Halloween edition, student walkout, and 1,000 people mourn victims of Maine mass shooting
Plus, a new podcast episode of the B-Side
Welcome back to ‘In the Loop’! We’ve got a good one for you today. It’s your newsletter team — Alexandra, Audrey, Alex, Lauren, Sam, Elizabeth, Hailey and Emily — back with another edition to start off your Monday night!
Happy almost Halloween! Tonight, 14 East Senior Associate Editor Audrey Leib went to a local Lincoln Park speakeasy, King of Cups, to get a tarot card reading and get into the spooky spirit. Also, on Wednesday the DePaul student organization, Students for Justice in Palestine, led a walkout to protest the siege on Gaza and to demand university leader support. In national news, more than 1,000 people congregated in a church to mourn the victims of Maine’s most deadly mass shooting .
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With that, let’s get into tonight’s news!
The B-Side: Halloween Every Day
By Alex Stone, Audrey Leib and Dmitry Taras
14 East Magazine contributor Alex Stone reads his story titled “Halloween Every Day.” Stone also updates listeners on what has changed since his surgery, including his relationship with his mom and himself.
Story and narration by Alex Stone
Produced by Audrey Leib
Music by Dmitry Taras
I Got My Tarot Cards Read So You Don’t Have to
By Audrey Leib
For the past couple of weeks, I have been researching places to get my tarot cards read. But why not combine getting my tarot cards read and happy hour? So, I did just that.
I entered the Lincoln Park speakeasy King of Cups last Wednesday at around 5:15 p.m., greeted by the bartender who was sweeping the leaves up from the floors. The bar was dark, lit only by lights covered in black fabric and candles on the bar. Music swelled throughout the room; the sultry song Smooth Operator by Sade made the atmosphere even more mystifying.
The décor left me feeling like I was in a mixture of the Haunted Mansion ride at Disneyland and a luxury estate sale. At the bar, there is a large and ornate mirror and two TVs with a decorative gold frame surrounding them. On one side of the bar, a loop of Charlie Chaplin clips played while on the other TV a Gamecube-like start up screen played. I must admit, I sat there watching the Charlie Chaplin clips and giggled a little too often at them.
I sat at the bar and ordered a plum Moscow mule, making small talk with the bartender. I asked him how often he had to change the candles on the bar, to which he responded it was twice a day except for in the summer, then they would be changed up to four times. The candles had been there since they opened the bar, and the wax was only cleaned off when it got too thick to put a candle on. He said that once a customer offered him $300 just for one of the candelabras. It was then, at around 5:30 p.m. or so, that the bartender informed me that tarot card readings would not start until around 7 p.m. That was fine by me, I can be patient.
By the time 7 p.m. rolled around, I had exhausted my phone’s battery and was giddy. The tarot card readers swap out often, as they just use the space and are not employed by the bar. My reader for the night was a tall woman named Julia. She led me to a back hallway that had a small table and two chairs, as well as a large mirror on the wall. Occasionally, people would pass through the hallway, but it did not bother me much.
I do my own tarot card readings, and some for friends as well, but for those who have never had one done, here is the process. Julia asked me if I wanted to know about love, wealth, career, family, etc. or to do a more general reading of past, present, or future. I decided to go with a reading for the future. On the small table, there were around seven different stacks of cards, each was a different tarot deck. Julia meditated on my question, then flipped over a random card from each of the decks.
The first card pulled signaled a recent loss of connection with someone, which was right on the nose. I just a couple weeks ago pulled the plug on a relationship. Julia said that this recent loss was most likely what would catapult me to what the rest of the cards said. The rest of the cards pointed to me coming more out of my shell – Julia explained the me of that moment as like a butterfly in a chrysalis. She also explained that one of the cards was all about me speaking up for myself, specifically in setting boundaries – something I am working on with my therapist. She also noted that she did not see anything overtly negative coming up in the next six months. Overall, the reading left me feeling empowered and like I was on the right track.
I paid Julia the $15, plus a $5 tip, and left the bar. After searching for weeks for a tarot card reader in the Chicago area, and seeing that most of them were upwards of $65 per reading, I felt intense relief after my reading. The cards were scarily accurate, down to the recent breakup and what my therapist and I have been working on. While it was a tad bit frightening to hear my therapy sessions restated in the hallway of a bar, I was comforted by the lack of negativity in my reading. Overall, I enjoyed my two and a half hours spent at the bar and will definitely be going back.
DePaul News
By Alex Reading
DePaul hosts first Townhall of 2023-2024 academic year
DePaul hosted its first Town Hall of the academic year on Thursday. Students, faculty and staff were invited to learn about the state of the university, and the efforts being made to improve it. The Town Hall began with President Robert Manuel addressing DePaul’s finances, and how the school has been operating at a loss. He went on to celebrate the significant increase in enrollment, which you can read about below. Shifting focus, Manuel brought up technology and AI, and the potential use for it in classrooms. He also dedicated time to explaining what’s being done about campus safety. This included listing what the university has changed to ensure student safety, as well as current efforts that are being made. Most notably, President Manuel repealed the library I.D. checks and pledged to create a group representing student voices in future decisions. Before concluding the Town Hall, he shared a heartfelt acknowledgment of both Israeli and Palestinian suffering and promised to create a task force to help students navigate the conflict. You can read more about the Town Hall here.
Enrollment rate increases by 2.1% for Fall 2023
As President Manuel discussed at the Town Hall, DePaul’s enrollment rose by 2.1% for the Fall quarter this year. Looking at the numbers, 41% of enrolled freshmen are first-generation students, and 51% are people of color. Freshman retention also rose 3%, with Black and Hispanic freshman retention rates rising 4% and 6% respectively. These increases in enrollment and retention help DePaul make strides toward its goal of eliminating the achievement gap. You can read more about the enrollment rates here.
Students walk out to protest siege on Gaza
On Wednesday, students walked out of class at 2 p.m. to protest the siege on Gaza and demand that university leaders support an end to the violence. The walkout was led by DePaul’s student organization, Students for Justice in Palestine, and included more than 100 students and some professors around the Lincoln Park campus protesting. Find out more here.
Chicago Headlines
By Lauren Sheperd
Man in custody after West Side Halloween shooting – 15 people were injured at a mass shooting at a Halloween party in the North Lawndale neighborhood early Sunday morning. Two of the victims were taken to the hospital in critical condition, but have since stabilized. The man fled following the shooting and was eventually apprehended by police on the 4000 block of W. 14th St. according to 10th District Commander William Betancourt. Charges against the man have yet to be finalized, but police will be investigating the venue of the shooting, as the event was unlicensed. Block Club Chicago’s Mack Liederman has more.
Landlord pleads not guilty in killing of six-year-old Palestinian boy – The Joliet landlord accused of stabbing a six-year-old Palestinian-Muslim boy – Wadea Al-Fayoume – to death and injuring his mother – Hanaan Shahin – pleaded not guilty this morning after being indicted by an Illinois grand jury. Joseph Czuba, 71, has eight counts against him including first-degree murder, attempted murder, battery and hate crime charges. Prosecutors say that Al-Fayoume was stabbed 26 times and Shahin was stabbed 12 times. According to investigators, Al-Fayoume and Shahin were targeted due to their religion and ethnicity. WGN’s Sophia Tareen, the Associated Press and Sean Lewis have more.
Migrant tent camps are at risk of becoming permanent – Following Mayor Brandon Johnson’s announcement to create temporary tent camps for migrants arriving in Chicago, Immigrant and Refugee Rights Committee Chair Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward reached out to International Organization for Migration specialist Joseph Ashmore. Utilizing past case studies of temporary camps in places such as France, Jordan and Germany, Ashmore referred to them as a “last resort.” This comes just a few weeks after Johnson signed a $29 million contract with GardaWorld Services to create these temporary, winterized camps as the city continues to be overwhelmed by migrants. South Side Weekly’s Wendy Wei, Jim Daley and Matt Chapman have more.
Bulls start the 2023-23 NBA season at 1-2 – The Bulls played their first three games of the 2023-24 season this past week. They won their second game in overtime against the Toronto Raptors with a game-winning three from Alex Caruso. However, the Bulls lost their other two season-starting games against the Oklahoma City Thunder – their home opener – and the Detroit Pistons. Despite shooting guard Zach LeVine putting up 51 points against the Pistons, the Bulls still lost by 16. Their next game is tonight against the Indiana Pacers at 6 p.m. ESPN has more on the Bulls.
National Headlines
By Sam Freeman
Thousands pay tribute to victims of Maine’s mass shooting – More than 1,000 people congregate in a church and outside the church to mourn the victims of Maine’s most deadly mass shooting. They gathered at the vigil at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Lewiston. The vigil was held two days after the body of the suspected shooter was found in a trailer in Lisbon Falls. The suspected shooter, Robert Card, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after killing 18 people and injuring 13 others in a shooting rampage in Lewiston. Authorities found many legally purchased guns when searching for Card but have yet to determine a motive. Investigators are looking into his mental health and paranoia. “We will not be defined by the tragedies that happened,” said the Rev. Todd Little from the First United Pentecostal Church. “Fear, anxiety and trepidation will not dictate our present or our future.” Jake Bleiberg, David Sharp and Robert F. Bukaty from the Associated Press has the story.
Ohio voters prepare to vote on an abortion amendment on November 7 – Ohio voters will be hitting the polls on November 7 to decide whether they add reproductive rights and protections to the state constitution. Abortion is currently legal in Ohio up to 22 weeks. A July poll from USA Today and Suffolk University found that 58% of Ohioans backed the amendment and 32% opposed. The proposed amendment would make it constitutional to “make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions,” including abortion, contraception, fertility treatment and miscarriage care. It would also make it legal for the state to restrict abortion after fetal viability – with an exception to protect the patient’s life or health – which most Americans would agree with. A six-week ban was temporarily instated last year but was put on hold by a judge. That ban has the potential to be restored if the amendment doesn’t pass. Annie Gowen from The Washington Post has the story.
Matthew Perry dies at age 54 – Actor Matthew Perry, best known for his role as Chandelor in “Friends,” was found dead of an apparent drowning in Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles Times and other reports. The medical examiner has not yet determined his death. Perry played the sarcastic but loveable character named Chandler on “Friends.” But he struggled with addiction behind the scenes, ultimately spending half of his life in treatment, according to his memoir “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing.” Perry received an Emmy nomination for his role in “Friends,” and he also starred in several films, including “Fools Rush in” and “17 Again.” Emma Bowman of NPR has more information.
Former Vice President Mike Pence drops out of the presidential race – On Saturday, Mike Pence dropped out of the presidential race due to a lack of campaign funds and support in the polls. He ended his campaign more than two months before the Iowa caucuses. According to the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, the majority of U.S. adults, 58%, viewed Pence negatively, and only 28% had a positive view. Pence expected to gain traction in Iowa, which has a large white Evangelical population, but even there he wasn’t performing well. Pence said at the Republican Jewish Coalition gathering in Las Vegas: "We always knew this would be an uphill battle, but I have no regrets.” The Associated Press has more information.
14 East Pueblo: Pitbull, Enrique Iglesias and Ricky Martin’s Trilogy Tour to Come to Chicago This Week
By Annabelle Rivera
Latin artists Pitbull, Enrique Iglesias and Ricky Martin are coming to Chicago for two days as part of their North American Trilogy Tour. The tour, sponsored by Live Nation, will have stops at Chicago’s United Center on November 1-2.
“Fans can expect an unforgettable night of music,” Live Nation’s press release said, “as the megastars deliver an electrifying mix of their biggest career-spanning hits with influences of reggaeton, salsa pop, dance, and electronic music, backed by world-class production and state-of-the-art visuals.”
This is not the first time the artists have toured with each other. Iglesias and Pitbull toured together in 2017 with CNCO, which sold over 400,000 tickets and brought in over $40 million. Iglesias and Martin toured together in 2021 with Sebastian Yatra, which brought in nearly $20 million. However, this is the first time that all three artists have shared a stage together.
“I am incredibly excited to be going on tour with my friends Pitbull and Ricky,” Martin said. “The Trilogy Tour will be an amazing experience for ALL of our fans. It’s going to be a once in a lifetime tour.”
“It’s a true honor to tour with Enrique and Ricky, 2 music icons, who broke global music barriers for our culture and open doors for someone like myself,” said Pitbull. “We’re excited to take The Trilogy tour around the world and give our fans the time of their Trilogy lives, Dale!
The 19-city North American Trilogy Tour began on October 14 in Washington D.C. and will conclude on December 16 in Vancouver. According to the press release, the show will have “three unique headlining sets from each artist.”
Hey, Check This Out!
With Featured Columnist Elizabeth Gregerson
If you are reading this column on Monday night you’ve got less than 24 hours to get in the Halloween spirit until the conveyor belt of holidays moves on. Hopefully this week’s recommendation column can help you get in the spooky mood.
The podcast network Grim & Mild is known for its twisted take on historic storytelling. The Noble Blood podcast covers the darker side to the lives of legendary royals, Strange Arrivals examines theories behind UFOs encounters and Lore retells the stories of folklore that have been passed on over the centuries.
Aaron Mahnke’s 13 Days of Halloween is not a traditional podcast with a host covering a certain topic with a variety of guests. Instead, 13 Days of Halloween takes listeners back to the golden age of radio.
A scripted show, 13 Days of Halloween has a cast of talented voice actors playing characters led by actress Natalie Morales as Sayuri.
The first episode starts with Sayuri arriving at work to start her day as usual but quickly takes a turn for the worse. One abduction later, Sayuri wakes up in a cell at Pendleton Rehabilitation Center.
Sayuri cannot glean any information from the people around her, though she tries. Each episode tells the story of another character at Pendleton and offers up the slightest bit of insight into what Pendleton is and why Sayuri is there. Like any good suspenseful radio program, for every answer given at least three more questions come to the surface.
Will Sayuri ever escape? Will she ever discover what the doctors are doing at Pendleton? Will she ever uncover who’s voice she hears singing in the middle of the night?
One episode has been released everyday since October 19 and the final episode premieres on Halloween. Available on all podcast platforms, Aaron Mahnke’s 13 Days of Halloween is the perfect bingeable spooky season sendoff.
Resources
Need resources regarding warming centers, rental assistance, abortion access, COVID-19 testing and vaccines or mental health? Check out our complete list here.
That’s it for today! See you next Monday.
The 14 East Newsletter Team