Gapers Block published from April 22, 2003 to Jan. 1, 2016. The site will remain up in archive form. Please visit Third Coast Review, a new site by several GB alumni.
✶ Thank you for your readership and contributions. ✶
Friday, October 24
The Little Village Environmental Justice Organization gives "Toxic Tours" of the neighborhood as a way to educate the community and others about the looming toxic presence of several industries right in their backyards. In Mechanics, Sheila Burt takes the tour and learns more about the sources of pollution.
Ouch. Lou Piniella and Ozzie Guillen are the least popular managers in Major League Baseball, according to a Sports Illustrated players poll. [via rasml through @GBtips -- see, it works!]
OK, so we're going to try a little experiment. We now have a Twitter tip line at @GBtips in addition to our main account. It's powered by Spotd, the retweet system behind the popular Tamale Guy Tracker. Learn how it works after the jump...
If you've got a Twitter account, you can send us story tips -- breaking news, interesting links, events, whatever -- to that account in the form of an "@ reply" and it'll be retweeted in the GBtips stream. We'll keep an eye on what comes in and possibly use your tip in posts on GB! And of course, we'll give you credit.
This is highly experimental -- it could become a huge mess, or die from disuse. We'll block anyone who gets abusive, vulgar or spammy with it. If you've got any feedback for us, DM us on that account or the main GB account or send us an email.
A former University of Chicago grad student gives a New Yorker magazine book section shout-out to two new publications from some of her fellow alumni from the school "where fun comes to die."
Rick Kogan on the end of weekly publication of the Chicago Tribune Magazine. It'll return for special occasions, and the popular bits will move into the Sunday paper.
Artist Dan Peterman's 100-foot-long art installation "Running Table" will be set up in Millennium Park in time for the July 4 party/food/drinking holiday. The artwork is a commentary on American consumption and recycling. Perfect timing.
A Chicago Reporter investigation found that even though the Taste of Chicago has been getting smaller, the amount of food thrown out by vendors has increased -- primarily due to temperature violations discovered by health inspectors.
Those with major food allergies will appreciate Lisa's allergen free guide to the Taste [pdf]. [Via]
The Illinois minimum wage will inch up 25¢ tomorrow to $8, 75¢ more than the new national minimum wage that goes into effect in July. For full-time minimum wage employees, that means an additional $520 a year in earnings.
Joe Janes is writing a comedy sketch every day for a year.
In our current Fuel thread about Taste of Chicago, a couple people wished there was a high-end version of the food fest. In fact, there is: Chicago Gourmet, which returns to Millennium Park in September. The downside is, high-end comes with high prices -- early bird discounted tickets start at $120.
The Windy Citizen takes a look at how the City is using this year's Taste of Chicago to demonstrate its preparedness to host the 2016 Games.
Live out your Jeff Tweedy fantasies at the Hideout tonight, where the Wilco album release party will feature live-band Wilco karaoke. (Sorry, not with the band themselves -- it'll be folks from the Old Town School.) For a more direct Tweedy fix, you have another option.
The Sun-Times' Mark Konkol tells the story of how ex-Bear Roland Harper lost the American Dream.
As computers become increasingly important to live performances, their glitches are becoming all the more problematic ... just ask Saturday night's Mary Poppins attendees.
The world of infomercials (or, shows you find yourself watching at 2 AM) will never be the same: Pitchman Billy Mays, who brought OxiClean into our lives, died this morning at age 50.
A quick photo on the highway led to Kyoshi Martinez getting a full-on DeLorean experience thanks to a member of the DeLorean Midwest Connection car club.
Our own Jim Allenspach created a series of fake covers for the popular 33 1/3 book series, exploring some of the worst possible album/author combinations. His set hass started making the rounds on blogs and spawned at least one imitator -- and now has inspired the publisher to run a contest for humorous covers.
The Reader reports that the University of Chicago is killing off the Chronicle, the 28-year-old paper whose circulation fell far short of its intended audience of 27,000 (fewer than 4,000 copies were picked up in three separate periods this spring).
Steve at the Movies reviews Break-Up, Date in this week's column. It's a documentary about the world of modern dating, filmed here in Chicago. Opens tonight at the Siskel Center; the director will be at Saturday's 8:15pm screening.
The Chicago Report found that Wells Fargo gave high-earning black Chicagoans more sub-prime loans than it did to less wealthy whites -- and wonders why the City isn't suing.
Don't be such an undead schlub! Improve upon your zombiehood at Zombie-Con this Saturday at the Comic Vault. Come as you are, or as you will be after you're bitten.
A revised production of the Broadway musical High Fidelity will open August 17 at Piper's Alley. The original Broadway run only lasted 10 days.
David Wallach tells the story of his night with Farrah Fawcett.
When carving a name in stone, it's a good idea to double-check the spelling. [via]
Tellin' Tales Theatre tries to combine the social interaction of Facebook with the sit-down action of live theater with its new show In Your Facebook, featuring solo performances from local talent (including local Facebook expert Dave Awl). Details available in Slowdown.
Andie Thomalla reviews a field guide to (safely) hunting mushrooms in this week's Drive-Thru feature.
When Al Capone needed a break, he and his cronies headed up to Wisconsin ... and you can too.
Though Michael Jackson never lived here, his youth in Gary made him sort of an adopted son of Chicago. Remembrances and tributes are happening all over; share your thoughts in Fuel.
Unemployment is hitting Chicago hard, with a seasonally unadjusted jobless rate for the metro area of 10.7 percent. That's the highest level since August 1983.
His wife may be off her reality TV show, but we'll still be talking about the ex-governor a year from now. That's because his trial is set for June 3, 2010.
Alinea's Grant Achatz has sold the proposal for Life, On The Line, written by himself and partner Nick Kokonas, to Gotham Books.
That's the stretch of Lincoln Avenue that runs through North Center and Lincoln Square, the subjects of the Reader's latest neighborhood feature (with a little Budlong Woods thrown in, too).
Going to Taste of Chicago? Worried about more than the heat, sweaty tourists, and the cash you'll need? Chicago police have announced their security plans to ease your mind and prevent a rerun of last year's violence.
This past weekend was Rogers Park's annual Artist of the Wall festival, when local residents paint new murals on the long concrete bench along Loyola Park's beachfront. Here's a video walking a good portion of the wall.
Students from Nettlehorst Elementary will be marching in this weekend's Pride Parade, which goes right past the East Lakeview school. Some bloggers and commenters on the Tribune's story aren't so happy about it.
The FBI arrested a New Jersey blogger for writing that three Chicago-based federal judges "deserve to be killed," then posting their photographs, phone numbers and a map of their courthouse on his blog. He was upset that the judges recently upheld the handgun ban in Chicago and Oak Park.
Local hip hop crew Serengeti put out this video for their song "Dennehy" a couple years ago, but it's definitely worth revisiting on a hot day like this.
The best news I'm sure to hear all day: Original Rainbow Cone is opening a location in the Loop at State and Lake. Now we North Siders won't have to wait until the Taste every year to get our Rainbow Cones!
The Sears Tower is about to get a $350 million makeover to reduce 80% of its energy consumption over five years. How's it going to do that? Wind turbines, among other transformations. Oh, and don't forget it's going to have a LEED certified hotel next door that will draw no energy from the power grid.
This Thursday, the Neo-Futurists are doing a dramatic reading of Cool as Ice this weekend as part of their annual Film Fest series -- and it just so happens that Vanilla Ice is headlining Cans Outdoor Music Fest this weekend -- so Decider got Vanilla and Neo-Futurist Dina Connolly together for an interview.
WindyCitizen points us to The Untold Stories of Alderman Don Perillo, "the most admittedly corrupt Chicago politician you probably never heard of," by Anthony DeBartolo.
In case you missed it, our favorite effin' ex-governor's wife was finally voted out of the jungle last night, after lasting a surprising 23 days and making a few new friends along the way.
Come try Italian wine and wheels of Parmigiano-Reggiano from 5:30-7:30pm today, courtesy of Pastoral (53 E. Lake), Atlantic contributor Daphne Zepos and Italian cheesemaker Giorgio Cravero. [via]
Amanda Ruzin has created downloadable Google calendars for several of this summer's free outdoor concert series. [via]
Seen the new Burger King ad that manages to evoke a certain sexual act? The 312 Dining Diva points us to the newest offender in desperate advertising.
Crash Dance Theater is hosting its annual Keeper of the Floor championship competition this Friday -- and we've got a contest in A/C for two tickets to see it!
Free admission, a Harry Potter exhibit, and a 76th anniversary was an epic combination for the Museum of Science and Industry last week. On June 19 the museum packed in 19,955 guests, the highest single-day attendance in more than 10 years.
The Baffler, the seminal counterculture magazine published by Thomas Frank until 2007, is returning to publication sometime soon, under a new publisher and with a twice-a-year schedule -- though no word yet on when the first new issue will be out.
[via]
Esther Cepeda unveils the first annual Chicago Latino List, 10 people of Hispanic descent who are making the city a better place.
As noted in Transmission, a coroner's report revealed that ex-Wilco guitarist Jay Bennett, who died in May, succumbed to an overdose of fentanyl, a very potent pain medication.
The Taste of Chicago begins on Friday, and the Sun-Times has a story on one of the new food items that's sure to be talked about: frozen popcorn on a stick, brought to you by Taste newcomers Garrett Popcorn.
Journalist and WTTW personality John Callaway died Tuesday night in Racine.
Did you know that 17-inch monitors "can show more information" than 15-inch monitors? Well, the Sun-Times breathlessly shares this information with us through an individual "familiar" with a recent city financial debacle.
Roger Ebert proves once again that sometimes a negative review is the best review.
Anthony Abbate, the Chicago cop caught in the infamous barmaid beating videotape, has been sentenced to two years probation for the incident.
The Beastie Boys are playing a not-so-secret show at the Congress Theater on Aug. 6, ahead of their Lolla appearance -- and tickets are on sale now!
Chicago has four of the top 25 most dangerous neighborhoods in the country, according to a study of FBI crime statistics by NeighborhoodScout.com. Automotive arson aside, you'll want to avoid 55th and State in Washington Park and three spots in Englewood.
At least 17 cars were set on fire in Humboldt Park and Ukrainian Village early this morning.
It happens with enough regularity to have almost become a cliché, but a server at Gibson's got a $4,000 tip this weekend -- from Johnny Depp and friends. [via]
Twenty-one million dollars is the most a jury has ever awarded in Chicago for a wrongful conviction. Juan Johnson's is just the latest acquittal tied to alleged police misconduct. If what the city lawyers say is true however, there is a lot more than meets the eye.
A Hudson News store at O'Hare used a blinder (a black plastic square usually reserved for porn mag covers) to obscure the "racy" cover of the latest GQ. No, it's not the ingenue du jour cupping her breasts and crotch. It's Sacha Baron Cohen in character as Brüno. Uh, hubba-hubba?
I was surprised to find Aleksandar Hemon's new story collection, Love and Obstacles, quite enjoyable. Find out why in my full review over on the Book Club page.
A former North Chicago "Police Officer of the Year" was just released from jail after pistol-whipping Waukegan's police chief. The reporter also wants you to know that the former Police Officer of the Year's "telephone number is unlisted."
In one instance, at least. [via]
FoGB, designer, (and frequent festival photographer) George Aye snapped a pic of his special Lollapalooza edition CTA transit cards which are showing up in station vending machines now. He snagged his at Logan Square.
Did you know... Laurens Corning "Spike" Shull, a U of C alumnus and WWI war hero whose "doughboy" image graces Rockefeller Chapel, is featured in Wikipedia's "Did You Know..." section today?
David Hernandez, the figure at the center of the Webio internet radio scandal that we told you about earlier, has been found in downstate Normal after an alleged suicide attempt.
Taking full advantage of the buzz surrounding Public Enemies, the gun that fired the fatal shot for John Dillinger in 1934 will be up for auction along with its holster, a letter and press photos on July 28.
The ongoing battle between (some) taxi drivers and their customers who want to pay their fare with a credit card might be a thing of the past, thank to some new technology.
The usual collection of semi-talented, questionably-talented and what-the-heck-are-they-doing-here talented braved the early morning rain to audition for American Idol at the United Center.
The Hyde Park Urbanist takes a look at the verge - "that strip between the sidewalk and the street" - on a stretch of East 57th Street.
Despite the Wilmette Avenue Locks being opened on Friday, the city says it's ok for you to swim in the lake now. Well, as safe as usual.
Two area 26-year-olds had a most unusual wedding thanks to dual diagnoses of swine flu.
If you are interested in a first-person account of the May bus police chase, the Sun-Times has the story from the bus monitor who was unwillingly along for the ride.
Wondering what you missed at the highly anticipated (and instantly sold-out) Bob, David and Friends show this weekend? Time Out Chicago has a review.
Chicago Bites has the details on the next Iron Cupcake challenge.
Sure, you've been meaning to get rid of those old bank statements you've been holding onto for years. Bring it to the United Center (Lot E) tomorrow. The Better Business Bureau is hosting a paper shredding event from 9 AM-2 PM, and you can bring up to ten boxes of paper to be shredded for free.
Three alderman--Joe Moore, Manny Flores, and George Cardenas--went bat crazy on Thursday's episode of "Chicago Tonight" when pressed by Eddie Arruza about recent Olympics-related revelations that taxpayers will have to pay for cost overruns. Things fall apart at minute 9:00.
Wondering how to combine your love of Prairie School/Modern Movement architecture with science fiction, fantasy, and horror? Pop over to Los Angeles and put in your bid for former Oak Park resident Frank Lloyd Wright's Ennis House, star of such flicks and shows as Blade Runner and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
A $19.3 million Barrington Hills estate called Horizon Farm just went into foreclosure, although it doesn't look like the owners are giving up anytime soon. The estate was in the news a few years ago when its sale was discussed as a way to save rare suburban farm, among other things.
All the lovely rain we've been having means that conditions are ripe for mosquito reproduction. Those that carry West Nile love stagnant water, which means that the on-hold Spire has gone from being world's largest building, to possibly being the world's largest breeding ground for the suckers.
Robert Smigel and Dino Stamatopoulos showed their Bozo parody at the Lake Shore Theater this week in conjunction with Just for Laughs. The pilot, which has been leaked to the internets, spoofs Bob Bell's version of the character he did on WGN and features the original TV Funhouse cartoons. Fox rejected it years ago, but last night, Smigel said Comedy Central is interested in doing the show.
Think Barack Obama is the only president with Illinois connections who is now historically linked to a fly? Think again. (At least this other guy didn't have PETA breathing down his neck.)
To celebrate tomorrow's Puerto Rican Independence Day Parade (kicking off from Columbus & Balbo at noon), we are chowing down on traditional dish Mofongo over in Drive-Thru.
It's HarvesTime in this week's Drive-Thru feature. Grab your grocery list and learn about one of Chicago's finest supermarkets.
Chicago has a reputation for being a hard-working town. And I'm delighted to say that not only is that reputation well-deserved, but it's a reputation owned by young Chicagoans. The New Leaders Council recently chose the winners of their "40 Under 40" awards and Chicago owns at least four of those slots. Making up that 10% of the list are 1st Ward Alderman Manny Flores, Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, Chicago Public Schools CEO Ron Huberman, and Nate Silver founder of FiveThirtyEight.com. Work on, Chicago!
The Reader's Ben Joravsky and Mick Dumke continue their outstanding coverage of the parking meter privatization scandal this week with a report on who actually benefits from the deal. Read their previous stories here and here.
Chicago Rocked! 1990-1999 is the working title of an - as yet unpublished - book by former Q101 radio show host, James VanOsdol. The book chronicles the Chicago music scene in the 90's, as experienced by those who were at the core of it; and VanOsdol himself. He plans to independently publish the book and is currently seeking donations.
A couple U of C students set up IranFax.org to help Iranians protesting the recent election results circumvent the communication restrictions currently in place. They posted the first recived fax today. [via]
In Transmission, we feature an interview with the local DJ team that are TTTTotally Dudes as they mull over how a quarter-life crisis can fuel a great set of tunes.
If the lines at the Shedd Aquarium are too long on Friday (we've heard reports of hour-plus waits and packed hallways during their free days this week), head on down to the Museum of Science & Industry for free general admission in honor of the museum's 76th birthday. [via]
If you like screaming crowds and the glimpse of a famous person's arm, you should check out the red carpet screening of the Chicago-based Dillinger pic Public Enemies tonight. Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard and director Michael Mann are expected around 6pm at the AMC River East. And if you don't like crowds, simply stay home and give a silent thanks to the movie, which pumped $47 million into the local economy, more than The Dark Knight.
There's a rally against parking meters at Alderman John Pope's office tomorrow morning. Protesters want to make sure some new meters don't go into their neighborhood, in light of the meter deal debacle.
Kayaking down the Chicago River always sounds fun, but this sounds amazing.
Just a quick housekeeping note: Gapers Block switched to a new server overnight, and there are a few lingering technical difficulties remaining to be fixed. Please bear with us.
Last week, New Yorker writer Atul Gowande delivered the commencement speech at the University of Chicago Medical School.
After a recent spate of thefts at local cemeteries, police are warning mourners to watch their valuables while attending funerals, or while visiting graves over Father's Day.
Amy Guth is on a mission: compile a list of the 100 Quintessential Chicago Books. Her first step was polling Printer's Row Lit Fest attendees for their favorite classic Chicago books, and she now wants your input and write-in's.
Chicago Magazine's annual most eligible singles feature is up, with more photos and video than in the past.
It's no surprise, but it still stings a little: if Chicago gets the games in 2016, we are on the hook for the whole tab.
A beautiful moment captured by our own David Schalliol.
Author Arika Okrent's 10 favorite words from invented languages, as told to UChiBLOGo. [via]
Chicago is really making a name for itself in financial fraud. Last year there was Wextrust, and these days we have the Webio scandal and a recently exposed $300M ponzi scheme at one Lake Shore Asset Management. If this keeps up it may even rival our sterling political record.
If you were waiting for a reason to go see Griffin Theatre's adaptation of A-list blogger Cory Doctorow's YA novel Little Brother, consider this your sign: Doctorow himself will be attending the play on July 9. Look for the guy in goggles and a red cape.
Webio founder David Hernandez was reported missing by his wife one day after the feds announced an investigation into Webio and other companies.
In what appears to be preparation for a successful Chicago 2016 bid, President Obama has announced the creation of the White House Office of Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport. The Office's stated goal is to "promote the values of the Olympic Movement" among young people in America (and maybe help to swing a few votes our way). [via]
In what may be the least-surprising disclosure possible to a lot of baseball fans, the New York Times reports that former Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa was one of the players who tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug during a league-wide testing in 2003. Oh, well, guess he has to put his Hall of Fame plans on hold indefinately.
Wondering what Twitter says about your personality? TweetPsych is here to tell you, and can give you a laugh when you put in various Chicago personalities. Oh, and in case you're wondering: @gapersblock is evidently obsessed with upward movement.
Iranian-Americans will be holding a rally in support of Iranian election protesters. Meet in Federal Plaza at 4:30pm. Windy Citizen will be live-blogging with photos and commentary.
An anonymous blogger is writing about her quest to get on "American Idol," starting with the auditions here in Chicago this weekend. [via]
Looking for a way to show solidarity with Iranian protesters? This shirt is a small step.
The most interesting thing about the Tribune's story about best and worst CTA stations is the chart of ridership changes at the end. Roosevelt (Red) up 165 percent, Clinton (Green) up 157 percent, Rosemont (Blue) down 22 percent.
A Starbucks at O'Hare Airport was closed by city health inspectors because of a fly infestation (musca domestica is the Latin name for the common housefly, which we're sure you knew already).
Just in time for tonight's possibly over-hyped Cubs-White Sox crosstown showdown comes ESPN Chicago's list of the top five current players in the city. For those fans keeping track the final list includes three White Sox and two Cubs. If you disagree, vote for yourself.
The riot police from the 1968 Democratic Convention and 1969 "Days of Rage" are planning a reunion.
Back in 2005, GB flickr pool contributer John Schroeder burned through a roll of film to get this fine sequence of photographs from a southbound Red Line train.
The CTA Tattler reports that the CTA is hoping to work out some glitches in the screens displaying next train times at six El stations. No word if fares need to be increased to help fund the fix.
These clever pillows from CraftSquatch (local artist/ crafter Justin Thomas) won't make all your online dreams come true, but they will give you something to rest your social-media weary head upon when your interwebs are down.
This month, Chicago-area home vacancy rates jumped more than one percentage point to 3.8%. Of course, that's nothing compared to Englewood, which tops the list with a 16.1% vacancy rate.
Speaking of free, The Midwest Independent Film Festival is hosting a free screening of Food Inc. tonight at 7pm. It's being intentionally overbooked to ensure a full theater, so RSVP and make sure to get there early.
General admission to Shedd Aquarium is free through Friday, and the Oceanarium and Wild Reef are discounted. [via]
Time Out Chicago's website has links to photos and video clips of the Chicago version of the World Naked Bike Ride held over the weekend. We're guessing it's NSFW.
A member of the Navajo Nation is becoming a unique presence as a designer in the fashion world, with a showing of her work in the Chicago area.
Yeah, might be cool to have a unique license place number. Then again, it might not.
In A/C, Katherine Raz profiles designer Suzanne Trocmé, who's debuting a new chair at NeoCon this week.
No, don't give money to the former governor -- help fund a group art exhibit featuring works about him.
Longball Cellars has created wines named for Cubs and Sox stars Derrek Lee and Mark Buerhle, with proceeds benefiting the players' favorite charities. Keep in mind that CaberLee and Buerhlot might be more enjoyable to look at than to drink. (Oops, sorry for the Carlos Lee slip-up; you probably already guessed I'm a Sox fan. Thanks for the correction, Mark et al.)
Graphic designer Jax de Leon created a graphic representation of Come on, Feel the Illinoise! by Sufjan Stevens as her final student project. Some really cool stuff in there. [via]
Guess how much it will cost to have President Obama and his entourage fly to our fair city today? In total, it will be roughly $236,000.
It's interesting times at ChicagoSportsWebio: founding on air personality Mike North was fired after questioning bounced checks, and the FBI is investigating a possible embezzlement case.
Brush up on your surf speak, Chicago. On Friday, the Parks District announced a highly anticipated move that will legalize surfing, boogie boarding and the like at a number of area beaches.
Love Chicago so much you want to put it in your pocket and take it home? Now you can. [via] (Previously.)
From today until June 28 you can check out Canstruction Chicago 2009 at the Apparel Center, an architecture competition where 19 teams have build sculptures using canned goods. After the competition, the food will be donated to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Suggested admission: one canned good.
The Chicago Gluttons foodblog is one of the raunchiest you'll ever see -- but it's also good advice about restaurants in the city. New City sneaks a look behind the personnas.
The rodeo's in town this weekend--the Rail Rodeo, that is. As part of the American Public Transportation Association's annual conference, rail operators and maintenance teams will compete to see who's the best in North America. The competition takes place tomorrow morning on the Yellow Line, which, of course, means that the permanent weekend Yellow Line service announced earlier this week won't be happening until Saturday afternoon. [via]
No one ever said a Chicago police officer's job was easy, but did you know that in addition to dealing with thugs, crooks and assorted ne'er-do-wells, they also have to supply their own uniforms? Medill Reports has the story.
Over in A/C, Carl Giometti reviews Renzo Piano's new Modern Wing at the Art Institute now that it has had a little breaking in.
Speaking of journalism and how to pay for it, if you're interested in that sort of thing you should come to the Chicago Media Future Conference this Saturday afternoon, featuring panelists from Chicago Tribune, EbonyJet, EveryBlock, Gapers Block and more.
If you'll be wondering why your TV doesn't work after the clock hits noon today, here's why.
Chris Brunn talks with chef, writer and author Linda Long about her recent cookbook, Great Chefs Cook Vegan (which includes contributions by kitchen heavyweights such as Charlie Trotter, Eric Ripert, and Thomas Keller), in this week's Drive-Thru feature.
With print publications doing everything they can to stay afloat, Crain's Chicago Business is adding to its 10% pay cut by dropping five issues this year. Their online posts will be unaffected.
Rev. Jeremiah Wright is back in the news, this time for telling a reporter "the Jews" aren't letting him near President Obama. He tried to clarify the remark by saying he was referring to Zionists, not David Axelrod and Rahm Emanuel.
Locally produced Hot Tweeters should eat up some of your time on a rainy afternoon.
Word is that there's a web series based on the Green Hornet being filmed in or around the Uptown Bank Building these days, a sort of prelude to the movie being filmed starring Seth Rogan (?) and Kung Fu Hustle star Stephen Chow (though we really wished those "Jet Li as Kato" rumors were true).
This week in Transmission we give a listen to Chicago-founded group ICE (the International Contemporary Ensemble) and their gift of beautiful and complex music to the ears of the Windy City.
A blue line train headed northbound towards O'hare was struck by a car this morning. Yes. Really.
Apparently millions of dollars in Italian artifacts can generate quite the national interest. NPR's coverage is particularly good.
The CTA Tattler celebrates five years of reporting on Chicago transit.
AT&T service will soon be available in CTA subways. Gmail in the station!
O'Hare isn't just an airport. It's an aerotropolis. [via]
Risking some sort of disruption in the time-space continuum, the star of Second City's Rod Blagojevich, Superstar and the REAL Blago will appear on stage together this Saturday at a performance of the show at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier. Wonder if the real Blago tried to sell his part in the show?
Was "Family Matters" your favorite sit-com located in Chicago? Then you may be interested in this video made during a visit to the Winslow house. [via]
Chicago Public Schools intends to cut up to 1,000 non-classroom jobs in an attempt to close a $475 million budget shortfall. Everyone from janitors to management could lose their jobs. CPS CEO Ron Huberman's new executive team will eliminate half the positions within the next two weeks and the other half over the next year.
The Community Media Workshop released a special report (PDF) today on Chicagoland's top independent and niche news organizations as well as the future of journalism, etc., and ranked the top 20 most influential news websites. Top three were Chi-Town Daily News, Windy City Media Group and yours truly, Gapers Block. Read more on Chicagosphere.
Northcenter's Ribfest is this weekend -- and for the first time, there will be vegan ribs on hand. Drive-Thru writers Chris Brunn finds out exactly how one makes a such a thing in this interview on Vocalo.
There are few things as enjoyable as riding a bike through the streets of Chicago during the late nights of summer. The L.A.T.E. Ride organizes a community of cyclists to do just that. It is Chicago's only midnight bike ride, and it takes place this year on Saturday/Sunday, July 11/12. Early bird registration has ended, but you can still save $5 if you register by June 30.
The answer varies depending on the times -- and who exactly you're talking about.
After failing to sell the former main post office over the Eisenhower, the U.S. Postal Service is auctioning it off. The suggested opening bid is $300,000, although there is no minimum. That's right, you can potentially own 2.5 million-square-feet of historic space for a little more than Chicago's median home price.
The Active Transportation Alliance serves free coffee to those who ride a bicycle to work (or to Metra) next week. Stop by a Bike Commuter Station -- throughout Chicago and at various Metra stations.
Chicago Public Radio's "Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me" will be taping live in the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park this Thursday at 6:30pm, and you're invited. Come watch Peter Sagal, Carl Kastle, Mo Rocca, Paula Poundstone and Charlie Pierce yuck it up, then see if you can pick yourself out of the audience noise when it airs Saturday morning.
Milwaukee artist/activist Jesse Graves has found an interesting way to very visibly protest the Tamms supermax prison in southern Illinois: mud stencils. More about Tamms protests in Mechanics.
Did you miss the 1903 football matchup between The University of Chicago and the University of Michigan? Thomas Edison didn't. [via]
Northwestern's journalism school wants students to not clog inboxes when talking about Twitter, so they've provided a 1970s-esqe way of facilitating discussion.
We're Johnny Depp's favorite U.S. city. But the star of the upcoming Public Enemies, filmed here, isn't leaving the south of France anytime soon to move into a bungalow on the Northwest Side.
The Taste of Chicago preview event used to be the dirty (greasy?) little secret of local VIPs and intrepid reporters looking for "the inside story" -- as well as a chance for free food. But now they're thrown the doors open to the public.
Harry Caray's famous "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" singing didn't start at Wrigley Field, even if North Siders have made it their own. FuzzyMemories.TV digs up video of Harry leading the 7th Inning Stretch at a Sox game in 1980
Chicago Housing Authority residents and market-rate condo owners are going at it at another mixed-income development. This time, it's Westhaven Park Tower. Please note the Tower's website is set up as an "informative resource for both our neighborhood and our local community," yet it's mainly password protected.
"It just goes to show you, you never know what you'll find in a bungalow."
Launched today, RIPT Apparel is a Chicago-based t-shirt retailer selling one-of-a-kind shirts designed by a community of artists. The beauty is that a single design is sold over a 24-hour period only; it is then retired, replaced and the cycle repeats.
Scotty Got An Office Job, the video blog started by local actor/musician/tech guy Scotty Iseri, takes a surprising turn as Scotty's boss finds the videos online.
Big Happy Funhouse turns up photos of spokesmodels from the 1968 Chicago Auto Show.
Start doing those sit-ups now: The Chicago version of the World Naked Bike Ride (and Skate!) is set for Saturday, June 13. Clothing is discouraged, but you shy types can probably get away with a discreet pair of boxers. Warning: There are photos on the site but they're probably NSFW.
Speaking of pizza (see below), the Pizza Executive Summit '09 is currently taking place here in Chicago. With a name like that, it sounds ominous...ominously delicious.
The plight of the pizza deliveryman in Evanston who was beaten and had his car hijacked and wrecked has touched many readers of the Chicago Tribune, who saw the story in today's paper. Here's the website if you wish to donate.
So now that you're using Kanye Vision to dress up your web browser, you're probably ready to dress like the man himself. Kanye shares 10 fashion picks with Style.com. [via]
While her own polling says she has a good chance of winning, Rep. Jan Shakowsky (D-Ill.) says she'll stay out of the race for the "golden" Senate seat now occupied by one Roland Burris. Check out the full announcement in Mechanics.
While I occasionally stumble upon a fire in progress, I never thought about how there might be a company dedicated to collecting photos and video from Chicagoland fires -- and then setting them to music.
Sam Zell may be pushed out as head of Tribune Co. as part of restructuring during bankruptcy.
The economy is taking the toll on even the Mag Mile's ability to rent space. Its vacancy rate is up .9 percentage points from last year to 7.2%, the highest since 1992.
Given recent reports, it seems we have one.
The Chicago Architecture Foundation is putting the finishing touches on a 400 city block model of the city that includes every building in the area. Stop by from Wednesday until September 20.
Though times may be tough for local video game developer Midway Games, Chicago-based upstart Robomodo has been tapped to develop Ride, the latest entry in the highly successful Tony Hawk franchise. Tony showed off the game and its unique skateboard-shaped controller during the Xbox 360 press conference at E3 last week.
It's one thing to be a repo man who takes back cars and motorcycles. It's an entirely different, more difficult job if the vehicle is a jet. All in a day's work for Valparaiso-based Sage-Popovich.
Tomorrow Millennium Park brings back its popular free summer fitness program for a fifth year. Each Saturday morning they'll offer tai chi, yoga, and pilates classes, along with a martial arts/aerobic dance class such as Capoeira or Zumba. Classes start at 7 AM on the Great Lawn.
Speaking of old news, Chicagoist went digging through LexisNexis and found a 100-year-old story about the controversy over pasteurizing milk.
The Hope Chest, scans of microfilmed tabloid newspapers of the 1930s. Lots of Chicagland murder and mayhem (and witchcraft?) in there. [via]
Saturday night the Metro will be filled with the sounds of squealing guitars -- but none will be present. That's right, it's time for the US Air Guitar Championships. The Sun-Times interviewed last year's Chicago champ, Nordic Thunder, who's judging this year instead of competing due to an air guitar-related back injury.
Don't forget, this weekend will be the final days for the Dixie Kitchen in Hyde Park. Not even the fabled "Check Please" effect could save the restaurant from being closed by the U of C. For old time's sake the Reader has the fabled Obama "Check Please" endorsement.
Upload a picture that creatively displays your dedication to locally grown or organic produce to the Drive-Thru Flickr Group and you could win a pair of tickets to Growing Home's Annual Benefit (valued at $250), courtesy of the Drive-Thru Photo Contest, which ends Sunday at noon!
We have all the details in this week's Drive-Thru feature.
Sun-Times columnist Rick Telander has some choice words regarding the city's Olympic bid.
The #1 Bears Fan has collected quite a few more tattoos since we last took a look.
Look closely and you'll notice a familiar skyline and squad cars with a certain four-starred municipal flag in this promotional film for Philips.
Friday is National Donut Day. This is important because it means a free Krispy Kreme and Dunkin Donut for all. It IS the best day of your life.
312 Dining Diva points us to the first cameras reaching the inner sanctum of Schwa: NBC Chicago's interview with Schwa chef Michael Carlson. The interview includes a mini-rant against celeb-chef culture, reveals why your reservation calls are never returned, and shows some mighty facial hair.
The city's parking meter uproar and recent epic fails turned ugly today when 50 coin-fed parking meters on the North side were filled with goo and sprayed with silver paint. Is laughing bad?
... and her husband turned her in.
Vocalo wants to marry you, on the radio, on Navy Pier.
Miller Lite's recent commercials featuring mobsters offering bartenders "protection" has met with protests from Italian-Americans, including the Italiean-American Human Relations Foundation. As a result, Miller is pulling the ads. Of course, it's not the first time beer and the mob have been linked.
Iconic international football (soccer) franchise Manchester United has tabbed Chicago-based insurance company Aon as their new principal sponsor. Let's hope there's no curse associated with the honor, considering the fate that befell their old sponsor, a little company called AIG.
Over in Transmission this week, we preview this weekend's Metronome Celebration in Logan Square — a brand-new music festival that's also going green.
Come up with a good answer and you could win some pretty cool prizes from the Metropolitan Planning Council.
The proposed strengthening of "excessive noise" violations for street performers has been officially approved. Venders can now have their licenses revoked if they get two violations, rather than the previous three.
Chi-Town Daily News reports that Congressman Bobby Rush is calling for an investigation into patient dumping practices at University of Chicago Medical Center.
Queen of the Blues Koko Taylor, who got her start singing in Chicago blues clubs has passed away at the age of 80. R.I.P.
Jessica Herum, a tour guide for Chicago's First Lady boat tours, is being hailed as a hero for helping control a fire that broke out when a propane tank exploded at Cyrano's Cafe this morning. [via]
Apparently Evanston has a problem with illicit scrap metal collectors lurking in the alleys, ready to strike. The article makes itself an interesting semiotic study through the fine use of terms for the scrappers ranging from "junk metal pirates" to "alley entrepreneurs."
Time Magazine notes a Chicago grocer trying to grow in the city's food deserts.
Navigating the Printers Row Lit Fest is always a daunting task. Over on the Book Club page we've selected some Book Club selection authors as well as other notable local authors, sellers and organizations to help you narrow down your schedule.
Mark your calendars: BaconFest Chicago will be held October 25 in Logan Square's tony Stan Mansion.
The Sun-Times is looking forward to a Chicago edition of "The Real Housewives" television franchise. They've even got some ideas for potential cast members. [via]
Explore Chicago's new game Chicago Neighborhood Express allows you to wander through different neighborhoods on-line.
The CTA is holding public meetings tonight and tomorrow regarding the long-discussed Red Line extension south of 95th. You might want to take a look back at Craig Berman's CTA Map for 2055 here on GB.
Anthony Abbate has been found guilty of aggravated battery. Hopefully, there are no 125-pound women in prison waiting to pounce on him. That would be just awful.
California-based store Out of Vogue has a rare 4-inch vintage model of the Picasso sculpture in Daley Plaza that was made for commemorating its 1967 dedication for sale on its website for $375.
...and into Ferrari Guy For Hire's car. [via]
Marc Kelly Smith, creator of the Poetry Slam, expresses some misgivings about the growing popularity of this art form.
The city's Inspector General says we could have gotten almost ONE BILLION DOLLARS MORE in the now infamous parking meter deal had ol' Ritchie not rammed the contract through. Oops. UPDATE: More details and a link to a PDF of the report in Chicagoland and our own Mechanics.
Check out a little cupcake pron at this wrap-up of the Iron Cupcake Challenge.
Building on the support offered by LayOffMoveOn, some folks affected by the crappy employment market are taking it face-to-face. LaidOffCamp, an ad-hoc gathering that's spread from San Francisco to New York to Dallas, comes to Chicago on June 10 to bring together unemployed and non-traditionally employed people (including freelancers, entrepreneurs and startups). Participants can join together to share ideas, connect, and empower one another in this free event.
We told you previously about the website run by the feds in Chicago that lists the unusual nicknames given to local bank robber. Add another SUV-influenced name to that list.
"A first-of-its-kind study looking at HIV infection rates found that half of gay men in Chicago who have HIV did not know they were infected, and two-thirds of infected black men were unaware." Alarming statistics in the Chi-Town Daily News.
It may have been too late to join the March Against Clowns pub crawl last week, but there's still plenty of town to join the Clown for Chi-town pub crawl this weekend. Donations benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
A Plot develops.
We'll soon find out, because the ladies' restroom at the hotel has been nominated as one of the 10 best restrooms in America. Voting is now live at bestrestroom.com; check out the list of nominations, see if you recognize any facilities in there, and then vote for your Number 1 choice (making all others Number 2).
Com Ed is hastening the arrival of Skynet with a pilot program to test "smart" electric meters in 141,000 Chicago area locations by the end of the year. The meters will provide real-time information about electricity usage, among other features.
With news of important Defender-related archives in the news lately, it seems particularly relevant to mention Mapping the Stacks, a "guide to Black Chicago's hidden archives."
Even with the local unemployment rate reaching the new heights each month, being laid off can be a frustrating and lonely experience. LayOffMoveOn.com, created by Chicagoan Jessica Lybeck offers its users an interactive support network to share their job hunting experiences and tips with those who find themselves in the same boat.
As noted in A/C on Friday, Chicago photographer spencewine partnered with Robert Botey Beguiristain of Girona, Spain for a set of photos in which both shot photos on the same roll of film, resulting in trans-Atlantic double exposures.
Comedian and radio personality Ray Hanania notes how language complicates Israeli-Palestinian relations.
Business honchos in Green Bay are pushing for an Amtrak rail link between that city and Chicago, with an eye toward getting some of those possible 2016 Olympics bucks. And it will make it easier for Bears and Packers fans to deliver the hate personally.
Got a date coming up? Date Nite Delivery can help make it special with gift baskets of wine, cookies and other treats.
Sign up now for Rental Car Rally, a weekend road race from Chicago to Toronto starting July 24. While registration costs $250, the winning team will win at least $1500 and a golden gas pump.
That's right, Lebowski Fest returns to Chicago this September. Don't get caught out of your element.
The state legislature recently gave bowling alleys protection against the scourge of bowling alley lawsuits. If the legislation passes, you won't be able to sue a bowling alley if you slip and fall wearing their "specialized footwear" after wearing the shoes outside. Rats.
The Old Town School of Folk Music is kicking off the summer season with a series of short class sessions. Instead of the usual eight-week session you can sign up for a quick four weeks of music or dance. And the schedule of classes looks amazing; everything from the music of the Muppets to cardio samba. There's probably something in the list that'll appeal to your inner rock star, so check it out and sign up for the next session before classes start (by Monday, June 8) to get a discount price.
We're giving away two tickets to Growing Home's upcoming benefit, which will feature foods by Charlie Trotter's, Vie and Bistro Campagne...details over in Drive-Thru.
The Chicago Area Participatory Economics Society at the University of Chicago recently held a talk on participatory economics and finance, and it's available for download on the Internet Archive. Learn something on your commute for once.
If you were an aging rocker, where would you retire? The Chicago suburbs, of course. With Richard Marx, members of Styx, Survivor and other bands, perhaps a 1980s super group is possible.
After Leon Despres passed away during the first week of May, the Hyde Park Herald published a special section about Despres, including remembrances, reprints of his columns and other interesting pieces.
