The Balcony is Closing
Roger Ebert posted an update on the financial issues with "Ebert Presents At The Movies": the show's going on hiatus at the end of December, while he works on getting more funding for the program.
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
November 2011
Lost: One Expensive Suit
An 80-year-old man donated a suit to Goodwill -- and accidentally gave away his life savings with it. Workers are currently sifting through more than half a million donations to find it for him.
Your Local Paper
Is the Tribune planning on getting even more local than TribLocal? Hundreds of domain registrations hint that it might be.
A Broth with History
College Inn chicken broth has its history in the Sherman House Hotel, which once stood on the block now occupied by the Thompson Center.
Unique Holiday Gifts, Pt. 9
For the serious LEGO fan, the Brick Brothers will make you a 15"x15" greyscale mosaic of your favorite photo.
Have Yourself a Bieber Little Christmas
Looking for Christmas music? The Sun-Times' Thomas Conner picks some favorites from this year's crop.
I-GO Launches Electric Vehicle Project
I-GO will add 36 electric cars and 18 solar-powered charging stations across the city. The stations will consist of a 4-space canopy with 44 solar panels- the whole project capable of saving 17,000 gallons of gas annually.
The Snap of the Casing
Serious Eats Chicago made a map of all the hot dog stands with natural casing dogs they could find.
That's a lot of Tucci
Congratulations to Northwestern student Lawrence Dai, whose mission to watch Julie & Julia everyday for a year (and blog about it at The Lawrence/Julie & Julia Project), ended last night with a viewing party in Denver attended by his fan club and Amy Adams's mom.
Reminder: Move Your Car
Don't forget, Chicago's winter overnight parking ban starts tonight at midnight. Here's a list of affected streets, and the Expired Meter shares plenty of details and resources.
Last Rites of a Church
The historic Episcopal Church of the Epiphany awaits its fate after serving its last mass this past weekend.
His Amazing Fantasy
Chimera's Comics had some good news for a recent customer: A comic he found in the attic was the first appearance of Spiderman and worth around $12,000.
Unique Holiday Gifts, Pt. 7
Hello Chicago, a pocket guide to some of the city's delights, written by a Brit.
Socially Minded Social Sports
Live to Sport is the city's only charity-driven social sports organization; sign up and a portion of your fee goes to the partner charity of your choice. Its winter dodgeball league starts in January.
Short-Flip This House
If you thought house flipping ended when the real estate bubble burst, you'd be wrong. WBEZ explains how short sales became a flipper's tool.
Lenses at the Ready
The Reader is accepting submissions for its annual photography issue. The theme is "money."
Unique Holiday Gifts, Pt. 6
Begun as a Kickstarter project, CityFabric creates lovely hand-screened prints, t-shirts and tote bags featuring maps of Chicago (and other cities, too).
Climb a Trojan Horse
And enjoy other maybe slightly less interactive exhibits such as Meet Homer and The Marathon, at The National Hellenic Museum, set to open to the public on Dec 10.
Gacy Victim Identified
Sheriff Tom Dart announced today that one of the eight unknown victims of John Wayne Gacy has been identified through DNA (previously) as William George Bundy, who disappeared in 1976.
Here's an exclusive 1992 interview with Gacy by Channel 2's Walter Jacobson, 13 years after he was convicted of murdering 33 young men.
The Loop on 11
WTTW debuts Geoffrey Baer's latest urban exploration, "Chicago's Loop: A New Walking Tour," tonight at 7:30pm. Meanwhile, you can explore the show's interactive website.
Tear-stained Red Velvet
Always good for a laugh, it's the Trib's annual Scared of Santa photo collection.
Weirdos, Fried Chicken & Christian Rock
The A.V. Club interviews a Chicagoan who camped out for 24 hours ahead of a Merrillville, IN Chick-Fil-A grand opening in order to get a years' worth of chicken nuggets.
Unique Holiday Gifts, Pt. 5
Know someone tired of explaining the difference between Chicago and the suburbs to people? Des Moines-based Raygun has a shirt for that.
Cornbleet Murderer Sentenced to Life
Hans Peterson was convicted of murdering Chicago dermatologist David Cornbleet, and sentenced to life in prison. Kevin Guilfoile shares an interview with Cornbleet's son.
Life of Art
A profile on the career and passion of Douglas Druick, who worked at the Art Institute for 26 years before being appointed Director in August.
Cyber Giving Monday
Carlo Garcia of Living Philanthropic (previously) proposes that instead of simply shopping online today, you also make a charitable contribution. He's putting his money where his mouth is and donating $5 every hour to a different charity.
Unique Holiday Gifts, Pt. 4
Smithsonian Folkways Records has several albums of historic music recorded in Chicago, including Blues and Roots in the '30s, Dixieland in the '40s and several albums recorded by Studs Terkel.
The Slow Hand of Justice
A parking enforcement aide was recently charged with taking a $20 bribe to make a ticket "go away" -- in 2009.
Maggie Daley Funeral Today
WGN will be streaming the event, which starts at 10:30am at Old Sat Pat's, 700 West Adams. Airspace restrictions at O'Hare indicate that Michelle Obama (who once worked for Mayor Daley) may be attending.
Nice F***ing Pants
Real Men Swear a profane fashion blog by ex-GBer Craighton Berman and Michael Kiser.
The Playlist of a Liberal
Sound Opinions does another "Rock Doctors" special this week, and Jim DeRogatis & Greg Kot have a very special patient: NY Times columnist and Nobel Prize winner Paul Krugman. The show has been posted at the Sound Opinions Website.
Wanna Smash His Pumpkin?
Billy Corgan just opened Resistance Pro, his own "indie wrestling" business.
Future Regifting
When you're out shopping today, try to avoid buying this year's Snuggie -- or worse, Hear Muffs.
Apparently, these have been re-invented over in the UK.
Walk Across the Street Again
Visitors to Buckingham Fountain will be pleased to know that they can once again walk across Lake Shore Drive without redirecting to the nearest intersection.
Maggie Daley, RIP
The former mayor's wife has died after a long history with cancer. She was 68 years old.
Unique Holiday Gifts, Pt. 3
Already known for their salted bourbon caramels, bacon bourbon caramel corn, and stout marshmallows, Salted Caramel is adding hot cocoa mix (and a bevy of gift baskets) to its repertoire just in time for the holidays. For those on your list who are a bit salty as well as sweet.
Feasting on Uncertainty
While discussing the One City, One Food Drive campaign, Emmanuel announced, "One in six Cook County residents is food insecure, or uncertain of where their next meal will come from." If the surplus on your table so moves you to donate, find out how with the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
Have a Local Black Friday
Local First Chicago would like to encourage you to Unwrap Chicago by shopping at local, independently owned businesses this holiday season. (Incidentally, we're one of those.)
Adults in Tiaras
The Katydids, who perform on Sundays at iO, imagine what those beauty pageant kids grow up to be like.
B Seeing You at B-Fest
B-Fest, the 24-hour B movie marathon held at Northwestern every year, has announced its dates -- Jan. 27-28 -- and released an animated trailer by Mitch O'Connell.
We've written about the B-Fest experience a couple of times. Stay tuned for ticket and lineup details.
Global Money, Local Blog
The Initiative on Global Markets at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business now has a blog.
Farnsworth, Perfected
The photos of the Farnsworth House in this set are entirely computer generated. Just incredible. [via]
Pinning Up the Scene
If the TyK cycling pinup calendar is too controversial for you, maybe the Garter Girls Chicago calendar is more your taste. Featuring women "making it happen in vintage culture," proceeds go to Girls Rock! Chicago and the Nick Curran Cancer Benefit.
FlyTunes
Should you find yourself digging the tunes playing in O'Hare or Midway while you wait in the security line later this week, you can use the airports' music tracker to find out what it is. [via]
Your Blackout Wednesday Plans
Among the items in Time Out's Thanksgiving feature this week is a list of all the "blackout Wednesday" options tonight.
Careful Buying Kids Toys
The Illinois Public Interest Research Group released its annual report on toxic and potentially dangerous toys -- and for the first time included loud toys on the list.
Here's the Illinois PIRG report. The toy list starts on page 17.
Illinois PIRG Trouble in Toyland
The Illinois Attorney General's Office also released its safe shopping guide [PDF] this week, alerting consumers to recalled toys that may still be found in some stores or resale shops.
The World is Run by Below Average Students
Citing our "liberal policies [that] are an insult to the traditional values of downstate families," two Republican state reps from central Illinois have proposed a bill for Cook County to separate from Illinois and become its own state.
Where's Upton?
Upton's Naturals has just purchased land somewhere in the city for construction of a future store, but are not saying where it actually is located--you have to figure it out, for a prize.
Picture This
Minuteframe is a new business FoGB Scott Robbin started with his dad: get a photo framed and shipped for $20 flat.
"Threadbox" Coming Soon?
Threadless is testing out t-shirt vending machines in a couple spots around town. The kiosks are part of a new partnership with the company behind Coinstar and Redbox.
Talent vs. Tantrums
Michael Nagrant has a short piece in Chicago mag online about local celebrity chefs and their "celebrity" behavior. Just posted and the comments are already getting heated. Stay tuned...
CTA Shows Off Its New Ride
The CTA posted a video highlighting its shiny new "5000-series" railcars. They have hydraulics -- but not the exciting kind.
Turkey Balls Closer to Home
Speaking of unusual food events, if you can't make it to the 29th annual Turkey Testicle Festival out in Huntley tomorrow, Timothy O'Toole's in Streeterville has you covered. Details in Slowdown.
Surveying Our Surveilled City
In Mechanics, Ramsin Canon points out some serious privacy concerns surrounding the proliferation of surveillance cameras in Chicago.
Chicago Live! Reviewed
Feder reluctantly sits in on the season finale of Chicago Live! and has a surprisingly good time -- due in no small part to host Rick Kogan, who will return with the show Feb 2.
A Debate for All Time
Tonight, the 65th annual Latke-Hamantash Debate takes place at UofC. Be there for history... and starchy Jewish foods.
Unique Holiday Gifts, Pt. 1
What do you get for the slightly odd friend who has everything? A chalkboard primate skull perhaps, in either human or gorilla. By iamhome.
Good Eye
The Big Picture highlighted a shot from Chicago among its set of National Geographic Photo Contest submissions.
Planning on "Being Sick" Tomorrow?
"Fake" sick days are on the rise, especially to take care of actually sick family members.
Old Town, New School
The Old Town School of Folk Music's new building is nearly done, and Center Square Journal has a preview. You can tour it yourself on Dec. 7, ahead of the grand opening planned for Jan. 9.
We're Safe from ...Water Hackers?
Chicago Metropolitan Water Reclamation District officials assured the citizenry that it is safe from cyber attacks, after Russian hackers very slowly took down a water system downstate via a stolen password.
A Blog About Media & Other Things
Jim Romenesko's new site has launched, a little earlier than planned, in part so he could address his departure from Poynter (previously).
Hans Peterson Stands Trial
Kevin Guilfoile has an update on the Cornbleet murder case from a couple years ago (previously 1, 2, 3, 4)
Newborns in the Monkey House
The Lincoln Park Zoo welcomed a baby lowland gorilla into its family last week. The baby, a female, made its debut today. The zoo also has a newborn Bolivian gray titi monkey.
Hot & Fresh, 125 Years Later
Haven't you always wanted your own popcorn machine? Chicago-based Cretors still has some of its 125th anniversary popcorn machines available.
The Professor on a Bike
GB Flickr Pool member Viewminder has taken many portraits of his friend "Professor Bikenstein."
Cook County is #1 - But Not Without Your Help
That's right, of all US counties, the Centers for Disease Control rates Cook first in number of documented syphilis cases. Finally, a victory worthy of abstinence.
Putting a Bird on It!
Portlandia's Fred Armisen (who used to drum in Trenchmouth) and Carrie Brownstein will make a stop at the Hideout on January 18 for an evening of live music, talking about the show (which is great, by the way) and airing footage from its next season. Tickets go on sale tomorrow.
Restaurant Inspections, from Customer to Chef
The online database of city restaurant inspection reports has gotten a huge upgrade; read more on the experience of being inspected as well as being a curious consumer in this week's Drive-Thru feature.
Fly the Unfriendly Skies
O'Hare is first and Midway is seventh on The Daily Beast's list of the worst airports in America
Getting the Drop on Shoplifters
More than 50 "professional shoplifters" have been arrested in stings at area malls and along Michigan Avenue since October.
A Sunday Afternoon with Some Pepper Spray
Even Seurat's "A Sunday on La Grande Jatte" is getting in on the action following the UC Davis pepper spray debacle.
Looping Video
Michael Salisbury takes a ride around the Loop.
The Loop from Michael Salisbury on Vimeo.
New Development Near McCormick
Central Station and the Prairie District still have a glut of unsold condos, but plans are afoot for a new hotel and shopping complex in the near-south neighborhood.
Talking Small, Thinking Big
Does an AV Club commenter who writes like Cookie Monster need to clearly explain the Occupy Wall Street movement to you?
Charters Come Up Short for Kirk
Sen. Mark Kirk says nine of the top 10 high schools in Chicago are charters. Ben Joravsky checks his math.
Could Oprah Be Your New Landlady?
Sure, if you can afford to pay $15,000 in rent. Oprah's renting out her Streeterville condo.
Make the Disabled Pay for Parking
The Expired Meter has a revenue suggestion for the City: make disabled drivers pay for parking, now that 1 in 13 vehicles in Cook County now have handicapped plates and placards.
AT&T Opens Concept Store
The first of these experimental Apple-inspired retail outlets is set to open in the Northwest suburbs, complete with a Learning Center, Solutions Center, Small Business Center, and, God willing, a chewy chocolate-covered center.
Know Your Calendar
Now You Know is an event calendar mostly focused on shopping and nightlife, but with plenty else in the mix.
State Street Gets Artsy with Xmas Lights
The Chicago Loop Alliance is ditching white Christmas lights in the trees this year in favor of a light-based art exhibit called "Lightscape" that will blast holiday music from speakers mounted in LED-lit, 9-foot-tall "prairie grass" stalks. The installation will remain up year-round for five years -- presumably not playing the music the whole time.
Chicago Loop Alliance: Lightscape Behind the Scenes from Nick Brazinsky on Vimeo.
Watching the Skies
If you search for "planes overhead" in (Champaign-based) Wolfram Alpha, it'll give you a list of planes flying over your location, along with a sky map. [via]
Here's one from last night:
So Much for the Theory that Immigrants Drain Resources
A new report [pdf] by Notre Dame researchers demonstrates that Latin American immigrants contribute more tax revenue to Chicago than the cost of the public services they receive.
Fighting Over Michelin Stars
A cook from L2O, which lost two stars in the new Michelin Guide, got into a fistfight with the kitchen staff from Boka last night at Old Town Social after they ribbed him about the demotion. Relax dude, it's a book for tourists.
Bill O'Reilly, Shoddy Lincoln Scholar
FOX News personality Bill O'Reilly's new book about Abraham Lincoln is apparently so full of errors that many Lincolniana stores, including Chicago's Abraham Lincoln Book Shop, are refusing to carry it.
What a Cock(tail)
Chicago attorney Adam Levitt is suing Southwest Airlines for discontinuing a free drink program for their business class passengers.
Cubs Manager Hired
Dale Sveum, the Milwaukee Brewers hitting coach, has accepted a three year contract with the team, replacing Mike Quade as manager and chief denier that the team has to "rebuild."
Green Plate Special
The Reader wants you to eat your veggies, so it put together a big guide in this week's paper. And The Local Beet can tell you where to get a CSA or hit an winter farmers market.
Facial Hair for Charity
More specifically: Mustaches for Kids, a charitable group partnered with DonorsChoose.org. Nov. 21 marks the start of Growing Season, wherein volunteers solicit donations for CPS and meet weekly to checkup on stubble-progress, until the Dec. 18 Stache Bash.
The City's '70s Soul
John H. White photographed Chicago in the 1970s for DOCUMERICA, a documentary project sponsored by the EPA. (Previously.)
Yo Dawg, I Heard You Like Exhibits
Someone snuck a photo of Xzibit into an exhibit in the Oriental Institute Museum.* As they say, the intertubes are leaking.
*OK, really they just photoshopped it in there, but where's the fun in that?
Hip Hop Diplomacy Hits a Snag
Members of the Chicago hip hop crew FEW Collective were briefly detained in Pakistan, where they're on a two-week cultural mission, after one of the members took photos of a military installation.
Wait, Wait, on Tee-Vee!
"Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me!" will soon be a television show on BBC America, beginning with a Dec. 23 year-in-review special, in which Peter Sagal, Carl Kasell and a panel including Paula Poundstone and Alonzo Bodden will discuss the year's biggest events.
Inner Peace and Warm Heartedness with the Dalai Lama
If you wanted to see the Dalai Lama's interfaith talks in July but missed them, you may want to watch one main event or this clip on YouTube.
I Remember Rock'n'Roll Radio
Former Q101 deejay Electra, aka Christine Pawlak, writes in Slate about the fall of rock radio.
Quinoa at Wow Bao...Oh! Ah!
Where will they stop? Between the new truck, and Secret Word Wednesdays (free bao with password), the latest coup for the "o" and "a" combo is Wow Bao's addition of ginger and scallion-studded quinoa as the base layer of its bowls (for an extra $0.50) in case "rice" just didn't have enough vowels for you.
Who's on Google+?
WBEZ surveys the early adopters among Chicago media, sports, cultural institutions and other businesses on Google+. (Yep, we're on there.)
Burning Rubber Under the L
Red Bull stunt motorcyclist Aaron Colton shows off his skills on the dark streets of downtown Chicago [via]
90 Seconds of Wonder
Author James Kennedy brings his 90-Second Newberry Film Festival to Chicago tonight at the Harold Washington Library. Go watch Newberry Award-winning books transformed -- by kids -- into 90-second films.
Art is Political
Never The Same is a collection of "conversations about art transforming politics and community in Chicago and beyond."
Your Debit Card is Your Transit Card
Or it will be, along with credit cards, if a proposal for a fare-collection technology upgrade for the CTA wins approval. UPDATE: The proposal passed.
Second Verse, Same as the First
The Michelin Guide 2012 ratings have been released--with not a lot of surprises.
Documentarians Want to Listen to You
The folks at Kartemquin FIims are redesigning their website and would like your feedback.
#OccupyChi's Success
While Occupy protestors in other cities have met with force, Chicago has been largely free of violence (a nice contrast to the city's reputation with protests) -- and as a result has seen its influence grow.
Meanwhile, a group of Occupy Chicago protestors were down in Hyde Park Monday night to protest the Condoleezza Rice/Henry Paulson talk. The talk was postponed, but the protest went on anyway.
New York Takes Over
The corner of State and Madison becomes 4437th Street and 4363 Avenue on ExtendNY, which applies New York's grid worldwide. [via]
Best of Chicago Workplaces
The Tribune lists the area's best places to work, complete with size divisions, statistics and special awards.
Staying Secure?
The latest issue of the Chicago Reporter focuses on the impact of the Secure Communities initiative on local immigrant communities.
Take a Ride with Hack and Book Club
The next Book Club author discussion will focus on Hack: Stories from a Chicago Cab. Dmitry Samarov will be in attendance at The Book Cellar on 12/8.
Off the Record
Gawker is investigating Rahm Emanuel's use of his personal email account to communicate with Attorney General Eric Holder during his tenure as Obama's Chief of Staff, which is a violation of the Presidential Records Act. Government officials maintain that the exchanges were of a "purely personal" matter.
Ain't too Scared of 'dem Ghosts
The Ghostbusters have a Chicago Division, in case you need some ghosts busted over by dere. [via]
Where's Your Report Card?
The City put CPS school progress report cards on a map, making the data a little easier to sift through. It also includes each school's safety rating.
Surmounting Disability
Chicago magazine climbs Mt. Kilimanjaro with Steve Baskis, an Iraq War veteran who was blinded by a roadside bomb.
2 Blue Ribbon Schools
Two Chicago schools, Audubon Elementary and Northside College Prep, were awarded the National Blue Ribbon for excellence in education this year. Roscoeview Journal talks with Audubon's principal, John Price, about his school's accomplishment.
Misery Loves Food
If it's happened to you, you know the joy of a Hot Doug's experience is equal only to the misery endured by arriving and finding it closed. But no fear, this is Avondale, Serious Eats' Alternatives to Hot Doug's flowchart to the rescue!
Windy City is a Drag
The next season of RuPaul's Drag Race, which premieres in January, will have some familiar faces; three of the contestants hail from Chicago.
Getting Kicks for Vets
Speaking of Nick Gerber, he and his father are riding Route 66 from LA to Chicago this spring to raise funds for and awareness of organizations helping veterans of Middle East wars. It'll eventually be turned into a documentary.
Shorting Groupon not the Deal of the Day
Shorting those newly minted Groupon shares is hard and expensive to do right now, but that doesn't mean some won't try.
A Few Sparkles on the Globe
See if you can spot Chicago at the beginning of this stunning time-lapse video of Earth at night, short from the International Space Station. [via]
Earth | Time Lapse View from Space, Fly Over | NASA, ISS from Michael König on Vimeo.
The Virtues of Cider
Time Out's Julia Kramer talks with Greg Hall about his new hard cider company, Virtue.
Teeny Pies, Big Tour
Local "lady pie baker" Teeny Lamothe has embarked on a mission to bake pies across the country; you can help fund her exploits on IndieGoGo.
The End of Borders and the Future of Books
In which Business Week assembles the company's entire timeline of mistakes.
LOLing in the Pews
GB contributor Dan Kelly has a new book out: Hilaretic collects his church reviews from the Chicago Journal and elsewhere.
Red Line Sucker-Punch Being Investigated
A week after an April video of a man punching out a homeless man in the Chicago Red Line subway station went viral, Chicago police are searching for the attacker.
Occupy the Winter!
Remember that article about what might happen to Occupy Chicago in the winter? One idea from the demonstrators: move indoors.
1 Wood for 2 Sheep?
If this means anything to you, then you may be interested in heading to the Chicago Toy and Game Fair next weekend for the the Settlers of Catan national pre-qualifying round. The winner will be sponsored, by Mayfair Games, to compete in the World Wide Catan Championship at GenCon 2012.
Turtles Still having Problems
Big Dog Eat Child is back with a couple more Twenty-Something Ninja Turtles
Romenesko+ Loses Romenesko
Jim Romenesko has resigned from the Poynter Institute and his journalism news aggregator blog after the revelation that of his posts over the years lacked attribution, a charge that some critics have called a punctuation problem. Romenesko's own site launches in 2012 (previously).
A Quarter More to the Burbs
Trips to and from the suburbs are getting more expensive: Metra approved a roughly 25 percent fare hike today.
Perspectives on Protest
Monica Westin examines Occupy Chicago with 13 different approaches, managing to make more sense of the whole than most so far.
Atomic Type O
In 1950, at the height of atom bomb paranoia, a plan was put in place to tattoo citizens' blood type under their left arms, starting in Chicago. For some reason it never went forward.
Desperation in Print
Michael Miner shares the sordid details of the collapse of Gay Chicago magazine.
Pledge for Plaster
Artist and "recovering groupie" Cynthia Plaster Caster is writing a memoir about her experiences making plaster casts of the, um, "equipment" of rock legends like Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa, and Jello Biafra. She could use some financial assistance to finish the book, and is offering some great incentives for people who donate to her Kickstarter project.
Turn Your Day Up To 11
Today's confluence of elevens (11/11/11) has inspired some Spinal Tap fans to declare it "Nigel Tufnel Day" (get it?). Celebrations around the country include a few in the Chicago area. Events at Neo, Reggies, and in Joliet are the few on the books currently. Know of another? Email me at transmission(at)gapersblock.com and I'll add it in this post. More, including a sweet video, after the jump.
Chicagoland Nigel Tufnel Day events:
- Neo spins rock, punk, and industrial tonight with DJ Eleven from 10pm-4am.
- Reggie's Rock Club hosts a special "Live Band Burlesque Tribute to Spinal Tap" tonight from 7-9pm.
- Enjoy a Nigel Tufnel Day Sale at West Side Music Center, 1009 W. Jefferson St., Joliet, IL.
Now Anyone Can Buy Moo & Oink
A Sun-Times piece on the pending Moo & Oink auction indicates there's still some hope for a reconstituted meat depot, but a lot of suitors have their own intentions.
The Last Beckoning of Lovely
At 11:11am today, Amy Krause Rosenthal holds the fourth and final installment of The Beckoning of Lovely in Millennium Park. Look for the yellow umbrella.
The four Beckoning of Lovely events are being put together into a film by the same name, the first 15 minutes of which debuted at midnight.
Cheap Trick's Gonna Raise Hell on Motor Row
Cheap Trick plans to open a new space on Motor Row with a restaurant, radio station, performance space and a museum.
Honoring Ida B. Wells
A new monument to civil rights pioneer Ida B. Wells is in the planning stages for Bronzeville.
Report for Service
Tune in to Channel 11 at 9pm tonight for the premier of "Reporting for Service," a new documentary on the community service organizations in Chicagoland. It stars Bryan Anderson, a veteran who came back from the Iraq War a triple-amputee.
Leg Lamps & Side Tables
The Walter E. Smithe brothers have released a series of commercials in recreating scenes from A Christmas Story -- tied in with the musical version of the film that's running at the Chicago Theatre Dec. 14-30.
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Chicago Book Expo 2011
The Uptown Update's assembled a thorough run-down of the upcoming Uptown lit event on the 19th and 20th.
They Thought They Knew
A misunderstanding on where exactly proceeds where going has left a blemish on this year's women in cycling pin-up calendar by local group (though not for long) Though You Knew.
A Beautiful Escape
Local site Escape Into Life collects beautiful works of art and literature in one place.
Daley Goes to Harvard Yard
Former Mayor Daley will be a visiting fellow at Harvard's Institute of Politics at the John. F. Kennedy School of Government.
Hot & Fresh from the OR, Kells Has a New Mission
At 5am the pied piper of R&B, R. Kelly posted his first post-throat surgery song on twitter and confirmed his memoir Soulacoaster for a spring 2012 release.
For those wishing to send positive healing rays of energy towards R. Kelly to assist in the hardest comeback of his career there are appropriate prayer candles by Chicago artist Megan Garvey to focus your mental energy on.
Lap of Luxury/Air Mattress in the Hall
Curbed Chicago makes its picks for the best and worst AirBnB options in the city.
The Von Trapps are Back
Tickets for the Sing-A-Long Sound of Music at the Music Box Thanksgiving weekend are now on sale. Get'em before they sell out.
Earlier Every Year
93.9 lite fm started the Christmas music last night at 5pm. Surprised they waited so long after Halloween.
Building a Startup Collaboratively
The Junto is a new site that's meant to be a "startup for startups."
Haters Wanna Hate, Readers Wanna Read
R. Kelly's new memoir, Soula Coaster: The Diary of Me will be released soon. Joseph Gordon-Levitt can't wait.
Go Go Cougars
Remember the Chicago Cougars? No? Not surprising, since they were a World Hockey Association team for just three years in the mid-'70s. Their main claim to fame might be bringing about the only major-league championship to be played in Mount Prospect.
Google/Groupon Turf War
Less than a week after Groupon's IPO, Google Offers has come to town with a deal for Goose Island Wrigleyville.
Bib Gourmand 2012
The Michelin Guide announces Chicago's Bib Gourmand restaurants for 2012 -- eateries where, "for $40 or less, you can enjoy two courses and a glass of wine or dessert." See what's changed since last year in Drive-Thru.
Schulter's Ravenswood Shelter
The Ravenswood Community Council continues to receive city contracts despite being deemed unfit by the Dept. of Community Development. It's become former alderman Eugene Schulter's private fiefdom, according to a Center Square Journal exposé.
Walsh Loses Mind, Needs More Coffee
The tea party congressman and pro-family deadbeat dad turned a meeting with constituents at a restaurant in Barrington last weekend into a screaming match over the economy.
Sounding the Alarm
If you hear sirens at 1pm today, don't worry -- it's part of the first-ever nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System.
Grapefruit & Godwin's Law
Chicagoist dug up a new commercial for Jeppson's Malört, the intensely bitter liquor sold almost exclusively in Chicago, created by comedian Sam Mechling, the voice behind Malort on Twitter.
Hacking the Gibson!
Author/Futurist William Gibson's talk from the Chicago Humanities Festival has been posted to Youtube.
After falling down the rabbit hole of Gibson related links on youtube I found this promo video put together to raise funds for an independent movie adaptation of Gibson's first novel Neuromancer. Timothy Leary makes an appearance.
Go See This!
Answer This!, a new comedy about college and pub trivia, is screening at Doc Films this Friday with the writers, director and one of the stars, former University of Michigan professor Ralph Williams, in attendance. Get your tickets here.
See a Shiny, New L Car!
The newest L cars went into service at 2:30 yesterday. You can see video of the cars if you weren't one of the few to ride it.
Rave On
Two ex-ravers in Bridgeport created RaveArchive.com, a repository of rave mixtapes from around the world. [via]
"I'm not friends with any cab drivers."
Dmitry Samarov does an interview about his book, Hack: Stories from a Chicago Cab, in the most logical of publications Chicago Dispatcher.
Sam Zell Getting Richer from Incompetency
The owner of the Tribune Company may get a $225 million payout from bankruptcy rulings.
A Lake Above the Lake
In case you missed it on Twitter this morning, for a little while there was a Lake Michigan-shaped storm covering the entirety of Lake Michigan.
A Shot At Winning
A Lincoln Square local scours the internet daily to find the best sweepstakes out there to give everyone a chance to win. One Sweeps offers a sweepstake a day where you can decide if you'd like to enter.
Privacy in Politics
The Tribune finds out that Rahm's promise for "transparent government" applies to everyone but him.
The Galloping Ghost
A truly evocative photo of Red Grange, one of the first big stars in the early NFL, running for a touchdown against the Philadelphia Yellowjackets on Dec. 5, 1925. [via]
Spraying History
Spray paint was invented in Chicago and made portable by a company in suburban Sycamore.
Another Daley Gets Crafty with Job Responsibilities, Title
The WSJ is reporting that a large part of the duties of Obama's Chief of Staff William Daley are undergoing an unprecedented transfer over to fellow aide Pete Rouse. Daley will retain the title but will focus more on specific projects rather than day-to-day management of the White House.
An Ace Goes Down
Andersonville's Marx Ace Hardware, one of the oldest members of the local hardware co-op (it claims to be "the Original Ace" though that's been disputed) is going out of business.
Speed Cameras a Cash Cow
The proposed speed camera program could net the City several times more revenue than the red light cameras, according to research obtained by the Expired Meter.
Rape Survivor Forces Catholic Leaders to Apologize
Cardinal Francis George and the Catholic Conference of Illinois are doing some pretty fast backtracking after learning the actual facts of an event they protested without knowing the event's details.
Local Woman Accuses Cain of Harassment
A Chicago-area woman came forward today to accuse Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain of sexual harassment.
Happy Bill Kurtis Day!
Later today Chicago's Cultural Affairs Commissioner will proclaim today in honor of Bill Kurtis and his partner, Donna LaPietra.
Another Way to Find the Train
QuickTrain is another iPhone CTA tracker app, with the distinction of being very good looking.
A Magazine of Business
Reading Chicago, the Great Central Market is a walk through the turn of the century city.
Where to Give
Crowdrise, with its amusing tagline "If you don't give back no one will like you," helps you find nonprofits, projects and charitable events to donate to -- and on the flipside, aims to make it easier to raise funds. There are plenty in Chicago.
United States of X: Opportunity Edition
Cook County comes out just OK, and Illinois is pretty average on Be the Change's Opportunity Index. [via]
A New Crop of Jobs
Amid the worst recession in thirty years, Chicago's urban farms are hiring. But it takes more than a power tie and snappy resume to get the job. Read more over at Drive-Thru.
Anonymous Wins the Lottery
It's hard to keep your name out of the papers when you win the jackpot, but there are ways.
Will the Balcony Close?
Roger Ebert reports that without an underwriting sponsor, "Ebert Presents At the Movies" will go off the air after this season despite being a success on public television.
Wheels of Steel
UIUC alum and Champaign resident Amanda McGrory finished first in the womens pushrim wheelchair race in yesterday's ING New York City Marathon, breaking the existing course record.
Help the Neo-Futurists by Drinking Beer!
The Neo-Futurists are teaming up with a bevy of local & regional beer brewers for a benefit to help the theater: The Neoccasion will feature beer tasting, a live auction, a sample of the work that the theater normally does, and a taste of an upcoming Neo-Futurist show. The benefit happens this Friday; details in Slowdown.
MoCP Print Auction Items Announced
The MoCP recently announced its annual print auction, which includes some pretty great images and one-of-a-kind portrait sessions.
What's Your Neighborhood Like?
Explore the city through NabeWise, a site that sort of acts like a Yelp for neighborhoods.
Life in the Corn Cobs
Iker Gil and Andreas E.G. Larsson's Inside Marina City takes you inside some of the apartments in the iconic towers. It's part of an exhibition on Betrand Goldberg currently on view in the Art Institute's Modern Wing.
Old School Medicine
An inmate at Stateville Correctional Center is suing the prison's physicians for cruel and unusual punishment--because they gave him mere aspirin for treating the pain and tumors associated with his neurofibroma, which "can result in a range of symptoms, from physical disfiguration and pain to cognitive disability."
Curiously Missing Mints
Wrigley-owned Altoids has created a Hall of Curiosity full of odd mint-themed items, many of which you can bid on on eBay. A couple of the others are scattered around Chicago.
Time for Fun, Inc.
OK, last vintage toy post for awhile: H. Fishlove & Co., the company behind fake vomit -- which was created at Marvin Glass' studio (previously) -- and chattering teeth (previously) lives on as Fun, Incorporated, which also has a bunch of other wacky items and magic tricks to sell you.
Historic Brewery Under Retail Demolition Threat
If you've ever driven north on Elston from Fullerton, you may have noticed the large brick factory building directly south of the Home Depot parking lot. Slow down the next time you cruise by this long-closed building. It may be the last time you see it.
Kevin Byrne: Exhibit-in-Residence
The Tribune's Steve Johnson spends some time with The Museum of Science and Industry's contest-winning month-long tenant, Uptowner Kevin Byrne.
A Ward Redraw Plan, Gratis
The Pro Bono Thinking Society has a proposal for a rational, non-gerrymandered ward redraw, all ready for the City Council's consideration.
The Hustwit Trilogy
Miss the Chicago premier of Urbanized last month? It starts a week's run at the Siskel Center tonight -- along with director Gary Hustwit's other two documentaries, Helvetica and Objectified. And if you buy a ticket to one, you can get tickets to the other two at a discount. (Read Steve at the Movies' review here.)
State of the Art
The Reader's big feature this week is about The Arts of Life Band, a rock group made up of developmentally disabled people. Watch the band play and enjoy some tasty chili at the Half Acre Charitable Chili Cookoff this Saturday.
Percussion Explosion!
Drummers from bands as huge as Smashing Pumpkins, King Crimson and Styx performed at the grand opening Vic's Drum Shop on Saturday.
Beer Art
Hogsalt.com talks with Half Acre's Gabriel Magliaro and illustrator Phineas X. Jones about the brewery's fantastic labels.
Reeling Film Festival Turns 30
Reeling, The Chicago Lesbian & Gay International Film Festival, kicks off its 30th anniversary run tonight. Still time to buy tickets! (It continues through the 12th.)
Making a Bank Transfer
Saturday, Nov. 5 is Bank Transfer Day, a movement to switch from the major national banks to credit unions and local banks. I Know Chicago shares some resources for you to make the switch.
Billion Dollar Upgrade for the Red Line
The CTA secured a $1 billion in funding to overhaul the Red Line. The tracks between 18th and 95th will relaid and the Wilson and Clark/Division stops will be completely rebuilt under the plan.
Sounds Like Chicago
AudioBoo lets you record from your phone (iPhone, Android or, incredibly, Nokia) or desktop and put it on a map.
No Smooching on the Bus
A CTA bus driver allegedly tried to kick a gay couple off the 146 for kissing, according to Windy City Times.
Old-Time Ads
The Uptown Update dug up a 1940s video made to showcase the era's most cutting-edge billboards and points out a few neighborhood landmarks along the way.
I Sense a Weird Al Cover in the Works
One of the best TribLocal headlines I've read, "It's hard out there for a mime," is actually about a teen mistaken for one when what he intended was to dress up as a dancer from America’s Best Dance Crew. "...not used to seeing street performers in a residential neighborhood, some neighbors were confused and called police."
Your November Classical Fix
Want to catch some live music from afar? Read our column "Pulling Strings" for the low down on this month's notable classical music offerings in Chicago.
Big Blue Art
A large blue sculpture by John Henry is being installed in a Lincoln Park yard -- much to the ire of some neighbors. [via]
Andrew Coffey visited the home and learned a bit more about the sculpture, as well as some of the other artwork and architectural details of the home.
All Buttoned Up
Take a stroll through the Busy Beaver Button Museum's new website. A couple local stand-outs.
The Game Master
Rock'em Sock'em Robots, Lite Brite, Operation and countless other toys and games were invented or brought to market by Marvin Glass, a legendary and troubled toy designer based in Chicago.
Expanding the Other Airport
Well, sort of. The City is looking to knock down four buildings surrounding Midway to create "runway protection zones" -- buffers at each end of the runways in case a plane overshoots.
Mixing Jet Fuel and Gardens
Air travel may not be particularly environmentally friendly, but the Chicago Department of Aviation is greening its airports with everything from aeroponic gardens to solar panels.
Good by Design
Involved in a nonprofit? You have one month to apply for the 2012 Grant for Good. Meanwhile, it's there's always a good Reason to Give.
Black Pilots in a White Sky
There's a screening of Double Victory, a documentary about the Tuskeegee Airmen, tonight at 7pm at the DuSable Museum, with a panel discussion afterward featuring two Airmen. The screening is sponsored by the National Association of Black Journalists Chicago and is free; RSVP here.
Let's Hear It For the Store
Matador Records has a keen blog piece gushing about the emergence of awesome indie record stores while others are sadly closing. They give some love to Chicago-area stores Saki (Chicago-Logan Square), Cyklopx (Forest Park), and to Permanent Records' expansion out west from Chicago.
Bill Lavicka's Last Battle
Chicago News Cooperative profiles West Side preservationist Bill Lavicka, who was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer.
Fashion by Mail
Newly VC-backed CakeStyle is a new personal shopping service that sends women quarterly clothing and accessory updates by mail. It joins the male counterpart Trunk Club in the local scene.
Behind the Groupon Green
Business Insider's behind-the-scenes look at Groupon's management may be the best article on the company yet. Meanwhile, daily deal aggregator YipIt digs into the Groupon investor roadshow.
The Rental from Hell
Curbed is looking for renter horror stories in a contest that could net you a month's free rent. (There are some awfully good ones in this old Fuel thread.)
Adding and Subtracting Punitive Surveillance
Just as the state is thinking about expanding the abilities of Chicago traffic cameras, Naperville is eliminating the cameras a year early.
Cutting the Crap Out of Learning
MentorMob, a site for putting together "learning playlists" of tutorials and informational pages, launched this week in alpha.
Tastes Like Chicken
Amish-raised, antibiotic-free chicken. That's what will be served in Chicago Public Schools from now on.
Reading Material
There are several Chicago-based indie magazines available on MagCloud: Black Pearl, Fashion Chicago Magazine, Hush, Vault and more.
Following Sustainable Transportation
Grid Chicago has launched a network -- really, more of an informal feed of sites that share a focus on active and sustainable transportation options.
60% Off this Groupon Poem
The Reformed Broker waxes poetic ahead of Groupon's Friday IPO. (Thanks, Pete!)
Owls, Swifts & Other Birds
The CTA's official Twitter account launched today, as part of the agency's renewed social media efforts. There's a Facebook page, too.
Cafe Lula Dresses Up
Pictures are up from Cafe Lula's annual Halloween costume -- this year, Taco Hell. And who better to sell your soul to for Mexican food than Rick Bayless, dressed as the Devil himself.
Mother of Hillary Clinton Dies
Chicago native Dorothy Rodham, mother of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, passed away this morning at a hospital in Washington at the age of 92.
Pumpkin & Yam Facial
What better way to start off the holiday season than with a pumpkin and yam facial? Mitchell Dental Spa is offering 50 percent off the treatment for the entire month of November.
Brewing Another Big Box
The former Brand Brewing Co. complex on Elston may be demolished to make room for yet another big box store along the strip. Our Urban Times offers reasons why it shouldn't.
A Date with Joe May
If you missed The Last Rites of Joe May at the Chicago International Film Festival, the Midwest Independent Film Festival has got your back. There's a screening tonight at the Landmark Century Centre Cinema, and tickets are still available.
Justice Doesn't Cross Borders
Must read: the Tribune's investigative series tracking fugitives wanted in Illinois for various crimes, who have fled the country to avoid prosecution or incarceration.
Chicago Diesel and Peanut Butter Prices Increase
If you've ever wondered how BP's Whiting refinery affects fuel prices: It is temporarily reducing its ultra-low-sulfur diesel capacity in half, prompting a 9 cent increase in the fuel's local futures market price compared to New York's. In other local commodities news, a weak peanut harvest caused suburban Kraft (and just about everyone else) to increase its peanut butter prices by 40%. So, yeah, stuff's getting more expensive.
