January 28, 2004

Do we look fat?

Men's Fitness has named Chicago the fifth fattest U.S. city, which is an improvement over last year, when we were No. 2. We score well for athletic participation -- huzzah for softball and biking -- but flunk when it comes to nutrition, air quality, climate, commuting and access to parks.

- ls | 28.01.04 ~ Sports/Recreation

40 Minutes from Allstate to Downtown!?

Last December, our very own Librarian took on a daunting task: writing a guide to Chicago traffic reports. In a shrewd move, executives at Clear Channel Radio have handed down a new edict. No longer should on-air talent report travel times from O'Hare airport. Instead, more corporate product placement may enter our lives, as this traffic point shall now be the Allstate Arena.

- eh | 28.01.04 ~ Transportation

Chicago in Film

Spurred by a question in our most recent Fuel discussion, a quick search revealed a list of movies filmed in Chicago. There is more where that came from featuring movies with Chicagoans and movies that are intrinsically about Chicago. The All Movie Guide also offers a list of everyone involved in film who was born in Chicago (strangely, Winnetka native Chris O'Donnell is on the list, but the Evanstonian Cusaks and Wilmette-ian Bill Murray are not).

- nh | 28.01.04 ~ Film

Fooey On You

Chicago-based Fooey t-shirts for hip kids (and infants!) make you wish you could fit into a real "baby tee." You can't help but love the old-school banana-seat bikes and 18-wheeler designs. (Thanks Anne.)

- ah | 28.01.04 ~ Business/Shopping

Overeager fan ruins show

The Onion reports on a recent show at the Empty Bottle. [ Hats tipped to Fancy That ]

- nh | 28.01.04 ~ Music/Clubs

Your Virtual Newsstand

City Newsstand, 4018 N. Cicero in Chicago, and Chicago-Main Newsstand, 380 N. Chicago in Evanston, are great resources for hard-to-find magazines and newspapers, but little did you know they also have a pretty good website. Check out their Top Tabloid Headlines of 2003 -- FEBRUARY TO BE CANCELED!

- ah | 28.01.04 ~ Print/Magazines

Fast Forward

There's still time to sign up for the Fast Forward Film Fest no. 12 "Out of Context"! Participants in the fest will be given 21 hours to make a three minute film using scenes and/or clips taken from well known or unknown films and TV programs. Register your group at Atomix Cafe (1957 W. Chicago). Groups can be any size and there's room for 30 groups. The registration fee is $20. Participants will be meeting at Atomix January 30 at 7:30 for their topic assignment. The deadline to complete the movie is 5pm the next day (January 31). A public screening of the submissions and awards ceremony will be taking place at Open End Gallery (2000 W Fulton) at 8pm January 31. If you have any questions please call 773.263.7057.

- jc | 28.01.04 ~ Film

Our Own Bridget Jones?

The adventures of Mimi Smartypants have caught yet another eye. The Sun Times asks is Mimi the new "everywoman"? Whatever that means...we just love to read her musings.

- eh | 28.01.04 ~ People/Sightings

City makes Wrigley Field landmark

The Sun-Times reports that the City Council's Landmarks Committee approves Mayor Daley's plan to landmark "historic elements" of Wrigley Field. Since the landmark designation doesn't cover the entire building, it allows the owners to start on plans to build three rows of premium-priced seats behind home plate. "Even more important, the landmark vote signals that a deal is in the works for the Cubs to play 30 night games by 2006 -- up from 18."

- jma | 28.01.04 ~ Sports/Recreation

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