Gapers Block : Merge : Author

e-Abby Ryan
Just in time for the second phase of I-90/94 construction, Google Maps has launched real-time traffic information for several US cities, including Chicago.
Thursday March 1 2007 Transportation

Tomorrow: Vote Early and Often
(Does that fine Chicago joke ever get old?) Don't forget to vote tomorrow in Chicago's municipal public election. (you can check your registration status and verify your polling place here.) The Board of Election Commissioners is promising several improvements (including an optional stylus for touchscreen machines) to help the election go off smoothly.
Monday February 26 2007 Politics/Activism

I Am A Patient Boy; e-Wait, e-Wait, e-Wait
Single-game tickets for the Cubs 2007 season go on sale Friday morning, and if you didn't get a wristband today, you might as well prepare to dedicate a browser tab for the Virtual Waiting Room and see what's left when your number comes up. (Alternately, you could buy single-game Sox tickets right now.)
Wednesday February 21 2007 Sports/Recreation

Hot Doug: Served!
Doug Sohn, owner and proprietor of the world-renowned Hot Doug's, is the first person to be formally cited for flouting Chicago's foie gras ban.
Sunday February 18 2007 Eating/Drinking

Peace to the Chief
Chief Illiniwek will no longer perform at University of Illinois events.
Friday February 16 2007 Sports/Recreation

The City That Works
University of Chicago economist Steven D. Levitt (via the Freakonomics blog) directs us to some further reading about "the time that the Gangster Disciples, the biggest gang in Chicago, ran a candidate for alderman."
Thursday February 15 2007 Politics/Activism

Competencia de la Película
What could be better than being at home, watching a movie on a snowy day? Why, being in the office and trying to outpredict Roger Ebert's Oscar guesses to win a trip to Mexico!
Tuesday February 13 2007 Film

Cable Access Guy Gets No Respect
Ever make a promise in the heat of the moment, like "I'll go to church every Sunday," or "I would love you 'til the end of time," and then think better of it? Fortunately for you and Bears safety Chris Harris, these aren't legal contracts, according to Fox Chicago. Harris promised the cable access guy that, if it went down that way, he'd follow the Bears to the Super Bowl, but reneged on the promise. (Fortunately for the Guy, a local ticket broker is hooking him up.)
Thursday February 1 2007 In the News

If She Doesn't Dump You on the Spot, Marry Her
Make your reservations today for a candlelit Valentine's Day dinner at one of several local White Castle restaurants. (This eGullet thread offers a preview of what might be in store.)
Wednesday January 31 2007 Eating/Drinking

Cycle Of The Seasons
Hearty cyclists (the ones that're always talking about "base miles," even in sub-zero temps) as well as recreationalists dreaming of warmer days may want to check out this list of 2007 races and events.
Thursday January 25 2007 Health/Fitness

Not The Best PR Strategy
You know FM 107.9, "La Ley," the Spanish-language station (they of the scandalous billboards)? Well, they it would appear that they took "The Law" into their own hands when they attempted to withhold a Corvette from a contest winner who was apparently undocumented.
Thursday January 25 2007 In the News

Milton Friedman Monday
January 29th (next Monday) is Milton Friedman Day, in honor of the late Nobel Prize-winning economist and University of Chicago professor. There will be a memorial service at Rockefeller Chapel on the campus of the U of C, and a PBS documentary, "The Power Of Choice," will premiere on PBS (9 PM on WTTW). Details in Slowdown.
Monday January 22 2007 In the News

What's Wrong with the CTA?
Why, lots of things! Crain's offers some explanations in an in-depth feature..
Sunday January 21 2007 Transportation

Tell Carole
Via CTATattler, an invitation for you to let CTA Chair Carole Browne know how you feel about recent service-crippling developments (and maybe refer her to Fuel).
Thursday January 18 2007 Transportation

Mr. Kelly, Tear Down That Shack
Following up on a previously reported story, things between R. Kelly and the Village of Olympia Fields are cool. Kelly has removed the guard house that he'd constructed without a permit, but maintains that, as "a nationally known, Grammy award-winning recording artist," they should have cut him some slack.
Wednesday January 17 2007 In the News

Globe-Trotter
While the great unwashed savor their 5-ounce soda pours and $7 sandwiches, first-class and business-class passengers on United Airlines can rejoice in the return of Charlie Trotter as a co-executive chef.
Thursday January 11 2007 Eating/Drinking

One Step Closer
The United States Olympic Committee today officially decided that it will bid for the 2016 Olympics. On April 14, the Committee will make the call as to whether Chicago or Los "No-2016-bid-website" Angeles will get the nod.
Tuesday January 9 2007 In the News

You Just Keep Me Hanging Armstrong
Of all the things that could have popped into my head this morning, why "Liz Armstrong?" Search me, but it appears that the infamous Chicago Reader columnist has found gainful employment in Las Vegas, doing pretty much the same thing that she did here. (PS: Someone needs to update the Wikipedia entry.) (Edit: someone did.)
Tuesday January 9 2007 Found on the Web

ComEd: Champion of the First Amendment
ComEd's got an opinion about the debate over whether or not to freeze energy rates in Illinois, and they're letting it be known under the guise of Consumers Organized for Reliable Electricity.
Friday January 5 2007 In the News

Another Vote for the Big Box Ordinance
The Wal-Mart in south suburb Evergreen Park sold a woman a Microsoft Zune full of gay pornography.
Wednesday December 20 2006 In the News

Moto imitates Morimoto
Chef Homaro Cantu, founder of the adventurous Fulton Market restaurant Moto (you can eat the menu!) and Ben Roche, Moto's pastry chef, will be on Iron Chef America at the end of January (via Hungry Magazine).
Tuesday December 19 2006 Eating/Drinking

Chicago Fashion Legitimized by NY Times
I know, I know: I'm a little slow getting through Sunday New York Timeses. In case you're even slower than me, Mayor Daley's appointment of "fashion czar" Melissa Turner was recognized in the Magazine section as one of the Ideas of 2006.
Friday December 15 2006 In the News

Who Could Have Known?
Marshall Field's shoppers haven't been shopping at Macy's on State, which hasn't gone unnoticed by Federated Department Stores. They're reaching out with coupons and newspaper ads, but it's probably too late to salvage this holiday season. Meanwhile, the folks at Fieldsfanschicago.org are encouraged.
Wednesday December 13 2006 Business/Shopping

Trim the Tree, Southpaw-Style
(Or Rachel Ray-style, or Stacy Keach-style.) You've only got six days remaining to bid on anything that strikes your fancy in the Tribune's celebrity ornament auction.
Monday December 11 2006 Found on the Web

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Weiner
In the spirit of the season, fRedhots, the other specialty-sausage-store-punning-on-the-owner's-name, is serving reindeer sausages.
Saturday December 9 2006 Eating/Drinking

It's No "I'd Rather Be Fishing"
But Chicago vehicle stickers are mandatory, so it's nice that you can have some say on what will adorn your windshield. "Green Scene Chicago" is the theme of Chicago's 2007-2008 sticker, and you can vote for your favorite of the student-designed contenders between 9 AM and 5 PM today at the City Clerk's web site.
Monday November 27 2006 Transportation

In The Black
Happy Black Friday, "the busiest shopping day of the year." The Tribune and Sun-Times both assure readers that Chicagoans are, believe it or not, out shopping. If you're just waking from a tryptophan coma, you've probably missed out on PS3s and $474 52" HD TVs, so shop smarter, not harder. (You don't even have to leave your desk.)
Friday November 24 2006 Business/Shopping

Tomorrow: Indo-Jew Bowl VII
Forget Miami v. Detroit. For the seventh straight year, Skokie shows the world how it's done by pitting Semite against Sikh on the gridiron, all in the name of collecting canned food. Details are in Slowdown.
Wednesday November 22 2006 Offbeat/Misc. Events

Drink, Post, and Be Merry
Local foodie message board LTHForum.com has a new section dedicated solely to beverages.
Tuesday November 21 2006 Eating/Drinking

NY imitates CHI
Foie gras-wise, anyway. Activists are beseeching a state judge to shut down farms that produce the fattened duck liver, with a new angle: the conditions in which they live have made the birds "diseased" and unfit for consumption.
Thursday November 16 2006 Eating/Drinking

Mascara Runs on Grand Scale
Downtown ad agency Leo Burnett is behind a weather-sensitive billboard for cosmetics that's got the internet going nuts.
Wednesday November 15 2006 Found on the Web

Saint Style
St. Alfred, the sneaker mecca in Wicker Park, is also responsible for some of the fresher Chicago-centric T-shirts around. Hypebeast has a preview of their newest line (I'm especially liking Skateboard C).
Thursday November 2 2006 Business/Shopping

Beat-Bike v.1
Chicagoan Michael Una built this neat combination of bicycle and drum machine for Chicago Artists' Month (that's October to the uninitiated). "Beat-Bike v.1 rewards exercise and coordination with funky outer-space disco beats," says Una. Who are we to argue?
Tuesday October 24 2006 Found on the Web

Diddy, Daley Rap
In 2005, a planned "Diddy Day" celebration in Las Vegas never quite happened (it couldn't have helped that Diddy himself didn't make it). Mayor Daley was reportedly furious at this slight, and focused all of his efforts in the last year towards feting Sean Combs in Chicago. Today, that dream was realized.
Friday October 13 2006 In the News

Ultimate Gapers Block
Eisenhower a bit slow for you this morning? A car rolled onto the CTA tracks between the Western and Cicero stops, leaving Blue line without power. No word on injuries yet.
Thursday October 5 2006 Transportation

Obama, Obama, Obama!
A bit quiet of late, the "Run, Barack, Run!" cheerleaders are back with renewed vigor, featuring the outspoken Oprah Winfrey, Mayor Daley, Halle Berry, and--hey, hey!--State Comptroller Dan Hynes. (See also: recent coverage of the juggernaut that wasn't. Or was?)
Thursday September 28 2006 Politics/Activism

Del Taco Coming To Chi Cago
Diners who don't recognize food as being Mexican unless it's pressed into a tortilla discus, rejoice: California's Del Taco chain is expanding into the Chicago region. (Hey, want to work there?) It's not In-N-Out, but the place does seem to have something of a following, and, really, how bad can fish tacos available 'round-the-clock be?
Wednesday September 27 2006 Eating/Drinking

Wal-Mart Round-Up
With 10,000 applicants whittled down to 480 hires, the Wal-Mart at 4650 W North Ave is open for business today, and people seem to be overwhelmingly glad to have it there.
Wednesday September 27 2006 In the News

Undateable Chicagoan Profiled
Unable to make a love connection via existing dating websites, plucky Brian Wolf has taken matters into his own hands with settleforbrian.com and scored the cover of today's Red Eye in the process.
Tuesday September 26 2006 Found on the Web

Eat A Roach, Jump In Line
This Halloween, you can spare yourself the tedium of standing in line at Six Flags Great America, simply by consuming one Madagascar hissing cockroach per spot in line. PETA ain't happy.
Monday September 25 2006 In the News

Washington Park Hockey Fields?
Sure, why not? The Sun-Times and the Tribune have details and commentary, respectively, regarding Chicago's developing plans for courting the 2016 Olympics.
Sunday September 24 2006 In the News

Bridge Imitates Wrigley Field
Large chunks of limestone fell off of the Michigan Avenue bridge this morning, injuring an employee of Wendella Boats (sounds like he's going to be fine).
Monday September 18 2006 In the News

Evacuation Drill to Go Incredibly Smoothly
What could possibly go wrong during tomorrow's evacuation drill in the Loop? Only time will tell, but in the meantime, the Trib's got information about closes streets and rerouted buses. CTA customers are optimistically requested to "allow extra travel time" for their Thursday evening commute.
Wednesday September 6 2006 In the News

Evacuation Drill Details Announced
Daley's given us a date for the previously announced evacuation drill in the Loop: September 7. The Sun-Times has details, including Daley's reasoning for, um, not sharing many details.
Wednesday August 30 2006 In the News

Goings-On At Pledge Central
It's Pledge Drive time again at Chicago Public Radio, and while no one likes having their Morning Edition interrupted, you've got to admire the good humor and energy of the staff. Ever wonder what that call center (and the donated, oft-referenced breakfast pastry) looks like? Check out the Pledge Blog.
Tuesday August 29 2006 Radio/TV

Loop Evacuation Drill Planned
Work in the Loop? You might want to keep an eye on this.
Monday August 28 2006 In the News

Bon Foie-age
Today's your last day to eat foie gras legally in the city of Chicago. (Although the law goes into effect today, enforcement begins tomorrow.) Term it protest or publicity-hungry pandering, some restaurants that don't usually serve foie have added it to their menus tonight. Mayor Daley, for his part, thinks the ban is "silly," but when asked if he'd be having a nosh of the stuff today, responded, "No, I'll have soup."
Tuesday August 22 2006 Eating/Drinking

Bicycle Film Festival Pre-Party Tomorrow!
You know how you can never walk two-across on Milwaukee Avenue by Rodan because of all the bikes locked to everything? Well, tomorrow night, blame us: GB's sponsoring the official Pre-Party for the Bicycle Film Festival, which kicks off on Friday. Details in Slowdown; BYO cycling cap.
Wednesday August 9 2006 Offbeat/Misc. Events

Schwa-ing!
I'm not entirely convinced that there's anyone writing better restaurant reviews than Dominic Armato of Skilletdoux. His treatment of dinner at Alinea was dead-on; a perfect mix of sophistication and accessiblity. Dominic's latest post, running down a meal at Wicker Park's Schwa, is pure gastroporn.
Monday August 7 2006 Eating/Drinking

Bicycle Film Festival is Go!
If you've got Merge tunnel vision, and thus haven't noticed the fancy ad to the right, or the mentions in Slowdown, allow me: the international Bicycle Film Festival hits Columbia College's Film Row Cinema next weekend, and GB's in cahoots. We're sponsoring a kickoff party next Thursday night; details will be announced early next week. In the meantime, check out the listings and trailers, and grab tickets here before they sell out.
Friday August 4 2006 Film

We're #1!
The Sporting News has named Chicago "America's top sporting city" in their annual poll thanks, in part, to the Sox's World Series win and the postseasons of the Bears and the Bulls. Boston, Mass was the winner for the past two years.
Thursday August 3 2006 Sports/Recreation

Political Trans-gression
Just another day in the nanny state: alderman Ed Burke is on the warpath against trans fats, and he's invited the CEOs of McDonald's, Burger King, and Taco Bell to the table to answer why "their promise to the American public (to make their food healthier) has gone unfulfilled." Consumerist questions his motives, observing a physical resemblance to Colonel Sanders. Stay tuned.
Thursday July 27 2006 Eating/Drinking

Chicago Stolen Bike Registry
Via the RedEye, a link to the Chicago Stolen Bike Registry: register or look up bikes reported as stolen in the city. It's a great idea, and serves a real need; however, it's not automated, and site creator Howard Kaplan has to manually send out e-mails to listserv subscribers. If you've got some web skills, why not lend a hand?
Tuesday July 25 2006 Found on the Web

CTA Fries Electonics
At least, potentially. CTA Tattler has updated their entry about the hidden electrical outlet on el cars to reflect that you run the risk of killing your appliance via a devastating power surge, as the outlet gets its power from the third rail.
Monday July 24 2006 Found on the Web

Bicycle Film Festival Postponed
...but only by a week! Director Brendt Barbur's international celebration of movies about cycling is still coming to Chicago, but it'll be from August 11-12 instead of August 4-5, and details are still TBA. (Trailers and more here.)
Thursday July 20 2006 Film

Esquire In The Balance
Ever wonder how the Esquire Theater manages to hold its own against its Oak Street neighbors (like Prada)? Well, it looks like it might not be.
Tuesday July 18 2006 Business/Shopping

Alinea, Vicariously
Not in a position to plan a year ahead and drop a couple of Franklins on dinner? LTHForum user Dmnkly has posted an incredibly detailed chronicle of his meal at Grant Achatz's brainchild, complete with photographs.
Monday July 10 2006 Eating/Drinking

Priceline Hotels on Google Maps
Oh boy, there's nothing I like more than Chicago-centric Google Maps hacks. Check out this mashup with the BetterBidding Priceline/Hotwire hotel forums: click on a location to access information about any given hotel, including relevant user reviews and recent winning bids.
Thursday July 6 2006 Found on the Web

Moo, Oink, Thump
The winner of the Moo & Oink jingle contest has been announced, and it's "Shop @ Moo & Oink" by Kenlo Key (mp3), which edged out, uh, "Put It In My Mouth" (mp3) as well as several others. The Tribune has some M&O jingle history.
Wednesday July 5 2006 City Life/Cultural

City to Stick You for $75 Now or $115 Later
Just a reminder to drivers (or, more accurately, parkers): if you haven't purchased your 2007 Chicago vehicle sticker, you've got but three days until the old one's expired and you become an outlaw-although you probably won't get ticketed until after July 15, the end of the official renewal period.
Wednesday June 28 2006 Transportation

Wikiguide To Chicago, The World
The latest Google Maps mashup, Wikimapia, needs your help: the current oh-so-clever entry for Wicker Park is: "A favorite Chicago-area hangout for Hipsters and males that wear way too much make-up. Recomend (sic) avoiding at all costs." Cute. (Learn more about wikis here.)
Tuesday June 20 2006 Found on the Web

Really Quick Review: David Burke's Primehouse
Another downtown steakhouse? Well, yes, but damn, is this place ever good. With a menu dedicated to seafood and dry-aged steaks (Chef Burke commissioned a salt cave for aging underneath the restaurant), Primehouse lends some substance to the stylish new James Hotel. Shellfish from the raw bar, served on a lazy susan of lemons and crushed ice, was impeccibly fresh, although the lobster was perhaps a touch limp. Gazpacho with crab was spicy, refreshing, wonderful. The steaks? Par excellence, and they will rival the best you'll eat in your life. (Forget the syrupy bottled sauces that arrive with your steaks; what is this, Ponderosa?) Cocktails are innovative, maybe gimmicky (leather-infused Maker's Manhattan?), but they work. Not cheap.
Friday June 16 2006 Eating/Drinking

Face of Death
Legendary bank robber John Dillinger: Public Enemy Number One, patron of the Biograph Theater in Lincoln Park, and now, in death, must-have mantelpiece tchotchke.
Tuesday June 13 2006 Found on the Web

PBR CHI ASAP
Pabst Blue Ribbon beer (which won five medals at the 1893 Columbian Exposition, wouldn't you know it) is pulling up stakes in San Antonio and moving to suburban Woodridge. Apparently, Illinois is Pabst's largest market (I'd be willing to bet that the intersection of Damen and Division is the eye of that particular storm).
Thursday June 8 2006 Business/Shopping

A Hard Cell
Speaking of airports, designated "cell phone lots" opened at both Midway and O'Hare today. The idea is to ease congestion at the arrival gates by allowing drivers a free place to wait for a call once passengers have retrieved their luggage (whether this will work is anybody's guess).
Monday June 5 2006 Transportation

R. Kelly: Not 'Wilson'
Looks like the Pied Piper spoke too soon when he boasted that guests at his parties "don't have to worry about complainin'-ass neighbors, 'cuz your boy is sitting on some acres." The mayor of Olympia Fields is taking issue with Kelly's superfluous zoning requests and late-night parties with guests wearing "various levels of clothing."
Thursday June 1 2006 In the News

Hypefest
Tom Breihan of Status Ain't Hood has declared Chicago to be the future of hip-hop (again), this time manifested in the imposing form of Rhymefest. Take this praise with a grain of salt: in the same breath, he's dismissing Common as "an insufferable granola-munching pseudo-boho."
Wednesday May 24 2006 Music/Clubs

Time For A Steam?
Popular wisdom holds that you shouldn't let anyone tell you how to take your shvitz, but the Chicago Journal has gone ahead and done just that, profiling an afternoon at the Division Street Russian and Turkish Baths.
Tuesday May 23 2006 City Life/Cultural

Sam's Wine Settles Out of Court
Jeez, how Chicago can you get: First, Sam's Wines & Spirits is accused of shady business practices, and now they've settled with the Illinois Liquor Control Commission while maintaining that they've done "nothing wrong." Sam's must pay a fine, and remain closed for the first three days of 2007, missing all that lucrative New Year's Eve-hangover business.
Tuesday May 16 2006 In the News

Feel Like Chicken?
The heavily anticipated Wicker Park branch of Harold's Chicken Shack finally opened yesterday and, as of 7pm, were doing an admirable — if slightly slow — job of meeting demand (although the rumored wheat bread was nowhere to be seen). The chicken? Damn good. If the Chicago Reader's Mike Sula ever updates his rundown of every Harold's in the city (pdf), I wouldn't be surprised to see #36 high on the list.
Tuesday May 9 2006 Eating/Drinking

Rights Of Way
With spring on the horizon and in the wake of a pretty unfortunate Critical Mass last Friday (some discussion of that here), it's as good a time as any to reacquaint yourself with the rights and responsibilities of cyclists in Chicago. If you get arrested on your headlightless, brakeless fixed-gear, don't come crying to me.
Monday May 1 2006 Transportation

Burns Steamed by Contractor
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."
Monday May 1 2006 People/Sightings

Not A Gas
The Citizens' Utility Board has issued a press release instructing Chicagoans to beware of door-to-door representatives of U.S. Energy Savings Corp, who are using pushy, deceptive tactics to get people to switch gas providers. There's an account here. [via Consumerist]
Wednesday April 26 2006 Found on the Web

Bridge Out
It's not a NASCAR crash or a shattered backboard, but if you're Joshua Bell of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, a collapsed bridge on your 1713 Stradivarius is pretty darn dramatic.
Tuesday April 25 2006 Music/Clubs

Daley to Take a Page from Israel
Mayor Daley will be making his first-ever trip to Israel to check out security measures, which are "way ahead" of ours, according to Daley's press secretary. Exact dates have not been set, but it's been acknowledged that the trip might coincide with the beginning of Robert Sorich's trial. Interesting.
Wednesday April 19 2006 Politics/Activism

"I Can't Believe He's Partymates with Rick Santorum "
In the middle of a pretty somber piece on George Ryan on WBEZ this morning, there was a clip of a kinda goofy-sounding band singing about the former governor. That goofy-sounding band (featuring Miss Mia from Chic-a-go-go!) is Illinois First!, and the song is "George Ryan" (mp3), and they've got a whole album of songs about the prairie state. Sufjan's got nothing on them.
Tuesday April 18 2006 In the News

And The Verdict Is...
That's it: former governor George Ryan is found guilty on all counts.
Monday April 17 2006 In the News

Really Quick Review: Eleven City Diner
Eleven City Diner, the Viper Room of Jewish Chicago, has the building blocks of a great restaurant, but is currently lacking the haroset to put it all together. The pastrami and corned beef are as good as any I've had outside New York, and the matzo ball rivals my mother's recipe (highest praise possible), but who allowed owner Bradley Rubin to think that a pastrami on rye needs a third slice of bread like a trayf club sandwich? Or that sandwiches and (very tasty) fried onions should arrive simultaneously, followed by soup? And how are you out of Cel-Ray? Still, they're only a few weeks old: don't call it a shonda, they'll be here for years.
Thursday April 13 2006 Eating/Drinking

Gateses to fund Outward Bound Schools in Chicago
Crain's reports that, possibly as soon as 2007, Outward Bound will open four public schools in Chicago, partially funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It hasn't been decided who these schools will serve or where they'll be, but this should be interesting.
Wednesday April 12 2006 In the News

"Smack dab between Wrigley Field and U.S. Cellular"
Before baseball fever fully embraces- slash-chokes the region, lend an ear to this well-made case for basketball as the lifeblood of the American city, Chicago included (McSweeney's via FreeDarko).
Thursday April 6 2006 Found on the Web

Two More For the PMF
Spoon and the Silver Jews have been added to the lineup at this year's Pitchfork Music Festival, which surprises exactly no one. In other Pitchfork news, they're looking for a local music reporter, and has anyone else noticed that the top Google hit for "Pitchfork Music Festival" is the rival Intonation Music Festival?
Wednesday April 5 2006 Music/Clubs

Please Stand By...
After a very busy opening week, the South Loop's Eleven City Diner experienced a power outage yesterday, and will be out of commission until Tuesday. (In the meantime, whet your appetite with some reviews via LTHForum.com.)
Sunday April 2 2006 Eating/Drinking

Ryan and Cryin'
Can't the Dan Ryan Highway Reconstruction Project (which begins tonight) get a little love? Apparently not. "Our long, hot summer starts now," moans the Sun-Times, while the Trib decries cronyism at IDOT, and IDOT itself justs wants you to stay away from 90/94 altogether (especially you, Sox fans).
Friday March 31 2006 Transportation

Harold's Chicken for the Hipster Set
Wicker Park (1361 N. Milwaukee, to be exact) will house the only northside outpost of the venerable Harold's Chicken, beginning April 2. In an effort to "have a store that fits with the neighborhood," bulletproof glass will be nowhere to be found, and--stop the presses--whole wheat bread will be available. (Thanks, Andy!)
Thursday March 23 2006 Eating/Drinking

Cheat Sheet
If you still need a bit of help fulfilling your civic duty today, the Sun-Times and the Tribune have thoughtfully compiled their endorsements, for what they're worth. (State law allows you to print the lists and bring them into the voting booth, if you're into that.)
Tuesday March 21 2006 Politics/Activism

Chicago Chefs Nominated for Beard Awards
(...and I'm not talking about this.) The James Beard Foundation for culinary excellence announced nominees for their 2006 awards yesterday, and Chicago did just fine, thank you. Graham Eliot Bowles from Avenues was nominated in Rising Star Chef category, and fancy northside spot Alinea is in the running for Best New Restaurant. HungryMag's got the details, and a couple of interviews.
Friday March 17 2006 Eating/Drinking

Take Back The Streets
If leisurely cycling down Lake Shore Drive (that's the expressway, not the path) is your idea of a good time, registration for the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation's Bike The Drive (May 28) is currently open. (Check out some pictures of past years on Flickr.)
Tuesday March 14 2006 Transportation

Building Explodes on South Side
Breaking: that smoke over the Stevenson Expressway? A building at 3411 S. Wood Street was leveled by an explosion. The Trib reports that employees of Peoples Gas had been investigating a natural gas leak. Hmm.
Friday March 10 2006 In the News

Gordon Parks Dies at 93
Photographer and filmmaker Gordon Parks, who began his photography career in a darkroom in Chicago's South Side Art Community Art Center, passed away in his New York home today.
Tuesday March 7 2006 In the News

On The Block
Thought you'd heard the last of the Berghoff? Not quite. Hungry Magazine has a rather thoughtful requiem for the physical space, accompanied by a slideshow of photos from the memorabilia auction.
Monday March 6 2006 Found on the Web

Only In Chicago
Oh, the Trib isn't saying anything, but a little muckraking has resulted in the revelation that Hilary's Urban Eatery, Alderman Manny Flores's pick on Check, Please! a few weeks back, is something of a financial contributor. (Good thing they're going to be laying low for a while.)
Sunday February 26 2006 City Life/Cultural

Psst...
While northside ticketseekers are currently lined up outside Wrigley or glued to their computer screens, single-game tickets to see the World Champion Chicago White Sox are readily available. They might be the better investment: tickets to the Sox opener are commanding a higher price than those of the Cubs.
Friday February 24 2006 Sports/Recreation

Hilary's Urban Eatery to Close
Woe unto the Wicker Park dining scene; first Leo's Lunchroom, now this. Not a month off of their appearance on Check, Please!, Hilary's Urban Eatery announces they're closing at the end of the day on February 27. (That's Monday!) Don't worry, they'll be reopening at a new space on Division sometime in the future.
Wednesday February 22 2006 Eating/Drinking

Where There's Smoke
...there's a group of disgruntled office workers sneaking Parliaments in an alley. The Trib gets to the bottom of where all the smokers have gone now that they can't be within 15 feet of an entranceway. (Don't miss the accompanying, appropriately gritty multimedia slideshow titled "A Smoker's Poem.)"
Tuesday February 21 2006 City Life/Cultural

Force of Habit
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!]
Monday February 20 2006 People/Sightings

Wi-Chi
The Trib reports that, beginning in the spring, Chicago will actively solicit proposals for the creation a citywide wireless network (as Minneapolis, Milwaukee, and Philadelphia have already done). Meanwhile, the tech-savvy shake their heads at the prospect of installing 7,500 wireless repeaters instead of waiting a year for WiMAX.
Friday February 17 2006 In the News

Vroom
For the Sunday drivers stuck at their desks: comprehensive Chicago Auto Show coverage from hometown boys Autoblog.com. (Check out the podcast and desktop wallpaper gallery.)
Wednesday February 15 2006 Found on the Web

Requiem for a Thud
It's official: bucket boys are no more, at least on the stretch of Michigan Avenue between Delaware and Superior. 0.24 miles of the city just got a whole lot quieter.
Thursday February 9 2006 City Life/Cultural

Where The Action Is
If you'd like to be part of the Windy City Rollers but, for some reason, can't join a team (ie, Y chromosome), here's your chance. The WCR is seeking referee applicants, and the only prerequisites are an age of 21+, "a love of sports and strong women," and some free time. Contact Mob Hit Molly for more information (and read up on the nuances of the game here).
Wednesday February 8 2006 Sports/Recreation

Come On, Feel The Noise! Please?
Oh, this again: the Trib reports that the City Council will vote Wednesday on restrictions against downtown street performers. As usual, the real vitriol is reserved for the fabulous Bucket Boys.
Tuesday February 7 2006 City Life/Cultural

Bottleneck and Neck
We tied with Los Angeles in the rankings of most expensive cities, but we've got them beat (narrowly) with only five of the nation's worst traffic bottlenecks (LA had six). Our worst: the Circle Interchange.
Thursday February 2 2006 Transportation

Where's The Beef? Online!
Not a moment too soon: Vienna Beef's online store has launched, and now The Frank That Made The Damen/Elston Intersection Famous is available nationwide, along with all of the related fixings. You could order your neon-green relish, skinless franks, and boxer shorts individually, but don't you owe it to yourself to go for the tubesteak gold: the Valentine's Kit?
Wednesday January 25 2006 Eating/Drinking

While You Were Sleeping...
The second stage of the 8th Annual Tour Da Chicago alleycat bike race was held last Sunday morning. Photographer Arielle Bielak has been taking an incredible number of pictures (including a few of yours truly) and posting them to her site, Bikelust.org. If you woke up to find your boyfriend/girlfriend/roommate and their bike inexplicably gone, chances are you'll see 'em here.
Monday January 23 2006 Photography

"Superpremium Mindset," with Lungs, Wallet to Match
In celebration of the enactment of the smoking ban, the Sun-Times reports on the opening of the R.J. Reynolds-owned Marshall McGearty Tobacco Artisans in the heart of Wicker Park. The $8 smokes and loungey atmosphere sound pretty cheesy, but now that you can't smoke in Filter, some local yupsters may be attracted by their buy-a-pack, get-free-coffee-and-WiFi deal between 2 and 4pm.
Monday January 16 2006 City Life/Cultural

What, Nobody Tried the Mead?
If anyone's looking for me at 8pm on Friday, I'll be on the couch, nachos in hand, checking out what may well prove to be the best Check, Please! of all time. All three guests are children (around 10 years old, from the looks of 'em), and two of the three restaurants they went to were---wait for it---Ed Debevic's and Medieval Times. The mind boggles.
Tuesday January 10 2006 Radio/TV

Still Beats Workin'
So, the Wendy's/AirTran collect-thirty-cups-earn-a-domestic-fare promotion ended a few days ago, and even though the dumpster-diving strategy is old news, it's nice to read that Chicago's young residents are every bit as crafty as, say, New York's.
Wednesday January 4 2006 In the News

More Waffling to Follow
Something's going on; we just don't know what. Waves of excitement crashed across Chicago foodboard LTHforum.com at the news that an outpost of L.A.'s Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles would be opening in Bronzeville this January. Once people settled down a bit, someone noticed that this restaurant's name is actually Rosscoe's, not Roscoe's. It's possible that we're dealing with shoddy copyediting, but it seems more likely that MLK Drive is going to be getting a branch of this New York restaurant, or another knockoff altogether.
Monday December 19 2005 Eating/Drinking

From Junk Were Ye Made...
Aww, you spent twenty minutes digging your car out of the snow last week? Get over it. The Tribune reports that, starting Monday, the Streets and Sanitation Department will start hauling away your lawn chairs, ladders, and other space savers. "The snowstorm we had is history," says the Department, and there you have it.
Sunday December 18 2005 Transportation

CTA: Cool Like Fonzie
CTA tattler reports that your favorite local transit authority dispatched this message via their wireless alert system Thursday night: "Due to airplane blocking 55th Street at Central, #55 reroute is WB: 55th -Cicero-Archer-55th - Central.EB:Reverse." Can nothing faze them?
Monday December 12 2005 Transportation

...How Cold Is It?
Why, it's so cold that the Sun-Times is reporting that we're on track to break a December cold-weather record set in 1976. Still, you can take some (cold) comfort in the National Weather Service's claim that we "have a 50 percent chance of a warmer-than-normal winter." Thanks for those odds, NWS.
Tuesday December 6 2005 Print/Magazines

Bake Sale Gone Luxe
According to the latest WBEZ newsletter, the opportunity to host Charlie Trotter in your own kitchen to prepare a full tasting menu along with 11-13 of your closest friends is still available, in exchange for a generous donation to our local NPR station. The privilege will set you back, oh, $25,000. If anyone can spot me a few bucks, I can guarantee an evening of Chef!-like hilarity as Trotter sorts through my drawer of novelty shot glasses looking for cheesecloth. Call WBEZ's Jeff Dunlap at 312-948-4686 to seal the deal.
Friday December 2 2005 Radio/TV

As You Dish, So Shall You Take
Move over, as-seen-on-Check, Please! signs and Steve Dolinsky glossies: Chicago's LTHForum.com is currently accepting nominations for the second round of their Great Neighborhood Restaurants program. Like last year, inductees will receive a little laminated rectangle to hang in the window and represent what will surely be a contentious few weeks of back-and-forth internet bickering. Discussion closes December 18 (see FAQ here).
Wednesday November 30 2005 Eating/Drinking

"The Zenith of Indian and Jewish Life"
I've spent the last three days trying to establish what, exactly, is offensive about this (there must be something), but I've come up dry, so I guess I can recommend the sixth annual Indo Jew Bowl as wholesome Thanksgiving entertainment. Sikh and Semite alike don fantastic jerseys and go head-to-head to establish who the pillars of the community really are. It all goes down at noon at Niles North High School, with a canned-food drive and t-shirt sales to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina. Best fan query: "If the Indos win, will there be a trip to New Delhi? If the Jews win, will there be a trip to the new deli on Oakton?"
Monday November 21 2005 Sports/Recreation

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Nathaniel Grotte