What is Gapers Block? Gapers Block is a Chicago-centric web publication providing information on news, events and other interesting stuff around town. Gapers Block wants you to slow down and check out your city!
OK, what's a "gapers block"?
There are many terms for the slowdown in traffic that occurs when there's an accident on the side of the road. Some people call it rubbernecking, others a lookie-loo. Here in Chicago (and a few other places where Chicago expats are common) we call it a gapers block or gapers delay. What better name for a site that asks you to slow down and check out all the cool things in the city?
Consider GB an antidote to all those sites infatuated with the coasts. On the front page, you'll find Merge, a weblog on a wide range of topics updated throughout the day; Slowdown, a calendar highlighting events you may not have heard about; a daily photo in Rearview and a question to ponder and discuss in Fuel. The site also includes topical sections covering arts and culture (A/C), literature (
Our volunteer staff of contributors is made up of Chicagoans both native and imported, with diverse backgrounds and interests but two things in common: a deep love of the city and a wish to share it with you. If you're interested in joining us, see our submissions page.
Editors
Andrew Huff, Editor & Publisher
Andrew thinks Chicagoland is the best amusement park ever. A lifelong night owl, he works deep into the night at his West Ridge two-flat, writing and editing and playing with the cats. He spends more time online than probably is healthy; follow along at me3dia.com. Email him at ah@gapersblock.com.
David Schalliol, Managing Editor - A/C, Rearview
A graduate student in sociology at the University of Chicago and the Visiting Assistant Professor of Social Sciences at the Illinois Institute of Technology, David is involved in more projects than he can shake a stick at. You can check out some of his diversions at his personal website, metroblossom, and that flickr place. He has South Side pride. Email him at dcs@gapersblock.com.
Ramsin Canon, Politics Editor - Mechanics
Ramsin Canon works and lives in Chicago. He has worked in and written about local and state politics for the last six years, and currently writes about the big issues at RamsinCanon.com. Ramsin wrote GB's political column Revenge of the Second City from 2003 to 2008, and Bears in Five for the 2005 and 2006 seasons. Email him at rc@gapersblock.com.
Claire GlassLiterary Editor - Book Club
Claire Glass grew up in Philadelphia but was secretly born in Camden, New Jersey. She moved to Chicago after graduating from New York University this past May. She writes essays and short stories, mostly about her family and gross things she witnesses while on public transportation. She works for Chicago Publishes at the Cultural Center and for MAKE Mag.
Anne Holub, Music Editor - Transmission
Anne, a native Virginian, still considers herself a southerner even though she moved to Chicago from Montana. During the daylight hours she clickity clacks on the interwebs, and sometimes she writes poems for no money at all. At night, she enjoys knitting and roving with The Crafty Ladies. Email her at anne@gapersblock.com.
Rose Lannin, Calendar Editor - Slowdown
Rose came to Chicago by way of San Francisco and St. Paul, pursued higher education, and has been here ever since. Dull is how she rolls in her work life, but when not cheerfully steeped in routine she inhabits a colorful world of comic books, crafting, and saying she'll finally update an often-neglected blog. Email her at rl@gapersblock.com.
Robyn Nisi, Food Editor - Drive-Thru
Robyn is from Omaha, home of the best pizza in Chicago. She laments the discontinuation of such foodstuffs as PB Max and OK Cola, and continues to fight for sweet treat justice (using elite street justice). Email her at rn@gapersblock.com.
Kelly Reaves, Arts Editor - A/C
Kelly moved to Chicago in 2003 for art school, racked up as much student debt as one can possibly rack up over six years, and is currently working it off behind a bar. In her free time she runs a gallery, makes paintings, and sits on her back porch in East Garfield Park, watching her dogs chase flies. Email her at kr@gapersblock.com.
Jim Reedy, Sports Editor - Tailgate
Jim moved here at the start of 2010, fulfilling his destiny as a fourth-generation Chicagoan. He grew up in the Boston suburbs with some of the nation's best and most obnoxious sports fans, but 10 years in Virginia stripped away most of that Northeast provincialism. He rooted for Frank Thomas and Michael Jordan in the early '90s because they wore really cool uniforms. Email him at jr@gapersblock.com.
Naz Hamid, Cofounder & Creative Director Emeritus
Naz is easily irritated by inactivity but is a firm believer in simplicity. He takes a mellow approach to things but thinks a great lot about them. His design work may be found at weightshift.com. He now lives in San Francisco.
