Michael Sneed

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (left) greets Bill Murray at Harry Caray’s Tavern at Navy Pier as Grant DePorter (far right) looks on on Feb. 2.

Uncertainty shadowed Bill Murray’s Groundhog Day event — but he gave guests memories to relive again and again

Grant DePorter, a huge Murray fan and CEO of Harry Caray’s restaurant group, fretted for months over the invite he had dispatched to Murray to attend a special event on Feb. 2 at their Navy Pier eatery.

By Michael Sneed

Father Michael Pfleger points to the sign outside the Faith Community of St. Sabina Catholic Church bearing his simple message for the Democratic National Committee.

Columnists

Pfleger demands DNC fund homes for Chicago’s unhoused before Democratic National Convention — or stay home

The legendary peace priest plans to lead a protest Feb. 15 demanding the Democratic National Committee set aside funds to house Chicago’s homeless residents. “Our message is simple: ‘No money put aside for the homeless: No convention,’ ” said Pfleger.

By Michael Sneed

Chicago Rabbi Barry Axler, 77, (from left) and his wife, Morene Dunn, 80, and their friends Shosh and Jason Mitzkin pose on a terrace in Tel Aviv last month. Axler and Dunn are wearing sweatshirts calling for the release of the hostages, bearing the plea “Bring Them Home” in Hebrew.

Columnists

Grilling 700 burgers and hot dogs ‘exhausting but exhilarating’ — when done to feed Israeli soldiers near the Gaza border

Chicago Rabbi Barry Axler, 77, and his wife, Morene Dunn, 80, joined volunteers at an Air Force Base near Gaza last month, helping feed frontline soldiers serving in the Israel-Hamas War.

By Michael Sneed

A family looks over the menu at Rosebud.

Columnists

Rosebud on Taylor’s Italian restaurant’s arrivederci, switch to special events venue prompt memories

“This place has too much history to close,” says owner Alex Dana, who recently announced a switch from restaurant to a “speakeasy” for larger groups.

By Michael Sneed

The flagship location for Rosebud located at 1500 West Taylor Street will be ceasing service at this location and turning into private event space starting in the new year.

Columnists

Rosebud is closing to diners after 50 years on Taylor, will reopen as special events ‘speakeasy’

The legendary mainstay of Little Italy, once the “red sauce” destination for everyone from Frank Sinatra to Oprah Winfrey to Robert De Niro, will be open for regular dining through New Year’s Eve, and then only to bookings for bigger parties.

By Michael Sneed

Cindy Pritzker stands beneath a portrait of her that hangs at Cindy’s Rooftop restaurant. She turned 100 in December.

News

100 years strong: Pritzker family matriarch celebrates her centennial at Riccardo Trattoria

‘We are so lucky to still have her,’ Gigi Pritzker says of her colorful mother

By Michael Sneed

Columnists

Chicago couple heading to front lines of Israel-Hamas War — to grill food for Israeli soldiers

Rabbi Barry Axler and his wife, Morene Dunn, of River North, are heading to Israel and near Gaza this weekend to feed members of the Israeli Defense Forces, which include two of his grandchildren.

By Michael Sneed

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle (left) and County Treasurer Maria Pappas show off a jacket Pappas gave Preckwinkle on Thursday.

Columnists

A more tony Preckwinkle? Pappas adds a little wow to wardrobe of County Board president for the holidays

Toni Preckwinkle is known for her restrained yet clearly commanding presence, sporting a rather sensible, no flair look. Guess what Maria Pappas gave her for Christmas? “I thought Toni could use some Pappas style,” the treasurer told Sneed.

By Michael Sneed

The Thanksgiving window at the now-shuttered Country Shop in Winnetka.

Columnists

We cry, we cringe, we question — but still, we give thanks

So on this Thanksgiving Day let’s give thanks for the hope of a humanitarian pause to free victims from unspeakable carnage and pause as Americans to count our blessings — and try not to abandon each other.

By Michael Sneed