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Cubbie Blues Podcast

Cubbie Blues editor Donald Evans was interviewed by WGN 720 radio's Don Digilio on the eve of the Chicago Tribune Printers Row Lit Fest. Download and listen to the uncut MP3 podcast of that interview.

Baseball Writing Workshop: Register Now

Cubbie Blues editor Donald G. Evans is teaching a baseball writing workshop at Loyola's Continuum program (their downtown campus, around Pearson and Wabash). It will be a small group interested in creating baseball literature, and the six sessions will focus on the examination and dissection of classic baseball literature in relation to students' own work. We'll discuss the craft of integrating baseball themes into stories, poems, plays (or whatever form the various projects take), as well as what distinguishes a piece as fine literature (versus some of the more disposable writing on baseball.) Don hopes to create a fun atmosphere where the class can talk about great baseball stories (such as Stuart Dybek's "Death of a Right Fielder") and elevate projects to publishable quality. The class will meet from 6-8 p.m. every Thursday night from March 18 through April 29, excluding April 1. Register today. Visit www.LUC.edu/continuum.

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Sign the Petition!

Holy Cow! Can't Miss Press is a proud sponsor of The Common Fan Sings, a grassroots effort launched by Dave Cihla (co-creator of the Shawon-O-Meter) to let a regular Cubs fan sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the 7th inning stretch at Wrigley Field. Sign the petition to let Dave and other deserving Cubs fans carry on the tradition started by Harry Caray. Then view the video of Dave and some of his supporters singing "Happy Birthday" to Shawon at the Shawon-O-MeetUp at Murphy's Bleachers. 

Cremating the Curse

Harold Gholson and Connie Knauer of Knauer Industries standing next to the Cubs Casket they are donating for the cremation ceremony. Photo by mrjohnmars@yahoo.comSUNDAY, April 5, 2009,2-7 p.m.: Cremating the Curse (Michael's Funeral Home, 800 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg, IL 60193, 847-891-2900): Enough already. Curses, real or imagined, have followed the Cubs ever since their last World Series title in 1908. That was the year Fred Merkle committed his famous “boner,” and in so doing, according to some, cursed the ungracious and undeserving Cubs to their current status. Curses followed curses: the billy goat (1945), the black cat (1969), Bartman (2003). Enough already.

Our authentic cremating ceremony, held on the day before the Cubs' season opener in Houston, is meant to eradicate a century of curses. Why take any chances with 2009? Legendary comedian Tom Dreesen will don his Reverend collar to lead the irreverent ceremony. In his 40-year career, Dreesen has opened for Frank Sinatra (13 years); been a frequent guest on late-night television; hosted theTonight Show and the Late, Late Show; co-authored a book with Tim Reid; written and performed a one-man play; and just about anything else a humble Harvey boy could possibly dream. See Bill Zwecker talking about Dreesen and Cremating the Curse on CBS 2 Chicago.

"Ivy Man" Ward TannhauserOur cast of Cubby mourners includes ex-Cubs outfielder Gene Hiser, former major leaguers Bill Campbell, Skip Pitlock and Bob Miller, ex-Cubs Ball Girl (1986) Kathy Wolter (a.k.a. The Blonde), bestselling author James Finn Garner, One Bad Century host Rick Kaempfer, Cubs historian Brian Bernardoni, playwright Mary Beth Hoerner, Reading Under the Influence co-founder Julia Borcherts, Windy City Story Slam founder and host Bill Hillman, Chicago Literary Scene Examiner columnist Robert Duffer, Cubbie Blues editor Donald G. Evans, superfans Ronnie “Woo Woo” Wickers, Shawon-O-Meter co-creator Dave Cihla, "Ivy Man" Ward Tannhauser and“Radio” Ron Walerowicz, celebrated widow Pat Brickhouse, and many others. The musical group MGM debuts its song Curse of the Cubbie Blues. A book signing will follow the ceremony. 

All attendees get a Chicago-style hot dog courtesy of Red Hot Chicago and a Rally Box of chicken breast strips and fries courtesy of Love Me Tenders, the Official Chicken of the Chicago Cubs.  

Once friends and relations have had their say, the cursed artifacts will be laid to rest in an official Cubbie coffin, and then handed over to a licensed funeral director, who will perform the cremation. The remains will be kept in a Chicago Cubs urn, donated, along with the space, by Michael Demnicki. 

For advance tickets, contact publisher George Rawlinson by phone 847-902-3664 or by email at g.rawlinson@sbcglobal.net. Tickets will also be sold at the door. A portion of all proceeds, as with all Cubbie Blues sales, goes to Chicago Baseball Cancer Charities. 

 

Michael's Funeral Home photo by mrjohnmars@yahoo.comJoin us for the post-party at John Barleycorn in Schaumburg