Some Dreams Come True
While McDonald's is testing all-day breakfast, talk of a zero calorie doughnut is just an April Fool's joke.
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
Tuesday, November 18
Merge
Monthly Archive
March 2015
On Top Again
Alinea was ranked as the best restaurant in the world by Elite Traveler for the fourth year in a row.
So Bad it's Good
The Chicago Writers Conference hosts its annual fundraiser, Party with a Purpose, tonight from 6:30 to 8:30pm at Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro. The theme this year is "Bad Poetry Night" -- come hear special guests Monica Eng, Tasha Robinson, Pat Byrnes and James Kennedy read bad poetry and other random things. Get tickets now!
Munching the Streets
Turning the city into a Pac-Man game on Google Maps is a pretty effective way to deal with any lingering road rage.
Lots of Orange Envelopes
The City is owed $1.5 billion in unpaid tickets and fines, more than the
debt owed to New York City and Los Angeles combined, reports The Expired Meter.
Closing Arguments
Mayor Emanuel and Jesus "Chuy" Garcia will debate for the final time before the runoff elections tonight on WTTW's Chicago Tonight.
Cards Against Humanity (but for STEM Majors)
Locally-designed, internationally notorious party game Cards Against Humanity has announced their latest expansion pack will raise money for a four-year scholarship for a female student planning a STEM career. Buy it for $10.
Don't Get Swept Away
Monthly street sweepings resume in April, so watch for signs or sign up for alerts because most cars can't escape the tow truck -- although some can.
Who Funds the Runoff?
The Tribune provides a way to explore the campaign donors for Mayor Emanuel and Chuy Garcia.
Honey Buttler Pops-Up
Honey Butter Fried Chicken isn't normally open on Tuesdays, but today until April 21, they'll be open as HBFC Takeout: Fried Chicken Fried Rice. [via]
A Night in the Arena
One person will get the chance to spend the night in the United Center, hosted by Scottie Pippen, and presumably, the animated statue of Michael Jordan.
No Wilco for Hoosiers
Wilco canceled an upcoming show in Indianapolis in response to the Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act, calling it "thinly disguised legal discrimination."
Mayor Emanuel's Activist Past
The Reader's Jake Malooley unearthed footage of a teenage Rahm Emanuel protesting against a rally of neo-Nazis on the southwest side in 1978.
Broken Homes
Consumer advocates say a lack of protections for homeowners allows contractors who defrauded customers to stay in business for decades.
A Time Capsule, for Rent
A Wicker Park building whose upper floor apartments have been vacant for almost 40 years will be rehabbed and available for new tenants next year.
Start Me Up
The founders behind Fort Knox Studios, which provides space for bands and music industry professionals, are starting a business incubator serving music-focused and creative startups.
Beer Shouldn't Be Sophomoric
Binny's rejected a beer from Sweetwater Brewing due to its "sexist, borderline racist" label. The beer, called Happy Ending, is part of a broader trend of eyebrow-raising beer names and label art, leading Good Beer Hunting's Michael Kiser to reflect on the trend.
Adult Frog Finder
The sound of frogs looking for love will soon return to Chicago's ponds and wetlands.
Eating Across the City
On Tastemade's "Day of Gluttony," Harry and Bruce visit 24 restaurants in 24 hours. The second episode tackled Chicago.
Fioretti Endorses Rahm
Outgoing 2nd Ward Alderman and mayoral candidate Bob Fioretti endorsed Rahm Emanuel in the runoff. Bit of a surprise considering Fioretti's outspoken criticism of the mayor over the past four years.
Underground from Chicago to China
Documentarian John Yingling went from chronicling Chicago's underground music scene to exploring punk rock's popularity in China.
Hanks for the Memories
International Tom Hanks Day grew from a movie marathon with friends to an annual charity event attracting hundreds of fans and the endorsement of the star himself.
Investing in Women
Sittercity.com co-founder Genevieve Thiers is starting an investment fund to support women-run companies that are solving problems facing women.
Bike to Work Every Day
A Wicker Park man bikes 20 miles each way to his job in Glenview through rain, snow, and sleet. What's your excuse?
Do the Best of Dance
The Reader's annual Best of Chicago voting is open. We'd appreciate your vote for best local blog, of course. :)
Wrong Direction
Dunno if you heard, but Zayn Malik left One Direction this week, possibly due to meddling by Modest Management, Malik's manager. As a result, Chicago startup Modest Inc., no relation, got a ton of Twitter hate mail.
Little Dog Lost
When a lost pet is picked up off the street, it's often down to luck for it to find its way back to its owners. Cook County Commissioner John Fritchey and activists are trying to change that.
Cracking Us Up
Ads posted in CTA buses put fake plumber's cracks on seated passengers to promote colon cancer awareness.
Progressive Panic
Claims progressives would "make Chicago another Detroit" are not new, writes Edward McClelland in Belt Magazine, arguing those fears are probably unfounded.
Mayor 37 Cents
An Instagram photo of Mayor Emanuel by a health food store employee back in April is making the rounds this week. In These Times talked to the photographer, who said Emanuel is a notoriously bad tipper, and once tipped 37 cents on a $7 shake.
Arriving at Obama International Airport?
Mayor Emanuel floated the idea of renaming either Midway or O'Hare after President Obama, saying that "we have airports named after battleships." (Um, not exactly, Mr. Mayor.)
Mommy Daughter Dance
It's not too early to think about Mother's Day gifts -- and Studio L'Amour has a unique one for you: a mother-daughter burlesque workshop. Ladies, bring your moms to learn how to shimmy from Michelle L'Amour, and have a glass of champagne before and after class.
Did You Feel Something?
A mild earthquake -- magnitude 2.9 -- shook the Chicago area last night at 6:08pm. Geologists pinpointed the epicenter in northwest suburban Lake in the Hills.
Eatin' Good in the Neighborhood (and Region)
Lincoln Square's Elizabeth, Logan Square's Analogue, and a pizza place in Racine, Wisc. (yowza!) are among the recipients of this year's Good Neighborhood Restaurant award given by the good, food-loving folks at LTH Forum.
The Bean's Revenge
Photographer Patricia Jones captured the moment the Bean finally fought back and buried a tourist in snow. [via]
Pay Up, Rich Guy
Adam Andrzejewski of American Transparency writes in Forbes that pay to play among Chicago's elites is still commonplace under Rahm Emanuel's tenure as mayor.
United States of X: Old-School Edition
Walter Payton's 1985 jersey ranked as the most popular throwback in Illinois (and South Dakota), according to sales data from retailer Mitchell & Ness Nostalgia Co.
A Lot of Cheese
Kraft and Heinz will merge, forming the fifth largest food company in the world. Kraft's headquarters will remain in Chicago.
Beer Making By The Numbers
There's no doubt that indie-brewers are growing in number and size. Fans of Half Acre have been eagerly awaiting news of when they'll get to drink beer at their new location. The fine folks at Good Beer Hunting have put a quantitative set of visuals together. They make planning look pretty.
Battle Mode
A video shared by DNAinfo shows an extreme case of road rage in Rogers Park where one driver kicked and punched the other's car while it repeatedly rammed into his car.
No Napping on the Dance Floor
Thrillist rounded up some of the weirdest laws on the books in Chicago, including bans on drinking beer from a bucket, flying a kite, and fishing in pajamas.
The Mayor vs. the Media
Mayor Emanuel's combative relationship with the press is more typical for Washington, D.C. than Chicago, say reporters.
Don't Diss Your Fans
Do you remember last year, when a fan convention named Chi-Fi was cancelled due to accusations that hotel staff was rude to the fans attending the conference? Well, the conference took place this last weekend at the Palmer House Hilton. But, it appears that this first-time event wasn't very successful, at least not in the eyes of fans who paid to attend the convention. h/t to Darlene of Do Bats Eat Cats?
Mr. T's Remodeling Service
Chicago-born actor and personality Mr. T will soon host a home renovation show on the DIY Network called, for real, "I Pity the Tool." Let's assume he won't be doing any landscape design.
When the Pits Close
As open trading ceases at the CBT, so does time-worn route out of the working class, notes the NYTimes. One that employed dozens of people to do what a computer now does in milliseconds.
Taller Than Big Bird
Pau Gasol took a trip to Sesame Street to teach Abby Cadabby how to dribble a basketball. [via]
Good Behavior
Far fewer CPS students were expelled while also reporting they felt safer in schools during the 2013-2014 school year, Catalyst reports.
State Takebacks
Gov. Rauner ordered TV and movie studio Cinespace to return $10 million given to it by the Quinn administration shortly before Rauner won the election.
Turnout Turnaround
A record number of voters headed to the polls for the first day of early voting Monday.
Start Your Browsers
Lollapalooza 3-day passes are now sold out, although single day tickets are still available.
Fuggen Ugly Nails
ManGlaze is a local matte finish nail polish company specializing in colors like Mayonnaise, Santorum and Butt Taco. Delish.
Polishing Off the Pizzle
Dennis Lee's been telling people to eat a bag of dicks on his blog for years. Now he's taken his own medicine. (SFW...ish.)
In the Red
The rate of murders solved in Chicago is the lowest it's been in decades and is declining, according to an investigation by WBEZ.
City as Testing Ground
The CityWorks incubator will invest in ideas to solve Chicago's energy, infrastructure, transportation, sanitation and other problems.
Home Run
Chicago Magazine profiles the White Sox's reclusive Jose Abreu, who defected from Cuba to the U.S. before playing one of the best rookie years in MLB history.
Competitive Karaoke
The Second City Karaoke league gives sing-along enthusiasts a chance to compete.
Chicago's Stop and Frisk
Last summer, African Americans were subjected to almost three-fourths of 250,000 stops by CPD officers where the subjects weren't arrested, making the controversial practice more widespread in Chicago than in New York, according to the ACLU.
Vote Early
You can now cast your ballot at any Early Voting site around the city for the April 7 runoff election.
"My name is not Billy."
Billy Corgan's first name is William, he reminded fans at a concert in Lima, Peru. We'll see if he starts making everybody call him that now, 24 years after Gish came out. [via]
Chance the Actor
Chance the Rapper stars in a short film called Mr. Happy, as a man who decides to commit suicide, in a sense, by hiring a hitman to kill him.
It goes without saying, but there're some graphic scenes in this one.
Everybody Poops
And Curious City is here to help explain to your kids where it all goes. If you'd like another look into Chicago waste processing, check out The Grid's visit to the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant.
A Filthy Education
Six months after principals complained about contract janitorial staff doing a poor job of cleaning schools, things haven't improved, Catalyst reports.
The Goose Flies Back to Wrigleyville
Goose Island is reopening its Wrigleyille brewpub for the Cubs' 2015 season -- but probably no longer.
Fresh Peanuts
Peanut Gallery, co-owned by former GB arts editor Kelly Reaves and Charlie Megna, is reopening in Megna's Logan Square apartment. A grand opening for the gallery, which was in Humboldt Park until its lease wasn't renewed, will happen in April.
Classic Pop Songs: Where Are They Now?
"Last I heard, he was a commodities trader up in Chicago. Sounds pretty square, but as long as he takes the money and stays put, he's got my blessing." [via]
Coffee with the Cats
The Tree House Humane Society is gearing up to break ground on a doozy of a cat house (no, not that kind of cat house). It's an animal shelter and clinic that will also host a cafe where you can interact with adorable cats up for adoption!
Thanks, Rauner
The CTA warned of service cuts and fare increases should the governor's proposed state budget go through -- it would cut $170 million from Chicago-area transit services.
Strumming Down Lake Shore Drive
Luthier Dan Koentopp created a custom acoustic guitar with the Chicago skyline inlayed in the neck. [via]
Bots Against O'Hare
Six clever people wrote computer scripts to flood the FAA's Airport Noise Management System complaint form with nearly 25,000 complaints in January -- around two thirds of the total complaints for the month.
Finding the Runaways
The Cook County Sheriff's Child Protection Response Unit helps track down kids missing from state-run foster care and group homes before they end up in a gang or get picked up by sex traffickers.
Who Watches the Watchmen
Documents obtained by the Reader confirm that Chicago police have been spying on activists (previously). But they don't say why.
Chancing Some New Rhymes
Chance the Rapper will be part of the lineup at the Louder Than a Bomb teen poetry festival team finals on March 28.
Yellow Pleads No Green
Yellow Cab is declaring bankruptcy after losing a $25.9 million verdict in a wrongful injury case. It probably won't affect you very much, but it does mean the woman left with severe brain damage after an accident won't receive much money.
Curious in Person
Love WBEZ's Curious City? They're doing a live show at Lincoln Hall on Monday, March 23.
Chicago Student Beaten at UVA
Martese Johnson, an honors student from Chicago, required 10 stitches after being beaten by University of Virginia police during an arrest after allegedly using a fake ID to get into a campus area bar. His violent arrest led to a student protest of police brutality Wednesday and a call from the UVA president for an investigation.
Get Your Creative Juices Flowing
Pre-registration is now open for the Lake FX Summit & Expo, a free conference for artists, entrepreneurs and creative professionals. The event is April 16-19 at the Chicago Cultural Center and additional venues around the city.
Nowhere to Go
The City has been borrowing from funds earmarked for affordable housing to pay pensions and other projects, while 280,000-plus people are on the waiting list for homes.
Table Tennis Under the Corn Cobs
Susan Sarandon and partners are opening a Chicago branch of SPiN, a ping-pong oriented bar, to Marina City.
Sarandon starred in Ping Pong Summer last year, and is apparently a killer table tennis player.
RIP Jack Haley
Jack Haley, a two-time Bulls player and member of the championship '95-'96 team, passed away Tuesday from heart disease. He was 51.
Doesn't He Have a Say in That?
President Obama told the Tribune he hopes his presidential library ends up in Chicago.
Fancy Up Your CSA
Chicago-based online boutique Perry Clark Home just launched a line called Farm to Table, featuring everything from heirloom fruit and vegetable seedlings to a $1200 handmade dining table.
20 Years After the Towers
Twenty years ago, the City began dismantling the Henry Horner Homes and other CHA public housing projects. The Chicago Reporter looks at the legacy of that decision and what the near West Side is like now..
It's the Hancock. Period.
The owners of the commercial portion of the Hancock Tower are considering selling the naming rights as part of a new recording studio proposed for the lobby. Did they learn nothing from the ire raised by Willis? Will they rename the Signature Room, too?
Hot Sauce Savior
An Orland Park man had a seizure and blacked out after trying some super-hot hot sauce while on vacation, and an MRI at the hospital revealed an early-stage brain tumor. Once home, the cancer was removed at Northwestern Memorial, and he's expected to make a full recovery. [via]
Marty & the Dead?
Contrary to the Daily Beast's report, Martin Scorcese is not filming a documentary of the Grateful Dead's final show at Soldier Field this summer.
How We're Living
In other real estate news, Chicago magazine's real estate issue is online, including a tool for checking on roughly how much your home is worth.
Emptying Lincoln Park
North Side neighborhoods are losing population unnecessarily due to strict zoning laws and smaller households living in apartments, says Daniel Hertz.
A Battery Powered Party
Remember the West Loop startup that's relaunching Aiwa? Its first product, the Aiwa Exos-9, is available for pre-order now.
The Price of of Police Misconduct
Dan Weissman did a two-part story for "Marketplace" looking at the cost of police misconduct in Chicago and why the CPD doesn't seem to ask itself why are we getting sued?
Four and a Half Kilometers of Roses
The MCA produced a short documentary about the life and work of Colombian artist Doris Salcedo, whose work is currently on exhibition.
A History of Library Land Acquisition Fights
The LA Times compares the controversial plan to site the potential Obama presidential library on Chicago Park District property to previous presidential library plans.
Talk with the Media
PBS and a bunch of other independent and public media groups will be in Chicago on March 23 to host a public forum to "set priorities and share ideas around strengthening viewership, distribution, and community engagement of independent film." Check out the report from San Francisco to get a sense of what to expect, if you go.
See Earthcam Views of St. Patrick's Day
Check in on what the paraders and partiers are doing on St. Patrick's Day around the world by viewing earthcam.com. View the New York parade and celebrants at Temple Bar in Dublin as well as whatever the Irish do in Las Vegas today.
Chicago and the Women's Movement
The Reader interviews Chicago women featured in the feminist documentary She's Beautiful When She's Angry, at the Music Box this week.
Midwestern Bowling Bastions
Chicago's Timber Lanes is included in David Williams's "Bowling in the Midwest 2014" photo series. [via]
Buy a Bit of Harpo
Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Studios is being sold, and props and furnishings will be auctioned off next week at Leslie Hindman Auctions.
LUV Chicago
If you're flying out of Midway on Tuesday, watch parties in honor of Southwest Airlines' 30th anniversary at the airport.
SAICB2
The School of the Art Institute teamed up with CB2 to produce a line of products for small living spaces.
The College Dropout Gets His PhD
Kanye West revealed in a recent interview that he will receiving an honorary doctorate at SAIC's spring commencement; the school has not made an announcement.
Taking Stock After Two Decades of Demolition
It's been nearly 20 since the demolition of the Henry Horner Homes, presaging much of the Chicago Housing Authority's Plan for Transformation. How is everything going? For another look at what life was like before the demolition, take a look at this Henry Horner Mothers' Guild video from 1991.
GTFOutside
CHIWTHR is a weather "app" in plain English for people who don't care about numbers. Follow @chiwthr.
14 Percentage Points Apart
In case you're looking for an article about the mayoral race written for a national, rather than local, audience, the NY Times published a major story on it.
Celebrate Pi Today
Today is the day to celebrate the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter, so take it one step further and eat some circular items, like a (Pi)zza or (Pi)e today. WBEZ and the Adler Planetarium join up for a special party tonight.
The Breastfast Club?
In John Hughes: A Life in Film, it's revealed that a Hughes cut a sexist nude scene out of The Breakfast Club because the female leads complained -- and the replacement scene nearly starred Rick Moranis.
When Irish Eyes are Bleeding
The funmeisters at Jeppson's Malört have a special St. Patty's Day label for you to download, print and affix to your bottle of their special liqueur.
Save the Music
Andy Cohen, owner of Andy's Music, plans to close the shop in August to focus on building a recording studio. The store's manager is attempting to buy it; kick in on the GoFundMe page.
504 on the 606
The next phase of development of the 606 is being affected by the state spending freeze enacted by Gov. Rauner. Fear not, though, the park will still open in June.
Blue & Grey Chicago
Curious City digs up the history of Fort Douglas, a Civil War prison camp that saw some 40,000 Confederate POWs pass through its 80 acres on the South Side of Chicago. Dig deeper into Illinois in the Civil War.
The Art of Hair
Dallas-based artist Rosemary Meza-DesPlas embroiders canvases with her own hair. Her work is exhibited this month at ARC Gallery and Educational Foundation in Bucktown.
Kickstart a Commotion
Beef bacon, a micro-bakery, a cast-iron bread oven, a musical about the "Where's the Beef?" lady, and a book about living with chronic illness are among the campaigns on GB's curated Kickstarter page.
Not That Schocking
More trouble for Rep. Aaron Schock, this time for allegedly accepting money from The Global Poverty Project to pay for his friend Jonathon Link to travel with Schock to India in August 2014.
Pricey Nights Out
Chicagoans spend more when they go out than folks in Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, San Francisco and even New York, according to Eventbrite research. We're also more likely to go to foodie events.
No Bombs on the Train
After searching more than 2,600 bags and packages on CTA train stations over four months, police found no explosives and made one arrest -- of someone who refused to submit to a search.
Remember it Now
The latest seasonal edition of Field Notes features printing by Hamilton Wood Type. Read about how it happened from Hamilton's perspective, then pick up a pack.
RIP Willie T. Barrow
Civil rights leader Rev. Willie T. Barrow passed away this morning at age 90. Nicknamed "Little Warrior," Barrow walked with Martin Luther King Jr. at Selma and worked with Rev. Jesse Jackson on Operation Breadbasket and the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition. President Obama released a statement calling her "a constant inspiration, a lifelong mentor, and a very dear friend."
Drinkers, Rejoice
The Reader's annual bar issue is out, featuring profiles of the people Danny's, Maria's, Rosa's and others are named after.
Go Big on Pi Day
The Adler Planetarium and WBEZ are hosting the Ultimate Pi Day this Saturday, filled with fun family-friendly activities -- and yes, lots of pie.
Make Your Markr
Markr is an app that lets you add "visual hashtags" to your photos and explore what others have posted under that hashtag.
Not Going to Harvard
Molly McGaan, a senior at Francis Parker, created a fake rejection letter from Harvard that has gone viral -- and prompted a response from the Harvard Crimson. Meanwhile, McGaan is probably going to Michigan.
Selfies, but No Stick
The Art Institute has banned the use of selfie sticks within the museum, for fear of accidental damage to art or museum patrons. You're still welcome to take pictures -- just remember to turn off the flash.
Love Your Lit
Columbia College's Story Week kicks off this Sunday, March 15. Programming features writers ranging from Chris Abani to Elizabeth Yokas, from Edwidge Danticat to Rick Kogan.
The Merchant Prince
In 1899, the play Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand was determined by a US court to have been plagiarized from a play by a Chicago businessman. You can read Samuel E. Gross' The Merchant Prince of Cornville online. [via]
Body Slam the Intruder
Lee Varon, co-owner of pizza place The Squared Circle with his wife, Lisa Marie Varon (aka WWE Diva Victoria), easily subdued a man who came into the restaurant's kitchen with a gun Saturday night. TMZ uncovered video of the incident.
Beats by Aiwa
The name Aiwa once meant OK Japanese speakers. But a new startup in the West Loop has purchased the name and is attempting to bring the brand into the 21st century with a new bluetooth speaker.
Leaving Little League
Jackie Robinson West may be leaving Little League International after it stripped the team of its title, possibly moving to the Cal Ripken-Babe Ruth League.
Find Refuge
Refuge Restrooms is a crowdsourced site that "seeks to provide safe restroom access for transgender, intersex, and gender nonconforming individuals." It replaces Safe2Pee, which shut down last month.
Inappropriate Words with Friends
Cards Against Originality brings Cards Against Humanity to any device with a web browser.
Giving a PAWS-out
PAWS Chicago is going door-to-door to see how pets and animals are faring around the city, bringing services to the streets instead of just building another animal shelter, writes blogger Vanessa Smetkowski.
Get Your Geek On
Trekkies, LARPers, and geeks of all stripes can get together and nerd out at the Chi-Fi convention next week.
United States of X: Cost of Happiness Edition
Reaching peak happiness costs about $71,625 in Illinois, according to a study that found emotional well-being increases with income until it plateaus at a certain point.
What Deals Are Made Of
Former mayoral hopefuls Willie Wilson and Ald. Bob Fioretti are among the high-profile figures who still "need to hear more" before endorsing a candidate.
USun-TimesA Today
Starting with today's edition, much of the Sun-Times will be sourced from and branded by USA Today. Between this and the "network" web redesign, you'll be excused if you feel like it's an out-of-town paper.
Put Your Back into It for Bacon
On March 28, Bacon Fest is volunteering its time to the Greater Chicago Food Depository to help repackage food donated by corporations. Lend a hand and you could earn yourself free tickets to Bacon Fest.
"Soundless as Dots -- On a Disc of Snow"
While it's nice to watch warm temperatures melt the snow away, people aren't so pleased about the dog droppings and trash that's left behind.
Making Moves
More companies expanded in Chicago or relocated to here than any other metro area, according to Site Selection Magazine.
Innovating for the City
The University of Chicago hopes to find which approaches to solving urban problems are the most effective by funding new and old ideas, and measuring the results.
Uptown's Lost Opportunity?
While renovating the Uptown Theater is seen as vital to plans to revitalize the area, $10 million set aside by the state a year ago is now under review by Gov. Rauner.
A Bridge Runs Through Chinatown
Built 100 years ago, the Pennsylvania Railroad bridge near 19th and Stewart Streets is the only vertical-lift bridge left standing on the Chicago River. (via)
Beautiful on Paper
Silkscreen artists Nick Butcher and Nadine Nakanishi, aka Sonnenzimmer, are profiled by the Trib.
Uncharitable
The CHIditarod's positive spirit was sullied by two members of a "too-soon" themed team, who wore blackface as part of their Bill Cosby and Jackie Robinson West costumes. Organizers apologized for letting them participate.
Mancow's New Morning Home
Shock jock Mancow Muller will be taking over the morning shift on The Loop.
PRAY-4-ROSE
Artists assembled a roadside memorial for Derrick Rose to show support for the injured Bulls star.
iPhone Found
Police identified suspects in the mugging of Mayor Emanuel's son by tracking the resale of his iPhone after a woman who bought it discovered the phone was stolen.
Must... Open... Door...
Commuters passing through Union Station couldn't resist opening a random door, unleashing a flood of plastic ball pit balls, courtesy of prankster Blake Grigsby.
Prepare for the Polls
Tuesday is the deadline to register to vote online or by mail ahead of the April 4 runoff election.
Not Lovin' It
McDonald's is struggling to reinvent itself in a marketplace where consumers are concerned more about quality and customization.
Galena Oil Train Explosion Triggers Concerns
A train of carrying 103 tanks of crude oil derailed while on route to the Chicago area, prompting everyone from Senator Durbin, the state's Emergency Management Agency director and environmental activists to warn about such an event happening in Chicago. You can check how close you live to "oil train" routes via the environmental group Forest Ethics.
Surely Just Coincidence
On Friday, mayoral candidate Chuy Garcia announced that if elected he'd shut down all the red light cameras in the city. On Sunday, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced that the City would turn off 50 cameras at 25 intersections.
Money on the Line
A map of the El lines by the You Are Here project charts the incomes of people living near each stop, showing how wealth is distributed in the city. [via]
So This is What Democracy Looks Like
The April elections will include the most ward runoffs since 1947 in addition to the first mayoral runoff ever.
CeaseFire Standing Down
CeaseFire halted all its anti-violence efforts after budget cuts by Gov. Rauner drastically reduced its funding.
Wanted: Organ Player Looking to Make Waves
Plans to expand Lake Michigan's shoreline on the South Side could include a wave-powered pipe organ.
A House in Need
Land and Sea Dept.'s Peter Toalson, who bought a unique, historic mansion in East Garfield Park with the intention of rehabbing and living there, may have to demolish the decaying home in the coming weeks because he was denied home improvement loans due to the high foreclosure rate in the area.
United States of X: What We're Good at Edition
Illinoisians leave a tip more often than residents of any other state, according to this collection of what each state has more of than any other. Which is sad, because it's still only 61 percent.
Bye Bye Brandon?
The Bears are going to trade wide receiver Brandon Marshall to the New York Jets, according to ESPN NFL Insider.
Charged for Undercharging
The former owners of an electric car-charging company were charged with fraud after failing to deliver on their contract to build charging stations in Chicago and elsewhere.
Birthday Dinger
Cubs prospect Kyle Schwarber hit a grand slam on the day of his birthday and Spring Training debut.
Mazel Tov to this Middle Schooler
A Deerfield teenager is getting some nationwide attention for his bar mitzvah promotional video. Of course, he's not the first kid from the suburbs to make his special day even more special.
Sharing Their Tears
The Bulls' Joakim Noah hopes to raise awareness about gun violence with a short video of NBA stars sharing their own experiences and Rock Your Drop teardrop necklaces.
Mushing for a Reason
Cheer on costume-clad teams as they race shopping carts through ice, snow, and crowds of inebriated onlookers (that could be you!) at the Chiditarod this weekend.
Working Inside the Box
Ideal Box Co. went from selling crates Al Capone used for bootlegging to building displays grocery stores use for tempting customers.
Ravinia Festival Lineup is Out
This year's Ravinia Festival includes a wide range of classical and jazz offerings, as well as headliners like Steely Dan, Aretha Franklin, and Tony Bennett performing with Lady Gaga.
Art for Your Lap
There are 11 napkins among the Art Institute's vast collection. some dating back to the 1600's.
Never Been Magikist
@TheHashtagGame's #ChicagoAMovie hashtag on Twitter last night was a lot of fun.
It's a Madigan, Madigan, Madigan, Madigan World. #ChicagoAMovie
— Frank Sennett (@SennettReport) March 5, 2015Cloudgate with a Chance of Meatballs #ChicagoAMovie
— Phil Prombo (@philprombo) March 5, 2015@TheHashtagGame Hot Doug's Time Machine #ChicagoAMovie
— Dan Widensky (@OriginalDDub) March 5, 2015Victory Auto Wreck-It-Ralph #ChicagoAMovie pic.twitter.com/pEdf8MEnbG
— John K. Born (@johnkborn) March 5, 2015A couple two er tree flew over the cuckoo's nest #ChicagoAMovie
— Matt Windle (@Matt_Windle) March 5, 2015Mr. Smith Goes to Washington & State #ChicagoAMovie
— Andrew Huff (@me3dia) March 5, 2015Midnight in the Giardiniera of Good and Evil #ChicagoAMovie
— Splendiferous Finch (@Schwarziest) March 5, 2015The Empire Strikes Back of the Yards #ChicagoAMovie
— Helper Monkey (@HelperMonkey) March 5, 20155882 300 #ChicagoAMovie
— Marlow (@bmar2112) March 5, 2015Dial M for Malort #ChicagoAMovie
— LeeAnn Shelton (@ByLeeAnnS) March 5, 2015He's Mean Because He Cares
Mayor Emanuel admits he "can rub people the wrong way" in a new campaign ad.
Historic but Not Yet History
Preservation Chicago's annual list of historic buildings in danger of being lost includes a masonic temple in Englewood, the Finkl Steel campus, and neon signs around the city.
Doug Does Pizza
Doug Sohn continues his tour of other people's eateries with the spicy sausage-topped Atomic Pizza at Piece.
Cubs' New Money
Billionaire Amway co-founder Rich DeVos and his family bought a minority stake in the Cubs.
Breaded Beauty
Ricobene's breaded steak sandwich with mozzarella and hot giardiniera is the best sandwich in the world, according to USA Today's Ted Berg.
Litigating the Election
Opponents of incumbents Ald.Joe Moreno and Ald. Deb Mell filed suits calling for ballots from last week's election to be recounted.
Happy Birthday, Chicago
It's the city's 178th birthday today. (Funny, it doesn't look a day over 177.) Celebrate at the Chicago History Museum, or later tonight with the Chicago Urbanists.
"It's been been everything for me."
Oprah's closing up shop (a.k.a Harpo Studios) and moving west . . . to West Hollywood, that is. She recalls, "We were here when there was nothing but hoes and rats on the street, and now it's one of the hottest neighborhoods."
United States of Curiosity
Curious City founder Jennifer Brandel is spreading the show's curiosity-driven journalism to the rest of the country with Curious Nation.
Red Light Red Flags
The International Business Times reports Mayor Emanuel's former top congressional aide became a lobbyist for a firm representing Xerox State and Municipal Solutions days before the company was awarded the contract to build the City's red-light cameras.
Food for the Soul
Sack Lunch Sunday gives thousands of free lunches to the homeless, complete with an inspiring handwritten note.
Can't Skip Test Day
CPS reversed its plans not to give a state-mandated test to all its students after the state said up to $1.4 billion in funding would be at risk.
Spiffing Up Wabash
The Chicago Loop Alliance has plans to make Wabash Avenue a more inviting streetscape. The alliance's Transforming Wabash Report describes how the project will highlight historic facades, install dramatic new lighting, and create "districts" along Wabash focused on cultural and business uses.
The Station as Market
Police stations are offering their lobbies as safe spaces for Craigslist buyers and sellers to make the exchange.
Drink in a Box
Cocktail Courier, a newly launched service that ships you all the ingredients necessary to make fancy cocktails from local bartenders, makes decent drinks at a discount.
RIP Mark W. Anderson
Journalist Mark Anderson, formerly of Ward Room and a past contributor to Gapers Block, passed away yesterday after a battle with stage 4 cancer. Scott Smith has details on how to contribute to a fund to help Mark's family pay for medical bills and funeral expenses.
Just Another Day at the Beach
Someone mounted a deer head on a bamboo stake and left it stuck in the ground at Loyola Park Beach.
Lots of Green for Dead Heads
Three-day tickets to the Grateful Dead's reunion concerts at Soldier Field are reselling for as much as $15,000.
Historic Segregation
A study of segregation on the street level found Chicago was more segregated than cities in the South in 1940.
The People vs. Petcoke
Southeast Side residents are winning their battle to get piles of petcoke moved out of their community, but where it will end up remains unclear.
If You See Something
After her fellow commuters seemed to ignore a man confronting Mary Mitchell on the El, she wonders if we're too distracted to watch out for each other.
Art on the Square
The Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival is moving and rebranding as the Logan Square Arts Festival, setting up on Logan Square June 26-28.
Happy Pulaski Day
CPS schools are open but most County and City agencies are closed today to honor the very local holiday celebrating the Polish Revolutionary War legend Casimir Pulaski.
Our Richest Citizens
White Sox and Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf joined the list of Chicagoans on the 2015 Forbes Billionaires list, along with 17 others (six of whom have the last name Pritzker).
Our Local Minister
The new finance minister of Ukraine, Natalie Jaresko, was born in Chicago and grew up in the western suburbs. She lived in Ukrainian Village while she attended DePaul.
RIP Minnie Minoso
"Mr. White Sox," Minnie Minoso, passed away Sunday. Minoso was the first black player from Latin America to play in the major leagues, and was a seven-time All Star. His exact age is unknown, but he was believed to be 90.
