September 2004

Doc Releases Fall Schedule
Doc Films, one the oldest student-run film groups in the nation, has just announced another packed Autumn lineup. Operating out of Ida Noyes Hall at the University of Chicago, Doc traditionally creates a theme for each day of the week, with more esoteric cinema showing Sunday through Thursday. This season is no exception, featuring work from Kenji Mizoguchi and Jim Jarmusch, as well as up-and-coming Nordic filmmakers. They also frequently hold special events that are worth looking out for; Errol Morris, Ang Lee, Woody Allen, Kevin Spacey, and Roger Ebert have all participated in recent screenings.
Ken on Thu September 30 2004Film 

Keeping the blog-light burning
We were saddened a couple of weeks ago, when we read that Aaron of Uppity-Negro had died. But we're glad to read that Aaron's mother Jessie, and his sister Val, will be keeping his blog alive by updating on occasion. Their first post shows promise and I think Aaron would be proud.
Cinnamon on Thu September 30 2004Weblogs 

Shutterbug the CTA
Today is the last day to submit pictures of the CTA to the This is Grand photo contest. The three winners and some finalists will have their work displayed at Darkroom beginning November 14. See the rules page for more information.
Jes on Thu September 30 2004Arts/Architecture 

Escape the Concrete Jungle
Have you ever felt the need to escape your day-to-day life for just a couple of hours? Luckily, Megan Williamson provides us with such an escape. An artist trained in the beauty of the Umbrian contryside, now Megan paints some of Wicker Park's urban gardens for a living. The journey wasn't always pretty, after her husband suffered an accident requiring spinal cord surgery, but Megan continued doing what she does best, painting landscapes. See her current exhibit at the Thomas Masters Gallery, 245 W. North Ave, extended through today.
Ellen on Thu September 30 2004City Life/Cultural 

Must See TV
Give your channel-flipping finger a rest tonight and head to the Chicago Historical Society to watch the first Presidential debate. The CHS event will begins at 6 p.m. (the debates start at 8 p.m.) with a reception and a discussion by local journalists and scholars. Tickets are $5 and students get in free with ID. For more information check the Slowdown. Prove that the smart ones not only watch The Daily Show, they also watch the debates.
Anne on Thu September 30 2004Politics/Activism 

Artists' Open House
Fall is here, time to stock up on art for the winter. Head down to Pilsen this weekend for the Chicago Art District's annual Artists Open House. Opening night is tomorrow starting at 6pm, and the galleries will be open both Saturday and Sunday from noon to 7pm for your viewing pleasure. Check here for a full listing of shows.
Andrew on Thu September 30 2004Arts/Architecture 

Theatre To Get Facelift
The Daily Herald reports that the historic, but ailing Des Plaines Theatre may be getting a much needed facelift thanks to a deal struck between the theatre's owners and the Des Plaines Theater Preservation Society. Neon lighting will be repaired, and the sign will get a new coat of paint. Preservationists are hopeful that this will be the first step towards a complete restoration.
Alice on Thu September 30 2004Arts/Architecture 

Women Come to the Front
Helen Kirkpatrick, Jane Meyer, Virginia Prewett and Sigrid Shultz are among the accredited female correspondants that worked for Chicago newspapers during World War II. Their stories and the profiles of eight other women are part of Women Come to the Front: Journalists, Photographers and Broadcasters During World War II, an online exhibition from the Library of Congress.
Alice on Wed September 29 2004History 

Lincoln/Net
The Abraham Lincoln Historical Digitization Project, hosted by Northern Illinois University, "presents historical materials from Abraham Lincoln's Illinois years (1830-1861)." These materials include Lincoln's own writings and other primary texts, images, videos and interpretive materials. Lincoln/Net is a rich archive of literature concerning Abraham Lincoln and the early statehood of Illinois.
Alice on Wed September 29 2004History 

Solar Power Open House
In Chicago, there are three constants in life: death, taxes, and heating bills. You might be able to reduce/eliminate the heating bill portion by using solar power. Many of the solar energy sites around the city and region are offering open-houses this weekend so you can see how people in Illinois put the sun to good use. There is a clickable map to illustrate the tours available, or you can look at the tour list if you want to see the addresses of the sites sponsoring tours.
Brian on Wed September 29 2004Outdoors/Environment 

Billboard Brouhaha
Seems like billboards are springing up all over, doesn't it? In Des Plaines, it's no joke: three towering billboards have been built along major roads there recently, and seven more are planned. It's become a serious scandal, meriting US Attorney review. The Journal & Topics is covering the story, which includes revelations that a former police officer convicted of bribery and tax evasion was treasurer of the sign company involved in the issue.
Andrew on Wed September 29 2004In the News 

Rules of Panhandling
The City Council seems to be headed towards restricting panhandling, particularly "aggressive" panhandling. It would also restrict where one could be approached, with specific limits around ATMs, bus and El stops, and public transit.
Paul McA. on Wed September 29 2004In the News 

Get High and Get Down
Looking for something different to do this evening? Well, the elusive ambient/downtempo collective Atmospheric Audio Chair has reformed — this time with promotional support from Apple and Wired — and will be holding a post-work (5-8 pm) monthly session on the 33rd floor of Chicago's W Hotel Lakeshore. Led by DJs Ken Waagner and Tom Pazen, enjoy a healthy dose of relaxed music in the only local bar that rotates 360 degrees every hour. Also happening tonight is the third installment of XOJK at Sonotheque, which proudly features John Herndon of Tortoise and Lazy FM's Rob Hamilton. Both events are 21+ with no cover.
Ken on Tue September 28 2004Music/Clubs 

Obama overkill?
Presumptive Senator Barack Obama gets the benefit of a fundraiser this Friday at the Park West featuring Robin Williams, Stevie Wonder and the Ramsey Lewis Trio ($350 for the nosebleeds), to be followed by a $2500-a-head dinner at Christie Hefner's place. Not that we begrudge him the attention, but with a 51-point polling lead over Alan Keyes, does Obama really need the money at this point?
Kris on Tue September 28 2004Politics/Activism 

Look at your Luckyface
Luckyface, another (but good!) online creative endeavor, has some standout features. Of particular note, the photo essay about the Burgoo Festival in Utica, IL is like getting small glimpses of lives you don't know and Left of the Middle is an excellent photo travelogue from Chicago to the wild west.
Naz on Tue September 28 2004Found on the Web 

Congressional Travel
Last night, the radio show Marketplace started a two-part special feature on abuses of rules governing who pays for congressional travel. "Power Trips" was investigated in part by Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism students and includes a searchable database of who paid for what on trips each representative or senator has taken since 2000. Click here to see how much Illinois congresspeople have gotten. The second part of the feature airs tonight at 6:30pm on WBEZ.
Andrew on Tue September 28 2004Politics/Activism 

Apple picking season
It's finally starting to feel like fall, what better time to hit an orchard for apple-picking, cider, and donuts? Depending on how far you want to go, there are many options: this U of I page lists all of the orchards in Illinois, including Homestead Orchard in Woodstock. Related: apple varieties.
Jes on Tue September 28 2004Eating/Drinking 

Del.icio.us!
Del.icio.us is a social bookmarks manager that allows you to categorize and share your bookmarks, while subscribing to other peoples' lists. There is, of course, a Chicago page, that lists all bookmarks tagged with "Chicago."
Jes on Tue September 28 2004Weblogs 

This year's geniuses
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, which you might be surprised to learn has its headquarters in Chicago, announced its 2004 list of MacArthur Fellows who will each receive a "genius grant" of $500,000 over the next 5 years. There are two Chicago residents in this year's list: author Aleksandar Hemon and ragtime composer Reginald R. Robinson.
Jim on Tue September 28 2004Arts/Architecture 

Keyes To the Closet
Uh-oh, seems senate hopeful Alan Keyes may have been calling the kettle black regarding Cheney's daughter: rumors and a good deal of evidence are being circulated indicating Maya Keyes is a lesbian. Chillinois has running coverage of this, starting here, Wonkette also comments and there's plenty of discussion on DailyKos. This Xanga site may or may not be Maya's. [Thanks, John!]
Andrew on Mon September 27 2004Politics/Activism 

A Swampy Future
The NYT runs a short feature regarding a farm that lies 165 miles southwest of Chicago, called Emiquon. Why is this sprawling farm in Illinois taking up front page real estate at the Times? According to the article, an interesting experiment is taking place. Over the next few months, after the last harvest of corn and soybeans, planting will cease and flooding will begin. The expected result: "ecologists think that within just a year or two, they can return this farm to its natural state as a thriving wetland". When planting began along riverbanks to ease agriculture many decades ago, it destroyed the precious wetlands surrounding our rivers. Read more here about the attempts to create more wetlands in Illinois.
Ellen on Mon September 27 2004Outdoors/Environment 

El Dia De Los Muertos
Tribute And Tradition, the 18th Annual exhibit honoring El Dia De Los Muertos, has opened at the fabulous Mexican Fine Arts Center in Pilsen. It's a little gem of a museum down in Pilsen that in addition to offering many alters, they also have classes so you can make your own.
Brian on Mon September 27 2004Arts/Architecture 

What Artists Listen To
Ever wonder what music art students listen to? Well, even if you haven't, check out Radio Free SAIC, the School of the Art Institute's student-run Internet radio station. (Of course, you'll have to wait till you get home; the station mostly airs in the evening.)
Andrew on Mon September 27 2004Radio/TV 

Real Film Photoblog
In a genre where digital is the default, it's nice to see someone still working with actual film. Out of Contxt is local (although the photos aren't always), mostly black and white, and all that grain is physical, not compression artifacts. Worth checking out.
Andrew on Mon September 27 2004Photography 

Public Versus Private
Here's a shocking statistic: nearly 40 percent of Chicago Public School teachers send their own children to private schools, nearly double the national average. Talk about an indictment of CPS.
Andrew on Mon September 27 2004Schools/Education 

The Cult of Kinsella
I'll pose this to you: What is the fascination with Tim Kinsella (lookee! A homepage!) ? For those not in the know, Tim (and his brother Mike) could be considered Chicago indie music royalty, having played in (and continue to play in) Cap N' Jazz, Joan of Arc, American Football, Owen, Owls, Friend/Enemy, Make Believe and countless other side projects that have turned them into their own game of Six Degrees of Kinsella. Other people write about the Kinsellas and their proliferation. You may have seen him around Chicago, the last time I saw Tim was at Arturo's Tacos at two in the morning. Spot a Kinsella today!
Naz on Mon September 27 2004People/Sightings 

Night Moves
Recently profiled [reg. req'd] in the Friday section of yesterday's Tribune, it seems Chicago is enjoying a long-awaited renaissance within its dance music community. Tonight is a perfect example of this resurgence of interest in electronic music, with fantastic lineups at the Empty Bottle, Rodan, Zentra, Cafe Lura, Smart Bar and Sonotheque. I know where I'll be already, but what about you?
Ken on Sat September 25 2004Music/Clubs 

Early and often
You want a little multitasking with your GB Get-Together tonight? Come on by, and if you're a city resident I'll get you registered to vote. How 'bout that?
Kris on Fri September 24 2004Politics/Activism 

Bluegrass Accelerator
You know Fermilab has an arts series, right? The season starts tomorrow with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys. Reader Tim says, "So as you listen to his lonesome, plaintive voice in this most improbable of places, it may occur to you what particle physics and Ralph Stanley have in common: they both keep asking the fundamental questions."
Andrew on Fri September 24 2004Music/Clubs 

Where to Meet
Want to meet new people? You could come to our GB Get-Together tonight, but in a more long-term sense, you could check out MEETinChicago, a free service to "provide a relaxed, 'non-pickup-scene' social environment for people to enjoy." It's free, and there's a ton of things to do listed, from camping trips to movie outings to just drinks. Pretty cool!
Andrew on Fri September 24 2004Found on the Web 

CTA Cutbacks Loom
Just what we needed: The CTA is threatening rush-hour service cutbacks if it doesn't get more state and federal funding, and Mayor Daley is backing them up. "Sometimes, you don't have any money. What are you gonna do?" the always eloquent Daley said. (On the plus side, starting today your CTA card also works on Pace buses.)
Andrew on Fri September 24 2004Transportation 

Sex toy reviewer needed
If you're looking for some freelance writing work, and are comfortable writing about sex (and porn, and toys...), check out today's listings in the Writing jobs section of Craigslist. Adult film reviewer, Sextoy reviewer, Sexual health writer, and more jobs have been posted. Too bad there's no ad for a sex columnist.
Jes on Fri September 24 2004Found on the Web 

Alice, Alice, Alice!
There must be something surreal in the air, because at least three local theater companies are doing or are planning productions based on Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland books. The Lookingglass Theatre's "Lookingglass Alice" is coming next February, and next week the Chopin Theatre's presenting UMA Productions' "Enter Alice," which apparently combines the Alice story with elements of burlesque. But this weekend, you can catch the Neo-Futurists' production of "Alice," which opened last week and collected favorable reviews from the Tribune, the Sun-Times, Newcity and the Reader (review not online). See the Neo-Futurist Website for more information on "Alice" and to make reservations.
Jim on Fri September 24 2004Theatre/Dance 

The Lowercase Tee
Are you voting against George W. Bush in November and have a kid between the ages of 4 and 8? If not, do you know a fellow parent who shares your enthusiasm for 'regime change' here at home? Well, Coudal Partners have created just the thing for you. Their new Lowercase Tee, printed to perfection by the folks at Threadless, allows kids to do a little election-year sloganeering of their own. Because it's time to fight like kids do — dirty.
Ken on Thu September 23 2004Politics/Activism 

Better late than never?
Perhaps you remember reading this column (last item) or this column (last item) by Sun-Times columnist Neil Steinberg. He made some comments about a lawsuit accusing William Kennedy-Smith of raping an employee five years ago and then harrassing her by telephone earlier this year. At least a couple bloggers wrote letters complaining about Steinberg and got responses from him and his editor. It took about a month, but the Sun-Times finally printed a letter (second item) written by Chicago NOW and Rape Victim Advocates complaining about Steinberg's views. I wonder what took them so long.
Cinnamon on Thu September 23 2004In the News 

More World Naked Bike Ride
Even though the ride was many moons ago (hah!), the official pictures from the World Naked Bike Ride in Chicago are now up. If your company has a no nudity policy, then I wouldn't recommend viewing these at the office.
Brian on Thu September 23 2004Offbeat/Misc. Events 

Elevated Chicago art
Elevated Chicago, a collection of images by local artist Robert Smeltzer, is pretty neat. There are a wide variety of styles, and all have that magical El train.
Brian on Thu September 23 2004Arts/Architecture 

Surreality, Indeed
Chicagoist points out the coming opening of Cereality, a "cereal bar and cafe" that lets customers breakfast on custom combinations of their favorite puffs and flakes. Pajama-wearing "cereologists" will help you. Wonder how long that will take to tank.
Andrew on Thu September 23 2004Eating/Drinking 

New Revol
Ah, another issue of stellar art/design magazine Revol is now online for your viewing pleasure. They've also got some new pins in their store, My favourites would be by killer illustrators KozyNDan and those hot world-peace-goodwill styled ones by Reach. Good stuff coming out of Chicago these days, good stuff.
Naz on Thu September 23 2004Found on the Web 

I Am the Government
The League of Women Voters of Chicago and The Center for Neighborhood Technology have teamed up to create a website geared toward young voters. I Am the Government has some pretty hip stylings with information about voting, watching polls, and DIY Democracy. If you're looking for some information about local and national politics, ch-ch-ch-check it out!
Cinnamon on Thu September 23 2004Politics/Activism 

Taxi Stats
Here's an interesting bit of trivia for you: The Hindustan Times reports that 20 percent of Chicago's cabbies are from South Asia. "I'd say the biggest group in Chicago is Pakistani," said John Mohberg, president of the Checker Taxi Association that has 1,200 cabs and 3,000 drivers. "Though right after 9/11 there was some apprehension among drivers, I've seen no long-term effect."
Andrew on Thu September 23 2004City Life/Cultural 

The people have spoken....
...and their results are tallied up in the annual "Best of Chicago" list in this week's Newcity. For best local blog, the Newcity editors picked Claire Zulkey's site, while the audience choice was ..... Gapers Block! Thanks to all who voted for us. You can receive our gratitude in person at tomorrow night's GB get-together at Danny's.
Jim on Thu September 23 2004City Life/Cultural 

The Great Barista Battle
Man, there's a competition for everything. Baristas all over the region are gearing up for the Great Lakes Regional Barista Competition, happening next Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 2-3) at Fox & Obel, 401 E. Illinois. The event is organized by the Specialty Coffe Association of America and sponsored by Intelligencia -- who just announced the winners of their internal competition on their spiffily redesigned website.
Andrew on Thu September 23 2004Eating/Drinking 

You Are Beautiful: New Work
The people behind You Are Beautiful are doing many many things. Most of all, the installations/public art pieces are always a treat and without further ado: new installations.
Naz on Wed September 22 2004Arts/Architecture 

The Rambling Gleaner
If there's ever a reason to register for the Tribune's website it's The Rambling Gleaner, Charlie Madigan's online column (they call it a "blog," but it's published once a day and has no permalinks) on the campaign trail. Eric Zorn calls it "some of the best writing you'll see all year under the Tribune banner," and I have to agree.
Andrew on Wed September 22 2004Politics/Activism 

Old El Stations and Trains, Oh My!
If the history of the El is your bag, the 2004 Chicago-L.org Historic Station Tour is for you. Each year the Tour stops at various stations of architectural and cultural significance, often on equally significant train models. The event is October 17th and carries a $32 cost, but you need to register in advance via this handy PDF.
Paul McA. on Wed September 22 2004Offbeat/Misc. Events 

No RNLU.edu
After months working on a merger of the two schools, Roosevelt University and National-Louis University have scrapped the plan, citing irreconcilable differences. Crain's has more, or you could read the official press release.
Andrew on Wed September 22 2004Schools/Education 

There's no such thing as a free car
If you were waiting for a reason to stop feeling jealous of all those Oprah audience members who got free cars, here it is. According to the Sun-Times, the people who received free cars will have to report them as income on their taxes. And because of the value of the cars ($28,500 each), some recipients will be pushed into a higher tax bracket, meaning they'll have to pay a significant percentage of the car's value in taxes. Because of this, some of the craftier recipients are waiting until next year to pick up their cars, so they won't have to deal with the added income for this year. Clever!
Jim on Wed September 22 2004Business/Shopping 

The Bloomingdale Trail
You may have heard of NYC's High Line but have you heard of The Bloomingdale Trail? An old freight railway, Friends of the Bloomingdale Trail are trying to turn it into an elevated multi-use public space. Possible uses would be for running, biking, and general recreation. You can read up on the history or go directly to the FAQ or if you live in the Bucktown and surrounding areas, become a member. [Via Fueled by Coffee]
Naz on Tue September 21 2004Outdoors/Environment 

Boston Eyes Chicago Exhibit
The Boston Globe reports on a current exhibit at the Chicago Botanic Garden, titled "Plants in Print: The Age of Botanical Discovery." The reason for the mention all the way in Boston? It turns out the Massachusetts Horticultural Society used to own some of the items in this exhibit. But, facing a looming financial crisis in November 2002, the center sold more than 2,000 rare books and thousands more journals worth $3 million to Chicago (2nd item). The result of this sale is currently on display up in Glencoe through November 7th.
Ellen on Tue September 21 2004Found on the Web 

Bid On Our CD!
Ever wonder what James Van Osdol would put on a mix CD? How 'bout Chris Connelly or Bobby Conn? Well, tomorrow night you can find out, sort of. Rock for Kids, a non-profit that provides support, assistance and inspiration to children that are homeless or in need, holds its second annual Music Mixer, a silent auction of mix CDs created by local musicians, deejays, rock critics and others -- including a double disc mix by Andrew and Naz from GB! -- at Smartbar, 3730 N. Clark, from 6pm to 10pm. The trick is, the track listings are hidden, so you have to win (or stand really close to the person who does) to find out what's on each CD. Suggested donation of $5 at the door. Call 312/255-9454 for more info.
Andrew on Tue September 21 2004Music/Clubs 

Spreading The Flavor, As It Were
Yes, yes, I know it was previously mentioned in this post, but today is the launch of Flavorpill Chicago's inaugural installment. A weekly arts and culture newsletter focusing on more marginalized and niche-oriented events, Flavorpill has already worked its magic in LA, New York, San Fran, and London, so it's nice to hear that we're next in line. Um, have a taste?
Ken on Tue September 21 2004Arts/Architecture 

Register to vote!
There's only a couple weeks left to register to vote in the upcoming 2004 elections, so please make sure you're registered. You might want to look over this Ask the Librarian article from last February, in which Alice put together a number of informative links to check out, including a link to the Illinois voter registration form. But hurry! The deadline to register is October 5. (You should make sure your registration is postmarked by October 1, if you're sending it in.)
Jim on Tue September 21 2004Politics/Activism 

Shooting at State Capitol
A security guard was shot this afternoon at the state Capitol in Springfield. Details are sketchy, but the gunman escaped after the shooting. Governor Rod Blagojevich was not in the building at the time of the incident. See the Tribune or NBC-5 for more details.
Alice on Mon September 20 2004In the News 

Fines for Pot Smokers
Chicago police sargeant Tom Donegan is proposing fines for people caught with "small amounts" of marijuana. Tired of seeing these drug cases dismissed in court, he believes issuing tickets will effectively penalize offenders while raising money for the city. Darien, in DuPage County, already uses a similar system.
Alice on Mon September 20 2004In the News 

Absenter Becomes Photographic
Naz, our friendly neighborhood creative director, has transformed his site, Absenter, into a photoblog. Never fear, fans of his writing -- that remains a part of the site, just moved to text.absenter.org.
Andrew on Mon September 20 2004Photography 

Freedom Theatre
Playing French is a new festival of sorts, a series of contemporary French plays organized by the local French Embassy and taking place all over the city in September, October and November. There's quite an interesting lineup, including a play one of our readers is in, "How to Explain the History of Communism to Mental Patients," which opens at the Chopin Theatre this Friday.
Andrew on Mon September 20 2004Theatre/Dance 

No, you won't get some antimatter to take home
If you've ever dreamed of seeing the REAL place where the work is done at Fermilab, now's your chance. The Sun-Times reports that The Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory is going to be offering tours of the accelerator tunnel that is used to make antimatter. The tunnel is undergoing maintenance and upgrades right now, so it's been shut down for 13 weeks. (So the chance that you'll get locked in accidentally and bombarded with antimatter is .... relatively slim.)
Jim on Mon September 20 2004Offbeat/Misc. Events 

Foundation Opens Online Store
Local art space Foundation Gallery has just released a fantastic new online backroom, featuring a variety of previously exhibited work from Bird Machine founder Jay Ryan, Snapcult, Serigraphie Populaire, Sayre Gomez, Nick Butcher, and Dan Grzeca. While you're there, be sure to check out work from their current exhibition, Will Travel: New Paintings by Russ Pope.
Ken on Sun September 19 2004Arts/Architecture 

Ebert On the Web
Roger Ebert is finally getting the respect he deserves -- with a website of his own. RogerEbert.com is loaded with prety much everything he's ever written, and gives readers the opportunity to rate films themselves. Is it me, though, or does that photo make Roger's face look even more square?
Andrew on Sun September 19 2004Film 

Garden Club
I was at the Wicker Park Farmer's Market last Sunday and started chatting with some of the friendly volunteers from the Wicker Park Garden Club. They have tons of great programs -- helping get kids involved in building gardens as well as helping local gardeners with plant selection, wormboxes, and transforming the fountain in Wicker Park through landscaping. They always have room for volunteers, and are also offering a lecture series this fall that's outta this world (email them for details; they haven't gotten the new lectures up yet.)
Brian on Sat September 18 2004Outdoors/Environment 

Got An Old Cell Phone?
I was shopping around for a new wireless plan today and realized that if I do switch, I'll probably get yet another new phone. Since I don't want to let my old one go to waste, I looked into what can be done with it. Turns out there are places across Illinois where you can donate your old cell phone. The phones are used to benefit victims of domestic violence -- a worthwhile cause indeed.
Brian on Sat September 18 2004Found on the Web 

Rhinoceros Theater Fest
The 16th Rhino Theater Fest begins tonight. The last gasp in their current space for the Curious Theater Branch, the Rhino Fest features a scattered schedule of 17 programs of music, performance, and fringe theatre, stretched from here through November 20. We've added each event to our Slowdown calendar; for a full schedule at-a-glance, click here for a PDF.
Kris on Fri September 17 2004Theatre/Dance 

DIY Chicago
New City's cover story about the DIY community has some serious Gapers Block ties. Gapers staffer Brenda Janish gets a nod as the founder of Chicago Stitch N Bitch. Also mentioned is the DIY Trunk Show, the brainchild of "One Good Meal" writer Cinnamon Cooper and former staffer Amy Carlton.
Shylo on Fri September 17 2004In the News 

Lillstreet Art-A-Thon
Stop by Lillstreet Art Center tonight to create your own piece of art with clay, paint, metal, fiber and more at the 2nd Annual Lillstreet Learning Center Art-A-Thon. A $5 donation will get you entry, food, drink and the DJ stylings of Omar Vera. Family-friendly art activities will cost $5 or $10 each. All donations benefit Lillstreet's outreach program to communities in need. Art-A-Thon is on from 5-10 pm tonight, 4401 N. Ravenswood (Ravenswood and Montrose).
on Fri September 17 2004Arts/Architecture 

Brunch, Delivered
Chicago Mag's "Dish" column talks up Ritter's Breakfast Delivery, a brand new service bringing brunch to your front door -- assuming you live in or near Wicker Park, Bucktown, Ukrainian Village or West Loop. The somewhat limited menu still gives you plenty to choose from, and you can even order roses!
Andrew on Fri September 17 2004Eating/Drinking 

Big and Green Chicago
Big & Green Chicago: Towards Sustainable Architecture in the 21st Century is a recent project from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, highlighting a local commitment to developing buildings which effectively conserve natural resources. Even though the exhibit itself just closed, you can still view a portion of it, entitled Chicago Green, on the CAF website. The gallery is only partially encouraging, however, since most of these projects remain unbuilt.
Ken on Fri September 17 2004Arts/Architecture 

Got towed? Check online
Ever wonder how you would find your car if it were towed? Fortunately for you Web-surfing types, the Department of Streets and Sanitation has put together a Web interface for their list of towed cars. If your car got towed by The Man, you can check their site to see where it's being stored, and the phone number to call to get it back. Expect to pay either $150 or $250, depending on the size of your vehicle.
Jim on Fri September 17 2004Transportation 

En Garde!
If you've ever wanted to challenge someone to a duel, but lacked the sabre skills, you can now brush up on the weekends. The Chicago Athletic Association Fencers Club offers classes for beginners as well as advanced fencers on weeknights and on Saturday and Sunday mornings downtown. Pretty soon, you'll know the difference between an "epee" and a "foil" (hint: it has to do with where you can stick it). [via Daily Candy]
Anne on Fri September 17 2004Sports/Recreation 

Ranch style wedding
Are you getting married soon? Stressed about what location fits your budget, and your style? Do you get hives everytime you walk into a hotel reception room? Then Catalyst Ranch may be just the thing for you. They're able to accomodate most weddings with either a sit-down dinner or a cocktail/app reception, and their rooms kick-arse! With names like Tango and Cha-Cha, you know your guests will be shaking their groove thing till the cows come home. Check the place out on Sunday when they have a show-and-tell with all their approved vendors.
Cinnamon on Thu September 16 2004Offbeat/Misc. Events 

Genessee Theater
Have you ever thought it might be nice to take a short drive and get away for a weekend and still have great cultural experiences available to you? The city of Waukegan is hoping so. They're spending a lot of money refurbishing the Genessee Theater. They're doing a pretty good job of documenting all the steps they're taking, and they even have a webcam so you can watch it every minute of every day. Can't wait to see what acts they get.
Cinnamon on Thu September 16 2004Arts/Architecture 

Luminosity
Lumino Magazine is an "entertainment centered" web publication for young adults, based in the Chicago suburbs. They have stories of national interest, like the current interviews with the cast of Revenge of the Nerds, as well as a Midwest focus, with features and concert calendars for Chicago, Milwaukee and Des Moines (Indianapolis will be added next month). Check out the recent story on Mark Prior.
Kris on Thu September 16 2004Found on the Web 

Music Classes on the Cheap
The Graham School at the University of Chicago and the DuSable Museum of African-American History have teamed up to sponsor a couple of great classes at bargain prices open to the general public. The first is on Black Protest Music since 1965 and the second is on South Side Blues and Jazz. Registration closes for the classes in September and October, respectively, so act soon.
Anne on Thu September 16 2004Schools/Education 

Redesigned Reader Hits the Streets
When you pick up The Reader on your way home, the stack will look quite a bit different: the paper's first redesign in ages debuts today, featuring color(!) and a new cover design. Editor Alison True discussed the redesign on WBEZ's Eight Forty-Eight yesterday. (Strangely, there's no mention of it on the Reader website.)
Andrew on Thu September 16 2004Print/Magazines 

Inspect That Résumé, Why Don't Ya
A 19-year-old building inspector, pulling down a $48,000 salary, quit the post after someone realized that the dates on his résumé didn't add up -- he'd have to have started a four year carpentry apprenticeship at age 13. How'd he get the job? Well, his dad is a high-powered official in the carpenters' union, and...
Andrew on Thu September 16 2004In the News 

Big Brother Street Sweeper
In addition to all the other cameras Big Brother... er... Mayor Daley wants to put around the city, he's also proposed putting surveillance cameras on city street sweepers; not for the safety of his constituents, but to catch scofflaws who ignore the "no parking" signs on street-cleaning days.
on Thu September 16 2004Transportation 

Everybody's Watching You
In the wake of recent news to install 2,000+ cameras around the city, now comes word that we might be seeing some new surveillance on the L. The CTA is currently looking at bids for 366 new rail cars. Talk includes putting security cameras inside our elevated train cars. The CTA already installs cameras on buses, as part of a plan to curb vandals and criminals.
Ellen on Thu September 16 2004Transportation 

Speak up! Act up!
The South Asian Progressive Action Coalition is going to be hosting a conference this weekend touching everything from reproductive rights to civil liberties to voter education. The group formed in 2000 to voice activist concerns that combine politics with art for South Asian and Muslim immigrant youth. They kick things off tonight with a show at the Hot House. Spoken word, comedians, and other performances will be interspersed with short political messages geared to this community. Saturday is when the organizing sessions take place. Admission is free, but space is limited.
Cinnamon on Thu September 16 2004Politics/Activism 

Chicago, the Card Game(s)
Leave it to the Swedes to name an obscure card game after our fair city. It turns out, however, that there's also a version of bridge called Chicago, as well as a poker variant. (You'd think a bridge game named after the city would have no east position, but alas, it does.)
Andrew on Thu September 16 2004Sports/Recreation 

Rosenbaum's Essential Cinema
Well-regarded by cinephiles, academics and filmmakers alike, Jonathan Rosenbaum (film critic for the Chicago Reader) recently released his latest book, Essential Cinema. Published in April through Johns Hopkins Press, it follows a similar direction to the one he traced with Movie Wars, this time pairing a selection of long-form reviews with an analysis of how Hollywood is effectively deteriorating the concept of film canons. Does Roeper even know what that word means?
Ken on Wed September 15 2004Film 

Jay-Z Films Video in Elgin
Production crews for rapper Jay-Z were filming a police chase scene in Elgin last night. The footage will reportedly be used in an upcoming music video. Although fans gathered in hopes of catching a glimpse of the recent MTV Music Awards winner, Jay-Z was not present at the shoot.
Alice on Wed September 15 2004Music/Clubs 

Chicago Architects Oral History Project
Since 1983, the Art Institute of Chicago has been recording "the life experiences of architects who shaped the physical environment in Chicago and surrounding communities." Complete transcripts from the Chicago Architects Oral History Project, in .pdf format, are available for more than 50 interviews with architects such as Tadao Ando, Stanley Tigerman, Mary Ann Crawford, and many more. All entries include biographical information and interview highlights, and ordering instructions are provided for transcripts not available online.
Alice on Wed September 15 2004Arts/Architecture 

North Park Drops Price
North Park University is doing the unheard-of: it's cutting tuition by more than 30 percent. The hope is that the lower price will attract more applicants to the small Evangelical Christian college, which ranks among the best in the Midwest according to U.S. News & World Report's annual college survey.
Andrew on Wed September 15 2004Schools/Education 

Haymarket Statue Ambiguous?
A memorial to the Haymarket riot of 1886 (now often sanitized as "the Haymarket Affair") was unveiled yesterday. Today, the New York Times calls the statue "ambiguous."
Andrew on Wed September 15 2004Arts/Architecture 

Lock + Pen = Theft
Chicago's bicycle community (and frankly the bicycle community in general) is in a total uproar right now because of the discovery by someone that many Kryptonite U-Locks can be picked with your basic ballpoint pen. Here's the message from the Chicago Critical Mass mailing list that started it all. No clear solutions have been posted yet (greasing the lock seems to help, but it's a sure prevention) and there has been only a lame reaction from Kryptonite despite numerous phone calls. The original poster started here in this BikeForums.net thread. There are movies and photos in there if you're intrigued. Only two of Kryptonite's locks in their arsenal do not use the cyclindrical chamber lock but most do (the other two use a flat key design). Word on the street from various sources is that there have been reports of Bic pens jammed in locks. Local bike shop owners in Chicago have been debating the issue and seeing what they can do.
Brian on Wed September 15 2004Transportation 

We, Robot Builders
Chibots, the Chicago Area Robotics Group, is having their Robot Builders Day Out this Saturday in southern Wisconsin. Robot enthusiasts (of the human variety I take it) of all kinds are encouraged.
Brian on Wed September 15 2004Offbeat/Misc. Events 

Fold - n - Go
Flying to a foreign destination and wish you could take your bike with you? Want to visit a suburban destination on Metra and wish you could peddle those few miles instead of drive? Folding bikes give you freedom and flexibility that many other bikes don't. The Chicagoland Folding Bike Society meets tonight to talk about food, nutrition and cycling as well as, well, obviously folding bikes. Meet other folding bike enthusiasts and drink beer at the Handlebar. Starts at 7pm and runs til 9ish.
Brian on Wed September 15 2004Transportation 

An Urban Adventure
Coudal points us to Urban Adventure, a site dedicated to exploration of places people don't normally get to visit. There are a couple Chicagoland features: a semi-abandoned mental hospital in downstate Manteno and Dixie Square Mall, the one the Blues Brothers drove through in the movie. (More about Dixie Square here at DeadMalls.com.)
Andrew on Tue September 14 2004Found on the Web 

Spamalot Tickets on Sale
Get your Spamalot now! Tickets went on sale today for Eric Idle's world-premiere musical "Spamalot" based on the film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." The production is set to open December 21, and runs until January 16, 2005 at the Shubert Theatre downtown. We've talked about this before here, and here. Tickets can be bought via the usual venues, including Ticketmaster, and range from $23 to $73.
Anne on Tue September 14 2004Theatre/Dance 

IKEA Bolingbröök
IKEA broke ground yesterday for its second Chicagoland store in Bolingbrook. The new store will be built on 21 acres, have 1,300 parking spaces and will cover 310,000 square feet. It won't open until Fall 2005, so we city dwellers have plenty of time to figure out where the h*ll Bolingbrook is, and if it's any closer to us than the Schaumburg store (which, you know, is not close at all).
on Tue September 14 2004Business/Shopping 

Local Prof Gets Playboy Nod
The king of ladmags has recognized Dr. Rachel Shteir's upcoming book Grit, Glamour, and the Grind: A History of Striptease with three-and-a-half bunnies! Shteir is head of Dramaturgy at DePaul University. Look for her book in stores soon.
Shylo on Tue September 14 2004Books/Authors 

Stand up and Revol now!
A new-ish online magazine (in that oh so trendy pseudo magazine rendered in Flash style), Revol looks to be a keeper. Co-produced by a sister in Chicago and a brother in LA, they've got three issues up for your enjoyment and the newest one — a mixture of found objects, collages, stellar photography and miscellany — is perfect to wake you up a little bit this morning. It even features one of our faves, Brian Ulrich who's popping up all over the place (hint: he's got a feature in the new issue of Subsystence) As they say on their site, "Keeping up the fight."
Naz on Tue September 14 2004Found on the Web 

South Side Marlins?
The World Champion Florida Marlins are spending some quality time in Chicago. For a few days this week, the Marlins are setting up shop down in U.S. Cellular field. Hurricane Ivan, dubbed "Pudge" after the former Marlins catcher, has forced the team to find a home field elsewhere. Seeing as the White Sox had some away games, and the Marlins just came to town to play a series against the Cubs, MLB put a plan into high gear. Tickets to the games are $15 at the box office, with $5 going to hurricane relief. The seats are first come, first served, which offers casual baseball fans a nice opportunity to see some great ball. One more game today at 1:05 CST for anyone looking to spend these last few warm days taking in some great baseball for a good cause.
Ellen on Tue September 14 2004Sports/Recreation 

Estrojam in Town
Estrojam, a week-long festival of women in music, art, and film, takes over Chicago September 20-26. Events are held at venues all over town, from Schuba's to the Hot House and feature top female performers like Cathy Richardson, Northern State, and the Butchies. Be sure to check out the headlining show: the Gossip with Pretty Girls Make Graves, burlesque divas Hellcat Hussies, and the Lickity Split Radical Cheerleaders. Get more info and check out the complete schedule.
Shylo on Tue September 14 2004Music/Clubs 

Bike Fall, Bike Winter!
The sun's starting to set a little early and the kids are back in school. And while you hardly need an excuse to Bike Fall, you might need a little motivation to Bike Winter. Bike Winter is a site that provides lots of info on how to dress for cycling when it is cold out, as well as staging lots of events. Things officially get started on Oct 1st, but the planning is happening now if you'd like to lend a hand to make Chicago the best city in the US for bicycles.
Brian on Tue September 14 2004Transportation 

Obit: Lu Palmer
Lu Palmer, the journalist and activist whose 50-plus year career included working at Chicago newspapers such as the Daily News and the Chicago American, died at the age of 82 in his Chicago home on Sunday. A name synonymous with the black power movement of the 1960s and 1970s, Palmer also championed Harold Washington for the Chicago mayor race in the early 1980s. For Washington's campaign he coined the slogan, "We Shall See in '83".
Jim on Mon September 13 2004Print/Magazines 

Aaron Hawkins Remembered
Further coverage of Aaron Hawkins' death:
- Red Herring obituary
- AllAboutGeorge remembers his friend, starting here
- A powerful reflection from Sour Bob
Pay your respects in the comments here on Uppity-Negro.
Andrew on Mon September 13 2004People/Sightings 

Oprah shares the wealth
One good reason to go to an Oprah Winfrey show taping: you might get some free stuff. The audience for the premiere show of her 19th season, for example, was surprised when Oprah handed out a new car to everyone. The cars were donated by Pontiac.
Jim on Mon September 13 2004Radio/TV 

I Nominate Pepsi Blue
Gov. Blagojevich is considering a proposal to somehow sell the right to be called Illinois' Official State Beverage -- provided it's non-alcoholic. This would be the first Official State Anything decided by registered check instead of congressional vote, but hey, anything to raise cash, I guess. (The Trib wants to hear your suggestions for state drink -- post'em here.)
Andrew on Mon September 13 2004In the News 

You're Such a Flirt
Unfortunately, you're not very good at it. Which is why you should head to FLIRT, 3449 N. Southport, this Thursday 7-9pm to see Jill Spiegel, author and self-proclaimed "flirtologist." She'll be giving a talk on flirting, and if you're lucky she'll also give you some one-on-one advice.
Andrew on Mon September 13 2004Books/Authors 

Subsystence, Vol 3. out now!
Our friends at Subsystence have launched a new volume of their excellent web presence. Their events section (on the home page) is well worth checking out for quality stuff you may not have heard of around the city, and who doesn't like free downloads? I may be biased but the two photo exhibits, Copia and China in Polaroid kick a$$.
Naz on Mon September 13 2004Found on the Web 

Snapshot School
Tired of digital? Looking to take your film pictures to a new level? Chicago Photography Center classes start this week. If you've never had the chance to develop your own black and white photos, this is a great way to get started.
Brian on Mon September 13 2004Arts/Architecture 

If you want to see your mate nipply nipple, just turn it hight and watch them blow away
Perusing the Craigslist For Sale ads, I came across this site by a fellow in Deerfield who's auctioning off his stuff; he's moving to Japan. The descriptions! I bust a gut.
Naz on Fri September 10 2004Found on the Web 

The A-maze-ing Race
Looking for some oddball entertainment this weekend? How 'bout an election themed corn maze? Fairwyn Farms up near Lake Geneva has skipped their usual Bears-Packers theme and instead pit Kerry vs. Bush, each riding the appropriate party animal. It's $7 per person to do one half (assumably divided along party lines), or $10 for both.
Andrew on Fri September 10 2004Offbeat/Misc. Events 

Chicago: Flower-Power Model?
Who would ever predict that the city that spawned the birth of flower-power in the late 1960s, would come to admire and model itself after our city? San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsome is one convert. When he ran for office last year, he committed himself to creating a vision of his city following the success of our Mayor's various green initiatives. Most noticable, the many ways Chicago incorporates flowers into daily life, including "hanging baskets attached to alleyway lampposts, planted in the median strips of busy thoroughfares, and in decorative boxes and sidewalk gardens in front of businesses and apartment buildings." Mayor Daley achieved this by requiring developers to install landscaping around properties and on the public right-of-way.
Ellen on Fri September 10 2004Outdoors/Environment 

This Area Being Monitored
Mayor Daley's plan to link more than 2,000 surveillance cameras across Chicago to the city's 911 center is making headlines around the country today. According to some reports, Daley thinks Chicagoans "will love" the new surveillance system.
Alice on Fri September 10 2004In the News 

Barenboim to Miss CSO Start
Daniel Barenboim is recovering in Germany from back and neck problems that will force him to miss his first four performances conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra this season. Andrew Davis, the music director of Lyric Opera of Chicago, will reportedly be filling in. The new season starts tonight with an event celebrating the 100th season of Orchestra Hall.
Alice on Fri September 10 2004Music/Clubs 

Flickr-ing City
Flickr is a great web tool to share photos -- of Chicago, for instance. Or Wicker Park, Lakeview or just Illinois in general.
Andrew on Fri September 10 2004Photography 

CST dominates Jeff noms
The nominations for the 2004 Joseph Jefferson Awards were announced this afternoon. The Jeffs recognize achievement by Chicago-area Equity theatres. Chicago Shakespeare Theater leads the pack by a long run with 25 nominations for six shows; six noms are for Rose Rage, the marathon adaptation of Henry VI, which opens a New York run next week.
Kris on Thu September 9 2004Theatre/Dance 

Narcoleptic Commuters Beware
John Kass, Tribune columnist, writes today about an IIT chemical engineering grad student who was fined recently for sleeping on the CTA. When he had to be awakened by police at the end of the Orange line, the officers lectured him about CTA safety and issued him a $50 ticket for sleeping on the train -- a legitimate offense in the CTA rule book (who knew?). Kass offered to pay the man's fine if he loses his bid to contest the ticket in court, but everyone else is on their own.
on Thu September 9 2004Transportation 

Kids Love School
The campaign to increase attendence at Chicago's public schools apparently paid off. According to officials, 91 percent of students attended the first day of school on Tuesday. Excellent! Everyone gets a gold star.
Alice on Thu September 9 2004Schools/Education 

"Art at War -- The Artist's Voice" Opening
Aldo Castillo is a Chicago artist and gallery owner who decided to formulate a response to war. Not just the present war in Iraq, but all war in general. A native of Nicaragua, Castillo holds strong feelings of the U.S.-backed interventions in his homeland. All of these feelings led to the creation of "Art at War -- the Artist's Voice," an exhibit of approximately 120 paintings and sculptures by nearly 100 artists from 23 countries, opening this Saturday, the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, at the Aldo Castillo Gallery (233 W. Huron). The exhibit runs through October 16th.
Ellen on Thu September 9 2004Arts/Architecture 

Newberry Seminars
If you're itching to buy a new binder and some #2 pencils, you can get back into the swing of learning new things by signing up for one of the Newberry Library's more than 60 fall seminars. Classes range from "Newberry a la Cart" to classes on literature, genealogy, religion and even writing workshops. Spaces do tend to go quickly, and the first classes begin on September 21, so sign up soon.
Anne on Thu September 9 2004Schools/Education 

Bike to O'Hare
Ever wonder how you can get to O'Hare by non-motorized means? With the acres and acres of parking and garages, you might wonder if the planning department ever figured someone might walk or bike to the airport. (Answer: No.) But here's the story of how to ride your bike to O'Hare without taking the CTA or Pace. Summary: it ain't easy, and you have to pretend you're a taxi for a little bit.
Brian on Thu September 9 2004Transportation 

Lyric Opera Costume Sale
The costume rooms at the Lyric Opera are any child's Halloween dream. An entire room of fake armor, cannons, giant heads and clothes, clothes, clothes. Word about town is that the opera is having a sale at its warehouse in October. October 9th is reserved for schools and local theaters by appointment only; October 10th and 11th the sale is open to the public from 1-4pm and held at the Lyric's warehouse at 26th and Dearborn (2559 S. Dearborn).
Brian on Thu September 9 2004Music/Clubs 

Aaron Hawkins, RIP
We just received word that Aaron Hawkins, author of the Uppity Negro weblog, has passed away. No funeral plans have been announced yet; if you are interested in more information, please email trancejen@gmail.com. UPDATE: Here's more info, on Trance Jen's site.
Andrew on Wed September 8 2004People/Sightings 

Mourning Iraq war casualties
Moveon.org is sponsoring candlelight vigils across the country to mourn the 1,000 soldiers who have died in Iraq. The Chicago vigil is starting at 8pm and will last about 45 minutes at Cricket Hill (near Montrose Harbor). There is a vigil happening in Oak Park too.
Brian on Wed September 8 2004Politics/Activism 

Bikes + Theater = Spectacle!
Word on the street is that Critical Mass, the bicycle ride that takes place on the last Friday of the month, is going to hit the South Side this month in time for Redmoon Theater's outdoor spectacle Sink Sank Sunk in Chinatown. What's in store? A full chorus. A lantern and fire procession. And of course a performance. Not your usual Friday night (though the theater performance will also take place on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday).
Brian on Wed September 8 2004Theatre/Dance 

Everybody Promenade
Grab your partner and swing on over to Chicagoland Square Dance for a complete list of square dancing resources for the Chicago area. Check out their calendar of dances, square dancing clubs in the city, and find out where to buy the appropriate attire. And if you don't know your Allemande Left from your Allemande Right, take a look at their schedule of square dancing lessons. Let's Dosado!
Alice on Wed September 8 2004Theatre/Dance 

There is another bagel directly behind this one
Dunkin' Donuts has opened two concession stands in two separate El stations (the Western Avenue blue line stop, and the Lake & Cicero green line stop) and have plans to open 10 more stores by the end of the year. Even better, additions to the El stations will include more than just snack shops; the CTA will be adding newspaper stands, photo processing and shoe repair stands and express mail stores at 33 separate stations.
Jim on Wed September 8 2004Transportation 

Kiser, RIP
Following up on our mention of a Red Line death last month, it turns out the victim was Kiser, a well-known graffiti artist. The Tribune has a profile of him today, and the CTA Tattler's post on the incident garnered some passionate rememberances in the comments. There's also at least one tribute image out there.
Andrew on Wed September 8 2004People/Sightings 

Chicago Bang Bang
Meet real mobsters' kids, pretend mobsters and the people who obsess about mobsters at the Golden Age of Gangsters Convention this weekend in Itasca. This event is open to the public and will feature tons of gangster memorabilia, descendents of famous mobsters Capone and Giancana, actors Joe Gannascoli and John Fiore from "The Sopranos," special displays about the St. Valentine's Massacre and The Prohibition years, a guided tour of Chicago gangster history, and several historians and authors who have made gangster history their life's work. Friday-Sunday, Holiday Inn in Itasca. Admission is $15 per day or $40 for the weekend.
on Wed September 8 2004Offbeat/Misc. Events 

For the Birds
For the Birds: An Amazing Exhibition of Bird Houses has been showing at the Clark House Museum, Chicago's oldest home, since June, and will end October 15th. What is it exactly? More than 100 bird -- and