November 12, 2003

Wednesday, 11 12 2003

You can drive, but you can't hide.

If you've been putting off buying a city sticker, you might want to think about doing it soon: police and investigators will be able to ticket unstickered cars in licensed garages and parking lots, thanks to new legislation passed Wednesday by the City Council. City Clerk James Laski estimates the city could make as much as $10 million in the next two years. Although the legislation is already in effect, you still have a couple of weeks to get your sticker before the city starts enforcing the law. [Trib. login: gapers/gapers]

- jma | 12.11.03 ~ Transportation

Business--of Education?

The Society of Jesus--known to lay people as Jesuits and to Southern Baptists as Them Thar Agents of the Papacy--is trying to level the playing field for their students in poorer neighborhoods. By getting them jobs at downtown Chicago firms, they hope to give kids valuable work experience, help them make connections, and also procure funding for the schools themselves. Is this an altruistic concern for these kids futures, or evil exploitation of cheap labor? The students seem to think the former, so I'll go with them. Please ignore the eminently ironic picture of the hopeful kid in front of the Arthur Andersen sign.

- rc | 12.11.03 ~ Schools/Education

Winter Solstice Burn III

It's a bit hard to think about Burning Man now - it's 296 days away. However, the Burning Man festival is trying to decentralize a bit and the Midwestern Winter Burn - a local Burning Man-like festival - has been scheduled. Winter Solstice Burn III happens in Wisconsin at an indoor facility. Not the same as running naked through the playa, but you don't have to travel 2000 miles to get there either. A great place to get your winter poi fix.

- bs | 12.11.03 ~ Offbeat/Misc. Events

Le Masque à Gaz

...Otherwise known as GasMasks.net, is a locally produced web magazine all about protective masks. More than you likely wanted to know about gas masks, created by No Future Productions.

- ah | 12.11.03 ~ Print/Magazines

Panhandlers Vindicated

A half-million dollar settlement has been reached in a court case on behalf of 5,000 panhandlers arrested in 1999-2002 under a repealed city ordinance that had classified panhandling as disorderly conduct. Panhandlers who were arrested are eligible for $400 compensation, while those who were only ticketed will receive $50. A spokesman from the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless said it would remain to be seen how many claims would be filed, though.

- ah | 12.11.03 ~ In the News

Farnsworth House on Auction Block

On Dec. 12, Sotheby's of New York will place the historic Farnsworth House on the auction block. The only way to get a tour of the property? Call the head of Sotheby's and request a private tour; or, make a donation of $1 million or so, boosting the campaign by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois to buy the house. They believe the house is threatened, and you too can make a donation to save the Mies van der Rohe treasure (PDF).

- eh | 12.11.03 ~ Arts/Architecture

I see...France! and stuff

Since ye olde grand consumerism fever is about to hit us soon in time for the holidays, I thought I'd drop in with some neat little designed items of clothing and "stuffs" from folks in Chicago. First up is I See France, a cute underthings concern for the lady in your life, from the same folks et al that brought you Threadless, which is a T-shirt concern where you should buy those cool t-shirts the kids are all wearing nowadays. And of course, do not forget to come with wallets loaded for the DIY Trunk Show this weekend.

- nh | 12.11.03 ~ Business/Shopping

Foul back.

Just when you thought you were going to put the recent Cubs unpleasantness behind you and move on, an Oak Brook auction house claims to have the infamous foul ball from Game 6 and is getting ready to auction it off next month. I'm guessing that bidding will be coming mostly from Florida.

- jma | 12.11.03 ~ Sports/Recreation

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