The official diagnosis is “stress,” but it sure looks like a terminal illness to us. We’re talking about trees at Mayor Daley’s favorite project, Millennium Park.
Public Building Commission spokesman Terry Levin says that none of the 340 trees planted so far is dead or dying, despite their brown and sickly appearance. He says it is routine stress from being transplanted to their new home.
But sources say troubling drainage problems have park planners struggling for a solution to keep some of the trees from drowning. Drainage ditches had to be dug and on Friday crews were pumping water away from trees along Michigan Avenue. It seemed to be the tree equivalent of CPR.
Wait, there’s more: Levin says the trees have one-year warranties, so even if they do die, tax money wouldn’t pay for replacements. Meanwhile, the park now is expected to cost close to $400 million–well over the $150 million initial projection. And, as you can guess from the name–Millennium–the park was supposed to open in 2000 but is now set to open in summer 2003.
Get new stars stat!: Hoping to prop up the aging drama about a Chicago hospital, “E.R.” producers are said to be negotiating with Mekhi Phifer, who stars in the Shakespearean movie “O” that opened this weekend. Phifer reportedly would play an intern–to help fill the big hole that will be left after ER docs played by Anthony Edwards and Eriq La Salle leave the show at the end of this season.
This just in: As he revs up his campaign for governor, Illinois Atty. Gen. Jim Ryan has dropped his longtime Chicago-based media advisor, Brian Boyer Productions, choosing instead suburban D.C.’s Stevens Reed Curcio & Company, which did media for the successful campaign of U.S. Sen. Peter Fitzgerald (R-Ill.).
Boyer will work instead for the GOP gubernatorial campaign of State Sen. Patrick O’Malley (R-Palos Park). “It’s going to be the most interesting and competitive Republican primary in three decades,” Boyer says
Yum!: Isaac Hayes, the voice of the chef on the irreverent “South Park” TV cartoon show–and a Chicago rib restaurateur–performs at 6:30 p.m. Saturday after toiling over a hot grill at the first Chicago Rockin’ Rib Fest. The three-day ode to charred meat benefits Mercy Home for Boys & Girls starting Friday at 5 p.m. with live music, drink and … ribs! The all-star lineup of co-chairmen: Mr. Cub Ernie Banks, Mercy Home’s Rev. James Close, restaurateur Leon Finney Sr. and Judy Royko, widow of Chicago columnist Mike Royko, whose original rib competitions set the standard for all rib contests that followed. Admission is $15 at the gate at the parking lot near Randolph Street and Ogden Avenue. See HitEvents.com for details.
Election 2004–already?: Labor Day is the traditional launch date for campaigns, so take a look at President George W. Bush’s Labor Day schedule. On Monday, he is set to go to Detroit and on to Green Bay, Wis. Coincidence? We think not: Both Michigan and Wisconsin were states that Democrat Al Gore carried in 2000. He said, she said: “We had one verbal argument, one day. There was no physicality whatsoever–as if you could really imagine me rolling on the ground and pulling her hair out.” That’s Mira Sorvino on tabloid reports that she fought with co-star Mariah Carey in their upcoming “Wise Girls” film.
… but who’s counting?: Sunday birthdays: Football’s Terry Bradshaw, 53; actress Salma Hayek, 35; actress Linda Purl, 46; actor Keanu Reeves, 37.
THE INC. SPOT
Inc. catches up with a honey of a guy.
Second City’s David Pompeii, 32, plays Honey Boy Watson, a’50s-style nightclub crooner whose dance moves, costumes and joie de vivre mask a very weak voice. Pompeii does Honey Boy concerts, has a Honey Boy CD and is writing a screenplay for his character.
Inc.–What was the inspiration for Honey Boy?
A–He’s a character based on Chuck Berry, Little Richard and some Sly Stone. He’s a rock ‘n’ roll semistar who had his music stolen by an unscrupulous white producer.
Inc.–But he’s not down about it, on stage anyway. He’s a ladies man, right?
A–He thinks he’s sexy, but he’s not. He’s skinny, he’s got a pompadour. He likes to take his shirt off. Honey Boy doesn’t do a kids show.
Inc.–What’s his best pickup line?
A–He wouldn’t use a line. He would just fully expect you to come with him.
Inc.–Honey Boy sings a lot of off-color songs. What is the audience’s reaction to that?
A–It’s kind of amazing. They go crazy. You cannot believe what people will allow if you play some music and you put on a show for them.
Inc.–What do you like best about playing Honey Boy?
A–It allows me to be a rock star, which is something I always wanted to do. This week I’ve got to go buy some costume pieces for an upcoming concert, and I always fantasized about doing that as a kid.
Inc.–How do you feel about the future?
A–This is the best I’ve felt. I’m having my best year financially. I’m not getting rich, but I’m getting more exposure now. I’m not scared at all. I just have this feeling that it’s about time.The Inc. spot
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Send comments to Warren and Armour at bancodeprofissionais.com, or e-mail them at inc@tribune.com. Catch them each Thursday on the “WGN Morning News.”
