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.
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Northwestern University is offering a class this semester called "Consumerism and Social Change in Mad Men America, 1960-1963." No word on whether or not Roger Sterling's "Sterling's Gold: Wit and Wisdom of an Ad Man" is listed on the class syllabus.
Eat your heart out, DOMA! The law needs to pass in the Illinois Senate, which it is expected to do; when approved, the law will be effective next July.
And in other driving-related events happening tonight that you should know about, the Halsted Street bridge at Division is closing tonight at 7pm. The bridge will be replaced with a new structure, but the work means that the bridge will be closed for a year. At the WBEZ blog Justin Kaufmann is soliciting suggestions for alternate driving routes.
Don't forget: Overnight Parking Restrictions begin early tomorrow morning.
Chicago's indie toy-making scene falls into focus in A/C today.
About 100 graduate assistants at UIC received paychecks for $0 in October and November due to the way the university is interpreting tax codes.
Frank Lloyd Wright appeared on "What's My Line?" back in 1956. [via]
The small nation of mayoral candidates has until close of business today [pdf] to withdraw their paperwork from the Board of Elections. I'm just sayin'.
The Giving Effect, a site that helps connect donors with cause-based organizations that distribute items and food to people in need.
Northwestern is ranked as being the most vegan friendly "small" school in PETA's 2010 ranking of U.S. universities. The U of C made the initial list but was promptly defeated by Northwestern.
Trader Joe's is moving into the former Sam's Wine & Spirits space at Wabash and Roosevelt sometime next year, Crain's reports.
Tomorrow at Goose Island Wrigleyville, the Chicago Architecture Foundation is hosting a discussion on "the Malling of Chicago." There's also conversation online regarding the proposed Wrigleyville hotel/shopping complex, Block 37 mall and Wal-Mart in Pullman.
The Academy for Global Citizenship -- a charter school on the South Side with 80% of students under the poverty line, and a kitchen that serves three organic meals daily -- got profiled in the Atlantic.
If you live in the 4th, 28th or 38th Ward and think you have what it takes to sit on City Council, the mayor would like to hear from you.
Dexter Chaney, a third grade teacher at Ryerson Elementary School in East Garfield Park, is the lone Illinois recipient of the Milken Educator Award.
Hanukkah starts Dec. 1, and Jewish Chicago's Dasee Berkowitz has some thoughts on how to make it less about consumerism.
Have you met Syl Johnson?
That's a really great deal! [via]
The Park District will present its plans for Northerly Island this Thursday, but you can get an early look on Facebook.
My fantasy best friend Geoffrey Baer (he just seems so nice) unleashes his newest WTTW documentary Biking the Boulevards tonight at 7:30pm. We have an interview with Baer in Tailgate.
Whatever your thoughts on WikiLeaks, the little tidbit culled from their latest document dump detailing how much the powerful Afghan president's brother "loves Lakeview" is undoubtedly entertaining.
SpendForGood is a new site that lets you help local charities simply by shopping online.
I'm trying to think of the exact person who should own this shirt, but with 20 mayoral candidates, it could probably be any of us.
The Sun-Times profiles Antoine Dodson, Chicago expat and star of the "Bed Intruder" viral video and song.
Rumors are swirling that Google has purchased Groupon for $2.5 billion. No official announcements so far, but vague Twitter exchanges are being pointed to as evidence. UPDATE 11/30: Google's offer is reportedly $5.3 billion. Still no official word from either company.
Mayoral candidate City Clerk Miguel del Valle tells Gay Chicago Magazine that if elected, bullying in Chicago schools and community policing will be priorities for his administration.
According to Jonathan Abarbanel, there's just no way to review all the plays opening in November. [via]
CQ-Roll Call's Christina Bellantoni tweets that Vice President Joe Biden will do the swearing in for Mark Kirk on Monday. Hopefully Biden doesn't live up to his reputation as a gaffe-factory during the worst possible moments.
The first American car race took place today in 1895, here in Chicago, during a blizzard.
Behold a commercial for pawn shops that requires a disclaimer that "No little people were harmed in the making of this commercial."
Groupon has a "secret" Thanksgiving weekend specials page that run today through Monday.
Chicago's own Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation says that pumpkin pie is the most arousing smell for men.
In A/C, Joe Erbentraut examines the challenges facing Chicago's trasgender community.
Public Art in Chicago covers exactly what it sounds like it covers.
The RTA's "seniors ride free" program is being abused by people using borrowed or resold passes, sometimes originally held by dead people, FOX Chicago and the Better Government Association found.
Senator-elect Mark Kirk will be sworn in as Illinois' junior senator on Monday.
In Book Club, we've got a report from the inaugural induction ceremony of the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame.
Activate your breath mints. The Art Institute just installed a gigantic (four feet in diameter) ball of mistletoe above the Grand Staircase. Visitors are encouraged to pose beneath it (presumably macking), take a picture, and upload it to the museum's Flickr group. Good lord, that thing is big.
Ever notice the Y motif on Chicago's buildings, bridges and other places? It's known as "the municipal device," and symbolizes the three branches of the Chicago River.
In Transmission, we have your best bets for a thoroughly musical Thanksgiving week. Hit up sales in local record stores, venues, and labels, or take (or leave) your extended family to a slew of great shows.
The always-handy Twitter feed @chigaragesale has the scoop on some great Black Friday deals, but they aren't at the department stores downtown. Print out a coupon to save $10 on a purchase of $25 or more at participating Unique thrift stores. And they've confirmed that the Brown Elephant stores will have everything discounted 50% off Friday-Sunday! And more!
Yesterday, during his time on Vocalo, Lupe Fiasco commented on the recent public exchanges between Kanye West and George W. Bush
Shawnimals does a ninja of the month club, and 2011 is coming soon. Sign up Dec. 5.
You can now see a little preview of President Obama asking the MythBusters team to figure out the Archimedes Death Ray; the full episode airs December 8th on the Discovery Channel.
Chicago blues guitarist and singer Albert "Little Smokey" Smothers has passed away. Mr. Smothers played with blues luminaries like Little Walter and Howlin' Wolf, and was a mentor to Elvin Bishop and Paul Butterfield.
Catalyst's latest issue takes a look at the next mayor from an education standpoint.
Chicago-based Weigel Broadcasting announced today that it's taking its MeTV ("Memorable Entertainment Television") format nationwide.
E.leaven has created a giant bagel they're calling a "party bagel." Seems like the ideal accompaniment to your Big Hot Dog (previously).
Ald. Ed Bus, 53rd Ward, is just what this city needs.
Lupe Fiasco will be a guest on MusicVox on Vocalo at 3pm today. Tune to 89.5 or stream it online. [via]
Ever wanted to blow the whistle on wrongdoing? The Better Government Association has regular citizen watchdog training sessions. The next one is Monday, Nov. 29.
The Bean and Metra get top billing in the first trailer for Source Code, out in April. (Thanks, Su!)
Should you need to, you'll be able to mail banned items to yourself from O'Hare, rather than having to throw it out.
The Chicago Mayoral Scorecard has been updated to reflect the 20 candidates who filed by the deadline yesterday. Now the fun of petition challenges begins.
The U of C's annual Latke-Hamantash Debate is tonight at 7:00 in Hyde Park. Admission to the debate is free, though $5 buys you admission to the post-debate tasting reception.
Flavorpill ranks and describes some beautiful libraries, with Harold Washington coming in third.
Eight Forty-Eight paid a visit to the farm at Altgeld Gardens on the far South Side.
OK Go teamed up with the Today show for a new, dog-less version of "White Knuckles."
The long-dormant Zion Nuclear Power Station that served Chicago and the rest of northern Illinois is being decomissioned in an unusual way. Rather than separating the radioactive and recyclable materials, everything but the spent fuel is going to a toxic dump.
Media critic Robert Feder is leaving Chicago Public Media's Vocalo blogs. Destination unknown, though rumor is an announcement is due in a week.
Related to the previous post: If your bike is stolen, report it to the police then add it to the Chicago Stolen Bike Registry.
Another cyclist was attacked by a group of thugs in Humboldt Park near the United Center this weekend, but managed not to lose his bike. The MO of the attackers sounds exactly like one from last summer.
American aquarium drinkers also now have the option to enjoy Intelligentsia's Wilco blend, selected unanimously by the band.
Jim DeRogatis reports on the City's plans to privatize its music and cultural festivals.
Local coffee roaster Crop to Cup is now providing IIT with a custom blend: Mies van der Roast.
Carrie Goldman's adopted daughter Katie got made fun of by some boys at school because she loves Star Wars. The Star Wars and geek community at large reached out in support, and a couple thousand comments later, Katie story has gone galactic.
Learn how to fight parking tickets (and avoid them in the first place) at a free seminar next week, presented by The Expired Meter and Ald. Scott Waguespack.
"Beginning on Memorial Day and ending on Labor Day, I will track the homicides in the city. Once the crime scenes are processed and the yellow tape is taken down, I will visit and photograph the location of each murder." Krista Wortendyke's Killing Season: Chicago 2010.
Mark Addison Smith keeps an ear open for interesting things people say, then illustrates them.
Kanye West's new album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, got a perfect 10.0 from Pitchfork, the first new album to reach such heights since Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. A little hometown advantage, maybe?
A new WindyCitizen starts rolling out today, with a more streamlined front page and a move toward groups instead of categories.
Oprah's "Favorite Things" episode gets its second wind with a new audience today. Who knew there were so many deserving people?
Today is the last day for mayoral (aldermanic, and other city office) hopefuls to submit their required petition signatures to the Board of Elections in time for the February 22 election. You can see who is running so far here [pdf].
You'd think that Danny Davis' campaign office would be familiar enough with the Chicago flag to put the right stars on a poster.
If you're headed to the DIY Trunk Show this Saturday, come say hi to Gapers Block! We'll be up on the stage in the Auditorium.
Thinking about starting a business? First step is to make sure the name is available.
It's that time again: time to send out holiday cards. Here are a few with a Chicago theme to them on Etsy.
The Trib's Kevin Pang just tweeted that anybody with a Hot Doug's tattoo eats at Hot Doug's for free for life. UPDATE: ChicagoNow first reported this back in 2009, so think of Kevin's tweet as a friendly (and delicious) reminder. FURTHER UPDATE: Confirmed by Hot Doug himself.
Fashion Frost is tonight at the Chicago Urban Art Society. Billed as a mix of art, fashion and music, it's also both a networking event and an opportunity to help the Chicago Toy Drive.
Five Thirty-Eight's Nate Silver examines the explicit and implicit messages told by the new full-body scanners at airports, and compares them to Chicago's blue light cameras.
Valley of the Dolls gets a special screening at the Music Box this Saturday, replete with costume parade and Q&A with star Patty Duke. Our own Steve at the Movies, aka Capone, talked with her earlier this year about that film and others.
Fuck Yeah, Chicago!, a tumblr from Chicago magazine. Not to be confused with Fuck Yeah Chicago!!, the older, independent tumblr from a bunch of random Chicagoans. That one has two exclamation points and a mysterious extra k in its URL. (Nor with FUCK YEAH CHICAGO, which hasn't been updated since July 2009. Nor Fuck Yes, Chicago, which I just created.) UPDATE: I forgot to mention that you can also get this exceedingly popular phrase on a t-shirt.
Get out your camera and hit the streets of West Lakeview. The chamber of commerce is holding a photo contest to promote its master plan.
Lessons learned at State of the Plate in this week's Drive-Thru feature.
TV's Kelsey Grammer will be our next mayor. On TV, anyway.
At an auction of historic Chicago memorabilia on Thursday, the death mask of gangster John Dillinger sold for $3,600.
The Old Town School of Folk Music is hosting its (free!) annual open house tomorrow night. Try your hand (or foot) at everything from go-go dancing to songwriting to banjo playing during the evening of free classes, workshops and performances.
Kate, the Museum of Science & Industry's house guest, had her final day in the museum yesterday.
According to research done at universities here and in China, people don't mind busywork if there's a good excuse.
The Art Institute lions will soon sport their winter wreaths, but their new accessories will be solar-powered.
The Reader finds that despite losing their guaranteed place on Illinois ballots, the Green Party remains optimistic for the future.
The Gaztro-Wagon is out there, plying the streets with its naanwiches and waiting for the City to change laws against food trucks.
Transmission staff are culling together your best New Year's Eve concert options while tickets are still (mostly) available.
When the WGN Morning News crew misses the collapse of a bridge they'd been waiting to broadcast, they take it in stride.
Cynthia Plaster Caster, the mayoral interview.
Bon Appetit included Grant Achatz' Next on its list of great celebration restaurants. Only problem being, of course, Next isn't open yet. They've since removed it from the list, but The Stew has a screenshot. [via]
Oprah's final "Favorite Things" episode airs tomorrow.
Douglas Wolk and Pitchfork gave the new Syl Johnson box set from Numerogroup a limp review and 6.8 rating. As a result, some of the Twitterers are restless. Others point out that this is hardly unexpected.
In A/C, Amber Gibson explores the pop-up shop concept in its many forms.
As of yesterday, Scott Wilson of MINIMAL's Kickstarter for an iPod Nano multitouch watch kits had raised $17,000. Then it got linked on Daring Fireball, and now it's at $97,000 and climbing.
Sighn, of ITS OK fame, has a new project: What Wood You Say? You choose the message, he'll spell it out in wooden letters for $5 a letter.
Laurent Gras left L2O for "a break" just three weeks before the restaurant received three stars from Michelin. Yesterday news broke that the departure is permanent, and Eater Chicago got an exclusive interview.
Today is the last day of Kate McGroarty's month-long residence at the Museum of Science and Industry.
"Bad Bears Fan! BAD! We do not climb the museum's dinosaurs. No! This is why we can't have the triceratops fossils out in the foyer anymore."
The Bulls Fan Report officially launched today, delivering Bulls details to your inbox daily.
The makers of Four Loko are caving to pressure and reformulating the drink to eliminate the caffeine and energy drink ingredients. Meanwhile, bars everywhere continue selling vodka and Red Bulls and Jack and Cokes.
LaundryMagazine aims to "re-engage the fashion community in independent and art-centered design."
Kass points out today that maybe Rahm Emanuel doesn't meet the requirements to run for mayor of Chicago. Election lawyer (and adviser to Sen. James Meeks) Burt Odelson found Emanuel was purged and reinstated on voter rolls twice.
Tomorrow, Nov. 18, through Nov. 21, Startbucks will help you get through the afternoon with a buy-one-get-one-free deal on its holiday coffee drinks between 2 and 5pm.
Fashion designers Santino Rice and Austin Scarlett, who battled it out during season two of Project Runway, are in town promoting their new show, "On the Road with Austin and Santino." They will be at Block 37 from 5:30 to 7:30pm; stop by to say hello and to enter a contest for a $1,000 shopping spree.
Columbia student Tanisha Pina created Columbia Confessions as an experiment in anonymity for students. Their confessions range from sweet to sad to juvenile to heartbreaking.
MetroPulse Chicago went live today. Learn more in Mechanics.
The City has terminated the contract of the company that manufactured the unsticky city stickers.
Tostones are easy to make, but making them with drag queens is more fun.
A Klingon Christmas Carol is finally coming to Chicago. You heard me right.
Austin Kleon's newspaper blackout poems are exactly what they sound like: poems created by blacking out all but certain words on a page in the newspaper. Hear them set to music at Roosevelt University Dec. 6.
Sam Zell is ready to step down as chairman of Tribune Co. post bankruptcy, as soon as his creditors decide who should run it.
Columbia College announced it is purchasing 820 S. Michigan Ave., the headquarters of Johnson Publishing. The company, which is the publisher of EBONY and JET, will move out within 18 months as part of a cost-cutting strategy.
Remember mixing all the soda flavors at the fountain when you were a kid? Coke's experimental "Freestyle" soda dispensers bring back the fun (and danger) of that experimentation, and are now at a couple restaurants around town.
Meanwhile, did you know that the Reader now offers its own daily deal?
Groupon is among the 16 daily deal sites partnering with Yahoo on a new "Local Offers" portal.
Speaking of A.V. Club, Leor Galil, who profiled Ice Age Records for us in Transmission, started a survey of the city's cassette-centric record labels this week.
The A.V. Club is running a feature series looking back at the rise and fall of alternative music in the mainstream, and today's story is about Chicago's contributions: Smashing Pumpkins, Liz Phair and Urge Overkill.
The Sun-Times reports that Terry Mazany, currently president and CEO of the Chicago Community Trust, has been appointed the new chief of Chicago Public Schools, succeeding the outgoing Ron Huberman.
Lucy Knisley shares her "it gets better" story in comic form.
Check out these great WWI-era photographs where people were organized to make giant patriotic mosaics on display at the Carl Hammer Gallery. (via)
The Michelin Guide announced its list of restaurants receiving stars a day earlier than planned after it leaked on Yelp.
OK Go, a band that used to call Chicago home, released the video for "Last Leaf" last week. It's animated entirely with pieces of toast.
A powdered gin and tonic was among the experimental drinks Grant Achatz and team demoed at a private event in LA Friday. You'll have to wait for The Aviary to open to try snorting it yourself.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood declared Rahm Emanuel victor in next year's mayoral race yesterday, just hours after Emanuel filed for petitions to be a candidate.
A student-faculty collaboration at IIT has designed a "replicable, low-cost, durable, practical laptop charging" device for Haitian primary schools, 95% of which do not have electricity. They just won an award for their work and are raising money to implement the project.
You can now see the full program online of the ceremony honoring former Chicagoan Tina Fey, who received the Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor last night.
The City is allowing coyotes roam the Loop in an effort to control rodent populations. The program came to light after someone shot video of a coyote running through the streets last night.
The Trib ranks the fifty best workplaces in Chicagoland.
Looking for a nice custom hat? Chapeau, the Milliner's Guild, might be a good place to start.
American Airlines launched a redesigned website today. Still not as nice as Dustin Curtis' from last year, but better than what they had.
Artist Chuck Jones recently began posting his video work on Vimeo, making it perhaps a little easier to enter his strange world.
It's getting colder, but you can actually enjoy the winter weather while gliding around on a smooth sheet of ice (and I don't mean while driving down your street). Up Chicago has a great little roundup of local (mostly free) ice skating rinks, which do exist outside of the Loop, you know. (via)
The Chicago Egotist is an anonymous blog commenting on the city's advertising world.
More than 600 people played that number in last Wednesday's Illinois Lottery Pick Four, and won. They'll share $8.4 million.
Dale Bernis of Oak Forest will be inducted into the White Castle Hall of Fame after writing an essay about how White Castle has affected his life. [via]
Chicago is home to more than a few deer, but you'd be forgiven if you didn't believe these photos were shot within the city.
Groupon has a different kind of group deal today: donations to the Chicago Community Trust.
The Chicago Climate Exchange, which allows companies to trade credits for greenhouse gases, will be closing at the end of the year. The sister Chicago Climate Futures Exchange will remain open at least through 2012.
Heart valves meant for a Chicago hospital ended up at a New York City Home Depot. No word on what showed up at the hospital. [via]
The upcoming Northwestern-Illinois game at Wrigley Field is kind of a big deal: ESPN's "GameDay" will be covering it live, and the stadium's iconic marquee is being painted Northwestern purple.
Our parking meter fiasco is empowering other cities to rework potential parking meter lease contracts and make key changes ... like adding serious exit clauses and opportunities for long-term revenue.
Need some help taking it easy today? Check out this footage of turtle racing at likable Ravenswood dive Big Joe's.
Remember Sassy? Jane Pratt, the magazine's former Editor-in-Chief, is launching a new project with Oak Park-based tween fashion blogger Tavi Gevinson.
Blair Kamin takes a dim view of the city's green initiatives.
Some ambitious, architecturally and environmentally minded people are delving into vertical farming and industrial reuse, right in the heart of the New City neighborhood.
On an imaginary interview show, one fictional Chicago alderman challenges a potential Chicago alderman to a rap battle...no joke. [Caution: Some uncensored F-bombs.] (Thanks, Sandy!)
The remodeled Grand Red Line stop has a ramp along the steps for bikes, but it might not be ideal.
Take a tour of St. Patrick's Church with Designslinger: part one, part two.
ChicagoPublishes.com went live earlier this week, highlighting local books, periodicals and literary events. Chicago Artist Resource also launched a new literary section. (Previously.)
The young Al Capone seen on "Boardwalk Empire" is far from the real Scarface, says one of his grand-nieces.
Ork Posters has a pop-up shop at 2003 W. Montrose Ave., and they're not keeping it just for themselves -- they've got work by two dozen other printmakers available for sale, too.
The day after the CTA announced it'll sell naming rights, the Chicago Park District announced it will offer corporate sponsorships for everything from trash cans to lifeguard chairs in order to bridge its current budget gap. [via]
An Oak Park Walgreens is apparently the first pharmacy to install a geothermal system, thanks to Oak Park's new geothermal law.
The Labor Trail is an interactive website about "Chicago's history of working-class life and struggle."
The Reader's cover story this week is about Yung Tae Kim, aka Dr. Tae, your favorite skateboarding physicist.
Getting past the label of "charity" being applied to the nonprofit Museum of Science & Industry, MSI's President and CEO David Mosena's near-$1 million salary put him ninth highest on CharityNavigator's compensation survey. [via]
Cubscast, Soxcast and the rest of Sportscast's baseball podcasts have been shut down by Major League Baseball Advanced Media.
Speaking of fetishes, SantaCon is coming up Dec. 4.
FurFest is this weekend!
National Gaming Day is Saturday, Nov. 13, and several Chicago-area libraries are participating. Look them up here.
The Briefcase House is a mini-apartment inside of a 1400-square-foot Chicago warehouse loft designed by architect Jimenez Lai. [via]
Chicago suburban YouTube sensation Keenan Cahill had an unexpected guest star for his latest lip-sync video.
We're worried about mystery missiles now, but back in 1957, the eyes on the heavens were watching for satellites.
The National Women's Law Center has filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights against the Chicago Public Schools and another 11 districts for Title IX violations.
Jay Cutler's girlfriend, Kristin Cavallari, recently threw a fit at the Mag Mile Guess Store after being denied freebies from the manager. Can we get a misconduct penalty?
Seems a little early, but Time Out Chicago is already helping you separate the wheat from the chaff in next year's mayoral election.
Booking domestic holiday air travel? Now, through the end of 2010, if you check in for your United flight on your mobile phone, you'll get 1,000 bonus miles.
The Boat Lullabies just posted film footage from 1966 featuring National Guard members patrolling the West Side, along with some shots of kids having fun in the streets.
In light of the Michelin guide's arrival in Chicago, the current issue of Newsweek is waxing poetic about some of Chicago's not-so-fancy (but still very loveable) foods.
On Nov. 10, 1975, the SS Edmund Fitzgerald sank in a gale on Lake Superior while on its way to a steel mill in Gary.
It's been talked about for years, but it's finally happening: The CTA will sell naming rights to its stations and train lines. (Gee, I wonder what the North & Clybourn stop will be.)
A cute new print by Sean Dove.
The next local one is the first weekend in December.
Jason Lazarus, a photographer and instructor at the Art Institute, wants the personal photographs people can no longer bear to look at for his "Too Hard to Keep" archive. Details on how to submit photographs to Jason are posted on his blog for the project.
If you're concerned about crime in Wicker Park and Bucktown, you might want to keep an eye on this new blog. [via]
Just because Daley's not running for reelection doesn't mean he can't have a campaign sign.
Mapnificent shows you where you can get to in a given amount of time (say, 15 minutes) on public transportation.
If you haven't visited the International Museum of Surgical Science lately, you can visit to catch a bunch of upgrades and a new exhibit.
Add our city's skyline to your holiday cards, or whatever would benefit from Chicago's silhouette, with Merriment Design's free templates. All she asks is that you e-mail or comment when you do.
Former GB staffer Brian Leli meditates on Bush's claim that Kanye West's comments after Katrina were the lowest moment in his presidency.
One in 10 charter school students transferred out last year, Catalyst reports. Listen to an interview with Catalyst's Sarah Karp and WBEZ's Linda Lutton about the topic on "Eight Forty-Eight."
Slice finally got around to Illinois (aka Chicago) on its tour of the United States of Pizza, courtesy of Daniel Zemans.
It's never too early to start planning your trip on the CTA Holiday Train!
Flight Chicago is different from the usual restaurant deal: buy a flight and you get a three hour tour behind the scenes at three top restaurants, including Q&As with the chefs.
When she's not singing the praises of Chicago's roasted chicken offerings, Tina Fey is poised to become the youngest recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor tonight at the Kennedy Center. Catch the broadcast of the award show on Sunday 11/14 on PBS.
If you've been meaning to visit Tony Tasset's EYE but haven't gotten around to it yet, act fast. It's going to be disassembled starting tomorrow morning.
Our own Mr. West entertained folks on a Delta flight last Friday over the loudspeaker. Was his own plane in the shop? UPDATE: Here's a longer recording from another passenger on the flight.
If you missed out on tickets to Dan and Bill Savage's talk for the Chicago Humanities Festival, join them for the after party at Berlin. Details in Slowdown.
Senator Dick Durbin is filming a scene with Laurence Fishburne today for the upcoming thriller "Contagion." For the senator's cameo, Durbin will be the chair at a Senate hearing.
Eater Chicago announced the winners of its first annual awards.
The North Branch Bicycle Trail will be extended another 4.2 miles to the east end of LaBagh Woods [PDF].
Groupon continues to seek capital, and this time it's looking for an amount that could value the company at $3 billion. Oh, and GrubHub just received $11 million of its own.
Curious about just how many people an individual meets in a given year, Chicago-based photographer Kyle LaMere documented every person who visited his Pilsen studio from June 8, 2009 to June 8, 2010. The resulting VISITORS photo project is on its way to self-published coffee table stardom, starting with a big party/fundraiser in Logan Square.
Travel + Leisure just posted the results of the 2010 'America's Favorite Cities' poll. We've got good pizza and a great skyline, but no one wants to visit us at Christmas.
A prominent component of recent Chicago art history, art critic Kathryn Hixson has passed on...
A condo building at Irving Park and Greenview has been tagged repeatedly with gang graffiti, apparently intended as a message to a rival gang.
This year's Green Tie Ball, the annual benefit for Gateway Green, has been canceled. Instead, the foundation is holding a "preview party" Nov. 12 for its 25th anniversary ball next year.
The Surgeon General, heavy metal and Jonathan Eig? Tuesday night usually isn't this packed.
A.V. Club Chicago takes a look at Ronny's, the polarizing Logan Square bar and once-and-possibly future rock club.
Bill Murray's Groundhog Day is the palette for an incredible videomix by HomeStarRunnerTron. [via]
Edgewater coffee shop, Kitchen Sink, is looking for local artists to display their work at the business in 2011. The cafe is located near the Berwyn Red Line stop. Details.
I'm not sure what makes these sneakers "Chicago" -- the Asian carp, I guess?
Hayden Panettiere and Nikki Reed will star in a thriller called Downers Grove. Bret Easton Ellis wrote the script.
Researchers at UIC have gone way past the iPad.
Speaking of free, Drive-Thru is co-hosting a pre-release cocktail party for the Michelin Guide Chicago at Violet Hour next week. Space is limited, so sign up today! UPDATE: Sold out!
Want to see the new British comedy Four Lions for free this Wednesday? Details in A/C.
The NY Times and Chronicle of Higher Education feature the U of C as an exemplar of what's happening in college admissions, where the number of applicants to many elite schools is skyrocketing.
Laurent Gras has left his post at L20. Whether it's for now or for forever remains to be seen.
Last year, a group of people snuck into and explored the tops of several Streeterville and River North skyscrapers, and taking lots of photos of the city at night. They returned for more this summer. [via]
NewCity's Best of Chicago survey is open for voting, and it's unusually politically focused this year.
A la Card has announced its 2011 restaurant discount deck, and for a limited time you can get 20% off your pre-order and get the 2010 deck to use as fast as possible. This year's deck is discounted to $15, too. (Thanks, Caffrin!)
EWeek's Geek's Guide to Chicago is pretty basic, but it hits mostly right notes.
It seems candidate for 20th ward alderman, Che "Rhymefest" Smith, has a rap sheet to go with his rap career.
Speaking of Dan Grzeca, if you're a beer drinker you might like his latest print.
Ex-Chicagoan Liz Phair reviewed Keith Richards' new memoir for the New York Times.
Not sure where it's located, but here's a nifty 19th Century Chicago Lutheran church re-purposed as a artist's loft. Unfortunately, sometimes God's old college buddies show up in the middle of the night, looking for a place to crash.
NewCity's Brian Hieggelke lays out his platform, were he to run for mayor.
The Reader's fall books sampler should give you a nice amount of reading this weekend.
Hey rollergirls of Chicago -- Dr. Hauschka Skin Care wants to give you a 20% discount on their holistic, natural skin care products.
We look at a group of DIY coffee roasters with big plans in this week's Drive-Thru Feature.
IPaintMyMind interviews screenprint artist Dan Grzeca, who made our meter monster poster.
Zebadiah Arrington, a South Side native and SAIC student, was arrested in New York for tagging subway trains over the course of the past three years.
Ever wonder about the origin of the name of local documentary makers Kartemquin Films? See this video explanation from two founding members.
The Kennedy Expressway turns 50 years old today at 11am. Back then it was the Northwest Expressway and was both "the greatest highway in America" and "a scar 400 feet wide and 16 miles long that tore up one home after another."
Due to a combination of reduced grant funding and increased client loads, the Howard Brown Health Center is in danger of closing, and is seeking donations to help keep the doors open.
Remember how Mayor Daley promised he would preserve the prairie-style main building of Michael Reese Hospital? Well, the administration didn't heed warnings about protecting the buildings and has reneged on the promise. Today it officially announced that the main building will be demolished along with two of the three other remaining structures.
Chances are you've been to at least one or two of Time Out's 50 unknown bars, or at least have heard of them.
ChicagoGraffiti.com is back in action.
This US map of sitcoms is making the rounds right now, and I'll just note that it's missing a couple for Chicago. Wither "My Boys," "Perfect Strangers" and "Good Times"?
Fluffy Friends are some of the cutest plush dolls with teeth ever. Here's a sneak peek at the latest, from behind.
Our latest oral history from a Chicago school teacher is up in Mechanics; this week, a Spanish teacher at TEAM Englewood Community Academy tells her story.
The GB Book Club's discussion of Patrick Somerville's The Cradle marks our final Book Club meeting. Head over to the Book Club page to take a look back at everything we've read (63 books!) and join us one last time on Monday, November 8, at the Book Cellar. New faces, old faces, and everyone in between are welcome to join us and help say goodbye to what has been a wonderful time.
The Neighborhood Writing Alliance recently launched a new blog full of "discussion prompts; news and ideas about literary arts, social justice, current events, and more." If you like what you see, check out their kick off party one week from today at Intuit.
Some missed connections are too important for Craigslist.
NoBodoni's Spurius Press has an impressive collection of Chicago Ephemera. (Some nice fonts, too.)
Think there are too many permit parking zones? You're not alone, and now you have champions in the City Council.
Giannoulias and Kirk got together for a beer yesterday. At the Billy Goat.
The Department of Justice filed suit yesterday against a Chicago lawyer who allegedly has been promoting phony tax shelters.
George W. Bush and Kanye West may have a reconciliation in their future.
Alinea was busted in 2006 for having a supply of the needlessly illegal tonka bean.
The Sun-Times story is only one sentence, but cause they already broke the news back on Oct. 6.
The folks at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum want you to name their box turtle. The winner will have his or her picture taken with said turtle, and receive a one-year membership and turtle gift basket--most likely not including a turtle.
In 2000, Dean and Ella Mae Eastman purchased a portion of Frank Lloyd Wright's Avery Coonley House and spent more than $1 million on its renovation. It's now for sale, so we can see inside.
Forget pub and bar and even zombie bar crawls....book crawls are where it's at, specifically comic shops uniting for an inaugural Comic Book Crawl. First Aid Comics, Chicago Comics, Challengers Comics + Conversation, and Third Coast team up want you to come by, get 20% off with a filled out passport, and have the chance to win over $1000 worth of cool comic book prizes. Details available at each store. POW!
Lawyers like burgers. Some lawyers like them enough to pass judgment over them.
Another variation on the CTA map poster, courtesy of Big Nickel Graphics.
If you've got an iPad, 37signals's new Chalk app might be for you.
Apparently, a lot.
The Moynihans have found renovating the house next door to the Obamas has some special challenges.
Steppenwolf brings a little of its current play, Detroit, to Urban Burger, 1578 N. Clybourn Ave., in an event called "Explore: The World of Detroit" tomorrow night. Watch a "pop-up performance" and art inspired by Arcade Fire's The Suburbs, eat, and write a haiku about "the plight, or renaissance, of the mid-American city in a post-globalization economy" for a chance to win a trip to Detroit (the city). Free, but you must RSVP.
We've got an examination of campaign contributions from the sports world in Mechanics.
Registration for the 2010 Sadie Hawkins Ride is now open.
Rob and Allie Levitt have left Mado. But by the end of the month, they'll be opening a butcher shop in Noble Square that will feature custom-cut meats from animals raised on small Midwestern farms and handmade charcuterie. (For those jonesing for the Levitts' cooking, there'll also be a small lunch menu.)
Give a Minute is a new site asking, "What would encourage you to walk, bike and take CTA more often?" Answers so far range from filling potholes to cleaning up CTA trains to "a million hairy babies."
If you haven't voted yet, WXRT's Frank E. Lee has some songs to get you in the mood.
Local illustrator Mitch O'Connell designed this awesome tiki mug for the day after.
Dan Sinker made a mobile-optimized version of the data compiled by the Committee to Elect Qualified Judges, aka voteforjudges.org.
Cubs owner Todd Ricketts is going to be on CBS's "Undercover Boss."
In A/C, Rachel Rabbit White talks with Prof. Paula Treichler about the history of prophylactics. Treichler gives a talk on the subject this Saturday.
Brand New looks at Sears' new logo.
The polls are open today from 6am-7pm! If you're looking for some help in deciding on who will get your vote, here is some help from the Sun-Times, the Trib, Vote for Judges, Chicago Bar Association, the Independent Voters of Illinois, the Chicago Federation of Labor, Illinois NOW, the Reader and Windy City Times. Good luck.
Leonardo DiCaprio has taken on increasingly challenging and complex roles in recent years, and his latest project is no exception. Set to produce and star in a film adaptation of Erik Larson's best-selling novel, The Devil in the White City, DiCaprio plans to play none other than H.H. Holmes.
Because they're still widely available, says a UIC researcher.
National Novel Writing Month, the brainchild of U of C grad Chris Baty, kicks off today.
Technori is a new site "celebrating Chicago's entrepreneurs." It leads off with a good one: a profile of the prolific Phil Tadros.
A building at Columbia College was shut down today after an administrator received a threatening message that was left over the weekend on a voice mail system.
Vandals are knocking out streetlights all over the city.
An anonymous employee shares a glimpse in Esquire of what it was like at an area synagogue after the terrorist bomb plot came to light.
Vermillion's Maneet Chauhan was cut on this week's "Next Iron Chef," but you can still try her show-inspired lunch boxes for $24. Chef Ming Tsai, who won while Chauhan lost, is at The Chopping Block tonight for a book signing and cooking demo.
Halloween in Chicago: A completely reasonable sign on the door of a northwest side liquor store.
So, I'll follow up with: Despite all their rage they are still just primates in a cage. [via]
Crain's Chicago Business released its 2010 40 Under 40 list today.
As she watched Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel, local writer Martha Rosenberg noticed a growing creepiness setting in. Read what Steve at the Movies had to say in A/C, and see it for yourself at the Siskel Center this week.
The Art Loop Open announced its prizewinners Friday night.
In other words, don't drive it into Lake Michigan.
Wondering who to vote for tomorrow? TheBallot.org has a convenient collection of voter guides.
Obama Foodorama has the details regarding President Obama's weekend dinner at Topolobombo and take-out breakfast at Valois.
