Bat fans before this summer's release of The Dark Knight Rises, you can check out the movie's Batmobile (aka the Tumbler) and Bat pod motorcycle on tour today from 4-6pm at the Merchandise Mart and tomorrow at these Bat-times: 6-7am at NBC tower and 12-5pm at Navy Pier.
Janet Carroll, Tom Cruise's mom in Risky Business, passed away Tuesday. She was 71. (Thanks, Marc.)
Crain's Chicago Business' 40 Under 40 nominations are open. Who do you know who ought to be listed?
Eugene Polley, Lombard resident and inventor of the first remote control, the Zenith Flash-Matic, passed away Sunday at 96.
Eddie Vedder and Chris Chelios performed "The Weight" with Live Band Karaoke at Stanley's Kitchen on Sunday, while Kerry Wood watched. According to Live Band Karaoke's Facebook page, Vedder also sang some Who songs.
Dave "Gone" Brault is squatting in the basement of the abandoned Damen Silos, in hopes of being able to someday teach people how to live in a post-apocalyptic society. [via]
In his newest standup special Animal Furnace, comic and Chicago native Hannibal Buress talks about a 2009 interview he did in the Eastern Illinois University student newspaper in advance of a stand-up gig at the school, criticizing EIU for emphasizing that he was brought in to increase diversity on campus (and stating how much he was paid to appear). The newspaper is not amused.
Eddie Blazonczyk, Sr., founder of the Versatones and one of the country's foremost polka players, has passed away at the age of 70.
Here's a tribute to Blazonczyk, Sr. at Pulaski Polka Days last year.
And here's a polka version of "Bear Down, Chicago Bears" performed by the Versatones in 1986.
James E. Sierzega, the Versatones' trumpet player, died in February
Northwestern's alumni magazine has a long profile of Rahm Emanuel from childhood to first term as mayor -- along with a fun analysis of his rhetorical toolbox. [via]
Don't forget, the Newberry Library is celebrating Studs Terkel's 100th birthday tonight at 5:30pm. Take a listen to our interview with Studs from back in the GB archives.
Comedian Cameron Esposito is, sadly, moving to LA in June. A.V. Club has her exit interview.
William Balfour was found guilty of killing Jennifer Hudson's mother, brother and nephew on Friday; Natalie Moore writes in Ebony that Englewood is not to blame.
Steve Albini went onto Reddit last night for an "Ask Me Anything" Q&A. If you don't want to wade through all the comments, check out this convenient table.
Activist artist Christopher Drew passed away on Monday after a battle with lung cancer. His last post on his blog April 1 questioned what was next after the state legislature failed to change the eavesdropping law that he'd protested for years, ultimately leading to his arrest in 2009. The felony charge against him was thrown out in March, but unfortunately, he didn't live to see the Seventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago declared the law unconstitutional yesterday. He'll be missed.
Justin Pivec was found not guilty on Friday of beating Matthew Leone, bassist for Madina Lake, in 2010. Multiple benefits were held to help Leone pay for his medical bills.
Grub Street expands on the obituary for Ingrid Bergstrom, matriarch of a long-gone gathering place for Chicago's Scandinavian community.
The RedEye checked in with Amy Bergseth, the die-hard Cubs fan whose name is immortalized on a brick outside Wrigley that caught actor Jason Segel's eye.
Roger Ebert talks showbiz and public relations with PR Daily. In other news, EbertFest is this week down in Champaign; if you can't go, you can watch this year's selections online.
UIC hosts a summit of Nobel Prize winners today through Wednesday; former presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, as well as the Dalai Lama, will be among the attendees. Actor Sean Penn will be receiving a humanitarian award for divorcing Madonna his charity work in Haiti Wednesday night.
New City profiles Marlin Keesler, manager of the Chicago branch of City Running Tours.
Brian Dennehy recently appeared on The Interview Show, and was thoroughly unfiltered talking about his film work, The Iceman Cometh and more.
Bill Lavicka, the West Side preservationist who last year was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer, passed away this week.
Trib columnist Mary Schmich joined GB Managing Editor David Schalliol on one of his many trips around the city to photograph buildings facing demolition. You can see some of David's brilliant work here at To Be Demolished.
Chicago magazine's Jeff Ruby: "In the Mount Rushmore of Chicago, his face would probably be up there: Michael Jordan, Al Capone, Charlie Trotter, Mayor Daley -- and they'd all be scowling."
The family of late filmmaker John Hughes has put his (gorgeous) Lake Forest mansion on the market for $5.89 million; based on pictures, the place reminds me of where Gary and Wyatt lived.
Palatine resident Christine LeBrun is related to a Titanic victim, a Haitian-born engineer who was possibly the only black passenger on the ship when it sank.
The Mayor's Office played an April Fool's joke on Facebook yesterday, claiming Mayor Emanuel had filed several FOIA requests "to learn more about himself."
Our recently incarcerated ex-governor will be grey soon, says his longtime barber. Prisons don't allow hair dye, and Rod has apparently been dying luxurious mane for quite some time.
Two Pitties in the City visited the Saint Patrick's parade this past Saturday, and recorded the experience from the dogs' point of view. It's totes adorbs.
Crain's profiles Dan Brown, the inventor of the Bionic Wrench and other innovative hand tools.
The Donald visited his namesake tower this week and talked about the strength of the River North neighborhood and what's going on with all that empty retail space in his building. In other Trump Tower news, Derrick Rose is its newest resident.
You can watch the former governor and soon-to-be prisoner's final address to the media at 5pm tonight online.
In honor of what would have been is 100th birthday, the Studs Terkel Centenary Committee has put together several events throughout May and June to honor the city's great oral historian. Amongst the highlights: screenings of his innovative television drama "Studs' Place" that haven't been seen since 1951.
Open Culture collects interesting audio and video from 290 cultural icons, including Saul Bellow, Bill Murray, Shel Silverstein and Frank Lloyd Wright. [via]
Makers is an online video series featuring short interviews with trailblazing women. Past and current Chicagoans interviewed so far include Tavi Gevinson, Billie Jean King and Hillary Rodham Clinton. [via]
Eighteen Chicagoans appear on Forbes' list of the world's richest people.
March 7 is "End the R-Word Day," an effort to get people to pledge to stop using the word "retard" to describe people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Workers at local organization Clearbrook made a video recommending some other things you could call them.
William Heirens, the man who confessed to being the "Lipstick Killer" in the 1940s, died today at 83. Wikipedia has a surprisingly thorough history of Heirens and the Lipstick Killer case.
Franklin McMahon died Saturday- the Chicagoland artist who did around 9,000 sketches for the Sun-Times, Life, Look and many others, covering events from the Emmett Till lynching trail to the Obama/Cinton debates.
Prison isn't going to be easy for Blago's hair.
Len Kendall proposed to his girlfriend, Katie Holland, via Buzzfeed, and the social mediasphere went wild. Thankfully, she said yes.
Michael Jordan has listed his Highland Park mansion for $29 million, making it the highest-priced home in the Chicago market. I can only assume this includes a three-bedroom guest house filled with Rayovac batteries.
Hip-hop artist Common joined Johnson publishing CEO Desiree Rogers at Thursday night's 28 Days program hosted by AT&T. He wrapped up the evening with a freestyle over the "Sweet" beat off of his album, The Dreamer, The Believer.
Comedian, talk show host, and oddball actor Tom Green will be at Zanies, 1548 N Wells St., tonight and tomorrow at 8:30pm. There will be a second performance at 10:30pm; tomorrow only. Check the Slowdown Calendar for ticket information after taking a look at one of his earlier visits to the city below.
Buzzfeed shares a timeline of Barack Obama on video going back to 1991. As Chicagoist notes, a lot of this is old news to Chicagoans.
Steve Kordek, the man who designed the first pinball game with two flippers at the bottom, passed away this week at 100. [via]
Here's a list of more than 100 pinball games Kordek designed, and here's footage from his 100th birthday last week:
Today's Chicago Woman's annual top 40 singles issue is out, and Chicago magazine is looking for some to feature.
If you ever made it into Wicker Park's Paper Doll, you probably saw a very adorable pug named Maude (whose human Stacy co-owned the store) working the counter. Sorry to say that Maude died this past Monday at the tender age of 11.
The RedEye's Ernest Wilkins talks about Whitney Houston's death and celebrity worship.
Chicago magazine ranks Chicagoland's 100 most powerful people (along with a handful of expats). You might be surprised at how far down the list Daley landed.
City Clerk Susana Mendoza made Anderson Cooper's Ridiculist last night for her handling of the Herbie Pulgar vehicle sticker design controversy.
Two local attorneys investigating John Wayne Gacy's acts of disgustery have proposed that the infamous murderer may not have acted alone in his work.
Jeffrey Zaslow, best-selling author and one of two journalists who replaced Anne Landers as advice columnist at the Sun-Times, was killed in a car accident in Michigan on Friday. He was 53.
Here's an interview with Zaslow from 2001, when he ended his column. And here is a recording of him speaking at TEDx Alva Park.
Claire Zulkey interviews Tavi Gevinson, who's in a movie debuting at NY Fashion Week this weekend.
Chet Haze's sister, Elizabeth Hanks, interviewed Chicago/New York street artist Hanksy for The Awl.
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation honored former Polish president Lech Wałęsa Thursday night in an exclusive dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel. Wałęsa was the first democratically-elected Polish head of state elected since World War II. His leadership was instrumental in ending Soviet domination of Poland and setting the stage for the rest of Eastern Europe.
Nello Ferrara, chairman of Ferrara Pan Candy Co., passed away last Friday. He was 93.
Here's a long interview with Ferrara from two months ago, on the show "I'm a Busy Guy with Vince LoCascio."
Columbia College student Chris Kutill gained internet fame yesterday after being photographed on the L wearing a hat and coat that make him look like the South Park character Cartman. Kutill fully embraces the resemblance. UPDATE: A.V. Club interviewed Kutill today.
Actress Zooey Deschanel, who briefly attended Northwestern University, says she dropped out because her "specialness [was] not appreciated."
Matt Damon and Lupe Fiasco visited TEAM Englewood High School yesterday, following their appearance at the Metro Tuesday as part of The People Speak, Live!
Local comic Ever Mainard had a set this past Tuesday at Chicago Underground Comedy that people are still talking about. Not just comics; people who have never done a stand-up set in their life are talking about it. Luckily, it was caught on video so that those of you who weren't there can witness the moment that people will talk about for years to come. Right now, though, I'm going to stop talking about it, and let you see for yourself.
Kevin Pang profiles Paul Kahan, probably the city's most beloved reluctant celebrity chef. His latest venture, Publican Quality Meats, soft opens Monday.
"Soul Train" creator and host Don Cornelius was found dead this morning of an apparent suicide.
Naperville native and iO alum Paul Brittain, who joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in 2010, is leaving the show effective immediately.
Another former car of Barack Obama's is for sale on Ebay....for one million dollars. Obama leased the 2005 Chrysler 300 Series 300C (which currently sells used for around $25k) for a little under three years.
The Reader's Mick Dumke gets up close and personal with Alderman Walter Burnett, Jr. John Greenfield talked with Ald. Burnett about transportation for us last year.
The Trib's Kevin Pang profiles Al James, the last of the restaurant magicians.
The Trib's Chris Borrelli put together an oral history of Fred Armisen's time in Chicago.
President Barack Obama is confirmed to appear at the UIC Forum tomorrow, the latest addition to his scheduled fundraisers in the city.
Jason Segel took fan Chelsea Gill and her twin sister to the Chicago Film Critic Awards this weekend after she recorded a song asking him out for a drink. [via]
What's the expiration date of celebrity status? The Tribune features a collection of photos that, while including some Chicago greats, goes into a debatable realm of relevance in terms of the people that still pass for famous.
The Tribune profiles Adam Reed Tucker, master LEGO architect (previously).
AnnMarie Walsh was homeless until her Twitter account brought her fame and good fortune.
Adrian Karol Kois and Lamaya West, both born at midnight Sunday night.
Have you seen a woman holding a whiteboard on Michigan Avenue this month? She's Lauren Lawson, and she's hoping to inspire you.
McGlother "Mac" Irvin, known as the "godfather" of basketball in Chicago, passed away this weekend. He was 74.
Julia Sweeney talks sex, SNL, the suburbs and storytelling on TheLocalTourist.
Footage from a 1960s Chicago Christmas parade shows the city's 48th mayor Richard J. Daley, the legendary Dick Clark, and curiously enough, some creepy clowns in cars.
Big news from former Mayor Daley: He's joined the board of directors for Coca-Cola, and he's founded an investment and advisory firm called Tur Partners with his son Patrick.
Jimmy Fallon was in Chicago over the weekend as the host of the Jewish United Fund's annual fundraising event kickoff.
Not quite every week, photographer Jay Schroeder posts a portrait of a Chicagoan.
Madeline Mann and Rumaisa Rahman were two of the smallest babies ever born. Doctors were concerned the girls might had developmental problems, but so far they're doing just fine.
Meet Tom Benno, lawyer by day, lucha libre wrestler by night.
The 2011 Crain's Chicago Business 40 Under 40 class has been announced. The list includes some literally and figuratively related inductees: brothers Jerrod and RJ Melman, GrubHub's two co-founders and the three co-founders of Akira.
GB Flickr Pool member Viewminder has taken many portraits of his friend "Professor Bikenstein."
Former alderman Edward Vrdolyak was released from prison yesterday. He's home
Chicago magazine climbs Mt. Kilimanjaro with Steve Baskis, an Iraq War veteran who was blinded by a roadside bomb.
Former Mayor Daley will be a visiting fellow at Harvard's Institute of Politics at the John. F. Kennedy School of Government.
Later today Chicago's Cultural Affairs Commissioner will proclaim today in honor of Bill Kurtis and his partner, Donna LaPietra.
Chicago News Cooperative profiles West Side preservationist Bill Lavicka, who was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer.
Chicago native Dorothy Rodham, mother of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, passed away this morning at a hospital in Washington at the age of 92.
Meet Amy Rule, Chicago's publicity-shy first lady.
The Mayor's Office shared an interesting photo on its Facebook page today. Happy f***ing Halloween! [via]
Paul Leka, songwriter best known for writing "Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye)," the song played at the end of every White Sox win, when the opposing team pulls a pitcher and lots of other times, actually, passed away Oct. 12. He was 68.
Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia called Chicago-style deep dish pizza "tomato pie" in a talk at Chicago-Kent Law School this week. He likes it, though.
Chicago-born Jim Belushi and Gillian Anderson among the celebrities who wrote a letter to their 16-year-old selves for the book Dear Me. (We had a similar Fuel thread a couple years ago.)
Groupon teamed up with ex-Smashing Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlin to produce that Ferris Buehler screening at Wrigley, tonight's Umphrey's McGee show at Lincoln Hall and another event in November. Crain's talked with Chamberlin about the partnership.
Alan Lake introduces you to Sherri Fenton, director of Asian Youth Services in Mechanics.
In Book Club, Rose Lannin profiles comic artist Tony Akins in the latest "One-Shots."
Actually, Luol Fivers: The Bulls' Luol Deng is featured on the latest version of the Brixton five-pound note, part of that south London neighborhood's local currency initiative.
We asked Nellie Huggins to profile some of Chicago's most influential female comedians. She came back with full interviews with five of them: Elizabeth McQuern, Rachel Mason, Susan Messing, Kelsie Huff and Ever Mainard, talking about what it's like to be a female comedian in Chicago.
This past weekend, Leonard Nemoy attended his final Star Trek convention (though not necessarily his final appearance as Spock) here in Chicago.
In Transmission, Niki Fritz interviews her coworker at Rotary International, Justin Howard -- otherwise known as Nordic Thunder.
Technori profiles Daniel X. O'Neil, EveryBlock co-founder, past GB contributor and current executive director of the Smart Chicago Collabrative.
Ketty Teanga, matriarch of Chicago's Latin-American transgender community, died last week. She was featured in an A/C article about La Cueva in Little Village, and was profiled in the Reader a couple years ago.
Roger Ebert's latest memoir, Life Itself, is reviewed on "Fresh Air" today. He was also on "All Things Considered" last week, talking about the book and the cancer that robbed him of his (speaking) voice.
Rosie recently proclaimed her love for Chicago, and now she's buying a house in Lakeview.
If you're around Union Station today, keep your eye out for the Man of Steel. If you're not in the area, you can see some photos of the Superman shoot on that same site and Explore Chicago has a general list of filming locations.
A letter from a doting teacher provides details of the dramatic early years of Orson Welles.
Technori profiles Howard Tullman, web innovator, serial entrepreneur and founder of Tribeca Flashpoint Academy. Read more about him here.
Alex Kotlowitz writes about Eddie Lopez, owner of Xclusive Cuts in Cicero.
The Sun-Times profiles LeVan Williams, a bachelor raising six adopted children by himself.
Check out the portfolio of Luke Williams, which IdN chose as its portfolio of the month in August.
If you were intrigued by the Reader's feature on outsider artist-musician William Earl Beal (previously), you'll want to read about Urban Eyez's efforts to put together a band for Beal -- and attend the concert Sept. 15 at Town Hall Pub.
The pinup calendar Thought You Knew has launched a Kickstarter project to cover printing expenses. Now in its third year on the walls of bike shops and homes worldwide, TyK seeks to support a community of confident women who bike. Gapers Block's curated Kickstarter page features this project, along with other exciting local ventures.
Ten Chicagoans reflect on Sept. 11 and its aftermath.
Nordic Thunder, aka Justin Howard, came in second in the World Air Guitar Championships this weekend. Read our coverage of the US finals in Transmission.
The last of the Delta bluesmen, Dave "Honeyboy" Edwards, passed away early Monday morning at the age of 96. Howard Reich and Dave Hoekstra have remembrances.
With the help of their attorney father, Steven and Kathryn Miner of Barrington unsuccessfully sued their mother Kimberly Garrity for "bad mothering" [PDF] following their parents' 1995 divorce. Did she shove hot sauce down their throat? No. Did she learn parenting tips from Joan Crawford? No, not exactly. The two (now adult-aged) children claimed that Garrity caused emotional distress by failing to include a cash gift with birthday cards, enforcing curfews, and changing her last name when she later remarried.
Nearly 50 years ago, Chicagoan and Peace Corps Volunteer Larry Radley was among 30 people who died in a plane wreck in the Colombian jungle. His brother vowed to visit the site, but didn't realize how difficult that would be.
And with a cast that good, how bleak can it be? Coming next April to the Goodman Theater.
Alex Urbanec is looking for a job. So he did what anyone would do: he stitched a sign and put it in his window, where it caught the eye of Forbes blogger Susannah Breslin. [via]
Chicagoland resident ArLynn Leiber Presser is trying to meet all of her 325 Facebook friends face to face this year. The catch is, they're scattered around the globe. A local documentary filmmaker is going along for the ride.
One of the victims of the grandstand collapse at the Indiana State Fair was Christiana Santiago, manager of programming at Howard Brown Health Center's Lesbian Community Care Project.
Frequent GB contributor John Greenfield interviews Dottie Brackett, author of bike blog Let's Go Ride a Bike! in NewCity this week.
The Reader profiles David Mailey, one of the many African-Americans living with schizophrenia.
Corrie Besse definitely deserves a high-five after chasing down the thief who stole her iPhone on the train -- and has since pleaded guilty to pushing a 68-year-old woman down the stairs to her death in another CTA iPhone robbery back in April.
Best Buddies is an organization that helps intellectually and developmentally disabled people find one-on-one friendships. Though it's mostly aimed at high school, the Citizen Buddied and e-Buddies programs make it easy for adults to get involved. You can learn more at a benefit mixer at Rockit tonight.
Tony and Janina Wasilewski, a Polish couple whose deportation troubles were subject of a documentary last year, will be reunited today.
Lee Hartung, proprietor of the fascinating Hartung License Plate & Auto Museum in Glenview (previously), has passed away, leaving the fate of his sprawling collection in question.
Photographer Todd Diederich has a knack for going places most people don't. Vice magazine is asking him to do it for them once a week; his first piece features Pam, a woman with a wig and a knife.
Meet Willis Earl Beal, an artist and musician who's the subject of a new limited edition box set from Found magazine.
Chicago jazz legend Von Freeman will be awarded the NEA Jazz Masters Award this winter, but he'll be celebrated here this Thursday with a tribute concert at the Pritzker Pavilion.
After receiving another screenshot of the Batman seen near a Chicago ambulance, Justin Kaufmann really wants to know the identity of The Caped Crusader. Of course, this means that Kaufmann now occupies the role of evil-newspaperman-who-wants-to-unmask-superhero in a D.C. comic.
The Red Eye's Ernest Wilkins talks with comedian Hannibal Buress about hip hop and his recent gig at Zanie's.
Monocle profiles longtime newsman Rick Kogan. (Thanks, Jim.)
R. Kelly's south suburban mansion is threatened with a $2.9-million foreclosure lawsuit.
Meet Tom Stuker, an Chicago-based automotive industry consultant who on Saturday became the first passenger to log 10 million miles on United Airlines.
An oldie but a goodie: Royko at the Goat, a short film of Mike Royko telling stories about 16-inch softball. Now with a preface from cinematographer Scott Jacobs.
There's a media league playing today -- head over to Trebes Park on Monday and Thursday nights this month to catch Gapers Block, Chicagoist, RedEye, Time Out, CHIRP, WBEZ, The
Reader, WSJ, WCIU and ChicagoNow battle it out on the dirt diamond. We play at 6 and 7pm.
Murphy's Bleachers' Open Mic Night attendees got quite the surprise when Eddie Vedder decided to hang out after the Cubs game and perform a few songs last night.
Chicago magazine has an exclusive interview with Robert Blagojevich regarding his trial and his brother's retrial.
Oak Park Patch profiles Revolution McInness, a homeless man with bipolar disorder finding community through the Internet. (Previously.)
Local Reddit member April Hill (aka Opiebreath) was born with Amniotic Band Syndrome, which left her with a "nub" for a left hand and feet. She recently started a novelty account, Reaction_on_my_Nub, in which she responds to posts by drawing things on her nub. She was recently profiled on The Daily Dot.
Chicago-born CNN sportscaster Nick Charles passed away over the weekend after a long battle with bladder cancer. He was 64.
Mike Ditka will make a cameo appearance on the final episode of "Entourage." Jeremy Piven tweeted a photo of Da Coach from the set yesterday.
That Obama impersonator who got yanked from the stage at last weekend's Republican Leadership Conference? He's Reggie Brown, and he's from Chicago.
He has also appeared on John Stossel's Fox News show in recent weeks.
Northwestern alumnus Stephen Colbert delivered the commencement speech at his alma mater today; the Tribune has video.
Honorary Sam Cooke Way will be unveiled in Bronzeville this weekend. Read our feature on Cooke's Chicago legacy. [via]
WFMU's Beware of the Blog tells the rambling tale of the rise and fall of Chicago-born comedian Shecky Greene.
Trumpeter Alan Rubin, who you probably best remember as the Chez Paul maître d' in The Blues Brothers, has passed away.
Daniel X. O'Neil, EveryBlock's "people person" and a former GB staffer, is at the White House today, being honored as a Champion for Change for his work with open data on CityPayments.org.
Mayor Daley is joining Katten Muchin Rosenman, the law firm that negotiated the parking meter deal and the Skyway privatization.
Spoken word performer and Chicago native Gil Scott-Heron died today at age 62.
Speaking of baseball, Ronny Woo-Woo may get all the press, but Gladys Nunley, aka Gladys the Cubs Fan, has been doing it for a lot longer.
The developers behind the Opera web browser are going to miss Oprah -- because of the great misdirected emails they get. (Don't worry, guys, she's just moving to cable.) [via]
Rod Blagojevich took the stand today and told his life story for two hours. Follow Susan Berger's live tweets for a blow-by-blow of his testimony
Fantasy Costumes already has a Rahm Emanuel rubber mask, available for $39.99 online. Shop employees told the Trib the store's owner figured Emanuel would win the mayoral election and got a jump on designing the mask.
Rapper Nicki Minaj played principle for a day at Collins Academy yesterday as part of the Get Schooled project.
Superstar Nicki Minaj Surprises Students as "Principal for the Day" at Collins Academy High School in Chicago from Get Schooled on Vimeo.
Professional wrestler and Downers Grove native Randy "The Macho Man" Savage died in a car accident brought on by a heart attack he suffered while driving today in Florida. He was 58 years old.
Meet George Blakemore, "concerned citizen."
Chicago rapper and actor Common was invited to participate in a White House poetry event -- which became one of the points of debate between Jon Stewart and Bill O'Reilly.
Apparently one of the Bulls went to Aviary after the game last night -- and asked for a vodka and seltzer. The bar denied the request, and the baller left.
Rick Uchwat, owner of Zanies comedy club, died last night at 64 after a long battle with lung cancer.
Northwestern grad Stephen Colbert will receive an honorary degree from the school during commencement June 17. Think of it as a delayed two-for-one special.
Former Bears safety Dave Duerson was confirmed to have brain disease caused by severe trauma, according to the autopsy analysis he requested in his suicide note earlier this year. The Miami New Times has an excellent profile of Duerson. [via]
Well-known Chicagoans share stories of growing up in the city and environs in this week's Time Out.
Time Out talks with K.L. Kenzie and Joseph Rovner , two of the founders of Steampunk Chicago.
Rosie O'Donnell was planning on staying at the Trump Chicago Hotel when she tapes her new show for OWN (previously), but thanks to Donald Trump's birther jackassery, she's decided to stay elsewhere. [via]
Elmer Lynn Hauldren, the writer and star of countless Empire carpet commercials, passed away last night in his Evanston home. He was 89. Here are some of Hauldren's classic Empire commercials.
More on EmpireCarpet.tv.
Thomas Keller sings the praises of his protege, Grant Achatz, in this year's Time 100.
Refinery29 picks its Chicago's Hottest 30 Under 30.
Over 40 years ago, California was terrorized by the serial killer known as the Zodiac. The Zodiac is particularly remembered for the bizarre cryptograms he sent to the police, one of which has never been decoded. After several years of research, local Chicago Police lieutenant John Lewison claims he's finally cracked it.
I Know Chicago lists the many reasons to vote for Dawn Hancock in GM's Our Town, Our Heroes contest. The other two finalists are worthy of your vote, too.
The founder of Kids Off the Block in Roseland was profiled last week in CNN's "CNN Heroes" series.
More about Roseland and Kids Off the Block:
The longest serving member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners was once one of the biggest stars in soul music. The Reader tells the story of Jerry "Iceman" Butler.
The Sun-Times profiles Mark Pincus, Chicago native and founder of Zynga. You may not know the company by name, but you probably know some of its products, like FarmVille and Mafia Wars.
As Sox fans say goodbye to organist Nancy Faust, they'll be getting to know Lori Moreland.
What people won't buy from Scottie Pippens' former home.
Riccardo Muti, the CSO's music director, is now well enough that he was able to take the stage in Italy and argue for the arts. Given his recovery, it looks like this April is finally on track.
Jim Tyree, chairman and CEO of Mesirow Financial and chairman of the Sun-Times Media Group, died yesterday after a battle with stomach cancer. The Sun-Times has multiple stories, including tributes from Obama, Daley and others; Tribune offered a substantial obituary; and Ron May eulogizes him as a champion for Chicago's tech and media community.
GB flickr pool contributor swanksalot photographed Aretha Franklin taking some photographs of her own at last nights' Bulls game.
Photographer Art Shay shared more photos from his archives over on Chicagoist today -- this time the lens is trained on the Honorable Richard J. Daley.
Ron "the Polish Princess" Helizon, an icon of the gay rights movement in Chicago, passed away over the weekend. He was 65. Here's an interview with him from 2007.
Devin Katayama, whose interview with Sierra Leone refugees now living in Chicago was featured in A/C last week, is the winner of this year's Studs Terkel Scholarship from the Community Media Workshop.
Long-time patrons of the Chicago art scene Ambassador Louis B. Susman and his wife, Marjorie, have merged their love of art and their roles as the U.S. representatives to Britain with an American art collection anyone would envy.
Frank Buckles, the last living member of the WWI American Expeditionary Forces in France, passed away Sunday at 110 years old. Local photographer and GB flickr pool contributor Brad Gillette photographed the veteran on his 109th birthday.
A.V. Club Chicago talks with Erin Robinson about the city's growing indie game industry. We covered similar ground with her in December.
When Ameya Pawar won the 47th Ward race, he made history. The Center Square Journal interviewed him in the midst of Tuesday's celebration, and the Sun-Times and Tribune give you a more in-depth look at the 30-year-old incoming alderman.
The Stew published the first post-election interview with Mayor Daley yesterday -- about his interest in food.
Peruse the John Fischetti Manuscript Collection at Columbia College, and get to know a Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist.
Mayor Daley could get as much as $50,000 per speech after he leaves office. He's signed with the Harry Walker Agency, who also represent Phil Jackson, Roxana Saberi and The Second City for speaking engagements.
Art Shay shares memories and photos of his many mentors over at Chicagoist.
Not to be outdone, the New York Times has a profile of Grant Achatz today, too.
Past, present and future blend together in Chris Borelli's profile of Grant Achatz.
Claire Zulkey interviews traffic reporter Sarah Jindra about the blizzard, shortcuts and her side project, INSPIREme Chicago.
Recently Soon to be laid off Fox meteorologist Amy Freeze is competing to go to North Pole; vote by Feb. 15 and she might make a smooth transition from TV to blog. [via]
Tura Satana, who lived on the West Side with her family after they were released from a WWII internment camp, passed away this weekend. Watch her best known film, Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!, for free on Google Video. [via]
The Hyde Park apartment Ronald Reagan spent a year in as a child may be at risk for demolition. (he was apparently fond of the place.) Meanwhile, Nancy Reagan's Chicago-area roots were highlighted in a documentary that aired on WTTW last night.
A less happy tale from the '85 Bears: How 'The Fridge' lost his way.
Joyce Sloane, longtime den mother of The Second City, passed away last night. Memorial service info here.
You can live in celebrity decorator/Oprah entourage member Nate Berkus' old place in the Gold Coast for $2.65 million.
The CSO's Riccardo Muti fainted at yesterday's rehearsal and was taken to the hospital. Last night's performance was held without him, and tonight's will be led by Mitsuko Uchida and Leonard Slatkin.
Judy Niedermaier, noted furniture and window display designer, passed away Monday.
Tim "Make It Work" Gunn stopped by Vive la Femme on Tuesday. Store owner Stephanie Sack said the "adorable" Mr. Gunn had heard great things about her boutique that specializes in larger sizes of very stylish clothing. Tim is in town to do a makeover show for Oprah.
You may recognize some of the names on Today's Chicago Woman's Top 50 Singles list.
New York fashion site (and first ever Tumblr store) Of A Kind was started at the end of last year by two U of C alums, and is already selling out its limited editions within 24 hours, or less. A piece by Chicago-based Cursive Design is still is in stock...for now.
You get to meet the First Lady by surprise while visiting the White House. Are you really going to ask her where Ben's Chili Bowl is?
Lois Weisberg, head of the Department of Cultural Affairs since Harold Washington was mayor, is resigning Feb. 1. In her announcement, she slammed plans to privatize the city's summer festivals.
In addition to Ric Hess, Sargent Shriver, founder of the Peace Corps, died yesterday, and South Side environmental activist Hazel M. Johnson passed away over the weekend.
Ric Hess, the owner of Lakeview's Sheffield's bar/restaurant, passed away Monday night from a heart attack. He was 48.
Considering Groupon's meteoric rise, it's not surprising to see Andrew Mason sit at number two on Under30CEO's list of the most influential CEOs under 30 years old.
Oprah, ivoryonics, Rosa Chang, and other unique thoughts on a flier found posted in Pioneer Court.
Donkey Kong aficionado Steve Wiebe, who achieved fame with his controversial documentary King of Kong, will be on hand at Logan Hardware today at 2pm to commemorate the reopening of the record store (at 2410 W Fullerton) and to give a tutorial on how you can get more points on the classic video game.
John Lucas, a former minor league basketball star, has helped vault his alma mater to the top of its division. Etheria Modacure tells his story in Tailgate.
Consider his feature last month a first draft: Time Out's editor, Frank Sennett, will write a whole book on Groupon and Andrew Mason.
Robert Young (aka Marcus Welby) is the latest and last in If Charlier Parker Was A Gunslinger's series of Hollywood tobacco cards.
You know, the Smiths.
Alan Sepinwall reports: "'What were your dreams when you were a kid? What did you aspire to be? And it seems like you won every lottery in the country. What were your hopes, and what were your dreams?' Oprah smiled broadly at this and said, 'God, that's such a wonderful question. Nobody has ever asked me that. That's a lovely question. I have to think about it.' So she thought about it for a moment. And then she began to talk, and talk, and talk, and talk... for the next 18 minutes and 15 seconds."
Chicagoist has a two-part interview with Patrick Stump, former frontman of Fall Out Boy, about life after the band, what he's up to now and his deep connection to Chicago.
David Draiman, frontman of Disturbed, talks with the Jerusalem Post about growing up Jewish in Chicago, among other things. [via]
Margaret Vinci Heldt created the beehive hairdo on Michigan Avenue just over 50 years ago and will be celebrated throughout the year.
BoingBoing dug up vintage Bill Murray, filming an anti-high tech rant in 1982.
Christine Ward Blumer, former Gapers Block staffer and winediva, passed away yesterday after a long battle with cancer.
Jerome Soltan, the architect responsible for the four-plus-one (previously), passed away recently at age 81.
Jesse Jackson, Jr. grants a rare interview with the Associated Press.
Chicago magazine has picked its six Chicagoans of the year for 2010.
The A.V. Club's mailman, Rodney Johnson, has become a minor celebrity thanks to his singing voice, which is on display in his "Silent Night" duet with Andrew W.K.
Imprisoned former governor George Ryan lost his latest bid for early release, despite pleas that he be allowed to spend time with his wife, who is dying from cancer.
As FoGB Veronica Arreola said on Twitter, "There are many, far less powerful, people who endure agony of watching loved ones die while they are in prison."
Film critic Cliff Doerksen passed away on Friday. His former publications, Time Out Chicago and the Reader, have remembrances. (More.)
In Drive-Thru, meet Shebnem Ince, a Chicago-born sommelier who specializes in biodynamic and organic wines.
The Sun-Times profiles Antoine Dodson, Chicago expat and star of the "Bed Intruder" viral video and song.
Yesterday, during his time on Vocalo, Lupe Fiasco commented on the recent public exchanges between Kanye West and George W. Bush
Cynthia Plaster Caster, the mayoral interview.
You can now see the full program online of the ceremony honoring former Chicagoan Tina Fey, who received the Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor last night.
The Reader's cover story this week is about Yung Tae Kim, aka Dr. Tae, your favorite skateboarding physicist.
Jay Cutler's girlfriend, Kristin Cavallari, recently threw a fit at the Mag Mile Guess Store after being denied freebies from the manager. Can we get a misconduct penalty?
Zebadiah Arrington, a South Side native and SAIC student, was arrested in New York for tagging subway trains over the course of the past three years.
George W. Bush and Kanye West may have a reconciliation in their future.
Carl, Amy, Layne and Kaitlyn are the Billboard Family, and you can hire them to wear your company shirt "all day long." They're from St. Louis, but according to their site they sometimes visit Chicago, Seattle, Walt Disney World, and the Southern Illinois University area. Let us pray this doesn't escalate into tattoos.
Huffington Post Chicago's Jen Sabella inteviewed Shannon Bucaro, the women who was proposed to in line at Hot Doug's and author of horror-film cooking column Slash and Dine.
Shannon Bucaro's boyfriend proposed to her in line at Hot Doug's yesterday. She said yes, and posted a photo. [via]
My (and everyone else's) secret television girlfriend Tina Fey presents her thoughts on Chicago's best restaurants, sandwiches, and why we're superior to New York.
Ever walk along Lincoln Avenue in Lincoln Square and notice long political rants taped to a bead store window? CenterSquare Journal interviews Sam Wolfson, the author of those screeds.
A Columbia College senior is a finalist for Playboy's Hottest College Girls contest. [via]
Meet Brian Cappelletto, Chicago's resident Scrabble prodigy.
Who said it, John Mayer or Mayor Daley? [via]
Mark Butler, who for 25 years led the crew who dye the Chicago River green for St. Patrick's Day, has passed away.
Fans of Abby Ryan, WBEZ's cult-inspiring former traffic reporter, might be interested to know that she got married last December, and can still be heard on the radio -- in the commercials.
Quite Strong, demonstrating the power of female designers.
It'll be even easier for you to dress up as Rod Blagojevich for Halloween this year, thanks to Fantasy Costumes in Portage Park. [via]
Marketing guru Seth Godin was recently in town. Meet some of his fans.
Sun-Times reporter Kara Spak appeared on "Jeopardy!" recently and walked away with a hefty sum. Naturally, she wrote about her experience.
You usually can't do much research on people you see in the Loop carrying conspiracy theory signs. Not the case with Marty Lawson; he posts documents on street poles and has a couple YouTube accounts.
Forbes released its list of the 400 richest Americans today; here are the local ones.
As the Chicago Police Department tweeted, "It seemed like a good idea at the time."
"What a truly great city Chicago is. It's like NYC without the baked urine smell or masturbating-guy-on-the-subway episodes. Three cheers!" (Thanks, George!)
The Tamale Guy is no longer the only game in town for late-night bar snacks sold out of a cooler: Time Out Chicago introduces the Burger Guy. Wonder when he'll have his own tribute t-shirt, too.
While there will surely be countless tributes to the Daley years, here's a sampling of coverage of Daley's announcement.
Teen lip-syncer Keenan Cahill is apparently the new hotness in YouTube memes. Even Katy Perry's a fan.
According to Perez Hilton, the Bears' Jay Cutler is dating Kristin Cavallari from "The Hills." Might explain a few things from Sunday's game.
In A/C, we've got an interview with Deon Cole, a Chicago comic who's gone on to write for Conan O'Brien and is working on a pilot for Comedy Central.
Leonardo DiCaprio won a restraining order against Chicagoan Livia Bistriceanu, who claims to be married to the actor and pregnant with his child, Jesus.
Chicagoist's editor, Marcus Gilmer, himself a Katrina refugee, talks with New Orleans transplants in Chicago about the hurricane and its aftermath, five years later.
Ira Glass gets fed up with New York Magazine's questions all the while identifying his mortal enemy in a pretty entertaining recent questionnaire.
World News America is following Bulls forward Luol Deng as as he returns to Sudan for the first time since his family fled the country when he was five.
Beloved former Sun Times columnist Jay Mariotti was arrested in Los Angeles last night on a domestic disturbance charge after having an argument with his girlfriend.
In Mechanics, Michael Volpe tells the story of Mario Benitez, a legal resident alien from Chicago facing deportation for stealing $130 in change from a neighbor.
Chicago Public Radio checks in on Robert Blagojevich and his wife as they live with their 27-year-old son in his Uptown apartment.
Drive-Thru writer Joanna Ericson has been telling her story to Anne Elizabeth Moore in Revision Street.
Missed this last month: Chef Art Smith is looking for corporate sponsorship for his marriage to longtime partner Jesus Salguerio.
In A/C, we learn the story of Rosario Ramirez, a Venezuelan immigrant making a difference in Back of the Yards.
The Huffington Post has a video of Vince Vaughn skydiving over Chicago at the Air and Water Show. Unless it's just extra footage from Wedding Crashers.
To help Laura Park get her back fixed, we're donating $5 of every purchase of the awesome 3rd anniversary party poster she designed for us!
This guy will never get lost on the CTA.
If Paul Narang is interested in you, he'll give you his card. [via]
Designer Chris Courtney recently learned he has stage 3B Hodkins' Lymphoma; on the3six5, he declared war.
Chicago magazine's August issue coincidentally has a profile of Marty Cook, an alcoholic at rock bottom when he began an unexpected friendship with Dan Rostenkowski.
Did the police try to help cover up a hit and run case against one of the Pritzkers? A federal lawsuit says yes.
Local twitterer Gabi "@gabifresh" Gregg is MTV's first "TJ."
Christian Picciolini used to be the singer in a white power punk band. Music also played a role in transforming his feelings about race.
President Obama will be back in Chicago for his 49th birthday this Wednesday, but the rest of his family won't be with him. Michelle and Sasha are heading to Spain, and Malia is at summer camp.
NewCity traces Louder than a Bomb's Kevin Coval's trajectory from high school jock to hip hop poet.
In 1997, Jesse Jackson Jr. was featured in People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" issue. Looks like he's still got it. From Chicago magazine: "His career may be in the tank and his White House dreams shattered, but there's some good news for Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. this week: He made The Hill's "50 Most Beautiful People 2010" list--even cracking the coveted top ten." Jackson came in at number nine, beating the Cosmo-famous Scott Brown.
With the mysteries of the Cubs' Pink Hat Guy and the Sox' M&M Jacket Guy solved, Deadspin turns its reticles to uncovering the story of the recognizable front-row South Sider who hexes pitchers and wears a goat mask during crosstown games.
Infamous party crasher Jerry Berliant showed up at the Blagojevich trial this morning.
Chicago photographer, arts philanthropist and former car repair business owner Jack Jaffe passed away on Thursday at 82.
The Huffington Post sat down with the legendary Chicago Reader journalist to talk about his new job at the Chicago News Cooperative, Mayor Daley's graphic threats, and the Windy City.
Chicago expat Bill Murray gives a rare interview to GQ.
106-year-old Pilsen resident Ignacia Moya became a US citizen yesterday, more than 40 years after immigrating from Mexico.
Sarah Hampson of The Globe and Mail has written a short and sweet profile piece on Roger Ebert, who lives in Lincoln Park with his wife Chaz. The Pulitzer-winning Sun Times movie critic has only a partial jaw thanks to a long fight with thyroid cancer, but can still crack jokes with the aid of his Mac laptop. Sustained through an abdominal feeding tube, Ebert is about to publish a cookbook called, The Pot and How to Use It: The Mystery and Romance of the Rice Cooker.
How well do you know Andrew Mason?
Chicago Art Magazine studies the pop star from a visual arts perspective.
The Sun-Times gives a peek inside the FBI files of legendary hitman Frank "The German" Schweihs.
Tony Demasi, former owner of Reserve and Crescendo, was wearing a wire for the FBI, John Kass reports. Michael Volpe, who wrote our article about torture victim Mark Clements, has a long profile of Demasi and his strange story.
In Mechanics, learn the story of Mark Clements, an alleged victim of the Jon Burge torture machine at just 16.
Know a successful Latina? Nominate her for Café Media's Nueva Latina Star awards.
We've got details in Transmission about the public wake for saxophonist and Velvet Lounge founder Fred Anderson, as well as a round-up of remembrances.
Joe Becker is a middle school teacher and hip hop artist trying to inspire his students to overcome adversity in their homes, neighborhoods and school.
Singer Jody Watley talks in Transmission about her experiences growing up in Chicago, her upcoming album and her show at the Harold Washington Cultural Center this Friday.
"I will seriously pummel your f*cking face."
Lynn Becker and the Trib's William Lee eulogize Aaron Dodd, who most knew best as the Michigan Avenue tuba player.
Lauren Rivera, a professor at Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management, looked into how nightclub bouncers determine who's cool enough to get in and who stays outside.
Roger Ebert was named Person of the Year at this year's Webby Awards.
Edna Stewart, owner of the legendary Edna's Restaurant on the West Side, passed away on Friday. For background about Stewart, her restaurant and her role in the civil rights movement, check out this interview from the Southern Foodways Alliance Oral History Project.
Though not really a Chicagoan anymore, we still have a soft spot for Ira Glass. He talks with Slate about being wrong with regards to This American Life.
Marvin Isley, bassist of The Isley Brothers, died Sunday in a hospice near his Chicago home.
Did Barack Obama appear in a music video for "Whoomp! There it Is" by Tag Team? Probably not.
If you've misplaced your kinkajou, one was just found down in Pilsen.
Is Congressman Mark Kirk gay? One gay activist says yes, and tells how he found out. [via]
In Mechanics, Micah Uetricht profiles Chicago author, socialist and LGBT activist Sherry Wolf.
The Baltimore Sun is excited to report that Bo had a great time in Chicago. In case you're interested in more information on the Obamas' trip, here's a summary.
Rod Blagojevich has spent three quarters of his legal defense fund before his trial has even started, the Chicago News Cooperative reports. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court turned down his delay of trial request.
"Diff'rent Strokes" star Gary Coleman, who grew up in north suburban Zion, died today of a brain hemorrhage. He was 42.
Nicole Suarez, a native Chicagoan and a student at DePaul, recently won the title of Miss Tolima in Colombia, and will be competing in the Miss Colombia competition -- the first non-native in the pageant's history. Help Suarez celebrate her win next Friday at Las Tablas Steakhouse, where she's a server.
Street artist Brendan Scanlon, aka SOLVE, was murdered in 2008, but his stickers live on and are being posted around the world.
This week in Book Club, One-Shots talks to comics artist by day, accordionist by night Sarah Becan.
Did Rick Bayless violate the White House rules against tweeting while cooking the state dinner for the Obamas and Mexican President Calderon? Lynn Sweet says he did, but Bayless took to, where else, Twitter to deny it and demand an apology.
The message cited by Sweet was posted in the 7am hour, according to the timestamp on Twitter; his next tweet was 17 hours later -- his response to Sweet's column. I asked Bayless where he was when he made the early morning tweet, and he replied that he was at his hotel. UPDATE: Sweet apologized. UPDATE 2: Time Out Chicago pulled together further tweets from Bayless explaining the situation.
Harry Aleman, the only American ever to be tried for the same crime again after being acquitted, died in a downstate prison yesterday.
Beachwood Reporter collects clips of the dearly departed metal god's local performances.
Well, now's your chance, and he'll potentially autograph it. Great...
Tom Skilling is off galavanting around the Great Plains in search of tornados, allowing us rare glimpses into his psyche. For example, he uses forks as pointers instead of high tech tools when he's not delivering his broadcast, and he leans out of moving SUVs to take iPhone pictures of severe weather.
Dustin Shuler, the artist behind the Spindle in Berwyn, passed away last week.
Nate Miller was once a reporter for the Sun-Times; now he's Mr. Thrift.
President Obama announced this morning that Solicitor General Elena Kagan is his nominee to replace Justice John Paul Stevens. Kagan taught at University of Chicago Law School and even played 16-inch softball, so I think we can claim her as one of our own.
Jim Warren thinks Blago should take some pointers on how to spend time in prison from Conrad Black.
Toby Williams graduates from Northeastern this Saturday. (You know it's more interesting than just that if we're linking to it.)
Max Palevsky, the Chicago-born and educated computer entrepreneur whose name may sound familiar to U of C graduates, passed away yesterday at 85. Among other accomplishments, Palevsky saved Rolling Stone, co-founded Intel and funded the construction of the theater used by Doc Films.
A new documentary about Studs Turkel will make its debut on HBO later this month, the director was on "Eight Forty-Eight" to talk about it today.
Building on our earlier post: Former Chicagoan (and Steinmetz High School alum) Hugh Hefner chipped in the last $900,000 needed to transfer ownership of the property surrounding the iconic Hollywood sign in California from Chicago-based real estate developers Fox River Financial to the Trust for Public Land.
Michelle Obama is on the cover of Conde Nast Traveler magazine this month, explaining why she loves her "new hometown." Really, Mrs. Obama? You spent your whole life in the Windy City but after a year in D.C. you've decided to forsake Chicago as your hometown?
What was it like working with Studs Turkel? [via]
The Admiral will be holding an x-rated Sarah Palin lookalike contest May 12 -- the same day the former governor of Alaska is making an appearance at the Rosemont Theatre.
In A/C, LaShawn Williams interviews LisaRaye, South Side native and star of TV One's "LisaRaye: The Real McCoy," about her childhood in Chicago, her reality show and life after being the first lady of the Turks & Caicos Islands.
Jim DeRogatis is quitting the Sun-Times to blog on Vocalo.org and join the faculty at Columbia College.
Kitty Kelly's upcoming biography of Oprah doesn't paint a pretty picture.
Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, a Chicago native, announced today that he will retire this summer.
In Book Club, we've got an interview with Lance Fensterman, vice president of pop culture at Reed Exhibitions, about his love of comics and this weekend's Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo.
The 2010 season will be Chicago White Sox organist Nancy Faust's last.
Lake Effect News profiles Ollie Latiker, owner of Ollie's Lounge in Edgewater.
A recent visit to an Iowa City bookstore shows the President's kind of nerdy. [via]
Aron Pobereskin has worked at Alinea, Lockwood, Moto, Graham Elliot Schwa and Perennial. He's 16 years old. [via]
The President's March Madness bracket is now available for copying, mockery.
Continuing the lovefest, writer/editor Scott Edelman reran a fun interview he did with Mr. Ebert for Sci-Fi Entertainment about, yes, science-fiction. Fun fact: Ebert started the science fiction club at his high school.
Billy Corgan dishes to the Trib about rumors he's dating Jessica Simpson, pro wrestling and the in-progress Smashing Pumpkins album.
Thirteen-year-old Tavi Gevinson from Oak Park is making a name for herself in the fashion world through her blog, writing a column for Harpers Bazaar, shilling for Target, and making attention-getting appearances at runway shows. She even has her own backlash.
I know, he's barely a Chicago guy anymore, since he's lived in the Hudson Valley for 30 years, but holy crow! Bill Murray confirmed a third Ghostbusters movie is happening -- and he's coming back as one of the ghosts.
As Chicago-born speed skater Shani Davis prepares for the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, his mother carefully guards his reputation.
We've mentioned the database of Playboy centerfolds maintained by a sysadmin at U of C before. The Reader's feature story this week is a full profile of that sysadmin and her special relationship with the magazine and its founder.
President Obama won't be reporting for jury duty today.
The Trib profiles some Chicago "weather geeks," including the person behind the Midway weather readings.
Speaker of the House Michael Madigan's "day job" is as a property tax lawyer. The Trib finds that his two gigs often intersect.
Looks like Chicago had a low showing of talent on yesterday's "American Idol" auditions -- only 13 made the cut. While showcasing our wild and foul-mouthed side, "Idol" has Chicago Breaking News wondering how some Windy City contestants were filmed in front of palm trees and the Amway Center in Orlando.
Abraham Bolden, the first African-American White House Secret Service agent, lives on the South Side and has quite a history to share.
I know when I want a steak, nothing is better than a Michael Jordan signature steak. They go great with my Mike Ditka wine.
Rod Blagojevich talked at length to Esquire's Scott Raab, variously comparing himself to Galileo, Mordecai in the legend of Purim, and Robin Hood -- and claiming he's blacker than Obama. (He's already apologized for that. Further thoughts in Mechanics.)
The Sun-Times interviews Jim Morehouse, a Chicagoan who's reached the 10 million frequent flier mile mark dreamed of by Up in the Air's protagonist.
Threadless is offering a variety of cash rewards for information leading to the identification of these men. They are "most likely" in the Chicago area. [Thanks, Sandor!]
It seems heading back to Hyde Park is hard to do when you're President of the United States.
Ariana Huffington, of the eponymous Post, will be speaking at Columbia College on Jan. 27. It's free, but you'll have to RSVP -- and if you want a seat, you better do it soon.
The Chicago Foundation for Women is requesting nominations of local men and women "whose leadership and achievements are making the world better for women and girls."
R.Kelly is working on a memoir. It's as yet untitled, leaving satirists with a golden opportunity to shower him with suggestions.
Wesley Willis's Joy Rides, a documentary about Chicago folk artist and rock star Wesley Willis, is now out on DVD -- and is streaming on Pitchfork.TV all this week.
Loneliness can be contagious and spread through social networks, according to research from the University of Chicago.
That's good advice for any aspiring band -- the Joe in question being Joe Shanahan, owner of the Metro and "father of alternative rock in Chicago."
Chicago Storytelling got homeless people and CTA buskers to tell their stories in their own words.
Ken Green wrote in Tailgate yesterday about the death of up-and-coming boxer Francisco "Paco" Rodriguez in a bout this weekend. While his death is tragic, it did have a silver lining: he was an organ donor, and gave a kidney to his uncle and other organs to at least seven people. Learn more here. [via]
Dave Lamoureux spends most of the year as a futures and options trader in Chicago, but he sets world records catching bluefin tuna from a kayak on the Atlantic, unassisted.
Robert Cameron, photographer, known for his aerial shots of Chicago, New York, San Francisco, and other places, has passed away at age 98.
The Reader's cover story this week tells the most interesting Chicago political story (not involving a scandal) in recent history: an openly gay leather master running for state rep against the incumbent lesbian daughter of a clout-heavy alderman.
Newly disclosed documents reveal that the FBI tracked Studs Terkel as a suspected communist for much of his life. His complete file is available in this (rather large) PDF.
Local musician and co-editor of THE2NDHAND C.T. Ballentine left his McKinley Park apartment on Friday afternoon and has not been heard from since. If you're able to help locate him, his friends have set up a Facebook group for the search. UPDATE: Looks like C.T. has been found.
Crain's Chicago Business just announced its annual 40 Under 40 list, and our very own Andrew Huff was selected as one of the luminaries. Congratulations, Andrew!
The new owner of the Cubs is profiled in both the Trib and Crain's today.
A weird rumor swept Twitter over the weekend, claiming that Kanye West was dead. It's been denied, of course, but the story has interesting parallels with a rumor 40 years ago about another popular musician...
An update on a story we covered in the very early days of GB: Sho Yano became the youngest-ever person to earn a doctorate from the University of Chicago when he received his PhD in molecular biology last month -- at age 18.
Jailbreak Toys has now immortalized Michelle as well as Barack as action figures.
ABC7 anchor Judy Hsu delivered her fourth baby in the front seat of a car on I-55 I-290 early this morning. And yes, she's naming it Ike. (Yeesh, you'd think we'd know which route the Ike was.)
The economy may be in the tank, but 18 Chicago-area residents made the Forbes 400 list.
Greg Krause arrives home in Chicago today after using JetBlue's 30-day All You Can Jet Pass to fly around the world raising money for a school in Zambia.
Michelle Obama's family tree traces back to a young slave named Melvinia in rural Georgia.
Roger Ebert is now on Twitter.
Here's a 1987 Chicago Tribune spot featuring the great Mike Royko at the Billy Goat Tavern. The sound seems a touch off at the beginning--Royko sounds a little like Barry White.
Joey Feinstein, founder of Climate Cycle, is a finalist in Nau's $10,000 Grant for Change. The program seeks to support those who "those who instigate lasting, positive change in their communities." Climate Cycle definitely does that.
The Walt Disney Family Museum is now open in San Francisco, and it includes plenty of his Chicago history.
Crain's profiles Lori Greiner, a local entrepreneur who's made a mint selling stuff on QVC.
The Trib took some time to chat with David Byrne about his new book, Bicycle Diaries, and got him talking about his cycling experiences in Chicago.
The president still isn't attending, but Oprah will be headed to Copenhagen to promote Chicago's bid for the Olympics. Meanwhile, Dave Zirin frets about what will happen if we win in The Nation.
Will his statue find rest outside of Solider Field, or will it be somewhere else?
In honor of Michael Jordan's induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame tomorrow, ESPN has collected the 23 most memorable moments of his career. (Surprisingly, Space Jam is not included.) More in Tailgate.
Billy Corgan has launched a new website, Everything from Here to There, which is intended to be a place "to discuss openly and without fear concepts of Mind-Body-Soul integration." If that's the sort of thing you're into, he's apparently taking submissions. [via]
NBA star Dwyane Wade is donating money to help the public library in his home town of Robbins stay open.
Then you may want to consider buying Al Capone's Wisconsin retreat. It has "407 secluded acres with a 37-acre private lake, an eight-car garage and a guard tower."
Hey, did you get your photo taken by Ian from IDM Photography at the Gapers Block Party on Friday? If so, it's now posted in our Flickr account.
Longtime Chicago tech guru and Feedburner founder Dick Costolo is becoming Twitter's chief operating officer, according to TechCrunch. [via]
Former Chicagoan Scotty Iseri (star of Scotty Got An Office Job and creator of the Paper Hat Game) is moving to Sydney. The move was hinted at in an article that appeared in Salon (!) and NYTimes.com (!!!), and confirmed by Aussie marketing Website mUmBRELLA.
The Red Cross has given up searching for David Gimelfarb, the Chicago grad student who went missing while hiking in Costa Rica three weeks ago. His family plans to hire locals to continue the search; you can help by attending a fundraiser at Dollop tonight; details on Facebook.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture will take possession of Emmett Till's glass-topped coffin on the 54th anniversary of his death. The ceremony will take place at Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ, the same location as his funeral.
The things you learn from someone's Wikipedia entry. Here's the semi-SFW (no full frontal) pictorial. Delicious innuendo: "Many ballplayers were dazzled by Steve's slick curve ball."
Yet another Chicago comedian has been plucked to write for Saturday Night Live in only a few weeks. This time, it's standup comedian Hannibal Buress. If you're wondering about the title of this post, it refers to this. (Language may not be SFW.)
"Scholar, Lawyer, Catcher, Spy," a fascinating 1992 profile of Moe Berg, a third-string catcher for the White Sox -- and a WWII spy. [via]
I'll withhold judgment as to whether he's the worst person in Chicago (despite his egotastic tweets), but Billy Dec sure knows how to put together vapid celebrity interviews in support of the 2016 Olympic bid.
A captivating anecdote in the bar of the Chicago Ritz-Carlton leads off this 1993 profile of the magician turned actor Ricky Jay, dug up in the New Yorker archives by Kottke.org.
Well, "history" may be a strong word, but Tony Rezko's 8,400-square-foot mansion just sold at auction for $2.8 million. Even after the sale, Rezko still owes more than $3 million on the house.
Ex-guv Rod Blagojevich has launched a website: GovernorRod.com. "It was time," his publicist said.
Should you feel the need to make a pilgrimage to John Hughes' favorite fictitious Chicago suburb, Shermer, here's a great resource page for shooting locations. And here's a handy schedule of upcoming broadcasts of Hughes' movies (well, some of them).
Riders in Friday's Critical Mass witnessed a very public marriage proposal ... and subsequent acceptance!
Our own Dan Kelly wrote about urban coyotes for Chicago Journal, and now they've written about him. (Er, the Journal, not the coyotes.)
Rest in peace, John Dickson. Some examples of his work.
You can now pre-order The Governor, "a proclamation that one man will not be silenced, that his side of the story must be heard and that the fight for American liberties and freedom must sometimes occur within its own borders," by Rod Blagojevich. Coming out September 8.
Carfree Chicago profiles artist David Csisko and gets a sneak peek at the public art he's creating for for the Belmont CTA stop.
Former astronauts--and Louis Vuitton icons--Buzz Aldrin and Jim Lovell visit Northwestern tonight to discuss their journeys, while Aldrin signs copies of his new book, Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from the Moon. Or, you can also celebrate everything Apollo 11 at Adler Planetarium.
Decider's David Wolinsky takes a tour of R.Kelly's former abode, and finds surprises around every corner. Also, Space Jam.
Ex-Smashing Pumpkins bassist D'Arcy called into Q101 on a whim last week to chat about Davy Jones, her current life on a horse farm in Michigan, how much she misses Chicago and a few other gems that you really have to hear to believe.
Barack Obama has joined the refreshed Hall of Presidents at Disneyworld. (He looks a little doughy.) More background here. [via]
Uh, I don't want to panic anyone or anything, but... um... there's a big old monitor lizard running around Libertyville right now. No, really. Well, we can't say the Dead Milkmen didn't warn us.
Karl Malden, born in Chicago and raised in Gary, has passed away. So long, Lt. Stone.
The Sun-Times' Mark Konkol tells the story of how ex-Bear Roland Harper lost the American Dream.
Though Michael Jackson never lived here, his youth in Gary made him sort of an adopted son of Chicago. Remembrances and tributes are happening all over; share your thoughts in Fuel.
His wife may be off her reality TV show, but we'll still be talking about the ex-governor a year from now. That's because his trial is set for June 3, 2010.
WindyCitizen points us to The Untold Stories of Alderman Don Perillo, "the most admittedly corrupt Chicago politician you probably never heard of," by Anthony DeBartolo.
Esther Cepeda unveils the first annual Chicago Latino List, 10 people of Hispanic descent who are making the city a better place.
As noted in Transmission, a coroner's report revealed that ex-Wilco guitarist Jay Bennett, who died in May, succumbed to an overdose of fentanyl, a very potent pain medication.
It happens with enough regularity to have almost become a cliché, but a server at Gibson's got a $4,000 tip this weekend -- from Johnny Depp and friends. [via]
A Hudson News store at O'Hare used a blinder (a black plastic square usually reserved for porn mag covers) to obscure the "racy" cover of the latest GQ. No, it's not the ingenue du jour cupping her breasts and crotch. It's Sacha Baron Cohen in character as Brüno. Uh, hubba-hubba?
Chicago has a reputation for being a hard-working town. And I'm delighted to say that not only is that reputation well-deserved, but it's a reputation owned by young Chicagoans. The New Leaders Council recently chose the winners of their "40 Under 40" awards and Chicago owns at least four of those slots. Making up that 10% of the list are 1st Ward Alderman Manny Flores, Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, Chicago Public Schools CEO Ron Huberman, and Nate Silver founder of FiveThirtyEight.com. Work on, Chicago!
If you like screaming crowds and the glimpse of a famous person's arm, you should check out the red carpet screening of the Chicago-based Dillinger pic Public Enemies tonight. Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard and director Michael Mann are expected around 6pm at the AMC River East. And if you don't like crowds, simply stay home and give a silent thanks to the movie, which pumped $47 million into the local economy, more than The Dark Knight.
In A/C, Katherine Raz profiles designer Suzanne Trocmé, who's debuting a new chair at NeoCon this week.
The #1 Bears Fan has collected quite a few more tattoos since we last took a look.
Queen of the Blues Koko Taylor, who got her start singing in Chicago blues clubs has passed away at the age of 80. R.I.P.
Jessica Herum, a tour guide for Chicago's First Lady boat tours, is being hailed as a hero for helping control a fire that broke out when a propane tank exploded at Cyrano's Cafe this morning. [via]
After Leon Despres passed away during the first week of May, the Hyde Park Herald published a special section about Despres, including remembrances, reprints of his columns and other interesting pieces.
The Chicago feds have rigged up a Web site alerting citizens about bank robbery suspects. The nicknames alone are worth a look.
Have you been seeking additional information about Blago Shampoo? This CNN report has all you need.
Both the Tribune and the Sun-Times report that NBC has approached Patti Blagojevich to take the slot offered her ex-gov husband Rod in the reality show "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!" The deal should be finalized this week, as filming of the show starts June 1st.
GB's own Jenni Prokopy is one of 20 2009 Women's Health Heroes. Congrats!
Following the news of Leon Despres' death, pretty much every media outlet in town has a memorial. Here's a quick rundown including the Trib, Crain's, the Sun-Times, WBEZ's blog and, of course, the Hyde Park Herald.
Chicago Public Radio reports that former alderman and activist Leon Despres has passed away at the age of 101.
As we discovered in The Wrestler, pro wrestling isn't always glamorous. When you get down to the local level, it can be downright gritty. But the allure was still too great for Vito "Two Fingers" Fontaine, sausage purveyor and local wrestling star. [via]
Vice President Joe Biden is giving the keynote at the Richard J Daley Urban Forum today at around 11:45am -- and you can watch a live webcast or read the liveblog.
TMZ gets to the bottom... sort of... of Blagojevich's hair care regime. [via]
Harry Kalas, Hall of Fame broadcaster of the Philadelphia Phillies, the voice of NFL films and Naperville native, died today after collapsing in the booth before a game. Anyone who has imagined them self in grainy slow motion catching a touchdown should take a moment.
"Dear Bill: Thanks for including the Chicago Sun-Times on your exclusive list of newspapers on your "Hall of Shame." To be in an O'Reilly Hall of Fame would be a cruel blow to any newspaper." [via]
Professor Cornell West interviewed rapper Lupe Fiasco at Calvin College April 3, and a Lupe fanblog posted it online. [via]
Michael Jordan was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame today. Here's a slideshow of His Airness through the years. Share your thoughts in Tailgate.
If so, tell them to get in touch with Amtrak, who wants to speak with and honor them. The NY Times has more background information.
Jennifer Hudson fans will be disappointed to know that she is selling her Magnificent Mile condo.
Who was Janet Jagan, you ask? She was the first white, female president of Guyana, and she grew up in Hyde Park.
Wednesday from 7am to 9am, former governor Rod Blagojevich will host a two-hour talk show on WLS-AM, as a fill-in for the "Don Wade & Roma Morning Show," which is on break this week. The station says it's a one-time deal, but you never know.
The Smashing Pumpkins are down to just Billy Corgan and a bunch of hired hands after the departure of Jimmy Chamberlin Friday. [via]
It looks like the Tribune Company won't be selling the Cubs until after opening day. MLB insiders say the sale probably won't actually happen until mid-May at the earliest.
Chef Grant Achatz appeared on Oprah this morning, talking about his cancer diagnosis and recovery. Chicago Celebrity Examiner has a couple quotes from the show; catch it again on ABC-7 tonight at 11:05.
It hasn't been easy, but formerly Chicago-based independent cartoonist, teacher, and wind energy protester Lynda Barry has risen through a troubled childhood and rocky adulthood to become a creative legend.
Snoop Dogg announced that he's joined the Nation of Islam after appearing at Saviours' Day celebrations here in Chicago this weekend.
This week's Reader feature investigates the financial troubles threatening the eviction of Loren Billings, the 89-year-old widow who lives in and runs the Museum of Holography.
Well, not the late president himself, but his bust which sits at 69th and Walcott on the South Side and has undergone some interesting changes. Update: Here are two other shots of Abe.
The Wall Street Journal's Collin Levy interviews Daley.
No, not about Cubs fans. Serious Eats has an interview with Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard about her upcoming restaurant, The Drunken Goat. She mentions she's on Twitter, and MenuPages Chicago cleverly tracked down her account.
In an effort to show the world that she's not completely insane (or that she's just as attention-starved), the woman who Drew Peterson claimed was his newest fiancee went on CBS News' "The Early Show" this morning to claim that their brief "engagement" was a stunt that Drew cooked up in order to stay in the public eye.
GQ's Alan Richman profiles Schwa's Michael Carlson and gains new insight into the restaurant's abrupt closure and reopening.
Patti Smith shares some memories of her childhood in Logan Square and Humbolt Park.
In case you were wondering, she's not interested. But she thinks she could do the job.
One of Oprah Winfrey's exes claims in a tell-all book that they smoked crack together. The fact that he told his story exclusively to the Enquirer should probably not surprise you. The Chicago Celebrity Examiner says, so what?
Obamaniacs should pick up a copy of this week's Reader: there's a special section devoted to our president-elect, including their 1995 profile of the young politician.
In 1996, Mariana Cook photographed couples across the country. Among them were Michelle and Barack Obama, whose interview yields gems like Michelle's "There is a strong possibility that Barack will pursue a political career, although it's unclear."
Being imprisoned isn't hampering Conrad Black's ability to blog. See for yourself, and admire the lack of prison references in his bio.
The Reader profiles Michael "Frosti" Zernow, one of Chicago's parkour stars.
Street artist Saro is looking for photographs of Joseph Zeman from which to create a tribute. Zeman was struck and killed by a van in the December of 2007.
While the bitterly cold weather turned my eyeballs to ice today as I walked outside, Obama and the fam are in Hawaii until the end of the year.
Beauty Turner, journalist and public housing activist best known for her "ghetto bus tours," died yesterday after a brain aneurysm.
Ebony named their inaugural Person of the Year: Barack Obama. One cool feature on their website is audio excerpts from their Obama interview, which took place the day after the election.
Time Out finds photographic evidence of Blagojevich meeting Nixon.
Northwestern's law school recently created a new site dedicated to Florence Kelley, one of Chicago's most important social reformers at the turn of the century.
The Obama family plans on coming home to Chicago "every six weeks or couple months" while in the White House. Which makes this recently sold home just outside the barricades around Mr. President-elect's home a pretty sweet move -- or a hassle, depending on your perspective.
From Sunshine Governor to Mr. Unpopularity. (Note the irony of that first headline -- and this whole day, really -- in light of Blago's comments yesterday.)
Now called Nothing Like the Holidays, the movie centered around one Humboldt Park family's holiday hi-jinx had a premiere at the Music Box. Hollywood Chicago has a few pictures of the stars in attendance.
Where does Obama eat in Chicago? Anywhere he wants. Actually, Sky Full of Bacon has a more precise list.
NPR's "Fresh Air" today will feature an interview with former Weatherman, current professor William Ayers about the election and his relationship with Obama. Tune in on WBEZ at 11am or 10pm, or catch the podcast later.
If you're like me and somehow missed this tidbit of trivia, you may be surprised to learn that Brian Wilson, who played a show at the Chicago Theater Sunday, has a local connection.
The latest issue of In These Times features a column on the election from Bill Ayers, the ex-Weatherman and current UIC professor oft brought up during the campaign. [via]
It's hard for me to imagine anything else going on in the world right now than Obamania, but we can all be happy that the white powder at the Berywn police station did not harm Patrick Swayze.
Barack Obama will be the next president of the United States. (Like we had to tell you.) Listen to his acceptance speech here.
An excellent Obama/Terkel sticker design -- someone print these up!
Popular Ch. 9 anchor Allison Payne suffered a series of mini-strokes earlier this year, and has decided to take an indefinite leave of absence. Send your regards here.
Christine Durbin, oldest daughter of Senator Dick Durbin and Loretta Durbin, has died from complications due to a congenital heart condition. She was 40 years old. A statement from Durbin's office notes that funeral arrangements are pending.
Chicago legend Studs Terkel has passed away. It's a very sad day. Here's his obituary, by his longtime friend Rick Kogan. Ex-GBer David Elfving interviewed Studs in 1999; we published the interview in 2004.
Another loss to Chicago's art community: Ben Schaafsma, curator and co-founder of InCUBATE, died on Saturday after being hit by a car in New York. New City's Art blog has an obituary.
LL Cool J is at the State Street Sears this evening to promote his new line of kids' clothes; reader Kristin snapped some pix of him out at the company's headquarters this afternoon.
The Empowered Fe Fes are a local support and action group of young women with disabilities. They're one of 50 Visionaries featured in the November Utne Reader, along with Patricia Watkins of the United Congress of Community and Religious Organizations and State Representative Constance "Connie" Howard.
UIC News recently profiled reference librarian Lynn Westney, author of the ever-popular article "Dew Drop Inn and Lettuce Entertain You: Onomastic Sobriquets in the Food and Beverage Industry."
Local artist Patrick Welch unexpectedly passed away last Thursday. He originally hailed from England, and founded an art movement he called micromentalism. Welch was interviewed for Gapers Block in 2007. You can also listen to an interview he did for Chicago Public Radio this past June. Memorials are appearing on his MySpace page. Welch will be much missed by Chicago's art community.
Bowing to pressure from politicians and donors while citing "safety reasons," the University of Nebraska rescinds a months-old speaking invitation for Bill Ayers.
The Tribune caught up with 60s radical du jour William Ayers at a dissertation defense at UIC. When asked about the controversy, he remarked, "What could I possibly add?" and "Life Happens."
Experience the astounding coincidences of Pool Boy.
Mr. Clean actor House Peters died recently at the age of 92. In case you didn't know, Mr. Clean was created here in Chicago by Harry Barnhart and Ernie Allen at the Tatham-Laird & Kudner ad agency. The hairless, obsessive compulsive, controversial, and sexually ambiguous corporate mascot's first name is Veritably, by the way, and he's known as Mr. Proper in England and Don Limpio in Spain. There you go: more than you ever wanted to know about Mr. Clean.
Apparently, the "Beanie Baby magnate" just bought the penthouse of the Chicago Spire. Keep in mind this is currently the lead story -- with graphic and all -- on the Trib's website.
The Windy Citizen interviews Michael Mette, the Chicago police officer imprisoned in Iowa. Mayor Daley recently asked Iowa's governor for a pardon on Mette's behalf.
Second City hosted a surprise reunion of cast members from 1968 - 1972 last night (minus John Belushi, obviously).
Mayor Daley in a floating chair. (Check out the magnetically levitating chaise lounge and other interesting stuff at Wired NextFest in Millennium Park for the next two weeks.
Is Alphonso Soriano having an affair? The Cubs star has been seen quite a bit with a woman other than Mrs. Soriano. [via]
Meet Ken Dunn, Chicago's greenest person.
...this time courtesy of Jason Fried: The Mike Wallace Interview.
Edward Lifson digs up a video of Frank Lloyd Wright on the game show "What's My Line?" in 1956. [via]
Ex-Sun-Times sports columnist Jay Mariotti will not be joining the Tribune staff as rumors had reported -- thus avoiding having to share a room with some of the very people he villainized in the past. Mariotti commented on the situation to the Reader's Michael Miner.
Abby Ryan, one of the few traffic reporters ever to have a cult following, leaves the air today, a result of Shadow Traffic eliminating live traffic reports. Read her own brief goodbye on her MySpace page. You can still catch her final reports this evening on WBEZ.
Musician (and Chicago native) Kanye West was arrested today at Los Angeles International Airport for vandalism after assaulting a photographer.
This week is recycling week at GB, with two features exploring what is typically perceived as the underside of the economy. In A/C, we take a look at Scrappers, a documentary film featuring the lives of three local scrap metal collectors. Over in Detour, we visit with Barry "Can Man" Woodson, leader of a street crew of recyclers in Wrigleyville. After reading the articles, you may want to check out the Scrappers fundraiser on Friday.
Former Tribune editor Anne-Marie Lipinski, who resigned from the newspaper in July, has accepted a position with the University of Chicago as the Vice President for Civic Engagement starting October 1.
Very Small Array has produced maps based on Craigslist Missed Connections, showing the most likely place to "miss" someone in general and by sexual preference as well as age, hair color and other breakdowns.
On August 8, dozens of people joined author Amy Krause Rosenthal in Millennium Park to do... something. This is what they did. (You can do it, too.)
Amy Dickinson, who writes the Ask Amy advice column for the Chicago Tribune, wed childhood pal Bruno Schickel in upstate New York on August 16.
NASCAR's favorite son, Dale Earnhardt Jr., met with "his" new recruits at Naval Station Great Lakes on Wednesday as part of a new celebrity-sponsored effort to boost enlistment.
Chicagoan Jessica Dunne wanted to honor her grandmother, Eleanor, so she developed a custom perfume, Ellie D, on her own. You can order it online here or at June Blaker.
Meet Mike Roman, the rock star-slash-attorney who tried to give R.Kelly his demo tape during the rapper's trial.
John Greenfield walked from Milwaukee to Chicago, and wrote about it for New City. He wrote about some previous walks for GB.
The Cubs' Ryan Dempster isn't just an ace pitcher -- he's also an amateur magician. (And a so-so Harry Caray impersonator.)
The Tribune profiled Adrian Holovaty of EveryBlock in the Sunday Magazine.
Perhaps still upset that he didn't get that raise he wanted, State Senate President Emil Jones is expected to announce his retirement this afternoon.
Remember little Anakin Skywalker from Star Wars Episode I: The Clone Wars? Well, rumor has it, that he is a film and video major at Columbia College. Or maybe its just his clone.
Pay your respects at an open celebration of the life of Bernie Mac at House of Hope, 752 E. 114th St., at noon Saturday. That night at 5pm, WCIU will be airing a tribute to the late comedian as well. Donations in Mac's honor may be sent to the Bernie Mac Foundation for Sarcoidosis, 40 E. 9th St., Suite 601, Chicago, IL 60605.
Chuck Goudie memorializes Robert Maheu, the FBI agent who hired the Chicago mob to try and assassinate Fidel Castro.
Speaking of famous folks, Bernie Mac is hospitalized somewhere in town. While he's being treated for pneumonia, the Trib has a good explanation of his other illness.
Paul McCartney spotted in Joliet! Paul McCartney spotted in Springfield! Apparently Sir Paul is celebrating his 66th birthday by motoring along Route 66. And here I thought the McCartney sightings were a promotional stunt for this weekend's Fest for Beatles Fans... And here's an interview with one of the guys who saw him was interviewed on WGN. [Thanks, Andrew!]
After a difficult couple of weeks, Sun-Times columnist Robert Novak announced he is discontinuing his column. It ran for 46 years.
Nance Klehm teaches people about the edible plants growing throughout the city.
Ron Slattery, expert scavenger and past GB columnist, is the subject of this week's front page feature in the Reader.
Sun-Times columnist Robert Novak, who hit a pedestrian with his car last week, announced today that he has a brain tumor. In a statement, he said, "I will be suspending my journalistic work for an indefinite but, God willing, not too lengthy period."
The New Republic on what U of C's right-leaning law faculty think of their former colleague.
Frank "The German" Schweihs, allegedly The Outfit's most prolific hitman, is now dead himself.
Sun-Times columnist Robert Novak hit a pedestrian with his black Corvette in D.C. today, according to Politico. Time Out Chicago wants to know what you think.
Want even more Pitchfork crowd gazing? Chicago style blog The MidWasteLand has a spread of Pitchfork fashion.
GB's own Lauri Apple is interviewed in a piece about found and recycled clothing for Chicago Public Radio's "Chicago Matters: Growing Forward" series.
HollywoodChicago.com has a slideshow of photos from the red carpet premier of The Dark Knight at Navy Pier Wednesday night. Read Adam Fendelman's review here, and stay tuned tomorrow for Steve at the Movies' own review.
Project Runway fans will be excited to know a Chicago contestant will be on the show this year.
The Reader takes a look at Oprah's rabid fanbase.
Yesterday some guy named Ringo Starr spent his birthday handing out cupcakes at the Hard Rock Hotel to spread "peace and love."
Evanston native and actor John Cusak swears he bleeds Cubbie blue...but he's learned to be flexible about liking the White Sox, especially after 2005. But we'll cut him some slack on being a "switch-hitter", especially since he has a connection to the Sox, cinematically speaking.
Matt traveled the globe, making videos of himself dancing badly. Eventually, folks started to join in. It's pretty moving, actually. Chicago and the Bean put in an appearance at the 2:26 mark.
With the opening of Angels & Kings Saturday and his major involvement in Fashion Focus Chicago, get ready to see a whole lot more of Pete Wentz (and Ashlee Simpson-Wentz) around town.
For Gapers Block readers who were fans of the work of recently slain street artist, SOLVE, there's a way you can help. Brendan Scanlon's family has requested that donations be made to support the art department at their son's Madison, WI-area high school. Funds can be sent to: “Madison East High School in Honor of Brendan Scanlon,” 2222 E. Washington Ave., Madison, WI 53704. You can also pay homage at the impromptu SOLVE memorial at Grand and Milwaukee.
Following his murder, the Trib profiles SOLVE and provides details about an arrest made in his case. Tributes are being posted in a new flickr group and an ongoing discussion, which has plenty of links to other tributes and information.
Walter Netsch, primary architect of the UIC campus and numerous other buildings has died.
Chicago's own Chef Stephanie Izard is a finalist on "Top Chef," and she's going to be answering reader questions on the Tribune's website starting at 1pm tomorrow. Here's an interview with her to get your interrogation juices flowing.
Patrick Swayze is back! The actor will be on location in Chicago this summer filming the A&E drama, "The Beast." If you happen to run into him, give him a pat on the back and some encouraging words, as he's got a lot to deal with these days.
The Windy Citizen profiles Preston Dunwiddie, one of the "living statues" who plies his trade on Michigan Avenue.
It's obvious Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Jr. doesn't plan to spend his retirement in quiet rest -- but apparently he also doesn't want to give up the pulpit at Trinity United just yet, either.
"No, I take Marx very seriously; I think [the computer] alienates the worker from his production—I do not understand. With a typewriter, I hit a key, and it goes bam." The Maroon interviews luddite religious studies professor J. Z. Smith. (Full transcript here.)
"Paul was the Orson Welles of improv," says Jeffrey Sweet.
Speaking of keeping kids out of trouble, last night NBC Nightly News profiled Harold Davis, a contractor with the CPS who puts kids to work refurbishing school auditoriums and other buildings. Davis wrote an essay about his work for the Tribune last month.
Hollywood Chicago snapped photos of the stars of Sex in the City headed for a taping of "Oprah."
An analysis of the 100 most networked people in Chicago (and in list form.)
Robert K. Elder's full Unabomber feature is now up, including multiple videos, photo galleries and audio.
The Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski, planted his first bomb in his hometown of Chicago in 1978. Thirty years later, Tribune investigative reporter Robert K. Elder has gained rare access to family photos and letters, and unpublished writings which contradict the Unabomber's public image as an eco-crusader. The feature will be published on Monday, but the Tribune shared an exclusive photo with Gapers Block; link after the jump.
This is a photo of Ted and David Kaczynski, taken in their Evergreen Park home in 1952.
Says Elder, "This is also a story about his brother, Dave Kaczynski, and Gary Wright, Ted's 12th target. Dave lost a brother in a very tragic, public way but formed a new, unlikely bond with Gary. Included in the story: family revelations about Ted's upbringing in Evergreen Park, the Unabomber's diary entries and news of a romance Kaczynski had in prison with a woman for 10 years via mail."
A Chicago couple is competing in the Today show's Race to the Altar contest. Check out their website and decide if you want to vote for them.
Chicago Public Radio reporter Natalie Moore is blogging the R.Kelly trial. So is the Sun-Times.
Rashard Mendenhall, current Pittsburgh Steelers player and former Illini star was robbed at gunpoint along the lake late last night.
The New Yorker tells the story of Grant Achatz's battle with cancer in the context of the rise of his career. (There's a nice photo set, too.)
A man in Zion wants to change his name to "In God We Trust," for a couple of interesting reasons.
Tom Cruise will be visiting Harpo Studios May 5, and a group of anti-Scientologists will be waiting for him.
only this time, they're Oprah's.
Chi-Town Daily News profiles the city's only Republican alderman, Brian Doherty of the 41st Ward.
The real Sarah Marshall wants the world to know that she doesn't suck.
At least he doesn't appear to be, as we reported back in December. He's apparently alive and well in Berkeley/Oakland.
Just under 10% of WBBM's staff has been cut, including anchor Diann Burns, other prominent on-air personalities and support staff members.
The LA Times looks for John Hughes, the revered director of such teen classics as Pretty in Pink and The Breakfast Club, and comes up empty-handed: Hughes hasn't directed a movie in over 15 years, and lives in seclusion in the North Shore suburbs. Despite his absence from Hollywood, Hughes is still working, kind of: he came up with the premise for the new film Drillbit Taylor (which got so-so reviews).
Chicago-based photographer Clayton Hauck goes to parties and clubs and takes pictures. Lots of them. So if you want some wonderful eye candy, enjoy his site Everyoneisfamous.com. (Note: a tiny few pictures are NSFW.)
I wonder what's going on here at 3912 S. Vincennes Ave.? UPDATE: Google has taken the scene down; Gawker has the screenshots.
It probably comes as no surprise that Shia LaBeouf recently apologized for his Walgreen's escapade. More surprising (and funnier) is the Trib's insertion of "a nincompoop" in place of LaBeouf's more colorful language.
Trotter talks business with Crain's.
More allegations of inappropriate behavior are surfacing about R. Kelly. This time it's with a woman he'd known since she was "a little girl."
Two Indian princesses who live in Chicago claim they have been cheated out of their inheritance. This, of course, raises the question: How many princesses live in Chicago? UPDATE: GB reader Dubi clarifies...
"The telegraphindia.com ... story includes a numbering system not used in the west. 'The government handed over Rs 217.3 crore to the eighth Nizam, Prince Mukkaram Jah.' Crore is an Indian word that means 10,000,000, so 217.3 crore Rupees is about $54.7 million." Thanks, Dubi!
Waxy.org is investigating the online activities of Steve Kazmierczak, the NIU gunman. UPDATE: Jessica Baty, Kazmierczak's girlfriend, was interviewed by WGN.
Chicago's own Common has been chosen to play Green Lantern in the coming Justice League of America film.
If your name is John Smith, This American Life would like you to email them at johnsmith@thislife.org with a few words about yourself. They may include you in an upcoming show about people with your name.
What? Stephen Colbert was once (very briefly) in the Neo-Futurists!? (Thanks, Christopher!)
Claire Zulkey (who got the profile treatment in Time Out this week) interviews Sun-Times music critic Jim DeRogatis about "Sound Opinions," music crit and the Chicago hip hop scene, among other things.
It may be more embarrassing than meaningful, but Obama supporters are taking glee in the photo featuring Bill and Hillary Clinton posing with Tony Rezko.
Channel 2 morning anchor (and former reporter and anchor at WGN) Randy Salerno died last night in a snowmobile accident in Wisconsin.
Chicago rapper Kid Sister tips her hat to I-Go on the Canadian MuchMusic blog. [via]
A 114-year-old woman registered to vote yesterday; the downside is she probably won't vote because "she doesn't know who any of the candidates are."
The Chi-Town Daily News looks into the lives of musicians in the CTA subway.
If, like me, you happened to be walking around the Northwest side this morning and ended up standing agape at a couple tandem rotor choppers barreling downtown roughly over the Kennedy; you can thank our Pres.
The NY Times draws attention to Marion Mahony Griffin, the first licensed female architect in Illinois and primary illustrator of Frank Lloyd Wright's Wasmuth Portfolio, among other achievements. Visit her 1,600 page memoir for more background.
GB reader Laura let us know that Gene Lee, best known for dancing in hotpants and not much else at the corner of Milwaukee and Damen, passed away last week. Fans may pay their respects on his MySpace page, where his family has posted many of his self-recorded songs.
Jean Johnson was in court dealing with a probation violation when she took four photos of R. Kelly on her phone's camera. What happened next? Jail time.
Barbara Mahany, the author of the profile of Joseph Zeman that was found on him the day he was killed, wrote a heartfelt tribute.
Chicago Magazine has picked their Chicagoans of the year.
Alderman Tom Tunney was the victim of a botched robbery on Saturday. Of course, two suspects have already been charged.
Teacher and photographer Will Okun profiles his favorite photographer, Worsom.
Speaking of doomsday scenarios, the Lyric Opera's upcoming run of Doctor Atomic gave the Tribune reason to explore the opera, its Chicago connections and the life of Robert Oppenheimer.
John C. Reilly will take the stage at the Cubby Bear tonight - in character as Dewey Cox - to promote his upcoming film Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. Fingers crossed that Chris Gaines joins him for a number or two. [via]
Keep your eyes pealed: George Lucas is in town tonight for a talk with the Economic Club of Chicago. He'll be appearing with his current girlfriend, Mellody Hobson, president of Chicago-based Ariel Capital Management. (Thanks, Adam & Andrea!)
HollywoodChicago.com has a good interview with actor and "SNL" writer Kevin Dorff, who's back in town along with Horatio Sanz and a few other veterans of the Chicago improv scene for a show at the Lakeshore Theater Tuesday night.
Chicago's (and GB's) Brenda Janish won Apartments.com's "Possession Obsession" contest! She was surprised with a giant check on Fox's "Good Day Chicago" this morning.
The New Yorker this week features a hefty profile of the new owner of the Chicago Tribune. (Thanks, Rick!)
Crain's 40 Under 40 feature includes the usual collection of business execs -- and Jay Ryan of The Bird Machine and Ryan Schreiber of Pitchfork Media (I thought he moved to NYC?)
Vince Vaughn is making an appearance at the AMC River East 21, 322 E. Illinois St., tonight at 5:15pm for the Chicago premiere of his new movie, Fred Claus. Tickets to the premiere are sold out, but you can help create an atmosphere of celebrity-crazed pandemonium by lining up to watch Vaughn and director David Dobkin walk the red carpet.
Anne Elizabeth Moore, former editor of Punk Planet and our own Sky in Five columnist, is going to Cambodia for a leadership residency at the Harpswell Foundation; she'll be teaching them media literacy. Unfortunately, the foundation doesn't have the funds to pay for her airfare. Help her out here.
GB's own multi-talented Cinnamon Cooper is interviewed at Design Sponge, talking about her business, Poise, the Chicago Craft Mafia and the DIY Trunk Show.
Drive-Thru contributor Alan Lake posted an excellent interview with Mario DiPaolo, Jr., owner of Mario's Italian Lemonade, on LTH Forum.
The folks at about.com have given Chicago's most ubiquitous talk show hostess "topic" status, but are still looking for the special person to serve as their official Oprah guide. If you think you've got the writing and research chops to cover O with sufficient expertise and grace, go check out About's online solicitation and apply. As a side note, other available topics include Forex trading, infertility and cheese.
Emmanuelle Haïm, the Lyric Opera's first female conductor, will conduct Julius Caesar [pdf] starting on November 2. Listen to a podcast interview with her [mp3] for additional information.
Kevin Guilfoile weighs in eloquently on the trial of Jeanette Sliwinski.
The Chicago Public Art Group would like to meet him [top story] in order to help document and repair one of his murals.
Here's an old interview with Steve Albini, talking about food.
Polite in Public is a photobooth project that's traveling the country; it has a different backdrop and props everyplace it stops. It landed at the Vic this past weekend -- with a space theme. (Thanks, Felix!)
The MacArthur Foundation just released the names of its 2007 Fellows, and Stuart Dybek earned the award (along with its $500,000). If you've never checked out the program's details, you may want to check out the FAQ.
A donation fund has been set up for partially paralyzed Windy City Roller "Tequila Mockingbird," (previous coverage here, here) to help pay for her medical bills (she was uninsured). You can donate via PayPal to TheTahirahJohnsonTrust@gmail.com. All funds will be transferred directly into her North Community Bank trust account and are tax-deductible. (You can use that same address to send her well-wishings, too.)
The Apartments.com Collection Obsession contest has reached the finals, and local collector (and former GB staffer) Brenda Janish is a finalist! Vote for her collection of pin-ups every day through Oct. 19 to help her win.
Crain's reports that William Wrigley, Jr. -- just last month named Chicago's most eligible bachelor by Forbes -- just got married.
Tribune science reporter Peter Gorner is being credited with changing the lives of at least 13 children with a story about a rare form of diabetes -- as he himself was dying from lung cancer.
Movie trailer watchers and late night WBEZ listeners familiar with Ken Nordine may want to check out his website Word Jazz, which includes a blog with unusual poems starting with "Maybe the moment" and a podcast of his late night stylings.
Did you know that former Senator (and presidential candidate) Fred Thompson's wife, Jeri Kehn Thompson, is from Naperville? It's true. The Senator's wife is getting a lot of press due to her heavy involvement in his campaign as well as the fact that she's cute and is 24 years younger than him.
Dictionary editor and local blogger Erin McKean was the guest columnist for William Safire's "On Language" column in the NYTimes last weekend.
It's getting a little crazy, but Chicago music legend Steve Albini is answering a wide variety of questions in the Two Plus Two forums.
Former University of Chicago student and militant environmental activist Billy Cottrell has been in jail since 2004, but Stephen Hawking wants him freed.
The Globe and Mail reports on what is surely the most important aspect of the Conrad Black trial.
Chicago magazine has an interesting profile of the least-known son of Jesse Jackson, Yusef, who recently moved into publishing by investing in the resurgent Radar Magazine.
Norman Finkelstein, controversial professor of political science at DePaul, has been denied tenure. Read his collection of articles about the situation. UPDATE: He spoke on 848 this morning.
Tastefully tying in with the last episode of The Sopranos, Sun Times reporter Steve Warmbir speculates on the current boss of the Chicago Outfit.
"We can maybe take that week and show her how much we really love her." We can definitely take that week, apparently.
Those familiar with 37signals will have heard a lot of this before, but Business POV's interview with Jason Fried gets to the heart of the company in a pretty succinct manner.
Elizabeth, Illinois's favorite son, Andrew Bird, likes some things, dislikes some other things, and does stuff on occasion. Into which of those categories does Intelligentsia coffee fall? Grist knows.
Greg Olsen, the Bears' first round draft pick, recorded an amazingly sexist song with other students while a freshman in college.
Local circus freak Ken Harck just made another acquisition. This time it's a rare Ringling Bros. poster.
Wonder how Roger Ebert's appearance at the Overlooked Film Festival went? Mark Caro has a report.
Here's one from the utterly unconfirmed & completely irresponsible gossip department: nice alleged pic of Michael Jordan dancing w/ cigar and some friends in Cabo San Lucas. Bonus speculation: what if Jordan was picked by the 76ers?
Donald E. Stephens, Rosemont's only mayor, died in office after 51 years of service. He saw the transformation of "a collection of septic fields and houses of prostitution" into a convention destination.
Respected primatologist Jane Goodall stopped by the ape house at Lincoln Park Zoo this week. Interestingly, Ms. Goodall has groupies in both the ape and the homo sapien sets.
Yesterday, All Things Considered ran Edward Lifson's fine examination of the architectural preservation photography book Richard Nickel's Chicago. Bonus: the song that plays at the end of the piece is from the Rachel's album Music for Egon Schiele, which was composed for a Chicago theater production.
Novelist, essayist, playwright, artist, activist, and, yes, City News Bureau of Chicago reporter, In These Times contributor and University of Chicago graduate, Kurt Vonnegut, has died. "So it goes."
Michael Horvich is more than a supernumerary, he's the curator of Michael's Museum. Unfortunately, the physical museum is currently not open to the public, presumably due to high demand because of a recent Tribune article. For now, enjoy the photographs and lists.
Tyler Hinman, the 22-year-old three-time National Crossword Puzzle champ and star of the doc "Wordplay," is a bond trader here in Chicago. The Sun-Times has a nice little profile of him today, along with a sad-sack remark about how women aren't turned on by his crytographic acumen. Wise up, ladies!
Someone smart at the Tribune asked its arts and architecture critics what prompted them to reevaluate artists in their disciplines. Some second looks include the Trap Door Theatre, William McDonough and Walker Evans.
You're probably overwhelmed by articles about Barack Obama by now, but if you're still interested in learning about his local roots, you may want to check out the Hyde Park Herald's special Obama issue. The entire 24-page issue is Obama-centric, including a lengthy article about his wife, Michelle.
In the wake of recent federal prosecutor firings, the Tribune/L.A. Times is running a short profile of Chicago's current prosecutor, Patrick J. Fitzgerald. You may recognize him from a certain high-profile trial.
Robert Fitzpatrick, the Museum of Contemporary Art's Pritzker Director, will step down in 2008. His ten years in the job were marked by considerable change at the institution, including the acquisition of $16,000 worth of GAP t-shirts. So polish up your résumé and keep an eye on their job page!
Best-ever gossip blog Ohnotheydidnt reports that Star Wars creator George Lucas is dating Chicago executive and Good Morning America correspondent Melody Hobson
Chicago native Jennifer Hudson won the Academy Award for best supporting actress.
Now that the locally produced General Social Survey completed its 26th run, the New York Times published a sneak peek of the 2006 results. Some interesting findings include a precipitous drop in the percentage of those who have a "great deal of confidence" in the military since 2004, as well as a 50% decline in daily newspaper readership since 1972.
This month's Chicago Magazine contains a funny little feature providing high school portraits of area notables like Dave Eggers, Liz Phair, Harold Ramis and Donald Rumsfeld.
RIP Herb Linneweh, the frugal, mild-mannered retired janitor who stashed $700,000 away in envelopes around his house, to be given to seven charities after his death. Your feel-good story of the day.
How far are you willing to go for a date? Chicago magazine is looking for people to profile in their annual singles feature.
Nice profile of Adrian Holovaty, creator of ChicagoCrime.org and master of the Google mash-up, in the American Journalism Review. What they don't mention is his fine guitar playing.
We do have a love-hate relationship with Capone and The Outfit, don't we? On one hand the mob strengthens our tough big city image, and on the other hand it'd be nice if the tourists would just get over it.
The Mount Prospect Costco turned away disappointed fans and at least one camera crew after it stipulated that William "Refrigerator" Perry could only sign Costco-bought items. (Video has additional details.)
Check out this recent write-up of Thomas Marlow's Chicago Street Studio Project in the Australian media.
Ahead of next month's election, Time takes a look at Mayor Daley and the political environment that has allowed him to reign for so long. (Thanks, Dee.)
It's been an eventful week for Oprah Winfrey. First, a lawsuit was filed against her and her show by a woman who was injured in the stampede to get a good seat at a taping. Then she got ridiculed for her comments in a Newsweek story about her building a school in South Africa regarding why she didn't build one in the US. Then news broke that police had arrested a man who tried to extort $1.5 million from our resident billionaire.
Conscious Choice provides a quick rundown of Chicago's environmental status, including an interview with Mayor Daley.
Interesting article on Augustine Tolton, the first black priest in America, who preached in Quincy and the South Side of Chicago in the late 1800s.
Over at the ESPN Zone, four guys -- including defending champ Jason Pisarik of Lombard -- settled into black leather recliners and got ready for some serious vegging. Their mission is to sit and stare at a television for as long as they can, getting up only for 15 minute breaks every eight hours. If one can last until 8am Thursday, he'll set a new world record.
While I'm sure you've read several national tributes to President Ford, his local connections deserve a mention.
Devin Hester is a top contender for Rookie of the Year, but the contest to squat on his name on the web has already been won, apparently by these guys. At least second place, DevinHester.net, was nabbed by someone local.
If you're looking for a holiday laugh, check out the Tribune's reader-submitted "Scared of Santa" photo gallery. (Link pops due to window resizing.)
The Community Renewal Society is requesting nominations for their 35 Under 35 Leadership Awards. This Chicagoland-oriented award recognizes individuals under the age of 35 who are "using fresh approaches to tackle pressing social issues."
United States Artists, a new nonprofit arts organization, announced its first round of $50,000 fellowship awards, and two Chicagoans are on the list: Nick Cave (no, not that one, this one) and Chris Ware.
Lupe Fiasco's star just keeps rising: GQ named him the Breakout Man of the Year, and he'll be on "the Late Show with David Letterman" tonight. Check Transmission to find out how to see him free at the Park West Friday night.
Milton Friedman, University of Chicago Nobel laureate in economics, passed away today.
Pitchfork has a long, thoughtful obit for Malachi Ritscher. Worth reading. (Thanks, Jen.)
For its Chicago Fame 150, Newcity determined celebrity the 21st century way: it compiled a list of Google hits. Winning by a landslide, Oprah. No surprise there. The methodology does lead to some odd results: surely more people know who Hugh Hefner (19) is than Rod Blagojevich (17)? Still, there are amusing comparisons to be made. Jim DeRogatis (93) handily beats out Greg Kot (136), while Crede (77) slides in one spot above Iguchi (78).
More Obama coverage, this time on the New Yorker's website. (Includes an mp3 of the whole 45-minute interview!)
Meet Lasaadia Jones, the first female varsity football player in Chicago Public League history.
You've got to hand it to Nigerian scammers: they're on top of current affairs. The May Report published an email scam using the George Ryan corruption case as its set-up. [via]
Fran Maher was General Counsel for United Airlines when the September 11 terrorist attacks occurred; today, she heads the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago. With that background, she talked to All Things Considered about the importance of being prepared for disasters. Maher's organization is holding classes this month with that objective: "Get Ready Days" training has already taken place in downtown Chicago, but additional sessions are scheduled next week in Arlington Heights.
Among other things, dating in the MySpace era is complicated by having to announce one's "status" clearly. James Kenler, who owns Chicago's Flameshovel Records, learned that the hard way earlier this year when a friend informed him his now ex-girlfriend switched her profile to "single" after a row; Kenler, on the other hand, thought they were still talking things through. Emblems of modern romance, the two of them told their tale to the Sunday Times. (And, ladies, James followed suit: he's single, too.)
It's been a few weeks since Michelle L'amour showed up on television as a talent show semi-finalist. She didn't win, but, she figures, that's because the judges didn't get what she's about. After all, L'amour tells Newcity, at least one of the three (ahem, Brandy, ahem) is "'horrible and stupid.'"
Li'l Wally, the Polka King, has died; he was 76. Today's Sun-Times runs an obituary; for photos of Wally's later years, see Jolly James's Typepad gallery. Born Walter A. Jagiello, he tore up W. Division in the '40s and '50s; the area was then known as "Polish Broadway." Jagiello was one of the first inductees into the Polka Music Hall of Fame, which is located at 4608 S. Archer. These days, his work is perhaps best known thanks to the White Sox, whose fight song he co-wrote in 1959.
The Music Box Theatre, which recently got a shiny new website, is known, among other things, for its old-timey organ. As for the man behind that organ, Mark Noller, he's apt to be known for taking his work home with him: the Reader treks out to Noller's house in Manteno (south of Peotone, if that helps) and finds his double-wide doubling for, well, the Music Box.
So that Colonel Sanders/Ed Burke separated-at-birth thing we linked to on Consumerist yesterday? Done by friend of GB and Schadenfreude member Justin Kaufmann. We should have recognized his handiwork.
News that Cardinal George would be undergoing surgery for bladder cancer topped what was a very busy news day yesterday. Doctors will be removing his entire bladder today in an effort to keep the aggressive cancer from spreading. And news also broke that Maggie Daley would be undergoing surgery today as well, to remove a "residual tumor" in her breast.
Steven Spielberg received a Golden Hugo for lifetime achievement last night at this year's Chicago International Film Festival awards. And who should make a surprise appearance but Tom Cruise! Is it just me, or does it look like he's going to kiss Spielberg in CBS2's video clip?
In breaking news, the Kennedy is a dangerous place to stand. This morning, two young women stood on the side of the road with a sign reading "Gary." Beyond dangerous, as of 2000, this carried a possible year in jail and $2500 fine. If you're wondering what other crimes can cost you, and don't mind slightly outdated information, check out this chart.
Reader Jennifer noticed an interesting phenomenon at the Intonation Festival last weekend: "I looked around at one point during a set, and realized that just about everyone in my 10 foot radius was wearing the same footwear as their neighbor." Check it out in this Flickr photoset.
You may read our Public Notice column about Craigslist's Missed Connections. If you're absolutely addicted to them, you might be interested in delving deeper behind the scenes. GB staffer Jason Maslanka created a website with audio and video (including an interview with Craigslist founder Craig Newmark) called Connect to try to figure it all out.
Speaking of Goose Island, Chicagoist has an interview with brewmaster Greg Hall, about the brewery's recent business dealings and their latest brews.
The Reader has put up a convenient new section on the police torture case, collecting all of reporter John Conroy's 15 years of coverage, including a who's-who and a profile of the man behind the muscle, John Burge.
Scoopsville: many Lincoln Square residents were surprised to see the governor running all by his lonesome on Lincoln Avenue this morning. Despite running at a good clip and definitely breaking a sweat, I have to say, his hair looked FABULOUS. The same is certainly not true of Judy T, whose hair mystifies more than impresses.
AOL Cityguide is running a beauty contest in a bunch of cities right now: Hottest Bartenders. Cast your votes for the local man and woman of libations. In the meantime, Playboy is looking for the country's hottest bartending ladies for a decidedly less safe-for-work pictorial.
Fans of Chris Ware know he's a big fan of ragtime music, but did you know he can also play it?
Last night, Thrown for a Loop spotted Anthony Bourdain at Pippin's, a bar he describes as "probably one of the worst" in Chicago. Our blogger's summing up of the situation? "It just goes to show that even if you earn a living off of your good taste, the occasional lapse is acceptable."
If you've ever been to Butch McGuire's bar down at Clark & Division, you probably have fond memories of its owner and namesake. Butch passed away recently, and to mourn him, Division Street between Dearborn and State will be closed from 10am to 8pm for his wake. Stop on down and have a drink in the street.
But Chicago designer Jane Hamill believes in Barbie, too.
It's well known that Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel hated each other for much of their career as a film reviewing duo. Someone dug up three outtakes of the pair sparring during the filming of promos for their show. The animosity is palpable.
Bulls guard Ben Gordon is the first NBA player with his own energy drink. Gordon signed with start-up H3Enterprises to create BG7, a white tea-based concoction expected to be on store shelves later this year.
The man who created the original Apple logo, Rob Janoff, now runs a graphic design firm in Chicago. Hear an interview with him here (mp3).
NPR's All Things Considered yesterday included an interview with John Malkovich, in which he discussed simultaneously acting in and producing Art School Confidential, being perceived as a movie villain and more. But most interesting was his description of jobs he had before he became a famous actor, including bus driver for a North Shore day school and "head cabbage cutter" at a fast food restaurant in Northbrook Court. (Speaking of Art School Confidential, our own Steve at the Movies, aka Capone, interviewed director Terry Zwigoff for Ain't It Cool News.)
CBS 2 anchor Diann Burns is feuding with the contractor who designed and built her $3 million Lincoln Park home, claiming that build quality isn't up to par. The rub? Burns is playing the race card, claiming that the contractor sought to defraud a couple that was "gullible and inexperienced in construction matters."
A Chicago police officer is a finalist in an "all star first responder" contest on "America's Most Wanted." Alphonsus O'Connor saved a railroad police officer's life after a man pulled a gun and started shooting. Help him win the award (and $10,000 prize) by voting before May 8.
I'd heard of Mark Sinclair through various cycling friends but had never met him. I never will. Comedy and Sports editor for Time Out Chicago, Sinclair passed away on April 14th. Family, friends and well-wishers will be meeting tonight at Lula Cafe in Logan Square from 6-8pm, not in mourning but in celebration of Mark. His parents wish those who attend to come in informal dress. If you knew Mark, celebrate the fierce spirit that he was to all who knew him. Jonathan Messinger celebrates him here.
West Point womens' basketball coach Maggie Dixon was remembered at a memorial service yesterday in North Hollywood, California after dying last week of a sudden arrythmic episode. The ceremony was attended by 1200 mourners, including the basketball teams of both West Point and DePaul, where Dixon was an assistant coach for five years before being named head coach for Army just before the start of the last season. After a 5-7 start, Dixon took the Army team to a 20-11 record and the Patriot League championship, earning West Point its first-ever appearance in the womens' NCAA tournament last month. She and her brother Jamie, the mens' coach at Pitt, became the first brother and sister to coach in the NCAA tournament in the same year. Jamie, 11 years her elder, said Tuesday, "I've said this before—when I grow up I want to be just like her." Maggie Dixon will be buried Friday at West Point; she was 28.
Sports and movie fans alike would be interested in the latest exhibit at the Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, 1431 W. Taylor St: correspondence and other memorabilia from Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe. And those with deep enough pockets could take a piece of it home — it'll all be up for auction by Hunt Auctions in May.
YoChicago reports that The Donald has decided to keep the 89th floor penthouse of his namesake tower for himself. The 14,000 square foot pied à air would retail at $28 million.
I've often wondered what super-weatherman Tom Skilling thinks of the scandal his brother Jeffrey got in at Enron. He finally spoke about it in today's Trib.
Almost a year after Underpass Mary, reports come from Moline, IL of another sighting of the Virgin Mary under a bridge on I-74. Northwest IL blog The Inside Dope provides a small picture. (tip from Amy C)
We're already David Schwimmer's home away from Hollywood, but the celebrity gossip rags are reporting that another "Friends" alum is moving to Chicago: Jennifer Aniston. She's donating Brad Pitt's old clothes and moving here, where her current beau Vince Vaughn lives.
If you're a fan of Ina Garten (of Food TV's Barefoot Contessa fame) like I am, then you might be interested to know that she's appearing today at Fox and Obel downtown at 401 E. Illinois from 4-6pm for a reception where she'll show off some of her stuff and her new line of products. [Thanks Jen!]
There was a huge protest in the Loop this afternoon as 100,000 people marched opposition a proposed law that would send illegal immigrants to jail. Photos on Flickr here. (Thanks, Anne!)
Sure, Dr. Phyllis Zee has both a PhD and an MD, became a NIH fellow in Neurobiology and Physiology, and now heads the Sleep Disorders Program at Northwestern University. But what really makes her stand out is her appearance on the Today Show this morning, during which she sported pink jammies in bed next to Katie Couric.
I think it's going to be a while before anyone really figures out Shani Davis (check out the Trib's article about his erratic mood swings). Let us know if you do; a good place to begin research would be Davis's website, where it's revealed that his favorite comedian is Tom Green, and that he poured soup in a nun's pocket when he was two years old. [Thanks, Adam!]
Claire Zulkey has around 20 questions for Stuart Dybek, who happens to be author of this month's Gapers Block Book Club book.
Nothin' going on this morning? Unrequited Narcissism suggests heading down to 26th and California for the next round of the R. Kelly media circus. Just don't, ya know, bring the kids.
A couple of weeks ago, we ran a bit about New York Times correspondents' profiles of various US cities, including our own. At the time, I conjectured that Jodi Wilgoren had been accidentally miscredited -- there was no one in the paper's archives with the surname Rudoren, and Wilgoren is (was?) the local bureau chief. It only made sense. Happily, turns out I was wrong: on the occasion of their recent marriage, Jodi Rudoren (ne Wilgoren) and her new husband (n Ruderman) combined their names, albeit to the bafflement of Cook County judge Sophia H. Hall.
If you're down with Tom Skilling like I am (as in, he's the person I go to for the weather), you might be curious where he likes to hang out. Or for that matter Tammie Souza and Phil Schwarz.
This week's Bad at Sports podcast features a rambling interview with Liz Armstrong, "Chicago Antisocial" columnist in the Reader. (Reminded us a little of our own.)
Spotted on the Metro sign as we headed into Gingerman for the GB Get-Together Friday: a haiku made up of band names.
Ira Glass, host of This American Life, comments about the show's move to New York in the current Fuel thread. "Let me just say, we love this town and we pack our bags with tears in our eyes and lumps in our throats."
Am I the only one that smells the makings of a great TV movie about Chicago's First Family?
Chicago hip hop star Twista was in another car crash -- this time a hit and run. He was in a fatal accident back in September 2004. No deaths or injuries this time (as far as is known), and Twista's reportedly at home recovering.
Comedian and actor Jim Zulevic died over the weekend; the name may not be familiar, but I bet his face is. Here's a 2004 interview with Zulevic by Claire Zulkey.
Lou Rawls, one of the most distinctive voices to come out of Chicago, died today. He was 72.
This morning, Joseph Clair and Deborah Stemel showed up at Cook Co. Clerk's office with intentions of picking up a marriage license. But, because they were the first applicants in 2006, they left married and with parting gifts. Mazel tov to the happy couple.
Local literary luminary Jessa Crispin ranks high in Wired's list of the 10 sexiest geeks of 2005.
You may recall our mentioning a backstage look at a local visit to Sur la Table by Rachael Ray a couple weeks ago. Turns out Sur la Table fired the blogger — apparently not because of the post but because of the comments people had made on it. Yikes!
Food Network star Rachael Ray was at Sur la Table last Friday, signing copies of her latest book, Rachael Ray 365: No Repeats — A Year of Deliciously Different Dinner. Didn't make it? Here's a backstage look at the whole event, including the befores and afters.
Eugene J. McCarthy, the Minnesota senator and presidential candidate who was a central figure in the 1968 Democratic Convention and riots in Chicago, died this weekend. (NewsBusters points out an interesting error in the Tribune's profile of the senator.)
If you missed Dennis Rodman's signing this afternoon at the Michigan Ave. Borders, Oh No They Didn't! has some pictures. Rodman's on the road supporting his new memoir (which makes what? three? four?), and authors appearing in Elvira drag is apparently the latest in book marketing. Or something.
As you know, Senator Obama has been nominated for a Grammy. He and fellow nominee Al Franken sat down for a confab about that and some other stuff on Franken's Air America show yesterday, recorded with a live studio audience at the Steppenwolf. Hear the proceedings -- hilarious and otherwise -- here.
Here's something I never expected to read, let alone in the Tribune: an account of a dinner conversation between porn stars Nina Hartley, Shane and Stormy Daniels and Peter Sagal, host of NPR's "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me." Oh, and his wife.
Last Saturday marked the six-month anniversary of the death of Alicia Frantz. Alicia was a Chicago blogger, sound archivist, a friend of GB, and one of my best friends. The domain for her site, audiblefrequency.net, expired and was taken over by squatters. However, I have registered aliciafrantz.net, where her recordings and pictures will stay archived for a long time.
Chicago Magazine calls Roger Ebert a bigger star than many of his subjects. And, for good measure, gives you that celebrity profile staple: baby pictures!
Sure, you've seen their names on buildings, bandstands and ballparks, but you've probably wondered: who are the Pritzkers, the Wrigleys, the Walgreens? This week's Crain's breaks down local dynasties, giving readers the scoop on who's who, where their money came from and what they plan to do with it next.
One of Chicago's finest graf artists, Revise, has an interview in the lastest Four Magazine. Read it and find out a little more about the way graf artists work and think. [via]
File this under "If People says it, it must be true": A certain Jennifer A. and Vince V. -- perhaps you've heard of them? -- were spotted canoodling at the Vic on Tuesday night. (Actually, Zwecker says it, too, so what more proof do you need?)
Everyone likes to dress up when they go to Marshall Fields' Field Days, right? While some prefer pearl strands and the latest Lilly Pullitzer frock, others wear their super-trendy Antik denim and ugly Uggs, the best Field shoppers are definitely wearing these. Spotted at last weekend's depart-MENT, these snazzy t-shirts from newathens.org might help you resist the urge to sport a grim reaper costume in honor of Chicago's dearly departing Marshall Fields.
Wayne Booth, professor emeritus at U of C, died on Monday. Even 40 years after its publication, Booth's The Rhetoric of Fiction continues to have an impact on the field of literary studies. The university has announced plans for a memorial service after the first of the year; meantime, Booth was remembered in the Sun-Times and the New York Times, as well as by Chicago Public Radio's Eight Forty-Eight.
There's quiet buzz again about former governor George Ryan winning the Nobel Peace Prize, despite his pending trial on corruption charges. He's got odds of 1,001-1 according to a British bookmaker, but Eric Zorn once again reviews why Ryan might have a chance. Even if he wins, though, the Pantagraph says Illinoians' opinion of him won't change.
Whether it's citizen journalism or amateur papparazzi work is, one supposes, in the eye of the beholder. Regardless, if you had a celebrity sighting around town this summer and you caught it on film, a "burgeoning" magazine might be willing to make you rich. (Richer? All right, fine, it's on Craigslist...less poor.)
Today is Kiwanis Peanut Day! Since 1951, Chicago clubs have been handing out peanuts to passers-by to support charitable causes. Nationally, over $60,000,000 has been raised over the past 54 years. Every cent of the contributions Kiwanis received today (save the wholesale price of the peanuts) will be used by local Kiwanis clubs for their charitable programs which include: Aid to Handicap Children, Educational Scholarships, Aid to YMCA's, Boys and Girls Clubs, and 4H Clubs. Kiwanis reps have been spotted on the corners of State and Washington and in front of the Daley Center.
Product designer Kenneth LeVey of Illinois Tool Works in Glenview wanted to reinvent the mechanics of the screw, but he kept hearing it couldn't be done. After all, the "threaded fastener" had hardly changed in millennia; why should now be any different? With a little determination, however, LeVey proved the naysayers wrong. Forbes has the fascinating story.
I'm not sure quite what to make of this: a convoluted opinion piece linking Daley's recent visit from the FBI to deceased Chicago mob boss Tony Accardo, published in what purports to be a British criminology journal. But hey, they've got a $6.99 DVD on John Wayne Gacy!
Remember Todd Hundley? He played for the Cubs a couple years ago, and grew up in the north suburbs. Back problems ended his baseball career last year, and now have landed him in trouble with the law -- he claims Vicodin on an empty stomach caused him to become "discombobulated" while driving to pick his son up in Glenview. Police pulled him over and charged him with DUI.
The Indy Star has a nice write-up on Chicago's own Dennis Farina. He has had bit and major parts in movies such as Saving Private Ryan, Manhunter (my personal fave) and Get Shorty in addition to his current starring role on Law and Order. Farina, a Chicago Police Officer for 18 years, will be back in his hometown to take part in "We Celebrate: A Salute to Chicago's Finest," a benefit for the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation on Aug. 27 at McCormick Place.
Mix-tapes are so 1993 2005! So believe Ilana Percher and Aay Preston-Myint, founders of The Chicago Tapes Project. The project establishes stations for mixtape exchange that are "hidden" from the public save The Tapes Project's signature stencil.
An easter egg hunt for the experimental sound artist in us all, tape stations can be found outside Quimby's, and at Max Gerber's designer bathroom showroom. Map out the other locations (and ruin the fun of the search) with Chicago's social-mapping-tool Foundcity.net The project receives some public attention in this week's Reader.
At a small alleycat race I co-hosted recently, I was fortunate enough to meet a young man named Josh Powell. He was fast, won the race and was really humble — a nice polite guy. Originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, Josh moved here quite recently and used to work at La Bodega on Addison and "lived" in the Southport/Addison area. Now he's been missing for a few days.
His roommates, two girls, posted on BikeForums.net wondering where he might be. A few of us who he'd been in touch and ridden with responded. What at first sounded like perhaps a bailed rent situation seems to have gotten worse. This newer thread details a few recent facts, and that he left his stuff, clothes, even bike shoes (his bike needed them to be ridden) and other belongings behind. A friend has posted on Craigslist about this as well.
In the off chance that you might know him or have seen him, please drop me a line at nh{at}gapersblock dot com. A missing persons report has been filed and a detective is on the case. Thanks.
If you want your Intonation wrap-up more textual than visual, have a gander at the Craigslist missed connections this week. Our Chuck Taylors runneth over with hilarious name-drops and tortured romance (incidentally, "Did we make eyes during Les Savy Fav?" is the title of my upcoming neo-retro- garage-dance freak-folk harp album, the first in a series of concept albums exploring the national parks). I wonder why the kids didn't use their indie rocker pick-up lines?
Keep your eye out for soccer superstar David Beckham; he and Real Madrid are in town for a Saturday game against Mexico's Chivas at Soldier Field. It's sold out, and so is a Journey concert at Northerly Island, so if you can avoid that area of town, you probably should -- traffic's going to be a nightmare.
To follow up on Tuesday's post, Ronnie "Woo Woo" Wickers is alive and well and, in fact, apparently doesn't even have a wife to report he's missing. The reports of his disappearance were discussed on WLS-AM Tuesday afternoon, and according to the Trib: "Within seconds, Wickers was on the air proclaiming, in his inimitable fashion, 'I'm alive, woo, I'm alive, woo.'"
Wrigleyville staple Ronnie "Woo Woo" Wickers was reported missing by his wife today. Mrs. Wickers says she hasn't seen the Woo since June 29. NBC5 says that several viewers have already emailed to report Woo Woo sightings in the intervening time, and we're pretty sure we've spotted him too.
If you missed seeing the streetlight in East Chicago that casts a shadow that looks like Jesus, then you're out of luck; the mayor has ordered the lamp turned off, in order to disperse crowds that gathered near the lamp at night, blocking the street and congregating until 5 in the morning.
It seems that nearly everyone in Chicago is spotting Lake Forest-raised Vince Vaughn around town while he's filming The Break Up with that girl from Friends, and now I can add my name to that number. I was just a few feet away from the scruffy movie star at the Willie Nelson/Bob Dylan show out at Alexian Field in Schaumburg on Sunday. I was lucky enough to even snap a photo. Maybe he'll try to catch some more Willie today at noon.
Every so often -- more than you'd expect -- someone emails GB asking if we know how to get information about Abby Ryan, the traffic reporter for WBEZ and five other area radio stations. All those people are about to get lucky: reader Ed just discovered that she has a website, complete with pictures (more here) for those who want to put a face to the voice.
I've seen this mural at the corner of Damen and Lake several times and loved it. The expression on the man's face and the detail I found fascinating. The artist is Jeff Zimmerman, whose mural work has been exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary Art. And if that isn't enough reason to make y'all look, Craig Berman saw him on the Damen bus.
Many of you will no doubt have seen or heard of The Muffin Lady (Glorious Noise entry). Some of you may have even bought muffins from her. The folks over at 1974 Incorporated (they're also the folks who made our t-shirts) have a "Save the Muffin Lady" t-shirt with all proceeds going to Shirley (The Muffin Lady's real name).
So there's a movie filming in town right now. You've probably heard. The Break Up will star Vince Vaughn, Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman. And, since each of the leads is a hottie in his or her own way, it only makes sense that we'll be seeing more Missed Connections like this one over the next few weeks. Good luck to ya, Runner with black shirt!
The inevitable Missed Connections from the Dominick's fire are already appearing on Craigslist. "Extra-alarm" blazes: so hot right now!
Ever wondered about the Pritzker family? They own all those hotels and other property, they've got that big charity and the architecture prize -- and they've got lawsuits against each other to get their fair share of the millions. The Trib ran a long profile of the family in yesterday's paper that's worth the time if you're interested in our hometown Ewings.
The NY Times series on class in America concluded with an outstanding article about a Chicagoan. First profiled in 1993 in the Times, this article talks about the struggles her family has been through as they have moved from the projects to the middle class. I can't remember the last time I got goose-bumps from a human-interest story - this one is truly fantastic.
Congratulations to Michelle "Toots" L'Amour of the Lavendar Cabaret won the 2005 Miss Exotic World competition at the Exotic World Burlesque Museum in Helendale, CA. (Thanks, Brenda.)
Following his recent hospitalization, the AP reports that singer/songwriter Oscar Brown Jr. has died. The native Chicagoan began recording professionally at 15, eventually worked and played with jazz and blues legends like Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie and John Coltrane, and had lately been touted and covered by huge fan Kelly Hogan at the Hideout. The two appeared together on Chicago Public Radio's Hello Beautiful! last November; listen in Real Audio here.
Update: The New York Times has now published a lengthy tribute, as have the Guardian, the Washington Post, the Tribune and the Sun-Times.
Say you're at a bar, and some total freak decides you are their next date. You try everything to shake'em off, but they don't take the hint. They ask for your number, so you tell them it's 773/509-5027. They call, and get a message from RejectionHotline.com, informing them that you've blown them off and saving you from an ugly scene.
Creative Behavior has an interview with 19-year-old Chuck Anderson, whose amazing design- and artwork has graced the ad campaigns of Absolut and Audi, among others. He lives in the southern suburb of Frankfort, creating beautiful imagery and playing around with The Brilliance.
Two car wash employees cleaned off the brown paint and shoe polish off the salt stain that sorta looks like the Virgin Mary. So if you missed out on seeing Mary, now's your chance.
Underpass Mary is no more. A passerby defaced the salt stain on Thursday night by writing the words "Big Lie" in shoe polish on the stain, and this morning IDOT workers painted over the graffiti and the stain. Oh well, at least we have our memories. And some Flickr photos. (Thanx to Amy C. for the tip.)
Seen the image of the Virgin Mary on the Kennedy Expressway underpass wall? Rob Ray of Metroblogging Chicago is not amused, refers to her as "Underpass Mary," and crushes her head. Crush, crush!
Keep your eye out for the president of Ukraine while you're out and about today: Victor Yushchenko and his Chicago-born wife Katereyna ("Kathy" to her old classmates at U of C) are in town as part of a US tour. Although they had a big reception at the Palmer House last night, their itenerary doesn't seem to take them to the neighborhood named for their country.
Marine Captain Vernice Armour is an amazing individual. She's been an amateur bodybuilder, a pro football player and has served two tours of duty in Iraq as the first black female combat pilot. Now she's being inducted into the Museum of African-American History.
Jessica Simpson was in town for an Oprah taping, when she felt sick (or "dehydrated," as the report says). She was taken to the hospital, treated and released. And... well, that's about it. Except to say: JESSICA + NICK 4 EVA!!! W000000!!!!!!!!!11
Looking for some cheap pseudo-celebrity action this evening? Head over to Cans, 1640 N. Damen, and watch "The Bachelorette" with three of the former bachelors: Wendell, Ryan and one of the final two (either Jerry or Jean Paul). They'll be there between 7pm and 10pm for photo opps and the broadcast of the "Men Tell All" episode airing tonight. Yeah.
Local blogs were abuzz last fall with the rumors that erstwhile Senate candidate Alan Keyes' daughter, Maya, was gay, based on a Xanga blog that seemed to belong to her. Coming after Daddy had called Vice President Cheney's daughter Mary a "selfish hedonist" for being gay, this was an interesting development. Today Maya makes her first public appearance as a gay activist at a rally for Equality Maryland; she told the Washington Post that her parents threw her out and cut her off last month.
Wild and Unwise is a surprisingly complete biography of Liz Phair, cobbled together from published interviews and other sources, all the way up to the making of her most recent, eponymous album. (It being a Geocities site, the pages may disappear briefly. Have patience and reload.) [via del.icio.us]
Crain's has a five part piece about Chicago's media elite, profiling the people who are "best at what they do." The list is heavy on editors and reporters, with a few philanthropists and local business owners thrown in.
The Washington Post yesterday ran a profile of U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, whose solid work in Chicago have earned him a national reputation. "I thought, 'He is the original Untouchable,' " Peter Fitzgerald says. "You could just see it in his eyes that he was a straight shooter." (Thanks, Matt.)
CNN has a profile of Ron Huberman, the executive director of Chicago's Office of Emergency Management and Communications. The office monitors the security cameras throughout the city that a lot of people feel are more of a threat to personal privacy than terrorists.
Since beloved Chicago favorite lptrixie.com is still under construction, one has to actually delve into the real thing. For your true trixie needs, Scene Magazine delivers. This month's print copy has tips for botox/dental work/breast augmentation before your wedding in addition to the usual pictures and ads in Scene. And for your true Trixie chronicles, make up your own captions to the pictures on their photo page. Like who knew that you could get a bikini to match that Coors Light can?
"When I walk into a building with a bakery and a brothel inside, I'm certain to walk out with a little sugar on my lips." Reader "spotmeter2000" points us to a great anecdote on Craig's List about an embarrassing moment at the opening gala for Kendall College's new culinary school involving Senator Dick Durbin and school president Howard Tullman.
A recent article tells the story of an Elgin native, previously working as a teacher on a Native American reservation in Arizona. Bill Holden decided, after watching "This Old Cub" a number of times, that he would walk from Arizona to Chicago in a personal journey to raise awareness for juvenile diabetes; his decision was based on the film which documents Ron Santo's struggle with the disease. Holden sees the horrors of this disease up close on the reservation, and he believes he can do something about it. With a year off from work, his journey begins today, and contributions are accepted at JDRF, Illinois Chapter, 500 N. Dearborn, Suite 305, Chicago, 60610; or online at www.jdrfillinois.org.
There's another local connection to Ukraine besides the neighborhood named after it: Turns out the country's future first lady, Kateryna Chumachenko Yushchenko, grew up in the suburbs. [via 601am]
Jerry Orbach, star of stage and screen -- most recently on "Law & Order" and "L&O Criminal Intent" -- died yesterday from prostate cancer. Orbach grew up in Chicago and attended U of I and Northwestern before heading to New York to act. (Thanks, Bryan)
Reader TJT writes in to report seeing SPAMalot star Christopher Sieber shopping at Field's on State recently, and just today Kevin Spacey was eating lunch alone at Albert's Cafe & Patisserie on Elm, reading The Last Good Time. Take that, Michael Sneed!
As a bonus to a story about "holiday chic," the Tribune has posted a gallery of holiday sweaters. I won't make any judgements -- some people really love Christmas -- but you might want to rethink your wardrobe if "it looks like one big sweater with two holes for the heads."
We had a vet appointment this morning, and who should walk in while we waited but Tom Skilling and his cats, Hercules and Vorticity. He's taking them along up to his vacation home in Alaska and needed to get certifications of health before they could travel. (Incidentally, did you know Tom is the highest paid weatherman in the country?)
As the Christmas-week premiere of Monty Python's Spamalot approaches, we're starting to get sightings of the show's stars. GB staff members have spotted Hank Azaria and David Hyde Pierce at Monday's showtune night at Sidetrack, and Tim Curry at the Art Institute. Now who's seen Mike Nichols?
Was Alan Keyes eating alone at Star of Siam on the eve of the election? This Craig's List post seems to say so. (Via new-to-Chicago 601am.)
At noon(ish) today, Donald Trump will be outside the Sun-Times Building, 401 N. Wabash, for a press conference, and will then start demolition of the fabled news building to make way for his new 90-story tower, which just got financing. Expect to see plenty of S-T staff nearby, bidding a fond farewell. [Thanks, Leah]
Did you know Michael Jordan is into motorcycle racing? Neither did I, until I spotted this article in the Daily Southtown. He's apparently a big fan, and owns a Ducati with his famous "Jumpman" icon on the side.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Claire Zulkey interviews friend of GB Wendy McClure in today's "A Li'l Under 20 Questions." Topics range from celebrity children's books to knitting with Hitachi Magic Wands to Wendy's upcoming book. Quite a wild ride.
Miss Annie T, friend of GB, met with John Edwards and Barack "The Man" Obama recently. She wrote about it and posted photos. On a side note, Manny's Deli, which I'm sure makes all kinds of decent food, does not make a veggie burger — see Annie's photo of aforementioned "burger" in aforementioned post. Did we write aforementioned twice? Yes we did.
In the rankings of Chicago's popular eccentrics, this guy holds a spot surpassed only by The Walking Dude and a few others. You've all seen him on his pulpit -- the southeast corner of where State meets Washington, outside Old Navy -- preaching to passersby through his portable speaker system on the word of God. In today's Trib, as part of their excellent, week-long feature on The Loop, they've got an interesting profile of Preaching Guy, though you can call him Samuel Chambers.
Studs Terkel is recuperating in an unnamed hospital after "a little spill," according to his son Dan. He is expected to be released by Saturday. Get well, Studs!
While the Republicans mull asking Mike Ditka to run for senate against Barack Obama, Da Coach is also launching a clothing line. The Mike Ditka Hall of Fame Collection will make its debut in early August at Chicago Men's Wear Collective at the Merchandise Mart.
Spotted last night: actor Austin Pendleton at Sidetrack. The Steppenwolf ensemble member is directing their highly anticipated mainstage—oops, sorry, "Downstairs"—production of "Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune" with Laurie Metcalf, opening this Friday.
Michelle LaGroue of Naperville has been crowned Miss Illinois -- for the second time. Miss LaGroue was first runner-up in 2002, but the winner that year, Erika Harold, won the Miss America pageant, allowing Miss LaGroue to serve out the remainder of the term as Miss Illinois. So this is actually the first time that she won the pageant. But don't worry, all you former Miss Illinois'ers out there; you can enter again if you've won, but you have to sit out at least one year before competing again.
The Tribune reports that Mayor Daley and his wife will be moving into a condo overlooking Millennium Park, meaning that Da Mare will, for the first time in his life, be living on the North Side. Not to worry, though, South Siders; Daley still pledges his loyalty to the White Sox.
Irv Kupcinet, along with Mike Royko, was the model of what a Chicago columnist was for many decades. By the time he died, though, his assistant wrote the copy and he was "a slightly embarrassing anachronism" from another time and place. Chicago Magazine has an interesting assessment of Kup's legacy.
You can be successful artist, with the right patronage. Just ask Anna Pamasa. The Lane Tech senior sold a painting to Brad Pitt (yes, that Brad Pitt), who saw it in a exhibit of local student work at the MCA. She'll be putting the $800 toward tuition at Columbia College next year.
We know a lot of our readers aren't actually in the city -- we get visitors from as far away as New Zealand and Singapore. It turns out there's a Meetup group just for you. The ex-Chicagoans Meetup happened last night around the world (well, the country anyway); the next one is June 24. Why not get connected and share a pop with an ex-pat soon?
A year ago yesterday, aspiring actor Barry Cunnane was shot dead by a stranger while walking home in Ravenswood. The murderer was never caught. Now the Friends of Barry Cunnane are offering a $15,000 reward for any information leading to a conviction. Check the site for more details.
Look out for the crew from Trading Spaces this week in Evanston, IL as they make over two Northwestern University sororities. Carpenter Ty Pennington was even on hand for the seventh-inning stretch at Friday's Cubs game.
The New York Times profiles Chicagoans Gary Griffin and Thomas Murray, as they remount their version of "My Fair Lady" in Princeton, New Jersey. Their production first played the Court Theatre in 2002; Chicago actress Kate Fry is reprising her role as Eliza Doolittle. Griffin is expected to stage another musical at Chicago Shakespeare at the end of the year.
Esquire Magazine debuts Brutally Honest Personals, where there's no need to interpret what's BS and what's not. There're a few Chicagoans on the list: Adena, Beth, Leah and Philip are waiting for your email.
You may have read a story a few weeks ago in the Reader about Johnny Payphone, a bike advocate and Rat Bike rider. He's currently in Ghana helping the local government get their people mobile by making cargo loading bikes as part of the wonderful outfit that is Working Bikes, a local organization and excellent source for used bikes here in Chicago. You can follow his exploits via his weblog or you can help the cause at Working Bikes. As for more Ghana, you can read about a firsthand experience right here (parts 1, 2, 3 and 4) courtesy of our very own Jes Davis.
Northwestern orthopedic surgeon Dr. Robert Satcher gets to go into space because NASA wants to research the effects of space on bone loss. Hey, NASA! Maybe you want to study the effects of space on Website design?
Sun-Times columnist Mary Laney was pulled over by Wisconsin police on Saturday for speeding, and was subsequently told her license was suspended in Wisconsin. After writing about it Monday, a sheriff from Racine County tried to reassure Illinois motorists that Wisconsin troopers weren't out to get them, and a columnist for Wisconsin's Journal Times sorted out the whole mess: Mary Laney's license was in fact suspended in Wisconsin due to two other speeding tickets, but the suspension should have been cleared from her record by now. Not surprisingly, the error was corrected after Laney's column was printed.
Victory Gardens Theater has turned three prominent Chicagoans into amateur playwrights for its annual Chicago Stories benefit this Friday. Queer Eye's Ted Allen, Illinois Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, and philanthropist Susan Pritzker have each written one-act plays to be performed at the gala at the Four Seasons. Past celebrity playwrights for the annual event include Roger Ebert, Carol Moseley Braun, Jesse Jackson, and Stedman Graham. With tickets starting at $250, most of us will just have to imagine the scenes being set.
Many of you may know The Walking Dude. I actually call him "70's Italian Loverman". Someone has made a really well-done and humorous short clip of The Walking Dude, A Dudementary. Does anyone personally know The Walking Dude?
This week's Newcity cover features a big ol' picture of Mimi Smartypants! The accompanying article discusses her book deal, mentions Gapers Block, and even has some quotes from another Chicago blogger with a book deal, Wendy McClure. Check it out, won't you?
The warm weather had a lot of people out boy- and girl-watching this weekend. But there was also a lot of star-watching going on -- with three big-budget movies being filmed in town right now, there are plenty of opportunities to catch Clooney, Damon, Zeta-Jones and Roberts on the set and in the restaurants. Keep your eyes peeled.
You may remember Rachel Townsend, the teacher from Ohio who died of a heart arrhythmia after finishing last fall's Chicago Marathon. When she crossed the finish line, Rachel had qualified for the Boston Marathon, and would have run in it today, if she had survived. The Tribune reports that many runners will be wearing caps that say "Running For Rachel," and one runner will be wearing Townsend's number, so that she will end up with an official time in the race. In addition to these tributes, scholarships and memorial races have been set up in Ann Arbor, MI, where Townsend taught for seven years.
As everybody knows by now, Kwame was fired and Bill was hired. Orland Park native Bill Rancic won the final round last night on NBC's "The Apprentice," and is going to manage the construction of a Chicago hotel and residential tower. But lest you think that Bill's going to be in charge, Trump reminded him who's REALLY in charge: "You're going to have plenty of supervision of that building, I don't care if you're president or not... I'll be the one supervising." (In a strange case of synchronicity, the Illinois Department of Employment Security released a report yesterday that says the state's unemployment dropped to 6 percent in March, its lowest rate in 28 months.)
The Sun-Times has started a series this week profiling Chicago's 100 most powerful women. The areas already covered: the arts, business and politics. The profiles will be posted daily through April 21.
Robert Wessel, trying to fight the building of a parking garage in suburban LaGrange with the Website LaGrangeNoGarage.com, has found himself the target of an obstinate stalker who has sent him over 100 emails, sent repairmen out to his place, and in general made a big nuisance of him- or herself. Wessel sued AOL to try and determine who was behind the emails, but didn't get anywhere with that tactic. LaGrange police have apparently conducted their own investigation, determined who the culprit is, and have determined that the sender no longer poses a threat. Which may be the only consolation that Wessel gets, because he has not been told yet who the stalker is.
How much do you love the Cubs? Ever think about changing your name to show your love? Well, one student at NYU doesn't have that problem. Her legal name is Elizabeth Wrigley-Field. Oddly enough, it isn't an homage to a favorite sports team! Here's where her name comes from: Her mother's last name is Wrigley and her father's is Field. A few years ago, she had the name legally changed to Wrigley-Field. She has never even been inside Wrigley Field, though she stood in front of it once when she was 7 and went to Chicago with her family. Read her story here.
Are you Asian? Do you want more friends? Well then, the Asian Social Network is for you! Actually, it's more of an event calendar for the city's Asian community, listing anything from a " Pink Slip Wagering with The Donald" party to a talk on "Filipinos in the Diaspora."
Actor/monologuist Spalding Gray is dead. His body was found in New York's East River. He was most well-known for monologues like Swimming to Cambodia and Gray's Anatomy, and had performed in Chicago frequently.
Speaking of Billy Corgan, you might want to take a look at his new site. He's maintaining a sort of weblog/journal (though it's in Flash) and writing about his new kittens and seeing Urge Overkill. Oh it's definitely a blog then.
You might remember, way back in 1997, that WMAQ news anchor Carol Marin left her job after the station hired Jerry Springer to do commentaries on the news program. Well, Carol Marin returns to WMAQ tonight, as a "special assignment reporter." Tune in to the 10:00 newscast to see her return.
...and once again, another Second City performer is plucked from a promising career on stage to move to New York and work on "Saturday Night Live" as a writer and, eventually, performer. This time, it's 26-year-old Liz Cackowski, who debuted on the Second City mainstage only last December. Thursday night is Liz's last appearance on the stage, in Second City's revue "Doors Open on the Right;" stop by and wish her well.
Yesterday was Oprah Winfrey's 50th birthday. The Chicago Sun-Times has the full wrap-up of the star-studded celebration for this "Garrett-popcorn-eating, lakefront-jogging, North Michigan-Avenue-shopping" Chicagoan.
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.
The Chicago Tribune reports that Chicago television personality Ray Rayner has died at the age of 84. Rayner is best known for his role as Oliver O. Oliver, the character he played on WGN's famous "Bozo's Circus" show, as well as his 1971-1981 show "Ray Rayner and His Friends," which delighted kids with such characters as Chelveston the Duck and Cuddley Duddley. Rayner left Chicago in 1981 to become a weatherman in Albuquerque. [Trib. login: gapers/gapers]
The Salt Lake Tribune tells the colorful story of Chicago Charlie, a Greek immigrant known for tall tales, eccentric stunts and prolific correspondence with soldiers during World War II. Hundreds of his letters were recently found in a buried time capsule in Copperton, Utah.
America's Most Fun Family (according to the makers of the boardgame Cranium) is the Wagners of Elgin. What makes them so fun? They throw pies in each other's faces on birthdays and celebrate holidays with color-themed meals. Fun!
As mentioned earlier, more on the developments with ol' Conrad. Salon has a little story about his removal and lawsuit concerning his making off with oh around $200 million. Oh Conrad, the kettle sure is black.
Newcity's cover story: 10 Chicagoans we love to hate. Some great choices on their list: Ditka ("stands as the epitome of everything we fight against"), Ira Glass ("starting to sound like nails on a chalkboard"), Richard Roeper ("bland, bland, bland"), and Joan Cusack ("we stopped connecting with Cusack when she zeta-jonesed on us, and by that we mean started pimping for a cell-phone provider").
As reported Monday, the Fannie May plant will be closing in the coming months. WBBM reports the city will assist those workers when the plant shuts down. "Chicago Mayor Richard Daley says the city is prepared to offer the affected workers the assistance needed to get back into the work force quickly. The assistance to be offered include career counseling, job search assistance and direct job placement opportunities at locations around the city."
The Chicago Sun-Times profiles Jenny Levine, Internet development specialist for the Suburban Library System in Illinois, and talks about the work she does to bring area libraries into the digital age. Although the article strangely does not mention her site by name, webloggers know Jenny Levine as The Shifted Librarian.
Yojimbo's Garage, a legend within Chicago's bicycling community is facing some trouble. Competition is tough for Marcus Moore, owner, mechanic, ex-messenger with a Buddha-like exterior and calm man of the two wheel technique. His super dense shop located at 1310 N. Clybourn close to Cabrini Green is facing possible closure if sales aren't up. He's been the perfect example of how an independent venture should operate, but that may not be for long. This BikeForums thread posts all the details. A photo of Yojimbo's can be seen here (he has no site).
Yojimbo's details:
1310 N. Clybourn (& Division almost)
ph: 312 587 0878
fx: 312 587 0177
mon-fri: 8-6
sat-sun: 12-4
& by appointment
Knock when you get there, the door is locked otherwise, partly because of the high end stuff, partly because of the slightly sketchy surroundings. It also feels all cloak and dagger and once inside, you'll understand why.
The Sun-Times has an article listing 2003's people with their 15-minutes of fame this year. The usual suspects are on board.
eGullet has a two-part interview with Ted Allen, the food and wine expert from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. Allen is from Chicago, used to be a restaurant critic for Chicago magazine, and talks a lot about splitting his time between Chi-town and NYC.
Irv Kupcinet, long-time columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, is in intensive care after being admitted to Northwestern Memorial Hospital with breathing problems. Kup has been with the Sun-Times since it began in 1948, and "Kup's Column" celebrated its 60th anniversary this year. Update: Irv Kupcinet has died of pneumonia at the age of 91.
The punky QB known as McMahon was charged with drunk driving Sunday morning in Florida. Former Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon failed a field sobriety test and had a blood-alcohol level more than three times the legal limit. No word yet as to whether or not police caught him doing the Superbowl Shuffle at the time.
My all-time favorite Chicago Blogger Mimi Smartypants has been silent lately since she's flown off to China to meet her new adopted daughter. But now Chicagoans everywhere can rejoice - Mimi is back and has adorable adorable pictures of her newest bundle of joy. Congratulations Mimi!
Noted and famous comic book artist Alex Ross (from here no less) had without a doubt the coolest Halloween party this year. (Well, maybe not, but certainly if you love comics). Now who knows where he lives?
Bill Hicks was one of the best comedians of his generation, with innate talent and a searing wit. He died in 1994 at age 32, but his influence can still be seen in comedy clubs everywhere. BillHicks.com has several of his gigs available in streaming video, including one from Chicago's now-defunct Funny Firm in 1989. The Bootleg Archive has several more shows available for download as mp3s.
Despite my annoyance with most cab drivers in this city, there are a few "gems" -- the Tribune has a nice little human interest story today [login:gapers/gapers].
Happy Avogadro's Day! Amedeo Avogadro theorized that equal volumes of all gases at the same temperature and pressure contain the same number of molecules. His law enabled the calculation of the number of molecules in a cubic centimeter of gas: 6.02214199 1023, which is known as Avogadro's Number; it also led to the definition of the commonly used mole unit. So why is today Avogadro's Day? It's 10-23. Go kiss a physicist.
Studs Terkel has a new volume of oral history, "Hope Dies Last." Here's a fantastic Onion interview: "Hope is very personal. What's the alternative to hope? Despair. Well, if you despair, then put your head in the oven. What's the point? Am I sanguine about the future? Hell, no, I'm worried stiff. But I think the American people basically are decent. This I know."
Despite taking a strong stance against the death penalty, and even being nominated for the nobel prize, George Ryan did not win the Nobel Peace Prize. Instead they gave it to Shiran Ebadi for reconciling Muslim theology with a liberal theory of human rights, particularly for women. Hmm... what sorts of geopolitical events would get the Nobel committee thinking about the world-historical importance of reformed Islam, I wonder...?
While some of us are out atoning those wacky folks at the Macarthur Foundation are handing out genius grants. This year one goes to Northwestern prof Amy Rosenzweig for her contributions to biochemistry. Go Amy!
Rumor has it our former governor could be off to Oslo for clearing Illinois' Death Row. (Trib login: gapers/gapers)
Gwyneth Paltrow, Anthony Hopkins, and Jake Gyllenhaal are in town for the filming of Proof, an adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by the same name. According to this press release, you can catch them in Hyde Park on the University of Chicago campus next week.
I know, you're still upset that Zwan broke up. Well, you can ask Billy Corgan, "Dude, WTF?" tonight at the Art Institute's Rubloff Auditorium, where he'll be reading his original poetry and playing a little music for the Poetry Center of Chicago. There are still a few tickets available at the door (which opens at 6pm) if you've got the $35 to spend.
Jennifer Lopez and Richard Gere are filming their, uh, film, Shall We Dance? downtown today - right around rush hour this evening. If you're around the 333 Wacker Drive building, tell J.Lo that I ain't impressed with the rocks that she got.
(A local guy named) Santa Claus is dead.
Craig of Fueled By Coffee stopped by the Mars Cheese Castle recently and guess what he found? Thom Yorke (of Radiohead, come on now!) likes the cheese (scroll down a little to read and view the photo). Ah, Mars Cheese Castle will now be full of emotional hipsters fawining over the penmanship of their über-idol.
It's common to hear Academics - and particularly theory heads - dismissed as living in an ivory tower pursuing obscure pursuits unrelated to 'the real world'. Turns out that that sometimes the ivory tower can pack a punch. Turns out UofC prof George Chauncey's historical brief was more or less decisive in deciding Lawrence vs. Texas.
A Hoffman Estates High School grad lost his ring in a forest preserve back in '78. In 2000, a retired couple found it with the help of a metal detector. The Daily Herald took a picture and told the story recently, a friend noticed and the guy got his ring back, 25 years later.
All but forgotten by most Chicagoans, journalist and Hollywood screenwriter Ben Hecht told stories of the "lay life," everyday people and events in the 1920s and '30s. Read a sampling of his book 1001 Afternoons in Chicago.
Ted Nugent on all us Illinoisans: "They are spineless, apathetic, embarrassing wimps."
Wood s lot reminds us today is the birthday of long-time Chicago activist/poet Carlos Cortez. You can find his reflections on UIC's takeover of Halsted on-line, curation of his work, an interview, and of course, pictures and poetry.
While minding my own business, nose in my book, waiting to pay at the State Street Border's book store, who is patiently waiting in front of me? None other than ABC 7's own Linda Yu. And might I say, she is quite a petite woman. Just lovely.
Sun-Times movie critic Roger Ebert will undergo treatment for a malignant tumor in his salivary gland. This is his third bout with cancer, having survived previous tumors in his thyroid and salivary gland. He says he'll continue to watch and review movies while undergoing treatment.
Studs Turkel has spent decades exploring the city and documenting the lives of its residents. You can explore his life and listen to some of the many interviews he's conducted over the years at studsturkel.org.
So the other night I was watching Channel 2's 10pm news, and there's a report on a sexual assault in Wicker Park. Police apparently described the attacker as looking like Ice Cube -- and film clips of Cube flashed across the screen. Today the CPD and WBBM-TV apologized to the actor-rapper, who is in town filming Barbershop 2, for connecting him with the attacks.
Did you know that Christine Cupaiuolo , the writer behind Ms. Musings (the Ms. Magazine blog) and the editor for PopPolitics.com, lives in Chicago?
Your fun fact of the day: TV weather geek Tom Skilling once worked with a puppet, in Milwaukee no less.
UIC Prof Steve Jones has been Slashdott'd, Boingboing'd, CNN'd, and Blogdex'd after doing research that shows gamers aren't just lonely geeks. With the gaming industry grossing more than the film industry these days, you'd think this wouldn't be such big news, but now Steve's got the hard data for the nay-sayers who still think Half Life is a measure of radioactive decay and Vice City a hardware store. But don't take my word for it, his report is freely available on line for all to read.
Allow me to bring the level of discourse down a few notches—it's a holiday week, why not? I hear that Renee Zellweger was in attendance at last night's White Stripes show at the Aragon. Zellweger is rumored to be dating Jack White, who played a bit of "Mister Cellophane" from Renee's movie Chicago.
Northwestern U. weighs in on David Schwimmer and so does Studs Terkel in this excellent article [Trib login: gapers/gapers] about the actor and director most commonly referred to as "Ross". Shamefully but gratefully via TMN.
A Chicago Sun-Times article states that former President Bill Clinton has called Sammy Sosa and offered him the advice to just hang in there and "...stay strong and don't give up." Um...insert whatever comment you'd like to add to this >> here <<.
The new reality TV show "Starting Over," from the producers of The Real World, will follow six down-on-their-luck women try to straighten out their lives. However, the producers may have to start over themselves: some of the neighbors of the Gold Coast greystone the show will be filmed in have filed suit, claiming violations of zoning laws and renovation beyond what has been licensed. (In related news, Palatine native Mallory Snyder is one of the inmates cast members of Real World Paris, which debuted this week on MTV.)
In 1987, Oral Lee Brown promised to send a group of 1st graders from poverty-stricken East Oakland to college. Now 16 years later, this story comes close to home. Jeffery Toney will graduate on June 1st from Columbia College; read his story here, and listen to his song titled, "Real Life Angel".
Illinois' favorite Speaker of the House, Denny Hastert holding forth on the importance of the restoration of the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in Washington: "The values and principles that Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln worked so hard for in the 1880's are the same values and principles that we are fighting for as a Republican Party today."
The quote is corrected on his official news item, but if you listened to his remarks on NPR today, you too know that Lincoln lingered on at least sixteen years after his dramatic night at Ford's Theatre.
Attention font geeks: famed typographic designer Hermann Zapf (as much as typographic designers can be famed, anyway) will be speaking at UIC on Tuesday, May 20. More information at Typographi.ca. Print up something in Palatino and maybe he'll autograph it for you.
Hmmm, Gawker stalker is now stalking Chicago? "I saw Josh Hamilton at the 10:00 Saturday night performance of Wigfield (starring Strangers With Candy's Amy Sedaris, Steven Colbert and Paul Dinello) in Chicago. He was very cute, despite having two very dark front teeth." Hamilton, of course, is starring in Richard Greenberg's play The Violet Hour at Steppenwolf.
Call him Doogie Howser's little brother. After turning heads as a nine-year-old freshman undergrad at Loyola University Chicago three years ago, 12-year-old Sho Yano has been awarded a full scholarship to attend University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Medicine this fall. Kind of makes me wonder what I could have accomplished if I hadn't spent so much darn time playing as a kid. Read more and more about it.
Irvine Welsh shops at the Jewel on Milwaukee, Paulina, and Ashland. A coworker passed him entering the store, leading one to wonder, "Does he prefer Boca or Morningstar?" I bet he loves Krispy Kreme.
Speaking of Columbia, but Bloody 'ell! Irvine Welsh, author of Trainspotting, The Acid House, Filth and Porno, is now teaching at Columbia. Apparently two courses this semester and word on the street is that he is living in Lincoln Park...my eyes are peeled.
Harold Washington was sworn in as Chicago's first black mayor 20 years ago today.
The New York Times mentioned in passing on Friday that Gary Griffin is attached to direct a musical adaptation of The Color Purple for a planned 2005 Broadway opening. Griffin is associate artistic director at Chicago Shakespeare Theater (not artistic director, as the Times reports). The show's book will be written by playwright Regina Taylor, artistic associate at the Goodman. This will be Griffin's first Broadway show, though not his New York debut; his Famous Door production of Beautiful Thing transferred off-Broadway in 1999, and last month he staged The New Moon for the City Center Encores! series. His production of Sondheim's Pacific Overtures, which first played at Chicago Shakes in 2001, will open at London's Donmar Warehouse in June.
