Watch for Signs
The winter parking ban starts at 3am Sunday, so be careful where you park Saturday night, or you may end up paying (recently increased) parking tickets or towing fees.
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
Sunday, November 16
Merge
Monthly Archive
November 2013
The Ghosts of Warriors Past
A Klingon Christmas Carol returns for fourth Holiday season, this time playing at the Raven Theatre in Edgewater. It opens this Saturday, Nov. 30, and runs through Dec. 29.
SNL Gets Rich
Second City main-stager Katie Rich is joining the writing staff of "Saturday Night Live."
Teddy Turkey Returns
Kicking off downtown at 8am on Thursday, Chicago's Thanksgiving Day Parade is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year.
A Promise Kept
True to a promise made by CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett, no more schools will be closed in Chicago this year, although two will be moved.
Tech Hub Honcho
Chicago entrepreneur Howard Tullman will take the reigns at 1871, a co-working space that helps startups get started and sits at the center of Chicago's growing tech community.
GB Gift Guide: Chicago's Other Couponers
Offering gift cards to local, high-end stores like Sofia and Haberdash, Giftbar is described by some merchants as the anti-Groupon.
Praised by Unanimous Consent
Betty Brewer, who prevented a man from (allegedly) abducting a girl at a Rogers Park grocery store, was honored by Mayor Emanuel and the City Council.
Thank You GIFs
Buzzfeed's thank you note to recently re-injured Bulls star Derrick Rose is part earnest homage, part highlight reel.
Don't Buy This Stuff
The Illinois attorney general's office released its annual list [PDF] of recalled toys and household items to be on the lookout for on eBay, CraigsList and in resale shops.
Wrigley Gets into the Wrigleyville Game
Tom Tunney proposed an ordinance on behalf of the Cubs to let them sell beer outside the stadium on the plaza. If it passes, it'll apply to any venue with 30,000 capacity or bigger.
Get on the Holiday Train
The CTA Holiday Train schedule is out -- and the first trips are Friday on the Green and Orange lines.
Pantheon Possibilities
Former Cubs pitcher Greg Maddux and former White Sox slugger Frank Thomas will be on the ballot next year for the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Landslide Budgeting
Mayor Emanuel's $7 billion budget passed City Council today in a vote of 45-5, with its few critics saying it didn't do enough to hire more police officers or address the city's long-term deficits.
New Top Prosecutor
Zachary Fardon was officially sworn in as the new U.S. attorney based in Chicago, where he will prosecute cases involving government corruption, street crime, and terrorism.
Cool Stuff Convergence
This book is the center of the Venn diagram of Vivian Maier and selfies. [via]
Now Pronounced Wife & Wife
A federal judge ruled that one same-sex couple can get hitched before marriage equality goes into effect in Illinois on June 1 because one of the partners has terminal cancer.
A Very Meta Christmas
A Christmas-themed musical written by Dee Snider, frontman of 1980s heavy metal band Twisted Sister, tells the story of a metal band whose members sell their souls to gain popularity. "Dee Snider's Rock & Roll Christmas Tale" debuts in Chicago next year.
Max Headroom Examined
Who was "Max Headroom?" Vice revisits the mysterious hacking of two Chicago TV stations in one night back in 1987.
Help Crowdfund Life Itself
Kartemquin Films and director Steve James have been working on a documentary about Roger Ebert, titled Life Itself after one of his memoirs. They've launched an IndieGoGo campaign to fund post-production.
LIFE ITSELF - uniting a community of Roger Ebert fans from Kartemquin Films on Vimeo.
Riot Festmas
Riot Fest is selling a limited amount of three-day passes to the music festival starting at noon on Wednesday.
Leona's Changes Hands
The Leona's chain has been sold (except for the Sheffield original and Rogers Park location) to an Evanston lawyer who plans to refresh the menu and the look. I'd gladly lose the psychedelic salad for roasted garlic heads on the menu again.
Adizus
Further blurring the lines between rap, sports, and fashion branding, Kayne West announced in an interview with Hot 97's Angie Martinez that he dropped Nike -- makers of the upcoming Air Yeezy II Red Octobers -- to partner with Adidas, citing Nike's refusal to give shoe royalties to non-athletes.
Put Turkey on Their Table
Hip hop shop Exclusive 773 is giving away 1,000 turkeys to needy families today at the store, 857 W. 87th St. Young Chop, Lupe Fiasco, Lil Durk, Co-Still, Twista and other local rappers have sponsored hundreds of turkeys, and there's still time to donate a couple yourself.
We Are Young
Chicago is the sixth best city in the world from a "youthful perspective," ranking between Paris and London, according to the 2014 YouthfulCities Index. [via]
Bring Cal's Home
If you miss Cal's, the liquor store/bar/music venue that closed last year, you can buy the sign at Architectural Artifacts for just $7500.
Photo by Ron Slattery
Watch the City Online
ArchLive.tv is a new subscription-based internet TV station featuring original content about Chicago.
An Awkward Return
Some of the photographers laid off from the Sun-Times may be heading back to work as part of an agreement made between the paper and the Newspaper Guild.
You Can't E-Smoke in Here
An ordinance backed by Mayor Emanuel would add electronic cigarettes to the city's smoking ban, since they currently are allowed in smoke-free areas.
Just Below the High Score
The Willis Sears Tower looks like it's being built in a massive game of Tetris in a unique poster by Chicago designer Justin Van Genderen.
GB Gift Guide: The Local Options
Vintage suitcase boom boxes, cigar box guitars, and the Bake and Destroy vegan cookbook are just a few items on the Reader's all-local holiday gift guide- one of the first of many (including our own) such guides of the season.
Get Out of Town
As you'd expect, Chicago ranks in the top 10 worst cities for Thanksgiving holiday traffic, though Weather Channel says it'll be only slightly worse than last year. (Thanks, Dee!)
A Return Deferred
The Bulls' Derrick Rose is out for the season after having surgery on his right knee, which he injured during a game against Portland on Friday.
Where are the Black Businesses?
Crain's reports that future black business leaders are harder to find. But Aaron Freeman says that might be a good thing.
The Madigan Political Industrial Complex
Chicago magazine takes a look at the political empire of Michael Madigan, Illinois speaker of the House and master politician.
30 Going On 85
The Music Box Theatre is celebrating its 30th anniversary with big plans, including a possible expansion, and a two-week-long bash (don't feel left out, you're invited too).
How to Speak Chicagoan
While "selfie" was selected as Oxford Dictionaries' word of the year, RedEye's Mick Swasko says some local options are better, like: Ventrapocalypse, Divviot, and O'Halligator.
Brace for an Arctic Blast
With a blast of arctic air coming our way this weekend, it might be a good time to curl up by a fireplace, find your center to prepare for winter, or seek retail therapy at some local stores.
(No) Free Rides from Ventra
Ventra is granting a temporary reprieve to CTA riders with negative balances on their cards during the transition, letting them still get access to trains and buses, but will eventually send collection agencies for the outstanding amount.
Siats Ruled Before Sue
Scientists from the Field Museum discovered a new "top predator" dinosaur that sat atop the food chain in North America well before Sue -- or any other T. Rex for that matter -- ever existed.
Ladies in the TARDIS
A certain segment of the TV-watching world is in a tizzy over the 50th anniversary of "Doctor Who." At C2E2 earlier this year, local cosplayer Nina "MangoSirene" and friends put together a photoshoot of genderbent Doctors, and it's pretty awesome.
Street Cleaner Curiousity
Curious City takes a closer look at what street sweepers do, and why they're necessary in Chicago.
Mint Pitfall Harry in Original Package
Dan Polydoris made custom action figures for classic Activision videogames as a present for himself on his birthday. [via]
No Boot for You
The Christkindlmarket returns to Daley Plaza next week, with one notable absence: no ceramic boot mugs. This year's souvenir gluhwein mug is a skinny cylinder shape, and has some boot fans, well, bent out of shape, to say the least.
Bid on Gate 23
Michael Jordan's mansion in Highland Park is being auctioned off today. If you've got a couple million handy, you could be the lucky owner.
Sinatra's 8 Night Stand
In 1962, Frank Sinatra and his Rat Pack spent eight nights playing Villa Venice, a Chicago nightclub owned by mobster Sam Giancana -- in retribution for the Kennedys breaking their deal with the Outfit.
Warehousing Startups
Add to the growing list of tech-oriented coworking spaces The Warehouse, backed by Lightbank, the VC firm that helped launch Groupon, and housed in the same building, the Montgomery Ward warehouse at Chicago and the river.
Printfork
Pitchfork is adding a magazine to its stable. The Pitchfork Review will be a quarterly, and a subscription ironically comes with access to "exclusive digital content."
Hippest ZIPs
Looking for "hipster" neighborhoods ideal for real estate investment, a new study ranks three Chicago ZIPs- 60625, 60647, and 60642- among the top 25 in the nation.
Best of a Least Favorite
Dining Chicago put together a bucket list of Chicago's tastiest versions of every kid's dinnertime nemesis: Brussels sprouts.
Wells That's Exciting
The long wait is over: the Wells Street bridge is open again downtown. You may now move on with your lives.
The Greatest Revenue Generator
A World War II veteran who just turned 100 years old somehow owes the City over $40,000 in unpaid water bills.
Forced to Serve
A South Side landlord allegedly abused and tortured two mentally handicapped tenants until they served him, working every day of the week at different jobs and giving him every cent they made.
The President or Profits?
A casino would generate more revenue for the City than a Barack Obama presidential library on the Near South Side, according to a new study.
Kickstart My Heart
A nightlight clock, an anthology of plays about bullying and a collaborative microbrewery are among the current projects on
GB's curated Kickstarter page.
Mimosas for Brunch
Yelp has determined that Chicago likes to brunch -- and Broadway Cellars has the fourth most mentions in the nation of Mimosas in its reviews. (Thanks, Dee!)
After the Loss
Nortasha Stingley, who lost her 19-year-old daughter to gun violence, tells you how to survive a shooting in this week's Reader.
Signed, Sealed, Delivered
Gov. Pat Quinn signed Illinois' marriage equality bill into law in front of thousands of supporters at the UIC Forum. Same-sex marriages can be performed in the state starting June 1, 2014.
All-Americans
President Obama awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Oprah Winfrey and Ernie Banks, granting them both the country's highest civilian honor.
Wrigley in Sun & Shadow
The latest issue of Time magazine features a picture by photographer Stephen Wilkes that captures Wrigley Field both during the day and at night. [via]
More Ventra Problems
The Regional Transportation Authority is launching a probe into Ventra's constant problems as a fare payment system for the Chicago area. Ventra was instituted to meet a bill signed by Gov. Quinn requiring Pace, Metra and CTA to use a universal fare system. Cubic, Ventra's parent company, has a long history of problems.
Dooring Danger Zone
DNAInfo's Alisa Hauser chronicles yet another dooring incident on Milwaukee Ave. in Wicker Park, a crowded corridor where the dangerous car door vs. cyclist accidents seem to be increasingly common.
Mariachi Music Class
A push for Mexican folk music in the classroom could bring daily mariachi lessons to some local schools.
Building a Better McRib
LTHforum member Binko made his own McRibs at home. They look a whole lot more appetizing than the original.
More Trib Layoffs
The Tribune Company announced a "restructuring" of its publishing operations which includes eliminating 700 jobs at the Chicago Tribune and other papers it operates.
Solidarity Shirts
Chicago Bears players will wear t-shirts with the logo of Washington High School Sunday in a show of support for the tornado-ravaged town.
& Hold
Chicago designer Tony Ruth, aka Lunchbreath, has taken his "clampersand" cartoon and turned it into a real, cast-metal thing.
"Wild Chicago" is Back -- on Your Laptop
If you miss "Wild Chicago" on Channel 11, you can now stream the best of the first two seasons on Vimeo for $2.99, or download them for $4.99. Or you can pick up the DVDs.
'The Golden Age of WILD CHICAGO' - Trailer from Ben Hollis on Vimeo.
"He thought he was going to be a hero."
Jack Ruby was born and raised in Chicago. His remaining local relatives talked with NBC5 about the the man who killed Lee Harvey Oswald on Nov. 25, 1963.
Economic Powerhouse
Chicagoland's economy is bigger than all but 20 countries in the world, as well as 44 states, according to a report by the US Conference of Mayors.
Time for Bow Control?
Archery is surging in popularity locally (and across the country), thanks to the Hunger Games movies.
High Quality H20
The Blackhawks are selling vials of melted home ice from the United Center, saved after last year's championship season, with all the proceeds going to charity. [via]
Le Chicago Caution
The French Foreign Ministry is telling its nation's tourists to avoid the West and South Sides of Chicago after 59th Street.
Hoping for a Change
Arrested 396 times, one woman is looking to change her ways after she was released from prison this week.
Speed Cam Bait & Switch
Remember how the proceeds from those new speed cameras was supposed to go into a "children's fund" for after-school programs, crossing guards and other good stuff? Yeah, the fund doesn't exist.
Frankfurter Facts
O'Hare sells more Vienna Beef hot dogs than anyplace else in the world, and salami used to get salesmen out of parking tickets, according to Thrillist's listicle of things you probably don't know about Vienna Beef.
The Vanishing Neighborhoods of Chicago's (Real and Imagined) Past
If you like urban history and film, you may want to check out tonight's event at Comfort Station. Preservation Chicago, the Chicago Film Archives and Kartemquin Films are teaming up to present three Chicago films about community change in the 1960s in 1970s in their original 16mm glory.
Chicagoans at the Whitney Biennial
Of the 103 artists in the 2014 Whitney Biennial, 17 are Chicagoans, and several more have connections to the city.
Parking Permits by Web
It's now easier to order residential parking permits online from the City Clerk -- just in time to order a stack of day passes for family and friends visiting for the holidays.
Opening the Municipal Code
ChicagoCode.org, created by the OpenGov Foundation, makes the city's municipal code Public.Resource.Org's easier to search and reference online. Here's Carl Malamud's speech introducing the project. [via]
Boyfriend Pillow for Actual Boyfriends
The Partner Pillow is designed by a local entrepreneur to finally solve the "awkward arm" situation faced by many cuddlers.
Watching the Air Down There
Following demands from the Environmental Protection Agency, air quality monitors are going to be installed near the piles of petroleum-byproduct petcoke on the Southeast side.
Belushi on Belushi as Belushi
If anyone should play John Belushi in the upcoming biopic, it should be his nephew Robert Belushi, says Jim Belushi -- not Emile Hirsch.
Don't Have a Cow, Man
Shock jock Erich "Mancow" Muller is "heartbroken" after deciding to move out of the city, citing the quality of public schools, price of parking, and other issues as his reasons for relocating his family.
Unfriendly Skies for CPD
After Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy expressed an interest in using drones, new legislation was proposed to ban law enforcement's use of the unmanned flying machines in Chicago.
Colonel Tribune Goes Rogue
Hackers targeted another Chicago media outlet, this time taking over several social media accounts run by the Chicago Tribune. They're back under the Trib's control now.
Goddess Rides the Red Line (NSFW)
Red Line trains were briefly delayed on Saturday by a nude woman calling herself the "goddess of the train." She verbally and physically attacked riders until police removed her from the train at Granville.
As Chicagoist noted, "maybe these incidents are happening because people aren't getting the quality mental health care they need." Artist Justin Younger took the incident as inspiration for a new painting.
Lawyers Circle Divvy Bikes
Divvy doesn't provide bike helmets for its riders -- and lawyers have taken note. How long do you think before we can expect helmet vending machines?
The May Report Returns
The May Report, a newsletter on Chicago's tech scene published by eccentric journalist Ron May until his death this summer, has been relaunched by Ron's brother Paul.
High-Rise's Peaks & Valleys
Crain's reports that high-rise rents may have peaked. In related news, the developer behind the failed Chicago Spire is trying to get the project started again.
Sun-Times PWNED
The Sun-Times website may still be inaccessible for some people after hackers attacked one of the paper's vendors, resulting in a Network Solutions "under construction" placeholder page to appear instead. The Sun-Times' staff took to its Tumblr blog to report on yesterday's storms.
Photojournalism = Google Maps?
The New Inquiry's Aaron Bady compares street shots of Austin taken by Chicago Tribune photojournalist Alex Garcia to pictures of those same locations in Google Maps streetview.
Busing it in Fresh
The Fresh Moves mobile produce market, built inside an old city bus, will reopen Nov. 23, in time to supply folks in food deserts with fresh ingredients for Thanksgiving dinner.
We're Kinda Smart
Fast Company lists Chicago as #9 on its list of the smartest cities in North America, citing the commitment of developers to green building, open government efforts, and growth in broadband and other technologies. [via]
Bound by Tragedy
People whose lives have been touched by violence in Chicago share their stories in a new book (available for free) put together by DePaul University students who interviewed the family, friends, and neighbors of victims.
Anonymous No More
Chicago hacktivist Jeremy Hammond was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to the politically-motivated hacking of a private intelligence firm in 2011.
No NUTJOBs Allowed
Over 5,000 vanity license plates are officially banned in Illinois, and RedEye highlights some of the most interesting, including "IMDRUNK," "BRKNWND," and "FOBAMA."
What Leaks Beneath
An investigation by NBC 5 found there are hundreds of underground storage tanks leaking throughout Chicago, contaminating land like a patch slated for a new elementary school.
Self-Congragulatory Awards
Time Out Chicago has announced the winners in its first annual Best Awards, as selected by the readers and staff.
A New Drug War?
Lawyers for the City are considering a lawsuit against drug manufacturers for understating the addictive nature and overstating the benefits of opiate-based painkillers in their marketing.
Kids with Guns
Mark Konkol explores how the city's gangs put guns in the hands of children in a two part report.
Unfriendly Neighbors?
Coya Paz recently attended a contentious meeting of the South East Lake View Neighbors about the Broadway Youth Center, and was shocked at the bigoted comments made by attendees. She talked about it on Vocalo's "Morning AMp" Thursday.
City of Rahm's Shoulders
Politico's Jason Zengerle contrasts Rahm Emanuel's push for high-tech urban initiatives with his struggles over the "seemingly intractable problems" that come with running a city.
Art on Storied Ground
Artist and Northwestern professor Pamela Bannos researched the history of the ground under the MCA, resulting in the website Shifting Grounds and a series of lectures starting this weekend.
Say Something for Willow's Sake
Followers of Felines & Canines have no doubt been moved by the shelter's loving crusade to help abandoned dog, Willow, who recently was found near death in an alley. The brave pooch is slowly improving, thanks to generous donations (not fake ones), but they could use some more donations and advocates of their "Say Something" campaign to aid neglected animals.
Still Stanley's
Back of the Yards watering hole Stanley's hasn't changed much since it started serving factory workers back in 1935, writes DNAinfo's Casey Cora.
First Texts
Curious City looks back at Chicago's first phone numbers, which included letters and numbers to direct calls through local exchanges.
A Divergent Chicago
A new trailer for Divergent, the first in what could be a series of based on a science-fiction novel series set in Chicago, debuted yesterday.
Break Out the Boom Box
The Reader's Leor Galil surfaced an online collection of rare and classic Chicago rap tracks from the late 80's and 90's.
Get a Shirt and a Warm Fuzzy
As they've often done when disaster strikes, Threadless is offering up a t-shirty option for those who are looking for a way to help out people in the Philippines who've been affected by Typhoon Haiyan. 100% of net shirt proceeds from the sale of the tee will be donated to Architecture for Humanity. (You can also donate to nonprofits like the Red Cross, UNICEF and other organizations.)
Rules Committee Blues
Two relatively popular measures, one that would return excess TIF funds to CPS and other agencies, and another that would call for a citywide vote on creating an elected school board, failed to emerge from the City Council's Rules Committee, "where good legislation goes to die."
If You Build It...
Only 2,000 people in the entire State of Illinois signed up for health plans using the Internet exchanges launched in October as a part of health care reform.
Complimentary Upgrades
Keep your eye out for Lufthansa flight attendants around town this week. They're giving out free coffee, limo rides and other stuff as part of an "#UpgradeChicago" marketing campaign.
#chicagoGirl Works to #FreeSyria
A new documentary chronicles the role of a young girl living in the suburbs of Chicago in helping to organize the Syrian revolution through social networks.
'#chicagoGirl: The Social Network Takes On A Dictator' from The Playlist on Vimeo.
Stewart Gets Saucy
Jon Stewart unleashed an epic rant against Chicago-style pizza on the Daily Show after commentators pointed to it as something other than tallest building-having that Chicago still does better than New York.
A Century of Political Wrangling
The Newberry Library has digitized 175 volumes of the Chicago City Council Proceedings from 1865 to 1963 -- and now you can read it all online in the Internet Archive.
Ventra Fails Again
Ventra stations malfunctioned at 60 train stations during last night's evening commute, apparently due to a "server failure," adding to the pile of problems with the system. In Mechanics, Jason Prechtel gives an overview of the troubles Ventra parent company Cubic has had with systems in other cities. Meanwhile, the Chicago Reporter dug further into Cubic's military and intelligence connections.
Where No Divvy Has Gone Before
At the end of August, one very unfortunate Divvy bike rider found herself in about the wrongest place possible: the left lane on northbound Lake Shore Drive during the afternoon rush. [via]
End of The Area
City Council gave final approval of expanding TIF districts needed for the Norfolk Southern railroad to build a $285 million expansion of its rail yard in Englewood (previously).
Defrocking Da Coach
CBS Chicago's Tim Baffoe said Mike Ditka should no longer be considered the ideal Chicago coach after he called Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Jonathan Martin "a baby" for complaining about bullying by a teammate.
Living in the City
Renters are eclipsing buyers in Lincoln Park and Logan Square is booming, according to a breakdown of how the city's neighborhoods changed since 2000 by Chicago Magazine.
Cold Sweat Shoes of Legend
In other Michael Jordan news, a former ball boy for the Utah Jazz is planning to auction off the shoes the Bulls star wore while suffering from the flu during Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals.
Pay Money Get Crap
Cards Against Humanity wants to get you in on the 12 Days of Holiday Bullshit; give'em $12 and they'll send you 12 things, one each day. What could go wrong?
Black Bean Friday
Dining Chicago highlights Black Friday deals at local eateries, perfect for shoppers looking to recover calories lost while battling the crowds.
The Bears FC
What if the Bears played that other game called football? A new logo project imagines what their insignia would look like. (I think we fared better than Green Bay.)
Street View Robbery
A Chicago man admitted to using Google Maps to case homes in the suburbs for robberies, getting a 360-degree view of them before breaking in.
"If you saw it in a movie you wouldn't believe it... and it'd be a pretty bad movie, too."
ESPN's "30 for 30" looks back on one of the craziest games ever played: the Space Jam game of 1995, which included two of Chicago's biggest stars in basketball, Michael Jordan and Bill Murray. [via]
The Cultural Plan Turns 1
The Chicago Cultural Plan, launched last year after questionably inclusive town hall meetings, won the Metropolitan Planning Council's 2013 Burnham Award for Excellence in Planning, but what has it actually accomplished? Deanna Isaacs takes a look.
Crime-Fighting Restaurateur
Last week, Juno owner Jason Chan chased down a guy who allegedly stole a customer's iPhone, knocking him out and holding him while awaiting police.
Parker Comes Back a Champion
High school hoops phenom and current Duke Blue Devil Jabari Parker was back in Chicago for the ESPN Champions Classic double-header last night. Duke lost to Kansas 94-83.
More Questions than Answers
CTA has released surveillance footage of a woman who boarded the Blue Line Nov. 1 with a baby alligator who was found later that day hiding under an escalator at O'Hare. At least, I hope it's the same baby alligator.
Flossin' Sue
A Sun-Times reporter was there to capture the scene as a paleontologist cleaned and dusted the Field Museum's famous Tyrannosaurus rex.
Locally Known
After Buzzfeed listed the "celebrities" of New York, Time Out Chicago decided to make its own list of local celebrities. Chaz Walters, Ronnie Woo Woo and the Landan twins are ready for their close-ups.
New Michelin Star Recipients Announced
Elizabeth and EL Ideas are among the first-time recipients of Michelin stars; they are part of the 25 local restaurants who have received the award. The 2014 Chicago guide is available today.
Billy Goat at Risk
The famed Billy Goat Tavern may be pushed out of its home at Hubbard and Michigan if the Realtor Building undergoes redevelopment.
Letts Makes More than One Thing Clear
Tracy Letts talks with Daily Beast about "Homeland," August: Osage County, Hollywood's obsession with the Oscars and more.
Hoops Hub
Chicago is the most important city in the country for college basketball, writes Ben Cohen in the Wall Street Journal.
Higher by a Spire
The Sears (ahem, Willis) tower will no longer be the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, after the official body that decides these things ruled One World Trade Center's antenna will count as part of its height, making it 1,776 feet tall once it's finished to Willis' 1,450 feet. Without the antenna, One World Trade Center's height is only 1,368 feet.
Northwest Film Society Moves Downtown
Due to a broken boiler at the Patio Theater, the Northwest Chicago Film Society has moved its winter screenings to the Gene Siskel Film Center. [via]
CSU vs. Blog
Chicago State University is trying to shut down an unauthorized faculty blog that's been critical of the administration.
Tweeting Their Dirty Laundry
A pair of twentysomething Chicagoans are sharing their lovers' quarrels with the world on Twitter. [via]
Sinking City
A water main break caused a massive sinkhole to form in the middle of a road on the South Side.
A Fond Farewell
Art Smith, Emeril Lagasse, Carrie Nahabedian and Rick Bayless were among the mourners at today's memorial service for notable chef Charlie Trotter.
Police Shooting Protests
Activists and the family of a man who was unarmed when he was shot in the back and killed by a Chicago police officer in 2011 are calling for a federal investigation into the case after Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez said she would not bring charges against the cop.
Man vs. Wind
DNAInfo's Josh McGhee visited a practice of Thanksgiving Day Parade volunteers as they fought to control a 40-foot-tall inflatable Tweety Bird to prepare for the parade.
Kup's Legacy
Robert Feder memorializes "Mr. Chicago" Irv Kupcinet, the longtime Sun-Times columnist and media personality who passed away ten years ago.
Life on a Big Boat
Ted McClelland takes a ride on a freighter carrying taconite pellets away from Mittal Steel in East Chicago, learning a little about the crew who keeps the ship running.
No Saw Required
Cyclists securing their rides to road signs or "sucker poles" are easy prey for thieves, who pull these anchors out of the ground and ride off on the bike, lock still attached.
Getting Into the House
Chicago: The Holy Land of House is a short documentary about the early days of house music. It's part of a longer project about the genre and its impact on music and culture. [via]
Help for the Philippines
Several fundraisers are planned for this week to help Filipino victims of Typhoon Haiyan. You can also donate directly through the Filipino American Network of Chicago.
Protect the Arts in Schools
Columbia College student Daniel Artaega founded Create Change with Art to raise awareness of how the high school arts programs he says kept him out of gangs are being cut by CPS.
Tourist not Shot on Mag Mile
A Texas man claimed he had been shot while driving near Michigan Avenue on Saturday night, but police determined it must have happened elsewhere (and was possibly drug-related) when no shell casings or broken glass were found near where the incident supposedly occurred.
'10s Revisited
From Kanye to Chance, Fake Shore Drive profiles the decade so far in Chicago hip hop.
Feeling Festy?
Check out Steve Prokopy's suggestions for this weekend's Reeling LGBT film festival, or the Reader's guide to the 25th Polish Film Festival in America.
Another Reason to Dance
Lakeview's Berlin Nightclub is celebrating 30 years as an LGBT-friendly "neighborhood dance bar of the future."
Reasonably Delicious
Michelin's latest Bib Gourmand listing of high-quality, moderately-priced restaurants recommended for locals added over a dozen Chicago eateries.
Great Recession Blues
Greg Hinz writes that Chicago's financial situation suffered more during the Great Recession than every other major U.S. city except Boston and Detroit.
Reading is Art
Chicago artist Judith Brotman is asking people to read from a favorite book for 45 minutes at the Evanston Public Library some upcoming Sunday as part of her Reading Project.
Grounded
The family of a French man who weighs over 500 pounds has been stranded in Chicago for a week after he was deemed too fat to fly on British Airways; they're now planning on taking a ship back to France.
It's Quinn-Vallas 2014
Gov. Quinn chose former CPS chief Paul Vallas as his lieutenant governor running mate in the 2014 election. He's currently running Bridgeport, CT's school system, where he's been controversial.
World-Changer
From nuclear reactions to the vacuum cleaner, Blue Sky looks back at 20 Chicago innovations that changed the world.
Flurries of Speculation
Next week could be the first time flurries fall on Chicago -- and our renewed obsession over snow means that winter must really be on its way.
The Onion to Shed Layer Next Month
The Chicago-based publication will be discontinuing its print edition in early December.
"Chicago, My Home Away from Home"
Yes, another time-lapse film of Chicago, but this one by UIC exchange student Ludovico Bertè takes you to some spots not usually seen in these things.
The City's Best People
From Buddy Guy to Lulú Martinez, meet Chicago magazine's Chicagoans of the year.
Fall Flash Mobs
"Flash mobs" of shoplifters targeted a few Chicago-area Sports Authority stores, rolling entire racks of new clothes out the doors.
Eat Your Greens
Federal authorities in Detroit seized 156 pounds of pot hidden in a truck of frozen vegetables bound for Chicago.
Ali's Awakening on Film
Chuck Sudo interviews Bill Siegel, director of the documentary The Trials of Muhammed Ali, which opens this weekend at the Music Box, Chatham 14 and ICE Lawndale.
Oldies but Still Cuties
The Tribune shares some portraits of Chicago's oldest zoo animals, including an 80-year-old cockatoo that was part of the Lincoln Park Zoo's original 1934 collection.
Replacing the Irreplaceable
Now that Northwestern's demolition of Goldberg's Prentice Women's Hospital is underway, the school wants to know which of the three potential replacement buildings is least banal. Which angled glass box will you choose?
Sit on the Colors
New shop Wrightwood Furniture has a line of pretty cool Chicago flag-adorned pillows and furniture.
Hat Burglar
After Blackhawk Brandon Bollig hit Winnipeg's Adam Pardy through the glass at the United Center, a brash fan pulled off his helmet and tried it on.
A Lawsuit Built for Two
A cyclist who was riding a rented tandem bike when he was doored and then hit by a car is receiving a $700,000 settlement, including $350,000 from the rental company for not providing him with a helmet or training on safe riding.
The Apartment of Lost Puppets
An investigation by a local documentarian uncovered a cache of thousands of hand-made marionettes in two Wicker Park apartments. (Previously.)
Capturing an Absense
On BagNewsNotes, GB's own David Schalliol asks, how do you photograph the emergence of nothing? Related: The Area.
Bonded in Mistrust
The Tribune's investigative team takes a close look at municipal bond abuse, and Chicago's use of bond debt to take care of everything from trash cans to maintaining empty warehouses.
Is the Force in You?
If you're young, attractive and athletic, you might have a chance at appearing in the next Star Wars film -- Disney is holding auditions in Chicago Nov. 14.
Your New Cubs Coach
...is Rick Renteria, most recently bench coach for the San Diego Padres. And it might be a little while before we hear from him -- he's recovering from hip surgery and unable to travel at the moment.
Suiting Up
Former Bears quarterback Bobby Douglass is one of the latest players to sue the NFL for not warning players about the potential of suffering brain damage.
First Class
A group of Marines heading home from Afghanistan received a hero's welcome as they headed through O'Hare to their connecting flight, on which seven First Class passengers vacated their seats so the soldiers could take them.
Profiting on Failure
When CTA turnstiles accidentally charge your debit card instead of your Ventra card, double-charge you or any number of errors, Metabank earns interest on the collected cash. Just one of several ways the company is making money off the more than fares.
History of Prevented Tragedies
Nearly 50 years after JFK's assassination, an investigation found there were two other plots to kill Kennedy while he was in Chicago, three weeks before his fateful trip to Dallas.
Worst Getaway Ever
The driver of an allegedly stolen SUV hit a cab on Belmont yesterday -- then executed the worst fleeing of an accident you're ever likely to see. [via]
Sore Loser
After apparently winning a bet over whose team would win, a Bears fan shot his Packers-fan wife with a Taser outside a bar in Wisconsin.
Chi Bikes a Lot
A federal grant will help the City build 75 more Divvy stations next year, potentially making it the largest bike-sharing program in North America.
Top Your Beef with the Best
Serious Eats Chicago taste-tasted 16 of the many varieties of hot giardiniera on the market to find the best of the lot. (Tangentially related: Our own taste test of neon green relish.)
Cubs to Leave WGN
The Cubs notified WGN-TV, the superstation that helped create a national fandom for the "lovable losers," that the team is exercising a contract option to end their broadcasting deal after the 2014 season. No word yet on the WGN-AM radio contract, which is up in 2014 as well.
Your Friends & Neighbors
Meet The Chicagoans, a video series produced by Groundfire Pictures and writer Anne Ford. [via]
The Biking Transportation Wonk
What will be the legacy of outgoing transportation chief Gabe Klein? John Greenfield evaluates. (Previously.)
Let's Talk About the Budget
Mayor Emanuel didn't feel like sharing details about the city budget with the public, so a group of aldermen did it on their own.
Equal, Finally
Same-sex marriage passed in the Illinois House and Senate today. The bill will now head to Gov. Quinn's desk, and he is expected to sign it.
Lockup Losses
A jury found the city and several CPD officers liable in the death of activist May Molina in 2004 while she was in lockup, awarding her family $1 million in damages.
No Quake
When people in the western suburbs felt the ground shake, it wasn't caused by an earthquake as many suspected, but rather was the result of an explosion at a nearby quarry.
Impressive Milestone
NewCity highlights the 40th anniversary of independent publisher Chicago Review Press and its strategies for surviving in the digital age.
Charlie Trotter Dies
The famous chef was found unresponsive at his home this morning. He was 54. Former employees and colleagues will hold a candlelight vigil in front of his former restaurant at 816 West Armitage at 4:30pm today.
Sen. Kirk Speaks Out
In his first speech from the Senate floor since he suffered from a stroke, Sen. Mark Kirk endorsed a measure banning workplace discrimination against LGBT workers.
No Yeezy for Sheezy
Kanye West's two shows at the United Center later this week have been postponed due to set equipment that was damaged in a truck accident last week.
CTA to Drop Ventra Requirement?
Rumors are swirling that CTA will announce today that riders will not be required to transition to the error-plagued Ventra system, and can continue to use the current Chicago Card Plus/farecard system.
Tale of the Tower Tape
The Chicago-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat decides whether the new One World Trade Center unseats the Sears Tower as North America's tallest building... and it just delayed the decision by a week.
Illinois Marriage Equality
A measure to legalize same-sex marriage in Illinois comes to the forefront as lawmakers gather for a final week of fall sessions.
TechiEmanuel
Mayor Emanuel announces commitment to double Chicago's tech economy and add 40,000 new jobs within ten years.
Shredding the Cheese Heads
If you watched the Bears win over the Packers in Green Bay last night, you might have spotted some Bears fans wearing GraterHead hats in the stands.
Sun Setting on Print
Robert Feder reports more layoffs are expected at the Sun-Times due to continuing losses on the print side of the business, despite double-digit circulation gains on the digital side.
Fat, Fluffy Beats
As part of a performance by Swedish electronic duo Dada Life, over 3,800 people crammed into the Aragon pelted each other with pillows, setting a new Guinness world record for largest pillow fight.
The Chicago Gambit
Chess grandmaster Timur Gareev played blindfolded against ten Cook County Jail inmates simultaneously, defeating them all.
A Tonic for the Literary Guild
The Guild Literary Complex is taking over Vincent in Andersonville tonight for TONIC, in celebration of its eventful year. Tickets are still available.
Buried Bonds
The Tribune takes a deep look into the City's issuing and spending $9.4 billion dollars worth of bonds with little to no oversight, potentially setting the stage for a future debt crisis.
Cops & Rec
CPD announced a new program that will place police patrols in 20 parks around the city where crime is a problem.
The Last Survivors
The AP shares the stories of the last generation of Holocaust survivors living in Chicago's Selfhelp Home.
Fight for the Right to Read
Remember this spring when CPS tried to ban the book Persepolis? The students at Lane Tech High School who initiated the many student protests were awarded the Illinois Library Association's 2013 Intellectual Freedom Award.
Accidentally Underground Radio
WGN Radio's Steve Dale hosted his show this weekend while he was trapped in an elevator in his building.
Life & Death of Motel Row
Curious City digs into the past, present and future of Lincoln Avenue's motel row.
Further reading here on GB:
• Ask the Librarian: What's the deal with all those motels on North Lincoln Avenue?
• The Stars Go Out on Lincoln
• Get a Room
Life After MJ
Crain's Shia Kapos checks in on Juanita Jordan, seven years after her divorce from Michael Jordan.
An Alligator at O'Hare?
Someone abandoned a small alligator in Terminal 3 at O'Hare Airport Friday night. The gator, nicknamed "Allie" and suffering a bone deficiency, is now in the care of the Chicago Herpetological Society.
Innovators and Storytellers
Some Chicagoans gained more notoriety this week as the Chicago Innovation Awards celebrated some for bringing bold new ideas to the city, while the Studs Terkel Awards lauded others for telling the unheard stories of Chicago's communities.
No More 24-Hour Starbucks
The Piper's Alley Starbucks is no longer open 24 hours, and some people -- writers and students, especially -- are none too pleased. (For future reference, the Northwestern Medical Center location is open from 4:30am to 3:15am, as close to 24 hours as they get.)
Petcoke Problems
Residents on the South Side filed a class-action lawsuit against the shipping company responsible for storing huge piles of the oil refinery byproduct petcoke, saying dust from it blows off and coats everything in the neighborhood.
Gabe Klein Rides Off into the Sunset
Chicago Transportation Commissioner Gabe Klein is resigning, effective the end of November.
Cutting Cupboards
People across Illinois who rely on food stamps will be getting less starting Friday, as federal stimulus funds dedicated to the program expire.
Nailed It
Chicago's nail artists are riding high on the escalating popularity of phalangeal flair on social media sites like Tumblr and Instagram.
Wait, Wait, Don't Insult My Nationality
"Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me" apologized for the use of a Polish joke in last weekend's episode after the Polish consul in Chicago objected.
Bad Samaritan
A man who was shooting a paintball gun with his friend was injured when a nearby man returned fire- with a real gun. [via]
D-Ramatic Ending
Returning to the United Center for the first time since his injury, Derrick Rose sunk a game-winning jump shot with just a few seconds left on the clock, sealing the Bulls' 82-81 victory against the Knicks Thursday.
Gazing into ...Something
New age spiritual healer Braco recently visited Evanston. Time Out's Jake Malooley and Laura Pearson paid their $8 to find out what all the staring is about.
Back to the Wild
"Wild Chicago" fans, rejoice! Host and co-creator Ben Hollis has successfully brought the cult classic WTTW show back from the dead on DVD (previously), and is screening Volume 1 at the Patio Theater later this month. You can pre-order the DVD on Hollis' website.
Dominick's Won't See 2014
Safeway will close any unsold Dominick's stores on Dec. 28, Crain's reports.
Deer Next to Zebra Lounge
A pair of deer were spotted in a Gold Coast courtyard next to Zebra Lounge yesterday, while trick-or-treaters passed by.
