Jason Maslanka

Fill Out Your Bracket
If you haven't yet read this week's Hoops in Five, it's mostly about the NCAA Tournament. For those interested in that sort of thing (and who doesn't fill out a bracket, really?) join the Gapers Block pool. The winner will be announced on the site, and receive both my admiration and a moderately exciting prize!
Tuesday March 13 2007Sports/Recreation 

Snow Day
While you were asleep, it snowed. Then it snowed again, and it's still snowing. The Illinois Department of Transportation has asked Chicago area residents to not get on the roads if it's not necessary. Many schools are closed and most flights from O'Hare are canceled. Stay home, Chicago, but if you cannot, the CTA and Metra are running mostly on time.
Friday December 1 2006Transportation 

Early Voting Problems?
Television news reports this morning showed a problem with an electronic voting machine in Lincoln Park. The Tribune ran a story on washing your hands before voting. With the mess that is bound to ensue on this election day, all voters should know that they can request a paper ballot if uncomfortable with the electronic technology. Also, report issues or fraud associated with voting if you unfortunately encounter it.
Tuesday November 7 2006Politics/Activism 

Getting Off To A Good Start
The Bulls certainly did just that in their 108-66 destruction of the defending champs. It was the worst performance ever by a defending champ on opening night. Chicagoans better have room in their diet to be excited about both the Bears and Bulls. Bulls in Five will return this Monday for its sophomore season.
Wednesday November 1 2006Sports/Recreation 

Really Quick Restaurant Review: Los Nopales
Los Nopales (4544 N. Western Ave) is a small Mexican joint near the Western Brown Line stop in Lincoln Square. With tables and a small bar (despite having no alcohol), Nopales is quaint, but can match dishes with some of the big boys, especially when it comes to steak. On a recent trip, I ordered the steak fajitas and wasn't dissapointed. The thinly cut steak is some of the better steak out there, especially for the price. The other excitement is the two salsas provided to each table, red and green. Los Nopales was featured in a recent Sun-Times article discussing that very strip of Western Ave.
Tuesday July 18 2006Eating/Drinking 

Hey Ref, You're Half-Blind
Everyone knows the old adage, making fun of a bad referee by calling them blind. In the case of Bolingbrook's James Filson, he sort of is. Filson lost vision in one of his eyes in 2000, but continued to referee Big Ten Football games for five years. Filson is suing the Big Ten after being fired in 2005. He says he has the ability and right to referee the games and cites his selection to referee the Orange Bowl as proof of his quality performance.
Tuesday July 18 2006Sports/Recreation 

A Public Service to the Car-less
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.
Wednesday July 5 2006People/Sightings 

COPS: Bulls Mascots
A few years ago, it was Da Bull in trouble with the law, having been charged with marijuana possession. Now, it's Benny the Bull's turn. The big red mascot was arrested for allegedly punching an off-duty cop after being stopped for riding a small motorcycle through the Taste of Chicago. I bet the San Diego Chicken never had 'cuffs on.
Tuesday July 4 2006Sports/Recreation 

Time to Buy that Afro Wig
Move over and maybe out, Tyson Chandler: Ben Wallace is coming to the Chicago Bulls. Wallace has reportedly signed with the Bulls for $60 million over four years. The four-time defensive player of the year should fill every defensive expectation fans had for Chandler over the years and bring a true veteran superstar to the team. This move instantly makes the Bulls real contenders in the Eastern Conference.
Tuesday July 4 2006Sports/Recreation 

Free Book Rentals for Hipsters
After much construction, the brand new Bucktown-Wicker Park branch of the Chicago Public Library will open on July 10th at 1701 N. Milwaukee Ave. The 15,500 square foot location is two stories and has free internet stations and free wi-fi throughout. No more excuses to not check Gapers 5 times a day. Oh, and it also has books...lots of them.
Friday June 30 2006City Life/Cultural 

10 Years of GayCo
Think the DaVinci Code is funny? Excited about the Gay Games? 10 Year Old GayCo is presenting its 'best of' show, The DaVinci GayCode. The show, which they call "homolarious", will run from July 13th through the 23rd at the Theatre Building Chicago on Belmont. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.
Friday June 30 2006Offbeat/Misc. Events 

Tragedy at Northwestern
Last night, tragedy befell the Northwestern University family as football coach Randy Walker died of an apparent heart attack. Walker was only 52 years old and was about to enter his eighth season at NU. He had recently been granted a contract extension through 2011 for his stellar work in leading NU to 14-10 conference record over the past three years. No information on services or donations to the family has been noted.
Friday June 30 2006Sports/Recreation 

Legislating Nasty Food?
Alderman Edward Burke doesn't think the recent ban on foie gras is enough legislation of food for one year. He has now brought to the table a proposal to ban all trans fats in Chicago. The proposal has been ridiculed by Mayor Daley and the President of Illinois Restaurant Association. While the proposal would be difficult to implement, Burke noted that he just wants to start up a conversation and get expert opinion on the matter.
Thursday June 29 2006Eating/Drinking 

Fans Against Mariotti
No one can support the recent language chosen by Sox' Manager Ozzie Guillen to describe Sun-Times columnist Jay Marriotti. A lot of Chicagoans, however, can and do support the sentiment. Jaythejoke.com's purpose is to expose Marriotti as a fraud and unite Cubs' and Sox' fans in mutual dislike for the controversial columnist. The new-ish blog was featured in a recent Tribune column.
Thursday June 29 2006Sports/Recreation 

Chicagoans Want 2016 Olympics
That is, at least, according to a survey compiled by the firm that completed Mayor Daley's political polling. The survey shows that nearly 80% of Cook County residents want Chicago to host the games. With the need for a stadium larger than Soldier Field to host, the idea of a collapsible stadium has gained steam. As to what a collapsible stadium really is? That's anyone's guess.
Friday June 23 2006Sports/Recreation 

Sears Tower Targeted
In an incredibly frightening story, seven men were arrested in Miami for their involvement in a plot to attack the Sears Tower. The indictment states that this attack was supposed to be bigger than 9/11. It appears that the plans were in the beginning stages.
Friday June 23 2006In the News 

Selig Schools Ozzie
The White Sox thought Ozzie Guillen's apology for "the slur" was enough. Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig disagreed. He fined Guillen an undisclosed amount and ordered the Sox' manager to sensitivity training.
Friday June 23 2006Sports/Recreation 

Faster Flying
The planes won't actually go faster, but you may not have to arrive at the airport so darn early. The Transportation Security Administration is looking to add part-time luggage screeners at both Midway and O'Hare. The screeners, who would make for a larger work-force during peak times, could cut wait times substantially.
Wednesday April 12 2006Transportation 

Classy Camping
There's no better place to host an event than in a tent in Naperville, and the city has now made that even easier. The new Tent Permit form is now in pdf form on the web. After filling out the paperwork, there's a convenient meeting held every Tuesday from 8:30 to 9:30am you have to attend, and poof... tent action.
Saturday April 1 2006Outdoors/Environment 

The Big 175
As all of Naper-land gears up for Naperville's 175th birthday celebration this summer, the city is looking for help pulling it together. Take the brief survey and be a part of the gala. You can even buy a set of historic medallions as a keepsake.
Saturday April 1 2006History 

Callin' 'Em What They Are
Cubs fans have touted their ballpark as old fashioned and advertising-free for years, but that image took a major hit as the Cubs signed a deal with Anheuser-Busch. The bleachers have always had a major presence from Bud Light, but now it's official: they've been named the Bud Light Bleachers.
Friday March 31 2006Sports/Recreation 

It's Total Mania
While cold Soldier Field will never host a SuperBowl, and the United Center won't be hosting a Final Four anytime soon, Chicago (more specifically Rosemont) will be hosting a major sporting event this Sunday. OK, technically it's sports-entertainment, but Wrestlemania 22 comes to the All-State Arena. Chuckle all you want at the WWE; tickets are fetching upwards of $1000 from scalpers.
Friday March 31 2006Sports/Recreation 

Downtown. Movies. Outside.
While the thought of lying on a blanket watching a movie outside doesn't sound especially appealing today, with the rain and 40-degree temps, August makes for a much more enjoyable experience. The Outdoor Film Festival in Grant Park is back for its seventh season. The festival features hits from the '50s and '60s, including Rebel Without a Cause, but ends with '80s fav, Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
Tuesday March 28 2006Film 

Dangerous Birds
If you're like me, the Morton Arboretum is one of those wonderfully nature-filled spots in Chicagoland that you haven't been to in years. Like the Chicago Botanic Gardens, it's beautiful, affordable, and a great escape from the city. The Arboretum, however, won't be so calm this weekend as it features hawks and other birds of prey.
Friday February 24 2006Outdoors/Environment 

Gasoline Pepsi
First there was Crystal Pepsi, then Crystal Clear Gasoline, and now the least desirable of the three, chemical-smelling Pepsi. Area Jewel-Osco stores are pulling 24-packs of Pepsi from their shelves after multiple customers complained of a chemical smell.
Tuesday February 21 2006Eating/Drinking 

Hair For Sale
Are you that creep who keeps locks of your ex's hair in an envelope? Do you have a "thing" for famous people? If so, or even if you're normal, you might enjoy an upcoming event by an auction house in Willowbrook. They're auctioning off the hair of celebrities like Mickey Mantle and Elizabeth Taylor.
Tuesday February 21 2006History 

Skilling Factoid
Here's a wild tidbit from everyone's favorite Chicago meteorologist: fewer than 1% of all Chicago thunderstorms since 1970 have occurred in February.
Thursday February 16 2006History 

No More Wolf With Fox
Love him or hate him, zany sports guy Bruce Wolf is a staple in Chicago sports journalism. Having worked at FOX Chicago for 18 years, Wolf was fired this week with no explanation given by either party. Sadly, like so much else, the Trib speculates it was about money.
Thursday February 16 2006Sports/Recreation 

Crash Monday
On a day that has seen more than the usual amount of car crashes, IDOT has released its most recent list of dangerous intersections. Recent data shows the intersection of Higgins and Roselle in Hoffman Estates saw more crashes than anywhere else in the state in 2004. It seems malls and tollways are to blame.
Monday February 13 2006Transportation 

Not Everyone Loves Harry
Unlike legions of Cubs and old school Sox fans, Milo Hamilton doesn't like Harry Caray...at all. Hamilton, the long-time broadcaster of the Houston Astros & former Cubs announcer, calls Caray a "miserable human being" in his recently published memoirs.
Friday February 10 2006Sports/Recreation 

Majestic Views Hidden in Shubert
The former Shubert Theater, the smallest (and formerly dingiest) of the downtown theaters, had been closed and remodeled for a fall reopening as the LaSalle Bank Theatre. Now the open is set for May, and builders are finding hidden treasures throughout, including a second level to the lobby.
Wednesday February 8 2006Theatre/Dance 

"Playful Irony & Poetic Metaphor"
If you love irony & metaphor, or you just like wood carvings, the Chicago Cultural Center is featuring the work of Los Carpinteros. The Cuban threesome was dubbed as so because they primarily work with wood, but the exhibit features drawings, prints, etc. and the price is right...free.
Friday February 3 2006Arts/Architecture 

Mo' Money Mo' Money
Remember that $100 dollars People's Gas owes all of us? The gas company had agreed to refund $100 to customers for overbilling the past four years. If the Illinois Commerce Commission gets its way, they'll be refunding another $240 on top of that.
Thursday February 2 2006In the News 

Big Hurt in White Cleats
While most White Sox fans already knew that Frank Thomas would not be back with the team in 2006, those thoughts were solidified as the Sox career leader in nearly every offensive category signed a one-year deal with the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday. The trade for Jim Thome and re-signing of Paul Konerko left no room for Thomas, who can only DH at this point in his storied career.
Friday January 27 2006Sports/Recreation 

Job Market Picking Up?
In what has to be viewed as a frightening sign for the Chicago job market, 24,500 people applied for a job at the new Evergreen Park Wal-Mart. That's 75 applicants per position currently available.
Thursday January 26 2006In the News 

CPS to Close Four Schools
The Sun-Times is reporting that the Chicago Public School system plans to close four schools -- one high school and three grammar schools -- due to low performance. The grammar schools would close at the end of the year, while the high school, Collins, at 1313 S. Sacramento, would close when the current freshman graduate.
Thursday January 26 2006Schools/Education