Beat the Clock
Countdown clocks may be coming to stoplights with red light cameras after Mayor Emanuel endorsed the idea as a way to prevent rear-end collisions.
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
Monday, November 17
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Monthly Archive
January 2015
Brew Masters
Half Acre, Pipeworks, and Revolution Brewing made Ratebeer's list of the Top 100 Brewers in the World. [via]
"Drunks Made While You Wait"
Dirty jokes never get old, as shown by a booklet of one-liners printed by Heinegabubler's Boose Shop in 1905.
Visualizing the Grid
A new website by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning gives a birds-eye view of traffic and congestion in the region.
Kickstart This Weekend
An easy-to-push snow shovel, culturally interchangeable chopsticks, a 20 year old film project and the guide to using drawing to work out ideas are among the projects on Gapers Block's curated Kickstarter page.
Deep Dish Does it Again
Professional eater Pat "Deep Dish" Bertoletti, whose Taco in a Bag restaurant will soon open in Lincoln Square, won the 23rd annual Wing Bowl in Philadelphia, devouring 444 hot wings in three rounds.
A Campaign Stunt Too Far?
McKinley Park residents were surprised and angered by 10,000 fake parking tickets on their cars, which turned out to be campaign flyers for 12th Ward aldermanic candidate Pete DeMay.
Terminal Update
Union Station is getting a renovation thanks to a $12 million investment from Amtrak.
Unconventional
Photographer Yvette Marie Dostatni documented dozens of subcultures as they gathered at McCormick Place and other convention centers.
Beating Beardy Blockage
Sean Buino has some tips for unclogging a drain stopped-up by beard (or other) hair.
Cubbies with Potential
ESPN's Keith Law ranked Cubs prospects Kris Bryant and Addison Russell among the top five most promising young players in baseball.
Man vs. Taxi
Bike messenger Nico Deportago-Cabrera strapped on a video camera and went head-to-head with a cab driver to see who could cross the city faster. [via]
Livening Up Your Commute
Keep your eye out for ads sharing "the truth" about squirrels the next time you're on the El. They're the result of a CTA art project by comedian Ben Larrison, funded on Kickstarter.
Well-Aged Meals
Being the oldest doesn't necessarily mean being the best, but in the case of Eater's list of 25 classic restaurants, there's obviously something good contributing to their longevity.
Protecting Their Paws
PAWS has started a Cold Weather Rescue Fund to help pay for treatment for frostbitten cats and dogs.
A Complicated Relationship
In These Times wonders why unions are supporting Mayor Emanuel after he clashed with the Chicago Teachers Union during his first term.
Remembering Mr. Cub
The statue commemorating Ernie Banks will be on display in Daley Plaza through Saturday; Sports Illustrated also dedicated the cover of its Midwestern edition to the Cubs legend after he passed away Friday.
Roller Coaster Rose
Derrick Rose scored over 30 points and a game-winning shot in overtime despite turning the ball over 11 times against the Warriors.
After the Wheels Come Off
DNAinfo found out what happens to all those rusted, abandoned bikes fastened to racks and street signs.
Better Than a Hole in the Ground
Ideas of new uses for the Chicago Spire site include an underground amphitheater, swimming pool, or data center-heated hot tub.
Define "Sexiest"
River North is the fifth sexiest neighborhood in the nation according to Thrillist -- which isn't nearly high enough to place among the sexiest neighborhoods on Earth.
Pedway Pub Crawl for Pedals
This Thursday, there's going to be a pub crawl on the pedway to raise money for Streetsblog Chicago, so the site can return to daily transportation news coverage.
The "African-American Getty" for Sale
Johnson Publishing is selling its archive of photos from Ebony and Jet magazines, at a price that values it at $8 per image. Former Ebony associate editor Zondra Hughes thinks it's karma.
Kick Up Your Boots
Now that we've got more than one country radio station, Chicago is getting a country music festival, courtesy of LiveNation. Windy City LakeShake will run June 19-21 on Northerly Island and feature headliners Dierks Bentley, Florida Georgia Line and Brad Paisley.
Map Maker for the World
Starting in the 1850's, Chicago cartographers pioneered many new ways to make and use maps, from charting the spread of disease to plotting the future of a city.
Sharing the Wealth
Shift helps communities facing extreme poverty by sending cash directly to the women.
Getting Wet for Goats
Comedian Kurt Braunohler's charity jet ski adventure from Chicago to New Orleans hit a major snag after barely going a mile down the Chicago River.
Check Before You Rent
The City published its "Problem Landlords List" of property owners who repeatedly violate housing rules and fail to provide basic services to tenants.
No More Shopping in the Air
As you may have heard, SkyMall has filed for bankruptcy. Maybe it's because their carved wood map of Chicago is $330 and only shows a portion of the North Side, while you could get a carved wood map of the whole city for $248 elsewhere.
A Taste of the Obscure
Atlas Obscura, a website dedicated to highlighting significant places around the world, is launching the Illinois Obscura Society with a boozy event in February.
Where We're Going, We'll Need Roads
CDOT will repave at least 300 miles worth of city streets, including Lake Shore Drive from Grand to North, King Drive from Cermak to 37th, and Cicero from Division to the Eisenhower.
Ghosts of Parkland's Past
While parkland protectors successfully challenged development in the past, history suggests the Lucas museum and Obama library could overcome any resistance, writes Whet Moser.
The New Hot Hood
Andersonville is the hottest neighborhood for home buyers in Chicago and the 7th most popular in the country according to real estate site Redfin.
Spreading the Pickled Gospel
EatGiardiniera.com offers a guide to giardinieras available online and introduces the world to the classic condiment. [via]
Garbage Man
From dodging squirrels to dealing with ominous odors, the work of a trash collector is dirty, necessary work.
Hope You're Hungry
Mike Sheerin fills the Lucky Peach food atlas with local places to get pozole, Chinese food, Polish sausage and greasy spoon diner fare.
Get Your Pitchfork Tickets
Early bird Pitchfork Music Festival tickets are on sale now, and three-day passes come with a free subscription to the Pitchfork Review.
The Next Obama
In the Sun-Times, Laura Washington writes about some of the African-American politicians vying to be "Obama 2.0."
Cubs Lose
Two-time MVP, 14-time All Star and Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Ernie "Mr. Cub" Banks, who played with the team for nearly 20 years, died this evening. He was 83.
Counting Those in Need
Hundreds of volunteers canvassed the city to count Chicago's homeless population Thursday - last year over 6,000 people were found in shelters and on the streets.
Getting Rid of the Competition
Three more aldermen will run for reelection unopposed after challenging the signatures that got their would-be challengers on the ballot.
A Taco in the Hand
Two competitive eaters are opening a Taco in a Bag restaurant in Lincoln Square after perfecting their fare at Spring Hill Mall in West Dundee.
Get your BA in Bey
UIC is joining other universities in offering a new course this spring about Beyonce that aims to "explore her attempt to be positioned as a feminist and queer figure, as well as larger issues involving media images and representations of African American women."
Don't Mess With Chicago
A very serious study by the Risky Business Project says Chicago would be as hot as Texas in the year 2100 if current climate change trends continue.
Pie Yourself in the Face
Today is National Pie Day, so visit your local pie-oneers today; Bang Bang is even offering a free extra slice with purchase (celebrate with a friend).
Follow the Lines
Check out the evolution of Chicago's train lines from 1895 to today in five-year increments. The Southwest Side was robbed between the '60s and '80s. [via]
Schools Closing Film Opening
The School Project (previously) debuted a new documentary yesterday at the Logan Center for the Arts at UofC. Chicago Public Schools: Closed is the second of a six-part series.
A Cast of 50
The NewCity Players list is out, power-ranking the people who make the performing arts happen in Chicago.
Three Minutes to Midnight
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists will move the hands of the doomsday clock to 11:57pm thanks to threats to humanity posed by climate change and nuclear weapons.
Chinatown's Boom
The ethnic Chinese population living in Chicago's Chinatown is growing, unlike most major cities where it's on the decline, writes The Chicago Advocate.
More Meat
Noble Square's Butcher & Larder will join forces with the massive Local Foods indoor farmer's market currently under construction in Bucktown.
RIP Eddie Z
Eddie Zolna, the only Chicago 16" softball player ever inducted into the Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame, died Tuesday.
Our Privatized Metropolis
Rahm Emanuel is escalating the pattern started by his predecessor, Richard M. Daley, in selling off parts of the city to private enterprise. In These Times reports on how everything from school services to infrastructure is being sold to bulk up the city budget.
Beal, Streets & Memphis
Chicago-born musician Willis Earl Beal presents the premiere of Memphis, a film he wrote, directed and stars in, on Sunday, Jan. 25 at the Portage Theater. He'll do a Q&A and perform music from the film after the screening. Tickets are $7.
A Twisted Path Through the City
This Sunday at Block Thirty Seven, maze maker Matthew Haussler will unveil a record-breaking 73.5-foot-long maze illustrating scenes from around Chicago. A book of his Chicago mazes is due out in March.
YouTuber Helps Build a School
Steve Chen, one of the co-founders of YouTube, donated $1 million to the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy to help build an innovation center in the Aurora STEM school. The new center was named IN2 Steve and Jamie Chen Center for Innovation & Inquiry after its now-famous alumnus.
"Queen of Mischief and Make-Believe"
Actress Molly Brennan is the subject of a profile in the February issue of American Theatre. The prolific artist is currently in Lookingglass Theatre's production of Lookingglass Alice, where you may not want to arrive late to a performance.
Guv in a Crash
Gov. Rauner was in a traffic accident in the Loop yesterday: two vehicles crashed at Michigan and Randolph, and one of them hit the governor's SUV, which was waiting at the light. He was not injured.
Orkin Man on Speed Dial
Orkin ranked Chicago as the number one city for bedbugs once again, after the company performed more bed bug treatments here in 2014 than in any other city.
Rooftop Wars Continue
Two rooftop businesses located nearby Wrigley Field filed a federal lawsuit against the Cubs and Tom Ricketts for anticompetitive behavior.
CPS Goes Rogue
CPS is refusing to make all of its students take a new state-mandated test, planning to administer it at only 10 percent of schools in the district instead.
Willie Wilson Keeps it Real
Mayoral candidate Willie Wilson's autobiography includes details of him hiring a prostitute as a teen, hitting his wife, and clashing with his estranged daughter, while also chronicling his rise from the son of a sharecropper to a millionaire.
Ready for Their Close-Up
Police will be trying out body cameras for the first time starting this week in the Northwest Side district including Logan Square and Wicker Park.
Lazy, Cold River
Graphic design studio Juniper Mei recorded time-lapse video of ice floes drifting down the Chicago River last week. [via]
Books on Tape
James Kennedy's 90 Second Newberry Film Festival, featuring kid-made films about Newberry Award-winning books, is back in town this Sunday at Adventure Stage Chicago. Tickets are free, but get one anyway because it'll be a packed house.
That New Commercial is Worth Money!
Victory Auto Wreckers -- in Bensenville, near O'Hare -- is finally retiring its classic TV commercial, originally recorded in 1984, and it's holding a contest to replace it. If yours wins, you'll get $500, which is more than they pay for a typical junker.
Open Data Gets Testy, Pimply
Chicago's commitment to open civic data and the community that's built up around it are an example of how to do it right in Next City's overview of "the open data movement's turbulent teenage years."
Where They Went
What happened to the 10,000 students affected by school closings in 2013? The second installment of the documentary The School Project follows the fates of relocated students.
When Recording is a Crime
A new state eavesdropping law expands the ability of police to record conversations while making it illegal to record someone while they have a "reasonable" expectation of privacy.
Jobs or Condos
Manufacturing businesses on the northwest side sit on some of the most valuable real estate in the city, leaving local communities to choose between protecting blue collar jobs and opening the area up for development.
Hot Jobs
The workers most in demand by local businesses include mixologists, physical therapists, and information security analysts, according to Crain's.
QuikShot: Never Be Out-Gunned Again
In an exclusive to the Onion, Chicago debuted its new gun-sharing stations, rolling out city-wide.
What Makes a Great Bartender?
Chicago magazine's Tom Chiarella looks to Jeff Magill, bartender at the Billy Goat Tavern for 34 years, for the answer.
Retro Your Ride
The CTA is retiring the last of its 2400-series train cars, and to commemorate, it's giving them a farewell tour Wednesday. The trains will be dressed up in their original 1976 decals.
Everybody Must Get Stoned
Add curling to the list of things you can do in the outdoor area of local bars. Kaiser Tiger just opened two lanes.
Go West, Alt-Weekly Editor
Mara Shalhoup, editor in chief of the Reader, is leaving to edit LA Weekly. Michael Miner sums up Shalhoup's tenure at the paper.
The Broken Bears
On "Real Sports" tonight, Bryant Gumbel talks with Mike Ditka and several of the '85 Bears about the rampant use of painkillers on the team to keep them playing.
Finding Life Itself
Slate's Dana Stevens says Finding Vivian Maier was the worst documentary she saw last year, despite its Oscar nomination. Meanwhile, speculation still swirls as to why Life Itself didn't get nominated.
Get Your Drink On
Chicago magazine's annual bar guide is online, with recommendations grouped according to interest -- such as where to go on the third date or where to bring the kids.
Can't Hear This
While labels like MAEK are giving their music away online for free, two new labels are going to opposite route.
Filling in Cracks in Crime Data
Convicted in Cook, a new crime data site from the Chicago Justice Project (previously), is a great resource, but there are plenty of gaps in the data.
Maybe No Lucas Museum?
George Lucas said Friday that if Chicago's lake shore falls through as a location for his Museum of Narrative Art, it could end up in LA.
The Green Mayor?
Mayor Emanuel got a perhaps unexpected endorsement: the Sierra Club of Chicago, on account of his expansion of parkland and other environmental improvements.
Deeper Outfield than Usual
Renovation of the bleachers at Wrigley Field won't be finished until May -- which means there'll be at least 15 home games with no bums.
The Meaty City
Zagat profiles the old-school butchers and new-school steakhouses bringing the best cuts to Chicago.
The Reader, United
The editorial staff at the Reader voted unanimously to unionize as part of the Chicago Newspaper Guild.
Send Your Christmas Tree Out the Responsible Way
You don't have to leave it in the alley! The City's free tree recycling program ends tomorrow; you can take it to any of 23 locations [PDF].
Grisly Business
An FBI raid of the Biological Resource Center in Rosemont may be connected to an operation in Detroit that was selling body parts on the black market.
Killed, Then Sued
Heather Mack, the Oak Park teen who is about to stand trial in Indonesia for the murder of her mother Sheila von Wiese Mack, is suing her uncle, the executor of her late mother's estate, for money to pay for her legal defense.
End of a Long Strange Trip
The four surviving members of the original Grateful Dead will reunite for the band's last performances ever at Soldier Field this summer. Details in Transmission.
New Bears Boss
Former Broncos coach John Fox will be the new head coach of the Bears, according to early reports.
Give this Beagle Some Love
Last week, an 85 pound beagle was surrendered to Animal Care and Control; the rescue group One Tail at a Time has rescued the pup, named him Kale Chips, and has launched a fitness challenge for humans to get in shape while they help the dog get healthier. Jay Ryan has also designed some wonderful swag for the occasion.
Don't Let the Cold Keep You Home
Winter in Chicago tests the bonds of friendship, notes Emily Heist Moss.
United States of X: What's for Dinner Edition
Using Yelp data, Huffington Post calculated the most disproportionately popular ethnic cuisine in each state. I didn't realize frontier chicken and shami kabobs were that popular.
Wilson Swings on "Hardball"
Mayoral candidate Willie Wilson was on "Hardball with Chris Matthews" Wednesday. The appearance did not convince many pundits of his readiness for the Fifth Floor.
Yet Another Proposal for Jackson Park
The University of Chicago isn't the only institution that wants to build in Jackson Park. Yoko Ono is working with a group called "Project 120 Chicago" on a redesign and reconstruction of the park to, among other things, "introduce the sky to people...like introducing a medicinal food..." Whether or not residents will take their medicine remains to be seen.
Tune in to Pitchfork
Pitchfork is launching an online radio station featuring news updates and music curated by the site's staff.
Remember Frankie
Derrick Carter hosts a memorial dance party for Frankie Knuckles Sunday night at Smartbar, with a great-looking lineup.
The Bitter Side of the Beer Biz
Lagunitas has withdrawn its trademark infringement lawsuit against Sierra Nevada (previously). Good Beer Hunting explains why the case matters.
Permanent Dibs
The White Sox will honor former captain Paul Konerko by retiring his number 14 jersey.
Oscar's Choice
While Finding Vivian Maier was nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Documentary category, Life Itself, the film about Roger Ebert, was not.
Help Fight Off the Cold
The American Indian Center of Chicago's boiler broke down during the deep freeze last week and can't afford the repairs. Consider donating if you can. [via]
Still Pissing People Off
Piss Christ, the controversial photo by Andres Serrano of a plastic cross in a jar of urine, is back in the news thanks to the Charilie Hebdo attack and subsequent opinionating about free speech and censorship. So far, nobody's brought up What is the Proper Way to Display a U.S. Flag?, but it's just a matter of time.
Pants. Toiletries. Knife. Kid.
Megan Stielstra recounts in the NYTimes what she grabbed before running for the door when her apartment building caught on fire.
We Appreciate Your Cooperation
Federal prosecutors are seeking leniency for for two top Chicago drug dealers because of their "unparalleled cooperation" in informing on their confederates.
"I sort of saw it as just another bump in the road."
The Daily Beast profiles violinist Rachel Barton Pine, who survived being dragged by a Metra train in 1995 after her instrument case was trapped inside the doors.
Getting Inside Music's Head
Tonight at 9pm WDCB starts a three-part series called "MusicHeads," featuring Patricia Barber exploring the music creation process. If you can't get 90.9FM to tune in clearly, try their online stream.
A Tear in My Cheap Beer
Thrillist compiled a list of the best dive bars in every neighborhood, and only included 31 neighborhoods -- or 29 if you don't consider River North and Streeterville distinct, or separate the South Loop from the Loop. Needless to say, daydrinkers commenters from Rogers Park are pissed.
Good Neighbors
Neighborhood groups and strip clubs don't usually get along, but the Albany Park Neighbors gave an award to the Admiral Theatre for helping to keep their area clean.
Unyielding
Why is a Cermak Road exit on the Ryan labeled as "22nd Street?" One man is on a quest to get the City to remedy its many signage indiscretions.
Set in the City
A map by DNAinfo charts the places where TV shows and movies were filmed in Chicago over the past year.
Better Get In Line Now
There are plenty of smoked meats, game rooms, and tiki bars among Eater's most anticipated openings of 2015.
The Old Streets
Check out this 1934 road map of Chicagoland -- before the expressways, before Lake Shore Drive continued south of the River, before O'Hare Airport. [via]
And here's an article in the Tribune announcing its availability.
"Some people never get accustomed to it."
In Lucky Peach, Kevin Pang writes about the food at Westville Correctional Facility, a supermax prison an hour outside Chicago.
#LongReads for Later
Save these links for your lunch break: Kevin Leahy, Latoya Wolfe and Cyn Vargas have stories in the Reader's annual Fiction Issue.
Texts for Tots
New parents could sign up for regular text messages about children's health and city services through a new program proposed by the City.
Beer Branding Battles
Lagunitas is suing Sierra Nevada for printing "IPA" in big, bold letters on its packaging, part of a growing trend of craft brewer copyright lawsuits.
Game Drain
Chicago colleges are failing to tap into the city's status as a hotbed for high school basketball talent, writes Adam Doster in Grantland.
Treating the Epidemic
70 percent of shootings happen in a network of 6 percent of the city's population, according to a study, which also said anti-violence campaigns should imitate outbreak containment efforts.
Deep Dictionary
Learn the difference between deep dish, pan, stuffed, and many other pizza styles found in Chicago with a tasty guide put together by DNAinfo.
All the Hail at Once
A massive ball of ice -- aka a megacryometeor -- crashed through the roof of a Ravenswood Manor home last week.
Update Your Calendar
If you still use Metromix, you already know that the site just launched a redesign. In related news, Do312 updated its logo last month, and Centerstage doesn't exist anymore.
What, Us Worry?
Despite being just a few weeks old, GB contributor Eden Robins and Cat Oddy's podcast Should I Worry About This? got the attention of BoingBoing.
Huberman Still in Schools
Former CPS Superintendent Ron Huberman is still involved in the school system -- running a company that places teachers at charter schools.
Not Nice List
The City plans to publish a "Bad Landlords List" of land owners who failed to provide basic services to tenants on multiple occasions.
Riders on the Snow
Whet Moser shares how biking through the colder months helps riders resist winter depression.
Lint Michigan
Washing fleeces and some other fabrics can cause tiny petroleum-based microfibers to flow into the Great Lakes, polluting the ecosystems there.
Punk is Not Dead
Mike Petruccelli provides an introduction to some of the punk bands playing at an underground venue near you.
Send Out Your Singles
The Reader wants to meet your most eligible single friends to profile them in their Valentine's Day issue. Send nominations by Jan. 14.
Meeks to Lead Board of Ed
State Senator Rev. James Meeks was appointed chairman of the Illinois State Board of Education by incoming Gov. Rauner. Meeks is a strong proponent of school vouchers.
Calling All Charlies
The French American Chamber of Commerce will be holding a rally tomorrow at 3pm at Daley Plaza to show solidarity with the victims of the recent Charlie Hebdo shootings.
The School of Life
NewCity's "Life 101" issue, about education and reinvention, is on newstands and the internets now.
Lupe the Industry Sacrifice
In advance of the Jan. 20 release of Tetsuo and Youth, his fifth album, Black Millennials looks at what happened to Lupe Fiasco.
One Bid for Riverwalk
The city apparently only got a single bid to manage the new Chicago Riverwalk, Loop North News reports.
How Well Colleges Help
Roosevelt University ranks 54th in the higher ed Social Mobility Index from CollegeNET and PayScale, a ranking that measures the impact an institution has on helping lower-income students enter careers that will provide livable wages. Illinois as a whole ranks 17th in the nation, with seven Chicago colleges on the list. University of Chicago ranked 512 out of 539; conspicuously, UIC and U of I weren't included in the survey. (Thanks, Veronica!)
Jason R. Chin, RIP
The performer, director and teacher, who was well-known in the local improv community, was found dead in his apartment last night. He was 46 years old.
Haven't You Always Wanted a Monkey?
For future reference, Chicago magazine rounds up some local animals you can rent by the hour.
It's So Cold in Chicago...
How cold is it?
It's so cold that residents have been desegregating to huddle for warmth, says Tim Barnes in the Whiskey Journal.
The Art Institute is the Best
No really -- the Art Institute of Chicago was named the best museum in the world in TripAdvisor's 2014 Travelers' Choice Awards.
Warmer Than Mars
Despite tweets circulating saying its colder in Chicago than on Mars, the average martian air temperature actually is -50 F.
Heated Debate
It turns out infrared light from heat lamps on CTA platforms can't penetrate layers of clothing, but it's strong enough to warm up exposed skin.
Essential Eating
Alinea, Fat Rice and Topolobampo are among Eater's selections of the 38 essential restaurants in America.
"We are all Steve Bartman"
The real Billy Goat Curse is the effect anxious, superstitious fans have on players during games, writes Jake Johnson in an open letter to fellow Cubs fans.
Mercury's Rising May Mean Cullen's End
Owners of the Mercury Theater are planning a renovation to add more performance space, which may mean that Cullen's, the Irish pub next door named after the founder of the Mercury, would close.
Say Goodbye to the Streets
Streetsblog Chicago, one of the city's best sites for transportation news, is shutting down due to lack of funding -- but there's hope to resurrect it.
An Innocent Man Imprisoned
The Reader investigates whether Cook County prosecutors ignored evidence that would have exonerated Alstory Simon.
Bright Idea
Three men were stopped in Portland, Maine with a truck full of energy-efficient light bulbs, which they bought using a Maine subsidy with the intention of selling them in Chicago at a profit. They would've gotten away with it, too, if they hadn't left it parked in front of a federal courthouse for too long.
"Our kids can go to school."
As schools remain closed for a second day due to freezing temperatures and subzero wind chills, some think cold isn't a good enough reason to cancel class -- but school district administrators say get used to it.
Post-Alt-Country
As Bloodshot Records continues its 20th anniversary celebrations with a concert at Metro this Saturday, the Reader's Pete Margasak talks with cofounders Nan Warshaw and Rob Miller about where the label is headed in its next 20.
Architectural Treasures Map
Chicago Architecture Data features descriptions of architectural styles found in Chicago and locations of where you can see them in person.
Library Locations (Officially) Revealed
The University of Chicago's proposal for the Obama Presidential Library would build it in Jackson Park or Washington Park, hoping to spark development on the South or West side.
Downton Against Humanity
"Downton Abbey's" Lady Edith, Mrs. Patmore, and Mrs. Hughes sat down for a round of Cards Against Humanity.
Windy City Discount
The Hotel Lincoln is offering a discount on the price of a room based on the wind speed in the city.
Eat at the Best
The Tribune's annual Dining Awards are out, with Parachute named best new restaurant and Lee Wolen of Boka chef of the year.
Sketchy at Best
Ready to laugh? The Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival gets under way Thursday at Stage 773.
If I Were Mayor...
The Mikva Challenge Project Soapbox contest asked Chicago students to answer the question, "If you were the next Mayor of Chicago, what is the first community issue you would tackle, and why?" WBEZ shares the 13 winners' responses.
No Class Today
If you have kids, you already know: CPS and many suburban school districts are closed today due to wind chills expected to reach as low as -35°.
13/600 Under 30
Forbes just published a "30 Under 30" list with 600 people or teams on it. Thankfully, Chicago Inno circled the 13 Chicagoans on the list.
Way Beyond Lawn Chairs
Curbed commissioned Michael Conway to create a dibs bingo card for your next search for parking. Don't worry, it includes a free spot.
Kind Words
Belt magazine says some nice things about Gapers Block, and shares a great list of similar city publications from around the Rust Belt region.
Where Change Doesn't Happen
While some parts of the city have become less segregated and others have become more so, the predominantly black South and West sides have remained almost exactly the same. Daniel Kay Hertz looks at why.
Almost There Almost Here
The new Kartemquin documentary Almost There makes its Chicago premiere this Saturday, Jan. 10 at the Siskel Film Center.
Loyola's New School
Loyola is creating a new two-year college for underprivileged urban students. Arrupe College may open as soon as this fall, and will help diversify a student population characterized by the Loyola Phoenix as "a lot of white, suburban women."
Like Restaurant Week for Plays
Chicago Theatre Week is back Feb. 12-22, and tickets go on sale today at 10am.
What's the Money Network?
Did you receive a small postcard in the mail alerting you to the privacy policy for something called the Money Network? It's not a scam, it's just the bank that handles the prepaid debit function of your Ventra card. Would have been nice of them to at least mention the connection.
Clear the Roads
Wonder where the snow plows are this morning? Check CDOT's Plow Tracker or ClearStreets.org for like updates.
Our Local Junior MasterChefs
Two of the contestants on Season 3 of "MasterChef Junior," which premiers Tuesday night, are from Chicagoland. Read Judy Wu's interview with one of the Season 2 contestants in Drive-Thru.
A Gift for Lazy Art Lovers
Courtesy of the Google Cultural Institute, you can now virtually tour the Art Institute.
T-Shirt-O-Rama
A new t-shirt from 26 Shirts honoring Hall-of-Fame Blackhawk Denis Savard is only available until Jan. 11, and proceeds benefit the Denis Savard Foundation.
Skimming from Schools
A CPS employee funneled nearly $900,000 away from two struggling high schools through fake purchases and reimbursement claims.
Go to Bed with a Virgin
The first-ever Virgin Hotel, Richard Branson's latest Virgin company, opens in the Loop on Jan. 15. Forbes has an early look.
In Gubernator non Confidimus
Our gubernatorial prison record provides inspiration in this list of sarcastic state mottos.
Finding Leon Lewandowski
GB contributor Ron Slattery, one of the discoverers of Vivian Maier, made another discovery a couple years ago: the archives of street photographer Leon Lewandowski, who studied under Harry Callahan and Aaron Siskind. (Previously.)
All the Snows
December was nearly snowless, so January is making up for it as quickly as possible, and then freezing it solid.
Check It to Ride
Uber introduced a "safety checklist" for users to make sure they're getting into the right car with the correct pre-screened driver.
Lending the Internet
Chicago Public Library will begin offering wireless hotspots this year to help close the digital divide.
Last 'Hood Standing
Logan Square edged out Bridgeport to win the 2014 Curbed Cup, an online voting contest hosted to find the city's best neighborhood.
Undeck the Halls
Start the new year off right by recycling that old Christmas tree instead of sending it to a landfill.
Google Problems
Chicagoist shares unexpected things found by googling local restaurants, like how much fat rice contains and prohibitionist preacher Billy Sunday.
The Battle for Logan Square
In 2008, young Green Party candidate Jremy Karpen ran against Toni Berrios for the state congressional seat covering Logan Square. Now, 26-year-old Carlos Ramirez-Rosa is fighting Rey Colon for 35th Ward alderman.
Murders at Historic Lows
Murders were down again this year, back to 1960s levels, though shootings were up 14 percent.
Obama Library Drama
Chicago's two proposals for the Obama Presidential Library are allegedly losing out to New York due to problems with the proposals. But are they really in jeopardy?
