No Power Plant
WBEZ's Justin Kaufmann blew the lid off a hoax protest over a fictional coal-fired power plant in the South Loop.
Gapers Block has ceased publication.
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. ✶
TODAY
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Monthly Archive
April 2011
The Bear Jew
What do you think, Chicago? Is that a good nickname for Bears draft pick and good Jewish boy Gabe Carimi? He's 6 feet 7, 314 pounds, and he apparently likes "Inglourious Basterds." And it's his idea.
Camping Creativity
You have till tomorrow to get early bird rates for CreatorCamp Chicago May 14. Come talk creativity, ideas and more with some very creative folks.
May Day Doings
The Haymarket Affair reenactment on Saturday isn't the only May Day event this weekend.
Get Your Good Times Here
If you're itching to get outside and amble this weekend, check out the newest of the Chicago historical tour scene with a "Good Times Around Michigan Avenue" tour by Detour Chicago. Public tours start today and include the use of interactive iPads for each participant and plenty of info. about jazz clubs, grand balls, elite soirees, and all sorts of diversions, past and present, on the Mag Mile.
Prices for the tours range from free (kids under 12) to $26 for adults ($24 for students/seniors). The group, Detour Chicago, will also launch some other great-sounding tours this summer, including "Our Chicago Sound: Jazz, Blues & Beyond" (tickets free-$70) and "Inside the Loop: Explore the Unexpected" and they also offer up private tours and school group tours as well. They also have cool online multimedia resources great for teachers and those just wanting to learn more.
Fishy Fun
Why would we write about the long waits for foo-foo drinks at Aviary when there's a Red Lobster in Lincolnwood with immediate seating? Details of an annual pilgrimage are in this week's Drive-Thru feature.
Gimme That Hot Sauce
Just in time for the playoffs: staceyshirts, featuring Stacey King's many catchphrases. (Thanks, Daniel!)
Riding Bikes on Friday
It's a great day for a bike ride -- and it just happens to be Critical Mass tonight. How convenient! Frequent GB contributor John Greenfield wrote a song to celebrate.
The song was recorded at Kidical Mass earlier this month. Kidical Mass is for the younger cyclists and their parents, and takes place on the second Saturday of every month. More info on thechainlink.org.
That's Awesome
Chicago now has a local chapter of the Awesome Foundation. The foundation offers monthly $1,000 grants, no strings attached, for ideas they deem worthy -- and the call for May submissions is on now.
Half Off Brown Elephants
If you want to get your thrifty shop on and help out a worthwhile cause, get yourself into any of the three Brown Elephant resale stores this weekend and save 50% off your entire purchase. Proceeds benefit the Howard Brown Health Center.
Art Around Town
On the Make did a great job with their annual weekend Art Guide this year. Check it out if you want to see some art this weekend. The sheer volume of events is flabbergasting.
Golden Parachutes Smother State
More than two dozen retired politicians are still drawing six-figure pensions, even as pension payments threaten to bankrupt the state, according to a BGA report.
Ghanaxploitation
Opening tonight: the Chicago Cultural Center will display Primitive's collection of outrageous 1980s and 90s Ghanaian hand-painted movie posters. Queasy stomachs may wish to avoid clicking those links.
The City Transformed
The latest trailer for Transfomers 3: Dark of the Moon shows even more of the destruction of Chicago.
The Rainbow Connection
Google Maps captured a lovely and mindblowing photo of a plane flying over Hyde park. (via)
Closing Oprah's Closet Doors
The Oprah Winfrey Show won't be the only Oprah enterprise vanishing at the end of May: her two Chicago stores will also close at the end of the month.
Storefront Love
The non-equity nominees for the 2011 Jeff Jefferson theater awards were announced today -- the awards ceremony will be June 6.
Newcity's Art Picks
In preparation for this big art fair weekend, Newcity just published their ninth issue of "Breakout Artists", an annual selection of their favorite local emerging visual artists.
That's One Smart-Looking House
The Museum of Science and Industry's annual Smart Home exhibit is up on the museum's grounds in Hyde Park and is available for viewing until January 2012. Cool repurposed interior items curated by Andersonville's Scout shop owner and efficient tech hookups courtesy of Gizmodo make this one spiffy abode. (via)
Raised in the City (& Suburbs)
Well-known Chicagoans share stories of growing up in the city and environs in this week's Time Out.
The City That Worked, At Least Once
Our Lady of the Fullerton Underpass may have just granted her first miracle. Damen-Elston-Fullerton, that most frustrating of intersections is finally on it's way to an update, and it's a big one. Expired Meter has the details on a reroute that might actually work and appears to keep the hallowed Elston Ave bike route intact.
Kubrick's Chicago Redux
More photos of Chicago in 1949 by Stanley Kubrick have surfaced (Previously). [via]
Perusing the Ads
Moat lets you browse through all of a company's online ads. Such as Groupon, McDonald's, United and the Tribune.
Envisioning Chicago's Future
A book version of Daniel Tucker's "Visions for Chicago" project comes out next month. Badatsports' Abigail Satinsky interviewed Tucker for Art21.
Steampunk in the City
Time Out talks with K.L. Kenzie and Joseph Rovner , two of the founders of Steampunk Chicago.
Father Pfleger Suspended
Father Michael Pfleger, activist and longtime pastor of St. Sabina Parish, was suspended from his duties by Cardinal Francis George yesterday, following Pfleger's threat that he would quit the Catholic Church if he was forced to take a new position. Read the Cardinal's letter [PDF]. Pfleger's supporters are rallying outside of Cardinal George's residence this morning at 10:30am.
Taking a Slice of NYC's Pizza
An odd chapter in Chicago and New York's pizza rivalry: Supposedly you can't get a just a slice of pizza at certain NYC institutions because of Al Capone's strong-arm tactics regarding cheese distribution.[via]
Making Grant Park Even Greener
The south end of Grant Park may get a farmers market this summer run by the same folks as the Ogilvie Station French Market.
Women with Journalistic Clout
Robert Feder put together a list of the 20 most powerful women in Chicago journalism. It's a good list, but Scott Smith has some additional nominations.
Pinched at the Pump
The Center for Neighborhood Technology has created a gas price slider to show how much rising prices affect a household's transportation costs. Short answer: a whole lot.
Rosie Dumps Trump
Rosie O'Donnell was planning on staying at the Trump Chicago Hotel when she tapes her new show for OWN (previously), but thanks to Donald Trump's birther jackassery, she's decided to stay elsewhere. [via]
Chicago, Asked
And speaking of Reddit's "Ask Me Anything" forum, here are all the Chicago-related threads.
Ask CAF Anything
Windy Citizen is taking another page from Reddit and inviting you to an "ask me anything" session with the Chicago Architecture Foundation this Thursday.
Hey Mister (or Miss) DJ
Want a last-minute DJ gig? Lincoln Hall is looking for a DJ to play for 90 minutes before this Saturday's sold-out Battles show. If you have the chops, email them a sample of your DJ stylings at DJOpenerForBattles@schubas.com.
Empire Carpet Man, RIP
Elmer Lynn Hauldren, the writer and star of countless Empire carpet commercials, passed away last night in his Evanston home. He was 89. Here are some of Hauldren's classic Empire commercials.
More on EmpireCarpet.tv.
Life is Better in a Great Hat
And it takes a great company to make them. Thankfully, Optimo Hats created a gorgeous and short video to explain their process.
EPA Fines Pilsen Foundry
The EPA fined H. Kramer & Co. for Clean Air Act violations after its Pilsen area facility was found to be emitting high levels of lead particles.
Redoing the Reader
The Reader is debuting a complete redesign of its print edition this week, and celebrating with several events today, Thursday and Friday. Get a sneak peek at the cover on Phil Rosenthal's blog, and a look at the "flipped" back cover, "Reader B Side," from designer Ron Reason.
A Storied Gun or Just a Gun Story?
GB flickr pool contributor Clark Maxwell took some fine photographs of a gun he says was found in a hotel wall last year. For what it's worth, "AC" is carved in the handle, and Al Capone supposedly stayed in the hotel.
Extreme Couponing: It's a Steal
"Super Couponer" Jill Cataldo helped lead the charge against apparent coupon fraud shown on TLC's "Extreme Couponing" show. TLC is investigating the allegations.
Win a Classy Dinner!
Want to attend the Growing Home Gala Benefit tomorrow night? Details in Drive-Thru.
Dealbook
Facebook launched Deals today, taking aim at Groupon and other daily deal sites with its 600 million members.
Pouring Gas on Sprawl's Wounds
The NY Times recently reported on a developer in far north suburban Richmond who's giving away cars with his homes. Grist's Sarah Goodyear couldn't help but note the irony of enticing folks with a car for the 50-mile commute when gas is so expensive.
We're Number One!
I wish that title was sports related. Unfortunately, it's a record I'd gladly give away, we're paying the most for our gas.
Red Stars Return
The Red Stars made their return official yesterday: they're now part of the Women's Premier Soccer League, and expect to return to the field in 2012.
Art News
If you missed the kickoff of Version Fest and the wildly successful MDW Fair in Bridgeport last weekend, ArtSlant Chicago summed it up for you.
When Pigs Fly
A special shipment of 235 hogs will soon leave Chicago for South Korea to help replenish the country's herds after a devastating foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.
The Phusion Projects Saga
Months after their sickly sweet caffeinated malt beverage landed them in hot water, the makers of Four Loko finally tell their story -- and what they're up to next. [via]
A Vivid Online Catastrophe
A Los Angeles woman left her marriage and prepared to move to Colorado to be with a volunteer firefighter she met online when he suddenly died. Why did he die? Probably because he and more than 20 other people the woman met over the last year and a half were allegedly created by the same Batavia woman.
Mother's Day on Mother's Day
Our own Steve Prokopy, aka Capone on Ain't It Cool News, will be hosting a free midnight screening of Mother's Day at the Music Box May 7. RSVP here.
New Yorker to Ebert: Wish Granted
Roger Ebert's has won the New Yorker's cartoon caption contest, fulfilling the film critic's long-standing dream (previously). We win, too, because we get to see some of his other submissions.
Cubs Get Some Real Talent
Two members of the Arcade Fire sang the seventh-inning stretch at a Cubs game. You know who they are, right?
Second City Heat
A San Francisco writer details the true story behind the 1995 movie Heat and as it turns out, it's a Chicago story.
No, Really, Don't Spit the Water!
Local groups Blewt! Productions and Stock Yard Films are seeking contestants for their pilot episode of "Don't Spit the Water," a comedy-based game show.
Where Music Narrates Life
Tonight's the opening night for the much-anticipated production of Passing Strange by Bailiwick Chicago. Read our preview of this unique musical, featuring JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound in Transmission.
Chicago's Heroin Highway
A&E's "Intervention" looks at the heroin epidemic in Chicago and the suburbs.
They're Both Entertainment
A potential juror for the Blago trial wants to get out of the gig because she has Oprah tickets in May.
Counting the Doors
Good news for bikers: The state is going to start keeping track of dooring accidents. So next year Steve Vance's bike crash map (previously) will be much more robust.
Looking at Microscopic Art
Developer Scott VanDen Plas teamed up with designer Dustin "UPSO" Hostetler to create some of the smallest art ever. Using a focused ion beam they etched an image about the size of a bacterium onto a silicone chip, then scanned it with an scanning electron microscope.
Probing Probation
A pattern emerges as you look at the Chicago News Cooperative's map of schools on probation in each ward. The accompanying story zooms in on Austin.
Bensenville, the New Fashion Epicenter
It will be this Saturday, when figure skater Johnny Weir unveils his new line of little black dresses on the talent performing at the Ice Dreams event at the Edge Ice Arena.
Quit Blaming the Victim
Following the lead of Toronto, SlutWalk Chicago plans a march June 4 "to combat the myth of 'the slut' and the culture of victim blaming that prevails the world over."
Someday Our Spring Will Come
It's looking like a still-cool, faintly overcast weekend. Utilize the power of literature and positive thinking with The Poetry Foundation's selection of spring poems.
Recycling Prentice
Landmarks Illinois has unveiled a reuse study for Prentice Women's Hospital, one of the buildings on its most endangered list this year.
The New New Version
Version Fest's theme this year is Community, and it kicks off tonight with a group show at Co-Prosperity Sphere titled "The New New Chicagoans."
Innovating Between Diaper Changes
It's tough starting a business with little ones at home. Naptime Entrepreneurs aims to be a support group for parents in that situation.
Fighting the Battle of the Bag
A scientist at Argonne National Laboratory has studied ways to turn plastic grocery bags into materials that can produce printer ink and batteries.
Help a Bunny Out this Weekend
Red Door Shelter's Spring to Life Raffle ends tomorrow at 4pm. Tickets are $1 each, and prizes include $1,000 in cold hard cash, a Kindle, a case of wine, a weekend getaway on the North Shore, and Vosges chocolate bars. Proceeds benefit care of the Shelter's animals (while you're at it, look at these awesome fluffly bunnies, this doggy, and this kitteh--they're all available for adoption, along with many others!).
Totally Smurfed Up
One of the reasons why the Internet was invented: images of Papa Smurf graffiti from around town. You know. Just because.
Four Stories Plus One
Serhii Chrucky, co-founder of Forgotten Chicago, is fascinated by four-plus-ones. He's collecting stories from people who have lived in them; if you have one, share it.
Feliz Compleaños
Gozamos turns one year old today, and is celebrating with a party tonight at 8fifty8.
LINKing Farmers Markets
Good news for low-income Illinois residents who use LINK cards — Chicago farmers markets doubled the number of sites where they now accept the card as payment for fresh produce. Especially important in an area hampered by food deserts, this expanding service hopefully will get healthy food into more homes. There are also participating markets around the state. Chicago farmers markets open on May 12, 2011.
Happy Earth Day!
Celebrate with the Chicago Climate Action Plan in Daley Plaza from 11am to 2pm today.
CPL on Your Kindle
The Chicago Public Library (and other area libraries using Overdrive) will soon offer the ability to borrow books via Kindle. Whet Moser notes you can already do the same on your iOS or Android device.
More Mug Talk
Bring your own mug to Caribou Coffee tomorrow, and get a free coffee. Use the caffeine rush to walk or bike to work -- it is Earth Day, after all. (And BTW, Caribou's got one of the best, everyday, non-Earth-Day BYO mug discounts around: 50 cents off, all day, every day.)
Red Stars Return
Looks like we might have women's professional soccer this summer after all. Four months after they suspended operations for the 2011 season, the Chicago Red Stars tweeted this afternoon that they're back: "We'll be playing this summer. Stay tuned."
Gulls in the Outfield
The Cardinals are not the only birds the Cubs will be fending off this season.
Storm of Last Century
On April 21, 1967, a tornado touched down in Oak Lawn. Theater owner Robert Kehe recorded an eye-witness report. [via]
Writers on Writers
The Reader's lit issue, out today, features five local authors talking about the books and writers that inspired them.
More Views from Above
This has been a good week for aerial photos of Chicago over time: Blair Kamin reviews a new book, Chicago From the Sky: A Region Transformed.
Stars on Cards
What are your favorite baseball card memories? Tailgate contributor Cee Angi says they transformed her childhood.
Crowdfunding Fun
Kickstarter isn't the only site out there for crowd-funding projects. There are a number of local projects looking for help on IndieGoGo, too. [via]
Influential Achatz
Thomas Keller sings the praises of his protege, Grant Achatz, in this year's Time 100.
"A Global City Waiting to Bloom"
Dick Simpson shares some suggestions for the Emanuel administration on how to help the arts in Chicago.
Speaking of Mugs...
Pack your travel mug the night before (unless you're just naturally good at remembering such tasks in the morning, pre-caffeine) and bring it by Starbucks on Friday for a free coffee or tea in celebration of Earth Day.
All Falls Down
The Kanye West Foundation, which was created to decrease school dropout rates through creative programming, has folded after four years of operating. The charity's grantmaking dropped dramatically after the 2007 death of West's mother Donda, who was the Foundation's founder.
Here We Are
Even if you don't go to Ebertfest down in Champaign next weekend, you might want to buy the t-shirt, which features a cartoon of a conversation Roger had with Charles Bukowski on the set of Barfly
I Think He's Already On Another Team
Shaz Rasul spotted a shirt featuring an unlikely member of the Bulls: Wolverine.
C-level Slots Fill Up in Emanuel's Administration
Former RR Donnelly CEO Mark Angelson was named deputy mayor, Lois Scott was named CFO and FoGB John Tolva was named CTO in the latest round of appointments from Rahm Emanuel's administration.
Our Unsavory Past
1952: "White Families Protesting Black Family, Cicero, Illinois." Part of the by Andrew Huff — 04/20 — History
Duude, See a Play
Brown Paper Box remounts Reefer Madness: The Musical tonight for two special 4/20 performances. You should totally go, man.
Live on Falcon Cam
All eyes may be on the Eagle Cam, but there are plenty of falcon cams to be had here in Chicagoland. Watch peregrine falcons in Waukegan, Evanston, 1130 S. Michigan and UIC -- and A.V. Club Chicago recently pointed to a Chicago-native falcon nesting in Jackson County, Michigan. The Chicago Perigrine Falcon Blog is always a good resource for local raptor news.
Lose Weight? Not so Fast
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is suing a local business, accusing it of running fake news sites in order to promote açai berries and other dubiously effective weight loss products.
Making Gretzky's Head Bleed
Blackhawks fans all over town were laughing at Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo during last night's 7-2 win. The Tribune caught Vince Vaughn doing it from the front row.
Film Reviews, in Short
A love letter to the Reader's master of the film capsule review, Dave Kehr, on MetaFilter. A collection of Kehr's long-form reviews has just been published.
Putting the New in News Co-op
The Chicago News Cooperative's long-promised new website has launched. James O'Shea talks you through it.
Pre-Google Maps Redux
Expanding on yesterday's link, HistoricAerials.com offers several views of Chicago from 1938 to 2002. (Thanks, Brian!)
Build the Next Portal
If you've ever been interested in designing a video game, head over to the downtown Dave & Buster's tonight for the IGDA Chicago meetup.
Claypool Transportation Agency
On a day when a derailment near Belmont caused all sorts of snafus, Mayor-elect Emanuel named Forrest Claypool to head the CTA.
Mudslides are not Milkshakes
It was apparently only a matter of time before the whole chain restaurant accidentally serves alcohol to a toddler meme made it to Chicagoland.
The $20,000 Dating Game
Time's Joel Stein spent a day at Chicago-based dating service Selective Search, playing matchmaker for well-heeled individuals.
Symbols of the Zodiac
Over 40 years ago, California was terrorized by the serial killer known as the Zodiac. The Zodiac is particularly remembered for the bizarre cryptograms he sent to the police, one of which has never been decoded. After several years of research, local Chicago Police lieutenant John Lewison claims he's finally cracked it.
Leveraging the Power of Social Networks
A pizzeria owner tracked down five guys who allegedly attacked him after recognizing one of them in his son's hockey picture; the rest were tracked down via facebook.
Alinea: 6th Best in the World
Alinea remained the best restaurant in North America, and rose a spot overall in S. Pelligrino's annual World's 50 Best Restaurants list. Last year in ranked 7th.
Local Pulitzer Winners
The Sun-Times won a Pulitzer Prize for local reporting, while playwright Bruce Norris won for his Clybourne Park.
Trivial Lineup
Lollapalooza is playing games with this year's lineup. Or rather, they want you to. [via]
MBT10k
The Music Box passed 10,000 fans on Facebook today, and to celebrate it's offering two special deals: $5 tickets to this Wednesday's double-feature of Death Wish 3 and Freaked, and free tickets to the midnight screening of The Last Dragon this Friday.
A Week of Hands on Stanzas
All week, Chicago Publishes will feature poems from The Poetry Center's Hands on Stanzas program. Check back daily for a new poem and a Q&A with the poet.
Mobile Oasis in the Desert
A whole different sort of food truck is getting ready to roll in Englewood. Fresh Moves Mobile Produce Market is converting a CTA bus to bring fresh produce into food deserts.
New CPS CEO Named
Mayor-elect Emanuel named Jean-Claude Brizard to head the Chicago Public Schools. The rest of the CPS leadership team is listed here.
Pre-Google Maps
Illinois Historical Aerial Photos offers a look at Cook County from above in 1938-1941.
The Year in Mobile Food
Last week Time Out took a look back at the last 12 months of the food truck movement. Take a survey yourself this Tuesday at the Food Truck Summit.
Chicago in the NBA Playoffs
The Bulls won their first game against the Pacers in the playoffs Saturday. But even if you're not a Bulls fan, you've got some Chicagoans to root for.
The Black Cubs?
Were the 1918 Cubs paid to throw the World Series the year before the infamous "Black Sox"? Maybe so, Joe.
11th Peg is Free
Startup Pegmo hopes to replace the loyalty cards at local businesses with a technological one, in which interactions earn you "pegs" toward a reward.
Alaska to Argentina on a Bicycle. Check!
Chicago's own Matt Kelly is finally back home after a perilous journey starting in Deadhorse, Prudhoe Bay, Alaska all the way down to Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina on his bike. Yes, just a regular bike folks. After 21 months and 17,.500 miles, welcome home Matt! You can look back at his adventure through Western Hemisphere here.
Not Enough Nurses
In Mechanics, Samantha Winslow reports on the perceived "crisis in emergency room care" on the South Side due to staffing cutbacks.
Want a Balloon?
As the top-seeded Bulls get ready to open the NBA playoffs against Indiana, Derrick Rose has already given diehard Pacers fans a costume idea, confessing to Sarah Spain that he's terrified of killer clowns. Well, who isn't?
Past Lives in Chicago
Filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul studied at SAIC, and his latest, Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, starts a weeklong run at the Music Box tonight. The Trib talks to Weerasethakul about his time in Chicago, while 848's Allison Cuddy discussed the symbolism of the film with him.
United States of X: Gastronomic Edition
Illinois bulges with popcorn in Lucy Stephens' "American Gastronomy" print.
Cathode Rays from the Past
Dig deep into Chicago TV history on the charmingly retro ChicagoTelevision.com.
All-Day Succor
If you get tired of the Record Store Day music tomorrow and want something in a more folky vein, stop by the 909 W. Armitage location of The Old Town School of Folk Music tomorrow; they'll be having an all-day benefit for Japan earthquake and tsunami relief featuring a marathon concert running from the afternoon till about midnight. Full details on Slowdown, or see the Old Town School's Website.
1040s in the 11th Hour
Chicago is the second-worst at filing taxes at the last minute, according to TurboTax. If the last minute is even too soon for you, Rockstar CPA is doing its annual Extension Filing Marathon on the 17th and 18th.
Stop by Alliance Bakery, 1736 W. Division St., between 10am an 10pm on April 17 or Small Bar, 2049 W. Division St., between noon and midnight on April 18 and Martin Kamenski and his team will electronically file an extension for you that pushes your tax deadline back to Oct. 17.
Lake Undertones With a Windy Finish
Help the planet and it inhabitants while enjoying wine at the Peggy Notebaert Museum's Earth, Wine and Fire Earth Day Benefit next week.
When Neil Gaiman Attacked
James Kennedy, author of GB Book Club selection The Order of Odd-Fish, crafted quite the introduction for Neil Gaiman talk at this week's "One Book, One Chicago" event.
Daley's Golden Years
Jane Byrne, Ed Kelly and five other former politicians share advice for Mayor Daley post-retirement.
Tracking the Plan for Transformation
Yesterday the Chicago Housing Authority released a longitudinal study of the Plan for Transformation [pdf] containing information like who is in public housing, what their income is and where they moved if their building was demolished. If you'd rather not read the whole report, the executive summary is relatively thorough [pdf], and coverage is ok.
Flipping Past Oprah
Oprah is getting top billing in the latest version of Flipboard, a reader app for the iPad.
Linus, Lucy & Jimmy Corrigan
Cartoonist Nathan Bulmer asks, What if Chris Ware was Charlie Brown? [via]
Dude, Busted
More than 1,700 fake IDs have been intercepted at O'Hare, mostly on their way to college students, ordered off the internet.
Frank Thomas and the Bombed Bat
Baseball Nation debates the symbolism behind one of the stranger baseball cards ever printed.
Hit the Record Store
This Saturday is Record Store Day; we've got a run-down of what's happening at local stores, plus a timely profile of Logan Square's Bucket O' Blood.
Whetting Your Appetite
Chicago magazine's Best New Restaurants list is now posted, but you'll have to pick up the magazine to find out why they picked Bistronomic as the best.
Taxing Times
You know your taxes are due Monday, right? If you're running behind on this, you can get some free help from the city or the government.
The Grid: Textile Discount Outlet
Today we release the second feature in GB's short film series, The Grid. "Textile Discount Outlet" roams the aisles in the Pilsen fabric destination. As fabric cutter Chris says, "Bring some trail mix and a bottle of water."
The Megabus Effect
...is apparently lines of people standing on the sidewalk down the block from Union Station, waiting for a cheap ride to Des Moines.
Meat for a Better Tomorrow
Apparently there was more to that Crain's ham map than met the eye. Consumers are still buying meat, which means we're on our way out of this recession.
Baseball, Booze & Autographs
Chicago earned a few mentions when MLB players told ESPN about their favorite and least favorite road trips. According to two rival players, we've got autograph hounds who will chase a player down Michigan Avenue, but Cubs fans are too busy drinking to recognize opposing players.
Freshly Forgotten
ForgottenChicago.com recently launched a redesign with some new features. Maybe that means it's time to read about sidewalk stamps or outlying banks.
Doors Open on the Left, Your Majesty
The Art Institute has installed a throne (sort of) in certain CTA cars to promote its exhibit "Kings, Queens, and Courtiers: Art in Early Renaissance France." Snap a photo of yourself sitting in one and post it on Facebook to enter the "Royal Treatment" contest.
Choose Your Hero
I Know Chicago lists the many reasons to vote for Dawn Hancock in GM's Our Town, Our Heroes contest. The other two finalists are worthy of your vote, too.
Uncommon Design
If you thought the TikTok and LunaTik were cool, you might also be into Uncommon's iPhone cases. Both originated from the design studio MINIMAL.
Meter Stickers Remain as a Courtesy to Gapers Block
Chicago Meter Maid has collected a series of hilarious stickers attached to inoperative parking meters left as a courtesy to cyclists. "Tiny lumberjacks"! Har!
Well, They're Shiny
Yvonne Domenge's new, shiny and colorful sculptural installation at Millennium Park's Boeing Galleries get attention from someone who's not a tourist in this week's issue of ArtSlant.
Tumblin' Rose
Of course there's a F*ck Yeah Derrick Rose tumblr. Joakim Noah doesn't get quite as much love.
If You Build It, They Will Come
The Arts Engagement Exchange published this interesting article last week about "overcoming cultural barriers" -- basically a history of public arts programming in Grant Park and how Millennium Park is carrying on the tradition of tricking people into listening to music they wouldn't normally seek out.
Questions for Rahm
Next Wednesday, April 20, Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel will be doing a Q&A with Tribune editorial page editor Bruce Dold, and will take questions via Twitter as well. Tag yours with #AskRahm.
Large-Scale Recycling
According to this report by WBEZ -- old municipal buildings never die, they just turn into theaters. Next in line? Griffin Theatre Company -- they just bought an abandoned police station near Foster and Damen for one dollar. When your neighborhood police station gets replaced by a theater, well, I think that's a good sign.
Text Alerts Against Tickets
If you live in the 1st Ward, you have a weapon against street sweeping tickets: AntiTow.
Apparently Chicago State Still Hasn't Hit Bottom Yet
This time, the problems at Chicago State include not sending out tuition bills for several months.
Not Your Grandpa's T-Shirts
Rock & Roll apparel, etc. company Assault has come out with a line of old-timey gangland Chicago-themed, highly-detailed graphic t-shirts. Every order comes with a free mixed CD featuring local bands. Check them out here.
Frickin' Lasers
Joe Wan Wetering, who co-designed our anniversary party poster last year, is raising funds via Kickstarter to produce laser-cut prints and wood carvings.
Horrifying Map, Anyone?
Gizmodo shows what areas of Chicago would have been affected had the tsunami/earthquake/Fukushima power plant tragedy struck here instead of Japan. I'm going to go hide under my bedsheets now.
Fore on Wabash
It's almost golf season. Office-dwellers in the Loop can sneak away for a "meeting" at Play 18 Chicago, the city's first indoor range.
"Blindsided by a Blind Bill"
Religious and private adoption agencies would be exempt from the Human Rights Act in Illinois under an amendment slipped into a bill supporting services for the blind.
Paper Airplanes
The 2-D kind, but nonetheless wonderful and detailed: a series of airplane prints put out by The Post Family's Rod Hunting.
Rumble's in Trouble
Humboldt Park art and community center Rumble Arts is (once again) in danger of closing its doors because the family-owned pawnshop that provides its primary source of funding is in danger of being replaced by a Cash America. Show your support for Rumble by attending the townhall hearing tonight at 6pm at the Humboldt Park Fieldhouse.
Derrick Rose Joins the Campaign
Eight months after Barack Obama hosted him on the White House basketball court, Derrick Rose is welcoming the president back to their hometown. The Bulls star and NBA MVP front-runner will attend the biggest (and least expensive) of three Obama fund-raisers set for Thursday in Chicago. Tickets for the 6:30pm event at Navy Pier's Grand Ballroom are $100 and $250.
The Girl's Night Out
Time Out announced its 2011 Eat Out Award winners last night, with Girl and the Goat winning best new restaurant and Stephanie Izard landing Chef of the Year. No doubt she'll put that award next to her Best New Chef award from Food & Wine. Next up, the James Beard Awards.
But will the Gardens Grow Wheat?
In a move that clearly establishes that community garden initiatives have gone mainstream, Triscuit will be sponsoring new gardens in Chicago and Los Angeles.
From Big Bang to Biospheres
If you can be downtown by 6pm today, consider attending Astronomer Royal Martin Rees' free lecture on the cosmos at the SAIC Ballroom today. It should be out of this world. Wokka.
1970s Post-Vietnam Psychedelia
FoGB Ron Slattery recently came across some really interesting drawings.
Pritzker Military Library Reopens
The new Pritzker Military Library is open, and will be celebrating with a reception and live auction this Friday. If you've got the cash, you might be able to walk away with Bulls playoff tickets or a ride in a WWII warbird.
1977 vs. 2011
Blakmaria.com compares vintage footage shot from the John Hancock Observatory to how the city looks today.
The Old L
Zoom way in on a map of the Elevated trains, circa 1897. Note the many branches off in the distance. [via]
New and Improved
The Poetry Foundation has redesigned their website to be "richer, faster" and more user-friendly.
The Caption's The Thing
After years of trying, Roger Ebert is a finalist in The New Yorker's caption contest for this drawing. Voting closes at 11:59pm on April 17. [via]
President Dracula
Worried about being kicked inside by April showers and got a taste for Illinois-themed horror? Check out The Transient, a film from Kill Vampire Lincoln productions about a homeless detective on a mission to stop the deadly undead (wait for it) Abraham Lincoln, who's on a literally bloodthirsty quest. If you're waiting for the DVD, they also have a Youtube channel featuring their short films.
Local CNN Hero: Diane Latiker
The founder of Kids Off the Block in Roseland was profiled last week in CNN's "CNN Heroes" series.
More about Roseland and Kids Off the Block:
School Lunch Controversy
Some CPS schools have banned lunches brought from home in an effort to promote healthier eating. Students and parents are, of course, not all happy about this.
Minorities not so Advantaged by Walmart's Hiring
One of Walmart's main selling points to City Council was that it would generate local jobs by hiring minority contractors to build its Austin store. Crain's investigated the store's construction and found that a major portion of the work was done by non-minority owned firms and employees, and the minority owned general contractor was bankrupted by the process. When added to the Chicago Reporter's analysis of Walmart's hiring, the company's early job promises are looking pretty unfulfilled.
Theater of Blood
Coming across an interesting tidbit about a former silent-age movie theater near my neighborhood led to one thing, and then another, and then a strange, WTF? other.
Perfection in Paper Perforation
You have to love letterhead that shows exactly what a company does. Vintage letterhead from The B. F. Cummins Company, 1914.
Illegal Billboards
A few weeks ago, we wrote about these anti-abortion billboards which feature an image of President Obama on the south side of Chicago. Well, it turns out they're illegal and there is a petition to get them removed.
Forget Me Not
Relive the good old days with Chicago Magazine's "Where Are They Now?" feature on Willie Gault, Turk Wendell, Ron Kittle, Andrea Jaeger, Luc Longley and a dozen more former Chicago athletes.
Sometimes You Just Know
SBNation's Andrew Sharp suggests looking beyond the stats when considering the Bulls' Derrick Rose for MVP. We've been saying that for months now.
Berny, Burt & Bus
Outgoing alderman Berny Stone tries out a career in radio Saturday night on WLS-AM. Not to be outdone, Ald. Ed Bus of the 53rd Ward will be on WBEZ in the same 7-9pm slot, talking politics and who knows what else with former alderman Burt Natarus.
Farming 24/7/365
You can still get fresh produce even if it's cold and dreary outside. We visit the indoors Green City Market in this week's Drive-Thru feature.
As One Campaign Season Ends, the Next Begins
The Obama reelection team is trying to capture the spirit of the 2007 campaign headquarters as they prepare for the President's 2012 bid.
Occasional Shopping
You might be able to find some cool clothes at the Sometimes Store -- if you can catch it when it's open.
Cravin' Bacon?
So, Baconfest is sold out, but it's put you in the mood. Steve Dolinsky has some suggestions, but at Paddy Long's you can schedule a bacon and beer tasting, pairing five seasonal beers with five cuts of bacon. Or dare to order the Bacon Bomb. Finish it and a mess of fries in 45 minutes and you'll win a t-shirt and your photo on the wall -- and get it free.
Four Star Studio Double Feature Comic Show
Local comic book, design and illustration house Four Star Studios (Tim Seeley, Mike Norton, Josh Emmons and Sean Dove, respectively) recently created DoubleFeature, an iPad app featuring original comics for all ages and eventually, genres. Check out the reviews, which use phrases like "a solid 16 pages of awesomeness", "everything we want in digital comics", and "pretty great".
Unionization and Innovation
Chicago unions and charter schools are exploring new territory with new kinds of contracts ... and conflicts.
Jailed According to Gender
The Cook County Jail now houses prisoners based on their gender identity instead of birth sex, a big step forward for the transgender community.
Mayor Daley: Final Tour with Original Lineup!
That's right, Mayor Daley just kicked off his "Neighborhood Appreciation Tour." Catch him at a community center near you!
Updated Timeline: One Week to Go
Democrats and Republicans just passed a one week temporary budget, but here's a glimpse of what might happen locally if they can't reach a compromise next week.
Commissioner Iceman
The longest serving member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners was once one of the biggest stars in soul music. The Reader tells the story of Jerry "Iceman" Butler.
Evil Bong in 3D!
That title should really be all you need but just in case, how's this for an event: a full day of horror classics on 35mm followed by a live show and Q&As with the filmmakers, culminating in the world premiere of Evil Bong 3D: Wrath of Bong in three dimensions and Sniff-O-Rama? It's all thanks to producer Charles Band and will be emceed by GB's Steve Prokopy at the magnificent Portage Theatre.
Chicago the Beautiful, Annotated
We've linked to the 1948 travelogue Chicago the Beautiful before. Now Max Grinnell annotates it with more info on the sights, and a bit about what's there now.
NU Officials: Protess Lied
Northwestern officials now accuse journalism professor David Protess of doctoring records and lying to lawyers and the dean of Medill. The Reader's Michael Miner gets Protess' comment on the allegations. (Previously: 1, 2)
Workers Unite (to Fund an Event)
Pocket Guide to Hell plans mark the 125th anniversary of the Haymarket Affair with a reenactment on April 30. It's looking for assistance via Kickstarter to help cover to cost of the event.
No Story for Avenue A
But this PDF from the Chicago Historical Society tells you who or what nearly every other street in the city was named after. [via]
Get This Band Going
The Arts of Life Band is an inspired musical outlet for Chicago adults with developmental disabilities and they don't scrimp on the boogie or rock n' roll enthusiasm. Read all about this awesome program in Transmission.
Like Us not into Temptation
St. John Cantius has a website and even an online store, but in this week's church bulletin church elders warned parishioners to stay away from that den of temptation, Facebook. (Seems OK for the Pope...)
Invisible Triumph
Chicago will host the 2011 US Air Guitar Championships this July -- details in Transmission.
Two of Chicago's Endangered Historic Places
This week Landmarks Illinois released its "Ten Most Endangered Historic Places" list. Two Chicago sites, the Prentice Women's Hospital and the New Regal Theater are included.
Deal Site for Deals
Daily deal site YouSwoop is launching SwooperMarket, a place to swap deals you can't or don't want to use for some reason. It'll also offer some "expired" deals at slightly higher prices for people who miss out on the first round.
Preparing for the Big One
No, not in California -- here. Later this month in Illinois and seven other Midwest states, The Great Central U.S. Shakeout aims to prepare us for the possibility of a major earthquake. [via]
Smackdown: Skydeck vs. Observatory
Travel blogger Amanda Williams writes a head-to-head comparison of the Willis Tower Skydeck to the John Hancock Observatory like only a tourist could. (Locals know what beats both: The Signature Lounge, which offers nearly as good views as the Observatory for the price of a martini.)
What Do We Want? To Write Protest Songs!
When do we want'em? This Sunday! Jon Langford wants to show you how to write a protest song and chant; he's teaching a workshop at the Jane Addams Hull House Museum April 10. It's free (naturally), but you have to reserve your space.
NextUp: Phampants
Local vlogger Phampants is in the running for YouTube Creator Institute's NextUp program. Give him a hand by voting for him.
The Game of the Rose
What might the cover of NBA Elite 12 look like if Derrick Rose is MVP? Here's your answer.
Cover concept by Ziare Smith. More here.
View from Above
Chicago from the International Space Station. [via]
Update: This photo was part of a larger set on The Atlantic's In Focus photoblog.
Touring the Nuclear Fringe
Pruned digs into Chicago's Cold War past with posts examining our missile defense infrastructure and the site of the first nuclear reactor. Oh, and also our tollway oases, just for fun.
Academic Freedom?
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago is considered one of the most free-thinking colleges in the country, if not the world. But this article in F Newsmagazine describes the firing of Roxane Assaf and links it to her political thoughts related to how the United States media covers the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Soaring Ceilings for a CVS
OurUrbanTimes takes a look inside the new occupant of the former Home Bank & Trust Building at Ashland and Division.
Losing by #Winning
Today's Chicago Woman is producing an interview series for Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and in that context managing editor Cassandra Gaddo takes a hard look at why Charlie Sheen's tour is part of the problem.
Odd Obsessions: CNA Window Art
Steve and Amy Tanner have an unusual hobby: photographing the special light displays at CNA Plaza.
Least Lonely Ladies
Illinois's 2nd congressional district has the least lonely ladies in the land. Check out R. Luke DuBois's maps, which he created after analyzing the profiles of 19 million singles from 21 dating sites, to learn more.
Suggestive Stockings
Chicago's Bear Brand Hosiery Co. (whose Gary factory was finally torn down in 2009) once sold socks that grew with, um, you.
Free Popcorn Tomorrow
Garrett Popcorn is giving away free snack size bags of its CaramelCrisp popcorn tomorrow, April 6, from 11am to 2pm -- and will donate $1 to Japan relief efforts for each bag given away
Pothole Fever
According to the Sun-Times, the Loop, Rogers Park and Chatham have the most potholes in the city. [via]
High Rise Stories Acclaimed
Highrise/Out My Window, a web documentary about high-rise apartment buildings in 13 cities -- including Cabrini Green, shot by our own David Schalliol -- won an International Digital Emmy.
Big MacJob
McDonald's plans to hire 50,000 new employees, at all levels nationwide, all at once on April 19.
Redistricting Beyond Recognition
Illinois will be redrawing its congressional districts this year, and while this hypothetical map maximizes Democrat-held seats, it would probably be nightmare for, well, literally everyone. [via]
Prentice Hospital Gets a Temporary Respite, Kinda
Alderman Reilly convinced Northwestern to delay entering their demolition permit request for the Bertrand Goldberg designed hospital for 60 days. Of course, the Stone Institute of Psychiatry won't move out until September, so that might not be much of a concession.
High Fee Fighter
As a consumer, you've probably shopped for a credit card and you know it is a pain. But it is even more of a pain for people who want to accept credit cards. Thanks to FeeFighters.com, that process is now a lot simpler. Which makes it possible for business owners without a degree in economics to get the best deal.
Dirty Pool in the Uptown Runoff
Uptown Update hints in an article about reporting election "shenanigans" that some people are receiving phone calls claiming that one of the 46th Ward aldermanic candidates has dropped out.
Chicago in Film, 1897
Some of the earliest motion pictures ever recorded were of Chicago. Thomas Edison shot footage of the corner of Madison and State, Armour's electric trolley and sheep and cattle being driven to slaughter in the Chicago Stockyards in 1897.
One Face of Foreclosure
In Mechanics, Chris Gray tells the story of Zabrina Worthy, whose Marquette Park home was foreclosed upon and boarded up without warning.
Integration Through Segregation
Chicago is the third most segregated city in the country, but Ted McClelland found another side to segregation while working for the Census last year.
Carry the Skyline with You
Make the glowing apple (or Dell logo or whatever) on your laptop is the moon over the Chicago skyline. [via]
One Hoodoo Voodoo With Bacon
About a week ago, Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy finally wandered into a sandwich shop in Toronto that was oddly familiar, or at least the menu was. It definitely left an impression.
Runoff Election's Tomorrow
If you're in a ward with a run-off aldermanic election and you haven't made up your mind yet, Ben Joravsky's runoff overview might help. Well, in the 24th, 25th, 43rd, 45th and 46th, anyway.
America's Beer Garden
Wrigley Field "attendance was more than four times more sensitive to beer prices than to winning or losing," UofC economist Tobias Moskowitz and Sports Illustrated writer Jon Wertheim find in their new book, Scorecasting.
Dining Domain Justice
Dining Chicago's David Lissner finally got ChicagoRestaurant.com back, two years after it mysteriously transferred to a Turkish squatter. [via]
One Night Will Remind You?
A cryptic -- and possibly encrypted -- tweet appeared on the @MayorEmanuel account briefly last night before being deleted. The Puzzler caught it, and is looking for help figuring out what it means.
Another Banksy?
A reader submitted a photo on Windy Citizen and wonders if Banksy (or a local street art fan) created this topical image of Moammar Gadhafi in Chicago.
Chute Open, Cuffs On
A guy parachuted off the under-construction Waterview Tower in the wee hours of Sunday morning. A police officer happened to hear his chute open, and was there to arrest him when he landed.
Sidd Finch Today
On Friday the Tribune caught up with Joe Berton, the guy who portrayed Sidd Finch in photos for George Plimpton's legendary April Fool's hoax story about a pitcher with a 168mph fastball.
Summer of Piano, Aerobics, Printing on Clay
Registration for the Park District's summer programs begins today.
Pro-Choice Response to Controversial Billboards
The controversial South Side abortion billboards have been temporarily covered by sheets protesting their message.
A Month Between Bread
The Trib's food writers are highlighting a sandwich a day for all of April. First up is HotChocolate's cheddar melt. (Not coincidentally, Saveur is all about sandwiches this month, too.)
Above the Clouds
An amazing view of the skyline like you've never seen it before.
Photo by Payton Chung
Accent on Film
The Chicago Latino Film Festival kicks off tonight with a sold-out tribute to Argentina. Review the full schedule.
Eat Your Words
The Center for Book & Paper Arts' 12th annual Edible Books & Tea is this evening from 6pm to 8pm. Get there early -- the books aren't just for show, and you'd be surprised how many people are hungry for literature.
Cubs Fans in the Bleachers
Can't watch the game? Watch "Bleacher Bums," a 1979 teleplay last broadcast in 1984. [via]
102 & Counting
It's opening day at Wrigley, and the Onion Sports Network is there to cover the Cubs.
Berrrwynnn? and Beyond!
"Svengoolie," the cult classic TV show presenting cult classic films, goes into national syndication starting this weekend. We've got an interview with Rich Koz, the man behind the show, in A/C.
"Mini" Wal-Mart Coming to Rogers Park?
The Rogers Park blog is reporting that Ald. Joe Moore has green-lighted a deal to bring a "mini" Wal-Mart store to the corner of Greenview Ave. and Jarvis in Rogers Park. The Alderman will have a press conference on Monday about the deal, but it sure won't be the last you'll hear about it.
And if you believe that, you're pretty gullible. That's a sweet April Fool's from RogersPark.com.
Why Would You Click That?
"@avoision: Split my toenail pretty bad last night. Seeing doc on Monday, but slightly worried. Does this look infected? http://bit.ly/h3VI3R"
Cops Accused of Rape
Two police officers are under investigation amid allegations that they played strip poker with and sexually assaulted a woman they had driven home to Rogers Park from the Wrigleyville neighborhood. The comments on Second City Cop regarding the case are worth reading.
Teacher Mocks Student on Facebook
A CPS teacher is in hot water after she took a picture of a student's Jolly Rancher hairstyle and mocked her on Facebook.
Oh, and then There's That
Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan spent two hours on Thursday discussing Gaddafi and his support of the NOI, but the best part of the Trib summary is the last sentence: "Farrakhan says originally he wasn't going to talk about Libya and had scheduled the news conference to warn America a huge earthquake is coming."
