Steve Scott's Blog

Can you believe that my coffee grinder - which I brought from home for all to use - has disappeared from the lunch room at WLS? When co-worker Tim and I wanted to grind some Starbucks coffee that he had brought in this morning...we found the grinder gone from its traditional perch atop the toxic fridge in the lunch room. And, Tim says he saw the grinder in there just yesterday.

The thing only cost about $25...but that's not the point. Grrrr...we want our coffee!

A 36 inch water main burst along the northbound Kennedy Expressway at Grand Avenue early this morning...sending a torrent of water onto the expressway, and flooding the outbound lanes with more than four feet of water. This wasn't a leak...it was a full-scale blow-out!



This poor taxi cab ended up submerged up to its roof. I watched, as the cab slowly floated along. The driver got out safely...although he was soaking wet. He was last seen walkingly forlornly down Ohio Street. For some reason, he left the driver's window open...and popped the trunk. Even after the water went down a bit, the IDOT trucks plowing through the water would send waves lapping through the open window.




IDOT had to push more than two dozen cars out of the floodwaters. The water rose in a hurry...many drivers found themselves in window-high water before they knew what hit them. The good news is that no one was hurt in this mess.





Among those who were rescued from the floodwaters...this pooch, name unknown. He seemed to come through the whole thing none the worse for wear.


Once city crews got the main plugged, the water slowly receded...and the expressway was re-opened to traffic shortly before 5:30am. But, crews will be out there all day finishing the cleanup and repairing the broken main.

Jeanne and I are back home...after spending the Thanksgiving holiday weekend with her mother in Iowa. As always, we had a nice visit...but, as always, that is a loooong drive. We couldn't leave Chicago until late Wednesday evening, because I had to announce a UIC game (who schedules a game the night before Thanksgiving?). We drove half way - to Stockton, Illinois - spent the night...and then drove the rest of the way to Fayette, Iowa, on Thursday.

It was very cold and very windy Thursday morning...windchills were well below zero. At least it was sunny.

The trip home yesterday had other weather issues...rain and drizzle virtually the entire 275 miles.

The traffic volume into Chicago last night wasn't as heavy as we expected. Fortunately, traffic jams were not added to the weather mix.

This week shouldn't be too bad. The suddenly red-hot Bulls (three straight road wins!) have a home game Tuesday. It will be nice to be back at the UC after two weeks off for the Bulls long western road trip. Jeanne has a business trip to Arkansas Tuesday and Wednesday. Friday, we'll host a little pre-party for my WLS Morning Show co-workers before the station holiday party (which is just down the street from us). I have another Bulls game on Saturday...and a UIC game on Sunday.

Aren't you glad you asked? :)

I was very saddened to learn of the passing of Hugh Neary. Hugh died unexpectedly last night (Sunday) at a local hospital. He was 30 years old.

Hugh was a former co-worker at ABC Radio Chicago, starting as a tech producer (control board operator) at WLS in the late 1990s. He also worked extensively as a tech producer at our FM sister station. However, I first met Hugh when he was a student of mine at Columbia College in the mid '90s.

When I severely injured my knee and had a total reconstruction several years ago, it was Hugh who "babysat" me in the WLS newsroom. They propped me up at my control board, and Hugh was my "gofer"...running around getting stuff for me - copy, coffee, whatever I needed. I never forgot his kindness.

Hugh was just a great kid, with a wonderful sense of humor. I am deeply saddened by his passing.

The following info on Hugh's passing comes from long-time Chicago broadcaster Allan Stagg, who worked with Hugh at our sister station, the former WXCD-FM:

I have spoken with Hugh Neary`s sister, Judy, and have, unfortunately, received confirmation of Hugh`s passing Sunday night.

Judy told me Hugh had gone into a hospital Thursday evening for emergency surgery due to an infection. He was supposed to come home Monday. Hugh`s mom and Judy had just seen him Sunday evening when they brought him clothes for his anticipated return home.

From what I can gather, shortly after they left, Hugh got up out of bed for a trip to the restroom. A blood clot in his leg (of which the medical staff was apparently unaware), thus moved and travelled into his lungs. He reportedly collapsed and died instantly.

Hugh just celebrated his thirtieth birthday last month. His obituary will be posted in the Chicago Tribune on Thursday and Friday.

The wake is this Friday from 3-9 pm at:
Andrew J. McGann & Son Funeral Home
10727 South Pulaski Road
Chicago, IL. 60655
(773) 783-7700

The funeral leaves Saturday morning at 9:45 am for 10:30 am services at:
Holy Redeemer Church
9525 S. Lawndale Avenue
Evergreen Park, IL. 60805
(708) 425-5354

This story has been airing today on WLS:

COMEDIAN JERRY LEWIS RAN INTO A TOUGH CROWD HERE IN CHICAGO LAST NIGHT.
LEWIS WAS PROMOTING HIS NEW BOOK AT THE HAROLD WASHINGTON LIBRARY...WHEN DISABILITY ACTIVISTS STARTED HECKLING HIM.
THE ACTIVISTS - WHO CALL THEMSELVES "JERRY's ORPHANS" - ACCUSE LEWIS OF PORTRAYING THE DISABLED AS PEOPLE TO BE PITIED.
LEWIS SHOUTED AT THE HECKLERS TO "GET OUT"...THEN WALKED OFF THE STAGE...AND NEVER CAME BACK.

Jeanne and I attended Tuesday night's gala for the Chicago Baseball Musem. The Museum doesn't exisit yet. It's the dream of founder - and lifelong baseball fan - Dr. David Fletcher, seen here unveiling the Museum's brand new logo. The Museum is now in the fundraising and early planning stages. "Doc" would like to see it become a reality in the next 5 - 10 years, if not sooner.



Last night's event got a great boost, with a brief appearance by baseball Hall of Famer Tommy Lasorda. The former Dodgers manager - shown here with "Doc" - said a few words on behalf of the museum, and encouraged those in attendance to try to make it happen. He didn't stay long, but Lasorda's brief visit was one of the highlights of the evening. By the way, Tommy Lasorda has a baseball blog.


It was a great thrill for me to meet the former Cubs (and Dodgers and Braves) star Andy Pafko. Andy is one of the very few surviving players from the Cubs' 1945 World Series team. That was 60 years ago! Andy, who lives in the Chicago suburbs, is 84, but looks 70. It was nice of him to come to the Museum event.





The photo didn't turn out too great...but this is Andy Pafko's 1945 World Series ring. I guess I didn't realize that the losing team got rings, too. This is photographic proof that the Cubs really were in the World Series back in '45!





And, of course, no baseball event in Chicago would be complete without an appearance by the one and only Ronnie "Woo Woo" Wickers. Ronnie has been a fixture outside (and occasionally inside) Wrigley Field for as long as any one can remember. And, he did his typical Ronnie Woo Woo chant:

"Cubs WOO! Sandberg WOO! Grace WOO! Andy Pafko WOO! Sox WOO! World Champs WOO! Chicago Baseball Museum WOOOO!"

I've been a little behind on the blog...time to catch up a bit.

Jeanne and I will be going to the Chicago Baseball Museum gala tonight. The museum is the dream of Dr. David Fletcher...the founder of Clear Buck.com, which is trying to clear the name of Buck Weaver, who was implicated in the 1919 Chicago "Black Sox" scandal. It should be a good time.

The Bulls are away for a two-week long road trip while the circus is at the United Center. The trip got off to a bad start last night, with an 18-point loss to the Warriors. That long road trip does give me a bit of a break from announcing games...not that I really need one. And, UIC has games during that span (I announce for them, too)...so, I won't be going anywhere.

Not a whole lot news to report at WLS. Pretty much business as usual here. I haven't had a chance to do a lot of field reporting - a favorite of mine - since the White Sox parade and rally. It's been mainly anchoring and management stuff for me the past couple weeks.

I've started taking Glucosimine with Chondroitin. I have some mild joint pain after my workouts...simply because my cartilage ain't what it used to be. This stuff is supposed to add an extra layer of lubrication and ease joint pain. They say it takes at least a month to notice a difference...maybe it's in my head, but I seem to already be feeling better the day after my workouts than I did before. We'll see how it goes...but, so far, so good.

Finally...got an extra $20 (or more!) burning a hole in your pocket this holiday season? Might I suggest a donation to the Batten Disease Support and Research Association, in the name of Clifford Dahl, who suffers from Batten. Clifford is the 8 year old son of fellow radio rascal (and Steve-reader) Dave Dahl, of WMBD Radio in Peoria. Batten doesn't get the attention of other "higher-profile" illnesses...so they could really use your help. If you'd like to help, here's the address:

Some one's gotta get fired for this!

* (Above photo not taken in Detroit)

The Bulls have played two regular season home games so far. Both on "school nights"...one on a Wednesday, and one on a Monday.

Both have gone into overtime.

We need to find to a way to break them of that somewhat annoying habit.

The timetable for a regulation NBA is pretty standard. Barring an inordinate number of fouls - which can really slow down a game - Bulls' games typically end at right around 10pm. I waste little time leaving the United Center...make a beeline to the parking lot...and typically get home in time to see the sports segment on the ABC7 news (around 10:23pm or so).

Well, overtime pretty much screws that up. Last night, the game didn't end until nearly 10:30. Then, it took forever to get out of the parking lot. It was going on 11pm by the time I got home. Then, there was a brief "wind down" period. Sometimes it's hard to go to sleep right after an exciting game...no matter how physically tired I may be.

End result...about an hour and a half of sleep. But...I really feel fine this morning.

Two items of note from Monday night's game: While chatting with Bulls GM John Paxson, he mentioned that he "heard me on the radio this morning." Gee, I hope I didn't say anything bad about the Bulls!

And, Bulls captain Kirk Hinrich (the guy in the picture) greeted me with a "Hey, Steve" as I walked into the United Center last night. It's notable...because Kirk - who really is a nice guy - rarely says anything to any one. I didn't even know he knew my name! :)

Speaking of Kirk...as the Bulls' PA announcer, I follow the "Hinrich Rule." Late last season, Kirk asked me not to announce his name while he's preparing to shoot free throws. Before he gets to the foul line...no problem. But, he'd prefer not to hear his name once he has the ball in his hands at the line. He's the only guy in the NBA who's ever asked me to do that. No prob...I do it!

The Bulls have another home game Wednesday night. Let's try to keep this one to 48 minutes, fellas! :)

I like sushi, and Jeanne enjoys other, non-raw, Japanese foods. There's a place called Kizoku a couple blocks from where we live...we've eaten there several times, and enjoy it. I particularly like their Maki (rolls).

Today (Friday), this article appeared in the Chicago Sun-Times.

Where do you suppose they serve the soup? Can you get it boxed to go? Oh, I'm sure there are plenty of other good punchlines.

As they say...there goes the neighborhood.

One for the gentlemen...

Talk about "one stop shopping"...now you can buy a nifty house in Denver - and get a wife - all in one transaction.

Yup. See it here.

Okay, you'd have to move to Colorado. But, hey...why not? House...wife...two birds with one stone!