellourdoctorsthewholestory, which delays accurate diagnosis and treatment Berealsoyoucanbehealthier No matterwhathappens,keepapositiveattitude.”
WhatIsDuaneUptoNow?
Duane is a member of the AIDS United Advisory Council. The council provides strategic guidance to AIDS United’s Board of Trustees and leadership, acting as ambassadors to strengthen the organization’s resources, grantmaking, capacity-building, andadvocacy.
Their experience and passion are essential as the HIV sector faces ongoing political and economic challenges Mistrust and stigma: A legacy of medical racism, from Tuskegee to present-day inequities, fosters deep mistrust Within the community, stigma often delays treatment
Criminalization: Too often, those in crisisaremetwithpoliceratherthan healthcare providers, leading to incarcerationinsteadofrecovery
WaysYouCanGetHIV
Just to clear up any misconceptions: HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)isspreadthroughcontactwith specific body fluids from a person who has HIV and a detectable viral load.
Thosefluidsinclude:
Sweat,tears,orsaliva(unlessmixedwithlargeamounts ofblood extremelyrare)
Vaginalfluids
Rectalfluids
Breastmilk
Common transmission methods:
Unprotectedsex(anal,vaginal,or rarely oral) with someone whohasHIV
Sharing needles or syringes for drugs,hormones,orsteroids
Mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding if the mother is untreated
Receiving contaminated blood ororgans (extremelyrarewhere screeningoccurs)
Accidental needle sticks, usually inhealthcaresettings
WaysYouCannotGetHIV
HIV cannot be spread through casual or everyday contact It doesnotsurvivelongoutsidethe body and cannot reproduce outsideahumanhost
YoucannotgetHIVfrom:
Hugging, shaking hands, or kissing(unlessbloodispresent)
Sharingfood,drinks,orutensils
Toilet seats, showers, or swimmingpools
Insect bites (mosquitoes, ticks, etc.)
Coughingorsneezing
Donatingblood(equipmentissterileandsingle-use)
Memorizetheseprecautions,anddon’tthrowthemout thewindowintheheatofpassion.
“DaBears”SitAtoptheNFC—ButForHowLong?
For the first time in more than a decade, the road to the SuperBowl currentlyruns through Chicago. After a statement win over the defending champion PhiladelphiaEagles and achaoticWeek13 across the league, the Bears have climbed to the top spot in the NFC playoff picture witha9–3record,holdingtiebreakersover boththeLosAngelesRamsandEagles
In acityused to seeingits football team in rebuilding mode by Thanksgiving, the Bears’ surge feels almost surreal Under first-year head coach Ben Johnson, Chicago has ripped off five straight wins and nine victories in its last 10 games, transforming a team many expected to hover near 500 into the conference’s currentNo.1seed.
The formula has been equal parts oldschool Monsters of the Midwayand newschool finesse. On Black Friday in Philadelphia, the Bears’ ground game bludgeonedtheEagleswithararedoublebarrel performance: Kyle Monangai and D’Andre Swift each rushed for more than 125 yards and a touchdown, the first teammates to hit that mark in the same game since 2014. Quarterback Caleb Williams,inhissecondseason,hasquietly stabilized after early inconsistency, throwing eight touchdowns to just one interceptionoverthelastfivegames
But if the record screams contender, the schedule whispers caution Chicago’s victories have largely come against the league’smiddleandlowertiers,withcritics noting that the combined record of the teamstheBearshavebeatensitswellbelow 500 The true tests are stacked up in December
FouroftheBears’finalfivegamesare against teams firmly in the playoff hunt: a homeandhome with the Green Bay Packers, a trip to San Franciscotofacethe49ers,andaNew Year’sshowdownatSoldierFieldwith the Detroit Lions Even a seemingly softer date with the 3–9 Cleveland Browns comes in the middle of that gauntlet Inside Halas Hall, there is little interest in standings banners or “TeamtoBeat”headlines Johnsonhas been adamant that the No. 1 seed is a snapshot,notadestination
“Beingontoprightnowdoesn’tmean anything,”Johnsonsaidthisweek “We haven’tclinchedathing Theonlyway you earn your spot is by going 1–0 eachweek”
SPORTS
That attitude appears to have seeped into the locker room Tight end Cole Kmet shrugged off talk of the Bears being on the “mountaintop,”remindingreportershowquicklyperceptionswung earlierthisseasonafterablowoutlosstoBaltimore Forarosterstill scarredbyyearsoffalsedawns,thereisasensethatrespectwillonly berealifChicagofinishesthejob
Still, for a city that has watched January football from the couch since2020,thepresentmomentisworthsavoring Chicagohasnot started9–3since2010,andthelasttwotimesthefranchisehitthat mark, it reached the NFC Championship Game Sportsbooks and data models now give the Bears strong odds to make the playoffs and a non-trivial shot at representing the conference in the Super Bowl
Whether“DaBears”aretrulytheclassoftheNFC ormerelythebeneficiariesofasoftschedulewill be decided in the coming weeks What is undeniable is that, for now, the standings show Chicagoontop andthatalonehasflippedthe mood in this football town from resignation to possibility
If this run holds, Soldier Field in January won’t justbeapunchlineaboutfrozenturfanddashed hopes. It will be the place every NFC contender hastocomethrough AndinChicago,thatsounds justright
COMMENTARY
TheBookofDavid:TheFlawedLogicofVotingfor “TheBlackCandidate”
In recent months, a familiar theme has resurfaced across Blackmedia: the claim that Blackvoters should support “the Black candidate.”This argument rests on two assumptions first, that electing a Black leader allows Black voters to vicariously experience victory through someone who shares their complexion; and second,thataBlackcandidate,byvirtueofracealone,is more attuned to the lived experiences of Black Americans
It’s an appealing narrative, but it collapses under scrutiny Whiletherearemanyproblemsembeddedin thislogic,twostandoutasespeciallytroublesome
Flaw#1:DemographicsandSimpleMath
Black Americans represent roughly 15% of the US population and historically have the lowest voter turnout of any major ethnic group Even if every eligibleBlackvoterturnedoutandvotedunanimously for the Black candidate, the numbers simply aren’t there.NoBlackcandidatecanwinanationalelection or most statewide elections without substantial supportfromnon-Blackvoters
Here’s where the contradiction surfaces: the entire justificationfor“votefortheBlackcandidate”isrooted in racial affinity the idea that Black people understandBlackpeoplebetterthananyoneelse.
IfthislogicisvalidforBlackvoters,thenitmustalsobevalidfor others Latinoswouldvote forLatinos Asians forAsians Whites forwhites. But if everyonevotes based on racial identification, a Blackcandidate representingjust15%ofthepopulation could never win outside of a majority-Black district or city The very premiseoftheargumentunderminesitsfeasibility
ThePathForward:PolicyOverPigment
The second flaw emerges when the Black candidate loses Too often, the explanation defaults not to policy disagreements, turnout challenges, strategic errors, or shiftingvoter priorities but to racism We saw this after the last presidential election between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump Harris lost by just overtwomillionvotes,yetthedominantexplanationinmuchof BlackAmericawasthatshelostbecausethecountryisracistand sexist
This overlooks a simple but important fact: more than 70 million people voted for her It also ignores the openly stated reasoning of many Black voters who supported Harris because shewasBlack Ifthatmotivationisacceptedandcelebrated,why would it be illegitimate for other groups to vote based on their ownperceivedidentityalignment?Peoplehearthesearguments. Other communities observe the racial rationale And, unsurprisingly, some consider applying the same logic. If the Black community defends voting based on race, it cannot persuasivelycondemnothersfordoingthesame
Ultimately, race-based voting undermines theverycaseforbroadpoliticalsupport The only legitimate reason to vote for any candidate Black, white, Asian, Latino, or otherwise ispolicy.Whataretheyoffering? What solutions are they proposing? Whose interests do their ideas serve? Which directionwilltheytakethecountry,thestate, orthecity?
Identity politics is a dead end because it appeals to the few, not the many. Policy, however,canappealtoanyone
AndifBlackvoterswantbroadersupportfor Black candidates, alienating millions of potential allies by casually labeling them racist after an election loss is not a winning strategy. People are unlikely to vote foryou in the future if they believe you view them with suspicion or contempt Leadership is notaboutsymbolism It’saboutsubstance Andsubstanceiswhatwinselections
MALACHI WEBSTER - STAFF WRITER
DAVID SEATON - COLUMNIST
ARTS&CULTURE
Holiday Arts & Culture Guide: Exhibitions, Theater and Events Fill
Chicago’sWinterCalendar
KAI EL ZABAR EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Chicago’sartsandculturesceneisclosingout2025with apackedslateofexhibitions,performances,andspecial events stretching across the city’s major museums, theaters, and cultural institutions. From large-scale biennials to intimate stage productions, this season offers no shortage of opportunities for holiday exploring
MajorExhibitionsandCitywideEvents
The Chicago Architecture Biennial returns for its sixth edition with “SHIFT: Architecture in Times of Radical Change,” running September 19, 2025 through February 28, 2026 The event anchors dozens of installations and programs at the Chicago Cultural Centerandpartnersitescitywide
AlsoattheCulturalCenter,“NotaSoftThing:AGroup Exhibition by Artist Mothers” remains on display through March 22, 2026, showcasing new work by motherswhousearttoexploreidentity,care,andlabor
At the Museum of Contemporary Art, “Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind” offers an expansive look at the pioneering artist’s multimedia practice The exhibition runsthroughFebruary22,2026
TheCulturalCenterwillalsohostSiskel&Ebertat50,a month-long November screening series and live programcelebratingtheinfluentialChicagocritics.
Spotlight:DuSableBlackHistoryMuseum&Education Center
Through December 31, 2025, the DuSable Museum is presenting “Paris in Black: Internationalism and the Black Renaissance,” a major new exhibition tracing the journeys of Black artists, writers, and intellectuals who foundcreativerefugeinParis Morethan100objects from sculpture to archival photographs are drawn fromthemuseum’spermanentcollection
Additionalstandingexhibitionsinclude:
“TheHaroldWashingtonStory,”chroniclingthelifeand politicallegacyofChicago’sfirstBlackmayor “Fighting Racism in the Trenches: A Colored Woman in World War I,” exploring the service of Kathryn Magnolia Johnson.
“TheManyColorsofUs,”aninteractive,family-oriented experiencefocusedonracialandethnicdiversity
TheDuSablewillalsohosttwoholiday-seasonevents:
“MothershipConnected”BookSigning&Conversation, featuring Seth Neblett and Marcus Chapman on December 6 and 14. The 32nd Annual Glitz Holiday Masquerade, a fundraising gala supporting the museum ’seducationalprogramming
Theater&PerformingArts
Chicago’stheaterdistrictremainsactiveheadingintothe wintermonths:
“MuchAdoAboutNothing”continuesitsrunatChicago ShakespeareTheaterthroughlateNovember
“A Beautiful Noise” fills the Cadillac Palace Theatre throughoutNovemberandDecember
“SIX,”the hit musical remixingthe lives of HenryVIII’s wives,opensattheCIBCTheatreinDecember
“Amadeus”takesthestageatSteppenwolfTheatreinlate November
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra will maintain a full performance schedule at Symphony Center throughtheseason.
BlackTheater:ASeasonofMilestonesandNewWork
Chicago’s Black theater community long one of the city’s cultural pillars enters the holiday season with newproductionsandmajorinstitutionaldevelopments.
The BlackEnsembleTheater(BET) is moving forward with plans for Free to Be Village, a mixed-use development that would expand its Uptown footprint
The project includes a Performing Arts Education Center, a Media and Technology Center, retail space, and 53 affordable housing units for artists. BET is currentlyrehearsing“BlueHeaven,”amusicaltributeto the blues, as the company prepares to mark its 50th anniversaryin2026
The Congo SquareTheatre Company, one of the city’s two Equity theaters dedicated to Black work, continues toadvanceitsCelebrationofHealing(COH)model The initiative pairs theatrical productions with community conversations, film screenings, and resource fairs a program recently backed through the city’s We Will Chicagoplan
Othernotableproductionsinclude:
“The Black Excellence Revue” at The Second City, an improvandsketchcelebrationofBlackjoy
“BlueHeaven”atBlackEnsembleTheater
Arecentstagingof“TheHouseThatWillNotStand”at Invictus Theatre Company, reflecting continued demandforworksbyBlackplaywrights
As the year winds down, Chicago’s arts institutions are offering residents andvisitors a chance to celebrate the holidays with everything from global art retrospectives to homegrown theatrical innovation ensuring the city’sculturalcalendarstaysaslivelyasever
STAYREADYPLAYBOOK
HolidayBlues:WhatAmericansAreCarryingIntotheRemainderofthe Season
Across the United States, millions of people are moving through the holiday season with something far heavier than shopping bags or gift boxes They’re carrying grief, disconnection, financial strain, unresolved trauma, and an exhaustion that can’t be disguised by twinkling lights orcheerful greetings
In recent years, Americans have endured seismic emotional shifts: the loss of loved ones, fractured family structures, distance between relatives who once gathered easily, and benefit changes that leave many unsure how they will feed their children from one month to the next Some still have not reconnected since the pandemic. Others no longer know where their cousins, aunts, or siblings have relocated Manycannot afford to travel at all
This year, inflation, delayed benefits, and rising mental-health challenges have collided at the height of a season that demands joy As one community leader put it, “People are reaching out because they don’t know how they’re going to get through the holidays” That sense of uncertainty mixed with memories of better years has created an emotional climate unlike anythingwe’ve seen in recent history
To better understand what communities are carrying into the holiday season, Chicago News Weekly contributor Laura Miller sat down with Founder Phyllis Rogers, Clinical Psychologist Dr Milton Armstead, and Ambassador Tony Bean of PEER Plus Education & Training Advocates for an expansive conversation on the emotional realities behind this time ofyear.
TheWeightofaSeasonThatExpectsJoy
The holiday season is marketed as warm, bright, and harmonious but the lived reality is often much more complex
People are juggling bills and hoping their benefits arrive on time. They’re choosing between prescription refills and preparing holiday meals They’re cooking dishes that remind them of loved ones who are no longer here. They’re bracing for emotional pressure, difficult family dynamics, and the expectation to smile evenwhen theyare quietly hurting.
Rogers feels this deeply each year In her kitchen, as she prepares seasonal dishes, she is transported back to herlate mother:
“When I’m in the kitchen preparing, I see my mother I can smell the celery and onions on her hands”
The memory is both beautiful and painful She fills herhomewithwarmth forguests,yet she admits: “I’m torn”
This duality celebrating outwardly while grieving inwardly is something manyAmericans quietly carry America Has Changed And So Have OurHolidays
During the conversation with Miller, Armstead described dramatic shifts in emotional well-being, particularlyin Black communities.
Rising depression and anxiety among Black men Growing stress for older adults Food insecurity for single mothers Worsening fatigue among caregivers. These are no longer isolated experiences theyarewidespread
Many people, he noted, don’t even recognize theirsymptoms:
“Sometimes people don’t know the name for what they’ve been going through and they realize,‘I’vebeendepressedfor20years.’”
Previous generations lacked the language for mental health Expressions like “ nervous breakdown” masked complex emotional truths Now, long-buried struggles are surfacing amid increasing social and financial pressures.
TheSilentBurdenofBeingthe‘StrongOne’
Bean shared a story that reflects a common but often invisible struggle: being the person expected to hold everything together.
As the eldest grandchild, she was seen as resilient and steady even while she was privatelyfacing suicidal depression.
“It would feel like I was in Lake Michigan drowning. And they’d say, ‘Go home, you can swim’”
Herhonestyhighlights a critical reality: those who appear strongest are often the ones suffering in silence
Bean found purpose in caring for animals and visiting seniors, directing her compassion outward. But this season, she is learning to protect herown emotional reserves:
“I’m starting to love myself and tell people, ‘No… I don’t have time.’”
Her message is clear: “No” is not rejection It is self-preservation
What Our Communities Are Quietly CarryingIntoDecember
Throughout Miller’s conversation with the PEER Plus team, several themes surfaced repeatedly themes millions are experiencing at this moment:
Grief that resurfaces through food, music, and tradition
The emptychair
The recipe no one can replicate.
A familiar scent that brings tears without warning
Financial strain and food insecurity
Rising grocery prices, inconsistent benefits, and families stretching limited support
The emotional pressure to “perform joy”
Pretending to be fine for the sake of tradition
Caregiver fatigue and eldest-sibling overload
People who care for everyone else while neglecting themselves. Familydisconnection
Loved ones who’ve moved away, relationships that have quietlyunraveled
Unnamed, decades-long mental-health struggles
Symptoms normalized so long they’ ve gone unaddressed.
These realities do not make the holidays less meaningful they make them honest, human, and deserving of compassion
TEENCOMMENTARY
DoWeWantOurChildrenWitnessingChildrenBoundbyZip-Tying?
GRACE DE LEON - DIXON CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Thiscommentarywassubmittedby GraceDe Leon-Dixon,14yearsoldMidtownHigh School,Atlanta,GA
Chicago, notorious for its welcoming behavior, has turned into what many can onlydescribeasabsolutechaos.
DuringtheensuingICEcrackdown,arrests of undocumented immigrants have increased, accompanied by violence that has left the community horrified “This is only the beginning,” is what an ICE agent claimed9monthsagofollowingPresident Trump'sinauguration
Images of ICE agents zip-tying children, ripping away loving fathers from their daughters, and shooting tear gas has flooded the streets, painting an agonizing picture of the current crisis Communities wonderwhy such a merciless approach is beingusedbyICE,andwhythetreatment islastingsolong.Well,theanswerissimple. Theyaredoingitsimplybecausetheycan
Because Chicago is a self-proclaimed sanctuarycity,(acitythattypicallylimitsits interactionswiththenationalgovernment in enforcing immigration law) it’s been considered a safe haven for immigrants, and therefore the cityis being targeted by the Administration’s immigrant detention initiative
Childrenshouldfearmonstersandghouls on Halloween. They should not be afraid that either they or their parents will be detained
On October 31st, parades and other Halloweenfestivitieswerecancelleddueto ICE raids Parents, community members and Democratic Illinois Gov Jay Pritzker strongly urged the agents to cease operations
In response to their pleas, Homeland SecuritySecretaryKristiNoemresponded, "We're absolutely not willing to put on pause any work that we will do to keep communitiessafe."
ICE’s tactics have been deemed heartless and harmful There are other ways to get undocumented citizens either out of the country,ortobecomelegalcitizens.
For example, the voluntary return program found in the CBP Home App provides $1,000 and a plane ticket home Since January 2025, thousands of people have chosen to voluntarily “self-deport” using this program. Though risks such as potential detention and no guarantee of beingabletoreturnlegallystillstand Since January 2025, thousands of people have chosen to voluntarily “self-deport” using thisprogram Though
Since January 2025, thousands of people have chosen to voluntarily “self-deport” using this program Though risks such as potential detention and no guarantee of being able to return legally still stand
ICE has been advised to not conduct enforcement in ICE Free Zones that Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson identified in an executiveorder.
Areas like schools and day cares shouldbeprotected However,since Trump has been in office, he has disregarded the order since ICE agents are not legallybound bythe mayor ’sexecutiveorder.
Federal authority supersedes city ordinances ICE agents detain residents from these locations, and consequently violent arrests have beenmadeinfrontofchildren For example, avideo of two ICE agents aggressively detaining a preschool teacher in front of students has surfaced
“Ihavepapers,”shesaid,desperately The woman is a loved member of the community Parents and children were shocked, some enraged
Unfortunately, the examples of ongoing violence don’t stop. Another video has recently surfaced, which involves a father and his eighteen-month-old daughter
Twenty-four-year-old Carlos Sebastian Zapata and his daughter, Alaia, were taking Zapata’s wife, Alaia’s mother, to her job at Burger King, when their car was suddenly surrounded by agents who bangedontheirwindows
While attempting to try and stop agentsfrompullinghiswifeaway, one officer pressed on Zapata’s neck which caused him to lose consciousness while Alaia, his toddler, layin his arms, crying In the video, he appears to have convulsions
Is it healthy for our children to witness this level of assault? Is it healthy for anyone to witness andexperiencethis?
At this point, I believe it’s not a matterofwho,what, orwhy It’s how.We,includingICE,needto find and use newtactics that are beneficialtoeveryone,orsimply cease all operations if enforcement can’t be done responsibly!
a.ITheAnswerIs..
Today’scomplexsocio-political environmentdemandsthatwe stayontopofourgame
Otherwise,wecaneasilybe hoodwinked lostintranslation andleftacceptingor internalizingthewrong meaningofaword.Itisthe responsibilityofeachofusto checkfacts
Onesuchwordisseditious
Seditiousmeansintendingto encouragepeopletoopposeor rebelagainstagovernmentor lawfulauthority Itrefersto speech,writing,oractionsthat stirupresistancetothe government,includinginciting insurrectionorplottingto overthrowit.
Thiscaninclude:
Incitingrebellion:Encouraging revoltagainstestablishedpower
Actingagainstthegovernment: Workinginwaysthatundermine alawfulauthority
Examples:Distributingseditious pamphlets,makingseditious remarks,orengaginginprotests thatexplicitlyencourage rebellion
Synonymsincludesubversive, rebellious,dissident,mutinous, andinsurgent.
MoreIn-DepthDefinitionof “Seditious”
CoreMeaning:Encouragingor incitingrebellionagainstaruling power
Focus:Theactionorintentis specificallydirectedatthe governmentoranother recognizedauthority
Origin:FromtheLatin seditionem,meaning“civil disorder,dissension,strife,or rebellion.”
SynonymsandTheir Interconnections
Theserelatedwordssharea commonthread challenging orresistingestablishedpower buteachemphasizesa slightlydifferentnuance:
Subversive–Undermining authorityfromwithin,often subtlyorindirectly Its connectiontoseditiousliesin thesharedgoalofdestabilizing authority,thoughsubversionis typicallylessovert
Rebellious–Openlyresisting ordefyingauthority It overlapswithseditionthrough itsdirectdefianceofcontrol, theveryattitudethatoften leadstoseditiousbehavior.
Dissident–Disagreeingwithan establishedpoliticalorreligious system Adissidentvoices opposition,whilesedition encouragesotherstotakeaction againstauthority
Mutinous–Refusingtoobey theordersofsomeonein authority,especiallyina structuredgrouplikethemilitary oraboardaship Itsharesthe elementofactiverebellion withinahierarchy
Insurgent–Risinginactive revoltagainstanestablished government Insurgency representsthephysicalrebellion thatseditionseekstoincite
Seditionvs.Insurrection
Ifseditionistheincitementor planningofanuprising,then insurrectionistheuprisingitself theactualviolentorforceful action.Insurrectionisthe culminationofwhatsedition putsintomotion
Here’showtheyrelate:
SeditionastheCatalyst: Seditioninvolveswordsorcovert actionsthatencourage,promote, orplanrebellion Itcreatesthe environmentinwhichan uprisingbecomespossible.
Seditiousconspiracy afederal crime occurswhentwoor morepeopleplottooverthrow thegovernmentbyforceoruse forcetohindertheexecutionof US law
InsurrectionastheAction: Insurrectionistheactive,often violentrebellionagainst authority Itisthephysical manifestationoftheideas encouragedbysedition
TheSpectrumofOpposition
Thesetermsfallalonga continuum from disagreementto encouragementofrevolttothe revoltitself:
Dissident:Disagreeswith authority
Seditious:Encouragesothers torebel
Insurgent:Carriesoutthe rebellion
Alldescribeactionsorattitudes thatmoveawayfrom complianceandtoward oppositionagainstalegitimate governingbodyorsystem
LOVE&RELATIONSHIP
QuietQuittinginMarriageIsn’tNew.WeJustFinallyNamedIt
LAURA MILLER - MANAGING EDITOR
For all the buzz around “quiet quitting” in relationships, you’d think modern couples invented the ideaof emotionallycheckingout Social media treats it like a new revelation: partners who stop trying, stop fighting, stop hoping, and quietlydrift. But as anyonewith ameemaw cantellyou,thisisnothingnew Theonlymodernpartisthelabel The behavioritselfisolderthanmostoftheadvicecolumnsdiscussingit
Quiet quitting in marriage is the slow retreat that happens when emotional needs go unmet for so long that confronting the problem feels harder than avoiding it And let’s be honest: confrontation is exhausting Itrequiresenergyandvulnerability,twothingsmanyadults struggletofindafterwork,bills,children,andthegeneralweightofdaily life So instead of addressing issues, couples shift their attention elsewhere.Theyadapt rather than ask for change.Theycoexist rather thanconnect
This drifting is not passive It is shaped bysmall decisions The choice nottomentionsomethingthathurt.Thechoicetostaybusyratherthan engaged The choice to let distance feel easier than honesty It seems harmless at first, maybe even protective But like a slow leak, the damage grows until the foundation of the marriage quietly reshapes itself
Hereisthedifficulttruth:iftherelationshipisalreadyover,doyouwant to wait years before admitting it? That is often what happens in quiet quitting Couples do not end the marriage They simply stop participating in it. One or both partners may feel the relationship has flatlined, yet remain out of fear, convenience, habit, or hope that somethingmightshiftonitsown
Meanwhile, time keeps moving It takes with it moments of joy, connection,andpossibility Youcanenduphauntingyourownlifelong beforethemarriageofficiallyends
Andcaughtinsidethisquietretreatisanoverlookedquestion:howdoes the other partner feel? Even while sharing a home, their internal experience can remain completely unknown They might sense somethingis off ortheymayhave no ideawhat changed Theymight feel rejected, confused, ashamed, or numb. Living together does not guarantee understanding Sometimes the person next toyou feels like someonewhoselanguageyounolongerspeak
Thisisnotanargumentforimpulsiveendings Itisanacknowledgment that silence often stretches far longer than intended Quiet quitting becomes harmful not only because it weakens the relationship, but becauseitdrainstheindividualswithinit Whenpeoplefinallyfacethe truth,theyoftenregretthetimetheyremainedinlimbomorethanthe relationshipitself
What is striking is how universal this experience is Your meemaw probably quiet quit her marriage at least once Long-married couples often lived through years of distance, came back together, separated again, and eventually found each other in old age They did not call it quiet quitting Theycalled it makingdo orsimplylife And sometimes, likemeemawandBigJimontheirporchintheeveninglight,peopledo reconnect
Modern couples, however, face different pressures We have more language, more psychological insight, more autonomy, and fewer cultural expectations to simply endure So when people disconnect now,itisnotoutofobligation Itisoutofexhaustion Andexhaustion hasconsequences.Emotionaldistance,oncenormalized,canbecome alifestyle
Inthemidstofthis,choosingtostaycanbejustasdifficultaschoosingto end the relationship. Both paths demand courage, honesty, and a willingnesstoconfronttruthsthatareeasiertoignore
This is why the conversation around quiet quitting matters It names somethingthathasalwaysexistedbutwasoftendismissedasthenatural decline of marriage Naming it makes it visible Once visible, it can be evaluated. Couples can determinewhetherthe distance is a temporary pauseoraslowdisappearance
Quiet quitting is not automatically destructive. Some seasons require pulling back to regain stability or clarity But when the pause becomes the default, the marriage enters a fragile place Reconnection requires intention,nothope.Youcannotrevivearelationshipyounolongershow upfor
Sono,quietquittingisnotnew Itisanoldcopingmechanismdressedin modern vocabulary What is new is our willingness to acknowledge it andtoasktheharderquestion: If you realize you have quietly quit, how long will you remain silent beforeyouchoosewhatcomesnext?
Quietquittingmaybequiet,buttheconsequencesneverare
INMEMEMORIAM
ALifeinFull:RememberingKevinE.Ross
LAURA MILLER - MANAGING EDITOR
Kevin E. Ross creative visionary, cultural architect,andbelovedfigurebridgingSacramento and Chicago passed away of natural causes on December 1, 2025. He is survived by his loving mother, sister, and niece in the Bay Area, along with an expansive family of colleagues, artists, entrepreneurs, and friendswhowere touched by hisgenerosity,brilliance,andwarmth
Born and raised in Sacramento, Kevin often described himself simply: “I’m just a kid from Sacramentowhohadadreamat15 nottobethe artist, but to build the artist” That dream guided him for more than 40 years as he shaped talent, culture, and brand storytelling in music, media, andlaterinfashion.Hischildhoodwasshapedby thediversesoundsofhisparents’albumsandlate nights listening to his father’s portable radio Those early moments sparked a gift for recognizing talent and understanding cultural shiftslongbeforeothersnoticedthem
Kevin’s early career began in college radio at the University of California, Davis, where he became an on-air personality at KDVS His growing reputation led to roles at Valley Records, Tower Records, and KSFM 1025 These experiences expanded his network and introduced him to label executives, artists, and opportunities that would mark the foundation of his life’s work A pivotal moment came with his encounter with Suge Knight during Snoop Dogg’s early rise an encounterthatconfirmedKevin’scallingtoshape culturefrombehindthescenes.
HismovetoLosAngelesandsubsequenthiringat Motown Records in 1995 were defining moments.There,Kevinworkedundercelebrated industryleadersandsupportedprojectsinvolving iconicartists Hisjourneyultimatelybroughthim to Chicago a city that transformed him As he often said, “California raised me, but Chicago made me. ” This was where he grew not only professionally, but personally, expanding his creativeidentityanddeepeninghisconnectionto thecommunitiesheserved
In 2008, following a corporate layoff, Kevin turned uncertainty into reinvention by founding what would become TwoguardMediaGroup Originally envisioned as a support system for independent Chicago artists, the company evolved into a branding, media, and cultural strategy firm serving musicians, venues, authors, designers, and major national brands Kevin led with intuition, style, and intention always believinginthestoriesbehindthework
In recent years, Kevin embraced reinvention again through MODE, his fashion-forward businessventure.Reinventionwasneverafearfor him it was a philosophy He understood the need to evolve, to stretch, and to find new spaces that allowed his gifts to grow. He was constantly learning, never intimidated by unfamiliar territory,alwayshumbledandexcitedbywhathe didn’t yet know This hunger to learn made him deeplyadmiredandwidelyrespected
Kevin’s presence in Chicago’s fashion communitybecameespeciallysignificantinhis later years. He was a regular front-row supporteratChicagoFashionWeek,knownfor championing designers, creatives, and new talent Beyondattending,hetookonactiveroles within the community: working with Fashion Labs Chicago Fashion Week as a host, curator, and collaborator, assisting in producing events that uplifted Chicago’s diverse fashion voices Through MODE, he built partnerships that solidified his influence in Chicago’s expanding fashionmovement.
Kevin was also a valued member of the Chicago News Weekly family. As a Sales Associate, he contributed by bringing in community-minded businesses and strengthening partnerships that supported the publication’s mission He believed in highlighting organizations that gave back and uplifting stories of service across the city His colleagues admired his professionalism, kindness, and unwaveringdedication
Faith grounded Kevin He put GOD first always He spoke often about gratitude: for blessings he had received and for those he trusted were still on the way. His humility, paired with ambition, made him rare He was grounded yet visionary,confidentyetteachable,boldyetdeeplyhuman Reflecting on his life, Kevin once said, “They said I wouldn’t makeit Ialmostbelievedthem Wewerebothwrong” Thistruthreflectedhisjourney:oneofresilience,reinvention, love,andunwaveringbeliefinhispurpose
Kevin’slegacylivesonintheartistsheuplifted,thebrandshe built,thebusinesseshesupported,thefashioncommunityhe elevated, and the countless lives he encouraged It lives in everydream he helped someone pursue and in everyspace heenrichedwithhispresence
He will be deeply missed, profoundly remembered, and foreverloved.
FOOD&WINE
MixedCheeseMacaroni
MARI EVANS - STAFF WRITER
It’sholidayseason aperfecttimetoindulgeinthejoyofcomfortfoodwhile enjoyingtheglowoffestivedecorations AcrossAmerica,macaroniandcheese remainsatopfavorite Thisrecipecelebratestherich,layeredflavorthatcomes notfromonecheese,butfromablendofthree,creatingadishyou’llsavorand remember
Thisversionpromisestobecomeoneofyourall-timefavorites Let’sget started.
Overview
Andletmetellyou lastyear’schampiondishwasthebig,puffybakedsweet potatoes Mymemoryfootnotedtheirwarm,cozy,healthygoodness Somove overandlet’sgetjiggywithit
Thekeytoarich,flavorfulmacaroniandcheeseisblendingcheesesfordepth andtexture sharpcheddar,GruyèreorGoudaforcomplexity,andMonterey Jackormozzarellaforcreaminess Mixandmatchtosuityourtaste
Ingredients
1lbelbowmacaroni(orsimilarpasta)
4tbspunsaltedbutter(plusextraforgreasingandtopping) ¼cupall-purposeflour
3cupswholemilk
½cupheavycream(optional)
4cupsshreddedsharpcheddar,divided 1cupshreddedGruyèreorsmokedGouda ½cupshreddedParmesan,divided 1cupshreddedMontereyJackormozzarella 1tspsalt
½tspblackpepper ¼tspnutmeg
1tspdrymustard
½cupbreadcrumbs(preferablyPanko),mixedwith2tbspmeltedbutter
Instructions
1.CookPasta:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) Cook pasta in salted water until slightly underdone Drain
2 PrepareSauce:
Melt butterin a saucepan overmedium heat Whisk in flourand cook for1 minute Graduallyadd milkand cream,whisking until smooth Seasonwith salt,pepper,nutmeg,andmustard Simmeruntilthickened
3 AddCheese:
Removefromheatandstirinmostofthecheesesuntilmeltedandsmooth
4.Assemble: Combinepastawithsauceandtransfertoagreased9×13-inchbakingdish.
5.TopandBake:
Sprinklereservedcheeseandthebreadcrumbmixtureoverthetop Bakefor 25–35minutes,untilgoldenandbubbly
6 Serve:
Letrest10–15minutesbeforeserving SuggestedSideDishes
Sweetpotatocasserole,greenbeans,okra,bakedpotatoes,homemadedinner rolls,cranberrysauce,bakedham,porkchops,orroastedchicken.
PopularCheeseCombinations:
Cheddar&MontereyJack:Classicflavorwithcreamytexture SmokedGouda&Cheddar:Smokydepth Fontina,Parmesan&Cheddar:Richandcomplex WhiteCheddar&Provolone:Smoothandmild Cheddar,Mozzare
BalletFlatsAreBackWithaVengeance FASHION
Ifyou’reasix-inchstilettokindofgirl, you may never have reached for the smooth, sleek ballet flat which has alwaysowneditsownuniquebrandof sexy As much as I love my stilettos, I love my ballet flats just as much They’re two different sides of sexy They may seem like extremes, but they’retrulynot.
Designers still haven’t figured out what to do with that true ballet wooden-toe look the one style that says it all. Naturally, the nonthreatening round-toe ballet flat has swung in and out of fashion for decades, resurfacing in various designers’ collections as a tease But it never quite catches on as a standalonethang.
Rightnow,though,theyfinallyhavea chance to become central to the conversation thanks to the shift away from bulky, maximalist footwear and toward shoes that feel lighter, cleaner, softer, and genuinely wearable
Letmetellyou:Ido10,000to16,000 steps a day, and I take every one of them in ballet slippers comfortably. Functional? Yes! I’ve walked in them through cities, skipped in them through parks and golf courses while holding a lover’s hand, chilled on a yacht in shorts and a tank top, and ridden my bike in ballet slippers. I’ve wornthemonplanes,todinnerswith a fabulous dress in place of heels, through airports, and on all-day shopping sprees And that’s not even thefulllist.
Ballet slippers have me because I can getmysexyonandfeellikemyoutfit iscomplete.Ialwayshatedthelookof athletic shoes with a suit or dress even though we all bought in for a minute And I definitely hate seeing women start the night in Louboutins or Jimmy Choos and end it sloshing around in house shoes And just becausethey’reGuccidoesn’tmakeit anybetter.Switchingfromexpensive heels to equally expensive slippers? Spare me It’s not a good look and honestly, it just says you ’ re crazier than we thought All that money spent to look good, all for naught, becausewhatpeoplerememberisthe finale
And listen don’t follow the stars Theydon’tknoweither unlessthey haveanA-liststylist
Zendayaisonetowatch.She’salways classically flawless, and lately she’s beenanchoringherlookswithleather balletflats
The old ballet-flat formula asoftround toe no longer applies Now it’s all about contrast: wide trousers with squaretoe flats; that badass ballerina energy with floaty dresses grounded by glovesoft leather; coats and structured jackets paired with a simple almond shape. Just check the fashion pages and catch the fire Look to designers like Chanel, Givenchy, Ferragamo, Alaïa, Isabel Marant, Erdem, Simone Rocha, Dries Van Noten, Sandy Liang,andLudovicde SaintSernin,allrolling out versions in satin, leather, studs, and crochet.
MARI EVANS - STAFF WRITER
