Aug. 25--The Chicago Botanic Garden is poised for the long-awaited bloom of Spike, its titan arum. It's rarely opened, exposes a deep red (or maroon) and stinks. Sort of like serious examinations of Illinois' finances in Springfield.
The maker of Just Mayo has been warned by the FDA that it must actually contain eggs to label itself mayo. This follows regulators in Israel saying Heinz ketchup doesn't have enough tomato in it to be considered ketchup. This is a warning, McRib.
An effort to smuggle drugs, tobacco and porn into a Maryland prison via drone was thwarted over the weekend. This follows reports of similar drone incidents at Ohio and South Carolina prisons. Besides the obvious dangers, this threatens to upend the traditional payoff system on which corrupt prison staff rely.
Cox Media's Rare, in a just-removed listing for a political reporter job, said it sought someone like Zoe Barnes. That's the "House of Cards" character who -- spoiler -- has an affair with a top pol who ultimately murders her. Which is one way for Cox to reduce pension costs.
Even before the '68 Democratic Convention officially opened 47 years ago Wednesday, media slammed Chicago's Iron Curtain-style policing. Said Mayor Richard J. Daley's unconcerned special events director, "There is always some confusion at the beginning and experienced convention-goers understand that and they cool their tempers with a cool drink."
philrosenthal@tribpub.com
