Soil Compilation

Music
An Interview With Eric Johnson Of Fruit Bats

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Fruit Bats are an indie rock band out of Chicago formed by singer and songwriter Eric D. Johnson. With a career spanning three decades, Johnson has served as the band’s permanent member, with various musicians joining the band for studio recordings and live performances. With their latest release, The Landfill, Fruit Bats are touring and making a stop at The Englert in Iowa City on Wednesday, October 21st. KRUI’s Myles Ackman and Kade Grierson met and spoke with Johnson over the phone for an exclusive KRUI interview. MA: Going back to your early years, can you tell us a little … Continued

Online Content
In Conversation with “Dis/Comfort: Confronting Histories of African Art in the United States”

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On October 15th, I had the pleasure of a guided tour through the student-curated art exhibition “Dis/Comfort,” created by a class that collaboratively uses a semester to build its own African art exhibit for the Stanley Museum, “Curating African Art for the American Museum.” Being who I am, naturally I wanted to highlight this extremely valuable opportunity to have a hand in professional curation for college students. For my class this semester, How to Write About Art, we were given the opportunity to have a guided class period through the exhibit with the help of two students who worked on … Continued

Sports
Chicago Bears

Imagining What’s on Each NFC North Team’s Christmas List

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At this point, everyone has a pretty good feel for each team’s strengths and weaknesses. If the run defense hasn’t been fixed by now, it probably never will be this season – unless of course, Santa comes early. Given that we are approaching the holiday season, I figured it would be a good time to imagine what is at the top of each team’s Christmas list. (Image via Minnesota Vikings)

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NFC North Midseason Superlatives

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Traditionally, superlatives are given out at the end of the year – a fun reflection on the times we had and the people we met. But this year, since nothing has been traditional, I’ve decided to give out superlatives at the halfway point in the season. So without further ado, here are a handful of midseason superlatives for the NFC North. (Image via Chicago Bears)

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Three reasons the Bears could be back in the Postseason sooner than we think

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The Lowdown:   As Bears fans everywhere know: rebuilding is a long, torturous process that has had us ready to punt our TVs out the window ever since Jay Cutler joined us in watching the Packers advance to the Super Bowl in 2011. But hey, it could always be worse… the Jets were also playing in the conference championship that season, at least we’re not them. That being said, things are cautiously optimistic for Bears fans right now… even with the injury to Zach Miller. Most people believe the Bears are still years away from true contention, but why listen? … Continued

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Chicago Bears Mock Draft

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The NFL draft is now upon us, one of the oddest sports television phenomenons that our country annually celebrates. It’s a time that brings hope to all 32 franchises, but is often looked back on as a day where hopes and dreams turned into pain and anguish for fans across the country. As a Bears fan, the last decade or so of draft picks has produced little worth celebrating. The bears have only extended four draft picks since the 2007 draft, and right guard Kyle Long is the only current  Bear draft pick that is in his second contract with the team. … Continued

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Jay Cutler Should Get Another Shot

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If someone was asked to sum up the career of former Denver Bronco and Chicago Bear Jay Cutler in one word, that someone would be wise to describe him as polarizing. As a resident in the Chicagoland area throughout the duration of Cutler’s 8 year career, I can assure you that very few talking heads had an opinion of him that wasn’t on the extreme end of the spectrum. Cutler has been the poster boy for the “you either love him or you hate him” cliche. What bothers so many people in the Cutler fan camp is how he has … Continued

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Biggest Offseason Needs for Chicago Bears

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Coming off a disappointing 3-13 record, John Fox has now led two straight losing seasons in Chicago. There will be no time for mourning in Halas Hall, though, as the 2017 season began after the final game in Minnesota on January 1st. Taking a quick look at the Bears’ injury report during the 2016 season, names like Kyle Long, Zach Miller, Danny Trevathan, Kevin White and Jeremy Langford are among the many that could have made a profound impact on the season. Pile on Alshon Jeffery’s four-game suspension, and Chicago never stood a chance. Barring more devastating injuries in 2017, … Continued

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