dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-31--A song to make you smile: 'Imagine' by John Lennon

We 're trying to inject a little positivity in the paper ( and on dailyherald.com ) with a daily `` @ @ @ @ @ . ''
It 's designed to help lift you out of your coronavirus funk .
@ @ @ @ @ Imagine '' by John Lennon , released in 1971 .

A song to make you smile: 'Imagine' by John Lennon
John Lennon performs during a charity concert at Madison Square Garden in New York in 1972. Associated Press
We're trying to inject a little positivity in the paper (and on dailyherald.com) with a daily "Song to Make You Smile."
It's designed to help lift you out of your coronavirus funk.
Today's selection is "Imagine" by John Lennon, released in 1971.
Send your ideas to suggestions@dailyherald.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-01--Morton Arboretum closing after visitors flout social distancing warnings

The Morton Arboretum will close its doors after visitors failed to adhere to social distancing guidelines , officials said in @ @ @ @ @ Lisle tree campus threatened to cut off access to its natural beauty if visitors ignored @ @ @ @ @ distance .
On Wednesday , the arboretum took that step , shutting down through the @ @ @ @ @ an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Its 16 miles of trails @ @ @ @ @ weary of cabin fever during the statewide stay-at-home order .
`` The Morton Arboretum kept @ @ @ @ @ essential outdoor activity as long as it was safe and prudent to do so , @ @ @ @ @ Donnelly said in announcing the closure .
`` Though the majority of visitors complied with @ @ @ @ @ unfortunately did not .
Proactively closing at this time is in the best interest of @ @ @ @ @ '' Park and forest preserve district officials also have warned they may be forced to @ @ @ @ @ crowds .

Morton Arboretum closing after visitors flout social distancing warnings
The Morton Arboretum will remain closed through the end of the month starting Thursday. Daily Herald report
The Morton Arboretum will close its doors after visitors failed to adhere to social distancing guidelines, officials said in a news release.
The Lisle tree campus threatened to cut off access to its natural beauty if visitors ignored warnings to maintain 6 feet distance. On Wednesday, the arboretum took that step, shutting down through the end of the month in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Its 16 miles of trails had provided respite for people weary of cabin fever during the statewide stay-at-home order.
"The Morton Arboretum kept its 1,700 acres available for essential outdoor activity as long as it was safe and prudent to do so," President and CEO Gerard Donnelly said in announcing the closure. "Though the majority of visitors complied with social distancing requirements, some unfortunately did not. Proactively closing at this time is in the best interest of public health and safety."
Park and forest preserve district officials also have warned they may be forced to close to crack down on crowds.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-01--Lake forest preserves will close if social distancing ignored, officials say

Lake County forest preserves and trails are open , but officials warn that can quickly change if visitors do n't practice safe distancing .
So far , those using the preserves to walk , jog , bike or just be outdoors are heeding the 6-foot separation rule to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus , officials say .
Forest preserve rangers are making sure that continues .
`` We 've been watching very closely , '' said Ty Kovach , executive director of the Lake County Forest Preserve District .
`` I get reports throughout the day .
People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
More signs asking visitors to help keep the preserves open were placed near preserve entrances Saturday , bringing the total to about 80 , according to Kovach .
The district operates about 206 miles of trails .
With about 31,000 acres in its jurisdiction , it is the second largest forest preserve system in Illinois .
What visitors regard as one of the few things to look forward to during the ongoing pandemic could figuratively be slammed shut .
`` I 'm 100 % appreciative , '' said Kent Szarabajka , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preserves about every other day .
He says he has n't seen any issues with distancing .
Kovach said some have asked why the district is keeping anything open , but so far that has been a small minority .
While being outdoors provides valuable physical and mental health benefits , safety comes first , according to forest board President Angelo Kyle .
Locations where crowds become unmanageable and people do n't comply with the district and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention rules and guidelines will be closed , officials say .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Kovach , who has the authority to close facilities on a case-by-case basis or take blanket action .
He said he is in daily contact with the Lake County Health Department .
People ignoring health guidelines caused Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot about a week ago to close the city 's lakefront , riverwalk and 606 trail .
All Illinois state parks and facilities closed two weeks ago .
`` We want to make sure we do n't have a situation where our preserves are contributing to the vertical climb in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public buildings , restrooms , playgrounds , visitor centers and dog exercise areas have bee closed .
But the majority of the preserves ' trails remains accessible .
`` I think everyone really gets it , '' said Ann Maine , a forest preserve commissioner and former board president .
The Lincolnshire resident , an avid preserve user and visitor , says residents do n't want to lose access .
`` It 's always been one of the things that makes Lake County a special place , '' she said .
`` People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more . ''
Anyone who sees what they consider dangerous visitor behavior at forest preserve facilities should call ( 847 ) 549-5200 , officials say .

Keep your distance, Lake County forest preserve visitors told, or preserves will close
Lake County forest preserves and trails are open, but officials warn that can quickly change if visitors don't practice safe distancing.
So far, those using the preserves to walk, jog, bike or just be outdoors are heeding the 6-foot separation rule to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus, officials say.
Forest preserve rangers are making sure that continues.
"We've been watching very closely," said Ty Kovach, executive director of the Lake County Forest Preserve District. "I get reports throughout the day. People are taking it (distancing) seriously."
More signs asking visitors to help keep the preserves open were placed near preserve entrances Saturday, bringing the total to about 80, according to Kovach.
The district operates about 206 miles of trails. With about 31,000 acres in its jurisdiction, it is the second largest forest preserve system in Illinois.
What visitors regard as one of the few things to look forward to during the ongoing pandemic could figuratively be slammed shut.
"I'm 100% appreciative," said Kent Szarabajka, a Mundelein resident who walks at different preserves about every other day. He says he hasn't seen any issues with distancing.
Kovach said some have asked why the district is keeping anything open, but so far that has been a small minority.
While being outdoors provides valuable physical and mental health benefits, safety comes first, according to forest board President Angelo Kyle.
Locations where crowds become unmanageable and people don't comply with the district and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention rules and guidelines will be closed, officials say.
"The message is clearly out there," said Kovach, who has the authority to close facilities on a case-by-case basis or take blanket action. He said he is in daily contact with the Lake County Health Department.
People ignoring health guidelines caused Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot about a week ago to close the city's lakefront, riverwalk and 606 trail. All Illinois state parks and facilities closed two weeks ago.
"We want to make sure we don't have a situation where our preserves are contributing to the vertical climb in COVID-19," Kovach said.
All public buildings, restrooms, playgrounds, visitor centers and dog exercise areas have bee closed. But the majority of the preserves' trails remains accessible.
"I think everyone really gets it," said Ann Maine, a forest preserve commissioner and former board president.
The Lincolnshire resident, an avid preserve user and visitor, says residents don't want to lose access.
"It's always been one of the things that makes Lake County a special place," she said. "People I've heard from appreciate it even more."
Anyone who sees what they consider dangerous visitor behavior at forest preserve facilities should call (847) 549-5200, officials say.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-01--Where to find county-by-county and maybe even suburb-by-suburb COVID-19 data

If you 'd like to see a breakdown of the number of reported COVID-19 cases county by county and , in some cases , even town by town , a state website and area counties ' websites are offering it .
• First , the Illinois Department of Public Health 's COVID-19 Web page shows the latest data on total cases as well as the number of people tested , and it breaks down confirmed cases county by county throughout the state .
• The Cook County Department of Public Health first offers general information on the disease , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County overall and separately in the Cook County suburbs .
• And on a separate page , you can get a suburb-by-suburb breakdown .
( The page may take a little while to load . )
• DuPage County 's `` COVID-19 Dashboard '' is a one-stop-shop for all the information it offers , including a town-by-town breakdown of cases .
• Lake County 's main COVID-19 page provides basic information and resources , including total number of cases .
• And then it has its own COVID-19 dashboard , where data is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least in ranges of 5 .
• Kane County 's health department now provides town-by-town data as well as that for the whole county right on its homepage .
http : //kanehealth.com/ • `` Kane County Connects '' is the county 's public information website , which now has a lot related to COVID-19 -- and it tries to show good news , too .
https : //kanecountyconnects.com/ • The City of Elgin has its own COVID-19 resource center , including what places , including restaurants , are open and what 's closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has some basic information , including total number of cases , and links to resources on its website .
• Will County has created its own COVID-19 dashboard showing the number of cases in the county ( as well as in other counties and the rest of the state ) , but it does not break numbers down town by town .

Where to find county-by-county and maybe even suburb-by-suburb COVID-19 data
Cook County's Department of Public Health has a website that breaks down cases of COVID-19 suburb by suburb.
If you'd like to see a breakdown of the number of reported COVID-19 cases county by county and, in some cases, even town by town, a state website and area counties' websites are offering it.
• First, the Illinois Department of Public Health's COVID-19 Web page shows the latest data on total cases as well as the number of people tested, and it breaks down confirmed cases county by county throughout the state.
• The Cook County Department of Public Health first offers general information on the disease, including number of cases in Chicago, Cook County overall and separately in the Cook County suburbs.
• And on a separate page, you can get a suburb-by-suburb breakdown. (The page may take a little while to load.)
• DuPage County's "COVID-19 Dashboard" is a one-stop-shop for all the information it offers, including a town-by-town breakdown of cases.
• Lake County's main COVID-19 page provides basic information and resources, including total number of cases.
• And then it has its own COVID-19 dashboard, where data is broken down suburb by suburb, at least in ranges of 5.
• Kane County's health department now provides town-by-town data as well as that for the whole county right on its homepage. http://kanehealth.com/
• "Kane County Connects" is the county's public information website, which now has a lot related to COVID-19 -- and it tries to show good news, too. https://kanecountyconnects.com/
• The City of Elgin has its own COVID-19 resource center, including what places, including restaurants, are open and what's closed.
• McHenry County's Health Department has some basic information, including total number of cases, and links to resources on its website.
• Will County has created its own COVID-19 dashboard showing the number of cases in the county (as well as in other counties and the rest of the state), but it does not break numbers down town by town.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-02--16 more dead, 715 new Illinois COVID-19 cases as McCormick Place 'hospital' prepares to open

A massive makeshift hospital at McCormick Place in Chicago is expected to be ready to handle its first batch of coronavirus patients as early as Friday , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker announced during his daily briefing Thursday .
The announcement came as Illinois health officials said 16 more residents had died and another 715 were diagnosed with the disease since the day before , bringing the state 's death total to 156 and the number of infected to 7,695 .
Pritzker said the field hospital would serve patients with less severe symptoms .
`` We should all be very proud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been done so quickly by these patriotic Americans , '' Pritzker said of the construction team setting up the medical facility .
`` They 've built out that facility in five days .
They know they 're doing something that 's going to save lives . ''
But the state continues to struggle with personal protective equipment for health care workers and first responders , he said .
Assistance from the federal government has not been adequate , he said .
Pritzker continued his critique of the federal government 's response to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a `` profound failure . ''
He argued the lack of `` early action '' by the federal government created Illinois ' need for additional hospital space .
The facility at McCormick Place as well as the former Sherman Hospital building in Elgin and the shuttered MetroSouth Medical Center in Blue Island were tapped by state officials to serve as field hospitals and should be fully operational later this month .
Ultimately , the McCormick Place medical facility could house 3,000 beds .
But Pritzker said fears of an even greater bed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state to add a fourth field hospital , the former West Lake Hospital in Melrose Park , which will house 230 additional beds .
A fifth site downstate is being considered .
The need for additional hospital bed space in the Chicago area is clear , health officials said .
Suburban Cook County and Chicago remain the epicenter for the state 's caseload and have one of the largest concentrations of infections in the nation , according to researchers tracking the pandemic at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland .
Almost three-quarters of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents , according to Illinois Department of Public Health reports .
Most of the deaths occurred in Cook County , too .
That number grew Thursday .
Among the dead are 12 Cook County residents : a man in his 30s , a man in his 40s , a woman in her 40s , two women in their 60s , one man in his 60s , four men in their 70s , a woman in her 70s and a man in his 80s .
Elsewhere , a woman from DuPage County in her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from McHenry County , a woman in her 90s from Whiteside County and a man in his 80s from Christian County also died , according to an IDPH report .
On a more positive note , IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said she spoke Thursday with a couple in their 70s who live in suburban Cook County and were the third and fourth cases of coronavirus in the state .
She reported the two , one of whom was hospitalized at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights , are feeling good and wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovered .
But she warned that workers at essential businesses are becoming infected and urged owners to follow safety protocols for the health of their workers and customers .
Additionally , she urged religious leaders around the state to call off all in-person religious services as Passover , Easter and Ramadan approach .
`` I understand the importance of communing with fellow believers , '' she said .
`` But we all must make this sacrifice . ''

16 more dead, 715 new Illinois COVID-19 cases as McCormick Place 'hospital' prepares to open
Gov. J.B. Pritzker provides an update on the state's ongoing battle against the spread of the coronavirus. Courtesy of BlueRoomStream
A massive makeshift hospital at McCormick Place in Chicago is expected to be ready to handle its first batch of coronavirus patients as early as Friday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced during his daily briefing Thursday.
The announcement came as Illinois health officials said 16 more residents had died and another 715 were diagnosed with the disease since the day before, bringing the state's death total to 156 and the number of infected to 7,695.
Pritzker said the field hospital would serve patients with less severe symptoms.
"We should all be very proud, honestly, of the work that has been done so quickly by these patriotic Americans," Pritzker said of the construction team setting up the medical facility. "They've built out that facility in five days. They know they're doing something that's going to save lives."
But the state continues to struggle with personal protective equipment for health care workers and first responders, he said. Assistance from the federal government has not been adequate, he said.
Pritzker continued his critique of the federal government's response to the outbreak Thursday, referring to it as a "profound failure."
He argued the lack of "early action" by the federal government created Illinois' need for additional hospital space.
The facility at McCormick Place as well as the former Sherman Hospital building in Elgin and the shuttered MetroSouth Medical Center in Blue Island were tapped by state officials to serve as field hospitals and should be fully operational later this month. Ultimately, the McCormick Place medical facility could house 3,000 beds.
But Pritzker said fears of an even greater bed shortage at existing hospitals has forced the state to add a fourth field hospital, the former West Lake Hospital in Melrose Park, which will house 230 additional beds. A fifth site downstate is being considered.
The need for additional hospital bed space in the Chicago area is clear, health officials said. Suburban Cook County and Chicago remain the epicenter for the state's caseload and have one of the largest concentrations of infections in the nation, according to researchers tracking the pandemic at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland.
Almost three-quarters of the state's coronavirus infections are Cook County residents, according to Illinois Department of Public Health reports. Most of the deaths occurred in Cook County, too. That number grew Thursday.
Among the dead are 12 Cook County residents: a man in his 30s, a man in his 40s, a woman in her 40s, two women in their 60s, one man in his 60s, four men in their 70s, a woman in her 70s and a man in his 80s.
Elsewhere, a woman from DuPage County in her 80s, a man in his 60s from McHenry County, a woman in her 90s from Whiteside County and a man in his 80s from Christian County also died, according to an IDPH report.
On a more positive note, IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said she spoke Thursday with a couple in their 70s who live in suburban Cook County and were the third and fourth cases of coronavirus in the state. She reported the two, one of whom was hospitalized at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, are feeling good and wanted the public to know that they had recovered.
But she warned that workers at essential businesses are becoming infected and urged owners to follow safety protocols for the health of their workers and customers. Additionally, she urged religious leaders around the state to call off all in-person religious services as Passover, Easter and Ramadan approach.
"I understand the importance of communing with fellow believers," she said. "But we all must make this sacrifice."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-02--Watch live: Trump delivers daily news conference as worldwide cases top 1 million

NEW YORK -- The coronavirus outbreak has thrown 10 million Americans out of work in just two weeks , the swiftest , most stunning collapse the U.S. job market has ever witnessed , and economists warn unemployment could reach levels not seen since the Depression , as the economic damage piles up around the world .
The bleak news Thursday -- a record-shattering 6.6 million new unemployment claims on top of last week 's unprecedented 3.3 million -- came as the competition for scarce ventilators , masks and other protective gear seemed to grow more desperate and deaths mounted with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York , the most lethal hot spot in the nation , with nearly 2,400 lives lost .
Worldwide the number of confirmed infections hit another gloomy milestone -- 1 million , with more than 50,000 deaths , according to the tally kept by Johns Hopkins University .
But the true numbers are believed to be much higher , because of testing shortages , many mild cases that have gone unreported , and suspicions that some countries are covering up the extent of their outbreaks .
The mounting economic fallout almost certainly signals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with job losses that are likely to dwarf those of the Great Recession more than a decade ago .
`` My anxiety is through the roof right now , not knowing what 's going to happen , '' said Laura Wieder , laid off from her job managing a now-closed sports bar in Bellefontaine , Ohio .
About half of all working Americans report some kind of income loss affecting themselves or a member of their household because of the epidemic , and poor people and those without college degrees are especially likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research .
With over 220,000 people infected in the U.S. and the death toll topping 5,300 , sobering preparations were under way .
The Federal Emergency Management Agency asked the Pentagon for 100,000 body bags because of the possibility funeral homes will be overwhelmed , the military said .
The Trump administration was formalizing new guidance to recommend that many Americans , if not almost all , wear coverings such as nonmedical masks , T-shirts or bandannas over their mouths and noses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical-grade masks , particularly short-in-supply N95 masks , for those dealing directly with the sick .
The Democratic Party pushed its nominating convention back a month , to mid-August .
Federal authorities proposed a $ 611,000 fine against the Seattle-area nursing home connected to at least 40 coronavirus deaths , accusing it of infractions that included failure to report and rapidly manage the outbreak .
And a dayslong standoff in Florida was resolved when passengers aboard two cruise ships that have had several coronavirus cases and four deaths won permission to come ashore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of people applying for welfare benefits in Britain increased nearly tenfold to almost 1 million in the past couple of weeks .
At least a million on the Continent are estimated to have lost their jobs over the same period , and the actual number is probably far higher .
Spain alone added over 300,000 to its unemployment rolls in March .
But the job losses there appear to be far smaller than in the U.S. because of Europe 's greater social safety nets , including government programs to reduce workers ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hope of bringing them back quickly once the crisis passes .
With its health care system in dire shape , Spain reported a record one-day number of deaths , 950 , bringing its overall toll to about 10,000 , despite signs that the infection rate is slowing .
Italy recorded 760 more deaths , for a total of 13,900 , the worst of any country , but new infections continued to level off .
France recorded a running total of about 4,500 deaths in hospitals , 471 just in the past day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to jump significantly because they are only now starting to count deaths in nursing homes and other facilities for older people .
More than 880 such deaths have been tallied .
The competition for ventilators , masks and other vital supplies was cutthroat .
In New York , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo warned that the state could run out of breathing machines in six days .
He complained that the 50 states are competing against each other for protective gear and breathing machines , or are being outbid by the federal government , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on eBay .
At FEMA , the agency tasked with coordinating the federal response to the outbreak , about 9,000 additional ventilators are on hold as officials seek to determine where they are needed most urgently .
States have been warned not to expect any shipments until they are within 72 hours of a crisis .
In France , a top health official in the country 's hard-hit eastern region said American officials swooped in at a Chinese airport to spirit away a planeload of masks that France had ordered .
Nine leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of essential medicines for COVID-19 patients in intensive care in less than two weeks .
A shipment of nearly 5,900 medical masks that Alabama 's Montgomery County received from the U.S. government stockpile was unusable because of dry rot , the emergency management director said .
The masks had a 2010 expiration date , according to the city of Montgomery .
In Louisiana , deaths climbed to at least 310 and confirmed infections spiked 42 % to nearly 9,200 , in what Gov .
John Bel Edwards attributed in part to backlogged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In Virginia 's Henrico County , a nursing home reported that coronavirus deaths there had climbed to 16 and that 92 residents had tested positive .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
But for others , especially older adults and people with health problems , it can cause severe symptoms like pneumonia .
Over 200,000 people worldwide have recovered , by Johns Hopkins ' count .
With large portions of America under lockdown , job losses for the world 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and unemployment could spike to as high as 15 % by the end of the month , many economists have said .
Unemployment in the U.S. has n't been that high since the tail end of the Depression , just before the U.S. entered World War II .
Roughly 90 % of the U.S. population is now under stay-at-home orders , and many factories , restaurants , stores and other businesses are closed or have seen sales shrivel .
Laid-off workers can tap money made available in the $ 2.2 trillion rescue measure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 600 a week to unemployment benefits , extends eligibility to 39 weeks and for the first time wraps in part-timers and workers in the so-called gig economy , such as Uber drivers .
Kathryn Lickteig , a cook in Kansas City , Missouri , signed up for unemployment compensation last week after the city shut down dine-in restaurants .
She is hoping the extra $ 600 will help her ride out the shutdown instead of having to look for another job .
`` It has eased my mind so much , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to actively go out and expose myself to the public and possibly get sick .
I can stay home now and do my part in social distancing . ''

Economic fallout mounts, worldwide cases top 1 million
Nurses wait for cars at a drive-up coronavirus testing station at Harborview Medical Center hospital, Thursday, April 2, 2020, in Seattle. The facility saw a steady stream of employees and patients with symptoms Thursday as testing, which has been going on for several weeks, continued as part of efforts to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. Associated Press
NEW YORK -- The coronavirus outbreak has thrown 10 million Americans out of work in just two weeks, the swiftest, most stunning collapse the U.S. job market has ever witnessed, and economists warn unemployment could reach levels not seen since the Depression, as the economic damage piles up around the world.
The bleak news Thursday -- a record-shattering 6.6 million new unemployment claims on top of last week's unprecedented 3.3 million -- came as the competition for scarce ventilators, masks and other protective gear seemed to grow more desperate and deaths mounted with alarming speed in Italy, Spain and New York, the most lethal hot spot in the nation, with nearly 2,400 lives lost.
Worldwide the number of confirmed infections hit another gloomy milestone -- 1 million, with more than 50,000 deaths, according to the tally kept by Johns Hopkins University. But the true numbers are believed to be much higher, because of testing shortages, many mild cases that have gone unreported, and suspicions that some countries are covering up the extent of their outbreaks.
The mounting economic fallout almost certainly signals the onset of a global recession, with job losses that are likely to dwarf those of the Great Recession more than a decade ago.
"My anxiety is through the roof right now, not knowing what's going to happen," said Laura Wieder, laid off from her job managing a now-closed sports bar in Bellefontaine, Ohio.
About half of all working Americans report some kind of income loss affecting them or a member of their household because of the epidemic, and poor people and those without college degrees are especially likely to have lost a job, according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
With over 240,000 people infected in the U.S. and the death toll topping 5,800, sobering preparations were under way. The Federal Emergency Management Agency asked the Pentagon for 100,000 body bags because of the possibility funeral homes will be overwhelmed, the military said.
The Democratic Party pushed its nominating convention back a month, to mid-August. Federal authorities proposed a $611,000 fine against the Seattle-area nursing home connected to at least 40 coronavirus deaths, accusing it of infractions that included failure to report and rapidly manage the outbreak. And a dayslong standoff in Florida was resolved when passengers aboard two cruise ships that have had several coronavirus cases and four deaths won permission to come ashore.
Elsewhere around the world, the number of people applying for welfare benefits in Britain increased nearly tenfold to almost 1 million in the past couple of weeks. At least a million in Europe are estimated to have lost their jobs over the same period, and the actual number is probably far higher. Spain alone added over 300,000 to its unemployment rolls in March.
But the job losses there appear to be far smaller than in the U.S. because of Europe's greater social safety nets, including government programs to reduce workers' hours without laying them off, in the hope of bringing them back quickly once the crisis passes.
With its health care system in dire shape, Spain reported a record one-day number of deaths, 950, bringing its overall toll to about 10,000, despite signs that the infection rate is slowing.
Italy recorded 760 more deaths, for a total of 13,900, the worst of any country, but new infections continued to level off.
France recorded a running total of about 4,500 deaths in hospitals, 471 just in the past day. But officials expect the overall toll to jump significantly because they are only now starting to count deaths in nursing homes and other facilities for older people. More than 880 such deaths have been tallied.
The competition for ventilators, masks and other vital supplies was cutthroat.
In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo warned that the state could run out of breathing machines in six days. He complained that the 50 states are competing against each other for protective gear and breathing machines, or are being outbid by the federal government, in a competition he likened to being on eBay.
At FEMA, the agency tasked with coordinating the federal response to the outbreak, about 9,000 additional ventilators are on hold as officials seek to determine where they are needed most urgently. States have been warned not to expect any shipments until they are within 72 hours of a crisis.
In France, a top health official in the country's hard-hit eastern region said American officials swooped in at a Chinese airport to spirit away a planeload of masks that France had ordered.
Nine leading European university hospitals warned they will run out of essential medicines for COVID-19 patients in intensive care in less than two weeks.
A shipment of nearly 5,900 medical masks that Alabama's Montgomery County received from the U.S. government stockpile was unusable because of dry rot, the emergency management director said. The masks had a 2010 expiration date, according to the city of Montgomery.
The Trump administration was formalizing new guidance to recommend that Americans wear coverings such as nonmedical masks, T-shirts or bandannas over their mouths and noses when out in public, while reserving medical-grade masks, particularly the short-in-supply N95 variety, for those dealing directly with the sick.
Trump invoked the Defense Production Act on Thursday in hopes of boosting production of medical-grade masks by Minnesota-based 3M to assist first responders.
Washington is also trying to crack down on a growing black market that is driving up the price of protective medical supplies, Defense Production Act policy coordinator Peter Navarro said.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. But for others, especially older adults and people with health problems, it can cause severe symptoms like pneumonia. Over 200,000 people worldwide have recovered, by Johns Hopkins' count.
With large portions of America under lockdown, job losses for the world's biggest economy could double to 20 million and unemployment could spike to as high as 15% by the end of the month, many economists have said. Unemployment in the U.S. hasn't been that high since the tail end of the Depression, just before the U.S. entered World War II.
Roughly 90% of the U.S. population is now under stay-at-home orders, and many factories, restaurants, stores and other businesses are closed or have seen sales shrivel.
Laid-off workers can tap money made available in the $2.2 trillion rescue measure passed by Congress. It adds $600 a week to unemployment benefits, extends eligibility to 39 weeks and for the first time wraps in part-timers and workers in the so-called gig economy, such as Uber drivers.
Achsa Febrero, a Subway worker at a rest stop Fairfield, Conn., is among the millions laid off and now waiting for unemployment benefits to kick in, which could take weeks. She said she is on a payment plan to keep her phone connected and unsure how she'll pay for groceries -- and deeply frustrated at the billions benefiting corporations in the federal bailout.
"These companies are getting government relief, government relief," Febrero said. "They could afford to pay us more than what we're getting. They could support us through this time, and they're not. We're human. What makes them better than us?"


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-02--How planners are deciding to cancel or keep summer festivals in age of coronavirus

Deposit deadlines , sponsorship funds , stage rentals , band bookings and organizers ' experience levels are shaping whether spring and summer festivals are being canceled months in advance or staying on the calendar in light of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Events including the Chocolate Fest on May 15 , 16 and 17 in Long Grove ; the inaugural Elgin Pride parade and festival on June 6 and 7 ; the Scottish Festival & Highland Games on June 19 and 20 in Itasca ; and the Eyes to the Skies festival on July 4 , 5 and 6 in Lisle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the flip side , events including the Barrington Art Festival on May 23 and 24 , the Prairie Arts Festival on May 23 and 24 in Schaumburg , the Exchange Club of Naperville 's Ribfest in Romeoville , and the inaugural Naperville Salute on July 3 and 4 remain on the books as planned , with organizers expressing hopes residents will be safe , ready and willing to attend gatherings again by those dates .
`` We think it 's going to be an opportune time for the community to get back out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much-needed , '' said Warren Dixon , co-chairman of The Naperville Salute , a new patriotic event banking on its smaller scale and sponsorship funds already received as it plans to launch this year .
Aside from health and safety , the decision to host events hinges on the bottom line and all the items that factor into it , planners say .
Service clubs or cultural groups , such as the Scottish Fest or Eyes to the Skies , have to focus on the cause their proceeds support .
These organizers say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down the tubes to secure things like security or fencing for an event that might not happen .
`` We just did n't want to risk losing what savings we do have , because our main goal is to give money back to the Lisle community , '' said Wendy Nadeau , chairwoman of the Eyes to the Skies committee , which supports parks , schools , the chamber of commerce and service clubs with festival proceeds .
ELGbtq+ , also known as Elgin Pride , wanted to avoid paying for toilets , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and police services for what would have been or not been its new parade , festival , faith service and lunch the first weekend in June , lead organizer Kayla Bates said .
`` We thought it would be better to call it off sooner rather than continue to seek funding , continue letting vendors sign up and then have to cancel , '' Bates said .
Some experienced event management teams from private businesses or governments are riding out the state 's stay-at-home order with event plans still on as scheduled .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , puts on a season of art festivals starting with the Barrington Art Fest on Memorial Day weekend .
Amdur said she 's enacted a 30-day cancellation policy to decide a month in advance of each planned event whether it will go forward .
That deadline , she said , gives artists from other states time to plan their travels and gives her team ample time to advertise .
The company also has pledged to refund any artist booth fees paid for events that end up getting canceled and has made its online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the next 6 months so artists can use it as a digital venue to sell their pieces .
`` I 'm encouraging them to stay safe and stay creative .
I 'm encouraging them to use this time to create art , '' Amdur said .
`` The arts are going to be one of the ways that we will heal more than ever . ''
Schaumburg also is carrying on with plans for its Prairie Arts Festival on Memorial Day weekend , in part because the team planning the 33rd event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all along , said Jack Netter , director of cultural services .
Deadlines to execute contracts with performers , tent rentals and food trucks -- the only outside services the smaller-scale event needs -- have been extended , Netter said , so the village can take until May 1 to decide if the fest is a go .
In an event-planning industry riddled with uncertainty , vendors , performers and organizers are giving each other the benefit of the doubt -- or the down payment .
Elgin Pride leaders say nearly all vendors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ donations are letting the group keep their money for next year .
The same is true among performers who were set for Long Grove 's Chocolate Fest .
Most booked bands are allowing the deposits they 've been paid to apply forward to a different event , said Jesse DeSoto with the Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association .
Duff Rice , president of Duff Entertainment , which plans several Long Grove festivals as well as Palatine Street Fest , Scarecrow Fest in St. Charles and the Nightmare on Chicago Street in Elgin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is helping planners make the best decisions despite virus-related uncertainties .
`` Everybody has been extremely understanding and if anything , they 're just as proactive as we are to say , 'Hey , look , if the event needs to cancel , we 're not going to charge cancellation fees or deposits , ' '' Rice said .
`` Everybody 's in this together . ''

How planners are deciding to cancel or keep summer festivals in age of coronavirus
The Eyes to the Skies festival around the Fourth of July in Lisle has been canceled, with the committee planning the event fearing the loss of money that would be donated to charities and service groups if the event were to be called off at the last minute. Daily Herald file photo July 2019
Crowds gather in May 2019 at the Barrington Art Festival, which so far remains on as scheduled for May 23 and 24. Courtesy of Amdur Productions
Plans for the Barrington Art Festival over Memorial Day weekend are progressing as usual, with event organizer Amdur Productions set to decide whether to host or cancel the event 30 days in advance of its May 23 start. Courtesy of Amdur Productions
Deposit deadlines, sponsorship funds, stage rentals, band bookings and organizers' experience levels are shaping whether spring and summer festivals are being canceled months in advance or staying on the calendar in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Events including the Chocolate Fest on May 15, 16 and 17 in Long Grove; the inaugural Elgin Pride parade and festival on June 6 and 7; the Buffalo Grove Pride Parade on June 7; the Scottish Festival & Highland Games on June 19 and 20 in Itasca; and the Eyes to the Skies festival on July 4, 5 and 6 in Lisle already have been called off.
On the flip side, events including the Barrington Art Festival on May 23 and 24, the Prairie Arts Festival on May 23 and 24 in Schaumburg, the Exchange Club of Naperville's Ribfest in Romeoville, and the inaugural Naperville Salute on July 3 and 4 remain on the books as planned, with organizers expressing hopes residents will be safe, ready and willing to attend gatherings again by those dates.
"We think it's going to be an opportune time for the community to get back out and celebrate, which will probably be much-needed," said Warren Dixon, co-chairman of The Naperville Salute, a new patriotic event banking on its smaller scale and sponsorship funds already received as it plans to launch this year.
Aside from health and safety, the decision to host events hinges on the bottom line and all the items that factor into it, planners say.
Service clubs or cultural groups, such as the Scottish Fest or Eyes to the Skies, have to focus on the cause their proceeds support. These organizers say they must protect their money from going down the tubes to secure things like security or fencing for an event that might not happen.
"We just didn't want to risk losing what savings we do have, because our main goal is to give money back to the Lisle community," said Wendy Nadeau, chairwoman of the Eyes to the Skies committee, which supports parks, schools, the chamber of commerce and service clubs with festival proceeds.
ELGbtq+, also known as Elgin Pride, wanted to avoid paying for toilets, trash, street closures, city permits and police services for what would have been or not been its new parade, festival, faith service and lunch the first weekend in June, lead organizer Kayla Bates said.
"We thought it would be better to call it off sooner rather than continue to seek funding, continue letting vendors sign up and then have to cancel," Bates said.
Some experienced event management teams from private businesses or governments are riding out the state's stay-at-home order with event plans still on as scheduled.
Amy Amdur, president of Amdur Productions, puts on a season of art festivals starting with the Barrington Art Fest on Memorial Day weekend. Amdur said she's enacted a 30-day cancellation policy to decide a month in advance of each planned event whether it will go forward.
That deadline, she said, gives artists from other states time to plan their travels and gives her team ample time to advertise. The company also has pledged to refund any artist booth fees paid for events that end up getting canceled and has made its online store, called Art Zipper, commission-free for the next 6 months so artists can use it as a digital venue to sell their pieces.
"I'm encouraging them to stay safe and stay creative. I'm encouraging them to use this time to create art," Amdur said. "The arts are going to be one of the ways that we will heal more than ever."
Schaumburg also is carrying on with plans for its Prairie Arts Festival on Memorial Day weekend, in part because the team planning the 33rd event includes many people who have been involved all along, said Jack Netter, director of cultural services. Deadlines to execute contracts with performers, tent rentals and food trucks -- the only outside services the smaller-scale event needs -- have been extended, Netter said, so the village can take until May 1 to decide if the fest is a go.
In an event-planning industry riddled with uncertainty, vendors, performers and organizers are giving each other the benefit of the doubt -- or the down payment.
Elgin Pride leaders say nearly all vendors and sponsors who paid fees or gave donations are letting the group keep their money for next year.
The same is true among performers who were set for Long Grove's Chocolate Fest. Most booked bands are allowing the deposits they've been paid to apply forward to a different event, said Jesse DeSoto with the Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association.
Duff Rice, president of Duff Entertainment, which plans several Long Grove festivals as well as Palatine Street Fest, Scarecrow Fest in St. Charles and the Nightmare on Chicago Street in Elgin, said goodwill in the entertainment industry is helping planners make the best decisions despite virus-related uncertainties.
"Everybody has been extremely understanding and if anything, they're just as proactive as we are to say, 'Hey, look, if the event needs to cancel, we're not going to charge cancellation fees or deposits,'" Rice said. "Everybody's in this together."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-02--Palatine man offers free use of RV to medical worker

Palatine resident Ryan Gable says he 's willing to donate use of his recreational vehicle to a Northwest suburban medical professional who is concerned about spreading COVID-19 at home after treating patients on the job .
Gable said he wants to do something useful with the 36-foot Winnebago Vista LX instead of letting it sit idle during the pandemic .
And he hopes his offer will encourage other RV owners to do the same .
He came up with the idea after seeing news reports from across the country about health care workers treating coronavirus patients , then sleeping in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going home .
`` It sickens you , '' Gable said .
`` They 're fighting our battle .
And to sleep in a garage is just , you almost start crying . ''
With the Winnebago , he said , the health care worker could be right next to home instead of away from loved ones .
Gable said he wants to be in proximity to the 2018 Winnebago if he needs to address any problems , so the offer is targeted for Northwest suburban nurses and doctors .
Anyone interested must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the 36-foot RV .
Those interested should contact Gable at ryangable @ startingpointrealty.com .
His wife , Carrie Gable , said the RV would allow some peace of mind for the medical heroes .
She admits being initially skeptical and a little worried about the idea for the family 's `` home on wheels '' when her husband brought it up .
`` A lot went through my head like , 'How will we clean it ?
How long can the germs survive ?
What if we need it ourselves ? '
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was so very passionate about helping and felt very strongly that this could help someone significantly . ''
Ryan Gable said he 'll prepare the RV and deliver it to the temporary occupant .
His mother , Carolyn Gable , is well known to Daily Herald readers .
A single mom worked for 12 years as a waitress before building a successful transportation company in Lake Zurich , she launched the Believe Project with the Daily Herald in 2014 .
Every December since , she 's provided the newspaper with 31 envelopes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Every day during the month , a $ 100 bill is sent to a reader who submits the most compelling story for helping others with the money .

Palatine man offers free use of RV to medical worker
This is the recreational vehicle owned by the Gable family of Palatine while on a road trip. Ryan Gable says he's willing to donate use of the RV to a health care worker treating COVID-19 patients and concerned about returning home. Courtesy of the Gable family
Palatine resident Ryan Gable says he's willing to donate use of his recreational vehicle to a Northwest suburban medical professional who is concerned about spreading COVID-19 at home after treating patients on the job.
Gable said he wants to do something useful with the 36-foot Winnebago Vista LX instead of letting it sit idle during the pandemic. And he hopes his offer will encourage other RV owners to do the same.
He came up with the idea after seeing news reports from across the country about health care workers treating coronavirus patients, then sleeping in tents, garages or cars rather than going home.
"It sickens you," Gable said. "They're fighting our battle. And to sleep in a garage is just, you almost start crying."
With the Winnebago, he said, the health care worker could be right next to home instead of away from loved ones.
Gable said he wants to be in proximity to the 2018 Winnebago if he needs to address any problems, so the offer is targeted for Northwest suburban nurses and doctors. Anyone interested must have a driveway long and wide enough for the 36-foot RV.
Those interested should contact Gable at ryangable@startingpointrealty.com.
His wife, Carrie Gable, said the RV would allow some peace of mind for the medical heroes. She admits being initially skeptical and a little worried about the idea for the family's "home on wheels" when her husband brought it up.
"A lot went through my head like, 'How will we clean it? How long can the germs survive? What if we need it ourselves?'" she said. "However, he was so very passionate about helping and felt very strongly that this could help someone significantly."
Ryan Gable said he'll prepare the RV and deliver it to the temporary occupant.
His mother, Carolyn Gable, is well known to Daily Herald readers. A single mom worked for 12 years as a waitress before building a successful transportation company in Lake Zurich, she launched the Believe Project with the Daily Herald in 2014.
Every December since, she's provided the newspaper with 31 envelopes, each containing a $100 bill. Every day during the month, a $100 bill is sent to a reader who submits the most compelling story for helping others with the money.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-02--Rozner: Ed Farmer was gift to White Sox, all of us

Ed Farmer was excited for the baseball season .
OK , truth be told , he was excited to play golf again , and since it was the week of the Genesis Invite at Riviera Country Club , that meant he was on the range and engaging as many caddies and players as possible .
Some would say harassing .
Actually , I would say harassing .
But it was cold .
He kept saying it was raw in Southern California .
Too raw to pound balls , and he indicated he would n't be going back to watch the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him .
It was mid-February and Farmer did say he was happy to be headed to Arizona shortly and back in the booth calling spring training games , after a long absence last year due to illness .
That was six weeks ago and the call lasted more than an hour .
I mean , every call with Farmer lasted more than an hour .
The man could talk and talk and talk .
He sounded less than 100 percent , but he gave no hint that he would n't see the 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night in a Southern California hospital at the age of 70 , due to complications from a previous illness .
Summing up a person 's life is never fun , and it 's especially difficult when it 's a good friend .
It 's particularly hard when it 's someone as complicated as Ed Farmer .
Incredibly smart and well-read , we were as likely to spend 18 holes talking about Albert Einstein and the book we both read about him , as we might the White Sox ' bullpen .
But when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ School and the offers he received to spend the rest of his life there lecturing on polycystic kidney disease , it 's where he lost me .
No kidding .
The man was absolutely brilliant .
At the same time , we could have a ridiculous conversation about `` Blazing Saddles '' or `` Deadwood , '' and argue the merits of our favorite fast-food restaurants .
When he gave you directions , he spoke as if the internet did n't exist , giving you chapter , verse and street sign .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' you would say .
And then he would just keep going , 10 more minutes of directions .
Ed Farmer was pure entertainment on a golf course .
Maybe you felt that during his 29 years in the radio booth , and maybe you did n't , but one certainty is he was like a family member when you heard his voice .
He began each broadcast with , `` Hello friends . ''
While hardly knowing one another before their partnership , he and Darrin Jackson became thick as thieves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and off the course that you could feel during a broadcast the last decade .
Ed Farmer had that with so many people .
One summer night as we were finishing 36 holes at Cog Hill , Bo Jackson showed up on the back nine , and he and Farmer went at each other , betting on every shot and talking trash like they were brothers .
They hit identically brilliant shots over the water into 18 green , yelling at each other like children .
Ed Farmer is a hard man to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neat bow , but suffice it to say that he spent much of his day thinking about wife , Barbara , and daughter , Shanda .
He did not want to be away from them , and when he talked about his life expectancy , and the possibility of leaving them , golf would stop and we would cry .
Farmer was 40 years old when he went into renal failure , knowing at the time that his father died at 41 and his mother at 38 .
Polycystic kidney disease killed his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ genetically-passed disease in the world .
`` I knew what was coming , '' Farmer told me 10 years ago , when I wrote about his survival .
`` I had already started putting everything in my wife 's name and my daughter 's name . ''
One of eight brothers and sisters , Tom Farmer was a transplant match and gave Ed the gift of life when Ed 's daughter was only 10 .
`` Now here I am , 20 years have passed , and I 'm with my wife and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've ever known in my life , and it 's all because of Tom , '' Ed Farmer said at Christmas 2009 .
`` He gave me the greatest gift anyone can give .
He gave me my life back .
There 's not enough ways to be thankful for that . ''
Farmer grew up in Evergreen Park and attended St. Rita before the Indians drafted him at the age of 17 .
A Cleveland scout by the name of Jerry Krause signed him while Farmer was in his mother 's hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turn pro and leave behind thoughts of pitching for his beloved Notre Dame or Arizona State .
Those same kidney problems brought a premature end to his baseball career , but his `` rebirth '' after getting a kidney from his brother -- I always guessed -- was the reason for his constant search .
A constant search for more golf .
Tougher courses .
Better swings .
New friends .
Knowledge .
Conversation .
Intelligent conversation .
Stupid conversation .
Sweet wedges .
Sharper grooves .
Deeper meaning .
In other words @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead of letting it pass .
He would sit for hours with close friends like Jerry Reinsdorf debating the eras of baseball .
He would nuzzle up to every Notre Dame coach and walk the sideline during a game like he was in charge .
He would argue with Jackson and booth producer Paul Zerang about nothing and everything .
He stumped endlessly for all to register as organ donors , testified before Congress about polycystic kidney disease , and in 2009 was asked by Dr. Ted Steinman to speak to 60 professors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Harvard Medical School .
He said it was more thrilling than pitching in the 1980 All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium , and Harvard asked him to stay and work there .
Farmer would have done it , too , giving up baseball broadcasting , if not for his wife and daughter being on the opposite coast .
`` For 20 years , every time I 've been to Boston , I 've spent a day or two with Steinman learning everything I could , '' Farmer said in 2009 .
`` They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the young doctors to hear the story from the patient side .
`` Dr. Steinman said I knew more than nearly everyone in the room , but that 's only because I 've studied it longer .
Those people in that room will have the gift of saving people 's lives .
They 're special . ''
So was Ed Farmer .
He brought a constant and self-deprecating humor to the booth , unless he and Jackson were arguing pitcher vs. hitter .
`` I love the games .
I love the booth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God and a gift from my brother Tom , '' Farmer said in 2009 .
`` It 's a little bit of escape from life for me as a broadcaster and for the fan as a listener , and whatever Darrin and I can do to make the day a little more fun , we do .
`` Every day is Christmas to me .
As I say on the radio every time a player gets hurt , and I truly mean this , we 're all day-to-day . ''
Ed Farmer knew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ed could help you .
Most people only contact you when they want something , but Ed only wanted to give .
And unlike most people I know , he was always there and available .
If you needed a new sand wedge , he knew what kind to get .
If you needed to understand Bob Feller 's delivery , Ed explained it .
If you needed to understand why your brother was dying , Ed could explain it better than the doctor and in terms you could understand .
So yeah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In our last conversation , we laughed a lot , but he was truly excited to see the White Sox rebuild coming together and what it could mean in a year .
He said we would play golf at Cog Hill in April , play until our hands were blistered .
He told me he loved me and he would see me soon .
I think now that he knew better .
He always did .

Rozner: Ed Farmer was gift to White Sox, all of us
Ed Farmer was excited for the baseball season.
OK, truth be told, he was excited to play golf again, and since it was the week of the Genesis Invite at Riviera Country Club, that meant he was on the range and engaging as many caddies and players as possible.
Some would say harassing. Actually, I would say harassing.
But it was cold. He kept saying it was raw in Southern California. Too raw to pound balls, and he indicated he wouldn't be going back to watch the tournament.
That didn't sound like him.
It was mid-February and Farmer did say he was happy to be headed to Arizona shortly and back in the booth calling spring-training games, after a long absence last year due to illness.
That was six weeks ago and the call lasted more than an hour. I mean, every call with Farmer lasted more than an hour. The man could talk and talk and talk. He sounded less than 100 percent, but he gave no hint that he wouldn't see the 2020 baseball season.
Ed Farmer died Wednesday night in a Southern California hospital at the age of 70, due to complications from a previous illness.
Summing up a person's life is never fun, and it's especially difficult when it's a good friend. It's particularly hard when it's someone as complicated as Ed Farmer.
Complicated as in genius.
Ed being incredibly smart and well-read, we were as likely to spend 18 holes talking about Albert Einstein and the book we both read about him, as we might the White Sox's bullpen.
But when he would start to discuss Harvard Medical School and the offers he received to spend the rest of his life there lecturing on polycystic kidney disease, it's where he lost me.
No kidding. The man was absolutely brilliant.
At the same time, we could have a ridiculous conversation about "Blazing Saddles" or "Deadwood," and argue the merits of our favorite fast-food restaurants.
When he gave you directions, he spoke as if the internet didn't exist, giving you chapter, verse and street sign. "My phone can do this, Ed," you would say. And then he would just keep going, 10 more minutes of directions.
Ed Farmer was pure entertainment on a golf course.
Maybe you felt that during his 29 years in the radio booth, and maybe you didn't, but one certainty is he was like a family member when you heard his voice.
He began each broadcast with, "Hello friends."
While hardly knowing one another before their partnership, he and Darrin Jackson became thick as thieves, a joy of being together on and off the course that you could feel during a broadcast the last decade.
Ed Farmer had that with so many people.
One summer night as we were finishing 36 holes at Cog Hill, Bo Jackson showed up on the back nine, and he and Farmer went at each other, betting on every shot and talking trash like they were brothers.
They hit identically brilliant shots over the water into 18 green, yelling at each other like children.
Crazy.
Ed Farmer is a man hard to describe, not a story with a neat bow, but suffice it to say that he spent much of his day thinking about wife, Barbara, and daughter Shanda.
He did not want to be away from them, and when he talked about his life expectancy, and the possibility of leaving them, golf would stop and we would cry.
Farmer was 40 when he went into renal failure, knowing at the time that his father died at 41 and his mother at 38. Polycystic kidney disease killed his mother and is the No. 1 genetically-passed disease in the world.
"I knew what was coming," Farmer told me 10 years ago, when I wrote about his survival. "I had already started putting everything in my wife's name and my daughter's name."
One of eight brothers and sisters, Tom Farmer was a transplant match and gave Ed the gift of life when Ed's daughter was only 10.
"Now here I am, 20 years have passed, and I'm with my wife and daughter, the two best people I've ever known in my life, and it's all because of Tom," Ed Farmer said at Christmas 2009. "He gave me the greatest gift anyone can give. He gave me my life back. There's not enough ways to be thankful for that."
Farmer grew up in Evergreen Park and attended St. Rita before the Indians drafted him at the age of 17. A Cleveland scout by the name of Jerry Krause signed him while Farmer was in his mother's hospital room, as she convinced him to turn pro and leave behind thoughts of pitching for his beloved Notre Dame or Arizona State.
Those same kidney problems brought a premature end to his baseball career, but his "rebirth" after getting a kidney from his brother -- I always guessed -- was the reason for his constant search.
A constant search for more golf. Tougher courses. Better swings. New friends. Knowledge. Conversation. Intelligent conversation. Stupid conversation. Sweet wedges. Sharper grooves. Deeper meaning.
In other words, anything that meant using his time instead of letting it pass.
He would sit for hours with close friends like Jerry Reinsdorf debating the eras of baseball. He would nuzzle up to every Notre Dame coach and walk the sideline during a game like he was in charge. He would argue with Jackson and booth producer Paul Zerang about nothing and everything.
He stumped endlessly for all to register as organ donors, testified before Congress about polycystic kidney disease, and in 2009 was asked by Dr. Ted Steinman to speak to 60 professors, interns, residents and incoming students at Harvard Medical School.
He said it was more thrilling than pitching in the 1980 All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium, and Harvard asked him to stay and work there.
Farmer would have done it, too, giving up baseball broadcasting, if not for his wife and daughter being on the opposite coast.
"For 20 years, every time I've been to Boston, I've spent a day or two with Steinman learning everything I could," Farmer said in 2009. "They've schooled me, and they wanted the young doctors to hear the story from the patient side.
"Dr. Steinman said I knew more than nearly everyone in the room, but that's only because I've studied it longer. Those people in that room will have the gift of saving people's lives. They're special."
So was Ed Farmer. He brought a constant and self-deprecating humor to the booth, unless he and Jackson were arguing pitcher vs. hitter.
"I love the games. I love the booth. It really is a gift from God and a gift from my brother Tom," Farmer said in 2009. "It's a little bit of escape from life for me as a broadcaster and for the fan as a listener, and whatever Darrin and I can do to make the day a little more fun, we do.
"Every day is Christmas to me. As I say on the radio every time a player gets hurt, and I truly mean this, we're all day to day."
Ed Farmer knew everyone. If you needed anything, Ed could help you. Most people only contact you when they want something, but Ed only wanted to give. And unlike most people I know, he was always there and available.
If you needed a new sand wedge, he knew what kind to get. If you needed to understand Bob Feller's delivery, Ed explained it. If you needed to understand why your brother was dying, Ed could explain it better than the doctor and in terms you could understand.
So, yeah, an hour was an average call. In our last conversation, we laughed a lot, but he was truly excited to see the White Sox rebuild coming together and what it could mean in a year.
He said we would play golf at Cog Hill in April, play until our hands were blistered. He told me he loved me and he would see me soon.
I think now that he knew better. He always did.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-02--April 2 breakdown of suburban COVID-19 cases by county, and some towns

Cook County • 2,296 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 66 deaths in suburban Cook County , according to the IDPH 's coronavirus website ( visit bit.ly/dhIDPHcovid19 ) .
In Chicago : 3,279 cases and 41 fatalities .
• The Cook County Department of Public Health reported : 86 cases of COVID-19 in Glenview , 56 in Des Plaines , 25 in Schaumburg , 24 in Palatine , 22 in Buffalo Grove , 21 each in Mount Prospect and Wheeling , 20 in Hanover Park , 17 in Arlington Heights , 16 in Streamwood , 15 in Elk Grove Village , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit.ly/dhcookcovid19data for more towns . )
• An update on the Cook County sheriff 's office website indicated 167 detainees at the county jail and 34 sheriff 's office employees had tested positive for the virus as of 5 p.m. Wednesday .
Lake County • The Lake County Health Department lists 542 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 12 deaths on its coronavirus website ( visit bit.ly/dhlakecovid19 ) .
• There are 60 to 64 cases in Waukegan , 25 to 29 each in Gurnee , 20 to 24 in both Libertyville and Round @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Grayslake , Mundelein , Vernon Hills and Lake Zurich .
DuPage County • The DuPage County Health Department reports 438 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 13 deaths on its coronavirus website ( visit bit.ly/dhdupagecovid19 ) .
• Cases per suburb include 43 in Willowbrook , 33 in Naperville , 26 in Addison , 25 in Lombard , 23 in Aurora ( DuPage portion ) , and 20 in both Bensenville and Elmhurst .
Will County • There have been 395 cases of COVID-19 and eight deaths , according to the Will County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Kane County • The Kane County Health Department confirms 155 cases of COVID-19 with eight deaths on its website at kanehealth.com .
• Cases per town include 39 in Aurora ( Kane portion ) , 28 in Elgin ( Kane portion ) , 22 in St. Charles , nine in Geneva , seven in South Elgin and five in Batavia .
• There are 99 cases of COVID-19 and two deaths in McHenry County , according to the health department 's website ( bit.ly/dhmchenrycovid19 ) .

April 2 breakdown of suburban COVID-19 cases by county, and some towns
Cook County's Department of Public Health has a website that breaks down cases of COVID-19 suburb by suburb.
Cook County• 2,296 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 66 deaths in suburban Cook County, according to the IDPH's coronavirus website (visit bit.ly/dhIDPHcovid19). In Chicago: 3,279 cases and 41 fatalities.
• The Cook County Department of Public Health reported: 86 cases of COVID-19 in Glenview, 56 in Des Plaines, 25 in Schaumburg, 24 in Palatine, 22 in Buffalo Grove, 21 each in Mount Prospect and Wheeling, 20 in Hanover Park, 17 in Arlington Heights, 16 in Streamwood, 15 in Elk Grove Village, and 13 in Hoffman Estates.
• An update on the Cook County sheriff's office website indicated 167 detainees at the county jail and 46 sheriff's office employees had tested positive for the virus as of 5 p.m. Thursday.
Lake County• The Lake County Health Department lists 542 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 12 deaths on its coronavirus website.
• There are 60 to 64 cases in Waukegan, 25 to 29 each in Gurnee, 20 to 24 in both Libertyville and Round Lake, and 10 to 14 each in Grayslake, Mundelein, Vernon Hills and Lake Zurich.
DuPage County• The DuPage County Health Department reports 438 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 13 deaths on its coronavirus website.
• Cases per suburb include 43 in Willowbrook, 33 in Naperville, 26 in Addison, 25 in Lombard, 23 in Aurora (DuPage portion), and 20 in both Bensenville and Elmhurst.
Will County• There have been 395 cases of COVID-19 and eight deaths, according to the Will County Health Department's website.
Kane County• The Kane County Health Department confirms 155 cases of COVID-19 with eight deaths on its website at kanehealth.com.
• Cases per town include 39 in Aurora (Kane portion), 28 in Elgin (Kane portion), 22 in St. Charles, nine in Geneva, seven in South Elgin and five in Batavia.
McHenry County
• There are 99 cases of COVID-19 and two deaths in McHenry County, according to the health department's website.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-02--Dining in: Suburban restaurants supporting first responders and offering more to-go deals

With Gov .
Pritzker 's stay-at-home order extended through April 30 , now more than ever it 's important to support local restaurants by ordering curbside , carryout or delivery .
If you 're wondering which restaurants are still offering those services , check our list of towns and restaurants here : dailyherald.com/entlife/ .
Another resource is diningatadistance.com/chicago .
Four independent restaurants -- Player 's Pub & Grill in Prospect Heights , The Red Barn Restaurant & Brewery in Mount Prospect , The Beacon Tap in Des Plaines and Emerald Isle in Edison Park -- are joining forces to support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay-at-home order .
Here 's the deal : Each restaurant is offering 15 % off to anyone who brings in a receipt from one of the other three participating restaurants within five days of ordering .
The eateries are also offering 50 % off to first responders and health care workers ( proof of ID required ) from 2 to 4 p.m. daily .
Each restaurant offers carryout and delivery .
The Beacon Tap is at 1374 Lee St. , Des Plaines , ( 847 ) 715-2772 , thebeacontap.com/ ; Emerald Isle is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ( 773 ) 775-2848 , emeraldislechicago.com/ ; The Red Barn Restaurant & Brewery is at 303 E. Kensington Road , Mount Prospect , ( 847 ) 749-0064 , theredbarn-mp.com/ ; and Player 's Pub & Grill is at 1250 S. River Road , Prospect Heights , ( 847 ) 693-7323 , playerspubgrill.com/ .
CityGate Grille : The north Naperville restaurant recently started offering delivery and curbside pickup .
Lunch to-go , which is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday , features soups , salads , burgers , sandwiches and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to-go is available from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday featuring soups , salads , steaks , seafood , entrees and desserts .
There 's also dinner for four to-go ( salad , one entree and one side ) for $ 48 .
Packaged wine and beer can be ordered , too .
To order , call ( 630 ) 718-1010 or see citygategrille.com/ .
The Claim Company : The Vernon Hills and Northbrook locations are open for curbside delivery , carryout , and delivery via @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. daily ( Vernon Hills ) and 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1 to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday ( Northbrook ) .
The Vernon Hills location is running a $ 10 special that includes a 6-ounce Angus burger , fries and fountain drink .
Plus , bottled beer and wines are 50 % off the menu price .
For details , call Vernon Hills : ( 847 ) 247-1973 or Northbrook : ( 847 ) 291-9111 or see theclaimcompany.com/ or facebook.com/Claimcompanyvernonhills/ .
Chef Yan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open from noon to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday for carryout and delivery .
Chef Yan Can is offering free fried rice with orders over $ 40 if you mention the promo code APRIL when ordering .
To order , call ( 847 ) 281-7598 or see chefyancan.com/ .
El Mero Mero : This Mexican restaurant in Schaumburg is making it easier for you to raise a glass with its offer of free fresh margarita mix with every to-go order .
Place an order at ( 847 ) 278-7063 or see facebook.com/50ElMero/ or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The downtown Naperville burger bar is now offering curbside pickup from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily and delivery within a 2-mile radius from 4 to 8 p.m. daily .
View the takeout menu at empireburgerbar.com/food .
Bottles of wine and six packs of beer are available for curbside pickup or carryout only .
To order , call ( 630 ) 355-9000 .
Hugo 's Frog Bar & Fish House : The Naperville location recently added family-style dinners for four to its delivery and carryout menu .
All dinners include four house salads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four carrot cake cupcakes .
Entrees include chicken Milanese for $ 65 , filet medallions with peppers for $ 85 and Gold Coast sirloin for $ 85 .
Other ordering options include steaks cooked or vacuum-packed to cook at home , classic Hugo 's dishes , and wine and beer offered at 50 % of the normal menu price .
To order , call ( 630 ) 548-3764 or see hugosfrogbar.com/ .
Johnny 's Kitchen & Tap : Johnny 's in Glenview is cooking up family meals to keep everyone fed while at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 49.95 , the combo dinners feature slabs of baby back ribs , whole wood-roasted chicken , chicken parmigiana , pasta and sides .
Order delivery , curbside or carryout at ( 847 ) 699-9999 or see facebook.com/johnnyskitchenandtap/ .
Macarena Tapas : This Naperville tapas restaurant is offering carryout deals , such as 30 % off for first responders and teachers and 50 % off sangrias and wines , from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Order at ( 630 ) 420-8995 or see facebook.com/macarenatapasnaperville/ or macarena-naperville.com/ .
Nando 's Peri-Peri : The fast-casual restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and more are giving free takeout meals to any nurse , doctor or health care worker who shows a valid health care ID at pickup .
Also , each Nando 's has allocated up to 50 free meals per day per restaurant to go to laid-off members of the restaurant industry .
For locations and details , see nandosperiperi.com/ .
Naxos : The Greek Island restaurant in Itasca is offering free delivery on orders of $ 15 or more placed through DoorDash every Saturday in April .
For details , call ( 847 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Niche Restaurant : The Geneva restaurant recently started offering delivery , which is available from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday to the St. Charles , Geneva and Batavia area .
See nichegeneva.com/ for the latest updates to the special carryout menu .
Niche is also offering drink specials , too , including premade cocktails ( $ 35 a bottle ) and cocktail kits featuring an Old Fashioned ( sugar , orange , cherries , bitters , soda , 1792 or Sazerac ) for $ 55 and a Manhattan ( vermouth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sazerac ) for $ 60 , plus beer , wine and more .
To order , call ( 630 ) 262-1000 .
Stan 's Donuts : Because bread-making supplies are low in many grocery stores , this week bread baker Rich Labriola started baking and selling bread for takeout and delivery at Stan 's open locations , including Oakbrook Terrace ( the Oakbrook Center and Woodfield Mall locations are currently closed ) .
Choose from dinner rolls , sandwich rolls and baguettes .
To order , call ( 630 ) 317-7044 or see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For anyone who works in a job designated as an essential service , Steak ' n Shake is offering 20 % off of any steakburger or fries with proper I.D .
( business card , badge , name tag ) .
A special being offered to everyone is the $ 19.99 Family 4 Pack Meal Deal , which includes four Double ' n Cheese Steakburgers , four small fries and four sodas every day .
And Half-Price Happy Hour means that all milk shakes and drinks are half price from 2 to 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the drive-through or for takeout only .
For locations , see steaknshake.com/ .
Village Squire : Takeout specials are on tap every day at the South Elgin and West Dundee Village Squire restaurants .
Here are a few : Monday is buy one pizza get one half price ; Thursday is kids eat for free with an adult entree ; Friday is $ 10 fish fry day ; and Saturday is $ 15 for a 10-ounce prime rib .
To order , call South Elgin : ( 847 ) 931-0040 or West Dundee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thevillagesquire.com/ .
Up North Ale House : How does a free roll of toilet paper sound right about now ?
Up North in north Naperville is offering a free roll with every order over $ 25 .
To order , call ( 630 ) 946-6494 or see upnorth-alehouse.com/ .
These Deer Park restaurants are offering some deals .
See shopdeerparktowncenter.com/sales/ for details .
Biaggi 's : The Italian restaurant is offering 20 % off online orders of $ 50 or more until April 15 with the code BIAGGISHOME .
Free delivery for orders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 847 ) 438-1850 or biaggis.com/ .
California Pizza Kitchen : CPK Market -- offering meal kits , fresh produce , pantry items , beer and wine and more -- is now open .
( 847 ) 550-0273 or cpk.com/ .
Cold Stone Creamery : Take advantage of the buy one , get one free Cold Stone Creations until April 16 with the code APRILBOGO .
( 847 ) 726-2663 or coldstonecreamery.com/stores/20497 .
La Hacienda De Los Fernandez : Get 20 % off pickup orders .
( 847 ) 550-9413 or lahaciendadelosfernandez.com/ .
Noodles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , enjoy free delivery .
( 847 ) 726-1000 or noodles.com/ .
Though your plans for gathering with extended family for Easter brunch at a local restaurant may have changed , here are some restaurants that will be serving up Easter meals to enjoy at home .
The Capital Grille : Order the Exclusive Easter Dinner that feeds four to six diners and includes a field greens salad and rolls , a whole rack of bone-in filet , grilled asparagus , Sam 's Mashed Potatoes and freshly baked apple crostada for $ 185 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 and lobster mac ' n ' cheese for $ 45 .
The restaurant also is offering butcher shoppe steaks and roasts that you can cook at home .
Reserve curbside pickup starting from noon to 8 p.m. Friday , April 10 .
To order , call Lombard : ( 630 ) 627-9800 ; Rosemont : ( 847 ) 671-8125 ; or Schaumburg : ( 847 ) 969-0290 ; or see thecapitalgrille.com/home .
Seasons 52 : Pre-order your Easter dinner , which will be available for curbside pickup from noon to 8 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dinner that serves four to six people includes field greens or romaine Caesar , glazed spiral ham dinner ( $ 100 ) or wood-grilled beef tenderloin ( $ 140 ) , roasted French green beans , sweet potato mash or Yukon mashed potatoes , and six mini indulgences ( raspberry chocolate chip cannoli , Belgian chocolate s'mores , Southern pecan pie ) .
Elevate your meal with mimosas to go for $ 25 or $ 40 .
The full takeout menu will be available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday , April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brook : ( 630 ) 571-4752 or Schaumburg : ( 847 ) 517-5252. seasons52.com/home .

Dining in: Suburban restaurants supporting first responders and offering more to-go deals
Four independent restaurants -- Player's Pub & Grill in Prospect Heights, The Red Barn Restaurant & Brewery in Mount Prospect, The Beacon Tap in Des Plaines and Emerald Isle in Edison Park -- are joining forces to support each other and first responders during the stay-at-home order. Courtesy of Sean Morris
With Gov. Pritzker's stay-at-home order extended through April 30, now more than ever it's important to support local restaurants by ordering curbside, carryout or delivery. If you're wondering which restaurants are still offering those services, check our list of towns and restaurants here: dailyherald.com/entlife/. Another resource is diningatadistance.com/chicago.
Banding together
Four independent restaurants -- Player's Pub & Grill in Prospect Heights, The Red Barn Restaurant & Brewery in Mount Prospect, The Beacon Tap in Des Plaines and Emerald Isle in Edison Park -- are joining forces to support each other and first responders during the stay-at-home order. Here's the deal: Each restaurant is offering 15% off to anyone who brings in a receipt from one of the other three participating restaurants within five days of ordering. The eateries are also offering 50% off to first responders and health care workers (proof of ID required) from 2 to 4 p.m. daily. Each restaurant offers carryout and delivery.
The Beacon Tap is at 1374 Lee St., Des Plaines, (847) 715-2772, thebeacontap.com/; Emerald Isle is at 6686 N. Northwest Hwy., Chicago, (773) 775-2848, emeraldislechicago.com/; The Red Barn Restaurant & Brewery is at 303 E. Kensington Road, Mount Prospect, (847) 749-0064, theredbarn-mp.com/; and Player's Pub & Grill is at 1250 S. River Road, Prospect Heights, (847) 693-7323, playerspubgrill.com/.
More dining deals
CityGate Grille: The north Naperville restaurant recently started offering delivery and curbside pickup. Lunch to-go, which is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, features soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches and meats to cook at home. Dinner to-go is available from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday featuring soups, salads, steaks, seafood, entrees and desserts. There's also dinner for four to-go (salad, one entree and one side) for $48. Packaged wine and beer can be ordered, too. To order, call (630) 718-1010 or see citygategrille.com/.
The Claim Company: The Vernon Hills and Northbrook locations are open for curbside delivery, carryout, and delivery via DoorDash, Grub Hub and Uber Eats from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. daily (Vernon Hills) and 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1 to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (Northbrook). The Vernon Hills location is running a $10 special that includes a 6-ounce Angus burger, fries and fountain drink. Plus, bottled beer and wines are 50% off the menu price. For details, call Vernon Hills: (847) 247-1973 or Northbrook: (847) 291-9111 or see theclaimcompany.com/ or facebook.com/Claimcompanyvernonhills/.
Chef Yan Can: The Vernon Hills restaurant is open from noon to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday for carryout and delivery. Chef Yan Can is offering free fried rice with orders over $40 if you mention the promo code APRIL when ordering. To order, call (847) 281-7598 or see chefyancan.com/.
El Mero Mero: This Mexican restaurant in Schaumburg is making it easier for you to raise a glass with its offer of free fresh margarita mix with every to-go order. Place an order at (847) 278-7063 or see facebook.com/50ElMero/ or elmeromerocantina.com/.
Empire Burgers + Brew: The downtown Naperville burger bar is now offering curbside pickup from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily and delivery within a 2-mile radius from 4 to 8 p.m. daily. View the takeout menu at empireburgerbar.com/food. Bottles of wine and six packs of beer are available for curbside pickup or carryout only. To order, call (630) 355-9000.
Hugo's Frog Bar in Naperville is offering the family-style chicken Milanese dinner for four for $65. - Courtesy of Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House
Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House: The Naperville location recently added family-style dinners for four to its delivery and carryout menu. All dinners include four house salads, a choice of two sides and four carrot cake cupcakes. Entrees include chicken Milanese for $65, filet medallions with peppers for $85 and Gold Coast sirloin for $85. Other ordering options include steaks cooked or vacuum-packed to cook at home, classic Hugo's dishes, and wine and beer offered at 50% of the normal menu price. To order, call (630) 548-3764 or see hugosfrogbar.com/.
Johnny's Kitchen & Tap: Johnny's in Glenview is cooking up family meals to keep everyone fed while at home. Ranging from $29.95 to $49.95, the combo dinners feature slabs of baby back ribs, whole wood-roasted chicken, chicken parmigiana, pasta and sides. Order delivery, curbside or carryout at (847) 699-9999 or see facebook.com/johnnyskitchenandtap/.
Macarena Tapas: This Naperville tapas restaurant is offering carryout deals, such as 30% off for first responders and teachers and 50% off sangrias and wines, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Order at (630) 420-8995 or see facebook.com/macarenatapasnaperville/ or macarena-naperville.com/.
Nando's Peri-Peri: The fast-casual restaurants in Naperville, Oak Brook, Chicago and more are giving free takeout meals to any nurse, doctor or health care worker who shows a valid health care ID at pickup. Also, each Nando's has allocated up to 50 free meals per day per restaurant to go to laid-off members of the restaurant industry. For locations and details, see nandosperiperi.com/.
Naxos: The Greek Island restaurant in Itasca is offering free delivery on orders of $15 or more placed through DoorDash every Saturday in April. For details, call (847) 250-5410 or see naxoschicago.com/ or facebook.com/Naxosgreekislandrestaurant/.
Niche Restaurant: The Geneva restaurant recently started offering delivery, which is available from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday to the St. Charles, Geneva and Batavia area. See nichegeneva.com/ for the latest updates to the special carryout menu. Niche is also offering drink specials, too, including premade cocktails ($35 a bottle) and cocktail kits featuring an Old Fashioned (sugar, orange, cherries, bitters, soda, 1792 or Sazerac) for $55 and a Manhattan (vermouth, bitters, cherries, 1792 or Sazerac) for $60, plus beer, wine and more. To order, call (630) 262-1000.
Stan's Donuts: Because bread-making supplies are low in many grocery stores, this week bread baker Rich Labriola started baking and selling bread for takeout and delivery at Stan's open locations, including Oakbrook Terrace (the Oakbrook Center and Woodfield Mall locations are currently closed). Choose from dinner rolls, sandwich rolls and baguettes. To order, call (630) 317-7044 or see stansdonuts.com/.
Steak 'n Shake: For anyone who works in a job designated as an essential service, Steak 'n Shake is offering 20% off of any steakburger or fries with proper I.D. (business card, badge, name tag). A special being offered to everyone is the $19.99 Family 4 Pack Meal Deal, which includes four Double 'n Cheese Steakburgers, four small fries and four sodas every day. And Half-Price Happy Hour means that all milk shakes and drinks are half price from 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Available at the drive-through or for takeout only. For locations, see steaknshake.com/.
Village Squire: Takeout specials are on tap every day at the South Elgin and West Dundee Village Squire restaurants. Here are a few: Monday is buy one pizza get one half price; Thursday is kids eat for free with an adult entree; Friday is $10 fish fry day; and Saturday is $15 for a 10-ounce prime rib. To order, call South Elgin: (847) 931-0040 or West Dundee: (847) 428-4483 or see thevillagesquire.com/.
Up North Ale House: How does a free roll of toilet paper sound right about now? Up North in north Naperville is offering a free roll with every order over $25. To order, call (630) 946-6494 or see upnorth-alehouse.com/.
Deer Park Town Center
These Deer Park restaurants are offering some deals. See shopdeerparktowncenter.com/sales/ for details.
Biaggi's: The Italian restaurant is offering 20% off online orders of $50 or more until April 15 with the code BIAGGISHOME. Free delivery for orders of $15 or more. (847) 438-1850 or biaggis.com/.
California Pizza Kitchen: CPK Market -- offering meal kits, fresh produce, pantry items, beer and wine and more -- is now open. (847) 550-0273 or cpk.com/.
Cold Stone Creamery: Take advantage of the buy one, get one free Cold Stone Creations until April 16 with the code APRILBOGO. (847) 726-2663 or coldstonecreamery.com/stores/20497.
La Hacienda De Los Fernandez: Get 20% off pickup orders. (847) 550-9413 or lahaciendadelosfernandez.com/.
Noodles & Co: For a limited time, enjoy free delivery. (847) 726-1000 or noodles.com/.
Easter takeout
Though your plans for gathering with extended family for Easter brunch at a local restaurant may have changed, here are some restaurants that will be serving up Easter meals to enjoy at home.
The Capital Grille: Order the Exclusive Easter Dinner that feeds four to six diners and includes a field greens salad and rolls, a whole rack of bone-in filet, grilled asparagus, Sam's Mashed Potatoes and freshly baked apple crostada for $185. Add-ons include shrimp cocktail for $50 and lobster mac 'n' cheese for $45. The restaurant also is offering butcher shoppe steaks and roasts that you can cook at home. Reserve curbside pickup starting from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, April 10. To order, call Lombard: (630) 627-9800; Rosemont: (847) 671-8125; or Schaumburg: (847) 969-0290; or see thecapitalgrille.com/home.
Seasons 52: Pre-order your Easter dinner, which will be available for curbside pickup from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, April 10. The family-style dinner that serves four to six people includes field greens or romaine Caesar, glazed spiral ham dinner ($100) or wood-grilled beef tenderloin ($140), roasted French green beans, sweet potato mash or Yukon mashed potatoes, and six mini indulgences (raspberry chocolate chip cannoli, Belgian chocolate s'mores, Southern pecan pie). Elevate your meal with mimosas to go for $25 or $40. The full takeout menu will be available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 12. To order, call Oak Brook: (630) 571-4752 or Schaumburg: (847) 517-5252. seasons52.com/home.
• To submit restaurant news or deals, email clinden@dailyherald.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-02--Finding a way to contribute, cancer survivor makes homemade face masks

Still recovering from stage three cancer , Lori Peterson was sitting at her sewing machine this week thinking how she could help the health care workers who 've helped her .
Using some of her common sewing supplies and HEPA vacuum cleaner replacement filters , she set out to make homemade face masks for personnel at Edward Hospital in Naperville , where she dropped off her first batch of 10 on Thursday .
`` I 'm feeling good and feeling strong and I 've got the time , '' said Peterson , whose most recent biopsy came back negative last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to complain and worry about it , but if you can do something and feel like you 're contributing to something positive , it 's good . ''
Peterson maintains a positive disposition despite her diagnosis with anal cancer and the ensuing chemotherapy and radiation she endured .
Her husband , Douglas , described her as being like the Energizer bunny , full of energy and running nonstop , and ever devoted to her students at Lincoln Junior High School in Naperville .
`` My wife is beautiful , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ A family and consumer science teacher , Lori Peterson plans to teach her students how to make the masks when e-learning resumes next week .
Each mask takes her about 45 minutes to make .
`` I know I can comfortably , without too much stress , do just two a day , '' she said .
`` I know it 's not much , but it 's two they did n't have . ''

Finding a way to contribute, cancer survivor makes homemade face masks
Lori Peterson of Naperville is using HEPA vacuum cleaner replacement filters to make face masks for Edward Hospital. "It's one thing to complain and worry about it, but if you can do something and feel like you're contributing to something positive, it's good," she said. Courtesy of Douglas Peterson
Still recovering from stage 3 cancer, Lori Peterson was sitting at her sewing machine this week thinking how she could help the health care workers who've helped her.
Using some of her common sewing supplies and HEPA vacuum cleaner replacement filters, she set out to make homemade face masks for personnel at Edward Hospital in Naperville, where she dropped off her first batch of 10 on Thursday.
"I'm feeling good and feeling strong and I've got the time," said Peterson, whose most recent biopsy came back negative last week. "It's one thing to complain and worry about it, but if you can do something and feel like you're contributing to something positive, it's good."
Peterson maintains a positive disposition despite her diagnosis of anal cancer and the ensuing chemotherapy and radiation she endured.
Her husband, Douglas, described her as being like the Energizer bunny, full of energy and running nonstop, and ever devoted to her students at Lincoln Junior High School in Naperville.
"My wife is beautiful," he said. "She's so humble."
A family and consumer science teacher, Lori Peterson plans to teach her students how to make the masks when e-learning resumes next week. Each mask takes her about 45 minutes to make.
"I know I can comfortably, without too much stress, do just two a day," she said. "I know it's not much, but it's two they didn't have."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-02--Suburban craft breweries have virtual events on tap for Friday

Statewide stay-at-home orders have shuttered tap rooms at craft breweries across Illinois , but some suburban breweries are hosting virtual beer tastings Friday night to connect with their fans from afar .
Among those participating in the event , which is coordinated by the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild , are 2 Fools Cider in Naperville , Black Horizon Brewing Company in Willowbrook , Mikerphone Brewing in Elk Grove Village and Side Lot Brewery in Wauconda .
Each livestream will kick off at 8:30 p.m. Side Lot owner and head brewer Phil Castello said he and his team have hosted livestreams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times during the lockdown .
He said he has enjoyed getting a chance to connect with their community via livestream .
`` One night we did bingo and had a bunch of people tune in , '' Castello said .
`` The beer tasting seems like another creative way to get people involved and looking in your direction . ''
This week , Side Lot has been selling special tasting night six-packs containing three styles of beer and two Side Lot branded glasses .
Castello said he 'll lead a tasting discussion on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added that he 'd gladly speak about any of their beers with anyone on the stream .
Kevin Baldus , a co-owner of Black Horizon Brewing , said they will host their livestream via zoom .
Throughout the week , customers buying to-go from Black Horizon have been able to sign up for the virtual tasting .
On Friday , Baldus said , each customer who signed up will get an email with login information for the call .
`` It 's a way to connect breweries to customers that have n't seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming in and getting beer to go , '' he said .
`` It 's a good excuse to sit back and talk to people about our beer . ''
`` It 'll be nice to socialize .
Not that we do n't like our family members , but it 'll be nice to see other faces , '' Baldus joked .
In a statement , the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild said each brewery is planning something a little different and some may provide behind-the-scenes brewery tours .
For more information , visit @ @

Suburban craft breweries have virtual events on tap for Friday
Statewide stay-at-home orders have shuttered tap rooms at craft breweries across Illinois, but some suburban breweries are hosting virtual beer tastings tonight to connect with their fans from afar.
Among those participating in the event, which is coordinated by the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild, are 2 Fools Cider in Naperville, Black Horizon Brewing Co. in Willowbrook, Mikerphone Brewing in Elk Grove Village and Side Lot Brewery in Wauconda. Each livestream will start at 8:30 p.m.
Side Lot owner and head brewer Phil Castello said he and his team have hosted livestreams on the brewery's Facebook page several times during the lockdown.
He said he has enjoyed getting a chance to connect with their community via livestream.
"One night we did bingo and had a bunch of people tune in," Castello said. "The beer tasting seems like another creative way to get people involved and looking in your direction."
This week, Side Lot has been selling special tasting night six-packs containing three styles of beer and two Side Lot branded glasses. Castello said he'll lead a tasting discussion on the beers in the pack and will gladly speak about any of Side Lot's other beers.
Black Horizon Brewing will host its livestream via Zoom. Throughout the week, customers buying to-go from Black Horizon have been able to sign up for the virtual tasting. Today, each customer who signed up will get an email with login information for the call.
"It's a way to connect breweries to customers that haven't seen us for a while, other than coming in and getting beer to go," co-owner Kevin Baldus said. "It's a good excuse to sit back and talk to people about our beer."
"It'll be nice to socialize. Not that we don't like our family members, but it'll be nice to see other faces," Baldus joked.