Gapers Block : Merge : Author

The State of State
Neo-Futurist Rachel Claff presents a state, a podcast audio tour of State Street that directs the listener to the sites of brass sidewalk plaques put down by the city in 1996.
Monday September 10 2007 City Life/Cultural

50 Years of Music, 1 Night Only
Greg Kot tips us off to a major folk music event happening at the end of the year: The Old Town School of Folk Music is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a huge concert featuring Jeff Tweedy, Bela Fleck, Roger McGuinn, Jon Langford, Sally Timms, and a whole bunch of other artists that are connected somehow to the school. Tickets will be on sale on Saturday the 15th (or Monday the 10th, if you're an Old Town School member). For full details see the Old Town School Website.
Thursday September 6 2007 Music/Clubs

No Money For CTA?
The plan to increase sales taxes in Cook and neighboring counties to raise funds for Chicago-area mass transit systems failed in the Illinois house. Supporters hope to build more support for the plan in the days to come, but service cuts and fare increases loom on September 16. As GB reported earlier, it's probably a good time to get your Chicago Card.
Wednesday September 5 2007 Transportation

Dean Kamen Vindicated
Segway cop chases down shooting suspect.
Monday September 3 2007 In the News

New One Book, One Chicago Title Announced
The latest title in the city's "One Book, One Chicago" program was announced today: Arthur Miller's "The Crucible".
Thursday August 30 2007 Books/Authors

Ban? What Ban?
One year after the Chicago foie gras ban went into effect, NPR finds plenty of restaurants still serving the forbidden food. See also: stories on the ban at Chicago Public Radio and the Tribune.
Wednesday August 22 2007 Eating/Drinking

Music Is The New Cotton
The T-shirts of Lollapalooza.
Friday August 10 2007 Found on the Web

All Full
Local food blog Eatchicago closes up shop after 3+ years of service. Farewell, Eatchicago! I'll always remember you for your great post about Chicago's authentic Mexican food.
Sunday August 5 2007 Weblogs

Siskel, Ebert & Roeper Archived
Yesterday Roger Ebert announced that a couple decades' worth of video reviews from the Siskel & Ebert (and Ebert & Roeper) movie review programs would be available online to the public this Thursday. Well, the site appears to be live right now! Check it out: everything from Roger's killer take on 1994's North to Siskel's appreciation of Spielberg's Schindler's List. Roger Ebert fans will want to visit the site tomorrow evening, when Roger will answer fans' questions about any subject (submit your question now).
Wednesday August 1 2007 Film

CUFF 2007 Coming
The Chicago Underground Film Festival has updated its Website to include this year's schedule. Loads of interesting-looking films this year, including a documentary about Thax Douglas, a documentary about modern-era roller derby, and Orchard Vale, the debut film by local musician Tim Kinsella. See the CUFF Website for full details and to purchase tickets.
Wednesday August 1 2007 Film

A Year of Macy's
Inspired by recent bad news for Macy's (which includes the shutdown of the State Street store's food court and the closing of a Lake Forest store that had done business for 70+ years as Marshall Field's), Mike at Chicago Carless reviews the past year of Macy's gaffes.
Wednesday July 25 2007 Business/Shopping

TAL TV Gets 3 Emmy Nominations
Congratulations to Chicago Public Radio and This American Life; the television version of everybody's favorite radio program has received three Emmy nominations! Since they got nominated for Creative Arts Emmys, not Primetime Emmys, their big night will be Saturday, September 8. Mark your calendars...
Thursday July 19 2007 Radio/TV

Oh, Rats
Hai Yen, the Uptown restaurant reviewed favorably on "Check, Please!", was closed yesterday after city inspectors found live roaches and rat droppings. Perhaps WTTW should invite a few inspectors to pick some eateries for the show...
Wednesday July 11 2007 Eating/Drinking

Berwyn Car Spindle Headed For Junkyard?
The Spindle (the stack of cars in Berwyn's Cermak Plaza most famously seen at the beginning of Wayne's World) is coming down to make room for a Walgreen's, and it's unclear whether the current owners are willing to spend the money to place the artwork in another location. Better drive by Cermak Plaza and see the Spindle one more time before it drives off into the sunset...
Thursday July 5 2007 Offbeat/Misc. Events

Woo hoo!
Yes, Chicago has a Kwik-E-Mart. One of the city's 7-Eleven locations was turned into the convenience store from "The Simpsons" to hype the new movie. So if you need Squishees, Krusty-O's or a Radioactive Man comic, head on over to 6754 W. 63rd.
Monday July 2 2007 Film

Hel Yeah
If you missed Helvetica (the documentary about the landmark typeface created 50 years ago) when it played this month at the Gene Siskel Film Center, you've got yourself a reprieve: the Reader's film blog reports that the documentary (the highest-grossing film in the Film Center's history!) will be back at the end of September.
Thursday June 28 2007 Film

Beyond The Valley Of The Birthdays
The Facets blog reminds us that today is Roger Ebert's 65th birthday. Happy birthday, Roger, and get well soon.
Monday June 18 2007 Film

Goodbye, Beautiful
Fans of Chicago Public Radio's program Hello Beautiful! will no doubt be saddened by the news that host Edward Lifson has left the station. At least it's for a good reason: according to his blog, he was accepted as a Loeb Fellow at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. And you thought he was just a radio host!
Thursday June 14 2007 Radio/TV

Theater On The Lake
This week marks the start of the 55th season of Theater on the Lake, the Chicago Park District's program of re-mountings of great theatrical shows from the last year or so. This year they'll be putting on nine shows in nine weeks, and the schedule has something for everyone: a Second City revue; Gorey Stories, the musical based on Edward Gorey books; a Stephen Sondheim tribute; and Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma! See the Theater on the Lake schedule for more information.
Monday June 11 2007 Theatre/Dance

There Is Another Year Directly Behind This One
Happy birthday to The CTA Tattler! The blog celebrates its third anniversary today.
Sunday June 10 2007 Transportation

Radio On!
Radio Free Chicago alerts us to the fact that Hyde Park radio station WHPK has recently started Webcasting. Tune in to their audio stream for your daily dose of classical music, rock, folk, international, and public affairs programming.
Friday June 1 2007 Radio/TV

Rally For Lakeshore Club
As previously reported on GB, the historic Lakeshore Athletic Club building is on the list of the 10 most endangered buildings in Illinois, and Preservation Chicago is planning a rally at the building (850 N. Lake Shore Drive) this Sunday, June 3 at 1pm to raise awareness of the historical value of the property.
Thursday May 31 2007 Arts/Architecture

Ira Glass Not Moving Back Anytime Soon
On the This American Life Website they report the good news that Showtime has picked up the TV version of the radio program for a second season. Production on Season 2 starts at the end of summer, and episodes will show up late next year.
Tuesday May 8 2007 Radio/TV

Crispin Glover, Castrato At Music Box
Those of you who saw Crispin Glover last November at the Music Box Theatre when he was in town screening his film What Is It? will be interested to know that he's returning to town in a couple weeks to provide live narration for Canadian director Guy Maddin's latest film, Brand Upon The Brain! Alongside Mr. Glover will be an 11-piece orchestra providing music, a team of foley artists providing sound effects, and a castrato providing ... unique singing, I suppose. Tickets are definitely going to go fast for these performances, so go see the Music Box Website for full details and ticket links.
Thursday May 3 2007 Film

Traveller's Journey Ending
As reported previously on GB, the fantastic guidebook & travel gear store The Savvy Traveller is losing its lease. This week, signs have appeared in the shop's window that say they're closing up at the end of this month. They're currently selling off their entire stock at deep discounts; today you can get 40% off your purchases, and if you wait until Friday, everything in the store is 50% off. This is your final chance to stop by the corner of Jackson & Michigan to stock up on all your travelling needs, so please stop by, do some shopping and wish them bon voyage!
Wednesday April 25 2007 Business/Shopping

Ebert Not Hiding From Camera
Roger Ebert will be attending his ninth annual Overlooked Film Festival, and in today's Sun-Times he's written a new column explaining that he's not going to be hiding his illness when he steps back into the public eye this week.
Tuesday April 24 2007 Film

Globes are the New Cows
This summer, 122 globes will be installed on Chicago's lakefront for an art project called Cool Globes: Hot Ideas for a Cooler Planet. The five-foot-tall spheres have been decorated with artistic representations of ways to conserve energy, from wind power (represented by pinwheels) to recycling (represented by junk mail). The Sun-Times reports that the globes will appear on June 1, and will stay out until October 2, when they will be removed and auctioned off to benefit environmental education in Chicago Public Schools.
Friday April 20 2007 Arts/Architecture

One Step Closer to the Olympics
Chicago has been picked over Los Angeles by the US Olympic Committee as their preference for hosting the 2016 Olympics. Now we have to persuade the International Olympic Committee that we are worthy. We've got a while to make our case, though; the final decision won't be made until October 2009.
Saturday April 14 2007 Sports/Recreation

Man Watches Movies For 40 Years!
Today is the 40th anniversary of Roger Ebert being named the film critic of the Sun-Times. He reflects on the date, and his current medical condition, at his Sun-Times website.
Monday April 2 2007 Film

Today's eBay Find
A commemorative wristwatch from the 1940 NFL championship, where the Chicago Bears beat the Washington Redskins 73-0. The watch, originally given to Bears fullback Gary Famiglietti, recently turned up in the personal effects of a northwest suburban man who died in November. The Sun-Times reports that one interested buyer is of course the Chicago Bears, who would love to have this piece of team history.
Tuesday March 27 2007 Sports/Recreation

For Once, It's Not About The TV Show
This American Life debuts a site redesign.
Thursday March 22 2007 Radio/TV

Jimmy Corrigan makes a TV show
Can you feel the excitement? The TV version of This American Life debuts Thursday night on Showtime. Can't wait? Check out some Chris Ware animation (Flash video player link) from the show.
Tuesday March 20 2007 Radio/TV

CHI-TONW: the New Black?
Hey, remember the tattoo artist who misspelled "CHI-TOWN"? Well, several other local tattoo artists have apparently intentionally had the misspelled word tattooed on themselves, as a show of support for the artist. If that sounds like a good idea to you too, stop by Jade Dragon Tattoo on Sunday, and you can get a "CHI-TONW" tattoo for free.
Saturday March 10 2007 Offbeat/Misc. Events

One Station Opens, One Station Closes
CTA Brown Line renovation update: the Francisco stop re-opens tomorrow morning one week ahead of schedule, and the Southport station will close on April 2 for up to one year of work.
Thursday March 8 2007 Transportation

One More French Chef In Town
While other French chefs are undecided on moving to Chicago, the Reader's food blog notes that the Persian restaurant Noon-O-Kebab, experiencing huge popularity since its appearance on WTTW's "Check, Please", has hired a French chef to handle a second kitchen in the restaurant for take-out, delivery and catering. Look for the new kitchen to open up in a couple of months.
Wednesday March 7 2007 Eating/Drinking

Camp Jinx: Not Your Average Family Videos
Today I stumbled across Camp Jinx, a video blog that's the recreational side of local family-run video production company Picture Show. Of course, since the blog is run by video professionals, you're not just going to find home movies on Camp Jinx. You'll also find, for example, video of the dad interviewing stars at the Golden Globes, and The Wrens performing live in a family member's apartment between Chicago gigs. It's too bad that all families can't be as cool as the Leonard family, but at least they're willing to share the experience.
Tuesday March 6 2007 Weblogs

Olympic Committee In Town
Quick, everybody, look athletic! A scout team for the US Oympic Committee is in town on a two-day visit to Chicago to hear city officials' arguments as to why we should host the 2016 Olympics. On April 14, the committee will vote between Chicago and Los Angeles, and then the winner of that vote goes on the short list of world cities in the running (a list that also includes Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo and Madrid), and then the actual winner is announced in October. Of 2009. That's right, the Olympic committees still have two more years of looking at cities, but at least by April we'll know if Chicago is in the finals.
Tuesday March 6 2007 Sports/Recreation

Oosp!
The worst kind of typo is one in a tattoo, and that's what happened to Michael Duplessis. He's suing Jade Dragon Tattoo because they gave him a tattoo that says "CHI-TONW".
Friday March 2 2007 Offbeat/Misc. Events

Chicago Area Buildings on Endangered List
The Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois has produced its 2007 list of the 10 most endangered buildings in Illinois, and 4 out of the 10 are in the Chicago area: Lake Forest's Sacred Heart Chapel; Cedar Court in Park Ridge; the Lakeshore Athletic Club building on Lake Shore Drive; and the Lathrop Homes on Diversey & Damen. Also on the endangered buildings list: a ship! A 19th century Viking ship which sailed from Norway to Chicago for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, the vessel now resides in Geneva and is in dire need of restoration.
Thursday March 1 2007 Arts/Architecture

Blues Brothers Statue Coming To Joliet
Perhaps inspired by Chicago's Bob Newhart statue, Joliet plans to build a statue of their most famous fictional residents, Jake and Elwood Blues. The statue is part of the city's plans to boost Joliet tourism. There are also plans to build a Route 66 welcome center to entice drivers that are travelling the historic highway that originates in Chicago.
Wednesday February 21 2007 Film

So Long, Chief
Tonight's the night for Chief Illiniwek's last performance, during the halftime at the Illinois-Michigan game. After the Chief is retired, the Illini logo featuring the chief will eventually also be retired, although the State Journal-Register reports that the school is trying to develop a phase-out plan to make sure the logo doesn't fall into disuse and enter the public domain, allowing any old manufacturer to use it on their products. In the meantime, the Illini gear with the chief logo is flying off the shelves at the school's store.
Wednesday February 21 2007 Sports/Recreation

Swap Music With Rockstars
Got a kick-ass Stephin Merritt CD mix that you're dying to share with the Chicago music community? Head on over to Radio Free Chicago's latest Bandwidth concert Thursday night at Subterranean, and participate in a CD mix swap with some of the bands from previous Bandwidth shows, as well as RFC staffers. Details on Bandwidth at Slowdown.
Tuesday February 20 2007 Music/Clubs

French Chefs Eyeing Chicago
The Sun-Times reports that French chef Alain Ducasse, the only chef to hold the top Michelin rating for three restaurants in three different countries, was in Chicago last December at Avenues in the Peninsula Hotel. Does this mean that Ducasse was scouting for a Chicago location? No plans have been made public by Ducasse, although another acclaimed French chef, Joel Robuchon, recently confirmed that he will open a Chicago restaurant by the end of next year.
Monday February 19 2007 Eating/Drinking

Chicago Web History
Through the magic of archive.org, WindyBits takes a look at early version of Chicago media Websites, including the Tribune and Sun-Times, the Reader, Crain's Chicago Business, and even Gapers Block.
Monday February 12 2007 Weblogs

A Bet's A Bet
Scott Wiese of Decatur signed a pledge before the Super Bowl that if the Bears lost, he would change his name to Peyton Manning. A man of his word, Wiese went to the Macon County courthouse on Tuesday and filed the name change paperwork.
Thursday February 8 2007 Sports/Recreation

Oh, Crap: No Dave Matthews Concert at Wrigley
GB reported in December that the Dave Matthews Band was slated for a pair of concerts at Wrigley Field on the Fourth of July weekend. Well, today the Sun-Times reports that Matthews will not be at the concerts, since his wife is due to have a baby in early July. Even though there's no act scheduled, Alderman Tom Tunney is still planning to authorize the concerts, so don't worry: there WILL be music at Wrigley Field this Fourth of July.
Wednesday February 7 2007 Music/Clubs

No Need To Show Up
Not too surprisingly, today's planned homecoming celebration at Daley Plaza for the Chicago Bears has been cancelled at the team's request. Wait till next year.
Tuesday February 6 2007 Sports/Recreation

30th Anniversary of CTA Crash
On February 4, 1977 there was a terrible crash between two CTA trains in the Loop. Eleven people were killed and at least 250 passengers were injured when the trains crashed near the train track curve at Wabash and Lake. The CTA Tattler has the roundup on the terrible day in CTA history.
Monday February 5 2007 Transportation

Travelling On
Another long-standing Chicago business is closing. This time it's The Savvy Traveller, the Michigan Avenue bookstore and gift shop that specializes in items for travellers. According to signs in the store's window, the business has lost its lease and is closing down after 22 years of business. If you find yourself near the corner of Michigan and Jackson sometime soon, don't forget to stop in for one last browse through the guide books, luggage, neck pillows and travel games.
Friday February 2 2007 Business/Shopping

TV Version of Radio, Live On Stage
This American Life embarks on a short cross-country live show tour in a few weeks, and they've included a stop at the Chicago Theatre in their schedule. The show will be their first Chicago show in 4 years, and will include a screening of behind-the-scenes footage from their upcoming TV show. Tickets go on sale tomorrow; full details on the event are in Slowdown.
Thursday February 1 2007 Radio/TV

TAL TV Coming in the Spring
The producers of the upcoming TV version of Chicago Public Radio's "This American Life" were at the Sundance Film Festival this past weekend, showing some clips of the program and talking about the TV adaptation of the radio series. (The Sundance Channel posted an interview with the producers on YouTube which includes some short clips.) A brief note posted at the TAL Website gives us a date for the debut of the series: Thursday, March 22. Mark your calendars!
Monday January 29 2007 Radio/TV

Moto Chef Can't Be Beet
The Reader's food blog has the details on last night's premiere of the "Iron Chef America" episode featuring Moto chef Homaro Cantu.
Monday January 22 2007 Eating/Drinking

Cow Hooves and Bug Canapes
LTHForum.com has put together a great collection of Chicago food photos from 2006. Everything from Alinea to Mr. Shrimp. (link spotted at EatChicago)
Monday January 22 2007 Eating/Drinking

Illiniwek Costume to be Returned?
The latest news in the Chief Illiniwek saga is that the Ogala Sioux Tribe, which provided the U of I with the mascot's costume in 1982, is now asking for the costume back. The issue will be taken up by university trustees after the tribe sent its resolution to the school yesterday.
Friday January 19 2007 Sports/Recreation

Another Chicago ban to be flouted?
The only thing stronger than a smoking ban: the Bears' chance at the Super Bowl. Three Chicago suburbs are considering a temporary lift on the ban to review the impact the ban's having on the local economy -- and to allow bars and restaurants to permit smoking in their businesses during the Bears game on Sunday and the Super Bowl.
Thursday January 18 2007 Sports/Recreation

Another Week, Another Chicago Landmark Closing
This time it's the Four Stars Restaurant in the West Loop, which has been open for 80 years. The building on the corner of Madison and Racine has been sold, and the restaurant will close at the end of the month to make way for -- what else? -- condos.
Monday January 15 2007 Eating/Drinking

Farwell Building Plans on Hold
Follow-up to the previous item on the plans to gut the Farwell Building: the plan failed to get a majority in today's meeting of the Chicago Landmarks Commission. Play-by-play details at The Place where We Live.
Thursday January 4 2007 Arts/Architecture

Another Chicago Cartoonist Cover on New Yorker
Following in Chris Ware's footsteps, Ivan Brunetti has done a cover for the New Yorker magazine. The image has been posted on the Fantagraphics blog.
Thursday January 4 2007 Print/Magazines

Garrett's Opens Store in NYC
Garrett Popcorn recently opened its first store outside of Chicago. The Sun-Times reports that the new location, in Manhattan's Penn Plaza, has not yet experienced the long lines of customers that Chicago shops typically have. But the new location has only been open for less than a month, so they're working on it. So if you find yourself in Manhattan and need some Garrett's popcorn, remember this address: 242 W. 34th Street.
Tuesday January 2 2007 Eating/Drinking

Rock On, Chicago
After the death of rock'n'roller/chronic schizophrenic Wesley Willis, his friends started a campaign to raise money for a tombstone for his remains. The Chicago Journal has an update on the plan, which involves burying his ashes in Rosehill Cemetery under a tombstone with the image of a train.
Sunday December 31 2006 Music/Clubs

Jazz Showcase closes doors
Another Chicago landmark will be closing its doors this weekend: the Jazz Showcase, an important jazz club that's been running for 59 years. Although its Website says that it's relocating, the latest news is that they still don't have a new location to re-open in. There will be some fundraising in the new year, so keep your eyes out for news on the return of the Showcase.
Saturday December 30 2006 Music/Clubs

Year-end lists
If you haven't made your New Year's Eve plans yet, here's some ideas on what to do from Metromix, Newcity and Centerstage.
Friday December 29 2006 City Life/Cultural

Chicago Film Critics winners announced
The Chicago Film Critics award winners were announced today. Winning films include The Departed (Best Picture and Best Director), The Queen (Best Original Screenplay and Best Actress) Little Children (Best Supporting Actor) and An Inconvenient Truth (Best Documentary).
Thursday December 28 2006 Film

You are interviewed
Over at Centerstage: an (anonymous) interview with the artists behind the long-running You Are Beautiful art project.
Wednesday December 27 2006 Arts/Architecture

Foie gras ban continues to be ignored
The Sun-Times reports that despite the citywide ban on foie gras, a number of restaurants are intent on serving up the delicacy for New Year's Eve patrons. One chef even comes up with a good word to describe the restaurants flouting the law: "duckeasies".
Tuesday December 26 2006 Eating/Drinking

Another Chicago building in edible form
If you're hungry for more Chicago-themed gingerbread houses after seeing the Francisco Brown Line stop, feast your eyes on a gingerbread version of the Pilgrim Baptist Church, the Louis Sullivan church that suffered a fire in January. Some design notes and photos are up at the builder's blog.
Monday December 25 2006 Arts/Architecture

Dave Matthews Band could be Number Two
The Cubs are trying to set up a new pair of live concerts at Wrigley Field. These concerts, the second in two years, would be on Fourth of July weekend of next year, and would feature the Dave Matthews Band. Insert your own joke about 800 pounds of human waste here.
Thursday December 21 2006 Music/Clubs

Tut's final days
Don't forget, the Field Museum's King Tut exhibition closes on January 1. The show has been wildly popular, and to accommodate an expected final rush of visitors the museum will extend its visiting hours for the last two weeks of the exhibit.
Tuesday December 19 2006 Arts/Architecture

FountainCam Redux
The Tribune picks up on the story of security cameras installed atop the Crown Fountain, a story that was first posted at Chicago Carless. Millennium Park director Ed Uhlir is quoted in the story as saying that the cameras are only temporary until they can install a more permanent solution next summer. UPDATE: "Millennium Park cameras removed after outcry"
Tuesday December 19 2006 Arts/Architecture

The hot 100
Pitchfork's top 100 tracks of 2006 list is up.
Monday December 18 2006 Music/Clubs

Deck the halls with DJ Lo-Fi
The most recent episode of Chicago Public Radio's Sound Opinions featured their annual visit from DJ Lo-Fi, aka Andy Cirzan, who played the most amazing Christmas mix of obscure songs from his record collection. His 2006 holiday mix is now available for downloading at the Chicago Public Radio Website for you to use at your Christmas party. And for some more great Christmas songs, don't forget to check out this week's Out of 5.
Monday December 18 2006 Music/Clubs

Lucky dog
Today's feel-good story: a golden retriever named Sam who ran away from his home in Florida two years ago was found in McHenry County this week. The dog's owner flew into O'Hare last night, picked Sam up at the airport, and took him back home to Florida.
Friday December 15 2006 In the News

Here comes the Ghet!
Over at the Chicago Reader food blog, there's news of an interesting culinary arrival in Chicago: The Ghetto Gourmet, an "underground dining experience" that's been going on in California for the last few years (SF Chronicle article on the Ghet). Unfortunately, the two Chicago dates are already sold out, but if you want to get alerts for any upcoming dates you'll probably want to sign up for the Ghet's mailing list on their Website.
Wednesday December 13 2006 Eating/Drinking

Believe it or not, Chicago's gallows auctioned off
There was a macabre item up for auction this week: the Cook County gallows, which was built in 1887 for hanging some of the men convicted for the Haymarket Square riot. The Chicago History Museum wanted to purchase the item for their collection, but they were beat out for the item by the San-Francisco-based Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum. No word on where the gallows will be displayed, although a spokesperson for Ripley's promises the city's history will be a part of the ultimate display of the item.
Friday December 8 2006 History

Drag ends, greatest hits begin
It's a big weekend for the Neo-Futurists. Their current prime time show, Drag, has its final weekend, and they begin their annual two weeks of greatest hits from their long-running show Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind. So if you like either drag shows or compilations of really good (but really short) plays, you know where to go.
Wednesday December 6 2006 Theatre/Dance

A final recommendation
On the Chicago Reader's food blog, they report that on the night before he died, New York Times writer R.W. Apple, Jr. sent an email to colleague Jill Santopietro in response to her request for examples of great American pancakes. Apple recommended the pancakes at the Bongo Room. Santopietro tried them and reported in the Sunday Times: "As was often the case with food, Apple was right."
Monday December 4 2006 Eating/Drinking

Don't forget the taquerias
In this week's Reader, you will find the last part of a 6-part series by local writer David Hammond on authentic regional Mexican food in Chicago. EatChicago.net has links to all 6 parts, along with a rousing essay on how our Mexican cuisine always seems to get overlooked by food critics (and even Chicago residents!) looking for eating options.
Friday December 1 2006 Eating/Drinking

Santa seats
Some shots of this year's CTA Holiday Train, courtesy of the Chicago blog Looper. Keep your eye on the "holidaytrain" tag on Flickr for more shots, and your other eye on the CTA's Holiday Train schedule to see when to catch the train.
Monday November 27 2006 Transportation

Holiday Treats
The cartoonist Chris Ware must not have much spare time: he's drawn four separate covers for this week's New Yorker, each designed around the theme of Thanksgiving. Plus, there's a companion strip on the inside of the mag, and the New Yorker site has some interview audio of Ware talking about the series.
Monday November 20 2006 Print/Magazines

Where not to go
The Sun-Times gives you a list of the 12 Chicago restaurants with the most health code violations. If you're interested in finding out if your favorite hangout has any major health code violations on record, you can find violations of Chicago restaurants posted online at the Department of Public Health Website.
Monday November 20 2006 Eating/Drinking

Imagine how big his desk drawer is
The world's largest rubber-band ball is coming to town. Eugene, Oregon resident Steve Milton created a ball 5 1/2 feet high and weighting over 4,000 pounds. To celebrate his achievement, Office Max is flying him and his ball to town, where he will officially be inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records next Tuesday. I expect to see plenty of photos of this event on Flickr.
Thursday November 16 2006 Offbeat/Misc. Events

Slow CTA trains: get used to it
The Sun-times reports that the CTA can't afford to fix the problems that create the slow spots on its train lines. CTA president Frank Kreusi puts the figure at fixing all of the problems at $500 million; as a comparison, the amount of money in next year's CTA budget for fixing some Red and Blue Line slow spots is a mere $35.7 million. So expect delays for several years.
Wednesday November 15 2006 Transportation

"I work in a eats house"
Found in a 1913 book: sketches by an unknown Chicagoan who apparently worked as a waiter. In the comments of this blog post, some speculate it's the work of Chicago cartoonist and animator Andy Hettinger.
Tuesday November 14 2006 Found on the Web

Hallelujah!
Set your alarm clock: tomorrow morning at 8:00, complimentary tickets will be available for the annual LaSalle Bank Do-It-Yourself Messiah. This is the 31st year for the event, which allows an audience of amateur singers to perform the chorus parts of Handel's Messiah at the Civic Opera House. Check the LaSalle Bank Website for details on the event, tips on preparing for the performance, and times and dates for the event.
Tuesday November 14 2006 Music/Clubs

What is it? Find out next weekend
We were at the Music Box this weekend and noticed that the theater has added a third night to next weekend's screening of Crispin Glover's bizarre film What Is It? Mr. Glover himself will be at the theater to present the film (along with an accompanying slide show dubbed "The Big Slide Show"); if that sounds like your idea of a good time, check out Slowdown for Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
Sunday November 12 2006 Film

BO, no A/C
Apparently the power to the CTA Red Line was shut off this morning, a move prompted by a defective Red Line train that had damaged about 100 feet of the third rail. The CTA Tattler has an eye-witness account that should give you some idea of what to be prepared for in the event of a shut-down train.
Friday November 10 2006 Transportation

I got a rock
As the Bears stumble on their way to the Super Bowl, it's good to know that other Chicagoans are representing the city in other sporting events. The Sun-Times reports that local gym teacher Jason Kieronski is heading to Toronto to take part in this year's international world championship of Rock Paper Scissors. Best of luck, Jason!
Monday November 6 2006 Sports/Recreation

25th Reeling Festival starts tonight
Reeling: the 25th Chicago gay and lesbian film festival kicks off tonight at the Music Box Theater with Eating Out 2, a film being billed as "the world's first ever gay sequel". The festival runs through November 12 at various film venues in the city; see the festival's Website for a complete schedule.
Thursday November 2 2006 Film

Early voting ends tomorrow
If you wanted to take advantage of early voting in Illinois, you'd better get on the ball, because according to the County Clerk's Website early voting concludes tomorrow. After that, of course, you'll have to wait until Election Day, November 7th, to cast your ballot.
Wednesday November 1 2006 Politics/Activism

Go to work in pajamas
Cereality, the cafe specializing in serving up breakfast cereals in new and novel combinations, is apparently opening up a second Chicago-area location in Evanston's Sherman Plaza this month. There will be a job fair for the new location this weekend; see the details at the Cereality site if you're interested in working for the Chicago-based chain.
Wednesday November 1 2006 Eating/Drinking

Hollaback, Chicago!
The CTA Tattler alerts us to Hollaback Chicago, a new blog devoted to documenting women's stories of being harrassed on the streets (the blog was inspired by a similar site for NYC women).
Monday October 30 2006 Transportation

Lollapalooza stays in Chicago
It's official: a 5-year deal with Lollpalooza has been approved by the Chicago Park District board.
Thursday October 26 2006 Music/Clubs

Beluga Q. McWhaleypants
Over the summer, a baby beluga whale was born at the Shedd Aquarium, and they're only just now getting around to picking a name for her. ABC's Good Morning America is helping out the aquarium running a name-the-baby-beluga contest. Submit your name suggestion now, and on November 2 the four finalists will be posted for the public to vote on. The winning name will be announced November 9.
Wednesday October 25 2006 In the News

Marathon winner released from hospital
Robert Cheruiyot, the Kenyan runner who won Sunday's Chicago Marathon but slipped & fell right at the finish line, was released from the hospital this morning after sufficiently recovering from the head injuries he sustained in his fall. A championship ceremony is happening downtown right now to celebrate his win, and he's expected to make a full recovery.
Tuesday October 24 2006 Sports/Recreation

Dag! Seriously, dag!
For the Lynda Barry fans out there: a chance to take a two-day writing course taught by Ms. Barry herself! Hurry up and decide soon; there's only 6 seats left in this class.
Monday October 23 2006 Books/Authors

New Ebert reviews
Another week, another couple more Roger Ebert reviews. This week he looks at Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette (opening today at lots of theaters around town) and the indie film Man Push Cart (opening today at the Music Box). As always, these films and others are reviewed by our own Steve at the Movies, as well.
Friday October 20 2006 Film

Yankee Hotel Snotbox
Best headline about Jeff Tweedy punching out a fan who ran onstage comes from this blog posting on Billboard: I Am Trying To Break Your Nose.
Thursday October 19 2006 Music/Clubs

Lounges axed
Inspired by the closing of CBGB's in New York, The Beachwood Reporter remembers a similar event in Chicago's music scene: the closing of Lounge Ax.
Tuesday October 17 2006 Music/Clubs

Early voting starts today
It's three weeks before the 2006 midterm election, but you can vote today. For the first time in an Illinois general election you can cast an early ballot without needing an excuse. Check out the Voterinfonet site for details and a list of the early voting locations.
Monday October 16 2006 Politics/Activism

New Chris Ware comic preview
Check out a preview of Chris Ware's new project "Building Stories" in The Independent.
Friday October 13 2006 Print/Magazines

Prominent paper picks Pizano's prized pizza
The owners of Pizano's must be feeling pretty good these days. They represent Chicago in USA Today's top 10 list of great pizza restaurants in the US, and according to the Sun-Times they'll be featured on an upcoming episode of Oprah as the makers of the best thin-pizza crust in Chicago. Pizano's got a mention in a Fuel pizza discussion a couple years ago; check that archive for some more pizza recommendations.
Friday October 13 2006 Eating/Drinking

Free TAL downloads
After some previous conflicts with people setting up their own podcasts of This American Life, the radio program has decided to start making shows freely downloadable for one week after they air. Visit the TAL site to subscribe to the program's official podcast; the free downloads start next Monday.
Thursday October 12 2006 Radio/TV

Ebert lives!
Roger Ebert writes from his recovery bed on the complications from last June's surgery, his slow rehabilitation, and when he expects to be able to resume movie reviewing. He's also written a review for Stephen Frears' The Queen which should be posted soon at Roger's Website.
Thursday October 12 2006 Film

Headline of the day
In the Trib: Downstate police kill mystery emu. (tip from Amy)
Wednesday October 11 2006 In the News

Bookslut double-date
Fans of the Bookslut reading series will definitely want to make an effort to catch tonight's show; there will be no readings in November and December. As a consolation prize, the site will also guest host Jordan Davis' Million Poems Show tomorrow night; details for tonight and tomorrow's events in Slowdown.
Wednesday October 11 2006 Books/Authors

Zephyr closing
The Sun-Times reports that the Zephyr Cafe, the Ravenswood restaurant/ice cream parlor, is closing its doors on October 22 after 30 years at that location. That gives you less than 2 weeks to enjoy the Treasure Island milkshake, the King Kong burger, and the War of the Worlds 10-scoop sundae.
Tuesday October 10 2006 Eating/Drinking

Got vote?
The Cook County Clerk's office wants you to know that tomorrow's the deadline for registering as an Illinois voter if you want to vote in the midterm elections next month. See Voterinfonet.com for registration forms, election dates, and even a form to check your registration status online (for suburban Cook County only; Chicago residents should check out ChicagoElections.com to get polling place and district information).
Monday October 9 2006 Politics/Activism

Jean Le has a posse
Have you been down by Wicker Park and seen an Asian guy dressed in loincloth and knee socks, rocking out on his headphones? You haven't? Well, you'd better check out his Flickr fan group then, hadn't you?
Monday October 9 2006 Found on the Web

From cow to Bean
Gadgetgirl reminds us that today is the 135th anniversary of the start of the Great Chicago Fire. It started at 8:30 PM (according to a newly found Chicago Fire Department log) and lasted for two days (see this interactive map of the fire's progression). The debris from the fire was pushed into Lake Michigan, forming the base for what would eventually become Grant Park. So if it hadn't been for Mrs. O'Leary's cow, there would be no Millennium Park group on Flickr.
Sunday October 8 2006 History

Fullerton station renovations
The renovation of the Fullerton El stop, already pretty conspicuous with all the new construction next to the existing tracks, becomes even more inescapable for commuters this Sunday, as the CTA closes up the Fullerton stationhouse (and opens up a temporary station entrance) on Sunday. Although the station will still operate as usual throughout construction, the main station building will be closed for renovations through December of 2008, so this weekend might be a good time to take some pictures of the structure, just so you can do some before-and-after comparison in a couple of years (or whenever it really does reopen). More construction bulletins are available, as always, at the CTA site.
Friday October 6 2006 Transportation

The case of the impostor skull
In July GB mentioned a Trib report that there were doubts that the skull enshrined at the Goodman Theatre is not actually the skull of improv legend Del Close. And today the Tribune follows up the earlier story with confirmation from Charna Halpern, executor of Close's will, that she tried to get Del's skull, but ultimately could not pull it off. So to speak.
Thursday October 5 2006 Theatre/Dance

Stop the Body Worlds?
As the Body Worlds 2 exhibit is being prepared for Chicago in January, some opposition to the show's artistic display of human bodies has already started. A Boston man started up a Website to protest the exhibit in Boston last summer, and he's added a page for the Chicago stop of the exhibit. But as the Sun-Times reports today, the MSI received few letters of protest for the original Body Worlds, and guestbooks at the museum had many favorable reviews of the exhibit. We'll see what effect the protest has on the second Body Worlds show when it opens at the MSI on January 17.
Tuesday October 3 2006 Arts/Architecture

Dirty Thing
One week before their site re-launch party, the guys at Radio Free Chicago heard that their headlining band, The Dirty Things, broke up and won't be playing the gig. RFC is now scrambling to find a replacement band for the upcoming show. Update: according to a comment on the RFC site, All City Affairs will be filling in for the missing band.
Monday October 2 2006 Music/Clubs

Return of the artistic dead
Missed the Body Worlds exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry last year? Don't fret; Body Worlds 2 will show up at the MSI next January. The new exhibit will contain 20 plastinated human bodies, along with "200 human parts". Tickets go on sale October 2.
Friday September 29 2006 Arts/Architecture

The best for this year
Newcity's Best of Chicago 2006 issue is out on the streets and online. Categories range from Best Local TV Weatherman (Tom Skilling) to Best Reason For Chicago To Host The Summer Olympics (international recognition of the South Side). Websites chosen for the list include Art or Idiocy (Best Chicago Art News Blog) and Avoid The Ryan (Best Thing About the Dan Ryan Construction Project).
Thursday September 28 2006 Print/Magazines

Worst Music Video Ever, part 2
My hero for the day is the person who posted this video excerpt of one of the strangest shows on CAN TV, "Beauty of Fashion with Malia".
Wednesday September 27 2006 Radio/TV

More lit in Andersonville tonight
If a Bitchfest isn't your cup of tea, how about Bookslut? Just a couple blocks south of the Bitch celebration will be the monthly Bookslut reading event at Hopleaf. Sadly, both events happen at the same time, so you can't go to both, but if you want to see Ned Vizzini (It's Kind of A Funny Story), Brian Evenson (The Open Curtain) or Cristina Henriquez (Come Together, Fall Apart), you know where you gotta be. See Slowdown for details.
Wednesday September 27 2006 Books/Authors

Intro to Chicago
In Section 1 of this week's Chicago Reader you will find a wide-ranging introduction to Chicago living: everything from how local politics works to an overview of music venues to what happens when you get arrested. GB gets name-checked in the guide's alternative media section, along with a host of other worthy sites and publications that should give you a good picture of current-day Chicago life.
Friday September 22 2006 City Life/Cultural

More rousting about
Roustabout, the current prime-time show being presented by the Neo-Futurists, has had its run extended through October 14. Recommended by the Reader, Newcity and the Sun-Times, Roustabout takes as its basis a circus train wreck that occurred in Hammond, Indiana in 1914, and speculates on the lives of the performers that were killed in the wreck (with a dash of the self-aware commentary that Neo-Futurist productions are known for). Reservations are available through the Neo-Futurist Website.
Wednesday September 20 2006 Theatre/Dance

GLONO turns 5, celebrates in style
Glorious Noise unveiled a new redesign this week, and also posted details on their 5th anniversary celebration next month, which will feature plenty of live music (Riviera, Quasar Wut-Wut, and Healthy White Baby) and many more surprises.
Tuesday September 19 2006 Music/Clubs

'Fork it over
Idolator, the music industry blog portion of Gawker Media's online empire, introduces a new Friday feature today: Pick of the 'Fork, a challenge for readers to try and identify the tortuously worded sentence that was not used in a Pitchfork review. (Previous stellar example of Pitchfork-mocking: David Cross' essay on fake CDs for real Pitchfork reviews.)
Friday September 15 2006 Found on the Web

Do not pass (Chica)go
Got some room on your game shelf next to the Chicago Monopoly, the Chicago Bears Monopoly, and the White Sox Monopoly? Then you'll be needing Monopoly: Here and Now Edition, which includes among its contemporary properties to purchase two Chicago landmarks: Wrigley Field ($3 million to purchase, but a mere $260,000 to rent); and O'Hare Airport (the board game designers, in updating the game to the present day, have replaced the original game's railroads with airports). Monopoly: Here and Now, which has on its board the most popular US properties as voted on by Monopoly fans, goes on sale tomorrow.
Wednesday September 13 2006 Business/Shopping

Hang out with Rusty Brown
For the Chris Ware fans in the audience: an eBay auction to get your likeness in a Chris Ware comic sometime in the next two years. Chris will also send you a signed copy of the strip, but only if the winner "doesn't get mad or otherwise grow to despise me if their likeness is construed as satirical, incorrect, unflattering or in any way unliterary."
Monday September 11 2006 Books/Authors

A day with Lemony Snicket
If you are interested in Merge stories with happy endings, you would be better off reading some other post. If, on the other hand, you are a fan of Lemony Snicket's series of books detailing the misadventures of three very unfortunate children, and would like information on Mr. Snicket's forthcoming appearance in the Chicago suburbs (accompanied by a Mr. Stephin Merritt), then please read on. Lemony Snicket will be embarking on a book tour this October and November, in order to warn people not to read his latest book titled The End, the awful conclusion to his series of books about the Baudelaire children. He will be apprearing at the Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove on Saturday, November 4 in a several-hours-long event featuring readings, a screening of the Series of Unfortunate Events feature film, music performed by Mr. Snicket and Mr. Merritt, and a book signing (a copy of The End is included in the ticket price). The tickets for this mid-morning and early afternoon of unfortunate events are only $20, and can only be purchased, starting today, from one of the two Anderson's Bookshop locations, in Downers Grove and Naperville. It is my sad duty to record this event, but there is nothing stopping you from skipping this show and attending something happy, if you prefer that sort of thing.
Monday September 11 2006 Books/Authors

The wearing of the green
Some pictures from today's protest of the Marshall Field's name change. I wonder what the protestors thought of this guy's (NSFW) sign, which is only funny if you know who Fred Phelps is.
Saturday September 9 2006 Business/Shopping

The Edens is the new Dan Ryan
Starting tonight, Edens Expressway users will now get a taste of what the Dan Ryan commuters have been going through, as work begins this evening on a concrete patching project on the Edens from Lawrence Avenue to Lake-Cook Road. The project, which will cause a series of weekend and overnight closures on the Edens, runs through mid-November, so start getting used to having only one lane open on the Edens on the weekend. (As a reprieve for Northwestern football fans, the closures will not be in effect when NU plays some home games in the next couple of months.)
Friday September 8 2006 Transportation

Notes from the festival
The Toronto International Film Festival started this week, and with Roger Ebert still recuperating from surgery, Jim Emerson (editor-in-chief of Roger's Website) is attenting the festival and writing up dispatches for his Sun-Times blog. If you're missing Ebert's regular commentary on film fest happenings, try checking those out. And speaking of Roger Ebert and film fests, don't forget that the Music Box is showing a series of films taken from Ebert's "Great Movies" columns. This weekend the Great Movie is Ernst Lubitsch's Trouble In Paradise.
Friday September 8 2006 Film

What to see this weekend
Hey, did you know Mike Judge's new film Idiocracy is now playing in Chicago? Local writer guy Nathan Rabin, afraid that the movie will be under-marketed like Judge's classic film Office Space, clues you in to what you're missing.
Thursday September 7 2006 Film

Getting Weird in Chicago
Over at Metroblogging Chicago, contributor Artemis gives a thumbs up to Weird Chicago Tours, a 3-4 hour citywide tour of Chicago's most unusual locations, from the site of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre to Underpass Mary. The tours started this past weekend, and run Friday and Saturday nights through November, in case you need some weird inspiration in the Halloween season.
Tuesday September 5 2006 History

Vote for the Best
Time once again to vote in Newcity's Best of Chicago survey. You have two weeks to cast your ballot, and then the Best of Chicago issue shows up on September 28.
Friday September 1 2006 Print/Magazines

"He just wanted his glasses repaired"
The prosecution of Benny the Bull, the Chicago Bulls mascot who took a swing at a police officer at the Taste of Chicago in July (because, lest we forget, the officer was trying to get Benny to stop riding around on a small motorcycle at the Taste), came to an end today as prosecutors dropped charges after Benny paid $200 to have the officer's glasses repaired.
Friday September 1 2006 Sports/Recreation

Girl Talks some more
Want some more Girl Talk? Today's interviewee at Transmission was also interviewed yesterday at Pitchfork's Website.
Thursday August 31 2006 Music/Clubs

What you should read next
The new One Book, One Chicago pick: Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri. You can find copies of the book at all Chicago Public Library branches.
Tuesday August 29 2006 Books/Authors

Pitchfork in Wired
Just posted on Wired's site, a profile of Pitchfork from the magazine's current issue.
Monday August 28 2006 Print/Magazines

Hideout Block Party schedule announced
Yesterday the official line-up of The Hideout's 10th annual block party was announced. The event, which will also commemorate the 25th anniversary of Touch and Go Records, will feature over 30 bands performing over a long weekend in September. Among the bands: Quasi (featuring ex-Sleater-Kinney member Janet Weiss on drums); local favorites the Didjits in their original lineup; and as reported previously a reunited Big Black, who will be playing only "a couple of songs." The full line-up is at Transmission.
Saturday August 26 2006 Music/Clubs

Meet the new Steve Bartman
At last night's White Sox/Twins game, an unidentified man in a White Sox jersey deflected a White Sox ball at the end of the game, resulting in a fan interference call and giving the game (and the AL wild-card lead) to the Twins. So if you see someone you don't know in a White Sox shirt, that's probably the guy!
Saturday August 26 2006 Sports/Recreation

The El station not on any CTA map
Today the Sun-Times checks up on the Chicago History Museum's exhibit of the first Chicago train car built for public transit (previously mentioned on GB in January, when the museum was moving the car from Skokie to its building). In addition to the car, built in 1892 for the Chicago and South Side Rapid Transit Co., the museum will also have on display a replica of a late 19th century El train platform. The exhibit will be part of the museum's "City on the Make" exhibition, which will be seen by the public when the museum, completing a $27 million renovation, reopens on September 30.
Wednesday August 23 2006 Transportation

More Wolfman, less Lawnmower Man
I admit it: I'm a Svengoolie fan. But I haven't kept up with his show as his movies have strayed away from classic horror/sci-fi and gone more towards, say, Witchouse 2: Blood Coven. That's why I was pleased to see today's announcement, posted in the Video section of WCIU's revamped Website, that Sven will start showing some classic horror films this fall. Get ready to see the classic versions of Dracula, The Mummy, The Wolfman and The Bride of Frankenstein starting in October.
Monday August 21 2006 Radio/TV

Ebert redux
Wondering when Roger Ebert will be back on the job? Well, it might be a while: the latest gossip is that Ebert had to have at least part of his jaw removed, and that recovery could take months. Spokespeople remain confident that Ebert will return to work at some point. Update: an email from Roger confirming the surgery details.
Thursday August 17 2006 Film

Today

Fuel [32]

From the Archives

James Allenspach