Goodbye Again, Frankie
A popular mural honoring Frankie Knuckles in Logan Square is disappearing, done in by necessary repairs to the building. Street artists are raising funds to recreate the mural.
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
July 2015
Chicago's Got a Brand New (Paper) Bag
The ban on plastic bags begins tomorrow for purchases from chain stores that are greater than 10,000 square feet.
Chicago's Second Season
In case you haven't seen all the cranes, the city is in the middle of a construction boom.
Drunken Green Thumbs
Is it just a myth, or are fest attendees really "liquor gardening," and burying bottles of booze in parks ahead of time and digging them up once the music starts?
Hate at the Beach
A video shows a racist rant directed at a woman and her children by a white beachgoer after the kids "splashed" her at Oak Street Beach.
Food Truck Fight
Scoutology is hosting a food truck free-for-all where you can vote for your favorite mobile eatery (or write in any that aren't listed).
Deep Dish in the Valley
Lou Malnati's is expanding beyond the Chicagoland area with a new restaurant in Phoenix.
Hometown Tour
Netherfriends hopes to bridge Chicago's hyper-segregated neighborhoods by performing in every one of them.
Top Slice
Chicago ranked as the #1 city for pizza according to TripAdvisor (New York was #2), based on the number and quality of reviews posted here. [via]
Stadium Blues
The Blackhawks announced plans for a new practice stadium without revealing how many publicly-funded "incentives" are on the table from the City, even though the stadium would be a money-maker itself.
In four more years?
The Daily Beast explores the beef between current Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel and rapper/political hopeful Chief Keef, who tweeted his intent on Monday.
Ensuring Access
Architectural design changed forever with the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The Warden Will See You Now
If Cook County Jail is the largest mental institution in the country, it makes sense that its new warden is a psychologist.
Escalation
As Lollapalooza erects increasingly intimidating fences to keep gate crashers out, they come up with more complicated ways to break in, from scaling fences to posing as workers.
The Fourth City?
Chicago may lose its position as third-largest city in the country to Houston by 2030, according to a study.
Laugh at Politics
The Better Government Association holds its annual summer fundraiser next Thursday, Aug. 6. The headliner is John Mulaney.
Rhyme Your Way Home
Cape Horn Illustration has put together a nice poem to help remember major streets.
United States of X: 11 Nations Edition
Cook County is just barely in the state of Yankeedom, on the border with The Midlands, according to a map put together by author Colin Woodard in his book American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America.
Born into Violence
The Tribune tells the story of one Back of the Yards family's story as a way into the neighborhood's history of entrenched gangs and ongoing violence.
Unbearable
Bears fans and Deadspin writers detail the things that suck the most about the Bears (most of them involve Jay Cutler).
Foamy Hot Dog
If you're tired of chewing your hot dogs, journalist and chef Louisa Chu created a Chicago-style hot dog foam, which should be finished with celery salt, of course. (Probably not something that'll show up at the Gapers Block Hot Dog Cookoff Saturday, but you never know.)
Pictures Against Humanity
Cards Against Humanity is selling a special Design Pack with illustrations inspired by George Carlin's "Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television," with all profits benefitting the Chicago Design Museum.
Share Your Wheels
Let strangers borrow your car (for money) when you're not using it with Getaround or while it's parked at the airport with FlightCar.
Compressing the City
The City hopes to encourage density and use of public transit by removing parking minimums for housing developments near L stations.
Justice Delayed
About 1,000 rape evidence kits from Chicago victims were submitted for analysis every year since 2008, but only 271 came back last year; the rest remain untested. Aldermen are calling on CPD to explain the backlog.
Re: Tweedy
Jeff Tweedy reflects on Wilco's 20 years as a band, from their formation in Chicago's 90's rock scene to their abruptly-released latest album Star Wars.
Scene of the Grime
Photographer Terry Evans captured compelling images of massive petcoke piles on the South Side and the community resistance leading to their removal by the end of the summer.
Home Dinger
Kris Bryant scored a comeback victory for the Cubs with his first walk-off home run, defeating the Colorado Rockies 9-8.
Housing Hangups
Fixing Chicago's housing issues should start with enforcing existing laws and tapping into the cash reserves at the Chicago Housing Authority to provide affordable places to live, writes Matt Hoffmann.
Keef 2019?
Chief Keef tweeted he's running for mayor as his beef with Mayor Emanuel continues.
Keef's recent performance via hologram at Crave Fest in Hammond was billed as an anti-violence effort but was still shut down by police. And it's not the first time local politicians tried to censor speech, writes Neil Steinberg, adding that doing so also elevates Keef to folk hero status.
I'm running for mayor of Chicago..... Vote for me!!!! It'll be the best thing done yet!!!!! Yall gonna love me in the Office.....
— AlmightySo (@ChiefKeef) July 27, 2015A Call to Service
A local American Legion commander is calling on fellow veterans to help prevent gun violence.
More Curbside Eats
Uber is now delivering a small selection of dinner dishes through its on-demand app in areas of downtown and Lincoln Park.
The Ballot is the Thing
Time Out Chicago just opened voting for its first-ever Time Out Chicago Theater Awards.
In Good Times and in Bad
A Chicago couple's apartment burned down on the same day as their wedding; a fundraising campaign for them already passed its goal of $5,000 and is approaching the $10,000 mark.
Opening the Shoebox
Artist Jason Lazarus collects photos too painful for their owners to look at and posts them on a blog. [via]
Fatal Figures
Chicago police shot and killed 70 people between 2010-2014, which is more than other major U.S. cities, according to the BGA.
Force Quit
Chief Keef appeared via hologram at Craze Fest in Hammond Saturday night, but his performance was shut down by police after the first song.
All Falls Down
Two buildings you should know about are in the process of being demolished today: the 100+ year-old St. Dominic's Church in River North, which served the Cabrini Green area; and Humboldt Park's Salerno Cookie Factory, whose Art Deco entrance was designed by Harold Zook.
(Re)Building the City
New leadership at Chicago's infrastructure bank will try to get the organization moving on major improvement projects; the group stalled somewhat after launching to big fanfare three years ago.
Chicago-Born Blues
Blues masters moving to Chicago from the Mississippi Delta in the 1950s and 1960s attracted young musicians who later became household names. The documentary Born in Chicago and its soundtrack capture this evolution and its continuing impact on music today.
Secret Holograms
After being "banned" by Mayor Emanuel, Chief Keef's hologram benefit show will be held at an undisclosed location in Chicago this Saturday and streamed live.
Origins of Hate
A former white supremacist shares how he first embraced an ideology of hate as a teenager in Chicago.
Latest Violence Thinkpiece
Rolling Stone examines the cycle of violence in Chicago with a look at how a basketball star's killing sparked even more shootings in retaliation.
What to Do When You See Blue
Know what your rights are if you get pulled over by the police, courtesy of WBEZ.
How to Go Back to the Future
While hover boards are still on their way, Jack Silverstein writes about the lessons he learned from Back to the Future II, including the inspiration for penning letters to his great-grandchildren.
Worth Looking Up
Curious City looked for the best stargazing spots near the city, and experts recommended heading out to Northerly Island or grabbing a ferry across Lake Michigan.
A Pole New World
It turns out you can catch quite a few fish in the Chicagoland area - if you know where to hook.
Save the Geeks
Geek Bar is trying to keep its doors open in Wicker Park with a new crowdfunding campaign and abandoning plans to move to Lincoln Park after sinking over $300,000 into the project.
In Love with Losing
While appealing to his beloved Cubs to stop winning, writer Rich Cohen said he started cheering for the team despite his father's warning that a "Cubs fan will have a bad life, as such a fan will come to regard defeat as the natural end of all human endeavor."
A Tall Order
The Aon Center, Chicago's third tallest building, sold to an Atlanta-based company for $712 million.
Basketball MVP
The Sky's Elena Delle Donne is having a better season than any basketball player - male or female - has ever played.
Clean Your Plate in Albany Park
It's Bon Appétit Restaurant Week in Albany Park. Dine in for special menus through Sunday, July 26.
Off the Record
Gov. Rauner doesn't want to share who he meets with by releasing his schedule to the public, according to the Reader's Mick Dumke.
More "People You Should Know"
The Jewish community site Oy! Chicago released its own list of "36 under 36" full of people working to make the world a better place.
Microphone Marathon
Dynasty Podcasts will celebrate ten years of covering the music scene in Chicago and across the country with a 10-hour live marathon of performances and interviews.
Starting Up the West Loop
The New York Times takes a stroll through the fine dining options taking over the West Loop, noting the area's transition is similar to changes in New York's meatpacking district.
A Walk in the Park
Chicago Magazine's Whet Moser took a stroll down the 606 with Mayor Emanuel to talk about his plans for the Riverwalk and other parks in the city.
Digital Newsreels
Witness elephants racing through the streets, a visit from the Queen of England, and a 1930 championship wrestling match with classic Movietown newsreels now available online.
New Dreams
A Marshall High School teacher and coach who was injured in a shooting when he was mistaken for a gang member could get help moving again if a fundraiser is successful.
Get Lost in the Hawks
The Blackhawks are celebrated by the "world's largest corn maze" this year in a design complete with logos, hockey players, and the Chicago skyline spread over 33 acres.
Monumental Inequality
There are plenty of statues of fictional females around Chicago, but none to actual, real women. Meanwhile there are 48 statues and busts of men. There are efforts afoot to change that.
Low-Power Fans
A baseball fan power ranking puts Cubs fans at 14th and White Sox fans near the bottom at 26th place of the 30 MLB teams. The rankings factored things like stadium attendance, ticket resale value, and social media following. [via]
Getch'er Hot Dogs Here
ManBQue's John Carruthers spent a day at the Cell selling hot dogs. See what he and his crew can do with Vienna Beef at the Gapers Block Hot Dog Cookoff at Schubas Aug. 1!
You Shall Not Pass
Ald. John Arena parked his car in front of a bulldozer to stop construction crews from closing a road in his ward in order to put up a digital billboard.
Riot Fest Deal
Groupon is offering an "exclusive" deal on Riot Fest tickets. The daily lineup was released today.
Disinfecting the River
Wastewater from the city will now be disinfected before it's dumped into local waterways, after Chicago became the last major city to institute the practice.
History of Homes
Over 165 years of the history of home architecture can be found on Chicago's streets today.
Conversation Starter Gun
A 380 pound revolver sculpture stamped with the names of gun violence victims aims to encourage conversations about violence as it moves through the city in the back of a pickup.
Nightcrawler
If it bleeds, it may have been captured by freelance video journalist Pauley LaPointe, who races to catch the city's mayhem on tape for local TV stations.
Just One Chance
Chance the Rapper embodies the Chicago of today more than any other artist, writes Britt Julious in her review of his headlining performance at Pitchfork.
Passing the Robot On
HitchBOT needs a ride through Chicago on the latest leg of its trip across the country that relies on the kindness of strangers.
Happy Trails
Eater put together a map of the inaugural Happy Hour specials in bars across the city, where the highest concentration (so far) appears to be in the Loop and River North.
Young Guns of Grub
Meet some of the up-and-coming talent from Chicago's hospitality industry in Zagat's 30-under-30, including chefs, bartenders, owners, and more.
Investigator Ousted
An investigator who deemed several police shootings unjustified was fired after he ignored orders to change his findings, according to reporting by WBEZ.
Hard Costs
Take a look at the cost of incarcerating residents of each neighborhood on a map which argues for spending more on programs in those areas to save money later.
Hailing Uber
Laura Washington credits Uber with making it easier for African Americans to hail a taxi while also providing job opportunities for people from underserved areas.
Integrating the 'Burbs
More affordable housing is coming to the suburbs as governments combine resources to give low-income people a chance to move to safe neighborhoods with good schools.
Drifting Wacker Drive
No one knows when it started, but late at night the lowest depths Lower Wacker Drive screech with drifting, speeding cars.
United States of X: Doing Swears Edition
An analysis of Twitter reveals the favorite swear words across the country.
Amazon Delivers
Amazon's PrimeNow local delivery service is now available in Chicago -- but only in the ZIP codes 60614, 60610, 60654, 60622 and 60642. Two-hour delivery is free, one-hour delivery costs $7.99.
Double Swiping
Consultants involved in lining up contractors to build the Ventra system later reused confidential information on another project, writes Jason Prechtel in his latest work digging into the payment system.
Back from the Brink
Once extinct in Illinois, peregrine falcons are now flourishing, thanks in part to a local program that bred them in captivity and then reintroduced them into the wild.
Candyman and Cabrini
Scrappers Film Group (which is behind The Grid) takes a look at the connections between fear and public housing in the horror film Candyman, which was filmed at Cabrini-Green while it was still standing.
Unhappy Trails
Just in time for the evening commute: Chicago is rated as one of the country's worst big cities for drivers in a study by a personal finance website.
City of Big Taxes
Chicago's sales tax will be the highest of any major U.S. city when it goes up to 10.25 percent, after the Cook County Board approved a one percent increase to pay for pensions and more.
Honring Ida B. Wells
Today's Google Doodle celebrates civil rights activist and journalist Ida B. Wells, who was born into slavery in 1862 and spent time working for the African-American Chicago Conservator newspaper.
History Bot
Curious City asks why an animatronic Harold Washington tells the late mayor's story to visitors at the DuSable Museum of African American History.
Off the Chain
You can hunt down some free Olive Garden breadsticks by finding their food truck as it drives around the city (and parks in Daley Plaza during lunch on Thursday).
Remembering the Heat Wave
UIC will be holding a free, daylong event Sept. 16th dedicated to the 1995 Heat Wave that killed over 700 people.
Tuning In
TV ratings for Cubs games are steadily increasing as new prospects get fans excited about the team, which along with the Bulls and Bears, is one of the most valuable franchises in sports.
Piles in Perspective
See how big petcoke piles on the South Side really are with side-by-side comparisons showing they're as big as McCormick place and other Chicago landmarks.
Sandra Bland's Death Investigated
Texas Rangers are investigating the death of Chicago civil rights activist Sandra Bland, who officials say committed suicide in a jail cell after being detained for assaulting a public servant.
From Ventra Cards to Diplomas
Mayor Emanuel is expected to appoint former CTA head Forrest Claypool as the new CEO of CPS.
Happy Hour is Officially Back in Illinois
Although legislation has been signed by Gov. Bruce Rauner to allow happy hour specials back in Illinois, there are still some caveats.
Bike Backlog
While festival organizers encourage people to bike, predicting the number of cyclists and managing a flood of Divvys is still a challenge.
Pretty Pluto
NASA released high-resolution images today of Pluto and its moon, the planet no more that was discovered by Illinoisan Clyde Tombaugh in 1930, sent back from the New Horizons spacecraft. Tombaugh's ashes were even on the spacecraft as it passed the planet, allowing the man to meet his discovery. You can watch a live stream of NASA's analysis of the photos via the Guardian here.
Tragedy On Tap
"The 844" beer commemorates the victims of the Eastland Disaster, available for the first time alongside photos of the tragedy taken by photojournalist Jun Fujita.
Hyphenated
Spike Lee's Chi-Raq definitely has a hyphen, and will be the first-ever film backed by Amazon when it hits theaters early next year.
Streaming the City
Chicagoans stream local rap more than any other music on Spotify, according to data released by the company, with artists like King Louie, Spenzo, and Lil Durk topping the charts.
One More Step
Former Tribune correspondent Paul Salopek is following the path of humankind on an eight-year walk from Ethiopia to South America, and is raising money on Kickstarter to support the storytelling mission.
Texting in Transit
Commuters looking to spend even more time with their mobile devices are increasingly taking the Metra and public transit, according to a study.
Cutting the Action
While film boosters and incubators like Stage 18 hope to build a "new Hollywood" in Chicago, reductions in the tax cuts given to media makers means there are less incentives to come here.
Flower Power
One man's campaign to change Illinois' official flower to the mallow aims to encourage the state to protect its threatened ecosystems.
Defining Citizenship
This year's Chicago Humanities Festival explores the idea of citizenship and how it's experienced in the age of the Internet.
Cable for Cord-Cutters
Comcast will launch a streaming service with a bundle including HBO and local channels.
Every Number is #1
Serious Eats dubbed Harold's Chicken (any location) as the "Best Bad Fried Chicken on Earth."
The New Cuteness
Between Pluto and the red panda cubs at Lincoln Park Zoo, it's a good day to be on the Internet.
Ten Years Later
On the tenth anniversary of his senseless death from a devastating car crash (also killed were Returnables guitarist John Glick and Exo/The Dials' Douglas Meis), a former colleague penned a remembrance for Silkworm drummer Michael Dahlquist today. (A memorial show for the three will be held Aug. 8 at the Hideout.)
Chopping TIFs
The City is eliminating some TIF districts used to funnel tax dollars into development projects in order to divert some of the money to CPS.
Chicago's Best
Chicago Magazine's experts pick the city's best of everything from art restorers to dog whisperers.
Diversity in Education
Whitney Young ranked as the second most diverse school in the country in a study by niche.com.
Back On the List
After escaping from prison, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman will be labeled "Chicago's Public Enemy No. 1" once again.
The Veggies on the Bus
The Fresh Moves buses are coming out of retirement to bring fresh produce to food deserts across Chicago.
Stable 'Hoods
People on the North and South ends of the City are less likely to move away, according to an analysis by DNAinfo.
Nonprofits Sound the Alarm
Nonprofits and childcare organizations are scrambling to stay open as the budget impasse in Springfield delays (or potentially cuts) state funding.
The Grey Line
Undercover tactics used to catch American terrorism suspects often border on entrapment, writes Mick Dumke in the Reader.
Hologram Benefit
Chief Keef will perform via hologram at a benefit show for the family of a toddler killed by a driver fleeing the scene of his friend's murder. Keef isn't returning to Chicago because of outstanding warrants.
Printing Thanks
Patrick Sharp thanked Blackhawks fans for their support with a full-page ad in the Sunday Chicago Tribune.
RIP Stingrays
Every stingray in the Brookfield Zoo's Stingray Bay habitat died after a malfunction caused the oxygen level to drop.
"Rent" is a Four Letter Word
Homeowners in the rapidly-gentrifying West Loop don't want many low-income or rental units included in new developments.
Trading Without the Traders
Photographs of dark displays at trading companies by Beate Geissler and Oliver Sann imagine a future where automated markets make human traders obsolete.
Desegregating the City
The Washington Post takes an in-depth look at segregation in Chicago as President Obama prepares rules to reduce segregation in U.S. cities.
United States of X: Fake People Edition
Ferris Bueller is the most famous fictional Illinoisan according Playboy; what, no Wayne and Garth? Denied! What do you think?
Startup Building Startups
Roniin takes novel ideas and connects them with entrepreneurs and investment to create new companies.
Swearing Minions?
Some parents think the talking minion toys included in a McDonald's Happy Meal are actually swearing.
Blackhawks Flip Out
Relive the Blackhawks' Stanley Cup victory in flipbook form with a video by The Flippist.
What, No Ketchup?
Food writer Steve Dolinsky encountered a very inauthentic Chicago Hot Dog slathered with fried onions, pickles and a "Chicago sauce" (the mind boggles) while in Spain.
Projection Protips
Host your own Movies in the Yard with expert tips on screening a movie outdoors from Chicago Magazine.
Watercolor Tanks
As water towers disappear from the skyline, artist Kevin Swallow captures them on canvas.
Tuition Going Up at City Colleges
A new pricing system will make community college more expensive for part-time students as part of an effort to encourage full-time enrollment.
RIP Lucky Cordell
Legendary radio DJ Moses "Lucky" Cordell died after he was injured in a house fire.
Fire in the Sky
An engine caught fire as a Southwest airplane took off from Midway Wednesday night; luckily the flight landed safely and no one was injured.
Historic Towers
The iconic Marina City Towers downtown are on their way towards receiving official landmark status.
The Taste Tested
If you're looking to spend your tickets wisely at the Taste of Chicago, the Tribune has a guide to the best and worst of the booths.
Gradin' the Governor
Chicago Magazine gives Gov. Rauner barely passing grades for his first six months in office, with very low marks on major issues like pension reform and the budget.
New Heights
Gramovox's Kickstarter campaign for the Floating Record raised over $1 million so far, more than any other Chicago campaign.
Print is the New Black
A federal judge ruled Cook County Jail's newspaper ban violates inmates' rights to free speech.
Good News in Englewood
As moms patrolled the neighborhood, signs warned of kids playing nearby, and other efforts came together, the 4th of July weekend in Englewood was free of violence.
Mapping Tragedy
A map of homicides in Chicago put together by DNAinfo marks the location of every killing in the city since 2005.
Ending "Patriotic Tetanus"
Firework injuries were fatal for many in the early 1900s so the Tribune tracked tetanus infections in the days following the 4th of July, attracting a national spotlight to the issue.
Crosstown Classics
The Cubs and White Sox will honor "Mr. Cub" Ernie Banks and "Mr. White Sox" Minnie Minoso during their Crosstown Series this weekend.
Inedible
David Burke's Primehouse and an unnamed Chicago music venue
are among those who shared "don't eat that" moments with Jezebel's Kitchenette.
Signs of Past Times
Fading ghost signs painted on the sides of buildings are sometimes all that's left of long-shuttered businesses.
No Ticket
A woman busted previously for trying to sneak aboard an airplane was arrested while trying to do it again at Midway Airport a day after she was released from jail.
Speaking to Grace
On the latest episode of the podcast WTF, Marc Maron talks with Against Me! singer and recent Chicago transplant Laura Jane Grace about her life, her experiences with transgender dysphoria and her music.
Burgers That Move
Burgers from Slim's, Hamburger Heaven, and Kuma's Too are the most popular for delivery, according to GrubHub.
Toasting Tech
Tech.co (formerly Tech Cocktail) is returning to Chicago to celebrate the city's best startups.
Documenting Grief
As family, friends, and neighbors of seven-year-old Amari Brown mourned his killing, Tribune photographers captured the emotional scene.
All-Stars Now
The Cubs' Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant are on the roster for the National League and White Sox pitcher Chris Sale will join the the American League for this year's All-Star Game.
Colbert on Chicago's Comedy
Stephen Colbert talked about Chicago's role as a comedy incubator with writers Jen Spyra and Cullen Crawford, who he recruited to join the staff of The Late Show.
Leveling the Wage
Bakery Baker Miller is experimenting with paying all of its employees $14 an hour.
End of a Long, Strange Trip
The Grateful Dead set attendance records all three nights of their farewell shows at Soldier Field.
Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is
The Bean Soup Times is challenging Chicago foodies to patronize as many black-owned restaurants as possible this summer.
Rebooting the Homepage
Moderators of Chicago's local Reddit page are starting from scratch as Reddit itself faces an upheaval from users upset with its new moderation policies.
Still Rooting for the Home Team
Harry Caray appeared to sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" one more time on Wrigley Field's new video scoreboard.
I Believe That We Did Win
Thousands of soccer fans gathered in Lincoln Park to watch the U.S. women's team take home the World Cup.
Nothing to Marvel At
The "Marvel Experience" will not bring its interactive and futuristic attractions to Chicago after the tour's organizers canceled all of its stops.
Greening the Skyline
Farms are sprouting from rooftops across the city, including what will be the world's largest atop the Method factory in Pullman.
Ballpark Franks
Three gourmet sausages created by Hot Doug's Doug Sohn will be served at Wrigley Field starting today. Look for them at the new Platform 14 stand behind the scoreboard.
Miss This Stuff?
Reminisce about the dearly departed on Craig's Lost Chicago, a cavalcade of what's come and gone.
Trail Tips
As people flock to the Bloomingdale Trail this weekend, everyone can get along with some etiquette tips provided by DNAinfo.
Cutbacks Continue
Around 1,400 jobs at CPS will be slashed to compensate for the City's latest pension payment. Officials claim class sizes will not increase.
From Few to Many
The Reader traces the Chosen Few Picnic's growth from a family July 4th barbecue to the 'Woodstock of house music.'
Beyond the Blue Bin
Follow the journey of Chicago's recycling from the blue bins in alleys to markets around the world.
Lost Lines
Drivers no longer need to scramble to stand in long lines to get a city sticker before the deadline after the City switched to year-round sales.
Spend Your Savings at Grace
Grace is Chicago's most expensive restaurant based on its new minimum price of $235.
Wrong Ticket to Ride
Misuse of cards issued to low-income seniors and people with disabilities is costing the CTA millions.
New Cuteness
What else is the Internet good for, besides cute pictures of animals like the two red panda cubs born recently at the Lincoln Park Zoo?
New Links to Chicago
A aggregation site called Voat looks a lot like Reddit but its creators say it's different, focusing on usability and privacy.
Post Mortem
The Sun-Times' former Homicide Watch editor Michael Lansu opens up about his time covering every murder in the city.
Taxing the Cloud
Streaming services like Netflix and Spotify are nine percent more expensive in Chicago due to new taxes imposed by the City.
Truckin' Into Town for the Dead?
The internet abounds with lists of what to do when you go to the Grateful Dead shows (or listening parties) this weekend (including what you can't bring into Soldier Field) and things to do during all the inbetween time. (Bravo, DNAinfo on the Steal Your Face map icon).
What's the Deal with Murder?
I didn't think stand-up comedy had anything to do with solving crimes, but the short "Murder She Joked" proves I was hilariously wrong.
Still Moving
Chicago's juke scene is continuing to break new ground and spread around the world in the era after DJ Rashad.
A Decade in the Making
Masada's Shadi Ramli spent a decade building the massive Middle Eastern restaurant in Logan Square.
Sex Tourists
A Sexual History of Chicago tour highlights the revolutionaries and rascals of Chicago's past.
Secret Ballers
The Wicker Park High Tea and Dodgeball Association organizes secret late-night dodgeball matches during the week in Wicker Park.
