Rick Kogan – Page 5 –

Dan Goodwin makes his way up the Sears Tower on May 25, 1981, as would-be rescuers lowered on scaffolding. But the 25-year-old daredevil just rushed by them and waved on his way to the top of the giant building, the worlds tallest. (Walter Kale/baiduhai)

Column: Remembering when Dan Goodwin, aka Spider-Dan, touched Chicago’s sky

May 13, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

In 1981, the climber Dan Goodwin made himself part of Chicago's history by climbing both the Sears Tower and the Hancock Building. He has a new memoir.

Patti Smith performs at the Chicago Theatre on Nov. 17, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Chicago-born Patti Smith is the winner of this year’s Harold Washington Literary Award

May 12, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Singer and author Patti Smith will return to Chicago in September to accept the award before the 41st annual Printers Row Lit Fest.

Garry Trudeau, the creator of the comic strip "Doonesbury" attends an event at Amazon Studios, on Nov. 7, 2013 in North Hollywood, California (Frank Micelotta/Invision/AP)

Column: Ready to travel into the secret life of Garry Trudeau and ‘Doonesbury’?

May 12, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

A biography delves into the private life of the "Doonesbury" cartoonist. We spent a day together in New York decades ago.

Members of the Mahjong Society play mahjong at Barcocina West Town, May 3, 2026, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Column: Mad for mahjong — the game from China is having its moment in Chicago

May 11, 2026 at 3:12 p.m.

Its new popularity is both about the game and the sense of community it brings. Mahjong can be found everywhere from senior centers to trendy nightspots.

Cubs catcher Gabby Hartnett visits with Al Capone and son Alphonso "Jiggs" Capone Jr. at a Cubs-Sox charity game at Comiskey Park on Sept. 9, 1931. The Cubs' is talking to Capone. State Rep. Roland Libonati is seated next to Capone's son. (Chicago Herald and Examiner)

Column: New book takes us back to the night Geraldo Rivera opened Al Capone’s vault on live TV

May 5, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Al Capone has been back in the news recently because April 21 was the 40th anniversary of a live TV special hosted by Geraldo Rivera.

Comedian Arsenio Hall, June 11, 2013, in Chicago. He was promoting a new show. (Chris Walker/baiduhai)

Column: ‘Woof, woof, woof!’ In the late-night wars, Arsenio Hall stands tall

April 29, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Reading the recently published book “Arsenio: A Memoir” is a pleasant experience, surprisingly entertaining as the actor and former late-night television show host gives us all manner of lively showbiz...

Rex A. Heuermann (center) pleads guilty to murdering seven women and admitted he killed an eighth in a string of crimes known as the Gilgo Beach killings, at a court hearing in Suffolk County Court in Riverhead, New York, on April 8, 2026. (James Carbone/Newsday via AP)

Column: Of new shows about the Gilgo Beach serial killer, one series also considers the victims

April 28, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

“The Gilgo Beach Killer: House of Secrets" and “Killing Grounds: The Gilgo Beach Murders” are two new programs about Rex Heuermann.

Brothers Patrick Stewart, left, and Connor Stewart, grandsons of the famous barkeep Butch McGuire, stand in their bar, Mary Jo McGuire's, on North Lincoln Avenue in Chicago, April 21, 2026. The bar is named after their grandmother. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)

Column: Grandsons give a famous tavern matriarch a place to call her own

April 22, 2026 at 9:36 a.m.

Grandsons of the late Mary Jo and Butch McGuire grew up working in their grandfather's famous spot on Division Street. Now they're getting into the business.

Lorne Michaels in a scene from director Morgan Neville's documentary "Lorne." (Focus Features)

Column: ‘Lorne’ documentary shows us the man behind the ‘SNL’ curtain, sort of

April 21, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Director Morgan Neville's film is a lighthearted profile of an accomplished person, but it is all surface and pleasant observations.

A scene from the film "Cookie Queens" by Alysa Nahmias,
part of the 2026 Doc10 Film Festival in Chicago. (Provided by Sundance Film Festival)

Column: This year’s Doc10 has films about Girl Scouts, Norman Lear and Billie Jean King

April 15, 2026 at 11:26 a.m.

Along with a full calendar of documentary films, this year's festival introduces “Speak Truth,” with screenings accompanied by panel discussions and audience participation.

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