December 02, 2003

Jorn Barger is Missing

Jorn Barger, creator of Robot Wisdom, one of the first weblogs -- in fact, he coined the term -- has been missing for two months. Barger moved to a small New Mexico town from Chicago last year, but hasn't been heard from online since October 1, and his housemate hasn't seen him since, either. Eric Wagoner is starting a search. UPDATE: Apparently his disappearance was the result of a domestic dispute. No need to panic, stop searching under bushes.

- ah | 2.12.03 ~ Weblogs

Matt O'Shea Drops Out

Huggable mayor of downstate Metamora Matt O'Shea dropped out of the race for the Democratic Nomination for Senate, which means all of the remaining candidates are Chicago-based. O'Shea, who was a Republican until he felt "betrayed" by the RNC, has backed former School Board chief Gery Chico, which means the other candidates will have to work even harder to carve out slices for themselves in Chicago. Can't wait until every every immovable object in the city is slathered with campaign signs.

- rc | 2.12.03 ~ Politics/Activism

First Friday This Friday

Don't want to spend the holidays alone, or, err, at least this Friday? Word on the street is that First Fridays at the MCA is a serious hook-up parlor. Sure there's art and free Wolfgang Puck appetizers and live music, but really, it's about the hook-up. With an after-party at Le Passage, you're sure to, umm, have some great discussions about art until 4am.

- bs | 2.12.03 ~ Arts/Architecture

We're Tops

The Windy City came out pretty well in Condé Nast Traveler's 2003 Readers' Choice Awards, in the November issue of the magazine. Chicago was the fourth best US destination, behind San Francisco, New York and Charleston SC, and was the fourth best city for restaurants. And three Chicago hotels are in the top 10 for North America (#3 The Peninsula, #7 Four Seasons, #10 Ritz-Carlton). Go us!

- ah | 2.12.03 ~ City Life/Cultural

Big Chicks: A Little Bit Longer

UPDATE: Michelle Fire's gay-friendly bar, Big Chicks, has gotten a brief stay by the city and will remain in business until at least January 13, 2004, when their next hearing will take place. There is a state law forbidding liquor sales within 100 feet of a religious institution, and Agudas Achim Synagogue is nearby. (There has been a liquor license at Big Chicks location since 1944.) You can still sign the petition to support Big Chicks.

- | 2.12.03 ~ Politics/Activism

Time Out Chicago

Time Out Chicago, the newest magazine endeavor of the Time Out Group, is set to start publishing next September. They face some pretty tough weekly competition from The Reader, as well as other resources like Metromix. If the Time Out Chicago Guide is any indication, they have a lot of catching up to do.

- jd | 2.12.03 ~ Print/Magazines

UIC Makin' Jaws

The Chicago Tribune is reporting that the enormous, lavishly funded biotech research arm of the University of Illinois-Chicago has successfully crafted part of a human jaw using rat stem cells. [login: gapers/gapers]. They also proved that once the process becomes standardized, it will be relatively inexpensive (or as inexpensive as anything having to do with medicine ever is). But if they need more rats, I know a few nice rat families that have made quite a living under our deck.

- rc | 2.12.03 ~ In the News

  ^ Top of page  |  Content © 2003 - 2009 Gapers Block All rights reserved.