White Flight Resister
As African-Americans moved into Chatham, Crerar Memorial Presbyterian Church's white congregants began to leave. Marie Moe stayed put.
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
Saturday, May 4
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Monthly Archive
May 2013
Festival Season is in Full Swing
Do-Division and Maifest are this weekend, and coming up are Clues Fest, Humidapalooza and Pitchfjord.
Cut the Corner
A diagonal crosswalk opened today at State and Jackson; it's a pilot test to see if allowing pedestrians to cross in any direction every third light cycle will help reduce accidents and congestion.
White's Black Chicago
John H. White, one of the photographers laid off from the Sun-Times yesterday, was one of the contributors to Documerica, a national photodocumentary project in the 1970s sponsored by the EPA. White documented the black community in Chicago.
The National Archives have put his and other photographers' work from the project up on flickr.
Rocked Out of the Boobie Biz
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is suing the company behind the Boobies Rock breast cancer awareness gear, after a Sun-Times report that little proceeds make it to charity.
Pride of the South Side
Marvel at WHPK Record Library, a tumblr of scans of records in WHPK's collection. [via]
Rock On, Chicago
Today would have been Wesley Willis' 50th birthday, so in honor of the man, watch the rock-u-mentary Wesley Willis's Joy Rides. And then peruse the archives of Wesley Willis Art to see some classic examples of the man's drawing style. [via]
Wrigleyville Backpack Bomber Sentenced
A man accused of planting a (fake) bomb in Wrigleyville (previously) was sentenced to 23 years in prison.
Pitchfork Cuts to Film
Pitchfork today announced The Dissolve, a new film site staffed by the AV Club veterans who left last month. Keep your eye out here.
Where the Sidewalk Cafes End
WBEZ maps outdoor seating in Chicago, and explains why it's nearly absent on the South Side
RIP Bobby Cann
Cyclist Bobby Cann was struck by a car in Old Town and killed while riding home from work last night. The motorist has cooperated with police. Cann recently rode in the Ride of Silence, which honors cyclists killed in car accidents. There will be a memorial at the accident site tonight from 4 to 6pm to honor him, and tomorrow night's Critical Mass may also swing by.
The McDonald's Diet? Not Exactly
McDonald's CEO Don Thompson says he lost 20 in the past year while eating at McDonald's every day -- the key being that he also began working out. Salads only make up 2% to 3% of McDonald's sales in the US.
Prentice Demolition Approaches
Scaffolding is currently being installed at the base of Bertrand Goldberg's Prentice Women's Hospital to prepare for the demolition process.
Commerce & Camaraderie
Two things you should do after work tonight: Stop by Elusive Emporium's opening party at Block 37 from 5 to 8, and swing over to the Berghoff for the GB Get-Together from 6 to 9.
Reasons to Watch the Bee
Four local kids are semifinalists in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which are being shown live on ESPN2 at 1pm.
Not Worth 1,000 Words
The Sun-Times let their entire photography staff go this morning, claiming that their readership wants more video content with their news.
Shredding Air
Do you think you have what it takes to be an air guitar champion? Well, strap on your axe and sign up for the qualifier next weekend at Gman Tavern, 3740 N. Clark St.
Ravinia's Lawncierge™ Service
Ravinia will offer a new, $185-per-person "upscale lawn experience" -- dubbed Lawncierge -- that includes special wristbands, a private lawn seating and all you can eat food, for certain shows this season.
Homing in on Housing
The NYTimes examines Chicago's housing crisis and the work of the Chicago Anti-Eviction Campaign. Whet Moser supplements with some New York comparisons.
No People at Gary Airport
Allegiant Airlines is moving to O'Hare, which will leave Gary-Chicago International Airport without a commercial airline yet again. Allegiant's last flight out of GYY is Aug. 10.
Contemplate Wing Warfare
Last minute plans: ManBQue is working on a book, and they're holding events to collect recipes. This Thursday, you're invited to show off your best grilled chicken wing recipe at a "MEATing" in Pilsen. by Andrew Huff — 05/29 — Eating/Drinking
The Pros & Cons of BRT
Tonight at 5:30pm at the Cultural Center, George and Sarah Aye of Greater Good Studio (previously) host a discussion of the future of bus rapid transit. It's free, but space is limited; register here.
The Latest Kicks
A comedy about comedy, sketchbooks of repurposed paper, an amusement park art fair and a Logan Square beer hall are among the campaigns currently funding on Gapers Block's curated Kickstarter page.
As if Those Were the Only Two
People are calling the intersection of North, Damen and Milwaukee "Six Corners," and proponents of the original, officially designated Six Corners in Portage Park are getting pissed.
The Hot Cocktails
The Aviary and The Barrelhouse Flat are among Esquire's Best Bars in America list for 2013.
Hacktivist Pleads Guilty
Chicago activist hacker Jeremy Hammond pleaded guilty to one count of violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act in the Lulzsec/Antisec hacking case. He released a statement regarding his plea.
Rangel Stepping Down but not Out
Juan Rangel, CEO of UNO, announced that he is stepping down from the political organization's board as well as the board of its charter school system in the wake of the recent insider dealing scandal (previously). He'll remain CEO.
The Sponsor-Friendly Confines
The Cubs have erected mockups of the signage and Jumbotron they'd like to install as part of the proposed renovation. Probably should have done "FFFFUUUUUUU" instead of just "FFFFFFFFFFF."
Learn from the Burris
The Roland Burris School of Politics (previously) is enrolling for its June session.
The Rise of an Urban Prairie
GB's David Schalliol talks about The Area, the neighborhood he documented in a short film for The Grid as well as in To Be Demolished, in Bag News Notes.
Car-Share Consolidation Continues
I-GO CarSharing, the locally grown, nonprofit alternative to Zipcar, has been purchased by Enterprise, and will be incorporated into the rental company's care share program. Zipcar was bought by Avis in January.
Hideout Block Party Lineup Announced
The lineup for this year's A.V. Fest Hideout Block Party has been announced, with Neko Case, Mavis Staples, The Hold Steady, The Walkmen and more. Two-day passes are $60 and on sale now.
Playing and Socializing
Chicago Sport & Social Club dominates summer recreational sports in the city -- it's the largest adult recreational sports company by participation.
America's Finest News Source to Cease?
A writer on the Daily Kos decided to emulate The Onion by announcing its demise after the 2014 presidential election. That's one way to get a job.
OK Pets Up for Adoption
PAWS Chicago received 76 dogs and cats from tornado-stricken towns in Oklahoma this weekend; 27 have already been adopted.
Portage Theater Closed
The Portage Theater was closed on Friday by owner Eddy Carranza, apparently over a liquor license dispute. The Northwest Chicago Film Society has relocated upcoming screenings to the Patio and Music Box, and other film series are searching for new venues as well.
Plead the Fifth, Kids
A high school social studies teacher in Batavia faces disciplinary action after telling students they had a Constitutional right not to incriminate themselves on a survey about drug and alcohol use. A petition has been created defend him.
6-Second Cinema
Chicagoist talks with one of the creators of the Vine Film Festival, which is tonight at Andersonville's Upstairs Gallery.
Ventra Charge Changes
The CTA has waived the $5 initial charge and a much of other fees from its new Ventra card system and its prepaid debit card. [via]
Staying in the Black with the Ink Trade
Seems like tattoo shops are becoming as common as mattress stores. Here's a look at the economics behind the tattoo business.
Making More Malort
As Malort's fame and mystique continues to grow, the Reader's Julia Thiel learned why Letherbee decided to make a boutique Malort, which will soon join Jeppson's on local liquor store shelves.
Google Kiss Cam
Making out in front of Paulina Meat Market is a private thing -- unless the Google Streetview car is nearby (see #29).
Hack the City
We're a week away from the National Day of Civic Hacking. Join the fun at the Adler Planetarium, 1871 and Cibola.
Faux Activist
An undercover police officer was discovered to have been spying on protestors as early as the NATO summits last March, after infiltrating Chicago Action Medical as "Danny Edwards." (Thanks, Arlene!)
Fardon Nominated for US Attorney
Zachary Fardon, a partner with Latham & Watkins, has been nominated for US attorney in the Chicago district, succeeding Patrick Fitzgerald. Fardon is best known for prosecuting ex-Gov. George Ryan.
Rolling Down Milwaukee
CDOT laid down stripes for the protected bike lane on Milwaukee Avenue [PDF] this week, a little ahead of schedule.
Noted Photographer Dies
Chicagoan and two-time Guggenheim fellow Wayne F. Miller, whose photo series "The Way of Life of the Northern Negro" earned acclaim in its depiction of wartime African-American communities, died yesterday at age 94.
The Other Bests
The Reader's Best of Chicago poll just closed, so of course it's now time to vote in Chicago magazine's Best of Chicago poll.
Reinsdorf's Achievements
Sports Business Daily gave Jerry Reinsdorf, owner of the White Sox and Bulls, a lifetime achievement award this week, and provides in-depth looks at his history with the Sox and his more hands-off approach with the Bulls. The 77-year-old owner also mentioned a succession plan that recommends selling the Sox.
The Donald Trumps the Grandmother
An Evanston woman has lost her lawsuit against real estate mogul and loudmouth Donald Trump over a condo deal.
Ambulance Fleet in Need of Emergency Care
Is Chicago's aging ambulances putting people at risk? The Better Government Association and CBS2 investigate.
Waiting Out the ORDeal
Heading to O'Hare tomorrow for a long weekend out of town? Crain's shares some tips from frequent fliers on how to kill time during the inevitable delays.
Slow-Growth City
Chicago grew the slowest of any major American city last year, new census data found. We added just 10,000 people between July 2011 and July 2012.
Chicago Dance Crash Ticket Giveaway
We've got a pair of tickets for Saturday night's opening of Chicago Dance Crash's The Cotton Mouth Club. Check out our interview with co-choreographer Robert McKee over in A/C. To win, all you have to do is send an email by 5pm today to contests@gapersblock.com with the subject line "Cotton Mouth," and we'll select a winner at random. Good luck! UPDATE:We have a winner! Congrats to Christina!
Bringing Back the House
Dance Mania Records, which helped bring Chicago House music to prominence, is once again pressing vinyl.
Local Lunch Delicacies
The jibarito, Italian beef, mother-in-law and downstate's horseshoe make Grub Street's list of "hyper-regional" sandwiches.
"This is a longer conversation"
Joel Handley happened to run into Mayor Emanuel in the bathroom at a BuildOn fundraiser, and tried to talk to him about schools. It didn't go so well.
More Food Stamps
Food assistance programs have seen a surge in usage recently; Whet Moser breaks down why.
We're Due for a Twister
Chicagoland gets its fair share of tornadoes, and its early warning system could use some improvement. (Related.)
50 Schools to Close
The Chicago Board of Education voted to close 50 schools -- all but the four removed from the list this morning. The board voted unanimously on all but Von Humboldt School, for which the vote was split 4-2.
CPS School Closures Confirmed
CPS voted to close 49 elementary and one high school program today; four elementary schools were spared.
Get Your City Sticker
This year's city vehicle stickers are now on sale, online or in person. After last year's fiasco with the student design competition, this year's sticker looks like it was designed by a machine.
Hey, it's ...That Guy.
How well do you recognize your Facebook friends? WhoDat?, a new game from Doejo, tests you on it.
Urlacher Ends Career as a Bear
Brian Urlacher announced his retirement today, rather than joining a team other than the Bears. He'll be eligible for the Football Hall of Fame in 2018.
It was an honor to play my entire career for the @chicagobears say.ly/GOh5Sxs
— Brian Urlacher (@BUrlacher54) May 22, 2013
Screw Cardinals
Not the baseball team, the state bird. Slate's Nicholus Lund suggests Illinois ditch the overdone redbird in favor of the greater prairie chicken in his re-imagining of the 50 state birds.
School Closings Announced Today
Stay tuned to hear which CPS schools are closed by the Board of Ed. today, but there are rumors swirling about which ones have been spared. Josh Kalov created a spreadsheet of rumored safe schools.
"Five Great Buildings"
Motion graphics designer Al Boardman created an homage to five of Chicago's architectural gems. [via]
Early, Often, Etc.
Voting for the Reader's 2013 Best of Chicago awards ends at midnight tonight. Get a move on.
Movie Houses in the News
Good and bad news on the theater front today. The Ramova Theater in Bridgeport may soon be renovated, and the New Regal Theater is for sale for just $100,000. Meanwhile, the beautiful Patio Theater will be forced to close for the summer due to a broken air conditioning system; the owners believed TIF-based grant was coming through for repairs, but it didn't come through.
Great Venues in Trouble
The Aragon and Riviera theaters join the Congress (previously) on the City inspectors' shit list, each with several major building code violations.
The Opposite of Local Eats
If you like Grub Street Chicago, pay a visit today -- it and Grub Street's other city blogs closed today, and will redirect to a newly nationally focused main site. Writer Michael Gebert reflects on his time with the site.
Cutting Off Circulation
A group of Logan Square residents are suing the Tribune for continuing frequent deliveries of its coupons and advertisements (aka those piles of soggy, dirty newsprint wrapped in pink bags that accumulate on your doorstep/yard) despite repeated, bureaucracy-laden requests to stop.
Distributing the Farmers Market
New distributor Local Foods Grocer is trying to turn locavorism into a business.
Chief Keef Arrested
The South Side-based rapper was arrested in Georgia this morning for disorderly conduct.
The Facts on School Closings
WBEZ has fact-checked a variety of claims made about the CPS school closure plan, including whether students' test scores are likely to improve at the new schools. The Sun-Times editorial board says 21 of the 54 schools on the list should be spared. The Board of Education meets tomorrow to review the closure recommendations.
10 Years of GB: McClelland's Adventures
Chicago magazine has an excerpt from author Edward McClelland's new book, Nothin' but Blue Skies, about the lives and deaths of Rust Belt cities. In 2006, Gapers Block published a series of 10 excerpts from McClellands book The Third Coast, which chronicled his travels around the Great Lakes.
Read them in order:
1. Sheboygan & Manitowoc County, Wisconsin
2. Marquette, Michigan
3. Mackinac Island, Michigan
4. Grand Marais, Minnesota
5. Pays Plat First Nations Reserve, Ontario, Canada
6. Isle Royale, Michigan
7. Rogers City, Michigan
8. Toronto, Canada
9. Hamilton, Ontario
10. Hamburg, New York
RIP Ray Manzarek
Ray Manzarek, Chicago-born keyboardist and founding member of The Doors, passed away Monday after a battle with bile duct cancer. He was 74.
Pollen Tsunami is my New Band Name
This year's allergy season is predicted to be worse than last year's, thanks to conditions that have made pollen and mold counts spike.
"Hey Rahm, we're no fools!"
Protestors delivered petitions with 10,000 signatures against the school closings to City Hall and vowed to "create chaos" if their voices weren't heard -- and began chanting, "Hey Rahm, we're no fools! We won't let you close our schools." Police arrested several protestors who blocked access to elevators.
U of C Releases Report on Protest Policing
Remember the protest where a U of C police officer posed as a protester? The university issued the independent investigation report today [pdf], which finds that the university was in the right, the protestors were in the wrong and the whole undercover police officer thing was was just a big misunderstanding. Still, the university promises to make some changes.
Lincoln Park GoogaMooga?
Looks like Brooklyn's Great GoogaMooga food and music festival is coming to Chicago in August; permits have been applied for.
"Epton: Before It's Too Late"
Twenty years later, members of Harold Washington's 1983 mayoral campaign recall the role race played in the election.
The Curl from Above
Thanks to Google Earth Historical Imagery, I was able to make this gif of North Avenue Beach over the decades.
Wrangling the Rookies
Rookie, the webzine for teen girls founded by Tavi Gevinson, is hiring a full-time editor.
Your Seamless Hub for Food
Chicago-based GrubHub is merging with New York-based Seamless, creating an even bigger player in the food delivery biz. GrubHub's co-founder and CEO Matt Maloney will lead the combined company.
To Be Made in Chicago?
As manufacturing returns to the US after years of outsourcing, will Chicago and Illinois take part in the prosperity?
Meet Arterms
Last week Dmitry Samarov edited his tumblr account and collected his favorites in a new location.
Havin' Imaginary Fun on Navy Pier
WBEZ assembled a group of hilarious details from the Navy Pier redevelopment renderings.
Through the Wire, Off the Wall
Kanye West debuted his new song "New Slaves" through a simultaneous series of projections on building walls throughout the world, including seven locations in Chicago.
Millennium Park:
Chicago History Museum:
Wicker Park:
Countdown to Red Line South
Don't forget (and if you're affected, how could you?), the Red Line South Reconstruction Project begins on Sunday. If you haven't figured out an alternative route yet, the CTA's trip planner might help.
Goodbye, Purple Hotel
After offering a couple plans for renovation, developers have decided that the legendary Purple Hotel cannot be saved, and will instead raze it and build an all new construction. (Thanks, Dee!)
Fighting Teen Pregnancy with Strange Ads
A new ad campaign by the Dept. of Health promoting ways teens can avoid pregnancy has created some controversy for its depiction of pregnant teen boys. Meanwhile, the Dept. of Health is also trying to reinvigorate interest in the female condom.
Documenting the Damage
Photographer Jon Lowenstein has been documenting the South Side for the past 10 years. Most recently, he focused on the effects of gun violence on the community in a series called Chicago's Bloody Year.
The Parks at Night
This year's Movies in the Park schedule is out. There are also quite a few other "Night Out in the Parks" events this year, from theater to live music.
MJ vs. Kobe
In his new book, Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success, coach Phil Jackson finally compares Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. The LA Times' Mike Bresnahan has the choice excerpts. [via]
Fighting Cancer with a Cloud
The University of Chicago's Institute for Genomics and Systems Biology has launched Bionimbus, a secure, cloud-based computing system that will allow researchers to access and analyze cancer data.
Meet the Meatpacking District
Tickets are on sale right now for From Cuts to Cult: Chicago Meat Past and Present, Chicago Detours' new tour through the Fulton Market Meatpacking District, giving the history of the neighborhood and a look at its future.
Mason Out
Former Groupon CEO Andrew Mason is heading to San Francisco to start his next venture, he revealed in a blog post Thursday. He also said something about recording an album of business motivational music, but that was probably just the gin talking.
Second City to None
Arne Wossink captured a wide swath of Chicago in his camera between August 2012 and April 2013, and was nice enough to share it with the world. [via]
Was the Mag Mile Robbery a Hoax?
After reviewing unremarkable surveillance camera footage and having no luck finding witnesses, police are now skeptical that a group of kids robbed a woman of $200k in money and jewelry earlier this week on Michigan Avenue.
In the Wright Place
This Saturday's Frank Lloyd Wright Housewalk in Oak Park will feature several homes that have never been open to the public before.
83 Years of Putting Up with Passengers
The first female flight attendant flew the friendly skies 83 years ago today on a Chicago-bound flight.
2 Years of Mayor Emanuel
We're two years into Rahm Emanuel's tenure as mayor; how's he looked so far? His approval rating is low and voters on Chicago mag's informal poll give him mostly Ds and Fs, but City Council is still sticking close.
My Résumé is in Iambic Pentameter
Table XI's rhyming email to a job candidate is one example of how LinkedIn and other online job sites are changing how people get hired.
Wanna Buy a Paper?
Sure, $660 million is a lot to crowdfund in a month. That's not stopping a group of activists from trying to raise money on Indiegogo to buy the Tribune Co.'s newspapers in order to prevent them from falling into the hands of News Corp. or the Koch brothers.
Rising Violence in the LGBTQ Community
The Windy City Times has begun a series focusing on violence in the LGTQ community. Victims are sometimes found through "pickup" ads in the paper and online, or just targeted on the street.
Cards Against a Business Plan
Chicago Grid's Meg Graham spent some time with the crew behind Cards Against Humanity to find out what makes them tick.
New York Neighborhoods in Chicago
As part of a larger collaborative piece titled "New York Elsewhere" for The Morning News, Tyler Coates projects New York neighborhood counterparts in Chicago. Southport Corridor as Park Slope is amusingly on point, though some Chicagoans would take issue with the idea that Logan Square isn't fully gentrified.
Resurrecting the Hot House
Portoluz announced plans to relaunch the storied, late lamented Hothouse as a music and cultural venue. A relaunch party is planned for June 22.
High School Manufacturing Startup
Four students at Austin Polytechnical Academy are launching a new manufacturing cooperative within the school today, with help from the Center for Workplace Democracy and Manufacturing Renaissance. MECH Creations will manufacture trumpet mouthpieces. [via]
Wear Local
Alison Cuddy profiles some of the locally made fashion options for those hoping to avoid sweatshop labor.
Kick Your Own Starter
Interested in doing a Kickstarter campaign? There's a Project Jam this Saturday where you can learn how. The session is full, but you can get on the wait list.
To Build a Stadium
The mayor is touting a $300 million basketball stadium for DePaul near McCormick Place that would be funded in large part with public money (and which many experts say is a terrible idea). Chicago mag's Whet Moser has done a good job of detailing the questions surrounding the deal and the risks with public funding of stadiums. Meanwhile, the Cubs upped their campaign for Wrigley renovations with a new website.
Need a Gun?
ArmsList.com has more than 1300 advertisements for handguns in the Chicagoland area, including at least a couple possibly within the city itself.
State Taking Back Grants
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission has shortfall$2 million budget this year, and asked 9,800 students to pay back 10 percent of the MAP grant money they've received. While UIC is helping out its 320 affected students, students at other schools may not be so lucky. (Thanks, Veronica!)
Barack Milhous Obama?
Dennis Byrne thinks comparing Obama to Nixon is apt after the AP phone record seizure scandal, the IRS 501(c)(4) scandal and the ongoing Benghazi embassy investigation. WSJ's Stephen Moore makes a similar comparison.
Members Only
Step inside the Turkish Cultural Center, a private social club, with the Center Square Journal.
Save Green on the Green Fest
The Green Festival sprouts on Navy Pier this weekend -- and the first 250 people who use the code GAPERSBLOCK when they register online get in free.
Train Super Tracker
The CTA's Train Tracker web app got a bunch of new features today -- including a map of where all the trains are right now.
An Ode to a Rose
Recently, via a little ditty on ESPN, Chicago native and comedic actor Craig Robinson, whose movie Peeples opened last weekend, expressed his heartfelt sentiments about the [someday] return of Derrick Rose back to the Bulls' lineup.
Lolla's Schedule is Out
Lollapalooza released the schedule for this year's festival today. Stephanie Griffin has been highlighting some of the acts performing this year in Transmission: Father John Misty, Guards, Icona Pop, Jessie Ware and Wavves.
Why Celebrate the Fire?
In October 2014, the City will debut The Great Chicago Fire Festival featuring the Redmoon Theatre, on the banks of the Chicago River. The Reader's Deanna Isaacs asks, do we really need this?
What do Cameras Know About Safety?
The Chicago Inspector General's office released an audit of the city's red light cameras and found that CDOT is not evaluating whether the cameras are effective, and can't prove that cameras are being installed based on safety concerns.
Join the Kickstarter Craze
Urban gardens in West Town and Pullman, a timely post-breast cancer surgery educational video, and the comedy film that Jason Prechtel wrote about today in A/C are among the local campaigns on Gapers Block's curated Kickstarter page.
Extra Security
Spotted outside Gary's Cycle Shop in Edgewater yesterday: Someone's very protective of their bike.
GB at 10: Tap Rooms
Chicago Craft Beer Week begins this Thursday, highlighting the city's vibrant beer culture. In 2003, Mark W. Anderson wrote about the decline of tap rooms, the bars attached to liquor stores, for Gapers Block. Half Acre's tap room aside, they're still a dying breed; visit one today.
CFD to Provide Safe Passage
Firefighters will be performing security for commuting schoolchildren along the alternative routes planned for the Red Line South Reconstruction project.
Putting a Price on Violence
Every murder costs the city $5 million, and shootings cost $1 million, according to research cited by Police Supt. Garry McCarthy.
Puppets at the Opera
The building that now houses Lawry's the Prime Rib was once home to the Kungsholm Puppet Opera Theatre, which featured a technologically advanced stage. [via]
Dancing on Your Screen
Dances Made to Order brings dance films to you once a month, along with a challenge to make your own. The next edition debuts May 29.
Here's a taste of what it's like:
48 Hours in Chicago
"48 Hours" focuses on Chicago's war on gangs and drugs in its next episode, which airs Saturday, May 18.
Ain't No Party Like a Wicker Park Party
...Where 200 people pay $7 each to see a DJ in an 800-square-foot apartment and spill out onto a dangerous roof, 'cause well, those parties tend to get shut down by the police.
Red Line it While You Still Can
The CTA's Red Line South Reconstruction project begins this coming weekend. Time Out has some suggestions of places to go on the South Side while you can still get there.
Waiting the ER
Crain's examined emergency room wait times and found that University of Chicago Medical Center had a median wait time of 9 hours, 22 minutes -- only a little over an hour faster than notorious Stroger Hospital, which was the slowest in the region. Presense Resurrection and Weiss Memorial had the shortest wait times of hospitals in the city.
Brand New Strings, Etc.
New Chicago Music is pretty clear about its goal: to introduce you to new contemporary classical music around the city. Check out the calendar to get started.
Fighting to Stay
The Chicago Reporter's May/June issue focuses on fast track deportation: thousands are being deported in Chicago and nationwide without a hearing. Tonight Rep. Luis Gutiérrez will discuss immigration reform legislation at the Reporter's event, Still in the Shadows?
Gang Drop-off Cops Fired
The police officers who were caught on tape in 2011 driving a gang member into another gang's turf in Humboldt Park were fired last week.
Meyers is the New Fallon
"SNL" performer/writer, Evanston native and NU alum Seth Meyers will be replacing Jimmy Fallon when the late-night talk show host takes over "The Tonight Show" next year.
A River of Song
The CSO is celebrating the Chicago River (and others) with music festival. Saturday is also Chicago River Day -- volunteer to help clean up the waterway.
"Real World" Casting Call
MTV is scouring the nation for housemates for "Real World" season 29(!?), and the hunt arrives in Chicago this weekend. Register here and show up at Mad River Bar & Grill Saturday at 10am for open auditions.
Old Post Office, New Casino?
The massive old Main Post Office straddling Congress Parkway is being considered as a potential site of a casino should that state ever issue new licenses, WGN reports. (Since it floats over a stream of cars, is that close enough to a riverboat?)
It's a Foodie Town
Chicago was voted Best Food City in Tablespoon.com's 2013 Munchies food awards -- and Butcher & the Burger, Bar Toma, Hoosier Mama Pie Co. won in the burger, pizza and bakery categories. [via]
The Bird Lady of Miami
As Joakim Noah left the game Wednesday, a Heat fan angrily flipped him off. The was identified as Filomena Tobias, a widow whose been in the news before. Now that the Internet has had its way with her, the Sun-Sentinel shares more of her story.
What are You Watching Online?
This week, YouTube launched its Trends Map, which breaks down viewing patterns by metropolitan area, age and gender. At time of writing, "This is Water," the new video of David Foster Wallace's 2005 commencement address at Kenyon College, is number one in Chicago.
Window on a New Era
In 2008, workers at Republic Windows & Doors occupied their factory when management abruptly fired them with no warning or severance. They won the battle, but the factory eventually closed last year. Some of the workers just launched New Era Windows in Little Village as an employee-owned cooperative.
Wedding for the Record Stacks
DJs Dani Deahl and Fei Tang got married in Gramaphone Records last weekend.
As Time Goes By
You can see a timelapse gif of how Chicago's landscape has changed over the last 28 years, courtesy of Google Earth Engine.
10 Years of Body Massage & Pork Chop Sandwiches
In 2003, Chicago filmmaker Eric Fensler (who now lives in Portland, OR) created "GI Joe PSAs," a series of weird remixes of the odd PSAs tacked onto some episodes of "GI Joe" cartoons, which wet viral before anyone had ever heard of social media. The Verge examines their legacy.
A Bull Gets a Horn
A Miami Heat fan threw dazzling shade at Joakim Noah after his ejection during last night's playoff (which the Bulls lost; the 115-78 final score was the largest losing margin in playoff history).
From Chapter 7 to Team Owner
The new owner of the Chicago Rush arena football team is perhaps not the most trustworthy guy to put in charge of a lot of money, or a sports franchise. [via]
Off the Tracks
A Red Line train derailed near the Armitage stop, injuring one rider and halting CTA train service in both directions between Grand and Belmont.
Art from Waste
Pick up free art supplies from ZeroLandfill Chicago at the Chicago Center for Green Technology tonight and a couple more dates next week.
SNL en Español
"Saturday Night Live" is auditioning in Chicago at iO June 5 for a Spanish-language version of the show.
The Scav Goes YOLO
The 2013 University of Chicago Scavenger Hunt begins this Sunday. So far, the item list [PDF] is insane. (Then there's the real list [pdf].)
Is Chicago Addicted to Guns?
If so, what's the treatment? Mick Dumke explores some of the approaches being taken to reduce gun violence.
"Becoming a Man" Class Works
A recent economic experiment found that at-risk minority teens in Chicago who took a weekly workshop on improving judgment and decision-making stayed in school more often and had fewer arrests.
Follow the Bones
Trubble Club's Infinite Corpse now boasts more than 205 three-panel comic strips loosely narrating the surreal life of a skeleton named Corpsey.
The Historic Landmark Portage Theater
The Portage Theater was awarded landmark status by City Council today. Read Dan Kelly's fantastic history of the theater in A/C.
Shooting Chicagoland
CNN is planning an eight-part documentary series called "Chicagoland" from the team behind Sundance's "Brick City," which focused on Newark, NJ. Robert Redford is executive producer. The series began shooting on St. Patrick's Day weekend, and will air in 2014. (Thanks, Dee!)
What is a Chicago Burger?
Over in the United Kingdom, McDonald's is currently selling a "Chicago Supreme" hamburger that doesn't have much at all to do with Chicago. Then again, all of the "Great Tastes of America" burgers are somewhat arbitrary.
Upping the Ante on Dooring, Bike Violations
Mayor Emanuel proposes doubling fines for both cyclists who violate traffic laws and motorists who "door" cyclists. The proposal has the support of the Active Transportation Alliance.
For Moms
Chris Ware's cover for this week's New Yorker features two moms for Mothers' Day -- note the placement of the apostrophe.
The Lab Schools Difference
"I think we should pause to appreciate the irony that Mayor Emanuel sends his children to a unionized private school while working overtime to break the public school teachers' union in Chicago." Ben Joravsky on the University of Chicago Lab Schools.
Memorializing John Stroger
The late Cook County Board President John Stroger still has supporters, and they're hoping to preserve his legacy through a donation of memorabilia to the DuSable Museum of African American History.
"It's what every white boy off the lake wants."
Thirty years ago, Risky Business came out and made a star of Tom Cruise. Highland Park residents recall the film and its effect on the suburb. (Presumably the Drake Hotel and residents of Belmont Harbor were not consulted.)
Trolling Down the Boulevard
StreetsBlog Chicago puzzles over the identity of pro-drivers' rights Logan Square Driver.
The Friday Sun-Reader-Times
The Sun-Times is closing its Weekend section and will instead insert The Agenda, a new weekend supplement distilled from the Reader, into the Friday edition starting this week. The full weekly edition of the Reader, which Sun-Times Media parent Wrapports purchased last year, will continue to publish as always.
Helping the Belles of the Ball
Last weekend, the Glass Slipper Project held its last "boutique" date of the 2013 prom season, during which it provided hundreds of prom dresses, shoes, makeup and accessories to needy teens free of charge. If you have a donation to make for next year, get in touch.
Photos for Tamms
Laurie Jo Reynolds and Stephen F. Eisenman report on the impact of the Tamms Year Ten project (previously) and the campaign against the Tamms Supermax Prison, which closed in January. Tamms Year Ten produced many beautiful photographs based on requests from prisoners.
Bridging Art
Curbed and the Chicago Public Art Group (previously: 1, 2) have teamed up to create a map of notable overpass murals around the city.
The "Chicago Blaccent"
After delving into the Chicago accent and its origins last year (previously), Curious City is back with an examination of the African-American accent in Chicago versus elsewhere.
IL GOP Chair Steps Down
Pat Brady, chairman of the Illinois Republican Party, is expected to resigned today over his support of gay marriage. Meanwhile, Republican State Rep. Ron Sandack reaffirmed to protestors his intention to vote for the bill legalizing same sex marriage yesterday.
Get Girls into Tech
Chicago Girls in Computing is working to "provide a friendly environment for high school girls in the city of Chicago who are interested in technology." They're raising money on Piggybackr to make it happen. (Thanks, Veronica!)
Go Get Hacked
Dmitry Samarov's book Hack is being offered as a free ebook by the University of Chicago Press during May; get your copy here.
Safer in CTA Hands?
The CTA is hiring customer service workers in-house and ending contracts with most of its private security companies.
Dragged Through Disney's Garden
Apparently you can get a Chicago-style hot dog at Disneyland now for $7.19. From the looks of the photo, it comes sprinkled with green relish and chives.
Participation without Representation?
Although the 49th Ward has been a leader in the participatory budgeting movement, some residents think the concept leaves a lot to be desired in practice.
Dancing on Rooftops
Commuters in Uptown, Logan Square and South Shore will get a treat in the mornings between May 13 and June 7: the Wake Up Waltz will perform dances on rooftops near CTA and Metra stops and bus lines.
After Hadiya
The Tribune caught up with Hadiya Pendleton's three closest friends to see how they're coping with the loss of their friend. (If you've already blown through your DigitalPlus free views this month, you can read the beginning here.)
Shifting Populations
Since 1950, the neighborhood with the most population growth is Ashburn, while Fuller Park has lost the most. NBC5's Ward Room breaks down the numbers for all 77 community areas.
GB at 10: Blagg the Axman
In 2006, a mysterious figure appeared in the comments in the Fuel section: Blagg the Axman, a warrior for hire who would comment on modern questions through some wormhole to another world. He proved so popular as a commenter that we gave him his own column, Tales of Blagg the Axman, in which he told an epic story of adventure, deceit and redemption. His tale told, Blagg faded back into the mists of time, never to be heard from again.
Tea by the Kilo
Intelligentsia has launched a new line of teas, called Kilogram. The packaging is beautiful. [via]
Lincoln Park Students Walk Out
Several hundred students at Lincoln Park High School staged a walk-out today in protest of the firing of several teachers. Here's further coverage.
Try the Malort Cheese
Still tickets available for the Reader's Key Ingredient Cook-Off tonight at the Bridgeport Art Center. If you're culinarily adventurous, this is the event for you.
Feeding the Community
Bernard Loyd hopes that Bronzeville Cookin', a new dining complex at 51st and Prairie, can help revitalize Bronzeville.
Lunch isn't Sitting Well
If you think you got food poisoning from that last taco, pad thai or whatever, fill out a report at Foodborne Chicago or tweet at @foodbornechi. Your case will be logged into the 311 system for the City to check out.
Chicago Traveler
Conde Nast Traveler recently launched a Chicago travel blog, which happens to be where former Time Out food editor David Tamarkin now writes.
A Union in UNO
More than 400 teachers and staff at UNO's 13 charter schools have voted to unionize on Thursday.
Pet Care Fail
City-run animal shelters are so understaffed that dogs and cats aren't being cared for or fed properly, a new audit by the City Inspector General finds.
The Influence of Ikram Goldman
"'I'm not going to lie,' says Jenna Lyons, the president and creative director of J. Crew, who is an admirer of Goldman. She scares me a little bit.'" "She" is Ikram Goldman, Chicago boutique owner, "fashion ambassador", and the subject of a profile in the New York Times magazine.
Chicago's Most Dangerous Places
Four intersections on the West and South sides made Neighborhood Scout's 2013 list of the 25 most dangerous neighborhoods in America: Halsted & 77th streets (fourth) and Ashland Avenue & 76th Street (16th) in Auburn-Gresham, Homan Avenue & Roosevelt Road (13th) in North Lawndale, and Indiana Avenue and 60th Street (25th) in Washington Park.
View Chicago's most dangerous neighborhoods in a larger map
At least this year they're all legitimately crime-heavy places. In 2010, out-of-date data resulted in two areas that once but no longer held public housing complexes were included on the list; one was an empty field.
You're Soaking in It
Foodie culture is deeply entrenched in Chicago -- so much so that it can be easy to miss what a luxury it is.
Pritzker Cabinet Nom
Philanthropist and former School Board member Penny Pritzker was nominated to be the next Secretary of Commerce today. Greg Hinz passes along some advice from a former cabinet member from another Chicago family dynasty: Bill Daley.
A Matter of Degrees
WGN Meteorologist Tom Skilling may be lovable, but he is frequently wrong about the weather. HowWrongIsSkilling.com tracks just how off the mark he is. (Of course, this is not a new complaint, and even the National Weather Service is right only about two-thirds of the time.)
Wander Through Art
Brave New Art World, a new open house night in the River North gallery district, debuts tonight from 5 to 8pm. Britt Julious explains its significance.
Dorkily Morbid
The new Quark Magazine interviews comic artist Alex Nall (with whom GB's Kelly Reaves spoke last year) about his web comic Morbid Dork.
Skating Soldier Field Again
The Blackhawks will play the Pittsburgh Penguins at Soldier Field next March as part of the NHL's new Stadium Series, which joins the Winter Classic that the Hawks have participated in a couple times. Sign up for ticket info here.
Playing the Big Room
Rolling Stone continues its cataloging of the nation's greatest rock venues with a look at "Big Rooms." Metro and House of Blues make the cut. (Previously.)
Meet Nick Cage's Lizard
Nicholas Cage's pet water monitor now lives at the Wildlife Discovery Center in Lake Forest.
Music Institute to Open Downtown
The Music Institute of Chicago is opening a new campus at the Fourth Presbyterian Church's Gratz Center this fall, and will move its north suburban school from Highland Park to Lake Forest.
Explain's Cameron's Jersey
James Hughes talks about going to hockey games with his father, filmmaker John Hughes, and his dad's soft spot the Redwings.
"You're Going to Dunning"
On Curious City, Robert Loerzel tells the history of Dunning, a legendary insane asylum and potter's field on Chicago's Northwest Side that eventually gave its name to a neighborhood. In 2009, Gapers Block's Dan Kelly took a look at what the Dunning neighborhood (and nearby Schorch Village) is like today.
PS: Listen to Loerzel talk about this story -- and to me talk about Gapers Block's 10th anniversary -- on "The Afternoon Shift" on WBEZ at 3pm today.
Duck People
Chicagoans Nettie Kossart and Alex Huen and their pet ducks, Victor and Ming Mei, were recently featured on NatGeo Wild's "Spoiled Rotten Pets". Nettie sells ducky diapers and other products for pet ducks on Etsy. (Thanks, Dubi!)
The Nuclear Cubs Option
Tom Ricketts unveiled renderings of the proposed Wrigley Field remodel -- and threatened to move the Cubs if it doesn't get approved, while claiming "There's no threats."
GLBT Sports Hall of Fame Launches
The National Gay & Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame launched in Chicago on Tuesday. It will begin accepting nominees this summer.
Landmarks at Risk
Muddy Waters' home and Chicago's bascule bridges are among Landmarks Illinois' 2013 10 Most Endangered Historic Places list. There's hope that Muddy's home can still be saved.
Profit in Milliseconds
Some traders are taking advantage of fraction-of-a-second delays between trades on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange to predict which directions the futures markets are heading.
