Dave Elfving

Chicago's Abu Ghraib
The United Nations Committee Against Torture is holding hearings to determine just how well the US is adhering to its international obligations. But torture at home is under investigation as well. Torture that took place here in Chicago under the guidance of former police commander Jon Burge.
Tuesday May 9 2006In the News 

The Economist Says: Success!
In its staid, conservative way, the Economist gushes about Chicago: "Appearances often deceive, but, in one respect at least, the visitor's first impression of Chicago is likely to be correct: this is a city buzzing with life, humming with prosperity, sparkling with new buildings, new sculptures, new parks, and generally exuding vitality."
Thursday March 16 2006City Life/Cultural 

Chicago Design Archive
Created by the Society of Typographic Arts (founded here in Chicago in 1927) the Chicago Design Archive, is a massive catalog of more than a century of work from hundreds of Chicago area designers.
Monday March 6 2006Arts/Architecture 

Better Water Tanks
Challenged by the Chicago Architecture Club to put disused water tanks (those ugly things you see on towers - particularly in industrial areas) to good use, designers came up with all sorts of good ideas. The winning proposal (pdf) suggested a means of turning them into wind turbines for clean power generation. Via: We Make Money Not Art and the Chicago Sun-Times.
Thursday November 3 2005Arts/Architecture 

Counting Heads: A Future Chicago
Lauded by Cory Doctorow of BoingBoing, Counting Heads is supposed to be an entirely swell science fiction novel. It arrives in bookstores sometime in November. What makes this important to Gapers Block readers, however, is the cover art. Is that a futuristic Chicago with the "antique" Hancock and Water Tower Place buildings in the background? I daresay it is.
Thursday October 27 2005Books/Authors 

Big Fat Oreo
Paul McAleer, local activist (and former GB staffer) is featured in a Tribune photo essay about the anniversary of Nabisco's classic Oreo Cookie. Let's all raise our milk glasses in a toast!
Tuesday August 23 2005Photography 

Chicago Ephemera
Yale University's Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library features over 90,000 high resolution images of rare books and photographs, all of them readily accessible online. Tapping "Chicago" into the search field yields fascinating images of the Union Stockyards, grain elevators along the Chicago River (Anyone care for a Schlitz?), views of the lakefront as it once was, a letter from photographer Alfred Stieglitz and many more interesting documents. A Chicago history buff could lose a lot of sleep exploring it all . . .
Monday August 1 2005History 

Back in Time: The photographs of Edmund Teske
Should our current fuel question have you pining for the days of old Chicago, you may find some satisfaction in the Art Institute photography galleries. Edmund Teske captured compelling images of the city as it was in the 30's and 40's. Not quite the same as being there, but about as good as it gets.
Wednesday July 6 2005Photography 

Atomic Aftermath
Writing for the Chicago Daily News (which ran for nearly a century before folding in the mid 1970's) George Weller was the first reporter to arrive in Nagasaki after the August 1945 atomic bombing. His reports of ruin and a mysterious disease afflicting survivors were banned by order of General Douglas MacArthur. Decades later, Weller's son discovered carbon copies of the original articles. Today, they've been made publicly available for the first time.
Friday June 17 2005History 

Richard J. Daley Urban Forum
Richard J. Daley served as mayor of Chicago from 1955 until his death in 1976, and was a major figure in national politics throughout his career. At the center of interest for the Forum is the history of Chicago and of American cities during the period of the mayor's public service, and the issues that concerned him during his life and that concern urban policy-makers and scholars today. Speakers include current Mayor Richard M. Daley, former US Senator Walter Mondale, former US Senator Adlai Stevenson, former NYC Mayor Ed Koch, and journalists Carol Marin and Robert Novak.
Friday April 8 2005Politics/Activism 

Obama in Newsweek
There he is on the cover of Newsweek, our own skinny guy with the funny name. While it's great that he's having a national impact, it's a bit of a bummer that he's gone "mainstream." It's like seeing your favorite band on the cover of Rolling Stone.
Wednesday December 22 2004Politics/Activism 

Drunk, well fed Vikings
With good eats and good drink, what's not to love about Andersonville? Pismire, proprietor of another fine local blog, has written up an excellent review of some of the highlights. While you're here, be sure to pick up a couple bottles of Mr. Hans' Andersonville Glögg at the liquor store at Foster and Clark. Nineteen percent alcohol by volume, it keeps us Vikings warm on those sub-zero Chicago nights.
Tuesday December 7 2004Eating/Drinking 

A Hero from Chicago:
Vic Sage leads a double life. As a reporter, he prowls the stockyards in the tradition of Upton Sinclair, as a hero, he walks the streets; a faceless defender of justice known only as The Question. Meanwhile, things are getting ugly in Metropolis. Unable to manage on his own, Superman calls for help. The Question hops a train, bringing his brand of justice to that "other" city. Check it out at Chicago Comics.
Wednesday November 3 2004Books/Authors 

Second City . . . Again
According to the North American Vexillological Association (vexillology = the study of flags - who knew?) Chicago's city flag is the second most attractive city flag in the nation. Right behind Washington DC and their ugly clone of Chicago's clean blue lines and red stars. What were those vexillologists thinking?
Saturday October 9 2004History 

The Encyclopedia of Chicago
After years of research, the University of Chicago Press has published the authoritative history of Chicago with the monumental Encyclopedia of Chicago. The website has a wealth of information including some gorgeous sample pages. To celebrate, the Encyclopedia will be publicly unveiled at a pro-am city-wide trivia contest on Wednesday at the Harold Washington Library (see more in slowdown). So here's the plan: Buy the book, memorize, win!!! What could be simpler?
Monday October 4 2004History 

A fondness of beaches:
As the summer of 2004 slowly fades into memory, we Chicagoans would be wise to remember our beaches. According to the Christian Science Monitor: "It's not Hawaii, but to city dwellers, the 25 miles of shoreline are consolation for long, cold winters, and offer a microcosm of the city itself."
Saturday September 4 2004Sports/Recreation 

A Corrupt Maneuver
In case you missed it on Fox News: Alan Keyes freaks out on Walter Jacobson (that's a windows media streaming video link). "Walter!? Walter!? . . . Why are you doing the work of the Democrats? Who are you working for?" I can't wait for the debates! [link via Rooftop Report].
Monday August 30 2004Politics/Activism 

Republican Pie
The Economist doesn't think much of Alan Keyes, and the Illinois Republicans: "Mr Keyes's Senate run will produce nothing but disaster—humiliation for Mr Keyes, more pie on the face of the already pie-covered Illinois Republican Party, and yet another setback for Republican efforts to woo minority voters." But the magazine speaks highly of Chicago, calling it "perhaps America's best-run city".
Friday August 13 2004Politics/Activism 

Batmobile in the Loop
The new Batmobile cruises Chicago [you'll need QuickTime for the video clip]. The car rounds the corner of Wells and Adams, provoking awe and wonder in the fellow holding the camera. Don't be thrown by the "GPD" police cruisers - though labeled for Gotham, they're in Chicago.
Thursday August 5 2004Film 

The Airlines and O'Hare
In an effort to combat ever increasing delays, the FAA has scheduled a meeting for all domestic carriers serving O'Hare. Unconfirmed reports suggest that the airline executives will enjoy a lunch of reheated chicken served in little plastic treys, and a small cup of orange juice sealed with foil.
Wednesday August 4 2004Transportation 

Millennium Park: Redundant
From the Detroit Free Press: "Trapped now by his own imagery, Gehry apparently wanted to give Millennium Park's creators something less showy than his trademark metallic ribbons and swirls. But they insisted on their own version of what by now has become the Gehry formula."
Tuesday August 3 2004Arts/Architecture 

Wanted Black Panther as Toronto Librarian
According to Canada's Globe and Mail: "Mr. Pannell, police in Chicago say, is a former member of the Black Panther Party wanted for attempted murder in the shooting of a police officer four times at point-blank range in 1969 at the height of the radical group's notoriety."
Thursday July 29 2004In the News 

Federal Investigation: Chicago-style
As Attorney General John Ashcroft has recused himself from the the Valerie Plame investigation (a CIA operative who may have been outed by the Bush administration), he's been replaced by Patrick J. Fitzgerald, the US Attorney from Chicago. According to John Dean, "This has resulted in an investigation that is being handled Chicago-style - not D.C.-style. That's significant because in Washington, there is more of a courtesy and protocol toward power than exists in the Windy City."
Saturday June 5 2004In the News 

Midway / O'Hare Blunder
A reporter, in town for the Mac Design Conference, mistakenly flies into Midway, though his hotel and the conference itself are at O'Hare. Hilarity ensues.
Wednesday June 2 2004Offbeat/Misc. Events 

Rehabilitated
Fresh out of a Chicago clinic, Jeff Tweedy is ready to start touring with Wilco. Said Tweedy: "All my best friends now are crack addicts."
Wednesday May 12 2004Music/Clubs 

Made in Chicago
Babies Born With a Mission: In a growing practice that troubles some ethicists, a Chicago laboratory helped create five healthy babies so that they could serve as stem-cell donors for their ailing brothers and sisters.
Wednesday May 5 2004In the News 

Chicago style sleeping?
A British company is marketing a bed aimed at those who prefer to consume their television in a fully reclined position. A Flat panel screen is attached to the foot of the bed, providing access to reality programming, sports, and for the adventurous - soft core pornography. The name of this innovative sleeping arrangement? The Chicago.
Friday March 5 2004Business/Shopping 

iPods in Chicago
Proving that there are geeks of a higher order in Chicago, the iPod Lounge sports a number of Chicago photos in their remarkably extensive iPods Around the World gallery.
Tuesday March 2 2004Found on the Web 

No Candy = No Mojo?
The Christian Science Monitor discusses the impending departure of Fannie Mae and the loss of Brach's and Frango. Lacking our homegrown confections, they're worried we might get a bit down. Vosges anyone?
Thursday February 5 2004Business/Shopping 

GOODBYE CROW'S NEST
Crow's Nest, the essential record store for DePaul University students everywhere, is in the process of permanently closing its doors. After years of slackening sales and a failed attempt at a Lincoln Park store, the Nest is officially going out of business. Shed a tear, observe a moment of silence, then head over for significant savings on music and movies. Hint: They've excellent classical and jazz selections hidden in the basement.
Tuesday January 27 2004Music/Clubs 

Apple in Chicago
According to the Sun Times [scroll down a bit for the relevant item], the most trafficked Apple Store in the world is on Michigan Ave.
Monday December 22 2003Business/Shopping 

The Fate of Stateway Gardens:
Soon, it won't exist. Six of the eight high-rises that once made up Stateway Gardens public-housing development have already been torn down, and another is being prepared for demolition now. The CHA is destroying 22,000 units and building only 8,000 new ones -- still enough, they claim, to house the 25,000 families currently living in Stateway, but critics say that doesn't take into account the thousands who were on the waiting list.
Sunday November 16 2003In the News 

4 Highly Effective Habits:
The Christian Science Monitor comments on the mojo behind the Cubs. And those other teams are mentioned too.
Thursday October 9 2003Sports/Recreation 

G5 on Michigan Ave.
Only a complete loser would periodically call the Michigan Avenue Apple Store to see if the new G5 machines had arrived. That said, they've just put a unit on display. My lunch hour is now spoken for.
Thursday August 28 2003Business/Shopping 

Rear Window:
Sure, you could worry about the rain, or how your friends and neighbors are dealing with the heat, but wouldn't it be better to head out to Grant Park for a screening of Hitchcock's Rear Window, starring Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly, the staggeringly beautiful Princess of Monaco?
Tuesday August 26 2003Film 

CTA Strike?
Despite pleas from CTA board chairwoman Valerie Jarrett and the mediation efforts of Rev. Jesse Jackson, CTA drivers are giving serious thought to a strike. On the way to work today, a driver told me that they plan to leave work this coming Monday. You may want to give yourself plenty of extra time for the morning commute, or arrange another means of transportation.
Friday August 22 2003Transportation 

GI JOE: Remix
Eric Fensler, a Chicago based filmmaker, has remixed the 'Knowing is Half the Battle' PSA spots that appeared at the end of each and every episode of GI JOE. So funny, I nearly lost bladder control. [link via MeFi]
Tuesday August 12 2003Arts/Architecture 

Escaperail:
Escaperail, the Chicago based online gallery of fire escape photography, has been updated. A new gallery, featuring photos from around the world. has been added.
Saturday August 2 2003Arts/Architecture 

FlashMob Chicago:
Tomorrow, 08-01-2003. Assemble at the Calder @ 5:30 PM. Bring sticky note. Acknowledge no one. Leave @ exactly 5:35.
Thursday July 31 2003Offbeat/Misc. Events 

Englewood Residents Under Watch:
Monitored by surveillance cameras perched atop streetlights, Chicagoans in Englewood are constantly observed by the authorities. It's part of an effort to curb gang violence and drug crimes in the area - something Englewood desperately needs. But is it worth the price paid in privacy?
Wednesday July 30 2003Politics/Activism 

Jesus Brick:
Jesus Brick: Unable to get laid in a Chicago park. [Trib login: gapers/gapers]
Thursday July 24 2003In the News 

Comic Art:
The most recent issue of Comic Art Magazine features a fascinating interview with Chicago's own Chris Ware. He discusses his various and obscure influences, reveals some works in progress, and considers the medium of comics in general. Not an easy magazine to find, you should be able to locate a copy at Chicago Comics or Quimby's.
Thursday July 10 2003 

Jim & Jennie:
There's nothing better than a dose of high frequency nasal singing. Everyone's favorite bluegrass band, Jim and Jennie & the Pinetops will be performing at everyone's favorite bar, The Hideout. Friday, July 11th @ 6:00 PM.
Tuesday July 8 2003Music/Clubs 

Six:
Chcago's own Gift Theater Company presents Six Characters in Search of an Author, by Luigi Pirandello. Performances begin May 1 and run thru June 15, 2003 at The Raven Studio theater [6157 North Clark Street].
Thursday May 8 2003Theatre/Dance