RIP Pete The Greek / Jewel Shooting / Pierogi / 'High-Risk' Bulls

"Pete the Greek," as Panagiotis Tritsarolis was known to breakfast crowd regulars at Cal Harbor Restaurant in my neighborhood, loved to work.

A slight man with bushy, black hair and a monumental mustache, he was Pullman's stacker of pancakes and server of homemade soups.

He vowed to never leave the neighborhood, where found his life's work, met his wife and so many customers who became friends. And he kept that promise.

Tritsarolis died suddenly on Dec. 7 at home. He was 74.

KONKOL COLUMN: Cal Harbor Restaurant Owner "Pete the Greek" Loved To Work

A Breeze. High: 52 Low: 47

• New Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez promised parents that he'll address staffing shortages and transportation gaps for students with disabilities. "We're still struggling with providing transportation to all of our diverse learners. We're still having challenges, frankly, around staffing, and we still have challenges with vacancies and different schools," he said. (Chalkbeat)
• City Hall has offered a $2.9 million settlement to Anjanette Young, an African American social worker who police handcuffed naked during a wrongful raid. "We all saw that horrific video, we all saw the way in which she was treated," Mayor Lori Lightfoot said. "This will provide her, I think, with a substantial amount of resources." (Patch)
• The Bulls' COVID-19 outbreak is now a "high-risk environment." Ten players have tested positive for coronavirus. The NBA postponed today's game against Detroit and Thursday's contest against Toronto. (Patch)
• I'm not sharing my mom's pierogi, so you'll have to settle for this short list of (mostly North Side) restaurants that serve the ultimate in Polish comfort food. (Eater)
• A 32-year-old man was shot in the head after a fight broke out in a Jewel parking lot in the West Elsdon neighborhood on the Southwest Side. The 54-year-old shooter had a concealed carry license, authorities said. (WGN)

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For A Good Time, Click:

• Sleigh Bells: A kaleidoscopic Christmas at The Medinah Temple (6 p.m.)
• Rob Parton Big Band Christmas Show at FitzGerald’s (7 p.m.)
• Modern Nun, Interlay, Harvey Waters at Empty Bottle (7:30 p.m.)
• The Glorious Sons, Brother Elsey at Metro (7 p.m.)

• Eddie Vedder and The Earthlings added a second Chicago show.
• A father of three was beaten to death while putting up Christmas lights in Gage Park.
• Tribune photographer John J. Kim's very cool skyline picture: City of Streaky Lights.
• The holiday gift almost no one wants: Chicago parking ticket socks.

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• 33% off a medical cannabis card certification until the end of 2021! (Dec. 18)
• Shanna's Shop of Divas Presents ISSA Holiday Pop-Up Shop (Dec. 18)
• USCCA Instructor Certification Class - valid in 36 states. (Dec. 29)
• Chicago Scene New Year's Eve Party at The Drake Hotel (Dec. 31)
• First Night Evanston is “Closer Than in Person” with a virtual 25th New Year’s Eve Variety Show (Dec. 31)
• Opening Reception: (un)disclosed with Bryana Bibbs (Jan. 8)
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