December 01, 2003

Progress on Syphilis

Chicago Free Press is reporting that incidences of syphilis have declined by 33% in the city of Chicago, but have risen by 9% throughout the rest of the country. The Centers for Disease Control estimate that 40% of that increase involves gay males.

- rc | 1.12.03 ~ In the News

StreetNotSoWise?

"There is absolutely no excuse for keeping 2, 3 and 4 year old children out in freezing weather to lift yourself up." The Chicago Report has strong words for StreetWise after seeing vendors hit the streets with children in tow.

- ah | 1.12.03 ~ In the News

Thanksgiving juxtaposition

One of the more expensive Thanksgiving dinners to be had this year was the $82 turkey-day buffet at the Peninsula. Read all about the extravagant dinner, and then compare it to some Chicago Chowhounds' Thanksgiving dinner: preparing 38 22-pound smoked turkeys, serving 512 people at the Salvation Army.

- jd | 1.12.03 ~ Eating/Drinking

Add your own

Add Your Own is a new community site where the success depends on you, the user. It's nifty with just the essentials, reminiscent of Craigslist in it's utilitarian style. The Chicago listings are looking a little slim. I love that there's a Restrooms section as well as a Coffee Shops section too. Go now! Fill 'er up!

- nh | 1.12.03 ~ Resources

Hundreds towed!

As if we didn't have enough to worry about with the enforcement of towing legislation against cars without Chicago city stickers, now we've gotta worry about the winter parking rules on many of the city's streets. It's December 1, the day that winter parking laws go into effect, and the city went about its assigned task, towing hundreds of cars this morning. Violators face paying a minimum $150 towing fee and a $50 ticket. Buck up, kiddos, you've only got 4 months before winter parking ends on April 1. [Trib. login: gapers/gapers]

- jma | 1.12.03 ~ Transportation

Finding a Home

Homelessness is on the rise here and across the country, but the City has a new plan that aims to get more people off the streets than previous schemes. Chicago is putting weight behind a "housing first" initiative, encouraging homeless advocacy and support groups to provide a place to live before helping homeless people with their other issues. Starting next year the city will provide funding only to shelters that comply with this program. In the meantime, the Homelessness Prevention Fund gives families who are in danger of losing their homes small amounts (an average of $450) to help make ends meet.

- ah | 1.12.03 ~ In the News

Everything's coming up Bubba

A Springfield, Ill. man has legally changed his name to Bubba Bubba Bubba. Said Mr. Bubba, "I kind of like to laugh and joke, and it's something silly to kind of poke fun with." True dat.

- jma | 1.12.03 ~ Outdoors/Environment

Metra naughtiness

A former Metra train conductor has written a book called That's What I Call Commuting, which according to the Sun-Times is a collection of the most memorable moments from his 30 years of working on the trains. Most of the tales sound like out-takes from "America's Funniest Home Videos:" women taking their clothes off, children puking in the conductor's cap, and a guy who missed his morning commute jumping onto a slow-moving freight train and ending up in Iowa.

- jma | 1.12.03 ~ Transportation

Another Lousy Day

Chicago playwright David Kodeski's "Another Lousy Day" gets the public radio treatment with a premiere event Dec. 10 at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave., 7:30 pm. (Call 312-948-4800 for reservations.) In the much-acclaimed monologue, Kodeski investigates the life a South Side woman whose diaries he found in an Andersonville thrift store. Chicago Public Radio (WBEZ, 91.5) will broadcast the play on Dec. 11, at 6 pm and again on the program Eight Forty-Eight on Dec. 16, at 9:30 am. Ding!

- ac | 1.12.03 ~ Radio/TV

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