Metering is ON

sneed

Michael Sneed biography

Michael Sneed has been a Chicago journalist for nearly four decades covering everything short of war.

Among the stories Sneed has reported on in her …

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Dad’s lesson to McCarthy: ‘Lead from the front. Your men always come first’

The city has a new hero. Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy. Like spontaneous combustion, the city’s focus was drawn to the man on a median strip at Cermak and Michigan Avenue on Sunday; a guy commanding from a frontline position-barking orders with a Bronx accent …

Hillary Clinton’s ‘wonderful’ night out with school chums in Chicago

The Buddy Brigade: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton came to Chicago to work . . . and hang out. ◆ Translation: A Cubs baseball game first up — and then downtime with her old school chums. ◆ The script: So after heading to the Cubs/White …

Michael Sneed: Rep. Quigley has ‘nothing but disdain for what the Super PAC has in mind’

The Dimon exchange ... Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, who has been under fire since disclosing his company lost $2 billion-plus due to an “egregious mistake,” gave his wife a stock certificate on their 15th wedding anniversary — handing over one-third of his net …

SHERIFF’S SUMMIT SNUB

Where’s the help??? Scoopsville: Sneed is told Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart coughed up zilch in the way of security for the NATO summit, according to a ticked off top security source who asked not to be identified. ◆The upshot: “They’ve giving us nothing,” said …

Will Obamas take NATO visitors into the ’hood?

The domicile file . . . Hmmmm: Is President Barack Obama going to deviate from his NATO schedule and visit his Kenwood digs on the South Side? Will first lady Michelle Obama stop by her favorite Target store with other NATO wives Sunday after visiting …

Odds on a city casino?

Casino Chat ... Chips ahoy? Sneed hears Gov. Pat Quinn, who is sitting on Chicago casino legislation due to placement of slot machines at racetracks, had a “nice” chat recently with Arlington Racetrack impresario Dick Duchossois. ◆The scene: The Kentucky Derby. ◆Hmmm: Is a Chicago …

Cancer claims James Whitaker, king of the royal watchers

The Royal James . . . Dateline: London: He was the king of the royal watchers; an ex-officio member of the royal circle; the star of his sovereign’s scriveners. ◆ His moniker: James Whitaker. ◆ His title: The premier and most respected royal correspondent of …

Steady reign and dry heir in this weather forecast

Blimey! Cloudy, with a chance of meatballs: England’s Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, has some plummy ways — like talking to plants and berating bad buildings. ◆The weather report: But in an effort to be the real deal, Prince Charles decided to deliver …

Ball purchased from 1945 Cubs-Tigers World Series

Is the end of the 67-year old Cubs’ curse at hand? If Grant DePorter, the man who detonated the Bartman Ball in 2004 in hopes of dispersing the curse, has his way — it will be. ◆To wit: DePorter, the restaurateur/showman who blew the dreaded …

Readers’ barbs, jabs and fanny mail

The letter bin ... A sampling of mail tossed over Sneed’s transom and/or glutting our email file. A suggested etymology of Pippa Middleton — the derriere doyenne who is sister to the royal Kate (nee Middleton) Windsor, the Duchess of Cambridge: Pippa is from Phillippa …

  • Will Mitt Romney give Rick Santorum a top speaking spot at convention? You bet

    Quid pro no? So what’s on former GOP presidential hopeful Rick Santorum’s wish list? Well, there was at least one request on Rick’s list when he met for 90 minutes Friday with GOP presidential front-runner Mitt Romney — who is hoping for Santorum’s endorsement. ◆ …Read More

  • MJ’S SIGNATURE MOVE

    Air Jordan . . . $$$$$$: Historic hoopster Michael Jordan is still cashing in on his sports products, and the prices are bigger than ever. Consider: ◆ Signed photos, programs and ticket stubs are $899 each. ◆ Basketballs, jerseys and canvases are $1,249 each. ◆ …Read More

  • New Obama book is cookin’

    Obamarama . . . Ah, young love. Interested in being served a few slices of President Barack Obama’s former love life? Grab your fork. Author David Maraniss, whose much anticipated biography of President Obama titled Barack Obama: The Story, hits bookshelves next month — found …Read More

  • JOKE ISN’T

    ON RAHM

    Rahm ’em ... Don’t mess with Rahm. Mayor Rahm Emanuel is no Joker. ◆ Translation: Emanuel was portrayed as a Joker (in the vain of the latest Batman flick) on a May Day protester’s lapel button Tuesday beneath the shadows of Loop federal buildings. ◆ …

    Top court has welcome good news for George Ryan in prison

    Finally, he wins one: A chance to challenge his fraud conviction is the first time former Gov. George Ryan has gotten good news since his imprisonment 4œ years ago. “First he loses his wife to cancer. Then he loses his older brother. That was devastating …

  • PRINCE ED BLOWS IN

    Blimey! Britain’s Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, hit town this weekend flying the flag of his mum, Queen Elizabeth —who is celebrating her Diamond Jubilee, 60 years on the throne. Prince Edward, the youngest of the Queen’s four children, is the uncle-in-law of Kate …Read More

  • Despite prison stint, Vrdolyak says ‘I’ve never had a bad day in my life’

    Eddie’s out! “The Croatian word for Happiness is Vrdolyak!” Thus spoke former political powerhouse Ed Vrdolyak, who is now a free man. No more jail. No more electronic bracelet. No more halfway house. No home confinement. “I told my wife, Denise, that if anyone needed …Read More