{"version":"1.1","schema_version":"1.1.0","plugin_version":"1.1.2","url":"https://tutos-gameserver.fr/2019/10/20/gapers-block-merge-trouve-sur-le-web-un-bon-serveur-minecraft/","llm_html_url":"https://tutos-gameserver.fr/2019/10/20/gapers-block-merge-trouve-sur-le-web-un-bon-serveur-minecraft/llm","llm_json_url":"https://tutos-gameserver.fr/2019/10/20/gapers-block-merge-trouve-sur-le-web-un-bon-serveur-minecraft/llm.json","manifest_url":"https://tutos-gameserver.fr/llm-endpoints-manifest.json","language":"fr-FR","locale":"fr_FR","title":"Gapers Block: Merge – Trouvé sur le Web\n – Un bon serveur Minecraft","site":{"name":"Tutos GameServer","url":"https://tutos-gameserver.fr/"},"author":{"id":1,"name":"Titanfall","url":"https://tutos-gameserver.fr/author/titanfall/"},"published_at":"2019-10-20T08:36:19+00:00","modified_at":"2019-10-20T08:36:19+00:00","word_count":70819,"reading_time_seconds":21246,"summary":"31 décembre 2015 Je vole le titre de FoGB Veronica Arreola, car il est parfait. Il y a tellement de listes de Best of à cette époque de l'année, mais si vous voulez connaître 15 femmes (heureusement, il y en a beaucoup plus) qui ont fait des choses géniales à Chicago cette année, alors allez […]","summary_points":["31 décembre 2015\nJe vole le titre de FoGB Veronica Arreola, car il est parfait.","Il y a tellement de listes de Best of à cette époque de l'année, mais si vous voulez connaître 15 femmes (heureusement, il y en a beaucoup plus) qui ont fait des choses géniales à Chicago cette année, alors allez lire à leur sujet.","Ils sont tous géniaux.","31 décembre 2015\nLe comédien Owen Weber affronte les trolls dans la chanson "Comment le troll a volé YouTube"."],"topics":["Serveur minecraft"],"entities":[],"entities_metadata":[{"id":13,"name":"Serveur minecraft","slug":"serveur-minecraft","taxonomy":"category","count":2786,"url":"https://tutos-gameserver.fr/category/serveur-minecraft/"}],"tags":["Serveur minecraft"],"content_hash":"21743ffacff48e8b9031d8ee428ed23e","plain_text":"31 décembre 2015\nJe vole le titre de FoGB Veronica Arreola, car il est parfait. Il y a tellement de listes de Best of à cette époque de l'année, mais si vous voulez connaître 15 femmes (heureusement, il y en a beaucoup plus) qui ont fait des choses géniales à Chicago cette année, alors allez lire à leur sujet. Ils sont tous géniaux.\n\n\n31 décembre 2015\nLe comédien Owen Weber affronte les trolls dans la chanson "Comment le troll a volé YouTube".\n\n\n\n29 décembre 2015\nLa comédienne Beth Stelling, qui a fait ses débuts à Chicago, a posté sur Instagram que son ex-petit ami l'avait violée et maltraitée physiquement et mentalement.\n\n\n Même fille dans toutes ces photos (moi). J'ai eu une année incroyable et vous avez vu les points saillants ici, alors ces photos sont une chose peu commune à partager mais pas une question inhabituelle. Vous pouvez être bizarre mais continuez à lire. J'ai un point. Il y a de nombreuses raisons de ne pas rendre publique une relation abusive, principalement la peur. Effrayé par ce que les gens vont penser, effrayé, cela me fait paraître faible ou peu professionnel. Quand j'ai rompu avec mon ex cet été, ce n'était pas parce que je ne l'aimais pas, c'était à cause de ça. Et j'ai absolument rechuté et l'ai contacté avec des choses que je n'aurais pas dû, mais il n'y a pas de "meilleures pratiques" avec cela. Lorsque des amis ou des bandes dessinées demandent pourquoi nous avons rompu, il n’est ni facile ni confortable de répondre; il ne semble pas que ce soit la chose appropriée à dire lors d'un spectacle, d'une fête ou d'un mariage. C'est gênant. Je me sens stupide. Après avoir été verbalement, physiquement maltraité et violé, je suis sorti avec lui pendant deux mois. Ce n'est pas simple Après ma rupture avec lui, il a déclaré: "Vous vous montrez très ouvert et honnête, et je vous demande simplement de me considérer quand vous parlez de votre ex parce que tout le monde sait de qui vous parlez." Et je suis resté. J'ai écrit des blagues vagues parce que nous vivons tous les deux à Los Angeles et je ne voulais pas le blesser, commencer une guerre, porter des accusations, être interrogé ou harcelé par lui ou ses amis et sa famille. Je voulais avancer et oublier parce que je ne comprenais pas. Je ne veux pas me venger ni le blesser maintenant, mais il est malsain de garder cela à l'intérieur car mon stand-up est tiré directement de ma vie. C'est comme ça que je gagne ma vie. Mon personnel est mon professionnel. C'est comme ça que j'ai toujours été; Je fais sombre, drôle. Alors maintenant, je permets que cela fasse partie de mon histoire. Ce n'est pas ma seule histoire, alors s'il vous plaît, ne le laissez pas être. Si vous habitez à Los Angeles, vous avez déjà commencé à entendre mes blagues à ce sujet et je vous demande d'avoir le courage de l'écouter et de l'accepter parce que j'essaie. Déjà depuis que j'ai parlé de cela sur scène, beaucoup de femmes sont venues me voir après des spectacles me demandant de continuer à le faire. Les hommes ont montré leur solidarité. Une ex-petite amie de cet ex-petit ami est venue me voir et a raconté qu'elle avait connu le même sort. Puis il y en avait un autre et un autre (hommes et femmes) qui partageaient d’autres injustices de sa part qui ..\nUne photo postée par Beth Stelling (@bethstelling) sur 28 décembre 2015 à 9h30 PST\n\n\n\n21 décembre 2015\nLe A.V. L'année annuelle du club en noms de groupes est une merveille.\n\n\n17 décembre 2015\nVous devez améliorer votre jeu de maison en pain d’épice.\n\n\n17 décembre 2015\nLe personnage de Macaulay Culkin dans un épisode récent du webshort: DRYVRS semble très familier (et NSFW). \n\n\n\n16 décembre 2015\nNewCity a lancé un nouveau podcast intitulé "Beaucoup de choses pour Holler", animé par Ben Schulman, éditeur de Newcity Design (et GB alum), et le journaliste d’architecture Zach Mortice. Le premier épisode parle de Chicago dans les films.\n\n\n16 décembre 2015\nCards Against Humanity a fait don à WBEZ de tous les bénéfices des huit cadeaux de cette année pour Hanukkah et a fait en sorte que tous ceux qui ont acheté des membres de WBEZ (s'ils le voulaient).\n\nMaintenant que nous avons ajouté 150 000 Millennials à @WBEZLa base de membres de, est abaissé l'âge moyen des membres à 92.\n– Max Temkin (@MaxTemkin) 16 décembre 2015\n\n15 décembre 2015\nRéalisations de Rahm et Amour de Rahm.\n\n\n14 décembre 2015\nJusqu'à mercredi soir, les étudiants de l'Université de Toronto vous chanteront par téléphone une chanson de vacances de votre choix. \n\n\n11 décembre 2015\nSmack Dab Productions vous présente Shootr, une nouvelle application qui vous tient au courant des derniers meurtres de masse, des fusillades par la police et plus encore.\n\n\n\n11 décembre 2015\nFLOTUS Michelle Obama rappe – oui, raps – un shoutout pour South Side dans la vidéo de CollegeHumor "Go to College".\n\n\n09 décembre 2015\nLa Bitchin 'Camaro, la mascotte automobile officielle du Riot Fest, a été volée hier sur un parking du West Loop. MISE À JOUR: Le vol était un canular, lié à une collecte de jouets de vacances.\n\n\n20 novembre 2015\nL'affiche du film Aloha est-elle toujours sur ce panneau d'affichage à Logan Square?\nOui.\n\nvia GIPHY\n\n\n19 novembre 2015\nLe membre fondateur de Survivor, auteur de l'hymne des années 80 "Eye of the Tiger", a intenté aujourd'hui un procès en violation du droit d'auteur devant un tribunal fédéral de l'Illinois contre le politicien Mike Huckabee pour avoir joué la chanson alors qu'il escortait le greffier du comté, Kim Davis, d'une courte peine de prison. suite à son refus de délivrer des licences de mariage de même sexe.\n\n\n16 novembre 2015\nTime Out propose sept relations inédites spécifiquement pour les Chicagoiens – et heureusement, aucune ne concerne le ketchup ou le deep dish.\n\n\n13 novembre 2015\nHalf Acre disposait d'une gamme de canettes de bière abandonnées, alors elles ont fait la seule chose logique avant de les jeter dans le recyclage.\n\n\n\n12 novembre 2015\nLe père Michael Pfleger a écrit sur Facebook mercredi qu'un technicien de Comcast ne viendrait pas réparer le service Internet de St. Sabina parce que le quartier est trop violent. Après des centaines de commentaires et de couverture médiatique, Pfleger a annoncé que Comcast avait changé d'avis, mais se demandait s'ils feraient de même pour un voisin moins branché.\n\n\n\n11 novembre 2015\nMax Temkin de Cards Against Human pense vraiment que vous devriez écouter le podcast Hello de Magic Tavern. Juste peut-être pas en conduisant.\n\n\n06 novembre 2015\nLa scène emblématique de l’Institut d’art de «La fête de Ferris Bueller» a été recréée par les fans (en costume) pour votre plus grand plaisir des yeux.\n\n\n06 novembre 2015\nTu es belle tout le monde est un message personnalisable à envoyer à un ami ou à un être cher, inspiré par les autocollants emblématiques de Matthew Hoffman. (Malheureusement, cela ne fonctionne pas avec Firefox.)\n\n\n04 novembre 2015\nCitant la mauvaise gestion et des taux d'euthanasie inutilement élevés, un groupe de défenseurs du sauvetage des animaux demande au maire Emanuel de tout mettre en œuvre pour nommer le prochain directeur du département de la protection et du contrôle des animaux de la ville. Le directeur précédent a pris sa retraite la semaine dernière; sa remplaçante a des antécédents de mesures disciplinaires et a rendu son propre chien à l’ACC après y avoir été transférée d’un autre service de la ville, alors qu’elle n’avait aucune expérience en matière de protection et de sauvetage des animaux.\n\n\n02 novembre 2015\nNous vivons dans le futur et le futur est Aladdin.\n\n\n\n27 octobre 2015\nSi "sexy citrouille" ne vous convient pas, vous pouvez toujours choisir Svengoolie.\n\n\n20 octobre 2015\nDans une interview avec le magazine de Chicago, le garde des Bulls, Jimmy Butler, a révélé qu'il avait retiré les rétroviseurs de sa voiture "comme un rappel symbolique pour ne jamais regarder en arrière".\n\n\n20 octobre 2015\nEt si la rive du lac Michigan était une ligne droite? Basé sur l'endroit où le cartographe Daniel Huffman a coupé le périmètre, Chicago se retrouverait au nord de Green Bay. [via]\n\n\n19 octobre 2015\nLe cinéma 8 bits de Cinefix a récemment appliqué son traitement de jeu vidéo rétro à Journée de Ferris Bueller.\n\n\n\n12 octobre 2015\nÀ partir de 1989, Mark Davis a travaillé dans un K-Mart de Naperville pendant 10 ans. Il a sauvé 56 des cassettes de musique en magasin du début des années 90 et a récemment numérisé la collection. [via]\n\n\n\n\n\n02 octobre 2015\nTime Out propose une liste des meilleures choses à faire à Chicago pour voler en solo. "\n\n\n01 octobre 2015\nAngie Jaime parle du deuil à l'ère de Facebook pour TouchVision.\n\n\n30 septembre 2015\nAtlas Obscura vient de publier une carte plébiscitée de noms d’entreprises, et Chicagoland est bien représentée, du Viet Nom Nom à Evanston à la Hoosier Mama Pie Company dans le village ukrainien jusqu’à Wok This Way, près de Midway.\n\n\n28 septembre 2015\nPlongez dans des quartiers branchés de Chicago avec On the Grid, un guide de la ville axé sur le design – et plusieurs autres.\n\n\n18 septembre 2015\nDes images de Chicago datant d'août 1896 ont été diffusées sur YouTube.\n\n\n18 septembre 2015\nAyez toujours une réponse avec le générateur de banlieue de Chicago!\n\n\n15 septembre 2015\nCook County Jail gère 2,5 étoiles sur 5 sur Yelp, bien que ce ne soit clairement pas un endroit où vous souhaitiez faire une réservation.\n\n\n31 août 2015\nUn homme de West Town a trouvé des étrangers dans son appartement après que son locataire / colocataire a répertorié la chambre du propriétaire sur Airbnb sans la permission ou la connaissance du propriétaire.\n\n\n28 août 2015\nLe gars de la crêpe YouTube, Nathan Shields, a créé des versions amphibies de l’aquarium Shedd en version flapjack. \n\n\n\n28 août 2015\nPartir partout utilise des données de recensement réelles pour générer de fausses raisons de quitter Chicago.\n\n\n24 août 2015\nSpike, la fleur du cadavre au Chicago Botanic Museum, pourrait fleurir ce soir ou demain. Vous pouvez regarder son déroulement en direct en ligne; une fois confirmé, le musée sera ouvert jusqu'à 2 heures du matin pour que les visiteurs puissent sentir l'odeur révoltante de Spike.\n\n\n19 août 2015\nGrantland interviewe Mark Moses, originaire d'Evanston, qui a joué QB pour les Wildkits bien avant de jouer Duck Phillips dans "Mad Men".\n\n\n19 août 2015\n"Le meilleur tweet sur Internet", gracieuseté de la Tribune: "George Zimmerman vendant des peintures de drapeaux confédérés dans un magasin d'armes à feu" Muslim Free "en Floride." \n\nGeorge Zimmerman vendant des peintures de drapeaux confédérés dans un magasin d'armes à feu «Muslim Free» en Floride. http://t.co/2K3cnilRmd pic.twitter.com/ShQmiVsND2\n– Chicago Tribune (@chicagotribune) 18 août 2015\n\n14 août 2015\nSi vous sentez que vous dormez trop la nuit, consultez NUKEMAP pour cartographier les conséquences de l’explosion d’une bombe nucléaire à Chicago ou ailleurs.\n\n\n11 août 2015\nConséquence of Sound a fait une vidéo (un peu drôle) de fausses interviews de personnes qui ont été témoins (et ont vécu) le jour d'août 2004 où un conducteur d'autobus de la bande Dave Matthews a vidé sa fosse septique sur un bateau de touristes alors qu'il traversait la rue Kinzie. pont.\n\n\n\n10 août 2015\nSelon une étude réalisée par le site, les utilisateurs de Facebook à Chicago utilisent davantage les émoticônes pour émettre des éclats de rire que les habitants d'autres villes. [via]\n\n\n09 août 2015\nAprès le match des Cubs / Giants plus tôt dans la journée, Wrigley Field a été brièvement évacué après que la police eut reçu une alerte à la bombe ".plus crédible"que ceux qu'ils reçoivent normalement (gulp).\n\n\n06 août 2015\nLa chambre de commerce de Rogers Park a créé une page Facebook pour ce qui semble être toutes les rues du quartier, d'Albion à Walcott.\n\n\n05 août 2015\nLes Chicagoiens Rebecca et Tim marchent à travers l’Amérique pour collecter des fonds pour la réadaptation d’un ami après une blessure à la colonne vertébrale. Ils ont quitté San Francisco en avril et ont récemment atteint le point intermédiaire; aidez-les à faire le reste du chemin. (Merci, Phil!)\n\n\n29 juillet 2015\nCape Horn Illustration a réuni un beau poème pour rappeler les rues principales.\n\n\n9 juillet 2015\nL’écrivain culinaire Steve Dolinsky a rencontré un Hot Dog de Chicago très inauthentique recouvert d’oignons frits, de cornichons et d’une "sauce de Chicago" (le fantasme) en Espagne. \n\n\n03 juillet 2015\nSouvenez-vous du défunt disparu de Craig's Lost Chicago, une cavalcade de ce qui va et vient.\n\n\n02 juillet 2015\nUn site de regroupement appelé Voat ressemble beaucoup à Reddit, mais ses créateurs disent que c'est différent, en mettant l'accent sur la convivialité et la confidentialité.\n\n\n26 juin 2015\nLe propriétaire de la pièce, Bill Jacobs, a publié aujourd'hui au New York Times un éditorial sur les risques pour la sécurité et la santé liés aux heures heureuses. Le gouverneur Rauner envisage de signer un projet de loi qui rétablira les heures heureuses, interdites depuis 1989.\n\n\n11 juin 2015\nVous êtes-vous déjà demandé à quoi ressemblait un vraquier de 730 pieds quittant le lac Michigan pour naviguer vers une destination en aval de la rivière Calumet? Je ne me demande plus.\n\n\n\n10 juin 2015\nBilly Corgan a adopté deux chatons de PAWS.\n\n\n29 mai 2015\nUne brève séquence vidéo de la levée du fleuve S.S. Eastland de la rivière Chicago après le naufrage de 1915, qui a tué plus de 800 personnes, est parue en ligne.\n\n\n\n30 avril 2015\nMolly Adams et Tim Barnes font équipe pour expliquer Mansplaining. Vous devriez probablement lire ceci, cela a beaucoup à voir avec votre vie quotidienne.\n\n\n23 avril 2015\nDNAInfo Chicago contient des informations utiles sur la manière de recycler des objets souvent mis au rebut, tels que des biberons en plastique, des mégots de cigarette, des balles de tennis et même des soutiens-gorge usés! A lire avant de les jeter.\n\n\n19 avril 2015\nVous voulez savoir quelle est la nourriture la plus populaire de façon disproportionnée dans votre quartier, c'est-à-dire le type de restaurant que les gens raffolent sur Yelp? Alors ne cherchez pas plus loin que la carte interactive sur DNAinfo- et pour votre bien, j'espère que ce n'est pas de la salade. \n\n\n10 avril 2015\nLa plupart des endroits figurant sur la liste des meilleurs joyaux cachés de Chicago, Buzzfeed, seront familiers aux habitants, mais au moins ils ne feront pas fuir les touristes.\n\n\n31 mars 2015\nFaire de la ville un jeu Pac-Man sur Google Maps est un moyen assez efficace de faire face à toute rage routière persistante.\n\n\n20 mars 2015\n"La dernière fois que j'ai entendu dire, il était commerçant de produits de base à Chicago. Cela semble assez carré, mais tant qu'il prend l'argent et reste en place, il a ma bénédiction. " [via]\n\n\n17 mars 2015\nConsultez Earthcam.com pour savoir ce que font les parieurs et les fêtards le jour de la Saint-Patrick dans le monde entier. Regardez le défilé de New York et les célébrants au Temple Bar de Dublin, ainsi que tout ce que les Irlandais font à Las Vegas aujourd'hui. \n\n\n11 mars 2015\nPAWS Chicago fait du porte-à-porte pour voir comment se portent les animaux domestiques et les animaux, apportant des services dans les rues au lieu de simplement construire un autre refuge pour animaux, écrit le blogueur Vanessa Smetkowski.\n\n\n05 mars 2015\nUn adolescent de Deerfield attire l'attention du pays pour sa vidéo promotionnelle sur la bar-mitsva. Bien sûr, il n'est pas le premier enfant de banlieue à faire de cette journée spéciale encore plus spéciale.\n\n\n\n05 mars 2015\n@TheHashtagGamede #ChicagoAMovie Le hashtag sur Twitter hier soir était très amusant.\n\nC'est un Madigan, Madigan, Madigan, Madigan World. #ChicagoAMovie\n– Frank Sennett (@SennettReport) 5 mars 2015\n\nCloudgate avec une chance de boulettes de viande #ChicagoAMovie\n– Phil Prombo (@philprombo) 5 mars 2015\n\n@TheHashtagGame La machine à remonter le temps de Doug #ChicagoAMovie\n– Dan Widensky (@OriginalDDub) 5 mars 2015\n\nVictory Auto Wreck-It-Ralph #ChicagoAMovie pic.twitter.com/pEdf8MEnbG\n– John K. Born (@johnkborn) 5 mars 2015\n\nUn couple de deux arbres a survolé le nid de coucou #ChicagoAMovie\n– Matt Windle (@Matt_Windle) 5 mars 2015\n\nM. Smith se rend à Washington et dans l'État #ChicagoAMovie\n– Andrew Huff (@ me3dia) 5 mars 2015\n\nMinuit dans la Giardiniera du Bien et du Mal #ChicagoAMovie\n– Pinson splendide (@Schwarziest) 5 mars 2015\n\nL'empire contre les verges #ChicagoAMovie\n– Singe d'assistance (@ HelperMonkey) 5 mars 2015\n\n5882 300 #ChicagoAMovie\n– Marlow (@ bmar2112) 5 mars 2015\n\nComposer M pour Malort #ChicagoAMovie\n– LeeAnn Shelton (@ByLeeAnnS) 5 mars 2015\n\n26 février 2015\nMarquez ce signet par temps plus clément: cartes routières vers des lieux de films John Hughes, à partir de Ferris Bueller à Seul à la maison à Science étrange.\n\n\n18 février 2015\nLe Sun-Times a reçu une copie du rapport de police concernant le vol du fils du maire Emanuel en décembre, mais l'incident ne figure pas dans la base de données sur les crimes du portail de données de la ville.\n\n\n16 février 2015\nRodney Nelson a proposé à sa fiancée Alexa Wenning un livre-papier au Lincoln Park Zoo. [via]\n\n\n\n13 février 2015\nFoGB Felix Jung a récemment créé deux robots amusants sur Twitter. Un suit les désirs des gens, tandis qu'un autre joue le jeu de questions et réponses.\n\n\n05 février 2015\nPrenez une seconde et écrivez une note sympa à un enfant malade et l'Hôpital pour enfants de Lurie livrera une Saint-Valentin spéciale le 14. Allez … pense aux enfants!\n\n\n02 février 2015\nUn lien approprié après le blizzard: en 2009, un Chicagoien du nom de George Joachim a fait une randonnée dans le champ de glace Columbia au Canada et s'est perdu. [via]\n\n\n28 janvier 2015\nRiver Thrill est le cinquième quartier le plus sexy du pays selon Thrillist – ce qui n’est pas assez élevé pour être classé parmi les quartiers les plus sexy de la Terre. \n\n\n23 janvier 2015\nCraig Benzine, le serveur Wheezy, vous montre 30 façons de rire.\n\n\n\n20 janvier 2015\nDans une exclusivité pour The Onion, Chicago a inauguré ses nouvelles stations de partage d'armes, déployées dans toute la ville.\n\n\n16 janvier 2015\nTu n'as pas à le laisser dans la ruelle! Le programme de recyclage gratuit des arbres de la ville se termine demain; vous pouvez le prendre à l'un des 23 endroits [PDF].\n\n\n14 janvier 2015\nTime Out propose une panoplie de "bidouilles" pour faciliter la vie à Chicago.\n\n\n13 janvier 2015\nSi vous utilisez toujours Metromix, vous savez déjà que le site vient de lancer une refonte. Par ailleurs, Do312 a mis à jour son logo le mois dernier et Centre de la scène n'existe plus.\n\n\n12 janvier 2015\nVous êtes-vous déjà demandé ce que signifient les numéros de cartes sur les voitures de police? [via]\n\n\n10 janvier 2015\nLa Chambre de commerce franco-américaine organisera un rassemblement demain à 15 heures à Daley Plaza pour exprimer sa solidarité avec les victimes de la récente fusillade de Charlie Hebdo. \n\n\n09 janvier 2015\nL’interprète, metteur en scène et professeur, qui était bien connu dans la communauté d’improvisation locale, a été retrouvé mort dans son appartement la nuit dernière. Il avait 46 ans.\n\n\n08 janvier 2015\nMalgré les tweets qui circulent disant qu'il fait plus froid à Chicago que sur Mars, la température moyenne de l'air martien est en fait de -50 ° F. \n\n\n05 janvier 2015\nAvec la permission de l'Institut culturel Google, vous pouvez désormais visiter virtuellement l'Art Institute.\n\n\n05 janvier 2015\nNotre casier judiciaire au gouvernement est une source d'inspiration pour cette liste de devises d'État sarcastiques.\n\n\n02 janvier 2015\nLogan Square a devancé Bridgeport pour remporter la Curbed Cup 2014, un concours de vote en ligne organisé pour trouver le meilleur quartier de la ville.\n\n\n30 décembre 2014\nCertains Acura des environs ont été engloutis dans le sel lorsqu'un mur de l'usine de Morton Salt s'est effondré cet après-midi. Aucun mot sur les nouvelles démarques chez le concessionnaire. (Aucune blessure n'a été rapportée.)\n\nAucun rapport de blessure. Voitures affectées par le concessionnaire Acura pic.twitter.com/cPZM3iPYhi\n– Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) 30 décembre 2014\n\nVue aérienne du mur effondré à #MortonSalt de Skycam 9 .. le sel coulant sur les voitures. (Elston / Division) @WGNNews pic.twitter.com/v0nzi8gLqh\n– Sarah Jindra (@SarahJindra) 30 décembre 2014\n\n23 décembre 2014\nDans le cadre de sa tournée Holiday Bullshit cette année, les gars de Cards Against Humanity ont acheté une petite île privée dans le Maine, qu'ils ont renommée Hawaii 2, et ont envoyé des titres de propriété pour un pied carré à chacun des 250 000 abonnés.\n\n\n20 décembre 2014\nLe fils de Rahm Emanuel, Zach, âgé de 17 ans, a été privé de son téléphone par deux hommes hier soir alors qu'il marchait près du domicile de la famille Ravenswood. La police enquête.\n\n\n19 décembre 2014\nCondamné à Cook indique les quartiers de la ville où le nombre d'arrestations et de condamnations est le plus élevé. \n\n\n16 décembre 2014\nRencontrez un relocateur de poissons, un explorateur urbain et d’autres personnes qui vivent "So Chicago" à travers de courts documentaires réalisés par le photojournaliste Chris Walker.\n\n\n16 décembre 2014\nLes Bears ont connu un autre match terrible la nuit dernière, s'inclinant 31 à 15 face aux Saints. Les sites jumeaux CutCutler.com et SaveDaBears.com tentent d'amener les fans de Bears à racheter le contrat de Cutler en faisant un don de 15 $ chacun. [via]\n\n\n11 décembre 2014\nYouTuber Blake Grigsby a apporté son propre gui à Christkindlmarket et y a trouvé toute sa joie. \n\n\n\n09 décembre 2014\nLe site Web mis à jour du service de police de Chicago permet aux utilisateurs de signaler des crimes non urgents, de donner des conseils et de visionner des vidéos sur la criminalité afin de tenter d'identifier des suspects. [via]\n\n\n08 décembre 2014\nMarian Eichholz, qui, en tant que tout-petit, a échappé au tristement célèbre désastre de 1915 dans l’Eastland avec ses parents, est décédée le mois dernier à 102 ans.\n\n\n02 décembre 2014\nJe veux dire, qui ne le fait pas? Il y a un bébé bouc pygmée disponible gratuitement à River North – avec Adorable petit pull et harnais – si tu agis vite. (Merci, Nell!) Oups, trop tard, la liste a été supprimée. Voici une capture d'écran. C'était une blague quand même.\n\n\n01 décembre 2014\nLes joueurs locaux, Cards Against Humanity, ont donné une nouvelle direction au Black Friday: ils ont retiré leur jeu de société des ventes en ligne et vendu des boîtes remplies d'excréments de taureau (qui se sont rapidement vendues). \n\n\n25 novembre 2014\nJoyce Wadler des NYTimes a été trompée par un article satirique du Daily Currant, affirmant que Kanye West avait déclaré à WGYN de Chicago que ses fesses étaient meilleures que celles de Kim Kardashian. Ironiquement, la colonne de Wadler s'appelle "J'étais mal informée".\n\n\n21 novembre 2014\nFaites un "quiz dopey" et voyez combien de quartiers de Chicago vous avez visités.\n\n\n21 novembre 2014\nAujourd'hui, le conseil d'admission au barreau de l'Illinois réexaminera la demande d'allaitement de Kristin Pagano lors de l'examen du barreau de février 2015, qui avait été rejeté auparavant. [Illinois law states, « A mother may breastfeed her baby in any location, public or private, where the mother is otherwise authorized to be. »]\n\n\n19 novembre 2014\nUn membre présumé du gang des Black Disciples a décidé de faire une Reddit AMA on / r / Chicago.\n\n\n12 novembre 2014\nHollaback Chicago cherche de l'aide pour trouver un homme qui a agressé sexuellement une femme endormie à côté de lui dans le train Metra le mois dernier.\n\n\n11 novembre 2014\nJ'ignore surtout Quora, mais le fil de discussion me demandant "Comment est la vie à Chicago?" obtient des réponses assez intéressantes.\n\n\n10 novembre 2014\nCréez et explorez le créateur de rythmes ESTA associé au photographe Michael Salisbury pour créer une vidéo rendant hommage aux images et aux sons de la ville.\n \nCréer et explorer 001 – Michael Salisbury X ESTA de Créer et explorer sur Vimeo.\n\n\n29 octobre 2014\nLe candidat au poste de gouverneur, Bruce Rauner, a fait un faux-pas de la taille de Chicagoland en commandant un hot-dog avec du ketchup dans une banlieue de Portillo. Twitter a explosé; Attaché de presse de Rauner insiste que le chien était pour elle … mais comment pouvons-nous savoir?\n\n\n27 octobre 2014\nLes actions de Fodor sont certaines choses que les visiteurs ne devraient pas faire à Chicago, y compris un vol à destination de O'Hare et une visite au Willis Tower Skydeck.\n\n\n21 octobre 2014\nLa dernière fausse information concernant votre flux Facebook est celle qui affirme qu'un homme est décédé dans une maison hantée de Waukegan et n'a pas été retrouvé depuis près de deux semaines. \n\n\n20 octobre 2014\nDiscovery Channel a lancé un flux vidéo en direct du centre-ville de Wyndham Grand, en amont de la promenade à l'horizon de Nik Wallenda.\n\n\n20 octobre 2014\nLes rues de Chicago s'écartent rarement de la grille, une visualisation codée en couleur par les émissions Data Pointed. \n\n\n13 octobre 2014\nRoger Ebert était apparemment actif sur Wikipedia de 2004 à 2009. L’Atlantic rapporte qu’un artiste australien a compilé les éditions de la dernière critique dans un livre de 45 pages en tant que projet artistique.\n\n\n10 octobre 2014\nVous pouvez dire à votre tante inquiète sur Facebook que non, il n’ya pas eu de morts à ebola à Chicago, malgré ce que dit un site web satirique peu précis. (Merci, Dee!)\n\n\n10 octobre 2014\nParce que les résultats reposent uniquement sur les statistiques, les codes 60602 et 60603 – deux codes postaux Loop regroupant moins de 2 000 résidents – apparaissent comme les "meilleurs codes postaux" de Movoto en Amérique du Nord. Mais bon, "En finale perk, aucune famille n’a indiqué qu’elle se trouvait en dessous du seuil de pauvreté, c’est donc un endroit moins stressant où vivre à la maison. "\n\n\n10 octobre 2014\nIl ne reste que 16 heures aux fans de cette fanfare punk / spectacle épique pour soutenir le dernier album de Mucca Pazza sur Indie Go-Go. Procurez-vous de la musique, un sweat à capuche, un sac à bandoulière ou votre propre jeu de partitions à jouer avec le groupe à la maison. \n\n\n08 octobre 2014\nMakeitfor.us veut commémorer le grand incendie de Chicago en faisant sonner les sirènes d’avertissement de la ville à 21 heures ce soir; transformez vos haut-parleurs en une sirène en visitant leur site web.\n\n\n07 octobre 2014\nUne vaste vidéo ultra haute définition du centre-ville de The Outbound Life ressemble à la conclusion épique d'un documentaire sur la ville.\n\n\n\n02 octobre 2014\nVous voulez toujours vous assurer que vous sentez le vent qui vient de l'odeur de chocolat qui vient de sortir du chocolat de la chocolaterie Blommer au centre-ville? Ce tumblr peut vous aider avec des conseils basés sur les prévisions météorologiques et de vent quotidiens.\n\n\n02 octobre 2014\n@ChicagoWords tweets un mot, une phrase ou une personne de chaque jour que tous les habitants de Chicago devraient connaître.\n\nGapers: Les gens regardent un accident de la route avec la bouche «bouche bée» ouverte.\n– Chicago Words (@ChicagoWords) 1er octobre 2014\n\n30 septembre 2014\nGawker est en train de classer l'accent le plus laid d'Amérique, et celui de Chicago contre les filles de la vallée de Los Angeles. C'est probablement l'un de ces moments où il vaut mieux ne pas voter pour Chicago.\n\n\n25 septembre 2014\nUn vélo pliant sans siège, un mémoire d'un ancien skinhead, un documentaire sur les chrétiens transgenres et la prochaine saison de "Star Makers de Steve Gadlin" figurent parmi les projets en cours de financement sur la page Kickstarter de GB.\n\n\n24 septembre 2014\nLe dernier projet de Felix Jung de FoGB, Underviewed, attire votre attention sur les vidéos avec très peu de vues sur YouTube, probablement en partie parce que leurs créateurs n'ont jamais changé les noms de fichiers par défaut.\n\n\n23 septembre 2014\nAller sur une branche et dire, non, il n'y a pas d'hippopotame dans la rivière Chicago.\nJugez par vous-même: \n\n\n17 septembre 2014\n24 / 7WallSt a dressé une liste des «50 meilleures villes américaines» (sic) et a placé Evanston au 5e rang. \n\n\n10 septembre 2014\nAvec toute cette pluie et ces inondations, vous pouvez vérifier en un clic si les eaux usées non traitées débordent dans la rivière Chicago. Vérifiez istheresewageinthechicagoriver.com pour toute la réalité cliquable, basée sur des données du district métropolitain de récupération des eaux du Grand Chicago.\n\n\n09 septembre 2014\nUn passionné de LEGO suédois a créé une reconstitution du Journée de Ferris Bueller scène dans laquelle Cameron envoie la Ferrari de son père à travers la fenêtre.\nIl y avait aussi un autre Ferris Bueller scène et un de Les frères blues dans la compétition annuelle.\n\n\n\n08 septembre 2014\nL'équipe des médias sociaux d'entreprise de McDonald's a été formée après avoir dit à @HowThingsWork de ne pas "diffuser de mauvaises informations" – par partage d'un gif animé de la propre vidéo de l'entreprise.\n\n\n03 septembre 2014\nLe nouveau esurance billboard à Washington et Canal propose une suggestion intéressante.\n\n\nAlors, euh, qui a vu la nouvelle publicité sur l'assurance à Canal / Washington? pic.twitter.com/SFXJFh7sBR\n– Sharlene King (@typodactyl) 3 septembre 2014\nMISE À JOUR: On dirait que ça a déjà été corrigé. \n\n@typodactyle @madamradams Des gars du parc avec service de voiturier à proximité ont dit que c'était chez Canal & Randolph pendant un moment, mais ont été changés ce matin. Cc: @AndreaHanis\n– Becky Yerak (@beckyyerak) 3 septembre 2014\n\n27 août 2014\nPAWS a une webcam pour chaton en direct montrant les derniers ajouts en vue de son adoption; Les refuges reçoivent généralement un afflux de jeunes chats et chiens pendant les chauds mois d'été.\n\n\n25 août 2014\nUn étudiant de Loyola exprime sa frustration à propos d’un numéro de loterie pour le logement d’une manière créative (mais exagérée).\n\n\n\n25 août 2014\nLe Lyric Opera organisera une vente de plus de 3000 de ses costumes la semaine prochaine.\n\n\n25 août 2014\nUn présumé agent de l'Etat islamique aurait tweeté un message semblant menacer Washington DC et Chicago, notamment des photos de la Maison Blanche et du 307 N. Michigan Ave., également connu sous le nom de Old Republic Building.\n\n#MessagedeISIStoUS\nNous sommes dans votre état\nNous sommes dans vos villes\nNous sommes dans vos rues\nVous êtes nos objectifs n'importe où pic.twitter.com/1EYMgCWJse\n– قهر الطواغيت (@Sunna_rev) 9 août 2014\n\n20 août 2014\nLe service "TV partout" NimbleTV arrive à Chicago, et Rivet Radio, société basée à Chicago, a récemment collecté 1,7 million de dollars auprès d'investisseurs, notamment Associated Press.\n\n\n20 août 2014\nNon, pas Anne Murray. Notre garçon, Bill, a reçu le 5 septembre sa propre journée officielle dans le Nord.\n\n\n13 août 2014\nSi vous avez une peur des hauteurs ou si vous avez le vertige, vous ne voudrez peut-être pas regarder cette vidéo des monteurs de métaux qui se préparent à retirer une partie de l'antenne ouest de la tour John Hancock. [via]\n\n\n\n12 août 2014\nLes nouvelles saveurs étranges de Lays Potato Chips ont une connexion locale; L'artwork à la saveur "Cappuccino" représente un café au lait du Wormer Park. D'après ce que j'ai lu, l'emballage est meilleur que le produit qu'il contient.\n\n\n12 août 2014\nJamie Kalven de l'invisible institut a publié plusieurs documents liés à l'inconduite de la police. Et dans des nouvelles sans rapport, Dan X. O'Neil et Scott Robbin analysent les données des commentaires publics de la FCC concernant Net Neutrality.\n\n\n11 août 2014\nContrairement à la plupart des farceurs sur YouTube, Blake Grigsby privilégie les sourires de bien-être au lieu des rires pas chers.\n\n\n\n07 août 2014\nChicago envoie un coup de grâce à New York dans un article de Yahoo Travel qui oppose les destinations de voyage rivales.\n\n\n06 août 2014\nEncore une fois, les chats préférés d'Internet sont en ville. Lil Bub est au métro ce soir (avec David Yow de Jesus Lizard), et Grumpy Cat est au Old Orchard Barnes & Noble Friday.\n\n\n31 juillet 2014\nEthan Swanson, actionnaire et passionné de parkour, s'est filmé en train de sauter d'un toit sur le Lincoln Park, sur un autre toit puis sur un escalier en colimaçon.\n\nVoici la cassette d'audition de Swanson pour "American Ninja Warrior", sur laquelle il a participé en 2013. \n\n\n29 juillet 2014\nLe détaillant de vêtements japonais Uniqlo envisage d’ouvrir l’automne prochain sur le Mag Mile, dans l’espace anciennement occupé par Filene's Basement; Basé à New York, Shake Shack, qui ouvrira ses portes cet automne sur la Gold Coast, ajoutera un deuxième site l’année prochaine à Millennium Park.\n\n\n28 juillet 2014\nGeorge Lucas a sélectionné deux architectes de renommée mondiale, Jeanne Gang à Chicago et Ma Yansong en Chine, pour concevoir le musée d'art narratif Lucas sur l'île du Nord.\n\n\n25 juillet 2014\nKevin Selagea traversait Skokie lorsqu'un pilote a commencé à le talonner. Heureusement, ce ne fut pas pour longtemps – un officier de police a tiré le garde-queue et lui a envoyé une contravention. [via]\n\n\n\n16 juillet 2014\nUne vidéo du comédien de Chicago, Blake Grigsby, criant des compliments à des étrangers alors qu’il traversait la ville en voiture a été visionnée plus de 500 000 fois sur YouTube.\n\n\n\n02 juillet 2014\nUn cycliste à qui un homme ivre à l'extérieur du Big Star de Wicker Park a dit que "le monde serait un meilleur endroit sans elle" (entre autres choses très impossibles à imprimer) parce qu'elle lui avait demandé de ne pas flâner dans la piste cyclable a posté son récit sur Craigslist .\n\n\n05 juin 2014\nLe frère de l'écrivain Eric Spitznagel, basé à Chicago, est très riche et Eric ne l'est pas. Ce qui les a rapprochés était une montre Timex à 50 $.\n\n\n05 juin 2014\nDe toute évidence, Chicago est la cinquième ville la plus attrayante vers laquelle se tourner pour les "jeunes diplômés", selon un sondage de LinkedIn.\n\n\n27 mai 2014\nUne femme a eu tout un choc ce week-end en conduisant sur la I-90 près de Barrington; un cerf est tombé d'un viaduc et a traversé son pare-brise. Personne n'a été blessé.\n\n\n19 mai 2014\nL'utilisateur Reddit "dobbi" a annoncé qu'elle avait été attaquée alors qu'elle marchait sur Lyndale vers 9h15 ce matin. Une description et une longue discussion suivent à la publication de Reddit. \n\n\n13 mai 2014\nPas étonnant que l'espagnol soit la langue la plus parlée aux États-Unis après l'anglais. Mais quel est le plus bas sur la liste? Dans l'Illinois, le polonais est troisième. Ben Blatt de Slate a également examiné les langues parlées par les peuples amérindiens, scandinaves, indo-aryens et africains les plus répandues à travers le pays. MISE À JOUR: Karthick Ramakrishnan d'AAPI Voices souligne les failles de certaines cartes de Blatt et fournit des mises à jour.\n\n\n13 mai 2014\nHotdogs.com est, étonnamment, un compte à rebours pour la fermeture de Hot Doug.\n\n\n09 mai 2014\nTrois, selon cette carte de "New York exprimée en unités de Chicagos". [via]\n\n\n\n21 avril 2014\nLe laboratoire de recherche sur l'humour de l'Université du Colorado, Boulder, a déterminé que Chicago est la ville la plus amusante d'Amérique. \n\n\n18 avril 2014\nIf going to church is not on this weekend's to-do list, you should at least view this narrated footage of a traditional Catholic Latin Mass filmed on Easter Sunday 1941 at the amazing Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica on the city's West Side.\n\n\n11 avril 2014\nCats from local no kill shelters are the stars of CATastrophes, a web series that uses the Internet's love of whiskered videos to promote pet adoption. \n\n\nApril 10, 2014\nTimeOut takes a stab at matching Chicago neighborhoods to the kingdoms and castles of Le Trône de Fer.\n\n\nApril 09, 2014\nThrillist's Chicago editor Sean Cooly put together a list of the city's 99 problems.\n\n\nMarch 28, 2014\nPopcorn represents Illinois on Hargreaves & Levin's map of the US in corn. [via]\n\n\n\nMarch 27, 2014\nOn the heels of yesterday's shooting at the suburban home of the manager of rapper Chief Keef, Gawker takes a look at drill music and its effect on the city's music, politics and culture.\n\n\nMarch 24, 2014\nA train car entering the Blue Line O'Hare station at a speed observed to be faster than normal derailed and hit a platform at about 3am this morning, causing the car to rest on the stairs that lead into the airport. Over 30 were sent to nearby hospitals; six of them have fair-to-serious injuries. CTA is running bus shuttles between O'Hare and the Rosemont stop to accommodate passengers.\n\n\nMarch 20, 2014\nSpeaking of brackets, Deadspin put Chicagoans — that's right, all of us — on its bitchiest, most defensive fans in America bracket, up against Crossfit Enthusiasts. \n\n\nMarch 14, 2014\nInterviewly takes Reddit AMAs and turns them into more traditionally formatted interviews. Chicagoans getting the treatment so far include John Cusack, Bill Murray, Audrey Niffenegger, Gary Sinise and of course, President Barack Obama.\n\n\nMarch 12, 2014\nThe two French bulldogs that were missing after a home burglary in Avondale yesterday were found in Humboldt Park and reunited with their owners earlier this evening.\n\n\nMarch 11, 2014\nThrillist posted a list of 50 Chicago Twitter Feeds that Matter — but the list is pretty light on ladies. Scott Smith (a member of Thrillist's list) provides this corrective.\n\n\nMarch 11, 2014\nBarack Obama traded barbs with Zach Galifianakis on his Between Two Ferns web series to promote signing up for health insurance.\n\n\n\nMarch 07, 2014\nDon't forget to set your clocks forward for Daylight Savings Time this weekend. And did you know that the military has its own time zone system? Chicago is on Sierra Time.\n\n\nMarch 06, 2014\nA photo shared by CNN of Chicago's "early days along Lake Street," which made the rounds here and on social media, was actually a still from the '30's film "In Old Chicago." \n\n\nMarch 06, 2014\nAnnie of the Offbeat Drummer has a better winter hat than you, but maybe you could find someone to make it for you for next year.\n\n\n\nMarch 04, 2014\nVoters chose Chicago as the best city in the U.S. through a March Madness-style tournament bracket posted by the Atlantic. Sure it's unscientific, arbitrary linkbait, but after this winter we'll take the win.\n\n\nMarch 04, 2014\nIf you're nostalgic for the departed grocery chain — or if you're opening a store of your own — you could bid on items from the Edgewater location, from ice scoops to a Frialator to a whole coffee shop.\n\n\nFebruary 27, 2014\nAn infographic compares the nation's two most fast-paced and busy cities, Chicago and New York, on a variety of aspects of city culture, from sports to airports to tourists, and of course, the ever-lasting pizza rivalry. \n\n\nFebruary 27, 2014\nA remix of the "House of Cards" intro credits using time-lapse footage of Chicago at night (lifted without credit from Eric Hines and Max Wilson) hints at what a local version of the show would look like, although its two-party politics probably wouldn't be so compelling here. [via]\n\n\n\nFebruary 26, 2014\nChicago radio host and former Illinois Congressman Joe Walsh called the LGBT community "a group of constitutional terrorists" on Twitter Tuesday, in reference to the Arizona bill allowing businesses to deny services to LGBT customers. Walsh's tweets continued, as he said he felt forced to respect other people's constitutional liberties but others don't respect his.\n\n\nFebruary 14, 2014\nLike a shot of Malort dipped in chocolate, Chicagoans on Twitter are finding local ways to express their affection using the hashtag #ChicagoValentines.\n\n\nFebruary 14, 2014\nThe Google Doodle today is a special Valentine's Day mini-episode from "This American Life." The show also has a Valentine sampler of favorite love-themed pieces.\n\n\nFebruary 13, 2014\n"Enroll by February 14th for coverage, because on the 15th, it's too late." Valentines.gov. [via]\n\n\nFebruary 13, 2014\nCan a Twitter bot capture Chicago's essence? @whatschicago echoes tweets that mention "Chicago is," and Robinson Meyer reflects on what the results say about the city in the Atlantic. \n\n\nFebruary 12, 2014\nWas The Incredibles set in Chicago? Eowyn Smith, the creator of this map of Disney & Pixar implied locales, thinks so. [via]\n\n\n\nFebruary 07, 2014\nChief Keef isn't the only Chicagoan arrested because of a YouTube video. From rants to violence, the CPD comes knocking when people post their crimes online.\n\n\nFebruary 04, 2014\nAnd it'll feature the Monsters of the Midway: the Hoth Wampas.\n\n\nJanuary 29, 2014\nI think of Williamsburg as the Wicker Park of New York, since the former got hot years after the latter already was, but Gawker reversed it — and called Pilsen Chicago's Bushwick (aka the next up-and-coming hipster hood).\n\n\nJanuary 28, 2014\nWhile students directed a torrent of offensive tweets towards U of I Chancellor Phyllis Wise after the school didn't cancel classes Monday, RedEye social media lady Jessica Galliart writes the incident doesn't deserve any attention.\n\n\nJanuary 28, 2014\nChicagoland has several entries in the Tom Waits Map, a thorough mapping of every place mentioned in the singer's many songs.\n\n\nJanuary 26, 2014\nChicago Public Schools has already cancelled classes tomorrow in anticipation of the next round of bone-chilling cold.\n\n\nJanuary 24, 2014\nForbes has a layover guide for O'Hare that conveniently breaks down according to length of pit stop. \n\n\nJanuary 22, 2014\nBath & Body Works thinks a Lake Shore Drive scented candle should smell like "fresh water, shoreline woods and a hint of mint." In other words, they have never been on Lake Shore Drive. (Thanks, Rachelle!)\n\n\nJanuary 21, 2014\nThe "Super Bowl Shuffle" has been remade by a motley crew of comedians (among them Chicagoan Kyle Kinane) and other entertaining folk in the name of charity.\n\n\nJanuary 20, 2014\nLast week Ald. Scott Waguespack did an "Ask Me Anything" session on Reddit. He didn't get quite the attention that another Chicagoan got: Bill Murray.\n\n\nJanuary 17, 2014\nSpeaking of potholes, The Pothole Store is your one-stop shop for Chicago pothole-related gifts and keepsakes. [via]\n\n\nJanuary 17, 2014\nComedian Emily Winter's parents wee both lawyers. When she lost a tooth in 1989 and couldn't find it, they wrote up a legal affidavit for the Tooth Fairy explaining its disappearance so she could still receive compensation. [via]\n\n\nJanuary 13, 2014\nThe Cubs unveiled their new mascot, Clark the Cub today, and the Internet went nuts. Among the people chiming in was Deadspin editor and Chicagoan Tim Marchman, who calls Clark "a nightmarish, perverted furry."\n\n\nJanuary 08, 2014\nHeadlines Against Humanity pits two preposterous headlines against each other — can you guess which is real? It's surprisingly hard. [via]\n\n\nJanuary 02, 2014\nThe dates of 1975 and 2014 line up, so local cartoonist Mark Anderson scanned in his mint condition Mighty Marvel Calendar for 1975 for you to use as a monthly desktop. [via]\n\n\nDecember 31, 2013\nWant to screw with visitors? Time Out has some lies about Chicago you can tell them.\n\n\nDecember 29, 2013\nSteve Yamamoto showed up for his last shift at a Glen Ellyn Dominick's yesterday, only to be told that he had been suspended over a brilliantly sarcastic YouTube video he produced commemorating the closing of the supermarket chain. \n\n\n\nDecember 27, 2013\nThis holiday season, take care of the hipsters. (Thanks, Paul!)\n\n\n\nDecember 27, 2013\nEmily Graslie, the Field Museum's "chief curiosity correspondent," recently took on workplace sexism and Internet trolls in a video that went viral. Chicago magazine's Whet Moser delved deeper into the topic with Graslie and others.\n\n\n\nDecember 23, 2013\nDo you talk like a Chicagoan? The NYTimes is running a version of the Harvard Dialectical Survey that shows you which parts of the country your personal dialect is most similar to. Keep your eye out for a question that helped name this very site.\n\n\nDecember 20, 2013\nThe entry to the Snowman Bouncer at Navy Pier's Winter Wonderfest is decidedly vaginal, notes Jezebel.\n\n\nDecember 11, 2013\nNot content with delivery drones, Groupon is going with catapults.\n\n\n\nDecember 11, 2013\nOut of the Loop delivers a random assortment of "simple facts about the greatest city on Earth."\n\n\nDecember 05, 2013\nAs part of R. Kelly's appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" last night, British actor Benedict Cumberbatch recited lyrics to his song "Genius." \n\n\n\nDecember 04, 2013\nUrbane released a map of Chicago that only covers the city from Foster to about 21st, and west to around Central Park, and fills it in with place descriptions that range from witty to condescending to somewhat clueless. But hey, what do you expect from a bunch of San Franciscans?\n\n\nDecember 04, 2013\nBricktease recreated the shopping mall chase from The Blues Brothers in LEGO. [via]\n\nHere's how it was made:\n\n\n\nNovember 22, 2013\nA certain segment of the TV-watching world is in a tizzy over the 50th anniversary of "Doctor Who." At C2E2 earlier this year, local cosplayer Nina "MangoSirene" and friends put together a photoshoot of genderbent Doctors, and it's pretty awesome.\n\n\nNovember 15, 2013\nTime Out Chicago has announced the winners in its first annual Best Awards, as selected by the readers and staff.\n\n\nNovember 14, 2013\nAt the end of August, one very unfortunate Divvy bike rider found herself in about the wrongest place possible: the left lane on northbound Lake Shore Drive during the afternoon rush. [via]\n\n\n\nNovember 13, 2013\nWhat if the Bears played that other game called football? A new logo project imagines what their insignia would look like. (I think we fared better than Green Bay.)\n\n\nNovember 13, 2013\nESPN's "30 for 30" looks back on one of the craziest games ever played: the Space Jam game of 1995, which included two of Chicago's biggest stars in basketball, Michael Jordan and Bill Murray. [via]\n\n\n\nNovember 12, 2013\nAfter Buzzfeed listed the "celebrities" of New York, Time Out Chicago decided to make its own list of local celebrities. Chaz Walters, Ronnie Woo Woo and the Landan twins are ready for their close-ups.\n\n\nOctober 31, 2013\nEn parlant de Poltergeist III, there's an entire fanpage devoted to the 1988 film, in which angry spirits follow Carol Anne to the Hancock Tower.\n\n\n\n\nOctober 30, 2013\nThe Christian Science Society of Dixon in western Illinois is getting a lot of attention this week after the Internet noticed the shape of its new church on Google Maps.\n\nThe church is showing it has a sense of humor in light of the attention: its Facebook profile cover photo now features a "giant fig leaf" over the Google Maps image.\n\n\n\nOctober 29, 2013\nLocally led #Foodiechats has figured out a way to make money off its weekly Twitter chats.\n\n\nOctober 29, 2013\nJesse Jackson, Jr. showed up yesterday to a North Carolina federal prison to begin his 30-month sentence a few days earlier than his scheduled surrender date (this Friday) and was turned away. Mise à jour: he is in custody as of this morning. Persistence pays off!\n\n\nOctober 16, 2013\nThought Catalog's "35 Important Things Only Chicagoans Will Understand" should give you plenty of fuel.\n\n\nOctober 08, 2013\nBen Raatz has a personal drone that he's been testing out around town, getting a top view of Buckingham Fountain and the South Loop.\n\n\n\n\nOctober 08, 2013\nNickolay Lamm mapped income onto real estate in Manhattan to show the inequality between neighborhoods. He's since done similar maps for Chicago and other cities.\n\n\n\nOctober 07, 2013\nA mini Abe Lincoln lives it up across the state in a new ad by Enjoy Illinois, journeying from down in Springfield to up on the skydeck of the Willis Tower.\n\n\n\nOctober 01, 2013\nThe Hoffman Estates Park District knows how to keep the crowd at their youth hockey league games in check. [via]\n\n\nOctober 01, 2013\nChicago native Marina Shifrin spent the last two years working in the CGI coal mines at Taiwan's Next Media Animation in relative anonymity. That is, until her dance-interpreted resignation video this weekend went viral. [via]\n\nUPDATE: New Media Animation created a response video.\n\n\n\nSeptember 30, 2013\nThe lead designer of the classic arcade game NBA Jam admitted it was rigged to make the Chicago Bulls play worse whenever they went up against the Detroit Pistons. [via]\n\n\nSeptember 27, 2013\nWhen it was revealed that the @horse_ebooks Twitter account was a hoax performance art, Dan Sinker of @MayorEmanuel fame took it pretty hard. Luckily, someone has created @sinker_ebooks.\n\n\nSeptember 25, 2013\nFrom the Couch Monument in Lincoln Park to a bust of Lincoln in Englewood, Peter Bella tells the story behind some interesting Chicago sights hiding in plain sight.\n\n\nSeptember 25, 2013\nThe CGI-fueled destruction of the city for the latest Transformateurs movie caused some real damage as Michael Bay and company blew up part of the Santa Fe Grain Elevators on the South Side.\n\n\n\nSeptember 24, 2013\nFirst, Al Capone danced the Charleston on top of a flagpole, and now a group of local dancers lindy hop their way through the city in a new video.\n\n\n\n\nSeptember 21, 2013\nConan O'Brien revealed that Miley Cyrus' strange video for her song Wrecking Ball stole the concept from an ad for a Chicago-area appliance store. [via]\n\n\n\nSeptember 20, 2013\nCube Cities shows Chicago's history in less than two minutes with an animated timeline of the city's growth from 1862 until today. [via]\n\n\n\nSeptember 18, 2013\nAfter yet another controversy-spoiled Penny Arcade Expo, Cards Against Humanity cofounder Max Temkin explains what he and the company are going to do to combat discrimination and harassment at PAX in the future.\n\n\nSeptember 16, 2013\nA Subway restaurant actually honored the fake (and obviously controversé) "Subtember 11th" coupons featured in a recent Onion article. Even adding to the twisted irony is that the pre-tax total of the purchase was $9.11.\n\n\nSeptember 13, 2013\nTwo kittens survived a five-day journey from Chicago to Edmonton, Canada as stow aways on a train.\n\n\nSeptember 11, 2013\nThe Bears Superfans are back in a new commercial with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.\n\n\n\nSeptember 10, 2013\nCrain's Clout Calculator measures the degrees of separation between you and industry leaders in Chicago.\n\n\nSeptember 06, 2013\nA man claiming to be a member of the Board of Trade recently got into a fight with another passenger in a Metra quiet car after talking on his phone. Not sure how being a trader qualifies someone to "cut you in half."\nNSFW audio, so put your headphones on.\n\n\nSeptember 05, 2013\nThe Transit Readings tumblr recommends books based on what people are spotted reading on the CTA.\n\n\nSeptember 05, 2013\nImprov Legends takes a look back at the first days of the Second City. [via]\n\n\n\nSeptember 04, 2013\nGrumpy Cat will help fundraise for a new cat adoption center for the Tree House Humane Society in an upcoming video.\n\n\n\nSeptember 01, 2013\nA secret from today's edition of PostSecret alludes to a buried body at Wooded Island in Jackson Park.\n\n\nAugust 30, 2013\nSouth Side residents share how shootings affect their lives and what it's like to live under the constant threat of violence in a new video by local Jon Lowenstein. \n\n\n\nAugust 30, 2013\nNot sure this fledgling record label is going to make it, but this CraigsList ad is pretty great. (Thanks, Anne!)\n\n\nAugust 28, 2013\nOn this historic day, local button makers Busy Beaver Buttons blogged about some historic buttons relating to the civil rights movement. \n\n\nAugust 26, 2013\nThis pic of kids walking to a first day of school (near Schiller and Clark) in 1962 doesn't seem to be much of an upgrade from what kids going to school today could experience.\n\n\nAugust 23, 2013\nA weird window display leads Michael Gebert to discover a sketch comedy online show by one of the discoverers of Vivian Maier. \n\n\nAugust 20, 2013\nI get the feeling Chicago coming in at number two on Movoto's list of the funniest cities in America is some sort of joke on the Second City. The list makes no effort to justify how Atlanta is number one.\n\n\nAugust 19, 2013\nThe superintendent of the Evanston-Skokie School District announced his resignation last week to pursue "consulting opportunities."\n\n\nAugust 15, 2013\nChicago native and comic Cameron Esposito wrote a thoughtful op-ed piece for Advocate about being heckled onstage by her opening act.\n\n\nAugust 13, 2013\nThere's a battle for the hearts and minds of Bridgeport going on — on Facebook. After one too many racially and politically charged arguments on the Bridgeport Chicago IL group, two neighborhood residents created The REAL Bridgeport and Bridgeport Neighborhood groups as hate-free zones; at least one group formed in response has already been closed.\n\n\nAugust 09, 2013\nWhat if Ferris Bueller wasn't bluffing about being sick? What if he was dead?\n\n\n\nJuly 30, 2013\nNPR host Scott Simon has been tweeting about his mother's last days from a hospital here in Chicago. Patricia Lyons Simon Newman Gilband passed away last night.\n\nThe heavens over Chicago have opened and Patricia Lyons Simon Newman has stepped onstage.\n— Scott Simon (@nprscottsimon) July 30, 2013\n\nJuly 26, 2013\nWonder if the giant magnet that just arrived at Fermilab is part of the plan in today's xkcd cartoon.\n\n\n\nJuly 26, 2013\nWTTW shared a photo of a Divvy truck that had knocked down a parking meter. They want you to caption it.\n\n\nJuly 26, 2013\nA Wheaton couple's wedding invitation went viral this week thanks to its hilarious RSVP options.\n\n\nJuly 25, 2013\nDo you like the idea of renting a bike on occasion, but dislike the idea of being relegated to where Divvy has stations? Then you may be interested in SpinLister where you can rent bikes owned by locals for a day (or more). And these aren't your average heavy, beat-up, partially rusted bikes for rent. Oh, no, there are some pettable bikes here. For example, this bike may be what you need if you have a dog (the moustache and dog are not included in rental.)\n\n\nJuly 24, 2013\n…in the form of a very cute child. [via]\n\n\n\nJuly 19, 2013\nI've seen some really beautifully designed engagement announcements, but this one is pretty great. Great design and story by Matthew Bush, Josh Compton and Gabe Cooper. Congrats!\n\n\nJuly 19, 2013\nThree beautiful light fixtures from the Uptown Theatre are for sale on eBay right now. \n\n\nJuly 18, 2013\nDrag City recently released Andy and his Grandmother, the first-ever Andy Kaufman comedy album. Grantland explains how this came to be.\n\n\nJuly 10, 2013\nThis Craigslist ad for a fixed-gear bike is aimed squarely at Lincoln Park bros hoping to blend in over in Wicker Park… though really, is there a difference these days? [via]\n\n\nJuly 08, 2013\nSteve Gadlin of Blewt! and I Want to Draw a Cat for You fame has a new project: Steve Gadlin's Star Makers, showcasing some of the area's greatest talents.\n\n\n\nJuly 05, 2013\nA new study by economists at Wheaton College and Northwestern found that since the 1970s, Americans have not been as upwardly mobile as the British have been.\nHere's an earlier article by the study's authors, covering similar ground.\n Grandfathers Matter(ed): Occupational Mobility Across Three Generations in the U.S. and Britain, 1850-1910 by Gapers Block\n\n\nJuly 02, 2013\nYelp has a few heat maps of words that pop up in user reviews, such as bacon, tourist and hipster.\n\n\nJune 28, 2013\nComplex Magazine highlights the resurgence of Chicago's hip-hop scene by featuring the city's most stylish rappers [right now]. While the list includes artists such as Chief Keef, Joey Purp, Mikkey Halsted and more, it won't be hard to guess who came in at number one. \n\n\nJune 27, 2013\nIf you've got any Blackhawks gear, wear it to the Museum of Science & Industry this weekend and get buy one, get one free admission.\n\n\nJune 24, 2013\nSomeone in Pilsen painted helpful directions on his roof for lost pilots. [via]\nAgrandir le plan\n\n\nJune 21, 2013\nComedian and writer Deon Cole, along with Iliza Shlesinger and Michael Yo, recently participated on "Larry King Now's" pop culture panel to discuss current hot topics including emergency contraception, Japanese eyeball licking, and of course, new parents, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian. Although reports have confirmed "Baby Kimye's" actual name, Cole reveals his choice for the name of America's most famous infant. \n\nPast GB interviews with Cole:• 2010: One Sketch at a Time• 2013: "Deon Cole's Black Box": Chicago Native Takes on Pop Culture In His New TBS Series\n\n\nJune 21, 2013\nChicago has a history of segregation — and it apparently extends to smartphone types too, to a certain degree. MapBox teamed up with Gnip and map designer Eric Fischer (previously: 1, 2) to map 3 billion tweets by phone brand and other variables. Start in the Loop and zoom out. \n\nIt's also worth checking out the maps of locals and tourists and languages used. [via]\n\n\nJune 20, 2013\nSchadenfreude has a new show: "Shh-Cago," a guide to the city's lesser known gems.\n\n\n\nJune 20, 2013\nStill wired after that OT win the Blackhawks offered last night? Soothe yourself with a rendition of "Chelsea Dagger" played by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. (Nice shirt, Muti!)\n\n\n\nJune 19, 2013\nFoGB Coudal Partners just released a new "Night Sky" edition of their Field Notes notebooks, and recorded 6 hours and 21 minutes of night sky in rural Nevada. Just set this for full screen, sit back and watch the stars go by in real time.\n\n\n\nJune 15, 2013\nNew father Kanye West will be projecting new images on the sides of buildings all over the city tonight, among them Uptown's Bridgeview Bank, and both the Field and DuSable Museums.\n\n\nJune 14, 2013\nSure, it's been a cool summer. But that's nothing compared with 21,000 years ago.\n\n\nJune 05, 2013\nGroupon has launched a "deal" of a donation to fund the construction of more bike lanes in honor of deceased employee Bobby Cann, the cyclist killed last week on Clybourn. \n\n\nJune 04, 2013\nEnjoy this photograph of Patrick Stewart enjoying some Chicago-style pizza. \n\n\nJune 04, 2013\nZen Pencils tells a touching story with words from Roger Ebert. [via]\n\n\nMay 28, 2013\nA writer on the Daily Kos decided to emulate The Onion by announcing its demise after the 2014 presidential election. That's one way to get a job.\n\n\nMay 24, 2013\nMaking out in front of Paulina Meat Market is a private thing — unless the Google Streetview car is nearby (see #29).\n\n\nMay 21, 2013\nA group of Logan Square residents are suing the Tribune for continuing frequent deliveries of its coupons and advertisements (aka those piles of soggy, dirty newsprint wrapped in pink bags that accumulate on your doorstep/yard) despite repeated, bureaucracy-laden requests to stop.\n\n\nMay 21, 2013\nThe South Side-based rapper was arrested in Georgia this morning for disorderly conduct.\n\n\nMay 20, 2013\nThanks to Google Earth Historical Imagery, I was able to make this gif of North Avenue Beach over the decades.\n\n\n\nMay 16, 2013\nAs part of a larger collaborative piece titled "New York Elsewhere" for The Morning News, Tyler Coates projects New York neighborhood counterparts in Chicago. Southport Corridor as Park Slope is amusingly on point, though some Chicagoans would take issue with the idea that Logan Square isn't fully gentrified.\n\n\nMay 14, 2013\nRecently, via a little ditty on ESPN, Chicago native and comedic actor Craig Robinson, whose movie Peeples opened last weekend, expressed his heartfelt sentiments about the [someday] return of Derrick Rose back to the Bulls' lineup. \n\n\nMay 10, 2013\nThis week, YouTube launched its Trends Map, which breaks down viewing patterns by metropolitan area, age and gender. At time of writing, "This is Water," the new video of David Foster Wallace's 2005 commencement address at Kenyon College, is number one in Chicago.\n\n\n\nMay 09, 2013\nIn 2003, Chicago filmmaker Eric Fensler (who now lives in Portland, OR) created "GI Joe PSAs," a series of weird remixes of the odd PSAs tacked onto some episodes of "GI Joe" cartoons, which wet viral before anyone had ever heard of social media. The Verge examines their legacy.\n\n\n\nMay 02, 2013\n"'I'm not going to lie,' says Jenna Lyons, the president and creative director of J. Crew, who is an admirer of Goldman. She scares me a little bit.'" "She" is Ikram Goldman, Chicago boutique owner, "fashion ambassador", and the subject of a profile in the New York Times magazine.\n\n\nMay 02, 2013\nWGN Meteorologist Tom Skilling may be lovable, but he is frequently wrong about the weather. HowWrongIsSkilling.com tracks just how off the mark he is. (Of course, this is not a new complaint, and even the National Weather Service is right only about two-thirds of the time.)\n\n\n\nApril 19, 2013\nShelter puppies often suffer from more health issues than other dogs. The Lucida Puppy Fund aims to help defray the costs of keeping them healthy.\n\n\nApril 12, 2013\nAs nice as CTA bus shelters may be, only clueless lovers would think making out while waiting for a westbound 66 was anything like Paris.\n\n\nApril 12, 2013\nSeveral shuttered city firehouses are for sale, along with some other interesting places.\n\n\nApril 12, 2013\nAdvertising creative director Jonathan Finerty was bored with his old portfolio site so he created All-In-One Adman, and the testimonials started rolling in.\n\n\n\nApril 08, 2013\nChicago becomes sort of the central node in XKCD's map of all the "subways" of North America.\n\n\n\nApril 04, 2013\nOne of the odder places you can stay in the city via AirBnB: a birght green VW camper van parked on the street in Lincoln Park. Just $75 a night! [via]\n\n\nMarch 29, 2013\nSome of these you've probably seen, others will be new. A collection of Chicago maps on A Continuous Lean. [via]\n\n\nMarch 27, 2013\nle Willis Sears Tower (ahem) makes a common mistake on the spelling of Studs Terkel's name. (I admit, I've made the same error more than once.)\n\n\nMarch 21, 2013\nRobert Bacon created a Super Mario Bros. 3 version of the CTA 'L'system map.\n\n\n\nMarch 20, 2013\nBut that doesn't stop Fido from photobombing his owner's Craigslist posting for renting his Lakeview apartment.\n\n\nMarch 20, 2013\nThings you can buy: the Chicago skyline made out of RAM.\n\n\n\nMarch 15, 2013\nLupe Fiasco penned and posted a new song imagining what could have been the life of murdered infant Jonylah Watkins. \n\n\n\nMarch 12, 2013\nA Redditor spotted an interesting anomaly on Google Maps: take a step forward from this spot and watch one of the last Cabrini Green towers disappear.\n\n\n\n\nMarch 04, 2013\nA UIC researcher found that being moderately intoxicated helps one's ability to identify minor differences in pictures faster than sober people.\n\n\nMarch 01, 2013\nBlogger James Lileks collects all sorts of things, and his set of motel postcards includes some great ones from Chicago's past. [via]\n\n\nMarch 01, 2013\nThis here meme is taking over everything…including this website. \n\n\nFebruary 27, 2013\nR. Kelly released "Trapped in the Closet: the Confessionals, Part 1" today, which focuses on the stories of specific characters of the endless, often pointless soap opera. Wake me up when it's over.\n\n\n\nFebruary 26, 2013\nThe Ononeon curates actual news headlines that might make you think you're reading another site that curates fake headlines.\n\n\nFebruary 26, 2013\nSocial history photographer Camilo José Vergara is developing a personal website to share more of his repeat photography work. Included are four Chicago sites: 4434 W. Madison, 4337 W. Madison, 1117 N. Cleveland and 5134 W. Madison. Each series starts in the 1980s and continues to present day.\n\n\nFebruary 26, 2013\nFormer Chicago Bull Dennis Rodman is visiting North Korea as part of a "basketball diplomacy" trip; he hopes to meet the country's ruler Kim Jong Un, who reportedly was a huge fan of Rodman's old teammate Michael Jordan.\n\n\nFebruary 25, 2013\nThe Art Institute launched a new online exhibition of its staging of the 1913 International Exhibition of Modern Art, a.k.a. The Armory Show. The site includes everything from interactive gallery images to the programs.\n\n\nFebruary 22, 2013\nForbes ranks Chicago as the fourth most miserable city in the US, apparently based primarily on our real estate woes. Detroit, Flint and Rockford top the list.\n\n\nFebruary 18, 2013\nAmong the strangest tweets in the last few days is certainly the announcement that rooftop minister Corey Brooks is going to baptize Chief Keef when he's released from prison.\n\n\nFebruary 13, 2013\nThis Judgmental Map of Chicago covers plenty of neighborhood stereotypes, and just as stereotypically leaves out the South Side. (Thanks, Marc!)\n\n\nFebruary 12, 2013\nChicago-based cartoonist Mark Anderson loves to build LEGO spaceships — and his latest is piloted by Capt. Val N. Tine. [via]\n\n\n\nFebruary 05, 2013\nExpat Ed Hirsch has some sage, profane advice for friends visiting Chicago like a Chicagoan. [via]\n\n\nFebruary 04, 2013\nHow quickly can you place Chicago neighborhoods on a map? Click That 'Hood tests your strength.\n\n\nJanuary 28, 2013\nAfter recent scandals over poorly labeled sponsored articles, Time Out's Frank Sennett has proposed guidelines for online sponsored content.\n\n\nJanuary 25, 2013\nThe Admiral strip club is looking for a DJ. "No rap or hip hop allowed."\n\n\n\nJanuary 21, 2013\nAmtrak put together a "Gangnam Style" video touring through Chicago. Better late to the meme than never. [via]\n\n\n\nJanuary 21, 2013\nChicago's own Lupe Fiasco was escorted off the stage at a private pre-Inauguration concert last night after veering into a seemingly unplanned 30 minute solo of repeating the same (NSFW) lyric from his song "Words I Never Said" that criticizes President Obama's role in the conflict between Israel and the Gaza Strip. \n\nThis is not the first time Fiasco has been critical of Obama.\n\n\nJanuary 15, 2013\nWant to buy a full-size, wooden replica of the Batmobile? It's in North Riverside, and has "air cannon Nerf dart capability."\n\n\nJanuary 08, 2013\nThe GIS Lounge's review of 2012's best maps includes some interesting views of Chicago in national context, but also points to Slate's review of the Essential Geography of the United State of America highlights Chicago as a fine example of cartographic representation (half way down).\n\n\nJanuary 07, 2013\nViolence has taken a literary turn.\n\n\nJanuary 04, 2013\nR. Kelly wrote a song for the students of Sandy Hook Elementary.\n\nProceeds from iTunes sales will be donated to the victims' families.\n\n\nJanuary 04, 2013\nA priest in Springfield has been placed on leave following a November incident in which he called 911 to demand help with getting out of a pair of handcuffs he was "playing" with. \n\n\nJanuary 02, 2013\nIn its look back on 2012, The Onion reports on the die-hard Cubs fans who protested outside Wrigley Field, advocating that the rest of Chicago be torn down and rebuilt.\n\n\nDecember 20, 2012\nAs Thundersnow threatens our noble city, Chicagoans can pledge to keep their sidewalks clear and find those in need of a shoveling savior on the Adopt a Sidewalk website.\n\n\nDecember 18, 2012\nDerek Brooks spent the last 15 months living in Chicago while working on the Obama campaign. When he got back home to Iowa, he cleaned out his closet and tried on 255 t-shirts.\n\n\n\nDecember 13, 2012\nBloomberg profiles Tyree Johnson, a Chicago man who has worked at McDonald's for 20 years and still makes the $8.25 hourly minimum wage. In contrast, McDonald's CEO Jim Skinner made $8.75 million last year.\n\n\nDecember 13, 2012\nAddressed to Henry Walton Jones, Jr., a package delivered to the University of Chicago contained a dusty, detailed replica of the journal from Raiders of the Lost Arc- and no one knows where it came from. \n\n\nDecember 12, 2012\nBrooklyn-born, Chicago-based DJ Joseph Vourteque tries to explain which parts of the city match up with New York's boroughs. Apparently there's nothing like the South Side.\n\n\n\nDecember 03, 2012\nSymbolia, a new iPad magazine of comics journalism, launched today. You can snag a free preview PDF before subscribing. \n\n\nNovember 26, 2012\nIf the United States dissolved and every state went to war with the rest, which would win? Illinois does well for awhile, with Chicago its capital, in one thorough answer. [via]\n\n\nNovember 15, 2012\nWhen you've got a name like Luvvie, you just have to see the world as a place full of love. And for Chicagoan, activist, writer, Red Pump Project creator and humorist Luvvie Ajayi, her world is most recently full of love from Women's Media Center where she received their Social Media Award. Hopefully for Luvvie, the love doesn't stop.\n\n\nNovember 14, 2012\nThe infamous empty lot next to the Obama's Kenwood home is on the real estate market for $900k. \n\n\nNovember 13, 2012\nSteve Gadlin of I Want To Draw A Cat For You" fame has created a petition to be the White House's official cat portraiture artist. Naturally, I support this.\n\n\nNovember 13, 2012\nTable XI introduces you to their senior designer, Daniel Strabley, who happens to be the guy behind InstantCosby — and reveals his coworker Jon Fernandez's creation, InstantArnold.\n\n\nNovember 09, 2012\nChicago's high level of gang violence is nothing new, but its increasingly popular "trap" rap scene, featuring juvenile rappers that rhyme about guns, "bitches" and drugs, is adding more fuel to the already out of control fire. Many wonder who is responsible for the epidemic, the misguided teens or their parents? Chicago blogger Alexander Fruchter explores this troubling trend in an editorial for Ruby Hornet.\n\n\nNovember 07, 2012\nCook County judge Cynthia Brim appeared in court this morning regarding her arrest in March after assaulting a deputy. Brim handily won retention to the bench in yesterday's polls. \n\n\nNovember 07, 2012\nA Philly-based photographer takes a look at polling places in Chicago.\n\n\nNovember 06, 2012\nComplex magazine named local photographer Debbie Carlos one of the 25 Coolest Artists on Etsy. They say she has "some of the most stunning photography" on the popular arts and crafts website.\n\n\nNovember 02, 2012\nCustomMade.com is a marketplace for furniture, art and other custom-made and commissioned work. Plenty of the posted projects were either made or reside here.\n\n\nOctober 31, 2012\nNestio's Don't Haunt Me, Bro will tell you. (Hull House is on their list of favorite haunted homes in America.)\n\n\nOctober 25, 2012\n—Kanye Wes.\n\n\nOctober 25, 2012\nFun with a label maker. [via]\n\n\nOctober 22, 2012\n"This American Life's" Ira Glass explains how to make a balloon animal — and how to get a guy to wear a condom "without being a total buzzkill," among other sex-related questions — for Rookie.\n \nBalloon Animals: A Video Tutorial by Ira Glass from Rookie on Vimeo.\n\n\nOctober 17, 2012\nBehold, Chapter 23 of Trapped in the Closet.\n\n\nOctober 16, 2012\nA commercial for the latest edition of SimCity features an example of the Sears Tower being struck by meteors. [via]\n\n\n\nOctober 12, 2012\n"In" space, "from" space, whatever. NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day from yesterday is a satellite snapshot with Chicago in the center.\n\n\nOctober 04, 2012\nRandall, of honey badger fame, turns his eyes toward Chicago. [via]\n\n\n\nSeptember 27, 2012\nA movie about Mormons, an archive of improvised music and small-batch giardiniera are among the projects on Gapers Block's curated Kickstarter page right now. Give a hand.\n\n\n\nSeptember 23, 2012\nShaun Sperling, whose video of lip-syncing and dancing to Madonna's hit "Vogue" at his 1992 suburban Bar Mitzvah party made himself a You Tube sensation, got another boost: at one of her shows at United Center last week, Madge herself singled out Sperling in the crowd for a brief sing-a-long during "Like a Prayer." Madonna's publicist claims the singer randomly selected Sperling and had no knowledge of the video. You can see Sperling himself in concert this Saturday at Mary's Attic.\n\n\nSeptember 21, 2012\nSocial media meets real world interaction on Monday, when Social Media Week begins. There's still plenty of room in most of the events; see the schedule here.\n\n\nSeptember 12, 2012\nWhat images come up for "Chicago" when people in different countries search Google Images? ImageAtlas.org shows you.\n\n\nSeptember 10, 2012\nCintas is once again running its America's Best Restroom contest, and the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel is the local nominee.\n\n\nSeptember 10, 2012\nThe Chronicle of Philanthropy's recent report, How America Gives, breaks down charitable giving by state, metropolitan area and by zip code. Illinois ranks 29, and the Chicago metropolitan area comes in at 227 out 366 areas. Local donors give 4.2% of income, a median amount of $2,296. If you want to know how your ZIP code fares, take a look.\n\n\nSeptember 04, 2012\nThe Chicago Film Archives put together a collection of newsreel footage from the 1960 Republican National Convention, which was held in Chicago. There's no sound for most of it, but that's kind of a nice change compared to today's "wall-to-wall" coverage.\n\n\n\nAugust 28, 2012\nThe Onion makes light of the city's high murder rate by reporting it as a fad.\n\n\nAugust 28, 2012\nFunny filmmaker Steve Delahoyde says, "I made it eight full days before using my infant son as a prop in a stupid short film."\n\n\n\nAugust 22, 2012\nThere's a certain door in a certain O'Hare parking garage that does a mean impression of jazz trumpeter Miles Davis. [via]\n\n\n\nAugust 13, 2012\nSpecial, updated versions of FOX's popular '90s sketch comedy series "In Living Color," scheduled to air this year, have been shelved — at least for now. In a radio interview, Chicago comedian Lil Rel, an ensemble cast member of the rebooted series, shares his thoughts on why the laughs may have been put on hold. \n\n\nAugust 10, 2012\nHell if I know, but this site will give you some f*ckin' suggestions. (Or maybe you just need a drink.)\n\n\nAugust 10, 2012\nStarting today, local music education nonprofit Rock for Kids is launching an eBay auction of autographed 8×10 photos from 150 bands, including The Temptations, Pat Benatar, The Village People, Nickel Creek, Naughty By Nature, Ben Folds and more. Bid early and often to win your favorites. Bidding starts at $8.10 and proceeds benefit the charity that brings music education to at-risk youth in Chicago.\n\n\nAugust 07, 2012\nHere's an overlay of an 1857 map over a current one of the city. [via]\n\n\nAugust 07, 2012\nThe University of Chicago is the 5th happiest college in the country, according to a recent survey from Newsweek and The Daily Beast. If the U of C is no longer "where fun comes to die", consider this t-shirt (long a staple of the typical UChicago wardrobe) a collector's item.\n\n\nAugust 07, 2012\nRock Island police arrested a naked man covered in cooking spray on Monday. \n\n\nAugust 06, 2012\nThe Onion ran a video featuring a blurb about "Sears extremists" flying a plane into the Willis Tower in retaliation for changing the building's name. People on Facebook are very upset.\n\n\n\nAugust 02, 2012\nAnother work day has started. Look at these Chicagoland puppies.\n\n\nAugust 01, 2012\nA United flight from Dallas to Denver had a run-in with a bird while in the air yesterday. The flight wasn't affected, but the plane is a bit sore.\n\n\nJuly 30, 2012\nThe Interrupters et Hoop Dreams director Steve James and author Raj Patel are currently answering questions on Reddit.\n\n\nJuly 26, 2012\nT-shirt designer Nathan Pyle is running an animated gif contest on Threadless. The submissions are pretty fantastic.\n\n\nJuly 25, 2012\nAccording to Eater, a "No Soup For You" Food Truck will be in Chicago on Friday, July 27. No word yet on planned stops or a route for the truck, which will feature "free iconic Seinfeld" treats and The Soup Nazi himself, Larry Thomas, so check this Facebook page for updates (and be careful when asking for bread).\n\n\nJuly 20, 2012\nThe Art Institute's DotBot uses your computer's webcam to make Roy Lichtenstein-esque comic portraits.\n\n\nJuly 18, 2012\nA client of nail artist Astrowifey got her nails done up with a map of the CTA. Chip a nail, lose a transfer. [via]\n\n\nJuly 17, 2012\nSometimes the best show at Wrigley is in the stands.\n \nPhil wins a bet from regis wakefield on Vimeo.\n\n\nJuly 13, 2012\nDesigner and past GB contributor Craighton Berman draws the country in a new music video for Marbles the Brain Store's new CD, Brain Beats.\n\n\n\nJuly 11, 2012\nSlightly Insulting Chicago Posters does basically what it says in the name. It's The Chicago Neighborhoods but mean.\n\n\nJune 21, 2012\nGet inspired by the Kickstarter campaign for Chicago long-time sign painter Ches Perry. He's painted signs by hand since the mid '60s, and shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, he wants to fund an instructional DVD to pass on his knowledge to a new generation. This, and other worthy local Kickstarter projects, can be found in our Gapers Block curated page of campaigns.\n\n\nJune 15, 2012\nWant to make sure everyone knows you got a real "Chicago dog" in Chicago? This tee on Fab.com proudly states the fact for all to see.\n\n\nJune 15, 2012\nFather's Day means different things to different people.\n\n\nJune 05, 2012\nClear your schedules Friday, when the Bootmobile rolls into Chicago.\n\n\nMay 23, 2012\nThe Lake Shore Drive viaduct at Grand Avenue, which has been home to Shepherd Fairey's "Obey" mural for the past year, was painted over this morning. \n\n\nMay 16, 2012\nMaybe getting a full back tattoo of Michael Jordan with a gimpy leg and a Dennis Rodman growing out of his armpit wasn't such a good idea.\n\n\n\nMay 08, 2012\nOld Maps Online shows you where various historical maps from several collections land on a Google map. Here's Chicagoland.\n\n\nMay 04, 2012\nIf things are going sour at the half, consider turning off the television and looping this video of high school Derrick Rose dancing instead. [via]\n\n\n\nMay 02, 2012\nFor no apparent reason, the Chicago-set '80s sitcom "Perfect Strangers" has been turned into a a very weird online videogame.\n\n\n\n27 avril 2012\nAn oldie but a goodie: back in 2006, Jason Kottke imagines what Manhattan would look like off the coast of Chicago and other cities, inspired by the classic Radical Cartography experiment.\n\n\nApril 22, 2012\nNY Mag spends an evening with NU's finest rapper (and celebrity kid) Chet Haze.\n\n\nApril 19, 2012\nThat "You got me pregnant at the Megadeth/Motörhead show" Craigslist ad from last week turns out to be fake, as you may have suspected. [via]\n\n\nApril 19, 2012\nCPS teachers are seeking state support to increase The Chicago Teachers Pension Fund (CTPF), which is currently underfunded by millions of dollars. Senate Bill 3628 would allow $270 million to flow into the CTPF but, after that, state contributions would fall to ten percent of what it provides to the Teachers Retirement Fund, which is for teachers outside of Chicago. If the bill were to pass the senate it would still need to find support in the Illinois House. Controversial spending by the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) of Illinois adds an element of question to the debate.\n\n\nApril 18, 2012\nRemember the search for the owner of a pit bull who fatally attacked a toy breed mix dog at Montrose Dog Beach in late March? The owner who slipped away, refusing to give his name or take responsibility as onlookers followed, snapping a picture of him and his dog and posting it online for helping the dead dog's family get some justice? The pit's owner has now been identified as an off-duty policeman, of all things. He was ticketed for failing to report the incident, and has been relieved of his police powers while an investigation is conducted.\n\n\nApril 17, 2012\nBlackhawk and Little Bird helicopters engaged in a military training exercise downtown darted through the streets with no lights on, stirring up a flurry of tweets and videos from confused Loop workers and residents.\n\nLater in the evening, two MH-6 Little Birds flew along the Chicago River corridor as well. (Thanks John for the chopper ID!)\n\n\nApril 16, 2012\nAs AON moves out of the Uptown neighborhood this summer, the neighborhood is gaining another type of commerce. The company's staff parking structure on Broadway (near Argyle) will be utilized as a part-time vintage market from June-October, with vendors selling straight from their methods of transportation on the third Sunday of each month.\n\n\nApril 12, 2012\nIf you got busy in an Aragon bathroom during the Megadeth/Motörhead show in February, you've got a kid on the way. [via]\n\n\nApril 12, 2012\nLocal art and design blog Colossal, The Chicago Portfolio School, Pitchfork and The Onion (whose web team is local) are nominated in this year's Webby Awards.\n\n\nApril 05, 2012\nTina Fey is a big fan of Chicago, but warns that "a dude might bite your nose off."\n\n\nApril 03, 2012\nIf you're itching to stylishly transport that new iPad or maybe an iPhone or MacBook Air or Pro, check out the lovely "Biblio" handmade covers offered via Kickstarter by FoGB George Aye (he's shot some inspired photos at Pitchfork over the years for Transmission) and David Hull. The sweetness is in the video on the campaign page (also after the jump). See other GB-curated Kickstarter campaigns.\n \n\n\nApril 03, 2012\nIn honor of National Poetry Month, here is A Poem From Us, yet another awesome project from former GB staffer Felix Jung.\n\n\nApril 02, 2012\nThe map of Chicago looks even better in watercolor.\n\nYou might also dig this map.\n\n\nApril 02, 2012\nOne of Google's April Fool's pranks this year was to release an 8-bit "Quest" version of Google Maps, which supposedly runs on the Nintendo Entertainment System. But while it may be a prank, it results in some pretty amazing low-res views of Chicago.\nChicago, Legend of Zelda style:\nA view of the buildings across from Google's Chicago offices:\nMarina Towers:\nThe Hancock:\nThe Bean and skyline:\nBuckingham Fountain:\nWrigley Field:\nThe Field Museum:\nA surprisingly colorful Sears Tower:\nThe Water Tower:\n\n\nMarch 27, 2012\nGoogle's doodle today is a depiction of IIT's Crown Hall, in honor of architect Mies van der Rohe's 126th birthday. The Mies van der Rohe Society is throwing a party tonight, with a focus on the architect's influence over hair stylist Vidal Sassoon.\n\n\n\nMarch 25, 2012\nFantastic Chicago-based Lesbian website The L Stop, (aka "the one stop for everything lesbian in Chicago") just published their list of the 10 Chicago Lesbians to Look Out For. \n\n\nMarch 23, 2012\nGoodie Mags is a service that sends magazines to your loved ones in the hospital, nursing homes, even jails and prisons. You can also send magazines to your favorite incarcerated celebrities! The first celebrity recipient? According to Goodie Mags founder and CEO Miriam Bhimani, former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich.\n\n\nMarch 21, 2012\nThe Chicago Council on Global Affairs and Community Media Workshop launched ChicagoStories.org today as a resource for journalists coming to the city to cover the NATO summit. \n\n\nMarch 20, 2012\nOK Go's latest adventure is OK Gopid, an online dating site that matches your profile with one carefully selected by one of the band's wacky contraptions.\n\n\n\nMarch 12, 2012\nOpen Culture collects interesting audio and video from 290 cultural icons, including Saul Bellow, Bill Murray, Shel Silverstein and Frank Lloyd Wright. [via]\n\n\nMarch 10, 2012\nA ChipIn account is accepting donations for Remmy the dog, whose owners are Shawn Smith (the genius behind Shawnimals) and his wife Jen. Remmy was attacked by two dogs in her Logan Square neighborhood this past week, and while she's recovering, it's to the tune of about $9k in veterinary bills. \n\n\nMarch 08, 2012\nWhile Chicago's bid for the Olympics may have failed, a local group is launching a campaign to bring the 2013 Quidditch World Cup to Chicago. To see Quidditch in action, check out the highlights from last year's championship.\n\n\n\nMarch 07, 2012\nA game made out of reclaimed barn wood, a children's book about Chicago history and student compilation CD from Intonation Music Workshop are among the recent additions to the Gapers Block Kickstarter page.\n\n\nMarch 07, 2012\nGothamist founder Jake Dobkin created GrafRank, a ranking of "important graffiti artists around the world using data drawn from the internet." Chicago is, of course, well represented.\n\n\nMarch 06, 2012\nCongratulations to the U of C's Ted Gonder, whose Moneythink organization is one of five winners in the White House's Champions of Change Challenge. [via]\n\n\nMarch 05, 2012\nStudents at the University of Chicago use social media to raise awareness about certain unsanitary living conditions — including exploding toilets — in one of the oldest dorms on campus.\n\n\nMarch 01, 2012\nThe Reader reports some drama in the realms of the hip-hop web culture involving Fake Shore Drive and a keyboard crusader tweeting and blogging under the name Real Shore Drive. \n\n\nMarch 01, 2012\nPresident Obama backed the Bulls once more in an interview with ESPN last night. During the podcast, he alluded to his possible re-election and included that sometime during his presidency, "it will happen." Considering the possibility that he's not re-elected, this could be the year. Droite?\n\n\nFebruary 29, 2012\nLen Kendall proposed to his girlfriend, Katie Holland, via Buzzfeed, and the social mediasphere went wild. Thankfully, she said yes.\n\n\nFebruary 29, 2012\nAndrew Rosinski has fixed that.\n\n\nFebruary 27, 2012\nLittle Lady, a Jack Russell terrier available for adoption in the area, looks a great deal like Uggie, the canine star of The Artist (which won Best Picture at last night's Oscars) who was also a shelter dog. \n\n\nFebruary 17, 2012\nA new city ordinance promises to hold cab companies liable for repeat-offender drivers. The law will go into effect in the summer and is expected to make current laws surrounding cab drivers, which are typically circumvented, easier to enforce. \n\n\nFebruary 16, 2012\nComedy troupe Hot Snow knows that rich bigotry knows know race, creed or sexual preference.\n\n\n\nFebruary 14, 2012\nMitch O'Connell has an astounding collection of weird Valentine's Day cards. \n\n\nFebruary 14, 2012\nChicago residents can now volunteer to shovel a snow-covered sidewalk by claiming a section of the city on their smart phone through a new web app, Adopt-a-sidewalk. The app also connects volunteers with seniors and people with disabilities who might need help with snow removal. \n\n\nFebruary 14, 2012\nChicago is spending about $193,000 for police face shields — Money well spent?\n\n\nFebruary 14, 2012\nIf you love old photos of Chicago as much as we do, new blog Chicago Past looks extremely promising.\n\n\nFebruary 12, 2012\nCheck out the full transcript of Tribune reporter David Kidwell's Feb. 8 interview with Emanuel — an interview described as "sometimes contentious, sometimes humorous."\n\n\nFebruary 10, 2012\nHere's a brief video asking 35 locals why they love Chicago — and which is part of the "175 Ways to Love Chicago" project.\n\n\nFebruary 09, 2012\nIn light of the city sticker controversy, designer Aaron Kraus looked for evidence of gang signs in other civic symbols. Cook County might have a problem. (Then again, there's also the flag.)\n\n\nFebruary 07, 2012\nSmashing Pumpkins, Fall Out Boy and the University of Chicago all earned homemade shrines from Rookie mag readers.\n\n\nFebruary 02, 2012\nLocal comic Ever Mainard had a set this past Tuesday at Chicago Underground Comedy that people are still talking about. Not just comics; people who have never done a stand-up set in their life are talking about it. Luckily, it was caught on video so that those of you who weren't there can witness the moment that people will talk about for years to come. Right now, though, I'm going to Arrêtez talking about it, and let you see for yourself. \n\n\n\nFebruary 01, 2012\nCheck out this video posted by Brokelyn, a spoof of Portlandia's "Did You Read It?" sketch. Keep an eye out for a Chicago version and send it my way immediately. \n\n\nFebruary 01, 2012\nThe "shit ___ say" meme is thoroughly played out, but this one is notable for its inclusion of Richard Roeper performing Bill O'Reilly's famous "Inside Edition" temper tantrum in its entirety.\n\n\n\nJanuary 31, 2012\nYou've been pronouncing "Kanye West" all wrong. [via]\n\n\n\nJanuary 29, 2012\nInterested in the Tribune's new weekly book supplement, Printers Row? You can check out a free digital sneak peek here.\n\n\nJanuary 28, 2012\nA mysterious portrait of Mayor Rahm Emanuel created as a movie poster of the Godfather appeared in the office of Tribune columnist John Kass. And he'd like to know who sent it to him. He even checked it for bugs, just in case. \n\n\nJanuary 27, 2012\nIf your indoor plants are seeming a bit lonely, why not get them a set of wee Obamas to keep them company. \n\n\nJanuary 26, 2012\nLooking for Glove is a new site by FoGB Dubi Kaufmann attempting to help lost gloves and mittens find their mates.\n\n\nJanuary 26, 2012\nBears aren't in it, which mutes much of my interest in the game, but the commercials still got a shot at tuning me in. I caught wind of this 10-second teaser, featuring the hometown '80s icon and all time favorite bad influence Ferris Bueller, who looks ready for some mid-life madness. \n\n\n\nJanuary 26, 2012\nThe "Sh*t People Say" meme is spreading through the Internet faster than a cat with its tail on fire, and YouTuber LyonEsEnTodo brings it home with "Sh*t Chicagoans Say." What DO you say, Chicago? Tweet it to us @gapersblock.\n\n\n\nJanuary 26, 2012\nChicago "L" Hangman is pretty much what it sounds like. [via]\n\n\nJanuary 24, 2012\nLocal comedy duo and NEDTalks creators Seth and Kellen skewer two memes at once in a self-described "desperate attempt to go viral." \n\n\n\nJanuary 23, 2012\nThe "Shit ___ Say" video meme train is finally pulling into Chicago. Add your suggestions for the video over on Reddit.\n\n\nJanuary 20, 2012\n…but you can be driven around Chicago in a Ferrari by this guy for $300/hour.\n\n\nJanuary 20, 2012\nWGN-TV footage from the city's fourth worst blizzard in history, that brought down nearly 19 inches of snow from Jan. 13 to Jan. 14, 1979.\n\n\nJanuary 18, 2012\nChicago's failed Olympic bid still haunts the Internet on Google street view.\n\n\n\nJanuary 17, 2012\nTwo separate controversies are battling it out in the Yelp-a-verse: a sommelier so angry at a negative review of his wine-tasting courses that he created a fake blog for the rater that documented a (fabricated) criminal history and substance abuse problems (she's suing him); and a dog obedience trainer who reportedly choked and kicked a dog in his care in front of a number of local animal rescue groups at an adoption event this past weekend.\n\n\nJanuary 16, 2012\nMichael Jordan: Chaos in the Windy City was a Super NES videogame released by EA in 1994, to very poor reviews. If you have a couple hours to kill, you can watch a guy play the whole thing on YouTube in, appropriately enough, 23 parts. Or download the ROM and play it yourself.\n\n\n\nJanuary 12, 2012\nJust happened upon some footage that features some of the best bboys, or breakdancers, in the city, battling it out at the Alternatives Youth Center back in November.\n\n\n\nJanuary 12, 2012\nIf you see folks taking dibs on parking spots after it snows, or even if you have proof of pre-dibs, share it with Chicago Dibs.\n\n\nJanuary 11, 2012\nAs Redditor DrapedInVelvet said, "And I thought I had too much free time."\nClick to see the full version:\n\n\nJanuary 10, 2012\nThe time on the symbolic Doomsday Clock, which tracks how close the world is to global disaster, has been adjusted. The time was moved from six minutes to five due to "ongoing threats from nuclear proliferation, climate change and the need to find sustainable and safe sources of energy." The Clock is maintained by the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists at the University of Chicago.\n\n\nJanuary 06, 2012\nAaron Kraus has created a Tumblr (NSFW) with an intersection of the phrase "Hey Girl" from Ryan Gosling memes, Rick Santorum's positions women's rights and pictures of Rick Santorum. Submissions to the blog are being accepted (Still NSFW).\n\n\n\nJanuary 04, 2012\nThe Lincoln Park Zoo has a new owl (it's a snowy owl; what's with those this year?) and have left its name up to a Facebook poll. A.V. Club Chicago wasn't inspired by the choices, so it took to Twitter to elicit some more.\n\n\nJanuary 04, 2012\nA deep dish pizza makes an appearance in an unlikely place.\n\n\nDecember 30, 2011\nThe Resolution Generator knows.\n\n\nDecember 30, 2011\nWBEZ has a downloadable list of Chicago traffic maven Sarah Jindra's favorite tweets from the past year. Ah, the memories.\n\n\nDecember 29, 2011\nA Super-Fan in the making? (Thanks, Fruzsina!)\n\n\nDecember 28, 2011\nChicago's entry in Wikipeetia, the misspelled encyclopedia.\n\n\nDecember 27, 2011\nStop by the Chicago History Museum's lobby to see Pie Face, one of several games developed in our fair city (along with Mouse Trap, Operation, and Lite-Brite) by Marvin Glass & Associates.\n\n\nDecember 23, 2011\nChristmas toy delivery has been outsourced to FedEx, so Kris Claus has been looking for a job. Plan B hired him.\n\n\nDecember 20, 2011\nOffice party or living room bash — you still need some good tunes. Refinery 29 blogs that DJ Matt Roan has your Christmas hip shakers all in one mix you can stream or download. \n\n\nDecember 19, 2011\nKim Jong-un, the son of recently departed North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, was obsessed with Michael Jordan during his teen years: the future dictator loved to wear Air Jordans and spent hours "doing meticulous pencil drawings" of the legendary athlete while attending a Swiss boarding school. Jong-un reportedly also had pictures of himself with former Bulls player Toni Kukoc (and Kobe Bryant) hanging in his dorm room.\n\n\nDecember 14, 2011\nThe New King of R n' B wants to take you to his floating "Hotel" and sail the Bahamas with you.\nSeafarers can join The Pied Piper of R n' B in a stepping class to learn "The Love Signals," experience cuisine prepared under the watchful eye of Mr. "Sex in the Kitchen," and compete the "12 Play" basketball tournament. This will be R. Kelly's first concert cruise so all bets are off. Judging by Aziz Ansari's response of a past Kells performance all shipmates will have a "Wonderful" time. More info is on the Love Letter Cruise website.\n\n\nDecember 12, 2011\nBear with me — Energy Impact Illinois has put together a web series following Big Bill and Little Bill (both played by Second City actors) who share a variety of tips and tricks to help homeowners make their homes more energy efficient for the upcoming winter.\n\n\nDecember 09, 2011\nIf you're a fan of "The Office" (or just love paper), the Dunder Mifflin Paper Truck will be in town next week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Follow the truck on Twitter at @DMPaperTruck for exact times and locations.\n\n\nDecember 07, 2011\nLongtime Andersonville tavern, Simon's, had a theft from its basement over the weekend of an antique cash register that's as old as the bar itself (nearly 77 years). If you have any leads, they'd be very interested to recover it. [Update: Simon’s has additional information describing the register, should you see it at your local pawn shop or flea market.]\n\n\nDecember 02, 2011\nDid you know there's no such thing as Santa Claus? WGN's Robin Robertson broke it down for her colleagues earlier this week on-air earlier this week; after some viewers called in complaints, she then apologized.\n\n\nDecember 01, 2011\nA bit of tinkering with the Guinness Book of World Records search engine will let you see all records currently held by Chicago and its residents.\n\n\nDecember 01, 2011\nTime Out Chicago discovers that while things might not be so hot, members of the Millennial generation have got what it takes to prevail.\n\n\nNovember 30, 2011\nCongratulations to Northwestern student Lawrence Dai, whose mission to watch Julie & Julia everyday for a year (and blog about it at The Lawrence/Julie & Julia Project), ended last night with a viewing party in Denver attended by his fan club and Amy Adams's mom.\n\n\nNovember 18, 2011\nSure, if you can afford to pay $15,000 in rent. Oprah's renting out her Streeterville condo.\n\n\nNovember 18, 2011\nIf you search for "planes overhead" in (Champaign-based) Wolfram Alpha, it'll give you a list of planes flying over your location, along with a sky map. [via]\nHere's one from last night:\n\n\n\nNovember 17, 2011\nSomeone snuck a photo of Xzibit into an exhibit in the Oriental Institute Museum.* As they say, the intertubes are leaking.\n\n*OK, really they just photoshopped it in there, but where's the fun in that?\n\n\nNovember 15, 2011\nThe corner of State and Madison becomes 4437th Street and 4363 Avenue on ExtendNY, which applies New York's grid worldwide. [via]\n\n\nNovember 15, 2011\nThe Ghostbusters have a Chicago Division, in case you need some ghosts busted over by dere. [via]\n\n\nNovember 14, 2011\nSee if you can spot Chicago at the beginning of this stunning time-lapse video of Earth at night, short from the International Space Station. [via]\n\nEarth | Time Lapse View from Space, Fly Over | NASA, ISS from Michael König on Vimeo.\n\n\nNovember 11, 2011\nBig Dog Eat Child is back with a couple more Twenty-Something Ninja Turtles\n\n\n\n\nNovember 09, 2011\nWinnie the Pooh rides the CTA.\n\n\nNovember 08, 2011\nIn case you missed it sur Twitter this morning, for a little while there was a Lake Michigan-shaped storm covering the entirety of Lake Michigan.\n\n\n\nNovember 08, 2011\nA Lincoln Square local scours the internet daily to find the best sweepstakes out there to give everyone a chance to win. One Sweeps offers a sweepstake a day where you can decide if you'd like to enter. \n\n\nNovember 03, 2011\nOne of the best TribLocal headlines I've read, "It's hard out there for a mime," is actually about a teen mistaken for one when what he intended was to dress up as a dancer from America’s Best Dance Crew. "…not used to seeing street performers in a residential neighborhood, some neighbors were confused and called police."\n\n\nOctober 26, 2011\nEver wonder what it's like to be inside one of the planes in the Chicago Air & Water Show? [via]\n\n\n\nOctober 20, 2011\nValentino Vamp posted a picture of two young women who dressed up for a night on the town on May 25, 1944.\n\n\nOctober 19, 2011\nNow on Feast of Fun: After coming out to his parents, a gay soldier decides to come out to his pizza delivery guy.\n\n\n\nOctober 18, 2011\nA Lincoln Park dentist office is offering kids money for their Halloween candy this year. \n\n\nOctober 18, 2011\nFoo-gos.com recreates sports and other logos with food; here's the Blackhawks logo made out of hotdogs, pickles, mushrooms, sauerkraut and ketchup. [via]\n\n\n\nOctober 13, 2011\nWeb folk, you have less than 24 hours to buy the United Pixel Workers Illinois Local 21 t-shirt.\n\n\nOctober 12, 2011\nThe official video for rapper/Northwestern student/son o' Hanks Chet Haze's "Hollywood" is out. You're welcome.\n\n\n\nOctober 07, 2011\nThe Fake Criswell, the amazing Twitter predictor of science, now has a website.\n\n\nOctober 07, 2011\nGoogle's map of Chicago seems to be a little inconsistent: in some versions, Madison Street is missing west of the river, and Randolph Street is listed as "planned."\n\n\nOctober 04, 2011\nThe Blagojevich's Ravenswood Manor home is for sale; just $1,070,000 for a piece of Illinois history. WBEZ's Justin Kaufmann makes some suggestions on how to jazz up the listing.\nPhoto by Eric Allix Rogers.\n\n\nSeptember 29, 2011\nEverything is Terrible strikes again.\n\nIT'S THE 90S! from Everything Is Terrible! on Vimeo.\n\n\nSeptember 26, 2011\nSeems like it arrived a little early; it won't be Hoth-like weather for three or four more months. [via]\n\n\nSeptember 26, 2011\nInspired by Morgan Spurlock's recent film, one Chicagoan is looking for 34 sponsors for his Halloween costume.\n\n\n\nSeptember 25, 2011\nNot all of this advice is strictly good.\n\n\nSeptember 16, 2011\nGalvea Kelly of Irish marketing agency NUA asked 50 people in Chicago what their favorite memory is.\n\n\n\nSeptember 14, 2011\nA dude who decided to relieve himself in an Uptown alley on Saturday didn't realize that a security camera was watching his every move(ment). (Maybe kinda NSFW)\n\n\nSeptember 08, 2011\nWe've linked to it before, but with all the Playboy Club hub-bub, it seems like a good time to point out the Ex Playboy Bunnies Website, an online community for Bunnies new and old.\n\n\nSeptember 06, 2011\nGB flickr pool contributor MewDeep uploaded a somewhat creepy 1965 Life magazine photograph of balloon men over the Chicago River.\n\n\nSeptember 04, 2011\nTrump International Hotel and Tower got the Lego treatment curtsey of Sean Kenney and about 65,000 Lego pieces. Since the tower itself is a glass and steel structure, the "reflected" skyline was built on the inside of the 10-foot sculpture to better simulate the glassiness. On display at the Chicago Lego store. Sean's Tribune Tower is awesome too.\n\n\nSeptember 04, 2011\nNew trouble for hometown giant Groupon, this time self-inflicted. According to a report in The New York Times, Groupon chief executive Andrew Mason may have broken SEC rules preventing a company from attempting to "condition the market by hyping its stock" by issuing an internal memo recently. In it, he defends against media reports about the company's numbers, a balance sheet that will no doubt be adversely affected if Groupon's IPO is put on hold.\n\n\nSeptember 02, 2011\nYou truly belong here with us among the clouds…\n\n\nAugust 31, 2011\nA resident of the Green Street Lofts, where our mayor and his family lived until they were able to move back into their Ravenswood home, found an interesting angle for selling his condo.\n\n\nAugust 27, 2011\nThe Trib's slideshows aren't always top-notch quality, but none match this hilarious phone-it-in gallery of photographs of things that have the same names as recent hurricanes.\n\n\nAugust 26, 2011\nFrom the audience of the recent Del Close Marathon in NYC, a Las Vegas-based improviser named Eric D. Angell casually told a story of having sex with an "old, drunk girl" in a hotel room in Chicago several years ago that sounds a great deal like rape. See for yourself; it was all captured on video.\n\n\nAugust 25, 2011\nCheck out the minimalist, typographical transit maps of TRNSPRTNATION.\n\n\nAugust 24, 2011\nChicago is included on Bård Edlund's pretty but confusing Weather Wheel — but unfortunately so is the popular misconception about why we're called the Windy City. [via]\n\n\nAugust 22, 2011\nWe've seen some heartbreaking instances of missing dogs around the city lately. If you're a pet owner, microchipping can help locate your lost pet. There's also a few sites that can help advertise your search.\n\n\nAugust 19, 2011\nKate O'Leary lovingly maps some of her personal Lincoln Square landmarks on They Draw & Travel.\n\n\nAugust 18, 2011\nHell's travel and tourism site recently got a spectacular redesign at the hands of local designer Chris Herron. [via]\n\n\nAugust 10, 2011\nUniversity of Chicago fourth year Mitchell Kohles challenged the automated storage and retrieval system at the U of C's newest library, the Joe and Rika Mansueto Library, to a race. How did Mitchell do? Let's go to the tape, err, YouTube video.\n\n\nAugust 01, 2011\nRorschmap turns googlemaps into kaleidoscopes. Here's Chicago. [via]\n\n\n\nJuly 29, 2011\nOn Re-Nest, they have a swell Etsy find: specialty cast-iron pans in the shape of Illinois. You can even load up on pans in the shape of other Midwestern states if you so desire. \n\n\nJuly 28, 2011\nFrom Studio Sweet Studio comes The City Scout, a stylish set recommendations of places to check out in Chicago (and soon Brooklyn) from local creative types.\n\n\nJuly 27, 2011\nThe late Amy Winehouse loved her Ronnie Spector-esqe beehive, a hair design that was created in Chicago a whopping 50 years ago.\n\n\nJuly 25, 2011\nRemember Chicago Express Airlines? Me neither. Its flight attendant uniform and others from American, Midway and United are among more than a thousand in this massive collection. [via]\n\n\nJuly 21, 2011\nTavi Gevinson, the teen fashion blogger behind Thestylerookie.com, is shopping a book. The proposal for "Diary" suggests "the book will be one part make-your-own scrapbook, one part feminist manifesto for girls and one part celebrity memento collage."\n\n\nJuly 15, 2011\nGangsta rap about Python, straight outta the suburbs. (NSFW)\n\n\n\nJuly 12, 2011\nEric Fischer's "See Something or Say Something" project maps geotagged tweets and Flickr photos and shows where they overlap. Chicago lights up nicely.\n\n\n\nJuly 07, 2011\nCraig Shimala's latest work is a time-lapse video showing every sunrise over downtown Chicago for the month of June. [via]\n\n\n\nJuly 06, 2011\nLocal jewelery designer Ashley Scott's new line, "Drapes," is currently featured on fashion blog, Refiney 29. \n\n\nJuly 01, 2011\nDoesn't The Bean look like a vaguely ominous gateway to a parallel dimension? [via]\n\n\nJuly 01, 2011\nWhat's a San Antonio reporter to do when strangers continually mistake him for our mayor? Write an article of course. [via]\n\n\nJune 30, 2011\nCheck out this awesome personal stationery from architect Frank Lloyd Wright circa 1946.\n\n\nJune 29, 2011\nThe video we've all been waiting for has finally dropped.[[via]\n\n\n\nJune 28, 2011\nIf you need a compelling reason to go to the Taste (and really, who doesn't), Grub Street has a nifty map showing where vendors are coming from, all over the city. You'd save gas money just by going to Grant Park — especially if you're into dessert.\n\n\nJune 27, 2011\nNorthwestern's finest rapper/rising sophomore Chet Haze dazzled the clubgoers at Enclave Friday night–and his famous mom and dad were there, too!\n\n\nJune 27, 2011\nJune 25 was Reddit Arbitrary Day. Chicago's redditor meetup was also a concert; here's a photo and audio essay by occasional GB contributor Fruzsina Eordogh.\n\n\n\nJune 24, 2011\nA MetaFilter thread about the venerable Chicago-L.org led me to Railfan, a 2006 PS3 game simulating the Brown Line. You can find it used on Amazon and elsewhere, but it's not cheap.\n\n\nJune 22, 2011\nEspecially when you're the only Cubs fans on the train to Wrigley.\n\n\nJune 22, 2011\nApparently you can pack the entire population of Oman into the city limits.\n\n\nJune 22, 2011\nAnother summer, another travel guide from the BBC.\n\n\nJune 21, 2011\n"That day when it's everyone's birthday but yours."\n\n\nJune 21, 2011\nStewart Gibbs, a health care administrator living in River West, was arrested late Sunday night after police discovered him in his apartment; Gibbs was drunk, naked, and covered in his dog's blood after trying to remove a cyst from the animal's ear with a butcher knife. The animal will recover. Gibbs was charged with felony animal cruelty.\n\n\nJune 13, 2011\nI Am Not Greg follows a hoofed critter who seems to have lost his way in East Lake View.\n\n\nJune 10, 2011\nA Redditor's coworker found an old quiz in her desk drawer titled "So You Think You Know Chicago"; how many can you guess? (The answers.)\n\n\nJune 06, 2011\nDesigner Gerard Huerta created a number of iconic band logos, but his rendition of Nick Fasciano's Chicago logo in a fingerprint is pretty inspired.\n\n\nJune 02, 2011\nWe at Gapers Block are big fans of Kickstarter, as you may have noticed. So much so that we've set up a curated page filled with local projects we think sound cool. Threadless, Pitchfork and a bunch of other non-local organizations have pages, too.\n\n\nJune 01, 2011\nAccording to the webcomic xkcd, "if you take any article, click on the first link in the article text not in parentheses or italics, and then repeat, you will eventually end up at "Philosophy." Chicago is only 13 steps away. (We're 14.)\n\n\nMay 31, 2011\nU of C-trained doctor Amy Lehman, who founded a floating medical clinic in Africa's Lake Tanganyika, showed off her large tattoo of the lake's geography for the Daily Beast.\n\n\nMay 26, 2011\nThe developers behind the Opera web browser are going to miss Oprah — because of the great misdirected emails they get. (Don't worry, guys, she's just moving to cable.) [via]\n\n\nMay 25, 2011\nCompletely missed this this winter: "Why You Hate Comic Sans," a presentation by David Kadavy given at Ignite Chicago. [via]\n\n\nMay 24, 2011\nBeyond lending street cred, this tattoo helps its owner with pesky questions from tourists. (At least it's easier to reference than the last one we linked to.)\n\n\nMay 20, 2011\nUnited Airlines got into some public relations hot water earlier this week when code numbers of flights that were part of the 9/11 tragedy were accidentally reinstated in their operating system.\n\n\nMay 19, 2011\nThe baby white-cheeked gibbon at Lincoln Park Zoo took his first steps to a poppy synthesizer soundtrack.\n\n\nMay 19, 2011\nWhen the Rapture comes on May 21 (or anytime in the next 10 years), Eternal Earthbound Pets will take care of your left-behind pets for a simple, one-time fee of $135. \n\n\nMay 16, 2011\nFor the record, this vintage ad from the "Soda Pop Board of America," based here in Chicago, is completely fake.\nAs handily annotated above, the ad features obviously satirical copy ("fitting in" is a purported health claim), a Coca-Cola bottle with a backwards logo, and a fake address (there's a Hart Street, but it runs north-south, for just a block). And then there's the name — Soda Pop Board? While very wholesome, almost nobody calls sweetened carbonated beverages "soda pop," least of all the industry itself. It was created as a spoof for the sadly defunct The City Desk which published nothing mais fictional news. But hey, don't tell that to this guy.\n\n\nMay 13, 2011\nLunchtime just got a lot more rocking since White Mystery is going to play live at the Threadless HQ today. Lucky for you, you can catch the whole thing from your cube on Ustream starting at noon.\n\n\nMay 13, 2011\nRemember the two dogs who were rescued after falling through an iced-over Lake Michigan back in February after their owner abandoned them? One of the doggy duo, a 2-year-old pit bull terrier mix named Honey, is now available for adoption.\n\n\nMay 11, 2011\nThere's a whole lot to read on Jesus-Is-Savior.com, whose author grew up in Chicago and writes about the city frequently. (Sensitive readers be warned.)\n\n\nMay 10, 2011\nThe Illinois entry in the 50 and 50 Project may call to mind a certain local hot dog purveyor.\n\n\nApril 29, 2011\nGoogle Maps captured a lovely and mindblowing photo of a plane flying over Hyde park. (via)\n\n\nApril 28, 2011\nMoat lets you browse through all of a company's online ads. Such as Groupon, McDonald's, United and the Tribune.\n\n\nApril 27, 2011\nAnd speaking of Reddit's "Ask Me Anything" forum, here are all the Chicago-related threads.\n\n\nApril 25, 2011\nThe Chicago Grid has returned as a quarterly publication after a few month hiatus.\n\n\nApril 22, 2011\nA scientist at Argonne National Laboratory has studied ways to turn plastic grocery bags into materials that can produce printer ink and batteries.\n\n\nApril 22, 2011\nRed Door Shelter's Spring to Life Raffle ends tomorrow at 4pm. Tickets are $1 each, and prizes include $1,000 in cold hard cash, a Kindle, a case of wine, a weekend getaway on the North Shore, and Vosges chocolate bars. Proceeds benefit care of the Shelter's animals (while you're at it, look at these awesome fluffly bunnies, this doggy, and this kitteh–they're all available for adoption, along with many others!).\n\n\nApril 22, 2011\nWrite your own.\n\n\nApril 20, 2011\nThe Kanye West Foundation, which was created to decrease school dropout rates through creative programming, has folded after four years of operating. The charity's grantmaking dropped dramatically after the 2007 death of West's mother Donda, who was the Foundation's founder.\n\n\nApril 19, 2011\nI'm not entirely sure what "Guys Book Club" is about, but it sure ain't books.\n\n\n\nApril 18, 2011\nAll week, Chicago Publishes will feature poems from The Poetry Center's Hands on Stanzas program. Check back daily for a new poem and a Q&A with the poet.\n\n\nApril 13, 2011\nAccording to this report by WBEZ — old municipal buildings never die, they just turn into theaters. Next in line? Griffin Theatre Company — they just bought an abandoned police station near Foster and Damen for one dollar. When your neighborhood police station gets replaced by a theater, well, I think that's a good sign.\n\n\nApril 12, 2011\nGizmodo shows what areas of Chicago would have been affected had the tsunami/earthquake/Fukushima power plant tragedy struck here instead of Japan. I'm going to go hide under my bedsheets now.\n\n\nApril 11, 2011\nThe Poetry Foundation has redesigned their website to be "richer, faster" and more user-friendly.\n\n\nApril 11, 2011\nAfter years of trying, Roger Ebert is a finalist in The New Yorker's caption contest for this drawing. Voting closes at 11:59pm on April 17. [via]\n\n\nApril 10, 2011\nYou have to love letterhead that shows exactly what a company does. Vintage letterhead from The B. F. Cummins Company, 1914. \n\n\nApril 05, 2011\nIllinois's 2nd congressional district has the least lonely ladies in the land. Check out R. Luke DuBois's maps, which he created after analyzing the profiles of 19 million singles from 21 dating sites, to learn more.\n\n\nApril 05, 2011\nChicago's Bear Brand Hosiery Co. (whose Gary factory was finally torn down in 2009) once sold socks that grew with, um, you.\n\n\n\nApril 05, 2011\nAccording to the Sun-Times, the Loop, Rogers Park and Chatham have the most potholes in the city. [via]\n\n\nApril 05, 2011\nHighrise/Out My Window, a web documentary about high-rise apartment buildings in 13 cities — including Cabrini Green, shot by our own David Schalliol — won an International Digital Emmy.\n\n\nApril 04, 2011\nA cryptic — and possibly encrypted — tweet appeared on the @MayorEmanuel account briefly last night before being deleted. The Puzzler caught it, and is looking for help figuring out what it means.\n\n\nApril 04, 2011\nA reader submitted a photo on Windy Citizen and wonders if Banksy (or a local street art fan) created this topical image of Moammar Gadhafi in Chicago. \n\n\nApril 01, 2011\n"@avoision: Split my toenail pretty bad last night. Seeing doc on Monday, but slightly worried. Does this look infected? http://bit.ly/h3VI3R"\n\n\nMarch 31, 2011\nWondering what to do for April Fool's Day tomorrow? Alicia from Uncle Fun visited the "Guy Bauer Half Hour" to share some tips.\n\n\nMarch 31, 2011\nA cobra at the Bronx Zoo took to Twitter after escaping from its cage this week. The animals of Brookfield Zoo, Twitter veterans themselves, dropped it a Remarque. "Hey @BronxZoosCobra; we animals have been tweeting for a few months now, where've u been? Let's tweet up-just hop on a plane."\n\n\nMarch 23, 2011\nSurprisingly few Chicago-related submissions to Dear Blank, Please Blank, but the ones there are pretty great.\n\n\nMarch 22, 2011\nWest Loop-based green furniture company Strand Design recently launched an online store. Now you can buy new furniture while you sit on your old furniture. In your underwear.\n\n\nMarch 21, 2011\nI'd love to see Google Maps add a night-time version of the satellite map overlay. In the meantime, there's Night Earth.\n\n\nMarch 21, 2011\n…People in Chicago will do a surprising number of things. [via]\n\n\nMarch 21, 2011\nWebsite youarelistening.to offers mashups of police radio chatter and ambient music from five North American cities, including Chicago.\n\n\nMarch 16, 2011\ntheWit Chicago needs a correspondent for the second season of their "Witisodes" web series. The correspondent, in exchange for covering going-on around the city, will be compensated with a food and drink stipend, some free stays at the hotel, and $150 (per episode?). Interested applicants need only make a 60- to 90-second video to apply. Deadline is March 24. Click here for more details.\n\n\nMarch 14, 2011\nA few years ago National Geographic dispatched some photographers to 60614 to produce this vignette of life along the L.\n\n\nMarch 14, 2011\nChicago-based entrepreneurs Kevin Wielgus and Angelo Rago have launched JabberJury.com, a free online forum for settling all manner of debates. [via]\n\n\nMarch 09, 2011\nSaved for posterity by Josh Larios, @MayorEmanuel's tweets, along with contextual replies.\n\n\nMarch 08, 2011\nThere's a new high-tech frontier for advertising at O'Hare: animated video ads on the bathroom mirrors. [via]\n\n\nMarch 08, 2011\nEver wonder what European cities are even with Chicago latitudinally? Je ne me demande plus.\n\n\nMarch 07, 2011\nLocal lip sync legend Keenan Cahill starts off a new Smartwater commercial starring Jennifer Aniston that The Daily What calls one of the worst ever.\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\nMarch 04, 2011\nThe internets are leaking: Jay Ryan made a slikscreen print of a recent viral video. (Thanks, Su!)\n\n\nMarch 03, 2011\nIn the midst of all the weirdness, it appears Charlie Sheen owns vintage Wrigley Field seats and likes Chicago-style hot dogs. (You may also want to read this.) UPDATE: Actually, Sheen just ate at a place called The Infield (Thanks, Brismi!). \n\n\nMarch 03, 2011\nWhat's worse, Chicago? Being called "big-boned", or being the cattle to mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel's herding dog? The New York Times sounds like the best frenemy we ever had.\n\n\nMarch 02, 2011\n"'Twas born to the House of Lorraine in 1478 in the town of Bar-le-Duc of northern France. Mine occupation is court royal to Louis XII, a fine king indeed." And now Robert the Courtier tweets about the Art Institute's new exhibition of art in Renaissance France.\n\n\nMarch 01, 2011\nTwo contests on Facebook offer to give some lucky Chicagoans some valuable and memorable prizes: you could win free rent for a year from apartment-hunting site domu, or luck out with a ride on the Mercy Home float in the St. Patrick's Day Parade. \n\n\nMarch 01, 2011\nThe Tribune Apps team created a Google map overlay showing the percentage rise or drop in population for Chicago and the region. They launched another one tracking mayoral votes by precinct today.\n\n\nMarch 01, 2011\nDirty Six-Thirty, a web series set in Chicago.\n\n\nFebruary 27, 2011\nActor and comedian Thomas Lennon ("Reno 911!," "The State") has a handmade tribute to Oak Park's Lake Theatre in his living room. \n\n\nFebruary 25, 2011\nChicagoist breaks it down, curse by curse. Download the whole tweet archive in PDF form for posterity.\n\n\nFebruary 24, 2011\nApparently, Sweden's Statoil gas stations now offer a "Chicago menu" of a (non-Chicago style) hot dog, a Coke and …baby carrots? [via]\n\n\nFebruary 23, 2011\nWith a new Mayor-elect in the wings, one ponders if the city can be unified by a crowdsourced alcoholic beverage. Chicagoans, the choice is yours. (h/t Joe)\n\n\nFebruary 19, 2011\nLocal band Empires are competing in a contest to be featured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. Help them out by voting for them here. [via]\n\n\nFebruary 17, 2011\nChicago comedy troupe Funemployed has created a special PSA video for all those who don't know who (Grammy award winning band) Arcade Fire is. (h/t Sandor)\n\n\nFebruary 17, 2011\nVirgin America showed off its marketing savvy buy partnering with Groupon for today's launch of service between O'Hare and LA or San Fran. The deal sold out in less than an hour. \n\n\nFebruary 17, 2011\nAlways correct. [via]\n\n\nFebruary 16, 2011\nRyan Hodgson-Rigsbee pairs photos and music to create the webzine Urban Nature. Plug in your headphones and enjoy.\n\n\nFebruary 15, 2011\nSpeaking of nickd, his Shitty Portmanteaux is as awesome as jeggings.\n\n\nFebruary 15, 2011\nPublic Collectors.\n\n\nFebruary 11, 2011\nBig Dog Eat Child has a your anthem.\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\nFebruary 09, 2011\nA good Samaritan found two dogs at Howard Street Beach yesterday that had fallen through the ice. The dogs' owner, after being tracked down, admitted that he had dumped them near the (freezing) lake because he didn't want them anymore. Do you? Contact the Bark Bark Club for details on how to adopt.\n\n\nFebruary 09, 2011\nHere's a Department of Development and Planning map showing how neatly Chicago stored its ethnics in 1950. Note how the Swedes are encircling the Irish in the lower-right quadrant. Was it something we said?\n\n\nFebruary 08, 2011\nThe Book Club's compiled a list of notable, local literary blogs — go check it out, and say something if you feel they've left someone out. \n\n\nFebruary 08, 2011\nYou think stealing someone's dibs spot is risky? Try stealing their shovel.\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\nFebruary 03, 2011\nAnother time-lapse video of the blizzard, this time from the Blackhawks. Worth watching for the mystery of why there were plows clearing the parking lots next to the United Center pretty much non-stop. (Thanks, Dominick!)\n\n\nFebruary 02, 2011\nYou heard it, but in case you didn't see it, now you can. UPDATE: Turns out that photo's been on the web for at least two years. Sorry to share a fake; thanks to Marc for the heads up.\n\n\nFebruary 02, 2011\nNot that this will help you today, but Punxsutawney Phil did see his shadow this morning, which predcits an early spring. \n\n\nFebruary 01, 2011\nA new take on the upcoming snowstorm. (Thanks, AnswerDave!)\n\n\nFebruary 01, 2011\n@MayorEmanuel isn't alone on Twitter, you know. @MayorMiguel, @MayorCarol et @MayorChico are ready for your attention.\n\n\nJanuary 27, 2011\nSadly, it is no longer possible to order strip tease necktie that glows in the dark; the office at 215 N. Michigan Ave. no longer exists. [via]\n\n\nJanuary 27, 2011\nYou can keep up with Crain's Chicago Business and Hyde Park's 57th Street Books on their brand new Tumblr blogs.\n\n\nJanuary 27, 2011\nIllinois is best at robbery according to one map, but it's also most average, according to another one.\n\n\nJanuary 27, 2011\nBlackBook spent a few hours with Liz Phair in her old stomping grounds of Wicker Park and Lincoln Park. [via]\n\n\nJanuary 27, 2011\nChicago's Digital Kitchen created some very impressive columns for the latest Las Vegas casino, The Cosmopolitan. [via]\n\n\nJanuary 27, 2011\nYou really just have to watch the video and read the story about a guy who tried to rob a Subway and then stole a cab in Des Plaines before crashing on Clark Street in Rogers Park just blocks from a police station. "You see so many things on Clark Street," said a witness. (h/t Damon)\nUpdate: WGN's SkyCam9 got some extra footage of the "chase".\n\n\nJanuary 21, 2011\nI'm not endorsing this in any way, but this edit to the Chicago entry is at least mildly funny on a day like today.\n\n\nJanuary 21, 2011\nDIY lifestyle mag ReadyMade recently gave props to (already beautiful) Pilsen bar Simone's for their accidental artistic venture: blank beer coasters. Patrons are enjoying the chance to draw their own designs and decorate it with a glass of their favorite bevvy. \n\n\nJanuary 18, 2011\nCrain's Chicago Business talks to some Chicago-area bloggers about why they've quit.\n\n\nJanuary 17, 2011\nThe Sears Tower in Minecraft. [via]\n\n\nJanuary 17, 2011\nAnother map boiling the US down to a single trait (previously), only this time by foods.\n\n\nJanuary 14, 2011\nJudith Jamison will be delivering the keynote address at the U of C's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration this afternoon at 3:30pm. You can watch the webcast live here. [via]\n\n\nJanuary 13, 2011\nA patron at Mullets Sports Bar & Restaurant in Homer Glen got into some trouble after he broke a framed picture of A. C. Slater. A. C. Slater was the mullet-wearing wrestler on the television series "Saved By The Bell."\n\n\nJanuary 12, 2011\nSince we've posted about both "best things" and cards today, how about the Chicago Opener, the "world's best card trick?"\n\n\nJanuary 12, 2011\nLocal PR guy Mitch Delaplane believes he's drafted "The Most Amazing Press Release Ever Written." \n\n\nJanuary 12, 2011\nLos Angeles native and Northwestern student Chet Haze is a rapper who also happens to be the son of actor Tom Hanks. [via]\n\n\nJanuary 07, 2011\nOr rather, don't. 37signals is encouraging you to make Jan. 19 Boycott a Meeting Day.\n\n\nJanuary 07, 2011\nRoger Ebert got quite a bit of heat for a controversial tweet about the removal of a certain word from Huck Finn. He later apologized.\n\n\nJanuary 06, 2011\nWhile you're working hard at not being a dick on the bus, also don't be a gym jerk! Tips courtesy of WCIU and Cheetah Gym.\n\n\nJanuary 05, 2011\nWhen Chicago mayoral candidate Carol Moseley Braun was unable to attend an LGBT event in person, she did what anybody in her position would do: she called the event organizer, who held his phone up to a microphone so the attendees could (sorta) hear her speak to the gathering. [via]\n\n\nJanuary 05, 2011\nArt Daily reports that last year, the Chicago Public Library circulated 8.8 million items and provided 2.8 million free computer sessions. A less cheery statistic: librarians reported that 60 percent of their time with patrons involved helping them look for jobs on library computers.\n\n\nJanuary 05, 2011\nIf you watch the animated map on this page, you can see the wave of obesity rising and making its way toward Illinois.\n\n\nJanuary 04, 2011\nWhile we're on the subject of stylish students, the U of C has its own in Rafael Menis, the "Tie-Dye Guy."\n\n\nJanuary 04, 2011\nJustice Antonin Scalia doesn't think Chicago-style deep dish pizza is really pizza, and said as much in an interview with California Lawyer magazine: "It's very good, but … call it tomato pie or something. … I'm a traditionalist, what can I tell you?" [via]\n\n\nDecember 30, 2010\nSomehow, being number one in the country in gang membership is a positive energy policy for Illinois. [via]\n\n\nDecember 29, 2010\nThat's what Chicago's dialect is, I think, according to this dazzlingly complicated map.\n\n\nDecember 28, 2010\nIf you haven't figured out a New Year's resolution yet, the Chicago Portfolio School's Resolution Generator may be able to help.\n\n\nDecember 24, 2010\nThird most chivalrous city in the country, according to Dockers.\n\n\nDecember 23, 2010\nI can has cheezburger (Doritos), animated.\n\n\nDecember 23, 2010\nAlthough most of us probably couldn't care less, art gossip junkies out there will be tickled pink by ArtSlant's saucy new list of Chicago's 2010 art controversies.\n\n\nDecember 22, 2010\nIn Chicago Magazine's "40 Reasons to Love Chicago," reason 35 highlights some epic architectural rivalries. Stanley Tigerman's "shove it" to the UIC architecture department takes the cake.\n\n\nDecember 22, 2010\nA man was recorded stealing UPS packages off of a porch in Andersonville over the weekend. Police are still looking for him, or waiting for his heart to grow three sizes. [via]\n\n\nDecember 20, 2010\nCraig Shimala turns Chicago into a water wonderland with a digital camera strapped to his windshield (and a nice ambient soundtrack). \n\n\nDecember 17, 2010\nTime Out Chicago's Frank Sennett took a look at Chicago media websites' reading levels according to Google. I'm not sure I agree with his all his results. Here's how GB's sections break down.\n\n\nDecember 17, 2010\nThe Loneliest Monk released their debut music video this week. The cello and drumset dreamscape was shot by Chicago film collectives Rubbish and HYSTK. The HD version of The Ghost & the Silhouette is up on YouTube.\n\n\nDecember 16, 2010\nMayor Daley's looking rather bear-like in this portrait, part of the Chicago Urban Art Society's The Daley Show. [via]\n\n\nDecember 16, 2010\nIn the latest Chicagoist podcast, Karl Klockars talks with the creators of Rahmfacts.\n\n\nDecember 15, 2010\nDesign firm Faust will be out front of NBC Tower on Friday, Dec. 17 from 7 to 10am to promote Appreciate-It, a site they hope will collect a million appreciative sentiments, which they'll submit to Guinness as the world's longest holiday card.\n\n\nDecember 15, 2010\nVanity Fair shares their ten favorite questions from Rahm Emanuel's Chicago residency hearing.\n\n\nDecember 15, 2010\nSinger R. Kelly reached out to fans last night by posting a photo of a hand-typed letter to his TwitPic stream. Added bonus: his signature is accompanied by a sketch of a teddy bear head.\n\n\nDecember 14, 2010\nLocal writer Tim Steil received a strange, mangled letter in the mail recently, forwarded from the fictional Romanian MidAtlantic Postage Recovery at 82.5 S. Cicero.\n\n\nDecember 10, 2010\nThis miniature Chicago Manual of Style is probably the only style guide you can use to decorate your Christmas tree.[[via]\n\n\nDecember 10, 2010\nWith ballcaps, Bulls at the top. [via]\n\n\nDecember 10, 2010\nHerbert Fickenworth, 12 years old, Chicago, writes: "I am picking and selling mushrooms every day."\n\n\nDecember 10, 2010\nThreadless designer Mig Reyes made it to the second round of Layer Tennis playoffs, and is playing today against Atlantan Mark Weaver. You can watch him work live during the match.\n\n\nDecember 10, 2010\nThe iO-based improv group Warm Milk have created a videogame called Improv Heroes, with characters based on local improv greats. \n\n\nDecember 09, 2010\nNorthwestern University student Lawrence Dai is watching Julie & Julia every day for an entire year. Naturally, he is blogging about it. [via]\n\n\nDecember 09, 2010\nTurns out "come with" isn't just a Chicago (and Midwest) thing, it's grammatically correct. Read the study here.\n\n\nDecember 08, 2010\nBuick wants you to "re:discover" Chicago, and turned to Busy Beaver's Christen Carter, Groupon's Andrew Mason, DJ Kate Simko and others for insider looks at the city. Carter and Mason also did a driving tour video together. [via]\n\n\nDecember 08, 2010\nThat's what popped up for us on the United States of Autocomplete.\n\n\nDecember 08, 2010\nA gallery captures the grandeur and elegance of the Granada, Uptown, Adelphi, and other Chicago area "lost palaces" — movie theaters that recall a bygone age.[[via]\n\n\nDecember 07, 2010\nApparently Oprah is evil after all…\n\n\n\nDecember 03, 2010\nThe minty and ballyhooed, Michael Bay-directed Victoria's Secret commercial has hit the Internets and lo, Chicago and our friendly neighbor to the north, Milwaukee are both featured prominently. Well, their cityscapes at least. Yep, that's Marina City you see behind some beauty's behind. And, that's right, there's the Calatrava-designed Milwaukee Art Museum. Not really a surprise that Chicago and Milwaukee were used as sets for the shoot. Bay's been in town since this summer for the next Transformateurs sequel and well, supermodels just hang out here all the time. Droite?\n\n\nDecember 03, 2010\n…and All I Got Was Brutally Murdered: what the title of Devil in the White City should have been, according to Better Book Titles, where you can "cut through all the cryptic crap" of titles local and otherwise. \n\n\nDecember 02, 2010\nIn 2050, Chicago will be the major megalopolis holding together the Great Lakes Mega-Region, according to the Regional Plan Association.\n\n\nDecember 01, 2010\nThe Howard Brown Health Center, which recently has been plagued by financial problems, has gotten a spot of good luck: an anonymous donor has agreed to donate $25 to them for every new Facebook friend added to the Center's profile today, in honor of World AIDS Day. \n\n\nNovember 30, 2010\nEat your heart out, DOMA! The law needs to pass in the Illinois Senate, which it is expected to do; when approved, the law will be effective next July.\n\n\nNovember 29, 2010\nThat's a really great deal![[via]\n\n\nNovember 26, 2010\nMade in Chicago.\n\n\nNovember 19, 2010\nThe Trib's Kevin Pang just tweeted that anybody with a Hot Doug's tattoo eats at Hot Doug's for free for life. UPDATE: ChicagoNow first reported this back in 2009, so think of Kevin's tweet as a friendly (and delicious) reminder. FURTHER UPDATE: Confirmed by Hot Doug himself.\n\n\nNovember 19, 2010\nAccording to research done at universities here and in China, people don't mind busywork if there's a good excuse.\n\n\nNovember 18, 2010\nWhen the WGN Morning News crew misses the collapse of a bridge they'd been waiting to broadcast, they take it in stride.\n\n\nNovember 16, 2010\nOK Go, a band that used to call Chicago home, released the video for "Last Leaf" last week. It's animated entirely with pieces of toast. \n\n\nNovember 15, 2010\nDale Bernis of Oak Forest will be inducted into the White Castle Hall of Fame after writing an essay about how White Castle has affected his life. [via]\n\n\nNovember 10, 2010\nJason Lazarus, a photographer and instructor at the Art Institute, wants the personal photographs people can no longer bear to look at for his "Too Hard to Keep" archive. Details on how to submit photographs to Jason are posted on his blog for the project.\n\n\nNovember 09, 2010\nAdd our city's skyline to your holiday cards, or whatever would benefit from Chicago's silhouette, with Merriment Design's free templates. All she asks is that you e-mail or comment when you do.\n\n\nNovember 09, 2010\nOur own Mr. West entertained folks on a Delta flight last Friday over the loudspeaker. Was his own plane in the shop? UPDATE: Here's a longer recording from another passenger on the flight.\n\n\nNovember 08, 2010\nTravel + Leisure just posted the results of the 2010 'America's Favorite Cities' poll. We've got good pizza and a great skyline, but no one wants to visit us at Christmas. \n\n\nNovember 08, 2010\nBill Murray's jour de la marmotte is the palette for an incredible videomix by HomeStarRunnerTron. [via]\n\n\nNovember 05, 2010\nEWeek's Geek's Guide to Chicago is pretty basic, but it hits mostly right notes.\n\n\nNovember 05, 2010\nNot sure where it's located, but here's a nifty 19th Century Chicago Lutheran church re-purposed as a artist's loft. Unfortunately, sometimes God's old college buddies show up in the middle of the night, looking for a place to crash.\n\n\nNovember 04, 2010\nNoBodoni's Spurius Press has an impressive collection of Chicago Ephemera. (Some nice fonts, too.)\n\n\nNovember 03, 2010\nThe folks at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum want you to name their box turtle. The winner will have his or her picture taken with said turtle, and receive a one-year membership and turtle gift basket–most likely not including a turtle.\n\n\nNovember 01, 2010\nA building at Columbia College was shut down today after an administrator received a threatening message that was left over the weekend on a voice mail system.\n\n\nNovember 01, 2010\nSo, I'll follow up with: Despite all their rage they are still just primates in a cage.[[via]\n\n\nOctober 28, 2010\nCarl, Amy, Layne and Kaitlyn are the Billboard Family, and you can hire them to wear your company shirt "all day long." They're from St. Louis, but according to their site they sometimes visit Chicago, Seattle, Walt Disney World, and the Southern Illinois University area. Let us pray this doesn't escalate into tattoos.\n\n\nOctober 25, 2010\nSpeaking of the Sears Tower, This awesome map (best viewed large) of what you can see from the top is apparently hiding somewhere in the Ball State University GIS Research and Map Collection over in Muncie. [via]\n\n\nOctober 25, 2010\nThe Breakfast Club gets immortalized in needlepoint.\n\n\nOctober 25, 2010\nThe only problem with the Adam West for Mayor campaign is he protects a rather different Gotham. Well that and he's already mayor of Quahog. [via]\n\n\nOctober 25, 2010\nIra Glass sings Elliott Smith. \n\n\nOctober 22, 2010\nMy (and everyone else's) secret television girlfriend Tina Fey presents her thoughts on Chicago's best restaurants, sandwiches, and why we're superior to New York.\n\n\nOctober 22, 2010\nCartoonist Lucy Knisley has a better Halloween costume than you. [via]\n\n\nOctober 19, 2010\nMajor Carpet Burn dug up a bunch of monster movie mag layouts and crazy old ads, including one from the Help Company Club at 4554 Broadway. Remember, fellas: "No man is any good without a woman."\n\n\nOctober 18, 2010\nThe almost comically bedraggled Willow, up for adoption at Chicago Canine Rescue, has inspired an outpouring of sympathy (and adoption subsidies) on Reddit.\n\n\nOctober 15, 2010\nIn the wake of Universal Pictures pulling the controversial promo for his upcoming movie The Dilemma, Vince Vaughn made a statement over the kerfuffle: "Drawing dividing lines over what we can and cannot joke about does exactly that; it divides us."\n\n\nOctober 15, 2010\nWatch Threadless designer Mig Reyes take on Jessica Hische in today's Layer Tennis match at 1pm. \n\n\nOctober 15, 2010\nAn off-campus party full of drunken Northwestern students earns a letter of complaint by an Evanston resident, who said that a group of students frightened her young daughter with their "hollering about [oral sex]"\n\n\nOctober 14, 2010\nLetters of Note finds an A League of their Own-era Madonna complaining to photographer Steven Meisel about Geena Davis, playing baseball all day, and the pain of being in our "yuk"-ky city.\n\n\nOctober 13, 2010\nI'm sure the new Palace nightclub, opening Nov. 4 inside the Alhambra Palace on Randolph will be awesome, but its Facebook page makes me wonder what's happening to the social network's simple, uncluttered design.\n\n\nOctober 12, 2010\n"Funemployed" takes a comical look at the state of work — or lack thereof.\n\n\nOctober 12, 2010\nThese were once the kind of spontaneous publicity — your name in print — that made people.\n\n\nOctober 11, 2010\nThe CTA Tattler posted a picture of a woman wearing a snake on the North Avenue bus.\n\n\nOctober 08, 2010\nOprah pops up in the strangest places. [via]\n\n\nOctober 07, 2010\nCover letters apparently pouvez get you a job. [via]\n\n\nOctober 06, 2010\nI'm going by anecdotal evidence, but it seems like a lot of people move around September — warm their house with these suggestions from local gift shops, compiled by Time Out Chicago.\n\n\nOctober 06, 2010\nApartment Therapy profiles Chicagoan and production artist James Wurm's industrial and practical, yet attractive and welcoming kitchen-studio-living space, created in a Pilsen storefront. It's worth checking out for the chandelier alone.\n\n\nOctober 01, 2010\nLocal cartoonist/musician Archer Prewitt designed the cutest little Allen Ginsberg doll you ever did see. [via]\n\n\nOctober 01, 2010\nThe Glam Beast thinks that whoever's behind the Des Plaines I ♥ DP campaign should have considered a better abbreviation (easily offended folks might not want to click that link). But there's a silver lining: they're completely sold out.\n\n\nOctober 01, 2010\nBased on a scale called the Train Romance Index Score Total (how Kinseyian), the CTA Belmont stop (Red, Brown and Purple lines) is the most romantic place on the El.\n\n\nSeptember 29, 2010\nA women's studies professor uses hip hop to drop some knowledge about feminism in "Feminist Rapper," by improv actor Jenny Hagel. [via]\n\n\nSeptember 28, 2010\nAnd other food, too: the 2nd place winners for Judges' Choice in the Chicago Bacon Takedown have a blog, The Green Chalkboard, where they explore porky and non-porky (or even meaty) delights. \n\n\nSeptember 28, 2010\n@MayorEmanuel is as NSFW as you'd expect it to be. (Meanwhile, @MayorRahm is conspicuously silent — and @RahmForMayor is self-censoring[thanks[thanks@sterno!].)\n\n\nSeptember 27, 2010\nChicago-based glassware company By the Glass has been getting some attention lately for their tasteful lines of drinking glasses inspired by several cities around the world. Maybe I'm biased, but I like the Chicago line.\n\n\nSeptember 27, 2010\nThe University of Chicago mascot has been reborn. While it may be "bigger, meaner, and much more maroon," does it actually look like a phoenix or just a beefed up war chicken?[[via]\n\n\nSeptember 27, 2010\nMarketWhiz.Biz tests your knowledge of the market valuations of various companies in relation to Facebook's supposed $33 billion.\n\n\nSeptember 27, 2010\nChicagoan Jennifer Fastwolf wasn't thrilled to find herself on People of Public Transit, a blog poking fun at people on trains and buses. Rather than take the photo down and/or apologize, the site's owners changed every photo on the site to hers for the weekend (screenshot).\n\n\nSeptember 23, 2010\nU of C law professor Todd Henderson has quit blogging for Truth on the Market now that his recent controversial post has been lampooned by everyone, including the WSJ.\n\n\nSeptember 23, 2010\nCreated by a member of local theatre troupe Abraham Werewolf, the new site Simple Auditions aims to connect actors with auditions in the Chicago area. If you're interested in casting some talent, they're offering free listings until October 15th.\n\n\nSeptember 22, 2010\n"Never Not Find What You're Looking For Again!"\n\n\nSeptember 22, 2010\n"What a truly great city Chicago is. It's like NYC without the baked urine smell or masturbating-guy-on-the-subway episodes. Three cheers!" (Thanks, George!)\n\n\nSeptember 22, 2010\nFormer Chicago Journal editor Brett McNeil is spending a year teaching in Indonesia. Follow his adventures and observations here.\n\n\nSeptember 21, 2010\n"Tell Me If My Breath Smells for $600 Per Hour."\n\n\nSeptember 21, 2010\nTry the Dick Tracy Continuity Randomizer, a tool from the Comics Curmudgeon that demonstrates how random the strip often was. [via]\n\n\nSeptember 21, 2010\nNPR started a conversation about what it takes to be rich by referring to a now-deleted blog post by U of C law professor Todd Henderson in which he said his family was "just getting by despite seeming to be rich."\n\n\nSeptember 19, 2010\nCheck out this map, whose hues spell out the geography of Chicago's racial and ethnic makeup. Based on the Radical Cartography map we linked to back in August.[[via] \n\n\nSeptember 15, 2010\nBut if you did, you're probably spending about $60 an eighth.\n\n\nSeptember 15, 2010\nMeet Mr. Chicago and other adorably anthropomorphized typefaces at Supersmelle's tumblr.\n\n\nSeptember 14, 2010\nThis is "a good start" down the rabbit hole that is the Found Magazine "Find of the Day" archives.\n\n\nSeptember 09, 2010\nEven with all the hoopla over the impending mayoral elections, Asian carp are still looming large in our dietary and cinematic imaginations. And now, they're taking this thing national: the United States just got itself a carp czar. \n\n\nSeptember 08, 2010\nGB flickr group contributor J.Knecht found a plane with some interesting image capturing artifacts in Jackson Park on google maps.\n\n\nSeptember 08, 2010\nThere are two results on flickr for the query "Chicago Catzilla."\n\n\nSeptember 07, 2010\nTeen lip-syncer Keenan Cahill is apparently the new hotness in YouTube memes. Even Katy Perry's a fan.\n\n\nSeptember 02, 2010\nSpeaking of, FoGB Phineas Jones points out that Dinosaur Comics references the S.S. Eastland disaster in today's comic. Learn more about it from the Eastland Disaster Historical Society.\n\n\nSeptember 02, 2010\nScreaming across the night sky like a ball of hellfire cast by an angry deity, the people of earth cowered and dubbed this avatar of cosmic glory… Mifflin? Vraiment? Anyway, the Field Museum recently acquired four chunks of (sigh) Mifflin, and science geeks can drool over its stats here.\n\n\nSeptember 01, 2010\nThe Threadless design team takes to, of all places, Facebook to give fans a peek into their process. [via]\n\n\nAugust 31, 2010\nInvestigation of a rumored "dry run" of a terrorist plot via a flight that originated at O'Hare was canceled; the two men who were detained yesterday will not be charged.\n\n\nAugust 27, 2010\nThe skyrocketing success of Chicago-based Groupon has spawned many copycat deal sites–but none as blatant or bizarro as Big Lion. The only thing more phony than a Russian rip-off would be a Chinese cheater! What the Faker?!\n\n\nAugust 26, 2010\nCartoonist Dan Meth is on his way to Chicago, and here's what he plans to do.\n\n\nAugust 24, 2010\nLocal music label, Contraphonic, has recently launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund their nationwide aural mapping project as a part of their already successful Sound Series. Chip in a few clams and help to preserve the best sounds of Chicago, New York, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, and other locales. \n\n\nAugust 20, 2010\nThis BBC map of the fallout if Chernobyl had happened in Chicago is rather timely in light of the Braidwood nuclear power plant shutdown earlier this week. [via]\n\n\nAugust 20, 2010\nEpitonic, one of the first streaming mp3 sites, is planning a comeback, with local musician Justin Sinkovich back at the helm. The relaunch is being funded through Kickstarter.\n\n\nAugust 19, 2010\n…of not maintaining his storage locker. The Arlington Heights-based company who Blagojevich owes $3,000 to is planning to auction the contents this morning, with the proceeds going to Children's Memorial Hospital. The ex-governor claims to be too broke to pay the back rent.\n\n\nAugust 18, 2010\nFear no ART Chicago just released their newest webisode: an interview with 3 Blondes & a Bald Guy, winners of the 2010 Art on Track A.W.A.R.D.\n\n\nAugust 16, 2010\nThe A.V. Club has a first-person account of what what happened at the Gathering of the Juggalos this weekend when "entertainer" Tila Tequila was attacked by festival attendees.\n\n\nAugust 13, 2010\nAt least when they're compared with Brooklyn hipsters.\n\n\nAugust 12, 2010\nHow do you even begin to examine and biopsy a suspicious growth on a four foot long electric eel? Put on some non-conductive gloves as a start, and get some help from the folks at the Shedd Aquarium.\n\n\nAugust 12, 2010\nThe Public Servant Blog nominated Chicago's boulevard system as number four on its list of the top 20 urban planning successes of all time.\n\n\nAugust 10, 2010\nRamadan began tonight, which means Muslims must fast from sunup to sundown and abstain from anything impure for the next month. This includes anger. Which is why Olivia Kompier, homeschooling parent of three, created ScreamFreeMuslims.com, a website to help Muslims cope with the crabbiness that comes easily while fasting.\n\n\nAugust 09, 2010\nThese slideshows from Time Out Chicago and Style.com focused on the style found at Lollapalooza 2010.\n\n\nAugust 09, 2010\nDouble rainbow all the way across the site!\n\n\nAugust 09, 2010\nImmersive Games knows how to kill your productivity.\n\n\nAugust 06, 2010\nCheck out this useful chart which breaks down exactly what R. Kelly believes in. No word yet if a similar chart for "You Remind Me Of Something" is available.\n\n\nAugust 05, 2010\nAnne wants to know why we're all alcoholics. Thin-skinned Chicagoans provide her with the answers! This is why the Internet exists!\n\n\nAugust 05, 2010\nDid you see a crab claw smoking a cigarette on a stop sign?\n\n\nAugust 04, 2010\nTo celebrate President Obama's 49th birthday (which he will be celebrating in Hyde Park tonight), the GOP has released a set of political attacks disguised as e-cards that you can send to him. \n\n\nAugust 04, 2010\nA viral email has been circulating filled with outrage over the new "Cook County Correction Center" "built by Obama" in Chicago pictured as a beautifully designed glass and steel building on rolling hills dense with trees. Obviously not Chicago, so where is it? Snopes has the answer. (Thanks, Don!)\n\n\nAugust 03, 2010\nCombining Kanye's tweets with New Yorker cartoons has turned into a meme.\n\n\nAugust 03, 2010\nNot that we needed Forbes' validation, of course.\n\n\nAugust 03, 2010\nProfessor Snape lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, according to his business card.[[via]\n\n\nAugust 02, 2010\nWhen she was not folding towels at the Evanston YMCA or performing at Second City and IO Chicago in the mid-nineties, Tina Fey was talking about interest rates.\n\n\nAugust 02, 2010\nThe U of C's Writing Program loves dissecting sentences from academic articles, and lets you write your own jargony academic sentence.\n\n\nJuly 28, 2010\nCoudal has created another charming film, this time featuring the sights and sounds of the Monona County Fair in Iowa where the team was peddling their new Field Notes County Fair edition.\n\n\nJuly 27, 2010\nChicago makes a cameo in this time-lapse video of a road trip from Ohio to Minnesota.\n\n\nJuly 27, 2010\nUnited Airlines gets poor marks in childcare at O'Hare, but is the real story here that 9-year-olds are cool enough to be self-proclaimed vegetarians?\n\n\nJuly 26, 2010\nFirst, there was I Want to Draw a Cat for You, drawing cats for just $10. Now there's May I Please Draw an Owl for You? undercutting by $2, provided you don't mind an owl instead of a cat. Meanwhile, I'll Draw Any Animal You Want (with a notable exception) does it three-for-$5. [via]\n\n\nJuly 22, 2010\nOne more example of the web bleeding into real life: webcomic Pictures for Sad Children spotted on a wall on Halsted.\n\n\nJuly 22, 2010\nRespected research and abs development journal Men's Health has decided that we're the 11th most angry city in America. They can go f*ck themselves.\n\n\nJuly 20, 2010\nChicago's best-known political street artist Ray Noland (a.k.a. CRO) was interviewed by Art Slant Chicago's Abraham Ritchie while he passed out Blagojevich-themed cupcakes outside the courthouse during his trial.\n\n\nJuly 20, 2010\nThe Smoking Jacket, Playboy's safe-for-work site, is now live.\n\n\nJuly 16, 2010\nHistoryPin is a photomapping site that puts photos on a map and links them to their era.\n\n\nJuly 15, 2010\nDon't talk abo- Wait, did you just say Ferris Club?\n\n\nJuly 14, 2010\nThe Blackhawks got a special video response from the Old Spice guy regarding what he'd do with the Stanley Cup.\n\n\nJuly 14, 2010\nCan't keep up with all those daily coupon emails? Try following Deal Radar to see all the offers at once. (Thanks, Rachelle et Anna!)\n\n\nJuly 14, 2010\nWith its 40th issue, local webmag KeepGoing.org turns 10. The regular contributors took a moment to reflect.\n\n\nJuly 09, 2010\nToday isn't a good day for visitors to Garfield Park … or for the fish who live(d) there.\n\n\nJuly 09, 2010\nOh and he was also in a group called the Go Getters before "College Drop Out," check it out.\n\n\nJuly 08, 2010\nThe summer interns at the Art Institute have started a twitter account where they post funny things they overhear patrons say in the museum. The results are hilarious and sometimes adorable. Oh, and they have a blog now, too.\n\n\nJuly 02, 2010\nThe true origins of Bros Icing Bros have been discovered in the archives of British Cinema Institute. [via]\n\n\nJuly 02, 2010\nCarrie Malec of Chicago is suing Snooki and JWOWW of MTV's "Jersey Shore" for assaulting her at a Miami bar in May after Malec danced with other castmembers.\n\n\nJune 30, 2010\nLeah A. Zeldes of Dining Chicago argues that meatloaf really is a summer food, and passes off a simple, delicious-sounding recipe from Chef Alfredo Anaya does at Dine in the West Loop. [via]\n\n\nJune 29, 2010\nZoomar reprints an old ad touting a, presumably, naughty book about a pretty girl in Chicago. I'd touch-type cette, bro.\n\n\nJune 28, 2010\n"Walking down Lincoln, trying to stay alive."\n\n\nJune 24, 2010\nIllinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office is looking into the "radius clauses" imposed by Lollapalooza upon its performers. These clauses prohibit bands from playing in Chicago for months before and after the musical festival takes place in August 2010.\n\n\nJune 24, 2010\nAccording to a study by the makers of Combos Snacks, Chicago is the seventh manliest city in America. The ranking process involved "using manly criteria like the number of home improvement stores, steak houses, pickup trucks and motorcycles per capita."\n\n\nJune 24, 2010\nAlways awesome: From last night's storm, a triple lighting strike on the Hancock, Trump, and former Sears Tower.\n\n\nJune 24, 2010\nChecking in at Kickstarter, there are some local projects looking for funding. Films Southern Comfort et Marathon, an animation project for the Blue Line tunnel, a website collecting stories of Chicago chefs' favorite farmers and more await your support.\n\n\nJune 24, 2010\nSpeaking of cool things in the new Chicago magazine, they have a list of 40 words that Chicago and Chicagoans have contributed to the English language. So want people to know you're a true Chicagoan? Call them an asswipe or an egghead.\n\n\nJune 23, 2010\nThe spire atop the Trump Tower will be turned on for the first time tonight around 8:29 pm.\n\n\nJune 23, 2010\nChicago's beloved mobile street entertainment known to one and all as Puppet Bike will offer up a little piece of itself on eBay starting next week. Owner/Creator Jason Trusty is "retiring" several older puppets and you can take them home, if you're the highest bidder.\n\n\nJune 23, 2010\nChicago blog Strange Closets takes a close look at the charming and beautiful all around us. Similar to Apartment Therapy, but 100% local, the blog features shopping, interior design, and architecture you'll love looking at.\n\n\nJune 22, 2010\nVenture to the West Side much? Maybe you should.\n\n\nJune 17, 2010\nOprah Winfrey will be getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2011.\n\n\nJune 17, 2010\nBig Dog Eat Child knows that even mutant ninja turtles don't stay teenagers forever.\n\n\nJune 16, 2010\nDon Thompson, COO of Oak Brook-based McDonald's, talks to the Trib about his tenure at the company, and why a French McDonald's commercial featuring a gay teenage boy and his father won't be airing in the US any time soon.\n\n\nJune 15, 2010\nYou're in luck: The media titan is looking for a budding talk show host for her new cable network, OWN.\n\n\nJune 12, 2010\nLocal biker, blogger, and super-cool chick Julie thinks USA Cycling should enforce standards that make it possible for women to have access and ability to race like their male counterparts. Hopefully the local associations get a lot of requests and start requiring parity.\n\n\nJune 11, 2010\nLocal Twitter folks Mike Minnick et Dave Gorum help answer the question, "What if Twitter came to life — again?" (Here's the first one.)\n\n\nJune 09, 2010\nThere's a new Grévy's zebra colt at the Lincoln Park Zoo, the first born since 2001. More really cute pictures and videos here.\n\n\nJune 08, 2010\nCoffee wasn't being served at the President's commencement address at a Michigan high school last night.\n\n\nJune 07, 2010\nChicago Cares is still looking for volunteers for this Saturday's annual Serve-a-Thon. \n\n\nJune 07, 2010\nMoshe Tamssot is sick of folks from the nearby United Center and bars using his alley as a urinal. So he decided to get even. \n\n\nJune 03, 2010\nDesigners take a crack at re-imagining some ho-hum license plates, including that of Illinois. (via)\n\n\nJune 03, 2010\nEither Elmhurst is some sort of internet search hub or its residents are extremely bored and horny.\n\n\nJune 03, 2010\nDid you know that there's a Bronzeville Children's Museum, and that it's in … Calumet Heights?\n\n\nJune 02, 2010\nThe BP oil plume if it were in Chicago.\n\n\nJune 02, 2010\nThe Field Museum comes in at number seven on the America's Best and Top Ten site's list of the Best Dinosaur Museums in the USA. I suspect Sue will demand a recount.\n\n\nJune 02, 2010\nDid Google StreetView cameras capture the shooting of a child on the South Side? Hard to tell from the image whether it's a real gun or a toy, but the buzz around it has caused Google to remove the image. UPDATE: It's been brought to our attention that the image surfaced a year ago. On the Internet, everything old is new again!\n\n\nJune 01, 2010\nThat's, um, a very specific site you have there.\n\n\nJune 01, 2010\nMaybe not, but Bonnie McGrath wants to know what the hey those two big stones are doing in Grant Park. Any ideas? Later: Updated link!\n\n\nMay 25, 2010\nLast Saturday, NBC's Ann Curry delivered the commencement address at Wheaton College's graduation in Norton, Massachusetts; however, when citing famous graduates of the school, she erroneously cited alums of the autre Wheaton College — the one in the Chicago suburbs. \n\n\nMay 24, 2010\nSpeaking of interesting maps of the city, Chicagoist points to one by photographer Eric Fischer that uses geotagging info from Flickr to map photographers' travels through the city.\n\n\nMay 24, 2010\nLeather goods brand Coach is suing the City of Chicago over the sale of counterfeit Coach merchandise at the New Maxwell Street Market.\n\n\nMay 21, 2010\nMarc Fischer takes photos of anti-car barriers, unlovely and utilitarian devices intended to protect garages and buildings from, well, cars.\n\n\nMay 20, 2010\nUn Amityville Horror-like gathering of bees amassed under a wicker table in Oak Park today in an obvious attempt to induce the heebie jeebies.[[via]\n\n\nMay 18, 2010\nMashable takes a look at five web sites that "are introducing new approaches to the consumption of information that few have tried or thought of before." Two of these sites are ChicagoNow and EveryBlock.\n\n\nMay 18, 2010\nThe MacBook Pro that film critic Roger Ebert uses to speak is missing. It was last seen in the back of a taxi in Cannes, France, where Ebert is attending the Cannes Film Festival. There is a reward for its safe return.\n\n\nMay 17, 2010\nThe Chicago Public Library's poster contest entries are now open for voting. Vote through flickr by Sunday, May 23.\n\n\nMay 14, 2010\nThe Museum of Online Museums has been collecting odd obsessions for many years. Now it invites you to meet some of the collectors.\n\n\nMay 13, 2010\nFormer Cicero town president Betty Loren-Maltese has left her job as a hostess at Salerno's in Oak Park. Maybe she's looking to get in on the food truck trend?\n\n\nMay 13, 2010\nSecond City has a YouTube channel.\n\n\nMay 12, 2010\n…Would just be corporately sponsored and smell just as sweet. The Onion's AV Club reviews the naming history of several big marquees in the Chicago area. Of particular note: The Chicago Marathon for three years was sponsored by G. Heileman Brewing Company and was known as the Old Style Chicago Marathon. \n\n\nMay 07, 2010\nFerris Bueller's Day Off played out live on Twitter and Foursquare today. All the major characters are there. [via]\n\n\nMay 06, 2010\nHe really is everywhere: nearly a year after the stencil spawned a group art show, Ray Noland's jogging Blago has been spotted down in the Tar Heel state.\n\n\nMay 06, 2010\nThe University of Chicago 2010 Scavenger Hunt is on. A PDF of the list is here.\n\n\nMay 06, 2010\nGuess who's got his own Facebook page? That's right, Ike — the Eisenhower Expressway Dog.\n\n\nMay 06, 2010\nSo this exists: Miss Wicker Park. \n\n\nMay 05, 2010\nWhat some would call a quintessentially Midwest food is now available through Le Cordon Bleu graduate "Johnny Casserole"'s delivery service.\n\n\nMay 05, 2010\nRavenchase's P.O.E. — Puzzles Over Email — sends you a monthly riddle to solve; figure it out and you might win a prize.\n\n\nMay 04, 2010\nHere's how to leave no doubt as to where you're from: cover your passport with the Chicago flag.\n\n\nMay 04, 2010\nThe Program in Linguistics of the Department of English at George Mason University has a entertaining collection of recordings of people speaking the same peculiar phrase. The classic Chicago accent is well-represented by subject: english82, female.\n\n\nMay 03, 2010\nNow that United and Continental airlines are looking to make their union official, WBEZ thinks that United should keep the merger ball rolling by merging with something else. Anything else, it would seem, as shown in this poll.\n\n\nApril 30, 2010\nRaccoons the size of orangutans and German shepherds! Bending steel bars! Fashioning crude stone weapons and mastering fire! Wait, scratch that last one. But the rising number of foreclosed homes in the city give raccoons places to grow bigger, stronger, and feistier. Side note: After reading Ms. Ward's account, can I be forgiven for thinking of a certain story by Poe?\n\n\nApril 27, 2010\nIf you enjoy statistics and data, this site is for you.\n\n\nApril 26, 2010\nApartment Therapy is looking for some guys who have a room in need of a do-over. Lucky for you, Chicago is one of their five selected metro areas (but sorry, ladies, this project is for boys only). Apply by May 24.\n\n\nApril 26, 2010\nEver dreamed of getting married in Wrigley Field? Just enter the Home Run Inn, Lou Malnati's and Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Co.'s "Through Thick & Thin Photo Essay Contest" and start planning that red brick and ivy fairy tale.\n\n\nApril 26, 2010\nNo, Lionel Richie, someone's just looking for a terracotta bust of you like the one from your "Hello" video. (It gets weirder.)\n\n\nApril 23, 2010\nVocalo's Lee Bey sees some of Chicago architecture's best views in hip-hop videos.\n\n\nApril 22, 2010\nWrigleyville tends to draw a vast blogger presence. But hey, what's one more URL to bookmark among die hard fans? Cubs Fan Report launched today as a collaborative of them all, as well as major news Cubs coverage.\n\n\nApril 22, 2010\nCheck out this United Air Lines ad from the good old male chauvinist pig days. Trapped on a plane with a bunch of drunks, all smoking cigars and pipes and stuffing themselves with steaks? Uh, I'll take the train.\n\n\nApril 21, 2010\nWant the taste of Alinea at a fraction of the cost? Reproduce the menu with jelly beans. [via]\n\n\nApril 21, 2010\nDon't eat meat, but still want in on the latest fast food abomination? A local young lady and her boyfriend help you out with their meatless version of the KFC sandwich.\n\n\nApril 19, 2010\nReporting in from Milan, Craighton Berman brings us The Eyjafjallajokull Chair. \n\n\nApril 19, 2010\nScare the neighbors into moving their cars. Make an imposing lawn sculpture. Create a giant float and protest the street sweeping schedule. If you buy your own, the possibilities are endless.\n\n\nApril 19, 2010\nCraig Clark is scanning his life, including his dog. [via]\n\n\nApril 16, 2010\nLast year, the Woodlawn Wonder tweeted about spring heralding the return of gators to city sidewalks. This year, she's got pictures.\n\n\nApril 16, 2010\nLast night, Scott popped a very big question at the Cloud Cult show.\n\n\nApril 16, 2010\nIt's Foursquare Day — connect with your fellow Mayors and badge-unlockers, and enjoy special deals at participating businesses when you check in. \n\n\nApril 16, 2010\nStarting at 2pm today, Coudal's Layer Tennis will be played around the world in 10 layers — and the second will be by Chicago's Mig Reyes.\n\n\nApril 13, 2010\nGetting married soon? If you make your dress out of toilet paper you might win $1,000 to buy one that's made out of real fabric. Need inspiration? Check out this article featuring 2005's Chicago-based TP wedding dress contest winner.\n\n\nApril 13, 2010\nRoger Ebert's Twitter followers are less stupid than Oprah's.\n\n\nApril 12, 2010\n"2) Telling Internet people that you work for a newspaper feels a bit like telling them you're a Civil War reenactor." The rest of Rex's list is here. [via]\n\n\nApril 08, 2010\nNot only does the First Lady have some new neighbors, but she also seems to have an entirely new upper body.\n\n\nApril 08, 2010\nChris Ware's smartest kid on earth will provide you with hours of plush and depressing fun. Place him on your couch or bed and taunt his decapitated helplessness. Whee!\n\n\nApril 07, 2010\nA Chicago GOP website currently features a photo of a topless woman, illustrating a post about Democratic "job creation" through women getting memoirs based on their affairs. (NSFW, obviously.) More details on WindyCitizen.\n\n\nApril 06, 2010\nThis license plate has probably started many a fight in Wisconsin.\n\n\nApril 05, 2010\nThe Hello Project invites you to say "Hello" to the world on a 3×3 Post-It note and join the mosaic. It's the brain spawn of area creatives Joseph Delhommer and Kristen Caston.\n\n\nApril 05, 2010\nGalesburg, Ill.'s Knox College is known for snagging pretty impressive Commencement speakers, such as Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Madeleine Albright, Stephen Colbert, and last year, Patrick J. Fitgerald. So, this June's graduation should be interesting.\n\n\nApril 05, 2010\nForget bar and pub: Chicago Bites' cupcake crawl is where it's at. [via]\n\n\nApril 01, 2010\nHappy Easter.\n\n\nMarch 31, 2010\nIn 1974, a kangaroo haunted the streets of Chicago, then the Midwest. What could be lurking today?\n\n\nMarch 30, 2010\nCameron's dad's Ferrari 250GT California used in Ferris Bueller's Day Off is up for auction in London, and his house is still up for sale in Highland Park. All you need is a vintage Fiero and a water tower and that shot for shot remake is done.\n\n\nMarch 30, 2010\nIf you find yourself overqualified for your current job, you just might be working for the U.S. Census.\n\n\nMarch 29, 2010\nKeep Going's spring issue is up, and among other things features a private plague and a story mentioning many things that someday soon won't exist.\n\n\nMarch 29, 2010\nÜnnecessary Ümlaut has a review and photos of what is likely the creepiest miniature golf course in the country: Palatine's Ahlgrim Family Funeral Services … and basement golf course.\n\n\nMarch 29, 2010\nCity Of Chicago To Modernize Outdated Graft Programs. (Yes, it's The Onion.)\n\n\nMarch 27, 2010\nMSI's new Science Storms exhibit sports the nation's largest indoor tornado at 40 feet. So who's got us beat for world honors? The Mercedes Benz Museum in Stuttgart, which whirls up a cyclone of over 100 feet.\n\n\nMarch 27, 2010\nAs a teen in Chicago, Hugh Hefner corresponded with friend Jane Sellers through letters and cartoons. Feeling that he was "destined to do amazing things," Sellers kept everything Hef sent. A selection of the comic strips was recently posted on Book Patrol.\n\n\nMarch 26, 2010\nThis week's Layer Tennis match pits local video post-production artist Josh Bodnar against Austin's Jason Uson. The weapon of choice: archival video clips.\n\n\nMarch 26, 2010\nStaff at Libertyville-Vernon Hills Area High School District 128 are not permitted to email students from personal email accounts. A new policy that went into effect this week also prohibits online gaming with students as well as communicating with them via text message. [via]\n\n\nMarch 26, 2010\nA recent visit to an Iowa City bookstore shows the President's kind of nerdy.[[via]\n\n\nMarch 26, 2010\nDannielle Owens-Reid has a lot of salt and pepper shakers. Seven hundred sets, in fact. Some could be yours if you pledge through Kickstarter.\n\n\nMarch 25, 2010\nThe Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) gives a nod to new global resource STACKD which lets people connect via their workplace. It's a great opportunity to "Act Local" and connect with others outside of that excruciatingly silent morning elevator ride. \n\n\nMarch 23, 2010\nAnder Monson recounts a recent (OK, 2009) visit to Schaumburg's Medieval Times. [via]\n\n\nMarch 17, 2010\nBroaden your architectural acumen at Blueprint Chicago, a blog about buildings both famous and forgotten. Its author, a docent for the Chicago Architecture Foundation, also offers a "Word of the Week" to build your building vocabulary.\n\n\nMarch 16, 2010\nThe Tribune looks into the rough, dangerous and some 80-hour workweeks leaving cab drivers frequented (more than 58 percent) by occupational violence. The Reader's Whet Moser weighs in with their account last year on "bad neighborhoods" vs. "white-collar types partying in trendy areas" and why race plays a major role.\n\n\nMarch 16, 2010\nStart up tech companies may have a helping hand from a local success story. Lightbank, a new investment fund, was recently set up by Eric Lefkofsky and Brad Keywell, the brains behind "collective buying" deal-of-the-day site Groupon, to funnel as much as $10 million annually into early-stage tech entrepreneurial ventures.\n\n\nMarch 16, 2010\nMayor Daley now has a Twitter account. How long till he adds Foursquare and becomes "mayor" of City Hall?\n\n\nMarch 15, 2010\nHere's an interesting clip of the original Mayor Daley on What's My Line from August 5, 1956. Watch till the end when host John Daly offers a hilarious/discomforting comment about one of our fair city's talents.\n\n\nMarch 14, 2010\nThe 2010 Census will start filling our mailboxes soon, but will your identity be truly counted? The Tribune looks into how mixed races might be erroneously counted with local Chicagoans.\n\n\nMarch 10, 2010\nToday's passing of 80s teen icon Corey Haim is certainly a sad subject, but Schadenfreude takes us back to a happier, more hair-bleached time in the actor's life.\n\n\nMarch 10, 2010\n…and it's their loss. A quick lineup of cute, bespectacled Chicagoans. \n\n\nMarch 09, 2010\nMedia Matters notes Survival Seed Bank of Thomson IL, one of the advertisers filling the gaps on Glenn Beck's show where major advertisers have left. Whether you think a "crisis garden" will be necessary or not, it's an entertaining read.\n\n\nMarch 08, 2010\nToday, Whitney Gifford runs an article about the public nuisance of hatpins, 100 years ago today. "One man told me he was almost decapitated in the City Hall elevator by the sweep of a hatpin like a scimitar worn by one of the City Hall belles."\n\n\nMarch 04, 2010\nNo, Layer Tennis, which tomorrow will feature GB co-founder Naz Hamid vs. Sam Javanrouh in a volley of photos — with on-the-spot musical accompaniment by Coctails member Mark Greenberg (who we profiled years ago.)\n\n\nMarch 03, 2010\nContinuing the lovefest, writer/editor Scott Edelman reran a fun interview he did with Mr. Ebert for Sci-Fi Entertainment about, yes, science-fiction. Fun fact: Ebert started the science fiction club at his high school.\n\n\nMarch 02, 2010\nTwo New Yorkers visited Andersonville and shared ideas for shopping for cool thrift store finds, antiques, and DIY make-overs that won't break the bank. (via)\n\n\nMarch 01, 2010\nRock for Kids sure it when March rolls around — it's Music in Our Schools Month and they're working hard to spread the love of music to underserved kids around Chicago.\n\n\nFebruary 26, 2010\n. . .remain on the train or exit as instructed.\n\n\nFebruary 25, 2010\nExplore Chicago has just launched an online gallery of free and cheap Chicago-oriented smartphone apps (mostly geared to you iPhone users, though some work on Blackberry and the like). You can keep track of shows at Broadway in Chicago, menus on GrubHub, get the latest Bears rumors, or locate nearby LGBT businesses through the Gay Cities Guide.\n\n\nFebruary 25, 2010\nFilm fan site Batman on Film says a source spotted producers scouting sites for the franchise's third installment around Chicago's Financial District. Meanwhile, filming blogs are cautiously generating a buzz.\n\n\n\nFebruary 25, 2010\n35th Ward Alderman Rey Colon would like to think so. Check out his entry about his commitment to art on Studio Chicago's blog.\n\n\nFebruary 24, 2010\nSet phasers to stun! Rich of broadbarn.com provides 8mm footage of a Star Trek convention/original series cast reunion that took place at the Hilton, August 22-24, 1975.\n\n\nFebruary 22, 2010\nFollowing Kevin Smith's Southwest Airlines incident, Vanity Fair can't wait for Smith to duke it out with Chicago Sun-Times columnist Laura Washington who wrote that Smith is in denial about being "fat and in trouble."\n\n\nFebruary 22, 2010\nIf so, Advocates for Urban Agriculture Chicago launched a design competition for a new logo.\n\n\nFebruary 17, 2010\nDespite being hit hard by the economic slump, the Art Institute is hanging on– they're even able to offer free admission during February, as always. Comment? Hipsters, among other things.\n\n\nFebruary 17, 2010\nLook out for worldcarshows.com's top five cars at the Chicago Auto Show.\n\n\nFebruary 17, 2010\nHit the right consignment shop, and you too could get your hands on some fancy threads that once belonged to former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich.\n\n\nFebruary 16, 2010\nPitchfork has gotten into the micro-blogging game at http://pitchfork.tumblr.com. This comes as a surprise to Tumblr user Tumbledore, who says the subdomain was stolen from him.\n\n\nFebruary 16, 2010\nThe first online bulletin board launched 32 years ago today. Its programmer-inventors founded it during the Chicago blizzard of 1978, paving the way for the snowed-in Twitter hordes of today.\n\n\nFebruary 15, 2010\nChicago music critic and "Sound Opinions" host Jim DeRogatis explains his picks for the worst rock movies. I stand by Heavy Metal Parking Lot.\n\n\nFebruary 11, 2010\nThe New York Times describes the struggle of Kenwood resident Jean-Paul Coffy as he cares for his parents in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake. Coffy's Chicago friends are maintaining a blog following his travels.\n\n\nFebruary 10, 2010\nIf you're feeling sassy today, why not join the "I survived the Chicago Quake of 2010" Facebook group? Please spare us the wall posts about how we should get relief money, though. That's a bit much, don't you think?\n\n\nFebruary 09, 2010\nOhNo!Doom has the jeans to go with your new iPad.\n\n\nFebruary 03, 2010\nUnless this is some word-of-mouth, Tweet-of-type publicity stunt, local Wilmette band Fall Out Boy is contemplating a permanent hiatus, as evident in bassist Pete Wentz's blog. While their fans share inspiring stories, pop blogs are skeptical.\n\n\nFebruary 03, 2010\nI'm trying to envision the look on the face of a lost tourist as the owner of this tattoo of the CTA train map gives him directions by taking off her shoe. (Thanks, James!)\n\n\nFebruary 02, 2010\nThe CPD is now sending out safety alerts, CAPS meeting info and other announcements by text and email using Nixle.com. But what's Nixle doing claiming copyright over public information?\n\n\nFebruary 01, 2010\nEarly 20th Century graphic designer Lester Beall–educated and employed in Chicago for many years–was a trailblazer who created an immediately recognizable look for his work that incorporated modernist notions imported from the Bauhaus and other art movements. Here's a site devoted to the man and his ideas.\n\n\nJanuary 29, 2010\nThreadless and Coudal Partners have joined forces (like Voltron) to create a special set of Field Notes. You can win a set of your own this weekend in their lil contest.\n\n\nJanuary 27, 2010\nIf you've got a great new design on your mind for some temporary outdoor furniture, the Chicago chapter of Architecture for Humanity wants to hear from you. They're sponsoring a street furniture competition, with entries due by February 26th. Check out this PDF for further guidelines. (Via the Reader blog.)\n\n\nJanuary 26, 2010\nChicago blogs I Hate My Developer and Young Chicagonista have been nominated for Weblog Awards, or "Bloggies." I Hate My Developer is in the "Best Kept Secret Weblog" category while Young Chicagonista is competing for "Best Teen Weblog." Voting is open until January 31, 2010 at http://2010.bloggies.com.\n\n\nJanuary 26, 2010\nYesterday Apartment Therapy's House Tours section featured FofGB George and Sara Aye's beautiful Logan Square home. You might remember George shot amazing photos from Pitchfork in Transmission in years past, and the couple run the company Hubwear, among other projects.\n\n\nJanuary 26, 2010\nNot that anybody should be surprised by anything he says, but Bill O'Reilly's latest head-scratching proclamation (via Huffington Post) may have South Siders a little miffed.\n\n\nJanuary 25, 2010\nIt's a meme — and an edict — that's traveling the globe, thanks to a Chicago blogger who scanned his autistic nephew's hand-drawn sign.\n\n\nJanuary 21, 2010\nThere's a debate raging on the campus of the University of Chicago. No, not "evolution vs. creation" or anything like that. It's what to call their new cafe/mini-mart. (BTW, the suggestion above is binary for "7-11", but that might be legally stepping on toes.)\n\n\nJanuary 21, 2010\nFor those creatively inclined Valentine's Day lovers, Andersonville and Lakeview card and frame shops Foursided and Twosided want to see your best handmade Valentine's cards. Winner gets $50 gift certificate. Deadline 2/7. Details and rules.\n\n\nJanuary 20, 2010\nLooks like Chicago had a low showing of talent on yesterday's "American Idol" auditions — only 13 made the cut. While showcasing our wild and foul-mouthed side, "Idol" has Chicago Breaking News wondering how some Windy City contestants were filmed in front of palm trees and the Amway Center in Orlando.\n\n\nJanuary 18, 2010\nNew CTA safety postings are urging riders to report "excessive photography/ filming," equating it to "unattended packages" or "noxious smells or smoke." This, understandably disturbs photographer and activist blogger Carlos Miller, and here's why.\n\n\nJanuary 18, 2010\nThe African Sausage Tree (Kigelia africana) at the Lincoln Park Conservatory is bearing 20-pound fruits. Fun fact: the fresh "sausage" is poisonous, causes mouth blisters, and acts as a laxative. No sampling.\n\n\nJanuary 15, 2010\nThanks to Malik Yusef, a South Side Harold's Chicken Shack location now contains an official platinum record. \n\n\nJanuary 13, 2010\nApparently, "The more body art you have, the more likely you are to be involved in deviance." At least, that's what a recent study briefly profiled by the Tribune's Steve Johnson says.\n\n\nJanuary 13, 2010\nThe Reader's Cliff Doerksen has tracked down a handful of newspaper clippings regarding a very peculiar crime wave in 1920s Chicago.\n\n\nJanuary 13, 2010\nTim Steil's Chicago A to Z.\n\n\nJanuary 12, 2010\nIf you're still in search of a 2010 calendar for your wall, the CTA has a free one for download. It's chock-full of pictures from throughout the CTA's history, plus lots of glorious Helvetica.\n\n\nJanuary 12, 2010\nWhy, on a floating platform in an elongated Chicago, of course.\n\n\nJanuary 08, 2010\nWhat Chicago is tweeting about.\n\n\nJanuary 06, 2010\nFor those seeking to turn a blind eye to doom and gloom stories, the Tribune brings readers the Happy News page, modestly covering the found-dreams-and-little-miracles beat. For a trip back to reality, click here.\n\n\nJanuary 05, 2010\nAccording to their latest Twitter posts, The Hood Internet (or possibly just DJ STV SLV) are caught up in a security lockdown at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport. Update: They're out!\n\n\nJanuary 04, 2010\nIf you're interested in temporary work, the 2010 US Census is looking for applicants to be census takers starting this spring. An informational session and qualifying exam will be held tonight and tomorrow at 7pm at the Wicker Park Fieldhouse, 1425 North Damen. \n\n\nDecember 31, 2009\nJohn Rininger was a local artist who passed away a few years ago at the age of 45. Wicker Park/Quimby's old-timers might remember him for his stamp art in particular. Marc Fischer paid a visit to John back in 2001 when Rininger was disposing of many of his possessions. He's since posted the story, and a selection of scans of the odd, disturbing, and thought-provoking materials he recovered, on his Flickr page. UPDATE: More here; Merci Salem.\n\n\nDecember 29, 2009\nWhat was Chicago like in the mid-century for the city's African American community? Unknown Chicago takes a look at the fast-growing and segregated "Black Belt," and the harsh housing conditions. \n\n\nDecember 23, 2009\nPatrick Rea of Tinley Park was just recently elected the grand master of the International Knights Templar. Until he resumes his post officially next November, he'll be happy to tell you where the Holy Grail is. [via]\n\n\nDecember 23, 2009\nTiny Miller Park Zoo in downstate Bloomington is selling a unique holiday accoutrement: ornaments made of reindeer dung. Don't laugh; they've made $20,000 off of them.\n\n\nDecember 22, 2009\nYes, you can even eat the lions at the Art Institute's Gingerseum.\n\n\nDecember 22, 2009\nA Beluga whale has been born at the Shedd for the second time in a week. This time the calf is 5 feet 6 inches long and weighs 152 pounds. UPDATE: Unfortunately, the calf did not survive past its first day.\n\n\nDecember 21, 2009\nFlickr user lauren*o pointed us to a sign printed by ExploreChicago.org. Not only does the Arabic version of the word "welcome" appear incorrectly (it should look like this), but the Polish and Korean words for welcome appear twice. [Thanks Lauren!]\n\n\nDecember 17, 2009\nA century ago, Bell & Howell's (click the Company History tab!) HQ and factory was located on Larchmont Avenue, where they made Filmo movie cameras. Tough, dependable, and, in some cases, quite lovely, Filmo cameras were the preferred brand among filmmakers in the early days of motion pictures.\n\n\nDecember 17, 2009\nChicagoans appear to be imbued with holiday spirit and decorating like mad fools. Local retailers report that decorative lights have been flying off the shelves this season.\n\n\nDecember 15, 2009\nCongratulations to Puiji, a Beluga whale at the Shedd Aquarium, who gave birth yesterday morning at 6:36am. The calf is 5 feet 4 inches long and weighs 162 pounds. No word yet on a name. [via]\n\n\nDecember 14, 2009\nIt's not exactly B.J. and the Bear, but a former Chicago and his animal friend are on a journey west for fortune and charity. \n\n\nDecember 11, 2009\nChicago magazine's Jeff Ruby hates New York in song.\n\n\nDecember 11, 2009\nTrue/Slant columnist James Finn Garner tells us why we should hurry up and put Chicago 2009 in our rearview mirror.\n\n\nDecember 10, 2009\nU of C philosophy professor Martha Nussbaum talked to The New York Times Magazine about ideas, faith, and leather.\n\n\nDecember 10, 2009\nSome of you have probably given Jamba Juice a lot of your money over the years. Now the company will give something back to Chicago: free skating at Millennium Park this Saturday (for the first 200 people). \n\n\nDecember 08, 2009\nThe Huffington Post's been busy networking major American cities' Twitter presence, with Chicago growing pretty fast in Local News, Sports et Personnes list categories. See if your favorite Twitterers made the cut, if not suggest them. \n\n\nDecember 04, 2009\nWriter, director, actor and DePaul alum John Cabrera shares a memory from his illustrious temping career in Chicago.\n\n\nDecember 03, 2009\nSpeaking of Ira Glass, here he is in LEGO form. (A couple more Chicago/Illinois faces in the CubeDudes flickr pool, too.)\n\n\nDecember 03, 2009\nFunsherpa promises to help you find fun experiences that make good gifts for you or someone else.\n\n\nDecember 02, 2009\nBut it's easily as funny and/or offensive.\n\n\nDecember 02, 2009\nThe first Left 4 Dead videogame featured a bit of graffiti stating: "NO ZOMBIE IS SAFE FROM CHICAGO TED" (allegedly based on similar, nastier graffiti found in an Indianian men's room). Thank God for the Internet. Despite not appearing in the actual game (or its sequel), Ted has developed a mysterious and vicious zombie-killing legend nonetheless. Who is Chicago Ted? We may never know. But we can imagine.\n\n\nDecember 02, 2009\nA bizarre hobby has locals playing with lightning, or rather, Tesla coils straight out of Dr. Frankenstein's lab. The Tribune looks into these Masters of Lightning and this shocking sect of pop culture.\n\n\nDecember 02, 2009\nUnfortunately they're sold out, but what's the story with these Hot Chip t-shirts featuring R.Kelly in a DEVO hat? [via]\n\n\nDecember 01, 2009\nJohn Paro is a med student at the University of Chicago. He also has a web site, MedSchoolRock, that "is dedicated to bringing entertaining and informative songs/videos about medical education." [via]\n\n\nNovember 30, 2009\nInsider Chicago is a new publication by Medill School of Journalism students, aiming to be your guide to Chicagoland.\n\n\nNovember 29, 2009\nGwen Sharp of Sociological Images came across a piece on the Los Angeles Times Daily Mirror site showing drawings and names of Chicago women who postponed their traditional Thanksgiving dinner on November 25, 1909 so they could meet British Suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst at the train station and escort her to the Congress Hotel. What a radical idea, to postpone a holiday meal by five hours so you could meet a politically active woman. (Thanks, Sue Strauss!)\n\n\nNovember 29, 2009\nPer CBS, Black Friday is the busiest day of the year for Chicago plumbers. Sinks and garbage disposals are crammed with the distasteful likes of turkey skin, bones, ham grease, vegetable chunks, and more. The likeliest sink-jamming culprits? Out-of-town guests.\n\n\nNovember 24, 2009\nYarn-lovers, start your needles. The folks who brought you the fabulous Threadcakes competition are now sponsoring a Threadless-tee inspired knitting/crocheting contest called Threadknits. Now through January 16th. Details and rules online.\n\n\nNovember 23, 2009\nDave Lamoureux spends most of the year as a futures and options trader in Chicago, but he sets world records catching bluefin tuna from a kayak on the Atlantic, unassisted.\n\n\nNovember 22, 2009\nJessica Reaves of the Chicago News Cooperative explains. \n\n\nNovember 19, 2009\nIf you're a whiz with your W2s, the Center for Economic Progress has volunteer opportunities to help low-income families prepare their taxes. Last year, their volunteers did over 33,000 returns and brought back $52 million in refunds for families across Illinois.\n\n\nNovember 17, 2009\nLocal band The Lust Killers have an interesting gimmick to promote their Chicago shows.\n\n\nNovember 17, 2009\nLocal fitness guru Stephanie Mansour of Step It Up with Steph thinks you can get in exercise anytime, anyplace. Like when you're waiting for the no. 22 Clark street bus.\n\n\nNovember 16, 2009\nCareful of that Chicago lightning, longhairs, or you could end up in a Chicago overcoat.\n\n\nNovember 16, 2009\nNewly disclosed documents reveal that the FBI tracked Studs Terkel as a suspected communist for much of his life. His complete file is available in this (rather large) PDF.\n\n\nNovember 11, 2009\nEsquire magazine talked to Rolling Meadows' Bryan Anderson, an Iraq War veteran, for their Veterans' Day "What I've Learned" column.\n\n\nNovember 11, 2009\nTwenty-five students from a middle school in Gresham were arrested for reckless conduct last week after starting a food fight.\n\n\nNovember 09, 2009\nIf you've enjoyed the Audissey podcast tour of Chicago or recommended it to a tourist in your life, check out their entry in the Forbes Boost Your Business contest. \n\n\nNovember 09, 2009\nLocal musician and co-editor of THE2NDHAND C.T. Ballentine left his McKinley Park apartment on Friday afternoon and has not been heard from since. If you're able to help locate him, his friends have set up a Facebook group for the search. UPDATE: Looks like C.T. has been found.\n\n\nNovember 05, 2009\nFor the first time in decades the Christmas tree in Daley plaza will be a single spruce. This year's was found in the wilds of Palos Heights.\n\n\nNovember 04, 2009\nCheck out this website devoted to pictures of Chicago-style food. It won't help your situation, but it sure is beautiful.\n\n\nNovember 03, 2009\nDon't believe the traffic reporters or myriad online maps? Well then see for yourself. TrafficLand has expanded to Chicago.\n\n\nNovember 02, 2009\nWondering what Chicago's President™ would be wearing to match this week's weather? Obama-Weather.com has your answer.\n\n\nNovember 02, 2009\nAbout 28 years ago a fellow by the name of Dan Goodwin scaled both the John Hancock Center and the Sears Tower and a few other famous skyscrapers. Now he's back with a book. Look out! There goes the Spider Dan!\n\n\nNovember 02, 2009\nSarah Perez's Longo Monster costume came in third for "Scariest Costume" at the 13th Annual North Halsted Halloween Parade this weekend. She tells Boing Boing about how her creation came about.\n\n\nNovember 02, 2009\nPlayboy makes a cameo appearance in what I pense is a spec work ad for FAO Schwarz. [via]\n\n\nOctober 28, 2009\nWait, Wait… Don't Tell Me host Peter Sagal is sure to spook the neighbors (or give them a good laugh) with his "traditional" Halloween display.\n\n\nOctober 23, 2009\nDillon is a four year old English bulldog. He is also Director of Pet Relations at the Hotel Burnham.\n\n\nOctober 22, 2009\nWe Are Supervision blog shows a series of old '70s and '80s Chicago gang calling cards. Crudely drawn, sometimes offensive, and frequently opaque, they're also quite compelling.\n\n\nOctober 21, 2009\nBelated congratulations to Chicagoans Elena Bodnar, Raphael C. Lee, and Sandra Marijan, winners of the 2009 Ig Nobel Prize in Public Health. The team designed "a brassiere that, in an emergency, can be quickly converted into a pair of protective face masks, one for the brassiere wearer and one to be given to some needy bystander." Click here to see a complete list of 2009 winners (as well as an awesome picture of Nobel laureates including Paul Krugman wearing the bra-mask). [via]\n\n\nOctober 21, 2009\nGet some information on H1N1 and seasonal flu resources at this growing flu.gov site. The Illinois page also has links to state resources.\n\n\nOctober 21, 2009\nLast night's "Ghost Lab" on the Discovery Channel featured the (alcoholic?) ghosts of Liar's Club.\n\n\nOctober 20, 2009\nGrubstreet Chicago is (justifiably) wondering what the hell is going on in this advertisement for the Dana Hotel's Aja restaurant. Fans of sci-fi/horror B-movies know all too well what's coming next. Let's rock, before we blast that thing out of the sky!\n\n\nOctober 20, 2009\nThe Sears Tower is the centerpiece of this magnificent commercial rendering. Prendre plaisir. (P.S. Call it what you will, but I'm sticking with "Sears Tower" for now.)\n\n\nOctober 19, 2009\nA betrayed lover turns the tables in the latest edition of Keep Going.\n\n\nOctober 15, 2009\nIt's official: playing ringtones in public doesn't infringe copyright. Looks like it might be time for Chicago's DJs to learn how to beatmatch that noise.\n\n\nOctober 15, 2009\nPlease watch "Mike G's Rules for Better Dining", a video from Michael Gebert of Sky Full of Bacon inspired by Michael Pollan's dietary rules recently featured in the New York Times.\n\n\nOctober 13, 2009\nThe A.V. Club Chicago just went through a redesign, and thinks there are a few other Chicago sites that could use a freshening up.\n\n\nOctober 06, 2009\nMeet The Bra Man. He collects bras. No, really, bras. He has more than a thousand of them. Yeah, we know. But it's for a good cause, so…yeah.\n\n\nOctober 06, 2009\nA couple of bike-loving gals filmed this video on stopping and starting a bicycle. Includes outtakes.\n\n\nOctober 02, 2009\nChicago resident Nite Kongtahworn created a mosaic of Marilyn Monroe with paint chips in his Lakeview condo. He was inspired by this Apartment Therapy post on pixelated painting.\n\n\nOctober 01, 2009\nHere's a 1987 Chicago Tribune spot featuring the great Mike Royko at the Billy Goat Tavern. The sound seems a touch off at the beginning–Royko sounds a little like Barry White.\n\n\nOctober 01, 2009\nListen to Elucidations, a podcast started by two graduate students in philosophy at the U of C. They talk to professors about their work, "covering a range of topics from the theoretical to the practical, including perception, moral motivation, and sexual orientation."\n\n\nSeptember 30, 2009\nThe Chicago Public Library Book Cart Drill Team.\n\n\nSeptember 30, 2009\nWhether you're for Rio, Madrid, Tokyo, or Chicago, your Olympic fervor (and addiction to Twitter) could win you a trip to one of the finalist cities from travel social media app Where I've Been. Check Facebook for more details.\n\n\nSeptember 30, 2009\nAdd another voice to the ones supporting the 2016 Olympics for Chicago, only this one might be a little sarcastic. (Note: The support comes from a "columnist" for the infamous Weekly World News so take it with a big fat grain of salt.)\n\n\nSeptember 28, 2009\nOn Yelp, reviews of the Broadway and Lawrence branch of the USPS are, uh, mixed: "Just writing about this place forces me to relive all my nightmarish experiences there. I need to drink some herbal tea just to calm down." And: "I wonder what they do with all my mail they don't deliver? Do they just throw it out?" There's much, much more. \n\n\nSeptember 25, 2009\nMeet the thorn in Twitter's side.\n\n\nSeptember 25, 2009\nLike candy and NASCAR? Satisfy both cravings when racer Kyle Bush hands out free Mars chocolate bars next Thursday at Pioneer Plaza. Why the free candy? Well, apparently Chicago was voted the city most in need of "sweet relief". Whatever, just hand over the Snickers.\n\n\nSeptember 25, 2009\nNo, Instant Bueller. (Reminds me of something.)\n\n\nSeptember 22, 2009\nThe MacArthur Foundation announced its 2009 Fellows, who will receive a no-strings-attached $500k check just for being…a genius. No Chicagoans in the bunch, but John Rogers, a UIUC physics professor, made the list for his contributions to flexible electronics devices. \n\n\nSeptember 21, 2009\nSpeaking of the Olympics, here's another site for the anti- crowd: Chicagoans for Rio.[[via]\n\n\nSeptember 18, 2009\nWill Chicago be the victim of a nuclear terrorist attack on Sept. 22? At least one person thinks so.\n\n\nSeptember 17, 2009\nThe Oprah effect may go beyond books, products, musicians. The next episode on the continuing saga of "It's Oprah's world and we just live in it": Local restaurants and certain chefs are seeing an Oprah bump, according to 312 Dining Diva. \n\n\nSeptember 17, 2009\nBaffling. Two marble statues of the Hindu gods Shiva and Parvati turned up in the DuPage River. Local Hindu temples report that their statues are all accounted for.\n\n\nSeptember 15, 2009\nHarnessing the freaky cool power of Google Maps, the Tutor/Mentor Connection shows Chicagoans where to find tutor and mentor programs. But it also goes way further, showing maps of poorly performing schools, crime in the news, and even support groups like churches and universities, all to pinpoint areas in which organizations should create and nurture tutor and mentor programs. \n\n\nSeptember 11, 2009\nRestaurant.com is offering super-reduced prices for their gift certificates, for use at hundreds of Chicago-area restaurants. The fine print is here. \n\n\nSeptember 10, 2009\nColumbia College's Conversations in the Arts packs quite a wallop in its fifth year with Twitter co-founder Biz Stone (speaking Oct. 6), Huffington Post Editor-in-Chief Arianna Huffington and director Mira Nair scheduled to address media trends at the free series. RSVP info in Slowdown.\n\n\nAugust 31, 2009\nWhat (Lake Michigan, apparently) sharks dream about. (Warning: One naughty word.)\n\n\nAugust 25, 2009\nGuinness and the Mayor's Office of Special Events ruled the Grant Park showing of the Marx Brothers' Duck Soup broke the record for most people wearing Groucho glasses (4,436 frames) at one time on July 21.\n\n\nAugust 25, 2009\nA result of the economy, a lack of nursing graduates, and a possible wave of nurses retiring from the field, more of these health care professionals are needed, and Chicago is no exception. \n\n\nAugust 24, 2009\nCoudal points us to a fantastic Budweiser commercial shot on the El (mostly the Brown Line), for the Irish beer drinking market if the URL attached to it is any indication. UPDATE: The Sun-Times gets the backstory on the ad.\n\n\nAugust 19, 2009\nTime Out takes a look at the secret life of the Chicagoan bomb squad technician, pot dealer, fantasy specialist, sensual masseuse, well, you get the idea.\n\n\nAugust 19, 2009\nStep carefully when visiting the dolphin show at Brookfield Zoo. A woman filed a lawsuit against the Brookfield Zoo regarding a spill she took leaving the dolphin show. Her complaint is that the dolphins have been "willfully and recklessly" trained to make the steps slippery. (Via Chicago Now)\n\n\nAugust 19, 2009\nI learned something new about the Illinois State Bar Association when I was asked to be a reference for a hopeful future lawyer. I needed to go to the website for the Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar in order to do that. What's the website, you ask? ibaby.org. That's right: iBaby. Apparently, it stands for "Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar … and You," but I can't say I was overwhelmed with confidence by their domain name choice.\n\n\nAugust 19, 2009\nA captivating anecdote in the bar of the Chicago Ritz-Carlton leads off this 1993 profile of the magician turned actor Ricky Jay, dug up in the New Yorker archives by Kottke.org.\n\n\nAugust 19, 2009\nNovella Carpenter found a vacant lot in her Oakland, Calif. neighborhood and started planting. Her memoir about this DIY urban farm was just profiled in Flavorpill. And according to her blog, she'd love to take her knowledge on the road in October and teach workshops about urban farming all over the country (including Chicago). So pony up your couch or some cash and help bring her here.\n\n\nAugust 19, 2009\nThe New York Times Dining section reports on last year's banning of ice cream trucks from the 18th Ward and modern parents annoyed with ice-cream-demanding toddlers and chain-smoking, shirtless, and burping ice cream vendors.\n\n\nAugust 18, 2009\nFor foodies and boozers around Chicago, Wait Watcher tweets wait times at key restaurants and bars. Developed by the Onion's AV Chicago section, local restaurant-goers can text or call in wait times to help their fellow diners. \n\n\nAugust 17, 2009\nYep, that's all Life Magazine has to say about this odd series of photographs from 1962. Nonetheless, that's one angry bird.\n\n\nAugust 17, 2009\nA handy checklist of things you should do in the city. [via]\n\n\nAugust 14, 2009\nWGN-TV Feature Reporter Marcus Leshock caught this guy getting really into a DJ set at Lollapalooza last weekend. (Thanks, Brett!)\n\n\nAugust 14, 2009\nSue, the Field Museum's T-Rex, is on Twitter, tweeting about meat-eating, being an apex predator, and her repulsively tiny forearms (which, apparently, text just fine). She also plans to be at the Air and Water Show. (Via.)\n\n\nAugust 14, 2009\nUptown Update has some amazing video of a street brawl that broke out around 9pm Wednesday night. (via)\n\n\nAugust 13, 2009\nThe Trib's John Kass points to a Facebook group "Lakeview 911" that was created this month to gather "concerned citizens" who want to connect about the recent muggings in the neighborhood. Remember EveryBlock is also a great local resource on crime stats relative to your street, no matter where you live in the city.\n\n\nAugust 10, 2009\nThe Fineprint has some neat t-shirts for showing Chicago pride. Case in point: this shirt featuring a takeoff of Harold's Chicken Shack's famous "dude chasing after a chicken with a meat cleaver" logo. [via]\n\n\nAugust 08, 2009\nCool! Here are "10 Awesome Images That Are Actually Paintings," including a nifty image of the Damen El station. And here's an even closer look.\n\n\nAugust 04, 2009\nNorth Shore blogger Poppy Buxom bought every issue of Domino magazine after the title folded earlier this year. Maybe if she'd done it earlier Domino might still be in business? Anyway, she's reading every issue – from Spring/Summer 2005 to March 2009 – and blogging about it over at The Dominotrix.\n\n\nAugust 04, 2009\nThese Chicago-centric designs by Vic Sanchez are pretty sweet. [via]\n\n\nJuly 31, 2009\nHey, Chicago music/bowling fans! Just a few hours left to order a special shirt titled "Bring Back the Fireside" at RIPT Apparel.[[via]\n\n\nJuly 30, 2009\nWindy City Rock points us to a nifty deal at Reverbnation.com where 1,000 songs are now available for free download, including tunes from several Chicago bands. \n\n\nJuly 29, 2009\n"I am like any other man. All I do is supply a demand." —Al Capone\n\n\nJuly 29, 2009\nMinutes before he was arrested last December, Rod Blagojevich was bumped from appearing on the Today Show in a one-on-one interview with Matt Lauer because far more important news had to be announced…Jay Leno's new television show (which premieres September 14, Rod!).\n\n\nJuly 28, 2009\nA Chicago man is accused of stealing more than $45,000 worth of eyeglasses from suburban Milwaukee stores. Why, and again, why? The complaint quotes the accused as saying he "really likes to be around glasses."\n\n\nJuly 28, 2009\nLeah took her job search to the streets.\n\n\nJuly 28, 2009\nJuly was the coldest it's been in Chicago in 65 years, with an average temp of 68.9°. If you use (or rather didn't use) the AC, look for savings on your electric bills.[[via]\n\n\nJuly 28, 2009\nHow accurate is your favorite online weather service?\n\n\nJuly 24, 2009\nMichelle Obama's fashion confidant Ikram Goldman was interviewed to get a handle on which designers Mrs. O. will be wearing in the future. Alexander McQueen, your moment's coming.\n\n\nJuly 23, 2009\nLocal podcast North & Clark holds a microphone to Chicagoans who don't often make the media spotlight: grown-up graffiti kids, riot-surviving activists, anthropologists digging into the free-for-all emerald trade, and more. Produced by Casey Brazeal.\n\n\nJuly 23, 2009\nGoogle has new comics themes for iGoogle, including work by former and current Chicago cartoonists Dan Clowes, Jessica Abel, and Jeffrey Brown\n\n\nJuly 23, 2009\nIf you're a Cute Chicago Boy, watch out! You might just end up on the interweb.\n\n\nJuly 22, 2009\nWhile CTA President Richard Rodriquez canceled the weird company car benefit for CTA employees this week, he insists on keeping a car for himself and driving to work everyday. Local blogs are debating the intelligence of the move, with CTA Tattler defending Rodriquez's family time and Chicago Carless ripping him a new one. \n\n\nJuly 22, 2009\nThe New York Times Magazine profile of Obama advisor Valerie Jarrett is up: "The executive didn't know that the 'feel' ran deeper than policy — that it was about trust: if Valerie Jarrett told Barack Obama that something was the right thing to do, he would very likely do it."\n\n\nJuly 21, 2009\nVF Daily's Society & Style blog asked some of the country's top chefs to take on the recipes of the late, great Julia Child. Chicago's own Graham Elliot Bowles presents a terrine based on Child's vichyssoise.\n\n\nJuly 17, 2009\nFirst the NYT gave struggling clothing store Jake the business, now the Wall Street Journal is lamenting the days when Evanston wasn't full of chain stores and had some personality (but gives a nice report about the state of retail in Andersonville).\n\n\nJuly 17, 2009\nJust in time for the Pitchfork Music Festival, it's the latest edition of Hipster Bingo!\n\n\nJuly 16, 2009\nNo idea this existed: Michael Jordan: Chaos in the Windy City, a 1994 game for the Super Nintendo. [via]\n\n\nJuly 16, 2009\nAs if the city didn't have enough problems with gangs and violence, now we're being accused of outsourcing our gang activity to Iowa.\n\n\nJuly 15, 2009\nVia Christopher J. in the Fuel thread, behold Wesley Willis Tower. Awesome.\n\n\nJuly 13, 2009\nThis year's CNN Money's Best Places to Live rankings are out, and Illinois small towns only garnered 3 of the top 100 spots. Batavia, Buffalo Grove, and downstate Glen Carbon made the list, but none broke the top 50.\n\n\nJuly 13, 2009\nAs if your life wasn't enough of a soap opera, you can now follow a real one on Twitter: "Chicago to Coronado" chronicles the love triangle between a former Chicago ad agency CEO and two Navy SEALs on Coronado Island, California.\n\n\nJuly 10, 2009\nThere's just a few short weeks left for you to nominate your favorite places in Chicago for MPC's Placemaking contest. We wrote about this great project when it started, but now's your chance to share your favorites.\n\n\nJuly 10, 2009\nThis year's Layer Tennis season comes to a close today at 2pm with a championship match between designers Shaun Inman and Gregory Hubacek. (Neither is from Chicago, but that's OK — the stadium is.)\n\n\nJuly 09, 2009\nThe A.V. Club was kind enough to make an inventory of all the things R. Kelly wants, as detailed in his new mix-tape, The Demo Tape. It's hard to pick a favorite because they're all kind of awesome.\n\n\nJuly 02, 2009\nUh, I don't want to panic anyone or anything, but… um… there's a big old monitor lizard running around Libertyville right now. No, really. Well, we can't say the Dead Milkmen didn't warn us.\n\n\nJuly 02, 2009\nStuck at the office? Play a little Bike Salute Memory, based on Dubi Kaufmann's Bike Salute site.\n\n\nJuly 02, 2009\nBureau of Self-Promotion: I wrote an article about coyotes in Chicago and an undeveloped parcel of land at 16th and Clark a few have chosen to make their home. Part two next week.\n\n\nJune 27, 2009\nOur own Jim Allenspach created a series of fake covers for the popular 33 1/3 book series, exploring some of the worst possible album/author combinations. His set hass started making the rounds on blogs and spawned at least one imitator — and now has inspired the publisher to run a contest for humorous covers.\n\n\nJune 24, 2009\nSeen the new Burger King ad that manages to evoke a certain sexual act? The 312 Dining Diva points us to the newest offender in desperate advertising. \n\n\nJune 22, 2009\nThe Hyde Park Urbanist takes a look at the verge – "that strip between the sidewalk and the street" – on a stretch of East 57th Street.\n\n\nJune 15, 2009\nThese clever pillows from CraftSquatch (local artist/ crafter Justin Thomas) won't make all your online dreams come true, but they will give you something to rest your social-media weary head upon when your interwebs are down.\n\n\nJune 15, 2009\nA member of the Navajo Nation is becoming a unique presence as a designer in the fashion world, with a showing of her work in the Chicago area.\n\n\nJune 15, 2009\nGraphic designer Jax de Leon created a graphic representation of Come on, Feel the Illinoise! by Sufjan Stevens as her final student project. Some really cool stuff in there. [via]\n\n\nJune 12, 2009\nLove Chicago so much you want to put it in your pocket and take it home? Now you can. [via] (Previously.)\n\n\nJune 11, 2009\nLocally produced Hot Tweeters should eat up some of your time on a rainy afternoon.\n\n\nJune 10, 2009\nWas "Family Matters" your favorite sit-com located in Chicago? Then you may be interested in this video made during a visit to the Winslow house. [via]\n\n\nJune 09, 2009\nNorthwestern's journalism school wants students to not clog inboxes when talking about Twitter, so they've provided a 1970s-esqe way of facilitating discussion.\n\n\nJune 08, 2009\nLaunched today, RIPT Apparel is a Chicago-based t-shirt retailer selling one-of-a-kind shirts designed by a community of artists. The beauty is that a single design is sold over a 24-hour period only; it is then retired, replaced and the cycle repeats.\n\n\nJune 08, 2009\nScotty Got An Office Job, the video blog started by local actor/musician/tech guy Scotty Iseri, takes a surprising turn as Scotty's boss finds the videos online. \n\n\nJune 08, 2009\nSo now that you're using Kanye Vision to dress up your web browser, you're probably ready to dress like the man himself. Kanye shares 10 fashion picks with Style.com. [via]\n\n\nJune 04, 2009\nFriday is National Donut Day. This is important because it means a free Krispy Kreme and Dunkin Donut for all. It IS the best day of your life. \n\n\nJune 03, 2009\nExplore Chicago's new game Chicago Neighborhood Express allows you to wander through different neighborhoods on-line.\n\n\nJune 02, 2009\nOnce seen, it cannot be unseen.\n\n\nMay 29, 2009\nIf you thought air guitar was titillating, you're gonna get schooled. The World Air Sex Championships are going on tour, and coming to Chicago June 14 at Logan Square Auditorium. Yes, that means contestants get up on stage and do it (fully clothed) with the air. Want to show how you can rock the air's world? Contact chris@airsexworldchampionships.com.\n\n\nMay 28, 2009\nWant to give your place that perfect 60s or 70s countercultural ambience? Lead Pipe Posters has original prints (some with Chicago themes) of the black light, hippie-dippie, up-against-the-wall-pig, muggle-huffing ilk quite possibly still hanging up in your trippy uncle's basement. Guess there's nothing left to be said but…\n\n\nMay 28, 2009\nChicago artist Kathryn Rodrigues offers an A-to-Z size comparison of the United States to (almost) every other country over on Radical Cartography.\n\n\nMay 27, 2009\nDancing with Brides is like "Dancing With The Stars" only for regular folks who aren't quite so addicted to spray tanning and glitter. Sorta. Brides Magazine's instructional dance workshop for couples comes to The Drake Hotel on Sunday, May 31. Not only can prospective brides and grooms learn some smooth first dance moves, they may also get a chance to win $10,000. Check Slowdown for details.\n\n\nMay 26, 2009\nWhat happens when a toy escapes the Island of Misfit Toys and can't make a go of it? They end up down and out in the City of Sad Toys, of course. The Windy City is creepily represented by a bevy of naked Barbies hanging by their hair.\n\n\nMay 25, 2009\nIf you're in the market, the infamous Highland Park home featured in Ferris Bueller's Day Off is available at the bargain price of $2.3 million. [via]\n\n\nMay 21, 2009\nThe Chicago feds have rigged up a Web site alerting citizens about bank robbery suspects. The nicknames alone are worth a look.\n\n\nMay 19, 2009\nWas this U of C student's column about the springtime sartorial choices of his fellow Maroons sexist and misogynistic? That may depend on which version you've read.\n\n\nMay 18, 2009\nEven if you're not that interested in the topic, these "sketchnotes" by Mike Rohde at the Society of News Designers meeting this weekend are pretty darn cool.\n\n\nMay 16, 2009\nChicagoan and former "Bachelorette" Jen Schefft got married Friday night. Zzzzzz.\n\n\nMay 15, 2009\nCecil Adams considers this question for The Straight Dope Chicago. Meanwhile, R. Kelly's defense team is joining Team Blago.\n\n\nMay 15, 2009\nIs Chicago the most ironic city ever? Steve Rhodes of The Beachwood Reporter shares his thoughts on the matter.\n\n\nMay 15, 2009\nYour job may not be &*@#!* golden, but your hair can be. It's "Blago" shampoo and conditioner. Only your hairdresser and bagman will know for sure.\n\n\nMay 13, 2009\nBesides providing crazy-cool t-shirts, Chicago's Threadless evidently also provides a killer place to work. TravelChannel.com named Threadless an "extreme workplace," citing their 25,000-square-foot warehouse and production space where employees play Wii, bring it in intense ping-pong championships, and even rock out on an indoor skate ramp. Chicago photo blogger Joe M500 is interviewed about his recent photographic journey of the warehouse (and confirms its coolness) here. \n\n\nMay 12, 2009\nWant to see the web through Kanye's signature sunglasses?\n\n\nMay 05, 2009\nWell, are you?\n\n\nMay 05, 2009\nFrom the deepest depths of the University of Chicago Library's digital stacks came… The Biology of B-Movie Monsters! [via]\n\n\nMay 04, 2009\nThe Tribune Company is launching a new blog community site later this summer called ChicagoNow.com. No publicly accessible pages yet, but here's a glimpse via a marketing video dug up by a WindyCitizen user.\n\n\nMay 04, 2009\nFormer Chicago Tribune reporter Emily Achenbaum discusses the decision she and her husband-to-be made "to pursue a pared-down life."\n\n\nMay 04, 2009\nGathering stats on STDs, murders, and similar data, KSU geographers performed a study titled "The Spatial Distribution of the Seven Deadly Sins within Nevada," then created maps showing "hotspots" of Wrath, Lust, etc. across the nation. Sounds like a bunch of hooey, but it looks cool. Chicago's way up on greed but surprisingly not prone to envy.\n\n\nMay 04, 2009\nAlex Kotlowitz explains why Chicago is Fast Company's U.S. City of the Year: "The real Chicago isn't so easy to keep up with. It's constantly reinventing itself. Jumpy. Agitated. Impatient. It's as if the place is trembling. Move aside. Don't linger. And if you're going to dawdle, get out of the way. But what any Chicagoan will also tell you is that the past is very much present. It doesn't go away. It shouldn't. In fact, that's Chicago's lure and its beauty: its ability to take what was and figure out what could be."\n\n\nMay 03, 2009\nAn ode to our transit system's more memorable characters.\n\n\nApril 29, 2009\nNevada's own Moonlite Bunny Ranch has offered an apprenticeship to former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich. According to a press release from ranch owner Dennis Hof, "Rod's willpower would be challenged daily by the ladies as they bribe him to acquire finer rooms or better working hours and days off. In lieu of Rod's work throughout the apprenticeship Dennis Hof will pay him a handsome amount of money." [via]\n\n\nApril 27, 2009\nThe self-proclaimed "greatest celebrity photographer in the world" and new YouTube star?\n\n\nApril 23, 2009\nToday's fake Internet holiday is Talk Like Shakespeare Day, in honor of the Bard's birth 445 years ago. If that isn't enough encouragement to drop a few "thees" and "thous," the mayor has issued yon proclamation, ye blackguards. Here are a few quotes to get you started. \n\n\nApril 21, 2009\nWhile researching a post about Playboy's possible de-listing from the NYSE, the Reader's Whet Moser unearthed a database of Playboy centerfolds (NSFW, obviously) maintained by a University of Chicago library employee.\n\n\nApril 21, 2009\nBacon maniacs rejoice! Here's a handy app that gives any website bacony delicious. In the address bar of your web browser, type in http://bacolicio.us/ and then your website (including the "http://") and enjoy. Here's what happens to Gapers Block.\n\n\nApril 16, 2009\nOprah Winfrey is now on Twitter. She shall tweet for the first time live on her show tomorrow. What about Oprah's BFF Gayle King? Already on it.\n\n\nApril 16, 2009\nThe Wisconsin State Journal would like to introduce you to UW-Madison student (and presumed Cubs fan) Elizabeth Wrigley-Field.\n\n\nApril 13, 2009\nThe University of Chicago Press has put together a "Bo-dacious" reading list for the First Puppy.\n\n\nApril 03, 2009\nThe University of Chicago alumni magazine is running its own Peeps diorama contest. Vote here for the Peeple's Choice recipient. All winners will be announced Tuesday, April 14.\n\n\nApril 01, 2009\nThis is what passes as an April Fool's joke at the Tribune Company. Rendering the Internet obsolete, indeed. [via]\n\n\nMarch 27, 2009\nStrange things are afoot on uchi.marketplace, the U of C's version of Craigslist.\n\n\nMarch 26, 2009\nChicago mag's Jeff Ruby takes his chances for a whole week of gambling, betting on everything under — and including — the sun.\n\n\nMarch 25, 2009\nA classic videogame character explores our city. [via]\n\n\nMarch 18, 2009\nWillis Group CEO Jim Plameri takes to the web to talk about the renaming of the Sears Tower.[[via]\n\n\nMarch 13, 2009\nHave you spied any more Monopoly-themed graffiti around Chicago? [via]\n\n\nMarch 12, 2009\nIf you have always wanted to learn how to turn squares of pretty paper into cranes, cars, shoes or laptops, the Chicago Area Origami Society (fantastic acronym!) can direct your creases in a more organized fashion than their name suggests. Whether you've never folded, or can fold with your eyes closed, their next meeting is this Saturday. And since the expected high temp is 49° F, a visit to the desert or rainforest rooms would be soothing. [via]\n\n\nMarch 12, 2009\nChicago comes in third (behind London and Los Angeles) when it comes to the number of people who use Twitter.[[via]\n\n\nMarch 12, 2009\nAs a boy, Waukegan resident Douglas Stiles was told a story that his great-great grandfather, Jonathan Dillon, repaired the watch of Abraham Lincoln in 1861. The story also went that during that repair, Dillon scrawled something on the watch's inside. Was the story true? Take a look for yourself.\n\n\nMarch 10, 2009\nObama's love of Chicago sports reared its head again recently, as The Daily Show's John Stewart pointed out on last night's show (it comes at about the 2:00 mark). Let's just say the Bulls get a little spanking from Stewart and even the '85 Bears come under scrutiny. \n\n\nMarch 06, 2009\nA homeless poet finds salvation in his words. Hear some of his work over at Medill Reports.\n\n\nMarch 05, 2009\nMy family lineage is a bit murky and hard to trace, so I'm always flummoxed when people ask me where my ancestral heritage came from. Even so, I'm enthralled by the stories of Chicagoans who can visit the homes their ancestors lived in — but this post by John Tolva is one of the best I've read.\n\n\nMarch 03, 2009\nAccording to MovieMaker, Chicago is the best city for independent moviemakers, offering "the best all-around chance of finding success with their art during these tough economic times." [via]\n\n\nMarch 01, 2009\nAh! In Central Illinois.\n\n\nFebruary 27, 2009\nNo less than Cute Overload calls out the blog of the U of C Press for omitting the rules of cuteness when talking about "the science of cute."\n\n\nFebruary 26, 2009\nNBCChicago.com wrote a nice piece pointing to Chicago Public Radio's great "Hard Working" series about jobs and joblessness. Then, MSNBC republished NBCChicago's story — but stripped out all links to the original series, effectively killing any utility the article had. CPR is crying foul. \n\n\nFebruary 26, 2009\nHarper's Index factoids referencing Chicago, Illinois.\n\n\nFebruary 25, 2009\nIn Isreal's Negev Desert is the Tze'elim Military Base, and on that military base is the city of Chicago, "so named because its bullet-ridden fake walls apparently recall the punctured real walls of Al Capone's Chicago."\n\n\n\nFebruary 23, 2009\nWhen the economy's down, be assured that someone always wants to buy your hair.\n\n\nFebruary 20, 2009\nToday's Layer Tennis match doesn't start till 2pm, but the first-ever qualifying match got underway at noon, and it's between two locals: Fuzzy Gerdes and Mig Reyes.\n\n\nFebruary 19, 2009\nI'm speechless (mainly because I can't read Japanese). [via]\n\n\nFebruary 16, 2009\nJust because you lack land in Chicago, doesn't mean you can't have a garden. Green Roof Growers have some great information on helping you get started.\n\n\nFebruary 11, 2009\nWell, not the late president himself, but his bust which sits at 69th and Walcott on the South Side and has undergone some interesting changes. Update: Here are two other shots of Abe.\n\n\nFebruary 11, 2009\nAs the economy continues to take a nosedive, even tattoo parlors are beginning to fill the pinch.\n\n\nFebruary 09, 2009\nTa-Nehisi Coates of The Atlantic considers the case some of his readers try to bring against Chicago (one word: winter) but seems to come out for it. Or for the South Side, anyway: "I'm kinda in love with the South Side. It's like Harlem's smarter, but less jiggy, little sister. Fine as all hell. You just gotta see past those glasses. And them damn overalls."\n\n\nFebruary 06, 2009\nThis will probably be more interesting in a few months, but hey, I like seeing what's going on outside Wrigley anyway. [Thanks, Gabe!]\n\n\nFebruary 02, 2009\nOr maybe not, in the case of this gargantuan Frosted Mini-Wheats cluster found in a Chicagoan's cereal box.\n\n\nJanuary 29, 2009\nUptown Update, the highly popular blog that has become a thorn in the side of Ald. Helen Shiller, particularly over the fate of the Wilson Yard Project, has been brought into that case by the attorney for the yard's developer, Peter Holsten. The attorney is subpoening records from Google about the ownership of that blog and another (apparently defunct blog) called "What The Helen".\n\n\nJanuary 17, 2009\nMost Insignificant News Item of the Day: After more than 100 years, the H.J. Heinz Company is removing the pickle from the logo on its ketchup bottle and replacing it with the more appropriate tomato. The Chicago connection? The pickle logo idea was hatched during the 1893 Chicago World's Fair.\n\n\nJanuary 16, 2009\nSound Transit is a website that lets you plan an audio trip around the world. The clip collection includes hundreds of interesting sounds including a couple from nearby Berwyn (search: Illinois). Here's hoping folks keep adding to the collection.\n\n\nJanuary 15, 2009\nIt's definitely a concern right now, as I watch a huge icicle grow outside my window. Ask.MetaFilter asks where is best to walk to avoid injury from falling ice.\n\n\nJanuary 13, 2009\nBe careful if a stranger asks you to help him move his television at 6:30 in the morning.\n\n\nJanuary 06, 2009\nMichael Simmons releases his iPhone-ified CTA Bus Tracker. If you're looking for a more native looking app, this is it. Just point your iPhone here.\n\n\nJanuary 05, 2009\nAs new condo buildings continue to rise in the South Loop, "the neighborhood now accounts for more than half the unsold units expected to hit the downtown market" in 2009. Whether these buildings will sit mostly empty in hopes of future growth spurred by a successful Olympics bid or drop dramatically in price remains to be seen.\n\n\nJanuary 05, 2009\nThe Tribune's looking for the best blog in Chicago. If you know of "established bloggers who post great content often and are known in their community" (ahem) fill out their online form.\n\n\nDecember 31, 2008\nLeather Creations scores on sarcasm with this ad mocking the Blagojevich scandal.\n\n\nDecember 29, 2008\nThe semi-trailer long bar from the Black Orchid Club has gone south to take up residence in a new Phoenix, Arizona bar that is due to open toward the end of 2009. At least it will be warmer where it is headed.\n\n\nDecember 27, 2008\nOne of Ebert's fans created a sextuple acrostic in the critic's honor. \n\n\nDecember 25, 2008\nDopplr is a sort of social network about travel. They just launched pages for each city people go to — here's Chicago's.\n\n\nDecember 23, 2008\nNo matter how cold the weather, the University of Chicago gargoyles remain ever vigilant.\n\n\nDecember 18, 2008\nThe domain name www.impeachpresidenthussein.com is apparently for sale on Craigslist. But hurry: The (bargain!) $50,000 price tag doubles on Inauguration Day.\n\n\nDecember 17, 2008\nThe "unique" local political scene gets yet another national dissection. This time, it's The Atlantic. And this time it's from October, 1930. The more things change…\n\n\nDecember 16, 2008\nJust because your boss canceled the office holiday party doesn't mean you can't attend one virtually, choose-your-own-adventure style.\n\n\nDecember 15, 2008\nThe "Reasons to Love New York 2008" issue of New York magazine is on-line. Their no. 1 reason to love the Big Apple? "Because Obama Is One of Us, Despite All That Business About Chicago." Dang, New York, step off already.\n\n\nDecember 12, 2008\nThe blog Public Art In Chicago gives a peek at the latest addition to the city's outdoor art lineup. We think it'll look familiar to you, although not quite like this.\n\n\nDecember 08, 2008\nApparently your cell phones are not only vexing, but also extremely insolent.\n\n\nDecember 04, 2008\nA while back we asked if Chicago had the ugliest house in America. Well, the verdict is in and the answer is … yup, sure do.\n\n\nDecember 03, 2008\nIf you find yourself wanting to mark "other" under the Gender category on forms, then you'll find Safe2Pee.org a welcome addition to your bookmarks. There are supposedly only 19 gender-neutral bathrooms in Chicago (which I know is very low) but thankfully anyone can add in another entry. Making the world a GenderQueer friendly place, one bathroom at a time.\n\n\nDecember 02, 2008\nStumped on what to get that hypochondriac on your Christmas list? How about a giant, plush microbe, created by University of Chicago law school grad Drew Oliver. Choose from The Common Cold, E. coli or Black Death. Hours of fun…\n\n\nDecember 01, 2008\nReason To Give has the perfect solution for those hard-to-buy-for people on your list. The Chicago nonprofit's new webstore offers an innovative alternative to traditional holiday gift exchange and a sweet chance to help out the Humboldt Park community. It's like Extreme Makeover Home Edition meets Amazon.com!\n\n\nNovember 29, 2008\nA couple of months ago, we wrote that Kimberly Walz, chief of staff to Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley, was looking for votes in the Benefit makeup Posie Gal contest. The results are in, and Walz came away with the victory.\n\n\nNovember 26, 2008\nNARAL has launched a website featuring local spoken word talent promoting reproductive rights. It was produced by See3 Communications, a local web/video firm working with non-profits.\n\n\nNovember 25, 2008\nYou probably aren't familiar with the saga of the Giant Italian Truffle, which has failed to find a home here in the States… until it reached Chicago, that is.\n\n\nNovember 25, 2008\nHe'll store anything you want for $10.99 a month.\n\n\nNovember 22, 2008\nFile under "Nom Nom Nom": Top Chef cupcakes are back at the Bleeding Heart Bakery.\n\n\nNovember 21, 2008\nKnow a University of Chicago student or alumnus? Know two or more? Print out these U of C-centric Bingo cards for them to enjoy during the holidays. Then stand back and watch the geek-tacular fun ensue.\n\n\nNovember 21, 2008\nHispanicBusiness.com take a look at the Puerto Rican community in Chicago and its staunch supporters who once again try to stave off gentrification.\n\n\nNovember 21, 2008\nCongratulations to Wilmette native and new father Pete Wentz — wife Ashlee Simpson-Wentz gave birth to their son, Bronx Mowgli Wentz, last night. Celebrate by checking out the Simpson-Wentz Baby Name Generator.\n\n\nNovember 19, 2008\nWho knew that employees at Chicago-based Potbelly Sandwich Works were so into DIY and being green?\n\n\nNovember 14, 2008\nTake that $1000 and invest it one stock. Each day, make one trade. Twitter the results. (A little more background.)\n\n\nNovember 14, 2008\nWhen* are we Going to see an end to sites letting us know about Upcoming events? I'm just about Eventful. (*When.com is the latest, a rebranding of AOL's Zvents. Whoopee.)\n\n\nNovember 13, 2008\nOr, as Timothy O' Sullivan might have put it to Abner Mikva (were O' Sullivan a hotel concierge and, well, alive), "We don't help nobody that nobody sent."\n\n\nNovember 13, 2008\nChicago child therapist Mike Ruggles will be starring in "Super-Manny," a spinoff of the ABC show "SuperNanny," debuting Friday night.\n\n\nNovember 12, 2008\nThe blog Hyde Park Progress explores the transportation options available to the area from a U of C (ex)undergrad perspective.\n\n\nNovember 10, 2008\nFor the presidential trivia buffs, the Secret Service names for President-elect Obama and the next First Family are: Renegade (Barack), Renaissance (Michelle), Radiance (Malia), and Rosebud (Sasha – aw). Want your own? Get it here.\n\n\nNovember 09, 2008\nA mass dog marriage was held in Oak Park this weekend with the hopes of setting a world record. \n\n\nNovember 07, 2008\nI firmly believe that personal stories are the best way to express how legislation affects people. And why it needs to change. \n\n\nNovember 05, 2008\nLooking for love in a sea of hope. [via]\n\n\nNovember 05, 2008\nOk, I was wrong. There's nothing else going on in the world but Obamania, and we have Peruvian Shamans to thank for it. [Thanks, Kara!]\n\n\nNovember 04, 2008\nOK, I know we're going a little overboard with the Obama linkage, but this is just too cool not to post.\n\n\nNovember 03, 2008\nHey, is anyone else tired of This. F*cking. Election?\n\n\nNovember 03, 2008\nAccording to a New York Post columnist, when it comes to power-wielding big city mayors, Mayor Daley tops NYC's Bloomberg hands down. Just check out the tale of the tape.\n\n\nNovember 03, 2008\n"Zombie World," in the Fall issue of Keep Going. (No, it's not a late Halloween story.)\n\n\nOctober 31, 2008\nFor every trend, there's an anti-trend. Twitter has blown up …and spawned h8ter, created by local webfolk. Sign up for a h8ter account and h8te on all sorts of stuff. Not only that, but your h8tes will be tweeted (anonymously) sur Twitter.\n\n\nOctober 30, 2008\nIn the wake of "Minutegate," Roger Ebert has decided to write his own "little rule book" regarding ethics for his fellow film critics. The picture of Ebert and Jason Patric assisting a rather festive looking Peter O'Toole is worth clicking through.\n\n\nOctober 30, 2008\nJoyland is a new site dedicated to the collection of short — sometimes really short — fiction. The site is organized by city, featuring stories by authors who live or have lived there. They've just opened up a Chicago branch, edited by local blogger Levi Stahl. The first piece is Insult, by Chicago writer, artist and musician Joseph Clayton Mills.\n\n\nOctober 27, 2008\nChicago-based Holos Fitness figures it's easier to stick to a workout plan if you've got company, so it aims to serve as a social network centered around fitness.\n\n\nOctober 27, 2008\nSomebody bugging the $#!& out of you? The Spite Site has what you need.\n\n\nOctober 27, 2008\nYou be the judge.\n\n\nOctober 20, 2008\nFlash artist and past GB staffer Felix Jung has created Colourful Echo, which creates a color-paletted visualizer for songs you upload. Here's an example.\n\n\nOctober 15, 2008\nWho says scientists don't have a sense of humor? Here's a list of security maxims from Argonne National Laboratory. [via]\n\n\nOctober 15, 2008\nIn time for the last debate tonight, as previously noted, you can download, print, and don the mask of your favorite political candidate.\n\n\nOctober 15, 2008\nTwo Chicago gang experts are bringing their knowledge on stopping the violence to a conference in Glasgow, Scotland, where the gang murder rate has grown to five times that of England.\n\n\nOctober 13, 2008\nOnline shop CostumeStudio will donate 100% of proceeds from costume sales to Invisible Children, an aid organization focused on helping children in war-torn Uganda. Brought to you by the socially-conscious fashion folks at GoodSociety.\n\n\nOctober 11, 2008\nThe Trib's helping you out with some easy Halloween costumes this year. Download a printable Sarah Palin mask here, and keep an eye out for their Obama, Biden and McCain versions as well. \n\n\nOctober 09, 2008\nCare to take a Googletour of Chicago and the suburbs?\n\n\nOctober 08, 2008\nAn Etch-a-Sketch paean to the 2008 Cubs.\n\n\nOctober 06, 2008\nBehold… the Playboy Wine Collection. The collectible bottles, each paired with a vintage magazine cover, are sold individually or as part of a subscription. [via]\n\n\nOctober 03, 2008\nExaminer.com pulls together a collection of "Chicago's best" lists. At least one contributor called it for the cliché that it is. (Seriously, Craigslist is the city's best marketing site!?)\n\n\nOctober 03, 2008\nA Chinese restaurant in Urbana, IL (if you know which one, let me know) has started using a wireless remote to let customers summon their waiter for food, water, the check, or just regular old attention. Makes me want to roadtrip for some ma po tofu.\n\n\nOctober 02, 2008\nWant to get crafty during the debate tonight? You can play some Palin Bingo, try your hand at a Build-O-Bama, or any of these Obama-themed craft projects. [via]\n\n\nOctober 02, 2008\nMr. Clean actor House Peters died recently at the age of 92. In case you didn't know, Mr. Clean was created here in Chicago by Harry Barnhart and Ernie Allen at the Tatham-Laird & Kudner ad agency. The hairless, obsessive compulsive, controversial, and sexually ambiguous corporate mascot's first name is Veritably, by the way, and he's known as Mr. Proper in England and Don Limpio in Spain. There you go: more than you ever wanted to know about Mr. Clean.\n\n\nOctober 01, 2008\nChicagoan Joanne Smith just won a Saginaw, MI, house on eBay for $1.75. The only drawbacks: she needs to pay $850 in back taxes and for trash and weed clean-up. Also, it's in Saginaw, for Pete's sake. She expressed concerns that it might be haunted too. Hopefully, she's joking about that last part.\n\n\nOctober 01, 2008\nGroupon, a Chicago startup, will offer daily coupons for local events, services, hotels, eateries and more. The twist? You only get the deal if enough people sign up for it. If not – well, you know. \n\n\nSeptember 30, 2008\nLife's drama recorded on a bus shelter wall. [via]\n\n\nSeptember 30, 2008\nGoogle has updated its satellite map of the city, and now shows a completed Millennium Park and a view of the top of Cloud Gate. [via]\n\n\nSeptember 29, 2008\nRoger Ebert vraiment did not like Senator John McCain's behavior at Friday night's presidential debate: "Before the debate, pundits were wondering if you might explode in a display of your famous temper. I think we saw that happen, all right, but it was an implosion. I have instructed my wife to exclude you from any future dinner parties."\n\n\nSeptember 26, 2008\nEater Chicago may not be bowing until next month, but the love for "Chicago's darling" Grant Achatz has been simmering for a while. Get a taste of "The Daily Achatz".\n\n\nSeptember 26, 2008\nBenefit Cosmetics and Sephora are holding a contest to find a Posie Gal to promote their Posie Tint product. One of the three national finalists is Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley's Chief of Staff Kimberly Walz (Gal #1). Put the Chicago Machine to work and vote for her video to win.\n\n\nSeptember 21, 2008\nHas Roger Ebert's site been hacked or is he really trumpeting Creationism? I'm going with hacked. Yep.\n\n\nSeptember 11, 2008\nChicago native Scott Johnson barbecues for a cause: to fight cancer. He donates his winnings in national competitions to a cancer research foundation. That's nice, but his reasons for getting into barbecuing might tick a few people off: he points to "the lack of quality barbecue cuisine in his native Chicago." Ahem…\n\n\nSeptember 10, 2008\nThe title says it all.\n\n\nSeptember 10, 2008\nIt wasn't just the Marshall Fields and the Potter Palmers who rebuilt Chicago after the Great Fire. WBEZ-FM reports on the women who helped raise the city from the ashes.\n\n\nSeptember 10, 2008\nIn honor of National Preparedness Month, the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago is awarding Safety Tubes to the two commenters who can best explain when a safety tube (which contains water, light source, dust mask, and whistle) could have come in handy in a previous emergency, or when they might need one. Deadline for comments is 5pm Friday.\n\n\nSeptember 03, 2008\nSports blog East Coast Bias took a trip to Wrigley Field this past weekend and (surprise!) they kinda liked it.\n\n\nSeptember 02, 2008\nWhether you're a fan of Obama, McCain, or a Hillary booster, you can embroider your vote with free redwork patterns from Black Threads, a blog about African American quilting. [via]\n\n\nAugust 30, 2008\nAmy Dickinson, who writes the Ask Amy advice column for the Chicago Tribune, wed childhood pal Bruno Schickel in upstate New York on August 16.\n\n\nAugust 29, 2008\n236.com's quiz finally solves the age-old question: "Which inflammatory pastor are you?"\n\n\nAugust 25, 2008\nThe Reader has completely redone its online event listings. Looks a whole lot better, although I'm not sure how they arrive at the order in which stuff gets listed.\n\n\nAugust 20, 2008\nFor the third year in a row, Hotwire.com declares Chicago the top destination for the Labor Day weekend. And if you do choose Chicago as your vacation destination, a New Zealand travel site tells you the best way to spend 48 hours here.\n\n\nAugust 17, 2008\nAlthough the woman behind the LivingOprah blog was anonymous in a Chicago Reader profile last month, the New York Times outed her. UPDATE: Actually, She outed herself last month after taping an NPR interview. (Thanks, Erin!)\n\n\nAugust 13, 2008\nRemember little Anakin Skywalker from Star Wars Episode I: The Clone Wars? Well, rumor has it, that he is a film and video major at Columbia College. Or maybe its just his clone.\n\n\nAugust 12, 2008\nNow that the banks have collapsed, here are some tips for surviving the New Depression.\n\n\nAugust 09, 2008\nComedian and actor Bernie Mac, 50, died this morning at Northwestern Memorial Hospital due to complications from pneumonia. \n\n\nAugust 08, 2008\nDecider.com is a new city entertainment guide produced by the Chicago office of The Onion and A.V. Club.\n\n\nAugust 06, 2008\nTne New York Times shows LaSalle Street and its classic architecture some love, citing renovation as one of the boulevard's assets.\n\n\nAugust 05, 2008\nThe Chicago Examiner (by way of New York-based Gawker.com) says that the Big Brother-ish Google Maps Street View might have caught an image of a kid with a gun and a drug deal going down here in Chicago.\n\n\nAugust 05, 2008\nYour choice: pro or con.\n\n\nJuly 30, 2008\nMy Guesstimate is a site for simple straw polls. Seems to be mainly the founder querying into the ether so far; give him a little company.\n\n\nJuly 30, 2008\nSenior citizens playing Wii Sports at the Skokie Public Library.\n\n\nJuly 28, 2008\nWhile Chicago suffers through a devastating crime wave, the Smithsonian takes a look at a murder that rocked the city and the nation…84 years ago. If the case sounds familiar it might be because you ran across it here first.\n\n\nJuly 17, 2008\nIn an op-ed piece in the Terre Haute TribStar, Chicago gets a thumbs-down from one woman who states a preference for corn fields and cowpies. Maybe she hasn't gone to the Farm In The Zoo.\n\n\nJuly 16, 2008\nThe Adventures of Miss Girl.\n\n\nJuly 16, 2008\nTwo ways to meet your invisible friends next week: the Digg Meetup on the 23rd and Yelp Around the World party on the 24th. If you're a member of either (or both), don't forget to RSVP.\n\n\nJuly 10, 2008\nYou may love her, or love to hate her, but no one can deny the power of Oprah's suggestion. Do the haters have reason, or should everyone join the Oprarmy? The Reader chronicles one local woman's attempt to find out.\n\n\nJuly 09, 2008\nYou can relax now: The list of "America's Best Public Restrooms" is out and, yes, Illinois has two of the top 10 spots, including one in Chicago. You can vote for the No. 1 place for No. 1 (or 2) here.\n\n\nJuly 03, 2008\nTen people Twitter'd Navy Pier's annual July 3rd fireworks display.\n\n\nJuly 01, 2008\nProfessional curmudgeon and columnist Thomas Roeser absolutely trashes the Taste of Chicago experience as "a sad trampling of civility" and says that it reduces the dining experience to "ashes and banal barbarism." But other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?\n\n\nJune 28, 2008\nMatt traveled the globe, making videos of himself dancing badly. Eventually, folks started to join in. It's pretty moving, actually. Chicago and the Bean put in an appearance at the 2:26 mark.\n\n\nJune 27, 2008\nAbout the same size as the Loop.\n\n\nJune 26, 2008\nWhat in the world is it?\n\n\nJune 25, 2008\nMoving/cleaning/mending your pack-ratty ways? The Chicago Recycling Coalition maintains a handy-dandy list of how to recycle pretty much anything in Chicagoland. \n\n\nJune 19, 2008\nThe subject of a Sun-Times article in today's paper, who complained about the hardships of not having a car, gets a bit of a dressing down by (naturally) the author of the blog Chicago Carless.\n\n\nJune 12, 2008\nThe Chicago version of the activity-planning website Eventful.com kicked off today, which lets users search, set alerts for and buy tickets to thousands of local events, from concerts to street fairs to discussion groups. You can even add your own events to the listings.\n\n\nJune 12, 2008\nAn entertaining slice of urban life or a pain in the…eardrums? Either way, the "bucket boys" are a familiar sight in Chicago and North by Northwestern has an article/video on the ubiquitous street performers.\n\n\nJune 11, 2008\nThe Examiner recently launched a Chicago edition, featuring blogs from Adam Fendelman, Al Yellon and other local writers.\n\n\nJune 11, 2008\nThe Reader will be launching a new nightlife site this week: drinks.chicagoreader.com. The site isn't live yet, but it's mentioned in the official flickr group.\n\n\nJune 09, 2008\nAnother Belushi, Jim's son Rob, joins the line of entertainers from that famous Chicago family. But this one is going for the dramatic roles, currently rehearsing for The Lion In Winter in Glencoe's Writer's Theater.\n\n\nJune 09, 2008\nIntroducing FlickrTwitterThinker, the latest project by digital tinkerer (and ex-GB staffer) Felix Jung.\n\n\nJune 06, 2008\nUnlike other cities, Chicago is showing no special preferences to owners of hybrid cars by giving them a break on feeding the meter and providing them with free parking spaces to encourage their use. Should we really be surprised?\n\n\nJune 05, 2008\nThe latest issue of local literary mag Please Don't is up, casting its gaze on TV and music, and featuring new short fiction by Susannah Felts.\n\n\nJune 04, 2008\nWith Barack Obama's (presumptive) Democratic primary win all sewn up, The London Times gives the A-Z of his remarkable life. Guess what the "C" stands for? There's also an AP bio on Obama with photos from throughout his life.\n\n\nJune 03, 2008\nEmbedded in the text of the indictments handed down by\nU.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald’s office May 22 charging bribes and\ncorruption\nin our city’s building and zoning departments, are Chicago\naddresses, locations where these crimes are alleged to\nhave taken place. EveryBlock does a deep-dive into these\naddresses,\nhighlighting choice greased-palm spots such as the Starbucks at Clark\nand Washington.\n\n\nJune 02, 2008\nIt's called Soceeo (pronounced like "socio-economic"), and it went live today.\n\n\nMay 30, 2008\nSo, you don't think you can afford a home in the city? Sure you can. Take a look at the cheapest real estate in Chicago.\n\n\nMay 29, 2008\nDo we really need all these missed connections? Isn't Craig's List enough?\n\n\nMay 28, 2008\nThere's an "exclusive new lounge" in the city — but you're only invited if you take a $4,000 personal development class called Lifebook.\n\n\nMay 24, 2008\nIt seems that basement slot-car racing has quite a following in Chicago and elsewhere, according to this recent Wall Street Journal article.\n\n\nMay 23, 2008\nA diverse clientele gets their kicks not on Route 66 but at an upscale athletic shoe store across from the Sheridan Red Line el stop.\n\n\nMay 22, 2008\nIn addition to our flickr group, you may want to check out the Chicago Office of Tourism's new group, which gives you a shot of being featured on their Chicago's Great Urban Adventures site.\n\n\nMay 21, 2008\nPaperGirl (aka Mary Fons) documents her encounter with a suspect yoga instructor. Let's just say a calming environment is not the first impression.\n\n\nMay 20, 2008\nVeronica saw a few PSAs for Illinois' Click It or Ticket program and thought they were commercials for an adult chat line. According to the state's new campaign, men will only wear their seatbelt if there is a sexy woman talking them into it. And of course Latinas can only seduce men into "being safe" if they're talking in Spanish. Ay yi yi!\n\n\nMay 20, 2008\nThe Center on Halsted will host a screening for "Dottie's Magic Pockets," billed as the first children's program for kids in gay and lesbian families. The show features puppets as well as real-life families. Bert and Ernie approve.\n\n\nMay 20, 2008\nMembers of the Rogers Park Young Women's Action Team have gotten tired of getting groped, propositioned, and followed while riding the CTA. And they're sure they're not alone. So instead of feeling shamed and staying quiet they've decided to fight back. If you need a safe place to share your story, see the calendar for an all ages event. But if you want to just share your story fill out their survey. Maybe someone at the CTA will read this and come up with a plan to make public transit safer.\n\n\nMay 16, 2008\nA Chicago couple is competing in the Today show's Race to the Altar contest. Check out their website and decide if you want to vote for them.\n\n\nMay 12, 2008\nWhat's going on on your street? (Why yes, it's yet another googlemap.)\n\n\nMay 09, 2008\nAs if wild parakeets weren't enough, Hyde Park now is home to a band of feral cats who have set up shop in an alley near East 62nd Street. No reports of cougars in the HP, though… yet.\n\n\nMay 09, 2008\nOnly two days remain in the Dance Movie Blogathon! Learn yourself all about David Bowie's footwork in Labyrinth, Kevin Bacon's prototypical Angry Young Dancer ("I'm so angry I'm dancing up against backlit silo walls") — and so very much more. [via]\n\n\nMay 08, 2008\nGot hair on your palms?Did your mom say you'd go blind?Early to Bed says, "Nope."(Think you can make a better haiku about masturbation? Then lube up your wordsmith skills and toss your favorites over to the wonderful folks at Early to Bed.)\n\n\nMay 08, 2008\nHe usually writes about the local architecture, but "urbanist" Lee Bay turns his attention to the gas crisis and even gives the presidential candidates a free speech sure to garner them votes.\n\n\nMay 08, 2008\nAn anonymous email circulating in a Florida community contends that Tyson Foods is bringing in "vanloads" of gang members from Chicago to work in their plant there, some of whom are apparently fired and "roaming the streets like wild dogs." The local sheriff's office acknowledges the email, but says the information is not true.\n\n\nMay 06, 2008\nAnswersTV is a video resource center filled with advice on everything from food to health to pets and, uh, magic. \n\n\nMay 06, 2008\nOne of the more bizzare pieces of cyberfluff floating around the Internet these days is Chicago's Kanye West challenging several friends in games of Connect Four, of which Kanye claims to be a master. Toronto's Now free weekly paper highlights his duel with actor Jonah Hill, star of Superbad et Forgetting Sarah Marshall.\n\n\nMay 06, 2008\nEver wonder how Google finds what you're looking for? The Chicago office demonstrates.\n\n\nMay 05, 2008\nBill Bramanti of South Chicago Heights loves Pabst Blue Ribbon beer so much, he wants to be buried in it. No, really.\n\n\nMay 05, 2008\nDid you miss the Chicago Pen Show? Were you even aware that there était a Chicago Pen Show? Apparently, some folks take pens quite seriously.\n\n\nApril 30, 2008\nOur neighbors to the south, in Marion, Indiana need some help. The Marion-Grant County Humane Shelter is closing down at the end of May or early June and all animals need to go to a loving home. Unfortunately, any animals still at the shelter at its time of closing will be euthanized. There are some dogs whose status is urgent and photos and more details on those dogs can be found here. If you're looking to adopt and dog or cat and can find your way down to Marion, Indiana, please consider this an option.\n\n\nApril 29, 2008\nBen Fry is an expert on data visualization. He recently created a map of all the roads in the United States; this closeup of the Midwest shows just how dense the pavement is around Chicagoland.\n\n\nApril 29, 2008\nUptown Update has the lowdown on some of John Dillinger's hangouts in Uptown, including his last stop: the neighborhood funeral home.\n\n\nApril 25, 2008\nKids write stories. The Barrel of Monkeys theater group performs these stories for audiences of kids and grown-ups. The group just launched a web site with a searchable story archive… which means you can read stuff like what I'm reading: a poem that begins, "If you ever run into a piece of barbecued chicken, run away as fast as you can to China."\n\n\n\nApril 22, 2008\nChicago is on track to become the first city to have a street sweeper-mounted camera system. As the sweeper moves down the street it will take a take a photo of any illegally-parked vehicle and a second image of the license plate, relaying both automatically to the Department of Revenue. Strictly for traffic flow purposes, you understand.\n\n\nApril 19, 2008\nCarfree Chicago has launched a new line of L Stop buttons for fashionistas who are interested in displaying neighborhood pride, support for public transit, or both. The buttons' bright, bold colors are perfect for springtime. \n\n\nApril 18, 2008\nRagan Communications gives it a B-. I'm surprised it rates even that high. (Thanks, Terri!)\n\n\nApril 18, 2008\nThreadless' is on this list of 10 annoyingly brilliant office interiors. [via]\n\n\nApril 17, 2008\nCraigslist tells us that TLC's What Not to Wear, the TV show that gives shame-based makeovers, is accepting nominees from Chicago. The post says, "Do you have a friend/ family member/ sister/ co-worker that is in desperate need of a fashion overhaul?!" No word on whether successful applications must adopt the same frantic tone.\n\n\nApril 17, 2008\nCat and Girl dissects This American Life, and finds out something that says absolutely nothing about us and the way we live.\n\n\nApril 15, 2008\nVolunteers with the WPB's Community Open Houses asked the people of Wicker Park/Bucktown what they wanted to see in their neighborhood. Their responses were collected in a series of photographs on Flickr: here, here and here. A quick survey indicates a big push for a more bike-friendly area. Oh, and a toy store. Don't feel left out of the process, though, you can submit your thoughts too. [Via]\n\n\nApril 04, 2008\nThe Catholic University of America claims that the first fictional representation of a black person receiving a major party nomination for president was in a 1964 issue of their comic book, Treasure Chest of Fun and Fact.\n\n\nApril 02, 2008\nEvery so often, new phone books arrive, yet this guy noticed that not everyone seems to want them. (Thanks, Jimmy!)\n\n\nMarch 27, 2008\nPouah. A basketball coach at Walter Payton Prep School has been arrested for sexually assaulting two female students. It is alleged that George Turner, a married father of two children, used a vibrator on one student while in a parked car; he attempted to molest a second student in late February. The two students notified authorities together. \n\n\nMarch 26, 2008\nOverheard in Chicago = eavsedropping made easy. \n\n\nMarch 24, 2008\nThreadless launched Threadless TV, a new weekly video show.\n\n\nMarch 22, 2008\nSo many people complain about the existence of teen mothers, but New Moms has been doing something about it. Until this last week, they've been housing about 20 new mothers and their young children, but a fire destroyed their facility and now those moms are in temporary housing. They're always looking for donations, but now would be a great time to help with a donation of $25, or more. (Hat tip to Veronica.)\n\n\nMarch 22, 2008\nI wonder what's going on here at 3912 S. Vincennes Ave.? UPDATE: Google has taken the scene down; Gawker has the screenshots.\n\n\nMarch 22, 2008\nDespite the recent snizzle storms, spring is here, and it's time to plant stuff. Even if you lack a lawn, you can still get into the gardening spirit by "seed bombing" your nearest vacant lot. This video, shot in Pilsen by locals Fresh Cut Media, provides a concise how-to and tips on the latest trend in guerrilla gardening. Seed bombs away …\n\n\nMarch 21, 2008\nLast month the Polaroid Corporation announced that it would stop making instant film at the end of 2008. In response to the news, the Save Polaroid campaign was launched to help find a manufacturer willing to produce the film. There's also a Flickr group, not to mention our very own Polariod shots. Power to the people!\n\n\nMarch 20, 2008\nIs the Trib really behind ColonelTribune?\n\n\nMarch 17, 2008\nHey, Love, Chicago is back, now as an online-only zine about the city's music, food and indie culture.\n\n\nMarch 05, 2008\nHereThere, a new webzine for "creative professionals," has launched.\n\n\nMarch 04, 2008\nChicago cheapskates rejoice: SaveChicago.org gives its members access to a database of discounts at local retailers, then kicks a portion of the proceeds from membership fees back to area nonprofit organizations. Plus they're offering a $15 Visa gift card for new members.\n\n\nMarch 04, 2008\nBoingBoing TV visits U of I's student inventors during Engineers Week. That cassette tape wallet is pretty sweet.\n\n\nFebruary 29, 2008\nWho do you want answering the phone?\n\n\nFebruary 28, 2008\nTECH Cocktail co-organizer and Somewhat Frank scribe Frank Gruber recently made this seemingly authoritative list of "140 Faces of Well-Known Bloggers." Gruber's name appears alongside those of bloggebrities Markos "Daily Kos" Moulitsas, Perez Hilton and Arianna Huffington, among others.\n\n\nFebruary 22, 2008\nFans of scantily clad Internet star Tila Tequila are invited to a casting call being held on Saturday, March 1 from 4-8 p.m. at a Loop location TBA. E Oh Productions is conducting the talent search on behalf of a documentary project about the Tequila phenomenon; contact them here. \n\n\nFebruary 22, 2008\nFound on Songza: The Theme from Hot Doug's by bee.\n\n\nFebruary 21, 2008\nTakotron takes a look at the Railroad Bridges of Chicago, some of which even have their own myspace pages.\n\n\nFebruary 19, 2008\nIn 1990, a Cook County Hospital physician mused on the topic in the British Medical Journal, finding a connection to… castration?\n\n\nFebruary 19, 2008\nIt's true because I found it on the Internet?\n\n\nFebruary 18, 2008\nOui il peut. \n\n\nFebruary 18, 2008\nCrazy Blind Date, a blind-dating website with helpful reminders like "your blind date is a real person," is now available to Chicagoans. \n\n\nFebruary 16, 2008\nNot only does Vera Videnovich sell tomatoes, herbs, asparagus, etc. that she grows on her Michigan farm during the summer and fall at the Logan Square Farmers Market, but she's now started to sell 1-pound lots of yarn, hand-spun and hand-dyed (using flowers she grows on her farm), from wool she shears off her sheep. This woman reminds me of all the small farmers I knew growing up. And she only has a few shares left for her April yarn sale, so get'em quick!\n\n\nFebruary 15, 2008\nAre you and a friend or loved one in need of some self-reduction? Wanna do it on a major network TV reality show? Then show up at Chicago Home Fitness at 1555 N. Halsted tomorrow, Feb. 16 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and try out for NBC's The Biggest Loser. Come early: This ad from casting call hosts BL4 Productions Inc. promises that the first 500 people in line will be seen, but latecomers might have to settle for listening to their iPods on the nearest treadmill. \n\n\nFebruary 13, 2008\nIf you would like to wear your support for Chicago's 2016 Olympics bid on your sleeve (or head), a new online store offers hats, shirts and jackets emblazoned with the six-pointed star logo and catchy "Stir the Soul" slogan. This could be just the thing for those of you who need a last-minute Valentine's Day gift for your sweetie.\n\n\nFebruary 13, 2008\nIn a Web populated with user-generated-this and user-generated-that, everyone's a critic. Here's an odd little essay about Safeway Crushed Tomatoes purchased at the Dominick's at 3145 S. Ashland.\n\n\nFebruary 13, 2008\nWhat do they have in common? Lincoln Logs! Check out bullet #3 in this Mental Floss article to find out the connections.\n\n\nFebruary 12, 2008\nA video of a Chicago woman taking some friendly 4am pictures at a police station in Elkhart, IN has caused some consternation.\n\n\nFebruary 12, 2008\nCity event-planning guides seem to be multiplying the way googlemap mashups once did. The latest is PlanJam.\n\n\nFebruary 09, 2008\nI suppose when you're the head of a media empire, you can get away with making blue comments to your employees about why it's okay to advertise for strip bars in your publications.\n\n\nFebruary 06, 2008\n"Faces," a new, black-and-white portrait project by local photog Jason Richardson, uses light, angle and composition to reveal people's faces as they really are (i.e., wrinkles, dots and all). Richardson needs models, so check out his flickr page and drop him a line to participate. \n\n\nFebruary 06, 2008\nBarackula, The Musical!\n\n\nFebruary 06, 2008\nHave an boozehound neighbor with a yappy dog, wild children, and a rusty car up on blocks in the driveway? Is he prone to late-night drum rehearsals or screamfests with his spouse? Too terrified to confront him directly? Impotently and anonymously vent your spleen at rottenneighbor.com. Here's the Chicago edition.\n\n\nFebruary 05, 2008\nThe Sun Times reports that two 911 dispatchers made over $110,000 last year (twice their salaries) in overtime last year. These two employees are not the only highly-paid staffers; twenty of their colleagues accrued up to $80,000 in overtime pay as well.\n\n\nJanuary 31, 2008\nChicago Magazine's February issue features "171 Best Chicago Websites," a nice round-up for your reading pleasure. Ses still not wasn't online, though, so Time Out took the initiative and created a linklist for you. Then Chicago Metroblogging created an OPML file of the list — along with all the ones mentioned in Time Out's recent blog feature package — that you can dump into your favorite feed reader. UPDATE: The Chicago Mag feature went online late today.\n\tYes, Gapers Block is mentioned in both the Chicago Mag and Time Out features. And, as Tankboy noted, we faire get along with the folks at Chicagoist.\n\t\n\n\nJanuary 30, 2008\nA series of great commercials for Dirty Found, created by Young & Rubicam Chicago and director Aaron Stoller. (NSFW)\n\n\nJanuary 30, 2008\nRich Uncle Pennybags is going to include city names in a new Monopoly edition. Apparently he's ok with competition in this case, so vote for Chicago's inclusion today, and if you're really dedicated, every day until Leap Day.\n\n\nJanuary 29, 2008\nSidewaysPony and the Inter-State Narcotic Association want you to beware of friendly strangers who might slip "dope" into your oolong. Also, CTA "Doomsday" takes on a whole new meaning.\n\n\nJanuary 28, 2008\nThe Montrose Ave. sinkhole now has its own MySpace page, where it promotes its own beauty and compares itself to the Grand Canyon. If you're looking for a way to throw some love its way, you're invited to join the rally outside the Montrose L station on Tuesday afternoon, to protest the city's ruthless plan to fill it it back up.\n\n\nJanuary 25, 2008\nThe current season of Layer Tennis finishes up this afternoon, and it's going out with a bang: not one but two matches, running simultaneously. Kiss your productivity goodbye at 2pm. (I'll be needing a drink after this one.)\n\n\nJanuary 24, 2008\nCalifornian James Srodon has filed a $50,000 lawsuit against the Blue Man Group after attending an October 2006 show at the Briar Street Theater. The "esophagus cam," a video camera reportedly covered in food, dirt and the trademark blue paint was forcibly shoved down Srodon's throat during the performance, damaging dental work and giving him nightmares. \n\n\nJanuary 23, 2008\nFitPregnancy magazine rated Chicago #28 out of 50 major U.S. cities in its "Best Cities in America to Have a Baby" survey. The city received praise for its progressive fertility resources but got a grade of F in categories such as affordability and something known as "stroller friendliness."\n\n\nJanuary 22, 2008\nThe Chicago Postcard Museum takes a look at the Museum of Science and Industry this month.\n\n\nJanuary 22, 2008\nIf you've seen that odd, Blair Witch Project-ish TV commercial for SeeItNext.com that is running on the local television stations, you may have visited the website and found a lone prompt to leave your email address for a February 4th reveal of the mystery behind the commercial. What's really going on here? The most popular theory suggests that the commercial is a viral advertisement for General Motors' presentation at the upcoming February 7-18 Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place. And If the future is a GM car, I'm sure it won't be a much-needed reprise of the EV1. \n\n\nJanuary 20, 2008\nChevrolet invites Chicagoans to nominate inspiring and heroic women to be named the Chicago Woman of the Year 2008. The winning woman receives a $5,000 shopping spree at Macy's and a big self-esteem boost. The nomination process lasts until March 10.\n\n\nJanuary 18, 2008\nDePaul College of Law grad David Wold is selling his diploma on eBay for $100,000. "This degree has been a great invitation to work at least 60 hours a week at a place where I don't want to be for people that I don't care about," he explains. As an added bonus, Wold will include his law school books, enabling the winning bidder to learn about the Carbolic Smoke Ball and other 1L in-jokes without having to attend any classes. \n\n\nJanuary 17, 2008\nAre you looking for a new Chicago-centric online community? CitizenPowered.org, an outgrowth of the Community Building Initiative between the City of Chicago & the Green Street Project, is now available in beta. Prendre plaisir.\n\n\nJanuary 17, 2008\nChicago designer Scott Sullivan recently made the Wall Street Journal for his affordable and eco-friendly lamps and coasters, which he makes from discarded clutches, shift gears, and other car parts. Sullivan runs his own Etsy shop where you can purchase his wares.\n\n\nJanuary 17, 2008\nAn ode to suburbia, by Chicago mag's Jeff Ruby.\n\n\nJanuary 14, 2008\nRyan Maconochie is a Chicago-based designer who loves maps. The ones he's designed for Chicago are great, especially his "Small Snack" map of Wicker Park/Ukrainian Village/East Village.\n\n\nJanuary 14, 2008\n You've got to hand it to a 73-year-old woman in Springfield who consistently refuses to sell her home to nearby Memorial Medical Center. As a result, her home is nestled in the cozy, welcoming hospital parking lot.\n\n\nJanuary 10, 2008\nThe Cook County Board of Commissioners is proposing a $4/month, $48/year tax on all phones — land, cell, cable and otherwise. The tax would also increase with inflation — at five years, your total amount paid would be over $250 a phone. Read more at NoPhoneTax.org. Update: Outside the Loop Radio will discuss the likelihood of the tax's success along with other taxes proposed at the end of 2007 on Friday's show. Look for Episode 68 on the main page around noon or listen to WLUW at 6pm.\n\n\nJanuary 10, 2008\nFreakonomics guru and U of C prof Steven Levitt and collaborator Sudhir Venkatesh have determined that 3 percent of all "transactions" performed by prostitutes in Chicago are free samples granted the boys in blue to avoid arrest.\n\n\nJanuary 10, 2008\nOrganizers of Chicago's Tech Cocktail are starting the "Bring CES to Chicago" movement, after learning that the consumer electronics trade show — the largest in the U.S., and underway as we type — might be leaving its usual spot, Las Vegas. The Cocktail guys discuss their campaign for the masses as any savvy technogeek would: via BlogTV. To join in on the fun, you can email the T-Cocktail guys here. \n\n\nJanuary 07, 2008\nTracy Buckley, a supervising investigator for the city Office of the Inspector General, was charged with stealing food from a Northwest side Whole Foods this past Saturday. Buckley has worked for the city office for almost 14 years.\n\n\nJanuary 07, 2008\nAt the American Economic Association's annual meeting, held over the weekend in New Orleans, University of Chicago economist Steve Levitt and sociologist Sudhir Venkatesh of Columbia University presented their preliminary work on a study focused on data collected from more than 100 Chicago prostitutes. Some of the scholars' findings: that prostitutes work 11 to 12 hours a week and make between $25- to $35-an-hour; and that condoms were used in only five percent of 2,000 transactions. According to portfolio.com, Levitt and Venkatesh's full results will be featured in the upcoming sequel to Freakonomics.\n\n\nJanuary 05, 2008\nIt's easy to fall into a slump this time of year — which is all the more reason to check out the newly launched Library of Inspiration.\n\n\nJanuary 04, 2008\nTwo cleaning women were trapped in a stuck elevator in a Niles office building for two days, surviving on two cough drops and six aspirin before an employee discovered them on Christmas Eve. \n\n\nJanuary 03, 2008\nO'Hare is still the second-busiest airport in the nation, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Atlanta's Hartsfeld-Jackson airport has been the busiest for the last three years due to increased travel needs in the area and advertising efforts by Atlanta-hubbed airlines Delta and Air Tran (which used to be the deadly ValuJet Airlines, FYI). \n\n\nDecember 28, 2007\nChromium, a nightclub near the intersection of Halsted and Lake, had a problem with fights and drunk driving. A neighbor took to videotaping the activity outside the club, and caught a shooting on tape. The videos on YouTube garnered national publicity, and Chromium was closed on Dec. 3.\n\n\nDecember 24, 2007\nIt's not every day that a minivan crashes into the ABC 7 studios in the middle of a live broadcast.\n\n\nDecember 21, 2007\nDon't think your Shellac album will go over well with the in-laws this Christmas as you play it during after-dinner talk? Never fear, The Jingler is here to add a festive bell track to all your music. The results? Hilarious.\n\n\nDecember 20, 2007\nThe Delta Institute, a non-profit organization, has launched a Website where you can measure your annual greenhouse gas emissions, learn how to reduce your impact, and offset your carbon footprint through the purchase of carbon credits certified by the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX). \n\n\nDecember 19, 2007\nScaryideas.com tackles Wrigley Field…with Tide. \n\n\nDecember 17, 2007\nThe Times of London offers an inquisitive reader a few tips on the best Chicago hotels. Did you know the Hotel Burnham has a "swish" ground floor cafe?\n\n\nDecember 17, 2007\nChicagoLive.com is a new video site by the Tribune, hoping to jump on the bandwagon of user generated content. Enter their holiday contest and your video could appear on CLTV! (That's all they could spring for?)\n\n\nDecember 17, 2007\nA sigh of relief for those irritating people concerned that too much of Chicago real estate consists of demolishing old buildings in order to replace them with state-of-the-art monstrosities: according to a New York Times article, New York is now the "Teardown Capital" of the US, bumping Chicago to the #2 spot. Huzzah!\n\n\nDecember 12, 2007\nThe good people of Lisle believe they came under an airplane lavatory attack during Monday's sleet storm. The FAA isn't so sure, suggesting it was the work of a flock of birds. "It is mysterious. It is very mysterious," says one resident.\n\n\nDecember 11, 2007\nLawyers for Drew Peterson have set up a web site where you can donate money to defray his legal costs. Although the site is currently down, the following message posted at DefendDrew.com really tugged at my heart strings: "For the cost of a few cups of your morning coffee, you can help to ensure that Drew can afford to support his ongoing legal defense, find his missing wife and divert any remaining funds into a trust for his children." Yeah, good luck, buddy.\n\n\nDecember 11, 2007\nMug shots give way to molar shots. The Chicago Homicide Unit asked the ADA to help identify the teeth of a woman who was found dead in a North Side alleyway last January. The cops "would like to speak to dentists who have any knowledge about a patient who obtained braces and never returned for follow-up care."\n\n\nDecember 06, 2007\nStopping just short of calling opposing coaches chickens, a new website pretty much DEMANDS that teams be forced to kick to the Bears' freakishly-amazing return man Devin Hester.\n\n\nNovember 29, 2007\nRearview contributor and excellent photographer Carey Primeau launches a new photography site and portfolio. While I've seen my fair share of deserted and abandoned photography sites, Primeau really does elevate these photos to stunning. One of the more stellar sets has to be his Uptown Theater set, a building that has intrigued me for years. So good.\n\n\nNovember 28, 2007\nHappened to stumble upon these while looking for something else: images of Chicago in the public domain on Flickr. While there is the usual Sears Tower/Millenium Park/El photos, there are quite a few historical ones as well. I find this one of the stockyards fascinating, as well as this locomotive shop picture.\n\n\nNovember 27, 2007\nOur friends at Coudal Partners spent some time at the Black Hole, a Los Alamos surplus store, and are showing their film in five parts this week. The full DVD is also available.\n\n\nNovember 26, 2007\nThe wife of billionaire adventurer Steve Fossett has asked the Cook County court to declare Fossett dead after his disappearance following a September 3 flight in Nevada.\n\n\nNovember 20, 2007\nData released by the US Postal Service shows that Chicago has the worst mail delivery service in the country, with only 94% of letters reaching their destination within one day (an improvement from last year's delivery rate). \n\n\nNovember 19, 2007\nIt comes around every year, and even though it might annoy you, you know you're going to watch it: the "Favorite Things" episode of Oprah airs tomorrow, and this year's recipient of the coveted gifts is a group of people from Macon, Georgia, as that city reportedly has the nation's highest percentage of viewers tuned in to her show. \n\n\nNovember 19, 2007\nThe Nature Conservancy in Illinois is starting a new kind of environmental awareness campaign to get Illinois talking about eco-destruction. Dubbed Start One Conversation, the campaign centers on a Website that gives folks enough background info about issues such climate change and habitat preservation to talk about them without sounding all "you know … global warming, like, sucks." \n\n\nNovember 14, 2007\nAlthough it's reportedly unlikely, Delta Airlines is thinking about buying United in an effort to deal with rising jet fuel costs.\n\n\nNovember 13, 2007\nThe GLBT media scene just got a little more crowded with the arrival today of EDGEChicago.com.\n\n\nNovember 13, 2007\nAccording to a recent AP story, Illinois ranks third in the purchase of vanity license plates; Virginia is first, as the cost of their plates is a measly 10 dollars. Before you run off to the DMV to see if "Jordan 23" is still available, the joke is on us: Illinois also charges the most of any state for vanity ($94) and personalized ($47) plates.\n\n\nNovember 11, 2007\nDonda West, mother of musician Kanye West and former chair of the Chicago State University English Department, died Saturday night in Los Angeles at the age of 58. The cause of death is unknown at this time, and her death was apparently sudden.\n\n\nNovember 08, 2007\nThe Midwest Teen Sex Show, a sex-ed video podcast, got some attention from the Wall Street Journal today. The show is regularly in the top-10 in iTunes' Health section.\n\n\nNovember 07, 2007\nNot quite the expose on Santiago Calatrava (also known for his work on the Milwaukee Art Museum), but Creative Review, a design magazine based in the UK, showcases the design work of Third Eye Design who did the collateral for The Chicago Spire. Even if you don't like the Spire itself, the accompanying literature praises our fair city.\n\n\nNovember 04, 2007\nActor Shia LaBoeuf was arrested at the Walgreens store located at Chicago and Michigan Avenues Sunday morning for (drunkenly) refusing to leave. The actor, who will appear in the next Indiana Jones movie, will be back in town for his court date on November 28.\n\n\nNovember 02, 2007\nLocal, self-described "joggler" Perry Romanowski just set a new world record for running a 50-mile ultra-marathon while juggling three bean bags. Romanowski did it in an amazing 8 hours, 23 minutes, and 52 seconds with no more than four drops–a half hour less than the old record. Hold on there… there was an old record to beat?\n\n\nNovember 01, 2007\nJargon Magazine relaunched today with a new design and new sections.\n\n\nOctober 31, 2007\nChicago is a city full of ghosts, and Irving Renquist is out to find them. There's only one problem: he's never seen one before. That's the basic set-up for Irving Renquist, Ghost Hunter, a new web-based mini-series. Check out the first episode here.\n\n\nOctober 30, 2007\nA new news aggregator called Newser debuted today, with a full-time Chicago-based editorial staff and freelancers summarizing as many as 60 stories a day. (Thanks, Phil!)\n\n\nOctober 30, 2007\nIt's been awhile since we had a YAGm, but here's YourStreet, a new mash-up that puts news on the map. Not sure it's any better or more useful than Outside.In, but now you have a choice. (Wonder what EveryBlock thinks of it.) (Thanks, Sarah!)\n\n\nOctober 30, 2007\nAn article in the New York Times investigates Barack Obama's short but significant time spent in New York in the 1980s as a Columbia University student and a brief post-graduate stint in international finance. Obama says his time in the Big Apple was "pivotal to his life"; however, he declined the Times' "repeated requests to talk about his New York years, release his Columbia transcript or identify even a single fellow student, co-worker, roommate or friend from those years."\n\n\n\nOctober 29, 2007\nChicago Metropolis 2020 and Jellyvision teamed up to create Metro Joe, a game that tests your knowledge of both the city and the suburbs.\n\n\nOctober 28, 2007\nWhen Witch School International set up shop in Rossville, a struggling southern Illinois town, not everyone was excited about the economic jolt.\n\n\nOctober 26, 2007\nJeannette Sliwinski, the former model who killed local musicians Michael Dahlquist, Douglas Meis and John Glick in July 2005 while trying to commit suicide, was found guilty of reckless homicide today. Sliwinski was also deemed mentally ill, which lessened the initial charge of three counts of first-degree murder. She will be sentenced November 26.\n\n\nOctober 19, 2007\nOur very own Naz Hamid is playing Layer Tennis today; go root for him in the forums!\n\n\nOctober 16, 2007\nThe Apartments.com Possession Obsession contest is in its final week, and ex-GB staffer Brenda is still in the lead; give her a hand to make sure she stays out front by voting today! And speaking of contests, you can also vote Cubs or Sox in People magazine's Sexiest Fan Alive contest.\n\n\nOctober 15, 2007\nChicagoAncestors.org uses data from local churches, yearbook collections, neighborhood histories from the Newberry Library and information from the Chicago Historical Homicide Project to map Chicago's past. Registered users can add tags, comments, photos, stories and "Chicago Places" to maps on the site.\n\n\nOctober 14, 2007\nAnd with a techno soundtrack no less.\n\n\nOctober 12, 2007\nIt's easy to be enamored with the charms of Second City Cop. But today let's give some blue love to Checkboard Chat, the official Chicago Police blog. Today they give us some quality cop talk in describing how they cracked a cold case murder. Example: "The victim was then physically beaten by his associates." Bonus: "You can find anything on Craigs List"\n\n\nOctober 12, 2007\nA time lapse video of the day of the Chicago Marathon.\n\n\nOctober 11, 2007\nHypertext has collected some more interesting captures from Google Street View.\n\n\nOctober 10, 2007\nWho are the people in your Google Street View neighborhood?\n\n\nOctober 09, 2007\nGoogle Maps Street View comes to Chicago. The Tribune waxes about the privacy issues that come with it.\n\n\nOctober 03, 2007\nSomeone needs a Journalism Ethics class! Deborah Solomon, a New York Times Magazine reporter responsible for the mildly revealing "Q & A" section at the end of each issue, was recently taken to task by past interview subjects, among them This American Life creator Ira Glass, for fabricating pointed questions to fit dialogue spoken during her interviews.\n\n\nOctober 03, 2007\nThen you might be interested in the Chicago Geek Guide. Your one-stop shop for all things geek.\n\n\nOctober 02, 2007\nChicago graphic designer Leah Dickey of Pixelgate Media beat out 435 other entries to win a worldwide design contest held by Yahoo to create a "green" designs for a taskbar icon. As part of her prize, Leah got to select which environmental-related nonprofit receives $20,000 from Yahoo; she chose the Green Street Project, an organization that is collaborating with civic leaders, government and media to get people engaged in making Chicago a leading environmentally sustainable city. \n\n\nOctober 01, 2007\nWhile we've all had our fill of the brief but entertaining Cheetah Gym Closing Scandal of last month, a recent check of a website forum that was created by a former member intending to coordinate a class action lawsuit for recovering gym fees revealed that although Cheetah has fully reopened, the site still exists, and the former owner of the gym (or someone pretending to be him) has surfaced in the bulletin boards. The resulting conversation between him and the other folks on the board is quite interesting. And completely bonkers.\n\n\nOctober 01, 2007\nWhile the season opener of Saturday Night Live this past weekend delivered another funny digital short, the finest sketch of the night was about local export (and SNL musical guest) Kanye West's visit to BET's 106 and Park to discuss his award show tantrums of late. To watch Kanye's music performances, click here and here.\n\n\nSeptember 30, 2007\nExcessively trusting thrillseekers may be interested in attending the First Annual Ghost Conference, held October 26-28 at the Congress Plaza Hotel… which is, of course, billed as being "haunted."\n\n\nSeptember 28, 2007\nGood way to spend your Friday afternoon: Layer Tennis is live.\n\n\nSeptember 27, 2007\nCongratulations to Feast of Fools, which won Best GLBT Podcast in the People's Choice Podcast Awards.\n\n\nSeptember 25, 2007\nA special effects technician died on the British set of The Dark Knight Returns, the upcoming Batman film scheduled for release next summer. Parts of the movie were filmed in Chicago this past summer. The technician was in a vehicle carrying camera equipment that crashed into a tree during a test of a stunt likely involving the Batmobile. \n\n\nSeptember 24, 2007\nAfter stints as the head of both the Chicago and Philadelphia Public School Systems, Paul Vallas is now the head of the New Orleans Recovery School District. A nice profile in today's New York Times details his hopes for the district's future.\n\n\nSeptember 21, 2007\nWurlington Brothers Press has published a series of postcards that allow you to make your own miniature paper Windy City! Teeny-tiny Mayor Daley not included. (We discovered it years ago, but BoingBoing just found it.)\n\n\nSeptember 18, 2007\nWhile searching for a bike rental in Amsterdam, I happened upon a very cool looking B&B in Bucktown. So if you have guests for more than a few days who might appreciate a sauna, kitchen, and a break from the same-old same-old downtown, Ray's Bucktown B&B might be just the thing. (Bonus: they have a retro hair-dryer. Take that, Palmer House!)\n\n\nSeptember 18, 2007\nMetromix launched a full redesign today, and divorced itself URL-wise from the Tribune. It sure looks slick, but does it work any better?\n\n\nSeptember 13, 2007\nThe Westin Chicago River North hotel wants to attract guests not just with continental breakfasts or chocolates on the pillows, but rather a super-toilet, the Brondell Swash 800. Equipped with such indulgences as a heated seat, bidet, warm air dryer (!), and water pressure controls (!!!), one wonders how this will impact local escort services.\n\n\n\nSeptember 13, 2007\nDo you know where Reba is? (Thanks, Ellen!)\n\n\nSeptember 10, 2007\n"WikiProject Chicago was started on July 5, 2005 to coordinate work on articles related to the article Chicago in the English Wikipedia". Pick up some open tasks, browse good articles, and edit newly-created articles like Poles in Chicago. Bonus: hi-res pic of the skyline from the lakefront.\n\n\nSeptember 10, 2007\nNot what you're thinking: The Midwest Teen Sex Show is a great video podcast put together, apparently, by some very funny folks in northwest suburban Woodstock. [via]\n\n\nSeptember 08, 2007\nI have a feeling Jonathan Fin and Casey Black are going to regret making this video.\n\n\nSeptember 06, 2007\nThe latest edition of GoogleEarth includes a flight simulator (controls here). GB reader Dubi Kaufmann noticed that "One of the 27 airports available in the flight simulator is Meigs Field – FOUR YEARS after it was closed."\n\n\nSeptember 01, 2007\nCraig Berman, writer emeritus for Gapers Block, maker of the honorably mentioned Pinch salt cellar and pepper shaker, and his wife Emily Berman, a vendor in this year's DIY Trunk Show, had their home profiled by Apartment Therapy. Their style? "Shabby chic meets modern sleek meets budget conscious new homeowner meets avid crafter meets product designer."\n\n\nAugust 30, 2007\nIf you've ever been down Ravenswood near Wilson, you might have seen the rather large stickered and logoed truck with bright red, yellow and black graphics that say, "On the Fly." The Chicago Traveler has the scoop: On the Fly is a mobile bike mechanic shop. Joe Ebervein and Rich Kwaitkowski will go where you are to get you on the road again.\n\n\nAugust 29, 2007\nWho doesn't love a mash-up? Ongopongo is a site that aggregates user's Google My Maps mash-ups. Check out Chicago Ongopongo maps, including vegan restaurants, 4 am bars and even area pinball machines.\n\n\nAugust 29, 2007\nA couple in Lombard left their teenage son at home alone for a week earlier this summer. He and his friends took the opportunity to build a 60-foot waterslide in the backyard. Potential for serious injury aside, that's pretty frickin' cool.\n\n\nAugust 29, 2007\nAn interesting look behind the scenes at The Wiener's Circle, courtesy of This American Life. Audio is most definitely NSFW, so throw on those headphones!\n\n\nAugust 28, 2007\nFave is a new "Chicago neighborhood browser." Unlike most search tools, this one is a downloadable browser that supposedly doesn't transmit your search to the Internet, which leads me to believe it has an internal directory — so it's more like an electronic yellow pages, I guess? If you're curious, they've got a storefront at Clark and Fullerton where you can try it out and ask more questions.\n\n\nAugust 28, 2007\nApparently seriously concerned about its public image, BP has taken to purchasing (regionally specific?) advertisements via google to tout its pledge to not increase discharge limits. This advertisement was embedded in a NYTimes.com article about the Maison de Verre.\n\n\nAugust 27, 2007\nNerds at Heart wants to help you find love! This crew throws singles events catering to a range of niche markets. Upcoming Nerds at Heart events will match regular ol' nerds, playful nerds, queer nerds and green nerds at locales around town. Check out their site to register in advance.\n\n\nAugust 25, 2007\nI suppose lightning striking the Sears Tower is a fairly common occurrence, but that doesn't make it any less cool to witness. Oh sh*t!\n\n\nAugust 24, 2007\nThe Dark Knight which has been filming in Chicago on and off for the past few months is doing something big. The Brachs Candy factory will be imploded on August the 29th August the 30th between 10:30am and noon. The implosion will be later added digitally into the film for a building explosion. Details here. Update: Note the date and time change. New details here.\n\n\nAugust 23, 2007\nFollowing the news that "Max" is the number one name for cats and dogs for the fifth year in a row, a weird pet name free for all has broken out at the Trib.\n\n\nAugust 21, 2007\nChicago native Brian Dettmer uses a knife to alter pre-existing media – most notably, books. I've been staring at these photos for the past ten minutes now, and they're absolutely taking my breath away. He and artist Jen Stark do things to paper I never even knew were possible. [via]//Edit: Some of Dettmer's work is currently at the Hyde Park Art Center. Thanks, Jessi!\n\n\nAugust 20, 2007\nIn what might be the most elaborately, delightful case of deception I've ever seen, George Aye asks Sara Cantor to marry him. Congratulations and kudos!\n\n\nAugust 18, 2007\nIf you're going to see Beyonce tonight at the United Center, don't forget the canned carrots! The Greater Chicago Food Depository is holding a pre-show food drive at the United Center, and the first 1,000 fans who drop off a minimum of three nonperishable food items before the 7:30 p.m. show will receive an autographed photo of Beyonce and a raffle ticket for a chance to win a seat upgrade. \n\n\nAugust 17, 2007\nBatavia's doing well in IKEA's Small Businesses, Big Dreams contest, in which cities compete for having up to ten small businesses remodeled by the company. Check out their entry, vote for them and help them do even better.\n\n\nAugust 14, 2007\nGumtree.com, England's answer to Craigslist, is launching in Chicago, NYC, and Boston today. Currently, it's an empty palette over at chicago.gumtree.com, so if you're sick of the white noise on Craigslist, this might be the chance to stand out.\n\n\nAugust 13, 2007\nA moment of web zen: "TV DX Photos by Channel\nseen from Macomb, IL Since 1983" — in other words screenshots from stations seen with a long-distance TV antenna. [via]\n\n\nAugust 13, 2007\nSet in Chicago, R. Kelly's over-the-top cult hit Trapped in the Closet needs to be seen to be believed. To date, there have been 12 chapters created; today marks the first of ten more (that's right, plus) chapters with the release of Chapter 13. A video recap is available, along with a helpful character map. I'm still unsure whether he's a comic genius, or utterly insane. Audio is NSFW.\n\n\nAugust 10, 2007\nThe T-shirts of Lollapalooza.\n\n\nAugust 10, 2007\nOur very own Felix has created a fun little time-killer: the Astronaut syncs random flickr photos to appear with key words from a song by Dan Frick.\n\n\nAugust 09, 2007\nUsing old signs and discarded metal as his materials, David Buckingham creates pieces that are heavily influenced by both history and pop culture. What's particularly amazing is that all the colors in his works are from the original objects, as he uses no paint whatsoever. His work is currently at the Aron Packer Gallery until August 18th.\n\n\nAugust 07, 2007\nVia the Beachwood Reporter, the somewhat bizarre year-end gifts of Sam Zell. (It's copyright Saltator Sepulcri, which translates roughly to "dancer [of/on] graves," so I'm gonna guess they're social satire, not real gifts.) UPDATE: They're real!\nGB reader Paula writes, "I wish they were social satire, but they are real and he does give them out as gifts every year. A friend of mine works at a financial company in Chicago that works with Zell and every year they get a bizarre moving sculpture piece that has a button to activate the movement and the voice of Sam Zell pontificating about something important to him. In her front office they have them lined up on shelves and they drive her nuts because guests love to push the buttons, but there’s no off switch so once you start the monologue you’re stuck until it ends. Bizarre."\n\t\n\n\nAugust 06, 2007\nCayetano Ferrer, who did a fascinating set of transparent Chicago street signs, recently applied a similar approach to a group of 30-foot trees in Daejeon, Korea. [via and previously]\n\n\nAugust 03, 2007\n80's mechanical icon Johnny Five is apparently being sold on ebay, and bidding starts at a cool $100,000. A special exo-skeleton, which controls all of the mechanical features, is also included. For an extra dose of nostalgia, check out the previously mentioned, newly available 1988 Siskel and Ebert review.\n\n\nJuly 27, 2007\nPicnicmob is looking for someone… just like you! Participants are asked a set of questions, then given a spot in a public park where they'll be near others who share their interests. When enough folks particiapte (the site is shooting for 1,000 per city), a map is generated and an email sent announcing the day of the picnic (always at noon on a Sunday). An interesting concept, and if nothing else – a good excuse for a picnic.\n\n\nJuly 26, 2007\nComing soon? Thanks, Roni.\n\n\nJuly 23, 2007\nBroadview, IL-based Replogle has been making globes in the Chicago area since 1931. Naturally, the earth globes are works of art, but, so what? Freaking moon globe, man!\n\n\nJuly 23, 2007\nIt's getting a little crazy, but Chicago music legend Steve Albini is answering a wide variety of questions in the Two Plus Two forums.\n\n\nJuly 18, 2007\nExpanding her focus on the plight of the chronically ill in today's healthcare system, past GB contributor Kimberly Soenen and friends have launched Project Sin Alma.\n\n\nJuly 16, 2007\nNeo-Futurist playwright Sean Benjamin recently received 21 packets of taco sauce for two tacos from the Taco Bell drive-thru. Then he wrote a play about it. Now he wants your help collecting one million condiment packets for his Condimentometer project. Because why the hell not? You have more condiment packets than you could ever possibly use, right? Bring (or mail) your packets to the Neo-Futurarium at 5153 N. Ashland, 60640, and be a part of something big and meaningless. \n\n\nJuly 16, 2007\nThe Micro-Fiber Militia: a group of Chicago crochet graffiti artists, keeping the streets patterned and cozy.\n\n\nJuly 16, 2007\nMan, you indie-rock kids were really on the make at this weekend's Pitchfork Festival. Check out all of these sweaty, lyrical Missed Connections from the List du Craig.\n\n\nJuly 11, 2007\nFollowing Michael Chertoff's boogity-boogity meeting with the Tribune's editorial board, Wired Blog writer Ryan Singel raised the Homeland Security Gut Threat Level system warning to the Chicago hot dog with everything level. May God protect us from the Tijuana Danger Dog.\n\n\nJuly 10, 2007\nSpeaking of timewasters, the Chicago Opera Theater recently posted a time-lapse video of three set changes: from "Beatrice and Benedict" to "Duke Bluebeard's Castle" to "Erwartung" to "Beatrice and Benedict" again. Seven minutes of stagehand fun!\n\n\nJuly 09, 2007\nMeet folkstreams.net, a project to preserve documentaries about American roots cultures. There is, of course, a Midwestern section, and at least two Chicago-related films "The Popovich Brothers of South Chicago" and "Grace Earl."\n\n\nJuly 08, 2007\nIf you went to the Police concert, there's a pretty good chance someone posted a Missed Connection about you. Check out the veritable blizzard of Craig's List posts from the '80s band's two-nighter at Wrigley. \n\n\nJuly 07, 2007\nMonitoring local weapon news so you don't have to: the Chicago Police is getting ready to adopt a new weapons order that includes "striker-fired pistols manufactured by Smith and Wesson, Springfield Armory, and Glock"; Wired says that Taser International is about to roll out its new, wireless weapon here on Monday; and police higher-up Deputy Supt. John Risley's suspicions were right when he saw an 18-year old fidgeting with his shirt at the Taste of Chicago. The kid had a gun.\n\n\nJuly 01, 2007\nSoooooooeeeeeeee! In quite possibly one of the most disgusting truck spills in recent memory, the northbound Edens was shut down for seven hours after a truck tipped over, spilling out pig ears, pig feet, and grease across the highway. Ironically, the spill happened near the Skokie exit.\n\n\nJune 30, 2007\n"Dean" and his female associate engaged in some hotel bed jumping at the Chicago Hyatt, as have many other people at hotels worldwide.\n\n\nJune 25, 2007\nAnd Kevin Corr, formerly a clerk in the Cook County State's Attorney's office, collects Chicago Police patches, medals, and insignia. There are several historical tidbits (There were 41 districts before Superintendent O.W. Wilson reorganized the department after he took the helm in 1960.) interspersed with collector-specific information about patches and what they mean. And like any good collector, Kevin has a Flickr site.\n\n\nJune 21, 2007\nGoing.com lands somewhere between Upcoming and Yelp — a social network for actual socializing. They're throwing a launch party for their Chicago channel tonight at Debonair Social Club, 1575 N. Milwaukee, starting at 7pm. RSVP and more info here.\n\n\nJune 14, 2007\nJulie Thoma Wright, a noted designer, passed away earlier this week after a battle with colon cancer. Thoma Wright, along with her husband Richard Wright, was known for being the force behind Wright, a Chicago auction house specializing in modern furniture and art. The Wrights were profiled last year in an article in Le New York Times.\n\n\nJune 12, 2007\nThis map renames US States with the country whose GDP is most similar. Illinois has a GDP like Mexico. As the author points out in the notes it's somewhat misleading as there's no sense of (population) scale, but it's fantastic nevertheless.\n\n\nJune 08, 2007\nThe District 299 Blog asks some good questions about "where exactly are the gang lines?" and follows them up with an even better link… to Southside Gang Maps. So now you know.\n\n\nJune 05, 2007\nWord from Kartemquin Films regarding their in progress film: "Kartemquin is currently working on Typeface, a documentary about cultural preservation, rural renewal and graphic design history in the Midwest.To support these efforts, we're holding a benefit on June 15th at the Center for Book and Paper Arts here in Chicago. Toad Hollow Vineyards is providing the bubbly, MJ Catering is bringing the sweets and a number of local artists (including Jay Ryan and Dennis Ichiyama) are donating original works for the silent auction." While the much lauded Helvetica opens the same night at the Siskel, it is a weeklong engagement. So, why not support the locals? Looks good to me. \n\n\nMay 31, 2007\nCrain's reports that a Chicago-based attorney got a little fresh with a Miami judge earlier this month. "'I suggest with respect, Your Honor, that you’re a few french fries short of a Happy Meal in terms of what’s likely to take place,' William Smith, a partner with Chicago-based McDermott Will & Emery LLP, said during a hearing".\n\n\nMay 30, 2007\nChicago.Metroblogging's Fuzzy Gerdes has created our local entry into the very cool flags of the world as pie charts \n\n\nMay 23, 2007\nA musical tribute to Harold's Chicken Shack. [via]\n\n\nMay 17, 2007\nIf you're interested in every last detail of Tuesday's Morrissey concert, check out the Morrissey Solo message board. Documented are the set list, crowd reactions, number of times people rushed the stage, merchandise quality, and, well, every last detail.\n\n\nMay 14, 2007\nChicago-based writer Kristen Nicole of 606tech.com and Mashable announces Web Ascent Events, set for next month. Web Ascent is "a way to recognize the sprouting technology communities in places that aren't the Valley". If you are interested in presenting, sponsoring, or attending, her contact info is here.\n\n\nMay 14, 2007\nNow that the Buckingham Fountain is going full blast, maybe you'd like to astound your friends with some related trivia. For example, it opened on May 26, 1927, and its computer's name is the "Honeywell Excel-Plus."\n\n\nMay 09, 2007\nThe City List is a new city-focused, Digg-like community site that allows users to vote on the best food, nightlife, etc. in each city. The site just launched and currently only has content for Washington D.C., which leaves the Chicago portion completely open to manipulation– I mean contributions from PR people– I mean users.\n\n\nMay 07, 2007\nHere's a few classic Chicago TV clips from everyone's favorite illegal video site: Malcolm X being rudely grilled on a Chicago talk show in the sixties, Siskel and Ebert review Blue Velvet, and a couple minutes from the famous Dec 31, 1988 "Fog Bowl" between the Philadelphia Eagles vs Chicago Bears.\n\n\n\nMay 04, 2007\nHow to Open Things is a new site that allows you to set up contests for ways to open …well, whatever you want. The creator was recently interviewed on WindyBits.\n\n\nMay 02, 2007\nCheck out this mini-photo essay documenting the Belmont L station house move [window resizes].\n\n\nApril 30, 2007\nElementary students at the Lab School have been building their favorite pieces of the Chicago skyline in Joyce Carrasco's class for more than a decade. Check out examples from the class of 2004-2005. Dibs on the Morton Salt building! [via]\n\n\nApril 30, 2007\nIf you've ever driven the Eisenhower expressway, and found yourself saying, "what's that smell?" right between CarMax on the south and a Holiday Inn on the north, you've sniffed methane gas from the Hilliside Landfill. The Attorney General forced its closing back in January. A new owner is now getting it done. Check their progress on landfillclosing.com.\n\n\nApril 25, 2007\nWhet Moser shares a 2016 t-shirt design I think in some circles would sell at least as well as the official one.\n\n\nApril 25, 2007\nChronicBabe, the locally-produced website for women with chronic health conditions, just launched a redesign. New features include a chronic conditions resource center and an online store. Additionally, if you sign up for Goodie Bags, the site's electronic newsletter, you get a free ebook copy of How to Be a ChronicBabe: A Beginner's Toolkit.\n\n\nApril 22, 2007\nIf you've traveled around the world "crossing every meridian of longitude in the same direction" and are interested in meeting others like you, you're in luck. Chicago has its own chapter of the Circumnavigators Club. Oh, and your travel doesn't have to be in the same trip.\n\n\nApril 20, 2007\nYouths up to no good in Streamwood, as alerted via the Chicago Police Department Weblog.\n\n\nApril 19, 2007\nIntelligentsia's Black Cat espresso is number five on Esquire's list of "60 Things Worth Shortening Your Life For." We also have a place to try number 35, "duck fat potatoes." [via]\n\n\nApril 16, 2007\nIn a classic "why the suburbs are better than the city" story from the Wheaton News Leader, all the old faves are resurrected: parking, taxes, stargazing. Cool. Then they go after the accent. "The Chicago accent itself is cringe-worthy. Out here, the speech is a little less blue collar, a little more blue blood."\n\n\nApril 12, 2007\nOver on Ask.MetaFilter, there's a thread compiling videogames that are set, in whole or in part, in Chicago. The list includes "Duelin' Firemen," in which a jet and the Space Shuttle crash into the Sears Tower. (Fortunately, it was never released.)\n\n\nApril 11, 2007\nMichael Horvich is more than a supernumerary, he's the curator of Michael's Museum. Unfortunately, the physical museum is currently not open to the public, presumably due to high demand because of a recent Tribune article. For now, enjoy the photographs and lists.\n\n\nApril 10, 2007\nChicago-based eco-friendly ecommerce company Reusable Bags is featured on AOL today.\n\n\nApril 10, 2007\nWere you stuck at your mom's house picking Easter grass out of your chocolate bunnies? Scraping charoset from grandma's china? Sounds like you could have used some Craig's List Casual Encounters. Check out these definitely NSFW Easter- and Passover-themed ads?\n\n\nApril 09, 2007\nKeep an eye on Same Title Different Story, a new podcast which gives several different Chicago artists a title, and asks them to create their own version of the "story" it belongs too.\n\n\nApril 03, 2007\nRochester, NY radio talk show host and writer Bob Lonsberry found himself with some unexpected time in Chicago due to an airline screw-up. His blog features a glowing, joyful account of a nice afternoon spent in our city's embrace. \n\n\nMarch 30, 2007\nIf you want to be a Mensa member or just hang out with them, Chicago Area Mensa is where it's at. Learn about the official Mensa test, get recipes (yeah, recipes for food), and find brainteasers.\n\n\nMarch 30, 2007\nGood fun for a Friday: the Chicago Theater marquee generator. UPDATE: Dubi Kaufmann, the site's owner, has been asked by the theater's owner to take down the image.\n\n\nMarch 30, 2007\nIt's always a pleasure to see a news organization pick just the right stock image for a Downers Grove mob hit story.\n\n\nMarch 30, 2007\nAs explained by Google Maps. Step 20 is a doozy.\n\n\nMarch 29, 2007\nThey might be a distant second, but if you didn't manage to get tickets to see Chicago's adopted daughter Neko Case this week, photos and videos of the shows are popping up on the web.\n\n\nMarch 29, 2007\nChalk up another strong showing for Chicago — this time in the category of Icky and/or Clever Names for Local Makers of Portable Toilets. According to a list compiled by New York Magazine, of the top twenty names in the industry, nationwide, Chicago is home to three: LepreCAN (#12), Oui Oui Enterprises (#5) and UrinBiz.com (#3). New Orleans claims the top spot with… Doodie Calls.\n\n\nMarch 28, 2007\nA meandering video expos&eacute on Chicago boat names. Oddly therapeutic.\n\n\nMarch 28, 2007\nCollege newspapers may not be known as paragons of journalism, but some local schools have some trailblazing pieces online, such as Columbia Chronicle's Jackass of the Week column. Other recent college paper wackiness comes from an article about Microsoft vernacular, an apology from a paper that got it all wrong and a pseudo op-ed arguing for a "Star Trek Defense" system against illegal aliens.\n\n\nMarch 25, 2007\nThe Art Institute recently installed a construction camera so we can put a face in our dreams of more modern and contemporary art. The camera produces a new image every 15 minutes.\n\n\nMarch 22, 2007\nGridskipper got it right when they called it "the Beginner's Guide to Chicago;" not many surprises on this list (though the shout-out to UIC's bowling alley is refreshing.) And hey, we're "twice as smart and half as nice as the folks in St. Louis and Minneapolis" here in the "capital of the Midwest." Génial.\n\n\nMarch 20, 2007\nIt's been on YouTube for two weeks, but the video mashup of Hillary's "conversations" with the famous Ridley Scott "1984" Mac commercial, purportedly made by an anonymous Obama supporter, has made worldwide news since it was picked up by the Drudge Report this weekend. Obama's camp is disavowing any involvement, but I imagine internally they think it's pretty awesome.\n\n\nMarch 16, 2007\nOak Brook's very own McDonald's seems to be having some trouble on one of its British websites. (Unfortunately, the item on the original website is in Flash, so we can't link to it.)\n\n\nMarch 15, 2007\nAccessible Chicago is a site that "takes the guesswork out of traveling in Chicago with a wheelchair." Their five-star ratings and reviews give their take on degree of accessibility.\n\n\nMarch 14, 2007\nDon't be distracted by Wrigley's announcement that it will launch a sensory "invigorating" gum called "5" this summer. Their Product FAQ offers so much more, including an important dog related item.\n\n\nMarch 14, 2007\n"It started out as a harmless fling. He was a male cicada in love, she was a female cicada with needs." Could this possibly be from a real newspaper? Find out now. \n\n\nMarch 13, 2007\nOkay, not sure what was in the air at last week's Scissor Sisters concert, but there's a bunch of Missed Connections related to it on Craig's List. Let's hope this weekend's drunken St. Patrick's Day festivities are equally productive.\n\n\nMarch 10, 2007\nConvert your currency to South Side dollars while enjoying an unusual White Sox website.\n\n\nMarch 09, 2007\nThe Chicago Police has a new section on their website for cold case investigations. Includes images, death stats, and chilling summaries of the victim's fates. You can submit any info you have anonymously or call (312)746-9690.\n\n\nMarch 06, 2007\nIf you're looking for the toniest neighborhood for your next real estate purchase, maybe you should check the Chicago Business High End Homes section. The feature includes maps, photos and sale prices for the most expensive homes in the region in 2006.\n\n\nMarch 05, 2007\nChicago Parent magazine has redesigned its website, which now includes a whole bunch of blogs covering a variety of aspects of parenting, from feminist childrearing to being a working mom to just being a dad.\n\n\nMarch 02, 2007\nIt should have come as no surprise that the slings and arrows would be in action avant Barack Obama even announced a possible Presidential bid, and the past month has borne that out. Perhaps the strangest and most muddled discussion has been the one about whether the Junior Senator is "black enough" for some folks. Sure, "identity politics" were bound to be an issue at some point. It's interesting to note, however, that some of the most thoughtful and level-headed punditry on the whole subject of Obama's cultural steet cred has come from music journalists. It seems that Touré anticipated the issue back in 2004 when he published his reflections on Obama and Colin Powell in the essay "Ships Passing In The Night." Some of the points Touré made were echoed last month by hip-hop critic Oliver Wang in his think piece over at the website Poplicks. \n\n\nMarch 02, 2007\nIf you're going to talk weather, at least know some trivia. Now you know, for instance, that on this day, exactly 53 years ago, Chicago witnessed the seventh greatest calendar day snowfall total in its recorded history (!). Check out March 4, 1961 while you're there. Fou.\n\n\nFebruary 27, 2007\nProspect Heights-based Alibi Network will construct elaborate lies on their clients' behalf. Given the copious amounts of stock photography and late 1990s web design, I thought this company was a hoax until I found their massive media archive.\n\n\nFebruary 26, 2007\nMonitoring the PR Newswire so you don't have to: Dateline, Houston. Marion Banowski of Chicago won $10,000 in free Shell gasoline at the Auto Show. "Each finalist drew a Shell gas card and then inserted it into the credit card reader of the display gas pump in hopes it would activate the pump. Banowski was the eleventh finalist to insert his card into the reader so the excitement in the air was palpable."\n\n\nFebruary 25, 2007\nHere's a story about gangs in Springfield, MO that references an influx of GDs from Chicago. Apparently the principles of supply & demand work in the Ozarks as well: "Police say dealers can also sell drugs and charge more than they can in major cities like Kansas City, St. Louis and even Chicago."\n\n\nFebruary 23, 2007\nWelcome to a world wherein grandparents in Lake County teach their grandchildren how to play video games.\n\n\nFebruary 20, 2007\nIt's 1961 and the communists have overthrown the government of the United States of America. Prepare yourself for the U.S.S.A.! What is the communists' first step? Move the government to Merchandise Mart! As J. Edgar Hoover says, read this comic now in order to "help us recognize and detect communists as they attempt to infiltrate the various segments of our society."\n\n\nFebruary 16, 2007\nJulie Vieira is a Chicago-based nun in the order of Sisters of the Immaculate Heart. She works at Loyola Press and chronicles her life as a modern, 35-year-old nun at her blog, A Nun's Life. Julie was also a guest of PRI's "Fair Game." Listen to the MP3 here.\n\n\nFebruary 14, 2007\nMost Chicagoans may not be aware that J. Allen Hynek was a UFOlogist whose Center for UFO Studies remains active in Chicago. Those who find Mr. Hynek's ideas a little out there are advised not to stop by the web site of alleged contactee Billy Meier.\n\n\nFebruary 14, 2007\nBlockshopper is a relatively new site that calls itself a "real estate news service for … the residents themselves." However, in practice, it's more for the residents neighbors, not so much for the subject of the site's news briefs, which are written apparently without actually contacting the people involved. Speaking of checking on the neighbors, ever wonder how your rent compares to the rest of neighborhood? Check it on the Rentometer.\n\n\nFebruary 13, 2007\nStuck inside? Left work early? Well, if you're feeling a little bored, the horndogs hanging out at Craig's List can provide company. Check out this search query for all kinds of XXX snow-related fun. Totally hilarious — and NSFW.\n\n\nFebruary 11, 2007\nThis month's Chicago Magazine contains a funny little feature providing high school portraits of area notables like Dave Eggers, Liz Phair, Harold Ramis and Donald Rumsfeld.\n\n\nFebruary 08, 2007\nMatthew McClintock welcomes you to his Oak Park home, which he has kindly photographed and uploaded to the Web–from the contents of his refrigerator to his underwear drawer.\n\n\nFebruary 08, 2007\nThe AIA recently surveyed 1,800 Americans about their favorite architecture and released the top 150 as a web feature. Chicago did well in the polls, with the third largest collection of "favorite" buildings in the country, behind New York and D.C. Some obvious Chicago favorites like Wrigley Field, the Tribune Tower and the Sears Tower are listed, but other buildings such as the United Airlines Terminal and the Harold Washington Library also made the cut.\n\n\nFebruary 02, 2007\nHow's this for an unusual look into the lives of our senior senator and his three high-powered roommates! Juicy tidbits include Durbin killing mice with his bare hands and his insistence on having a big screen television.\n\n\nFebruary 01, 2007\nThe Aqua Teen Hunger Force advertisements that caused serious problems in Boston have been in Chicago for weeks. After all of the hubbub in Boston, most of ours were collected last night. [If you happened to snap a photo of the Chicago Ignignokts/Errs, please post it to our flickr pool for all to enjoy.]\n\n\nJanuary 30, 2007\nFortunately, the irony that the Illinois Institute of Technology's student newspaper hadn't been updated since January 31, 2006 wasn't lost on its editors. Oh, irony, thou must find elsewhere to roost.\n\n\nJanuary 25, 2007\nCheck out this recent write-up of Thomas Marlow's Chicago Street Studio Project in the Australian media.\n\n\nJanuary 22, 2007\nChicago software stalwarts 37signals are conducting another one of their Fireside Chats– roundtable discussions using their Campfire chat software. This time it's marketing wonder man Seth Godin and online customer experience guru Mark Hurst. Your questions are welcome.\n\n\nJanuary 19, 2007\nThe Green Exchange, Logan Square's proposed "green merchandise mart" has launched its website. Dedicated towards green living, the site offers building plans, an FAQ and a forum to discuss the building and issues surrounding its development. [Hat tip: Craig]\n\n\nJanuary 18, 2007\nTense Forms, the collaborative multi-disciplinary, project-based workgroup, is holding their 2nd annual Winter Showcase at Subterranean on February the 2nd at 8pm onwards. The showcase features an insane amount of buttons (1000+), a wall of televisions screening all kinds of visual art as well as live music.\n\n\nJanuary 18, 2007\nIncreasingly needed in this day and age, A Fresh Squeeze is a site dedicated to green living in Chicago. Primarily a bi-weekly email, the site also offers articles in their archives for a taste of things past.\n\n\nJanuary 18, 2007\nIf you haven't yet seen the Leo Burnett-created Allstate ad with the car that plunges into the Chicago River from the Marina City parking deck, the companies have posted both the 30-second and 60-second versions and a behind-the-scenes video at YouTube. YouTube blocked at work? The videos and a "how'd they do that?" FAQ get their own mini-site at Allstate.com, too.\n\n\nJanuary 11, 2007\nThe next time you're flying out of O'Hare, check the sky for UFOs, then check under your seat for scorpions.\n\n\nJanuary 09, 2007\nWow, since we last checked in, the WikiMapia of Chicago has really filled out. You should add to it yourself, before everything's tagged. (Sad to see the Wicker Park entry remains a battleground.)\n\n\nJanuary 09, 2007\nOf 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.)\n\n\nJanuary 04, 2007\nThe History Channel recently asked designers to submit concepts of their cities 100 years in the future. Teams from Chicago, New York and Los Angeles are now facing off for the grand prize. Check out and possibly vote for Chicago's entry from UrbanLab today.\n\n\nJanuary 04, 2007\nIf today's Rearview photo (courtesy of the ever excellent Archie Florcruz) bewilders you or makes you want to do the same thing, take a look at his entry explaining his photo and then head over to the Create Your Own Planets Flickr pool for info on how to do this.\n\n\nJanuary 03, 2007\nWell, really, there's no reason to worry about the car dangling off of Marina City. [UPDATE: Visit Rearview for a photo.]\n\n\nJanuary 03, 2007\nAt last year's recent DIY Trunk Show, I made my usual rounds looking at who was doing what. The quality keeps getting better and better every year, a testament to those who organize the Trunk Show. However, one vendor caught my eye — Pink Loves Brown. The goods were smart, well-designed, retro-modern and quality. Nicole Balch puts out some really nice stuff — her apartment is quite inspiring, an extension of her work and aesthetic.\n\n\nJanuary 01, 2007\nSome United employees saw a UFO at O'Hare on November 7th, but the FAA's having none of it.\n\n\nDecember 27, 2006\nOnline gaming magazine Gamasutra just released the final installment of its five-part series on Chicago game studios. The final stop is Midway.\n\n\nDecember 26, 2006\nDevin Hester is a top contender for Rookie of the Year, but the contest to squat on his name on the web has already been won, apparently by these guys. At least second place, DevinHester.net, was nabbed by someone local.\n\n\nDecember 24, 2006\nIf you're looking for a holiday laugh, check out the Tribune's reader-submitted "Scared of Santa" photo gallery. (Link pops due to window resizing.)\n\n\nDecember 22, 2006\nA seasonal diversion from Schadenfreude & AlphaZeta.\n\n\nDecember 20, 2006\nSome revised Christmas Carols for you, mostly Chicago-related, courtesy of the Beachwood Reporter.\n\n\nDecember 19, 2006\nGood to know that even Jesus has trouble shopping for some of his relatives this time of year. Check him out as he hits the Mag Mile. [via and by]\n\n\nDecember 19, 2006\nI don't know how many times I've been to the Quimby's site, but I'd never noticed the "live at quimby's" section until this morning. It has audio recordings from almost two-dozen events, although the one I really wanted to hear (Al Burian) is broken.\n\n\nDecember 18, 2006\n…circa 1959. [via]\n\n\nDecember 17, 2006\nUIC biologist Joel Brown wants to know how squirrels survive the dangers of city life in Chicago.\n\n\nDecember 14, 2006\nJellyvision has launched the "Daily Dis or Dat," a quick flash trivia game based on their popular "You Don't Know Jack" series. Press buttons and win (virtual) cash!\n\n\nDecember 12, 2006\nYoChicago is dedicating much of this week's coverage to Pilsen, with reviews, real estate coverage, and much more. Their YouTube Pilsen playlist is especially worth checking out.\n\n\nDecember 11, 2006\n(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.\n\n\nDecember 07, 2006\nFrom the team behind the political aggregator Real Clear Politics comes BuzzTracker — as if you needed another way to keep up on celebrities. (To be fair, you can track lots of other stuff, too.)\n\n\nDecember 05, 2006\nOptional Events is a colorfully presented event calendar, with more of an activist bent to the listings.\n\n\nNovember 30, 2006\nAmazon just unveiled Unspun, a new ranking site where users rank such things as the best small live music venues in Chicago, best websites about the city, best coffee houses… lots here, and lots to do to clean up duplicates and typos. (It runs on Ruby on Rails, but this isn't the rumored Amazon-37signals collaboration.)\n\n\nNovember 17, 2006\nA number of robots will soon see action in Chicago. Oh, and one of them is named "Frank."\n\n\nNovember 16, 2006\nSince college kids don't have enough online personae to manage, what with MySpace pages, Facebook profiles and Xanga blogs, UIC is exploring the possibility of a school-wide implementation of LiveJournal. Le but? Building community via an informal mode of student, faculty and staff interaction.\n\n\nNovember 15, 2006\nDowntown ad agency Leo Burnett is behind a weather-sensitive billboard for cosmetics that's got the internet going nuts.\n\n\nNovember 14, 2006\nFound 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. \n\n\nNovember 14, 2006\nOne might think that 5,700 complaints against Chicago cab drivers would be a record high, but it's a 17% drop.\n\n\nNovember 13, 2006\nRecent Detour subjects 37signals hit a big milestone today: a million users of its Basecamp software.\n\n\nNovember 10, 2006\nConsole Camp, a new, Chicago-based game console blog, carries news and will provide details about the best camping spots for the Wii and the PS3. And in the spirit of democratic media, you can even post to it via email!\n\n\nNovember 09, 2006\nFor its Chicago Fame 150, Newcity determined celebrity the 21st century way: it compiled a list of Google hits. Winning by a landslide, Oprah. No surprise there. The methodology does lead to some odd results: surely more people know who Hugh Hefner (19) is than Rod Blagojevich (17)? Still, there are amusing comparisons to be made. Jim DeRogatis (93) handily beats out Greg Kot (136), while Crede (77) slides in one spot above Iguchi (78).\n\n\nNovember 09, 2006\nA group of graduate students at the Medill School of Journalism recently founded The Methods Reporter to share their unpublished work. The stories have a broad range, and they have particularly interesting coverage of community-based arts.\n\n\nNovember 08, 2006\nHow much do you know about bizarre Chicagoland murders? Take this short quiz and find out!\n\n\nNovember 07, 2006\nI read recently that, in the future, search engines will be able to reveal people's whereabouts at a given time, simply by the electronic footprints they've left. For now, though, that information is mostly captured voluntarily, making it largely the provenance of blogs. So it is that, if ever asked where screenwriter John August was when he started a play in late 2006, you can boldly answer "Chicago" — qualified, as he notes for posterity, "technically, Evanston." [via]\n\n\nNovember 07, 2006\nRegardless of who wins, tomorrow will bring some sense of relief when we finally see an end to the televised blitzkrieg of political attack ads. A couple of years ago, political science professor John G. Geer published a book in which he argued that such negative ads were actually bien for the democratic process. Fair enough, as one of Geer's colleagues has recently demonstrated, provided you don't mind wearing the target. \n\n\nNovember 04, 2006\nOur friends at Coudal have been awfully busy shipping Sixteen Straight tees. It's only natural folks would want to show them off.\n\n\nOctober 25, 2006\nIf, after reading this week's Detour, you're curious about the 37signals mantra, you can now get Getting Real for free.\n\n\nOctober 24, 2006\nChicagoan Michael Una built this neat combination of bicycle and drum machine for Chicago Artists' Month (that's octobre to the uninitiated). "Beat-Bike v.1 rewards exercise and coordination with funky outer-space disco beats," says Una. Who are we to argue?\n\n\nOctober 24, 2006\nIf so, head out to East Dundee for the Santa's Village auction. Don't forget to check out the full catalog [PDF] and supplementary photos so you'll be fully prepared to bid.\n\n\nOctober 19, 2006\nYou know you've made it in the world of software when Apple does a promo video about how much you love your Mac and OS X. But that's business as usual for 37signals lately, I guess. Read up on the Chicago-based web dev. firm in next week's Detour.\n\n\nOctober 19, 2006\nIf I had the inside line on a conspiracy involving former Chicago Bears great Ed O'Bradovich, fraud, oil and the mob, I don't know if YouTube is the place I'd turn. But that seems to be the only place Joe Weinbender is telling his story.\n\n\nOctober 17, 2006\nA follow-up on Mr. Undateable: Brian Wolf of "Settle For" fame has had some luck. While they've not yet reached the boyfriend / girlfriend stage, he tells NPR that he's currently seeing someone special. Hope springs eternal.\n\n\nOctober 16, 2006\nLooks like the Chicago Bike Federation has a new website for their Drive With Care campaign. At first, I thought it was real, but then I knew that any memorial like "The Brittany" had to be too good to be true. Well done, chaps.\n\n\nOctober 16, 2006\nCall 773/394-2017 and confess your secret. It will then be exposed — but only for a day — at One Day Secret.\n\n\nOctober 11, 2006\nAnother from our neck of the woods.\n\n\nOctober 09, 2006\nHave 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?\n\n\nOctober 09, 2006\nHow long do you think it'll take the City to notice they forgot to renew navypier.com? [Update: They renewed it. Screenshot here for posterity.]\n\n\nOctober 07, 2006\ninsideChicago can provide you with another fix. It currently produces two programs: STOP! Police, a weekly news of the weird podcast, and insideChicago, an offbeat arts and entertainment video podcast that is published twice a week.\n\n\nSeptember 30, 2006\nFollowing the Tribune's list of ugly Loop buildings, the Chicago Journal is asking for nominations for the worst buildings in your neighborhood. There's only one nomination so far, so let the archislaying begin.\n\n\nSeptember 29, 2006\nVia Coudal, the website of a woman whose autobiography's title only tells part of the story: Kellie Everts: I Strip for God. Not safe for work, obviously, and I only post it here because of a lengthy book exerpt of her experiences at the Chicago Playboy Club in 1978.\n\n\nSeptember 27, 2006\nWhile Chicago has put out some good videos in recent years (see: OK Go), this video from Jan Terri from 1993 is the exact opposite. I'm not really sure what to think: that it's actually from 1993 but looks like it's from the 80's or how cheesy Chicago looks. However, I have that chorus stuck in my head! [via Jennifer]\n\n\nSeptember 26, 2006\nUnable 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.\n\n\nSeptember 26, 2006\nKillers have moved into MySpace. The social networking juggernaut removed a profile for Laurie Dann, who shot six kids in a Winnetka school in 1988, over the weekend. Profiles of serial killers John Wayne Gacey, Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer are still up, for now.\n\n\nSeptember 25, 2006\nThe Sun-Times launched a redesigned website Monday night; it looks swell, but they also changed the way their URLs are built, so any links to articles that worked yesterday are now completely useless. [Matt adds: I’m not sure how swell it looks, but it’s not just the links that are obsolete — the old RSS feeds are, as well, so you’ll apparently need to resubscribe. Beyond that, here’s the site tooting its own horn.] (Thanks, Mike.)\n\n\nSeptember 25, 2006\nRanging from parades to street art to "Gringos out of Pilsen" agitprop and spanning several years, Flickr user Pedro Juan's photoset takes the pulse of a neighborhood.\n\n\nSeptember 25, 2006\nLearn the legend of Asshand, read a recounting of a visit to Lebanon, and other stories in the latest issue of Keep Going.\n\n\nSeptember 24, 2006\nIf you've ever wondered about the proper way to eat foods like thali, bo nuong and injera, a Tribune video story has you covered. Watch the video and then check out the restaurants they recommend.\n\n\nSeptember 22, 2006\nMy goodness, it's not every day that one reads a Missed Connection that invokes "the beauty of the plains of Kenya at sunset, the peaceful radiance of Annecy surrounded by snow capped Alps and the glorious treasures of Florence" and then proceeds to say they're nothing compared to That Girl on the Pink Line, is it?\n\n\nSeptember 22, 2006\nWe all know that the Art Institute was a location for Ferris Bueller's Day Off, but did you know that Gerri's Palm Tavern was a location for The Sixth Sense? MovieMappr knows, and it will show you where Gerri's was.\n\n\nSeptember 19, 2006\nWith all of this walking around Chicago, why not take an idiosyncratic video stroll through the city?\n\n\nSeptember 18, 2006\nYou've got to hand it to Nigerian scammers: they're on top of current affairs. The May Report published an email scam using the George Ryan corruption case as its set-up. [via]\n\n\nSeptember 18, 2006\nTECH Cocktail, a social occasion for the Chicago tech scene, has announced its next event: pencil it in for October 12 at The Gramercy. RSVP here.\n\n\nSeptember 18, 2006\nHow well do you know your Dylan trivia? Well enough to connect, say, Sid Vicious to Robert Zimmerman in six steps or less? Find out with Coudal Partners' latest diversion and you could win some cool stuff.\n\n\nSeptember 15, 2006\nIdolator, 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 ne pas used in a Pitchfork review. (Previous stellar example of Pitchfork-mocking: David Cross' essay on fake CDs for real Pitchfork reviews.)\n\n\nSeptember 11, 2006\nDoes anyone know why there was an Indy racecar pulled over on Damen the other night?\n\n\nSeptember 07, 2006\nAn oldie, but a goodie that I don't see that we've ever mentioned on GB: Steve Delahoyde's "238 Miles" or "I Drove for Five Hours, from Chicago to Iowa City, and Listened to ABBA's 'Dancing Queen' the Entire Way."\n\n\nSeptember 05, 2006\nCongrats to Chicago blogs (and FoGB) Bookslut and Coudal Partners who were chosen by PCmagazine as part of their list of the Top 99 Websites You Don't Know About. Of course, we know, and we love.\n\n\nSeptember 05, 2006\nNPR's Present at the Creation provides unique insight to some Chicago-related icons. Our fair city pops up in some obvious place like Animal House, A Raisin in the Sun , and Nighthawks, but it's also there for Cracker Jacks!\n\n\nAugust 30, 2006\nFlickr geotaggers and those viewing one recent post may have noticed that Chicago's historic neighborhoods like Little Hell and Shantytown are alive on the Internet. Other interesting locations include the Berkeley Cottages and Packingtown.\n\n\nAugust 28, 2006\nAs Flickr and Upcoming announce new features today, geotagging looks like it's about to blow up. As of this posting, there were 150 photos displayed on a broadly defined Chicago map; expect that number to be significantly higher in a day or two, especially as previously tagged photos are imported. (And, for kicks, I tried the Upcoming event-tagging, using Lollapalooza as a test case. Sure enough, it worked! So neato.)\n\n\nAugust 28, 2006\nKanjii alive is "a searchable, web-based tool to help beginning and intermediate level Japanese language learners read and write kanji." It is a free program that was developed by folks at the University of Chicago, and it is definitely worth checking out, even if you have no specific interest in learning the language. QuickTime 6.0 or higher is required to use Kanjii alive.\n\n\nAugust 24, 2006\nTaking another step away from scissors, glue, and late night photocopying sessions, our city's very own Punk Planet has redesigned and expanded its website. Of particular note is the addition of user blogs.\n\n\nAugust 22, 2006\n…it just got reinvigorated in the hands of the Delicious Design League. \n\n\nAugust 22, 2006\nFor those who've never heard of Craigslist, there's always the old-school option: flyering Wicker Park cars looking for a girl you once met — well, okay, kinda met — in Las Vegas.\n\n\nAugust 21, 2006\nYou've been writing that article about wine and trust and deception for a few weeks now, but it's missing that certain something. Could it be a quote from a local expert?\n\n\nAugust 16, 2006\nThe city's recent appointment of \nMelissa Turner as Chicago's fashion czarina brought a challenge from treehugger: become the green fashion capital of the U.S. Designers, will you embrace the challenge?\n\n\nAugust 16, 2006\nYoChicago launched a massive forums section yesterday, covering every nook and cranny of the city and many suburbs. Get in on the ground floor.\n\n\nAugust 09, 2006\nThose of us who miss the Terra Museum (formerly at 666 N Michigan, now the home of the temporary Motorola store) can now visit our favorite paintings online. The site also includes information about where the collection can be seen in person–part of it is still in Chicago, at the Art Institute.\n\n\nAugust 07, 2006\nAn Exquisite Corpse, the locally based collaborative art project site created by friend of GB Phineas X. Jones (and run on a CMS by GB MVP Jim Allenspach), posted the 500th corpse since its relaunch today. (It's technically the 627th corpse if you count from the beginning of the site, but why do that?)\n\n\nAugust 06, 2006\nIf you're yearning for some travel (video), check out YouTube user Srovetz's atmospheric videos documenting his train and car travel throughout the country. There are too many Chicago related videos to post here, but some train segments include Kansas City to Chicago, Chicago to New Orleans, and Chicago to New York.\n\n\nAugust 04, 2006\nSome time in the very recent past — quite possibly today — Craigslist split its local listings into five regional categories: City of Chicago, North Chicagoland, West Chicagoland, South Chicagoland, and, reaching a bit further, Northwest Indiana. Which means, of course, you'll never have to read about a Missed Connection in Palatine or rental ad for an apartment in Northbrook again.\n\n\nAugust 04, 2006\n"Community areas in Chicago, isolated from context."\n\n\nAugust 03, 2006\nLooking for a technology group to meet with? Let Tech Social be your guide.\n\n\nJuly 31, 2006\nMeet another website devoted to the wonders of the Midwest: Midwestern Goodness. While they have content from around the region, they recently filmed a short video tour in Chicago. More Chicago content is in the works.\n\n\nJuly 31, 2006\nFriend of GB, scooterist, designer and vegan guide making extraordinaire, PJ Chmiel hits the open road on his scooter on a tour he calls the 2006 R.A.M.B.L.E. Ambitious in scope, it should be quite a ride. Follow along when he kicks off tomorrow.\n\n\nJuly 31, 2006\nZillow offers an interesting graphic representation of cost per square foot for Chicagoland real estate: a "heat map."\n\n\nJuly 30, 2006\nSunday's Coastal Flood Statement predicts a seiche caused by severe thunderstorms. While not uncommon, they have caused considerable damage in Chicago. In 1954, an eight to ten foot reflective wave caused by a seiche drowned eight people (page 24) and swept dozens into the lake (page 67). But don't worry: today's seiche should be less than a foot tall.\n\n\nJuly 26, 2006\nWhen you vraiment love that Threadless tshirt design so much, that you never want to take it off…get it tattooed.\n\n\nJuly 26, 2006\nFoGB Coudal Partners' Museum of Online Museums was featured on NPR's "All Things Considered" yesterday.\n\n\nJuly 25, 2006\nVia 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?\n\n\nJuly 24, 2006\nAt 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. \n\n\nJuly 11, 2006\nIn 2002, BBC Radio 4's Thinking Allowed visited Chicago to do a five-part series about the city in the spirit of early Chicago School sociologists. With interviews from prominent Chicago academics, musicians, and public thinkers, the programs are surprisingly fresh four years later.\n\n\nJuly 10, 2006\nsongs:illinois is an excellent little mp3 blog run by Craig Bonell in Oak Park. There's definitely a folk/ acoustic/ singer-songwriter focus but what excites me personally is that I've only heard of maybe one artist on the homepage. A nice deviation from Pitchfork and the like, dig in and discover some new tunes.\n\n\nJuly 10, 2006\nMultiplex, by former GB film critic Gordon McAlpin, turns one year old today with its 75th strip, "Pirates of pirates des Caraïbes"\n\n\nJuly 07, 2006\nIntroducing Coastr, "a social guide to beer," produced by local design team Luckymonk.\n\n\nJuly 06, 2006\nOh 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. \n\n\nJuly 02, 2006\nGay guys don't have too much trouble finding themselves in the local queer media. But gay gals? Oublie. That's the way the founders of CHILL Magazine feel, at least, and they're doing their part to change things, offering Chicago-area lesbians an online publication "free of L Word references and [with] no naked men photos in sight."\n\n\nJune 30, 2006\nDavid Woodhouse Architects has a spiffy new site detailing many of the architectural projects that have come out of the studio. Based in Chicago, they're the creatives behind quite a few of the Chicago Institutions you enjoy today. Take a look at the site, meander the buildings and find out the inspiration behind each.\n\n\nJune 23, 2006\nYou may read our Public Notice column about Craigslist's Missed Connections. If you're absolutely addicted to them, you might be interested in delving deeper behind the scenes. GB staffer Jason Maslanka created a website with audio and video (including an interview with Craigslist founder Craig Newmark) called Connect to try to figure it all out.\n\n\nJune 23, 2006\nJuly is going to see lots of great bike activity in Beverly. First, there will be big-wheel race for kids of 100 yards, adorably titled the "Longwood 100". Then the pros take over and race in the Beverly Hills Cycling Classic, where the average speed is 32 mph. Yowsers! This happens on Friday July 7th; on Sunday the 9th you can sign-up for a fun ride around the neighborhood, the Tour De Beverly where you can see the historic features of the neighborhood on two wheels. (Sorry, no big wheels on that one.)\n\n\n\nJune 22, 2006\nIn small ways, Mazzone's, local purveyors of Italian ice, do their part to make the world a better place. To wit: spotted somewhere in New Jersey, the company's admonition to "Always Be Nice To Your School Lunch Lady."\n\n\nJune 20, 2006\nThe 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.)\n\n\nJune 19, 2006\nFriend of GB, George Aye has just unleashed his latest idea which I find frickin' cool. It's called Hubwear. Hubwear are t-shirts with airport codes printed on them: the front is first part of the trip while the back is your return leg of the journey. \n\n\nJune 18, 2006\nA few new cool entries on Chicagobloggers.com: Mom-O-Matic, a great site about being a mom and still having a sense of adventure and humor; Porcini Chronicles, a woman in Milan by way of Berwyn who posts delightful Italian recipes and pictures of her adventures; and SariSariShots, a photoblog/documentary about the Chicago Filipino experience that's as beautiful as it is fascinating to take a peek into a slice of a different world from your own.\n\n\nJune 13, 2006\nLegendary bank robber John Dillinger: Public Enemy Number One, patron of the Biograph Theater in Lincoln Park, and now, in death, must-have mantelpiece tchotchke.\n\n\nJune 06, 2006\nIn an interview with the Online Journalism Review, programmer-journalist Adrian Holovaty mentions that he's "been collecting various public-record data in Chicago in preparation for the launch of [his] 'sequel' to chicagocrime.org." Sounds interesting, eh? Watch this space for more as we learn it.\n\n\nJune 05, 2006\nFriday at O'Hare, United neglected to wake up an unaccompanied minor who was napping while he waited for his connection to South Bend; his seat was taken by a 10-year-old bound for Taiwan.\n\n\nJune 01, 2006\nWhat if Manhattan was an island off the coast of Chicago?\n\n\nMay 30, 2006\nIf you want up-to-date weather, and I mean, updated instantly, check out the nifty weather station installed in Uptown at Pete's Weather. Handy if you're about to hit the bike trail and the delightful Flash display is quite fascinating. If you want other local weather, the Wunderground's personal weather stations map for Chicago is useful too.\n\n\nMay 29, 2006\nA handy link passed on to me: the City's Convention Bureau has a search engine for special events. Looking for an outdoor party for 200? A meeting with cigar smoking for 20? It has answers.\n\n\nMay 28, 2006\nAre you a "very tall gent" who attempted to strike up a conversation with a gal at the GB Anniversary Party Friday night with the classic pick-up line "How are you this evening?," only to be rebuffed by mumble? If so, she's looking for you.\n\n\nMay 18, 2006\nEver wondered about the chronology of license plate designs has been in Illinois? Me neither, but here's the place to look.\n\n\nMay 17, 2006\nDon't know if you noticed this or not, but a couple of days ago, Flickr went gamma. Impressionnant! Now's the perfect time for you to check out the slew of new features and of course, join up one of their Chicago groups (especially this great one called Gapers Block. We gotta feed Rearview somehow, right?).\n\n\nMay 12, 2006\nAn IIT student created a small site examining one of the anomalies in Chicago's grid system: the six-way intersection.\n\n\nMay 12, 2006\nAn interesting photo history of Maxwell St. Market, 1975 – 1984. Contrast that with the city's official info about the market.\n\n\nMay 12, 2006\nOur fabulous staff Librarian has mentioned the Encyclopedia of Chicago before, but I do believe it's time you visit it again. Check out some of the special features. Stump your coworkers with your newfound Chicago trivia knowledge!\n\n\nMay 11, 2006\nThanks to an alert reader, we've learned that previously mentioned Bring Back the Draught is having a pub crawl this weekend in Roscoe Village. $20 gets you a T-shirt and surely a needed lunch; extra proceeds are donated to local not-for-profits.\n\n\nMay 04, 2006\nHey, are you a jerk? Did you lose your sportcoat after groping a woman at a bar recently? If you want it back, it's up on eBay. Go bid on it. (Thanks, Benjy!)\n\n\nApril 30, 2006\nYou thought your absurd and/or nightmarish MySpace stories were only good for amusing your friends; this Craigslist post suggests otherwise.\n\n\nApril 29, 2006\nLooper is a "quasi-daily architectural photoblog generally focused in and around the Loop;" if only we could all proselytize so well about our urban environment. Read and be inspired.\n\n\nApril 27, 2006\nWikipedia's Chicago entry has been voted "good article collaboration of the week." This means the entry is "among the best…of Wikipedia articles, but…flaws [are] holding [it] back." To help eliminate the flaws, join the conversation. (Thanks, Sandy!)\n\n\nApril 26, 2006\nThe 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]\n\n\nApril 22, 2006\n"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the (Craigslist) Forum."\n\n\nApril 21, 2006\nEnjoy some Friday fun with statistics! State Master is a free site that collects current statistical data about all 50 states and allows visitors to compare and view data on just about every topic imaginable. Find out how Illinois stacks up against the rest of the country. Hey, we're third in the total number of homicides, and Illinois comes in ninth for the highest unemployment rate. And, did you know 65 percent of the population of Illinois lives in the Chicagoland area? Plus, you can get your statistics fix anytime with RSS and Atom feeds on the site.\n\n\nApril 19, 2006\nYou might already check out the award-winning site ChicagoCrime.org to see what's gone down in your neighborhood, but don't forget to check your commute. The CTA Tattler has a story of a knock 'em, sock 'em fight on a Blue Line train this week, and also points out the ChicagoCrime.org options of checking crimes on platforms, buses, garages, and trains. \n\n\nApril 19, 2006\nDear Dude on The Blue Line with the Pink iPod Wallet, Take your powder pink iPod protection devotion to the next level. Thomas Pink's latest collection at Marshall Field's includes this practical gem: "The Commuter Tie". Pink's tie (available in Thomas' signature pink, as well as red and navy blue) has a pocket on the backside for your MP3 player and a loop to tame headphone wires. Pink's collection also includes "The Commuter Shirt." Yours, Gapers Block Style Team\n\n\nApril 14, 2006\nSwap Simple is a Chicago-based site where people can trade used books, CDs, DVDs and videogames with other members, paying only postage and a $2 fee per item ordered — which is reduced to free if you list enough of your own stuff for trade. (Thanks, Lakshmi)\n\n\nApril 13, 2006\nEarly notice: Allstate's going to do a large media campaign in the Loop on Monday. And they'll pay for (metered) parking, as well as adding a bunch of car-themed art downtown. (Will it be as cool as the car spike? Probably not.) Happy Birthday, Allstate.\n\n\nApril 12, 2006\nFormer GB film critic Gordon McAlpin has turned his love of the movies into a great webcomic, Multiplex.\n\n\nApril 11, 2006\nHave you ever thought that a perfect counter to the over-size sport utility vehicles would be a sport utility motorcycle? One that fits you and your friends, as well as your trusty machine gun or mortar to hold off enemy fire (wmv)? Even better: mount the machine gun on the sidecar (wmv). Oh yes, I'm not making this up, and it's all brought to you from Ural Motorcycles, available (sans gun) at Ural Chicago.\n\n\nApril 11, 2006\nWhile I was looking for a place to donate a slew of computers I used in a high school classroom, I came across Chicago-based Computers For Schools. They offer refurbished computers to schools, non-profits, and churches at 1/3 the retail cost. Their dropoff location is 3350 N. Kedzie. They even recycle cell phones, too!\n\n\nApril 06, 2006\nBefore 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). \n\n\nApril 05, 2006\nWhat's better than an REO Speedwagon concert? UNE libre REO Speedwagon concert. Can't remember their hits? Check out these great MIDI versions. (Thanks, Stacey.)\n\n\nApril 05, 2006\nSpoon 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?\n\n\nApril 04, 2006\nA Chicago feminist, mother, wife, and UIC employee is one of the finalists in the Swiffer Amazing Women of the Year contest. Veronica is the 7th from the top and she needs your vote. With her help maybe Chicago will get voted "Cleanest City to Live In."\n\n\nMarch 31, 2006\nA reader sent in a link to a craigslist post about a big fight last night in Wicker Park: anyone else see this? Email us at inbox@gapersblock.com with details.\n\n\nMarch 29, 2006\nThe Northwestern Crew Team was on its way to compete in South Carolina when the trailer flipped and destroyed their fleet. You can read the story and flow them a few dollars to replace their beloved boats.\n\n\nMarch 27, 2006\nLuigi Di Serio's web site lists the Top 15 Skylines in the world. Not shockingly, Chicago clocks in at number two on the list just behind Hong Kong. Anyone who remembers their first drive down Lakeshore Drive at dusk can surely attest to our ranking here.\n\n\nMarch 24, 2006\nNew And Notable on Chicagobloggers.com: Euchre Universe, a blog about playing cards that features an obsession with a rubber chicken; Shrinktalk, a site that encourages readers to share their experiences with psychiatrists.\n\n\nMarch 24, 2006\nThis is totally awesome–some most excellent paintings by local blogger joedevivre.\n\n\nMarch 24, 2006\nThe latest issue of Keep Going is up, and there's a useful how-to on getting a postcard from Nigeria. Better than an email from Nigeria, I suppose.\n\n\nMarch 20, 2006\nT-shirt mavens Threadless have their pretty-often $10 sale going on now. Act fast!\n\n\nMarch 16, 2006\nAny fans of the band Chicago that could help a fella out? (yes, we are Chicago heavy on GB this week). This gentleman found some old reel-to-reel tapes of the band, back when they were called CTA, from a show at Wine and Roses, circa 1968. Could they be thee Chicago? Maybe you hardcore Chicago fans know.\n\n\nMarch 12, 2006\nFriends of GB Jim Coudal and Jason Fried opened SXSW Interactive yesterday — hear their remarks. Also, our own Andrew Huff is also there; naturally, he's reporting back.\n\n\nMarch 09, 2006\nIf Slowdown just isn't enough for you, Matt Maldre has created Chicago Bean, a site which has nothing to do with the sculpture in Millennium Park. Instead, it's a calendar of eclectic events around town, such as today's lunchtime lecture on "recycling bikes for social change." Or, for those planning ahead, the WWE Bacon, Bagels & Biceps Brunch.\n\n\nMarch 06, 2006\nThought 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. \n\n\nMarch 05, 2006\nBlock 37 webcam — you know it's live, as it's currently under a blanket of snow. [via]\n\n\nMarch 03, 2006\nPeople watching in Rosemont should be extra interesting this weekend. The Chicago Midwest Beauty Show is happening at the convention center this weekend. Brian's tip for best bad hair spotting: go to the RAM in Rosemont. (Sadly, the nail competition entries aren't online.) UPDATE: The Fangoria Convention is happening this weekend in Rosemont too. This just keeps getting better.\n\n\nMarch 03, 2006\nToday's Tribune compiles a list of the "50 Best Web Sites"; Trib internet blogger Steve Johnson has put it online. I doubt more than, say, five of these will be new to our readers (sample inclusions: Defamer, Metacritic, The Onion), but your grandparents may find it a good place to get started on "that internet thing." That said, the paper is taking reader suggestions, so if you've got a favorite, plug it.\n\n\nFebruary 28, 2006\nThis sure is pretty: a visualization of monthly average highest and lowest temperatures recorded for Chicago from 1975 through 2004.\n\n\nFebruary 28, 2006\nEver wonder what a high-yield atomic bomb would do to the city? You can find out with this handy mapper from Eric Meyer; Chicago is in the drop-down menu. (Thanks, Dan!)\n\n\nFebruary 27, 2006\nThe Chicago Defender has several podcasts available for download including a speech by Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. calling black Chicagoans to "raise their 'low expectations' and demand that they receive economic and political parity from their elected officials." \n\n\nFebruary 23, 2006\nChicagoist took a tip from its parent and tracked down the "Google Center" of the city — the point you see if you type "Chicago IL" into GoogleMaps and zoom all the way in. Some other city centers after the jump.\n\n\t• geographic center of the Loop: the Chase Tower• "Number One City Datum Mark," the point from which the heights of all city buildings are measured: Northern Trust headquarters, 50 S. LaSalle• And the "zero point," the center of the city's grid, is at State & Madison, of course.\n\t\n\n\nFebruary 21, 2006\nReader Carrie points us to the official response from craigslist, from CEO Jim Buckmaster, to the Fair Housing Act lawsuit filed by the CLCCRUL we told you about here and here. Related: Chicagoist's interview with Michael Pensack, the executive director of the Illinois Tenants Union.\n\n\nFebruary 20, 2006\nIra Glass may not understand why Chicagoans are upset about This American Life leaving for New York, but maybe that's because he doesn't realize just how rabid his fanbase is. I mean, stud orchids have been named after him.\n\n\nFebruary 16, 2006\nI am absolutely obsessed with Rod's hair. It's always perfect and rivals Donald Trump's hair for yucks. So imagine how surprised I was when I found he sometimes dyes it. And that our governor is pals with Spongebob, too.\n\n\nFebruary 16, 2006\nHere's something I had no idea existed: Crain's compiles a list of patents awarded to local businesses and independent inventors. If that tickles your fancy, you'd probably also like Patently-O, a patent law blog.\n\n\nFebruary 15, 2006\nThe hype about podcasts seems to be waning, but that doesn't mean there's no innovation going on. ChiHookah.com offers not only a podcast about Chicago food, beer and music (and, um, hookahs), but also video of said podcasts. \n\n\nFebruary 15, 2006\nAfter five years of looking for something romantic to do on Valentines Day, I thought this would be fun and different, Dockery said. Her reaction: "You're kidding, right?" Why the negativity? Yes, he took her to White Castle. Even worse: IT WAS PACKED. (Thanks, Stacey!)\n\n\nFebruary 15, 2006\nFor 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.)\n\n\nFebruary 11, 2006\nA few new additions to Chicagobloggers worth examining: Cella Bellum, the humorous rantings of a law student; I Want To Be Donna Reed, offers the other side of attorney-ness, as a lawyer who stayed home to be with her child; and EmptyFree.com, a blog devoted to mp3s. I was just listening to song that combined Ukrainian accordians with hip-hop. A few more ways to while away time while it snows….\n\n\nFebruary 09, 2006\nChicago Auto Show Webcams (to be online after 3pm).\n\n\nFebruary 07, 2006\nStill more beer: it seems that someone has self-published a history of Chicagoland brewing. A few samples are available online (of the text, not the beer).\n\n\nFebruary 07, 2006\nJumping into the city's already crowded booze map field is beer.chicago.com.\n\n\nJanuary 31, 2006\nLooking for yet another source of great Chicago food writing? Check out Hungry, an online magazine that also features podcasts with top Chi-town chefs. The most recent issue features an interview with Hot Doug's Doug Sohn, plus product reviews and more.\n\n\nJanuary 27, 2006\nA few new notable blogs that are worth a glance: chicagopunjabi, the account of a newly arrived man from India(?) writing about coming to Chicago. "And you know, I started to get the feeling that Morgan Freeman wanted these Penguins to die." Feeling Kinda Blog Today has a great sense of humor worth reading, too. And something from a Portugese student in Chicago.\n\n\nJanuary 25, 2006\nWhat if the New York Times chronicled your childhood? In the "My Life in the Fois" series over at The Morning News, John Warner is imagining just that.\n\n\nJanuary 24, 2006\nTwo points for creativity: want to drive traffic to your blog? Advertise in the paper, like this woman did in yesterday's Sun-Times. But another technique is to utilize the new PING feature on Chicagobloggers, either to get more traffic on your site or to see what other Chicagoans are saying. Details on how to participate are here.\n\n\nJanuary 18, 2006\nA Craigslist post that Shylo could surely support: How Not to Write a Missed Connection (otherwise known as "Get an anonymous livejournal, you jerk").\n\n\nJanuary 17, 2006\nTarget have taken advertising to the next level. This blog suggests that they've started using their roofs as a huge satellite view version of their billboard (as seen in this Google Map). Kottke suggests that this particular store however could be for the benefit for passengers landing at nearby O'Hare (as seen in this Google Map).\n\n\nJanuary 16, 2006\nOh, my God. We know that many of you are off work today in honor of civil rights great Martin Luther King. If you're bored, why not see what other Chicagoans are up to today? Check out this compilation of ridiculously unsafe-for-work Craig's List posts about MLK Day fun.\n\n\nJanuary 11, 2006\nThe Fantagraphics blog links to photos of a cool-looking hand-made plush head of Chicago cartoonist Ivan Brunetti, made by the girlfriend of Chicago cartoonist Onsmith Jeremi. Can the Ivan Brunetti action figure be far behind?\n\n\nJanuary 05, 2006\nThe saga continues. Reader and member of Canasta (who have a fantastic website by the way), Elizabeth writes in informing us that there are two Chicago based websites that qualified for the 10 voting spots eligible for a website makeover. One spot has been given to her site: "I don't know whether to be ashamed or elated." The other spot goes to the Chicago Lawyers Association (who might vraiment need it). Vote away!\n\n\nJanuary 05, 2006\nAs the Million Dollar Homepage sells off its last 1,000 pixels, other people are getting into the act. Chicago-based FundMyLifestyle.com claims to be aiming for a "really nice car," while ChicagoMillionPixels is going for the local angle.\n\n\nDecember 29, 2005\nThe Chicago Daily News name controversy has apparently ended. Introducing ChiTownDailyNews.org. Ignore the masthead, and read the Editor & Publisher interview with site founder Geoff Dougherty. (Want to get involved? Start with the photo call.)\n\n\nDecember 29, 2005\nWork pretty slow this week? Take some of that downtime to watch some videos! You know what videos are, right? Those things that MTV used to play? Anyway, European music blog DoCopenhagen has compiled their top fifty music videos of 2005, with interesting clips from Xiu Xiu, M83, Animal Collective and The Decemberists making the cut. A note of caution: The Aphex Twin vid gave me a serious case of the heebie-jeebies. You've been warned.\n\n\nDecember 21, 2005\nIntrigued by the Jones Holiday Sodas? Well, before you run out and buy a pack of them, perhaps you should take a look at this taste test, done by a local blogger and his girlfriend at Thanksgiving. \n\n\nDecember 19, 2005\nIndeed it is true. Intechnic, a local internet solutions company, is offering a $10,000 website makeover for the worst business website out there. You can submit your website with a short story explaining why you think you'd need a website makeover. Heh.\n\n\nDecember 17, 2005\nWith Midway in the news so much lately, this great site has a lot of information about the history of Midway. If that isn't enough, you can of course buy the book too.\n\n\nDecember 13, 2005\nI'll admit that Bea Arthur has not been on my cultural radar since around 1979, so I was a little surprised to find out that Ms. Arthur is a strong advocate of women's rights and animal rights. Why do I know this? Because Chicago area web designer Kevin Buckstiegel told me. He designed and maintains a web site dedicated to the former Golden Girl. Check out Bea In The Limelight.\n\n\nDecember 07, 2005\nOh lordy, lord. Mike Ditka in some 1980s video doing some rap and dancing with freshly scrubbed denizens of the leg warmer set. I apologize in advance [via MetaFilter].\n\n\nDecember 05, 2005\nHave you ever wondered how many songs mention Chicago by name? Well wonder no more my friends. These folks on LiveJournal have you covered where My Kind of Town, Chicago is concerned.\n\n\nDecember 02, 2005\nHere's a delightful urban photoblog named Road To Nowhere. So many beautiful pictures from cities around the world.\n\n\nDecember 01, 2005\nChicago music scene mainstay Thrill Jockey Records recently updated their website, and have added a "Vault" section which houses every video made by the likes of Tortoise, Mouse on Mars, Giant Sand, and the rest of the Thrill Jockey family. It's the most visually and aurally rewarding work day time-killer out there right now, guaranteed.\n\n\nNovember 23, 2005\nThe Beautiful People Take The Red Line. Interesting B&W portraits of red line riders from 97-98. Be patient with the navigation.\n\n\nNovember 22, 2005\nI'm somewhat impervious to cold, but I have to believe someone with better knitting skills than me has designed a sweater with built-in scarf and mittens. Any knitters out there know of an existing pattern for this? (Alternatively, you could enter the contest to make it. There's a PRIZE you know.)\n\n\nNovember 17, 2005\nDespite not releasing any new material since 1991, the band Chicago will be releasing a new album. The yet untitled work was produced by Rascal Flatts bassist Jay DeMarcus. Their current touring season has them in Texas with Earth Wind and Fire and there's talk of yet another tour with Huey Lewis. Future headline: Ghost of Johnny Cash Summons REO Speedwagon To Studio For Possible Recording.\n\n\nNovember 14, 2005\nI'm not big on cabs. If I were, I'd want Ray St. Ray. I'd be treated to his one-man show; an ongoing performance piece called The Singing Cab Driver Show. As Ray himself would say, "it's part vaudeville, part inspirational seminar and "More than a ride…It's a trip!" Check out the videos.\n\n\nNovember 11, 2005\nIf you thought blogs were just for people with cats, kids or catastrophes, then think again. Because Olive and Mason (two co-workers, who are secretly dating) are here, detailing their lives of working, betting and eating lunch. Required reading.\n\n\nNovember 07, 2005\nAre you a fan of the super-hot roller derby dolls in the Windy City Rollers? Yeah? Then vote for your favorite girl today. The voting ends November 9, so click now.\n\n\nNovember 06, 2005\nCopy Goes Here: Coudal Partners, the folks who help to bring you Transmission, have made a funny little movie.\n\n\nNovember 03, 2005\nRide the CTA all by your lonesome no more: "The Front 'L' Car is for Singles Only!"\n\n\nOctober 31, 2005\nThe Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros were asked to submit their favorite songs for Apple iTunes [link will only work with iTunes installed]. The choices are mostly predictable (some Pearl Jam mixed in with Nu-Metal and a smattering of rap/hip-hop) with one exception. Damaso Marte's choice was Britney Spears's "Oops!… I Did It Again." Say it ain't so, Damaso! \n\n\nOctober 27, 2005\nBut, it would seem, worth it. We mentioned the UpYourBudget Treasure Hunt earlier in the week, and it turns out the White Sox weren't the only winners last night. Congratulations, Willie Stevens, you're ten thousand dollars richer.\n\n\nOctober 24, 2005\nSifting through the website for the UpYourBudget Treasure Hunt is a bit of a task, but, as far as I can make out, there are $10,000 prizes to be won in various cities each week over the next month. Tell you one thing: I'll be doggoned if the "North" video clue doesn't look awfully familiar. May the best gaper win.\n\n\nOctober 24, 2005\nRemember the Jenga Sears Tower? The Sun-Times interviews its builder today, who reveals he's ready to knock it down and start on his next project, London's Big Ben. To that end, Bryant Varney is looking for suggestions on how best to send the Tower toppling; send yours to bvarney[at]nmu.edu.\n\n\nOctober 20, 2005\nContinuing the onslaught of "Cool Things You Can Do With GoogleMaps" is this new tool I discovered this morning, Frapper. You can map locations of where people in a particular group live. Some Chicago-based groups have already gotten into the act such as mommy-forum Chicagomothers.com and the Chicago Cycling Club.\n\n\nOctober 17, 2005\nAccording to this post on craigslist, dating services are illegal. We've all heard of stupid laws before, but I hadn't actually seen the legal code cited. And what if you're gay? (via westnorth)\n\n\nOctober 16, 2005\nWith so many Nobel Laureates down in Hyde Park, we may be forgiven for thinking of science as a serious-minded and lofty enterprise; however, the folks at the Annals of Improbable Research are happy to nudge our thinking in another direction. 2005s IgNobel Prize winners have been announced. And while none of this years winners are from Chicago, we can be proud that 2004s winner for Public Healththe youngest IgNobel winner evergraduated from the Chicago High School of Agricultural Sciences. (Jillian Clarke was honored for her paper: If You Drop It: Should You Eat It? Weigh-in on the 5-Second Rule.)\n\n\nOctober 14, 2005\nDo you do a little doubletake when a website you visit regularly suddenly looks different? That's what I did when I visited Crain's ChicagoBusiness.com this morning, and a week or two ago at Chicagomag.com. And a bit before that at CBS2Chicago.com. CSS-y goodness!\n\n\nOctober 12, 2005\nThe planners at Chicago Metropolis 2020 present "Metro Joe", a flash-based game for 8th graders to learn about Chicagoland planning issues. The game challenges your knowledge of regional issues such as low density sprawl; the spatial mismatch between jobs; and affordable housing and transportation, and is even kinda fun to play whether you're a pre-teen in Elgin or a cubicle-jockey in the Loop.\n\n\nOctober 12, 2005\nHoly crap! Some guy at Northern Michigan University built a 30-foot-tall replica of the Sears Tower out of Jenga blocks!\n\n\nOctober 10, 2005\nThis one maps the city's bike routes.\n\n\nOctober 06, 2005\nAlthough LPTrixie.com is temporarily off the air, if you've ever been curious about the finer points of being a Lincoln Park Chad, well, look no further…\n\n\nOctober 05, 2005\nUpcoming.org has been purchased by Yahoo. Hopefully this will raise this cool service's profile and encourage a bit more use here in Chicago. \n\n\nOctober 03, 2005\n37signals has launched Writeboard, a collaborative text editing program. Read, write, share and edit at will, while all previous versions are backed up and retrievable. I know Mauvais be using it.\n\n\nSeptember 27, 2005\nSkinnyCorp is at it again. But they've moved from your t-shirt drawer to your wetbar with ExtraTasty!, launching soon. Go sign up. \n\n\nSeptember 20, 2005\nSérieusement. I've begun to turn to blogs to get more and more information that I know I'm not going to find in traditional media. For example, the Chicago Foundation for Women had a Symposium yesterday titled "Speaking So They Can Hear Us," which was all about getting feminist voices in the media. Right up my alley, right? Unfortunately the day job got in the way of me going. So today I go to Google News and find nothing. So I turn to my bookmarks, and find Roni's notes. With lots of pertinent links. Thanks, Roni!\n\n\nSeptember 19, 2005\nIn a city that's completely banned spray paint, Chicago street-artists have had to take creative and untraditional routes to get their work on the streets. Chicago Street Art, the latest group pool on Flickr, is starting to document all of the hand drawn-stickers, stencils, plywood cutouts, scrawlings, paste-ups, and installations that bring color to the all-too-often drab urban landscape.\n\n\nSeptember 16, 2005\nAnd I don't mean the server. Being a server is a thankless, crappy, dirty job which very rarely gets you paid time off, health insurance, or many other benefits that most corporate drones can take for granted. And while servers run into other servers when they're having a beer and unwinding, it's hard to network so you can get the good jobs, for good owners. In comes Shameless Restaraunts.com and creates a safe environment so bartenders and food service workers can find out the dirt before they drop off a resume. And since I'm lucky enough to be a corporate drone now, I'll be checking through the list to make sure my usual haunts aren't run by "dillweeds", "jagoffs", or the like. Thanks, Paul.\n\n\nSeptember 15, 2005\nA neat little zine deserving of your time: Love Chicago. We do, you should too.\n\n\nSeptember 14, 2005\nRecently, a friend left town to spend a year studying abroad, and I'm keeping up with his travels via Flickr. The other day, a somewhat inscrutable picture appeared in his photostream. It looked like a packet of candy cigarettes emblazoned with our skyline, but why? Curious to know more, I asked what it all meant. His reply: "In Germany everyone thinks that Chicagoans are so rich that they smoke chocolate!"\n\n\nSeptember 13, 2005\nFrom an unlikely source, CondoBuzz.com has created a series of overlay maps that show the New Orleans flood area as it would affect other U.S. cities, including Chicago. If we had been flooded, the water would have reached from Logan Square to 67th Street, and as far west as Forest Park. Just imagine your home, still standing under water after two weeks. Please keep giving. [via Zorn and Austin Mayor]\n\n\nSeptember 12, 2005\nMany congratulations to Adrian Holovaty for winning the grand prize at the Batten Awards for Innovations in Journalism — grand prize being, in fact, a cool ten grand. Holovaty's site, chicagocrime.org, has been impressing users in Chicago and beyond since it launched back in May. Well done; we'll be looking forward to the promised sequel.\n\n\nSeptember 12, 2005\nFile under: "If you say so…" About.com has posted a list of Chicago's five most popular sites as determined by daily visitors. While I can buy Craigslist, I'm a bit skeptical that the local UVa alumni club pulls more traffic than, say, the Tribune's site, which isn't even listed. Speaking of it, though, Daywatch writer Charlie Meyerson is hosting one of chicagotribune.com's first online chats today at noon; get interactive here.\n\n\nSeptember 08, 2005\nWhether you're a beginning knitter, or a long-time crocheter, there's a new spot in town where you can learn some new tricks. The store Knit 1 just launched its website, but it's already getting into high gear with its vast selection of class offerings. There's a special class where moms can bring their kids along, others where the youngsters get to knit alongside their parents, and a number of general and project-oriented classes for all levels. Prices are reasonable, and they do offer a discount on materials. You can check out Knit 1 in person at 3823 N. Lincoln Ave. in the North Center neighborhood.\n\n\nSeptember 06, 2005\nPush the button nowAnd computer creates aTerrible haiku\n\n\nSeptember 06, 2005\nIn today's online edition, Philly.com columnist Mark Alan Hughes writes, "If Chicago is corrupt, at least it's corruption that delivers." He uses The Bean as an apt metaphor [registration at philly.com required gb@gapersblock.com/gapers1].\n\n\nSeptember 05, 2005\nDear anon-86861632, It's been over a month since you posted your first five "Chicago-Centric Ways I'd Like to Kill Myself." By now, I'm sure we've all read and forwarded them on to our friends and neighbors — heck, you made the Best Of Craigslist, didn't you? I know, of course, that suicide is no laughing matter, but, after vainly spending time on the lookout, I can't help wondering, "Where's Part II?"\n\n\nAugust 31, 2005\nI ran into this interesting little tidbit of info on about.com:\n"Anton LaVey, in his popular work, The Devil's Notebook, credited some of Chicago's paranormal openness to its architecture, namely, the trapezoidal John Hancock building, the shape of which has been traditionally known as a gateway for arcane forces." This according to the book Creepy Chicago; A Ghosthunter's Tales of the City's Scariest Sites by Ursula Bielski. In my best Johnny Carson voice, I can honestly say "I did not know that."\n\n\nAugust 26, 2005\nDid you wake up this morning and say "I feel like a little suburban banjo music?" I did, and friend, I have quite the site for you. Listen to live versions of "Oh Susanna" and "Boil That Cabbage Down" from suburban twangers "Loose Change and Friends".\n\n\nAugust 18, 2005\nThe Lucky Strike on Lincoln is changing its name, and the deadline for submitting name ideas is tomorrow. Anyone who e-mails their idea(s) gets an hour of free bowling. However, if your idea is selected for the name change, you win a lifetime of free bowling at any of the 3 (formerly) Lucky Strike locations. Dude, good luck.\n\n\nAugust 17, 2005\nWondering what that thing your great aunt Martha left you is worth? Chicago Antiques Guide is here to help. In addition to listing upcoming events and listings of local antique shops and auction houses, owners Ron (author of our Old Style column) and Brian will estimate the value of your antiques if you send them a photo. \n\n\nAugust 16, 2005\nHere's a whole different kind of map: The Museum of Sex in New York has launched an interactive exhibit, Mapping Sex in America. Using good ole GoogleMaps technology, the exhibit allows visitors to virtually thumbtack their own stories to a map of the country. Chicago is already one of the most annotated cities, but there's plenty of room for more. Add your own sexcapades to the map. \n\n\nAugust 09, 2005\nTired of mindlessly supplementing your vintage bric-a-brac from The Brown Elephant with items you covet at CB2 from arrival to clearance price? Want to remain the homemaker your friends refer to as frugal, stylish and creative? Enter Budget Living Magazine. The current issue features tips for scoring a hot fall handbag, as well as sassy chandeliers on the cheap side. And, pssst, complimentary one-year subscriptions are available. Take your sweetie out on a budget date and tell her. \n\n\nAugust 02, 2005\nNo, seriously, there is a club for everything. The Chicago Public Library has a comprehensive list of Chicago-area clubs for those interested in everything from soap box derby to Magic the Gathering to Esperanto. Vérifiez-le.\n\n\nJuly 14, 2005\nIf you wake up everyday wondering if it's going to be a pain-filled day or if you'll be able to forget about your chronic illness and have fun, then Chronic Babe is for you. Local writer Jenni Prokopy (aka Mrs. Steve at the Movies) has been living with fibromyalgia for a few years. Instead of sitting on her sofa whining about it, she strapped on some comfy shoes and created this kick-a$$ website which lets you go from "Waanh" to "Rowr-sexy!" in just a few posts. Yep, she's not here to tell you how to get healed, just how to enjoy life while you're living with what ails you. And if you want to support this hot chronic babe, you can buy the Chronic Babe Bag.\n\n\nJuly 12, 2005\nLet's say you're a fan of Shylo's Public Notice column (and, really, how could you not be?). But maybe, every now and again, you get a hankering for some mid-week Missed Connections. Whizalert is here to help. The free service searches Craigslist and sends you email alerts based on your customized settings. Never miss a w4w in Lincoln Square again! (Also works for apartment listings and more practical interests, but that's hardly as fun, is it?) [via, and, as the comments note, you can do similar things with RSS feeds] \n\n\nJuly 09, 2005\nHot on the heels of the iPod flea, Chicago-based industrial designer (and sometime Gapers contributor) Craig Berman has an idea I can actually imagine gaining traction: the iButton. Sized no larger than a 1" band badge, Berman imagines the micro iPod playing singles while adorning the blazer/hoodie combos of the hipster masses. Calling Steve Jobs…\n\n\nJuly 08, 2005\nYou know those "What's in it for you?" ads the Tribune has been running? Apparently the song they use, "Anthem" by local commercial scoring co. Scandal Music, has been so popular that they're offering it as a free mp3 and cellphone ringtone.\n\n\nJuly 07, 2005\nToday's Front Pages is a very neat website that allows you to scroll over maps of the continents and browse the current front pages of the world's newspapers. Comparing which stories make the front pages in various parts of the country–or the world–is fascinating. Roll your cursor over the Chicago area to compare headlines from the Sun-Times, Tribune, Red Eye, Red Streak, Daily Herald, Northwest Herald and even the Rockford Register Star. Cool.\n\n\nJuly 05, 2005\nIf you're searching for a truly unique gift, I don't think you can go wrong with the Mama Meow catalogue. Based here in Chicago, it is over 30 pages of cat crap like you've never seen before. The killer pages are the T-Shirts. Don't you know a friend who wants to celebrate our freedom with a Proud American Cats T-shirt or Ladies Of The Night. Captivating and bizarre.\n\n\nJune 28, 2005\nAn interesting statistic: Chicago, "the city that works," boasts the second highest number of goal-setters on 43 Things. Life can't be all work and no play, though, so those folks — and possibly you — will want to contribute their $.02 on why our city is so great at the just-launched 43 Places. (And, no, neither of these sites have the slightest bit to do with 43 Folders, though cette site might give you tips on making the work and travel plans actually happen.)\n\n\nJune 28, 2005\nIf you're a map geek, the new Google Earth software will blow your mind. Google Maps was cool, but it's nothing like seeing downtown in 3D and having the CTA, Starbucks, and highway maps laid overtop as you turn the city to a 45 degree angle. (Sadly, the Bean isn't in 3D.) Look for the 3D layers in the bottom corner for a truly rad view of downtown. (Windows only, sorry.)\n\n\nJune 27, 2005\nLocal web quarterly Keep Going has released its summer edition, and it looks great. Features include musings on basketball from Word Jazz's Ken Nordine, a fascinating article on the Hindenburg explosion, and a detailed history of one of my first daily online reads, Suck.\n\n\nJune 24, 2005\nYesterday I pointed out a few photos of a mural at Damen and Lake. Reader Daniel X. O'Neil sent some more info. The man's name is Oba Maja (I think I'm qualified to say that is an awesome name) and he's a poet who sells his poetry at the Damen/North/Milwaukee intersection. And if you're interested, apparently you can commission him to write a poem for you. Thanks, Dan.\n\n\nJune 24, 2005\nHere's a neat way to search for images of Chicago: enter a keyword on Montager, and have it build a montage of images for you. Not surprising to see that searching for Cubs has lots of people, while Chicago has lots of objects. And Gapersblock has few pictures of traffic, but lots of Cinnamon. (wink wink)\n\n\nJune 22, 2005\nBurlesque Design make some very very nice posters and artwork. They also have a killer store with some of the best intricate silkscreened posters I've seen. But, the best item might just be a t-shirt they have (sadly now sold out) about a certain incident in Chicago involving the Dave Matthews Band — scroll down all the way to the bottom on the right. Here's a detail shot.\n\n\nJune 16, 2005\nMeredith Farkas, a local librarian, has developed an unofficial wiki to help out her fellow members of the American Library Association as they hit town later this month for their 2005 Conference. In true wiki fashion, if you've got something to share about the city, all you have to do is click the "edit" link.\n\n\nJune 09, 2005\nEmilie Autumn was recently featured on HGTV's Crafters Coast to Coast where she made a pair of Faerie Wings. Some girls wanted to be a princess, but I wanted to be a fairy because I wanted to be able to fly and be mischevious. Seeing these makes me want to play pretend all over again. Thanks Roni.\n\n\nJune 07, 2005\nIt was bound to happen, but I didn't expect it to be so skeezy: some guy used Salt Stain Mary (and a lie about a brother who died in Iraq) to hook up with a beautiful Polish immigrant. Then he posted the story on Craig's List. Ick.\n\n\nJune 02, 2005\nThis is pretty neat – WTTW has put their video archives of Chicago history online and they are searchable. I don't know eactly what I'm looking at, but it looks neat.\n\n\nMay 27, 2005\nA couple 606 alums have created a new website, Smile Smile Smile, in which a question is asked and lots of random photos flash on the screen. Simple, somewhat Fluxist, definitely worth playing with. \n\n\nMay 25, 2005\nOr several actually. Eight Chicago-area knitters have teamed up to create The Daily Knitter. And it's pretty good and certainly worth adding to your list of knitting blogs to visit. Just because it's warming up outside doesn't mean knitting season is over. Quite the contrary, it's a good excuse for sucking up air conditioning in coffee shops. \n\n\nMay 25, 2005\nGB reported on the various violations and allegations against Sam's Wine & Spirits over the last few months. After a visit to the website to check on scotch prices, it is apparent many changes were made. First off, the Rosen family addresses the charges in an open letter to all customers. Next up, online shopping is expanded and customer accounts allow for easier searching and shopping. Lastly, the wine blog has moved locations, which means our old link is no longer active.\n\n\nMay 19, 2005\nThe Morning News handed out its 2005 Editors' Awards for Online Excellence today, and there's one category that especially deserves your attention: Favorite Online Newspaper Redesign. Pourquoi? Because it points out that, while the other major newspapers in the country have revamped their sites, the Tribune's remains stuck in 2001. The only change they seem to have implemented lately is splitting stories into multiple pages, and who likes that? Plus, they don't offer RSS feeds. Come on, Trib! Chicago deserves better! That said, on a happier note, Basecamp, a venture by local web outfit 37signals, gets props as Favorite Tool for Handling Projects. If you're not familiar with their products — Backpack, say — there's no time like the present.\n\n\nMay 18, 2005\nGary must be good for something besides cheap gas, right? Well if you're just interested in the cheap gas, check out this neat Google app that searches for cheap gas prices around a region. If you're in Chicago, think Lombard, and ignore Lake County.\n\n\nMay 10, 2005\nNow you know that crafting is H-O-T-T-T, right? Well, Josi Hannon Madera of Weird Mirror wants to prove how S-E-X-X-Y crafting is, too. She's creating an adult DIY magazine, called Tactille which will blend the sexy best of handmade, independent designers: "from the semi-nude to the simply silly". The first issue isn't available until November, but to get folks interested, she's challenging you to create an Ass Hat and send it in. The winner of the contest gets a prize, but I think the readers will be the real winners.\n\n\nMay 09, 2005\nUnless you live under a rock, you've probably heard of Stitch 'n' Bitch, a common name for a knitting group that's been actively engaging stitchers in Chicago for at least the past four years and many other parts of the country as well. Debbie Stoller, editor of Bust magazine, has written two books with that title. Brenda Janish, ex-GB staffer and creator of the Chicago group, has been sent a cease and desist letter from a company called Sew Fast, Sew Easy in New York City saying that her use of the Stitch and Bitch name in her Cafe Press shop is an infringement on their trademark. Think this is bogus? I sure did. So I told them what I thought.\n\n\nMay 04, 2005\nYesterday, the FlickrBlog mentioned a new web app that pinpoints properly tagged photos on Google Maps. A few Chicagoans have quickly gotten in on the act, as Downtown is already very well represented. You simply click on one of the markers, the map recenters, and you see a linked description and thumbnail. The GMaps features we know and love function as usual, so you can also zoom in or switch views. The satellite images provide an interesting contrast to the photos, especially in the cases of Millennium Park and other spots that have since been developed. To join the fun, geocoder.us provides a handy way to find coordinates for your pictures. And, if you're looking for another way to put Google Maps to use, check out this mash-up with Yahoo!'s traffic reports.\n\n\nApril 29, 2005\nNot sure what to make of this: the Bisonarium project wants to turn Northerly Island, former home of Meigs Field, into a preserve on which bison would graze. MISE À JOUR: Reader Jeb points us to a similar proposal for the site of the World Trade Center made in 2003.\n\n\nApril 13, 2005\nChicago has a healthy toy scene, with shops like Rotofugi supporting plushie creators like FizzieFuzzie, Spasmodica and Shawnimals. You can add CutieCooties to that list. The sister duo make all kinds of crafty goodness (methinks Chicago is a hotpot for crafty folks) but I'm most taken with the Plush Toys.\n\n\nApril 07, 2005\nYour favorite local-based music filter/reviewer and mine, AsianMack has returned with a fresh, fun and new design. I'm overly fond of bright, eye-catching designs that make me feel all warm inside and this new design makes the good content stand out even more. Nice job Jamie & co. They've also started making free legal mixes available for download — a great idea. You can start with their latest. \n\n\nApril 05, 2005\nAt The Budget Traveller's Guide to Sleeping in Airports, visitors can share their stories about trying to catch some shut-eye while waiting to catch a flight. Airports are also ranked by the relative quality of sleeping experience. Coming in at number 10 on the "most popular airport to sleep in" list is O'Hare International. It is great fun to read everyone's travel horror stories, which include brillant lines like, "6 days later MY BACK STILL HURTS!!!" Awesome.\n\n\nApril 05, 2005\nUpcoming.org has a bunch of new features to help coordinate with friends. You can now search venues, events and people, send email invites to friends and grab RSS feeds for venues and tags. Pretty cool stuff.\n\n\nApril 04, 2005\nWant to wear your city's colors on your back? Check out this 'Chicago-style' messenger bag. (via Chicago Cycling Club mailing list, who also have neat Chicago swag.)\n\n\nMarch 24, 2005\nFriend of GB Luke happened to take a couple photos of poet/fugitive murderer JJ Jameson/Norman Porter at last year's Bughouse Square Debates. \n\n\nMarch 22, 2005\nThe latest issue of Revol is out, and we've come across a couple other webzines you might be interested in: Keep Going is a quarterly produced by some folks on the West Side, and while Negative Waves has a coupla West Coasters on staff, it's mainly based here. Check'em out.\n\n\nMarch 20, 2005\nWe linked to this awhile ago, but Coudal points us back to Jack Blanchard's "Sun-Times Sunset," a Quicktime time-lapse video of the destruction of the Sun-Times Building. It's now the complete demolition, and it's set to some really nice music by Frou Frou. You might want to follow the link to Fight For the User while you're there.\n\n\nMarch 17, 2005\nOne of the contributors at Nacho.org needed to track down a phone number for an ex-landlord. She did a little googling, and discovered the landlord's name on a timeline of Holocaust denial (1990 entry) — the woman is a Holocaust revisionist who removed her daughter from a high school history class in which the Holocaust was discussed. Read the rest of the story here.\n\n\nMarch 15, 2005\nRecently Arte TV, a French television channel, ran a series of specials on comic book artists, including one on Chris Ware. Traveling all the way from France to get the story on one of our own? Well, that's kind of cool. You can view the video here. (Thanks, Eric.)\n\n\n\nMarch 14, 2005\nApartment hunting is a universal experience. So universal that some wise soul has written a haiku cycle about it.\n\n\nMarch 09, 2005\nThe University of Chicago's new online prose magazine, Otium has just launched. Otium features fiction, plays, an interview, and art. I didn't realize prose included photography, but it's good so I'll let it slide. If your New Years resolution was to get something published this year, note that they're also accepting submissions for future issues. Go get 'em.\n\n\nMarch 08, 2005\nTenseforms, an art and music collective, has started a new project called "the snow filled our tracks as quick as we made them." As Josh describes it, "Each day presents a new bit of ephemera — a poem, a joke, a recipe, a painting, a song, or whatever else we dig up. The next day it's hidden away, covered (not publicly archived), replaced with something new. Folks can bookmark the site and visit daily, but the best way to experience it is via RSS feed. Subscribe to the site and there'll be a little art gift in your news reader each weekday."\n\n\nMarch 04, 2005\nFormer GB staffer Phineas X. Jones has announced the return of AnExquisiteCorpse.net, an online adaptation of the classic Surrealist word game Exquisite Corpse. Come peruse the existing Corpses (which feature work by more than a few GB staffers and friends), and if you feel worthy enough, sign up to help assemble a Corpse.\n\n\nFebruary 03, 2005\nA little late for local needs, but maybe our readers out East will be interested in purchasing an "Official Chicago Winter Parking Space Placeholder" on eBay. "Endorsed by the Honorable Mayor Daley!!" (Thanks, Nik.)\n\n\nJanuary 27, 2005\nA9, Amazon's search engine, has added a photo element to its yellow pages search function. Now you can see what a place looks like before you go and even check out what's nearby by scrolling up and down the block in many cases. Unfortunately, the method employed — van-mounted cameras trolling up and down streets — often captures vehicles and people, most of whom have no idea they're being photographed. Sepoy, local author of ChapatiMystery.com, found this the hard way when he searched for a local pizzeria and discovered his entire family up the block.\n\n\nJanuary 25, 2005\nTony Coppoletta's online collection of CTA Stuff will bring warmth to the heart of any transit nerd. He has photos from station tours, a huge set of WAV recordings of the CTA Voice from the el and buses, and a collection of scans of farecard designs from tokens to the ChicagoCard.\n\n\nJanuary 19, 2005\nEveryone makes lists. Some people love making lists. All the High Fidelity followers believe in Lists. So, what do you do if you're a web design firm? You make a FREE site where you can host your very own lists. Ta-da!\n\n\nJanuary 18, 2005\n…the goods? They are odd. So we say about the bizarre 70 percent marriage rate of University of Chicago couples. Contrary to my opinion, U of C Maroon writer Phoebe Maltz commends the U of C for being a "post-feminist utopia," by which she means that it is a place where girls are lucky enough to have guys within close proximity who care as much, or as little, about their appearances as they do. But have you been to the U of C? I'm not so sure this is a good thing.\n\n\nJanuary 17, 2005\nBlogger John Tolva has a little geek fun with the architecture of the movie I, Robot, which was set in a Chicago of the future. In this flickr photo set, he examines the changes in city geography that occur by 2035.\n\n\nJanuary 14, 2005\nCommunity blogs will always have their place, as hand-selected content remains preferable to lists of automatically generated links. But, 'tagging' — the process of adding keywords to posts — is allowing for the quick distillation of information, grouping thoughts together around shared subject matter. You've no doubt seen the Del.icio.us Chicago tag, and the Flickr Chicago tag, both great Windy City-related resources.\n\tBut now, the folks at Technorati have added a tag system to their site, alllowing for the instant search of a particular theme on member blogs. Check out their Chicago page, and you'll notice that it not only aggregates posts with the city as their subject, but conveniently consolidates each of the above services onto one single page. Brilliant.\n\t\n\n\nJanuary 13, 2005\nDo you have lotsa patience? Does the idea of linking little rings together to create jewelry or even chain maille make you giddy? Then you'll want to take a gander at Blue Buddha Boutique. Rebeca Mojica has lots of classes set up around the city, or she can give you, and a few friends, a personal lesson for a very reasonable fee. Before you go thinking that chain maille is clunky and ugly, take a look at her gallery and you'll change your mind. If you're more likely to just buy pre-made jewelry, check out Rapt in Maille by Melissa Banks. Thanks, Fil!\n\n\nJanuary 13, 2005\nBen Johnson offers timely tips for surviving Chicago winter, such as "Allow yourself the simple pleasure of getting shitfaced alone in your apartment. Bars are expensive and its cold outside." This and many other insights can be found in The Greenroom, the "improvisationally-slanted digital literary magazine" at ChicagoImprov.org.\n\n\n\nJanuary 13, 2005\nNot content to sit on their massive pile of t-shirts, SkinnyCorp are once again at it with another t-shirt site, this time you don't have to be a designer — just a witty slogan will do. OMG Clothing works like Threadless in that you submit, it gets scored and it gets printed. However, this time, you're just submitting slogans. Pretty 'effin cool we say. \n\n\nJanuary 11, 2005\nSpeaking of wi-fi, here's a detailed list of wi-fi spots around the world. I found out which houses on my block have access.\n\n\nJanuary 05, 2005\nChicagoans are proud of the influence our city has on the country. We brag about our comedians, our actors, our authors, and our politicians. But the Florida Department of Corrections, breaks down how Chicago gangs have influenced gang culture nationwide. There are also several sketches and photos of graffiti, in case you want to find out who rules your hood.\n\n\nJanuary 04, 2005\nThe good folks over at Threadless, who have been clothing those of discerning tastes, have an all new site and a brand new contest — $2005 cash prize for 2005. \n\n\nJanuary 03, 2005\nThe Robot Co-op and 37 Signals have launched 43 Things — a site where you can track things you want to do, or rather, goals. The site itself is similar to Flickr and Friendster (and even integrates with Flickr and other popular weblog systems) — you can see who else is trying to achieve your goal, what they do, etc. More social software, more community building. \n\n\nDecember 21, 2004\nKids + Santa = Fun! Or not. SouthFlorida.com offers a gallery of kids frightened by Santa, and the first 25 photos are from the Tribune's 2003 "Scared of Santa" photo contest. (Thanks, Heather!)\n\n\nDecember 17, 2004\nAre you a true Chicagoan? I am.\n\n\nDecember 13, 2004\nNot too far from where I live is a place where I can pick out a live chicken and have it butchered and dressed while I wait. I've wondered how many people have found a chicken building a nest in their flower garden, 'cause I'm sure at least a few of them have to be smart enough to get away. I'm pretty sure the ones Kristin found weren't all that smart, but it makes for a good story.\n\n\nDecember 08, 2004\nTired of overhearing other people's cellphone conversations? Don't vouloir to know what the doctor said? You may be interested in joining a new organization, the Society for HandHeld Hushing, just launched by Coudal Partners and Draplindustries. Just download this handy PDF and get to work on a quieter tomorrow!\n\n\nNovember 22, 2004\nCBS Sunday Morning is looking for folks who've had success on craigslist. They seem to be primarily interested in getting a wide range of folks who have had interesting experiences with Missed Connections. You can write them a brief account of your craigslist experiences, along with your name and telephone number at CBS_Sunday_Morning[at]hotmail[dot]com.\n\n\nNovember 15, 2004\nIf you're looking for a constantly updated and comprehensive list of skateboarding videos, you need not look further than Skim the Fat. Pete and Jerry and The Army have reviewed (at this count) 542 skate videos. That's a lot. Some nice features include a tracklist of the soundtrack featured in a video, which as many skaters know is great because some videos don't list those and when you're trying to find out what song that was during that one skater, it's bloody nice to have that. Also send a buck in to the HQ (local, of course) and get some hilarious stickers.\n\n\nNovember 10, 2004\nChicago is home to CUFOS, or the Center for UFO Studies. They have a library where they study the reports of UFO sightings and abductions on Peterson Ave. The site has some neat information if you're into UFO; they also offer advice on what to do if you have been abducted by aliens. Try to remain calm…\n\n\nNovember 09, 2004\nNeed to grab some quick statistics about the city? Or perhaps you've always wondered exactly how many people do live here? Or how many people live in your neighborhood? The Chicago Fact Book, put together by the city, has all sorts of trivia about our city. (Oh, and as of the last census, 2.89 million people live in Chicago.)\n\n\nNovember 07, 2004\nSears Roebuck and Co. has launched the Sears Archives, an online archive of more than 100 years of photos, product info and historical documents from the company, from its first stores here in Chicago to today.\n\n\nNovember 01, 2004\nIn just one month, you could write a novel. At least, that's what the folks at National Novel Writing Month say. NaNoWriMo is a motivational contest, of sorts, where willing writers begin their novels only at the stroke of midnight on November 1, and stop at midnight November 30, hopefully with 50,000 words to show for it. Last year, there were 25,500 participants and about 3,500 of them made it to the goal. It's free, and once you register, you'll be put in touch with other NaNoWriMo's in your area, for information on meet-ups and other activities. So get going, you're late already!\n\n\nOctober 28, 2004\nA new issue of the Saturnine Detractor is up. They're calling it "The Election Issue," but don't let that scare you away; Ben Adams' feature on No Child Left Behind and his experience working as a middle school tutor in Chicago is definitely worth checking out. Actually, all the articles are good this round. Get over there.\n\n\nOctober 27, 2004\nRearview contributor (today's in fact) Alessandra Gillen belongs to a collective of sorts, called Statisfield. The site deals with experimental audio and visual art (with a strong focus on the audio) and is nicely designed. There's a lot of interesting stuff going on there so whatcha waiting for?\n\n\nOctober 21, 2004\nSometimes it's difficult to open the Yellow pages and figure out which plumber, electrician, or pizzeria is going to be any good. The Chicago Alternative Yellow Pages doesn't promise better results, but they do guarantee a smaller list to choose from.\n\n\nOctober 19, 2004\nAre you a geek? Do you have trouble meeting other geeks with which to share your life experiences? Perhaps it's time to check out Geek2Geek dating service. Its retro-styled site is filled to the brim with swinging, uh, geeks waiting to meet you. And it's based right here in Chicago!\n\n\nOctober 08, 2004\nHow many times have you been out and said "What the heck is that phone number?" or "What was her exact address again?" If you have a cell phone and know how to send text messages, you can now get the address from Google by text message. Send a text message (also called SMS) to GOOGL saying "Schuba's Chicago, IL" and the address will pop back. Or, building on the fuel question about pizza from this week, say "pizza 60625" and see what they recommend. Now if they only had movie times….\n\n\nSeptember 28, 2004\nLuckyface, another (but good!) online creative endeavor, has some standout features. Of particular note, the photo essay about the Burgoo Festival in Utica, IL is like getting small glimpses of lives you don't know and Left of the Middle is an excellent photo travelogue from Chicago to the wild west.\n\n\nSeptember 24, 2004\nWant to meet new people? You could come to our GB Get-Together tonight, but in a more long-term sense, you could check out MEETinChicago, a free service to "provide a relaxed, 'non-pickup-scene' social environment for people to enjoy." It's free, and there's a ton of things to do listed, from camping trips to movie outings to just drinks. Pretty cool!\n\n\nSeptember 24, 2004\nIf you're looking for some freelance writing work, and are comfortable writing about sex (and porn, and toys…), check out today's listings in the Writing jobs section of Craigslist. Adult film reviewer, Sextoy reviewer, Sexual health writer, and more jobs have been posted. Too bad there's no ad for a sex columnist.\n\n\nSeptember 23, 2004\nAh, another issue of stellar art/design magazine Revol is now online for your viewing pleasure. They've also got some new pins in their store, My favourites would be by killer illustrators KozyNDan and those hot world-peace-goodwill styled ones by Reach. Good stuff coming out of Chicago these days, good stuff.\n\n\nSeptember 21, 2004\nThe Boston Globe reports on a current exhibit at the Chicago Botanic Garden, titled "Plants in Print: The Age of Botanical Discovery." The reason for the mention all the way in Boston? It turns out the Massachusetts Horticultural Society used to own some of the items in this exhibit. But, facing a looming financial crisis in November 2002, the center sold more than 2,000 rare books and thousands more journals worth $3 million to Chicago (2nd item). The result of this sale is currently on display up in Glencoe through November 7th.\n\n\nSeptember 18, 2004\nI was shopping around for a new wireless plan today and realized that if I do switch, I'll probably get yet another new phone. Since I don't want to let my old one go to waste, I looked into what can be done with it. Turns out there are places across Illinois where you can donate your old cell phone. The phones are used to benefit victims of domestic violence — a worthwhile cause indeed.\n\n\nSeptember 16, 2004\nLumino Magazine is an "entertainment centered" web publication for young adults, based in the Chicago suburbs. They have stories of national interest, like the current interviews with the cast of Revenge of the Nerds, as well as a Midwest focus, with features and concert calendars for Chicago, Milwaukee and Des Moines (Indianapolis will be added next month). Check out the recent story on Mark Prior.\n\n\nSeptember 14, 2004\nCoudal points us to Urban Adventure, a site dedicated to exploration of places people don't normally get to visit. There are a couple Chicagoland features: a semi-abandoned mental hospital in downstate Manteno and Dixie Square Mall, the one the Blues Brothers drove through in the movie. (More about Dixie Square here at DeadMalls.com.)\n\n\nSeptember 14, 2004\nA new-ish online magazine (in that oh so trendy pseudo magazine rendered in Flash style), Revol looks to be a keeper. Co-produced by a sister in Chicago and a brother in LA, they've got three issues up for your enjoyment and the newest one — a mixture of found objects, collages, stellar photography and miscellany — is perfect to wake you up a little bit this morning. It even features one of our faves, Brian Ulrich who's popping up all over the place (hint: he's got a feature in the new issue of Subsystence) As they say on their site, "Keeping up the fight."\n\n\nSeptember 13, 2004\nOur friends at Subsystence have launched a new volume of their excellent web presence. Their events section (on the home page) is well worth checking out for quality stuff you may not have heard of around the city, and who doesn't like free downloads? I may be biased but the two photo exhibits, Copia and China in Polaroid kick a$$.\n\n\nSeptember 10, 2004\nPerusing the Craigslist For Sale ads, I came across this site by a fellow in Deerfield who's auctioning off his stuff; he's moving to Japan. The descriptions! I bust a gut.\n\n\nSeptember 03, 2004\nSixosix Magazine takes us back to childhood with a Choose Your Own Adventure tale of a Thursday night on the town. Plus, things you should do, but don't.\n\n\nSeptember 02, 2004\nThis would have gone in the old Cool as F@#k category we used to have. A quick disclaimer: the following linked URLs lead to mature content and is not for the weak of heart. That said, it's pretty damn impressive. Some of you may know him as "That Ian" around here. Ian's posted a well-done and remarkable video of himself getting suspended. By the knees. With hooks. Like a gapers block, we want to look away but just can't. Fascinating. Oh, and Ian is quite OK; he wrote back to me, "I'm bulletproof." But he also says "…this should never be attempted."\n\n\nSeptember 01, 2004\nMcSweeney's delivers with "Dave Matthews Band Lyrics That Take On New Meaning in Light of the Recent Brouhaha surrounding One of the Band's Bus Drivers, Who Allegedly Dumped the Contents of the Excrement Tank Off of a Chicago River Bridge and Onto the Deck of a Tour Boat."\n\n\nAugust 30, 2004\nFirst there was The Making of a Restaurant. Then for a while, Sandy joined us here at the Block. But now, he's back on his own, or rather with his partners-in-crime (a girl, two cats), tackling a new project, The Making of a Home. Incidentally, the site's design is refreshing and stellar. And of course, the content is good, you know, aside from that cat entry. We kid.\n\n\nAugust 25, 2004\nSwell online magazine Blacklist is back with their second issue. Lots of great stuff to look at and read, featuring an interview with one of my faves, Cody Hudson of Struggle, Inc. and another interview with our favorite designer toy store, Rotofugi. Head on over!\n\n\nAugust 19, 2004\nFor your web surfing pleasure, Paul Freeman has collected information and photographs concerning Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields across the U.S. The airfields are arranged by state, and the page for Illinois includes facts about the former Glenview Naval Air Station, the Sky Harbor Airport in Northbrook, and more. Although not comprehensive, this is a fun site to browse.\n\n\nAugust 12, 2004\nPeoria, our downstate neighbor, is the brunt of many many jokes. Want to make a difference and improve commerce in Illinois? Buy FantasyLand, a strip club in Peoria and make that first step towards turning Peoria into a destination once again.\n\n\nAugust 11, 2004\nYou really need to bid on this drawing by Derek Erdman of James Hetfield thinking about Cliff Burton and a jetski. No really, you do.\n\n\nAugust 05, 2004\nIn case you hadn't noticed, 606 Magazine launched their latest issue this week. Of note: commentary on the FCC's cleaning up of the airwaves, a point-coutnerpoint on psychics, and a profile of the author of Baghdad Burning, a female Iraqi blogger, and the city in which she lives. Get your kicks.\n\n\nAugust 02, 2004\nI have often wondered: who is that Abby Ryan I hear so often on the radio? Many of you know her from WBEZ, but she does other stations as well. What are Abby's dreams? Her wishes? And an important question: Does she clip coupons? An interview at The Fish's site gives us a peak at Chicago's #1 traffic personality.\n\n\nAugust 02, 2004\nHey, hey, hey! This weekend, NYC must-read Gawker directed readers to check out Chicago DJ extraordinaire Atomly! You might have caught him at a Gapers Block party or elsewhere around town. He'll be at Chicago's Cafe Lura on Aug. 18.\n\n\nJuly 29, 2004\nThe Saturnine Detractor debuts its third issue today, featuring coverage of Civil War reenactments, pulp fiction reviews and Robert Downey, Jr.'s theory of a tripartite god. It's enough to keep you up nights.\n\n\nJuly 26, 2004\nSpeaking of sending your dreams out there, frequent visitor and once-and-future resident of Chicago, Simon King produced TCUP: The Collective Unconsciousness Project a while ago. It's got a click interface and is wonderful to explore. It's pretty simple: "1) Create a Dreamer account. 2) Log a dream. 3) Explore the collective." It's nifty to see how your dream relates to the dreams of others and who else shares similar dream thematics.\n\n\nJuly 26, 2004\nFound this one on CL this morning: the Dream Machine. Call 773.486.9035 and leave a recording of a dream you had last night; if you leave a phone number, they'll call you back with someone else's dream.\n\n\nJuly 23, 2004\nThose wonderfully, freaky creations made from red-toed socks can be found anywhere, but did you know they originated in Rockford, Illinois? Probably not, which is why Joan Sage wants to get some publicity for the second largest city in Illinois. She's taking her seven-foot-tall sock monkey to New York to try and get on the David Letterman show (who she's been hounding for months), Good Morning America, the Today show, and Central Park. To cinch her chances of getting on Letterman, she'll be visiting Rupert at Hello Deli to give him a sock monkey as well. The odd thing is that she's using her own money to get to New York for four days. If you have a sock monkey story you want to share with Rockford's museum you can email it to Sage.\n\n\nJuly 23, 2004\nOur friends at Coudal need a little help: "We need a bit o help at the CP/Jewelboxing World Headquarters in Chicago for the balance of the summer and into the fall. Call it a paid internship. We need a smart, talented, motivated person to help us with administration and distribution for Jewelboxing and to do occasional work on other Coudal Partners stuff too. Youll have to do a bit of lifting and packing, etc. for Jewelboxing. It would be a nice part-time gig (3 days a week or so) for someone in school, and it may or may not lead to other things. Writing skills would be a plus, so show them off by emailing Michele Seiler (go to the site for e-mail address) if youre interested."\n\n\nJuly 23, 2004\nA great story about a very naked and (we assume anyway) raw protest against GMO food on the lakefront. Would you too rather run naked than eat biotech? If so, you should go to the Masks and Thongs party tonight to benefit T.H.O.N.G. Chicago. No, not Trixies Hunt Out New Guys. Topless Humans Organized for Natural Genetics. (Ps to the One True Trixie: come back! We miss you! )\n\n\nJuly 07, 2004\nThe 3rd annual tribute to the Coen Brothers, Lebowskifest went down a little while ago in Louisville, KY. Chicago was representing with our own Brian Sobolak who took photos and Halo+Horns was there, too, also with photos. Can we get enough of The Dude? Apparently not.\n\n\nJuly 07, 2004\nThe folks at Artmuck.com are funny. Like in this article, "Patriot Missle". If you really need some encouragement to go read that, it's worth seeing the photo of a girl with a firecracker in her ahem, behind. However, if you're more into less juvenile endeavours, you might really like this interview with Davy Rothbart of Found Magazine.\n\n\nJune 29, 2004\nYour Humorous Moment of the Day: The 12 Dumbest Covers of American Comics brought to you by "Chicago's Finest Comic Shop", Atlas.\n\n\nJune 17, 2004\nEveryone likes free music. I just can't say no myself. And everyone likes listening to new artists. My penchant for new, new, new is unsatiable. Well, betterPropaganda is here to fill that void. Their model focuses on showcasing indie artists both known and a little less known and making mp3's available to download and it's all legal baby. Jointly co-produced in Chicago and San Francisco, they're here to make the world a better place with better music and betterPropaganda.\n\n\nJune 15, 2004\nOne of the niftiest things on the internet is the Wikipedia. It's a free open source (meaning you can add to and edit information!) encyclopedia. Since it's open source, it's kept up-to-date in real time. Chicago's entry is a nice neat nutshell that gives one a good overview of the city. At a glance it tell you about the history, geography, novels sets in Chicago, companies based here and much, much more. The best part? If you feel it's missing something, just go ahead and add your information. Power, in the hands of the user. Related: What is a Wiki?\n\n\nJune 15, 2004\nNew City Chicago takes a look at a Korean-heavy stretch of Lawrence Avenue. Find out where to buy books, eat food, and shop for supplies — all with a decidedly Korean bent.\n\n\nJune 11, 2004\nAlways thought music criticism was formulaic? Loren Jan Wilson wrote a computer program to analyze the frequency of words in positive and negative album reviews published on Pitchfork. He used the data to determine which words and phrases appear most frequently in positive reviews, and wrote songs to capitalize on the reviewers' collective preferences. The paper is Wilson's BA project at the University of Chicago.\n\n\nJune 03, 2004\nCoudal and Things point us to NASA's incredible Cities Collection, photos of the world's cities taken from space. They've got a whole lot of shots of Chicago and its environs, including some of the city at night and interesting cloud patterns.\n\n\nJune 02, 2004\nThis is Grand, an online journal devoted exclusively to non-fiction stories about public transportation in Chicago, has officially launched. Check it out or submit.\n\n\nJune 01, 2004\nRocky Mosele hates spam. But unlike the rest of us, he took that hatred and turned it into a mission: Ethical Email. Enter your email address at ethicalemail.com and it will be included in the start-up organization's "do not contact" database. According to the press release, Mosele plans to deliver the database of names to the bulk email houses that are responsible for billions of emails being generated on the Internet. By law, the bulk email houses will have 10 days to remove those email names from their databases.\n\n\nMay 28, 2004\nEsquire is looking for more Brutally Honest Personal ads. Describe yourself "without euphemisms or exaggerations or any truth-hedging." Need a date? Secure in your flaws? Apply now. [Via Craig’s List]\n\n\nMay 22, 2004\nDepave Lake Shore Drive? And Daley really supports it?\n\n\nMay 21, 2004\nYahooMaps now offers the ability to search for WiFi hotspots (at least those using Intel's wireless technology). One question about the Chicago map, though: what's up with the shantytown listed at Erie and Fairbanks?\n\n\nMay 18, 2004\nUS Senate candidate Barack Obama's official Weblog just went live. Vérifiez-le!\n\n\nMay 18, 2004\nThis Is Grand is a soon-to-launch online journal "publishing short non-fiction narratives about riding Chicago's trains and buses and all that happens when doing so." They're looking for story submissions: email your story, whether it be funny, scary or poignant, to submissionsthisisgrandorg.\n\n\nMay 03, 2004\nThe GB official Humorous Moment of the Day comes courtesy of photographer and Rearview contributor, Archie Florcruz. Hand dryers in bathrooms now dispense bacon. Miam!\n\n\nApril 29, 2004\nParking Spots is a silly site, one of those "waste your time while being bored to death at work" sites. Highly entertaining. It's international and you too can submit one, and there's quite a few from Illinois (scroll down to the US section). You'll have to see what I mean.\n\n\nApril 15, 2004\nFor those of you who love Google, there is now Google Local. It's in beta but already seems useful. This quick search on sushi (I luuuurve sushi) displays great results and quite a refined interface. I know I'll be using this to find restaurants and local places.\n\n\nApril 09, 2004\nThe Week Behind has a little Easter story for you: "Jesus Had a Bad Day," a somewhat irreverant look at the son of a Jewish carpenter's last day on Earth. As a bonus, included is a pocket list of the 14 stations of the cross.\n\n\nApril 02, 2004\nPurveyors of fine accommodation, Hampton Inns, would like us to explore Chicago's hidden (or not-so-hidden) landmarks at HamptonLandmarks.com. Not too many Chicago-related entries so far, but you can always submit your own. (Thanks Ian.)\n\n\nMarch 31, 2004\nCraig's List's Rants & Raves section is usually full of petty namecalling and inane arguments, but every once in awhile, something truly great shows up. Like this screed from an anonymous Loop desk jockey. "Oh yeah, lunch drinking is back!"\n\n\nMarch 26, 2004\nFrom the University of Chicago's Harris School, we get this charming little paper about the universal problem of a group of people trying to choose a restaurant, and how to apply the art of statistics and game theory to solving it. It's like that age-old cake-cutting puzzle on steroids.\n\n\nMarch 17, 2004\nNeed to find the address of a good local bakery? Want to know how many dry cleaners are in your zip code? Try Google's new Local search. The results may be a little strange (searching for "blog" turns up an odd pairing of businesses and blog references) but we'll all probably become as reliant on it as we are all Google's other services. [Thanks Ian]\n\n\nMarch 16, 2004\nThe friendly, and aromatic, folks at The Spice House are looking for recipes from the customers to add to their online database. Got a tasty recipe that you just can't share with enough people? Click on their "Submit Recipes" link and tell them your culinary secrets.\n\n\nMarch 08, 2004\nThere's a lot to do in this city, which is probably why there are so many places to get info about your options. Chicago Rules is one such place — currently in beta — compiling restaurant and club reviews, as well as a concert calendar.\n\n\nMarch 02, 2004\nProving 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.\n\n\nFebruary 25, 2004\nLori Napoleon, who DJs locally as SubK, has begun a beautiful mapsproject. Check out what she has posted so far.\n\n\nFebruary 20, 2004\nThe Saturnine Detractor features a photo essay of Northern Iraq by photographer Daniel Pepper. Good stuff.\n\n\nFebruary 20, 2004\nThe state government may owe you money! The Office of the State Treasurer is attempting to return unclaimed money (in the form of lost wages, forgotten bank accounts and security deposits, etc.) to its rightful owners, and to promote the giveaway released a top 10 "most wanted" list of the Illinois residents who are owed the highest amounts of cash. The values range from $100,000 to half a million dollars. Fortunately for you, Web surfer, you can check your own name at the State Treasurer's Website, cashdash.net.\n\n\nFebruary 17, 2004\nThe Modernist, a web publication created by one of the people behind Jinx coffeeshop and the now-closed Big Brother Video, is your one-stop shop for 20th century modernist furniture and, um, naked people. (Wait till you get home to delve into this one.)\n\n\nFebruary 10, 2004\nIf you haven't already seen the GI Joe PSA's by Eric Fensler, run, dash, or sprint over there and check them out. There are new ones! And doesn't he look charming in his Cubs uniform? "Give him the stick, don't give him the stick!"\n\n\nFebruary 05, 2004\n37signals, Chicago's own web design and usability powerhouse, has just released Basecamp, a beautiful web-based project management system aimed at the freelance and small shop crowd. It's only been out a few days, and it's already racked up lots of praise. If you're looking for something to improve organization and communication among your co-workers, or beteween you and your client, consider checking it out.\n\n\nJanuary 23, 2004\nThe Payphone Project is a collection of lists of (theoretically) every payphone in the world that is able to receive calls. The Illinois list is pretty huge; check out just the 312 phones.\n\n\nJanuary 09, 2004\nHere's a decidedly different way of exploring the city: the Virtual Tourist was a project begun in 1995 that intended to map all the servers in a geographic area. Obviously that became an impossible task pretty quickly, and the original project gave way to a general travel site. But somebody in UofC's CS department saved the original maps for Illinois, and they offer and interesting snapshot of the server landscape. The project offers several layers of detail, moving in from statewide to Chicagoland to the city to the Loop.\n\n\nJanuary 08, 2004\nThis site has collected over 250 "best of" lists for the year 2003. The lists are divided into 26 categories and include such local delights as the Hip-Hop Top 10 and the Top 10 Worst Reality TV Shows for 2003 — both from the Chicago Sun-Times.\n\n\nJanuary 06, 2004\nDon Woolf, a waiter with 15 years of experience and a graduate of the master's program of Public Affairs Journalism at Columbia College, is angry! He's created TheAngryWaiter.com to serve (no pun intended) as an outlet for all the other angry restaraunt employees in the world. If you want to be a whistleblower and tell the public that Chez Crape has a fly infestation problem, or that the owner of the Dog-Diggity-Dugout is a sexually harrassing jag-off, send your story to The Angry Waiter.\n\n\nDecember 03, 2003\nIt's possible that one could wax poetic about Chicago using Google's new "define:" keyword. (Define: turns up definitions of words, and I find them quite comical.) For example: Microsoft codename / the original version of the four-bridge deal / the well-known rock band / a bustling Great Lakes Port. Not quite the same as the poem, which most of us are familiar with: "They tell me you are wicked and I believe them, for I have seen your painted women under the gas lamps luring the farm boys."\n\n\nDecember 03, 2003\nThe Saturnine Detractor, a Chicago-born quarterly web magazine of feature journalism, reviews, opinion, fiction, and artwork, recently published its second issue. Vérifiez-le.\n\n\nNovember 25, 2003\nUpcoming.org is a "collaborative event calendar" — in other words, you enter concerts or other events into its database, and other members can let you know they're coming, too. In theory, as the system learns more about your interests, it will recommend events to you. Chicago's listing is pretty thin right now, but you're going to help change that, right?\n\n\nNovember 24, 2003\nThe Illinois Department of Child Support Enforcement has created a new website featuring photos and information about the state's worst deadbeat parents. And, while you're checking into nefarious characters, you may also be interested in the rapists and child molesters in your neighborhood, searchable by city or ZIP code. The Cook County Sheriff's Department has its own list.\n\n\nNovember 19, 2003\nThe homepage (and only the homepage) of the Chicago Reader gets a bit of a facelift. The "face" no longer jives very well with the rest of it's "body" though I can see an attempt to conserve real estate and add ads down the side which really in the end just takes away from the esoteric charm of the site and it's 1993 old school web design. A peek under the hood also reveals font face tags and non stylesheet use. Pouah.\n\n\nOctober 29, 2003\nIIT's Shlomo Argamon helped write the algorithm behind the Gender Genie, this week's blog meme. Enter a passage of text and the Genie predicts the author's gender. I entered several days of Merge, the Proprietors page and the current installments of Detour, Airbags and Fuel, and the results were unanimous: Gapers Block is a boy!\n\n\nOctober 01, 2003\nYou'd think Merriam-Webster, the maker of dictionaries, would be stodgy and uncool? Wrong! Much like Spinal Tap, they go to 11.\n\n\nSeptember 29, 2003\nChicagomotorcycle.com is, as you'd expect, all about motorcycles and riding around Chicago.\n\n\nSeptember 29, 2003\nThose crazy kids at ad agency Cramer-Krasselt know that anytime, anywhere, "the Seventies are right behind you."\n\n\nSeptember 25, 2003\nThe Chicago Craigslist is sort of revamped. Looking more like it's older and bigger siblings in SF and NY, the site also sports a new Events Calendar which is already being abused for all sorts of events spam. Speaking of Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist, he now has a weblog.\n\n\nSeptember 24, 2003\n2 Stroke Buzz, by local scooter boy Bryan Bedell, was featured in the New York Time's "Men's Fashion of the Times" magazine this past weekend.\n\n\nSeptember 24, 2003\nNo East Web Magazine is looking for submissions. The site will no longer adopt a "magazine" stance with quarterly issues but is being revamped for a weekly freeform 425x600px format.\n\n\nSeptember 23, 2003\nDeadtech, the Chicago art-noise-installation gallery, has launched a new site with more frequently updated content and space for collective editorship. Also, check out this month's electronic music show with Evolution Control Committee on Thursday the 25th, 8pm, 3321 W. Fullerton, $5 donation.\n\n\nSeptember 22, 2003\nJeremy P. Bushnell is writing a "serialized web narrative" following the lives of a group of fictional Chicagoans over the course of a year. Imaginary Year is updated every Monday and Friday; the newest "book" begins today. Read also Bushnell's manifesto, explaining the philosophy behind the project.\n\n\nSeptember 19, 2003\nYou can listen to live transmissions of the Chicago Approach frequency (via Real Audio)used for plane arrivals and departures for the west suburban satellite airports of O'Hare. The site also includes a nifty aeronautical map of the Chicago area.\n\n\nSeptember 19, 2003\nArrrgh! Any o' you mateys who be wantin' to seize some vrai booty this 'Talk Like a Pirate Day' would do well t' plunk down a few pieces o' eight for Pimps at Sea. An' if ye be likin' to play the game don't ferget to pick yer own pirate name. Arrgh! Pieces o' Eight! Ducats! Ducats!\n\n\nSeptember 03, 2003\nScience, Art, and Technology, from the Art Institute of Chicago, is a website dedicated to exploring relationship between science and art within a museum setting. Originally offered as a course to Chicago Public School science teachers, the site includes sections on the chemistry and physics of light and color; art and astronomy; and conservation. You can view the original lectures online or read summaries of the lectures.\n\n\nAugust 29, 2003\nWant to hear how much a Chicago accent differs from Milwaukee or Minneapolis? The International Dialects of English Archive is a web repository of speech samples in MP3 form. The archive, hosted by the University of Kansas's theatre department and intended for use by actors, has several Chicago samples.\n\n\nAugust 29, 2003\nQuite possibly the reason why Illinois has no In N Out Burger restaurants. Viewing this is total gapers' block. Hungry anyone?\n\n\nAugust 29, 2003\nAn article in yesterday's Chicago Tribune reports on the results of a study that show "Midwesterners use the Web slightly less than people in other parts of the country" (56% versus the national 59%). This latest report from the Pew Internet Project, one of the first to study differences in regional Internet use, also shows that Internet use in the Midwest has leveled off. According to the study, "the same proportion of Midwesterners access the Web now that did two years ago." The Tribune also talks to Lia Londrono, a local librarian, about her observations regarding Internet use and the digital divide.[triblogin:[triblogin:gapers/gapers]\n\n\nAugust 27, 2003\nEarthCam is a directory of webcams from all over the world. Check out these views from the Sears Tower courtesy of ABC7Chicago; a view of traffic on the Michigan Ave. bridge thanks to WGN; the continuing construction of the new Soldier's Field from the Chicago Bears website; or, finally, this lovely view of First & State streets in suburban Geneva (Why?). Addictive, pointless, timewasting fun. Prendre plaisir.\n\n\nAugust 20, 2003\nChowhound's Chicago message board is an incredible repository of local food knowledge, exploration, history, and restaurant and product reviews. The user interface may be a bit of a beast, but it's worth wading through to gain access to vast amounts of information. Unfortunately, it takes a lot to keep at site like that running. Lately, times are especially tough. So if you value Chowhound as much as I do, please consider donating, or otherwise supporting the site.\n\n\nAugust 13, 2003\nMcDonald's is rolling out wireless internet access at 60 stores in Chicago and Milwaukee. Cost is $4.95 for an hour, or $7.95 for an all-day pass; "for a limited time" you can get a free hour with the purchase of an extra value meal or premium salad. Just last week, Panera Bread announced its own WiFi service — for libre — in 16 Chicagoland stores.\n\n\nAugust 08, 2003\nYou've probably heard about some friend of a friend who got paid a ton of money to sit in an exam room and smoke pot while hooked up to a brain wave monitor. If you were jealous, and you think it could be fun getting poked with needles and getting paid for it, or if you're just desparate to cover the difference between your unemployment check and your rent payment that was due a week ago, consider signing up for a clinical trial in your area.\n\n\nAugust 07, 2003\nSexy, sexy single ladies of Chicago! We all know that dating is a hopeless, soul-grating endeavor. All the good ones are taken, and the ones who aren't are never the ones trying to get you ripped on Jaegermeister whilst discussing current events with your cleavage. But there's hope! Just fill out this application and just maybe you could lay claim to sensitive poet and generally sharp-dressing guy, Alan Studowski, Chicago's very own Number One Stud! You can't win if you don't play!\n\n\nAugust 07, 2003\nChicago 2600 is a site for Chicago-based hackers, focusing on the community's "ethical perspective [on] technology and politics." White hats only, please.\n\n\nJuly 31, 2003\nWanna go bowling? Here's a list of all the bowling alleys in Chicagoland, alphabetized by name or location. Strike!\n\n\nJuly 30, 2003\nYou're missing out by not reading CraigsList Chicago ads on a semi-regular basis. Take a few minutes out of your day to check out a missive to employment, and ads for psychics, Mary Kay "smell goods," and lots and lots of threesomes.\n\n\nJuly 29, 2003\nWe all know the social network Friendster (what? you're not on Friendster?), but how about the new Enemyster? Or even Fiendster? While Fiendster is a joke, does anyone have a beta code for Enemyster? Drop me a line.\n\n\nJuly 28, 2003\nRelatively new Chicagoan Liz Butler, a friend of the Block, is now writing a weekly TV column for The Daily Gusto.\n\n\nJuly 25, 2003\nWDET in Detroit, one of the country's best public radio stations, resumes its streaming today. The stream was shut down in February to comply with the RIAA, but DJs can now work around the rules by using a kill switch. For example, if more than four songs by the same artist are played within a three-hour period, the stream will simply be turned off for the duration of the non-complying programming.\n\n\nJuly 25, 2003\nPomposity!, a "lit rag for the computing set," is a product of a couple students in the Interactive Multimedia Program at Columbia College. The html version is dead, but the Flash site boasts a nice mix of high- and low-brow writing.\n\n\nJuly 23, 2003\nThe complete history of WLS Radio. I gotta get me some WLS radio tubes.\n\n\nJuly 21, 2003\nCoudal Partners announces the launch of Photoshop Tennis, Season 3. This time 'round, it's a 32-slot, single-elimination tournament. 11 spots are still open, so get your applications in!\n\n\nJuly 20, 2003\nThere's a lot of discussion going on in the current Detour article about what is and isn't hip, or a hipster, or a dive bar, or the end of the universe, or something like that. Anyway, ignore that hot air and play for real money – Hipster Bingo. (via BoingBoing)\n\n\nJuly 14, 2003\n"A Booth Project" is quite similar to the Mirror Project, but focused specifically on photobooths. Visit one of the booths on their list tonight and send in your photo tomorrow!\n\n\nJuly 08, 2003\nFar from dying as the joke wore thin, the Lincoln Park Trixies Society website has grown, now incorporating a discussion forum (covering such topics as "Bridgeport: the next LP?") and an "Ask Ashley" column. Get in your Jetta, hit Starbucks and read up on the unique social creature that is the Lincoln Park Trixie.\n\n\nJune 26, 2003\nYou may be a geek, but are you a Design Geek? Our very own Paul McAleer ponders the usefulness of objects and the way they work. It's fresh and (somewhat) new. I wish he'd put up the old archives.\n\n\nJune 26, 2003\nHave you heard reference on WBEZ to the Third Coast International Audio Festival? Wondered what it was? Well, it's an online festival of audio documentary works of all types, from field recordings to news features, presented by Chicago Public Radio and the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation. There's a competition component to it, and the submission deadline is coming up — July 18, to be exact. So get that tape of your grandpa's war stories ready, clean up the sound on your live recording of Guatemalan field hands. It's time to shine.\n\n\nJune 23, 2003\nRevamped and looking good, Coudal reboots fresh. We like the new logo. They have also launched a new feature called Reading which features none other than our Editor-in-Chief, Andrew Huff.\n\n\nJune 18, 2003\nThe site's not much to look at, but the Chicago Audubon Society boasts a great collection of links on bird watching in Chicagoland, including a Chicago Bird Census and interactive database. Happy Birding!\n\n\nJune 16, 2003\nIt's the eighth birthday of one of my favorite sites on the net: APOD (Astronomy Picture of the Day). Check out the archive for some stunning pictures, ranging from hi-res NASA imaging to photographs taken by sky enthusiasts.\n\n\nJune 16, 2003\nThe latest issue of No East, a digital magazine created by members of the Chicagobloggers group, is out at last. The theme this time is "work," in its many permutations. Prendre plaisir.\n\n\nJune 10, 2003\nHas anyone else noticed Metroblossom? It's another urban-focused website with ultra-slick design, and it seems to be run out of Chicago and is looking to take off. Kind of like No-East except with less words.\n\n\nJune 04, 2003\nCar maker Volvo is threatening legal action against the tiny Volo Auto Museum in northwest suburban Volo because its domain name, volocars.com, is too similar to volvocars.com. The museum began using the domain in 1997, three years before Volvo created its site.\n\n\nMay 28, 2003\nA computer program developed at Illinois Institute of Technology is able to determine the sex of an author based on an analysis of a text. The program is right 80% of the time.\n\n\nMay 28, 2003\nWhile I thought it would have come back with nothing but stills from the film Chicago, I was quite awed to see some stunning images of Chicago when doing a Google image search for "Chicago".\n\n\nMay 28, 2003\nDidn't realize this till today but Indymedia has a Chicago sister site. Some interesting activist reporting, especially with Chicago's universities and colleges it seems.\n\n\nMay 22, 2003\nScooter-ridin', sometimes 'stache sportin', all round good man, PJ Chmiel returns from Poland with a gallery of more than 200 photos of his trip. An amazing photographic journey of Poland, a country with a lot of history. Simply jaw-dropping.\n\n\nMay 19, 2003\nI was browsing the backpage section of the Chicago Reader and came across this ad:\n\nCOBRAScooters, ATVs, Off-Road, B2B sales, need dealers\nI guess Cobra Commander and his cronies are in financial trouble. As plainly evidenced by their stupidity. Yo Joe!\n\nMay 16, 2003\nAbsolutely gorgeous handmade books, prints and t-shirts from ReddingK. Completely inspired by this one, and best of all, they are amazingly cheap considering the quality of artwork here. Be sure to take a look at the Perilous Predicament poster set, amazing in the print section. Side note: Not from Chicago but too good to not link.\n\n\nMay 07, 2003\nCoudal intern Anthony Vitagliano shot some amazing footage of the fire at the Acorn Garage [Trib. reg: gapers/gapers] — check it out here (Quicktime video).\n\n\nMay 05, 2003\nI might be a johnny-come-lately with this, but Jazz Era Chicago is astounding. Copious amounts of photos, text, and historical trivia. I learned, for instance, that the loft I work in used to be a Woolworth's. Well worth your time.\n\n\n\nClick to rate this post!\r\n \r\n [Total: 0 Average: 0]","paragraphs":["31 décembre 2015\nJe vole le titre de FoGB Veronica Arreola, car il est parfait. Il y a tellement de listes de Best of à cette époque de l'année, mais si vous voulez connaître 15 femmes (heureusement, il y en a beaucoup plus) qui ont fait des choses géniales à Chicago cette année, alors allez lire à leur sujet. Ils sont tous géniaux.","31 décembre 2015\nLe comédien Owen Weber affronte les trolls dans la chanson "Comment le troll a volé YouTube".","29 décembre 2015\nLa comédienne Beth Stelling, qui a fait ses débuts à Chicago, a posté sur Instagram que son ex-petit ami l'avait violée et maltraitée physiquement et mentalement.","Même fille dans toutes ces photos (moi). J'ai eu une année incroyable et vous avez vu les points saillants ici, alors ces photos sont une chose peu commune à partager mais pas une question inhabituelle. Vous pouvez être bizarre mais continuez à lire. J'ai un point. Il y a de nombreuses raisons de ne pas rendre publique une relation abusive, principalement la peur. Effrayé par ce que les gens vont penser, effrayé, cela me fait paraître faible ou peu professionnel. Quand j'ai rompu avec mon ex cet été, ce n'était pas parce que je ne l'aimais pas, c'était à cause de ça. Et j'ai absolument rechuté et l'ai contacté avec des choses que je n'aurais pas dû, mais il n'y a pas de "meilleures pratiques" avec cela. Lorsque des amis ou des bandes dessinées demandent pourquoi nous avons rompu, il n’est ni facile ni confortable de répondre; il ne semble pas que ce soit la chose appropriée à dire lors d'un spectacle, d'une fête ou d'un mariage. C'est gênant. Je me sens stupide. Après avoir été verbalement, physiquement maltraité et violé, je suis sorti avec lui pendant deux mois. Ce n'est pas simple Après ma rupture avec lui, il a déclaré: "Vous vous montrez très ouvert et honnête, et je vous demande simplement de me considérer quand vous parlez de votre ex parce que tout le monde sait de qui vous parlez." Et je suis resté. J'ai écrit des blagues vagues parce que nous vivons tous les deux à Los Angeles et je ne voulais pas le blesser, commencer une guerre, porter des accusations, être interrogé ou harcelé par lui ou ses amis et sa famille. Je voulais avancer et oublier parce que je ne comprenais pas. Je ne veux pas me venger ni le blesser maintenant, mais il est malsain de garder cela à l'intérieur car mon stand-up est tiré directement de ma vie. C'est comme ça que je gagne ma vie. Mon personnel est mon professionnel. C'est comme ça que j'ai toujours été; Je fais sombre, drôle. Alors maintenant, je permets que cela fasse partie de mon histoire. Ce n'est pas ma seule histoire, alors s'il vous plaît, ne le laissez pas être. Si vous habitez à Los Angeles, vous avez déjà commencé à entendre mes blagues à ce sujet et je vous demande d'avoir le courage de l'écouter et de l'accepter parce que j'essaie. Déjà depuis que j'ai parlé de cela sur scène, beaucoup de femmes sont venues me voir après des spectacles me demandant de continuer à le faire. Les hommes ont montré leur solidarité. Une ex-petite amie de cet ex-petit ami est venue me voir et a raconté qu'elle avait connu le même sort. Puis il y en avait un autre et un autre (hommes et femmes) qui partageaient d’autres injustices de sa part qui ..\nUne photo postée par Beth Stelling (@bethstelling) sur 28 décembre 2015 à 9h30 PST","21 décembre 2015\nLe A.V. L'année annuelle du club en noms de groupes est une merveille.","17 décembre 2015\nVous devez améliorer votre jeu de maison en pain d’épice.","17 décembre 2015\nLe personnage de Macaulay Culkin dans un épisode récent du webshort: DRYVRS semble très familier (et NSFW).","16 décembre 2015\nNewCity a lancé un nouveau podcast intitulé "Beaucoup de choses pour Holler", animé par Ben Schulman, éditeur de Newcity Design (et GB alum), et le journaliste d’architecture Zach Mortice. Le premier épisode parle de Chicago dans les films.","16 décembre 2015\nCards Against Humanity a fait don à WBEZ de tous les bénéfices des huit cadeaux de cette année pour Hanukkah et a fait en sorte que tous ceux qui ont acheté des membres de WBEZ (s'ils le voulaient).","Maintenant que nous avons ajouté 150 000 Millennials à @WBEZLa base de membres de, est abaissé l'âge moyen des membres à 92.\n– Max Temkin (@MaxTemkin) 16 décembre 2015","15 décembre 2015\nRéalisations de Rahm et Amour de Rahm.","14 décembre 2015\nJusqu'à mercredi soir, les étudiants de l'Université de Toronto vous chanteront par téléphone une chanson de vacances de votre choix.","11 décembre 2015\nSmack Dab Productions vous présente Shootr, une nouvelle application qui vous tient au courant des derniers meurtres de masse, des fusillades par la police et plus encore.","11 décembre 2015\nFLOTUS Michelle Obama rappe – oui, raps – un shoutout pour South Side dans la vidéo de CollegeHumor "Go to College".","09 décembre 2015\nLa Bitchin 'Camaro, la mascotte automobile officielle du Riot Fest, a été volée hier sur un parking du West Loop. MISE À JOUR: Le vol était un canular, lié à une collecte de jouets de vacances.","20 novembre 2015\nL'affiche du film Aloha est-elle toujours sur ce panneau d'affichage à Logan Square?\nOui.","via GIPHY","19 novembre 2015\nLe membre fondateur de Survivor, auteur de l'hymne des années 80 "Eye of the Tiger", a intenté aujourd'hui un procès en violation du droit d'auteur devant un tribunal fédéral de l'Illinois contre le politicien Mike Huckabee pour avoir joué la chanson alors qu'il escortait le greffier du comté, Kim Davis, d'une courte peine de prison. suite à son refus de délivrer des licences de mariage de même sexe.","16 novembre 2015\nTime Out propose sept relations inédites spécifiquement pour les Chicagoiens – et heureusement, aucune ne concerne le ketchup ou le deep dish.","13 novembre 2015\nHalf Acre disposait d'une gamme de canettes de bière abandonnées, alors elles ont fait la seule chose logique avant de les jeter dans le recyclage.","12 novembre 2015\nLe père Michael Pfleger a écrit sur Facebook mercredi qu'un technicien de Comcast ne viendrait pas réparer le service Internet de St. Sabina parce que le quartier est trop violent. Après des centaines de commentaires et de couverture médiatique, Pfleger a annoncé que Comcast avait changé d'avis, mais se demandait s'ils feraient de même pour un voisin moins branché.","11 novembre 2015\nMax Temkin de Cards Against Human pense vraiment que vous devriez écouter le podcast Hello de Magic Tavern. Juste peut-être pas en conduisant.","06 novembre 2015\nLa scène emblématique de l’Institut d’art de «La fête de Ferris Bueller» a été recréée par les fans (en costume) pour votre plus grand plaisir des yeux.","06 novembre 2015\nTu es belle tout le monde est un message personnalisable à envoyer à un ami ou à un être cher, inspiré par les autocollants emblématiques de Matthew Hoffman. (Malheureusement, cela ne fonctionne pas avec Firefox.)","04 novembre 2015\nCitant la mauvaise gestion et des taux d'euthanasie inutilement élevés, un groupe de défenseurs du sauvetage des animaux demande au maire Emanuel de tout mettre en œuvre pour nommer le prochain directeur du département de la protection et du contrôle des animaux de la ville. Le directeur précédent a pris sa retraite la semaine dernière; sa remplaçante a des antécédents de mesures disciplinaires et a rendu son propre chien à l’ACC après y avoir été transférée d’un autre service de la ville, alors qu’elle n’avait aucune expérience en matière de protection et de sauvetage des animaux.","02 novembre 2015\nNous vivons dans le futur et le futur est Aladdin.","27 octobre 2015\nSi "sexy citrouille" ne vous convient pas, vous pouvez toujours choisir Svengoolie.","20 octobre 2015\nDans une interview avec le magazine de Chicago, le garde des Bulls, Jimmy Butler, a révélé qu'il avait retiré les rétroviseurs de sa voiture "comme un rappel symbolique pour ne jamais regarder en arrière".","20 octobre 2015\nEt si la rive du lac Michigan était une ligne droite? Basé sur l'endroit où le cartographe Daniel Huffman a coupé le périmètre, Chicago se retrouverait au nord de Green Bay. [via]","19 octobre 2015\nLe cinéma 8 bits de Cinefix a récemment appliqué son traitement de jeu vidéo rétro à Journée de Ferris Bueller.","12 octobre 2015\nÀ partir de 1989, Mark Davis a travaillé dans un K-Mart de Naperville pendant 10 ans. Il a sauvé 56 des cassettes de musique en magasin du début des années 90 et a récemment numérisé la collection. [via]","02 octobre 2015\nTime Out propose une liste des meilleures choses à faire à Chicago pour voler en solo. "","01 octobre 2015\nAngie Jaime parle du deuil à l'ère de Facebook pour TouchVision.","30 septembre 2015\nAtlas Obscura vient de publier une carte plébiscitée de noms d’entreprises, et Chicagoland est bien représentée, du Viet Nom Nom à Evanston à la Hoosier Mama Pie Company dans le village ukrainien jusqu’à Wok This Way, près de Midway.","28 septembre 2015\nPlongez dans des quartiers branchés de Chicago avec On the Grid, un guide de la ville axé sur le design – et plusieurs autres.","18 septembre 2015\nDes images de Chicago datant d'août 1896 ont été diffusées sur YouTube.","18 septembre 2015\nAyez toujours une réponse avec le générateur de banlieue de Chicago!","15 septembre 2015\nCook County Jail gère 2,5 étoiles sur 5 sur Yelp, bien que ce ne soit clairement pas un endroit où vous souhaitiez faire une réservation.","31 août 2015\nUn homme de West Town a trouvé des étrangers dans son appartement après que son locataire / colocataire a répertorié la chambre du propriétaire sur Airbnb sans la permission ou la connaissance du propriétaire.","28 août 2015\nLe gars de la crêpe YouTube, Nathan Shields, a créé des versions amphibies de l’aquarium Shedd en version flapjack.","28 août 2015\nPartir partout utilise des données de recensement réelles pour générer de fausses raisons de quitter Chicago.","24 août 2015\nSpike, la fleur du cadavre au Chicago Botanic Museum, pourrait fleurir ce soir ou demain. Vous pouvez regarder son déroulement en direct en ligne; une fois confirmé, le musée sera ouvert jusqu'à 2 heures du matin pour que les visiteurs puissent sentir l'odeur révoltante de Spike.","19 août 2015\nGrantland interviewe Mark Moses, originaire d'Evanston, qui a joué QB pour les Wildkits bien avant de jouer Duck Phillips dans "Mad Men".","19 août 2015\n"Le meilleur tweet sur Internet", gracieuseté de la Tribune: "George Zimmerman vendant des peintures de drapeaux confédérés dans un magasin d'armes à feu" Muslim Free "en Floride."","George Zimmerman vendant des peintures de drapeaux confédérés dans un magasin d'armes à feu «Muslim Free» en Floride. http://t.co/2K3cnilRmd pic.twitter.com/ShQmiVsND2\n– Chicago Tribune (@chicagotribune) 18 août 2015","14 août 2015\nSi vous sentez que vous dormez trop la nuit, consultez NUKEMAP pour cartographier les conséquences de l’explosion d’une bombe nucléaire à Chicago ou ailleurs.","11 août 2015\nConséquence of Sound a fait une vidéo (un peu drôle) de fausses interviews de personnes qui ont été témoins (et ont vécu) le jour d'août 2004 où un conducteur d'autobus de la bande Dave Matthews a vidé sa fosse septique sur un bateau de touristes alors qu'il traversait la rue Kinzie. pont.","10 août 2015\nSelon une étude réalisée par le site, les utilisateurs de Facebook à Chicago utilisent davantage les émoticônes pour émettre des éclats de rire que les habitants d'autres villes. [via]","09 août 2015\nAprès le match des Cubs / Giants plus tôt dans la journée, Wrigley Field a été brièvement évacué après que la police eut reçu une alerte à la bombe ".plus crédible"que ceux qu'ils reçoivent normalement (gulp).","06 août 2015\nLa chambre de commerce de Rogers Park a créé une page Facebook pour ce qui semble être toutes les rues du quartier, d'Albion à Walcott.","05 août 2015\nLes Chicagoiens Rebecca et Tim marchent à travers l’Amérique pour collecter des fonds pour la réadaptation d’un ami après une blessure à la colonne vertébrale. Ils ont quitté San Francisco en avril et ont récemment atteint le point intermédiaire; aidez-les à faire le reste du chemin. (Merci, Phil!)","29 juillet 2015\nCape Horn Illustration a réuni un beau poème pour rappeler les rues principales.","9 juillet 2015\nL’écrivain culinaire Steve Dolinsky a rencontré un Hot Dog de Chicago très inauthentique recouvert d’oignons frits, de cornichons et d’une "sauce de Chicago" (le fantasme) en Espagne.","03 juillet 2015\nSouvenez-vous du défunt disparu de Craig's Lost Chicago, une cavalcade de ce qui va et vient.","02 juillet 2015\nUn site de regroupement appelé Voat ressemble beaucoup à Reddit, mais ses créateurs disent que c'est différent, en mettant l'accent sur la convivialité et la confidentialité.","26 juin 2015\nLe propriétaire de la pièce, Bill Jacobs, a publié aujourd'hui au New York Times un éditorial sur les risques pour la sécurité et la santé liés aux heures heureuses. Le gouverneur Rauner envisage de signer un projet de loi qui rétablira les heures heureuses, interdites depuis 1989.","11 juin 2015\nVous êtes-vous déjà demandé à quoi ressemblait un vraquier de 730 pieds quittant le lac Michigan pour naviguer vers une destination en aval de la rivière Calumet? Je ne me demande plus.","10 juin 2015\nBilly Corgan a adopté deux chatons de PAWS.","29 mai 2015\nUne brève séquence vidéo de la levée du fleuve S.S. Eastland de la rivière Chicago après le naufrage de 1915, qui a tué plus de 800 personnes, est parue en ligne.","30 avril 2015\nMolly Adams et Tim Barnes font équipe pour expliquer Mansplaining. Vous devriez probablement lire ceci, cela a beaucoup à voir avec votre vie quotidienne.","23 avril 2015\nDNAInfo Chicago contient des informations utiles sur la manière de recycler des objets souvent mis au rebut, tels que des biberons en plastique, des mégots de cigarette, des balles de tennis et même des soutiens-gorge usés! A lire avant de les jeter.","19 avril 2015\nVous voulez savoir quelle est la nourriture la plus populaire de façon disproportionnée dans votre quartier, c'est-à-dire le type de restaurant que les gens raffolent sur Yelp? Alors ne cherchez pas plus loin que la carte interactive sur DNAinfo- et pour votre bien, j'espère que ce n'est pas de la salade.","10 avril 2015\nLa plupart des endroits figurant sur la liste des meilleurs joyaux cachés de Chicago, Buzzfeed, seront familiers aux habitants, mais au moins ils ne feront pas fuir les touristes.","31 mars 2015\nFaire de la ville un jeu Pac-Man sur Google Maps est un moyen assez efficace de faire face à toute rage routière persistante.","20 mars 2015\n"La dernière fois que j'ai entendu dire, il était commerçant de produits de base à Chicago. Cela semble assez carré, mais tant qu'il prend l'argent et reste en place, il a ma bénédiction. " [via]","17 mars 2015\nConsultez Earthcam.com pour savoir ce que font les parieurs et les fêtards le jour de la Saint-Patrick dans le monde entier. Regardez le défilé de New York et les célébrants au Temple Bar de Dublin, ainsi que tout ce que les Irlandais font à Las Vegas aujourd'hui.","11 mars 2015\nPAWS Chicago fait du porte-à-porte pour voir comment se portent les animaux domestiques et les animaux, apportant des services dans les rues au lieu de simplement construire un autre refuge pour animaux, écrit le blogueur Vanessa Smetkowski.","05 mars 2015\nUn adolescent de Deerfield attire l'attention du pays pour sa vidéo promotionnelle sur la bar-mitsva. Bien sûr, il n'est pas le premier enfant de banlieue à faire de cette journée spéciale encore plus spéciale.","05 mars 2015\n@TheHashtagGamede #ChicagoAMovie Le hashtag sur Twitter hier soir était très amusant.","C'est un Madigan, Madigan, Madigan, Madigan World. #ChicagoAMovie\n– Frank Sennett (@SennettReport) 5 mars 2015","Cloudgate avec une chance de boulettes de viande #ChicagoAMovie\n– Phil Prombo (@philprombo) 5 mars 2015","@TheHashtagGame La machine à remonter le temps de Doug #ChicagoAMovie\n– Dan Widensky (@OriginalDDub) 5 mars 2015","Victory Auto Wreck-It-Ralph #ChicagoAMovie pic.twitter.com/pEdf8MEnbG\n– John K. Born (@johnkborn) 5 mars 2015","Un couple de deux arbres a survolé le nid de coucou #ChicagoAMovie\n– Matt Windle (@Matt_Windle) 5 mars 2015","M. Smith se rend à Washington et dans l'État #ChicagoAMovie\n– Andrew Huff (@ me3dia) 5 mars 2015","Minuit dans la Giardiniera du Bien et du Mal #ChicagoAMovie\n– Pinson splendide (@Schwarziest) 5 mars 2015","L'empire contre les verges #ChicagoAMovie\n– Singe d'assistance (@ HelperMonkey) 5 mars 2015","5882 300 #ChicagoAMovie\n– Marlow (@ bmar2112) 5 mars 2015","Composer M pour Malort #ChicagoAMovie\n– LeeAnn Shelton (@ByLeeAnnS) 5 mars 2015","26 février 2015\nMarquez ce signet par temps plus clément: cartes routières vers des lieux de films John Hughes, à partir de Ferris Bueller à Seul à la maison à Science étrange.","18 février 2015\nLe Sun-Times a reçu une copie du rapport de police concernant le vol du fils du maire Emanuel en décembre, mais l'incident ne figure pas dans la base de données sur les crimes du portail de données de la ville.","16 février 2015\nRodney Nelson a proposé à sa fiancée Alexa Wenning un livre-papier au Lincoln Park Zoo. [via]","13 février 2015\nFoGB Felix Jung a récemment créé deux robots amusants sur Twitter. Un suit les désirs des gens, tandis qu'un autre joue le jeu de questions et réponses.","05 février 2015\nPrenez une seconde et écrivez une note sympa à un enfant malade et l'Hôpital pour enfants de Lurie livrera une Saint-Valentin spéciale le 14. Allez … pense aux enfants!","02 février 2015\nUn lien approprié après le blizzard: en 2009, un Chicagoien du nom de George Joachim a fait une randonnée dans le champ de glace Columbia au Canada et s'est perdu. [via]","28 janvier 2015\nRiver Thrill est le cinquième quartier le plus sexy du pays selon Thrillist – ce qui n’est pas assez élevé pour être classé parmi les quartiers les plus sexy de la Terre.","23 janvier 2015\nCraig Benzine, le serveur Wheezy, vous montre 30 façons de rire.","20 janvier 2015\nDans une exclusivité pour The Onion, Chicago a inauguré ses nouvelles stations de partage d'armes, déployées dans toute la ville.","16 janvier 2015\nTu n'as pas à le laisser dans la ruelle! Le programme de recyclage gratuit des arbres de la ville se termine demain; vous pouvez le prendre à l'un des 23 endroits [PDF].","14 janvier 2015\nTime Out propose une panoplie de "bidouilles" pour faciliter la vie à Chicago.","13 janvier 2015\nSi vous utilisez toujours Metromix, vous savez déjà que le site vient de lancer une refonte. Par ailleurs, Do312 a mis à jour son logo le mois dernier et Centre de la scène n'existe plus.","12 janvier 2015\nVous êtes-vous déjà demandé ce que signifient les numéros de cartes sur les voitures de police? [via]","10 janvier 2015\nLa Chambre de commerce franco-américaine organisera un rassemblement demain à 15 heures à Daley Plaza pour exprimer sa solidarité avec les victimes de la récente fusillade de Charlie Hebdo.","09 janvier 2015\nL’interprète, metteur en scène et professeur, qui était bien connu dans la communauté d’improvisation locale, a été retrouvé mort dans son appartement la nuit dernière. Il avait 46 ans.","08 janvier 2015\nMalgré les tweets qui circulent disant qu'il fait plus froid à Chicago que sur Mars, la température moyenne de l'air martien est en fait de -50 ° F.","05 janvier 2015\nAvec la permission de l'Institut culturel Google, vous pouvez désormais visiter virtuellement l'Art Institute.","05 janvier 2015\nNotre casier judiciaire au gouvernement est une source d'inspiration pour cette liste de devises d'État sarcastiques.","02 janvier 2015\nLogan Square a devancé Bridgeport pour remporter la Curbed Cup 2014, un concours de vote en ligne organisé pour trouver le meilleur quartier de la ville.","30 décembre 2014\nCertains Acura des environs ont été engloutis dans le sel lorsqu'un mur de l'usine de Morton Salt s'est effondré cet après-midi. Aucun mot sur les nouvelles démarques chez le concessionnaire. (Aucune blessure n'a été rapportée.)","Aucun rapport de blessure. Voitures affectées par le concessionnaire Acura pic.twitter.com/cPZM3iPYhi\n– Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) 30 décembre 2014","Vue aérienne du mur effondré à #MortonSalt de Skycam 9 .. le sel coulant sur les voitures. (Elston / Division) @WGNNews pic.twitter.com/v0nzi8gLqh\n– Sarah Jindra (@SarahJindra) 30 décembre 2014","23 décembre 2014\nDans le cadre de sa tournée Holiday Bullshit cette année, les gars de Cards Against Humanity ont acheté une petite île privée dans le Maine, qu'ils ont renommée Hawaii 2, et ont envoyé des titres de propriété pour un pied carré à chacun des 250 000 abonnés.","20 décembre 2014\nLe fils de Rahm Emanuel, Zach, âgé de 17 ans, a été privé de son téléphone par deux hommes hier soir alors qu'il marchait près du domicile de la famille Ravenswood. La police enquête.","19 décembre 2014\nCondamné à Cook indique les quartiers de la ville où le nombre d'arrestations et de condamnations est le plus élevé.","16 décembre 2014\nRencontrez un relocateur de poissons, un explorateur urbain et d’autres personnes qui vivent "So Chicago" à travers de courts documentaires réalisés par le photojournaliste Chris Walker.","16 décembre 2014\nLes Bears ont connu un autre match terrible la nuit dernière, s'inclinant 31 à 15 face aux Saints. Les sites jumeaux CutCutler.com et SaveDaBears.com tentent d'amener les fans de Bears à racheter le contrat de Cutler en faisant un don de 15 $ chacun. [via]","11 décembre 2014\nYouTuber Blake Grigsby a apporté son propre gui à Christkindlmarket et y a trouvé toute sa joie.","09 décembre 2014\nLe site Web mis à jour du service de police de Chicago permet aux utilisateurs de signaler des crimes non urgents, de donner des conseils et de visionner des vidéos sur la criminalité afin de tenter d'identifier des suspects. [via]","08 décembre 2014\nMarian Eichholz, qui, en tant que tout-petit, a échappé au tristement célèbre désastre de 1915 dans l’Eastland avec ses parents, est décédée le mois dernier à 102 ans.","02 décembre 2014\nJe veux dire, qui ne le fait pas? Il y a un bébé bouc pygmée disponible gratuitement à River North – avec Adorable petit pull et harnais – si tu agis vite. (Merci, Nell!) Oups, trop tard, la liste a été supprimée. Voici une capture d'écran. C'était une blague quand même.","01 décembre 2014\nLes joueurs locaux, Cards Against Humanity, ont donné une nouvelle direction au Black Friday: ils ont retiré leur jeu de société des ventes en ligne et vendu des boîtes remplies d'excréments de taureau (qui se sont rapidement vendues).","25 novembre 2014\nJoyce Wadler des NYTimes a été trompée par un article satirique du Daily Currant, affirmant que Kanye West avait déclaré à WGYN de Chicago que ses fesses étaient meilleures que celles de Kim Kardashian. Ironiquement, la colonne de Wadler s'appelle "J'étais mal informée".","21 novembre 2014\nFaites un "quiz dopey" et voyez combien de quartiers de Chicago vous avez visités.","21 novembre 2014\nAujourd'hui, le conseil d'admission au barreau de l'Illinois réexaminera la demande d'allaitement de Kristin Pagano lors de l'examen du barreau de février 2015, qui avait été rejeté auparavant. [Illinois law states, « A mother may breastfeed her baby in any location, public or private, where the mother is otherwise authorized to be. »]","19 novembre 2014\nUn membre présumé du gang des Black Disciples a décidé de faire une Reddit AMA on / r / Chicago.","12 novembre 2014\nHollaback Chicago cherche de l'aide pour trouver un homme qui a agressé sexuellement une femme endormie à côté de lui dans le train Metra le mois dernier.","11 novembre 2014\nJ'ignore surtout Quora, mais le fil de discussion me demandant "Comment est la vie à Chicago?" obtient des réponses assez intéressantes.","10 novembre 2014\nCréez et explorez le créateur de rythmes ESTA associé au photographe Michael Salisbury pour créer une vidéo rendant hommage aux images et aux sons de la ville.\n \nCréer et explorer 001 – Michael Salisbury X ESTA de Créer et explorer sur Vimeo.","29 octobre 2014\nLe candidat au poste de gouverneur, Bruce Rauner, a fait un faux-pas de la taille de Chicagoland en commandant un hot-dog avec du ketchup dans une banlieue de Portillo. Twitter a explosé; Attaché de presse de Rauner insiste que le chien était pour elle … mais comment pouvons-nous savoir?","27 octobre 2014\nLes actions de Fodor sont certaines choses que les visiteurs ne devraient pas faire à Chicago, y compris un vol à destination de O'Hare et une visite au Willis Tower Skydeck.","21 octobre 2014\nLa dernière fausse information concernant votre flux Facebook est celle qui affirme qu'un homme est décédé dans une maison hantée de Waukegan et n'a pas été retrouvé depuis près de deux semaines.","20 octobre 2014\nDiscovery Channel a lancé un flux vidéo en direct du centre-ville de Wyndham Grand, en amont de la promenade à l'horizon de Nik Wallenda.","20 octobre 2014\nLes rues de Chicago s'écartent rarement de la grille, une visualisation codée en couleur par les émissions Data Pointed.","13 octobre 2014\nRoger Ebert était apparemment actif sur Wikipedia de 2004 à 2009. L’Atlantic rapporte qu’un artiste australien a compilé les éditions de la dernière critique dans un livre de 45 pages en tant que projet artistique.","10 octobre 2014\nVous pouvez dire à votre tante inquiète sur Facebook que non, il n’ya pas eu de morts à ebola à Chicago, malgré ce que dit un site web satirique peu précis. (Merci, Dee!)","10 octobre 2014\nParce que les résultats reposent uniquement sur les statistiques, les codes 60602 et 60603 – deux codes postaux Loop regroupant moins de 2 000 résidents – apparaissent comme les "meilleurs codes postaux" de Movoto en Amérique du Nord. Mais bon, "En finale perk, aucune famille n’a indiqué qu’elle se trouvait en dessous du seuil de pauvreté, c’est donc un endroit moins stressant où vivre à la maison. "","10 octobre 2014\nIl ne reste que 16 heures aux fans de cette fanfare punk / spectacle épique pour soutenir le dernier album de Mucca Pazza sur Indie Go-Go. Procurez-vous de la musique, un sweat à capuche, un sac à bandoulière ou votre propre jeu de partitions à jouer avec le groupe à la maison.","08 octobre 2014\nMakeitfor.us veut commémorer le grand incendie de Chicago en faisant sonner les sirènes d’avertissement de la ville à 21 heures ce soir; transformez vos haut-parleurs en une sirène en visitant leur site web.","07 octobre 2014\nUne vaste vidéo ultra haute définition du centre-ville de The Outbound Life ressemble à la conclusion épique d'un documentaire sur la ville.","02 octobre 2014\nVous voulez toujours vous assurer que vous sentez le vent qui vient de l'odeur de chocolat qui vient de sortir du chocolat de la chocolaterie Blommer au centre-ville? Ce tumblr peut vous aider avec des conseils basés sur les prévisions météorologiques et de vent quotidiens.","02 octobre 2014\n@ChicagoWords tweets un mot, une phrase ou une personne de chaque jour que tous les habitants de Chicago devraient connaître.","Gapers: Les gens regardent un accident de la route avec la bouche «bouche bée» ouverte.\n– Chicago Words (@ChicagoWords) 1er octobre 2014","30 septembre 2014\nGawker est en train de classer l'accent le plus laid d'Amérique, et celui de Chicago contre les filles de la vallée de Los Angeles. C'est probablement l'un de ces moments où il vaut mieux ne pas voter pour Chicago.","25 septembre 2014\nUn vélo pliant sans siège, un mémoire d'un ancien skinhead, un documentaire sur les chrétiens transgenres et la prochaine saison de "Star Makers de Steve Gadlin" figurent parmi les projets en cours de financement sur la page Kickstarter de GB.","24 septembre 2014\nLe dernier projet de Felix Jung de FoGB, Underviewed, attire votre attention sur les vidéos avec très peu de vues sur YouTube, probablement en partie parce que leurs créateurs n'ont jamais changé les noms de fichiers par défaut.","23 septembre 2014\nAller sur une branche et dire, non, il n'y a pas d'hippopotame dans la rivière Chicago.\nJugez par vous-même:","17 septembre 2014\n24 / 7WallSt a dressé une liste des «50 meilleures villes américaines» (sic) et a placé Evanston au 5e rang.","10 septembre 2014\nAvec toute cette pluie et ces inondations, vous pouvez vérifier en un clic si les eaux usées non traitées débordent dans la rivière Chicago. Vérifiez istheresewageinthechicagoriver.com pour toute la réalité cliquable, basée sur des données du district métropolitain de récupération des eaux du Grand Chicago.","09 septembre 2014\nUn passionné de LEGO suédois a créé une reconstitution du Journée de Ferris Bueller scène dans laquelle Cameron envoie la Ferrari de son père à travers la fenêtre.\nIl y avait aussi un autre Ferris Bueller scène et un de Les frères blues dans la compétition annuelle.","08 septembre 2014\nL'équipe des médias sociaux d'entreprise de McDonald's a été formée après avoir dit à @HowThingsWork de ne pas "diffuser de mauvaises informations" – par partage d'un gif animé de la propre vidéo de l'entreprise.","03 septembre 2014\nLe nouveau esurance billboard à Washington et Canal propose une suggestion intéressante.","Alors, euh, qui a vu la nouvelle publicité sur l'assurance à Canal / Washington? pic.twitter.com/SFXJFh7sBR\n– Sharlene King (@typodactyl) 3 septembre 2014\nMISE À JOUR: On dirait que ça a déjà été corrigé.","@typodactyle @madamradams Des gars du parc avec service de voiturier à proximité ont dit que c'était chez Canal & Randolph pendant un moment, mais ont été changés ce matin. Cc: @AndreaHanis\n– Becky Yerak (@beckyyerak) 3 septembre 2014","27 août 2014\nPAWS a une webcam pour chaton en direct montrant les derniers ajouts en vue de son adoption; Les refuges reçoivent généralement un afflux de jeunes chats et chiens pendant les chauds mois d'été.","25 août 2014\nUn étudiant de Loyola exprime sa frustration à propos d’un numéro de loterie pour le logement d’une manière créative (mais exagérée).","25 août 2014\nLe Lyric Opera organisera une vente de plus de 3000 de ses costumes la semaine prochaine.","25 août 2014\nUn présumé agent de l'Etat islamique aurait tweeté un message semblant menacer Washington DC et Chicago, notamment des photos de la Maison Blanche et du 307 N. Michigan Ave., également connu sous le nom de Old Republic Building.","#MessagedeISIStoUS\nNous sommes dans votre état\nNous sommes dans vos villes\nNous sommes dans vos rues\nVous êtes nos objectifs n'importe où pic.twitter.com/1EYMgCWJse\n– قهر الطواغيت (@Sunna_rev) 9 août 2014","20 août 2014\nLe service "TV partout" NimbleTV arrive à Chicago, et Rivet Radio, société basée à Chicago, a récemment collecté 1,7 million de dollars auprès d'investisseurs, notamment Associated Press.","20 août 2014\nNon, pas Anne Murray. Notre garçon, Bill, a reçu le 5 septembre sa propre journée officielle dans le Nord.","13 août 2014\nSi vous avez une peur des hauteurs ou si vous avez le vertige, vous ne voudrez peut-être pas regarder cette vidéo des monteurs de métaux qui se préparent à retirer une partie de l'antenne ouest de la tour John Hancock. [via]","12 août 2014\nLes nouvelles saveurs étranges de Lays Potato Chips ont une connexion locale; L'artwork à la saveur "Cappuccino" représente un café au lait du Wormer Park. D'après ce que j'ai lu, l'emballage est meilleur que le produit qu'il contient.","12 août 2014\nJamie Kalven de l'invisible institut a publié plusieurs documents liés à l'inconduite de la police. Et dans des nouvelles sans rapport, Dan X. O'Neil et Scott Robbin analysent les données des commentaires publics de la FCC concernant Net Neutrality.","11 août 2014\nContrairement à la plupart des farceurs sur YouTube, Blake Grigsby privilégie les sourires de bien-être au lieu des rires pas chers.","07 août 2014\nChicago envoie un coup de grâce à New York dans un article de Yahoo Travel qui oppose les destinations de voyage rivales.","06 août 2014\nEncore une fois, les chats préférés d'Internet sont en ville. Lil Bub est au métro ce soir (avec David Yow de Jesus Lizard), et Grumpy Cat est au Old Orchard Barnes & Noble Friday.","31 juillet 2014\nEthan Swanson, actionnaire et passionné de parkour, s'est filmé en train de sauter d'un toit sur le Lincoln Park, sur un autre toit puis sur un escalier en colimaçon.","Voici la cassette d'audition de Swanson pour "American Ninja Warrior", sur laquelle il a participé en 2013.","29 juillet 2014\nLe détaillant de vêtements japonais Uniqlo envisage d’ouvrir l’automne prochain sur le Mag Mile, dans l’espace anciennement occupé par Filene's Basement; Basé à New York, Shake Shack, qui ouvrira ses portes cet automne sur la Gold Coast, ajoutera un deuxième site l’année prochaine à Millennium Park.","28 juillet 2014\nGeorge Lucas a sélectionné deux architectes de renommée mondiale, Jeanne Gang à Chicago et Ma Yansong en Chine, pour concevoir le musée d'art narratif Lucas sur l'île du Nord.","25 juillet 2014\nKevin Selagea traversait Skokie lorsqu'un pilote a commencé à le talonner. Heureusement, ce ne fut pas pour longtemps – un officier de police a tiré le garde-queue et lui a envoyé une contravention. [via]","16 juillet 2014\nUne vidéo du comédien de Chicago, Blake Grigsby, criant des compliments à des étrangers alors qu’il traversait la ville en voiture a été visionnée plus de 500 000 fois sur YouTube.","02 juillet 2014\nUn cycliste à qui un homme ivre à l'extérieur du Big Star de Wicker Park a dit que "le monde serait un meilleur endroit sans elle" (entre autres choses très impossibles à imprimer) parce qu'elle lui avait demandé de ne pas flâner dans la piste cyclable a posté son récit sur Craigslist .","05 juin 2014\nLe frère de l'écrivain Eric Spitznagel, basé à Chicago, est très riche et Eric ne l'est pas. Ce qui les a rapprochés était une montre Timex à 50 $.","05 juin 2014\nDe toute évidence, Chicago est la cinquième ville la plus attrayante vers laquelle se tourner pour les "jeunes diplômés", selon un sondage de LinkedIn.","27 mai 2014\nUne femme a eu tout un choc ce week-end en conduisant sur la I-90 près de Barrington; un cerf est tombé d'un viaduc et a traversé son pare-brise. Personne n'a été blessé.","19 mai 2014\nL'utilisateur Reddit "dobbi" a annoncé qu'elle avait été attaquée alors qu'elle marchait sur Lyndale vers 9h15 ce matin. Une description et une longue discussion suivent à la publication de Reddit.","13 mai 2014\nPas étonnant que l'espagnol soit la langue la plus parlée aux États-Unis après l'anglais. Mais quel est le plus bas sur la liste? Dans l'Illinois, le polonais est troisième. Ben Blatt de Slate a également examiné les langues parlées par les peuples amérindiens, scandinaves, indo-aryens et africains les plus répandues à travers le pays. MISE À JOUR: Karthick Ramakrishnan d'AAPI Voices souligne les failles de certaines cartes de Blatt et fournit des mises à jour.","13 mai 2014\nHotdogs.com est, étonnamment, un compte à rebours pour la fermeture de Hot Doug.","09 mai 2014\nTrois, selon cette carte de "New York exprimée en unités de Chicagos". [via]","21 avril 2014\nLe laboratoire de recherche sur l'humour de l'Université du Colorado, Boulder, a déterminé que Chicago est la ville la plus amusante d'Amérique.","18 avril 2014\nIf going to church is not on this weekend's to-do list, you should at least view this narrated footage of a traditional Catholic Latin Mass filmed on Easter Sunday 1941 at the amazing Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica on the city's West Side.","11 avril 2014\nCats from local no kill shelters are the stars of CATastrophes, a web series that uses the Internet's love of whiskered videos to promote pet adoption.","April 10, 2014\nTimeOut takes a stab at matching Chicago neighborhoods to the kingdoms and castles of Le Trône de Fer.","April 09, 2014\nThrillist's Chicago editor Sean Cooly put together a list of the city's 99 problems.","March 28, 2014\nPopcorn represents Illinois on Hargreaves & Levin's map of the US in corn. [via]","March 27, 2014\nOn the heels of yesterday's shooting at the suburban home of the manager of rapper Chief Keef, Gawker takes a look at drill music and its effect on the city's music, politics and culture.","March 24, 2014\nA train car entering the Blue Line O'Hare station at a speed observed to be faster than normal derailed and hit a platform at about 3am this morning, causing the car to rest on the stairs that lead into the airport. Over 30 were sent to nearby hospitals; six of them have fair-to-serious injuries. CTA is running bus shuttles between O'Hare and the Rosemont stop to accommodate passengers.","March 20, 2014\nSpeaking of brackets, Deadspin put Chicagoans — that's right, all of us — on its bitchiest, most defensive fans in America bracket, up against Crossfit Enthusiasts.","March 14, 2014\nInterviewly takes Reddit AMAs and turns them into more traditionally formatted interviews. Chicagoans getting the treatment so far include John Cusack, Bill Murray, Audrey Niffenegger, Gary Sinise and of course, President Barack Obama.","March 12, 2014\nThe two French bulldogs that were missing after a home burglary in Avondale yesterday were found in Humboldt Park and reunited with their owners earlier this evening.","March 11, 2014\nThrillist posted a list of 50 Chicago Twitter Feeds that Matter — but the list is pretty light on ladies. Scott Smith (a member of Thrillist's list) provides this corrective.","March 11, 2014\nBarack Obama traded barbs with Zach Galifianakis on his Between Two Ferns web series to promote signing up for health insurance.","March 07, 2014\nDon't forget to set your clocks forward for Daylight Savings Time this weekend. And did you know that the military has its own time zone system? Chicago is on Sierra Time.","March 06, 2014\nA photo shared by CNN of Chicago's "early days along Lake Street," which made the rounds here and on social media, was actually a still from the '30's film "In Old Chicago."","March 06, 2014\nAnnie of the Offbeat Drummer has a better winter hat than you, but maybe you could find someone to make it for you for next year.","March 04, 2014\nVoters chose Chicago as the best city in the U.S. through a March Madness-style tournament bracket posted by the Atlantic. Sure it's unscientific, arbitrary linkbait, but after this winter we'll take the win.","March 04, 2014\nIf you're nostalgic for the departed grocery chain — or if you're opening a store of your own — you could bid on items from the Edgewater location, from ice scoops to a Frialator to a whole coffee shop.","February 27, 2014\nAn infographic compares the nation's two most fast-paced and busy cities, Chicago and New York, on a variety of aspects of city culture, from sports to airports to tourists, and of course, the ever-lasting pizza rivalry.","February 27, 2014\nA remix of the "House of Cards" intro credits using time-lapse footage of Chicago at night (lifted without credit from Eric Hines and Max Wilson) hints at what a local version of the show would look like, although its two-party politics probably wouldn't be so compelling here. [via]","February 26, 2014\nChicago radio host and former Illinois Congressman Joe Walsh called the LGBT community "a group of constitutional terrorists" on Twitter Tuesday, in reference to the Arizona bill allowing businesses to deny services to LGBT customers. Walsh's tweets continued, as he said he felt forced to respect other people's constitutional liberties but others don't respect his.","February 14, 2014\nLike a shot of Malort dipped in chocolate, Chicagoans on Twitter are finding local ways to express their affection using the hashtag #ChicagoValentines.","February 14, 2014\nThe Google Doodle today is a special Valentine's Day mini-episode from "This American Life." The show also has a Valentine sampler of favorite love-themed pieces.","February 13, 2014\n"Enroll by February 14th for coverage, because on the 15th, it's too late." Valentines.gov. [via]","February 13, 2014\nCan a Twitter bot capture Chicago's essence? @whatschicago echoes tweets that mention "Chicago is," and Robinson Meyer reflects on what the results say about the city in the Atlantic.","February 12, 2014\nWas The Incredibles set in Chicago? Eowyn Smith, the creator of this map of Disney & Pixar implied locales, thinks so. [via]","February 07, 2014\nChief Keef isn't the only Chicagoan arrested because of a YouTube video. From rants to violence, the CPD comes knocking when people post their crimes online.","February 04, 2014\nAnd it'll feature the Monsters of the Midway: the Hoth Wampas.","January 29, 2014\nI think of Williamsburg as the Wicker Park of New York, since the former got hot years after the latter already was, but Gawker reversed it — and called Pilsen Chicago's Bushwick (aka the next up-and-coming hipster hood).","January 28, 2014\nWhile students directed a torrent of offensive tweets towards U of I Chancellor Phyllis Wise after the school didn't cancel classes Monday, RedEye social media lady Jessica Galliart writes the incident doesn't deserve any attention.","January 28, 2014\nChicagoland has several entries in the Tom Waits Map, a thorough mapping of every place mentioned in the singer's many songs.","January 26, 2014\nChicago Public Schools has already cancelled classes tomorrow in anticipation of the next round of bone-chilling cold.","January 24, 2014\nForbes has a layover guide for O'Hare that conveniently breaks down according to length of pit stop.","January 22, 2014\nBath & Body Works thinks a Lake Shore Drive scented candle should smell like "fresh water, shoreline woods and a hint of mint." In other words, they have never been on Lake Shore Drive. (Thanks, Rachelle!)","January 21, 2014\nThe "Super Bowl Shuffle" has been remade by a motley crew of comedians (among them Chicagoan Kyle Kinane) and other entertaining folk in the name of charity.","January 20, 2014\nLast week Ald. Scott Waguespack did an "Ask Me Anything" session on Reddit. He didn't get quite the attention that another Chicagoan got: Bill Murray.","January 17, 2014\nSpeaking of potholes, The Pothole Store is your one-stop shop for Chicago pothole-related gifts and keepsakes. [via]","January 17, 2014\nComedian Emily Winter's parents wee both lawyers. When she lost a tooth in 1989 and couldn't find it, they wrote up a legal affidavit for the Tooth Fairy explaining its disappearance so she could still receive compensation. [via]","January 13, 2014\nThe Cubs unveiled their new mascot, Clark the Cub today, and the Internet went nuts. Among the people chiming in was Deadspin editor and Chicagoan Tim Marchman, who calls Clark "a nightmarish, perverted furry."","January 08, 2014\nHeadlines Against Humanity pits two preposterous headlines against each other — can you guess which is real? It's surprisingly hard. [via]","January 02, 2014\nThe dates of 1975 and 2014 line up, so local cartoonist Mark Anderson scanned in his mint condition Mighty Marvel Calendar for 1975 for you to use as a monthly desktop. [via]","December 31, 2013\nWant to screw with visitors? Time Out has some lies about Chicago you can tell them.","December 29, 2013\nSteve Yamamoto showed up for his last shift at a Glen Ellyn Dominick's yesterday, only to be told that he had been suspended over a brilliantly sarcastic YouTube video he produced commemorating the closing of the supermarket chain.","December 27, 2013\nThis holiday season, take care of the hipsters. (Thanks, Paul!)","December 27, 2013\nEmily Graslie, the Field Museum's "chief curiosity correspondent," recently took on workplace sexism and Internet trolls in a video that went viral. Chicago magazine's Whet Moser delved deeper into the topic with Graslie and others.","December 23, 2013\nDo you talk like a Chicagoan? The NYTimes is running a version of the Harvard Dialectical Survey that shows you which parts of the country your personal dialect is most similar to. Keep your eye out for a question that helped name this very site.","December 20, 2013\nThe entry to the Snowman Bouncer at Navy Pier's Winter Wonderfest is decidedly vaginal, notes Jezebel.","December 11, 2013\nNot content with delivery drones, Groupon is going with catapults.","December 11, 2013\nOut of the Loop delivers a random assortment of "simple facts about the greatest city on Earth."","December 05, 2013\nAs part of R. Kelly's appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" last night, British actor Benedict Cumberbatch recited lyrics to his song "Genius."","December 04, 2013\nUrbane released a map of Chicago that only covers the city from Foster to about 21st, and west to around Central Park, and fills it in with place descriptions that range from witty to condescending to somewhat clueless. But hey, what do you expect from a bunch of San Franciscans?","December 04, 2013\nBricktease recreated the shopping mall chase from The Blues Brothers in LEGO. [via]","Here's how it was made:","November 22, 2013\nA certain segment of the TV-watching world is in a tizzy over the 50th anniversary of "Doctor Who." At C2E2 earlier this year, local cosplayer Nina "MangoSirene" and friends put together a photoshoot of genderbent Doctors, and it's pretty awesome.","November 15, 2013\nTime Out Chicago has announced the winners in its first annual Best Awards, as selected by the readers and staff.","November 14, 2013\nAt the end of August, one very unfortunate Divvy bike rider found herself in about the wrongest place possible: the left lane on northbound Lake Shore Drive during the afternoon rush. [via]","November 13, 2013\nWhat if the Bears played that other game called football? A new logo project imagines what their insignia would look like. (I think we fared better than Green Bay.)","November 13, 2013\nESPN's "30 for 30" looks back on one of the craziest games ever played: the Space Jam game of 1995, which included two of Chicago's biggest stars in basketball, Michael Jordan and Bill Murray. [via]","November 12, 2013\nAfter Buzzfeed listed the "celebrities" of New York, Time Out Chicago decided to make its own list of local celebrities. Chaz Walters, Ronnie Woo Woo and the Landan twins are ready for their close-ups.","October 31, 2013\nEn parlant de Poltergeist III, there's an entire fanpage devoted to the 1988 film, in which angry spirits follow Carol Anne to the Hancock Tower.","October 30, 2013\nThe Christian Science Society of Dixon in western Illinois is getting a lot of attention this week after the Internet noticed the shape of its new church on Google Maps.","The church is showing it has a sense of humor in light of the attention: its Facebook profile cover photo now features a "giant fig leaf" over the Google Maps image.","October 29, 2013\nLocally led #Foodiechats has figured out a way to make money off its weekly Twitter chats.","October 29, 2013\nJesse Jackson, Jr. showed up yesterday to a North Carolina federal prison to begin his 30-month sentence a few days earlier than his scheduled surrender date (this Friday) and was turned away. Mise à jour: he is in custody as of this morning. Persistence pays off!","October 16, 2013\nThought Catalog's "35 Important Things Only Chicagoans Will Understand" should give you plenty of fuel.","October 08, 2013\nBen Raatz has a personal drone that he's been testing out around town, getting a top view of Buckingham Fountain and the South Loop.","October 08, 2013\nNickolay Lamm mapped income onto real estate in Manhattan to show the inequality between neighborhoods. He's since done similar maps for Chicago and other cities.","October 07, 2013\nA mini Abe Lincoln lives it up across the state in a new ad by Enjoy Illinois, journeying from down in Springfield to up on the skydeck of the Willis Tower.","October 01, 2013\nThe Hoffman Estates Park District knows how to keep the crowd at their youth hockey league games in check. [via]","October 01, 2013\nChicago native Marina Shifrin spent the last two years working in the CGI coal mines at Taiwan's Next Media Animation in relative anonymity. That is, until her dance-interpreted resignation video this weekend went viral. [via]","UPDATE: New Media Animation created a response video.","September 30, 2013\nThe lead designer of the classic arcade game NBA Jam admitted it was rigged to make the Chicago Bulls play worse whenever they went up against the Detroit Pistons. [via]","September 27, 2013\nWhen it was revealed that the @horse_ebooks Twitter account was a hoax performance art, Dan Sinker of @MayorEmanuel fame took it pretty hard. Luckily, someone has created @sinker_ebooks.","September 25, 2013\nFrom the Couch Monument in Lincoln Park to a bust of Lincoln in Englewood, Peter Bella tells the story behind some interesting Chicago sights hiding in plain sight.","September 25, 2013\nThe CGI-fueled destruction of the city for the latest Transformateurs movie caused some real damage as Michael Bay and company blew up part of the Santa Fe Grain Elevators on the South Side.","September 24, 2013\nFirst, Al Capone danced the Charleston on top of a flagpole, and now a group of local dancers lindy hop their way through the city in a new video.","September 21, 2013\nConan O'Brien revealed that Miley Cyrus' strange video for her song Wrecking Ball stole the concept from an ad for a Chicago-area appliance store. [via]","September 20, 2013\nCube Cities shows Chicago's history in less than two minutes with an animated timeline of the city's growth from 1862 until today. [via]","September 18, 2013\nAfter yet another controversy-spoiled Penny Arcade Expo, Cards Against Humanity cofounder Max Temkin explains what he and the company are going to do to combat discrimination and harassment at PAX in the future.","September 16, 2013\nA Subway restaurant actually honored the fake (and obviously controversé) "Subtember 11th" coupons featured in a recent Onion article. Even adding to the twisted irony is that the pre-tax total of the purchase was $9.11.","September 13, 2013\nTwo kittens survived a five-day journey from Chicago to Edmonton, Canada as stow aways on a train.","September 11, 2013\nThe Bears Superfans are back in a new commercial with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.","September 10, 2013\nCrain's Clout Calculator measures the degrees of separation between you and industry leaders in Chicago.","September 06, 2013\nA man claiming to be a member of the Board of Trade recently got into a fight with another passenger in a Metra quiet car after talking on his phone. Not sure how being a trader qualifies someone to "cut you in half."\nNSFW audio, so put your headphones on.","September 05, 2013\nThe Transit Readings tumblr recommends books based on what people are spotted reading on the CTA.","September 05, 2013\nImprov Legends takes a look back at the first days of the Second City. [via]","September 04, 2013\nGrumpy Cat will help fundraise for a new cat adoption center for the Tree House Humane Society in an upcoming video.","September 01, 2013\nA secret from today's edition of PostSecret alludes to a buried body at Wooded Island in Jackson Park.","August 30, 2013\nSouth Side residents share how shootings affect their lives and what it's like to live under the constant threat of violence in a new video by local Jon Lowenstein.","August 30, 2013\nNot sure this fledgling record label is going to make it, but this CraigsList ad is pretty great. (Thanks, Anne!)","August 28, 2013\nOn this historic day, local button makers Busy Beaver Buttons blogged about some historic buttons relating to the civil rights movement.","August 26, 2013\nThis pic of kids walking to a first day of school (near Schiller and Clark) in 1962 doesn't seem to be much of an upgrade from what kids going to school today could experience.","August 23, 2013\nA weird window display leads Michael Gebert to discover a sketch comedy online show by one of the discoverers of Vivian Maier.","August 20, 2013\nI get the feeling Chicago coming in at number two on Movoto's list of the funniest cities in America is some sort of joke on the Second City. The list makes no effort to justify how Atlanta is number one.","August 19, 2013\nThe superintendent of the Evanston-Skokie School District announced his resignation last week to pursue "consulting opportunities."","August 15, 2013\nChicago native and comic Cameron Esposito wrote a thoughtful op-ed piece for Advocate about being heckled onstage by her opening act.","August 13, 2013\nThere's a battle for the hearts and minds of Bridgeport going on — on Facebook. After one too many racially and politically charged arguments on the Bridgeport Chicago IL group, two neighborhood residents created The REAL Bridgeport and Bridgeport Neighborhood groups as hate-free zones; at least one group formed in response has already been closed.","August 09, 2013\nWhat if Ferris Bueller wasn't bluffing about being sick? What if he was dead?","July 30, 2013\nNPR host Scott Simon has been tweeting about his mother's last days from a hospital here in Chicago. Patricia Lyons Simon Newman Gilband passed away last night.","The heavens over Chicago have opened and Patricia Lyons Simon Newman has stepped onstage.\n— Scott Simon (@nprscottsimon) July 30, 2013","July 26, 2013\nWonder if the giant magnet that just arrived at Fermilab is part of the plan in today's xkcd cartoon.","July 26, 2013\nWTTW shared a photo of a Divvy truck that had knocked down a parking meter. They want you to caption it.","July 26, 2013\nA Wheaton couple's wedding invitation went viral this week thanks to its hilarious RSVP options.","July 25, 2013\nDo you like the idea of renting a bike on occasion, but dislike the idea of being relegated to where Divvy has stations? Then you may be interested in SpinLister where you can rent bikes owned by locals for a day (or more). And these aren't your average heavy, beat-up, partially rusted bikes for rent. Oh, no, there are some pettable bikes here. For example, this bike may be what you need if you have a dog (the moustache and dog are not included in rental.)","July 24, 2013\n…in the form of a very cute child. [via]","July 19, 2013\nI've seen some really beautifully designed engagement announcements, but this one is pretty great. Great design and story by Matthew Bush, Josh Compton and Gabe Cooper. Congrats!","July 19, 2013\nThree beautiful light fixtures from the Uptown Theatre are for sale on eBay right now.","July 18, 2013\nDrag City recently released Andy and his Grandmother, the first-ever Andy Kaufman comedy album. Grantland explains how this came to be.","July 10, 2013\nThis Craigslist ad for a fixed-gear bike is aimed squarely at Lincoln Park bros hoping to blend in over in Wicker Park… though really, is there a difference these days? [via]","July 08, 2013\nSteve Gadlin of Blewt! and I Want to Draw a Cat for You fame has a new project: Steve Gadlin's Star Makers, showcasing some of the area's greatest talents.","July 05, 2013\nA new study by economists at Wheaton College and Northwestern found that since the 1970s, Americans have not been as upwardly mobile as the British have been.\nHere's an earlier article by the study's authors, covering similar ground.\n Grandfathers Matter(ed): Occupational Mobility Across Three Generations in the U.S. and Britain, 1850-1910 by Gapers Block","July 02, 2013\nYelp has a few heat maps of words that pop up in user reviews, such as bacon, tourist and hipster.","June 28, 2013\nComplex Magazine highlights the resurgence of Chicago's hip-hop scene by featuring the city's most stylish rappers [right now]. While the list includes artists such as Chief Keef, Joey Purp, Mikkey Halsted and more, it won't be hard to guess who came in at number one.","June 27, 2013\nIf you've got any Blackhawks gear, wear it to the Museum of Science & Industry this weekend and get buy one, get one free admission.","June 24, 2013\nSomeone in Pilsen painted helpful directions on his roof for lost pilots. [via]\nAgrandir le plan","June 21, 2013\nComedian and writer Deon Cole, along with Iliza Shlesinger and Michael Yo, recently participated on "Larry King Now's" pop culture panel to discuss current hot topics including emergency contraception, Japanese eyeball licking, and of course, new parents, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian. Although reports have confirmed "Baby Kimye's" actual name, Cole reveals his choice for the name of America's most famous infant.","Past GB interviews with Cole:• 2010: One Sketch at a Time• 2013: "Deon Cole's Black Box": Chicago Native Takes on Pop Culture In His New TBS Series","June 21, 2013\nChicago has a history of segregation — and it apparently extends to smartphone types too, to a certain degree. MapBox teamed up with Gnip and map designer Eric Fischer (previously: 1, 2) to map 3 billion tweets by phone brand and other variables. Start in the Loop and zoom out.","It's also worth checking out the maps of locals and tourists and languages used. [via]","June 20, 2013\nSchadenfreude has a new show: "Shh-Cago," a guide to the city's lesser known gems.","June 20, 2013\nStill wired after that OT win the Blackhawks offered last night? Soothe yourself with a rendition of "Chelsea Dagger" played by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. (Nice shirt, Muti!)","June 19, 2013\nFoGB Coudal Partners just released a new "Night Sky" edition of their Field Notes notebooks, and recorded 6 hours and 21 minutes of night sky in rural Nevada. Just set this for full screen, sit back and watch the stars go by in real time.","June 15, 2013\nNew father Kanye West will be projecting new images on the sides of buildings all over the city tonight, among them Uptown's Bridgeview Bank, and both the Field and DuSable Museums.","June 14, 2013\nSure, it's been a cool summer. But that's nothing compared with 21,000 years ago.","June 05, 2013\nGroupon has launched a "deal" of a donation to fund the construction of more bike lanes in honor of deceased employee Bobby Cann, the cyclist killed last week on Clybourn.","June 04, 2013\nEnjoy this photograph of Patrick Stewart enjoying some Chicago-style pizza.","June 04, 2013\nZen Pencils tells a touching story with words from Roger Ebert. [via]","May 28, 2013\nA writer on the Daily Kos decided to emulate The Onion by announcing its demise after the 2014 presidential election. That's one way to get a job.","May 24, 2013\nMaking out in front of Paulina Meat Market is a private thing — unless the Google Streetview car is nearby (see #29).","May 21, 2013\nA group of Logan Square residents are suing the Tribune for continuing frequent deliveries of its coupons and advertisements (aka those piles of soggy, dirty newsprint wrapped in pink bags that accumulate on your doorstep/yard) despite repeated, bureaucracy-laden requests to stop.","May 21, 2013\nThe South Side-based rapper was arrested in Georgia this morning for disorderly conduct.","May 20, 2013\nThanks to Google Earth Historical Imagery, I was able to make this gif of North Avenue Beach over the decades.","May 16, 2013\nAs part of a larger collaborative piece titled "New York Elsewhere" for The Morning News, Tyler Coates projects New York neighborhood counterparts in Chicago. Southport Corridor as Park Slope is amusingly on point, though some Chicagoans would take issue with the idea that Logan Square isn't fully gentrified.","May 14, 2013\nRecently, via a little ditty on ESPN, Chicago native and comedic actor Craig Robinson, whose movie Peeples opened last weekend, expressed his heartfelt sentiments about the [someday] return of Derrick Rose back to the Bulls' lineup.","May 10, 2013\nThis week, YouTube launched its Trends Map, which breaks down viewing patterns by metropolitan area, age and gender. At time of writing, "This is Water," the new video of David Foster Wallace's 2005 commencement address at Kenyon College, is number one in Chicago.","May 09, 2013\nIn 2003, Chicago filmmaker Eric Fensler (who now lives in Portland, OR) created "GI Joe PSAs," a series of weird remixes of the odd PSAs tacked onto some episodes of "GI Joe" cartoons, which wet viral before anyone had ever heard of social media. The Verge examines their legacy.","May 02, 2013\n"'I'm not going to lie,' says Jenna Lyons, the president and creative director of J. Crew, who is an admirer of Goldman. She scares me a little bit.'" "She" is Ikram Goldman, Chicago boutique owner, "fashion ambassador", and the subject of a profile in the New York Times magazine.","May 02, 2013\nWGN Meteorologist Tom Skilling may be lovable, but he is frequently wrong about the weather. HowWrongIsSkilling.com tracks just how off the mark he is. (Of course, this is not a new complaint, and even the National Weather Service is right only about two-thirds of the time.)","April 19, 2013\nShelter puppies often suffer from more health issues than other dogs. The Lucida Puppy Fund aims to help defray the costs of keeping them healthy.","April 12, 2013\nAs nice as CTA bus shelters may be, only clueless lovers would think making out while waiting for a westbound 66 was anything like Paris.","April 12, 2013\nSeveral shuttered city firehouses are for sale, along with some other interesting places.","April 12, 2013\nAdvertising creative director Jonathan Finerty was bored with his old portfolio site so he created All-In-One Adman, and the testimonials started rolling in.","April 08, 2013\nChicago becomes sort of the central node in XKCD's map of all the "subways" of North America.","April 04, 2013\nOne of the odder places you can stay in the city via AirBnB: a birght green VW camper van parked on the street in Lincoln Park. Just $75 a night! [via]","March 29, 2013\nSome of these you've probably seen, others will be new. A collection of Chicago maps on A Continuous Lean. [via]","March 27, 2013\nle Willis Sears Tower (ahem) makes a common mistake on the spelling of Studs Terkel's name. (I admit, I've made the same error more than once.)","March 21, 2013\nRobert Bacon created a Super Mario Bros. 3 version of the CTA 'L'system map.","March 20, 2013\nBut that doesn't stop Fido from photobombing his owner's Craigslist posting for renting his Lakeview apartment.","March 20, 2013\nThings you can buy: the Chicago skyline made out of RAM.","March 15, 2013\nLupe Fiasco penned and posted a new song imagining what could have been the life of murdered infant Jonylah Watkins.","March 12, 2013\nA Redditor spotted an interesting anomaly on Google Maps: take a step forward from this spot and watch one of the last Cabrini Green towers disappear.","March 04, 2013\nA UIC researcher found that being moderately intoxicated helps one's ability to identify minor differences in pictures faster than sober people.","March 01, 2013\nBlogger James Lileks collects all sorts of things, and his set of motel postcards includes some great ones from Chicago's past. [via]","March 01, 2013\nThis here meme is taking over everything…including this website.","February 27, 2013\nR. Kelly released "Trapped in the Closet: the Confessionals, Part 1" today, which focuses on the stories of specific characters of the endless, often pointless soap opera. Wake me up when it's over.","February 26, 2013\nThe Ononeon curates actual news headlines that might make you think you're reading another site that curates fake headlines.","February 26, 2013\nSocial history photographer Camilo José Vergara is developing a personal website to share more of his repeat photography work. Included are four Chicago sites: 4434 W. Madison, 4337 W. Madison, 1117 N. Cleveland and 5134 W. Madison. Each series starts in the 1980s and continues to present day.","February 26, 2013\nFormer Chicago Bull Dennis Rodman is visiting North Korea as part of a "basketball diplomacy" trip; he hopes to meet the country's ruler Kim Jong Un, who reportedly was a huge fan of Rodman's old teammate Michael Jordan.","February 25, 2013\nThe Art Institute launched a new online exhibition of its staging of the 1913 International Exhibition of Modern Art, a.k.a. The Armory Show. The site includes everything from interactive gallery images to the programs.","February 22, 2013\nForbes ranks Chicago as the fourth most miserable city in the US, apparently based primarily on our real estate woes. Detroit, Flint and Rockford top the list.","February 18, 2013\nAmong the strangest tweets in the last few days is certainly the announcement that rooftop minister Corey Brooks is going to baptize Chief Keef when he's released from prison.","February 13, 2013\nThis Judgmental Map of Chicago covers plenty of neighborhood stereotypes, and just as stereotypically leaves out the South Side. (Thanks, Marc!)","February 12, 2013\nChicago-based cartoonist Mark Anderson loves to build LEGO spaceships — and his latest is piloted by Capt. Val N. Tine. [via]","February 05, 2013\nExpat Ed Hirsch has some sage, profane advice for friends visiting Chicago like a Chicagoan. [via]","February 04, 2013\nHow quickly can you place Chicago neighborhoods on a map? Click That 'Hood tests your strength.","January 28, 2013\nAfter recent scandals over poorly labeled sponsored articles, Time Out's Frank Sennett has proposed guidelines for online sponsored content.","January 25, 2013\nThe Admiral strip club is looking for a DJ. "No rap or hip hop allowed."","January 21, 2013\nAmtrak put together a "Gangnam Style" video touring through Chicago. Better late to the meme than never. [via]","January 21, 2013\nChicago's own Lupe Fiasco was escorted off the stage at a private pre-Inauguration concert last night after veering into a seemingly unplanned 30 minute solo of repeating the same (NSFW) lyric from his song "Words I Never Said" that criticizes President Obama's role in the conflict between Israel and the Gaza Strip.","This is not the first time Fiasco has been critical of Obama.","January 15, 2013\nWant to buy a full-size, wooden replica of the Batmobile? It's in North Riverside, and has "air cannon Nerf dart capability."","January 08, 2013\nThe GIS Lounge's review of 2012's best maps includes some interesting views of Chicago in national context, but also points to Slate's review of the Essential Geography of the United State of America highlights Chicago as a fine example of cartographic representation (half way down).","January 07, 2013\nViolence has taken a literary turn.","January 04, 2013\nR. Kelly wrote a song for the students of Sandy Hook Elementary.","Proceeds from iTunes sales will be donated to the victims' families.","January 04, 2013\nA priest in Springfield has been placed on leave following a November incident in which he called 911 to demand help with getting out of a pair of handcuffs he was "playing" with.","January 02, 2013\nIn its look back on 2012, The Onion reports on the die-hard Cubs fans who protested outside Wrigley Field, advocating that the rest of Chicago be torn down and rebuilt.","December 20, 2012\nAs Thundersnow threatens our noble city, Chicagoans can pledge to keep their sidewalks clear and find those in need of a shoveling savior on the Adopt a Sidewalk website.","December 18, 2012\nDerek Brooks spent the last 15 months living in Chicago while working on the Obama campaign. When he got back home to Iowa, he cleaned out his closet and tried on 255 t-shirts.","December 13, 2012\nBloomberg profiles Tyree Johnson, a Chicago man who has worked at McDonald's for 20 years and still makes the $8.25 hourly minimum wage. In contrast, McDonald's CEO Jim Skinner made $8.75 million last year.","December 13, 2012\nAddressed to Henry Walton Jones, Jr., a package delivered to the University of Chicago contained a dusty, detailed replica of the journal from Raiders of the Lost Arc- and no one knows where it came from.","December 12, 2012\nBrooklyn-born, Chicago-based DJ Joseph Vourteque tries to explain which parts of the city match up with New York's boroughs. Apparently there's nothing like the South Side.","December 03, 2012\nSymbolia, a new iPad magazine of comics journalism, launched today. You can snag a free preview PDF before subscribing.","November 26, 2012\nIf the United States dissolved and every state went to war with the rest, which would win? Illinois does well for awhile, with Chicago its capital, in one thorough answer. [via]","November 15, 2012\nWhen you've got a name like Luvvie, you just have to see the world as a place full of love. And for Chicagoan, activist, writer, Red Pump Project creator and humorist Luvvie Ajayi, her world is most recently full of love from Women's Media Center where she received their Social Media Award. Hopefully for Luvvie, the love doesn't stop.","November 14, 2012\nThe infamous empty lot next to the Obama's Kenwood home is on the real estate market for $900k.","November 13, 2012\nSteve Gadlin of I Want To Draw A Cat For You" fame has created a petition to be the White House's official cat portraiture artist. Naturally, I support this.","November 13, 2012\nTable XI introduces you to their senior designer, Daniel Strabley, who happens to be the guy behind InstantCosby — and reveals his coworker Jon Fernandez's creation, InstantArnold.","November 09, 2012\nChicago's high level of gang violence is nothing new, but its increasingly popular "trap" rap scene, featuring juvenile rappers that rhyme about guns, "bitches" and drugs, is adding more fuel to the already out of control fire. Many wonder who is responsible for the epidemic, the misguided teens or their parents? Chicago blogger Alexander Fruchter explores this troubling trend in an editorial for Ruby Hornet.","November 07, 2012\nCook County judge Cynthia Brim appeared in court this morning regarding her arrest in March after assaulting a deputy. Brim handily won retention to the bench in yesterday's polls.","November 07, 2012\nA Philly-based photographer takes a look at polling places in Chicago.","November 06, 2012\nComplex magazine named local photographer Debbie Carlos one of the 25 Coolest Artists on Etsy. They say she has "some of the most stunning photography" on the popular arts and crafts website.","November 02, 2012\nCustomMade.com is a marketplace for furniture, art and other custom-made and commissioned work. Plenty of the posted projects were either made or reside here.","October 31, 2012\nNestio's Don't Haunt Me, Bro will tell you. (Hull House is on their list of favorite haunted homes in America.)","October 25, 2012\n—Kanye Wes.","October 25, 2012\nFun with a label maker. [via]","October 22, 2012\n"This American Life's" Ira Glass explains how to make a balloon animal — and how to get a guy to wear a condom "without being a total buzzkill," among other sex-related questions — for Rookie.\n \nBalloon Animals: A Video Tutorial by Ira Glass from Rookie on Vimeo.","October 17, 2012\nBehold, Chapter 23 of Trapped in the Closet.","October 16, 2012\nA commercial for the latest edition of SimCity features an example of the Sears Tower being struck by meteors. [via]","October 12, 2012\n"In" space, "from" space, whatever. NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day from yesterday is a satellite snapshot with Chicago in the center.","October 04, 2012\nRandall, of honey badger fame, turns his eyes toward Chicago. [via]","September 27, 2012\nA movie about Mormons, an archive of improvised music and small-batch giardiniera are among the projects on Gapers Block's curated Kickstarter page right now. Give a hand.","September 23, 2012\nShaun Sperling, whose video of lip-syncing and dancing to Madonna's hit "Vogue" at his 1992 suburban Bar Mitzvah party made himself a You Tube sensation, got another boost: at one of her shows at United Center last week, Madge herself singled out Sperling in the crowd for a brief sing-a-long during "Like a Prayer." Madonna's publicist claims the singer randomly selected Sperling and had no knowledge of the video. You can see Sperling himself in concert this Saturday at Mary's Attic.","September 21, 2012\nSocial media meets real world interaction on Monday, when Social Media Week begins. There's still plenty of room in most of the events; see the schedule here.","September 12, 2012\nWhat images come up for "Chicago" when people in different countries search Google Images? ImageAtlas.org shows you.","September 10, 2012\nCintas is once again running its America's Best Restroom contest, and the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel is the local nominee.","September 10, 2012\nThe Chronicle of Philanthropy's recent report, How America Gives, breaks down charitable giving by state, metropolitan area and by zip code. Illinois ranks 29, and the Chicago metropolitan area comes in at 227 out 366 areas. Local donors give 4.2% of income, a median amount of $2,296. If you want to know how your ZIP code fares, take a look.","September 04, 2012\nThe Chicago Film Archives put together a collection of newsreel footage from the 1960 Republican National Convention, which was held in Chicago. There's no sound for most of it, but that's kind of a nice change compared to today's "wall-to-wall" coverage.","August 28, 2012\nThe Onion makes light of the city's high murder rate by reporting it as a fad.","August 28, 2012\nFunny filmmaker Steve Delahoyde says, "I made it eight full days before using my infant son as a prop in a stupid short film."","August 22, 2012\nThere's a certain door in a certain O'Hare parking garage that does a mean impression of jazz trumpeter Miles Davis. [via]","August 13, 2012\nSpecial, updated versions of FOX's popular '90s sketch comedy series "In Living Color," scheduled to air this year, have been shelved — at least for now. In a radio interview, Chicago comedian Lil Rel, an ensemble cast member of the rebooted series, shares his thoughts on why the laughs may have been put on hold.","August 10, 2012\nHell if I know, but this site will give you some f*ckin' suggestions. (Or maybe you just need a drink.)","August 10, 2012\nStarting today, local music education nonprofit Rock for Kids is launching an eBay auction of autographed 8×10 photos from 150 bands, including The Temptations, Pat Benatar, The Village People, Nickel Creek, Naughty By Nature, Ben Folds and more. Bid early and often to win your favorites. Bidding starts at $8.10 and proceeds benefit the charity that brings music education to at-risk youth in Chicago.","August 07, 2012\nHere's an overlay of an 1857 map over a current one of the city. [via]","August 07, 2012\nThe University of Chicago is the 5th happiest college in the country, according to a recent survey from Newsweek and The Daily Beast. If the U of C is no longer "where fun comes to die", consider this t-shirt (long a staple of the typical UChicago wardrobe) a collector's item.","August 07, 2012\nRock Island police arrested a naked man covered in cooking spray on Monday.","August 06, 2012\nThe Onion ran a video featuring a blurb about "Sears extremists" flying a plane into the Willis Tower in retaliation for changing the building's name. People on Facebook are very upset.","August 02, 2012\nAnother work day has started. Look at these Chicagoland puppies.","August 01, 2012\nA United flight from Dallas to Denver had a run-in with a bird while in the air yesterday. The flight wasn't affected, but the plane is a bit sore.","July 30, 2012\nThe Interrupters et Hoop Dreams director Steve James and author Raj Patel are currently answering questions on Reddit.","July 26, 2012\nT-shirt designer Nathan Pyle is running an animated gif contest on Threadless. The submissions are pretty fantastic.","July 25, 2012\nAccording to Eater, a "No Soup For You" Food Truck will be in Chicago on Friday, July 27. No word yet on planned stops or a route for the truck, which will feature "free iconic Seinfeld" treats and The Soup Nazi himself, Larry Thomas, so check this Facebook page for updates (and be careful when asking for bread).","July 20, 2012\nThe Art Institute's DotBot uses your computer's webcam to make Roy Lichtenstein-esque comic portraits.","July 18, 2012\nA client of nail artist Astrowifey got her nails done up with a map of the CTA. Chip a nail, lose a transfer. [via]","July 17, 2012\nSometimes the best show at Wrigley is in the stands.\n \nPhil wins a bet from regis wakefield on Vimeo.","July 13, 2012\nDesigner and past GB contributor Craighton Berman draws the country in a new music video for Marbles the Brain Store's new CD, Brain Beats.","July 11, 2012\nSlightly Insulting Chicago Posters does basically what it says in the name. It's The Chicago Neighborhoods but mean.","June 21, 2012\nGet inspired by the Kickstarter campaign for Chicago long-time sign painter Ches Perry. He's painted signs by hand since the mid '60s, and shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, he wants to fund an instructional DVD to pass on his knowledge to a new generation. This, and other worthy local Kickstarter projects, can be found in our Gapers Block curated page of campaigns.","June 15, 2012\nWant to make sure everyone knows you got a real "Chicago dog" in Chicago? This tee on Fab.com proudly states the fact for all to see.","June 15, 2012\nFather's Day means different things to different people.","June 05, 2012\nClear your schedules Friday, when the Bootmobile rolls into Chicago.","May 23, 2012\nThe Lake Shore Drive viaduct at Grand Avenue, which has been home to Shepherd Fairey's "Obey" mural for the past year, was painted over this morning.","May 16, 2012\nMaybe getting a full back tattoo of Michael Jordan with a gimpy leg and a Dennis Rodman growing out of his armpit wasn't such a good idea.","May 08, 2012\nOld Maps Online shows you where various historical maps from several collections land on a Google map. Here's Chicagoland.","May 04, 2012\nIf things are going sour at the half, consider turning off the television and looping this video of high school Derrick Rose dancing instead. [via]","May 02, 2012\nFor no apparent reason, the Chicago-set '80s sitcom "Perfect Strangers" has been turned into a a very weird online videogame.","27 avril 2012\nAn oldie but a goodie: back in 2006, Jason Kottke imagines what Manhattan would look like off the coast of Chicago and other cities, inspired by the classic Radical Cartography experiment.","April 22, 2012\nNY Mag spends an evening with NU's finest rapper (and celebrity kid) Chet Haze.","April 19, 2012\nThat "You got me pregnant at the Megadeth/Motörhead show" Craigslist ad from last week turns out to be fake, as you may have suspected. [via]","April 19, 2012\nCPS teachers are seeking state support to increase The Chicago Teachers Pension Fund (CTPF), which is currently underfunded by millions of dollars. Senate Bill 3628 would allow $270 million to flow into the CTPF but, after that, state contributions would fall to ten percent of what it provides to the Teachers Retirement Fund, which is for teachers outside of Chicago. If the bill were to pass the senate it would still need to find support in the Illinois House. Controversial spending by the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) of Illinois adds an element of question to the debate.","April 18, 2012\nRemember the search for the owner of a pit bull who fatally attacked a toy breed mix dog at Montrose Dog Beach in late March? The owner who slipped away, refusing to give his name or take responsibility as onlookers followed, snapping a picture of him and his dog and posting it online for helping the dead dog's family get some justice? The pit's owner has now been identified as an off-duty policeman, of all things. He was ticketed for failing to report the incident, and has been relieved of his police powers while an investigation is conducted.","April 17, 2012\nBlackhawk and Little Bird helicopters engaged in a military training exercise downtown darted through the streets with no lights on, stirring up a flurry of tweets and videos from confused Loop workers and residents.","Later in the evening, two MH-6 Little Birds flew along the Chicago River corridor as well. (Thanks John for the chopper ID!)","April 16, 2012\nAs AON moves out of the Uptown neighborhood this summer, the neighborhood is gaining another type of commerce. The company's staff parking structure on Broadway (near Argyle) will be utilized as a part-time vintage market from June-October, with vendors selling straight from their methods of transportation on the third Sunday of each month.","April 12, 2012\nIf you got busy in an Aragon bathroom during the Megadeth/Motörhead show in February, you've got a kid on the way. [via]","April 12, 2012\nLocal art and design blog Colossal, The Chicago Portfolio School, Pitchfork and The Onion (whose web team is local) are nominated in this year's Webby Awards.","April 05, 2012\nTina Fey is a big fan of Chicago, but warns that "a dude might bite your nose off."","April 03, 2012\nIf you're itching to stylishly transport that new iPad or maybe an iPhone or MacBook Air or Pro, check out the lovely "Biblio" handmade covers offered via Kickstarter by FoGB George Aye (he's shot some inspired photos at Pitchfork over the years for Transmission) and David Hull. The sweetness is in the video on the campaign page (also after the jump). See other GB-curated Kickstarter campaigns.","April 03, 2012\nIn honor of National Poetry Month, here is A Poem From Us, yet another awesome project from former GB staffer Felix Jung.","April 02, 2012\nThe map of Chicago looks even better in watercolor.","You might also dig this map.","April 02, 2012\nOne of Google's April Fool's pranks this year was to release an 8-bit "Quest" version of Google Maps, which supposedly runs on the Nintendo Entertainment System. But while it may be a prank, it results in some pretty amazing low-res views of Chicago.\nChicago, Legend of Zelda style:\nA view of the buildings across from Google's Chicago offices:\nMarina Towers:\nThe Hancock:\nThe Bean and skyline:\nBuckingham Fountain:\nWrigley Field:\nThe Field Museum:\nA surprisingly colorful Sears Tower:\nThe Water Tower:","March 27, 2012\nGoogle's doodle today is a depiction of IIT's Crown Hall, in honor of architect Mies van der Rohe's 126th birthday. The Mies van der Rohe Society is throwing a party tonight, with a focus on the architect's influence over hair stylist Vidal Sassoon.","March 25, 2012\nFantastic Chicago-based Lesbian website The L Stop, (aka "the one stop for everything lesbian in Chicago") just published their list of the 10 Chicago Lesbians to Look Out For.","March 23, 2012\nGoodie Mags is a service that sends magazines to your loved ones in the hospital, nursing homes, even jails and prisons. You can also send magazines to your favorite incarcerated celebrities! The first celebrity recipient? According to Goodie Mags founder and CEO Miriam Bhimani, former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich.","March 21, 2012\nThe Chicago Council on Global Affairs and Community Media Workshop launched ChicagoStories.org today as a resource for journalists coming to the city to cover the NATO summit.","March 20, 2012\nOK Go's latest adventure is OK Gopid, an online dating site that matches your profile with one carefully selected by one of the band's wacky contraptions.","March 12, 2012\nOpen Culture collects interesting audio and video from 290 cultural icons, including Saul Bellow, Bill Murray, Shel Silverstein and Frank Lloyd Wright. [via]","March 10, 2012\nA ChipIn account is accepting donations for Remmy the dog, whose owners are Shawn Smith (the genius behind Shawnimals) and his wife Jen. Remmy was attacked by two dogs in her Logan Square neighborhood this past week, and while she's recovering, it's to the tune of about $9k in veterinary bills.","March 08, 2012\nWhile Chicago's bid for the Olympics may have failed, a local group is launching a campaign to bring the 2013 Quidditch World Cup to Chicago. To see Quidditch in action, check out the highlights from last year's championship.","March 07, 2012\nA game made out of reclaimed barn wood, a children's book about Chicago history and student compilation CD from Intonation Music Workshop are among the recent additions to the Gapers Block Kickstarter page.","March 07, 2012\nGothamist founder Jake Dobkin created GrafRank, a ranking of "important graffiti artists around the world using data drawn from the internet." Chicago is, of course, well represented.","March 06, 2012\nCongratulations to the U of C's Ted Gonder, whose Moneythink organization is one of five winners in the White House's Champions of Change Challenge. [via]","March 05, 2012\nStudents at the University of Chicago use social media to raise awareness about certain unsanitary living conditions — including exploding toilets — in one of the oldest dorms on campus.","March 01, 2012\nThe Reader reports some drama in the realms of the hip-hop web culture involving Fake Shore Drive and a keyboard crusader tweeting and blogging under the name Real Shore Drive.","March 01, 2012\nPresident Obama backed the Bulls once more in an interview with ESPN last night. During the podcast, he alluded to his possible re-election and included that sometime during his presidency, "it will happen." Considering the possibility that he's not re-elected, this could be the year. Droite?","February 29, 2012\nLen Kendall proposed to his girlfriend, Katie Holland, via Buzzfeed, and the social mediasphere went wild. Thankfully, she said yes.","February 29, 2012\nAndrew Rosinski has fixed that.","February 27, 2012\nLittle Lady, a Jack Russell terrier available for adoption in the area, looks a great deal like Uggie, the canine star of The Artist (which won Best Picture at last night's Oscars) who was also a shelter dog.","February 17, 2012\nA new city ordinance promises to hold cab companies liable for repeat-offender drivers. The law will go into effect in the summer and is expected to make current laws surrounding cab drivers, which are typically circumvented, easier to enforce.","February 16, 2012\nComedy troupe Hot Snow knows that rich bigotry knows know race, creed or sexual preference.","February 14, 2012\nMitch O'Connell has an astounding collection of weird Valentine's Day cards.","February 14, 2012\nChicago residents can now volunteer to shovel a snow-covered sidewalk by claiming a section of the city on their smart phone through a new web app, Adopt-a-sidewalk. The app also connects volunteers with seniors and people with disabilities who might need help with snow removal.","February 14, 2012\nChicago is spending about $193,000 for police face shields — Money well spent?","February 14, 2012\nIf you love old photos of Chicago as much as we do, new blog Chicago Past looks extremely promising.","February 12, 2012\nCheck out the full transcript of Tribune reporter David Kidwell's Feb. 8 interview with Emanuel — an interview described as "sometimes contentious, sometimes humorous."","February 10, 2012\nHere's a brief video asking 35 locals why they love Chicago — and which is part of the "175 Ways to Love Chicago" project.","February 09, 2012\nIn light of the city sticker controversy, designer Aaron Kraus looked for evidence of gang signs in other civic symbols. Cook County might have a problem. (Then again, there's also the flag.)","February 07, 2012\nSmashing Pumpkins, Fall Out Boy and the University of Chicago all earned homemade shrines from Rookie mag readers.","February 02, 2012\nLocal comic Ever Mainard had a set this past Tuesday at Chicago Underground Comedy that people are still talking about. Not just comics; people who have never done a stand-up set in their life are talking about it. Luckily, it was caught on video so that those of you who weren't there can witness the moment that people will talk about for years to come. Right now, though, I'm going to Arrêtez talking about it, and let you see for yourself.","February 01, 2012\nCheck out this video posted by Brokelyn, a spoof of Portlandia's "Did You Read It?" sketch. Keep an eye out for a Chicago version and send it my way immediately.","February 01, 2012\nThe "shit ___ say" meme is thoroughly played out, but this one is notable for its inclusion of Richard Roeper performing Bill O'Reilly's famous "Inside Edition" temper tantrum in its entirety.","January 31, 2012\nYou've been pronouncing "Kanye West" all wrong. [via]","January 29, 2012\nInterested in the Tribune's new weekly book supplement, Printers Row? You can check out a free digital sneak peek here.","January 28, 2012\nA mysterious portrait of Mayor Rahm Emanuel created as a movie poster of the Godfather appeared in the office of Tribune columnist John Kass. And he'd like to know who sent it to him. He even checked it for bugs, just in case.","January 27, 2012\nIf your indoor plants are seeming a bit lonely, why not get them a set of wee Obamas to keep them company.","January 26, 2012\nLooking for Glove is a new site by FoGB Dubi Kaufmann attempting to help lost gloves and mittens find their mates.","January 26, 2012\nBears aren't in it, which mutes much of my interest in the game, but the commercials still got a shot at tuning me in. I caught wind of this 10-second teaser, featuring the hometown '80s icon and all time favorite bad influence Ferris Bueller, who looks ready for some mid-life madness.","January 26, 2012\nThe "Sh*t People Say" meme is spreading through the Internet faster than a cat with its tail on fire, and YouTuber LyonEsEnTodo brings it home with "Sh*t Chicagoans Say." What DO you say, Chicago? Tweet it to us @gapersblock.","January 26, 2012\nChicago "L" Hangman is pretty much what it sounds like. [via]","January 24, 2012\nLocal comedy duo and NEDTalks creators Seth and Kellen skewer two memes at once in a self-described "desperate attempt to go viral."","January 23, 2012\nThe "Shit ___ Say" video meme train is finally pulling into Chicago. Add your suggestions for the video over on Reddit.","January 20, 2012\n…but you can be driven around Chicago in a Ferrari by this guy for $300/hour.","January 20, 2012\nWGN-TV footage from the city's fourth worst blizzard in history, that brought down nearly 19 inches of snow from Jan. 13 to Jan. 14, 1979.","January 18, 2012\nChicago's failed Olympic bid still haunts the Internet on Google street view.","January 17, 2012\nTwo separate controversies are battling it out in the Yelp-a-verse: a sommelier so angry at a negative review of his wine-tasting courses that he created a fake blog for the rater that documented a (fabricated) criminal history and substance abuse problems (she's suing him); and a dog obedience trainer who reportedly choked and kicked a dog in his care in front of a number of local animal rescue groups at an adoption event this past weekend.","January 16, 2012\nMichael Jordan: Chaos in the Windy City was a Super NES videogame released by EA in 1994, to very poor reviews. If you have a couple hours to kill, you can watch a guy play the whole thing on YouTube in, appropriately enough, 23 parts. Or download the ROM and play it yourself.","January 12, 2012\nJust happened upon some footage that features some of the best bboys, or breakdancers, in the city, battling it out at the Alternatives Youth Center back in November.","January 12, 2012\nIf you see folks taking dibs on parking spots after it snows, or even if you have proof of pre-dibs, share it with Chicago Dibs.","January 11, 2012\nAs Redditor DrapedInVelvet said, "And I thought I had too much free time."\nClick to see the full version:","January 10, 2012\nThe time on the symbolic Doomsday Clock, which tracks how close the world is to global disaster, has been adjusted. The time was moved from six minutes to five due to "ongoing threats from nuclear proliferation, climate change and the need to find sustainable and safe sources of energy." The Clock is maintained by the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists at the University of Chicago.","January 06, 2012\nAaron Kraus has created a Tumblr (NSFW) with an intersection of the phrase "Hey Girl" from Ryan Gosling memes, Rick Santorum's positions women's rights and pictures of Rick Santorum. Submissions to the blog are being accepted (Still NSFW).","January 04, 2012\nThe Lincoln Park Zoo has a new owl (it's a snowy owl; what's with those this year?) and have left its name up to a Facebook poll. A.V. Club Chicago wasn't inspired by the choices, so it took to Twitter to elicit some more.","January 04, 2012\nA deep dish pizza makes an appearance in an unlikely place.","December 30, 2011\nThe Resolution Generator knows.","December 30, 2011\nWBEZ has a downloadable list of Chicago traffic maven Sarah Jindra's favorite tweets from the past year. Ah, the memories.","December 29, 2011\nA Super-Fan in the making? (Thanks, Fruzsina!)","December 28, 2011\nChicago's entry in Wikipeetia, the misspelled encyclopedia.","December 27, 2011\nStop by the Chicago History Museum's lobby to see Pie Face, one of several games developed in our fair city (along with Mouse Trap, Operation, and Lite-Brite) by Marvin Glass & Associates.","December 23, 2011\nChristmas toy delivery has been outsourced to FedEx, so Kris Claus has been looking for a job. Plan B hired him.","December 20, 2011\nOffice party or living room bash — you still need some good tunes. Refinery 29 blogs that DJ Matt Roan has your Christmas hip shakers all in one mix you can stream or download.","December 19, 2011\nKim Jong-un, the son of recently departed North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, was obsessed with Michael Jordan during his teen years: the future dictator loved to wear Air Jordans and spent hours "doing meticulous pencil drawings" of the legendary athlete while attending a Swiss boarding school. Jong-un reportedly also had pictures of himself with former Bulls player Toni Kukoc (and Kobe Bryant) hanging in his dorm room.","December 14, 2011\nThe New King of R n' B wants to take you to his floating "Hotel" and sail the Bahamas with you.\nSeafarers can join The Pied Piper of R n' B in a stepping class to learn "The Love Signals," experience cuisine prepared under the watchful eye of Mr. "Sex in the Kitchen," and compete the "12 Play" basketball tournament. This will be R. Kelly's first concert cruise so all bets are off. Judging by Aziz Ansari's response of a past Kells performance all shipmates will have a "Wonderful" time. More info is on the Love Letter Cruise website.","December 12, 2011\nBear with me — Energy Impact Illinois has put together a web series following Big Bill and Little Bill (both played by Second City actors) who share a variety of tips and tricks to help homeowners make their homes more energy efficient for the upcoming winter.","December 09, 2011\nIf you're a fan of "The Office" (or just love paper), the Dunder Mifflin Paper Truck will be in town next week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Follow the truck on Twitter at @DMPaperTruck for exact times and locations.","December 07, 2011\nLongtime Andersonville tavern, Simon's, had a theft from its basement over the weekend of an antique cash register that's as old as the bar itself (nearly 77 years). If you have any leads, they'd be very interested to recover it. [Update: Simon’s has additional information describing the register, should you see it at your local pawn shop or flea market.]","December 02, 2011\nDid you know there's no such thing as Santa Claus? WGN's Robin Robertson broke it down for her colleagues earlier this week on-air earlier this week; after some viewers called in complaints, she then apologized.","December 01, 2011\nA bit of tinkering with the Guinness Book of World Records search engine will let you see all records currently held by Chicago and its residents.","December 01, 2011\nTime Out Chicago discovers that while things might not be so hot, members of the Millennial generation have got what it takes to prevail.","November 30, 2011\nCongratulations to Northwestern student Lawrence Dai, whose mission to watch Julie & Julia everyday for a year (and blog about it at The Lawrence/Julie & Julia Project), ended last night with a viewing party in Denver attended by his fan club and Amy Adams's mom.","November 18, 2011\nSure, if you can afford to pay $15,000 in rent. Oprah's renting out her Streeterville condo.","November 18, 2011\nIf you search for "planes overhead" in (Champaign-based) Wolfram Alpha, it'll give you a list of planes flying over your location, along with a sky map. [via]\nHere's one from last night:","November 17, 2011\nSomeone snuck a photo of Xzibit into an exhibit in the Oriental Institute Museum.* As they say, the intertubes are leaking.","*OK, really they just photoshopped it in there, but where's the fun in that?","November 15, 2011\nThe corner of State and Madison becomes 4437th Street and 4363 Avenue on ExtendNY, which applies New York's grid worldwide. [via]","November 15, 2011\nThe Ghostbusters have a Chicago Division, in case you need some ghosts busted over by dere. [via]","November 14, 2011\nSee if you can spot Chicago at the beginning of this stunning time-lapse video of Earth at night, short from the International Space Station. [via]","Earth | Time Lapse View from Space, Fly Over | NASA, ISS from Michael König on Vimeo.","November 11, 2011\nBig Dog Eat Child is back with a couple more Twenty-Something Ninja Turtles","November 09, 2011\nWinnie the Pooh rides the CTA.","November 08, 2011\nIn case you missed it sur Twitter this morning, for a little while there was a Lake Michigan-shaped storm covering the entirety of Lake Michigan.","November 08, 2011\nA Lincoln Square local scours the internet daily to find the best sweepstakes out there to give everyone a chance to win. One Sweeps offers a sweepstake a day where you can decide if you'd like to enter.","November 03, 2011\nOne of the best TribLocal headlines I've read, "It's hard out there for a mime," is actually about a teen mistaken for one when what he intended was to dress up as a dancer from America’s Best Dance Crew. "…not used to seeing street performers in a residential neighborhood, some neighbors were confused and called police."","October 26, 2011\nEver wonder what it's like to be inside one of the planes in the Chicago Air & Water Show? [via]","October 20, 2011\nValentino Vamp posted a picture of two young women who dressed up for a night on the town on May 25, 1944.","October 19, 2011\nNow on Feast of Fun: After coming out to his parents, a gay soldier decides to come out to his pizza delivery guy.","October 18, 2011\nA Lincoln Park dentist office is offering kids money for their Halloween candy this year.","October 18, 2011\nFoo-gos.com recreates sports and other logos with food; here's the Blackhawks logo made out of hotdogs, pickles, mushrooms, sauerkraut and ketchup. [via]","October 13, 2011\nWeb folk, you have less than 24 hours to buy the United Pixel Workers Illinois Local 21 t-shirt.","October 12, 2011\nThe official video for rapper/Northwestern student/son o' Hanks Chet Haze's "Hollywood" is out. You're welcome.","October 07, 2011\nThe Fake Criswell, the amazing Twitter predictor of science, now has a website.","October 07, 2011\nGoogle's map of Chicago seems to be a little inconsistent: in some versions, Madison Street is missing west of the river, and Randolph Street is listed as "planned."","October 04, 2011\nThe Blagojevich's Ravenswood Manor home is for sale; just $1,070,000 for a piece of Illinois history. WBEZ's Justin Kaufmann makes some suggestions on how to jazz up the listing.\nPhoto by Eric Allix Rogers.","September 29, 2011\nEverything is Terrible strikes again.","IT'S THE 90S! from Everything Is Terrible! on Vimeo.","September 26, 2011\nSeems like it arrived a little early; it won't be Hoth-like weather for three or four more months. [via]","September 26, 2011\nInspired by Morgan Spurlock's recent film, one Chicagoan is looking for 34 sponsors for his Halloween costume.","September 25, 2011\nNot all of this advice is strictly good.","September 16, 2011\nGalvea Kelly of Irish marketing agency NUA asked 50 people in Chicago what their favorite memory is.","September 14, 2011\nA dude who decided to relieve himself in an Uptown alley on Saturday didn't realize that a security camera was watching his every move(ment). (Maybe kinda NSFW)","September 08, 2011\nWe've linked to it before, but with all the Playboy Club hub-bub, it seems like a good time to point out the Ex Playboy Bunnies Website, an online community for Bunnies new and old.","September 06, 2011\nGB flickr pool contributor MewDeep uploaded a somewhat creepy 1965 Life magazine photograph of balloon men over the Chicago River.","September 04, 2011\nTrump International Hotel and Tower got the Lego treatment curtsey of Sean Kenney and about 65,000 Lego pieces. Since the tower itself is a glass and steel structure, the "reflected" skyline was built on the inside of the 10-foot sculpture to better simulate the glassiness. On display at the Chicago Lego store. Sean's Tribune Tower is awesome too.","September 04, 2011\nNew trouble for hometown giant Groupon, this time self-inflicted. According to a report in The New York Times, Groupon chief executive Andrew Mason may have broken SEC rules preventing a company from attempting to "condition the market by hyping its stock" by issuing an internal memo recently. In it, he defends against media reports about the company's numbers, a balance sheet that will no doubt be adversely affected if Groupon's IPO is put on hold.","September 02, 2011\nYou truly belong here with us among the clouds…","August 31, 2011\nA resident of the Green Street Lofts, where our mayor and his family lived until they were able to move back into their Ravenswood home, found an interesting angle for selling his condo.","August 27, 2011\nThe Trib's slideshows aren't always top-notch quality, but none match this hilarious phone-it-in gallery of photographs of things that have the same names as recent hurricanes.","August 26, 2011\nFrom the audience of the recent Del Close Marathon in NYC, a Las Vegas-based improviser named Eric D. Angell casually told a story of having sex with an "old, drunk girl" in a hotel room in Chicago several years ago that sounds a great deal like rape. See for yourself; it was all captured on video.","August 25, 2011\nCheck out the minimalist, typographical transit maps of TRNSPRTNATION.","August 24, 2011\nChicago is included on Bård Edlund's pretty but confusing Weather Wheel — but unfortunately so is the popular misconception about why we're called the Windy City. [via]","August 22, 2011\nWe've seen some heartbreaking instances of missing dogs around the city lately. If you're a pet owner, microchipping can help locate your lost pet. There's also a few sites that can help advertise your search.","August 19, 2011\nKate O'Leary lovingly maps some of her personal Lincoln Square landmarks on They Draw & Travel.","August 18, 2011\nHell's travel and tourism site recently got a spectacular redesign at the hands of local designer Chris Herron. [via]","August 10, 2011\nUniversity of Chicago fourth year Mitchell Kohles challenged the automated storage and retrieval system at the U of C's newest library, the Joe and Rika Mansueto Library, to a race. How did Mitchell do? Let's go to the tape, err, YouTube video.","August 01, 2011\nRorschmap turns googlemaps into kaleidoscopes. Here's Chicago. [via]","July 29, 2011\nOn Re-Nest, they have a swell Etsy find: specialty cast-iron pans in the shape of Illinois. You can even load up on pans in the shape of other Midwestern states if you so desire.","July 28, 2011\nFrom Studio Sweet Studio comes The City Scout, a stylish set recommendations of places to check out in Chicago (and soon Brooklyn) from local creative types.","July 27, 2011\nThe late Amy Winehouse loved her Ronnie Spector-esqe beehive, a hair design that was created in Chicago a whopping 50 years ago.","July 25, 2011\nRemember Chicago Express Airlines? Me neither. Its flight attendant uniform and others from American, Midway and United are among more than a thousand in this massive collection. [via]","July 21, 2011\nTavi Gevinson, the teen fashion blogger behind Thestylerookie.com, is shopping a book. The proposal for "Diary" suggests "the book will be one part make-your-own scrapbook, one part feminist manifesto for girls and one part celebrity memento collage."","July 15, 2011\nGangsta rap about Python, straight outta the suburbs. (NSFW)","July 12, 2011\nEric Fischer's "See Something or Say Something" project maps geotagged tweets and Flickr photos and shows where they overlap. Chicago lights up nicely.","July 07, 2011\nCraig Shimala's latest work is a time-lapse video showing every sunrise over downtown Chicago for the month of June. [via]","July 06, 2011\nLocal jewelery designer Ashley Scott's new line, "Drapes," is currently featured on fashion blog, Refiney 29.","July 01, 2011\nDoesn't The Bean look like a vaguely ominous gateway to a parallel dimension? [via]","July 01, 2011\nWhat's a San Antonio reporter to do when strangers continually mistake him for our mayor? Write an article of course. [via]","June 30, 2011\nCheck out this awesome personal stationery from architect Frank Lloyd Wright circa 1946.","June 29, 2011\nThe video we've all been waiting for has finally dropped.[[via]","June 28, 2011\nIf you need a compelling reason to go to the Taste (and really, who doesn't), Grub Street has a nifty map showing where vendors are coming from, all over the city. You'd save gas money just by going to Grant Park — especially if you're into dessert.","June 27, 2011\nNorthwestern's finest rapper/rising sophomore Chet Haze dazzled the clubgoers at Enclave Friday night–and his famous mom and dad were there, too!","June 27, 2011\nJune 25 was Reddit Arbitrary Day. Chicago's redditor meetup was also a concert; here's a photo and audio essay by occasional GB contributor Fruzsina Eordogh.","June 24, 2011\nA MetaFilter thread about the venerable Chicago-L.org led me to Railfan, a 2006 PS3 game simulating the Brown Line. You can find it used on Amazon and elsewhere, but it's not cheap.","June 22, 2011\nEspecially when you're the only Cubs fans on the train to Wrigley.","June 22, 2011\nApparently you can pack the entire population of Oman into the city limits.","June 22, 2011\nAnother summer, another travel guide from the BBC.","June 21, 2011\n"That day when it's everyone's birthday but yours."","June 21, 2011\nStewart Gibbs, a health care administrator living in River West, was arrested late Sunday night after police discovered him in his apartment; Gibbs was drunk, naked, and covered in his dog's blood after trying to remove a cyst from the animal's ear with a butcher knife. The animal will recover. Gibbs was charged with felony animal cruelty.","June 13, 2011\nI Am Not Greg follows a hoofed critter who seems to have lost his way in East Lake View.","June 10, 2011\nA Redditor's coworker found an old quiz in her desk drawer titled "So You Think You Know Chicago"; how many can you guess? (The answers.)","June 06, 2011\nDesigner Gerard Huerta created a number of iconic band logos, but his rendition of Nick Fasciano's Chicago logo in a fingerprint is pretty inspired.","June 02, 2011\nWe at Gapers Block are big fans of Kickstarter, as you may have noticed. So much so that we've set up a curated page filled with local projects we think sound cool. Threadless, Pitchfork and a bunch of other non-local organizations have pages, too.","June 01, 2011\nAccording to the webcomic xkcd, "if you take any article, click on the first link in the article text not in parentheses or italics, and then repeat, you will eventually end up at "Philosophy." Chicago is only 13 steps away. (We're 14.)","May 31, 2011\nU of C-trained doctor Amy Lehman, who founded a floating medical clinic in Africa's Lake Tanganyika, showed off her large tattoo of the lake's geography for the Daily Beast.","May 26, 2011\nThe developers behind the Opera web browser are going to miss Oprah — because of the great misdirected emails they get. (Don't worry, guys, she's just moving to cable.) [via]","May 25, 2011\nCompletely missed this this winter: "Why You Hate Comic Sans," a presentation by David Kadavy given at Ignite Chicago. [via]","May 24, 2011\nBeyond lending street cred, this tattoo helps its owner with pesky questions from tourists. (At least it's easier to reference than the last one we linked to.)","May 20, 2011\nUnited Airlines got into some public relations hot water earlier this week when code numbers of flights that were part of the 9/11 tragedy were accidentally reinstated in their operating system.","May 19, 2011\nThe baby white-cheeked gibbon at Lincoln Park Zoo took his first steps to a poppy synthesizer soundtrack.","May 19, 2011\nWhen the Rapture comes on May 21 (or anytime in the next 10 years), Eternal Earthbound Pets will take care of your left-behind pets for a simple, one-time fee of $135.","May 16, 2011\nFor the record, this vintage ad from the "Soda Pop Board of America," based here in Chicago, is completely fake.\nAs handily annotated above, the ad features obviously satirical copy ("fitting in" is a purported health claim), a Coca-Cola bottle with a backwards logo, and a fake address (there's a Hart Street, but it runs north-south, for just a block). And then there's the name — Soda Pop Board? While very wholesome, almost nobody calls sweetened carbonated beverages "soda pop," least of all the industry itself. It was created as a spoof for the sadly defunct The City Desk which published nothing mais fictional news. But hey, don't tell that to this guy.","May 13, 2011\nLunchtime just got a lot more rocking since White Mystery is going to play live at the Threadless HQ today. Lucky for you, you can catch the whole thing from your cube on Ustream starting at noon.","May 13, 2011\nRemember the two dogs who were rescued after falling through an iced-over Lake Michigan back in February after their owner abandoned them? One of the doggy duo, a 2-year-old pit bull terrier mix named Honey, is now available for adoption.","May 11, 2011\nThere's a whole lot to read on Jesus-Is-Savior.com, whose author grew up in Chicago and writes about the city frequently. (Sensitive readers be warned.)","May 10, 2011\nThe Illinois entry in the 50 and 50 Project may call to mind a certain local hot dog purveyor.","April 29, 2011\nGoogle Maps captured a lovely and mindblowing photo of a plane flying over Hyde park. (via)","April 28, 2011\nMoat lets you browse through all of a company's online ads. Such as Groupon, McDonald's, United and the Tribune.","April 27, 2011\nAnd speaking of Reddit's "Ask Me Anything" forum, here are all the Chicago-related threads.","April 25, 2011\nThe Chicago Grid has returned as a quarterly publication after a few month hiatus.","April 22, 2011\nA scientist at Argonne National Laboratory has studied ways to turn plastic grocery bags into materials that can produce printer ink and batteries.","April 22, 2011\nRed Door Shelter's Spring to Life Raffle ends tomorrow at 4pm. Tickets are $1 each, and prizes include $1,000 in cold hard cash, a Kindle, a case of wine, a weekend getaway on the North Shore, and Vosges chocolate bars. Proceeds benefit care of the Shelter's animals (while you're at it, look at these awesome fluffly bunnies, this doggy, and this kitteh–they're all available for adoption, along with many others!).","April 22, 2011\nWrite your own.","April 20, 2011\nThe Kanye West Foundation, which was created to decrease school dropout rates through creative programming, has folded after four years of operating. The charity's grantmaking dropped dramatically after the 2007 death of West's mother Donda, who was the Foundation's founder.","April 19, 2011\nI'm not entirely sure what "Guys Book Club" is about, but it sure ain't books.","April 18, 2011\nAll week, Chicago Publishes will feature poems from The Poetry Center's Hands on Stanzas program. Check back daily for a new poem and a Q&A with the poet.","April 13, 2011\nAccording to this report by WBEZ — old municipal buildings never die, they just turn into theaters. Next in line? Griffin Theatre Company — they just bought an abandoned police station near Foster and Damen for one dollar. When your neighborhood police station gets replaced by a theater, well, I think that's a good sign.","April 12, 2011\nGizmodo shows what areas of Chicago would have been affected had the tsunami/earthquake/Fukushima power plant tragedy struck here instead of Japan. I'm going to go hide under my bedsheets now.","April 11, 2011\nThe Poetry Foundation has redesigned their website to be "richer, faster" and more user-friendly.","April 11, 2011\nAfter years of trying, Roger Ebert is a finalist in The New Yorker's caption contest for this drawing. Voting closes at 11:59pm on April 17. [via]","April 10, 2011\nYou have to love letterhead that shows exactly what a company does. Vintage letterhead from The B. F. Cummins Company, 1914.","April 05, 2011\nIllinois's 2nd congressional district has the least lonely ladies in the land. Check out R. Luke DuBois's maps, which he created after analyzing the profiles of 19 million singles from 21 dating sites, to learn more.","April 05, 2011\nChicago's Bear Brand Hosiery Co. (whose Gary factory was finally torn down in 2009) once sold socks that grew with, um, you.","April 05, 2011\nAccording to the Sun-Times, the Loop, Rogers Park and Chatham have the most potholes in the city. [via]","April 05, 2011\nHighrise/Out My Window, a web documentary about high-rise apartment buildings in 13 cities — including Cabrini Green, shot by our own David Schalliol — won an International Digital Emmy.","April 04, 2011\nA cryptic — and possibly encrypted — tweet appeared on the @MayorEmanuel account briefly last night before being deleted. The Puzzler caught it, and is looking for help figuring out what it means.","April 04, 2011\nA reader submitted a photo on Windy Citizen and wonders if Banksy (or a local street art fan) created this topical image of Moammar Gadhafi in Chicago.","April 01, 2011\n"@avoision: Split my toenail pretty bad last night. Seeing doc on Monday, but slightly worried. Does this look infected? http://bit.ly/h3VI3R"","March 31, 2011\nWondering what to do for April Fool's Day tomorrow? Alicia from Uncle Fun visited the "Guy Bauer Half Hour" to share some tips.","March 31, 2011\nA cobra at the Bronx Zoo took to Twitter after escaping from its cage this week. The animals of Brookfield Zoo, Twitter veterans themselves, dropped it a Remarque. "Hey @BronxZoosCobra; we animals have been tweeting for a few months now, where've u been? Let's tweet up-just hop on a plane."","March 23, 2011\nSurprisingly few Chicago-related submissions to Dear Blank, Please Blank, but the ones there are pretty great.","March 22, 2011\nWest Loop-based green furniture company Strand Design recently launched an online store. Now you can buy new furniture while you sit on your old furniture. In your underwear.","March 21, 2011\nI'd love to see Google Maps add a night-time version of the satellite map overlay. In the meantime, there's Night Earth.","March 21, 2011\n…People in Chicago will do a surprising number of things. [via]","March 21, 2011\nWebsite youarelistening.to offers mashups of police radio chatter and ambient music from five North American cities, including Chicago.","March 16, 2011\ntheWit Chicago needs a correspondent for the second season of their "Witisodes" web series. The correspondent, in exchange for covering going-on around the city, will be compensated with a food and drink stipend, some free stays at the hotel, and $150 (per episode?). Interested applicants need only make a 60- to 90-second video to apply. Deadline is March 24. Click here for more details.","March 14, 2011\nA few years ago National Geographic dispatched some photographers to 60614 to produce this vignette of life along the L.","March 14, 2011\nChicago-based entrepreneurs Kevin Wielgus and Angelo Rago have launched JabberJury.com, a free online forum for settling all manner of debates. [via]","March 09, 2011\nSaved for posterity by Josh Larios, @MayorEmanuel's tweets, along with contextual replies.","March 08, 2011\nThere's a new high-tech frontier for advertising at O'Hare: animated video ads on the bathroom mirrors. [via]","March 08, 2011\nEver wonder what European cities are even with Chicago latitudinally? Je ne me demande plus.","March 07, 2011\nLocal lip sync legend Keenan Cahill starts off a new Smartwater commercial starring Jennifer Aniston that The Daily What calls one of the worst ever.","March 04, 2011\nThe internets are leaking: Jay Ryan made a slikscreen print of a recent viral video. (Thanks, Su!)","March 03, 2011\nIn the midst of all the weirdness, it appears Charlie Sheen owns vintage Wrigley Field seats and likes Chicago-style hot dogs. (You may also want to read this.) UPDATE: Actually, Sheen just ate at a place called The Infield (Thanks, Brismi!).","March 03, 2011\nWhat's worse, Chicago? Being called "big-boned", or being the cattle to mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel's herding dog? The New York Times sounds like the best frenemy we ever had.","March 02, 2011\n"'Twas born to the House of Lorraine in 1478 in the town of Bar-le-Duc of northern France. Mine occupation is court royal to Louis XII, a fine king indeed." And now Robert the Courtier tweets about the Art Institute's new exhibition of art in Renaissance France.","March 01, 2011\nTwo contests on Facebook offer to give some lucky Chicagoans some valuable and memorable prizes: you could win free rent for a year from apartment-hunting site domu, or luck out with a ride on the Mercy Home float in the St. Patrick's Day Parade.","March 01, 2011\nThe Tribune Apps team created a Google map overlay showing the percentage rise or drop in population for Chicago and the region. They launched another one tracking mayoral votes by precinct today.","March 01, 2011\nDirty Six-Thirty, a web series set in Chicago.","February 27, 2011\nActor and comedian Thomas Lennon ("Reno 911!," "The State") has a handmade tribute to Oak Park's Lake Theatre in his living room.","February 25, 2011\nChicagoist breaks it down, curse by curse. Download the whole tweet archive in PDF form for posterity.","February 24, 2011\nApparently, Sweden's Statoil gas stations now offer a "Chicago menu" of a (non-Chicago style) hot dog, a Coke and …baby carrots? [via]","February 23, 2011\nWith a new Mayor-elect in the wings, one ponders if the city can be unified by a crowdsourced alcoholic beverage. Chicagoans, the choice is yours. (h/t Joe)","February 19, 2011\nLocal band Empires are competing in a contest to be featured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. Help them out by voting for them here. [via]","February 17, 2011\nChicago comedy troupe Funemployed has created a special PSA video for all those who don't know who (Grammy award winning band) Arcade Fire is. (h/t Sandor)","February 17, 2011\nVirgin America showed off its marketing savvy buy partnering with Groupon for today's launch of service between O'Hare and LA or San Fran. The deal sold out in less than an hour.","February 17, 2011\nAlways correct. [via]","February 16, 2011\nRyan Hodgson-Rigsbee pairs photos and music to create the webzine Urban Nature. Plug in your headphones and enjoy.","February 15, 2011\nSpeaking of nickd, his Shitty Portmanteaux is as awesome as jeggings.","February 15, 2011\nPublic Collectors.","February 11, 2011\nBig Dog Eat Child has a your anthem.","February 09, 2011\nA good Samaritan found two dogs at Howard Street Beach yesterday that had fallen through the ice. The dogs' owner, after being tracked down, admitted that he had dumped them near the (freezing) lake because he didn't want them anymore. Do you? Contact the Bark Bark Club for details on how to adopt.","February 09, 2011\nHere's a Department of Development and Planning map showing how neatly Chicago stored its ethnics in 1950. Note how the Swedes are encircling the Irish in the lower-right quadrant. Was it something we said?","February 08, 2011\nThe Book Club's compiled a list of notable, local literary blogs — go check it out, and say something if you feel they've left someone out.","February 08, 2011\nYou think stealing someone's dibs spot is risky? Try stealing their shovel.","February 03, 2011\nAnother time-lapse video of the blizzard, this time from the Blackhawks. Worth watching for the mystery of why there were plows clearing the parking lots next to the United Center pretty much non-stop. (Thanks, Dominick!)","February 02, 2011\nYou heard it, but in case you didn't see it, now you can. UPDATE: Turns out that photo's been on the web for at least two years. Sorry to share a fake; thanks to Marc for the heads up.","February 02, 2011\nNot that this will help you today, but Punxsutawney Phil did see his shadow this morning, which predcits an early spring.","February 01, 2011\nA new take on the upcoming snowstorm. (Thanks, AnswerDave!)","February 01, 2011\n@MayorEmanuel isn't alone on Twitter, you know. @MayorMiguel, @MayorCarol et @MayorChico are ready for your attention.","January 27, 2011\nSadly, it is no longer possible to order strip tease necktie that glows in the dark; the office at 215 N. Michigan Ave. no longer exists. [via]","January 27, 2011\nYou can keep up with Crain's Chicago Business and Hyde Park's 57th Street Books on their brand new Tumblr blogs.","January 27, 2011\nIllinois is best at robbery according to one map, but it's also most average, according to another one.","January 27, 2011\nBlackBook spent a few hours with Liz Phair in her old stomping grounds of Wicker Park and Lincoln Park. [via]","January 27, 2011\nChicago's Digital Kitchen created some very impressive columns for the latest Las Vegas casino, The Cosmopolitan. [via]","January 27, 2011\nYou really just have to watch the video and read the story about a guy who tried to rob a Subway and then stole a cab in Des Plaines before crashing on Clark Street in Rogers Park just blocks from a police station. "You see so many things on Clark Street," said a witness. (h/t Damon)\nUpdate: WGN's SkyCam9 got some extra footage of the "chase".","January 21, 2011\nI'm not endorsing this in any way, but this edit to the Chicago entry is at least mildly funny on a day like today.","January 21, 2011\nDIY lifestyle mag ReadyMade recently gave props to (already beautiful) Pilsen bar Simone's for their accidental artistic venture: blank beer coasters. Patrons are enjoying the chance to draw their own designs and decorate it with a glass of their favorite bevvy.","January 18, 2011\nCrain's Chicago Business talks to some Chicago-area bloggers about why they've quit.","January 17, 2011\nThe Sears Tower in Minecraft. [via]","January 17, 2011\nAnother map boiling the US down to a single trait (previously), only this time by foods.","January 14, 2011\nJudith Jamison will be delivering the keynote address at the U of C's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration this afternoon at 3:30pm. You can watch the webcast live here. [via]","January 13, 2011\nA patron at Mullets Sports Bar & Restaurant in Homer Glen got into some trouble after he broke a framed picture of A. C. Slater. A. C. Slater was the mullet-wearing wrestler on the television series "Saved By The Bell."","January 12, 2011\nSince we've posted about both "best things" and cards today, how about the Chicago Opener, the "world's best card trick?"","January 12, 2011\nLocal PR guy Mitch Delaplane believes he's drafted "The Most Amazing Press Release Ever Written."","January 12, 2011\nLos Angeles native and Northwestern student Chet Haze is a rapper who also happens to be the son of actor Tom Hanks. [via]","January 07, 2011\nOr rather, don't. 37signals is encouraging you to make Jan. 19 Boycott a Meeting Day.","January 07, 2011\nRoger Ebert got quite a bit of heat for a controversial tweet about the removal of a certain word from Huck Finn. He later apologized.","January 06, 2011\nWhile you're working hard at not being a dick on the bus, also don't be a gym jerk! Tips courtesy of WCIU and Cheetah Gym.","January 05, 2011\nWhen Chicago mayoral candidate Carol Moseley Braun was unable to attend an LGBT event in person, she did what anybody in her position would do: she called the event organizer, who held his phone up to a microphone so the attendees could (sorta) hear her speak to the gathering. [via]","January 05, 2011\nArt Daily reports that last year, the Chicago Public Library circulated 8.8 million items and provided 2.8 million free computer sessions. A less cheery statistic: librarians reported that 60 percent of their time with patrons involved helping them look for jobs on library computers.","January 05, 2011\nIf you watch the animated map on this page, you can see the wave of obesity rising and making its way toward Illinois.","January 04, 2011\nWhile we're on the subject of stylish students, the U of C has its own in Rafael Menis, the "Tie-Dye Guy."","January 04, 2011\nJustice Antonin Scalia doesn't think Chicago-style deep dish pizza is really pizza, and said as much in an interview with California Lawyer magazine: "It's very good, but … call it tomato pie or something. … I'm a traditionalist, what can I tell you?" [via]","December 30, 2010\nSomehow, being number one in the country in gang membership is a positive energy policy for Illinois. [via]","December 29, 2010\nThat's what Chicago's dialect is, I think, according to this dazzlingly complicated map.","December 28, 2010\nIf you haven't figured out a New Year's resolution yet, the Chicago Portfolio School's Resolution Generator may be able to help.","December 24, 2010\nThird most chivalrous city in the country, according to Dockers.","December 23, 2010\nI can has cheezburger (Doritos), animated.","December 23, 2010\nAlthough most of us probably couldn't care less, art gossip junkies out there will be tickled pink by ArtSlant's saucy new list of Chicago's 2010 art controversies.","December 22, 2010\nIn Chicago Magazine's "40 Reasons to Love Chicago," reason 35 highlights some epic architectural rivalries. Stanley Tigerman's "shove it" to the UIC architecture department takes the cake.","December 22, 2010\nA man was recorded stealing UPS packages off of a porch in Andersonville over the weekend. Police are still looking for him, or waiting for his heart to grow three sizes. [via]","December 20, 2010\nCraig Shimala turns Chicago into a water wonderland with a digital camera strapped to his windshield (and a nice ambient soundtrack).","December 17, 2010\nTime Out Chicago's Frank Sennett took a look at Chicago media websites' reading levels according to Google. I'm not sure I agree with his all his results. Here's how GB's sections break down.","December 17, 2010\nThe Loneliest Monk released their debut music video this week. The cello and drumset dreamscape was shot by Chicago film collectives Rubbish and HYSTK. The HD version of The Ghost & the Silhouette is up on YouTube.","December 16, 2010\nMayor Daley's looking rather bear-like in this portrait, part of the Chicago Urban Art Society's The Daley Show. [via]","December 16, 2010\nIn the latest Chicagoist podcast, Karl Klockars talks with the creators of Rahmfacts.","December 15, 2010\nDesign firm Faust will be out front of NBC Tower on Friday, Dec. 17 from 7 to 10am to promote Appreciate-It, a site they hope will collect a million appreciative sentiments, which they'll submit to Guinness as the world's longest holiday card.","December 15, 2010\nVanity Fair shares their ten favorite questions from Rahm Emanuel's Chicago residency hearing.","December 15, 2010\nSinger R. Kelly reached out to fans last night by posting a photo of a hand-typed letter to his TwitPic stream. Added bonus: his signature is accompanied by a sketch of a teddy bear head.","December 14, 2010\nLocal writer Tim Steil received a strange, mangled letter in the mail recently, forwarded from the fictional Romanian MidAtlantic Postage Recovery at 82.5 S. Cicero.","December 10, 2010\nThis miniature Chicago Manual of Style is probably the only style guide you can use to decorate your Christmas tree.[[via]","December 10, 2010\nWith ballcaps, Bulls at the top. [via]","December 10, 2010\nHerbert Fickenworth, 12 years old, Chicago, writes: "I am picking and selling mushrooms every day."","December 10, 2010\nThreadless designer Mig Reyes made it to the second round of Layer Tennis playoffs, and is playing today against Atlantan Mark Weaver. You can watch him work live during the match.","December 10, 2010\nThe iO-based improv group Warm Milk have created a videogame called Improv Heroes, with characters based on local improv greats.","December 09, 2010\nNorthwestern University student Lawrence Dai is watching Julie & Julia every day for an entire year. Naturally, he is blogging about it. [via]","December 09, 2010\nTurns out "come with" isn't just a Chicago (and Midwest) thing, it's grammatically correct. Read the study here.","December 08, 2010\nBuick wants you to "re:discover" Chicago, and turned to Busy Beaver's Christen Carter, Groupon's Andrew Mason, DJ Kate Simko and others for insider looks at the city. Carter and Mason also did a driving tour video together. [via]","December 08, 2010\nThat's what popped up for us on the United States of Autocomplete.","December 08, 2010\nA gallery captures the grandeur and elegance of the Granada, Uptown, Adelphi, and other Chicago area "lost palaces" — movie theaters that recall a bygone age.[[via]","December 07, 2010\nApparently Oprah is evil after all…","December 03, 2010\nThe minty and ballyhooed, Michael Bay-directed Victoria's Secret commercial has hit the Internets and lo, Chicago and our friendly neighbor to the north, Milwaukee are both featured prominently. Well, their cityscapes at least. Yep, that's Marina City you see behind some beauty's behind. And, that's right, there's the Calatrava-designed Milwaukee Art Museum. Not really a surprise that Chicago and Milwaukee were used as sets for the shoot. Bay's been in town since this summer for the next Transformateurs sequel and well, supermodels just hang out here all the time. Droite?","December 03, 2010\n…and All I Got Was Brutally Murdered: what the title of Devil in the White City should have been, according to Better Book Titles, where you can "cut through all the cryptic crap" of titles local and otherwise.","December 02, 2010\nIn 2050, Chicago will be the major megalopolis holding together the Great Lakes Mega-Region, according to the Regional Plan Association.","December 01, 2010\nThe Howard Brown Health Center, which recently has been plagued by financial problems, has gotten a spot of good luck: an anonymous donor has agreed to donate $25 to them for every new Facebook friend added to the Center's profile today, in honor of World AIDS Day.","November 30, 2010\nEat your heart out, DOMA! The law needs to pass in the Illinois Senate, which it is expected to do; when approved, the law will be effective next July.","November 29, 2010\nThat's a really great deal![[via]","November 26, 2010\nMade in Chicago.","November 19, 2010\nThe Trib's Kevin Pang just tweeted that anybody with a Hot Doug's tattoo eats at Hot Doug's for free for life. UPDATE: ChicagoNow first reported this back in 2009, so think of Kevin's tweet as a friendly (and delicious) reminder. FURTHER UPDATE: Confirmed by Hot Doug himself.","November 19, 2010\nAccording to research done at universities here and in China, people don't mind busywork if there's a good excuse.","November 18, 2010\nWhen the WGN Morning News crew misses the collapse of a bridge they'd been waiting to broadcast, they take it in stride.","November 16, 2010\nOK Go, a band that used to call Chicago home, released the video for "Last Leaf" last week. It's animated entirely with pieces of toast.","November 15, 2010\nDale Bernis of Oak Forest will be inducted into the White Castle Hall of Fame after writing an essay about how White Castle has affected his life. [via]","November 10, 2010\nJason Lazarus, a photographer and instructor at the Art Institute, wants the personal photographs people can no longer bear to look at for his "Too Hard to Keep" archive. Details on how to submit photographs to Jason are posted on his blog for the project.","November 09, 2010\nAdd our city's skyline to your holiday cards, or whatever would benefit from Chicago's silhouette, with Merriment Design's free templates. All she asks is that you e-mail or comment when you do.","November 09, 2010\nOur own Mr. West entertained folks on a Delta flight last Friday over the loudspeaker. Was his own plane in the shop? UPDATE: Here's a longer recording from another passenger on the flight.","November 08, 2010\nTravel + Leisure just posted the results of the 2010 'America's Favorite Cities' poll. We've got good pizza and a great skyline, but no one wants to visit us at Christmas.","November 08, 2010\nBill Murray's jour de la marmotte is the palette for an incredible videomix by HomeStarRunnerTron. [via]","November 05, 2010\nEWeek's Geek's Guide to Chicago is pretty basic, but it hits mostly right notes.","November 05, 2010\nNot sure where it's located, but here's a nifty 19th Century Chicago Lutheran church re-purposed as a artist's loft. Unfortunately, sometimes God's old college buddies show up in the middle of the night, looking for a place to crash.","November 04, 2010\nNoBodoni's Spurius Press has an impressive collection of Chicago Ephemera. (Some nice fonts, too.)","November 03, 2010\nThe folks at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum want you to name their box turtle. The winner will have his or her picture taken with said turtle, and receive a one-year membership and turtle gift basket–most likely not including a turtle.","November 01, 2010\nA building at Columbia College was shut down today after an administrator received a threatening message that was left over the weekend on a voice mail system.","November 01, 2010\nSo, I'll follow up with: Despite all their rage they are still just primates in a cage.[[via]","October 28, 2010\nCarl, Amy, Layne and Kaitlyn are the Billboard Family, and you can hire them to wear your company shirt "all day long." They're from St. Louis, but according to their site they sometimes visit Chicago, Seattle, Walt Disney World, and the Southern Illinois University area. Let us pray this doesn't escalate into tattoos.","October 25, 2010\nSpeaking of the Sears Tower, This awesome map (best viewed large) of what you can see from the top is apparently hiding somewhere in the Ball State University GIS Research and Map Collection over in Muncie. [via]","October 25, 2010\nThe Breakfast Club gets immortalized in needlepoint.","October 25, 2010\nThe only problem with the Adam West for Mayor campaign is he protects a rather different Gotham. Well that and he's already mayor of Quahog. [via]","October 25, 2010\nIra Glass sings Elliott Smith.","October 22, 2010\nMy (and everyone else's) secret television girlfriend Tina Fey presents her thoughts on Chicago's best restaurants, sandwiches, and why we're superior to New York.","October 22, 2010\nCartoonist Lucy Knisley has a better Halloween costume than you. [via]","October 19, 2010\nMajor Carpet Burn dug up a bunch of monster movie mag layouts and crazy old ads, including one from the Help Company Club at 4554 Broadway. Remember, fellas: "No man is any good without a woman."","October 18, 2010\nThe almost comically bedraggled Willow, up for adoption at Chicago Canine Rescue, has inspired an outpouring of sympathy (and adoption subsidies) on Reddit.","October 15, 2010\nIn the wake of Universal Pictures pulling the controversial promo for his upcoming movie The Dilemma, Vince Vaughn made a statement over the kerfuffle: "Drawing dividing lines over what we can and cannot joke about does exactly that; it divides us."","October 15, 2010\nWatch Threadless designer Mig Reyes take on Jessica Hische in today's Layer Tennis match at 1pm.","October 15, 2010\nAn off-campus party full of drunken Northwestern students earns a letter of complaint by an Evanston resident, who said that a group of students frightened her young daughter with their "hollering about [oral sex]"","October 14, 2010\nLetters of Note finds an A League of their Own-era Madonna complaining to photographer Steven Meisel about Geena Davis, playing baseball all day, and the pain of being in our "yuk"-ky city.","October 13, 2010\nI'm sure the new Palace nightclub, opening Nov. 4 inside the Alhambra Palace on Randolph will be awesome, but its Facebook page makes me wonder what's happening to the social network's simple, uncluttered design.","October 12, 2010\n"Funemployed" takes a comical look at the state of work — or lack thereof.","October 12, 2010\nThese were once the kind of spontaneous publicity — your name in print — that made people.","October 11, 2010\nThe CTA Tattler posted a picture of a woman wearing a snake on the North Avenue bus.","October 08, 2010\nOprah pops up in the strangest places. [via]","October 07, 2010\nCover letters apparently pouvez get you a job. [via]","October 06, 2010\nI'm going by anecdotal evidence, but it seems like a lot of people move around September — warm their house with these suggestions from local gift shops, compiled by Time Out Chicago.","October 06, 2010\nApartment Therapy profiles Chicagoan and production artist James Wurm's industrial and practical, yet attractive and welcoming kitchen-studio-living space, created in a Pilsen storefront. It's worth checking out for the chandelier alone.","October 01, 2010\nLocal cartoonist/musician Archer Prewitt designed the cutest little Allen Ginsberg doll you ever did see. [via]","October 01, 2010\nThe Glam Beast thinks that whoever's behind the Des Plaines I ♥ DP campaign should have considered a better abbreviation (easily offended folks might not want to click that link). But there's a silver lining: they're completely sold out.","October 01, 2010\nBased on a scale called the Train Romance Index Score Total (how Kinseyian), the CTA Belmont stop (Red, Brown and Purple lines) is the most romantic place on the El.","September 29, 2010\nA women's studies professor uses hip hop to drop some knowledge about feminism in "Feminist Rapper," by improv actor Jenny Hagel. [via]","September 28, 2010\nAnd other food, too: the 2nd place winners for Judges' Choice in the Chicago Bacon Takedown have a blog, The Green Chalkboard, where they explore porky and non-porky (or even meaty) delights.","September 28, 2010\n@MayorEmanuel is as NSFW as you'd expect it to be. (Meanwhile, @MayorRahm is conspicuously silent — and @RahmForMayor is self-censoring[thanks[thanks@sterno!].)","September 27, 2010\nChicago-based glassware company By the Glass has been getting some attention lately for their tasteful lines of drinking glasses inspired by several cities around the world. Maybe I'm biased, but I like the Chicago line.","September 27, 2010\nThe University of Chicago mascot has been reborn. While it may be "bigger, meaner, and much more maroon," does it actually look like a phoenix or just a beefed up war chicken?[[via]","September 27, 2010\nMarketWhiz.Biz tests your knowledge of the market valuations of various companies in relation to Facebook's supposed $33 billion.","September 27, 2010\nChicagoan Jennifer Fastwolf wasn't thrilled to find herself on People of Public Transit, a blog poking fun at people on trains and buses. Rather than take the photo down and/or apologize, the site's owners changed every photo on the site to hers for the weekend (screenshot).","September 23, 2010\nU of C law professor Todd Henderson has quit blogging for Truth on the Market now that his recent controversial post has been lampooned by everyone, including the WSJ.","September 23, 2010\nCreated by a member of local theatre troupe Abraham Werewolf, the new site Simple Auditions aims to connect actors with auditions in the Chicago area. If you're interested in casting some talent, they're offering free listings until October 15th.","September 22, 2010\n"Never Not Find What You're Looking For Again!"","September 22, 2010\n"What a truly great city Chicago is. It's like NYC without the baked urine smell or masturbating-guy-on-the-subway episodes. Three cheers!" (Thanks, George!)","September 22, 2010\nFormer Chicago Journal editor Brett McNeil is spending a year teaching in Indonesia. Follow his adventures and observations here.","September 21, 2010\n"Tell Me If My Breath Smells for $600 Per Hour."","September 21, 2010\nTry the Dick Tracy Continuity Randomizer, a tool from the Comics Curmudgeon that demonstrates how random the strip often was. [via]","September 21, 2010\nNPR started a conversation about what it takes to be rich by referring to a now-deleted blog post by U of C law professor Todd Henderson in which he said his family was "just getting by despite seeming to be rich."","September 19, 2010\nCheck out this map, whose hues spell out the geography of Chicago's racial and ethnic makeup. Based on the Radical Cartography map we linked to back in August.[[via]","September 15, 2010\nBut if you did, you're probably spending about $60 an eighth.","September 15, 2010\nMeet Mr. Chicago and other adorably anthropomorphized typefaces at Supersmelle's tumblr.","September 14, 2010\nThis is "a good start" down the rabbit hole that is the Found Magazine "Find of the Day" archives.","September 09, 2010\nEven with all the hoopla over the impending mayoral elections, Asian carp are still looming large in our dietary and cinematic imaginations. And now, they're taking this thing national: the United States just got itself a carp czar.","September 08, 2010\nGB flickr group contributor J.Knecht found a plane with some interesting image capturing artifacts in Jackson Park on google maps.","September 08, 2010\nThere are two results on flickr for the query "Chicago Catzilla."","September 07, 2010\nTeen lip-syncer Keenan Cahill is apparently the new hotness in YouTube memes. Even Katy Perry's a fan.","September 02, 2010\nSpeaking of, FoGB Phineas Jones points out that Dinosaur Comics references the S.S. Eastland disaster in today's comic. Learn more about it from the Eastland Disaster Historical Society.","September 02, 2010\nScreaming across the night sky like a ball of hellfire cast by an angry deity, the people of earth cowered and dubbed this avatar of cosmic glory… Mifflin? Vraiment? Anyway, the Field Museum recently acquired four chunks of (sigh) Mifflin, and science geeks can drool over its stats here.","September 01, 2010\nThe Threadless design team takes to, of all places, Facebook to give fans a peek into their process. [via]","August 31, 2010\nInvestigation of a rumored "dry run" of a terrorist plot via a flight that originated at O'Hare was canceled; the two men who were detained yesterday will not be charged.","August 27, 2010\nThe skyrocketing success of Chicago-based Groupon has spawned many copycat deal sites–but none as blatant or bizarro as Big Lion. The only thing more phony than a Russian rip-off would be a Chinese cheater! What the Faker?!","August 26, 2010\nCartoonist Dan Meth is on his way to Chicago, and here's what he plans to do.","August 24, 2010\nLocal music label, Contraphonic, has recently launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund their nationwide aural mapping project as a part of their already successful Sound Series. Chip in a few clams and help to preserve the best sounds of Chicago, New York, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, and other locales.","August 20, 2010\nThis BBC map of the fallout if Chernobyl had happened in Chicago is rather timely in light of the Braidwood nuclear power plant shutdown earlier this week. [via]","August 20, 2010\nEpitonic, one of the first streaming mp3 sites, is planning a comeback, with local musician Justin Sinkovich back at the helm. The relaunch is being funded through Kickstarter.","August 19, 2010\n…of not maintaining his storage locker. The Arlington Heights-based company who Blagojevich owes $3,000 to is planning to auction the contents this morning, with the proceeds going to Children's Memorial Hospital. The ex-governor claims to be too broke to pay the back rent.","August 18, 2010\nFear no ART Chicago just released their newest webisode: an interview with 3 Blondes & a Bald Guy, winners of the 2010 Art on Track A.W.A.R.D.","August 16, 2010\nThe A.V. Club has a first-person account of what what happened at the Gathering of the Juggalos this weekend when "entertainer" Tila Tequila was attacked by festival attendees.","August 13, 2010\nAt least when they're compared with Brooklyn hipsters.","August 12, 2010\nHow do you even begin to examine and biopsy a suspicious growth on a four foot long electric eel? Put on some non-conductive gloves as a start, and get some help from the folks at the Shedd Aquarium.","August 12, 2010\nThe Public Servant Blog nominated Chicago's boulevard system as number four on its list of the top 20 urban planning successes of all time.","August 10, 2010\nRamadan began tonight, which means Muslims must fast from sunup to sundown and abstain from anything impure for the next month. This includes anger. Which is why Olivia Kompier, homeschooling parent of three, created ScreamFreeMuslims.com, a website to help Muslims cope with the crabbiness that comes easily while fasting.","August 09, 2010\nThese slideshows from Time Out Chicago and Style.com focused on the style found at Lollapalooza 2010.","August 09, 2010\nDouble rainbow all the way across the site!","August 09, 2010\nImmersive Games knows how to kill your productivity.","August 06, 2010\nCheck out this useful chart which breaks down exactly what R. Kelly believes in. No word yet if a similar chart for "You Remind Me Of Something" is available.","August 05, 2010\nAnne wants to know why we're all alcoholics. Thin-skinned Chicagoans provide her with the answers! This is why the Internet exists!","August 05, 2010\nDid you see a crab claw smoking a cigarette on a stop sign?","August 04, 2010\nTo celebrate President Obama's 49th birthday (which he will be celebrating in Hyde Park tonight), the GOP has released a set of political attacks disguised as e-cards that you can send to him.","August 04, 2010\nA viral email has been circulating filled with outrage over the new "Cook County Correction Center" "built by Obama" in Chicago pictured as a beautifully designed glass and steel building on rolling hills dense with trees. Obviously not Chicago, so where is it? Snopes has the answer. (Thanks, Don!)","August 03, 2010\nCombining Kanye's tweets with New Yorker cartoons has turned into a meme.","August 03, 2010\nNot that we needed Forbes' validation, of course.","August 03, 2010\nProfessor Snape lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, according to his business card.[[via]","August 02, 2010\nWhen she was not folding towels at the Evanston YMCA or performing at Second City and IO Chicago in the mid-nineties, Tina Fey was talking about interest rates.","August 02, 2010\nThe U of C's Writing Program loves dissecting sentences from academic articles, and lets you write your own jargony academic sentence.","July 28, 2010\nCoudal has created another charming film, this time featuring the sights and sounds of the Monona County Fair in Iowa where the team was peddling their new Field Notes County Fair edition.","July 27, 2010\nChicago makes a cameo in this time-lapse video of a road trip from Ohio to Minnesota.","July 27, 2010\nUnited Airlines gets poor marks in childcare at O'Hare, but is the real story here that 9-year-olds are cool enough to be self-proclaimed vegetarians?","July 26, 2010\nFirst, there was I Want to Draw a Cat for You, drawing cats for just $10. Now there's May I Please Draw an Owl for You? undercutting by $2, provided you don't mind an owl instead of a cat. Meanwhile, I'll Draw Any Animal You Want (with a notable exception) does it three-for-$5. [via]","July 22, 2010\nOne more example of the web bleeding into real life: webcomic Pictures for Sad Children spotted on a wall on Halsted.","July 22, 2010\nRespected research and abs development journal Men's Health has decided that we're the 11th most angry city in America. They can go f*ck themselves.","July 20, 2010\nChicago's best-known political street artist Ray Noland (a.k.a. CRO) was interviewed by Art Slant Chicago's Abraham Ritchie while he passed out Blagojevich-themed cupcakes outside the courthouse during his trial.","July 20, 2010\nThe Smoking Jacket, Playboy's safe-for-work site, is now live.","July 16, 2010\nHistoryPin is a photomapping site that puts photos on a map and links them to their era.","July 15, 2010\nDon't talk abo- Wait, did you just say Ferris Club?","July 14, 2010\nThe Blackhawks got a special video response from the Old Spice guy regarding what he'd do with the Stanley Cup.","July 14, 2010\nCan't keep up with all those daily coupon emails? Try following Deal Radar to see all the offers at once. (Thanks, Rachelle et Anna!)","July 14, 2010\nWith its 40th issue, local webmag KeepGoing.org turns 10. The regular contributors took a moment to reflect.","July 09, 2010\nToday isn't a good day for visitors to Garfield Park … or for the fish who live(d) there.","July 09, 2010\nOh and he was also in a group called the Go Getters before "College Drop Out," check it out.","July 08, 2010\nThe summer interns at the Art Institute have started a twitter account where they post funny things they overhear patrons say in the museum. The results are hilarious and sometimes adorable. Oh, and they have a blog now, too.","July 02, 2010\nThe true origins of Bros Icing Bros have been discovered in the archives of British Cinema Institute. [via]","July 02, 2010\nCarrie Malec of Chicago is suing Snooki and JWOWW of MTV's "Jersey Shore" for assaulting her at a Miami bar in May after Malec danced with other castmembers.","June 30, 2010\nLeah A. Zeldes of Dining Chicago argues that meatloaf really is a summer food, and passes off a simple, delicious-sounding recipe from Chef Alfredo Anaya does at Dine in the West Loop. [via]","June 29, 2010\nZoomar reprints an old ad touting a, presumably, naughty book about a pretty girl in Chicago. I'd touch-type cette, bro.","June 28, 2010\n"Walking down Lincoln, trying to stay alive."","June 24, 2010\nIllinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office is looking into the "radius clauses" imposed by Lollapalooza upon its performers. These clauses prohibit bands from playing in Chicago for months before and after the musical festival takes place in August 2010.","June 24, 2010\nAccording to a study by the makers of Combos Snacks, Chicago is the seventh manliest city in America. The ranking process involved "using manly criteria like the number of home improvement stores, steak houses, pickup trucks and motorcycles per capita."","June 24, 2010\nAlways awesome: From last night's storm, a triple lighting strike on the Hancock, Trump, and former Sears Tower.","June 24, 2010\nChecking in at Kickstarter, there are some local projects looking for funding. Films Southern Comfort et Marathon, an animation project for the Blue Line tunnel, a website collecting stories of Chicago chefs' favorite farmers and more await your support.","June 24, 2010\nSpeaking of cool things in the new Chicago magazine, they have a list of 40 words that Chicago and Chicagoans have contributed to the English language. So want people to know you're a true Chicagoan? Call them an asswipe or an egghead.","June 23, 2010\nThe spire atop the Trump Tower will be turned on for the first time tonight around 8:29 pm.","June 23, 2010\nChicago's beloved mobile street entertainment known to one and all as Puppet Bike will offer up a little piece of itself on eBay starting next week. Owner/Creator Jason Trusty is "retiring" several older puppets and you can take them home, if you're the highest bidder.","June 23, 2010\nChicago blog Strange Closets takes a close look at the charming and beautiful all around us. Similar to Apartment Therapy, but 100% local, the blog features shopping, interior design, and architecture you'll love looking at.","June 22, 2010\nVenture to the West Side much? Maybe you should.","June 17, 2010\nOprah Winfrey will be getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2011.","June 17, 2010\nBig Dog Eat Child knows that even mutant ninja turtles don't stay teenagers forever.","June 16, 2010\nDon Thompson, COO of Oak Brook-based McDonald's, talks to the Trib about his tenure at the company, and why a French McDonald's commercial featuring a gay teenage boy and his father won't be airing in the US any time soon.","June 15, 2010\nYou're in luck: The media titan is looking for a budding talk show host for her new cable network, OWN.","June 12, 2010\nLocal biker, blogger, and super-cool chick Julie thinks USA Cycling should enforce standards that make it possible for women to have access and ability to race like their male counterparts. Hopefully the local associations get a lot of requests and start requiring parity.","June 11, 2010\nLocal Twitter folks Mike Minnick et Dave Gorum help answer the question, "What if Twitter came to life — again?" (Here's the first one.)","June 09, 2010\nThere's a new Grévy's zebra colt at the Lincoln Park Zoo, the first born since 2001. More really cute pictures and videos here.","June 08, 2010\nCoffee wasn't being served at the President's commencement address at a Michigan high school last night.","June 07, 2010\nChicago Cares is still looking for volunteers for this Saturday's annual Serve-a-Thon.","June 07, 2010\nMoshe Tamssot is sick of folks from the nearby United Center and bars using his alley as a urinal. So he decided to get even.","June 03, 2010\nDesigners take a crack at re-imagining some ho-hum license plates, including that of Illinois. (via)","June 03, 2010\nEither Elmhurst is some sort of internet search hub or its residents are extremely bored and horny.","June 03, 2010\nDid you know that there's a Bronzeville Children's Museum, and that it's in … Calumet Heights?","June 02, 2010\nThe BP oil plume if it were in Chicago.","June 02, 2010\nThe Field Museum comes in at number seven on the America's Best and Top Ten site's list of the Best Dinosaur Museums in the USA. I suspect Sue will demand a recount.","June 02, 2010\nDid Google StreetView cameras capture the shooting of a child on the South Side? Hard to tell from the image whether it's a real gun or a toy, but the buzz around it has caused Google to remove the image. UPDATE: It's been brought to our attention that the image surfaced a year ago. On the Internet, everything old is new again!","June 01, 2010\nThat's, um, a very specific site you have there.","June 01, 2010\nMaybe not, but Bonnie McGrath wants to know what the hey those two big stones are doing in Grant Park. Any ideas? Later: Updated link!","May 25, 2010\nLast Saturday, NBC's Ann Curry delivered the commencement address at Wheaton College's graduation in Norton, Massachusetts; however, when citing famous graduates of the school, she erroneously cited alums of the autre Wheaton College — the one in the Chicago suburbs.","May 24, 2010\nSpeaking of interesting maps of the city, Chicagoist points to one by photographer Eric Fischer that uses geotagging info from Flickr to map photographers' travels through the city.","May 24, 2010\nLeather goods brand Coach is suing the City of Chicago over the sale of counterfeit Coach merchandise at the New Maxwell Street Market.","May 21, 2010\nMarc Fischer takes photos of anti-car barriers, unlovely and utilitarian devices intended to protect garages and buildings from, well, cars.","May 20, 2010\nUn Amityville Horror-like gathering of bees amassed under a wicker table in Oak Park today in an obvious attempt to induce the heebie jeebies.[[via]","May 18, 2010\nMashable takes a look at five web sites that "are introducing new approaches to the consumption of information that few have tried or thought of before." Two of these sites are ChicagoNow and EveryBlock.","May 18, 2010\nThe MacBook Pro that film critic Roger Ebert uses to speak is missing. It was last seen in the back of a taxi in Cannes, France, where Ebert is attending the Cannes Film Festival. There is a reward for its safe return.","May 17, 2010\nThe Chicago Public Library's poster contest entries are now open for voting. Vote through flickr by Sunday, May 23.","May 14, 2010\nThe Museum of Online Museums has been collecting odd obsessions for many years. Now it invites you to meet some of the collectors.","May 13, 2010\nFormer Cicero town president Betty Loren-Maltese has left her job as a hostess at Salerno's in Oak Park. Maybe she's looking to get in on the food truck trend?","May 13, 2010\nSecond City has a YouTube channel.","May 12, 2010\n…Would just be corporately sponsored and smell just as sweet. The Onion's AV Club reviews the naming history of several big marquees in the Chicago area. Of particular note: The Chicago Marathon for three years was sponsored by G. Heileman Brewing Company and was known as the Old Style Chicago Marathon.","May 07, 2010\nFerris Bueller's Day Off played out live on Twitter and Foursquare today. All the major characters are there. [via]","May 06, 2010\nHe really is everywhere: nearly a year after the stencil spawned a group art show, Ray Noland's jogging Blago has been spotted down in the Tar Heel state.","May 06, 2010\nThe University of Chicago 2010 Scavenger Hunt is on. A PDF of the list is here.","May 06, 2010\nGuess who's got his own Facebook page? That's right, Ike — the Eisenhower Expressway Dog.","May 06, 2010\nSo this exists: Miss Wicker Park.","May 05, 2010\nWhat some would call a quintessentially Midwest food is now available through Le Cordon Bleu graduate "Johnny Casserole"'s delivery service.","May 05, 2010\nRavenchase's P.O.E. — Puzzles Over Email — sends you a monthly riddle to solve; figure it out and you might win a prize.","May 04, 2010\nHere's how to leave no doubt as to where you're from: cover your passport with the Chicago flag.","May 04, 2010\nThe Program in Linguistics of the Department of English at George Mason University has a entertaining collection of recordings of people speaking the same peculiar phrase. The classic Chicago accent is well-represented by subject: english82, female.","May 03, 2010\nNow that United and Continental airlines are looking to make their union official, WBEZ thinks that United should keep the merger ball rolling by merging with something else. Anything else, it would seem, as shown in this poll.","April 30, 2010\nRaccoons the size of orangutans and German shepherds! Bending steel bars! Fashioning crude stone weapons and mastering fire! Wait, scratch that last one. But the rising number of foreclosed homes in the city give raccoons places to grow bigger, stronger, and feistier. Side note: After reading Ms. Ward's account, can I be forgiven for thinking of a certain story by Poe?","April 27, 2010\nIf you enjoy statistics and data, this site is for you.","April 26, 2010\nApartment Therapy is looking for some guys who have a room in need of a do-over. Lucky for you, Chicago is one of their five selected metro areas (but sorry, ladies, this project is for boys only). Apply by May 24.","April 26, 2010\nEver dreamed of getting married in Wrigley Field? Just enter the Home Run Inn, Lou Malnati's and Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Co.'s "Through Thick & Thin Photo Essay Contest" and start planning that red brick and ivy fairy tale.","April 26, 2010\nNo, Lionel Richie, someone's just looking for a terracotta bust of you like the one from your "Hello" video. (It gets weirder.)","April 23, 2010\nVocalo's Lee Bey sees some of Chicago architecture's best views in hip-hop videos.","April 22, 2010\nWrigleyville tends to draw a vast blogger presence. But hey, what's one more URL to bookmark among die hard fans? Cubs Fan Report launched today as a collaborative of them all, as well as major news Cubs coverage.","April 22, 2010\nCheck out this United Air Lines ad from the good old male chauvinist pig days. Trapped on a plane with a bunch of drunks, all smoking cigars and pipes and stuffing themselves with steaks? Uh, I'll take the train.","April 21, 2010\nWant the taste of Alinea at a fraction of the cost? Reproduce the menu with jelly beans. [via]","April 21, 2010\nDon't eat meat, but still want in on the latest fast food abomination? A local young lady and her boyfriend help you out with their meatless version of the KFC sandwich.","April 19, 2010\nReporting in from Milan, Craighton Berman brings us The Eyjafjallajokull Chair.","April 19, 2010\nScare the neighbors into moving their cars. Make an imposing lawn sculpture. Create a giant float and protest the street sweeping schedule. If you buy your own, the possibilities are endless.","April 19, 2010\nCraig Clark is scanning his life, including his dog. [via]","April 16, 2010\nLast year, the Woodlawn Wonder tweeted about spring heralding the return of gators to city sidewalks. This year, she's got pictures.","April 16, 2010\nLast night, Scott popped a very big question at the Cloud Cult show.","April 16, 2010\nIt's Foursquare Day — connect with your fellow Mayors and badge-unlockers, and enjoy special deals at participating businesses when you check in.","April 16, 2010\nStarting at 2pm today, Coudal's Layer Tennis will be played around the world in 10 layers — and the second will be by Chicago's Mig Reyes.","April 13, 2010\nGetting married soon? If you make your dress out of toilet paper you might win $1,000 to buy one that's made out of real fabric. Need inspiration? Check out this article featuring 2005's Chicago-based TP wedding dress contest winner.","April 13, 2010\nRoger Ebert's Twitter followers are less stupid than Oprah's.","April 12, 2010\n"2) Telling Internet people that you work for a newspaper feels a bit like telling them you're a Civil War reenactor." The rest of Rex's list is here. [via]","April 08, 2010\nNot only does the First Lady have some new neighbors, but she also seems to have an entirely new upper body.","April 08, 2010\nChris Ware's smartest kid on earth will provide you with hours of plush and depressing fun. Place him on your couch or bed and taunt his decapitated helplessness. Whee!","April 07, 2010\nA Chicago GOP website currently features a photo of a topless woman, illustrating a post about Democratic "job creation" through women getting memoirs based on their affairs. (NSFW, obviously.) More details on WindyCitizen.","April 06, 2010\nThis license plate has probably started many a fight in Wisconsin.","April 05, 2010\nThe Hello Project invites you to say "Hello" to the world on a 3×3 Post-It note and join the mosaic. It's the brain spawn of area creatives Joseph Delhommer and Kristen Caston.","April 05, 2010\nGalesburg, Ill.'s Knox College is known for snagging pretty impressive Commencement speakers, such as Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Madeleine Albright, Stephen Colbert, and last year, Patrick J. Fitgerald. So, this June's graduation should be interesting.","April 05, 2010\nForget bar and pub: Chicago Bites' cupcake crawl is where it's at. [via]","April 01, 2010\nHappy Easter.","March 31, 2010\nIn 1974, a kangaroo haunted the streets of Chicago, then the Midwest. What could be lurking today?","March 30, 2010\nCameron's dad's Ferrari 250GT California used in Ferris Bueller's Day Off is up for auction in London, and his house is still up for sale in Highland Park. All you need is a vintage Fiero and a water tower and that shot for shot remake is done.","March 30, 2010\nIf you find yourself overqualified for your current job, you just might be working for the U.S. Census.","March 29, 2010\nKeep Going's spring issue is up, and among other things features a private plague and a story mentioning many things that someday soon won't exist.","March 29, 2010\nÜnnecessary Ümlaut has a review and photos of what is likely the creepiest miniature golf course in the country: Palatine's Ahlgrim Family Funeral Services … and basement golf course.","March 29, 2010\nCity Of Chicago To Modernize Outdated Graft Programs. (Yes, it's The Onion.)","March 27, 2010\nMSI's new Science Storms exhibit sports the nation's largest indoor tornado at 40 feet. So who's got us beat for world honors? The Mercedes Benz Museum in Stuttgart, which whirls up a cyclone of over 100 feet.","March 27, 2010\nAs a teen in Chicago, Hugh Hefner corresponded with friend Jane Sellers through letters and cartoons. Feeling that he was "destined to do amazing things," Sellers kept everything Hef sent. A selection of the comic strips was recently posted on Book Patrol.","March 26, 2010\nThis week's Layer Tennis match pits local video post-production artist Josh Bodnar against Austin's Jason Uson. The weapon of choice: archival video clips.","March 26, 2010\nStaff at Libertyville-Vernon Hills Area High School District 128 are not permitted to email students from personal email accounts. A new policy that went into effect this week also prohibits online gaming with students as well as communicating with them via text message. [via]","March 26, 2010\nA recent visit to an Iowa City bookstore shows the President's kind of nerdy.[[via]","March 26, 2010\nDannielle Owens-Reid has a lot of salt and pepper shakers. Seven hundred sets, in fact. Some could be yours if you pledge through Kickstarter.","March 25, 2010\nThe Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) gives a nod to new global resource STACKD which lets people connect via their workplace. It's a great opportunity to "Act Local" and connect with others outside of that excruciatingly silent morning elevator ride.","March 23, 2010\nAnder Monson recounts a recent (OK, 2009) visit to Schaumburg's Medieval Times. [via]","March 17, 2010\nBroaden your architectural acumen at Blueprint Chicago, a blog about buildings both famous and forgotten. Its author, a docent for the Chicago Architecture Foundation, also offers a "Word of the Week" to build your building vocabulary.","March 16, 2010\nThe Tribune looks into the rough, dangerous and some 80-hour workweeks leaving cab drivers frequented (more than 58 percent) by occupational violence. The Reader's Whet Moser weighs in with their account last year on "bad neighborhoods" vs. "white-collar types partying in trendy areas" and why race plays a major role.","March 16, 2010\nStart up tech companies may have a helping hand from a local success story. Lightbank, a new investment fund, was recently set up by Eric Lefkofsky and Brad Keywell, the brains behind "collective buying" deal-of-the-day site Groupon, to funnel as much as $10 million annually into early-stage tech entrepreneurial ventures.","March 16, 2010\nMayor Daley now has a Twitter account. How long till he adds Foursquare and becomes "mayor" of City Hall?","March 15, 2010\nHere's an interesting clip of the original Mayor Daley on What's My Line from August 5, 1956. Watch till the end when host John Daly offers a hilarious/discomforting comment about one of our fair city's talents.","March 14, 2010\nThe 2010 Census will start filling our mailboxes soon, but will your identity be truly counted? The Tribune looks into how mixed races might be erroneously counted with local Chicagoans.","March 10, 2010\nToday's passing of 80s teen icon Corey Haim is certainly a sad subject, but Schadenfreude takes us back to a happier, more hair-bleached time in the actor's life.","March 10, 2010\n…and it's their loss. A quick lineup of cute, bespectacled Chicagoans.","March 09, 2010\nMedia Matters notes Survival Seed Bank of Thomson IL, one of the advertisers filling the gaps on Glenn Beck's show where major advertisers have left. Whether you think a "crisis garden" will be necessary or not, it's an entertaining read.","March 08, 2010\nToday, Whitney Gifford runs an article about the public nuisance of hatpins, 100 years ago today. "One man told me he was almost decapitated in the City Hall elevator by the sweep of a hatpin like a scimitar worn by one of the City Hall belles."","March 04, 2010\nNo, Layer Tennis, which tomorrow will feature GB co-founder Naz Hamid vs. Sam Javanrouh in a volley of photos — with on-the-spot musical accompaniment by Coctails member Mark Greenberg (who we profiled years ago.)","March 03, 2010\nContinuing the lovefest, writer/editor Scott Edelman reran a fun interview he did with Mr. Ebert for Sci-Fi Entertainment about, yes, science-fiction. Fun fact: Ebert started the science fiction club at his high school.","March 02, 2010\nTwo New Yorkers visited Andersonville and shared ideas for shopping for cool thrift store finds, antiques, and DIY make-overs that won't break the bank. (via)","March 01, 2010\nRock for Kids sure it when March rolls around — it's Music in Our Schools Month and they're working hard to spread the love of music to underserved kids around Chicago.","February 26, 2010\n. . .remain on the train or exit as instructed.","February 25, 2010\nExplore Chicago has just launched an online gallery of free and cheap Chicago-oriented smartphone apps (mostly geared to you iPhone users, though some work on Blackberry and the like). You can keep track of shows at Broadway in Chicago, menus on GrubHub, get the latest Bears rumors, or locate nearby LGBT businesses through the Gay Cities Guide.","February 25, 2010\nFilm fan site Batman on Film says a source spotted producers scouting sites for the franchise's third installment around Chicago's Financial District. Meanwhile, filming blogs are cautiously generating a buzz.","February 25, 2010\n35th Ward Alderman Rey Colon would like to think so. Check out his entry about his commitment to art on Studio Chicago's blog.","February 24, 2010\nSet phasers to stun! Rich of broadbarn.com provides 8mm footage of a Star Trek convention/original series cast reunion that took place at the Hilton, August 22-24, 1975.","February 22, 2010\nFollowing Kevin Smith's Southwest Airlines incident, Vanity Fair can't wait for Smith to duke it out with Chicago Sun-Times columnist Laura Washington who wrote that Smith is in denial about being "fat and in trouble."","February 22, 2010\nIf so, Advocates for Urban Agriculture Chicago launched a design competition for a new logo.","February 17, 2010\nDespite being hit hard by the economic slump, the Art Institute is hanging on– they're even able to offer free admission during February, as always. Comment? Hipsters, among other things.","February 17, 2010\nLook out for worldcarshows.com's top five cars at the Chicago Auto Show.","February 17, 2010\nHit the right consignment shop, and you too could get your hands on some fancy threads that once belonged to former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich.","February 16, 2010\nPitchfork has gotten into the micro-blogging game at http://pitchfork.tumblr.com. This comes as a surprise to Tumblr user Tumbledore, who says the subdomain was stolen from him.","February 16, 2010\nThe first online bulletin board launched 32 years ago today. Its programmer-inventors founded it during the Chicago blizzard of 1978, paving the way for the snowed-in Twitter hordes of today.","February 15, 2010\nChicago music critic and "Sound Opinions" host Jim DeRogatis explains his picks for the worst rock movies. I stand by Heavy Metal Parking Lot.","February 11, 2010\nThe New York Times describes the struggle of Kenwood resident Jean-Paul Coffy as he cares for his parents in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake. Coffy's Chicago friends are maintaining a blog following his travels.","February 10, 2010\nIf you're feeling sassy today, why not join the "I survived the Chicago Quake of 2010" Facebook group? Please spare us the wall posts about how we should get relief money, though. That's a bit much, don't you think?","February 09, 2010\nOhNo!Doom has the jeans to go with your new iPad.","February 03, 2010\nUnless this is some word-of-mouth, Tweet-of-type publicity stunt, local Wilmette band Fall Out Boy is contemplating a permanent hiatus, as evident in bassist Pete Wentz's blog. While their fans share inspiring stories, pop blogs are skeptical.","February 03, 2010\nI'm trying to envision the look on the face of a lost tourist as the owner of this tattoo of the CTA train map gives him directions by taking off her shoe. (Thanks, James!)","February 02, 2010\nThe CPD is now sending out safety alerts, CAPS meeting info and other announcements by text and email using Nixle.com. But what's Nixle doing claiming copyright over public information?","February 01, 2010\nEarly 20th Century graphic designer Lester Beall–educated and employed in Chicago for many years–was a trailblazer who created an immediately recognizable look for his work that incorporated modernist notions imported from the Bauhaus and other art movements. Here's a site devoted to the man and his ideas.","January 29, 2010\nThreadless and Coudal Partners have joined forces (like Voltron) to create a special set of Field Notes. You can win a set of your own this weekend in their lil contest.","January 27, 2010\nIf you've got a great new design on your mind for some temporary outdoor furniture, the Chicago chapter of Architecture for Humanity wants to hear from you. They're sponsoring a street furniture competition, with entries due by February 26th. Check out this PDF for further guidelines. (Via the Reader blog.)","January 26, 2010\nChicago blogs I Hate My Developer and Young Chicagonista have been nominated for Weblog Awards, or "Bloggies." I Hate My Developer is in the "Best Kept Secret Weblog" category while Young Chicagonista is competing for "Best Teen Weblog." Voting is open until January 31, 2010 at http://2010.bloggies.com.","January 26, 2010\nYesterday Apartment Therapy's House Tours section featured FofGB George and Sara Aye's beautiful Logan Square home. You might remember George shot amazing photos from Pitchfork in Transmission in years past, and the couple run the company Hubwear, among other projects.","January 26, 2010\nNot that anybody should be surprised by anything he says, but Bill O'Reilly's latest head-scratching proclamation (via Huffington Post) may have South Siders a little miffed.","January 25, 2010\nIt's a meme — and an edict — that's traveling the globe, thanks to a Chicago blogger who scanned his autistic nephew's hand-drawn sign.","January 21, 2010\nThere's a debate raging on the campus of the University of Chicago. No, not "evolution vs. creation" or anything like that. It's what to call their new cafe/mini-mart. (BTW, the suggestion above is binary for "7-11", but that might be legally stepping on toes.)","January 21, 2010\nFor those creatively inclined Valentine's Day lovers, Andersonville and Lakeview card and frame shops Foursided and Twosided want to see your best handmade Valentine's cards. Winner gets $50 gift certificate. Deadline 2/7. Details and rules.","January 20, 2010\nLooks like Chicago had a low showing of talent on yesterday's "American Idol" auditions — only 13 made the cut. While showcasing our wild and foul-mouthed side, "Idol" has Chicago Breaking News wondering how some Windy City contestants were filmed in front of palm trees and the Amway Center in Orlando.","January 18, 2010\nNew CTA safety postings are urging riders to report "excessive photography/ filming," equating it to "unattended packages" or "noxious smells or smoke." This, understandably disturbs photographer and activist blogger Carlos Miller, and here's why.","January 18, 2010\nThe African Sausage Tree (Kigelia africana) at the Lincoln Park Conservatory is bearing 20-pound fruits. Fun fact: the fresh "sausage" is poisonous, causes mouth blisters, and acts as a laxative. No sampling.","January 15, 2010\nThanks to Malik Yusef, a South Side Harold's Chicken Shack location now contains an official platinum record.","January 13, 2010\nApparently, "The more body art you have, the more likely you are to be involved in deviance." At least, that's what a recent study briefly profiled by the Tribune's Steve Johnson says.","January 13, 2010\nThe Reader's Cliff Doerksen has tracked down a handful of newspaper clippings regarding a very peculiar crime wave in 1920s Chicago.","January 13, 2010\nTim Steil's Chicago A to Z.","January 12, 2010\nIf you're still in search of a 2010 calendar for your wall, the CTA has a free one for download. It's chock-full of pictures from throughout the CTA's history, plus lots of glorious Helvetica.","January 12, 2010\nWhy, on a floating platform in an elongated Chicago, of course.","January 08, 2010\nWhat Chicago is tweeting about.","January 06, 2010\nFor those seeking to turn a blind eye to doom and gloom stories, the Tribune brings readers the Happy News page, modestly covering the found-dreams-and-little-miracles beat. For a trip back to reality, click here.","January 05, 2010\nAccording to their latest Twitter posts, The Hood Internet (or possibly just DJ STV SLV) are caught up in a security lockdown at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport. Update: They're out!","January 04, 2010\nIf you're interested in temporary work, the 2010 US Census is looking for applicants to be census takers starting this spring. An informational session and qualifying exam will be held tonight and tomorrow at 7pm at the Wicker Park Fieldhouse, 1425 North Damen.","December 31, 2009\nJohn Rininger was a local artist who passed away a few years ago at the age of 45. Wicker Park/Quimby's old-timers might remember him for his stamp art in particular. Marc Fischer paid a visit to John back in 2001 when Rininger was disposing of many of his possessions. He's since posted the story, and a selection of scans of the odd, disturbing, and thought-provoking materials he recovered, on his Flickr page. UPDATE: More here; Merci Salem.","December 29, 2009\nWhat was Chicago like in the mid-century for the city's African American community? Unknown Chicago takes a look at the fast-growing and segregated "Black Belt," and the harsh housing conditions.","December 23, 2009\nPatrick Rea of Tinley Park was just recently elected the grand master of the International Knights Templar. Until he resumes his post officially next November, he'll be happy to tell you where the Holy Grail is. [via]","December 23, 2009\nTiny Miller Park Zoo in downstate Bloomington is selling a unique holiday accoutrement: ornaments made of reindeer dung. Don't laugh; they've made $20,000 off of them.","December 22, 2009\nYes, you can even eat the lions at the Art Institute's Gingerseum.","December 22, 2009\nA Beluga whale has been born at the Shedd for the second time in a week. This time the calf is 5 feet 6 inches long and weighs 152 pounds. UPDATE: Unfortunately, the calf did not survive past its first day.","December 21, 2009\nFlickr user lauren*o pointed us to a sign printed by ExploreChicago.org. Not only does the Arabic version of the word "welcome" appear incorrectly (it should look like this), but the Polish and Korean words for welcome appear twice. [Thanks Lauren!]","December 17, 2009\nA century ago, Bell & Howell's (click the Company History tab!) HQ and factory was located on Larchmont Avenue, where they made Filmo movie cameras. Tough, dependable, and, in some cases, quite lovely, Filmo cameras were the preferred brand among filmmakers in the early days of motion pictures.","December 17, 2009\nChicagoans appear to be imbued with holiday spirit and decorating like mad fools. Local retailers report that decorative lights have been flying off the shelves this season.","December 15, 2009\nCongratulations to Puiji, a Beluga whale at the Shedd Aquarium, who gave birth yesterday morning at 6:36am. The calf is 5 feet 4 inches long and weighs 162 pounds. No word yet on a name. [via]","December 14, 2009\nIt's not exactly B.J. and the Bear, but a former Chicago and his animal friend are on a journey west for fortune and charity.","December 11, 2009\nChicago magazine's Jeff Ruby hates New York in song.","December 11, 2009\nTrue/Slant columnist James Finn Garner tells us why we should hurry up and put Chicago 2009 in our rearview mirror.","December 10, 2009\nU of C philosophy professor Martha Nussbaum talked to The New York Times Magazine about ideas, faith, and leather.","December 10, 2009\nSome of you have probably given Jamba Juice a lot of your money over the years. Now the company will give something back to Chicago: free skating at Millennium Park this Saturday (for the first 200 people).","December 08, 2009\nThe Huffington Post's been busy networking major American cities' Twitter presence, with Chicago growing pretty fast in Local News, Sports et Personnes list categories. See if your favorite Twitterers made the cut, if not suggest them.","December 04, 2009\nWriter, director, actor and DePaul alum John Cabrera shares a memory from his illustrious temping career in Chicago.","December 03, 2009\nSpeaking of Ira Glass, here he is in LEGO form. (A couple more Chicago/Illinois faces in the CubeDudes flickr pool, too.)","December 03, 2009\nFunsherpa promises to help you find fun experiences that make good gifts for you or someone else.","December 02, 2009\nBut it's easily as funny and/or offensive.","December 02, 2009\nThe first Left 4 Dead videogame featured a bit of graffiti stating: "NO ZOMBIE IS SAFE FROM CHICAGO TED" (allegedly based on similar, nastier graffiti found in an Indianian men's room). Thank God for the Internet. Despite not appearing in the actual game (or its sequel), Ted has developed a mysterious and vicious zombie-killing legend nonetheless. Who is Chicago Ted? We may never know. But we can imagine.","December 02, 2009\nA bizarre hobby has locals playing with lightning, or rather, Tesla coils straight out of Dr. Frankenstein's lab. The Tribune looks into these Masters of Lightning and this shocking sect of pop culture.","December 02, 2009\nUnfortunately they're sold out, but what's the story with these Hot Chip t-shirts featuring R.Kelly in a DEVO hat? [via]","December 01, 2009\nJohn Paro is a med student at the University of Chicago. He also has a web site, MedSchoolRock, that "is dedicated to bringing entertaining and informative songs/videos about medical education." [via]","November 30, 2009\nInsider Chicago is a new publication by Medill School of Journalism students, aiming to be your guide to Chicagoland.","November 29, 2009\nGwen Sharp of Sociological Images came across a piece on the Los Angeles Times Daily Mirror site showing drawings and names of Chicago women who postponed their traditional Thanksgiving dinner on November 25, 1909 so they could meet British Suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst at the train station and escort her to the Congress Hotel. What a radical idea, to postpone a holiday meal by five hours so you could meet a politically active woman. (Thanks, Sue Strauss!)","November 29, 2009\nPer CBS, Black Friday is the busiest day of the year for Chicago plumbers. Sinks and garbage disposals are crammed with the distasteful likes of turkey skin, bones, ham grease, vegetable chunks, and more. The likeliest sink-jamming culprits? Out-of-town guests.","November 24, 2009\nYarn-lovers, start your needles. The folks who brought you the fabulous Threadcakes competition are now sponsoring a Threadless-tee inspired knitting/crocheting contest called Threadknits. Now through January 16th. Details and rules online.","November 23, 2009\nDave Lamoureux spends most of the year as a futures and options trader in Chicago, but he sets world records catching bluefin tuna from a kayak on the Atlantic, unassisted.","November 22, 2009\nJessica Reaves of the Chicago News Cooperative explains.","November 19, 2009\nIf you're a whiz with your W2s, the Center for Economic Progress has volunteer opportunities to help low-income families prepare their taxes. Last year, their volunteers did over 33,000 returns and brought back $52 million in refunds for families across Illinois.","November 17, 2009\nLocal band The Lust Killers have an interesting gimmick to promote their Chicago shows.","November 17, 2009\nLocal fitness guru Stephanie Mansour of Step It Up with Steph thinks you can get in exercise anytime, anyplace. Like when you're waiting for the no. 22 Clark street bus.","November 16, 2009\nCareful of that Chicago lightning, longhairs, or you could end up in a Chicago overcoat.","November 16, 2009\nNewly disclosed documents reveal that the FBI tracked Studs Terkel as a suspected communist for much of his life. His complete file is available in this (rather large) PDF.","November 11, 2009\nEsquire magazine talked to Rolling Meadows' Bryan Anderson, an Iraq War veteran, for their Veterans' Day "What I've Learned" column.","November 11, 2009\nTwenty-five students from a middle school in Gresham were arrested for reckless conduct last week after starting a food fight.","November 09, 2009\nIf you've enjoyed the Audissey podcast tour of Chicago or recommended it to a tourist in your life, check out their entry in the Forbes Boost Your Business contest.","November 09, 2009\nLocal musician and co-editor of THE2NDHAND C.T. Ballentine left his McKinley Park apartment on Friday afternoon and has not been heard from since. If you're able to help locate him, his friends have set up a Facebook group for the search. UPDATE: Looks like C.T. has been found.","November 05, 2009\nFor the first time in decades the Christmas tree in Daley plaza will be a single spruce. This year's was found in the wilds of Palos Heights.","November 04, 2009\nCheck out this website devoted to pictures of Chicago-style food. It won't help your situation, but it sure is beautiful.","November 03, 2009\nDon't believe the traffic reporters or myriad online maps? Well then see for yourself. TrafficLand has expanded to Chicago.","November 02, 2009\nWondering what Chicago's President™ would be wearing to match this week's weather? Obama-Weather.com has your answer.","November 02, 2009\nAbout 28 years ago a fellow by the name of Dan Goodwin scaled both the John Hancock Center and the Sears Tower and a few other famous skyscrapers. Now he's back with a book. Look out! There goes the Spider Dan!","November 02, 2009\nSarah Perez's Longo Monster costume came in third for "Scariest Costume" at the 13th Annual North Halsted Halloween Parade this weekend. She tells Boing Boing about how her creation came about.","November 02, 2009\nPlayboy makes a cameo appearance in what I pense is a spec work ad for FAO Schwarz. [via]","October 28, 2009\nWait, Wait… Don't Tell Me host Peter Sagal is sure to spook the neighbors (or give them a good laugh) with his "traditional" Halloween display.","October 23, 2009\nDillon is a four year old English bulldog. He is also Director of Pet Relations at the Hotel Burnham.","October 22, 2009\nWe Are Supervision blog shows a series of old '70s and '80s Chicago gang calling cards. Crudely drawn, sometimes offensive, and frequently opaque, they're also quite compelling.","October 21, 2009\nBelated congratulations to Chicagoans Elena Bodnar, Raphael C. Lee, and Sandra Marijan, winners of the 2009 Ig Nobel Prize in Public Health. The team designed "a brassiere that, in an emergency, can be quickly converted into a pair of protective face masks, one for the brassiere wearer and one to be given to some needy bystander." Click here to see a complete list of 2009 winners (as well as an awesome picture of Nobel laureates including Paul Krugman wearing the bra-mask). [via]","October 21, 2009\nGet some information on H1N1 and seasonal flu resources at this growing flu.gov site. The Illinois page also has links to state resources.","October 21, 2009\nLast night's "Ghost Lab" on the Discovery Channel featured the (alcoholic?) ghosts of Liar's Club.","October 20, 2009\nGrubstreet Chicago is (justifiably) wondering what the hell is going on in this advertisement for the Dana Hotel's Aja restaurant. Fans of sci-fi/horror B-movies know all too well what's coming next. Let's rock, before we blast that thing out of the sky!","October 20, 2009\nThe Sears Tower is the centerpiece of this magnificent commercial rendering. Prendre plaisir. (P.S. Call it what you will, but I'm sticking with "Sears Tower" for now.)","October 19, 2009\nA betrayed lover turns the tables in the latest edition of Keep Going.","October 15, 2009\nIt's official: playing ringtones in public doesn't infringe copyright. Looks like it might be time for Chicago's DJs to learn how to beatmatch that noise.","October 15, 2009\nPlease watch "Mike G's Rules for Better Dining", a video from Michael Gebert of Sky Full of Bacon inspired by Michael Pollan's dietary rules recently featured in the New York Times.","October 13, 2009\nThe A.V. Club Chicago just went through a redesign, and thinks there are a few other Chicago sites that could use a freshening up.","October 06, 2009\nMeet The Bra Man. He collects bras. No, really, bras. He has more than a thousand of them. Yeah, we know. But it's for a good cause, so…yeah.","October 06, 2009\nA couple of bike-loving gals filmed this video on stopping and starting a bicycle. Includes outtakes.","October 02, 2009\nChicago resident Nite Kongtahworn created a mosaic of Marilyn Monroe with paint chips in his Lakeview condo. He was inspired by this Apartment Therapy post on pixelated painting.","October 01, 2009\nHere's a 1987 Chicago Tribune spot featuring the great Mike Royko at the Billy Goat Tavern. The sound seems a touch off at the beginning–Royko sounds a little like Barry White.","October 01, 2009\nListen to Elucidations, a podcast started by two graduate students in philosophy at the U of C. They talk to professors about their work, "covering a range of topics from the theoretical to the practical, including perception, moral motivation, and sexual orientation."","September 30, 2009\nThe Chicago Public Library Book Cart Drill Team.","September 30, 2009\nWhether you're for Rio, Madrid, Tokyo, or Chicago, your Olympic fervor (and addiction to Twitter) could win you a trip to one of the finalist cities from travel social media app Where I've Been. Check Facebook for more details.","September 30, 2009\nAdd another voice to the ones supporting the 2016 Olympics for Chicago, only this one might be a little sarcastic. (Note: The support comes from a "columnist" for the infamous Weekly World News so take it with a big fat grain of salt.)","September 28, 2009\nOn Yelp, reviews of the Broadway and Lawrence branch of the USPS are, uh, mixed: "Just writing about this place forces me to relive all my nightmarish experiences there. I need to drink some herbal tea just to calm down." And: "I wonder what they do with all my mail they don't deliver? Do they just throw it out?" There's much, much more.","September 25, 2009\nMeet the thorn in Twitter's side.","September 25, 2009\nLike candy and NASCAR? Satisfy both cravings when racer Kyle Bush hands out free Mars chocolate bars next Thursday at Pioneer Plaza. Why the free candy? Well, apparently Chicago was voted the city most in need of "sweet relief". Whatever, just hand over the Snickers.","September 25, 2009\nNo, Instant Bueller. (Reminds me of something.)","September 22, 2009\nThe MacArthur Foundation announced its 2009 Fellows, who will receive a no-strings-attached $500k check just for being…a genius. No Chicagoans in the bunch, but John Rogers, a UIUC physics professor, made the list for his contributions to flexible electronics devices.","September 21, 2009\nSpeaking of the Olympics, here's another site for the anti- crowd: Chicagoans for Rio.[[via]","September 18, 2009\nWill Chicago be the victim of a nuclear terrorist attack on Sept. 22? At least one person thinks so.","September 17, 2009\nThe Oprah effect may go beyond books, products, musicians. The next episode on the continuing saga of "It's Oprah's world and we just live in it": Local restaurants and certain chefs are seeing an Oprah bump, according to 312 Dining Diva.","September 17, 2009\nBaffling. Two marble statues of the Hindu gods Shiva and Parvati turned up in the DuPage River. Local Hindu temples report that their statues are all accounted for.","September 15, 2009\nHarnessing the freaky cool power of Google Maps, the Tutor/Mentor Connection shows Chicagoans where to find tutor and mentor programs. But it also goes way further, showing maps of poorly performing schools, crime in the news, and even support groups like churches and universities, all to pinpoint areas in which organizations should create and nurture tutor and mentor programs.","September 11, 2009\nRestaurant.com is offering super-reduced prices for their gift certificates, for use at hundreds of Chicago-area restaurants. The fine print is here.","September 10, 2009\nColumbia College's Conversations in the Arts packs quite a wallop in its fifth year with Twitter co-founder Biz Stone (speaking Oct. 6), Huffington Post Editor-in-Chief Arianna Huffington and director Mira Nair scheduled to address media trends at the free series. RSVP info in Slowdown.","August 31, 2009\nWhat (Lake Michigan, apparently) sharks dream about. (Warning: One naughty word.)","August 25, 2009\nGuinness and the Mayor's Office of Special Events ruled the Grant Park showing of the Marx Brothers' Duck Soup broke the record for most people wearing Groucho glasses (4,436 frames) at one time on July 21.","August 25, 2009\nA result of the economy, a lack of nursing graduates, and a possible wave of nurses retiring from the field, more of these health care professionals are needed, and Chicago is no exception.","August 24, 2009\nCoudal points us to a fantastic Budweiser commercial shot on the El (mostly the Brown Line), for the Irish beer drinking market if the URL attached to it is any indication. UPDATE: The Sun-Times gets the backstory on the ad.","August 19, 2009\nTime Out takes a look at the secret life of the Chicagoan bomb squad technician, pot dealer, fantasy specialist, sensual masseuse, well, you get the idea.","August 19, 2009\nStep carefully when visiting the dolphin show at Brookfield Zoo. A woman filed a lawsuit against the Brookfield Zoo regarding a spill she took leaving the dolphin show. Her complaint is that the dolphins have been "willfully and recklessly" trained to make the steps slippery. (Via Chicago Now)","August 19, 2009\nI learned something new about the Illinois State Bar Association when I was asked to be a reference for a hopeful future lawyer. I needed to go to the website for the Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar in order to do that. What's the website, you ask? ibaby.org. That's right: iBaby. Apparently, it stands for "Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar … and You," but I can't say I was overwhelmed with confidence by their domain name choice.","August 19, 2009\nA captivating anecdote in the bar of the Chicago Ritz-Carlton leads off this 1993 profile of the magician turned actor Ricky Jay, dug up in the New Yorker archives by Kottke.org.","August 19, 2009\nNovella Carpenter found a vacant lot in her Oakland, Calif. neighborhood and started planting. Her memoir about this DIY urban farm was just profiled in Flavorpill. And according to her blog, she'd love to take her knowledge on the road in October and teach workshops about urban farming all over the country (including Chicago). So pony up your couch or some cash and help bring her here.","August 19, 2009\nThe New York Times Dining section reports on last year's banning of ice cream trucks from the 18th Ward and modern parents annoyed with ice-cream-demanding toddlers and chain-smoking, shirtless, and burping ice cream vendors.","August 18, 2009\nFor foodies and boozers around Chicago, Wait Watcher tweets wait times at key restaurants and bars. Developed by the Onion's AV Chicago section, local restaurant-goers can text or call in wait times to help their fellow diners.","August 17, 2009\nYep, that's all Life Magazine has to say about this odd series of photographs from 1962. Nonetheless, that's one angry bird.","August 17, 2009\nA handy checklist of things you should do in the city. [via]","August 14, 2009\nWGN-TV Feature Reporter Marcus Leshock caught this guy getting really into a DJ set at Lollapalooza last weekend. (Thanks, Brett!)","August 14, 2009\nSue, the Field Museum's T-Rex, is on Twitter, tweeting about meat-eating, being an apex predator, and her repulsively tiny forearms (which, apparently, text just fine). She also plans to be at the Air and Water Show. (Via.)","August 14, 2009\nUptown Update has some amazing video of a street brawl that broke out around 9pm Wednesday night. (via)","August 13, 2009\nThe Trib's John Kass points to a Facebook group "Lakeview 911" that was created this month to gather "concerned citizens" who want to connect about the recent muggings in the neighborhood. Remember EveryBlock is also a great local resource on crime stats relative to your street, no matter where you live in the city.","August 10, 2009\nThe Fineprint has some neat t-shirts for showing Chicago pride. Case in point: this shirt featuring a takeoff of Harold's Chicken Shack's famous "dude chasing after a chicken with a meat cleaver" logo. [via]","August 08, 2009\nCool! Here are "10 Awesome Images That Are Actually Paintings," including a nifty image of the Damen El station. And here's an even closer look.","August 04, 2009\nNorth Shore blogger Poppy Buxom bought every issue of Domino magazine after the title folded earlier this year. Maybe if she'd done it earlier Domino might still be in business? Anyway, she's reading every issue – from Spring/Summer 2005 to March 2009 – and blogging about it over at The Dominotrix.","August 04, 2009\nThese Chicago-centric designs by Vic Sanchez are pretty sweet. [via]","July 31, 2009\nHey, Chicago music/bowling fans! Just a few hours left to order a special shirt titled "Bring Back the Fireside" at RIPT Apparel.[[via]","July 30, 2009\nWindy City Rock points us to a nifty deal at Reverbnation.com where 1,000 songs are now available for free download, including tunes from several Chicago bands.","July 29, 2009\n"I am like any other man. All I do is supply a demand." —Al Capone","July 29, 2009\nMinutes before he was arrested last December, Rod Blagojevich was bumped from appearing on the Today Show in a one-on-one interview with Matt Lauer because far more important news had to be announced…Jay Leno's new television show (which premieres September 14, Rod!).","July 28, 2009\nA Chicago man is accused of stealing more than $45,000 worth of eyeglasses from suburban Milwaukee stores. Why, and again, why? The complaint quotes the accused as saying he "really likes to be around glasses."","July 28, 2009\nLeah took her job search to the streets.","July 28, 2009\nJuly was the coldest it's been in Chicago in 65 years, with an average temp of 68.9°. If you use (or rather didn't use) the AC, look for savings on your electric bills.[[via]","July 28, 2009\nHow accurate is your favorite online weather service?","July 24, 2009\nMichelle Obama's fashion confidant Ikram Goldman was interviewed to get a handle on which designers Mrs. O. will be wearing in the future. Alexander McQueen, your moment's coming.","July 23, 2009\nLocal podcast North & Clark holds a microphone to Chicagoans who don't often make the media spotlight: grown-up graffiti kids, riot-surviving activists, anthropologists digging into the free-for-all emerald trade, and more. Produced by Casey Brazeal.","July 23, 2009\nGoogle has new comics themes for iGoogle, including work by former and current Chicago cartoonists Dan Clowes, Jessica Abel, and Jeffrey Brown","July 23, 2009\nIf you're a Cute Chicago Boy, watch out! You might just end up on the interweb.","July 22, 2009\nWhile CTA President Richard Rodriquez canceled the weird company car benefit for CTA employees this week, he insists on keeping a car for himself and driving to work everyday. Local blogs are debating the intelligence of the move, with CTA Tattler defending Rodriquez's family time and Chicago Carless ripping him a new one.","July 22, 2009\nThe New York Times Magazine profile of Obama advisor Valerie Jarrett is up: "The executive didn't know that the 'feel' ran deeper than policy — that it was about trust: if Valerie Jarrett told Barack Obama that something was the right thing to do, he would very likely do it."","July 21, 2009\nVF Daily's Society & Style blog asked some of the country's top chefs to take on the recipes of the late, great Julia Child. Chicago's own Graham Elliot Bowles presents a terrine based on Child's vichyssoise.","July 17, 2009\nFirst the NYT gave struggling clothing store Jake the business, now the Wall Street Journal is lamenting the days when Evanston wasn't full of chain stores and had some personality (but gives a nice report about the state of retail in Andersonville).","July 17, 2009\nJust in time for the Pitchfork Music Festival, it's the latest edition of Hipster Bingo!","July 16, 2009\nNo idea this existed: Michael Jordan: Chaos in the Windy City, a 1994 game for the Super Nintendo. [via]","July 16, 2009\nAs if the city didn't have enough problems with gangs and violence, now we're being accused of outsourcing our gang activity to Iowa.","July 15, 2009\nVia Christopher J. in the Fuel thread, behold Wesley Willis Tower. Awesome.","July 13, 2009\nThis year's CNN Money's Best Places to Live rankings are out, and Illinois small towns only garnered 3 of the top 100 spots. Batavia, Buffalo Grove, and downstate Glen Carbon made the list, but none broke the top 50.","July 13, 2009\nAs if your life wasn't enough of a soap opera, you can now follow a real one on Twitter: "Chicago to Coronado" chronicles the love triangle between a former Chicago ad agency CEO and two Navy SEALs on Coronado Island, California.","July 10, 2009\nThere's just a few short weeks left for you to nominate your favorite places in Chicago for MPC's Placemaking contest. We wrote about this great project when it started, but now's your chance to share your favorites.","July 10, 2009\nThis year's Layer Tennis season comes to a close today at 2pm with a championship match between designers Shaun Inman and Gregory Hubacek. (Neither is from Chicago, but that's OK — the stadium is.)","July 09, 2009\nThe A.V. Club was kind enough to make an inventory of all the things R. Kelly wants, as detailed in his new mix-tape, The Demo Tape. It's hard to pick a favorite because they're all kind of awesome.","July 02, 2009\nUh, I don't want to panic anyone or anything, but… um… there's a big old monitor lizard running around Libertyville right now. No, really. Well, we can't say the Dead Milkmen didn't warn us.","July 02, 2009\nStuck at the office? Play a little Bike Salute Memory, based on Dubi Kaufmann's Bike Salute site.","July 02, 2009\nBureau of Self-Promotion: I wrote an article about coyotes in Chicago and an undeveloped parcel of land at 16th and Clark a few have chosen to make their home. Part two next week.","June 27, 2009\nOur own Jim Allenspach created a series of fake covers for the popular 33 1/3 book series, exploring some of the worst possible album/author combinations. His set hass started making the rounds on blogs and spawned at least one imitator — and now has inspired the publisher to run a contest for humorous covers.","June 24, 2009\nSeen the new Burger King ad that manages to evoke a certain sexual act? The 312 Dining Diva points us to the newest offender in desperate advertising.","June 22, 2009\nThe Hyde Park Urbanist takes a look at the verge – "that strip between the sidewalk and the street" – on a stretch of East 57th Street.","June 15, 2009\nThese clever pillows from CraftSquatch (local artist/ crafter Justin Thomas) won't make all your online dreams come true, but they will give you something to rest your social-media weary head upon when your interwebs are down.","June 15, 2009\nA member of the Navajo Nation is becoming a unique presence as a designer in the fashion world, with a showing of her work in the Chicago area.","June 15, 2009\nGraphic designer Jax de Leon created a graphic representation of Come on, Feel the Illinoise! by Sufjan Stevens as her final student project. Some really cool stuff in there. [via]","June 12, 2009\nLove Chicago so much you want to put it in your pocket and take it home? Now you can. [via] (Previously.)","June 11, 2009\nLocally produced Hot Tweeters should eat up some of your time on a rainy afternoon.","June 10, 2009\nWas "Family Matters" your favorite sit-com located in Chicago? Then you may be interested in this video made during a visit to the Winslow house. [via]","June 09, 2009\nNorthwestern's journalism school wants students to not clog inboxes when talking about Twitter, so they've provided a 1970s-esqe way of facilitating discussion.","June 08, 2009\nLaunched today, RIPT Apparel is a Chicago-based t-shirt retailer selling one-of-a-kind shirts designed by a community of artists. The beauty is that a single design is sold over a 24-hour period only; it is then retired, replaced and the cycle repeats.","June 08, 2009\nScotty Got An Office Job, the video blog started by local actor/musician/tech guy Scotty Iseri, takes a surprising turn as Scotty's boss finds the videos online.","June 08, 2009\nSo now that you're using Kanye Vision to dress up your web browser, you're probably ready to dress like the man himself. Kanye shares 10 fashion picks with Style.com. [via]","June 04, 2009\nFriday is National Donut Day. This is important because it means a free Krispy Kreme and Dunkin Donut for all. It IS the best day of your life.","June 03, 2009\nExplore Chicago's new game Chicago Neighborhood Express allows you to wander through different neighborhoods on-line.","June 02, 2009\nOnce seen, it cannot be unseen.","May 29, 2009\nIf you thought air guitar was titillating, you're gonna get schooled. The World Air Sex Championships are going on tour, and coming to Chicago June 14 at Logan Square Auditorium. Yes, that means contestants get up on stage and do it (fully clothed) with the air. Want to show how you can rock the air's world? Contact chris@airsexworldchampionships.com.","May 28, 2009\nWant to give your place that perfect 60s or 70s countercultural ambience? Lead Pipe Posters has original prints (some with Chicago themes) of the black light, hippie-dippie, up-against-the-wall-pig, muggle-huffing ilk quite possibly still hanging up in your trippy uncle's basement. Guess there's nothing left to be said but…","May 28, 2009\nChicago artist Kathryn Rodrigues offers an A-to-Z size comparison of the United States to (almost) every other country over on Radical Cartography.","May 27, 2009\nDancing with Brides is like "Dancing With The Stars" only for regular folks who aren't quite so addicted to spray tanning and glitter. Sorta. Brides Magazine's instructional dance workshop for couples comes to The Drake Hotel on Sunday, May 31. Not only can prospective brides and grooms learn some smooth first dance moves, they may also get a chance to win $10,000. Check Slowdown for details.","May 26, 2009\nWhat happens when a toy escapes the Island of Misfit Toys and can't make a go of it? They end up down and out in the City of Sad Toys, of course. The Windy City is creepily represented by a bevy of naked Barbies hanging by their hair.","May 25, 2009\nIf you're in the market, the infamous Highland Park home featured in Ferris Bueller's Day Off is available at the bargain price of $2.3 million. [via]","May 21, 2009\nThe Chicago feds have rigged up a Web site alerting citizens about bank robbery suspects. The nicknames alone are worth a look.","May 19, 2009\nWas this U of C student's column about the springtime sartorial choices of his fellow Maroons sexist and misogynistic? That may depend on which version you've read.","May 18, 2009\nEven if you're not that interested in the topic, these "sketchnotes" by Mike Rohde at the Society of News Designers meeting this weekend are pretty darn cool.","May 16, 2009\nChicagoan and former "Bachelorette" Jen Schefft got married Friday night. Zzzzzz.","May 15, 2009\nCecil Adams considers this question for The Straight Dope Chicago. Meanwhile, R. Kelly's defense team is joining Team Blago.","May 15, 2009\nIs Chicago the most ironic city ever? Steve Rhodes of The Beachwood Reporter shares his thoughts on the matter.","May 15, 2009\nYour job may not be &*@#!* golden, but your hair can be. It's "Blago" shampoo and conditioner. Only your hairdresser and bagman will know for sure.","May 13, 2009\nBesides providing crazy-cool t-shirts, Chicago's Threadless evidently also provides a killer place to work. TravelChannel.com named Threadless an "extreme workplace," citing their 25,000-square-foot warehouse and production space where employees play Wii, bring it in intense ping-pong championships, and even rock out on an indoor skate ramp. Chicago photo blogger Joe M500 is interviewed about his recent photographic journey of the warehouse (and confirms its coolness) here.","May 12, 2009\nWant to see the web through Kanye's signature sunglasses?","May 05, 2009\nWell, are you?","May 05, 2009\nFrom the deepest depths of the University of Chicago Library's digital stacks came… The Biology of B-Movie Monsters! [via]","May 04, 2009\nThe Tribune Company is launching a new blog community site later this summer called ChicagoNow.com. No publicly accessible pages yet, but here's a glimpse via a marketing video dug up by a WindyCitizen user.","May 04, 2009\nFormer Chicago Tribune reporter Emily Achenbaum discusses the decision she and her husband-to-be made "to pursue a pared-down life."","May 04, 2009\nGathering stats on STDs, murders, and similar data, KSU geographers performed a study titled "The Spatial Distribution of the Seven Deadly Sins within Nevada," then created maps showing "hotspots" of Wrath, Lust, etc. across the nation. Sounds like a bunch of hooey, but it looks cool. Chicago's way up on greed but surprisingly not prone to envy.","May 04, 2009\nAlex Kotlowitz explains why Chicago is Fast Company's U.S. City of the Year: "The real Chicago isn't so easy to keep up with. It's constantly reinventing itself. Jumpy. Agitated. Impatient. It's as if the place is trembling. Move aside. Don't linger. And if you're going to dawdle, get out of the way. But what any Chicagoan will also tell you is that the past is very much present. It doesn't go away. It shouldn't. In fact, that's Chicago's lure and its beauty: its ability to take what was and figure out what could be."","May 03, 2009\nAn ode to our transit system's more memorable characters.","April 29, 2009\nNevada's own Moonlite Bunny Ranch has offered an apprenticeship to former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich. According to a press release from ranch owner Dennis Hof, "Rod's willpower would be challenged daily by the ladies as they bribe him to acquire finer rooms or better working hours and days off. In lieu of Rod's work throughout the apprenticeship Dennis Hof will pay him a handsome amount of money." [via]","April 27, 2009\nThe self-proclaimed "greatest celebrity photographer in the world" and new YouTube star?","April 23, 2009\nToday's fake Internet holiday is Talk Like Shakespeare Day, in honor of the Bard's birth 445 years ago. If that isn't enough encouragement to drop a few "thees" and "thous," the mayor has issued yon proclamation, ye blackguards. Here are a few quotes to get you started.","April 21, 2009\nWhile researching a post about Playboy's possible de-listing from the NYSE, the Reader's Whet Moser unearthed a database of Playboy centerfolds (NSFW, obviously) maintained by a University of Chicago library employee.","April 21, 2009\nBacon maniacs rejoice! Here's a handy app that gives any website bacony delicious. In the address bar of your web browser, type in http://bacolicio.us/ and then your website (including the "http://") and enjoy. Here's what happens to Gapers Block.","April 16, 2009\nOprah Winfrey is now on Twitter. She shall tweet for the first time live on her show tomorrow. What about Oprah's BFF Gayle King? Already on it.","April 16, 2009\nThe Wisconsin State Journal would like to introduce you to UW-Madison student (and presumed Cubs fan) Elizabeth Wrigley-Field.","April 13, 2009\nThe University of Chicago Press has put together a "Bo-dacious" reading list for the First Puppy.","April 03, 2009\nThe University of Chicago alumni magazine is running its own Peeps diorama contest. Vote here for the Peeple's Choice recipient. All winners will be announced Tuesday, April 14.","April 01, 2009\nThis is what passes as an April Fool's joke at the Tribune Company. Rendering the Internet obsolete, indeed. [via]","March 27, 2009\nStrange things are afoot on uchi.marketplace, the U of C's version of Craigslist.","March 26, 2009\nChicago mag's Jeff Ruby takes his chances for a whole week of gambling, betting on everything under — and including — the sun.","March 25, 2009\nA classic videogame character explores our city. [via]","March 18, 2009\nWillis Group CEO Jim Plameri takes to the web to talk about the renaming of the Sears Tower.[[via]","March 13, 2009\nHave you spied any more Monopoly-themed graffiti around Chicago? [via]","March 12, 2009\nIf you have always wanted to learn how to turn squares of pretty paper into cranes, cars, shoes or laptops, the Chicago Area Origami Society (fantastic acronym!) can direct your creases in a more organized fashion than their name suggests. Whether you've never folded, or can fold with your eyes closed, their next meeting is this Saturday. And since the expected high temp is 49° F, a visit to the desert or rainforest rooms would be soothing. [via]","March 12, 2009\nChicago comes in third (behind London and Los Angeles) when it comes to the number of people who use Twitter.[[via]","March 12, 2009\nAs a boy, Waukegan resident Douglas Stiles was told a story that his great-great grandfather, Jonathan Dillon, repaired the watch of Abraham Lincoln in 1861. The story also went that during that repair, Dillon scrawled something on the watch's inside. Was the story true? Take a look for yourself.","March 10, 2009\nObama's love of Chicago sports reared its head again recently, as The Daily Show's John Stewart pointed out on last night's show (it comes at about the 2:00 mark). Let's just say the Bulls get a little spanking from Stewart and even the '85 Bears come under scrutiny.","March 06, 2009\nA homeless poet finds salvation in his words. Hear some of his work over at Medill Reports.","March 05, 2009\nMy family lineage is a bit murky and hard to trace, so I'm always flummoxed when people ask me where my ancestral heritage came from. Even so, I'm enthralled by the stories of Chicagoans who can visit the homes their ancestors lived in — but this post by John Tolva is one of the best I've read.","March 03, 2009\nAccording to MovieMaker, Chicago is the best city for independent moviemakers, offering "the best all-around chance of finding success with their art during these tough economic times." [via]","March 01, 2009\nAh! In Central Illinois.","February 27, 2009\nNo less than Cute Overload calls out the blog of the U of C Press for omitting the rules of cuteness when talking about "the science of cute."","February 26, 2009\nNBCChicago.com wrote a nice piece pointing to Chicago Public Radio's great "Hard Working" series about jobs and joblessness. Then, MSNBC republished NBCChicago's story — but stripped out all links to the original series, effectively killing any utility the article had. CPR is crying foul.","February 26, 2009\nHarper's Index factoids referencing Chicago, Illinois.","February 25, 2009\nIn Isreal's Negev Desert is the Tze'elim Military Base, and on that military base is the city of Chicago, "so named because its bullet-ridden fake walls apparently recall the punctured real walls of Al Capone's Chicago."","February 23, 2009\nWhen the economy's down, be assured that someone always wants to buy your hair.","February 20, 2009\nToday's Layer Tennis match doesn't start till 2pm, but the first-ever qualifying match got underway at noon, and it's between two locals: Fuzzy Gerdes and Mig Reyes.","February 19, 2009\nI'm speechless (mainly because I can't read Japanese). [via]","February 16, 2009\nJust because you lack land in Chicago, doesn't mean you can't have a garden. Green Roof Growers have some great information on helping you get started.","February 11, 2009\nWell, not the late president himself, but his bust which sits at 69th and Walcott on the South Side and has undergone some interesting changes. Update: Here are two other shots of Abe.","February 11, 2009\nAs the economy continues to take a nosedive, even tattoo parlors are beginning to fill the pinch.","February 09, 2009\nTa-Nehisi Coates of The Atlantic considers the case some of his readers try to bring against Chicago (one word: winter) but seems to come out for it. Or for the South Side, anyway: "I'm kinda in love with the South Side. It's like Harlem's smarter, but less jiggy, little sister. Fine as all hell. You just gotta see past those glasses. And them damn overalls."","February 06, 2009\nThis will probably be more interesting in a few months, but hey, I like seeing what's going on outside Wrigley anyway. [Thanks, Gabe!]","February 02, 2009\nOr maybe not, in the case of this gargantuan Frosted Mini-Wheats cluster found in a Chicagoan's cereal box.","January 29, 2009\nUptown Update, the highly popular blog that has become a thorn in the side of Ald. Helen Shiller, particularly over the fate of the Wilson Yard Project, has been brought into that case by the attorney for the yard's developer, Peter Holsten. The attorney is subpoening records from Google about the ownership of that blog and another (apparently defunct blog) called "What The Helen".","January 17, 2009\nMost Insignificant News Item of the Day: After more than 100 years, the H.J. Heinz Company is removing the pickle from the logo on its ketchup bottle and replacing it with the more appropriate tomato. The Chicago connection? The pickle logo idea was hatched during the 1893 Chicago World's Fair.","January 16, 2009\nSound Transit is a website that lets you plan an audio trip around the world. The clip collection includes hundreds of interesting sounds including a couple from nearby Berwyn (search: Illinois). Here's hoping folks keep adding to the collection.","January 15, 2009\nIt's definitely a concern right now, as I watch a huge icicle grow outside my window. Ask.MetaFilter asks where is best to walk to avoid injury from falling ice.","January 13, 2009\nBe careful if a stranger asks you to help him move his television at 6:30 in the morning.","January 06, 2009\nMichael Simmons releases his iPhone-ified CTA Bus Tracker. If you're looking for a more native looking app, this is it. Just point your iPhone here.","January 05, 2009\nAs new condo buildings continue to rise in the South Loop, "the neighborhood now accounts for more than half the unsold units expected to hit the downtown market" in 2009. Whether these buildings will sit mostly empty in hopes of future growth spurred by a successful Olympics bid or drop dramatically in price remains to be seen.","January 05, 2009\nThe Tribune's looking for the best blog in Chicago. If you know of "established bloggers who post great content often and are known in their community" (ahem) fill out their online form.","December 31, 2008\nLeather Creations scores on sarcasm with this ad mocking the Blagojevich scandal.","December 29, 2008\nThe semi-trailer long bar from the Black Orchid Club has gone south to take up residence in a new Phoenix, Arizona bar that is due to open toward the end of 2009. At least it will be warmer where it is headed.","December 27, 2008\nOne of Ebert's fans created a sextuple acrostic in the critic's honor.","December 25, 2008\nDopplr is a sort of social network about travel. They just launched pages for each city people go to — here's Chicago's.","December 23, 2008\nNo matter how cold the weather, the University of Chicago gargoyles remain ever vigilant.","December 18, 2008\nThe domain name www.impeachpresidenthussein.com is apparently for sale on Craigslist. But hurry: The (bargain!) $50,000 price tag doubles on Inauguration Day.","December 17, 2008\nThe "unique" local political scene gets yet another national dissection. This time, it's The Atlantic. And this time it's from October, 1930. The more things change…","December 16, 2008\nJust because your boss canceled the office holiday party doesn't mean you can't attend one virtually, choose-your-own-adventure style.","December 15, 2008\nThe "Reasons to Love New York 2008" issue of New York magazine is on-line. Their no. 1 reason to love the Big Apple? "Because Obama Is One of Us, Despite All That Business About Chicago." Dang, New York, step off already.","December 12, 2008\nThe blog Public Art In Chicago gives a peek at the latest addition to the city's outdoor art lineup. We think it'll look familiar to you, although not quite like this.","December 08, 2008\nApparently your cell phones are not only vexing, but also extremely insolent.","December 04, 2008\nA while back we asked if Chicago had the ugliest house in America. Well, the verdict is in and the answer is … yup, sure do.","December 03, 2008\nIf you find yourself wanting to mark "other" under the Gender category on forms, then you'll find Safe2Pee.org a welcome addition to your bookmarks. There are supposedly only 19 gender-neutral bathrooms in Chicago (which I know is very low) but thankfully anyone can add in another entry. Making the world a GenderQueer friendly place, one bathroom at a time.","December 02, 2008\nStumped on what to get that hypochondriac on your Christmas list? How about a giant, plush microbe, created by University of Chicago law school grad Drew Oliver. Choose from The Common Cold, E. coli or Black Death. Hours of fun…","December 01, 2008\nReason To Give has the perfect solution for those hard-to-buy-for people on your list. The Chicago nonprofit's new webstore offers an innovative alternative to traditional holiday gift exchange and a sweet chance to help out the Humboldt Park community. It's like Extreme Makeover Home Edition meets Amazon.com!","November 29, 2008\nA couple of months ago, we wrote that Kimberly Walz, chief of staff to Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley, was looking for votes in the Benefit makeup Posie Gal contest. The results are in, and Walz came away with the victory.","November 26, 2008\nNARAL has launched a website featuring local spoken word talent promoting reproductive rights. It was produced by See3 Communications, a local web/video firm working with non-profits.","November 25, 2008\nYou probably aren't familiar with the saga of the Giant Italian Truffle, which has failed to find a home here in the States… until it reached Chicago, that is.","November 25, 2008\nHe'll store anything you want for $10.99 a month.","November 22, 2008\nFile under "Nom Nom Nom": Top Chef cupcakes are back at the Bleeding Heart Bakery.","November 21, 2008\nKnow a University of Chicago student or alumnus? Know two or more? Print out these U of C-centric Bingo cards for them to enjoy during the holidays. Then stand back and watch the geek-tacular fun ensue.","November 21, 2008\nHispanicBusiness.com take a look at the Puerto Rican community in Chicago and its staunch supporters who once again try to stave off gentrification.","November 21, 2008\nCongratulations to Wilmette native and new father Pete Wentz — wife Ashlee Simpson-Wentz gave birth to their son, Bronx Mowgli Wentz, last night. Celebrate by checking out the Simpson-Wentz Baby Name Generator.","November 19, 2008\nWho knew that employees at Chicago-based Potbelly Sandwich Works were so into DIY and being green?","November 14, 2008\nTake that $1000 and invest it one stock. Each day, make one trade. Twitter the results. (A little more background.)","November 14, 2008\nWhen* are we Going to see an end to sites letting us know about Upcoming events? I'm just about Eventful. (*When.com is the latest, a rebranding of AOL's Zvents. Whoopee.)","November 13, 2008\nOr, as Timothy O' Sullivan might have put it to Abner Mikva (were O' Sullivan a hotel concierge and, well, alive), "We don't help nobody that nobody sent."","November 13, 2008\nChicago child therapist Mike Ruggles will be starring in "Super-Manny," a spinoff of the ABC show "SuperNanny," debuting Friday night.","November 12, 2008\nThe blog Hyde Park Progress explores the transportation options available to the area from a U of C (ex)undergrad perspective.","November 10, 2008\nFor the presidential trivia buffs, the Secret Service names for President-elect Obama and the next First Family are: Renegade (Barack), Renaissance (Michelle), Radiance (Malia), and Rosebud (Sasha – aw). Want your own? Get it here.","November 09, 2008\nA mass dog marriage was held in Oak Park this weekend with the hopes of setting a world record.","November 07, 2008\nI firmly believe that personal stories are the best way to express how legislation affects people. And why it needs to change.","November 05, 2008\nLooking for love in a sea of hope. [via]","November 05, 2008\nOk, I was wrong. There's nothing else going on in the world but Obamania, and we have Peruvian Shamans to thank for it. [Thanks, Kara!]","November 04, 2008\nOK, I know we're going a little overboard with the Obama linkage, but this is just too cool not to post.","November 03, 2008\nHey, is anyone else tired of This. F*cking. Election?","November 03, 2008\nAccording to a New York Post columnist, when it comes to power-wielding big city mayors, Mayor Daley tops NYC's Bloomberg hands down. Just check out the tale of the tape.","November 03, 2008\n"Zombie World," in the Fall issue of Keep Going. (No, it's not a late Halloween story.)","October 31, 2008\nFor every trend, there's an anti-trend. Twitter has blown up …and spawned h8ter, created by local webfolk. Sign up for a h8ter account and h8te on all sorts of stuff. Not only that, but your h8tes will be tweeted (anonymously) sur Twitter.","October 30, 2008\nIn the wake of "Minutegate," Roger Ebert has decided to write his own "little rule book" regarding ethics for his fellow film critics. The picture of Ebert and Jason Patric assisting a rather festive looking Peter O'Toole is worth clicking through.","October 30, 2008\nJoyland is a new site dedicated to the collection of short — sometimes really short — fiction. The site is organized by city, featuring stories by authors who live or have lived there. They've just opened up a Chicago branch, edited by local blogger Levi Stahl. The first piece is Insult, by Chicago writer, artist and musician Joseph Clayton Mills.","October 27, 2008\nChicago-based Holos Fitness figures it's easier to stick to a workout plan if you've got company, so it aims to serve as a social network centered around fitness.","October 27, 2008\nSomebody bugging the $#!& out of you? The Spite Site has what you need.","October 27, 2008\nYou be the judge.","October 20, 2008\nFlash artist and past GB staffer Felix Jung has created Colourful Echo, which creates a color-paletted visualizer for songs you upload. Here's an example.","October 15, 2008\nWho says scientists don't have a sense of humor? Here's a list of security maxims from Argonne National Laboratory. [via]","October 15, 2008\nIn time for the last debate tonight, as previously noted, you can download, print, and don the mask of your favorite political candidate.","October 15, 2008\nTwo Chicago gang experts are bringing their knowledge on stopping the violence to a conference in Glasgow, Scotland, where the gang murder rate has grown to five times that of England.","October 13, 2008\nOnline shop CostumeStudio will donate 100% of proceeds from costume sales to Invisible Children, an aid organization focused on helping children in war-torn Uganda. Brought to you by the socially-conscious fashion folks at GoodSociety.","October 11, 2008\nThe Trib's helping you out with some easy Halloween costumes this year. Download a printable Sarah Palin mask here, and keep an eye out for their Obama, Biden and McCain versions as well.","October 09, 2008\nCare to take a Googletour of Chicago and the suburbs?","October 08, 2008\nAn Etch-a-Sketch paean to the 2008 Cubs.","October 06, 2008\nBehold… the Playboy Wine Collection. The collectible bottles, each paired with a vintage magazine cover, are sold individually or as part of a subscription. [via]","October 03, 2008\nExaminer.com pulls together a collection of "Chicago's best" lists. At least one contributor called it for the cliché that it is. (Seriously, Craigslist is the city's best marketing site!?)","October 03, 2008\nA Chinese restaurant in Urbana, IL (if you know which one, let me know) has started using a wireless remote to let customers summon their waiter for food, water, the check, or just regular old attention. Makes me want to roadtrip for some ma po tofu.","October 02, 2008\nWant to get crafty during the debate tonight? You can play some Palin Bingo, try your hand at a Build-O-Bama, or any of these Obama-themed craft projects. [via]","October 02, 2008\nMr. Clean actor House Peters died recently at the age of 92. In case you didn't know, Mr. Clean was created here in Chicago by Harry Barnhart and Ernie Allen at the Tatham-Laird & Kudner ad agency. The hairless, obsessive compulsive, controversial, and sexually ambiguous corporate mascot's first name is Veritably, by the way, and he's known as Mr. Proper in England and Don Limpio in Spain. There you go: more than you ever wanted to know about Mr. Clean.","October 01, 2008\nChicagoan Joanne Smith just won a Saginaw, MI, house on eBay for $1.75. The only drawbacks: she needs to pay $850 in back taxes and for trash and weed clean-up. Also, it's in Saginaw, for Pete's sake. She expressed concerns that it might be haunted too. Hopefully, she's joking about that last part.","October 01, 2008\nGroupon, a Chicago startup, will offer daily coupons for local events, services, hotels, eateries and more. The twist? You only get the deal if enough people sign up for it. If not – well, you know.","September 30, 2008\nLife's drama recorded on a bus shelter wall. [via]","September 30, 2008\nGoogle has updated its satellite map of the city, and now shows a completed Millennium Park and a view of the top of Cloud Gate. [via]","September 29, 2008\nRoger Ebert vraiment did not like Senator John McCain's behavior at Friday night's presidential debate: "Before the debate, pundits were wondering if you might explode in a display of your famous temper. I think we saw that happen, all right, but it was an implosion. I have instructed my wife to exclude you from any future dinner parties."","September 26, 2008\nEater Chicago may not be bowing until next month, but the love for "Chicago's darling" Grant Achatz has been simmering for a while. Get a taste of "The Daily Achatz".","September 26, 2008\nBenefit Cosmetics and Sephora are holding a contest to find a Posie Gal to promote their Posie Tint product. One of the three national finalists is Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley's Chief of Staff Kimberly Walz (Gal #1). Put the Chicago Machine to work and vote for her video to win.","September 21, 2008\nHas Roger Ebert's site been hacked or is he really trumpeting Creationism? I'm going with hacked. Yep.","September 11, 2008\nChicago native Scott Johnson barbecues for a cause: to fight cancer. He donates his winnings in national competitions to a cancer research foundation. That's nice, but his reasons for getting into barbecuing might tick a few people off: he points to "the lack of quality barbecue cuisine in his native Chicago." Ahem…","September 10, 2008\nThe title says it all.","September 10, 2008\nIt wasn't just the Marshall Fields and the Potter Palmers who rebuilt Chicago after the Great Fire. WBEZ-FM reports on the women who helped raise the city from the ashes.","September 10, 2008\nIn honor of National Preparedness Month, the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago is awarding Safety Tubes to the two commenters who can best explain when a safety tube (which contains water, light source, dust mask, and whistle) could have come in handy in a previous emergency, or when they might need one. Deadline for comments is 5pm Friday.","September 03, 2008\nSports blog East Coast Bias took a trip to Wrigley Field this past weekend and (surprise!) they kinda liked it.","September 02, 2008\nWhether you're a fan of Obama, McCain, or a Hillary booster, you can embroider your vote with free redwork patterns from Black Threads, a blog about African American quilting. [via]","August 30, 2008\nAmy Dickinson, who writes the Ask Amy advice column for the Chicago Tribune, wed childhood pal Bruno Schickel in upstate New York on August 16.","August 29, 2008\n236.com's quiz finally solves the age-old question: "Which inflammatory pastor are you?"","August 25, 2008\nThe Reader has completely redone its online event listings. Looks a whole lot better, although I'm not sure how they arrive at the order in which stuff gets listed.","August 20, 2008\nFor the third year in a row, Hotwire.com declares Chicago the top destination for the Labor Day weekend. And if you do choose Chicago as your vacation destination, a New Zealand travel site tells you the best way to spend 48 hours here.","August 17, 2008\nAlthough the woman behind the LivingOprah blog was anonymous in a Chicago Reader profile last month, the New York Times outed her. UPDATE: Actually, She outed herself last month after taping an NPR interview. (Thanks, Erin!)","August 13, 2008\nRemember little Anakin Skywalker from Star Wars Episode I: The Clone Wars? Well, rumor has it, that he is a film and video major at Columbia College. Or maybe its just his clone.","August 12, 2008\nNow that the banks have collapsed, here are some tips for surviving the New Depression.","August 09, 2008\nComedian and actor Bernie Mac, 50, died this morning at Northwestern Memorial Hospital due to complications from pneumonia.","August 08, 2008\nDecider.com is a new city entertainment guide produced by the Chicago office of The Onion and A.V. Club.","August 06, 2008\nTne New York Times shows LaSalle Street and its classic architecture some love, citing renovation as one of the boulevard's assets.","August 05, 2008\nThe Chicago Examiner (by way of New York-based Gawker.com) says that the Big Brother-ish Google Maps Street View might have caught an image of a kid with a gun and a drug deal going down here in Chicago.","August 05, 2008\nYour choice: pro or con.","July 30, 2008\nMy Guesstimate is a site for simple straw polls. Seems to be mainly the founder querying into the ether so far; give him a little company.","July 30, 2008\nSenior citizens playing Wii Sports at the Skokie Public Library.","July 28, 2008\nWhile Chicago suffers through a devastating crime wave, the Smithsonian takes a look at a murder that rocked the city and the nation…84 years ago. If the case sounds familiar it might be because you ran across it here first.","July 17, 2008\nIn an op-ed piece in the Terre Haute TribStar, Chicago gets a thumbs-down from one woman who states a preference for corn fields and cowpies. Maybe she hasn't gone to the Farm In The Zoo.","July 16, 2008\nThe Adventures of Miss Girl.","July 16, 2008\nTwo ways to meet your invisible friends next week: the Digg Meetup on the 23rd and Yelp Around the World party on the 24th. If you're a member of either (or both), don't forget to RSVP.","July 10, 2008\nYou may love her, or love to hate her, but no one can deny the power of Oprah's suggestion. Do the haters have reason, or should everyone join the Oprarmy? The Reader chronicles one local woman's attempt to find out.","July 09, 2008\nYou can relax now: The list of "America's Best Public Restrooms" is out and, yes, Illinois has two of the top 10 spots, including one in Chicago. You can vote for the No. 1 place for No. 1 (or 2) here.","July 03, 2008\nTen people Twitter'd Navy Pier's annual July 3rd fireworks display.","July 01, 2008\nProfessional curmudgeon and columnist Thomas Roeser absolutely trashes the Taste of Chicago experience as "a sad trampling of civility" and says that it reduces the dining experience to "ashes and banal barbarism." But other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?","June 28, 2008\nMatt traveled the globe, making videos of himself dancing badly. Eventually, folks started to join in. It's pretty moving, actually. Chicago and the Bean put in an appearance at the 2:26 mark.","June 27, 2008\nAbout the same size as the Loop.","June 26, 2008\nWhat in the world is it?","June 25, 2008\nMoving/cleaning/mending your pack-ratty ways? The Chicago Recycling Coalition maintains a handy-dandy list of how to recycle pretty much anything in Chicagoland.","June 19, 2008\nThe subject of a Sun-Times article in today's paper, who complained about the hardships of not having a car, gets a bit of a dressing down by (naturally) the author of the blog Chicago Carless.","June 12, 2008\nThe Chicago version of the activity-planning website Eventful.com kicked off today, which lets users search, set alerts for and buy tickets to thousands of local events, from concerts to street fairs to discussion groups. You can even add your own events to the listings.","June 12, 2008\nAn entertaining slice of urban life or a pain in the…eardrums? Either way, the "bucket boys" are a familiar sight in Chicago and North by Northwestern has an article/video on the ubiquitous street performers.","June 11, 2008\nThe Examiner recently launched a Chicago edition, featuring blogs from Adam Fendelman, Al Yellon and other local writers.","June 11, 2008\nThe Reader will be launching a new nightlife site this week: drinks.chicagoreader.com. The site isn't live yet, but it's mentioned in the official flickr group.","June 09, 2008\nAnother Belushi, Jim's son Rob, joins the line of entertainers from that famous Chicago family. But this one is going for the dramatic roles, currently rehearsing for The Lion In Winter in Glencoe's Writer's Theater.","June 09, 2008\nIntroducing FlickrTwitterThinker, the latest project by digital tinkerer (and ex-GB staffer) Felix Jung.","June 06, 2008\nUnlike other cities, Chicago is showing no special preferences to owners of hybrid cars by giving them a break on feeding the meter and providing them with free parking spaces to encourage their use. Should we really be surprised?","June 05, 2008\nThe latest issue of local literary mag Please Don't is up, casting its gaze on TV and music, and featuring new short fiction by Susannah Felts.","June 04, 2008\nWith Barack Obama's (presumptive) Democratic primary win all sewn up, The London Times gives the A-Z of his remarkable life. Guess what the "C" stands for? There's also an AP bio on Obama with photos from throughout his life.","June 03, 2008\nEmbedded in the text of the indictments handed down by\nU.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald’s office May 22 charging bribes and\ncorruption\nin our city’s building and zoning departments, are Chicago\naddresses, locations where these crimes are alleged to\nhave taken place. EveryBlock does a deep-dive into these\naddresses,\nhighlighting choice greased-palm spots such as the Starbucks at Clark\nand Washington.","June 02, 2008\nIt's called Soceeo (pronounced like "socio-economic"), and it went live today.","May 30, 2008\nSo, you don't think you can afford a home in the city? Sure you can. Take a look at the cheapest real estate in Chicago.","May 29, 2008\nDo we really need all these missed connections? Isn't Craig's List enough?","May 28, 2008\nThere's an "exclusive new lounge" in the city — but you're only invited if you take a $4,000 personal development class called Lifebook.","May 24, 2008\nIt seems that basement slot-car racing has quite a following in Chicago and elsewhere, according to this recent Wall Street Journal article.","May 23, 2008\nA diverse clientele gets their kicks not on Route 66 but at an upscale athletic shoe store across from the Sheridan Red Line el stop.","May 22, 2008\nIn addition to our flickr group, you may want to check out the Chicago Office of Tourism's new group, which gives you a shot of being featured on their Chicago's Great Urban Adventures site.","May 21, 2008\nPaperGirl (aka Mary Fons) documents her encounter with a suspect yoga instructor. Let's just say a calming environment is not the first impression.","May 20, 2008\nVeronica saw a few PSAs for Illinois' Click It or Ticket program and thought they were commercials for an adult chat line. According to the state's new campaign, men will only wear their seatbelt if there is a sexy woman talking them into it. And of course Latinas can only seduce men into "being safe" if they're talking in Spanish. Ay yi yi!","May 20, 2008\nThe Center on Halsted will host a screening for "Dottie's Magic Pockets," billed as the first children's program for kids in gay and lesbian families. The show features puppets as well as real-life families. Bert and Ernie approve.","May 20, 2008\nMembers of the Rogers Park Young Women's Action Team have gotten tired of getting groped, propositioned, and followed while riding the CTA. And they're sure they're not alone. So instead of feeling shamed and staying quiet they've decided to fight back. If you need a safe place to share your story, see the calendar for an all ages event. But if you want to just share your story fill out their survey. Maybe someone at the CTA will read this and come up with a plan to make public transit safer.","May 16, 2008\nA Chicago couple is competing in the Today show's Race to the Altar contest. Check out their website and decide if you want to vote for them.","May 12, 2008\nWhat's going on on your street? (Why yes, it's yet another googlemap.)","May 09, 2008\nAs if wild parakeets weren't enough, Hyde Park now is home to a band of feral cats who have set up shop in an alley near East 62nd Street. No reports of cougars in the HP, though… yet.","May 09, 2008\nOnly two days remain in the Dance Movie Blogathon! Learn yourself all about David Bowie's footwork in Labyrinth, Kevin Bacon's prototypical Angry Young Dancer ("I'm so angry I'm dancing up against backlit silo walls") — and so very much more. [via]","May 08, 2008\nGot hair on your palms?Did your mom say you'd go blind?Early to Bed says, "Nope."(Think you can make a better haiku about masturbation? Then lube up your wordsmith skills and toss your favorites over to the wonderful folks at Early to Bed.)","May 08, 2008\nHe usually writes about the local architecture, but "urbanist" Lee Bay turns his attention to the gas crisis and even gives the presidential candidates a free speech sure to garner them votes.","May 08, 2008\nAn anonymous email circulating in a Florida community contends that Tyson Foods is bringing in "vanloads" of gang members from Chicago to work in their plant there, some of whom are apparently fired and "roaming the streets like wild dogs." The local sheriff's office acknowledges the email, but says the information is not true.","May 06, 2008\nAnswersTV is a video resource center filled with advice on everything from food to health to pets and, uh, magic.","May 06, 2008\nOne of the more bizzare pieces of cyberfluff floating around the Internet these days is Chicago's Kanye West challenging several friends in games of Connect Four, of which Kanye claims to be a master. Toronto's Now free weekly paper highlights his duel with actor Jonah Hill, star of Superbad et Forgetting Sarah Marshall.","May 06, 2008\nEver wonder how Google finds what you're looking for? The Chicago office demonstrates.","May 05, 2008\nBill Bramanti of South Chicago Heights loves Pabst Blue Ribbon beer so much, he wants to be buried in it. No, really.","May 05, 2008\nDid you miss the Chicago Pen Show? Were you even aware that there était a Chicago Pen Show? Apparently, some folks take pens quite seriously.","April 30, 2008\nOur neighbors to the south, in Marion, Indiana need some help. The Marion-Grant County Humane Shelter is closing down at the end of May or early June and all animals need to go to a loving home. Unfortunately, any animals still at the shelter at its time of closing will be euthanized. There are some dogs whose status is urgent and photos and more details on those dogs can be found here. If you're looking to adopt and dog or cat and can find your way down to Marion, Indiana, please consider this an option.","April 29, 2008\nBen Fry is an expert on data visualization. He recently created a map of all the roads in the United States; this closeup of the Midwest shows just how dense the pavement is around Chicagoland.","April 29, 2008\nUptown Update has the lowdown on some of John Dillinger's hangouts in Uptown, including his last stop: the neighborhood funeral home.","April 25, 2008\nKids write stories. The Barrel of Monkeys theater group performs these stories for audiences of kids and grown-ups. The group just launched a web site with a searchable story archive… which means you can read stuff like what I'm reading: a poem that begins, "If you ever run into a piece of barbecued chicken, run away as fast as you can to China."","April 22, 2008\nChicago is on track to become the first city to have a street sweeper-mounted camera system. As the sweeper moves down the street it will take a take a photo of any illegally-parked vehicle and a second image of the license plate, relaying both automatically to the Department of Revenue. Strictly for traffic flow purposes, you understand.","April 19, 2008\nCarfree Chicago has launched a new line of L Stop buttons for fashionistas who are interested in displaying neighborhood pride, support for public transit, or both. The buttons' bright, bold colors are perfect for springtime.","April 18, 2008\nRagan Communications gives it a B-. I'm surprised it rates even that high. (Thanks, Terri!)","April 18, 2008\nThreadless' is on this list of 10 annoyingly brilliant office interiors. [via]","April 17, 2008\nCraigslist tells us that TLC's What Not to Wear, the TV show that gives shame-based makeovers, is accepting nominees from Chicago. The post says, "Do you have a friend/ family member/ sister/ co-worker that is in desperate need of a fashion overhaul?!" No word on whether successful applications must adopt the same frantic tone.","April 17, 2008\nCat and Girl dissects This American Life, and finds out something that says absolutely nothing about us and the way we live.","April 15, 2008\nVolunteers with the WPB's Community Open Houses asked the people of Wicker Park/Bucktown what they wanted to see in their neighborhood. Their responses were collected in a series of photographs on Flickr: here, here and here. A quick survey indicates a big push for a more bike-friendly area. Oh, and a toy store. Don't feel left out of the process, though, you can submit your thoughts too. [Via]","April 04, 2008\nThe Catholic University of America claims that the first fictional representation of a black person receiving a major party nomination for president was in a 1964 issue of their comic book, Treasure Chest of Fun and Fact.","April 02, 2008\nEvery so often, new phone books arrive, yet this guy noticed that not everyone seems to want them. (Thanks, Jimmy!)","March 27, 2008\nPouah. A basketball coach at Walter Payton Prep School has been arrested for sexually assaulting two female students. It is alleged that George Turner, a married father of two children, used a vibrator on one student while in a parked car; he attempted to molest a second student in late February. The two students notified authorities together.","March 26, 2008\nOverheard in Chicago = eavsedropping made easy.","March 24, 2008\nThreadless launched Threadless TV, a new weekly video show.","March 22, 2008\nSo many people complain about the existence of teen mothers, but New Moms has been doing something about it. Until this last week, they've been housing about 20 new mothers and their young children, but a fire destroyed their facility and now those moms are in temporary housing. They're always looking for donations, but now would be a great time to help with a donation of $25, or more. (Hat tip to Veronica.)","March 22, 2008\nI wonder what's going on here at 3912 S. Vincennes Ave.? UPDATE: Google has taken the scene down; Gawker has the screenshots.","March 22, 2008\nDespite the recent snizzle storms, spring is here, and it's time to plant stuff. Even if you lack a lawn, you can still get into the gardening spirit by "seed bombing" your nearest vacant lot. This video, shot in Pilsen by locals Fresh Cut Media, provides a concise how-to and tips on the latest trend in guerrilla gardening. Seed bombs away …","March 21, 2008\nLast month the Polaroid Corporation announced that it would stop making instant film at the end of 2008. In response to the news, the Save Polaroid campaign was launched to help find a manufacturer willing to produce the film. There's also a Flickr group, not to mention our very own Polariod shots. Power to the people!","March 20, 2008\nIs the Trib really behind ColonelTribune?","March 17, 2008\nHey, Love, Chicago is back, now as an online-only zine about the city's music, food and indie culture.","March 05, 2008\nHereThere, a new webzine for "creative professionals," has launched.","March 04, 2008\nChicago cheapskates rejoice: SaveChicago.org gives its members access to a database of discounts at local retailers, then kicks a portion of the proceeds from membership fees back to area nonprofit organizations. Plus they're offering a $15 Visa gift card for new members.","March 04, 2008\nBoingBoing TV visits U of I's student inventors during Engineers Week. That cassette tape wallet is pretty sweet.","February 29, 2008\nWho do you want answering the phone?","February 28, 2008\nTECH Cocktail co-organizer and Somewhat Frank scribe Frank Gruber recently made this seemingly authoritative list of "140 Faces of Well-Known Bloggers." Gruber's name appears alongside those of bloggebrities Markos "Daily Kos" Moulitsas, Perez Hilton and Arianna Huffington, among others.","February 22, 2008\nFans of scantily clad Internet star Tila Tequila are invited to a casting call being held on Saturday, March 1 from 4-8 p.m. at a Loop location TBA. E Oh Productions is conducting the talent search on behalf of a documentary project about the Tequila phenomenon; contact them here.","February 22, 2008\nFound on Songza: The Theme from Hot Doug's by bee.","February 21, 2008\nTakotron takes a look at the Railroad Bridges of Chicago, some of which even have their own myspace pages.","February 19, 2008\nIn 1990, a Cook County Hospital physician mused on the topic in the British Medical Journal, finding a connection to… castration?","February 19, 2008\nIt's true because I found it on the Internet?","February 18, 2008\nOui il peut.","February 18, 2008\nCrazy Blind Date, a blind-dating website with helpful reminders like "your blind date is a real person," is now available to Chicagoans.","February 16, 2008\nNot only does Vera Videnovich sell tomatoes, herbs, asparagus, etc. that she grows on her Michigan farm during the summer and fall at the Logan Square Farmers Market, but she's now started to sell 1-pound lots of yarn, hand-spun and hand-dyed (using flowers she grows on her farm), from wool she shears off her sheep. This woman reminds me of all the small farmers I knew growing up. And she only has a few shares left for her April yarn sale, so get'em quick!","February 15, 2008\nAre you and a friend or loved one in need of some self-reduction? Wanna do it on a major network TV reality show? Then show up at Chicago Home Fitness at 1555 N. Halsted tomorrow, Feb. 16 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and try out for NBC's The Biggest Loser. Come early: This ad from casting call hosts BL4 Productions Inc. promises that the first 500 people in line will be seen, but latecomers might have to settle for listening to their iPods on the nearest treadmill.","February 13, 2008\nIf you would like to wear your support for Chicago's 2016 Olympics bid on your sleeve (or head), a new online store offers hats, shirts and jackets emblazoned with the six-pointed star logo and catchy "Stir the Soul" slogan. This could be just the thing for those of you who need a last-minute Valentine's Day gift for your sweetie.","February 13, 2008\nIn a Web populated with user-generated-this and user-generated-that, everyone's a critic. Here's an odd little essay about Safeway Crushed Tomatoes purchased at the Dominick's at 3145 S. Ashland.","February 13, 2008\nWhat do they have in common? Lincoln Logs! Check out bullet #3 in this Mental Floss article to find out the connections.","February 12, 2008\nA video of a Chicago woman taking some friendly 4am pictures at a police station in Elkhart, IN has caused some consternation.","February 12, 2008\nCity event-planning guides seem to be multiplying the way googlemap mashups once did. The latest is PlanJam.","February 09, 2008\nI suppose when you're the head of a media empire, you can get away with making blue comments to your employees about why it's okay to advertise for strip bars in your publications.","February 06, 2008\n"Faces," a new, black-and-white portrait project by local photog Jason Richardson, uses light, angle and composition to reveal people's faces as they really are (i.e., wrinkles, dots and all). Richardson needs models, so check out his flickr page and drop him a line to participate.","February 06, 2008\nBarackula, The Musical!","February 06, 2008\nHave an boozehound neighbor with a yappy dog, wild children, and a rusty car up on blocks in the driveway? Is he prone to late-night drum rehearsals or screamfests with his spouse? Too terrified to confront him directly? Impotently and anonymously vent your spleen at rottenneighbor.com. Here's the Chicago edition.","February 05, 2008\nThe Sun Times reports that two 911 dispatchers made over $110,000 last year (twice their salaries) in overtime last year. These two employees are not the only highly-paid staffers; twenty of their colleagues accrued up to $80,000 in overtime pay as well.","January 31, 2008\nChicago Magazine's February issue features "171 Best Chicago Websites," a nice round-up for your reading pleasure. Ses still not wasn't online, though, so Time Out took the initiative and created a linklist for you. Then Chicago Metroblogging created an OPML file of the list — along with all the ones mentioned in Time Out's recent blog feature package — that you can dump into your favorite feed reader. UPDATE: The Chicago Mag feature went online late today.\n\tYes, Gapers Block is mentioned in both the Chicago Mag and Time Out features. And, as Tankboy noted, we faire get along with the folks at Chicagoist.","January 30, 2008\nA series of great commercials for Dirty Found, created by Young & Rubicam Chicago and director Aaron Stoller. (NSFW)","January 30, 2008\nRich Uncle Pennybags is going to include city names in a new Monopoly edition. Apparently he's ok with competition in this case, so vote for Chicago's inclusion today, and if you're really dedicated, every day until Leap Day.","January 29, 2008\nSidewaysPony and the Inter-State Narcotic Association want you to beware of friendly strangers who might slip "dope" into your oolong. Also, CTA "Doomsday" takes on a whole new meaning.","January 28, 2008\nThe Montrose Ave. sinkhole now has its own MySpace page, where it promotes its own beauty and compares itself to the Grand Canyon. If you're looking for a way to throw some love its way, you're invited to join the rally outside the Montrose L station on Tuesday afternoon, to protest the city's ruthless plan to fill it it back up.","January 25, 2008\nThe current season of Layer Tennis finishes up this afternoon, and it's going out with a bang: not one but two matches, running simultaneously. Kiss your productivity goodbye at 2pm. (I'll be needing a drink after this one.)","January 24, 2008\nCalifornian James Srodon has filed a $50,000 lawsuit against the Blue Man Group after attending an October 2006 show at the Briar Street Theater. The "esophagus cam," a video camera reportedly covered in food, dirt and the trademark blue paint was forcibly shoved down Srodon's throat during the performance, damaging dental work and giving him nightmares.","January 23, 2008\nFitPregnancy magazine rated Chicago #28 out of 50 major U.S. cities in its "Best Cities in America to Have a Baby" survey. The city received praise for its progressive fertility resources but got a grade of F in categories such as affordability and something known as "stroller friendliness."","January 22, 2008\nThe Chicago Postcard Museum takes a look at the Museum of Science and Industry this month.","January 22, 2008\nIf you've seen that odd, Blair Witch Project-ish TV commercial for SeeItNext.com that is running on the local television stations, you may have visited the website and found a lone prompt to leave your email address for a February 4th reveal of the mystery behind the commercial. What's really going on here? The most popular theory suggests that the commercial is a viral advertisement for General Motors' presentation at the upcoming February 7-18 Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place. And If the future is a GM car, I'm sure it won't be a much-needed reprise of the EV1.","January 20, 2008\nChevrolet invites Chicagoans to nominate inspiring and heroic women to be named the Chicago Woman of the Year 2008. The winning woman receives a $5,000 shopping spree at Macy's and a big self-esteem boost. The nomination process lasts until March 10.","January 18, 2008\nDePaul College of Law grad David Wold is selling his diploma on eBay for $100,000. "This degree has been a great invitation to work at least 60 hours a week at a place where I don't want to be for people that I don't care about," he explains. As an added bonus, Wold will include his law school books, enabling the winning bidder to learn about the Carbolic Smoke Ball and other 1L in-jokes without having to attend any classes.","January 17, 2008\nAre you looking for a new Chicago-centric online community? CitizenPowered.org, an outgrowth of the Community Building Initiative between the City of Chicago & the Green Street Project, is now available in beta. Prendre plaisir.","January 17, 2008\nChicago designer Scott Sullivan recently made the Wall Street Journal for his affordable and eco-friendly lamps and coasters, which he makes from discarded clutches, shift gears, and other car parts. Sullivan runs his own Etsy shop where you can purchase his wares.","January 17, 2008\nAn ode to suburbia, by Chicago mag's Jeff Ruby.","January 14, 2008\nRyan Maconochie is a Chicago-based designer who loves maps. The ones he's designed for Chicago are great, especially his "Small Snack" map of Wicker Park/Ukrainian Village/East Village.","January 14, 2008\n You've got to hand it to a 73-year-old woman in Springfield who consistently refuses to sell her home to nearby Memorial Medical Center. As a result, her home is nestled in the cozy, welcoming hospital parking lot.","January 10, 2008\nThe Cook County Board of Commissioners is proposing a $4/month, $48/year tax on all phones — land, cell, cable and otherwise. The tax would also increase with inflation — at five years, your total amount paid would be over $250 a phone. Read more at NoPhoneTax.org. Update: Outside the Loop Radio will discuss the likelihood of the tax's success along with other taxes proposed at the end of 2007 on Friday's show. Look for Episode 68 on the main page around noon or listen to WLUW at 6pm.","January 10, 2008\nFreakonomics guru and U of C prof Steven Levitt and collaborator Sudhir Venkatesh have determined that 3 percent of all "transactions" performed by prostitutes in Chicago are free samples granted the boys in blue to avoid arrest.","January 10, 2008\nOrganizers of Chicago's Tech Cocktail are starting the "Bring CES to Chicago" movement, after learning that the consumer electronics trade show — the largest in the U.S., and underway as we type — might be leaving its usual spot, Las Vegas. The Cocktail guys discuss their campaign for the masses as any savvy technogeek would: via BlogTV. To join in on the fun, you can email the T-Cocktail guys here.","January 07, 2008\nTracy Buckley, a supervising investigator for the city Office of the Inspector General, was charged with stealing food from a Northwest side Whole Foods this past Saturday. Buckley has worked for the city office for almost 14 years.","January 07, 2008\nAt the American Economic Association's annual meeting, held over the weekend in New Orleans, University of Chicago economist Steve Levitt and sociologist Sudhir Venkatesh of Columbia University presented their preliminary work on a study focused on data collected from more than 100 Chicago prostitutes. Some of the scholars' findings: that prostitutes work 11 to 12 hours a week and make between $25- to $35-an-hour; and that condoms were used in only five percent of 2,000 transactions. According to portfolio.com, Levitt and Venkatesh's full results will be featured in the upcoming sequel to Freakonomics.","January 05, 2008\nIt's easy to fall into a slump this time of year — which is all the more reason to check out the newly launched Library of Inspiration.","January 04, 2008\nTwo cleaning women were trapped in a stuck elevator in a Niles office building for two days, surviving on two cough drops and six aspirin before an employee discovered them on Christmas Eve.","January 03, 2008\nO'Hare is still the second-busiest airport in the nation, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Atlanta's Hartsfeld-Jackson airport has been the busiest for the last three years due to increased travel needs in the area and advertising efforts by Atlanta-hubbed airlines Delta and Air Tran (which used to be the deadly ValuJet Airlines, FYI).","December 28, 2007\nChromium, a nightclub near the intersection of Halsted and Lake, had a problem with fights and drunk driving. A neighbor took to videotaping the activity outside the club, and caught a shooting on tape. The videos on YouTube garnered national publicity, and Chromium was closed on Dec. 3.","December 24, 2007\nIt's not every day that a minivan crashes into the ABC 7 studios in the middle of a live broadcast.","December 21, 2007\nDon't think your Shellac album will go over well with the in-laws this Christmas as you play it during after-dinner talk? Never fear, The Jingler is here to add a festive bell track to all your music. The results? Hilarious.","December 20, 2007\nThe Delta Institute, a non-profit organization, has launched a Website where you can measure your annual greenhouse gas emissions, learn how to reduce your impact, and offset your carbon footprint through the purchase of carbon credits certified by the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX).","December 19, 2007\nScaryideas.com tackles Wrigley Field…with Tide.","December 17, 2007\nThe Times of London offers an inquisitive reader a few tips on the best Chicago hotels. Did you know the Hotel Burnham has a "swish" ground floor cafe?","December 17, 2007\nChicagoLive.com is a new video site by the Tribune, hoping to jump on the bandwagon of user generated content. Enter their holiday contest and your video could appear on CLTV! (That's all they could spring for?)","December 17, 2007\nA sigh of relief for those irritating people concerned that too much of Chicago real estate consists of demolishing old buildings in order to replace them with state-of-the-art monstrosities: according to a New York Times article, New York is now the "Teardown Capital" of the US, bumping Chicago to the #2 spot. Huzzah!","December 12, 2007\nThe good people of Lisle believe they came under an airplane lavatory attack during Monday's sleet storm. The FAA isn't so sure, suggesting it was the work of a flock of birds. "It is mysterious. It is very mysterious," says one resident.","December 11, 2007\nLawyers for Drew Peterson have set up a web site where you can donate money to defray his legal costs. Although the site is currently down, the following message posted at DefendDrew.com really tugged at my heart strings: "For the cost of a few cups of your morning coffee, you can help to ensure that Drew can afford to support his ongoing legal defense, find his missing wife and divert any remaining funds into a trust for his children." Yeah, good luck, buddy.","December 11, 2007\nMug shots give way to molar shots. The Chicago Homicide Unit asked the ADA to help identify the teeth of a woman who was found dead in a North Side alleyway last January. The cops "would like to speak to dentists who have any knowledge about a patient who obtained braces and never returned for follow-up care."","December 06, 2007\nStopping just short of calling opposing coaches chickens, a new website pretty much DEMANDS that teams be forced to kick to the Bears' freakishly-amazing return man Devin Hester.","November 29, 2007\nRearview contributor and excellent photographer Carey Primeau launches a new photography site and portfolio. While I've seen my fair share of deserted and abandoned photography sites, Primeau really does elevate these photos to stunning. One of the more stellar sets has to be his Uptown Theater set, a building that has intrigued me for years. So good.","November 28, 2007\nHappened to stumble upon these while looking for something else: images of Chicago in the public domain on Flickr. While there is the usual Sears Tower/Millenium Park/El photos, there are quite a few historical ones as well. I find this one of the stockyards fascinating, as well as this locomotive shop picture.","November 27, 2007\nOur friends at Coudal Partners spent some time at the Black Hole, a Los Alamos surplus store, and are showing their film in five parts this week. The full DVD is also available.","November 26, 2007\nThe wife of billionaire adventurer Steve Fossett has asked the Cook County court to declare Fossett dead after his disappearance following a September 3 flight in Nevada.","November 20, 2007\nData released by the US Postal Service shows that Chicago has the worst mail delivery service in the country, with only 94% of letters reaching their destination within one day (an improvement from last year's delivery rate).","November 19, 2007\nIt comes around every year, and even though it might annoy you, you know you're going to watch it: the "Favorite Things" episode of Oprah airs tomorrow, and this year's recipient of the coveted gifts is a group of people from Macon, Georgia, as that city reportedly has the nation's highest percentage of viewers tuned in to her show.","November 19, 2007\nThe Nature Conservancy in Illinois is starting a new kind of environmental awareness campaign to get Illinois talking about eco-destruction. Dubbed Start One Conversation, the campaign centers on a Website that gives folks enough background info about issues such climate change and habitat preservation to talk about them without sounding all "you know … global warming, like, sucks."","November 14, 2007\nAlthough it's reportedly unlikely, Delta Airlines is thinking about buying United in an effort to deal with rising jet fuel costs.","November 13, 2007\nThe GLBT media scene just got a little more crowded with the arrival today of EDGEChicago.com.","November 13, 2007\nAccording to a recent AP story, Illinois ranks third in the purchase of vanity license plates; Virginia is first, as the cost of their plates is a measly 10 dollars. Before you run off to the DMV to see if "Jordan 23" is still available, the joke is on us: Illinois also charges the most of any state for vanity ($94) and personalized ($47) plates.","November 11, 2007\nDonda West, mother of musician Kanye West and former chair of the Chicago State University English Department, died Saturday night in Los Angeles at the age of 58. The cause of death is unknown at this time, and her death was apparently sudden.","November 08, 2007\nThe Midwest Teen Sex Show, a sex-ed video podcast, got some attention from the Wall Street Journal today. The show is regularly in the top-10 in iTunes' Health section.","November 07, 2007\nNot quite the expose on Santiago Calatrava (also known for his work on the Milwaukee Art Museum), but Creative Review, a design magazine based in the UK, showcases the design work of Third Eye Design who did the collateral for The Chicago Spire. Even if you don't like the Spire itself, the accompanying literature praises our fair city.","November 04, 2007\nActor Shia LaBoeuf was arrested at the Walgreens store located at Chicago and Michigan Avenues Sunday morning for (drunkenly) refusing to leave. The actor, who will appear in the next Indiana Jones movie, will be back in town for his court date on November 28.","November 02, 2007\nLocal, self-described "joggler" Perry Romanowski just set a new world record for running a 50-mile ultra-marathon while juggling three bean bags. Romanowski did it in an amazing 8 hours, 23 minutes, and 52 seconds with no more than four drops–a half hour less than the old record. Hold on there… there was an old record to beat?","November 01, 2007\nJargon Magazine relaunched today with a new design and new sections.","October 31, 2007\nChicago is a city full of ghosts, and Irving Renquist is out to find them. There's only one problem: he's never seen one before. That's the basic set-up for Irving Renquist, Ghost Hunter, a new web-based mini-series. Check out the first episode here.","October 30, 2007\nA new news aggregator called Newser debuted today, with a full-time Chicago-based editorial staff and freelancers summarizing as many as 60 stories a day. (Thanks, Phil!)","October 30, 2007\nIt's been awhile since we had a YAGm, but here's YourStreet, a new mash-up that puts news on the map. Not sure it's any better or more useful than Outside.In, but now you have a choice. (Wonder what EveryBlock thinks of it.) (Thanks, Sarah!)","October 30, 2007\nAn article in the New York Times investigates Barack Obama's short but significant time spent in New York in the 1980s as a Columbia University student and a brief post-graduate stint in international finance. Obama says his time in the Big Apple was "pivotal to his life"; however, he declined the Times' "repeated requests to talk about his New York years, release his Columbia transcript or identify even a single fellow student, co-worker, roommate or friend from those years."","October 29, 2007\nChicago Metropolis 2020 and Jellyvision teamed up to create Metro Joe, a game that tests your knowledge of both the city and the suburbs.","October 28, 2007\nWhen Witch School International set up shop in Rossville, a struggling southern Illinois town, not everyone was excited about the economic jolt.","October 26, 2007\nJeannette Sliwinski, the former model who killed local musicians Michael Dahlquist, Douglas Meis and John Glick in July 2005 while trying to commit suicide, was found guilty of reckless homicide today. Sliwinski was also deemed mentally ill, which lessened the initial charge of three counts of first-degree murder. She will be sentenced November 26.","October 19, 2007\nOur very own Naz Hamid is playing Layer Tennis today; go root for him in the forums!","October 16, 2007\nThe Apartments.com Possession Obsession contest is in its final week, and ex-GB staffer Brenda is still in the lead; give her a hand to make sure she stays out front by voting today! And speaking of contests, you can also vote Cubs or Sox in People magazine's Sexiest Fan Alive contest.","October 15, 2007\nChicagoAncestors.org uses data from local churches, yearbook collections, neighborhood histories from the Newberry Library and information from the Chicago Historical Homicide Project to map Chicago's past. Registered users can add tags, comments, photos, stories and "Chicago Places" to maps on the site.","October 14, 2007\nAnd with a techno soundtrack no less.","October 12, 2007\nIt's easy to be enamored with the charms of Second City Cop. But today let's give some blue love to Checkboard Chat, the official Chicago Police blog. Today they give us some quality cop talk in describing how they cracked a cold case murder. Example: "The victim was then physically beaten by his associates." Bonus: "You can find anything on Craigs List"","October 12, 2007\nA time lapse video of the day of the Chicago Marathon.","October 11, 2007\nHypertext has collected some more interesting captures from Google Street View.","October 10, 2007\nWho are the people in your Google Street View neighborhood?","October 09, 2007\nGoogle Maps Street View comes to Chicago. The Tribune waxes about the privacy issues that come with it.","October 03, 2007\nSomeone needs a Journalism Ethics class! Deborah Solomon, a New York Times Magazine reporter responsible for the mildly revealing "Q & A" section at the end of each issue, was recently taken to task by past interview subjects, among them This American Life creator Ira Glass, for fabricating pointed questions to fit dialogue spoken during her interviews.","October 03, 2007\nThen you might be interested in the Chicago Geek Guide. Your one-stop shop for all things geek.","October 02, 2007\nChicago graphic designer Leah Dickey of Pixelgate Media beat out 435 other entries to win a worldwide design contest held by Yahoo to create a "green" designs for a taskbar icon. As part of her prize, Leah got to select which environmental-related nonprofit receives $20,000 from Yahoo; she chose the Green Street Project, an organization that is collaborating with civic leaders, government and media to get people engaged in making Chicago a leading environmentally sustainable city.","October 01, 2007\nWhile we've all had our fill of the brief but entertaining Cheetah Gym Closing Scandal of last month, a recent check of a website forum that was created by a former member intending to coordinate a class action lawsuit for recovering gym fees revealed that although Cheetah has fully reopened, the site still exists, and the former owner of the gym (or someone pretending to be him) has surfaced in the bulletin boards. The resulting conversation between him and the other folks on the board is quite interesting. And completely bonkers.","October 01, 2007\nWhile the season opener of Saturday Night Live this past weekend delivered another funny digital short, the finest sketch of the night was about local export (and SNL musical guest) Kanye West's visit to BET's 106 and Park to discuss his award show tantrums of late. To watch Kanye's music performances, click here and here.","September 30, 2007\nExcessively trusting thrillseekers may be interested in attending the First Annual Ghost Conference, held October 26-28 at the Congress Plaza Hotel… which is, of course, billed as being "haunted."","September 28, 2007\nGood way to spend your Friday afternoon: Layer Tennis is live.","September 27, 2007\nCongratulations to Feast of Fools, which won Best GLBT Podcast in the People's Choice Podcast Awards.","September 25, 2007\nA special effects technician died on the British set of The Dark Knight Returns, the upcoming Batman film scheduled for release next summer. Parts of the movie were filmed in Chicago this past summer. The technician was in a vehicle carrying camera equipment that crashed into a tree during a test of a stunt likely involving the Batmobile.","September 24, 2007\nAfter stints as the head of both the Chicago and Philadelphia Public School Systems, Paul Vallas is now the head of the New Orleans Recovery School District. A nice profile in today's New York Times details his hopes for the district's future.","September 21, 2007\nWurlington Brothers Press has published a series of postcards that allow you to make your own miniature paper Windy City! Teeny-tiny Mayor Daley not included. (We discovered it years ago, but BoingBoing just found it.)","September 18, 2007\nWhile searching for a bike rental in Amsterdam, I happened upon a very cool looking B&B in Bucktown. So if you have guests for more than a few days who might appreciate a sauna, kitchen, and a break from the same-old same-old downtown, Ray's Bucktown B&B might be just the thing. (Bonus: they have a retro hair-dryer. Take that, Palmer House!)","September 18, 2007\nMetromix launched a full redesign today, and divorced itself URL-wise from the Tribune. It sure looks slick, but does it work any better?","September 13, 2007\nThe Westin Chicago River North hotel wants to attract guests not just with continental breakfasts or chocolates on the pillows, but rather a super-toilet, the Brondell Swash 800. Equipped with such indulgences as a heated seat, bidet, warm air dryer (!), and water pressure controls (!!!), one wonders how this will impact local escort services.","September 13, 2007\nDo you know where Reba is? (Thanks, Ellen!)","September 10, 2007\n"WikiProject Chicago was started on July 5, 2005 to coordinate work on articles related to the article Chicago in the English Wikipedia". Pick up some open tasks, browse good articles, and edit newly-created articles like Poles in Chicago. Bonus: hi-res pic of the skyline from the lakefront.","September 10, 2007\nNot what you're thinking: The Midwest Teen Sex Show is a great video podcast put together, apparently, by some very funny folks in northwest suburban Woodstock. [via]","September 08, 2007\nI have a feeling Jonathan Fin and Casey Black are going to regret making this video.","September 06, 2007\nThe latest edition of GoogleEarth includes a flight simulator (controls here). GB reader Dubi Kaufmann noticed that "One of the 27 airports available in the flight simulator is Meigs Field – FOUR YEARS after it was closed."","September 01, 2007\nCraig Berman, writer emeritus for Gapers Block, maker of the honorably mentioned Pinch salt cellar and pepper shaker, and his wife Emily Berman, a vendor in this year's DIY Trunk Show, had their home profiled by Apartment Therapy. Their style? "Shabby chic meets modern sleek meets budget conscious new homeowner meets avid crafter meets product designer."","August 30, 2007\nIf you've ever been down Ravenswood near Wilson, you might have seen the rather large stickered and logoed truck with bright red, yellow and black graphics that say, "On the Fly." The Chicago Traveler has the scoop: On the Fly is a mobile bike mechanic shop. Joe Ebervein and Rich Kwaitkowski will go where you are to get you on the road again.","August 29, 2007\nWho doesn't love a mash-up? Ongopongo is a site that aggregates user's Google My Maps mash-ups. Check out Chicago Ongopongo maps, including vegan restaurants, 4 am bars and even area pinball machines.","August 29, 2007\nA couple in Lombard left their teenage son at home alone for a week earlier this summer. He and his friends took the opportunity to build a 60-foot waterslide in the backyard. Potential for serious injury aside, that's pretty frickin' cool.","August 29, 2007\nAn interesting look behind the scenes at The Wiener's Circle, courtesy of This American Life. Audio is most definitely NSFW, so throw on those headphones!","August 28, 2007\nFave is a new "Chicago neighborhood browser." Unlike most search tools, this one is a downloadable browser that supposedly doesn't transmit your search to the Internet, which leads me to believe it has an internal directory — so it's more like an electronic yellow pages, I guess? If you're curious, they've got a storefront at Clark and Fullerton where you can try it out and ask more questions.","August 28, 2007\nApparently seriously concerned about its public image, BP has taken to purchasing (regionally specific?) advertisements via google to tout its pledge to not increase discharge limits. This advertisement was embedded in a NYTimes.com article about the Maison de Verre.","August 27, 2007\nNerds at Heart wants to help you find love! This crew throws singles events catering to a range of niche markets. Upcoming Nerds at Heart events will match regular ol' nerds, playful nerds, queer nerds and green nerds at locales around town. Check out their site to register in advance.","August 25, 2007\nI suppose lightning striking the Sears Tower is a fairly common occurrence, but that doesn't make it any less cool to witness. Oh sh*t!","August 24, 2007\nThe Dark Knight which has been filming in Chicago on and off for the past few months is doing something big. The Brachs Candy factory will be imploded on August the 29th August the 30th between 10:30am and noon. The implosion will be later added digitally into the film for a building explosion. Details here. Update: Note the date and time change. New details here.","August 23, 2007\nFollowing the news that "Max" is the number one name for cats and dogs for the fifth year in a row, a weird pet name free for all has broken out at the Trib.","August 21, 2007\nChicago native Brian Dettmer uses a knife to alter pre-existing media – most notably, books. I've been staring at these photos for the past ten minutes now, and they're absolutely taking my breath away. He and artist Jen Stark do things to paper I never even knew were possible. [via]//Edit: Some of Dettmer's work is currently at the Hyde Park Art Center. Thanks, Jessi!","August 20, 2007\nIn what might be the most elaborately, delightful case of deception I've ever seen, George Aye asks Sara Cantor to marry him. Congratulations and kudos!","August 18, 2007\nIf you're going to see Beyonce tonight at the United Center, don't forget the canned carrots! The Greater Chicago Food Depository is holding a pre-show food drive at the United Center, and the first 1,000 fans who drop off a minimum of three nonperishable food items before the 7:30 p.m. show will receive an autographed photo of Beyonce and a raffle ticket for a chance to win a seat upgrade.","August 17, 2007\nBatavia's doing well in IKEA's Small Businesses, Big Dreams contest, in which cities compete for having up to ten small businesses remodeled by the company. Check out their entry, vote for them and help them do even better.","August 14, 2007\nGumtree.com, England's answer to Craigslist, is launching in Chicago, NYC, and Boston today. Currently, it's an empty palette over at chicago.gumtree.com, so if you're sick of the white noise on Craigslist, this might be the chance to stand out.","August 13, 2007\nA moment of web zen: "TV DX Photos by Channel\nseen from Macomb, IL Since 1983" — in other words screenshots from stations seen with a long-distance TV antenna. [via]","August 13, 2007\nSet in Chicago, R. Kelly's over-the-top cult hit Trapped in the Closet needs to be seen to be believed. To date, there have been 12 chapters created; today marks the first of ten more (that's right, plus) chapters with the release of Chapter 13. A video recap is available, along with a helpful character map. I'm still unsure whether he's a comic genius, or utterly insane. Audio is NSFW.","August 10, 2007\nThe T-shirts of Lollapalooza.","August 10, 2007\nOur very own Felix has created a fun little time-killer: the Astronaut syncs random flickr photos to appear with key words from a song by Dan Frick.","August 09, 2007\nUsing old signs and discarded metal as his materials, David Buckingham creates pieces that are heavily influenced by both history and pop culture. What's particularly amazing is that all the colors in his works are from the original objects, as he uses no paint whatsoever. His work is currently at the Aron Packer Gallery until August 18th.","August 07, 2007\nVia the Beachwood Reporter, the somewhat bizarre year-end gifts of Sam Zell. (It's copyright Saltator Sepulcri, which translates roughly to "dancer [of/on] graves," so I'm gonna guess they're social satire, not real gifts.) UPDATE: They're real!\nGB reader Paula writes, "I wish they were social satire, but they are real and he does give them out as gifts every year. A friend of mine works at a financial company in Chicago that works with Zell and every year they get a bizarre moving sculpture piece that has a button to activate the movement and the voice of Sam Zell pontificating about something important to him. In her front office they have them lined up on shelves and they drive her nuts because guests love to push the buttons, but there’s no off switch so once you start the monologue you’re stuck until it ends. Bizarre."","August 06, 2007\nCayetano Ferrer, who did a fascinating set of transparent Chicago street signs, recently applied a similar approach to a group of 30-foot trees in Daejeon, Korea. [via and previously]","August 03, 2007\n80's mechanical icon Johnny Five is apparently being sold on ebay, and bidding starts at a cool $100,000. A special exo-skeleton, which controls all of the mechanical features, is also included. For an extra dose of nostalgia, check out the previously mentioned, newly available 1988 Siskel and Ebert review.","July 27, 2007\nPicnicmob is looking for someone… just like you! Participants are asked a set of questions, then given a spot in a public park where they'll be near others who share their interests. When enough folks particiapte (the site is shooting for 1,000 per city), a map is generated and an email sent announcing the day of the picnic (always at noon on a Sunday). An interesting concept, and if nothing else – a good excuse for a picnic.","July 26, 2007\nComing soon? Thanks, Roni.","July 23, 2007\nBroadview, IL-based Replogle has been making globes in the Chicago area since 1931. Naturally, the earth globes are works of art, but, so what? Freaking moon globe, man!","July 23, 2007\nIt's getting a little crazy, but Chicago music legend Steve Albini is answering a wide variety of questions in the Two Plus Two forums.","July 18, 2007\nExpanding her focus on the plight of the chronically ill in today's healthcare system, past GB contributor Kimberly Soenen and friends have launched Project Sin Alma.","July 16, 2007\nNeo-Futurist playwright Sean Benjamin recently received 21 packets of taco sauce for two tacos from the Taco Bell drive-thru. Then he wrote a play about it. Now he wants your help collecting one million condiment packets for his Condimentometer project. Because why the hell not? You have more condiment packets than you could ever possibly use, right? Bring (or mail) your packets to the Neo-Futurarium at 5153 N. Ashland, 60640, and be a part of something big and meaningless.","July 16, 2007\nThe Micro-Fiber Militia: a group of Chicago crochet graffiti artists, keeping the streets patterned and cozy.","July 16, 2007\nMan, you indie-rock kids were really on the make at this weekend's Pitchfork Festival. Check out all of these sweaty, lyrical Missed Connections from the List du Craig.","July 11, 2007\nFollowing Michael Chertoff's boogity-boogity meeting with the Tribune's editorial board, Wired Blog writer Ryan Singel raised the Homeland Security Gut Threat Level system warning to the Chicago hot dog with everything level. May God protect us from the Tijuana Danger Dog.","July 10, 2007\nSpeaking of timewasters, the Chicago Opera Theater recently posted a time-lapse video of three set changes: from "Beatrice and Benedict" to "Duke Bluebeard's Castle" to "Erwartung" to "Beatrice and Benedict" again. Seven minutes of stagehand fun!","July 09, 2007\nMeet folkstreams.net, a project to preserve documentaries about American roots cultures. There is, of course, a Midwestern section, and at least two Chicago-related films "The Popovich Brothers of South Chicago" and "Grace Earl."","July 08, 2007\nIf you went to the Police concert, there's a pretty good chance someone posted a Missed Connection about you. Check out the veritable blizzard of Craig's List posts from the '80s band's two-nighter at Wrigley.","July 07, 2007\nMonitoring local weapon news so you don't have to: the Chicago Police is getting ready to adopt a new weapons order that includes "striker-fired pistols manufactured by Smith and Wesson, Springfield Armory, and Glock"; Wired says that Taser International is about to roll out its new, wireless weapon here on Monday; and police higher-up Deputy Supt. John Risley's suspicions were right when he saw an 18-year old fidgeting with his shirt at the Taste of Chicago. The kid had a gun.","July 01, 2007\nSoooooooeeeeeeee! In quite possibly one of the most disgusting truck spills in recent memory, the northbound Edens was shut down for seven hours after a truck tipped over, spilling out pig ears, pig feet, and grease across the highway. Ironically, the spill happened near the Skokie exit.","June 30, 2007\n"Dean" and his female associate engaged in some hotel bed jumping at the Chicago Hyatt, as have many other people at hotels worldwide.","June 25, 2007\nAnd Kevin Corr, formerly a clerk in the Cook County State's Attorney's office, collects Chicago Police patches, medals, and insignia. There are several historical tidbits (There were 41 districts before Superintendent O.W. Wilson reorganized the department after he took the helm in 1960.) interspersed with collector-specific information about patches and what they mean. And like any good collector, Kevin has a Flickr site.","June 21, 2007\nGoing.com lands somewhere between Upcoming and Yelp — a social network for actual socializing. They're throwing a launch party for their Chicago channel tonight at Debonair Social Club, 1575 N. Milwaukee, starting at 7pm. RSVP and more info here.","June 14, 2007\nJulie Thoma Wright, a noted designer, passed away earlier this week after a battle with colon cancer. Thoma Wright, along with her husband Richard Wright, was known for being the force behind Wright, a Chicago auction house specializing in modern furniture and art. The Wrights were profiled last year in an article in Le New York Times.","June 12, 2007\nThis map renames US States with the country whose GDP is most similar. Illinois has a GDP like Mexico. As the author points out in the notes it's somewhat misleading as there's no sense of (population) scale, but it's fantastic nevertheless.","June 08, 2007\nThe District 299 Blog asks some good questions about "where exactly are the gang lines?" and follows them up with an even better link… to Southside Gang Maps. So now you know.","June 05, 2007\nWord from Kartemquin Films regarding their in progress film: "Kartemquin is currently working on Typeface, a documentary about cultural preservation, rural renewal and graphic design history in the Midwest.To support these efforts, we're holding a benefit on June 15th at the Center for Book and Paper Arts here in Chicago. Toad Hollow Vineyards is providing the bubbly, MJ Catering is bringing the sweets and a number of local artists (including Jay Ryan and Dennis Ichiyama) are donating original works for the silent auction." While the much lauded Helvetica opens the same night at the Siskel, it is a weeklong engagement. So, why not support the locals? Looks good to me.","May 31, 2007\nCrain's reports that a Chicago-based attorney got a little fresh with a Miami judge earlier this month. "'I suggest with respect, Your Honor, that you’re a few french fries short of a Happy Meal in terms of what’s likely to take place,' William Smith, a partner with Chicago-based McDermott Will & Emery LLP, said during a hearing".","May 30, 2007\nChicago.Metroblogging's Fuzzy Gerdes has created our local entry into the very cool flags of the world as pie charts","May 23, 2007\nA musical tribute to Harold's Chicken Shack. [via]","May 17, 2007\nIf you're interested in every last detail of Tuesday's Morrissey concert, check out the Morrissey Solo message board. Documented are the set list, crowd reactions, number of times people rushed the stage, merchandise quality, and, well, every last detail.","May 14, 2007\nChicago-based writer Kristen Nicole of 606tech.com and Mashable announces Web Ascent Events, set for next month. Web Ascent is "a way to recognize the sprouting technology communities in places that aren't the Valley". If you are interested in presenting, sponsoring, or attending, her contact info is here.","May 14, 2007\nNow that the Buckingham Fountain is going full blast, maybe you'd like to astound your friends with some related trivia. For example, it opened on May 26, 1927, and its computer's name is the "Honeywell Excel-Plus."","May 09, 2007\nThe City List is a new city-focused, Digg-like community site that allows users to vote on the best food, nightlife, etc. in each city. The site just launched and currently only has content for Washington D.C., which leaves the Chicago portion completely open to manipulation– I mean contributions from PR people– I mean users.","May 07, 2007\nHere's a few classic Chicago TV clips from everyone's favorite illegal video site: Malcolm X being rudely grilled on a Chicago talk show in the sixties, Siskel and Ebert review Blue Velvet, and a couple minutes from the famous Dec 31, 1988 "Fog Bowl" between the Philadelphia Eagles vs Chicago Bears.","May 04, 2007\nHow to Open Things is a new site that allows you to set up contests for ways to open …well, whatever you want. The creator was recently interviewed on WindyBits.","May 02, 2007\nCheck out this mini-photo essay documenting the Belmont L station house move [window resizes].","April 30, 2007\nElementary students at the Lab School have been building their favorite pieces of the Chicago skyline in Joyce Carrasco's class for more than a decade. Check out examples from the class of 2004-2005. Dibs on the Morton Salt building! [via]","April 30, 2007\nIf you've ever driven the Eisenhower expressway, and found yourself saying, "what's that smell?" right between CarMax on the south and a Holiday Inn on the north, you've sniffed methane gas from the Hilliside Landfill. The Attorney General forced its closing back in January. A new owner is now getting it done. Check their progress on landfillclosing.com.","April 25, 2007\nWhet Moser shares a 2016 t-shirt design I think in some circles would sell at least as well as the official one.","April 25, 2007\nChronicBabe, the locally-produced website for women with chronic health conditions, just launched a redesign. New features include a chronic conditions resource center and an online store. Additionally, if you sign up for Goodie Bags, the site's electronic newsletter, you get a free ebook copy of How to Be a ChronicBabe: A Beginner's Toolkit.","April 22, 2007\nIf you've traveled around the world "crossing every meridian of longitude in the same direction" and are interested in meeting others like you, you're in luck. Chicago has its own chapter of the Circumnavigators Club. Oh, and your travel doesn't have to be in the same trip.","April 20, 2007\nYouths up to no good in Streamwood, as alerted via the Chicago Police Department Weblog.","April 19, 2007\nIntelligentsia's Black Cat espresso is number five on Esquire's list of "60 Things Worth Shortening Your Life For." We also have a place to try number 35, "duck fat potatoes." [via]","April 16, 2007\nIn a classic "why the suburbs are better than the city" story from the Wheaton News Leader, all the old faves are resurrected: parking, taxes, stargazing. Cool. Then they go after the accent. "The Chicago accent itself is cringe-worthy. Out here, the speech is a little less blue collar, a little more blue blood."","April 12, 2007\nOver on Ask.MetaFilter, there's a thread compiling videogames that are set, in whole or in part, in Chicago. The list includes "Duelin' Firemen," in which a jet and the Space Shuttle crash into the Sears Tower. (Fortunately, it was never released.)","April 11, 2007\nMichael Horvich is more than a supernumerary, he's the curator of Michael's Museum. Unfortunately, the physical museum is currently not open to the public, presumably due to high demand because of a recent Tribune article. For now, enjoy the photographs and lists.","April 10, 2007\nChicago-based eco-friendly ecommerce company Reusable Bags is featured on AOL today.","April 10, 2007\nWere you stuck at your mom's house picking Easter grass out of your chocolate bunnies? Scraping charoset from grandma's china? Sounds like you could have used some Craig's List Casual Encounters. Check out these definitely NSFW Easter- and Passover-themed ads?","April 09, 2007\nKeep an eye on Same Title Different Story, a new podcast which gives several different Chicago artists a title, and asks them to create their own version of the "story" it belongs too.","April 03, 2007\nRochester, NY radio talk show host and writer Bob Lonsberry found himself with some unexpected time in Chicago due to an airline screw-up. His blog features a glowing, joyful account of a nice afternoon spent in our city's embrace.","March 30, 2007\nIf you want to be a Mensa member or just hang out with them, Chicago Area Mensa is where it's at. Learn about the official Mensa test, get recipes (yeah, recipes for food), and find brainteasers.","March 30, 2007\nGood fun for a Friday: the Chicago Theater marquee generator. UPDATE: Dubi Kaufmann, the site's owner, has been asked by the theater's owner to take down the image.","March 30, 2007\nIt's always a pleasure to see a news organization pick just the right stock image for a Downers Grove mob hit story.","March 30, 2007\nAs explained by Google Maps. Step 20 is a doozy.","March 29, 2007\nThey might be a distant second, but if you didn't manage to get tickets to see Chicago's adopted daughter Neko Case this week, photos and videos of the shows are popping up on the web.","March 29, 2007\nChalk up another strong showing for Chicago — this time in the category of Icky and/or Clever Names for Local Makers of Portable Toilets. According to a list compiled by New York Magazine, of the top twenty names in the industry, nationwide, Chicago is home to three: LepreCAN (#12), Oui Oui Enterprises (#5) and UrinBiz.com (#3). New Orleans claims the top spot with… Doodie Calls.","March 28, 2007\nA meandering video expos&eacute on Chicago boat names. Oddly therapeutic.","March 28, 2007\nCollege newspapers may not be known as paragons of journalism, but some local schools have some trailblazing pieces online, such as Columbia Chronicle's Jackass of the Week column. Other recent college paper wackiness comes from an article about Microsoft vernacular, an apology from a paper that got it all wrong and a pseudo op-ed arguing for a "Star Trek Defense" system against illegal aliens.","March 25, 2007\nThe Art Institute recently installed a construction camera so we can put a face in our dreams of more modern and contemporary art. The camera produces a new image every 15 minutes.","March 22, 2007\nGridskipper got it right when they called it "the Beginner's Guide to Chicago;" not many surprises on this list (though the shout-out to UIC's bowling alley is refreshing.) And hey, we're "twice as smart and half as nice as the folks in St. Louis and Minneapolis" here in the "capital of the Midwest." Génial.","March 20, 2007\nIt's been on YouTube for two weeks, but the video mashup of Hillary's "conversations" with the famous Ridley Scott "1984" Mac commercial, purportedly made by an anonymous Obama supporter, has made worldwide news since it was picked up by the Drudge Report this weekend. Obama's camp is disavowing any involvement, but I imagine internally they think it's pretty awesome.","March 16, 2007\nOak Brook's very own McDonald's seems to be having some trouble on one of its British websites. (Unfortunately, the item on the original website is in Flash, so we can't link to it.)","March 15, 2007\nAccessible Chicago is a site that "takes the guesswork out of traveling in Chicago with a wheelchair." Their five-star ratings and reviews give their take on degree of accessibility.","March 14, 2007\nDon't be distracted by Wrigley's announcement that it will launch a sensory "invigorating" gum called "5" this summer. Their Product FAQ offers so much more, including an important dog related item.","March 14, 2007\n"It started out as a harmless fling. He was a male cicada in love, she was a female cicada with needs." Could this possibly be from a real newspaper? Find out now.","March 13, 2007\nOkay, not sure what was in the air at last week's Scissor Sisters concert, but there's a bunch of Missed Connections related to it on Craig's List. Let's hope this weekend's drunken St. Patrick's Day festivities are equally productive.","March 10, 2007\nConvert your currency to South Side dollars while enjoying an unusual White Sox website.","March 09, 2007\nThe Chicago Police has a new section on their website for cold case investigations. Includes images, death stats, and chilling summaries of the victim's fates. You can submit any info you have anonymously or call (312)746-9690.","March 06, 2007\nIf you're looking for the toniest neighborhood for your next real estate purchase, maybe you should check the Chicago Business High End Homes section. The feature includes maps, photos and sale prices for the most expensive homes in the region in 2006.","March 05, 2007\nChicago Parent magazine has redesigned its website, which now includes a whole bunch of blogs covering a variety of aspects of parenting, from feminist childrearing to being a working mom to just being a dad.","March 02, 2007\nIt should have come as no surprise that the slings and arrows would be in action avant Barack Obama even announced a possible Presidential bid, and the past month has borne that out. Perhaps the strangest and most muddled discussion has been the one about whether the Junior Senator is "black enough" for some folks. Sure, "identity politics" were bound to be an issue at some point. It's interesting to note, however, that some of the most thoughtful and level-headed punditry on the whole subject of Obama's cultural steet cred has come from music journalists. It seems that Touré anticipated the issue back in 2004 when he published his reflections on Obama and Colin Powell in the essay "Ships Passing In The Night." Some of the points Touré made were echoed last month by hip-hop critic Oliver Wang in his think piece over at the website Poplicks.","March 02, 2007\nIf you're going to talk weather, at least know some trivia. Now you know, for instance, that on this day, exactly 53 years ago, Chicago witnessed the seventh greatest calendar day snowfall total in its recorded history (!). Check out March 4, 1961 while you're there. Fou.","February 27, 2007\nProspect Heights-based Alibi Network will construct elaborate lies on their clients' behalf. Given the copious amounts of stock photography and late 1990s web design, I thought this company was a hoax until I found their massive media archive.","February 26, 2007\nMonitoring the PR Newswire so you don't have to: Dateline, Houston. Marion Banowski of Chicago won $10,000 in free Shell gasoline at the Auto Show. "Each finalist drew a Shell gas card and then inserted it into the credit card reader of the display gas pump in hopes it would activate the pump. Banowski was the eleventh finalist to insert his card into the reader so the excitement in the air was palpable."","February 25, 2007\nHere's a story about gangs in Springfield, MO that references an influx of GDs from Chicago. Apparently the principles of supply & demand work in the Ozarks as well: "Police say dealers can also sell drugs and charge more than they can in major cities like Kansas City, St. Louis and even Chicago."","February 23, 2007\nWelcome to a world wherein grandparents in Lake County teach their grandchildren how to play video games.","February 20, 2007\nIt's 1961 and the communists have overthrown the government of the United States of America. Prepare yourself for the U.S.S.A.! What is the communists' first step? Move the government to Merchandise Mart! As J. Edgar Hoover says, read this comic now in order to "help us recognize and detect communists as they attempt to infiltrate the various segments of our society."","February 16, 2007\nJulie Vieira is a Chicago-based nun in the order of Sisters of the Immaculate Heart. She works at Loyola Press and chronicles her life as a modern, 35-year-old nun at her blog, A Nun's Life. Julie was also a guest of PRI's "Fair Game." Listen to the MP3 here.","February 14, 2007\nMost Chicagoans may not be aware that J. Allen Hynek was a UFOlogist whose Center for UFO Studies remains active in Chicago. Those who find Mr. Hynek's ideas a little out there are advised not to stop by the web site of alleged contactee Billy Meier.","February 14, 2007\nBlockshopper is a relatively new site that calls itself a "real estate news service for … the residents themselves." However, in practice, it's more for the residents neighbors, not so much for the subject of the site's news briefs, which are written apparently without actually contacting the people involved. Speaking of checking on the neighbors, ever wonder how your rent compares to the rest of neighborhood? Check it on the Rentometer.","February 13, 2007\nStuck inside? Left work early? Well, if you're feeling a little bored, the horndogs hanging out at Craig's List can provide company. Check out this search query for all kinds of XXX snow-related fun. Totally hilarious — and NSFW.","February 11, 2007\nThis month's Chicago Magazine contains a funny little feature providing high school portraits of area notables like Dave Eggers, Liz Phair, Harold Ramis and Donald Rumsfeld.","February 08, 2007\nMatthew McClintock welcomes you to his Oak Park home, which he has kindly photographed and uploaded to the Web–from the contents of his refrigerator to his underwear drawer.","February 08, 2007\nThe AIA recently surveyed 1,800 Americans about their favorite architecture and released the top 150 as a web feature. Chicago did well in the polls, with the third largest collection of "favorite" buildings in the country, behind New York and D.C. Some obvious Chicago favorites like Wrigley Field, the Tribune Tower and the Sears Tower are listed, but other buildings such as the United Airlines Terminal and the Harold Washington Library also made the cut.","February 02, 2007\nHow's this for an unusual look into the lives of our senior senator and his three high-powered roommates! Juicy tidbits include Durbin killing mice with his bare hands and his insistence on having a big screen television.","February 01, 2007\nThe Aqua Teen Hunger Force advertisements that caused serious problems in Boston have been in Chicago for weeks. After all of the hubbub in Boston, most of ours were collected last night. [If you happened to snap a photo of the Chicago Ignignokts/Errs, please post it to our flickr pool for all to enjoy.]","January 30, 2007\nFortunately, the irony that the Illinois Institute of Technology's student newspaper hadn't been updated since January 31, 2006 wasn't lost on its editors. Oh, irony, thou must find elsewhere to roost.","January 25, 2007\nCheck out this recent write-up of Thomas Marlow's Chicago Street Studio Project in the Australian media.","January 22, 2007\nChicago software stalwarts 37signals are conducting another one of their Fireside Chats– roundtable discussions using their Campfire chat software. This time it's marketing wonder man Seth Godin and online customer experience guru Mark Hurst. Your questions are welcome.","January 19, 2007\nThe Green Exchange, Logan Square's proposed "green merchandise mart" has launched its website. Dedicated towards green living, the site offers building plans, an FAQ and a forum to discuss the building and issues surrounding its development. [Hat tip: Craig]","January 18, 2007\nTense Forms, the collaborative multi-disciplinary, project-based workgroup, is holding their 2nd annual Winter Showcase at Subterranean on February the 2nd at 8pm onwards. The showcase features an insane amount of buttons (1000+), a wall of televisions screening all kinds of visual art as well as live music.","January 18, 2007\nIncreasingly needed in this day and age, A Fresh Squeeze is a site dedicated to green living in Chicago. Primarily a bi-weekly email, the site also offers articles in their archives for a taste of things past.","January 18, 2007\nIf you haven't yet seen the Leo Burnett-created Allstate ad with the car that plunges into the Chicago River from the Marina City parking deck, the companies have posted both the 30-second and 60-second versions and a behind-the-scenes video at YouTube. YouTube blocked at work? The videos and a "how'd they do that?" FAQ get their own mini-site at Allstate.com, too.","January 11, 2007\nThe next time you're flying out of O'Hare, check the sky for UFOs, then check under your seat for scorpions.","January 09, 2007\nWow, since we last checked in, the WikiMapia of Chicago has really filled out. You should add to it yourself, before everything's tagged. (Sad to see the Wicker Park entry remains a battleground.)","January 09, 2007\nOf 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.)","January 04, 2007\nThe History Channel recently asked designers to submit concepts of their cities 100 years in the future. Teams from Chicago, New York and Los Angeles are now facing off for the grand prize. Check out and possibly vote for Chicago's entry from UrbanLab today.","January 04, 2007\nIf today's Rearview photo (courtesy of the ever excellent Archie Florcruz) bewilders you or makes you want to do the same thing, take a look at his entry explaining his photo and then head over to the Create Your Own Planets Flickr pool for info on how to do this.","January 03, 2007\nWell, really, there's no reason to worry about the car dangling off of Marina City. [UPDATE: Visit Rearview for a photo.]","January 03, 2007\nAt last year's recent DIY Trunk Show, I made my usual rounds looking at who was doing what. The quality keeps getting better and better every year, a testament to those who organize the Trunk Show. However, one vendor caught my eye — Pink Loves Brown. The goods were smart, well-designed, retro-modern and quality. Nicole Balch puts out some really nice stuff — her apartment is quite inspiring, an extension of her work and aesthetic.","January 01, 2007\nSome United employees saw a UFO at O'Hare on November 7th, but the FAA's having none of it.","December 27, 2006\nOnline gaming magazine Gamasutra just released the final installment of its five-part series on Chicago game studios. The final stop is Midway.","December 26, 2006\nDevin Hester is a top contender for Rookie of the Year, but the contest to squat on his name on the web has already been won, apparently by these guys. At least second place, DevinHester.net, was nabbed by someone local.","December 24, 2006\nIf you're looking for a holiday laugh, check out the Tribune's reader-submitted "Scared of Santa" photo gallery. (Link pops due to window resizing.)","December 22, 2006\nA seasonal diversion from Schadenfreude & AlphaZeta.","December 20, 2006\nSome revised Christmas Carols for you, mostly Chicago-related, courtesy of the Beachwood Reporter.","December 19, 2006\nGood to know that even Jesus has trouble shopping for some of his relatives this time of year. Check him out as he hits the Mag Mile. [via and by]","December 19, 2006\nI don't know how many times I've been to the Quimby's site, but I'd never noticed the "live at quimby's" section until this morning. It has audio recordings from almost two-dozen events, although the one I really wanted to hear (Al Burian) is broken.","December 18, 2006\n…circa 1959. [via]","December 17, 2006\nUIC biologist Joel Brown wants to know how squirrels survive the dangers of city life in Chicago.","December 14, 2006\nJellyvision has launched the "Daily Dis or Dat," a quick flash trivia game based on their popular "You Don't Know Jack" series. Press buttons and win (virtual) cash!","December 12, 2006\nYoChicago is dedicating much of this week's coverage to Pilsen, with reviews, real estate coverage, and much more. Their YouTube Pilsen playlist is especially worth checking out.","December 11, 2006\n(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.","December 07, 2006\nFrom the team behind the political aggregator Real Clear Politics comes BuzzTracker — as if you needed another way to keep up on celebrities. (To be fair, you can track lots of other stuff, too.)","December 05, 2006\nOptional Events is a colorfully presented event calendar, with more of an activist bent to the listings.","November 30, 2006\nAmazon just unveiled Unspun, a new ranking site where users rank such things as the best small live music venues in Chicago, best websites about the city, best coffee houses… lots here, and lots to do to clean up duplicates and typos. (It runs on Ruby on Rails, but this isn't the rumored Amazon-37signals collaboration.)","November 17, 2006\nA number of robots will soon see action in Chicago. Oh, and one of them is named "Frank."","November 16, 2006\nSince college kids don't have enough online personae to manage, what with MySpace pages, Facebook profiles and Xanga blogs, UIC is exploring the possibility of a school-wide implementation of LiveJournal. Le but? Building community via an informal mode of student, faculty and staff interaction.","November 15, 2006\nDowntown ad agency Leo Burnett is behind a weather-sensitive billboard for cosmetics that's got the internet going nuts.","November 14, 2006\nFound 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.","November 14, 2006\nOne might think that 5,700 complaints against Chicago cab drivers would be a record high, but it's a 17% drop.","November 13, 2006\nRecent Detour subjects 37signals hit a big milestone today: a million users of its Basecamp software.","November 10, 2006\nConsole Camp, a new, Chicago-based game console blog, carries news and will provide details about the best camping spots for the Wii and the PS3. And in the spirit of democratic media, you can even post to it via email!","November 09, 2006\nFor its Chicago Fame 150, Newcity determined celebrity the 21st century way: it compiled a list of Google hits. Winning by a landslide, Oprah. No surprise there. The methodology does lead to some odd results: surely more people know who Hugh Hefner (19) is than Rod Blagojevich (17)? Still, there are amusing comparisons to be made. Jim DeRogatis (93) handily beats out Greg Kot (136), while Crede (77) slides in one spot above Iguchi (78).","November 09, 2006\nA group of graduate students at the Medill School of Journalism recently founded The Methods Reporter to share their unpublished work. The stories have a broad range, and they have particularly interesting coverage of community-based arts.","November 08, 2006\nHow much do you know about bizarre Chicagoland murders? Take this short quiz and find out!","November 07, 2006\nI read recently that, in the future, search engines will be able to reveal people's whereabouts at a given time, simply by the electronic footprints they've left. For now, though, that information is mostly captured voluntarily, making it largely the provenance of blogs. So it is that, if ever asked where screenwriter John August was when he started a play in late 2006, you can boldly answer "Chicago" — qualified, as he notes for posterity, "technically, Evanston." [via]","November 07, 2006\nRegardless of who wins, tomorrow will bring some sense of relief when we finally see an end to the televised blitzkrieg of political attack ads. A couple of years ago, political science professor John G. Geer published a book in which he argued that such negative ads were actually bien for the democratic process. Fair enough, as one of Geer's colleagues has recently demonstrated, provided you don't mind wearing the target.","November 04, 2006\nOur friends at Coudal have been awfully busy shipping Sixteen Straight tees. It's only natural folks would want to show them off.","October 25, 2006\nIf, after reading this week's Detour, you're curious about the 37signals mantra, you can now get Getting Real for free.","October 24, 2006\nChicagoan Michael Una built this neat combination of bicycle and drum machine for Chicago Artists' Month (that's octobre to the uninitiated). "Beat-Bike v.1 rewards exercise and coordination with funky outer-space disco beats," says Una. Who are we to argue?","October 24, 2006\nIf so, head out to East Dundee for the Santa's Village auction. Don't forget to check out the full catalog [PDF] and supplementary photos so you'll be fully prepared to bid.","October 19, 2006\nYou know you've made it in the world of software when Apple does a promo video about how much you love your Mac and OS X. But that's business as usual for 37signals lately, I guess. Read up on the Chicago-based web dev. firm in next week's Detour.","October 19, 2006\nIf I had the inside line on a conspiracy involving former Chicago Bears great Ed O'Bradovich, fraud, oil and the mob, I don't know if YouTube is the place I'd turn. But that seems to be the only place Joe Weinbender is telling his story.","October 17, 2006\nA follow-up on Mr. Undateable: Brian Wolf of "Settle For" fame has had some luck. While they've not yet reached the boyfriend / girlfriend stage, he tells NPR that he's currently seeing someone special. Hope springs eternal.","October 16, 2006\nLooks like the Chicago Bike Federation has a new website for their Drive With Care campaign. At first, I thought it was real, but then I knew that any memorial like "The Brittany" had to be too good to be true. Well done, chaps.","October 16, 2006\nCall 773/394-2017 and confess your secret. It will then be exposed — but only for a day — at One Day Secret.","October 11, 2006\nAnother from our neck of the woods.","October 09, 2006\nHave 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?","October 09, 2006\nHow long do you think it'll take the City to notice they forgot to renew navypier.com? [Update: They renewed it. Screenshot here for posterity.]","October 07, 2006\ninsideChicago can provide you with another fix. It currently produces two programs: STOP! Police, a weekly news of the weird podcast, and insideChicago, an offbeat arts and entertainment video podcast that is published twice a week.","September 30, 2006\nFollowing the Tribune's list of ugly Loop buildings, the Chicago Journal is asking for nominations for the worst buildings in your neighborhood. There's only one nomination so far, so let the archislaying begin.","September 29, 2006\nVia Coudal, the website of a woman whose autobiography's title only tells part of the story: Kellie Everts: I Strip for God. Not safe for work, obviously, and I only post it here because of a lengthy book exerpt of her experiences at the Chicago Playboy Club in 1978.","September 27, 2006\nWhile Chicago has put out some good videos in recent years (see: OK Go), this video from Jan Terri from 1993 is the exact opposite. I'm not really sure what to think: that it's actually from 1993 but looks like it's from the 80's or how cheesy Chicago looks. However, I have that chorus stuck in my head! [via Jennifer]","September 26, 2006\nUnable 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.","September 26, 2006\nKillers have moved into MySpace. The social networking juggernaut removed a profile for Laurie Dann, who shot six kids in a Winnetka school in 1988, over the weekend. Profiles of serial killers John Wayne Gacey, Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer are still up, for now.","September 25, 2006\nThe Sun-Times launched a redesigned website Monday night; it looks swell, but they also changed the way their URLs are built, so any links to articles that worked yesterday are now completely useless. [Matt adds: I’m not sure how swell it looks, but it’s not just the links that are obsolete — the old RSS feeds are, as well, so you’ll apparently need to resubscribe. Beyond that, here’s the site tooting its own horn.] (Thanks, Mike.)","September 25, 2006\nRanging from parades to street art to "Gringos out of Pilsen" agitprop and spanning several years, Flickr user Pedro Juan's photoset takes the pulse of a neighborhood.","September 25, 2006\nLearn the legend of Asshand, read a recounting of a visit to Lebanon, and other stories in the latest issue of Keep Going.","September 24, 2006\nIf you've ever wondered about the proper way to eat foods like thali, bo nuong and injera, a Tribune video story has you covered. Watch the video and then check out the restaurants they recommend.","September 22, 2006\nMy goodness, it's not every day that one reads a Missed Connection that invokes "the beauty of the plains of Kenya at sunset, the peaceful radiance of Annecy surrounded by snow capped Alps and the glorious treasures of Florence" and then proceeds to say they're nothing compared to That Girl on the Pink Line, is it?","September 22, 2006\nWe all know that the Art Institute was a location for Ferris Bueller's Day Off, but did you know that Gerri's Palm Tavern was a location for The Sixth Sense? MovieMappr knows, and it will show you where Gerri's was.","September 19, 2006\nWith all of this walking around Chicago, why not take an idiosyncratic video stroll through the city?","September 18, 2006\nYou've got to hand it to Nigerian scammers: they're on top of current affairs. The May Report published an email scam using the George Ryan corruption case as its set-up. [via]","September 18, 2006\nTECH Cocktail, a social occasion for the Chicago tech scene, has announced its next event: pencil it in for October 12 at The Gramercy. RSVP here.","September 18, 2006\nHow well do you know your Dylan trivia? Well enough to connect, say, Sid Vicious to Robert Zimmerman in six steps or less? Find out with Coudal Partners' latest diversion and you could win some cool stuff.","September 15, 2006\nIdolator, 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 ne pas used in a Pitchfork review. (Previous stellar example of Pitchfork-mocking: David Cross' essay on fake CDs for real Pitchfork reviews.)","September 11, 2006\nDoes anyone know why there was an Indy racecar pulled over on Damen the other night?","September 07, 2006\nAn oldie, but a goodie that I don't see that we've ever mentioned on GB: Steve Delahoyde's "238 Miles" or "I Drove for Five Hours, from Chicago to Iowa City, and Listened to ABBA's 'Dancing Queen' the Entire Way."","September 05, 2006\nCongrats to Chicago blogs (and FoGB) Bookslut and Coudal Partners who were chosen by PCmagazine as part of their list of the Top 99 Websites You Don't Know About. Of course, we know, and we love.","September 05, 2006\nNPR's Present at the Creation provides unique insight to some Chicago-related icons. Our fair city pops up in some obvious place like Animal House, A Raisin in the Sun , and Nighthawks, but it's also there for Cracker Jacks!","August 30, 2006\nFlickr geotaggers and those viewing one recent post may have noticed that Chicago's historic neighborhoods like Little Hell and Shantytown are alive on the Internet. Other interesting locations include the Berkeley Cottages and Packingtown.","August 28, 2006\nAs Flickr and Upcoming announce new features today, geotagging looks like it's about to blow up. As of this posting, there were 150 photos displayed on a broadly defined Chicago map; expect that number to be significantly higher in a day or two, especially as previously tagged photos are imported. (And, for kicks, I tried the Upcoming event-tagging, using Lollapalooza as a test case. Sure enough, it worked! So neato.)","August 28, 2006\nKanjii alive is "a searchable, web-based tool to help beginning and intermediate level Japanese language learners read and write kanji." It is a free program that was developed by folks at the University of Chicago, and it is definitely worth checking out, even if you have no specific interest in learning the language. QuickTime 6.0 or higher is required to use Kanjii alive.","August 24, 2006\nTaking another step away from scissors, glue, and late night photocopying sessions, our city's very own Punk Planet has redesigned and expanded its website. Of particular note is the addition of user blogs.","August 22, 2006\n…it just got reinvigorated in the hands of the Delicious Design League.","August 22, 2006\nFor those who've never heard of Craigslist, there's always the old-school option: flyering Wicker Park cars looking for a girl you once met — well, okay, kinda met — in Las Vegas.","August 21, 2006\nYou've been writing that article about wine and trust and deception for a few weeks now, but it's missing that certain something. Could it be a quote from a local expert?","August 16, 2006\nThe city's recent appointment of \nMelissa Turner as Chicago's fashion czarina brought a challenge from treehugger: become the green fashion capital of the U.S. Designers, will you embrace the challenge?","August 16, 2006\nYoChicago launched a massive forums section yesterday, covering every nook and cranny of the city and many suburbs. Get in on the ground floor.","August 09, 2006\nThose of us who miss the Terra Museum (formerly at 666 N Michigan, now the home of the temporary Motorola store) can now visit our favorite paintings online. The site also includes information about where the collection can be seen in person–part of it is still in Chicago, at the Art Institute.","August 07, 2006\nAn Exquisite Corpse, the locally based collaborative art project site created by friend of GB Phineas X. Jones (and run on a CMS by GB MVP Jim Allenspach), posted the 500th corpse since its relaunch today. (It's technically the 627th corpse if you count from the beginning of the site, but why do that?)","August 06, 2006\nIf you're yearning for some travel (video), check out YouTube user Srovetz's atmospheric videos documenting his train and car travel throughout the country. There are too many Chicago related videos to post here, but some train segments include Kansas City to Chicago, Chicago to New Orleans, and Chicago to New York.","August 04, 2006\nSome time in the very recent past — quite possibly today — Craigslist split its local listings into five regional categories: City of Chicago, North Chicagoland, West Chicagoland, South Chicagoland, and, reaching a bit further, Northwest Indiana. Which means, of course, you'll never have to read about a Missed Connection in Palatine or rental ad for an apartment in Northbrook again.","August 04, 2006\n"Community areas in Chicago, isolated from context."","August 03, 2006\nLooking for a technology group to meet with? Let Tech Social be your guide.","July 31, 2006\nMeet another website devoted to the wonders of the Midwest: Midwestern Goodness. While they have content from around the region, they recently filmed a short video tour in Chicago. More Chicago content is in the works.","July 31, 2006\nFriend of GB, scooterist, designer and vegan guide making extraordinaire, PJ Chmiel hits the open road on his scooter on a tour he calls the 2006 R.A.M.B.L.E. Ambitious in scope, it should be quite a ride. Follow along when he kicks off tomorrow.","July 31, 2006\nZillow offers an interesting graphic representation of cost per square foot for Chicagoland real estate: a "heat map."","July 30, 2006\nSunday's Coastal Flood Statement predicts a seiche caused by severe thunderstorms. While not uncommon, they have caused considerable damage in Chicago. In 1954, an eight to ten foot reflective wave caused by a seiche drowned eight people (page 24) and swept dozens into the lake (page 67). But don't worry: today's seiche should be less than a foot tall.","July 26, 2006\nWhen you vraiment love that Threadless tshirt design so much, that you never want to take it off…get it tattooed.","July 26, 2006\nFoGB Coudal Partners' Museum of Online Museums was featured on NPR's "All Things Considered" yesterday.","July 25, 2006\nVia 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?","July 24, 2006\nAt 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.","July 11, 2006\nIn 2002, BBC Radio 4's Thinking Allowed visited Chicago to do a five-part series about the city in the spirit of early Chicago School sociologists. With interviews from prominent Chicago academics, musicians, and public thinkers, the programs are surprisingly fresh four years later.","July 10, 2006\nsongs:illinois is an excellent little mp3 blog run by Craig Bonell in Oak Park. There's definitely a folk/ acoustic/ singer-songwriter focus but what excites me personally is that I've only heard of maybe one artist on the homepage. A nice deviation from Pitchfork and the like, dig in and discover some new tunes.","July 10, 2006\nMultiplex, by former GB film critic Gordon McAlpin, turns one year old today with its 75th strip, "Pirates of pirates des Caraïbes"","July 07, 2006\nIntroducing Coastr, "a social guide to beer," produced by local design team Luckymonk.","July 06, 2006\nOh 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.","July 02, 2006\nGay guys don't have too much trouble finding themselves in the local queer media. But gay gals? Oublie. That's the way the founders of CHILL Magazine feel, at least, and they're doing their part to change things, offering Chicago-area lesbians an online publication "free of L Word references and [with] no naked men photos in sight."","June 30, 2006\nDavid Woodhouse Architects has a spiffy new site detailing many of the architectural projects that have come out of the studio. Based in Chicago, they're the creatives behind quite a few of the Chicago Institutions you enjoy today. Take a look at the site, meander the buildings and find out the inspiration behind each.","June 23, 2006\nYou may read our Public Notice column about Craigslist's Missed Connections. If you're absolutely addicted to them, you might be interested in delving deeper behind the scenes. GB staffer Jason Maslanka created a website with audio and video (including an interview with Craigslist founder Craig Newmark) called Connect to try to figure it all out.","June 23, 2006\nJuly is going to see lots of great bike activity in Beverly. First, there will be big-wheel race for kids of 100 yards, adorably titled the "Longwood 100". Then the pros take over and race in the Beverly Hills Cycling Classic, where the average speed is 32 mph. Yowsers! This happens on Friday July 7th; on Sunday the 9th you can sign-up for a fun ride around the neighborhood, the Tour De Beverly where you can see the historic features of the neighborhood on two wheels. (Sorry, no big wheels on that one.)","June 22, 2006\nIn small ways, Mazzone's, local purveyors of Italian ice, do their part to make the world a better place. To wit: spotted somewhere in New Jersey, the company's admonition to "Always Be Nice To Your School Lunch Lady."","June 20, 2006\nThe 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.)","June 19, 2006\nFriend of GB, George Aye has just unleashed his latest idea which I find frickin' cool. It's called Hubwear. Hubwear are t-shirts with airport codes printed on them: the front is first part of the trip while the back is your return leg of the journey.","June 18, 2006\nA few new cool entries on Chicagobloggers.com: Mom-O-Matic, a great site about being a mom and still having a sense of adventure and humor; Porcini Chronicles, a woman in Milan by way of Berwyn who posts delightful Italian recipes and pictures of her adventures; and SariSariShots, a photoblog/documentary about the Chicago Filipino experience that's as beautiful as it is fascinating to take a peek into a slice of a different world from your own.","June 13, 2006\nLegendary bank robber John Dillinger: Public Enemy Number One, patron of the Biograph Theater in Lincoln Park, and now, in death, must-have mantelpiece tchotchke.","June 06, 2006\nIn an interview with the Online Journalism Review, programmer-journalist Adrian Holovaty mentions that he's "been collecting various public-record data in Chicago in preparation for the launch of [his] 'sequel' to chicagocrime.org." Sounds interesting, eh? Watch this space for more as we learn it.","June 05, 2006\nFriday at O'Hare, United neglected to wake up an unaccompanied minor who was napping while he waited for his connection to South Bend; his seat was taken by a 10-year-old bound for Taiwan.","June 01, 2006\nWhat if Manhattan was an island off the coast of Chicago?","May 30, 2006\nIf you want up-to-date weather, and I mean, updated instantly, check out the nifty weather station installed in Uptown at Pete's Weather. Handy if you're about to hit the bike trail and the delightful Flash display is quite fascinating. If you want other local weather, the Wunderground's personal weather stations map for Chicago is useful too.","May 29, 2006\nA handy link passed on to me: the City's Convention Bureau has a search engine for special events. Looking for an outdoor party for 200? A meeting with cigar smoking for 20? It has answers.","May 28, 2006\nAre you a "very tall gent" who attempted to strike up a conversation with a gal at the GB Anniversary Party Friday night with the classic pick-up line "How are you this evening?," only to be rebuffed by mumble? If so, she's looking for you.","May 18, 2006\nEver wondered about the chronology of license plate designs has been in Illinois? Me neither, but here's the place to look.","May 17, 2006\nDon't know if you noticed this or not, but a couple of days ago, Flickr went gamma. Impressionnant! Now's the perfect time for you to check out the slew of new features and of course, join up one of their Chicago groups (especially this great one called Gapers Block. We gotta feed Rearview somehow, right?).","May 12, 2006\nAn IIT student created a small site examining one of the anomalies in Chicago's grid system: the six-way intersection.","May 12, 2006\nAn interesting photo history of Maxwell St. Market, 1975 – 1984. Contrast that with the city's official info about the market.","May 12, 2006\nOur fabulous staff Librarian has mentioned the Encyclopedia of Chicago before, but I do believe it's time you visit it again. Check out some of the special features. Stump your coworkers with your newfound Chicago trivia knowledge!","May 11, 2006\nThanks to an alert reader, we've learned that previously mentioned Bring Back the Draught is having a pub crawl this weekend in Roscoe Village. $20 gets you a T-shirt and surely a needed lunch; extra proceeds are donated to local not-for-profits.","May 04, 2006\nHey, are you a jerk? Did you lose your sportcoat after groping a woman at a bar recently? If you want it back, it's up on eBay. Go bid on it. (Thanks, Benjy!)","April 30, 2006\nYou thought your absurd and/or nightmarish MySpace stories were only good for amusing your friends; this Craigslist post suggests otherwise.","April 29, 2006\nLooper is a "quasi-daily architectural photoblog generally focused in and around the Loop;" if only we could all proselytize so well about our urban environment. Read and be inspired.","April 27, 2006\nWikipedia's Chicago entry has been voted "good article collaboration of the week." This means the entry is "among the best…of Wikipedia articles, but…flaws [are] holding [it] back." To help eliminate the flaws, join the conversation. (Thanks, Sandy!)","April 26, 2006\nThe 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]","April 22, 2006\n"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the (Craigslist) Forum."","April 21, 2006\nEnjoy some Friday fun with statistics! State Master is a free site that collects current statistical data about all 50 states and allows visitors to compare and view data on just about every topic imaginable. Find out how Illinois stacks up against the rest of the country. Hey, we're third in the total number of homicides, and Illinois comes in ninth for the highest unemployment rate. And, did you know 65 percent of the population of Illinois lives in the Chicagoland area? Plus, you can get your statistics fix anytime with RSS and Atom feeds on the site.","April 19, 2006\nYou might already check out the award-winning site ChicagoCrime.org to see what's gone down in your neighborhood, but don't forget to check your commute. The CTA Tattler has a story of a knock 'em, sock 'em fight on a Blue Line train this week, and also points out the ChicagoCrime.org options of checking crimes on platforms, buses, garages, and trains.","April 19, 2006\nDear Dude on The Blue Line with the Pink iPod Wallet, Take your powder pink iPod protection devotion to the next level. Thomas Pink's latest collection at Marshall Field's includes this practical gem: "The Commuter Tie". Pink's tie (available in Thomas' signature pink, as well as red and navy blue) has a pocket on the backside for your MP3 player and a loop to tame headphone wires. Pink's collection also includes "The Commuter Shirt." Yours, Gapers Block Style Team","April 14, 2006\nSwap Simple is a Chicago-based site where people can trade used books, CDs, DVDs and videogames with other members, paying only postage and a $2 fee per item ordered — which is reduced to free if you list enough of your own stuff for trade. (Thanks, Lakshmi)","April 13, 2006\nEarly notice: Allstate's going to do a large media campaign in the Loop on Monday. And they'll pay for (metered) parking, as well as adding a bunch of car-themed art downtown. (Will it be as cool as the car spike? Probably not.) Happy Birthday, Allstate.","April 12, 2006\nFormer GB film critic Gordon McAlpin has turned his love of the movies into a great webcomic, Multiplex.","April 11, 2006\nHave you ever thought that a perfect counter to the over-size sport utility vehicles would be a sport utility motorcycle? One that fits you and your friends, as well as your trusty machine gun or mortar to hold off enemy fire (wmv)? Even better: mount the machine gun on the sidecar (wmv). Oh yes, I'm not making this up, and it's all brought to you from Ural Motorcycles, available (sans gun) at Ural Chicago.","April 11, 2006\nWhile I was looking for a place to donate a slew of computers I used in a high school classroom, I came across Chicago-based Computers For Schools. They offer refurbished computers to schools, non-profits, and churches at 1/3 the retail cost. Their dropoff location is 3350 N. Kedzie. They even recycle cell phones, too!","April 06, 2006\nBefore 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).","April 05, 2006\nWhat's better than an REO Speedwagon concert? UNE libre REO Speedwagon concert. Can't remember their hits? Check out these great MIDI versions. (Thanks, Stacey.)","April 05, 2006\nSpoon 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?","April 04, 2006\nA Chicago feminist, mother, wife, and UIC employee is one of the finalists in the Swiffer Amazing Women of the Year contest. Veronica is the 7th from the top and she needs your vote. With her help maybe Chicago will get voted "Cleanest City to Live In."","March 31, 2006\nA reader sent in a link to a craigslist post about a big fight last night in Wicker Park: anyone else see this? Email us at inbox@gapersblock.com with details.","March 29, 2006\nThe Northwestern Crew Team was on its way to compete in South Carolina when the trailer flipped and destroyed their fleet. You can read the story and flow them a few dollars to replace their beloved boats.","March 27, 2006\nLuigi Di Serio's web site lists the Top 15 Skylines in the world. Not shockingly, Chicago clocks in at number two on the list just behind Hong Kong. Anyone who remembers their first drive down Lakeshore Drive at dusk can surely attest to our ranking here.","March 24, 2006\nNew And Notable on Chicagobloggers.com: Euchre Universe, a blog about playing cards that features an obsession with a rubber chicken; Shrinktalk, a site that encourages readers to share their experiences with psychiatrists.","March 24, 2006\nThis is totally awesome–some most excellent paintings by local blogger joedevivre.","March 24, 2006\nThe latest issue of Keep Going is up, and there's a useful how-to on getting a postcard from Nigeria. Better than an email from Nigeria, I suppose.","March 20, 2006\nT-shirt mavens Threadless have their pretty-often $10 sale going on now. Act fast!","March 16, 2006\nAny fans of the band Chicago that could help a fella out? (yes, we are Chicago heavy on GB this week). This gentleman found some old reel-to-reel tapes of the band, back when they were called CTA, from a show at Wine and Roses, circa 1968. Could they be thee Chicago? Maybe you hardcore Chicago fans know.","March 12, 2006\nFriends of GB Jim Coudal and Jason Fried opened SXSW Interactive yesterday — hear their remarks. Also, our own Andrew Huff is also there; naturally, he's reporting back.","March 09, 2006\nIf Slowdown just isn't enough for you, Matt Maldre has created Chicago Bean, a site which has nothing to do with the sculpture in Millennium Park. Instead, it's a calendar of eclectic events around town, such as today's lunchtime lecture on "recycling bikes for social change." Or, for those planning ahead, the WWE Bacon, Bagels & Biceps Brunch.","March 06, 2006\nThought 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.","March 05, 2006\nBlock 37 webcam — you know it's live, as it's currently under a blanket of snow. [via]","March 03, 2006\nPeople watching in Rosemont should be extra interesting this weekend. The Chicago Midwest Beauty Show is happening at the convention center this weekend. Brian's tip for best bad hair spotting: go to the RAM in Rosemont. (Sadly, the nail competition entries aren't online.) UPDATE: The Fangoria Convention is happening this weekend in Rosemont too. This just keeps getting better.","March 03, 2006\nToday's Tribune compiles a list of the "50 Best Web Sites"; Trib internet blogger Steve Johnson has put it online. I doubt more than, say, five of these will be new to our readers (sample inclusions: Defamer, Metacritic, The Onion), but your grandparents may find it a good place to get started on "that internet thing." That said, the paper is taking reader suggestions, so if you've got a favorite, plug it.","February 28, 2006\nThis sure is pretty: a visualization of monthly average highest and lowest temperatures recorded for Chicago from 1975 through 2004.","February 28, 2006\nEver wonder what a high-yield atomic bomb would do to the city? You can find out with this handy mapper from Eric Meyer; Chicago is in the drop-down menu. (Thanks, Dan!)","February 27, 2006\nThe Chicago Defender has several podcasts available for download including a speech by Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. calling black Chicagoans to "raise their 'low expectations' and demand that they receive economic and political parity from their elected officials."","February 23, 2006\nChicagoist took a tip from its parent and tracked down the "Google Center" of the city — the point you see if you type "Chicago IL" into GoogleMaps and zoom all the way in. Some other city centers after the jump.","• geographic center of the Loop: the Chase Tower• "Number One City Datum Mark," the point from which the heights of all city buildings are measured: Northern Trust headquarters, 50 S. LaSalle• And the "zero point," the center of the city's grid, is at State & Madison, of course.","February 21, 2006\nReader Carrie points us to the official response from craigslist, from CEO Jim Buckmaster, to the Fair Housing Act lawsuit filed by the CLCCRUL we told you about here and here. Related: Chicagoist's interview with Michael Pensack, the executive director of the Illinois Tenants Union.","February 20, 2006\nIra Glass may not understand why Chicagoans are upset about This American Life leaving for New York, but maybe that's because he doesn't realize just how rabid his fanbase is. I mean, stud orchids have been named after him.","February 16, 2006\nI am absolutely obsessed with Rod's hair. It's always perfect and rivals Donald Trump's hair for yucks. So imagine how surprised I was when I found he sometimes dyes it. And that our governor is pals with Spongebob, too.","February 16, 2006\nHere's something I had no idea existed: Crain's compiles a list of patents awarded to local businesses and independent inventors. If that tickles your fancy, you'd probably also like Patently-O, a patent law blog.","February 15, 2006\nThe hype about podcasts seems to be waning, but that doesn't mean there's no innovation going on. ChiHookah.com offers not only a podcast about Chicago food, beer and music (and, um, hookahs), but also video of said podcasts.","February 15, 2006\nAfter five years of looking for something romantic to do on Valentines Day, I thought this would be fun and different, Dockery said. Her reaction: "You're kidding, right?" Why the negativity? Yes, he took her to White Castle. Even worse: IT WAS PACKED. (Thanks, Stacey!)","February 15, 2006\nFor 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.)","February 11, 2006\nA few new additions to Chicagobloggers worth examining: Cella Bellum, the humorous rantings of a law student; I Want To Be Donna Reed, offers the other side of attorney-ness, as a lawyer who stayed home to be with her child; and EmptyFree.com, a blog devoted to mp3s. I was just listening to song that combined Ukrainian accordians with hip-hop. A few more ways to while away time while it snows….","February 09, 2006\nChicago Auto Show Webcams (to be online after 3pm).","February 07, 2006\nStill more beer: it seems that someone has self-published a history of Chicagoland brewing. A few samples are available online (of the text, not the beer).","February 07, 2006\nJumping into the city's already crowded booze map field is beer.chicago.com.","January 31, 2006\nLooking for yet another source of great Chicago food writing? Check out Hungry, an online magazine that also features podcasts with top Chi-town chefs. The most recent issue features an interview with Hot Doug's Doug Sohn, plus product reviews and more.","January 27, 2006\nA few new notable blogs that are worth a glance: chicagopunjabi, the account of a newly arrived man from India(?) writing about coming to Chicago. "And you know, I started to get the feeling that Morgan Freeman wanted these Penguins to die." Feeling Kinda Blog Today has a great sense of humor worth reading, too. And something from a Portugese student in Chicago.","January 25, 2006\nWhat if the New York Times chronicled your childhood? In the "My Life in the Fois" series over at The Morning News, John Warner is imagining just that.","January 24, 2006\nTwo points for creativity: want to drive traffic to your blog? Advertise in the paper, like this woman did in yesterday's Sun-Times. But another technique is to utilize the new PING feature on Chicagobloggers, either to get more traffic on your site or to see what other Chicagoans are saying. Details on how to participate are here.","January 18, 2006\nA Craigslist post that Shylo could surely support: How Not to Write a Missed Connection (otherwise known as "Get an anonymous livejournal, you jerk").","January 17, 2006\nTarget have taken advertising to the next level. This blog suggests that they've started using their roofs as a huge satellite view version of their billboard (as seen in this Google Map). Kottke suggests that this particular store however could be for the benefit for passengers landing at nearby O'Hare (as seen in this Google Map).","January 16, 2006\nOh, my God. We know that many of you are off work today in honor of civil rights great Martin Luther King. If you're bored, why not see what other Chicagoans are up to today? Check out this compilation of ridiculously unsafe-for-work Craig's List posts about MLK Day fun.","January 11, 2006\nThe Fantagraphics blog links to photos of a cool-looking hand-made plush head of Chicago cartoonist Ivan Brunetti, made by the girlfriend of Chicago cartoonist Onsmith Jeremi. Can the Ivan Brunetti action figure be far behind?","January 05, 2006\nThe saga continues. Reader and member of Canasta (who have a fantastic website by the way), Elizabeth writes in informing us that there are two Chicago based websites that qualified for the 10 voting spots eligible for a website makeover. One spot has been given to her site: "I don't know whether to be ashamed or elated." The other spot goes to the Chicago Lawyers Association (who might vraiment need it). Vote away!","January 05, 2006\nAs the Million Dollar Homepage sells off its last 1,000 pixels, other people are getting into the act. Chicago-based FundMyLifestyle.com claims to be aiming for a "really nice car," while ChicagoMillionPixels is going for the local angle.","December 29, 2005\nThe Chicago Daily News name controversy has apparently ended. Introducing ChiTownDailyNews.org. Ignore the masthead, and read the Editor & Publisher interview with site founder Geoff Dougherty. (Want to get involved? Start with the photo call.)","December 29, 2005\nWork pretty slow this week? Take some of that downtime to watch some videos! You know what videos are, right? Those things that MTV used to play? Anyway, European music blog DoCopenhagen has compiled their top fifty music videos of 2005, with interesting clips from Xiu Xiu, M83, Animal Collective and The Decemberists making the cut. A note of caution: The Aphex Twin vid gave me a serious case of the heebie-jeebies. You've been warned.","December 21, 2005\nIntrigued by the Jones Holiday Sodas? Well, before you run out and buy a pack of them, perhaps you should take a look at this taste test, done by a local blogger and his girlfriend at Thanksgiving.","December 19, 2005\nIndeed it is true. Intechnic, a local internet solutions company, is offering a $10,000 website makeover for the worst business website out there. You can submit your website with a short story explaining why you think you'd need a website makeover. Heh.","December 17, 2005\nWith Midway in the news so much lately, this great site has a lot of information about the history of Midway. If that isn't enough, you can of course buy the book too.","December 13, 2005\nI'll admit that Bea Arthur has not been on my cultural radar since around 1979, so I was a little surprised to find out that Ms. Arthur is a strong advocate of women's rights and animal rights. Why do I know this? Because Chicago area web designer Kevin Buckstiegel told me. He designed and maintains a web site dedicated to the former Golden Girl. Check out Bea In The Limelight.","December 07, 2005\nOh lordy, lord. Mike Ditka in some 1980s video doing some rap and dancing with freshly scrubbed denizens of the leg warmer set. I apologize in advance [via MetaFilter].","December 05, 2005\nHave you ever wondered how many songs mention Chicago by name? Well wonder no more my friends. These folks on LiveJournal have you covered where My Kind of Town, Chicago is concerned.","December 02, 2005\nHere's a delightful urban photoblog named Road To Nowhere. So many beautiful pictures from cities around the world.","December 01, 2005\nChicago music scene mainstay Thrill Jockey Records recently updated their website, and have added a "Vault" section which houses every video made by the likes of Tortoise, Mouse on Mars, Giant Sand, and the rest of the Thrill Jockey family. It's the most visually and aurally rewarding work day time-killer out there right now, guaranteed.","November 23, 2005\nThe Beautiful People Take The Red Line. Interesting B&W portraits of red line riders from 97-98. Be patient with the navigation.","November 22, 2005\nI'm somewhat impervious to cold, but I have to believe someone with better knitting skills than me has designed a sweater with built-in scarf and mittens. Any knitters out there know of an existing pattern for this? (Alternatively, you could enter the contest to make it. There's a PRIZE you know.)","November 17, 2005\nDespite not releasing any new material since 1991, the band Chicago will be releasing a new album. The yet untitled work was produced by Rascal Flatts bassist Jay DeMarcus. Their current touring season has them in Texas with Earth Wind and Fire and there's talk of yet another tour with Huey Lewis. Future headline: Ghost of Johnny Cash Summons REO Speedwagon To Studio For Possible Recording.","November 14, 2005\nI'm not big on cabs. If I were, I'd want Ray St. Ray. I'd be treated to his one-man show; an ongoing performance piece called The Singing Cab Driver Show. As Ray himself would say, "it's part vaudeville, part inspirational seminar and "More than a ride…It's a trip!" Check out the videos.","November 11, 2005\nIf you thought blogs were just for people with cats, kids or catastrophes, then think again. Because Olive and Mason (two co-workers, who are secretly dating) are here, detailing their lives of working, betting and eating lunch. Required reading.","November 07, 2005\nAre you a fan of the super-hot roller derby dolls in the Windy City Rollers? Yeah? Then vote for your favorite girl today. The voting ends November 9, so click now.","November 06, 2005\nCopy Goes Here: Coudal Partners, the folks who help to bring you Transmission, have made a funny little movie.","November 03, 2005\nRide the CTA all by your lonesome no more: "The Front 'L' Car is for Singles Only!"","October 31, 2005\nThe Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros were asked to submit their favorite songs for Apple iTunes [link will only work with iTunes installed]. The choices are mostly predictable (some Pearl Jam mixed in with Nu-Metal and a smattering of rap/hip-hop) with one exception. Damaso Marte's choice was Britney Spears's "Oops!… I Did It Again." Say it ain't so, Damaso!","October 27, 2005\nBut, it would seem, worth it. We mentioned the UpYourBudget Treasure Hunt earlier in the week, and it turns out the White Sox weren't the only winners last night. Congratulations, Willie Stevens, you're ten thousand dollars richer.","October 24, 2005\nSifting through the website for the UpYourBudget Treasure Hunt is a bit of a task, but, as far as I can make out, there are $10,000 prizes to be won in various cities each week over the next month. Tell you one thing: I'll be doggoned if the "North" video clue doesn't look awfully familiar. May the best gaper win.","October 24, 2005\nRemember the Jenga Sears Tower? The Sun-Times interviews its builder today, who reveals he's ready to knock it down and start on his next project, London's Big Ben. To that end, Bryant Varney is looking for suggestions on how best to send the Tower toppling; send yours to bvarney[at]nmu.edu.","October 20, 2005\nContinuing the onslaught of "Cool Things You Can Do With GoogleMaps" is this new tool I discovered this morning, Frapper. You can map locations of where people in a particular group live. Some Chicago-based groups have already gotten into the act such as mommy-forum Chicagomothers.com and the Chicago Cycling Club.","October 17, 2005\nAccording to this post on craigslist, dating services are illegal. We've all heard of stupid laws before, but I hadn't actually seen the legal code cited. And what if you're gay? (via westnorth)","October 16, 2005\nWith so many Nobel Laureates down in Hyde Park, we may be forgiven for thinking of science as a serious-minded and lofty enterprise; however, the folks at the Annals of Improbable Research are happy to nudge our thinking in another direction. 2005s IgNobel Prize winners have been announced. And while none of this years winners are from Chicago, we can be proud that 2004s winner for Public Healththe youngest IgNobel winner evergraduated from the Chicago High School of Agricultural Sciences. (Jillian Clarke was honored for her paper: If You Drop It: Should You Eat It? Weigh-in on the 5-Second Rule.)","October 14, 2005\nDo you do a little doubletake when a website you visit regularly suddenly looks different? That's what I did when I visited Crain's ChicagoBusiness.com this morning, and a week or two ago at Chicagomag.com. And a bit before that at CBS2Chicago.com. CSS-y goodness!","October 12, 2005\nThe planners at Chicago Metropolis 2020 present "Metro Joe", a flash-based game for 8th graders to learn about Chicagoland planning issues. The game challenges your knowledge of regional issues such as low density sprawl; the spatial mismatch between jobs; and affordable housing and transportation, and is even kinda fun to play whether you're a pre-teen in Elgin or a cubicle-jockey in the Loop.","October 12, 2005\nHoly crap! Some guy at Northern Michigan University built a 30-foot-tall replica of the Sears Tower out of Jenga blocks!","October 10, 2005\nThis one maps the city's bike routes.","October 06, 2005\nAlthough LPTrixie.com is temporarily off the air, if you've ever been curious about the finer points of being a Lincoln Park Chad, well, look no further…","October 05, 2005\nUpcoming.org has been purchased by Yahoo. Hopefully this will raise this cool service's profile and encourage a bit more use here in Chicago.","October 03, 2005\n37signals has launched Writeboard, a collaborative text editing program. Read, write, share and edit at will, while all previous versions are backed up and retrievable. I know Mauvais be using it.","September 27, 2005\nSkinnyCorp is at it again. But they've moved from your t-shirt drawer to your wetbar with ExtraTasty!, launching soon. Go sign up.","September 20, 2005\nSérieusement. I've begun to turn to blogs to get more and more information that I know I'm not going to find in traditional media. For example, the Chicago Foundation for Women had a Symposium yesterday titled "Speaking So They Can Hear Us," which was all about getting feminist voices in the media. Right up my alley, right? Unfortunately the day job got in the way of me going. So today I go to Google News and find nothing. So I turn to my bookmarks, and find Roni's notes. With lots of pertinent links. Thanks, Roni!","September 19, 2005\nIn a city that's completely banned spray paint, Chicago street-artists have had to take creative and untraditional routes to get their work on the streets. Chicago Street Art, the latest group pool on Flickr, is starting to document all of the hand drawn-stickers, stencils, plywood cutouts, scrawlings, paste-ups, and installations that bring color to the all-too-often drab urban landscape.","September 16, 2005\nAnd I don't mean the server. Being a server is a thankless, crappy, dirty job which very rarely gets you paid time off, health insurance, or many other benefits that most corporate drones can take for granted. And while servers run into other servers when they're having a beer and unwinding, it's hard to network so you can get the good jobs, for good owners. In comes Shameless Restaraunts.com and creates a safe environment so bartenders and food service workers can find out the dirt before they drop off a resume. And since I'm lucky enough to be a corporate drone now, I'll be checking through the list to make sure my usual haunts aren't run by "dillweeds", "jagoffs", or the like. Thanks, Paul.","September 15, 2005\nA neat little zine deserving of your time: Love Chicago. We do, you should too.","September 14, 2005\nRecently, a friend left town to spend a year studying abroad, and I'm keeping up with his travels via Flickr. The other day, a somewhat inscrutable picture appeared in his photostream. It looked like a packet of candy cigarettes emblazoned with our skyline, but why? Curious to know more, I asked what it all meant. His reply: "In Germany everyone thinks that Chicagoans are so rich that they smoke chocolate!"","September 13, 2005\nFrom an unlikely source, CondoBuzz.com has created a series of overlay maps that show the New Orleans flood area as it would affect other U.S. cities, including Chicago. If we had been flooded, the water would have reached from Logan Square to 67th Street, and as far west as Forest Park. Just imagine your home, still standing under water after two weeks. Please keep giving. [via Zorn and Austin Mayor]","September 12, 2005\nMany congratulations to Adrian Holovaty for winning the grand prize at the Batten Awards for Innovations in Journalism — grand prize being, in fact, a cool ten grand. Holovaty's site, chicagocrime.org, has been impressing users in Chicago and beyond since it launched back in May. Well done; we'll be looking forward to the promised sequel.","September 12, 2005\nFile under: "If you say so…" About.com has posted a list of Chicago's five most popular sites as determined by daily visitors. While I can buy Craigslist, I'm a bit skeptical that the local UVa alumni club pulls more traffic than, say, the Tribune's site, which isn't even listed. Speaking of it, though, Daywatch writer Charlie Meyerson is hosting one of chicagotribune.com's first online chats today at noon; get interactive here.","September 08, 2005\nWhether you're a beginning knitter, or a long-time crocheter, there's a new spot in town where you can learn some new tricks. The store Knit 1 just launched its website, but it's already getting into high gear with its vast selection of class offerings. There's a special class where moms can bring their kids along, others where the youngsters get to knit alongside their parents, and a number of general and project-oriented classes for all levels. Prices are reasonable, and they do offer a discount on materials. You can check out Knit 1 in person at 3823 N. Lincoln Ave. in the North Center neighborhood.","September 06, 2005\nPush the button nowAnd computer creates aTerrible haiku","September 06, 2005\nIn today's online edition, Philly.com columnist Mark Alan Hughes writes, "If Chicago is corrupt, at least it's corruption that delivers." He uses The Bean as an apt metaphor [registration at philly.com required gb@gapersblock.com/gapers1].","September 05, 2005\nDear anon-86861632, It's been over a month since you posted your first five "Chicago-Centric Ways I'd Like to Kill Myself." By now, I'm sure we've all read and forwarded them on to our friends and neighbors — heck, you made the Best Of Craigslist, didn't you? I know, of course, that suicide is no laughing matter, but, after vainly spending time on the lookout, I can't help wondering, "Where's Part II?"","August 31, 2005\nI ran into this interesting little tidbit of info on about.com:\n"Anton LaVey, in his popular work, The Devil's Notebook, credited some of Chicago's paranormal openness to its architecture, namely, the trapezoidal John Hancock building, the shape of which has been traditionally known as a gateway for arcane forces." This according to the book Creepy Chicago; A Ghosthunter's Tales of the City's Scariest Sites by Ursula Bielski. In my best Johnny Carson voice, I can honestly say "I did not know that."","August 26, 2005\nDid you wake up this morning and say "I feel like a little suburban banjo music?" I did, and friend, I have quite the site for you. Listen to live versions of "Oh Susanna" and "Boil That Cabbage Down" from suburban twangers "Loose Change and Friends".","August 18, 2005\nThe Lucky Strike on Lincoln is changing its name, and the deadline for submitting name ideas is tomorrow. Anyone who e-mails their idea(s) gets an hour of free bowling. However, if your idea is selected for the name change, you win a lifetime of free bowling at any of the 3 (formerly) Lucky Strike locations. Dude, good luck.","August 17, 2005\nWondering what that thing your great aunt Martha left you is worth? Chicago Antiques Guide is here to help. In addition to listing upcoming events and listings of local antique shops and auction houses, owners Ron (author of our Old Style column) and Brian will estimate the value of your antiques if you send them a photo.","August 16, 2005\nHere's a whole different kind of map: The Museum of Sex in New York has launched an interactive exhibit, Mapping Sex in America. Using good ole GoogleMaps technology, the exhibit allows visitors to virtually thumbtack their own stories to a map of the country. Chicago is already one of the most annotated cities, but there's plenty of room for more. Add your own sexcapades to the map.","August 09, 2005\nTired of mindlessly supplementing your vintage bric-a-brac from The Brown Elephant with items you covet at CB2 from arrival to clearance price? Want to remain the homemaker your friends refer to as frugal, stylish and creative? Enter Budget Living Magazine. The current issue features tips for scoring a hot fall handbag, as well as sassy chandeliers on the cheap side. And, pssst, complimentary one-year subscriptions are available. Take your sweetie out on a budget date and tell her.","August 02, 2005\nNo, seriously, there is a club for everything. The Chicago Public Library has a comprehensive list of Chicago-area clubs for those interested in everything from soap box derby to Magic the Gathering to Esperanto. Vérifiez-le.","July 14, 2005\nIf you wake up everyday wondering if it's going to be a pain-filled day or if you'll be able to forget about your chronic illness and have fun, then Chronic Babe is for you. Local writer Jenni Prokopy (aka Mrs. Steve at the Movies) has been living with fibromyalgia for a few years. Instead of sitting on her sofa whining about it, she strapped on some comfy shoes and created this kick-a$$ website which lets you go from "Waanh" to "Rowr-sexy!" in just a few posts. Yep, she's not here to tell you how to get healed, just how to enjoy life while you're living with what ails you. And if you want to support this hot chronic babe, you can buy the Chronic Babe Bag.","July 12, 2005\nLet's say you're a fan of Shylo's Public Notice column (and, really, how could you not be?). But maybe, every now and again, you get a hankering for some mid-week Missed Connections. Whizalert is here to help. The free service searches Craigslist and sends you email alerts based on your customized settings. Never miss a w4w in Lincoln Square again! (Also works for apartment listings and more practical interests, but that's hardly as fun, is it?) [via, and, as the comments note, you can do similar things with RSS feeds]","July 09, 2005\nHot on the heels of the iPod flea, Chicago-based industrial designer (and sometime Gapers contributor) Craig Berman has an idea I can actually imagine gaining traction: the iButton. Sized no larger than a 1" band badge, Berman imagines the micro iPod playing singles while adorning the blazer/hoodie combos of the hipster masses. Calling Steve Jobs…","July 08, 2005\nYou know those "What's in it for you?" ads the Tribune has been running? Apparently the song they use, "Anthem" by local commercial scoring co. Scandal Music, has been so popular that they're offering it as a free mp3 and cellphone ringtone.","July 07, 2005\nToday's Front Pages is a very neat website that allows you to scroll over maps of the continents and browse the current front pages of the world's newspapers. Comparing which stories make the front pages in various parts of the country–or the world–is fascinating. Roll your cursor over the Chicago area to compare headlines from the Sun-Times, Tribune, Red Eye, Red Streak, Daily Herald, Northwest Herald and even the Rockford Register Star. Cool.","July 05, 2005\nIf you're searching for a truly unique gift, I don't think you can go wrong with the Mama Meow catalogue. Based here in Chicago, it is over 30 pages of cat crap like you've never seen before. The killer pages are the T-Shirts. Don't you know a friend who wants to celebrate our freedom with a Proud American Cats T-shirt or Ladies Of The Night. Captivating and bizarre.","June 28, 2005\nAn interesting statistic: Chicago, "the city that works," boasts the second highest number of goal-setters on 43 Things. Life can't be all work and no play, though, so those folks — and possibly you — will want to contribute their $.02 on why our city is so great at the just-launched 43 Places. (And, no, neither of these sites have the slightest bit to do with 43 Folders, though cette site might give you tips on making the work and travel plans actually happen.)","June 28, 2005\nIf you're a map geek, the new Google Earth software will blow your mind. Google Maps was cool, but it's nothing like seeing downtown in 3D and having the CTA, Starbucks, and highway maps laid overtop as you turn the city to a 45 degree angle. (Sadly, the Bean isn't in 3D.) Look for the 3D layers in the bottom corner for a truly rad view of downtown. (Windows only, sorry.)","June 27, 2005\nLocal web quarterly Keep Going has released its summer edition, and it looks great. Features include musings on basketball from Word Jazz's Ken Nordine, a fascinating article on the Hindenburg explosion, and a detailed history of one of my first daily online reads, Suck.","June 24, 2005\nYesterday I pointed out a few photos of a mural at Damen and Lake. Reader Daniel X. O'Neil sent some more info. The man's name is Oba Maja (I think I'm qualified to say that is an awesome name) and he's a poet who sells his poetry at the Damen/North/Milwaukee intersection. And if you're interested, apparently you can commission him to write a poem for you. Thanks, Dan.","June 24, 2005\nHere's a neat way to search for images of Chicago: enter a keyword on Montager, and have it build a montage of images for you. Not surprising to see that searching for Cubs has lots of people, while Chicago has lots of objects. And Gapersblock has few pictures of traffic, but lots of Cinnamon. (wink wink)","June 22, 2005\nBurlesque Design make some very very nice posters and artwork. They also have a killer store with some of the best intricate silkscreened posters I've seen. But, the best item might just be a t-shirt they have (sadly now sold out) about a certain incident in Chicago involving the Dave Matthews Band — scroll down all the way to the bottom on the right. Here's a detail shot.","June 16, 2005\nMeredith Farkas, a local librarian, has developed an unofficial wiki to help out her fellow members of the American Library Association as they hit town later this month for their 2005 Conference. In true wiki fashion, if you've got something to share about the city, all you have to do is click the "edit" link.","June 09, 2005\nEmilie Autumn was recently featured on HGTV's Crafters Coast to Coast where she made a pair of Faerie Wings. Some girls wanted to be a princess, but I wanted to be a fairy because I wanted to be able to fly and be mischevious. Seeing these makes me want to play pretend all over again. Thanks Roni.","June 07, 2005\nIt was bound to happen, but I didn't expect it to be so skeezy: some guy used Salt Stain Mary (and a lie about a brother who died in Iraq) to hook up with a beautiful Polish immigrant. Then he posted the story on Craig's List. Ick.","June 02, 2005\nThis is pretty neat – WTTW has put their video archives of Chicago history online and they are searchable. I don't know eactly what I'm looking at, but it looks neat.","May 27, 2005\nA couple 606 alums have created a new website, Smile Smile Smile, in which a question is asked and lots of random photos flash on the screen. Simple, somewhat Fluxist, definitely worth playing with.","May 25, 2005\nOr several actually. Eight Chicago-area knitters have teamed up to create The Daily Knitter. And it's pretty good and certainly worth adding to your list of knitting blogs to visit. Just because it's warming up outside doesn't mean knitting season is over. Quite the contrary, it's a good excuse for sucking up air conditioning in coffee shops.","May 25, 2005\nGB reported on the various violations and allegations against Sam's Wine & Spirits over the last few months. After a visit to the website to check on scotch prices, it is apparent many changes were made. First off, the Rosen family addresses the charges in an open letter to all customers. Next up, online shopping is expanded and customer accounts allow for easier searching and shopping. Lastly, the wine blog has moved locations, which means our old link is no longer active.","May 19, 2005\nThe Morning News handed out its 2005 Editors' Awards for Online Excellence today, and there's one category that especially deserves your attention: Favorite Online Newspaper Redesign. Pourquoi? Because it points out that, while the other major newspapers in the country have revamped their sites, the Tribune's remains stuck in 2001. The only change they seem to have implemented lately is splitting stories into multiple pages, and who likes that? Plus, they don't offer RSS feeds. Come on, Trib! Chicago deserves better! That said, on a happier note, Basecamp, a venture by local web outfit 37signals, gets props as Favorite Tool for Handling Projects. If you're not familiar with their products — Backpack, say — there's no time like the present.","May 18, 2005\nGary must be good for something besides cheap gas, right? Well if you're just interested in the cheap gas, check out this neat Google app that searches for cheap gas prices around a region. If you're in Chicago, think Lombard, and ignore Lake County.","May 10, 2005\nNow you know that crafting is H-O-T-T-T, right? Well, Josi Hannon Madera of Weird Mirror wants to prove how S-E-X-X-Y crafting is, too. She's creating an adult DIY magazine, called Tactille which will blend the sexy best of handmade, independent designers: "from the semi-nude to the simply silly". The first issue isn't available until November, but to get folks interested, she's challenging you to create an Ass Hat and send it in. The winner of the contest gets a prize, but I think the readers will be the real winners.","May 09, 2005\nUnless you live under a rock, you've probably heard of Stitch 'n' Bitch, a common name for a knitting group that's been actively engaging stitchers in Chicago for at least the past four years and many other parts of the country as well. Debbie Stoller, editor of Bust magazine, has written two books with that title. Brenda Janish, ex-GB staffer and creator of the Chicago group, has been sent a cease and desist letter from a company called Sew Fast, Sew Easy in New York City saying that her use of the Stitch and Bitch name in her Cafe Press shop is an infringement on their trademark. Think this is bogus? I sure did. So I told them what I thought.","May 04, 2005\nYesterday, the FlickrBlog mentioned a new web app that pinpoints properly tagged photos on Google Maps. A few Chicagoans have quickly gotten in on the act, as Downtown is already very well represented. You simply click on one of the markers, the map recenters, and you see a linked description and thumbnail. The GMaps features we know and love function as usual, so you can also zoom in or switch views. The satellite images provide an interesting contrast to the photos, especially in the cases of Millennium Park and other spots that have since been developed. To join the fun, geocoder.us provides a handy way to find coordinates for your pictures. And, if you're looking for another way to put Google Maps to use, check out this mash-up with Yahoo!'s traffic reports.","April 29, 2005\nNot sure what to make of this: the Bisonarium project wants to turn Northerly Island, former home of Meigs Field, into a preserve on which bison would graze. MISE À JOUR: Reader Jeb points us to a similar proposal for the site of the World Trade Center made in 2003.","April 13, 2005\nChicago has a healthy toy scene, with shops like Rotofugi supporting plushie creators like FizzieFuzzie, Spasmodica and Shawnimals. You can add CutieCooties to that list. The sister duo make all kinds of crafty goodness (methinks Chicago is a hotpot for crafty folks) but I'm most taken with the Plush Toys.","April 07, 2005\nYour favorite local-based music filter/reviewer and mine, AsianMack has returned with a fresh, fun and new design. I'm overly fond of bright, eye-catching designs that make me feel all warm inside and this new design makes the good content stand out even more. Nice job Jamie & co. They've also started making free legal mixes available for download — a great idea. You can start with their latest.","April 05, 2005\nAt The Budget Traveller's Guide to Sleeping in Airports, visitors can share their stories about trying to catch some shut-eye while waiting to catch a flight. Airports are also ranked by the relative quality of sleeping experience. Coming in at number 10 on the "most popular airport to sleep in" list is O'Hare International. It is great fun to read everyone's travel horror stories, which include brillant lines like, "6 days later MY BACK STILL HURTS!!!" Awesome.","April 05, 2005\nUpcoming.org has a bunch of new features to help coordinate with friends. You can now search venues, events and people, send email invites to friends and grab RSS feeds for venues and tags. Pretty cool stuff.","April 04, 2005\nWant to wear your city's colors on your back? Check out this 'Chicago-style' messenger bag. (via Chicago Cycling Club mailing list, who also have neat Chicago swag.)","March 24, 2005\nFriend of GB Luke happened to take a couple photos of poet/fugitive murderer JJ Jameson/Norman Porter at last year's Bughouse Square Debates.","March 22, 2005\nThe latest issue of Revol is out, and we've come across a couple other webzines you might be interested in: Keep Going is a quarterly produced by some folks on the West Side, and while Negative Waves has a coupla West Coasters on staff, it's mainly based here. Check'em out.","March 20, 2005\nWe linked to this awhile ago, but Coudal points us back to Jack Blanchard's "Sun-Times Sunset," a Quicktime time-lapse video of the destruction of the Sun-Times Building. It's now the complete demolition, and it's set to some really nice music by Frou Frou. You might want to follow the link to Fight For the User while you're there.","March 17, 2005\nOne of the contributors at Nacho.org needed to track down a phone number for an ex-landlord. She did a little googling, and discovered the landlord's name on a timeline of Holocaust denial (1990 entry) — the woman is a Holocaust revisionist who removed her daughter from a high school history class in which the Holocaust was discussed. Read the rest of the story here.","March 15, 2005\nRecently Arte TV, a French television channel, ran a series of specials on comic book artists, including one on Chris Ware. Traveling all the way from France to get the story on one of our own? Well, that's kind of cool. You can view the video here. (Thanks, Eric.)","March 14, 2005\nApartment hunting is a universal experience. So universal that some wise soul has written a haiku cycle about it.","March 09, 2005\nThe University of Chicago's new online prose magazine, Otium has just launched. Otium features fiction, plays, an interview, and art. I didn't realize prose included photography, but it's good so I'll let it slide. If your New Years resolution was to get something published this year, note that they're also accepting submissions for future issues. Go get 'em.","March 08, 2005\nTenseforms, an art and music collective, has started a new project called "the snow filled our tracks as quick as we made them." As Josh describes it, "Each day presents a new bit of ephemera — a poem, a joke, a recipe, a painting, a song, or whatever else we dig up. The next day it's hidden away, covered (not publicly archived), replaced with something new. Folks can bookmark the site and visit daily, but the best way to experience it is via RSS feed. Subscribe to the site and there'll be a little art gift in your news reader each weekday."","March 04, 2005\nFormer GB staffer Phineas X. Jones has announced the return of AnExquisiteCorpse.net, an online adaptation of the classic Surrealist word game Exquisite Corpse. Come peruse the existing Corpses (which feature work by more than a few GB staffers and friends), and if you feel worthy enough, sign up to help assemble a Corpse.","February 03, 2005\nA little late for local needs, but maybe our readers out East will be interested in purchasing an "Official Chicago Winter Parking Space Placeholder" on eBay. "Endorsed by the Honorable Mayor Daley!!" (Thanks, Nik.)","January 27, 2005\nA9, Amazon's search engine, has added a photo element to its yellow pages search function. Now you can see what a place looks like before you go and even check out what's nearby by scrolling up and down the block in many cases. Unfortunately, the method employed — van-mounted cameras trolling up and down streets — often captures vehicles and people, most of whom have no idea they're being photographed. Sepoy, local author of ChapatiMystery.com, found this the hard way when he searched for a local pizzeria and discovered his entire family up the block.","January 25, 2005\nTony Coppoletta's online collection of CTA Stuff will bring warmth to the heart of any transit nerd. He has photos from station tours, a huge set of WAV recordings of the CTA Voice from the el and buses, and a collection of scans of farecard designs from tokens to the ChicagoCard.","January 19, 2005\nEveryone makes lists. Some people love making lists. All the High Fidelity followers believe in Lists. So, what do you do if you're a web design firm? You make a FREE site where you can host your very own lists. Ta-da!","January 18, 2005\n…the goods? They are odd. So we say about the bizarre 70 percent marriage rate of University of Chicago couples. Contrary to my opinion, U of C Maroon writer Phoebe Maltz commends the U of C for being a "post-feminist utopia," by which she means that it is a place where girls are lucky enough to have guys within close proximity who care as much, or as little, about their appearances as they do. But have you been to the U of C? I'm not so sure this is a good thing.","January 17, 2005\nBlogger John Tolva has a little geek fun with the architecture of the movie I, Robot, which was set in a Chicago of the future. In this flickr photo set, he examines the changes in city geography that occur by 2035.","January 14, 2005\nCommunity blogs will always have their place, as hand-selected content remains preferable to lists of automatically generated links. But, 'tagging' — the process of adding keywords to posts — is allowing for the quick distillation of information, grouping thoughts together around shared subject matter. You've no doubt seen the Del.icio.us Chicago tag, and the Flickr Chicago tag, both great Windy City-related resources.\n\tBut now, the folks at Technorati have added a tag system to their site, alllowing for the instant search of a particular theme on member blogs. Check out their Chicago page, and you'll notice that it not only aggregates posts with the city as their subject, but conveniently consolidates each of the above services onto one single page. Brilliant.","January 13, 2005\nDo you have lotsa patience? Does the idea of linking little rings together to create jewelry or even chain maille make you giddy? Then you'll want to take a gander at Blue Buddha Boutique. Rebeca Mojica has lots of classes set up around the city, or she can give you, and a few friends, a personal lesson for a very reasonable fee. Before you go thinking that chain maille is clunky and ugly, take a look at her gallery and you'll change your mind. If you're more likely to just buy pre-made jewelry, check out Rapt in Maille by Melissa Banks. Thanks, Fil!","January 13, 2005\nBen Johnson offers timely tips for surviving Chicago winter, such as "Allow yourself the simple pleasure of getting shitfaced alone in your apartment. Bars are expensive and its cold outside." This and many other insights can be found in The Greenroom, the "improvisationally-slanted digital literary magazine" at ChicagoImprov.org.","January 13, 2005\nNot content to sit on their massive pile of t-shirts, SkinnyCorp are once again at it with another t-shirt site, this time you don't have to be a designer — just a witty slogan will do. OMG Clothing works like Threadless in that you submit, it gets scored and it gets printed. However, this time, you're just submitting slogans. Pretty 'effin cool we say.","January 11, 2005\nSpeaking of wi-fi, here's a detailed list of wi-fi spots around the world. I found out which houses on my block have access.","January 05, 2005\nChicagoans are proud of the influence our city has on the country. We brag about our comedians, our actors, our authors, and our politicians. But the Florida Department of Corrections, breaks down how Chicago gangs have influenced gang culture nationwide. There are also several sketches and photos of graffiti, in case you want to find out who rules your hood.","January 04, 2005\nThe good folks over at Threadless, who have been clothing those of discerning tastes, have an all new site and a brand new contest — $2005 cash prize for 2005.","January 03, 2005\nThe Robot Co-op and 37 Signals have launched 43 Things — a site where you can track things you want to do, or rather, goals. The site itself is similar to Flickr and Friendster (and even integrates with Flickr and other popular weblog systems) — you can see who else is trying to achieve your goal, what they do, etc. More social software, more community building.","December 21, 2004\nKids + Santa = Fun! Or not. SouthFlorida.com offers a gallery of kids frightened by Santa, and the first 25 photos are from the Tribune's 2003 "Scared of Santa" photo contest. (Thanks, Heather!)","December 17, 2004\nAre you a true Chicagoan? I am.","December 13, 2004\nNot too far from where I live is a place where I can pick out a live chicken and have it butchered and dressed while I wait. I've wondered how many people have found a chicken building a nest in their flower garden, 'cause I'm sure at least a few of them have to be smart enough to get away. I'm pretty sure the ones Kristin found weren't all that smart, but it makes for a good story.","December 08, 2004\nTired of overhearing other people's cellphone conversations? Don't vouloir to know what the doctor said? You may be interested in joining a new organization, the Society for HandHeld Hushing, just launched by Coudal Partners and Draplindustries. Just download this handy PDF and get to work on a quieter tomorrow!","November 22, 2004\nCBS Sunday Morning is looking for folks who've had success on craigslist. They seem to be primarily interested in getting a wide range of folks who have had interesting experiences with Missed Connections. You can write them a brief account of your craigslist experiences, along with your name and telephone number at CBS_Sunday_Morning[at]hotmail[dot]com.","November 15, 2004\nIf you're looking for a constantly updated and comprehensive list of skateboarding videos, you need not look further than Skim the Fat. Pete and Jerry and The Army have reviewed (at this count) 542 skate videos. That's a lot. Some nice features include a tracklist of the soundtrack featured in a video, which as many skaters know is great because some videos don't list those and when you're trying to find out what song that was during that one skater, it's bloody nice to have that. Also send a buck in to the HQ (local, of course) and get some hilarious stickers.","November 10, 2004\nChicago is home to CUFOS, or the Center for UFO Studies. They have a library where they study the reports of UFO sightings and abductions on Peterson Ave. The site has some neat information if you're into UFO; they also offer advice on what to do if you have been abducted by aliens. Try to remain calm…","November 09, 2004\nNeed to grab some quick statistics about the city? Or perhaps you've always wondered exactly how many people do live here? Or how many people live in your neighborhood? The Chicago Fact Book, put together by the city, has all sorts of trivia about our city. (Oh, and as of the last census, 2.89 million people live in Chicago.)","November 07, 2004\nSears Roebuck and Co. has launched the Sears Archives, an online archive of more than 100 years of photos, product info and historical documents from the company, from its first stores here in Chicago to today.","November 01, 2004\nIn just one month, you could write a novel. At least, that's what the folks at National Novel Writing Month say. NaNoWriMo is a motivational contest, of sorts, where willing writers begin their novels only at the stroke of midnight on November 1, and stop at midnight November 30, hopefully with 50,000 words to show for it. Last year, there were 25,500 participants and about 3,500 of them made it to the goal. It's free, and once you register, you'll be put in touch with other NaNoWriMo's in your area, for information on meet-ups and other activities. So get going, you're late already!","October 28, 2004\nA new issue of the Saturnine Detractor is up. They're calling it "The Election Issue," but don't let that scare you away; Ben Adams' feature on No Child Left Behind and his experience working as a middle school tutor in Chicago is definitely worth checking out. Actually, all the articles are good this round. Get over there.","October 27, 2004\nRearview contributor (today's in fact) Alessandra Gillen belongs to a collective of sorts, called Statisfield. The site deals with experimental audio and visual art (with a strong focus on the audio) and is nicely designed. There's a lot of interesting stuff going on there so whatcha waiting for?","October 21, 2004\nSometimes it's difficult to open the Yellow pages and figure out which plumber, electrician, or pizzeria is going to be any good. The Chicago Alternative Yellow Pages doesn't promise better results, but they do guarantee a smaller list to choose from.","October 19, 2004\nAre you a geek? Do you have trouble meeting other geeks with which to share your life experiences? Perhaps it's time to check out Geek2Geek dating service. Its retro-styled site is filled to the brim with swinging, uh, geeks waiting to meet you. And it's based right here in Chicago!","October 08, 2004\nHow many times have you been out and said "What the heck is that phone number?" or "What was her exact address again?" If you have a cell phone and know how to send text messages, you can now get the address from Google by text message. Send a text message (also called SMS) to GOOGL saying "Schuba's Chicago, IL" and the address will pop back. Or, building on the fuel question about pizza from this week, say "pizza 60625" and see what they recommend. Now if they only had movie times….","September 28, 2004\nLuckyface, another (but good!) online creative endeavor, has some standout features. Of particular note, the photo essay about the Burgoo Festival in Utica, IL is like getting small glimpses of lives you don't know and Left of the Middle is an excellent photo travelogue from Chicago to the wild west.","September 24, 2004\nWant to meet new people? You could come to our GB Get-Together tonight, but in a more long-term sense, you could check out MEETinChicago, a free service to "provide a relaxed, 'non-pickup-scene' social environment for people to enjoy." It's free, and there's a ton of things to do listed, from camping trips to movie outings to just drinks. Pretty cool!","September 24, 2004\nIf you're looking for some freelance writing work, and are comfortable writing about sex (and porn, and toys…), check out today's listings in the Writing jobs section of Craigslist. Adult film reviewer, Sextoy reviewer, Sexual health writer, and more jobs have been posted. Too bad there's no ad for a sex columnist.","September 23, 2004\nAh, another issue of stellar art/design magazine Revol is now online for your viewing pleasure. They've also got some new pins in their store, My favourites would be by killer illustrators KozyNDan and those hot world-peace-goodwill styled ones by Reach. Good stuff coming out of Chicago these days, good stuff.","September 21, 2004\nThe Boston Globe reports on a current exhibit at the Chicago Botanic Garden, titled "Plants in Print: The Age of Botanical Discovery." The reason for the mention all the way in Boston? It turns out the Massachusetts Horticultural Society used to own some of the items in this exhibit. But, facing a looming financial crisis in November 2002, the center sold more than 2,000 rare books and thousands more journals worth $3 million to Chicago (2nd item). The result of this sale is currently on display up in Glencoe through November 7th.","September 18, 2004\nI was shopping around for a new wireless plan today and realized that if I do switch, I'll probably get yet another new phone. Since I don't want to let my old one go to waste, I looked into what can be done with it. Turns out there are places across Illinois where you can donate your old cell phone. The phones are used to benefit victims of domestic violence — a worthwhile cause indeed.","September 16, 2004\nLumino Magazine is an "entertainment centered" web publication for young adults, based in the Chicago suburbs. They have stories of national interest, like the current interviews with the cast of Revenge of the Nerds, as well as a Midwest focus, with features and concert calendars for Chicago, Milwaukee and Des Moines (Indianapolis will be added next month). Check out the recent story on Mark Prior.","September 14, 2004\nCoudal points us to Urban Adventure, a site dedicated to exploration of places people don't normally get to visit. There are a couple Chicagoland features: a semi-abandoned mental hospital in downstate Manteno and Dixie Square Mall, the one the Blues Brothers drove through in the movie. (More about Dixie Square here at DeadMalls.com.)","September 14, 2004\nA new-ish online magazine (in that oh so trendy pseudo magazine rendered in Flash style), Revol looks to be a keeper. Co-produced by a sister in Chicago and a brother in LA, they've got three issues up for your enjoyment and the newest one — a mixture of found objects, collages, stellar photography and miscellany — is perfect to wake you up a little bit this morning. It even features one of our faves, Brian Ulrich who's popping up all over the place (hint: he's got a feature in the new issue of Subsystence) As they say on their site, "Keeping up the fight."","September 13, 2004\nOur friends at Subsystence have launched a new volume of their excellent web presence. Their events section (on the home page) is well worth checking out for quality stuff you may not have heard of around the city, and who doesn't like free downloads? I may be biased but the two photo exhibits, Copia and China in Polaroid kick a$$.","September 10, 2004\nPerusing the Craigslist For Sale ads, I came across this site by a fellow in Deerfield who's auctioning off his stuff; he's moving to Japan. The descriptions! I bust a gut.","September 03, 2004\nSixosix Magazine takes us back to childhood with a Choose Your Own Adventure tale of a Thursday night on the town. Plus, things you should do, but don't.","September 02, 2004\nThis would have gone in the old Cool as F@#k category we used to have. A quick disclaimer: the following linked URLs lead to mature content and is not for the weak of heart. That said, it's pretty damn impressive. Some of you may know him as "That Ian" around here. Ian's posted a well-done and remarkable video of himself getting suspended. By the knees. With hooks. Like a gapers block, we want to look away but just can't. Fascinating. Oh, and Ian is quite OK; he wrote back to me, "I'm bulletproof." But he also says "…this should never be attempted."","September 01, 2004\nMcSweeney's delivers with "Dave Matthews Band Lyrics That Take On New Meaning in Light of the Recent Brouhaha surrounding One of the Band's Bus Drivers, Who Allegedly Dumped the Contents of the Excrement Tank Off of a Chicago River Bridge and Onto the Deck of a Tour Boat."","August 30, 2004\nFirst there was The Making of a Restaurant. Then for a while, Sandy joined us here at the Block. But now, he's back on his own, or rather with his partners-in-crime (a girl, two cats), tackling a new project, The Making of a Home. Incidentally, the site's design is refreshing and stellar. And of course, the content is good, you know, aside from that cat entry. We kid.","August 25, 2004\nSwell online magazine Blacklist is back with their second issue. Lots of great stuff to look at and read, featuring an interview with one of my faves, Cody Hudson of Struggle, Inc. and another interview with our favorite designer toy store, Rotofugi. Head on over!","August 19, 2004\nFor your web surfing pleasure, Paul Freeman has collected information and photographs concerning Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields across the U.S. The airfields are arranged by state, and the page for Illinois includes facts about the former Glenview Naval Air Station, the Sky Harbor Airport in Northbrook, and more. Although not comprehensive, this is a fun site to browse.","August 12, 2004\nPeoria, our downstate neighbor, is the brunt of many many jokes. Want to make a difference and improve commerce in Illinois? Buy FantasyLand, a strip club in Peoria and make that first step towards turning Peoria into a destination once again.","August 11, 2004\nYou really need to bid on this drawing by Derek Erdman of James Hetfield thinking about Cliff Burton and a jetski. No really, you do.","August 05, 2004\nIn case you hadn't noticed, 606 Magazine launched their latest issue this week. Of note: commentary on the FCC's cleaning up of the airwaves, a point-coutnerpoint on psychics, and a profile of the author of Baghdad Burning, a female Iraqi blogger, and the city in which she lives. Get your kicks.","August 02, 2004\nI have often wondered: who is that Abby Ryan I hear so often on the radio? Many of you know her from WBEZ, but she does other stations as well. What are Abby's dreams? Her wishes? And an important question: Does she clip coupons? An interview at The Fish's site gives us a peak at Chicago's #1 traffic personality.","August 02, 2004\nHey, hey, hey! This weekend, NYC must-read Gawker directed readers to check out Chicago DJ extraordinaire Atomly! You might have caught him at a Gapers Block party or elsewhere around town. He'll be at Chicago's Cafe Lura on Aug. 18.","July 29, 2004\nThe Saturnine Detractor debuts its third issue today, featuring coverage of Civil War reenactments, pulp fiction reviews and Robert Downey, Jr.'s theory of a tripartite god. It's enough to keep you up nights.","July 26, 2004\nSpeaking of sending your dreams out there, frequent visitor and once-and-future resident of Chicago, Simon King produced TCUP: The Collective Unconsciousness Project a while ago. It's got a click interface and is wonderful to explore. It's pretty simple: "1) Create a Dreamer account. 2) Log a dream. 3) Explore the collective." It's nifty to see how your dream relates to the dreams of others and who else shares similar dream thematics.","July 26, 2004\nFound this one on CL this morning: the Dream Machine. Call 773.486.9035 and leave a recording of a dream you had last night; if you leave a phone number, they'll call you back with someone else's dream.","July 23, 2004\nThose wonderfully, freaky creations made from red-toed socks can be found anywhere, but did you know they originated in Rockford, Illinois? Probably not, which is why Joan Sage wants to get some publicity for the second largest city in Illinois. She's taking her seven-foot-tall sock monkey to New York to try and get on the David Letterman show (who she's been hounding for months), Good Morning America, the Today show, and Central Park. To cinch her chances of getting on Letterman, she'll be visiting Rupert at Hello Deli to give him a sock monkey as well. The odd thing is that she's using her own money to get to New York for four days. If you have a sock monkey story you want to share with Rockford's museum you can email it to Sage.","July 23, 2004\nOur friends at Coudal need a little help: "We need a bit o help at the CP/Jewelboxing World Headquarters in Chicago for the balance of the summer and into the fall. Call it a paid internship. We need a smart, talented, motivated person to help us with administration and distribution for Jewelboxing and to do occasional work on other Coudal Partners stuff too. Youll have to do a bit of lifting and packing, etc. for Jewelboxing. It would be a nice part-time gig (3 days a week or so) for someone in school, and it may or may not lead to other things. Writing skills would be a plus, so show them off by emailing Michele Seiler (go to the site for e-mail address) if youre interested."","July 23, 2004\nA great story about a very naked and (we assume anyway) raw protest against GMO food on the lakefront. Would you too rather run naked than eat biotech? If so, you should go to the Masks and Thongs party tonight to benefit T.H.O.N.G. Chicago. No, not Trixies Hunt Out New Guys. Topless Humans Organized for Natural Genetics. (Ps to the One True Trixie: come back! We miss you! )","July 07, 2004\nThe 3rd annual tribute to the Coen Brothers, Lebowskifest went down a little while ago in Louisville, KY. Chicago was representing with our own Brian Sobolak who took photos and Halo+Horns was there, too, also with photos. Can we get enough of The Dude? Apparently not.","July 07, 2004\nThe folks at Artmuck.com are funny. Like in this article, "Patriot Missle". If you really need some encouragement to go read that, it's worth seeing the photo of a girl with a firecracker in her ahem, behind. However, if you're more into less juvenile endeavours, you might really like this interview with Davy Rothbart of Found Magazine.","June 29, 2004\nYour Humorous Moment of the Day: The 12 Dumbest Covers of American Comics brought to you by "Chicago's Finest Comic Shop", Atlas.","June 17, 2004\nEveryone likes free music. I just can't say no myself. And everyone likes listening to new artists. My penchant for new, new, new is unsatiable. Well, betterPropaganda is here to fill that void. Their model focuses on showcasing indie artists both known and a little less known and making mp3's available to download and it's all legal baby. Jointly co-produced in Chicago and San Francisco, they're here to make the world a better place with better music and betterPropaganda.","June 15, 2004\nOne of the niftiest things on the internet is the Wikipedia. It's a free open source (meaning you can add to and edit information!) encyclopedia. Since it's open source, it's kept up-to-date in real time. Chicago's entry is a nice neat nutshell that gives one a good overview of the city. At a glance it tell you about the history, geography, novels sets in Chicago, companies based here and much, much more. The best part? If you feel it's missing something, just go ahead and add your information. Power, in the hands of the user. Related: What is a Wiki?","June 15, 2004\nNew City Chicago takes a look at a Korean-heavy stretch of Lawrence Avenue. Find out where to buy books, eat food, and shop for supplies — all with a decidedly Korean bent.","June 11, 2004\nAlways thought music criticism was formulaic? Loren Jan Wilson wrote a computer program to analyze the frequency of words in positive and negative album reviews published on Pitchfork. He used the data to determine which words and phrases appear most frequently in positive reviews, and wrote songs to capitalize on the reviewers' collective preferences. The paper is Wilson's BA project at the University of Chicago.","June 03, 2004\nCoudal and Things point us to NASA's incredible Cities Collection, photos of the world's cities taken from space. They've got a whole lot of shots of Chicago and its environs, including some of the city at night and interesting cloud patterns.","June 02, 2004\nThis is Grand, an online journal devoted exclusively to non-fiction stories about public transportation in Chicago, has officially launched. Check it out or submit.","June 01, 2004\nRocky Mosele hates spam. But unlike the rest of us, he took that hatred and turned it into a mission: Ethical Email. Enter your email address at ethicalemail.com and it will be included in the start-up organization's "do not contact" database. According to the press release, Mosele plans to deliver the database of names to the bulk email houses that are responsible for billions of emails being generated on the Internet. By law, the bulk email houses will have 10 days to remove those email names from their databases.","May 28, 2004\nEsquire is looking for more Brutally Honest Personal ads. Describe yourself "without euphemisms or exaggerations or any truth-hedging." Need a date? Secure in your flaws? Apply now. [Via Craig’s List]","May 22, 2004\nDepave Lake Shore Drive? And Daley really supports it?","May 21, 2004\nYahooMaps now offers the ability to search for WiFi hotspots (at least those using Intel's wireless technology). One question about the Chicago map, though: what's up with the shantytown listed at Erie and Fairbanks?","May 18, 2004\nUS Senate candidate Barack Obama's official Weblog just went live. Vérifiez-le!","May 18, 2004\nThis Is Grand is a soon-to-launch online journal "publishing short non-fiction narratives about riding Chicago's trains and buses and all that happens when doing so." They're looking for story submissions: email your story, whether it be funny, scary or poignant, to submissionsthisisgrandorg.","May 03, 2004\nThe GB official Humorous Moment of the Day comes courtesy of photographer and Rearview contributor, Archie Florcruz. Hand dryers in bathrooms now dispense bacon. Miam!","April 29, 2004\nParking Spots is a silly site, one of those "waste your time while being bored to death at work" sites. Highly entertaining. It's international and you too can submit one, and there's quite a few from Illinois (scroll down to the US section). You'll have to see what I mean.","April 15, 2004\nFor those of you who love Google, there is now Google Local. It's in beta but already seems useful. This quick search on sushi (I luuuurve sushi) displays great results and quite a refined interface. I know I'll be using this to find restaurants and local places.","April 09, 2004\nThe Week Behind has a little Easter story for you: "Jesus Had a Bad Day," a somewhat irreverant look at the son of a Jewish carpenter's last day on Earth. As a bonus, included is a pocket list of the 14 stations of the cross.","April 02, 2004\nPurveyors of fine accommodation, Hampton Inns, would like us to explore Chicago's hidden (or not-so-hidden) landmarks at HamptonLandmarks.com. Not too many Chicago-related entries so far, but you can always submit your own. (Thanks Ian.)","March 31, 2004\nCraig's List's Rants & Raves section is usually full of petty namecalling and inane arguments, but every once in awhile, something truly great shows up. Like this screed from an anonymous Loop desk jockey. "Oh yeah, lunch drinking is back!"","March 26, 2004\nFrom the University of Chicago's Harris School, we get this charming little paper about the universal problem of a group of people trying to choose a restaurant, and how to apply the art of statistics and game theory to solving it. It's like that age-old cake-cutting puzzle on steroids.","March 17, 2004\nNeed to find the address of a good local bakery? Want to know how many dry cleaners are in your zip code? Try Google's new Local search. The results may be a little strange (searching for "blog" turns up an odd pairing of businesses and blog references) but we'll all probably become as reliant on it as we are all Google's other services. [Thanks Ian]","March 16, 2004\nThe friendly, and aromatic, folks at The Spice House are looking for recipes from the customers to add to their online database. Got a tasty recipe that you just can't share with enough people? Click on their "Submit Recipes" link and tell them your culinary secrets.","March 08, 2004\nThere's a lot to do in this city, which is probably why there are so many places to get info about your options. Chicago Rules is one such place — currently in beta — compiling restaurant and club reviews, as well as a concert calendar.","March 02, 2004\nProving 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.","February 25, 2004\nLori Napoleon, who DJs locally as SubK, has begun a beautiful mapsproject. Check out what she has posted so far.","February 20, 2004\nThe Saturnine Detractor features a photo essay of Northern Iraq by photographer Daniel Pepper. Good stuff.","February 20, 2004\nThe state government may owe you money! The Office of the State Treasurer is attempting to return unclaimed money (in the form of lost wages, forgotten bank accounts and security deposits, etc.) to its rightful owners, and to promote the giveaway released a top 10 "most wanted" list of the Illinois residents who are owed the highest amounts of cash. The values range from $100,000 to half a million dollars. Fortunately for you, Web surfer, you can check your own name at the State Treasurer's Website, cashdash.net.","February 17, 2004\nThe Modernist, a web publication created by one of the people behind Jinx coffeeshop and the now-closed Big Brother Video, is your one-stop shop for 20th century modernist furniture and, um, naked people. (Wait till you get home to delve into this one.)","February 10, 2004\nIf you haven't already seen the GI Joe PSA's by Eric Fensler, run, dash, or sprint over there and check them out. There are new ones! And doesn't he look charming in his Cubs uniform? "Give him the stick, don't give him the stick!"","February 05, 2004\n37signals, Chicago's own web design and usability powerhouse, has just released Basecamp, a beautiful web-based project management system aimed at the freelance and small shop crowd. It's only been out a few days, and it's already racked up lots of praise. If you're looking for something to improve organization and communication among your co-workers, or beteween you and your client, consider checking it out.","January 23, 2004\nThe Payphone Project is a collection of lists of (theoretically) every payphone in the world that is able to receive calls. The Illinois list is pretty huge; check out just the 312 phones.","January 09, 2004\nHere's a decidedly different way of exploring the city: the Virtual Tourist was a project begun in 1995 that intended to map all the servers in a geographic area. Obviously that became an impossible task pretty quickly, and the original project gave way to a general travel site. But somebody in UofC's CS department saved the original maps for Illinois, and they offer and interesting snapshot of the server landscape. The project offers several layers of detail, moving in from statewide to Chicagoland to the city to the Loop.","January 08, 2004\nThis site has collected over 250 "best of" lists for the year 2003. The lists are divided into 26 categories and include such local delights as the Hip-Hop Top 10 and the Top 10 Worst Reality TV Shows for 2003 — both from the Chicago Sun-Times.","January 06, 2004\nDon Woolf, a waiter with 15 years of experience and a graduate of the master's program of Public Affairs Journalism at Columbia College, is angry! He's created TheAngryWaiter.com to serve (no pun intended) as an outlet for all the other angry restaraunt employees in the world. If you want to be a whistleblower and tell the public that Chez Crape has a fly infestation problem, or that the owner of the Dog-Diggity-Dugout is a sexually harrassing jag-off, send your story to The Angry Waiter.","December 03, 2003\nIt's possible that one could wax poetic about Chicago using Google's new "define:" keyword. (Define: turns up definitions of words, and I find them quite comical.) For example: Microsoft codename / the original version of the four-bridge deal / the well-known rock band / a bustling Great Lakes Port. Not quite the same as the poem, which most of us are familiar with: "They tell me you are wicked and I believe them, for I have seen your painted women under the gas lamps luring the farm boys."","December 03, 2003\nThe Saturnine Detractor, a Chicago-born quarterly web magazine of feature journalism, reviews, opinion, fiction, and artwork, recently published its second issue. Vérifiez-le.","November 25, 2003\nUpcoming.org is a "collaborative event calendar" — in other words, you enter concerts or other events into its database, and other members can let you know they're coming, too. In theory, as the system learns more about your interests, it will recommend events to you. Chicago's listing is pretty thin right now, but you're going to help change that, right?","November 24, 2003\nThe Illinois Department of Child Support Enforcement has created a new website featuring photos and information about the state's worst deadbeat parents. And, while you're checking into nefarious characters, you may also be interested in the rapists and child molesters in your neighborhood, searchable by city or ZIP code. The Cook County Sheriff's Department has its own list.","November 19, 2003\nThe homepage (and only the homepage) of the Chicago Reader gets a bit of a facelift. The "face" no longer jives very well with the rest of it's "body" though I can see an attempt to conserve real estate and add ads down the side which really in the end just takes away from the esoteric charm of the site and it's 1993 old school web design. A peek under the hood also reveals font face tags and non stylesheet use. Pouah.","October 29, 2003\nIIT's Shlomo Argamon helped write the algorithm behind the Gender Genie, this week's blog meme. Enter a passage of text and the Genie predicts the author's gender. I entered several days of Merge, the Proprietors page and the current installments of Detour, Airbags and Fuel, and the results were unanimous: Gapers Block is a boy!","October 01, 2003\nYou'd think Merriam-Webster, the maker of dictionaries, would be stodgy and uncool? Wrong! Much like Spinal Tap, they go to 11.","September 29, 2003\nChicagomotorcycle.com is, as you'd expect, all about motorcycles and riding around Chicago.","September 29, 2003\nThose crazy kids at ad agency Cramer-Krasselt know that anytime, anywhere, "the Seventies are right behind you."","September 25, 2003\nThe Chicago Craigslist is sort of revamped. Looking more like it's older and bigger siblings in SF and NY, the site also sports a new Events Calendar which is already being abused for all sorts of events spam. Speaking of Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist, he now has a weblog.","September 24, 2003\n2 Stroke Buzz, by local scooter boy Bryan Bedell, was featured in the New York Time's "Men's Fashion of the Times" magazine this past weekend.","September 24, 2003\nNo East Web Magazine is looking for submissions. The site will no longer adopt a "magazine" stance with quarterly issues but is being revamped for a weekly freeform 425x600px format.","September 23, 2003\nDeadtech, the Chicago art-noise-installation gallery, has launched a new site with more frequently updated content and space for collective editorship. Also, check out this month's electronic music show with Evolution Control Committee on Thursday the 25th, 8pm, 3321 W. Fullerton, $5 donation.","September 22, 2003\nJeremy P. Bushnell is writing a "serialized web narrative" following the lives of a group of fictional Chicagoans over the course of a year. Imaginary Year is updated every Monday and Friday; the newest "book" begins today. Read also Bushnell's manifesto, explaining the philosophy behind the project.","September 19, 2003\nYou can listen to live transmissions of the Chicago Approach frequency (via Real Audio)used for plane arrivals and departures for the west suburban satellite airports of O'Hare. The site also includes a nifty aeronautical map of the Chicago area.","September 19, 2003\nArrrgh! Any o' you mateys who be wantin' to seize some vrai booty this 'Talk Like a Pirate Day' would do well t' plunk down a few pieces o' eight for Pimps at Sea. An' if ye be likin' to play the game don't ferget to pick yer own pirate name. Arrgh! Pieces o' Eight! Ducats! Ducats!","September 03, 2003\nScience, Art, and Technology, from the Art Institute of Chicago, is a website dedicated to exploring relationship between science and art within a museum setting. Originally offered as a course to Chicago Public School science teachers, the site includes sections on the chemistry and physics of light and color; art and astronomy; and conservation. You can view the original lectures online or read summaries of the lectures.","August 29, 2003\nWant to hear how much a Chicago accent differs from Milwaukee or Minneapolis? The International Dialects of English Archive is a web repository of speech samples in MP3 form. The archive, hosted by the University of Kansas's theatre department and intended for use by actors, has several Chicago samples.","August 29, 2003\nQuite possibly the reason why Illinois has no In N Out Burger restaurants. Viewing this is total gapers' block. Hungry anyone?","August 29, 2003\nAn article in yesterday's Chicago Tribune reports on the results of a study that show "Midwesterners use the Web slightly less than people in other parts of the country" (56% versus the national 59%). This latest report from the Pew Internet Project, one of the first to study differences in regional Internet use, also shows that Internet use in the Midwest has leveled off. According to the study, "the same proportion of Midwesterners access the Web now that did two years ago." The Tribune also talks to Lia Londrono, a local librarian, about her observations regarding Internet use and the digital divide.[triblogin:[triblogin:gapers/gapers]","August 27, 2003\nEarthCam is a directory of webcams from all over the world. Check out these views from the Sears Tower courtesy of ABC7Chicago; a view of traffic on the Michigan Ave. bridge thanks to WGN; the continuing construction of the new Soldier's Field from the Chicago Bears website; or, finally, this lovely view of First & State streets in suburban Geneva (Why?). Addictive, pointless, timewasting fun. Prendre plaisir.","August 20, 2003\nChowhound's Chicago message board is an incredible repository of local food knowledge, exploration, history, and restaurant and product reviews. The user interface may be a bit of a beast, but it's worth wading through to gain access to vast amounts of information. Unfortunately, it takes a lot to keep at site like that running. Lately, times are especially tough. So if you value Chowhound as much as I do, please consider donating, or otherwise supporting the site.","August 13, 2003\nMcDonald's is rolling out wireless internet access at 60 stores in Chicago and Milwaukee. Cost is $4.95 for an hour, or $7.95 for an all-day pass; "for a limited time" you can get a free hour with the purchase of an extra value meal or premium salad. Just last week, Panera Bread announced its own WiFi service — for libre — in 16 Chicagoland stores.","August 08, 2003\nYou've probably heard about some friend of a friend who got paid a ton of money to sit in an exam room and smoke pot while hooked up to a brain wave monitor. If you were jealous, and you think it could be fun getting poked with needles and getting paid for it, or if you're just desparate to cover the difference between your unemployment check and your rent payment that was due a week ago, consider signing up for a clinical trial in your area.","August 07, 2003\nSexy, sexy single ladies of Chicago! We all know that dating is a hopeless, soul-grating endeavor. All the good ones are taken, and the ones who aren't are never the ones trying to get you ripped on Jaegermeister whilst discussing current events with your cleavage. But there's hope! Just fill out this application and just maybe you could lay claim to sensitive poet and generally sharp-dressing guy, Alan Studowski, Chicago's very own Number One Stud! You can't win if you don't play!","August 07, 2003\nChicago 2600 is a site for Chicago-based hackers, focusing on the community's "ethical perspective [on] technology and politics." White hats only, please.","July 31, 2003\nWanna go bowling? Here's a list of all the bowling alleys in Chicagoland, alphabetized by name or location. Strike!","July 30, 2003\nYou're missing out by not reading CraigsList Chicago ads on a semi-regular basis. Take a few minutes out of your day to check out a missive to employment, and ads for psychics, Mary Kay "smell goods," and lots and lots of threesomes.","July 29, 2003\nWe all know the social network Friendster (what? you're not on Friendster?), but how about the new Enemyster? Or even Fiendster? While Fiendster is a joke, does anyone have a beta code for Enemyster? Drop me a line.","July 28, 2003\nRelatively new Chicagoan Liz Butler, a friend of the Block, is now writing a weekly TV column for The Daily Gusto.","July 25, 2003\nWDET in Detroit, one of the country's best public radio stations, resumes its streaming today. The stream was shut down in February to comply with the RIAA, but DJs can now work around the rules by using a kill switch. For example, if more than four songs by the same artist are played within a three-hour period, the stream will simply be turned off for the duration of the non-complying programming.","July 25, 2003\nPomposity!, a "lit rag for the computing set," is a product of a couple students in the Interactive Multimedia Program at Columbia College. The html version is dead, but the Flash site boasts a nice mix of high- and low-brow writing.","July 23, 2003\nThe complete history of WLS Radio. I gotta get me some WLS radio tubes.","July 21, 2003\nCoudal Partners announces the launch of Photoshop Tennis, Season 3. This time 'round, it's a 32-slot, single-elimination tournament. 11 spots are still open, so get your applications in!","July 20, 2003\nThere's a lot of discussion going on in the current Detour article about what is and isn't hip, or a hipster, or a dive bar, or the end of the universe, or something like that. Anyway, ignore that hot air and play for real money – Hipster Bingo. (via BoingBoing)","July 14, 2003\n"A Booth Project" is quite similar to the Mirror Project, but focused specifically on photobooths. Visit one of the booths on their list tonight and send in your photo tomorrow!","July 08, 2003\nFar from dying as the joke wore thin, the Lincoln Park Trixies Society website has grown, now incorporating a discussion forum (covering such topics as "Bridgeport: the next LP?") and an "Ask Ashley" column. Get in your Jetta, hit Starbucks and read up on the unique social creature that is the Lincoln Park Trixie.","June 26, 2003\nYou may be a geek, but are you a Design Geek? Our very own Paul McAleer ponders the usefulness of objects and the way they work. It's fresh and (somewhat) new. I wish he'd put up the old archives.","June 26, 2003\nHave you heard reference on WBEZ to the Third Coast International Audio Festival? Wondered what it was? Well, it's an online festival of audio documentary works of all types, from field recordings to news features, presented by Chicago Public Radio and the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation. There's a competition component to it, and the submission deadline is coming up — July 18, to be exact. So get that tape of your grandpa's war stories ready, clean up the sound on your live recording of Guatemalan field hands. It's time to shine.","June 23, 2003\nRevamped and looking good, Coudal reboots fresh. We like the new logo. They have also launched a new feature called Reading which features none other than our Editor-in-Chief, Andrew Huff.","June 18, 2003\nThe site's not much to look at, but the Chicago Audubon Society boasts a great collection of links on bird watching in Chicagoland, including a Chicago Bird Census and interactive database. Happy Birding!","June 16, 2003\nIt's the eighth birthday of one of my favorite sites on the net: APOD (Astronomy Picture of the Day). Check out the archive for some stunning pictures, ranging from hi-res NASA imaging to photographs taken by sky enthusiasts.","June 16, 2003\nThe latest issue of No East, a digital magazine created by members of the Chicagobloggers group, is out at last. The theme this time is "work," in its many permutations. Prendre plaisir.","June 10, 2003\nHas anyone else noticed Metroblossom? It's another urban-focused website with ultra-slick design, and it seems to be run out of Chicago and is looking to take off. Kind of like No-East except with less words.","June 04, 2003\nCar maker Volvo is threatening legal action against the tiny Volo Auto Museum in northwest suburban Volo because its domain name, volocars.com, is too similar to volvocars.com. The museum began using the domain in 1997, three years before Volvo created its site.","May 28, 2003\nA computer program developed at Illinois Institute of Technology is able to determine the sex of an author based on an analysis of a text. The program is right 80% of the time.","May 28, 2003\nWhile I thought it would have come back with nothing but stills from the film Chicago, I was quite awed to see some stunning images of Chicago when doing a Google image search for "Chicago".","May 28, 2003\nDidn't realize this till today but Indymedia has a Chicago sister site. Some interesting activist reporting, especially with Chicago's universities and colleges it seems.","May 22, 2003\nScooter-ridin', sometimes 'stache sportin', all round good man, PJ Chmiel returns from Poland with a gallery of more than 200 photos of his trip. An amazing photographic journey of Poland, a country with a lot of history. Simply jaw-dropping.","May 19, 2003\nI was browsing the backpage section of the Chicago Reader and came across this ad:","COBRAScooters, ATVs, Off-Road, B2B sales, need dealers\nI guess Cobra Commander and his cronies are in financial trouble. As plainly evidenced by their stupidity. Yo Joe!","May 16, 2003\nAbsolutely gorgeous handmade books, prints and t-shirts from ReddingK. Completely inspired by this one, and best of all, they are amazingly cheap considering the quality of artwork here. Be sure to take a look at the Perilous Predicament poster set, amazing in the print section. Side note: Not from Chicago but too good to not link.","May 07, 2003\nCoudal intern Anthony Vitagliano shot some amazing footage of the fire at the Acorn Garage [Trib. reg: gapers/gapers] — check it out here (Quicktime video).","May 05, 2003\nI might be a johnny-come-lately with this, but Jazz Era Chicago is astounding. Copious amounts of photos, text, and historical trivia. I learned, for instance, that the loft I work in used to be a Woolworth's. Well worth your time.","Click to rate this post!\n \n [Total: 0 Average: 0]"],"content_blocks":[{"id":"text-1","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"31 décembre 2015\nJe vole le titre de FoGB Veronica Arreola, car il est parfait. Il y a tellement de listes de Best of à cette époque de l'année, mais si vous voulez connaître 15 femmes (heureusement, il y en a beaucoup plus) qui ont fait des choses géniales à Chicago cette année, alors allez lire à leur sujet. Ils sont tous géniaux.","html":"

31 décembre 2015\nJe vole le titre de FoGB Veronica Arreola, car il est parfait. Il y a tellement de listes de Best of à cette époque de l'année, mais si vous voulez connaître 15 femmes (heureusement, il y en a beaucoup plus) qui ont fait des choses géniales à Chicago cette année, alors allez lire à leur sujet. Ils sont tous géniaux.

"},{"id":"text-2","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"31 décembre 2015\nLe comédien Owen Weber affronte les trolls dans la chanson "Comment le troll a volé YouTube".","html":"

31 décembre 2015\nLe comédien Owen Weber affronte les trolls dans la chanson "Comment le troll a volé YouTube".

"},{"id":"text-3","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"29 décembre 2015\nLa comédienne Beth Stelling, qui a fait ses débuts à Chicago, a posté sur Instagram que son ex-petit ami l'avait violée et maltraitée physiquement et mentalement.","html":"

29 décembre 2015\nLa comédienne Beth Stelling, qui a fait ses débuts à Chicago, a posté sur Instagram que son ex-petit ami l'avait violée et maltraitée physiquement et mentalement.

"},{"id":"text-4","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"Même fille dans toutes ces photos (moi). J'ai eu une année incroyable et vous avez vu les points saillants ici, alors ces photos sont une chose peu commune à partager mais pas une question inhabituelle. Vous pouvez être bizarre mais continuez à lire. J'ai un point. Il y a de nombreuses raisons de ne pas rendre publique une relation abusive, principalement la peur. Effrayé par ce que les gens vont penser, effrayé, cela me fait paraître faible ou peu professionnel. Quand j'ai rompu avec mon ex cet été, ce n'était pas parce que je ne l'aimais pas, c'était à cause de ça. Et j'ai absolument rechuté et l'ai contacté avec des choses que je n'aurais pas dû, mais il n'y a pas de "meilleures pratiques" avec cela. Lorsque des amis ou des bandes dessinées demandent pourquoi nous avons rompu, il n’est ni facile ni confortable de répondre; il ne semble pas que ce soit la chose appropriée à dire lors d'un spectacle, d'une fête ou d'un mariage. C'est gênant. Je me sens stupide. Après avoir été verbalement, physiquement maltraité et violé, je suis sorti avec lui pendant deux mois. Ce n'est pas simple Après ma rupture avec lui, il a déclaré: "Vous vous montrez très ouvert et honnête, et je vous demande simplement de me considérer quand vous parlez de votre ex parce que tout le monde sait de qui vous parlez." Et je suis resté. J'ai écrit des blagues vagues parce que nous vivons tous les deux à Los Angeles et je ne voulais pas le blesser, commencer une guerre, porter des accusations, être interrogé ou harcelé par lui ou ses amis et sa famille. Je voulais avancer et oublier parce que je ne comprenais pas. Je ne veux pas me venger ni le blesser maintenant, mais il est malsain de garder cela à l'intérieur car mon stand-up est tiré directement de ma vie. C'est comme ça que je gagne ma vie. Mon personnel est mon professionnel. C'est comme ça que j'ai toujours été; Je fais sombre, drôle. Alors maintenant, je permets que cela fasse partie de mon histoire. Ce n'est pas ma seule histoire, alors s'il vous plaît, ne le laissez pas être. Si vous habitez à Los Angeles, vous avez déjà commencé à entendre mes blagues à ce sujet et je vous demande d'avoir le courage de l'écouter et de l'accepter parce que j'essaie. Déjà depuis que j'ai parlé de cela sur scène, beaucoup de femmes sont venues me voir après des spectacles me demandant de continuer à le faire. Les hommes ont montré leur solidarité. Une ex-petite amie de cet ex-petit ami est venue me voir et a raconté qu'elle avait connu le même sort. Puis il y en avait un autre et un autre (hommes et femmes) qui partageaient d’autres injustices de sa part qui ..\nUne photo postée par Beth Stelling (@bethstelling) sur 28 décembre 2015 à 9h30 PST","html":"

Même fille dans toutes ces photos (moi). J'ai eu une année incroyable et vous avez vu les points saillants ici, alors ces photos sont une chose peu commune à partager mais pas une question inhabituelle. Vous pouvez être bizarre mais continuez à lire. J'ai un point. Il y a de nombreuses raisons de ne pas rendre publique une relation abusive, principalement la peur. Effrayé par ce que les gens vont penser, effrayé, cela me fait paraître faible ou peu professionnel. Quand j'ai rompu avec mon ex cet été, ce n'était pas parce que je ne l'aimais pas, c'était à cause de ça. Et j'ai absolument rechuté et l'ai contacté avec des choses que je n'aurais pas dû, mais il n'y a pas de "meilleures pratiques" avec cela. Lorsque des amis ou des bandes dessinées demandent pourquoi nous avons rompu, il n’est ni facile ni confortable de répondre; il ne semble pas que ce soit la chose appropriée à dire lors d'un spectacle, d'une fête ou d'un mariage. C'est gênant. Je me sens stupide. Après avoir été verbalement, physiquement maltraité et violé, je suis sorti avec lui pendant deux mois. Ce n'est pas simple Après ma rupture avec lui, il a déclaré: "Vous vous montrez très ouvert et honnête, et je vous demande simplement de me considérer quand vous parlez de votre ex parce que tout le monde sait de qui vous parlez." Et je suis resté. J'ai écrit des blagues vagues parce que nous vivons tous les deux à Los Angeles et je ne voulais pas le blesser, commencer une guerre, porter des accusations, être interrogé ou harcelé par lui ou ses amis et sa famille. Je voulais avancer et oublier parce que je ne comprenais pas. Je ne veux pas me venger ni le blesser maintenant, mais il est malsain de garder cela à l'intérieur car mon stand-up est tiré directement de ma vie. C'est comme ça que je gagne ma vie. Mon personnel est mon professionnel. C'est comme ça que j'ai toujours été; Je fais sombre, drôle. Alors maintenant, je permets que cela fasse partie de mon histoire. Ce n'est pas ma seule histoire, alors s'il vous plaît, ne le laissez pas être. Si vous habitez à Los Angeles, vous avez déjà commencé à entendre mes blagues à ce sujet et je vous demande d'avoir le courage de l'écouter et de l'accepter parce que j'essaie. Déjà depuis que j'ai parlé de cela sur scène, beaucoup de femmes sont venues me voir après des spectacles me demandant de continuer à le faire. Les hommes ont montré leur solidarité. Une ex-petite amie de cet ex-petit ami est venue me voir et a raconté qu'elle avait connu le même sort. Puis il y en avait un autre et un autre (hommes et femmes) qui partageaient d’autres injustices de sa part qui ..\nUne photo postée par Beth Stelling (@bethstelling) sur 28 décembre 2015 à 9h30 PST

"},{"id":"text-5","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"21 décembre 2015\nLe A.V. L'année annuelle du club en noms de groupes est une merveille.","html":"

21 décembre 2015\nLe A.V. L'année annuelle du club en noms de groupes est une merveille.

"},{"id":"text-6","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"17 décembre 2015\nVous devez améliorer votre jeu de maison en pain d’épice.","html":"

17 décembre 2015\nVous devez améliorer votre jeu de maison en pain d’épice.

"},{"id":"text-7","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"17 décembre 2015\nLe personnage de Macaulay Culkin dans un épisode récent du webshort: DRYVRS semble très familier (et NSFW).","html":"

17 décembre 2015\nLe personnage de Macaulay Culkin dans un épisode récent du webshort: DRYVRS semble très familier (et NSFW).

"},{"id":"text-8","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"16 décembre 2015\nNewCity a lancé un nouveau podcast intitulé "Beaucoup de choses pour Holler", animé par Ben Schulman, éditeur de Newcity Design (et GB alum), et le journaliste d’architecture Zach Mortice. Le premier épisode parle de Chicago dans les films.","html":"

16 décembre 2015\nNewCity a lancé un nouveau podcast intitulé "Beaucoup de choses pour Holler", animé par Ben Schulman, éditeur de Newcity Design (et GB alum), et le journaliste d’architecture Zach Mortice. Le premier épisode parle de Chicago dans les films.

"},{"id":"text-9","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"16 décembre 2015\nCards Against Humanity a fait don à WBEZ de tous les bénéfices des huit cadeaux de cette année pour Hanukkah et a fait en sorte que tous ceux qui ont acheté des membres de WBEZ (s'ils le voulaient).","html":"

16 décembre 2015\nCards Against Humanity a fait don à WBEZ de tous les bénéfices des huit cadeaux de cette année pour Hanukkah et a fait en sorte que tous ceux qui ont acheté des membres de WBEZ (s'ils le voulaient).

"},{"id":"text-10","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"Maintenant que nous avons ajouté 150 000 Millennials à @WBEZLa base de membres de, est abaissé l'âge moyen des membres à 92.\n– Max Temkin (@MaxTemkin) 16 décembre 2015","html":"

Maintenant que nous avons ajouté 150 000 Millennials à @WBEZLa base de membres de, est abaissé l'âge moyen des membres à 92.\n– Max Temkin (@MaxTemkin) 16 décembre 2015

"},{"id":"text-11","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"15 décembre 2015\nRéalisations de Rahm et Amour de Rahm.","html":"

15 décembre 2015\nRéalisations de Rahm et Amour de Rahm.

"},{"id":"text-12","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"14 décembre 2015\nJusqu'à mercredi soir, les étudiants de l'Université de Toronto vous chanteront par téléphone une chanson de vacances de votre choix.","html":"

14 décembre 2015\nJusqu'à mercredi soir, les étudiants de l'Université de Toronto vous chanteront par téléphone une chanson de vacances de votre choix.

"},{"id":"text-13","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"11 décembre 2015\nSmack Dab Productions vous présente Shootr, une nouvelle application qui vous tient au courant des derniers meurtres de masse, des fusillades par la police et plus encore.","html":"

11 décembre 2015\nSmack Dab Productions vous présente Shootr, une nouvelle application qui vous tient au courant des derniers meurtres de masse, des fusillades par la police et plus encore.

"},{"id":"text-14","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"11 décembre 2015\nFLOTUS Michelle Obama rappe – oui, raps – un shoutout pour South Side dans la vidéo de CollegeHumor "Go to College".","html":"

11 décembre 2015\nFLOTUS Michelle Obama rappe – oui, raps – un shoutout pour South Side dans la vidéo de CollegeHumor "Go to College".

"},{"id":"text-15","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"09 décembre 2015\nLa Bitchin 'Camaro, la mascotte automobile officielle du Riot Fest, a été volée hier sur un parking du West Loop. MISE À JOUR: Le vol était un canular, lié à une collecte de jouets de vacances.","html":"

09 décembre 2015\nLa Bitchin 'Camaro, la mascotte automobile officielle du Riot Fest, a été volée hier sur un parking du West Loop. MISE À JOUR: Le vol était un canular, lié à une collecte de jouets de vacances.

"},{"id":"text-16","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"20 novembre 2015\nL'affiche du film Aloha est-elle toujours sur ce panneau d'affichage à Logan Square?\nOui.","html":"

20 novembre 2015\nL'affiche du film Aloha est-elle toujours sur ce panneau d'affichage à Logan Square?\nOui.

"},{"id":"text-17","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"via GIPHY","html":"

via GIPHY

"},{"id":"text-18","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"19 novembre 2015\nLe membre fondateur de Survivor, auteur de l'hymne des années 80 "Eye of the Tiger", a intenté aujourd'hui un procès en violation du droit d'auteur devant un tribunal fédéral de l'Illinois contre le politicien Mike Huckabee pour avoir joué la chanson alors qu'il escortait le greffier du comté, Kim Davis, d'une courte peine de prison. suite à son refus de délivrer des licences de mariage de même sexe.","html":"

19 novembre 2015\nLe membre fondateur de Survivor, auteur de l'hymne des années 80 "Eye of the Tiger", a intenté aujourd'hui un procès en violation du droit d'auteur devant un tribunal fédéral de l'Illinois contre le politicien Mike Huckabee pour avoir joué la chanson alors qu'il escortait le greffier du comté, Kim Davis, d'une courte peine de prison. suite à son refus de délivrer des licences de mariage de même sexe.

"},{"id":"text-19","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"16 novembre 2015\nTime Out propose sept relations inédites spécifiquement pour les Chicagoiens – et heureusement, aucune ne concerne le ketchup ou le deep dish.","html":"

16 novembre 2015\nTime Out propose sept relations inédites spécifiquement pour les Chicagoiens – et heureusement, aucune ne concerne le ketchup ou le deep dish.

"},{"id":"text-20","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"13 novembre 2015\nHalf Acre disposait d'une gamme de canettes de bière abandonnées, alors elles ont fait la seule chose logique avant de les jeter dans le recyclage.","html":"

13 novembre 2015\nHalf Acre disposait d'une gamme de canettes de bière abandonnées, alors elles ont fait la seule chose logique avant de les jeter dans le recyclage.

"},{"id":"text-21","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"12 novembre 2015\nLe père Michael Pfleger a écrit sur Facebook mercredi qu'un technicien de Comcast ne viendrait pas réparer le service Internet de St. Sabina parce que le quartier est trop violent. Après des centaines de commentaires et de couverture médiatique, Pfleger a annoncé que Comcast avait changé d'avis, mais se demandait s'ils feraient de même pour un voisin moins branché.","html":"

12 novembre 2015\nLe père Michael Pfleger a écrit sur Facebook mercredi qu'un technicien de Comcast ne viendrait pas réparer le service Internet de St. Sabina parce que le quartier est trop violent. Après des centaines de commentaires et de couverture médiatique, Pfleger a annoncé que Comcast avait changé d'avis, mais se demandait s'ils feraient de même pour un voisin moins branché.

"},{"id":"text-22","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"11 novembre 2015\nMax Temkin de Cards Against Human pense vraiment que vous devriez écouter le podcast Hello de Magic Tavern. Juste peut-être pas en conduisant.","html":"

11 novembre 2015\nMax Temkin de Cards Against Human pense vraiment que vous devriez écouter le podcast Hello de Magic Tavern. Juste peut-être pas en conduisant.

"},{"id":"text-23","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"06 novembre 2015\nLa scène emblématique de l’Institut d’art de «La fête de Ferris Bueller» a été recréée par les fans (en costume) pour votre plus grand plaisir des yeux.","html":"

06 novembre 2015\nLa scène emblématique de l’Institut d’art de «La fête de Ferris Bueller» a été recréée par les fans (en costume) pour votre plus grand plaisir des yeux.

"},{"id":"text-24","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"06 novembre 2015\nTu es belle tout le monde est un message personnalisable à envoyer à un ami ou à un être cher, inspiré par les autocollants emblématiques de Matthew Hoffman. (Malheureusement, cela ne fonctionne pas avec Firefox.)","html":"

06 novembre 2015\nTu es belle tout le monde est un message personnalisable à envoyer à un ami ou à un être cher, inspiré par les autocollants emblématiques de Matthew Hoffman. (Malheureusement, cela ne fonctionne pas avec Firefox.)

"},{"id":"text-25","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"04 novembre 2015\nCitant la mauvaise gestion et des taux d'euthanasie inutilement élevés, un groupe de défenseurs du sauvetage des animaux demande au maire Emanuel de tout mettre en œuvre pour nommer le prochain directeur du département de la protection et du contrôle des animaux de la ville. Le directeur précédent a pris sa retraite la semaine dernière; sa remplaçante a des antécédents de mesures disciplinaires et a rendu son propre chien à l’ACC après y avoir été transférée d’un autre service de la ville, alors qu’elle n’avait aucune expérience en matière de protection et de sauvetage des animaux.","html":"

04 novembre 2015\nCitant la mauvaise gestion et des taux d'euthanasie inutilement élevés, un groupe de défenseurs du sauvetage des animaux demande au maire Emanuel de tout mettre en œuvre pour nommer le prochain directeur du département de la protection et du contrôle des animaux de la ville. Le directeur précédent a pris sa retraite la semaine dernière; sa remplaçante a des antécédents de mesures disciplinaires et a rendu son propre chien à l’ACC après y avoir été transférée d’un autre service de la ville, alors qu’elle n’avait aucune expérience en matière de protection et de sauvetage des animaux.

"},{"id":"text-26","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"02 novembre 2015\nNous vivons dans le futur et le futur est Aladdin.","html":"

02 novembre 2015\nNous vivons dans le futur et le futur est Aladdin.

"},{"id":"text-27","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"27 octobre 2015\nSi "sexy citrouille" ne vous convient pas, vous pouvez toujours choisir Svengoolie.","html":"

27 octobre 2015\nSi "sexy citrouille" ne vous convient pas, vous pouvez toujours choisir Svengoolie.

"},{"id":"text-28","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"20 octobre 2015\nDans une interview avec le magazine de Chicago, le garde des Bulls, Jimmy Butler, a révélé qu'il avait retiré les rétroviseurs de sa voiture "comme un rappel symbolique pour ne jamais regarder en arrière".","html":"

20 octobre 2015\nDans une interview avec le magazine de Chicago, le garde des Bulls, Jimmy Butler, a révélé qu'il avait retiré les rétroviseurs de sa voiture "comme un rappel symbolique pour ne jamais regarder en arrière".

"},{"id":"text-29","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"20 octobre 2015\nEt si la rive du lac Michigan était une ligne droite? Basé sur l'endroit où le cartographe Daniel Huffman a coupé le périmètre, Chicago se retrouverait au nord de Green Bay. [via]","html":"

20 octobre 2015\nEt si la rive du lac Michigan était une ligne droite? Basé sur l'endroit où le cartographe Daniel Huffman a coupé le périmètre, Chicago se retrouverait au nord de Green Bay. [via]

"},{"id":"text-30","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"19 octobre 2015\nLe cinéma 8 bits de Cinefix a récemment appliqué son traitement de jeu vidéo rétro à Journée de Ferris Bueller.","html":"

19 octobre 2015\nLe cinéma 8 bits de Cinefix a récemment appliqué son traitement de jeu vidéo rétro à Journée de Ferris Bueller.

"},{"id":"text-31","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"12 octobre 2015\nÀ partir de 1989, Mark Davis a travaillé dans un K-Mart de Naperville pendant 10 ans. Il a sauvé 56 des cassettes de musique en magasin du début des années 90 et a récemment numérisé la collection. [via]","html":"

12 octobre 2015\nÀ partir de 1989, Mark Davis a travaillé dans un K-Mart de Naperville pendant 10 ans. Il a sauvé 56 des cassettes de musique en magasin du début des années 90 et a récemment numérisé la collection. [via]

"},{"id":"text-32","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"02 octobre 2015\nTime Out propose une liste des meilleures choses à faire à Chicago pour voler en solo. "","html":"

02 octobre 2015\nTime Out propose une liste des meilleures choses à faire à Chicago pour voler en solo. "

"},{"id":"text-33","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"01 octobre 2015\nAngie Jaime parle du deuil à l'ère de Facebook pour TouchVision.","html":"

01 octobre 2015\nAngie Jaime parle du deuil à l'ère de Facebook pour TouchVision.

"},{"id":"text-34","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"30 septembre 2015\nAtlas Obscura vient de publier une carte plébiscitée de noms d’entreprises, et Chicagoland est bien représentée, du Viet Nom Nom à Evanston à la Hoosier Mama Pie Company dans le village ukrainien jusqu’à Wok This Way, près de Midway.","html":"

30 septembre 2015\nAtlas Obscura vient de publier une carte plébiscitée de noms d’entreprises, et Chicagoland est bien représentée, du Viet Nom Nom à Evanston à la Hoosier Mama Pie Company dans le village ukrainien jusqu’à Wok This Way, près de Midway.

"},{"id":"text-35","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"28 septembre 2015\nPlongez dans des quartiers branchés de Chicago avec On the Grid, un guide de la ville axé sur le design – et plusieurs autres.","html":"

28 septembre 2015\nPlongez dans des quartiers branchés de Chicago avec On the Grid, un guide de la ville axé sur le design – et plusieurs autres.

"},{"id":"text-36","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"18 septembre 2015\nDes images de Chicago datant d'août 1896 ont été diffusées sur YouTube.","html":"

18 septembre 2015\nDes images de Chicago datant d'août 1896 ont été diffusées sur YouTube.

"},{"id":"text-37","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"18 septembre 2015\nAyez toujours une réponse avec le générateur de banlieue de Chicago!","html":"

18 septembre 2015\nAyez toujours une réponse avec le générateur de banlieue de Chicago!

"},{"id":"text-38","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"15 septembre 2015\nCook County Jail gère 2,5 étoiles sur 5 sur Yelp, bien que ce ne soit clairement pas un endroit où vous souhaitiez faire une réservation.","html":"

15 septembre 2015\nCook County Jail gère 2,5 étoiles sur 5 sur Yelp, bien que ce ne soit clairement pas un endroit où vous souhaitiez faire une réservation.

"},{"id":"text-39","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"31 août 2015\nUn homme de West Town a trouvé des étrangers dans son appartement après que son locataire / colocataire a répertorié la chambre du propriétaire sur Airbnb sans la permission ou la connaissance du propriétaire.","html":"

31 août 2015\nUn homme de West Town a trouvé des étrangers dans son appartement après que son locataire / colocataire a répertorié la chambre du propriétaire sur Airbnb sans la permission ou la connaissance du propriétaire.

"},{"id":"text-40","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"28 août 2015\nLe gars de la crêpe YouTube, Nathan Shields, a créé des versions amphibies de l’aquarium Shedd en version flapjack.","html":"

28 août 2015\nLe gars de la crêpe YouTube, Nathan Shields, a créé des versions amphibies de l’aquarium Shedd en version flapjack.

"},{"id":"text-41","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"28 août 2015\nPartir partout utilise des données de recensement réelles pour générer de fausses raisons de quitter Chicago.","html":"

28 août 2015\nPartir partout utilise des données de recensement réelles pour générer de fausses raisons de quitter Chicago.

"},{"id":"text-42","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"24 août 2015\nSpike, la fleur du cadavre au Chicago Botanic Museum, pourrait fleurir ce soir ou demain. Vous pouvez regarder son déroulement en direct en ligne; une fois confirmé, le musée sera ouvert jusqu'à 2 heures du matin pour que les visiteurs puissent sentir l'odeur révoltante de Spike.","html":"

24 août 2015\nSpike, la fleur du cadavre au Chicago Botanic Museum, pourrait fleurir ce soir ou demain. Vous pouvez regarder son déroulement en direct en ligne; une fois confirmé, le musée sera ouvert jusqu'à 2 heures du matin pour que les visiteurs puissent sentir l'odeur révoltante de Spike.

"},{"id":"text-43","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"19 août 2015\nGrantland interviewe Mark Moses, originaire d'Evanston, qui a joué QB pour les Wildkits bien avant de jouer Duck Phillips dans "Mad Men".","html":"

19 août 2015\nGrantland interviewe Mark Moses, originaire d'Evanston, qui a joué QB pour les Wildkits bien avant de jouer Duck Phillips dans "Mad Men".

"},{"id":"text-44","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"19 août 2015\n"Le meilleur tweet sur Internet", gracieuseté de la Tribune: "George Zimmerman vendant des peintures de drapeaux confédérés dans un magasin d'armes à feu" Muslim Free "en Floride."","html":"

19 août 2015\n"Le meilleur tweet sur Internet", gracieuseté de la Tribune: "George Zimmerman vendant des peintures de drapeaux confédérés dans un magasin d'armes à feu" Muslim Free "en Floride."

"},{"id":"text-45","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"George Zimmerman vendant des peintures de drapeaux confédérés dans un magasin d'armes à feu «Muslim Free» en Floride. http://t.co/2K3cnilRmd pic.twitter.com/ShQmiVsND2\n– Chicago Tribune (@chicagotribune) 18 août 2015","html":"

George Zimmerman vendant des peintures de drapeaux confédérés dans un magasin d'armes à feu «Muslim Free» en Floride. http://t.co/2K3cnilRmd pic.twitter.com/ShQmiVsND2\n– Chicago Tribune (@chicagotribune) 18 août 2015

"},{"id":"text-46","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"14 août 2015\nSi vous sentez que vous dormez trop la nuit, consultez NUKEMAP pour cartographier les conséquences de l’explosion d’une bombe nucléaire à Chicago ou ailleurs.","html":"

14 août 2015\nSi vous sentez que vous dormez trop la nuit, consultez NUKEMAP pour cartographier les conséquences de l’explosion d’une bombe nucléaire à Chicago ou ailleurs.

"},{"id":"text-47","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"11 août 2015\nConséquence of Sound a fait une vidéo (un peu drôle) de fausses interviews de personnes qui ont été témoins (et ont vécu) le jour d'août 2004 où un conducteur d'autobus de la bande Dave Matthews a vidé sa fosse septique sur un bateau de touristes alors qu'il traversait la rue Kinzie. pont.","html":"

11 août 2015\nConséquence of Sound a fait une vidéo (un peu drôle) de fausses interviews de personnes qui ont été témoins (et ont vécu) le jour d'août 2004 où un conducteur d'autobus de la bande Dave Matthews a vidé sa fosse septique sur un bateau de touristes alors qu'il traversait la rue Kinzie. pont.

"},{"id":"text-48","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"10 août 2015\nSelon une étude réalisée par le site, les utilisateurs de Facebook à Chicago utilisent davantage les émoticônes pour émettre des éclats de rire que les habitants d'autres villes. [via]","html":"

10 août 2015\nSelon une étude réalisée par le site, les utilisateurs de Facebook à Chicago utilisent davantage les émoticônes pour émettre des éclats de rire que les habitants d'autres villes. [via]

"},{"id":"text-49","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"09 août 2015\nAprès le match des Cubs / Giants plus tôt dans la journée, Wrigley Field a été brièvement évacué après que la police eut reçu une alerte à la bombe ".plus crédible"que ceux qu'ils reçoivent normalement (gulp).","html":"

09 août 2015\nAprès le match des Cubs / Giants plus tôt dans la journée, Wrigley Field a été brièvement évacué après que la police eut reçu une alerte à la bombe ".plus crédible"que ceux qu'ils reçoivent normalement (gulp).

"},{"id":"text-50","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"06 août 2015\nLa chambre de commerce de Rogers Park a créé une page Facebook pour ce qui semble être toutes les rues du quartier, d'Albion à Walcott.","html":"

06 août 2015\nLa chambre de commerce de Rogers Park a créé une page Facebook pour ce qui semble être toutes les rues du quartier, d'Albion à Walcott.

"},{"id":"text-51","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"05 août 2015\nLes Chicagoiens Rebecca et Tim marchent à travers l’Amérique pour collecter des fonds pour la réadaptation d’un ami après une blessure à la colonne vertébrale. Ils ont quitté San Francisco en avril et ont récemment atteint le point intermédiaire; aidez-les à faire le reste du chemin. (Merci, Phil!)","html":"

05 août 2015\nLes Chicagoiens Rebecca et Tim marchent à travers l’Amérique pour collecter des fonds pour la réadaptation d’un ami après une blessure à la colonne vertébrale. Ils ont quitté San Francisco en avril et ont récemment atteint le point intermédiaire; aidez-les à faire le reste du chemin. (Merci, Phil!)

"},{"id":"text-52","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"29 juillet 2015\nCape Horn Illustration a réuni un beau poème pour rappeler les rues principales.","html":"

29 juillet 2015\nCape Horn Illustration a réuni un beau poème pour rappeler les rues principales.

"},{"id":"text-53","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"9 juillet 2015\nL’écrivain culinaire Steve Dolinsky a rencontré un Hot Dog de Chicago très inauthentique recouvert d’oignons frits, de cornichons et d’une "sauce de Chicago" (le fantasme) en Espagne.","html":"

9 juillet 2015\nL’écrivain culinaire Steve Dolinsky a rencontré un Hot Dog de Chicago très inauthentique recouvert d’oignons frits, de cornichons et d’une "sauce de Chicago" (le fantasme) en Espagne.

"},{"id":"text-54","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"03 juillet 2015\nSouvenez-vous du défunt disparu de Craig's Lost Chicago, une cavalcade de ce qui va et vient.","html":"

03 juillet 2015\nSouvenez-vous du défunt disparu de Craig's Lost Chicago, une cavalcade de ce qui va et vient.

"},{"id":"text-55","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"02 juillet 2015\nUn site de regroupement appelé Voat ressemble beaucoup à Reddit, mais ses créateurs disent que c'est différent, en mettant l'accent sur la convivialité et la confidentialité.","html":"

02 juillet 2015\nUn site de regroupement appelé Voat ressemble beaucoup à Reddit, mais ses créateurs disent que c'est différent, en mettant l'accent sur la convivialité et la confidentialité.

"},{"id":"text-56","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"26 juin 2015\nLe propriétaire de la pièce, Bill Jacobs, a publié aujourd'hui au New York Times un éditorial sur les risques pour la sécurité et la santé liés aux heures heureuses. Le gouverneur Rauner envisage de signer un projet de loi qui rétablira les heures heureuses, interdites depuis 1989.","html":"

26 juin 2015\nLe propriétaire de la pièce, Bill Jacobs, a publié aujourd'hui au New York Times un éditorial sur les risques pour la sécurité et la santé liés aux heures heureuses. Le gouverneur Rauner envisage de signer un projet de loi qui rétablira les heures heureuses, interdites depuis 1989.

"},{"id":"text-57","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"11 juin 2015\nVous êtes-vous déjà demandé à quoi ressemblait un vraquier de 730 pieds quittant le lac Michigan pour naviguer vers une destination en aval de la rivière Calumet? Je ne me demande plus.","html":"

11 juin 2015\nVous êtes-vous déjà demandé à quoi ressemblait un vraquier de 730 pieds quittant le lac Michigan pour naviguer vers une destination en aval de la rivière Calumet? Je ne me demande plus.

"},{"id":"text-58","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"10 juin 2015\nBilly Corgan a adopté deux chatons de PAWS.","html":"

10 juin 2015\nBilly Corgan a adopté deux chatons de PAWS.

"},{"id":"text-59","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"29 mai 2015\nUne brève séquence vidéo de la levée du fleuve S.S. Eastland de la rivière Chicago après le naufrage de 1915, qui a tué plus de 800 personnes, est parue en ligne.","html":"

29 mai 2015\nUne brève séquence vidéo de la levée du fleuve S.S. Eastland de la rivière Chicago après le naufrage de 1915, qui a tué plus de 800 personnes, est parue en ligne.

"},{"id":"text-60","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"30 avril 2015\nMolly Adams et Tim Barnes font équipe pour expliquer Mansplaining. Vous devriez probablement lire ceci, cela a beaucoup à voir avec votre vie quotidienne.","html":"

30 avril 2015\nMolly Adams et Tim Barnes font équipe pour expliquer Mansplaining. Vous devriez probablement lire ceci, cela a beaucoup à voir avec votre vie quotidienne.

"},{"id":"text-61","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"23 avril 2015\nDNAInfo Chicago contient des informations utiles sur la manière de recycler des objets souvent mis au rebut, tels que des biberons en plastique, des mégots de cigarette, des balles de tennis et même des soutiens-gorge usés! A lire avant de les jeter.","html":"

23 avril 2015\nDNAInfo Chicago contient des informations utiles sur la manière de recycler des objets souvent mis au rebut, tels que des biberons en plastique, des mégots de cigarette, des balles de tennis et même des soutiens-gorge usés! A lire avant de les jeter.

"},{"id":"text-62","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"19 avril 2015\nVous voulez savoir quelle est la nourriture la plus populaire de façon disproportionnée dans votre quartier, c'est-à-dire le type de restaurant que les gens raffolent sur Yelp? Alors ne cherchez pas plus loin que la carte interactive sur DNAinfo- et pour votre bien, j'espère que ce n'est pas de la salade.","html":"

19 avril 2015\nVous voulez savoir quelle est la nourriture la plus populaire de façon disproportionnée dans votre quartier, c'est-à-dire le type de restaurant que les gens raffolent sur Yelp? Alors ne cherchez pas plus loin que la carte interactive sur DNAinfo- et pour votre bien, j'espère que ce n'est pas de la salade.

"},{"id":"text-63","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"10 avril 2015\nLa plupart des endroits figurant sur la liste des meilleurs joyaux cachés de Chicago, Buzzfeed, seront familiers aux habitants, mais au moins ils ne feront pas fuir les touristes.","html":"

10 avril 2015\nLa plupart des endroits figurant sur la liste des meilleurs joyaux cachés de Chicago, Buzzfeed, seront familiers aux habitants, mais au moins ils ne feront pas fuir les touristes.

"},{"id":"text-64","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"31 mars 2015\nFaire de la ville un jeu Pac-Man sur Google Maps est un moyen assez efficace de faire face à toute rage routière persistante.","html":"

31 mars 2015\nFaire de la ville un jeu Pac-Man sur Google Maps est un moyen assez efficace de faire face à toute rage routière persistante.

"},{"id":"text-65","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"20 mars 2015\n"La dernière fois que j'ai entendu dire, il était commerçant de produits de base à Chicago. Cela semble assez carré, mais tant qu'il prend l'argent et reste en place, il a ma bénédiction. " [via]","html":"

20 mars 2015\n"La dernière fois que j'ai entendu dire, il était commerçant de produits de base à Chicago. Cela semble assez carré, mais tant qu'il prend l'argent et reste en place, il a ma bénédiction. " [via]

"},{"id":"text-66","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"17 mars 2015\nConsultez Earthcam.com pour savoir ce que font les parieurs et les fêtards le jour de la Saint-Patrick dans le monde entier. Regardez le défilé de New York et les célébrants au Temple Bar de Dublin, ainsi que tout ce que les Irlandais font à Las Vegas aujourd'hui.","html":"

17 mars 2015\nConsultez Earthcam.com pour savoir ce que font les parieurs et les fêtards le jour de la Saint-Patrick dans le monde entier. Regardez le défilé de New York et les célébrants au Temple Bar de Dublin, ainsi que tout ce que les Irlandais font à Las Vegas aujourd'hui.

"},{"id":"text-67","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"11 mars 2015\nPAWS Chicago fait du porte-à-porte pour voir comment se portent les animaux domestiques et les animaux, apportant des services dans les rues au lieu de simplement construire un autre refuge pour animaux, écrit le blogueur Vanessa Smetkowski.","html":"

11 mars 2015\nPAWS Chicago fait du porte-à-porte pour voir comment se portent les animaux domestiques et les animaux, apportant des services dans les rues au lieu de simplement construire un autre refuge pour animaux, écrit le blogueur Vanessa Smetkowski.

"},{"id":"text-68","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"05 mars 2015\nUn adolescent de Deerfield attire l'attention du pays pour sa vidéo promotionnelle sur la bar-mitsva. Bien sûr, il n'est pas le premier enfant de banlieue à faire de cette journée spéciale encore plus spéciale.","html":"

05 mars 2015\nUn adolescent de Deerfield attire l'attention du pays pour sa vidéo promotionnelle sur la bar-mitsva. Bien sûr, il n'est pas le premier enfant de banlieue à faire de cette journée spéciale encore plus spéciale.

"},{"id":"text-69","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"05 mars 2015\n@TheHashtagGamede #ChicagoAMovie Le hashtag sur Twitter hier soir était très amusant.","html":"

05 mars 2015\n@TheHashtagGamede #ChicagoAMovie Le hashtag sur Twitter hier soir était très amusant.

"},{"id":"text-70","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"C'est un Madigan, Madigan, Madigan, Madigan World. #ChicagoAMovie\n– Frank Sennett (@SennettReport) 5 mars 2015","html":"

C'est un Madigan, Madigan, Madigan, Madigan World. #ChicagoAMovie\n– Frank Sennett (@SennettReport) 5 mars 2015

"},{"id":"text-71","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"Cloudgate avec une chance de boulettes de viande #ChicagoAMovie\n– Phil Prombo (@philprombo) 5 mars 2015","html":"

Cloudgate avec une chance de boulettes de viande #ChicagoAMovie\n– Phil Prombo (@philprombo) 5 mars 2015

"},{"id":"text-72","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"@TheHashtagGame La machine à remonter le temps de Doug #ChicagoAMovie\n– Dan Widensky (@OriginalDDub) 5 mars 2015","html":"

@TheHashtagGame La machine à remonter le temps de Doug #ChicagoAMovie\n– Dan Widensky (@OriginalDDub) 5 mars 2015

"},{"id":"text-73","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"Victory Auto Wreck-It-Ralph #ChicagoAMovie pic.twitter.com/pEdf8MEnbG\n– John K. Born (@johnkborn) 5 mars 2015","html":"

Victory Auto Wreck-It-Ralph #ChicagoAMovie pic.twitter.com/pEdf8MEnbG\n– John K. Born (@johnkborn) 5 mars 2015

"},{"id":"text-74","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"Un couple de deux arbres a survolé le nid de coucou #ChicagoAMovie\n– Matt Windle (@Matt_Windle) 5 mars 2015","html":"

Un couple de deux arbres a survolé le nid de coucou #ChicagoAMovie\n– Matt Windle (@Matt_Windle) 5 mars 2015

"},{"id":"text-75","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"M. Smith se rend à Washington et dans l'État #ChicagoAMovie\n– Andrew Huff (@ me3dia) 5 mars 2015","html":"

M. Smith se rend à Washington et dans l'État #ChicagoAMovie\n– Andrew Huff (@ me3dia) 5 mars 2015

"},{"id":"text-76","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"Minuit dans la Giardiniera du Bien et du Mal #ChicagoAMovie\n– Pinson splendide (@Schwarziest) 5 mars 2015","html":"

Minuit dans la Giardiniera du Bien et du Mal #ChicagoAMovie\n– Pinson splendide (@Schwarziest) 5 mars 2015

"},{"id":"text-77","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"L'empire contre les verges #ChicagoAMovie\n– Singe d'assistance (@ HelperMonkey) 5 mars 2015","html":"

L'empire contre les verges #ChicagoAMovie\n– Singe d'assistance (@ HelperMonkey) 5 mars 2015

"},{"id":"text-78","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"5882 300 #ChicagoAMovie\n– Marlow (@ bmar2112) 5 mars 2015","html":"

5882 300 #ChicagoAMovie\n– Marlow (@ bmar2112) 5 mars 2015

"},{"id":"text-79","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"Composer M pour Malort #ChicagoAMovie\n– LeeAnn Shelton (@ByLeeAnnS) 5 mars 2015","html":"

Composer M pour Malort #ChicagoAMovie\n– LeeAnn Shelton (@ByLeeAnnS) 5 mars 2015

"},{"id":"text-80","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"26 février 2015\nMarquez ce signet par temps plus clément: cartes routières vers des lieux de films John Hughes, à partir de Ferris Bueller à Seul à la maison à Science étrange.","html":"

26 février 2015\nMarquez ce signet par temps plus clément: cartes routières vers des lieux de films John Hughes, à partir de Ferris Bueller à Seul à la maison à Science étrange.

"},{"id":"text-81","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"18 février 2015\nLe Sun-Times a reçu une copie du rapport de police concernant le vol du fils du maire Emanuel en décembre, mais l'incident ne figure pas dans la base de données sur les crimes du portail de données de la ville.","html":"

18 février 2015\nLe Sun-Times a reçu une copie du rapport de police concernant le vol du fils du maire Emanuel en décembre, mais l'incident ne figure pas dans la base de données sur les crimes du portail de données de la ville.

"},{"id":"text-82","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"16 février 2015\nRodney Nelson a proposé à sa fiancée Alexa Wenning un livre-papier au Lincoln Park Zoo. [via]","html":"

16 février 2015\nRodney Nelson a proposé à sa fiancée Alexa Wenning un livre-papier au Lincoln Park Zoo. [via]

"},{"id":"text-83","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"13 février 2015\nFoGB Felix Jung a récemment créé deux robots amusants sur Twitter. Un suit les désirs des gens, tandis qu'un autre joue le jeu de questions et réponses.","html":"

13 février 2015\nFoGB Felix Jung a récemment créé deux robots amusants sur Twitter. Un suit les désirs des gens, tandis qu'un autre joue le jeu de questions et réponses.

"},{"id":"text-84","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"05 février 2015\nPrenez une seconde et écrivez une note sympa à un enfant malade et l'Hôpital pour enfants de Lurie livrera une Saint-Valentin spéciale le 14. Allez … pense aux enfants!","html":"

05 février 2015\nPrenez une seconde et écrivez une note sympa à un enfant malade et l'Hôpital pour enfants de Lurie livrera une Saint-Valentin spéciale le 14. Allez … pense aux enfants!

"},{"id":"text-85","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"02 février 2015\nUn lien approprié après le blizzard: en 2009, un Chicagoien du nom de George Joachim a fait une randonnée dans le champ de glace Columbia au Canada et s'est perdu. [via]","html":"

02 février 2015\nUn lien approprié après le blizzard: en 2009, un Chicagoien du nom de George Joachim a fait une randonnée dans le champ de glace Columbia au Canada et s'est perdu. [via]

"},{"id":"text-86","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"28 janvier 2015\nRiver Thrill est le cinquième quartier le plus sexy du pays selon Thrillist – ce qui n’est pas assez élevé pour être classé parmi les quartiers les plus sexy de la Terre.","html":"

28 janvier 2015\nRiver Thrill est le cinquième quartier le plus sexy du pays selon Thrillist – ce qui n’est pas assez élevé pour être classé parmi les quartiers les plus sexy de la Terre.

"},{"id":"text-87","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"23 janvier 2015\nCraig Benzine, le serveur Wheezy, vous montre 30 façons de rire.","html":"

23 janvier 2015\nCraig Benzine, le serveur Wheezy, vous montre 30 façons de rire.

"},{"id":"text-88","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"20 janvier 2015\nDans une exclusivité pour The Onion, Chicago a inauguré ses nouvelles stations de partage d'armes, déployées dans toute la ville.","html":"

20 janvier 2015\nDans une exclusivité pour The Onion, Chicago a inauguré ses nouvelles stations de partage d'armes, déployées dans toute la ville.

"},{"id":"text-89","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"16 janvier 2015\nTu n'as pas à le laisser dans la ruelle! Le programme de recyclage gratuit des arbres de la ville se termine demain; vous pouvez le prendre à l'un des 23 endroits [PDF].","html":"

16 janvier 2015\nTu n'as pas à le laisser dans la ruelle! Le programme de recyclage gratuit des arbres de la ville se termine demain; vous pouvez le prendre à l'un des 23 endroits [PDF].

"},{"id":"text-90","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"14 janvier 2015\nTime Out propose une panoplie de "bidouilles" pour faciliter la vie à Chicago.","html":"

14 janvier 2015\nTime Out propose une panoplie de "bidouilles" pour faciliter la vie à Chicago.

"},{"id":"text-91","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"13 janvier 2015\nSi vous utilisez toujours Metromix, vous savez déjà que le site vient de lancer une refonte. Par ailleurs, Do312 a mis à jour son logo le mois dernier et Centre de la scène n'existe plus.","html":"

13 janvier 2015\nSi vous utilisez toujours Metromix, vous savez déjà que le site vient de lancer une refonte. Par ailleurs, Do312 a mis à jour son logo le mois dernier et Centre de la scène n'existe plus.

"},{"id":"text-92","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"12 janvier 2015\nVous êtes-vous déjà demandé ce que signifient les numéros de cartes sur les voitures de police? [via]","html":"

12 janvier 2015\nVous êtes-vous déjà demandé ce que signifient les numéros de cartes sur les voitures de police? [via]

"},{"id":"text-93","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"10 janvier 2015\nLa Chambre de commerce franco-américaine organisera un rassemblement demain à 15 heures à Daley Plaza pour exprimer sa solidarité avec les victimes de la récente fusillade de Charlie Hebdo.","html":"

10 janvier 2015\nLa Chambre de commerce franco-américaine organisera un rassemblement demain à 15 heures à Daley Plaza pour exprimer sa solidarité avec les victimes de la récente fusillade de Charlie Hebdo.

"},{"id":"text-94","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"09 janvier 2015\nL’interprète, metteur en scène et professeur, qui était bien connu dans la communauté d’improvisation locale, a été retrouvé mort dans son appartement la nuit dernière. Il avait 46 ans.","html":"

09 janvier 2015\nL’interprète, metteur en scène et professeur, qui était bien connu dans la communauté d’improvisation locale, a été retrouvé mort dans son appartement la nuit dernière. Il avait 46 ans.

"},{"id":"text-95","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"08 janvier 2015\nMalgré les tweets qui circulent disant qu'il fait plus froid à Chicago que sur Mars, la température moyenne de l'air martien est en fait de -50 ° F.","html":"

08 janvier 2015\nMalgré les tweets qui circulent disant qu'il fait plus froid à Chicago que sur Mars, la température moyenne de l'air martien est en fait de -50 ° F.

"},{"id":"text-96","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"05 janvier 2015\nAvec la permission de l'Institut culturel Google, vous pouvez désormais visiter virtuellement l'Art Institute.","html":"

05 janvier 2015\nAvec la permission de l'Institut culturel Google, vous pouvez désormais visiter virtuellement l'Art Institute.

"},{"id":"text-97","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"05 janvier 2015\nNotre casier judiciaire au gouvernement est une source d'inspiration pour cette liste de devises d'État sarcastiques.","html":"

05 janvier 2015\nNotre casier judiciaire au gouvernement est une source d'inspiration pour cette liste de devises d'État sarcastiques.

"},{"id":"text-98","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"02 janvier 2015\nLogan Square a devancé Bridgeport pour remporter la Curbed Cup 2014, un concours de vote en ligne organisé pour trouver le meilleur quartier de la ville.","html":"

02 janvier 2015\nLogan Square a devancé Bridgeport pour remporter la Curbed Cup 2014, un concours de vote en ligne organisé pour trouver le meilleur quartier de la ville.

"},{"id":"text-99","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"30 décembre 2014\nCertains Acura des environs ont été engloutis dans le sel lorsqu'un mur de l'usine de Morton Salt s'est effondré cet après-midi. Aucun mot sur les nouvelles démarques chez le concessionnaire. (Aucune blessure n'a été rapportée.)","html":"

30 décembre 2014\nCertains Acura des environs ont été engloutis dans le sel lorsqu'un mur de l'usine de Morton Salt s'est effondré cet après-midi. Aucun mot sur les nouvelles démarques chez le concessionnaire. (Aucune blessure n'a été rapportée.)

"},{"id":"text-100","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"Aucun rapport de blessure. Voitures affectées par le concessionnaire Acura pic.twitter.com/cPZM3iPYhi\n– Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) 30 décembre 2014","html":"

Aucun rapport de blessure. Voitures affectées par le concessionnaire Acura pic.twitter.com/cPZM3iPYhi\n– Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) 30 décembre 2014

"},{"id":"text-101","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"Vue aérienne du mur effondré à #MortonSalt de Skycam 9 .. le sel coulant sur les voitures. (Elston / Division) @WGNNews pic.twitter.com/v0nzi8gLqh\n– Sarah Jindra (@SarahJindra) 30 décembre 2014","html":"

Vue aérienne du mur effondré à #MortonSalt de Skycam 9 .. le sel coulant sur les voitures. (Elston / Division) @WGNNews pic.twitter.com/v0nzi8gLqh\n– Sarah Jindra (@SarahJindra) 30 décembre 2014

"},{"id":"text-102","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"23 décembre 2014\nDans le cadre de sa tournée Holiday Bullshit cette année, les gars de Cards Against Humanity ont acheté une petite île privée dans le Maine, qu'ils ont renommée Hawaii 2, et ont envoyé des titres de propriété pour un pied carré à chacun des 250 000 abonnés.","html":"

23 décembre 2014\nDans le cadre de sa tournée Holiday Bullshit cette année, les gars de Cards Against Humanity ont acheté une petite île privée dans le Maine, qu'ils ont renommée Hawaii 2, et ont envoyé des titres de propriété pour un pied carré à chacun des 250 000 abonnés.

"},{"id":"text-103","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"20 décembre 2014\nLe fils de Rahm Emanuel, Zach, âgé de 17 ans, a été privé de son téléphone par deux hommes hier soir alors qu'il marchait près du domicile de la famille Ravenswood. La police enquête.","html":"

20 décembre 2014\nLe fils de Rahm Emanuel, Zach, âgé de 17 ans, a été privé de son téléphone par deux hommes hier soir alors qu'il marchait près du domicile de la famille Ravenswood. La police enquête.

"},{"id":"text-104","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"19 décembre 2014\nCondamné à Cook indique les quartiers de la ville où le nombre d'arrestations et de condamnations est le plus élevé.","html":"

19 décembre 2014\nCondamné à Cook indique les quartiers de la ville où le nombre d'arrestations et de condamnations est le plus élevé.

"},{"id":"text-105","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"16 décembre 2014\nRencontrez un relocateur de poissons, un explorateur urbain et d’autres personnes qui vivent "So Chicago" à travers de courts documentaires réalisés par le photojournaliste Chris Walker.","html":"

16 décembre 2014\nRencontrez un relocateur de poissons, un explorateur urbain et d’autres personnes qui vivent "So Chicago" à travers de courts documentaires réalisés par le photojournaliste Chris Walker.

"},{"id":"text-106","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"16 décembre 2014\nLes Bears ont connu un autre match terrible la nuit dernière, s'inclinant 31 à 15 face aux Saints. Les sites jumeaux CutCutler.com et SaveDaBears.com tentent d'amener les fans de Bears à racheter le contrat de Cutler en faisant un don de 15 $ chacun. [via]","html":"

16 décembre 2014\nLes Bears ont connu un autre match terrible la nuit dernière, s'inclinant 31 à 15 face aux Saints. Les sites jumeaux CutCutler.com et SaveDaBears.com tentent d'amener les fans de Bears à racheter le contrat de Cutler en faisant un don de 15 $ chacun. [via]

"},{"id":"text-107","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"11 décembre 2014\nYouTuber Blake Grigsby a apporté son propre gui à Christkindlmarket et y a trouvé toute sa joie.","html":"

11 décembre 2014\nYouTuber Blake Grigsby a apporté son propre gui à Christkindlmarket et y a trouvé toute sa joie.

"},{"id":"text-108","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"09 décembre 2014\nLe site Web mis à jour du service de police de Chicago permet aux utilisateurs de signaler des crimes non urgents, de donner des conseils et de visionner des vidéos sur la criminalité afin de tenter d'identifier des suspects. [via]","html":"

09 décembre 2014\nLe site Web mis à jour du service de police de Chicago permet aux utilisateurs de signaler des crimes non urgents, de donner des conseils et de visionner des vidéos sur la criminalité afin de tenter d'identifier des suspects. [via]

"},{"id":"text-109","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"08 décembre 2014\nMarian Eichholz, qui, en tant que tout-petit, a échappé au tristement célèbre désastre de 1915 dans l’Eastland avec ses parents, est décédée le mois dernier à 102 ans.","html":"

08 décembre 2014\nMarian Eichholz, qui, en tant que tout-petit, a échappé au tristement célèbre désastre de 1915 dans l’Eastland avec ses parents, est décédée le mois dernier à 102 ans.

"},{"id":"text-110","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"02 décembre 2014\nJe veux dire, qui ne le fait pas? Il y a un bébé bouc pygmée disponible gratuitement à River North – avec Adorable petit pull et harnais – si tu agis vite. (Merci, Nell!) Oups, trop tard, la liste a été supprimée. Voici une capture d'écran. C'était une blague quand même.","html":"

02 décembre 2014\nJe veux dire, qui ne le fait pas? Il y a un bébé bouc pygmée disponible gratuitement à River North – avec Adorable petit pull et harnais – si tu agis vite. (Merci, Nell!) Oups, trop tard, la liste a été supprimée. Voici une capture d'écran. C'était une blague quand même.

"},{"id":"text-111","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"01 décembre 2014\nLes joueurs locaux, Cards Against Humanity, ont donné une nouvelle direction au Black Friday: ils ont retiré leur jeu de société des ventes en ligne et vendu des boîtes remplies d'excréments de taureau (qui se sont rapidement vendues).","html":"

01 décembre 2014\nLes joueurs locaux, Cards Against Humanity, ont donné une nouvelle direction au Black Friday: ils ont retiré leur jeu de société des ventes en ligne et vendu des boîtes remplies d'excréments de taureau (qui se sont rapidement vendues).

"},{"id":"text-112","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"25 novembre 2014\nJoyce Wadler des NYTimes a été trompée par un article satirique du Daily Currant, affirmant que Kanye West avait déclaré à WGYN de Chicago que ses fesses étaient meilleures que celles de Kim Kardashian. Ironiquement, la colonne de Wadler s'appelle "J'étais mal informée".","html":"

25 novembre 2014\nJoyce Wadler des NYTimes a été trompée par un article satirique du Daily Currant, affirmant que Kanye West avait déclaré à WGYN de Chicago que ses fesses étaient meilleures que celles de Kim Kardashian. Ironiquement, la colonne de Wadler s'appelle "J'étais mal informée".

"},{"id":"text-113","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"21 novembre 2014\nFaites un "quiz dopey" et voyez combien de quartiers de Chicago vous avez visités.","html":"

21 novembre 2014\nFaites un "quiz dopey" et voyez combien de quartiers de Chicago vous avez visités.

"},{"id":"text-114","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"21 novembre 2014\nAujourd'hui, le conseil d'admission au barreau de l'Illinois réexaminera la demande d'allaitement de Kristin Pagano lors de l'examen du barreau de février 2015, qui avait été rejeté auparavant. [Illinois law states, « A mother may breastfeed her baby in any location, public or private, where the mother is otherwise authorized to be. »]","html":"

21 novembre 2014\nAujourd'hui, le conseil d'admission au barreau de l'Illinois réexaminera la demande d'allaitement de Kristin Pagano lors de l'examen du barreau de février 2015, qui avait été rejeté auparavant. [Illinois law states, « A mother may breastfeed her baby in any location, public or private, where the mother is otherwise authorized to be. »]

"},{"id":"text-115","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"19 novembre 2014\nUn membre présumé du gang des Black Disciples a décidé de faire une Reddit AMA on / r / Chicago.","html":"

19 novembre 2014\nUn membre présumé du gang des Black Disciples a décidé de faire une Reddit AMA on / r / Chicago.

"},{"id":"text-116","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"12 novembre 2014\nHollaback Chicago cherche de l'aide pour trouver un homme qui a agressé sexuellement une femme endormie à côté de lui dans le train Metra le mois dernier.","html":"

12 novembre 2014\nHollaback Chicago cherche de l'aide pour trouver un homme qui a agressé sexuellement une femme endormie à côté de lui dans le train Metra le mois dernier.

"},{"id":"text-117","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"11 novembre 2014\nJ'ignore surtout Quora, mais le fil de discussion me demandant "Comment est la vie à Chicago?" obtient des réponses assez intéressantes.","html":"

11 novembre 2014\nJ'ignore surtout Quora, mais le fil de discussion me demandant "Comment est la vie à Chicago?" obtient des réponses assez intéressantes.

"},{"id":"text-118","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"10 novembre 2014\nCréez et explorez le créateur de rythmes ESTA associé au photographe Michael Salisbury pour créer une vidéo rendant hommage aux images et aux sons de la ville.\n \nCréer et explorer 001 – Michael Salisbury X ESTA de Créer et explorer sur Vimeo.","html":"

10 novembre 2014\nCréez et explorez le créateur de rythmes ESTA associé au photographe Michael Salisbury pour créer une vidéo rendant hommage aux images et aux sons de la ville.\n \nCréer et explorer 001 – Michael Salisbury X ESTA de Créer et explorer sur Vimeo.

"},{"id":"text-119","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"29 octobre 2014\nLe candidat au poste de gouverneur, Bruce Rauner, a fait un faux-pas de la taille de Chicagoland en commandant un hot-dog avec du ketchup dans une banlieue de Portillo. Twitter a explosé; Attaché de presse de Rauner insiste que le chien était pour elle … mais comment pouvons-nous savoir?","html":"

29 octobre 2014\nLe candidat au poste de gouverneur, Bruce Rauner, a fait un faux-pas de la taille de Chicagoland en commandant un hot-dog avec du ketchup dans une banlieue de Portillo. Twitter a explosé; Attaché de presse de Rauner insiste que le chien était pour elle … mais comment pouvons-nous savoir?

"},{"id":"text-120","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"27 octobre 2014\nLes actions de Fodor sont certaines choses que les visiteurs ne devraient pas faire à Chicago, y compris un vol à destination de O'Hare et une visite au Willis Tower Skydeck.","html":"

27 octobre 2014\nLes actions de Fodor sont certaines choses que les visiteurs ne devraient pas faire à Chicago, y compris un vol à destination de O'Hare et une visite au Willis Tower Skydeck.

"},{"id":"text-121","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"21 octobre 2014\nLa dernière fausse information concernant votre flux Facebook est celle qui affirme qu'un homme est décédé dans une maison hantée de Waukegan et n'a pas été retrouvé depuis près de deux semaines.","html":"

21 octobre 2014\nLa dernière fausse information concernant votre flux Facebook est celle qui affirme qu'un homme est décédé dans une maison hantée de Waukegan et n'a pas été retrouvé depuis près de deux semaines.

"},{"id":"text-122","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"20 octobre 2014\nDiscovery Channel a lancé un flux vidéo en direct du centre-ville de Wyndham Grand, en amont de la promenade à l'horizon de Nik Wallenda.","html":"

20 octobre 2014\nDiscovery Channel a lancé un flux vidéo en direct du centre-ville de Wyndham Grand, en amont de la promenade à l'horizon de Nik Wallenda.

"},{"id":"text-123","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"20 octobre 2014\nLes rues de Chicago s'écartent rarement de la grille, une visualisation codée en couleur par les émissions Data Pointed.","html":"

20 octobre 2014\nLes rues de Chicago s'écartent rarement de la grille, une visualisation codée en couleur par les émissions Data Pointed.

"},{"id":"text-124","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"13 octobre 2014\nRoger Ebert était apparemment actif sur Wikipedia de 2004 à 2009. L’Atlantic rapporte qu’un artiste australien a compilé les éditions de la dernière critique dans un livre de 45 pages en tant que projet artistique.","html":"

13 octobre 2014\nRoger Ebert était apparemment actif sur Wikipedia de 2004 à 2009. L’Atlantic rapporte qu’un artiste australien a compilé les éditions de la dernière critique dans un livre de 45 pages en tant que projet artistique.

"},{"id":"text-125","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"10 octobre 2014\nVous pouvez dire à votre tante inquiète sur Facebook que non, il n’ya pas eu de morts à ebola à Chicago, malgré ce que dit un site web satirique peu précis. (Merci, Dee!)","html":"

10 octobre 2014\nVous pouvez dire à votre tante inquiète sur Facebook que non, il n’ya pas eu de morts à ebola à Chicago, malgré ce que dit un site web satirique peu précis. (Merci, Dee!)

"},{"id":"text-126","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"10 octobre 2014\nParce que les résultats reposent uniquement sur les statistiques, les codes 60602 et 60603 – deux codes postaux Loop regroupant moins de 2 000 résidents – apparaissent comme les "meilleurs codes postaux" de Movoto en Amérique du Nord. Mais bon, "En finale perk, aucune famille n’a indiqué qu’elle se trouvait en dessous du seuil de pauvreté, c’est donc un endroit moins stressant où vivre à la maison. "","html":"

10 octobre 2014\nParce que les résultats reposent uniquement sur les statistiques, les codes 60602 et 60603 – deux codes postaux Loop regroupant moins de 2 000 résidents – apparaissent comme les "meilleurs codes postaux" de Movoto en Amérique du Nord. Mais bon, "En finale perk, aucune famille n’a indiqué qu’elle se trouvait en dessous du seuil de pauvreté, c’est donc un endroit moins stressant où vivre à la maison. "

"},{"id":"text-127","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"10 octobre 2014\nIl ne reste que 16 heures aux fans de cette fanfare punk / spectacle épique pour soutenir le dernier album de Mucca Pazza sur Indie Go-Go. Procurez-vous de la musique, un sweat à capuche, un sac à bandoulière ou votre propre jeu de partitions à jouer avec le groupe à la maison.","html":"

10 octobre 2014\nIl ne reste que 16 heures aux fans de cette fanfare punk / spectacle épique pour soutenir le dernier album de Mucca Pazza sur Indie Go-Go. Procurez-vous de la musique, un sweat à capuche, un sac à bandoulière ou votre propre jeu de partitions à jouer avec le groupe à la maison.

"},{"id":"text-128","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"08 octobre 2014\nMakeitfor.us veut commémorer le grand incendie de Chicago en faisant sonner les sirènes d’avertissement de la ville à 21 heures ce soir; transformez vos haut-parleurs en une sirène en visitant leur site web.","html":"

08 octobre 2014\nMakeitfor.us veut commémorer le grand incendie de Chicago en faisant sonner les sirènes d’avertissement de la ville à 21 heures ce soir; transformez vos haut-parleurs en une sirène en visitant leur site web.

"},{"id":"text-129","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"07 octobre 2014\nUne vaste vidéo ultra haute définition du centre-ville de The Outbound Life ressemble à la conclusion épique d'un documentaire sur la ville.","html":"

07 octobre 2014\nUne vaste vidéo ultra haute définition du centre-ville de The Outbound Life ressemble à la conclusion épique d'un documentaire sur la ville.

"},{"id":"text-130","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"02 octobre 2014\nVous voulez toujours vous assurer que vous sentez le vent qui vient de l'odeur de chocolat qui vient de sortir du chocolat de la chocolaterie Blommer au centre-ville? Ce tumblr peut vous aider avec des conseils basés sur les prévisions météorologiques et de vent quotidiens.","html":"

02 octobre 2014\nVous voulez toujours vous assurer que vous sentez le vent qui vient de l'odeur de chocolat qui vient de sortir du chocolat de la chocolaterie Blommer au centre-ville? Ce tumblr peut vous aider avec des conseils basés sur les prévisions météorologiques et de vent quotidiens.

"},{"id":"text-131","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"02 octobre 2014\n@ChicagoWords tweets un mot, une phrase ou une personne de chaque jour que tous les habitants de Chicago devraient connaître.","html":"

02 octobre 2014\n@ChicagoWords tweets un mot, une phrase ou une personne de chaque jour que tous les habitants de Chicago devraient connaître.

"},{"id":"text-132","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"Gapers: Les gens regardent un accident de la route avec la bouche «bouche bée» ouverte.\n– Chicago Words (@ChicagoWords) 1er octobre 2014","html":"

Gapers: Les gens regardent un accident de la route avec la bouche «bouche bée» ouverte.\n– Chicago Words (@ChicagoWords) 1er octobre 2014

"},{"id":"text-133","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"30 septembre 2014\nGawker est en train de classer l'accent le plus laid d'Amérique, et celui de Chicago contre les filles de la vallée de Los Angeles. C'est probablement l'un de ces moments où il vaut mieux ne pas voter pour Chicago.","html":"

30 septembre 2014\nGawker est en train de classer l'accent le plus laid d'Amérique, et celui de Chicago contre les filles de la vallée de Los Angeles. C'est probablement l'un de ces moments où il vaut mieux ne pas voter pour Chicago.

"},{"id":"text-134","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"25 septembre 2014\nUn vélo pliant sans siège, un mémoire d'un ancien skinhead, un documentaire sur les chrétiens transgenres et la prochaine saison de "Star Makers de Steve Gadlin" figurent parmi les projets en cours de financement sur la page Kickstarter de GB.","html":"

25 septembre 2014\nUn vélo pliant sans siège, un mémoire d'un ancien skinhead, un documentaire sur les chrétiens transgenres et la prochaine saison de "Star Makers de Steve Gadlin" figurent parmi les projets en cours de financement sur la page Kickstarter de GB.

"},{"id":"text-135","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"24 septembre 2014\nLe dernier projet de Felix Jung de FoGB, Underviewed, attire votre attention sur les vidéos avec très peu de vues sur YouTube, probablement en partie parce que leurs créateurs n'ont jamais changé les noms de fichiers par défaut.","html":"

24 septembre 2014\nLe dernier projet de Felix Jung de FoGB, Underviewed, attire votre attention sur les vidéos avec très peu de vues sur YouTube, probablement en partie parce que leurs créateurs n'ont jamais changé les noms de fichiers par défaut.

"},{"id":"text-136","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"23 septembre 2014\nAller sur une branche et dire, non, il n'y a pas d'hippopotame dans la rivière Chicago.\nJugez par vous-même:","html":"

23 septembre 2014\nAller sur une branche et dire, non, il n'y a pas d'hippopotame dans la rivière Chicago.\nJugez par vous-même:

"},{"id":"text-137","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"17 septembre 2014\n24 / 7WallSt a dressé une liste des «50 meilleures villes américaines» (sic) et a placé Evanston au 5e rang.","html":"

17 septembre 2014\n24 / 7WallSt a dressé une liste des «50 meilleures villes américaines» (sic) et a placé Evanston au 5e rang.

"},{"id":"text-138","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"10 septembre 2014\nAvec toute cette pluie et ces inondations, vous pouvez vérifier en un clic si les eaux usées non traitées débordent dans la rivière Chicago. Vérifiez istheresewageinthechicagoriver.com pour toute la réalité cliquable, basée sur des données du district métropolitain de récupération des eaux du Grand Chicago.","html":"

10 septembre 2014\nAvec toute cette pluie et ces inondations, vous pouvez vérifier en un clic si les eaux usées non traitées débordent dans la rivière Chicago. Vérifiez istheresewageinthechicagoriver.com pour toute la réalité cliquable, basée sur des données du district métropolitain de récupération des eaux du Grand Chicago.

"},{"id":"text-139","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"09 septembre 2014\nUn passionné de LEGO suédois a créé une reconstitution du Journée de Ferris Bueller scène dans laquelle Cameron envoie la Ferrari de son père à travers la fenêtre.\nIl y avait aussi un autre Ferris Bueller scène et un de Les frères blues dans la compétition annuelle.","html":"

09 septembre 2014\nUn passionné de LEGO suédois a créé une reconstitution du Journée de Ferris Bueller scène dans laquelle Cameron envoie la Ferrari de son père à travers la fenêtre.\nIl y avait aussi un autre Ferris Bueller scène et un de Les frères blues dans la compétition annuelle.

"},{"id":"text-140","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"08 septembre 2014\nL'équipe des médias sociaux d'entreprise de McDonald's a été formée après avoir dit à @HowThingsWork de ne pas "diffuser de mauvaises informations" – par partage d'un gif animé de la propre vidéo de l'entreprise.","html":"

08 septembre 2014\nL'équipe des médias sociaux d'entreprise de McDonald's a été formée après avoir dit à @HowThingsWork de ne pas "diffuser de mauvaises informations" – par partage d'un gif animé de la propre vidéo de l'entreprise.

"},{"id":"text-141","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"03 septembre 2014\nLe nouveau esurance billboard à Washington et Canal propose une suggestion intéressante.","html":"

03 septembre 2014\nLe nouveau esurance billboard à Washington et Canal propose une suggestion intéressante.

"},{"id":"text-142","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"Alors, euh, qui a vu la nouvelle publicité sur l'assurance à Canal / Washington? pic.twitter.com/SFXJFh7sBR\n– Sharlene King (@typodactyl) 3 septembre 2014\nMISE À JOUR: On dirait que ça a déjà été corrigé.","html":"

Alors, euh, qui a vu la nouvelle publicité sur l'assurance à Canal / Washington? pic.twitter.com/SFXJFh7sBR\n– Sharlene King (@typodactyl) 3 septembre 2014\nMISE À JOUR: On dirait que ça a déjà été corrigé.

"},{"id":"text-143","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"@typodactyle @madamradams Des gars du parc avec service de voiturier à proximité ont dit que c'était chez Canal & Randolph pendant un moment, mais ont été changés ce matin. Cc: @AndreaHanis\n– Becky Yerak (@beckyyerak) 3 septembre 2014","html":"

@typodactyle @madamradams Des gars du parc avec service de voiturier à proximité ont dit que c'était chez Canal & Randolph pendant un moment, mais ont été changés ce matin. Cc: @AndreaHanis\n– Becky Yerak (@beckyyerak) 3 septembre 2014

"},{"id":"text-144","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"27 août 2014\nPAWS a une webcam pour chaton en direct montrant les derniers ajouts en vue de son adoption; Les refuges reçoivent généralement un afflux de jeunes chats et chiens pendant les chauds mois d'été.","html":"

27 août 2014\nPAWS a une webcam pour chaton en direct montrant les derniers ajouts en vue de son adoption; Les refuges reçoivent généralement un afflux de jeunes chats et chiens pendant les chauds mois d'été.

"},{"id":"text-145","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"25 août 2014\nUn étudiant de Loyola exprime sa frustration à propos d’un numéro de loterie pour le logement d’une manière créative (mais exagérée).","html":"

25 août 2014\nUn étudiant de Loyola exprime sa frustration à propos d’un numéro de loterie pour le logement d’une manière créative (mais exagérée).

"},{"id":"text-146","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"25 août 2014\nLe Lyric Opera organisera une vente de plus de 3000 de ses costumes la semaine prochaine.","html":"

25 août 2014\nLe Lyric Opera organisera une vente de plus de 3000 de ses costumes la semaine prochaine.

"},{"id":"text-147","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"25 août 2014\nUn présumé agent de l'Etat islamique aurait tweeté un message semblant menacer Washington DC et Chicago, notamment des photos de la Maison Blanche et du 307 N. Michigan Ave., également connu sous le nom de Old Republic Building.","html":"

25 août 2014\nUn présumé agent de l'Etat islamique aurait tweeté un message semblant menacer Washington DC et Chicago, notamment des photos de la Maison Blanche et du 307 N. Michigan Ave., également connu sous le nom de Old Republic Building.

"},{"id":"text-148","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"#MessagedeISIStoUS\nNous sommes dans votre état\nNous sommes dans vos villes\nNous sommes dans vos rues\nVous êtes nos objectifs n'importe où pic.twitter.com/1EYMgCWJse\n– قهر الطواغيت (@Sunna_rev) 9 août 2014","html":"

#MessagedeISIStoUS\nNous sommes dans votre état\nNous sommes dans vos villes\nNous sommes dans vos rues\nVous êtes nos objectifs n'importe où pic.twitter.com/1EYMgCWJse\n– قهر الطواغيت (@Sunna_rev) 9 août 2014

"},{"id":"text-149","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"20 août 2014\nLe service "TV partout" NimbleTV arrive à Chicago, et Rivet Radio, société basée à Chicago, a récemment collecté 1,7 million de dollars auprès d'investisseurs, notamment Associated Press.","html":"

20 août 2014\nLe service "TV partout" NimbleTV arrive à Chicago, et Rivet Radio, société basée à Chicago, a récemment collecté 1,7 million de dollars auprès d'investisseurs, notamment Associated Press.

"},{"id":"text-150","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"20 août 2014\nNon, pas Anne Murray. Notre garçon, Bill, a reçu le 5 septembre sa propre journée officielle dans le Nord.","html":"

20 août 2014\nNon, pas Anne Murray. Notre garçon, Bill, a reçu le 5 septembre sa propre journée officielle dans le Nord.

"},{"id":"text-151","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"13 août 2014\nSi vous avez une peur des hauteurs ou si vous avez le vertige, vous ne voudrez peut-être pas regarder cette vidéo des monteurs de métaux qui se préparent à retirer une partie de l'antenne ouest de la tour John Hancock. [via]","html":"

13 août 2014\nSi vous avez une peur des hauteurs ou si vous avez le vertige, vous ne voudrez peut-être pas regarder cette vidéo des monteurs de métaux qui se préparent à retirer une partie de l'antenne ouest de la tour John Hancock. [via]

"},{"id":"text-152","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"12 août 2014\nLes nouvelles saveurs étranges de Lays Potato Chips ont une connexion locale; L'artwork à la saveur "Cappuccino" représente un café au lait du Wormer Park. D'après ce que j'ai lu, l'emballage est meilleur que le produit qu'il contient.","html":"

12 août 2014\nLes nouvelles saveurs étranges de Lays Potato Chips ont une connexion locale; L'artwork à la saveur "Cappuccino" représente un café au lait du Wormer Park. D'après ce que j'ai lu, l'emballage est meilleur que le produit qu'il contient.

"},{"id":"text-153","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"12 août 2014\nJamie Kalven de l'invisible institut a publié plusieurs documents liés à l'inconduite de la police. Et dans des nouvelles sans rapport, Dan X. O'Neil et Scott Robbin analysent les données des commentaires publics de la FCC concernant Net Neutrality.","html":"

12 août 2014\nJamie Kalven de l'invisible institut a publié plusieurs documents liés à l'inconduite de la police. Et dans des nouvelles sans rapport, Dan X. O'Neil et Scott Robbin analysent les données des commentaires publics de la FCC concernant Net Neutrality.

"},{"id":"text-154","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"11 août 2014\nContrairement à la plupart des farceurs sur YouTube, Blake Grigsby privilégie les sourires de bien-être au lieu des rires pas chers.","html":"

11 août 2014\nContrairement à la plupart des farceurs sur YouTube, Blake Grigsby privilégie les sourires de bien-être au lieu des rires pas chers.

"},{"id":"text-155","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"07 août 2014\nChicago envoie un coup de grâce à New York dans un article de Yahoo Travel qui oppose les destinations de voyage rivales.","html":"

07 août 2014\nChicago envoie un coup de grâce à New York dans un article de Yahoo Travel qui oppose les destinations de voyage rivales.

"},{"id":"text-156","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"06 août 2014\nEncore une fois, les chats préférés d'Internet sont en ville. Lil Bub est au métro ce soir (avec David Yow de Jesus Lizard), et Grumpy Cat est au Old Orchard Barnes & Noble Friday.","html":"

06 août 2014\nEncore une fois, les chats préférés d'Internet sont en ville. Lil Bub est au métro ce soir (avec David Yow de Jesus Lizard), et Grumpy Cat est au Old Orchard Barnes & Noble Friday.

"},{"id":"text-157","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"31 juillet 2014\nEthan Swanson, actionnaire et passionné de parkour, s'est filmé en train de sauter d'un toit sur le Lincoln Park, sur un autre toit puis sur un escalier en colimaçon.","html":"

31 juillet 2014\nEthan Swanson, actionnaire et passionné de parkour, s'est filmé en train de sauter d'un toit sur le Lincoln Park, sur un autre toit puis sur un escalier en colimaçon.

"},{"id":"text-158","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"Voici la cassette d'audition de Swanson pour "American Ninja Warrior", sur laquelle il a participé en 2013.","html":"

Voici la cassette d'audition de Swanson pour "American Ninja Warrior", sur laquelle il a participé en 2013.

"},{"id":"text-159","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"29 juillet 2014\nLe détaillant de vêtements japonais Uniqlo envisage d’ouvrir l’automne prochain sur le Mag Mile, dans l’espace anciennement occupé par Filene's Basement; Basé à New York, Shake Shack, qui ouvrira ses portes cet automne sur la Gold Coast, ajoutera un deuxième site l’année prochaine à Millennium Park.","html":"

29 juillet 2014\nLe détaillant de vêtements japonais Uniqlo envisage d’ouvrir l’automne prochain sur le Mag Mile, dans l’espace anciennement occupé par Filene's Basement; Basé à New York, Shake Shack, qui ouvrira ses portes cet automne sur la Gold Coast, ajoutera un deuxième site l’année prochaine à Millennium Park.

"},{"id":"text-160","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"28 juillet 2014\nGeorge Lucas a sélectionné deux architectes de renommée mondiale, Jeanne Gang à Chicago et Ma Yansong en Chine, pour concevoir le musée d'art narratif Lucas sur l'île du Nord.","html":"

28 juillet 2014\nGeorge Lucas a sélectionné deux architectes de renommée mondiale, Jeanne Gang à Chicago et Ma Yansong en Chine, pour concevoir le musée d'art narratif Lucas sur l'île du Nord.

"},{"id":"text-161","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"25 juillet 2014\nKevin Selagea traversait Skokie lorsqu'un pilote a commencé à le talonner. Heureusement, ce ne fut pas pour longtemps – un officier de police a tiré le garde-queue et lui a envoyé une contravention. [via]","html":"

25 juillet 2014\nKevin Selagea traversait Skokie lorsqu'un pilote a commencé à le talonner. Heureusement, ce ne fut pas pour longtemps – un officier de police a tiré le garde-queue et lui a envoyé une contravention. [via]

"},{"id":"text-162","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"16 juillet 2014\nUne vidéo du comédien de Chicago, Blake Grigsby, criant des compliments à des étrangers alors qu’il traversait la ville en voiture a été visionnée plus de 500 000 fois sur YouTube.","html":"

16 juillet 2014\nUne vidéo du comédien de Chicago, Blake Grigsby, criant des compliments à des étrangers alors qu’il traversait la ville en voiture a été visionnée plus de 500 000 fois sur YouTube.

"},{"id":"text-163","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"02 juillet 2014\nUn cycliste à qui un homme ivre à l'extérieur du Big Star de Wicker Park a dit que "le monde serait un meilleur endroit sans elle" (entre autres choses très impossibles à imprimer) parce qu'elle lui avait demandé de ne pas flâner dans la piste cyclable a posté son récit sur Craigslist .","html":"

02 juillet 2014\nUn cycliste à qui un homme ivre à l'extérieur du Big Star de Wicker Park a dit que "le monde serait un meilleur endroit sans elle" (entre autres choses très impossibles à imprimer) parce qu'elle lui avait demandé de ne pas flâner dans la piste cyclable a posté son récit sur Craigslist .

"},{"id":"text-164","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"05 juin 2014\nLe frère de l'écrivain Eric Spitznagel, basé à Chicago, est très riche et Eric ne l'est pas. Ce qui les a rapprochés était une montre Timex à 50 $.","html":"

05 juin 2014\nLe frère de l'écrivain Eric Spitznagel, basé à Chicago, est très riche et Eric ne l'est pas. Ce qui les a rapprochés était une montre Timex à 50 $.

"},{"id":"text-165","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"05 juin 2014\nDe toute évidence, Chicago est la cinquième ville la plus attrayante vers laquelle se tourner pour les "jeunes diplômés", selon un sondage de LinkedIn.","html":"

05 juin 2014\nDe toute évidence, Chicago est la cinquième ville la plus attrayante vers laquelle se tourner pour les "jeunes diplômés", selon un sondage de LinkedIn.

"},{"id":"text-166","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"27 mai 2014\nUne femme a eu tout un choc ce week-end en conduisant sur la I-90 près de Barrington; un cerf est tombé d'un viaduc et a traversé son pare-brise. Personne n'a été blessé.","html":"

27 mai 2014\nUne femme a eu tout un choc ce week-end en conduisant sur la I-90 près de Barrington; un cerf est tombé d'un viaduc et a traversé son pare-brise. Personne n'a été blessé.

"},{"id":"text-167","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"19 mai 2014\nL'utilisateur Reddit "dobbi" a annoncé qu'elle avait été attaquée alors qu'elle marchait sur Lyndale vers 9h15 ce matin. Une description et une longue discussion suivent à la publication de Reddit.","html":"

19 mai 2014\nL'utilisateur Reddit "dobbi" a annoncé qu'elle avait été attaquée alors qu'elle marchait sur Lyndale vers 9h15 ce matin. Une description et une longue discussion suivent à la publication de Reddit.

"},{"id":"text-168","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"13 mai 2014\nPas étonnant que l'espagnol soit la langue la plus parlée aux États-Unis après l'anglais. Mais quel est le plus bas sur la liste? Dans l'Illinois, le polonais est troisième. Ben Blatt de Slate a également examiné les langues parlées par les peuples amérindiens, scandinaves, indo-aryens et africains les plus répandues à travers le pays. MISE À JOUR: Karthick Ramakrishnan d'AAPI Voices souligne les failles de certaines cartes de Blatt et fournit des mises à jour.","html":"

13 mai 2014\nPas étonnant que l'espagnol soit la langue la plus parlée aux États-Unis après l'anglais. Mais quel est le plus bas sur la liste? Dans l'Illinois, le polonais est troisième. Ben Blatt de Slate a également examiné les langues parlées par les peuples amérindiens, scandinaves, indo-aryens et africains les plus répandues à travers le pays. MISE À JOUR: Karthick Ramakrishnan d'AAPI Voices souligne les failles de certaines cartes de Blatt et fournit des mises à jour.

"},{"id":"text-169","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"13 mai 2014\nHotdogs.com est, étonnamment, un compte à rebours pour la fermeture de Hot Doug.","html":"

13 mai 2014\nHotdogs.com est, étonnamment, un compte à rebours pour la fermeture de Hot Doug.

"},{"id":"text-170","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"09 mai 2014\nTrois, selon cette carte de "New York exprimée en unités de Chicagos". [via]","html":"

09 mai 2014\nTrois, selon cette carte de "New York exprimée en unités de Chicagos". [via]

"},{"id":"text-171","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"21 avril 2014\nLe laboratoire de recherche sur l'humour de l'Université du Colorado, Boulder, a déterminé que Chicago est la ville la plus amusante d'Amérique.","html":"

21 avril 2014\nLe laboratoire de recherche sur l'humour de l'Université du Colorado, Boulder, a déterminé que Chicago est la ville la plus amusante d'Amérique.

"},{"id":"text-172","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"18 avril 2014\nIf going to church is not on this weekend's to-do list, you should at least view this narrated footage of a traditional Catholic Latin Mass filmed on Easter Sunday 1941 at the amazing Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica on the city's West Side.","html":"

18 avril 2014\nIf going to church is not on this weekend's to-do list, you should at least view this narrated footage of a traditional Catholic Latin Mass filmed on Easter Sunday 1941 at the amazing Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica on the city's West Side.

"},{"id":"text-173","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"11 avril 2014\nCats from local no kill shelters are the stars of CATastrophes, a web series that uses the Internet's love of whiskered videos to promote pet adoption.","html":"

11 avril 2014\nCats from local no kill shelters are the stars of CATastrophes, a web series that uses the Internet's love of whiskered videos to promote pet adoption.

"},{"id":"text-174","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 10, 2014\nTimeOut takes a stab at matching Chicago neighborhoods to the kingdoms and castles of Le Trône de Fer.","html":"

April 10, 2014\nTimeOut takes a stab at matching Chicago neighborhoods to the kingdoms and castles of Le Trône de Fer.

"},{"id":"text-175","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 09, 2014\nThrillist's Chicago editor Sean Cooly put together a list of the city's 99 problems.","html":"

April 09, 2014\nThrillist's Chicago editor Sean Cooly put together a list of the city's 99 problems.

"},{"id":"text-176","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 28, 2014\nPopcorn represents Illinois on Hargreaves & Levin's map of the US in corn. [via]","html":"

March 28, 2014\nPopcorn represents Illinois on Hargreaves & Levin's map of the US in corn. [via]

"},{"id":"text-177","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 27, 2014\nOn the heels of yesterday's shooting at the suburban home of the manager of rapper Chief Keef, Gawker takes a look at drill music and its effect on the city's music, politics and culture.","html":"

March 27, 2014\nOn the heels of yesterday's shooting at the suburban home of the manager of rapper Chief Keef, Gawker takes a look at drill music and its effect on the city's music, politics and culture.

"},{"id":"text-178","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 24, 2014\nA train car entering the Blue Line O'Hare station at a speed observed to be faster than normal derailed and hit a platform at about 3am this morning, causing the car to rest on the stairs that lead into the airport. Over 30 were sent to nearby hospitals; six of them have fair-to-serious injuries. CTA is running bus shuttles between O'Hare and the Rosemont stop to accommodate passengers.","html":"

March 24, 2014\nA train car entering the Blue Line O'Hare station at a speed observed to be faster than normal derailed and hit a platform at about 3am this morning, causing the car to rest on the stairs that lead into the airport. Over 30 were sent to nearby hospitals; six of them have fair-to-serious injuries. CTA is running bus shuttles between O'Hare and the Rosemont stop to accommodate passengers.

"},{"id":"text-179","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 20, 2014\nSpeaking of brackets, Deadspin put Chicagoans — that's right, all of us — on its bitchiest, most defensive fans in America bracket, up against Crossfit Enthusiasts.","html":"

March 20, 2014\nSpeaking of brackets, Deadspin put Chicagoans — that's right, all of us — on its bitchiest, most defensive fans in America bracket, up against Crossfit Enthusiasts.

"},{"id":"text-180","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 14, 2014\nInterviewly takes Reddit AMAs and turns them into more traditionally formatted interviews. Chicagoans getting the treatment so far include John Cusack, Bill Murray, Audrey Niffenegger, Gary Sinise and of course, President Barack Obama.","html":"

March 14, 2014\nInterviewly takes Reddit AMAs and turns them into more traditionally formatted interviews. Chicagoans getting the treatment so far include John Cusack, Bill Murray, Audrey Niffenegger, Gary Sinise and of course, President Barack Obama.

"},{"id":"text-181","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 12, 2014\nThe two French bulldogs that were missing after a home burglary in Avondale yesterday were found in Humboldt Park and reunited with their owners earlier this evening.","html":"

March 12, 2014\nThe two French bulldogs that were missing after a home burglary in Avondale yesterday were found in Humboldt Park and reunited with their owners earlier this evening.

"},{"id":"text-182","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 11, 2014\nThrillist posted a list of 50 Chicago Twitter Feeds that Matter — but the list is pretty light on ladies. Scott Smith (a member of Thrillist's list) provides this corrective.","html":"

March 11, 2014\nThrillist posted a list of 50 Chicago Twitter Feeds that Matter — but the list is pretty light on ladies. Scott Smith (a member of Thrillist's list) provides this corrective.

"},{"id":"text-183","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 11, 2014\nBarack Obama traded barbs with Zach Galifianakis on his Between Two Ferns web series to promote signing up for health insurance.","html":"

March 11, 2014\nBarack Obama traded barbs with Zach Galifianakis on his Between Two Ferns web series to promote signing up for health insurance.

"},{"id":"text-184","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 07, 2014\nDon't forget to set your clocks forward for Daylight Savings Time this weekend. And did you know that the military has its own time zone system? Chicago is on Sierra Time.","html":"

March 07, 2014\nDon't forget to set your clocks forward for Daylight Savings Time this weekend. And did you know that the military has its own time zone system? Chicago is on Sierra Time.

"},{"id":"text-185","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 06, 2014\nA photo shared by CNN of Chicago's "early days along Lake Street," which made the rounds here and on social media, was actually a still from the '30's film "In Old Chicago."","html":"

March 06, 2014\nA photo shared by CNN of Chicago's "early days along Lake Street," which made the rounds here and on social media, was actually a still from the '30's film "In Old Chicago."

"},{"id":"text-186","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 06, 2014\nAnnie of the Offbeat Drummer has a better winter hat than you, but maybe you could find someone to make it for you for next year.","html":"

March 06, 2014\nAnnie of the Offbeat Drummer has a better winter hat than you, but maybe you could find someone to make it for you for next year.

"},{"id":"text-187","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 04, 2014\nVoters chose Chicago as the best city in the U.S. through a March Madness-style tournament bracket posted by the Atlantic. Sure it's unscientific, arbitrary linkbait, but after this winter we'll take the win.","html":"

March 04, 2014\nVoters chose Chicago as the best city in the U.S. through a March Madness-style tournament bracket posted by the Atlantic. Sure it's unscientific, arbitrary linkbait, but after this winter we'll take the win.

"},{"id":"text-188","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 04, 2014\nIf you're nostalgic for the departed grocery chain — or if you're opening a store of your own — you could bid on items from the Edgewater location, from ice scoops to a Frialator to a whole coffee shop.","html":"

March 04, 2014\nIf you're nostalgic for the departed grocery chain — or if you're opening a store of your own — you could bid on items from the Edgewater location, from ice scoops to a Frialator to a whole coffee shop.

"},{"id":"text-189","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 27, 2014\nAn infographic compares the nation's two most fast-paced and busy cities, Chicago and New York, on a variety of aspects of city culture, from sports to airports to tourists, and of course, the ever-lasting pizza rivalry.","html":"

February 27, 2014\nAn infographic compares the nation's two most fast-paced and busy cities, Chicago and New York, on a variety of aspects of city culture, from sports to airports to tourists, and of course, the ever-lasting pizza rivalry.

"},{"id":"text-190","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 27, 2014\nA remix of the "House of Cards" intro credits using time-lapse footage of Chicago at night (lifted without credit from Eric Hines and Max Wilson) hints at what a local version of the show would look like, although its two-party politics probably wouldn't be so compelling here. [via]","html":"

February 27, 2014\nA remix of the "House of Cards" intro credits using time-lapse footage of Chicago at night (lifted without credit from Eric Hines and Max Wilson) hints at what a local version of the show would look like, although its two-party politics probably wouldn't be so compelling here. [via]

"},{"id":"text-191","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 26, 2014\nChicago radio host and former Illinois Congressman Joe Walsh called the LGBT community "a group of constitutional terrorists" on Twitter Tuesday, in reference to the Arizona bill allowing businesses to deny services to LGBT customers. Walsh's tweets continued, as he said he felt forced to respect other people's constitutional liberties but others don't respect his.","html":"

February 26, 2014\nChicago radio host and former Illinois Congressman Joe Walsh called the LGBT community "a group of constitutional terrorists" on Twitter Tuesday, in reference to the Arizona bill allowing businesses to deny services to LGBT customers. Walsh's tweets continued, as he said he felt forced to respect other people's constitutional liberties but others don't respect his.

"},{"id":"text-192","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 14, 2014\nLike a shot of Malort dipped in chocolate, Chicagoans on Twitter are finding local ways to express their affection using the hashtag #ChicagoValentines.","html":"

February 14, 2014\nLike a shot of Malort dipped in chocolate, Chicagoans on Twitter are finding local ways to express their affection using the hashtag #ChicagoValentines.

"},{"id":"text-193","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 14, 2014\nThe Google Doodle today is a special Valentine's Day mini-episode from "This American Life." The show also has a Valentine sampler of favorite love-themed pieces.","html":"

February 14, 2014\nThe Google Doodle today is a special Valentine's Day mini-episode from "This American Life." The show also has a Valentine sampler of favorite love-themed pieces.

"},{"id":"text-194","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 13, 2014\n"Enroll by February 14th for coverage, because on the 15th, it's too late." Valentines.gov. [via]","html":"

February 13, 2014\n"Enroll by February 14th for coverage, because on the 15th, it's too late." Valentines.gov. [via]

"},{"id":"text-195","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 13, 2014\nCan a Twitter bot capture Chicago's essence? @whatschicago echoes tweets that mention "Chicago is," and Robinson Meyer reflects on what the results say about the city in the Atlantic.","html":"

February 13, 2014\nCan a Twitter bot capture Chicago's essence? @whatschicago echoes tweets that mention "Chicago is," and Robinson Meyer reflects on what the results say about the city in the Atlantic.

"},{"id":"text-196","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 12, 2014\nWas The Incredibles set in Chicago? Eowyn Smith, the creator of this map of Disney & Pixar implied locales, thinks so. [via]","html":"

February 12, 2014\nWas The Incredibles set in Chicago? Eowyn Smith, the creator of this map of Disney & Pixar implied locales, thinks so. [via]

"},{"id":"text-197","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 07, 2014\nChief Keef isn't the only Chicagoan arrested because of a YouTube video. From rants to violence, the CPD comes knocking when people post their crimes online.","html":"

February 07, 2014\nChief Keef isn't the only Chicagoan arrested because of a YouTube video. From rants to violence, the CPD comes knocking when people post their crimes online.

"},{"id":"text-198","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 04, 2014\nAnd it'll feature the Monsters of the Midway: the Hoth Wampas.","html":"

February 04, 2014\nAnd it'll feature the Monsters of the Midway: the Hoth Wampas.

"},{"id":"text-199","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 29, 2014\nI think of Williamsburg as the Wicker Park of New York, since the former got hot years after the latter already was, but Gawker reversed it — and called Pilsen Chicago's Bushwick (aka the next up-and-coming hipster hood).","html":"

January 29, 2014\nI think of Williamsburg as the Wicker Park of New York, since the former got hot years after the latter already was, but Gawker reversed it — and called Pilsen Chicago's Bushwick (aka the next up-and-coming hipster hood).

"},{"id":"text-200","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 28, 2014\nWhile students directed a torrent of offensive tweets towards U of I Chancellor Phyllis Wise after the school didn't cancel classes Monday, RedEye social media lady Jessica Galliart writes the incident doesn't deserve any attention.","html":"

January 28, 2014\nWhile students directed a torrent of offensive tweets towards U of I Chancellor Phyllis Wise after the school didn't cancel classes Monday, RedEye social media lady Jessica Galliart writes the incident doesn't deserve any attention.

"},{"id":"text-201","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 28, 2014\nChicagoland has several entries in the Tom Waits Map, a thorough mapping of every place mentioned in the singer's many songs.","html":"

January 28, 2014\nChicagoland has several entries in the Tom Waits Map, a thorough mapping of every place mentioned in the singer's many songs.

"},{"id":"text-202","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 26, 2014\nChicago Public Schools has already cancelled classes tomorrow in anticipation of the next round of bone-chilling cold.","html":"

January 26, 2014\nChicago Public Schools has already cancelled classes tomorrow in anticipation of the next round of bone-chilling cold.

"},{"id":"text-203","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 24, 2014\nForbes has a layover guide for O'Hare that conveniently breaks down according to length of pit stop.","html":"

January 24, 2014\nForbes has a layover guide for O'Hare that conveniently breaks down according to length of pit stop.

"},{"id":"text-204","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 22, 2014\nBath & Body Works thinks a Lake Shore Drive scented candle should smell like "fresh water, shoreline woods and a hint of mint." In other words, they have never been on Lake Shore Drive. (Thanks, Rachelle!)","html":"

January 22, 2014\nBath & Body Works thinks a Lake Shore Drive scented candle should smell like "fresh water, shoreline woods and a hint of mint." In other words, they have never been on Lake Shore Drive. (Thanks, Rachelle!)

"},{"id":"text-205","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 21, 2014\nThe "Super Bowl Shuffle" has been remade by a motley crew of comedians (among them Chicagoan Kyle Kinane) and other entertaining folk in the name of charity.","html":"

January 21, 2014\nThe "Super Bowl Shuffle" has been remade by a motley crew of comedians (among them Chicagoan Kyle Kinane) and other entertaining folk in the name of charity.

"},{"id":"text-206","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 20, 2014\nLast week Ald. Scott Waguespack did an "Ask Me Anything" session on Reddit. He didn't get quite the attention that another Chicagoan got: Bill Murray.","html":"

January 20, 2014\nLast week Ald. Scott Waguespack did an "Ask Me Anything" session on Reddit. He didn't get quite the attention that another Chicagoan got: Bill Murray.

"},{"id":"text-207","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 17, 2014\nSpeaking of potholes, The Pothole Store is your one-stop shop for Chicago pothole-related gifts and keepsakes. [via]","html":"

January 17, 2014\nSpeaking of potholes, The Pothole Store is your one-stop shop for Chicago pothole-related gifts and keepsakes. [via]

"},{"id":"text-208","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 17, 2014\nComedian Emily Winter's parents wee both lawyers. When she lost a tooth in 1989 and couldn't find it, they wrote up a legal affidavit for the Tooth Fairy explaining its disappearance so she could still receive compensation. [via]","html":"

January 17, 2014\nComedian Emily Winter's parents wee both lawyers. When she lost a tooth in 1989 and couldn't find it, they wrote up a legal affidavit for the Tooth Fairy explaining its disappearance so she could still receive compensation. [via]

"},{"id":"text-209","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 13, 2014\nThe Cubs unveiled their new mascot, Clark the Cub today, and the Internet went nuts. Among the people chiming in was Deadspin editor and Chicagoan Tim Marchman, who calls Clark "a nightmarish, perverted furry."","html":"

January 13, 2014\nThe Cubs unveiled their new mascot, Clark the Cub today, and the Internet went nuts. Among the people chiming in was Deadspin editor and Chicagoan Tim Marchman, who calls Clark "a nightmarish, perverted furry."

"},{"id":"text-210","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 08, 2014\nHeadlines Against Humanity pits two preposterous headlines against each other — can you guess which is real? It's surprisingly hard. [via]","html":"

January 08, 2014\nHeadlines Against Humanity pits two preposterous headlines against each other — can you guess which is real? It's surprisingly hard. [via]

"},{"id":"text-211","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 02, 2014\nThe dates of 1975 and 2014 line up, so local cartoonist Mark Anderson scanned in his mint condition Mighty Marvel Calendar for 1975 for you to use as a monthly desktop. [via]","html":"

January 02, 2014\nThe dates of 1975 and 2014 line up, so local cartoonist Mark Anderson scanned in his mint condition Mighty Marvel Calendar for 1975 for you to use as a monthly desktop. [via]

"},{"id":"text-212","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 31, 2013\nWant to screw with visitors? Time Out has some lies about Chicago you can tell them.","html":"

December 31, 2013\nWant to screw with visitors? Time Out has some lies about Chicago you can tell them.

"},{"id":"text-213","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 29, 2013\nSteve Yamamoto showed up for his last shift at a Glen Ellyn Dominick's yesterday, only to be told that he had been suspended over a brilliantly sarcastic YouTube video he produced commemorating the closing of the supermarket chain.","html":"

December 29, 2013\nSteve Yamamoto showed up for his last shift at a Glen Ellyn Dominick's yesterday, only to be told that he had been suspended over a brilliantly sarcastic YouTube video he produced commemorating the closing of the supermarket chain.

"},{"id":"text-214","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 27, 2013\nThis holiday season, take care of the hipsters. (Thanks, Paul!)","html":"

December 27, 2013\nThis holiday season, take care of the hipsters. (Thanks, Paul!)

"},{"id":"text-215","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 27, 2013\nEmily Graslie, the Field Museum's "chief curiosity correspondent," recently took on workplace sexism and Internet trolls in a video that went viral. Chicago magazine's Whet Moser delved deeper into the topic with Graslie and others.","html":"

December 27, 2013\nEmily Graslie, the Field Museum's "chief curiosity correspondent," recently took on workplace sexism and Internet trolls in a video that went viral. Chicago magazine's Whet Moser delved deeper into the topic with Graslie and others.

"},{"id":"text-216","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 23, 2013\nDo you talk like a Chicagoan? The NYTimes is running a version of the Harvard Dialectical Survey that shows you which parts of the country your personal dialect is most similar to. Keep your eye out for a question that helped name this very site.","html":"

December 23, 2013\nDo you talk like a Chicagoan? The NYTimes is running a version of the Harvard Dialectical Survey that shows you which parts of the country your personal dialect is most similar to. Keep your eye out for a question that helped name this very site.

"},{"id":"text-217","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 20, 2013\nThe entry to the Snowman Bouncer at Navy Pier's Winter Wonderfest is decidedly vaginal, notes Jezebel.","html":"

December 20, 2013\nThe entry to the Snowman Bouncer at Navy Pier's Winter Wonderfest is decidedly vaginal, notes Jezebel.

"},{"id":"text-218","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 11, 2013\nNot content with delivery drones, Groupon is going with catapults.","html":"

December 11, 2013\nNot content with delivery drones, Groupon is going with catapults.

"},{"id":"text-219","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 11, 2013\nOut of the Loop delivers a random assortment of "simple facts about the greatest city on Earth."","html":"

December 11, 2013\nOut of the Loop delivers a random assortment of "simple facts about the greatest city on Earth."

"},{"id":"text-220","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 05, 2013\nAs part of R. Kelly's appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" last night, British actor Benedict Cumberbatch recited lyrics to his song "Genius."","html":"

December 05, 2013\nAs part of R. Kelly's appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" last night, British actor Benedict Cumberbatch recited lyrics to his song "Genius."

"},{"id":"text-221","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 04, 2013\nUrbane released a map of Chicago that only covers the city from Foster to about 21st, and west to around Central Park, and fills it in with place descriptions that range from witty to condescending to somewhat clueless. But hey, what do you expect from a bunch of San Franciscans?","html":"

December 04, 2013\nUrbane released a map of Chicago that only covers the city from Foster to about 21st, and west to around Central Park, and fills it in with place descriptions that range from witty to condescending to somewhat clueless. But hey, what do you expect from a bunch of San Franciscans?

"},{"id":"text-222","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 04, 2013\nBricktease recreated the shopping mall chase from The Blues Brothers in LEGO. [via]","html":"

December 04, 2013\nBricktease recreated the shopping mall chase from The Blues Brothers in LEGO. [via]

"},{"id":"text-223","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"Here's how it was made:","html":"

Here's how it was made:

"},{"id":"text-224","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 22, 2013\nA certain segment of the TV-watching world is in a tizzy over the 50th anniversary of "Doctor Who." At C2E2 earlier this year, local cosplayer Nina "MangoSirene" and friends put together a photoshoot of genderbent Doctors, and it's pretty awesome.","html":"

November 22, 2013\nA certain segment of the TV-watching world is in a tizzy over the 50th anniversary of "Doctor Who." At C2E2 earlier this year, local cosplayer Nina "MangoSirene" and friends put together a photoshoot of genderbent Doctors, and it's pretty awesome.

"},{"id":"text-225","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 15, 2013\nTime Out Chicago has announced the winners in its first annual Best Awards, as selected by the readers and staff.","html":"

November 15, 2013\nTime Out Chicago has announced the winners in its first annual Best Awards, as selected by the readers and staff.

"},{"id":"text-226","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 14, 2013\nAt the end of August, one very unfortunate Divvy bike rider found herself in about the wrongest place possible: the left lane on northbound Lake Shore Drive during the afternoon rush. [via]","html":"

November 14, 2013\nAt the end of August, one very unfortunate Divvy bike rider found herself in about the wrongest place possible: the left lane on northbound Lake Shore Drive during the afternoon rush. [via]

"},{"id":"text-227","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 13, 2013\nWhat if the Bears played that other game called football? A new logo project imagines what their insignia would look like. (I think we fared better than Green Bay.)","html":"

November 13, 2013\nWhat if the Bears played that other game called football? A new logo project imagines what their insignia would look like. (I think we fared better than Green Bay.)

"},{"id":"text-228","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 13, 2013\nESPN's "30 for 30" looks back on one of the craziest games ever played: the Space Jam game of 1995, which included two of Chicago's biggest stars in basketball, Michael Jordan and Bill Murray. [via]","html":"

November 13, 2013\nESPN's "30 for 30" looks back on one of the craziest games ever played: the Space Jam game of 1995, which included two of Chicago's biggest stars in basketball, Michael Jordan and Bill Murray. [via]

"},{"id":"text-229","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 12, 2013\nAfter Buzzfeed listed the "celebrities" of New York, Time Out Chicago decided to make its own list of local celebrities. Chaz Walters, Ronnie Woo Woo and the Landan twins are ready for their close-ups.","html":"

November 12, 2013\nAfter Buzzfeed listed the "celebrities" of New York, Time Out Chicago decided to make its own list of local celebrities. Chaz Walters, Ronnie Woo Woo and the Landan twins are ready for their close-ups.

"},{"id":"text-230","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 31, 2013\nEn parlant de Poltergeist III, there's an entire fanpage devoted to the 1988 film, in which angry spirits follow Carol Anne to the Hancock Tower.","html":"

October 31, 2013\nEn parlant de Poltergeist III, there's an entire fanpage devoted to the 1988 film, in which angry spirits follow Carol Anne to the Hancock Tower.

"},{"id":"text-231","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 30, 2013\nThe Christian Science Society of Dixon in western Illinois is getting a lot of attention this week after the Internet noticed the shape of its new church on Google Maps.","html":"

October 30, 2013\nThe Christian Science Society of Dixon in western Illinois is getting a lot of attention this week after the Internet noticed the shape of its new church on Google Maps.

"},{"id":"text-232","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"The church is showing it has a sense of humor in light of the attention: its Facebook profile cover photo now features a "giant fig leaf" over the Google Maps image.","html":"

The church is showing it has a sense of humor in light of the attention: its Facebook profile cover photo now features a "giant fig leaf" over the Google Maps image.

"},{"id":"text-233","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 29, 2013\nLocally led #Foodiechats has figured out a way to make money off its weekly Twitter chats.","html":"

October 29, 2013\nLocally led #Foodiechats has figured out a way to make money off its weekly Twitter chats.

"},{"id":"text-234","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 29, 2013\nJesse Jackson, Jr. showed up yesterday to a North Carolina federal prison to begin his 30-month sentence a few days earlier than his scheduled surrender date (this Friday) and was turned away. Mise à jour: he is in custody as of this morning. Persistence pays off!","html":"

October 29, 2013\nJesse Jackson, Jr. showed up yesterday to a North Carolina federal prison to begin his 30-month sentence a few days earlier than his scheduled surrender date (this Friday) and was turned away. Mise à jour: he is in custody as of this morning. Persistence pays off!

"},{"id":"text-235","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 16, 2013\nThought Catalog's "35 Important Things Only Chicagoans Will Understand" should give you plenty of fuel.","html":"

October 16, 2013\nThought Catalog's "35 Important Things Only Chicagoans Will Understand" should give you plenty of fuel.

"},{"id":"text-236","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 08, 2013\nBen Raatz has a personal drone that he's been testing out around town, getting a top view of Buckingham Fountain and the South Loop.","html":"

October 08, 2013\nBen Raatz has a personal drone that he's been testing out around town, getting a top view of Buckingham Fountain and the South Loop.

"},{"id":"text-237","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 08, 2013\nNickolay Lamm mapped income onto real estate in Manhattan to show the inequality between neighborhoods. He's since done similar maps for Chicago and other cities.","html":"

October 08, 2013\nNickolay Lamm mapped income onto real estate in Manhattan to show the inequality between neighborhoods. He's since done similar maps for Chicago and other cities.

"},{"id":"text-238","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 07, 2013\nA mini Abe Lincoln lives it up across the state in a new ad by Enjoy Illinois, journeying from down in Springfield to up on the skydeck of the Willis Tower.","html":"

October 07, 2013\nA mini Abe Lincoln lives it up across the state in a new ad by Enjoy Illinois, journeying from down in Springfield to up on the skydeck of the Willis Tower.

"},{"id":"text-239","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 01, 2013\nThe Hoffman Estates Park District knows how to keep the crowd at their youth hockey league games in check. [via]","html":"

October 01, 2013\nThe Hoffman Estates Park District knows how to keep the crowd at their youth hockey league games in check. [via]

"},{"id":"text-240","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 01, 2013\nChicago native Marina Shifrin spent the last two years working in the CGI coal mines at Taiwan's Next Media Animation in relative anonymity. That is, until her dance-interpreted resignation video this weekend went viral. [via]","html":"

October 01, 2013\nChicago native Marina Shifrin spent the last two years working in the CGI coal mines at Taiwan's Next Media Animation in relative anonymity. That is, until her dance-interpreted resignation video this weekend went viral. [via]

"},{"id":"text-241","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"UPDATE: New Media Animation created a response video.","html":"

UPDATE: New Media Animation created a response video.

"},{"id":"text-242","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 30, 2013\nThe lead designer of the classic arcade game NBA Jam admitted it was rigged to make the Chicago Bulls play worse whenever they went up against the Detroit Pistons. [via]","html":"

September 30, 2013\nThe lead designer of the classic arcade game NBA Jam admitted it was rigged to make the Chicago Bulls play worse whenever they went up against the Detroit Pistons. [via]

"},{"id":"text-243","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 27, 2013\nWhen it was revealed that the @horse_ebooks Twitter account was a hoax performance art, Dan Sinker of @MayorEmanuel fame took it pretty hard. Luckily, someone has created @sinker_ebooks.","html":"

September 27, 2013\nWhen it was revealed that the @horse_ebooks Twitter account was a hoax performance art, Dan Sinker of @MayorEmanuel fame took it pretty hard. Luckily, someone has created @sinker_ebooks.

"},{"id":"text-244","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 25, 2013\nFrom the Couch Monument in Lincoln Park to a bust of Lincoln in Englewood, Peter Bella tells the story behind some interesting Chicago sights hiding in plain sight.","html":"

September 25, 2013\nFrom the Couch Monument in Lincoln Park to a bust of Lincoln in Englewood, Peter Bella tells the story behind some interesting Chicago sights hiding in plain sight.

"},{"id":"text-245","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 25, 2013\nThe CGI-fueled destruction of the city for the latest Transformateurs movie caused some real damage as Michael Bay and company blew up part of the Santa Fe Grain Elevators on the South Side.","html":"

September 25, 2013\nThe CGI-fueled destruction of the city for the latest Transformateurs movie caused some real damage as Michael Bay and company blew up part of the Santa Fe Grain Elevators on the South Side.

"},{"id":"text-246","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 24, 2013\nFirst, Al Capone danced the Charleston on top of a flagpole, and now a group of local dancers lindy hop their way through the city in a new video.","html":"

September 24, 2013\nFirst, Al Capone danced the Charleston on top of a flagpole, and now a group of local dancers lindy hop their way through the city in a new video.

"},{"id":"text-247","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 21, 2013\nConan O'Brien revealed that Miley Cyrus' strange video for her song Wrecking Ball stole the concept from an ad for a Chicago-area appliance store. [via]","html":"

September 21, 2013\nConan O'Brien revealed that Miley Cyrus' strange video for her song Wrecking Ball stole the concept from an ad for a Chicago-area appliance store. [via]

"},{"id":"text-248","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 20, 2013\nCube Cities shows Chicago's history in less than two minutes with an animated timeline of the city's growth from 1862 until today. [via]","html":"

September 20, 2013\nCube Cities shows Chicago's history in less than two minutes with an animated timeline of the city's growth from 1862 until today. [via]

"},{"id":"text-249","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 18, 2013\nAfter yet another controversy-spoiled Penny Arcade Expo, Cards Against Humanity cofounder Max Temkin explains what he and the company are going to do to combat discrimination and harassment at PAX in the future.","html":"

September 18, 2013\nAfter yet another controversy-spoiled Penny Arcade Expo, Cards Against Humanity cofounder Max Temkin explains what he and the company are going to do to combat discrimination and harassment at PAX in the future.

"},{"id":"text-250","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 16, 2013\nA Subway restaurant actually honored the fake (and obviously controversé) "Subtember 11th" coupons featured in a recent Onion article. Even adding to the twisted irony is that the pre-tax total of the purchase was $9.11.","html":"

September 16, 2013\nA Subway restaurant actually honored the fake (and obviously controversé) "Subtember 11th" coupons featured in a recent Onion article. Even adding to the twisted irony is that the pre-tax total of the purchase was $9.11.

"},{"id":"text-251","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 13, 2013\nTwo kittens survived a five-day journey from Chicago to Edmonton, Canada as stow aways on a train.","html":"

September 13, 2013\nTwo kittens survived a five-day journey from Chicago to Edmonton, Canada as stow aways on a train.

"},{"id":"text-252","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 11, 2013\nThe Bears Superfans are back in a new commercial with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.","html":"

September 11, 2013\nThe Bears Superfans are back in a new commercial with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

"},{"id":"text-253","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 10, 2013\nCrain's Clout Calculator measures the degrees of separation between you and industry leaders in Chicago.","html":"

September 10, 2013\nCrain's Clout Calculator measures the degrees of separation between you and industry leaders in Chicago.

"},{"id":"text-254","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 06, 2013\nA man claiming to be a member of the Board of Trade recently got into a fight with another passenger in a Metra quiet car after talking on his phone. Not sure how being a trader qualifies someone to "cut you in half."\nNSFW audio, so put your headphones on.","html":"

September 06, 2013\nA man claiming to be a member of the Board of Trade recently got into a fight with another passenger in a Metra quiet car after talking on his phone. Not sure how being a trader qualifies someone to "cut you in half."\nNSFW audio, so put your headphones on.

"},{"id":"text-255","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 05, 2013\nThe Transit Readings tumblr recommends books based on what people are spotted reading on the CTA.","html":"

September 05, 2013\nThe Transit Readings tumblr recommends books based on what people are spotted reading on the CTA.

"},{"id":"text-256","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 05, 2013\nImprov Legends takes a look back at the first days of the Second City. [via]","html":"

September 05, 2013\nImprov Legends takes a look back at the first days of the Second City. [via]

"},{"id":"text-257","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 04, 2013\nGrumpy Cat will help fundraise for a new cat adoption center for the Tree House Humane Society in an upcoming video.","html":"

September 04, 2013\nGrumpy Cat will help fundraise for a new cat adoption center for the Tree House Humane Society in an upcoming video.

"},{"id":"text-258","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 01, 2013\nA secret from today's edition of PostSecret alludes to a buried body at Wooded Island in Jackson Park.","html":"

September 01, 2013\nA secret from today's edition of PostSecret alludes to a buried body at Wooded Island in Jackson Park.

"},{"id":"text-259","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 30, 2013\nSouth Side residents share how shootings affect their lives and what it's like to live under the constant threat of violence in a new video by local Jon Lowenstein.","html":"

August 30, 2013\nSouth Side residents share how shootings affect their lives and what it's like to live under the constant threat of violence in a new video by local Jon Lowenstein.

"},{"id":"text-260","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 30, 2013\nNot sure this fledgling record label is going to make it, but this CraigsList ad is pretty great. (Thanks, Anne!)","html":"

August 30, 2013\nNot sure this fledgling record label is going to make it, but this CraigsList ad is pretty great. (Thanks, Anne!)

"},{"id":"text-261","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 28, 2013\nOn this historic day, local button makers Busy Beaver Buttons blogged about some historic buttons relating to the civil rights movement.","html":"

August 28, 2013\nOn this historic day, local button makers Busy Beaver Buttons blogged about some historic buttons relating to the civil rights movement.

"},{"id":"text-262","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 26, 2013\nThis pic of kids walking to a first day of school (near Schiller and Clark) in 1962 doesn't seem to be much of an upgrade from what kids going to school today could experience.","html":"

August 26, 2013\nThis pic of kids walking to a first day of school (near Schiller and Clark) in 1962 doesn't seem to be much of an upgrade from what kids going to school today could experience.

"},{"id":"text-263","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 23, 2013\nA weird window display leads Michael Gebert to discover a sketch comedy online show by one of the discoverers of Vivian Maier.","html":"

August 23, 2013\nA weird window display leads Michael Gebert to discover a sketch comedy online show by one of the discoverers of Vivian Maier.

"},{"id":"text-264","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 20, 2013\nI get the feeling Chicago coming in at number two on Movoto's list of the funniest cities in America is some sort of joke on the Second City. The list makes no effort to justify how Atlanta is number one.","html":"

August 20, 2013\nI get the feeling Chicago coming in at number two on Movoto's list of the funniest cities in America is some sort of joke on the Second City. The list makes no effort to justify how Atlanta is number one.

"},{"id":"text-265","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 19, 2013\nThe superintendent of the Evanston-Skokie School District announced his resignation last week to pursue "consulting opportunities."","html":"

August 19, 2013\nThe superintendent of the Evanston-Skokie School District announced his resignation last week to pursue "consulting opportunities."

"},{"id":"text-266","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 15, 2013\nChicago native and comic Cameron Esposito wrote a thoughtful op-ed piece for Advocate about being heckled onstage by her opening act.","html":"

August 15, 2013\nChicago native and comic Cameron Esposito wrote a thoughtful op-ed piece for Advocate about being heckled onstage by her opening act.

"},{"id":"text-267","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 13, 2013\nThere's a battle for the hearts and minds of Bridgeport going on — on Facebook. After one too many racially and politically charged arguments on the Bridgeport Chicago IL group, two neighborhood residents created The REAL Bridgeport and Bridgeport Neighborhood groups as hate-free zones; at least one group formed in response has already been closed.","html":"

August 13, 2013\nThere's a battle for the hearts and minds of Bridgeport going on — on Facebook. After one too many racially and politically charged arguments on the Bridgeport Chicago IL group, two neighborhood residents created The REAL Bridgeport and Bridgeport Neighborhood groups as hate-free zones; at least one group formed in response has already been closed.

"},{"id":"text-268","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 09, 2013\nWhat if Ferris Bueller wasn't bluffing about being sick? What if he was dead?","html":"

August 09, 2013\nWhat if Ferris Bueller wasn't bluffing about being sick? What if he was dead?

"},{"id":"text-269","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 30, 2013\nNPR host Scott Simon has been tweeting about his mother's last days from a hospital here in Chicago. Patricia Lyons Simon Newman Gilband passed away last night.","html":"

July 30, 2013\nNPR host Scott Simon has been tweeting about his mother's last days from a hospital here in Chicago. Patricia Lyons Simon Newman Gilband passed away last night.

"},{"id":"text-270","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"The heavens over Chicago have opened and Patricia Lyons Simon Newman has stepped onstage.\n— Scott Simon (@nprscottsimon) July 30, 2013","html":"

The heavens over Chicago have opened and Patricia Lyons Simon Newman has stepped onstage.\n— Scott Simon (@nprscottsimon) July 30, 2013

"},{"id":"text-271","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 26, 2013\nWonder if the giant magnet that just arrived at Fermilab is part of the plan in today's xkcd cartoon.","html":"

July 26, 2013\nWonder if the giant magnet that just arrived at Fermilab is part of the plan in today's xkcd cartoon.

"},{"id":"text-272","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 26, 2013\nWTTW shared a photo of a Divvy truck that had knocked down a parking meter. They want you to caption it.","html":"

July 26, 2013\nWTTW shared a photo of a Divvy truck that had knocked down a parking meter. They want you to caption it.

"},{"id":"text-273","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 26, 2013\nA Wheaton couple's wedding invitation went viral this week thanks to its hilarious RSVP options.","html":"

July 26, 2013\nA Wheaton couple's wedding invitation went viral this week thanks to its hilarious RSVP options.

"},{"id":"text-274","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 25, 2013\nDo you like the idea of renting a bike on occasion, but dislike the idea of being relegated to where Divvy has stations? Then you may be interested in SpinLister where you can rent bikes owned by locals for a day (or more). And these aren't your average heavy, beat-up, partially rusted bikes for rent. Oh, no, there are some pettable bikes here. For example, this bike may be what you need if you have a dog (the moustache and dog are not included in rental.)","html":"

July 25, 2013\nDo you like the idea of renting a bike on occasion, but dislike the idea of being relegated to where Divvy has stations? Then you may be interested in SpinLister where you can rent bikes owned by locals for a day (or more). And these aren't your average heavy, beat-up, partially rusted bikes for rent. Oh, no, there are some pettable bikes here. For example, this bike may be what you need if you have a dog (the moustache and dog are not included in rental.)

"},{"id":"text-275","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 24, 2013\n…in the form of a very cute child. [via]","html":"

July 24, 2013\n…in the form of a very cute child. [via]

"},{"id":"text-276","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 19, 2013\nI've seen some really beautifully designed engagement announcements, but this one is pretty great. Great design and story by Matthew Bush, Josh Compton and Gabe Cooper. Congrats!","html":"

July 19, 2013\nI've seen some really beautifully designed engagement announcements, but this one is pretty great. Great design and story by Matthew Bush, Josh Compton and Gabe Cooper. Congrats!

"},{"id":"text-277","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 19, 2013\nThree beautiful light fixtures from the Uptown Theatre are for sale on eBay right now.","html":"

July 19, 2013\nThree beautiful light fixtures from the Uptown Theatre are for sale on eBay right now.

"},{"id":"text-278","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 18, 2013\nDrag City recently released Andy and his Grandmother, the first-ever Andy Kaufman comedy album. Grantland explains how this came to be.","html":"

July 18, 2013\nDrag City recently released Andy and his Grandmother, the first-ever Andy Kaufman comedy album. Grantland explains how this came to be.

"},{"id":"text-279","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 10, 2013\nThis Craigslist ad for a fixed-gear bike is aimed squarely at Lincoln Park bros hoping to blend in over in Wicker Park… though really, is there a difference these days? [via]","html":"

July 10, 2013\nThis Craigslist ad for a fixed-gear bike is aimed squarely at Lincoln Park bros hoping to blend in over in Wicker Park… though really, is there a difference these days? [via]

"},{"id":"text-280","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 08, 2013\nSteve Gadlin of Blewt! and I Want to Draw a Cat for You fame has a new project: Steve Gadlin's Star Makers, showcasing some of the area's greatest talents.","html":"

July 08, 2013\nSteve Gadlin of Blewt! and I Want to Draw a Cat for You fame has a new project: Steve Gadlin's Star Makers, showcasing some of the area's greatest talents.

"},{"id":"text-281","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 05, 2013\nA new study by economists at Wheaton College and Northwestern found that since the 1970s, Americans have not been as upwardly mobile as the British have been.\nHere's an earlier article by the study's authors, covering similar ground.\n Grandfathers Matter(ed): Occupational Mobility Across Three Generations in the U.S. and Britain, 1850-1910 by Gapers Block","html":"

July 05, 2013\nA new study by economists at Wheaton College and Northwestern found that since the 1970s, Americans have not been as upwardly mobile as the British have been.\nHere's an earlier article by the study's authors, covering similar ground.\n Grandfathers Matter(ed): Occupational Mobility Across Three Generations in the U.S. and Britain, 1850-1910 by Gapers Block

"},{"id":"text-282","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 02, 2013\nYelp has a few heat maps of words that pop up in user reviews, such as bacon, tourist and hipster.","html":"

July 02, 2013\nYelp has a few heat maps of words that pop up in user reviews, such as bacon, tourist and hipster.

"},{"id":"text-283","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 28, 2013\nComplex Magazine highlights the resurgence of Chicago's hip-hop scene by featuring the city's most stylish rappers [right now]. While the list includes artists such as Chief Keef, Joey Purp, Mikkey Halsted and more, it won't be hard to guess who came in at number one.","html":"

June 28, 2013\nComplex Magazine highlights the resurgence of Chicago's hip-hop scene by featuring the city's most stylish rappers [right now]. While the list includes artists such as Chief Keef, Joey Purp, Mikkey Halsted and more, it won't be hard to guess who came in at number one.

"},{"id":"text-284","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 27, 2013\nIf you've got any Blackhawks gear, wear it to the Museum of Science & Industry this weekend and get buy one, get one free admission.","html":"

June 27, 2013\nIf you've got any Blackhawks gear, wear it to the Museum of Science & Industry this weekend and get buy one, get one free admission.

"},{"id":"text-285","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 24, 2013\nSomeone in Pilsen painted helpful directions on his roof for lost pilots. [via]\nAgrandir le plan","html":"

June 24, 2013\nSomeone in Pilsen painted helpful directions on his roof for lost pilots. [via]\nAgrandir le plan

"},{"id":"text-286","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 21, 2013\nComedian and writer Deon Cole, along with Iliza Shlesinger and Michael Yo, recently participated on "Larry King Now's" pop culture panel to discuss current hot topics including emergency contraception, Japanese eyeball licking, and of course, new parents, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian. Although reports have confirmed "Baby Kimye's" actual name, Cole reveals his choice for the name of America's most famous infant.","html":"

June 21, 2013\nComedian and writer Deon Cole, along with Iliza Shlesinger and Michael Yo, recently participated on "Larry King Now's" pop culture panel to discuss current hot topics including emergency contraception, Japanese eyeball licking, and of course, new parents, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian. Although reports have confirmed "Baby Kimye's" actual name, Cole reveals his choice for the name of America's most famous infant.

"},{"id":"text-287","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"Past GB interviews with Cole:• 2010: One Sketch at a Time• 2013: "Deon Cole's Black Box": Chicago Native Takes on Pop Culture In His New TBS Series","html":"

Past GB interviews with Cole:• 2010: One Sketch at a Time• 2013: "Deon Cole's Black Box": Chicago Native Takes on Pop Culture In His New TBS Series

"},{"id":"text-288","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 21, 2013\nChicago has a history of segregation — and it apparently extends to smartphone types too, to a certain degree. MapBox teamed up with Gnip and map designer Eric Fischer (previously: 1, 2) to map 3 billion tweets by phone brand and other variables. Start in the Loop and zoom out.","html":"

June 21, 2013\nChicago has a history of segregation — and it apparently extends to smartphone types too, to a certain degree. MapBox teamed up with Gnip and map designer Eric Fischer (previously: 1, 2) to map 3 billion tweets by phone brand and other variables. Start in the Loop and zoom out.

"},{"id":"text-289","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"It's also worth checking out the maps of locals and tourists and languages used. [via]","html":"

It's also worth checking out the maps of locals and tourists and languages used. [via]

"},{"id":"text-290","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 20, 2013\nSchadenfreude has a new show: "Shh-Cago," a guide to the city's lesser known gems.","html":"

June 20, 2013\nSchadenfreude has a new show: "Shh-Cago," a guide to the city's lesser known gems.

"},{"id":"text-291","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 20, 2013\nStill wired after that OT win the Blackhawks offered last night? Soothe yourself with a rendition of "Chelsea Dagger" played by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. (Nice shirt, Muti!)","html":"

June 20, 2013\nStill wired after that OT win the Blackhawks offered last night? Soothe yourself with a rendition of "Chelsea Dagger" played by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. (Nice shirt, Muti!)

"},{"id":"text-292","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 19, 2013\nFoGB Coudal Partners just released a new "Night Sky" edition of their Field Notes notebooks, and recorded 6 hours and 21 minutes of night sky in rural Nevada. Just set this for full screen, sit back and watch the stars go by in real time.","html":"

June 19, 2013\nFoGB Coudal Partners just released a new "Night Sky" edition of their Field Notes notebooks, and recorded 6 hours and 21 minutes of night sky in rural Nevada. Just set this for full screen, sit back and watch the stars go by in real time.

"},{"id":"text-293","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 15, 2013\nNew father Kanye West will be projecting new images on the sides of buildings all over the city tonight, among them Uptown's Bridgeview Bank, and both the Field and DuSable Museums.","html":"

June 15, 2013\nNew father Kanye West will be projecting new images on the sides of buildings all over the city tonight, among them Uptown's Bridgeview Bank, and both the Field and DuSable Museums.

"},{"id":"text-294","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 14, 2013\nSure, it's been a cool summer. But that's nothing compared with 21,000 years ago.","html":"

June 14, 2013\nSure, it's been a cool summer. But that's nothing compared with 21,000 years ago.

"},{"id":"text-295","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 05, 2013\nGroupon has launched a "deal" of a donation to fund the construction of more bike lanes in honor of deceased employee Bobby Cann, the cyclist killed last week on Clybourn.","html":"

June 05, 2013\nGroupon has launched a "deal" of a donation to fund the construction of more bike lanes in honor of deceased employee Bobby Cann, the cyclist killed last week on Clybourn.

"},{"id":"text-296","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 04, 2013\nEnjoy this photograph of Patrick Stewart enjoying some Chicago-style pizza.","html":"

June 04, 2013\nEnjoy this photograph of Patrick Stewart enjoying some Chicago-style pizza.

"},{"id":"text-297","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 04, 2013\nZen Pencils tells a touching story with words from Roger Ebert. [via]","html":"

June 04, 2013\nZen Pencils tells a touching story with words from Roger Ebert. [via]

"},{"id":"text-298","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 28, 2013\nA writer on the Daily Kos decided to emulate The Onion by announcing its demise after the 2014 presidential election. That's one way to get a job.","html":"

May 28, 2013\nA writer on the Daily Kos decided to emulate The Onion by announcing its demise after the 2014 presidential election. That's one way to get a job.

"},{"id":"text-299","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 24, 2013\nMaking out in front of Paulina Meat Market is a private thing — unless the Google Streetview car is nearby (see #29).","html":"

May 24, 2013\nMaking out in front of Paulina Meat Market is a private thing — unless the Google Streetview car is nearby (see #29).

"},{"id":"text-300","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 21, 2013\nA group of Logan Square residents are suing the Tribune for continuing frequent deliveries of its coupons and advertisements (aka those piles of soggy, dirty newsprint wrapped in pink bags that accumulate on your doorstep/yard) despite repeated, bureaucracy-laden requests to stop.","html":"

May 21, 2013\nA group of Logan Square residents are suing the Tribune for continuing frequent deliveries of its coupons and advertisements (aka those piles of soggy, dirty newsprint wrapped in pink bags that accumulate on your doorstep/yard) despite repeated, bureaucracy-laden requests to stop.

"},{"id":"text-301","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 21, 2013\nThe South Side-based rapper was arrested in Georgia this morning for disorderly conduct.","html":"

May 21, 2013\nThe South Side-based rapper was arrested in Georgia this morning for disorderly conduct.

"},{"id":"text-302","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 20, 2013\nThanks to Google Earth Historical Imagery, I was able to make this gif of North Avenue Beach over the decades.","html":"

May 20, 2013\nThanks to Google Earth Historical Imagery, I was able to make this gif of North Avenue Beach over the decades.

"},{"id":"text-303","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 16, 2013\nAs part of a larger collaborative piece titled "New York Elsewhere" for The Morning News, Tyler Coates projects New York neighborhood counterparts in Chicago. Southport Corridor as Park Slope is amusingly on point, though some Chicagoans would take issue with the idea that Logan Square isn't fully gentrified.","html":"

May 16, 2013\nAs part of a larger collaborative piece titled "New York Elsewhere" for The Morning News, Tyler Coates projects New York neighborhood counterparts in Chicago. Southport Corridor as Park Slope is amusingly on point, though some Chicagoans would take issue with the idea that Logan Square isn't fully gentrified.

"},{"id":"text-304","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 14, 2013\nRecently, via a little ditty on ESPN, Chicago native and comedic actor Craig Robinson, whose movie Peeples opened last weekend, expressed his heartfelt sentiments about the [someday] return of Derrick Rose back to the Bulls' lineup.","html":"

May 14, 2013\nRecently, via a little ditty on ESPN, Chicago native and comedic actor Craig Robinson, whose movie Peeples opened last weekend, expressed his heartfelt sentiments about the [someday] return of Derrick Rose back to the Bulls' lineup.

"},{"id":"text-305","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 10, 2013\nThis week, YouTube launched its Trends Map, which breaks down viewing patterns by metropolitan area, age and gender. At time of writing, "This is Water," the new video of David Foster Wallace's 2005 commencement address at Kenyon College, is number one in Chicago.","html":"

May 10, 2013\nThis week, YouTube launched its Trends Map, which breaks down viewing patterns by metropolitan area, age and gender. At time of writing, "This is Water," the new video of David Foster Wallace's 2005 commencement address at Kenyon College, is number one in Chicago.

"},{"id":"text-306","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 09, 2013\nIn 2003, Chicago filmmaker Eric Fensler (who now lives in Portland, OR) created "GI Joe PSAs," a series of weird remixes of the odd PSAs tacked onto some episodes of "GI Joe" cartoons, which wet viral before anyone had ever heard of social media. The Verge examines their legacy.","html":"

May 09, 2013\nIn 2003, Chicago filmmaker Eric Fensler (who now lives in Portland, OR) created "GI Joe PSAs," a series of weird remixes of the odd PSAs tacked onto some episodes of "GI Joe" cartoons, which wet viral before anyone had ever heard of social media. The Verge examines their legacy.

"},{"id":"text-307","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 02, 2013\n"'I'm not going to lie,' says Jenna Lyons, the president and creative director of J. Crew, who is an admirer of Goldman. She scares me a little bit.'" "She" is Ikram Goldman, Chicago boutique owner, "fashion ambassador", and the subject of a profile in the New York Times magazine.","html":"

May 02, 2013\n"'I'm not going to lie,' says Jenna Lyons, the president and creative director of J. Crew, who is an admirer of Goldman. She scares me a little bit.'" "She" is Ikram Goldman, Chicago boutique owner, "fashion ambassador", and the subject of a profile in the New York Times magazine.

"},{"id":"text-308","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 02, 2013\nWGN Meteorologist Tom Skilling may be lovable, but he is frequently wrong about the weather. HowWrongIsSkilling.com tracks just how off the mark he is. (Of course, this is not a new complaint, and even the National Weather Service is right only about two-thirds of the time.)","html":"

May 02, 2013\nWGN Meteorologist Tom Skilling may be lovable, but he is frequently wrong about the weather. HowWrongIsSkilling.com tracks just how off the mark he is. (Of course, this is not a new complaint, and even the National Weather Service is right only about two-thirds of the time.)

"},{"id":"text-309","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 19, 2013\nShelter puppies often suffer from more health issues than other dogs. The Lucida Puppy Fund aims to help defray the costs of keeping them healthy.","html":"

April 19, 2013\nShelter puppies often suffer from more health issues than other dogs. The Lucida Puppy Fund aims to help defray the costs of keeping them healthy.

"},{"id":"text-310","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 12, 2013\nAs nice as CTA bus shelters may be, only clueless lovers would think making out while waiting for a westbound 66 was anything like Paris.","html":"

April 12, 2013\nAs nice as CTA bus shelters may be, only clueless lovers would think making out while waiting for a westbound 66 was anything like Paris.

"},{"id":"text-311","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 12, 2013\nSeveral shuttered city firehouses are for sale, along with some other interesting places.","html":"

April 12, 2013\nSeveral shuttered city firehouses are for sale, along with some other interesting places.

"},{"id":"text-312","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 12, 2013\nAdvertising creative director Jonathan Finerty was bored with his old portfolio site so he created All-In-One Adman, and the testimonials started rolling in.","html":"

April 12, 2013\nAdvertising creative director Jonathan Finerty was bored with his old portfolio site so he created All-In-One Adman, and the testimonials started rolling in.

"},{"id":"text-313","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 08, 2013\nChicago becomes sort of the central node in XKCD's map of all the "subways" of North America.","html":"

April 08, 2013\nChicago becomes sort of the central node in XKCD's map of all the "subways" of North America.

"},{"id":"text-314","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 04, 2013\nOne of the odder places you can stay in the city via AirBnB: a birght green VW camper van parked on the street in Lincoln Park. Just $75 a night! [via]","html":"

April 04, 2013\nOne of the odder places you can stay in the city via AirBnB: a birght green VW camper van parked on the street in Lincoln Park. Just $75 a night! [via]

"},{"id":"text-315","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 29, 2013\nSome of these you've probably seen, others will be new. A collection of Chicago maps on A Continuous Lean. [via]","html":"

March 29, 2013\nSome of these you've probably seen, others will be new. A collection of Chicago maps on A Continuous Lean. [via]

"},{"id":"text-316","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 27, 2013\nle Willis Sears Tower (ahem) makes a common mistake on the spelling of Studs Terkel's name. (I admit, I've made the same error more than once.)","html":"

March 27, 2013\nle Willis Sears Tower (ahem) makes a common mistake on the spelling of Studs Terkel's name. (I admit, I've made the same error more than once.)

"},{"id":"text-317","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 21, 2013\nRobert Bacon created a Super Mario Bros. 3 version of the CTA 'L'system map.","html":"

March 21, 2013\nRobert Bacon created a Super Mario Bros. 3 version of the CTA 'L'system map.

"},{"id":"text-318","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 20, 2013\nBut that doesn't stop Fido from photobombing his owner's Craigslist posting for renting his Lakeview apartment.","html":"

March 20, 2013\nBut that doesn't stop Fido from photobombing his owner's Craigslist posting for renting his Lakeview apartment.

"},{"id":"text-319","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 20, 2013\nThings you can buy: the Chicago skyline made out of RAM.","html":"

March 20, 2013\nThings you can buy: the Chicago skyline made out of RAM.

"},{"id":"text-320","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 15, 2013\nLupe Fiasco penned and posted a new song imagining what could have been the life of murdered infant Jonylah Watkins.","html":"

March 15, 2013\nLupe Fiasco penned and posted a new song imagining what could have been the life of murdered infant Jonylah Watkins.

"},{"id":"text-321","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 12, 2013\nA Redditor spotted an interesting anomaly on Google Maps: take a step forward from this spot and watch one of the last Cabrini Green towers disappear.","html":"

March 12, 2013\nA Redditor spotted an interesting anomaly on Google Maps: take a step forward from this spot and watch one of the last Cabrini Green towers disappear.

"},{"id":"text-322","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 04, 2013\nA UIC researcher found that being moderately intoxicated helps one's ability to identify minor differences in pictures faster than sober people.","html":"

March 04, 2013\nA UIC researcher found that being moderately intoxicated helps one's ability to identify minor differences in pictures faster than sober people.

"},{"id":"text-323","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 01, 2013\nBlogger James Lileks collects all sorts of things, and his set of motel postcards includes some great ones from Chicago's past. [via]","html":"

March 01, 2013\nBlogger James Lileks collects all sorts of things, and his set of motel postcards includes some great ones from Chicago's past. [via]

"},{"id":"text-324","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 01, 2013\nThis here meme is taking over everything…including this website.","html":"

March 01, 2013\nThis here meme is taking over everything…including this website.

"},{"id":"text-325","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 27, 2013\nR. Kelly released "Trapped in the Closet: the Confessionals, Part 1" today, which focuses on the stories of specific characters of the endless, often pointless soap opera. Wake me up when it's over.","html":"

February 27, 2013\nR. Kelly released "Trapped in the Closet: the Confessionals, Part 1" today, which focuses on the stories of specific characters of the endless, often pointless soap opera. Wake me up when it's over.

"},{"id":"text-326","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 26, 2013\nThe Ononeon curates actual news headlines that might make you think you're reading another site that curates fake headlines.","html":"

February 26, 2013\nThe Ononeon curates actual news headlines that might make you think you're reading another site that curates fake headlines.

"},{"id":"text-327","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 26, 2013\nSocial history photographer Camilo José Vergara is developing a personal website to share more of his repeat photography work. Included are four Chicago sites: 4434 W. Madison, 4337 W. Madison, 1117 N. Cleveland and 5134 W. Madison. Each series starts in the 1980s and continues to present day.","html":"

February 26, 2013\nSocial history photographer Camilo José Vergara is developing a personal website to share more of his repeat photography work. Included are four Chicago sites: 4434 W. Madison, 4337 W. Madison, 1117 N. Cleveland and 5134 W. Madison. Each series starts in the 1980s and continues to present day.

"},{"id":"text-328","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 26, 2013\nFormer Chicago Bull Dennis Rodman is visiting North Korea as part of a "basketball diplomacy" trip; he hopes to meet the country's ruler Kim Jong Un, who reportedly was a huge fan of Rodman's old teammate Michael Jordan.","html":"

February 26, 2013\nFormer Chicago Bull Dennis Rodman is visiting North Korea as part of a "basketball diplomacy" trip; he hopes to meet the country's ruler Kim Jong Un, who reportedly was a huge fan of Rodman's old teammate Michael Jordan.

"},{"id":"text-329","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 25, 2013\nThe Art Institute launched a new online exhibition of its staging of the 1913 International Exhibition of Modern Art, a.k.a. The Armory Show. The site includes everything from interactive gallery images to the programs.","html":"

February 25, 2013\nThe Art Institute launched a new online exhibition of its staging of the 1913 International Exhibition of Modern Art, a.k.a. The Armory Show. The site includes everything from interactive gallery images to the programs.

"},{"id":"text-330","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 22, 2013\nForbes ranks Chicago as the fourth most miserable city in the US, apparently based primarily on our real estate woes. Detroit, Flint and Rockford top the list.","html":"

February 22, 2013\nForbes ranks Chicago as the fourth most miserable city in the US, apparently based primarily on our real estate woes. Detroit, Flint and Rockford top the list.

"},{"id":"text-331","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 18, 2013\nAmong the strangest tweets in the last few days is certainly the announcement that rooftop minister Corey Brooks is going to baptize Chief Keef when he's released from prison.","html":"

February 18, 2013\nAmong the strangest tweets in the last few days is certainly the announcement that rooftop minister Corey Brooks is going to baptize Chief Keef when he's released from prison.

"},{"id":"text-332","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 13, 2013\nThis Judgmental Map of Chicago covers plenty of neighborhood stereotypes, and just as stereotypically leaves out the South Side. (Thanks, Marc!)","html":"

February 13, 2013\nThis Judgmental Map of Chicago covers plenty of neighborhood stereotypes, and just as stereotypically leaves out the South Side. (Thanks, Marc!)

"},{"id":"text-333","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 12, 2013\nChicago-based cartoonist Mark Anderson loves to build LEGO spaceships — and his latest is piloted by Capt. Val N. Tine. [via]","html":"

February 12, 2013\nChicago-based cartoonist Mark Anderson loves to build LEGO spaceships — and his latest is piloted by Capt. Val N. Tine. [via]

"},{"id":"text-334","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 05, 2013\nExpat Ed Hirsch has some sage, profane advice for friends visiting Chicago like a Chicagoan. [via]","html":"

February 05, 2013\nExpat Ed Hirsch has some sage, profane advice for friends visiting Chicago like a Chicagoan. [via]

"},{"id":"text-335","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 04, 2013\nHow quickly can you place Chicago neighborhoods on a map? Click That 'Hood tests your strength.","html":"

February 04, 2013\nHow quickly can you place Chicago neighborhoods on a map? Click That 'Hood tests your strength.

"},{"id":"text-336","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 28, 2013\nAfter recent scandals over poorly labeled sponsored articles, Time Out's Frank Sennett has proposed guidelines for online sponsored content.","html":"

January 28, 2013\nAfter recent scandals over poorly labeled sponsored articles, Time Out's Frank Sennett has proposed guidelines for online sponsored content.

"},{"id":"text-337","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 25, 2013\nThe Admiral strip club is looking for a DJ. "No rap or hip hop allowed."","html":"

January 25, 2013\nThe Admiral strip club is looking for a DJ. "No rap or hip hop allowed."

"},{"id":"text-338","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 21, 2013\nAmtrak put together a "Gangnam Style" video touring through Chicago. Better late to the meme than never. [via]","html":"

January 21, 2013\nAmtrak put together a "Gangnam Style" video touring through Chicago. Better late to the meme than never. [via]

"},{"id":"text-339","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 21, 2013\nChicago's own Lupe Fiasco was escorted off the stage at a private pre-Inauguration concert last night after veering into a seemingly unplanned 30 minute solo of repeating the same (NSFW) lyric from his song "Words I Never Said" that criticizes President Obama's role in the conflict between Israel and the Gaza Strip.","html":"

January 21, 2013\nChicago's own Lupe Fiasco was escorted off the stage at a private pre-Inauguration concert last night after veering into a seemingly unplanned 30 minute solo of repeating the same (NSFW) lyric from his song "Words I Never Said" that criticizes President Obama's role in the conflict between Israel and the Gaza Strip.

"},{"id":"text-340","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"This is not the first time Fiasco has been critical of Obama.","html":"

This is not the first time Fiasco has been critical of Obama.

"},{"id":"text-341","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 15, 2013\nWant to buy a full-size, wooden replica of the Batmobile? It's in North Riverside, and has "air cannon Nerf dart capability."","html":"

January 15, 2013\nWant to buy a full-size, wooden replica of the Batmobile? It's in North Riverside, and has "air cannon Nerf dart capability."

"},{"id":"text-342","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 08, 2013\nThe GIS Lounge's review of 2012's best maps includes some interesting views of Chicago in national context, but also points to Slate's review of the Essential Geography of the United State of America highlights Chicago as a fine example of cartographic representation (half way down).","html":"

January 08, 2013\nThe GIS Lounge's review of 2012's best maps includes some interesting views of Chicago in national context, but also points to Slate's review of the Essential Geography of the United State of America highlights Chicago as a fine example of cartographic representation (half way down).

"},{"id":"text-343","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 07, 2013\nViolence has taken a literary turn.","html":"

January 07, 2013\nViolence has taken a literary turn.

"},{"id":"text-344","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 04, 2013\nR. Kelly wrote a song for the students of Sandy Hook Elementary.","html":"

January 04, 2013\nR. Kelly wrote a song for the students of Sandy Hook Elementary.

"},{"id":"text-345","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"Proceeds from iTunes sales will be donated to the victims' families.","html":"

Proceeds from iTunes sales will be donated to the victims' families.

"},{"id":"text-346","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 04, 2013\nA priest in Springfield has been placed on leave following a November incident in which he called 911 to demand help with getting out of a pair of handcuffs he was "playing" with.","html":"

January 04, 2013\nA priest in Springfield has been placed on leave following a November incident in which he called 911 to demand help with getting out of a pair of handcuffs he was "playing" with.

"},{"id":"text-347","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 02, 2013\nIn its look back on 2012, The Onion reports on the die-hard Cubs fans who protested outside Wrigley Field, advocating that the rest of Chicago be torn down and rebuilt.","html":"

January 02, 2013\nIn its look back on 2012, The Onion reports on the die-hard Cubs fans who protested outside Wrigley Field, advocating that the rest of Chicago be torn down and rebuilt.

"},{"id":"text-348","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 20, 2012\nAs Thundersnow threatens our noble city, Chicagoans can pledge to keep their sidewalks clear and find those in need of a shoveling savior on the Adopt a Sidewalk website.","html":"

December 20, 2012\nAs Thundersnow threatens our noble city, Chicagoans can pledge to keep their sidewalks clear and find those in need of a shoveling savior on the Adopt a Sidewalk website.

"},{"id":"text-349","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 18, 2012\nDerek Brooks spent the last 15 months living in Chicago while working on the Obama campaign. When he got back home to Iowa, he cleaned out his closet and tried on 255 t-shirts.","html":"

December 18, 2012\nDerek Brooks spent the last 15 months living in Chicago while working on the Obama campaign. When he got back home to Iowa, he cleaned out his closet and tried on 255 t-shirts.

"},{"id":"text-350","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 13, 2012\nBloomberg profiles Tyree Johnson, a Chicago man who has worked at McDonald's for 20 years and still makes the $8.25 hourly minimum wage. In contrast, McDonald's CEO Jim Skinner made $8.75 million last year.","html":"

December 13, 2012\nBloomberg profiles Tyree Johnson, a Chicago man who has worked at McDonald's for 20 years and still makes the $8.25 hourly minimum wage. In contrast, McDonald's CEO Jim Skinner made $8.75 million last year.

"},{"id":"text-351","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 13, 2012\nAddressed to Henry Walton Jones, Jr., a package delivered to the University of Chicago contained a dusty, detailed replica of the journal from Raiders of the Lost Arc- and no one knows where it came from.","html":"

December 13, 2012\nAddressed to Henry Walton Jones, Jr., a package delivered to the University of Chicago contained a dusty, detailed replica of the journal from Raiders of the Lost Arc- and no one knows where it came from.

"},{"id":"text-352","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 12, 2012\nBrooklyn-born, Chicago-based DJ Joseph Vourteque tries to explain which parts of the city match up with New York's boroughs. Apparently there's nothing like the South Side.","html":"

December 12, 2012\nBrooklyn-born, Chicago-based DJ Joseph Vourteque tries to explain which parts of the city match up with New York's boroughs. Apparently there's nothing like the South Side.

"},{"id":"text-353","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 03, 2012\nSymbolia, a new iPad magazine of comics journalism, launched today. You can snag a free preview PDF before subscribing.","html":"

December 03, 2012\nSymbolia, a new iPad magazine of comics journalism, launched today. You can snag a free preview PDF before subscribing.

"},{"id":"text-354","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 26, 2012\nIf the United States dissolved and every state went to war with the rest, which would win? Illinois does well for awhile, with Chicago its capital, in one thorough answer. [via]","html":"

November 26, 2012\nIf the United States dissolved and every state went to war with the rest, which would win? Illinois does well for awhile, with Chicago its capital, in one thorough answer. [via]

"},{"id":"text-355","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 15, 2012\nWhen you've got a name like Luvvie, you just have to see the world as a place full of love. And for Chicagoan, activist, writer, Red Pump Project creator and humorist Luvvie Ajayi, her world is most recently full of love from Women's Media Center where she received their Social Media Award. Hopefully for Luvvie, the love doesn't stop.","html":"

November 15, 2012\nWhen you've got a name like Luvvie, you just have to see the world as a place full of love. And for Chicagoan, activist, writer, Red Pump Project creator and humorist Luvvie Ajayi, her world is most recently full of love from Women's Media Center where she received their Social Media Award. Hopefully for Luvvie, the love doesn't stop.

"},{"id":"text-356","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 14, 2012\nThe infamous empty lot next to the Obama's Kenwood home is on the real estate market for $900k.","html":"

November 14, 2012\nThe infamous empty lot next to the Obama's Kenwood home is on the real estate market for $900k.

"},{"id":"text-357","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 13, 2012\nSteve Gadlin of I Want To Draw A Cat For You" fame has created a petition to be the White House's official cat portraiture artist. Naturally, I support this.","html":"

November 13, 2012\nSteve Gadlin of I Want To Draw A Cat For You" fame has created a petition to be the White House's official cat portraiture artist. Naturally, I support this.

"},{"id":"text-358","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 13, 2012\nTable XI introduces you to their senior designer, Daniel Strabley, who happens to be the guy behind InstantCosby — and reveals his coworker Jon Fernandez's creation, InstantArnold.","html":"

November 13, 2012\nTable XI introduces you to their senior designer, Daniel Strabley, who happens to be the guy behind InstantCosby — and reveals his coworker Jon Fernandez's creation, InstantArnold.

"},{"id":"text-359","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 09, 2012\nChicago's high level of gang violence is nothing new, but its increasingly popular "trap" rap scene, featuring juvenile rappers that rhyme about guns, "bitches" and drugs, is adding more fuel to the already out of control fire. Many wonder who is responsible for the epidemic, the misguided teens or their parents? Chicago blogger Alexander Fruchter explores this troubling trend in an editorial for Ruby Hornet.","html":"

November 09, 2012\nChicago's high level of gang violence is nothing new, but its increasingly popular "trap" rap scene, featuring juvenile rappers that rhyme about guns, "bitches" and drugs, is adding more fuel to the already out of control fire. Many wonder who is responsible for the epidemic, the misguided teens or their parents? Chicago blogger Alexander Fruchter explores this troubling trend in an editorial for Ruby Hornet.

"},{"id":"text-360","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 07, 2012\nCook County judge Cynthia Brim appeared in court this morning regarding her arrest in March after assaulting a deputy. Brim handily won retention to the bench in yesterday's polls.","html":"

November 07, 2012\nCook County judge Cynthia Brim appeared in court this morning regarding her arrest in March after assaulting a deputy. Brim handily won retention to the bench in yesterday's polls.

"},{"id":"text-361","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 07, 2012\nA Philly-based photographer takes a look at polling places in Chicago.","html":"

November 07, 2012\nA Philly-based photographer takes a look at polling places in Chicago.

"},{"id":"text-362","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 06, 2012\nComplex magazine named local photographer Debbie Carlos one of the 25 Coolest Artists on Etsy. They say she has "some of the most stunning photography" on the popular arts and crafts website.","html":"

November 06, 2012\nComplex magazine named local photographer Debbie Carlos one of the 25 Coolest Artists on Etsy. They say she has "some of the most stunning photography" on the popular arts and crafts website.

"},{"id":"text-363","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 02, 2012\nCustomMade.com is a marketplace for furniture, art and other custom-made and commissioned work. Plenty of the posted projects were either made or reside here.","html":"

November 02, 2012\nCustomMade.com is a marketplace for furniture, art and other custom-made and commissioned work. Plenty of the posted projects were either made or reside here.

"},{"id":"text-364","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 31, 2012\nNestio's Don't Haunt Me, Bro will tell you. (Hull House is on their list of favorite haunted homes in America.)","html":"

October 31, 2012\nNestio's Don't Haunt Me, Bro will tell you. (Hull House is on their list of favorite haunted homes in America.)

"},{"id":"text-365","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 25, 2012\n—Kanye Wes.","html":"

October 25, 2012\n—Kanye Wes.

"},{"id":"text-366","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 25, 2012\nFun with a label maker. [via]","html":"

October 25, 2012\nFun with a label maker. [via]

"},{"id":"text-367","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 22, 2012\n"This American Life's" Ira Glass explains how to make a balloon animal — and how to get a guy to wear a condom "without being a total buzzkill," among other sex-related questions — for Rookie.\n \nBalloon Animals: A Video Tutorial by Ira Glass from Rookie on Vimeo.","html":"

October 22, 2012\n"This American Life's" Ira Glass explains how to make a balloon animal — and how to get a guy to wear a condom "without being a total buzzkill," among other sex-related questions — for Rookie.\n \nBalloon Animals: A Video Tutorial by Ira Glass from Rookie on Vimeo.

"},{"id":"text-368","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 17, 2012\nBehold, Chapter 23 of Trapped in the Closet.","html":"

October 17, 2012\nBehold, Chapter 23 of Trapped in the Closet.

"},{"id":"text-369","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 16, 2012\nA commercial for the latest edition of SimCity features an example of the Sears Tower being struck by meteors. [via]","html":"

October 16, 2012\nA commercial for the latest edition of SimCity features an example of the Sears Tower being struck by meteors. [via]

"},{"id":"text-370","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 12, 2012\n"In" space, "from" space, whatever. NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day from yesterday is a satellite snapshot with Chicago in the center.","html":"

October 12, 2012\n"In" space, "from" space, whatever. NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day from yesterday is a satellite snapshot with Chicago in the center.

"},{"id":"text-371","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 04, 2012\nRandall, of honey badger fame, turns his eyes toward Chicago. [via]","html":"

October 04, 2012\nRandall, of honey badger fame, turns his eyes toward Chicago. [via]

"},{"id":"text-372","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 27, 2012\nA movie about Mormons, an archive of improvised music and small-batch giardiniera are among the projects on Gapers Block's curated Kickstarter page right now. Give a hand.","html":"

September 27, 2012\nA movie about Mormons, an archive of improvised music and small-batch giardiniera are among the projects on Gapers Block's curated Kickstarter page right now. Give a hand.

"},{"id":"text-373","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 23, 2012\nShaun Sperling, whose video of lip-syncing and dancing to Madonna's hit "Vogue" at his 1992 suburban Bar Mitzvah party made himself a You Tube sensation, got another boost: at one of her shows at United Center last week, Madge herself singled out Sperling in the crowd for a brief sing-a-long during "Like a Prayer." Madonna's publicist claims the singer randomly selected Sperling and had no knowledge of the video. You can see Sperling himself in concert this Saturday at Mary's Attic.","html":"

September 23, 2012\nShaun Sperling, whose video of lip-syncing and dancing to Madonna's hit "Vogue" at his 1992 suburban Bar Mitzvah party made himself a You Tube sensation, got another boost: at one of her shows at United Center last week, Madge herself singled out Sperling in the crowd for a brief sing-a-long during "Like a Prayer." Madonna's publicist claims the singer randomly selected Sperling and had no knowledge of the video. You can see Sperling himself in concert this Saturday at Mary's Attic.

"},{"id":"text-374","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 21, 2012\nSocial media meets real world interaction on Monday, when Social Media Week begins. There's still plenty of room in most of the events; see the schedule here.","html":"

September 21, 2012\nSocial media meets real world interaction on Monday, when Social Media Week begins. There's still plenty of room in most of the events; see the schedule here.

"},{"id":"text-375","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 12, 2012\nWhat images come up for "Chicago" when people in different countries search Google Images? ImageAtlas.org shows you.","html":"

September 12, 2012\nWhat images come up for "Chicago" when people in different countries search Google Images? ImageAtlas.org shows you.

"},{"id":"text-376","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 10, 2012\nCintas is once again running its America's Best Restroom contest, and the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel is the local nominee.","html":"

September 10, 2012\nCintas is once again running its America's Best Restroom contest, and the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel is the local nominee.

"},{"id":"text-377","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 10, 2012\nThe Chronicle of Philanthropy's recent report, How America Gives, breaks down charitable giving by state, metropolitan area and by zip code. Illinois ranks 29, and the Chicago metropolitan area comes in at 227 out 366 areas. Local donors give 4.2% of income, a median amount of $2,296. If you want to know how your ZIP code fares, take a look.","html":"

September 10, 2012\nThe Chronicle of Philanthropy's recent report, How America Gives, breaks down charitable giving by state, metropolitan area and by zip code. Illinois ranks 29, and the Chicago metropolitan area comes in at 227 out 366 areas. Local donors give 4.2% of income, a median amount of $2,296. If you want to know how your ZIP code fares, take a look.

"},{"id":"text-378","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 04, 2012\nThe Chicago Film Archives put together a collection of newsreel footage from the 1960 Republican National Convention, which was held in Chicago. There's no sound for most of it, but that's kind of a nice change compared to today's "wall-to-wall" coverage.","html":"

September 04, 2012\nThe Chicago Film Archives put together a collection of newsreel footage from the 1960 Republican National Convention, which was held in Chicago. There's no sound for most of it, but that's kind of a nice change compared to today's "wall-to-wall" coverage.

"},{"id":"text-379","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 28, 2012\nThe Onion makes light of the city's high murder rate by reporting it as a fad.","html":"

August 28, 2012\nThe Onion makes light of the city's high murder rate by reporting it as a fad.

"},{"id":"text-380","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 28, 2012\nFunny filmmaker Steve Delahoyde says, "I made it eight full days before using my infant son as a prop in a stupid short film."","html":"

August 28, 2012\nFunny filmmaker Steve Delahoyde says, "I made it eight full days before using my infant son as a prop in a stupid short film."

"},{"id":"text-381","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 22, 2012\nThere's a certain door in a certain O'Hare parking garage that does a mean impression of jazz trumpeter Miles Davis. [via]","html":"

August 22, 2012\nThere's a certain door in a certain O'Hare parking garage that does a mean impression of jazz trumpeter Miles Davis. [via]

"},{"id":"text-382","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 13, 2012\nSpecial, updated versions of FOX's popular '90s sketch comedy series "In Living Color," scheduled to air this year, have been shelved — at least for now. In a radio interview, Chicago comedian Lil Rel, an ensemble cast member of the rebooted series, shares his thoughts on why the laughs may have been put on hold.","html":"

August 13, 2012\nSpecial, updated versions of FOX's popular '90s sketch comedy series "In Living Color," scheduled to air this year, have been shelved — at least for now. In a radio interview, Chicago comedian Lil Rel, an ensemble cast member of the rebooted series, shares his thoughts on why the laughs may have been put on hold.

"},{"id":"text-383","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 10, 2012\nHell if I know, but this site will give you some f*ckin' suggestions. (Or maybe you just need a drink.)","html":"

August 10, 2012\nHell if I know, but this site will give you some f*ckin' suggestions. (Or maybe you just need a drink.)

"},{"id":"text-384","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 10, 2012\nStarting today, local music education nonprofit Rock for Kids is launching an eBay auction of autographed 8×10 photos from 150 bands, including The Temptations, Pat Benatar, The Village People, Nickel Creek, Naughty By Nature, Ben Folds and more. Bid early and often to win your favorites. Bidding starts at $8.10 and proceeds benefit the charity that brings music education to at-risk youth in Chicago.","html":"

August 10, 2012\nStarting today, local music education nonprofit Rock for Kids is launching an eBay auction of autographed 8×10 photos from 150 bands, including The Temptations, Pat Benatar, The Village People, Nickel Creek, Naughty By Nature, Ben Folds and more. Bid early and often to win your favorites. Bidding starts at $8.10 and proceeds benefit the charity that brings music education to at-risk youth in Chicago.

"},{"id":"text-385","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 07, 2012\nHere's an overlay of an 1857 map over a current one of the city. [via]","html":"

August 07, 2012\nHere's an overlay of an 1857 map over a current one of the city. [via]

"},{"id":"text-386","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 07, 2012\nThe University of Chicago is the 5th happiest college in the country, according to a recent survey from Newsweek and The Daily Beast. If the U of C is no longer "where fun comes to die", consider this t-shirt (long a staple of the typical UChicago wardrobe) a collector's item.","html":"

August 07, 2012\nThe University of Chicago is the 5th happiest college in the country, according to a recent survey from Newsweek and The Daily Beast. If the U of C is no longer "where fun comes to die", consider this t-shirt (long a staple of the typical UChicago wardrobe) a collector's item.

"},{"id":"text-387","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 07, 2012\nRock Island police arrested a naked man covered in cooking spray on Monday.","html":"

August 07, 2012\nRock Island police arrested a naked man covered in cooking spray on Monday.

"},{"id":"text-388","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 06, 2012\nThe Onion ran a video featuring a blurb about "Sears extremists" flying a plane into the Willis Tower in retaliation for changing the building's name. People on Facebook are very upset.","html":"

August 06, 2012\nThe Onion ran a video featuring a blurb about "Sears extremists" flying a plane into the Willis Tower in retaliation for changing the building's name. People on Facebook are very upset.

"},{"id":"text-389","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 02, 2012\nAnother work day has started. Look at these Chicagoland puppies.","html":"

August 02, 2012\nAnother work day has started. Look at these Chicagoland puppies.

"},{"id":"text-390","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 01, 2012\nA United flight from Dallas to Denver had a run-in with a bird while in the air yesterday. The flight wasn't affected, but the plane is a bit sore.","html":"

August 01, 2012\nA United flight from Dallas to Denver had a run-in with a bird while in the air yesterday. The flight wasn't affected, but the plane is a bit sore.

"},{"id":"text-391","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 30, 2012\nThe Interrupters et Hoop Dreams director Steve James and author Raj Patel are currently answering questions on Reddit.","html":"

July 30, 2012\nThe Interrupters et Hoop Dreams director Steve James and author Raj Patel are currently answering questions on Reddit.

"},{"id":"text-392","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 26, 2012\nT-shirt designer Nathan Pyle is running an animated gif contest on Threadless. The submissions are pretty fantastic.","html":"

July 26, 2012\nT-shirt designer Nathan Pyle is running an animated gif contest on Threadless. The submissions are pretty fantastic.

"},{"id":"text-393","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 25, 2012\nAccording to Eater, a "No Soup For You" Food Truck will be in Chicago on Friday, July 27. No word yet on planned stops or a route for the truck, which will feature "free iconic Seinfeld" treats and The Soup Nazi himself, Larry Thomas, so check this Facebook page for updates (and be careful when asking for bread).","html":"

July 25, 2012\nAccording to Eater, a "No Soup For You" Food Truck will be in Chicago on Friday, July 27. No word yet on planned stops or a route for the truck, which will feature "free iconic Seinfeld" treats and The Soup Nazi himself, Larry Thomas, so check this Facebook page for updates (and be careful when asking for bread).

"},{"id":"text-394","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 20, 2012\nThe Art Institute's DotBot uses your computer's webcam to make Roy Lichtenstein-esque comic portraits.","html":"

July 20, 2012\nThe Art Institute's DotBot uses your computer's webcam to make Roy Lichtenstein-esque comic portraits.

"},{"id":"text-395","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 18, 2012\nA client of nail artist Astrowifey got her nails done up with a map of the CTA. Chip a nail, lose a transfer. [via]","html":"

July 18, 2012\nA client of nail artist Astrowifey got her nails done up with a map of the CTA. Chip a nail, lose a transfer. [via]

"},{"id":"text-396","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 17, 2012\nSometimes the best show at Wrigley is in the stands.\n \nPhil wins a bet from regis wakefield on Vimeo.","html":"

July 17, 2012\nSometimes the best show at Wrigley is in the stands.\n \nPhil wins a bet from regis wakefield on Vimeo.

"},{"id":"text-397","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 13, 2012\nDesigner and past GB contributor Craighton Berman draws the country in a new music video for Marbles the Brain Store's new CD, Brain Beats.","html":"

July 13, 2012\nDesigner and past GB contributor Craighton Berman draws the country in a new music video for Marbles the Brain Store's new CD, Brain Beats.

"},{"id":"text-398","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 11, 2012\nSlightly Insulting Chicago Posters does basically what it says in the name. It's The Chicago Neighborhoods but mean.","html":"

July 11, 2012\nSlightly Insulting Chicago Posters does basically what it says in the name. It's The Chicago Neighborhoods but mean.

"},{"id":"text-399","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 21, 2012\nGet inspired by the Kickstarter campaign for Chicago long-time sign painter Ches Perry. He's painted signs by hand since the mid '60s, and shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, he wants to fund an instructional DVD to pass on his knowledge to a new generation. This, and other worthy local Kickstarter projects, can be found in our Gapers Block curated page of campaigns.","html":"

June 21, 2012\nGet inspired by the Kickstarter campaign for Chicago long-time sign painter Ches Perry. He's painted signs by hand since the mid '60s, and shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, he wants to fund an instructional DVD to pass on his knowledge to a new generation. This, and other worthy local Kickstarter projects, can be found in our Gapers Block curated page of campaigns.

"},{"id":"text-400","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 15, 2012\nWant to make sure everyone knows you got a real "Chicago dog" in Chicago? This tee on Fab.com proudly states the fact for all to see.","html":"

June 15, 2012\nWant to make sure everyone knows you got a real "Chicago dog" in Chicago? This tee on Fab.com proudly states the fact for all to see.

"},{"id":"text-401","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 15, 2012\nFather's Day means different things to different people.","html":"

June 15, 2012\nFather's Day means different things to different people.

"},{"id":"text-402","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 05, 2012\nClear your schedules Friday, when the Bootmobile rolls into Chicago.","html":"

June 05, 2012\nClear your schedules Friday, when the Bootmobile rolls into Chicago.

"},{"id":"text-403","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 23, 2012\nThe Lake Shore Drive viaduct at Grand Avenue, which has been home to Shepherd Fairey's "Obey" mural for the past year, was painted over this morning.","html":"

May 23, 2012\nThe Lake Shore Drive viaduct at Grand Avenue, which has been home to Shepherd Fairey's "Obey" mural for the past year, was painted over this morning.

"},{"id":"text-404","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 16, 2012\nMaybe getting a full back tattoo of Michael Jordan with a gimpy leg and a Dennis Rodman growing out of his armpit wasn't such a good idea.","html":"

May 16, 2012\nMaybe getting a full back tattoo of Michael Jordan with a gimpy leg and a Dennis Rodman growing out of his armpit wasn't such a good idea.

"},{"id":"text-405","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 08, 2012\nOld Maps Online shows you where various historical maps from several collections land on a Google map. Here's Chicagoland.","html":"

May 08, 2012\nOld Maps Online shows you where various historical maps from several collections land on a Google map. Here's Chicagoland.

"},{"id":"text-406","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 04, 2012\nIf things are going sour at the half, consider turning off the television and looping this video of high school Derrick Rose dancing instead. [via]","html":"

May 04, 2012\nIf things are going sour at the half, consider turning off the television and looping this video of high school Derrick Rose dancing instead. [via]

"},{"id":"text-407","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 02, 2012\nFor no apparent reason, the Chicago-set '80s sitcom "Perfect Strangers" has been turned into a a very weird online videogame.","html":"

May 02, 2012\nFor no apparent reason, the Chicago-set '80s sitcom "Perfect Strangers" has been turned into a a very weird online videogame.

"},{"id":"text-408","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"27 avril 2012\nAn oldie but a goodie: back in 2006, Jason Kottke imagines what Manhattan would look like off the coast of Chicago and other cities, inspired by the classic Radical Cartography experiment.","html":"

27 avril 2012\nAn oldie but a goodie: back in 2006, Jason Kottke imagines what Manhattan would look like off the coast of Chicago and other cities, inspired by the classic Radical Cartography experiment.

"},{"id":"text-409","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 22, 2012\nNY Mag spends an evening with NU's finest rapper (and celebrity kid) Chet Haze.","html":"

April 22, 2012\nNY Mag spends an evening with NU's finest rapper (and celebrity kid) Chet Haze.

"},{"id":"text-410","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 19, 2012\nThat "You got me pregnant at the Megadeth/Motörhead show" Craigslist ad from last week turns out to be fake, as you may have suspected. [via]","html":"

April 19, 2012\nThat "You got me pregnant at the Megadeth/Motörhead show" Craigslist ad from last week turns out to be fake, as you may have suspected. [via]

"},{"id":"text-411","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 19, 2012\nCPS teachers are seeking state support to increase The Chicago Teachers Pension Fund (CTPF), which is currently underfunded by millions of dollars. Senate Bill 3628 would allow $270 million to flow into the CTPF but, after that, state contributions would fall to ten percent of what it provides to the Teachers Retirement Fund, which is for teachers outside of Chicago. If the bill were to pass the senate it would still need to find support in the Illinois House. Controversial spending by the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) of Illinois adds an element of question to the debate.","html":"

April 19, 2012\nCPS teachers are seeking state support to increase The Chicago Teachers Pension Fund (CTPF), which is currently underfunded by millions of dollars. Senate Bill 3628 would allow $270 million to flow into the CTPF but, after that, state contributions would fall to ten percent of what it provides to the Teachers Retirement Fund, which is for teachers outside of Chicago. If the bill were to pass the senate it would still need to find support in the Illinois House. Controversial spending by the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) of Illinois adds an element of question to the debate.

"},{"id":"text-412","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 18, 2012\nRemember the search for the owner of a pit bull who fatally attacked a toy breed mix dog at Montrose Dog Beach in late March? The owner who slipped away, refusing to give his name or take responsibility as onlookers followed, snapping a picture of him and his dog and posting it online for helping the dead dog's family get some justice? The pit's owner has now been identified as an off-duty policeman, of all things. He was ticketed for failing to report the incident, and has been relieved of his police powers while an investigation is conducted.","html":"

April 18, 2012\nRemember the search for the owner of a pit bull who fatally attacked a toy breed mix dog at Montrose Dog Beach in late March? The owner who slipped away, refusing to give his name or take responsibility as onlookers followed, snapping a picture of him and his dog and posting it online for helping the dead dog's family get some justice? The pit's owner has now been identified as an off-duty policeman, of all things. He was ticketed for failing to report the incident, and has been relieved of his police powers while an investigation is conducted.

"},{"id":"text-413","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 17, 2012\nBlackhawk and Little Bird helicopters engaged in a military training exercise downtown darted through the streets with no lights on, stirring up a flurry of tweets and videos from confused Loop workers and residents.","html":"

April 17, 2012\nBlackhawk and Little Bird helicopters engaged in a military training exercise downtown darted through the streets with no lights on, stirring up a flurry of tweets and videos from confused Loop workers and residents.

"},{"id":"text-414","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"Later in the evening, two MH-6 Little Birds flew along the Chicago River corridor as well. (Thanks John for the chopper ID!)","html":"

Later in the evening, two MH-6 Little Birds flew along the Chicago River corridor as well. (Thanks John for the chopper ID!)

"},{"id":"text-415","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 16, 2012\nAs AON moves out of the Uptown neighborhood this summer, the neighborhood is gaining another type of commerce. The company's staff parking structure on Broadway (near Argyle) will be utilized as a part-time vintage market from June-October, with vendors selling straight from their methods of transportation on the third Sunday of each month.","html":"

April 16, 2012\nAs AON moves out of the Uptown neighborhood this summer, the neighborhood is gaining another type of commerce. The company's staff parking structure on Broadway (near Argyle) will be utilized as a part-time vintage market from June-October, with vendors selling straight from their methods of transportation on the third Sunday of each month.

"},{"id":"text-416","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 12, 2012\nIf you got busy in an Aragon bathroom during the Megadeth/Motörhead show in February, you've got a kid on the way. [via]","html":"

April 12, 2012\nIf you got busy in an Aragon bathroom during the Megadeth/Motörhead show in February, you've got a kid on the way. [via]

"},{"id":"text-417","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 12, 2012\nLocal art and design blog Colossal, The Chicago Portfolio School, Pitchfork and The Onion (whose web team is local) are nominated in this year's Webby Awards.","html":"

April 12, 2012\nLocal art and design blog Colossal, The Chicago Portfolio School, Pitchfork and The Onion (whose web team is local) are nominated in this year's Webby Awards.

"},{"id":"text-418","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 05, 2012\nTina Fey is a big fan of Chicago, but warns that "a dude might bite your nose off."","html":"

April 05, 2012\nTina Fey is a big fan of Chicago, but warns that "a dude might bite your nose off."

"},{"id":"text-419","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 03, 2012\nIf you're itching to stylishly transport that new iPad or maybe an iPhone or MacBook Air or Pro, check out the lovely "Biblio" handmade covers offered via Kickstarter by FoGB George Aye (he's shot some inspired photos at Pitchfork over the years for Transmission) and David Hull. The sweetness is in the video on the campaign page (also after the jump). See other GB-curated Kickstarter campaigns.","html":"

April 03, 2012\nIf you're itching to stylishly transport that new iPad or maybe an iPhone or MacBook Air or Pro, check out the lovely "Biblio" handmade covers offered via Kickstarter by FoGB George Aye (he's shot some inspired photos at Pitchfork over the years for Transmission) and David Hull. The sweetness is in the video on the campaign page (also after the jump). See other GB-curated Kickstarter campaigns.

"},{"id":"text-420","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 03, 2012\nIn honor of National Poetry Month, here is A Poem From Us, yet another awesome project from former GB staffer Felix Jung.","html":"

April 03, 2012\nIn honor of National Poetry Month, here is A Poem From Us, yet another awesome project from former GB staffer Felix Jung.

"},{"id":"text-421","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 02, 2012\nThe map of Chicago looks even better in watercolor.","html":"

April 02, 2012\nThe map of Chicago looks even better in watercolor.

"},{"id":"text-422","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"You might also dig this map.","html":"

You might also dig this map.

"},{"id":"text-423","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 02, 2012\nOne of Google's April Fool's pranks this year was to release an 8-bit "Quest" version of Google Maps, which supposedly runs on the Nintendo Entertainment System. But while it may be a prank, it results in some pretty amazing low-res views of Chicago.\nChicago, Legend of Zelda style:\nA view of the buildings across from Google's Chicago offices:\nMarina Towers:\nThe Hancock:\nThe Bean and skyline:\nBuckingham Fountain:\nWrigley Field:\nThe Field Museum:\nA surprisingly colorful Sears Tower:\nThe Water Tower:","html":"

April 02, 2012\nOne of Google's April Fool's pranks this year was to release an 8-bit "Quest" version of Google Maps, which supposedly runs on the Nintendo Entertainment System. But while it may be a prank, it results in some pretty amazing low-res views of Chicago.\nChicago, Legend of Zelda style:\nA view of the buildings across from Google's Chicago offices:\nMarina Towers:\nThe Hancock:\nThe Bean and skyline:\nBuckingham Fountain:\nWrigley Field:\nThe Field Museum:\nA surprisingly colorful Sears Tower:\nThe Water Tower:

"},{"id":"text-424","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 27, 2012\nGoogle's doodle today is a depiction of IIT's Crown Hall, in honor of architect Mies van der Rohe's 126th birthday. The Mies van der Rohe Society is throwing a party tonight, with a focus on the architect's influence over hair stylist Vidal Sassoon.","html":"

March 27, 2012\nGoogle's doodle today is a depiction of IIT's Crown Hall, in honor of architect Mies van der Rohe's 126th birthday. The Mies van der Rohe Society is throwing a party tonight, with a focus on the architect's influence over hair stylist Vidal Sassoon.

"},{"id":"text-425","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 25, 2012\nFantastic Chicago-based Lesbian website The L Stop, (aka "the one stop for everything lesbian in Chicago") just published their list of the 10 Chicago Lesbians to Look Out For.","html":"

March 25, 2012\nFantastic Chicago-based Lesbian website The L Stop, (aka "the one stop for everything lesbian in Chicago") just published their list of the 10 Chicago Lesbians to Look Out For.

"},{"id":"text-426","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 23, 2012\nGoodie Mags is a service that sends magazines to your loved ones in the hospital, nursing homes, even jails and prisons. You can also send magazines to your favorite incarcerated celebrities! The first celebrity recipient? According to Goodie Mags founder and CEO Miriam Bhimani, former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich.","html":"

March 23, 2012\nGoodie Mags is a service that sends magazines to your loved ones in the hospital, nursing homes, even jails and prisons. You can also send magazines to your favorite incarcerated celebrities! The first celebrity recipient? According to Goodie Mags founder and CEO Miriam Bhimani, former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich.

"},{"id":"text-427","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 21, 2012\nThe Chicago Council on Global Affairs and Community Media Workshop launched ChicagoStories.org today as a resource for journalists coming to the city to cover the NATO summit.","html":"

March 21, 2012\nThe Chicago Council on Global Affairs and Community Media Workshop launched ChicagoStories.org today as a resource for journalists coming to the city to cover the NATO summit.

"},{"id":"text-428","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 20, 2012\nOK Go's latest adventure is OK Gopid, an online dating site that matches your profile with one carefully selected by one of the band's wacky contraptions.","html":"

March 20, 2012\nOK Go's latest adventure is OK Gopid, an online dating site that matches your profile with one carefully selected by one of the band's wacky contraptions.

"},{"id":"text-429","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 12, 2012\nOpen Culture collects interesting audio and video from 290 cultural icons, including Saul Bellow, Bill Murray, Shel Silverstein and Frank Lloyd Wright. [via]","html":"

March 12, 2012\nOpen Culture collects interesting audio and video from 290 cultural icons, including Saul Bellow, Bill Murray, Shel Silverstein and Frank Lloyd Wright. [via]

"},{"id":"text-430","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 10, 2012\nA ChipIn account is accepting donations for Remmy the dog, whose owners are Shawn Smith (the genius behind Shawnimals) and his wife Jen. Remmy was attacked by two dogs in her Logan Square neighborhood this past week, and while she's recovering, it's to the tune of about $9k in veterinary bills.","html":"

March 10, 2012\nA ChipIn account is accepting donations for Remmy the dog, whose owners are Shawn Smith (the genius behind Shawnimals) and his wife Jen. Remmy was attacked by two dogs in her Logan Square neighborhood this past week, and while she's recovering, it's to the tune of about $9k in veterinary bills.

"},{"id":"text-431","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 08, 2012\nWhile Chicago's bid for the Olympics may have failed, a local group is launching a campaign to bring the 2013 Quidditch World Cup to Chicago. To see Quidditch in action, check out the highlights from last year's championship.","html":"

March 08, 2012\nWhile Chicago's bid for the Olympics may have failed, a local group is launching a campaign to bring the 2013 Quidditch World Cup to Chicago. To see Quidditch in action, check out the highlights from last year's championship.

"},{"id":"text-432","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 07, 2012\nA game made out of reclaimed barn wood, a children's book about Chicago history and student compilation CD from Intonation Music Workshop are among the recent additions to the Gapers Block Kickstarter page.","html":"

March 07, 2012\nA game made out of reclaimed barn wood, a children's book about Chicago history and student compilation CD from Intonation Music Workshop are among the recent additions to the Gapers Block Kickstarter page.

"},{"id":"text-433","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 07, 2012\nGothamist founder Jake Dobkin created GrafRank, a ranking of "important graffiti artists around the world using data drawn from the internet." Chicago is, of course, well represented.","html":"

March 07, 2012\nGothamist founder Jake Dobkin created GrafRank, a ranking of "important graffiti artists around the world using data drawn from the internet." Chicago is, of course, well represented.

"},{"id":"text-434","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 06, 2012\nCongratulations to the U of C's Ted Gonder, whose Moneythink organization is one of five winners in the White House's Champions of Change Challenge. [via]","html":"

March 06, 2012\nCongratulations to the U of C's Ted Gonder, whose Moneythink organization is one of five winners in the White House's Champions of Change Challenge. [via]

"},{"id":"text-435","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 05, 2012\nStudents at the University of Chicago use social media to raise awareness about certain unsanitary living conditions — including exploding toilets — in one of the oldest dorms on campus.","html":"

March 05, 2012\nStudents at the University of Chicago use social media to raise awareness about certain unsanitary living conditions — including exploding toilets — in one of the oldest dorms on campus.

"},{"id":"text-436","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 01, 2012\nThe Reader reports some drama in the realms of the hip-hop web culture involving Fake Shore Drive and a keyboard crusader tweeting and blogging under the name Real Shore Drive.","html":"

March 01, 2012\nThe Reader reports some drama in the realms of the hip-hop web culture involving Fake Shore Drive and a keyboard crusader tweeting and blogging under the name Real Shore Drive.

"},{"id":"text-437","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 01, 2012\nPresident Obama backed the Bulls once more in an interview with ESPN last night. During the podcast, he alluded to his possible re-election and included that sometime during his presidency, "it will happen." Considering the possibility that he's not re-elected, this could be the year. Droite?","html":"

March 01, 2012\nPresident Obama backed the Bulls once more in an interview with ESPN last night. During the podcast, he alluded to his possible re-election and included that sometime during his presidency, "it will happen." Considering the possibility that he's not re-elected, this could be the year. Droite?

"},{"id":"text-438","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 29, 2012\nLen Kendall proposed to his girlfriend, Katie Holland, via Buzzfeed, and the social mediasphere went wild. Thankfully, she said yes.","html":"

February 29, 2012\nLen Kendall proposed to his girlfriend, Katie Holland, via Buzzfeed, and the social mediasphere went wild. Thankfully, she said yes.

"},{"id":"text-439","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 29, 2012\nAndrew Rosinski has fixed that.","html":"

February 29, 2012\nAndrew Rosinski has fixed that.

"},{"id":"text-440","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 27, 2012\nLittle Lady, a Jack Russell terrier available for adoption in the area, looks a great deal like Uggie, the canine star of The Artist (which won Best Picture at last night's Oscars) who was also a shelter dog.","html":"

February 27, 2012\nLittle Lady, a Jack Russell terrier available for adoption in the area, looks a great deal like Uggie, the canine star of The Artist (which won Best Picture at last night's Oscars) who was also a shelter dog.

"},{"id":"text-441","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 17, 2012\nA new city ordinance promises to hold cab companies liable for repeat-offender drivers. The law will go into effect in the summer and is expected to make current laws surrounding cab drivers, which are typically circumvented, easier to enforce.","html":"

February 17, 2012\nA new city ordinance promises to hold cab companies liable for repeat-offender drivers. The law will go into effect in the summer and is expected to make current laws surrounding cab drivers, which are typically circumvented, easier to enforce.

"},{"id":"text-442","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 16, 2012\nComedy troupe Hot Snow knows that rich bigotry knows know race, creed or sexual preference.","html":"

February 16, 2012\nComedy troupe Hot Snow knows that rich bigotry knows know race, creed or sexual preference.

"},{"id":"text-443","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 14, 2012\nMitch O'Connell has an astounding collection of weird Valentine's Day cards.","html":"

February 14, 2012\nMitch O'Connell has an astounding collection of weird Valentine's Day cards.

"},{"id":"text-444","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 14, 2012\nChicago residents can now volunteer to shovel a snow-covered sidewalk by claiming a section of the city on their smart phone through a new web app, Adopt-a-sidewalk. The app also connects volunteers with seniors and people with disabilities who might need help with snow removal.","html":"

February 14, 2012\nChicago residents can now volunteer to shovel a snow-covered sidewalk by claiming a section of the city on their smart phone through a new web app, Adopt-a-sidewalk. The app also connects volunteers with seniors and people with disabilities who might need help with snow removal.

"},{"id":"text-445","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 14, 2012\nChicago is spending about $193,000 for police face shields — Money well spent?","html":"

February 14, 2012\nChicago is spending about $193,000 for police face shields — Money well spent?

"},{"id":"text-446","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 14, 2012\nIf you love old photos of Chicago as much as we do, new blog Chicago Past looks extremely promising.","html":"

February 14, 2012\nIf you love old photos of Chicago as much as we do, new blog Chicago Past looks extremely promising.

"},{"id":"text-447","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 12, 2012\nCheck out the full transcript of Tribune reporter David Kidwell's Feb. 8 interview with Emanuel — an interview described as "sometimes contentious, sometimes humorous."","html":"

February 12, 2012\nCheck out the full transcript of Tribune reporter David Kidwell's Feb. 8 interview with Emanuel — an interview described as "sometimes contentious, sometimes humorous."

"},{"id":"text-448","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 10, 2012\nHere's a brief video asking 35 locals why they love Chicago — and which is part of the "175 Ways to Love Chicago" project.","html":"

February 10, 2012\nHere's a brief video asking 35 locals why they love Chicago — and which is part of the "175 Ways to Love Chicago" project.

"},{"id":"text-449","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 09, 2012\nIn light of the city sticker controversy, designer Aaron Kraus looked for evidence of gang signs in other civic symbols. Cook County might have a problem. (Then again, there's also the flag.)","html":"

February 09, 2012\nIn light of the city sticker controversy, designer Aaron Kraus looked for evidence of gang signs in other civic symbols. Cook County might have a problem. (Then again, there's also the flag.)

"},{"id":"text-450","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 07, 2012\nSmashing Pumpkins, Fall Out Boy and the University of Chicago all earned homemade shrines from Rookie mag readers.","html":"

February 07, 2012\nSmashing Pumpkins, Fall Out Boy and the University of Chicago all earned homemade shrines from Rookie mag readers.

"},{"id":"text-451","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 02, 2012\nLocal comic Ever Mainard had a set this past Tuesday at Chicago Underground Comedy that people are still talking about. Not just comics; people who have never done a stand-up set in their life are talking about it. Luckily, it was caught on video so that those of you who weren't there can witness the moment that people will talk about for years to come. Right now, though, I'm going to Arrêtez talking about it, and let you see for yourself.","html":"

February 02, 2012\nLocal comic Ever Mainard had a set this past Tuesday at Chicago Underground Comedy that people are still talking about. Not just comics; people who have never done a stand-up set in their life are talking about it. Luckily, it was caught on video so that those of you who weren't there can witness the moment that people will talk about for years to come. Right now, though, I'm going to Arrêtez talking about it, and let you see for yourself.

"},{"id":"text-452","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 01, 2012\nCheck out this video posted by Brokelyn, a spoof of Portlandia's "Did You Read It?" sketch. Keep an eye out for a Chicago version and send it my way immediately.","html":"

February 01, 2012\nCheck out this video posted by Brokelyn, a spoof of Portlandia's "Did You Read It?" sketch. Keep an eye out for a Chicago version and send it my way immediately.

"},{"id":"text-453","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 01, 2012\nThe "shit ___ say" meme is thoroughly played out, but this one is notable for its inclusion of Richard Roeper performing Bill O'Reilly's famous "Inside Edition" temper tantrum in its entirety.","html":"

February 01, 2012\nThe "shit ___ say" meme is thoroughly played out, but this one is notable for its inclusion of Richard Roeper performing Bill O'Reilly's famous "Inside Edition" temper tantrum in its entirety.

"},{"id":"text-454","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 31, 2012\nYou've been pronouncing "Kanye West" all wrong. [via]","html":"

January 31, 2012\nYou've been pronouncing "Kanye West" all wrong. [via]

"},{"id":"text-455","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 29, 2012\nInterested in the Tribune's new weekly book supplement, Printers Row? You can check out a free digital sneak peek here.","html":"

January 29, 2012\nInterested in the Tribune's new weekly book supplement, Printers Row? You can check out a free digital sneak peek here.

"},{"id":"text-456","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 28, 2012\nA mysterious portrait of Mayor Rahm Emanuel created as a movie poster of the Godfather appeared in the office of Tribune columnist John Kass. And he'd like to know who sent it to him. He even checked it for bugs, just in case.","html":"

January 28, 2012\nA mysterious portrait of Mayor Rahm Emanuel created as a movie poster of the Godfather appeared in the office of Tribune columnist John Kass. And he'd like to know who sent it to him. He even checked it for bugs, just in case.

"},{"id":"text-457","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 27, 2012\nIf your indoor plants are seeming a bit lonely, why not get them a set of wee Obamas to keep them company.","html":"

January 27, 2012\nIf your indoor plants are seeming a bit lonely, why not get them a set of wee Obamas to keep them company.

"},{"id":"text-458","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 26, 2012\nLooking for Glove is a new site by FoGB Dubi Kaufmann attempting to help lost gloves and mittens find their mates.","html":"

January 26, 2012\nLooking for Glove is a new site by FoGB Dubi Kaufmann attempting to help lost gloves and mittens find their mates.

"},{"id":"text-459","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 26, 2012\nBears aren't in it, which mutes much of my interest in the game, but the commercials still got a shot at tuning me in. I caught wind of this 10-second teaser, featuring the hometown '80s icon and all time favorite bad influence Ferris Bueller, who looks ready for some mid-life madness.","html":"

January 26, 2012\nBears aren't in it, which mutes much of my interest in the game, but the commercials still got a shot at tuning me in. I caught wind of this 10-second teaser, featuring the hometown '80s icon and all time favorite bad influence Ferris Bueller, who looks ready for some mid-life madness.

"},{"id":"text-460","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 26, 2012\nThe "Sh*t People Say" meme is spreading through the Internet faster than a cat with its tail on fire, and YouTuber LyonEsEnTodo brings it home with "Sh*t Chicagoans Say." What DO you say, Chicago? Tweet it to us @gapersblock.","html":"

January 26, 2012\nThe "Sh*t People Say" meme is spreading through the Internet faster than a cat with its tail on fire, and YouTuber LyonEsEnTodo brings it home with "Sh*t Chicagoans Say." What DO you say, Chicago? Tweet it to us @gapersblock.

"},{"id":"text-461","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 26, 2012\nChicago "L" Hangman is pretty much what it sounds like. [via]","html":"

January 26, 2012\nChicago "L" Hangman is pretty much what it sounds like. [via]

"},{"id":"text-462","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 24, 2012\nLocal comedy duo and NEDTalks creators Seth and Kellen skewer two memes at once in a self-described "desperate attempt to go viral."","html":"

January 24, 2012\nLocal comedy duo and NEDTalks creators Seth and Kellen skewer two memes at once in a self-described "desperate attempt to go viral."

"},{"id":"text-463","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 23, 2012\nThe "Shit ___ Say" video meme train is finally pulling into Chicago. Add your suggestions for the video over on Reddit.","html":"

January 23, 2012\nThe "Shit ___ Say" video meme train is finally pulling into Chicago. Add your suggestions for the video over on Reddit.

"},{"id":"text-464","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 20, 2012\n…but you can be driven around Chicago in a Ferrari by this guy for $300/hour.","html":"

January 20, 2012\n…but you can be driven around Chicago in a Ferrari by this guy for $300/hour.

"},{"id":"text-465","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 20, 2012\nWGN-TV footage from the city's fourth worst blizzard in history, that brought down nearly 19 inches of snow from Jan. 13 to Jan. 14, 1979.","html":"

January 20, 2012\nWGN-TV footage from the city's fourth worst blizzard in history, that brought down nearly 19 inches of snow from Jan. 13 to Jan. 14, 1979.

"},{"id":"text-466","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 18, 2012\nChicago's failed Olympic bid still haunts the Internet on Google street view.","html":"

January 18, 2012\nChicago's failed Olympic bid still haunts the Internet on Google street view.

"},{"id":"text-467","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 17, 2012\nTwo separate controversies are battling it out in the Yelp-a-verse: a sommelier so angry at a negative review of his wine-tasting courses that he created a fake blog for the rater that documented a (fabricated) criminal history and substance abuse problems (she's suing him); and a dog obedience trainer who reportedly choked and kicked a dog in his care in front of a number of local animal rescue groups at an adoption event this past weekend.","html":"

January 17, 2012\nTwo separate controversies are battling it out in the Yelp-a-verse: a sommelier so angry at a negative review of his wine-tasting courses that he created a fake blog for the rater that documented a (fabricated) criminal history and substance abuse problems (she's suing him); and a dog obedience trainer who reportedly choked and kicked a dog in his care in front of a number of local animal rescue groups at an adoption event this past weekend.

"},{"id":"text-468","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 16, 2012\nMichael Jordan: Chaos in the Windy City was a Super NES videogame released by EA in 1994, to very poor reviews. If you have a couple hours to kill, you can watch a guy play the whole thing on YouTube in, appropriately enough, 23 parts. Or download the ROM and play it yourself.","html":"

January 16, 2012\nMichael Jordan: Chaos in the Windy City was a Super NES videogame released by EA in 1994, to very poor reviews. If you have a couple hours to kill, you can watch a guy play the whole thing on YouTube in, appropriately enough, 23 parts. Or download the ROM and play it yourself.

"},{"id":"text-469","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 12, 2012\nJust happened upon some footage that features some of the best bboys, or breakdancers, in the city, battling it out at the Alternatives Youth Center back in November.","html":"

January 12, 2012\nJust happened upon some footage that features some of the best bboys, or breakdancers, in the city, battling it out at the Alternatives Youth Center back in November.

"},{"id":"text-470","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 12, 2012\nIf you see folks taking dibs on parking spots after it snows, or even if you have proof of pre-dibs, share it with Chicago Dibs.","html":"

January 12, 2012\nIf you see folks taking dibs on parking spots after it snows, or even if you have proof of pre-dibs, share it with Chicago Dibs.

"},{"id":"text-471","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 11, 2012\nAs Redditor DrapedInVelvet said, "And I thought I had too much free time."\nClick to see the full version:","html":"

January 11, 2012\nAs Redditor DrapedInVelvet said, "And I thought I had too much free time."\nClick to see the full version:

"},{"id":"text-472","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 10, 2012\nThe time on the symbolic Doomsday Clock, which tracks how close the world is to global disaster, has been adjusted. The time was moved from six minutes to five due to "ongoing threats from nuclear proliferation, climate change and the need to find sustainable and safe sources of energy." The Clock is maintained by the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists at the University of Chicago.","html":"

January 10, 2012\nThe time on the symbolic Doomsday Clock, which tracks how close the world is to global disaster, has been adjusted. The time was moved from six minutes to five due to "ongoing threats from nuclear proliferation, climate change and the need to find sustainable and safe sources of energy." The Clock is maintained by the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists at the University of Chicago.

"},{"id":"text-473","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 06, 2012\nAaron Kraus has created a Tumblr (NSFW) with an intersection of the phrase "Hey Girl" from Ryan Gosling memes, Rick Santorum's positions women's rights and pictures of Rick Santorum. Submissions to the blog are being accepted (Still NSFW).","html":"

January 06, 2012\nAaron Kraus has created a Tumblr (NSFW) with an intersection of the phrase "Hey Girl" from Ryan Gosling memes, Rick Santorum's positions women's rights and pictures of Rick Santorum. Submissions to the blog are being accepted (Still NSFW).

"},{"id":"text-474","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 04, 2012\nThe Lincoln Park Zoo has a new owl (it's a snowy owl; what's with those this year?) and have left its name up to a Facebook poll. A.V. Club Chicago wasn't inspired by the choices, so it took to Twitter to elicit some more.","html":"

January 04, 2012\nThe Lincoln Park Zoo has a new owl (it's a snowy owl; what's with those this year?) and have left its name up to a Facebook poll. A.V. Club Chicago wasn't inspired by the choices, so it took to Twitter to elicit some more.

"},{"id":"text-475","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 04, 2012\nA deep dish pizza makes an appearance in an unlikely place.","html":"

January 04, 2012\nA deep dish pizza makes an appearance in an unlikely place.

"},{"id":"text-476","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 30, 2011\nThe Resolution Generator knows.","html":"

December 30, 2011\nThe Resolution Generator knows.

"},{"id":"text-477","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 30, 2011\nWBEZ has a downloadable list of Chicago traffic maven Sarah Jindra's favorite tweets from the past year. Ah, the memories.","html":"

December 30, 2011\nWBEZ has a downloadable list of Chicago traffic maven Sarah Jindra's favorite tweets from the past year. Ah, the memories.

"},{"id":"text-478","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 29, 2011\nA Super-Fan in the making? (Thanks, Fruzsina!)","html":"

December 29, 2011\nA Super-Fan in the making? (Thanks, Fruzsina!)

"},{"id":"text-479","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 28, 2011\nChicago's entry in Wikipeetia, the misspelled encyclopedia.","html":"

December 28, 2011\nChicago's entry in Wikipeetia, the misspelled encyclopedia.

"},{"id":"text-480","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 27, 2011\nStop by the Chicago History Museum's lobby to see Pie Face, one of several games developed in our fair city (along with Mouse Trap, Operation, and Lite-Brite) by Marvin Glass & Associates.","html":"

December 27, 2011\nStop by the Chicago History Museum's lobby to see Pie Face, one of several games developed in our fair city (along with Mouse Trap, Operation, and Lite-Brite) by Marvin Glass & Associates.

"},{"id":"text-481","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 23, 2011\nChristmas toy delivery has been outsourced to FedEx, so Kris Claus has been looking for a job. Plan B hired him.","html":"

December 23, 2011\nChristmas toy delivery has been outsourced to FedEx, so Kris Claus has been looking for a job. Plan B hired him.

"},{"id":"text-482","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 20, 2011\nOffice party or living room bash — you still need some good tunes. Refinery 29 blogs that DJ Matt Roan has your Christmas hip shakers all in one mix you can stream or download.","html":"

December 20, 2011\nOffice party or living room bash — you still need some good tunes. Refinery 29 blogs that DJ Matt Roan has your Christmas hip shakers all in one mix you can stream or download.

"},{"id":"text-483","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 19, 2011\nKim Jong-un, the son of recently departed North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, was obsessed with Michael Jordan during his teen years: the future dictator loved to wear Air Jordans and spent hours "doing meticulous pencil drawings" of the legendary athlete while attending a Swiss boarding school. Jong-un reportedly also had pictures of himself with former Bulls player Toni Kukoc (and Kobe Bryant) hanging in his dorm room.","html":"

December 19, 2011\nKim Jong-un, the son of recently departed North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, was obsessed with Michael Jordan during his teen years: the future dictator loved to wear Air Jordans and spent hours "doing meticulous pencil drawings" of the legendary athlete while attending a Swiss boarding school. Jong-un reportedly also had pictures of himself with former Bulls player Toni Kukoc (and Kobe Bryant) hanging in his dorm room.

"},{"id":"text-484","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 14, 2011\nThe New King of R n' B wants to take you to his floating "Hotel" and sail the Bahamas with you.\nSeafarers can join The Pied Piper of R n' B in a stepping class to learn "The Love Signals," experience cuisine prepared under the watchful eye of Mr. "Sex in the Kitchen," and compete the "12 Play" basketball tournament. This will be R. Kelly's first concert cruise so all bets are off. Judging by Aziz Ansari's response of a past Kells performance all shipmates will have a "Wonderful" time. More info is on the Love Letter Cruise website.","html":"

December 14, 2011\nThe New King of R n' B wants to take you to his floating "Hotel" and sail the Bahamas with you.\nSeafarers can join The Pied Piper of R n' B in a stepping class to learn "The Love Signals," experience cuisine prepared under the watchful eye of Mr. "Sex in the Kitchen," and compete the "12 Play" basketball tournament. This will be R. Kelly's first concert cruise so all bets are off. Judging by Aziz Ansari's response of a past Kells performance all shipmates will have a "Wonderful" time. More info is on the Love Letter Cruise website.

"},{"id":"text-485","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 12, 2011\nBear with me — Energy Impact Illinois has put together a web series following Big Bill and Little Bill (both played by Second City actors) who share a variety of tips and tricks to help homeowners make their homes more energy efficient for the upcoming winter.","html":"

December 12, 2011\nBear with me — Energy Impact Illinois has put together a web series following Big Bill and Little Bill (both played by Second City actors) who share a variety of tips and tricks to help homeowners make their homes more energy efficient for the upcoming winter.

"},{"id":"text-486","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 09, 2011\nIf you're a fan of "The Office" (or just love paper), the Dunder Mifflin Paper Truck will be in town next week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Follow the truck on Twitter at @DMPaperTruck for exact times and locations.","html":"

December 09, 2011\nIf you're a fan of "The Office" (or just love paper), the Dunder Mifflin Paper Truck will be in town next week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Follow the truck on Twitter at @DMPaperTruck for exact times and locations.

"},{"id":"text-487","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 07, 2011\nLongtime Andersonville tavern, Simon's, had a theft from its basement over the weekend of an antique cash register that's as old as the bar itself (nearly 77 years). If you have any leads, they'd be very interested to recover it. [Update: Simon’s has additional information describing the register, should you see it at your local pawn shop or flea market.]","html":"

December 07, 2011\nLongtime Andersonville tavern, Simon's, had a theft from its basement over the weekend of an antique cash register that's as old as the bar itself (nearly 77 years). If you have any leads, they'd be very interested to recover it. [Update: Simon’s has additional information describing the register, should you see it at your local pawn shop or flea market.]

"},{"id":"text-488","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 02, 2011\nDid you know there's no such thing as Santa Claus? WGN's Robin Robertson broke it down for her colleagues earlier this week on-air earlier this week; after some viewers called in complaints, she then apologized.","html":"

December 02, 2011\nDid you know there's no such thing as Santa Claus? WGN's Robin Robertson broke it down for her colleagues earlier this week on-air earlier this week; after some viewers called in complaints, she then apologized.

"},{"id":"text-489","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 01, 2011\nA bit of tinkering with the Guinness Book of World Records search engine will let you see all records currently held by Chicago and its residents.","html":"

December 01, 2011\nA bit of tinkering with the Guinness Book of World Records search engine will let you see all records currently held by Chicago and its residents.

"},{"id":"text-490","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 01, 2011\nTime Out Chicago discovers that while things might not be so hot, members of the Millennial generation have got what it takes to prevail.","html":"

December 01, 2011\nTime Out Chicago discovers that while things might not be so hot, members of the Millennial generation have got what it takes to prevail.

"},{"id":"text-491","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 30, 2011\nCongratulations to Northwestern student Lawrence Dai, whose mission to watch Julie & Julia everyday for a year (and blog about it at The Lawrence/Julie & Julia Project), ended last night with a viewing party in Denver attended by his fan club and Amy Adams's mom.","html":"

November 30, 2011\nCongratulations to Northwestern student Lawrence Dai, whose mission to watch Julie & Julia everyday for a year (and blog about it at The Lawrence/Julie & Julia Project), ended last night with a viewing party in Denver attended by his fan club and Amy Adams's mom.

"},{"id":"text-492","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 18, 2011\nSure, if you can afford to pay $15,000 in rent. Oprah's renting out her Streeterville condo.","html":"

November 18, 2011\nSure, if you can afford to pay $15,000 in rent. Oprah's renting out her Streeterville condo.

"},{"id":"text-493","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 18, 2011\nIf you search for "planes overhead" in (Champaign-based) Wolfram Alpha, it'll give you a list of planes flying over your location, along with a sky map. [via]\nHere's one from last night:","html":"

November 18, 2011\nIf you search for "planes overhead" in (Champaign-based) Wolfram Alpha, it'll give you a list of planes flying over your location, along with a sky map. [via]\nHere's one from last night:

"},{"id":"text-494","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 17, 2011\nSomeone snuck a photo of Xzibit into an exhibit in the Oriental Institute Museum.* As they say, the intertubes are leaking.","html":"

November 17, 2011\nSomeone snuck a photo of Xzibit into an exhibit in the Oriental Institute Museum.* As they say, the intertubes are leaking.

"},{"id":"text-495","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"*OK, really they just photoshopped it in there, but where's the fun in that?","html":"

*OK, really they just photoshopped it in there, but where's the fun in that?

"},{"id":"text-496","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 15, 2011\nThe corner of State and Madison becomes 4437th Street and 4363 Avenue on ExtendNY, which applies New York's grid worldwide. [via]","html":"

November 15, 2011\nThe corner of State and Madison becomes 4437th Street and 4363 Avenue on ExtendNY, which applies New York's grid worldwide. [via]

"},{"id":"text-497","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 15, 2011\nThe Ghostbusters have a Chicago Division, in case you need some ghosts busted over by dere. [via]","html":"

November 15, 2011\nThe Ghostbusters have a Chicago Division, in case you need some ghosts busted over by dere. [via]

"},{"id":"text-498","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 14, 2011\nSee if you can spot Chicago at the beginning of this stunning time-lapse video of Earth at night, short from the International Space Station. [via]","html":"

November 14, 2011\nSee if you can spot Chicago at the beginning of this stunning time-lapse video of Earth at night, short from the International Space Station. [via]

"},{"id":"text-499","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"Earth | Time Lapse View from Space, Fly Over | NASA, ISS from Michael König on Vimeo.","html":"

Earth | Time Lapse View from Space, Fly Over | NASA, ISS from Michael König on Vimeo.

"},{"id":"text-500","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 11, 2011\nBig Dog Eat Child is back with a couple more Twenty-Something Ninja Turtles","html":"

November 11, 2011\nBig Dog Eat Child is back with a couple more Twenty-Something Ninja Turtles

"},{"id":"text-501","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 09, 2011\nWinnie the Pooh rides the CTA.","html":"

November 09, 2011\nWinnie the Pooh rides the CTA.

"},{"id":"text-502","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 08, 2011\nIn case you missed it sur Twitter this morning, for a little while there was a Lake Michigan-shaped storm covering the entirety of Lake Michigan.","html":"

November 08, 2011\nIn case you missed it sur Twitter this morning, for a little while there was a Lake Michigan-shaped storm covering the entirety of Lake Michigan.

"},{"id":"text-503","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 08, 2011\nA Lincoln Square local scours the internet daily to find the best sweepstakes out there to give everyone a chance to win. One Sweeps offers a sweepstake a day where you can decide if you'd like to enter.","html":"

November 08, 2011\nA Lincoln Square local scours the internet daily to find the best sweepstakes out there to give everyone a chance to win. One Sweeps offers a sweepstake a day where you can decide if you'd like to enter.

"},{"id":"text-504","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 03, 2011\nOne of the best TribLocal headlines I've read, "It's hard out there for a mime," is actually about a teen mistaken for one when what he intended was to dress up as a dancer from America’s Best Dance Crew. "…not used to seeing street performers in a residential neighborhood, some neighbors were confused and called police."","html":"

November 03, 2011\nOne of the best TribLocal headlines I've read, "It's hard out there for a mime," is actually about a teen mistaken for one when what he intended was to dress up as a dancer from America’s Best Dance Crew. "…not used to seeing street performers in a residential neighborhood, some neighbors were confused and called police."

"},{"id":"text-505","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 26, 2011\nEver wonder what it's like to be inside one of the planes in the Chicago Air & Water Show? [via]","html":"

October 26, 2011\nEver wonder what it's like to be inside one of the planes in the Chicago Air & Water Show? [via]

"},{"id":"text-506","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 20, 2011\nValentino Vamp posted a picture of two young women who dressed up for a night on the town on May 25, 1944.","html":"

October 20, 2011\nValentino Vamp posted a picture of two young women who dressed up for a night on the town on May 25, 1944.

"},{"id":"text-507","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 19, 2011\nNow on Feast of Fun: After coming out to his parents, a gay soldier decides to come out to his pizza delivery guy.","html":"

October 19, 2011\nNow on Feast of Fun: After coming out to his parents, a gay soldier decides to come out to his pizza delivery guy.

"},{"id":"text-508","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 18, 2011\nA Lincoln Park dentist office is offering kids money for their Halloween candy this year.","html":"

October 18, 2011\nA Lincoln Park dentist office is offering kids money for their Halloween candy this year.

"},{"id":"text-509","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 18, 2011\nFoo-gos.com recreates sports and other logos with food; here's the Blackhawks logo made out of hotdogs, pickles, mushrooms, sauerkraut and ketchup. [via]","html":"

October 18, 2011\nFoo-gos.com recreates sports and other logos with food; here's the Blackhawks logo made out of hotdogs, pickles, mushrooms, sauerkraut and ketchup. [via]

"},{"id":"text-510","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 13, 2011\nWeb folk, you have less than 24 hours to buy the United Pixel Workers Illinois Local 21 t-shirt.","html":"

October 13, 2011\nWeb folk, you have less than 24 hours to buy the United Pixel Workers Illinois Local 21 t-shirt.

"},{"id":"text-511","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 12, 2011\nThe official video for rapper/Northwestern student/son o' Hanks Chet Haze's "Hollywood" is out. You're welcome.","html":"

October 12, 2011\nThe official video for rapper/Northwestern student/son o' Hanks Chet Haze's "Hollywood" is out. You're welcome.

"},{"id":"text-512","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 07, 2011\nThe Fake Criswell, the amazing Twitter predictor of science, now has a website.","html":"

October 07, 2011\nThe Fake Criswell, the amazing Twitter predictor of science, now has a website.

"},{"id":"text-513","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 07, 2011\nGoogle's map of Chicago seems to be a little inconsistent: in some versions, Madison Street is missing west of the river, and Randolph Street is listed as "planned."","html":"

October 07, 2011\nGoogle's map of Chicago seems to be a little inconsistent: in some versions, Madison Street is missing west of the river, and Randolph Street is listed as "planned."

"},{"id":"text-514","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 04, 2011\nThe Blagojevich's Ravenswood Manor home is for sale; just $1,070,000 for a piece of Illinois history. WBEZ's Justin Kaufmann makes some suggestions on how to jazz up the listing.\nPhoto by Eric Allix Rogers.","html":"

October 04, 2011\nThe Blagojevich's Ravenswood Manor home is for sale; just $1,070,000 for a piece of Illinois history. WBEZ's Justin Kaufmann makes some suggestions on how to jazz up the listing.\nPhoto by Eric Allix Rogers.

"},{"id":"text-515","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 29, 2011\nEverything is Terrible strikes again.","html":"

September 29, 2011\nEverything is Terrible strikes again.

"},{"id":"text-516","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"IT'S THE 90S! from Everything Is Terrible! on Vimeo.","html":"

IT'S THE 90S! from Everything Is Terrible! on Vimeo.

"},{"id":"text-517","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 26, 2011\nSeems like it arrived a little early; it won't be Hoth-like weather for three or four more months. [via]","html":"

September 26, 2011\nSeems like it arrived a little early; it won't be Hoth-like weather for three or four more months. [via]

"},{"id":"text-518","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 26, 2011\nInspired by Morgan Spurlock's recent film, one Chicagoan is looking for 34 sponsors for his Halloween costume.","html":"

September 26, 2011\nInspired by Morgan Spurlock's recent film, one Chicagoan is looking for 34 sponsors for his Halloween costume.

"},{"id":"text-519","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 25, 2011\nNot all of this advice is strictly good.","html":"

September 25, 2011\nNot all of this advice is strictly good.

"},{"id":"text-520","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 16, 2011\nGalvea Kelly of Irish marketing agency NUA asked 50 people in Chicago what their favorite memory is.","html":"

September 16, 2011\nGalvea Kelly of Irish marketing agency NUA asked 50 people in Chicago what their favorite memory is.

"},{"id":"text-521","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 14, 2011\nA dude who decided to relieve himself in an Uptown alley on Saturday didn't realize that a security camera was watching his every move(ment). (Maybe kinda NSFW)","html":"

September 14, 2011\nA dude who decided to relieve himself in an Uptown alley on Saturday didn't realize that a security camera was watching his every move(ment). (Maybe kinda NSFW)

"},{"id":"text-522","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 08, 2011\nWe've linked to it before, but with all the Playboy Club hub-bub, it seems like a good time to point out the Ex Playboy Bunnies Website, an online community for Bunnies new and old.","html":"

September 08, 2011\nWe've linked to it before, but with all the Playboy Club hub-bub, it seems like a good time to point out the Ex Playboy Bunnies Website, an online community for Bunnies new and old.

"},{"id":"text-523","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 06, 2011\nGB flickr pool contributor MewDeep uploaded a somewhat creepy 1965 Life magazine photograph of balloon men over the Chicago River.","html":"

September 06, 2011\nGB flickr pool contributor MewDeep uploaded a somewhat creepy 1965 Life magazine photograph of balloon men over the Chicago River.

"},{"id":"text-524","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 04, 2011\nTrump International Hotel and Tower got the Lego treatment curtsey of Sean Kenney and about 65,000 Lego pieces. Since the tower itself is a glass and steel structure, the "reflected" skyline was built on the inside of the 10-foot sculpture to better simulate the glassiness. On display at the Chicago Lego store. Sean's Tribune Tower is awesome too.","html":"

September 04, 2011\nTrump International Hotel and Tower got the Lego treatment curtsey of Sean Kenney and about 65,000 Lego pieces. Since the tower itself is a glass and steel structure, the "reflected" skyline was built on the inside of the 10-foot sculpture to better simulate the glassiness. On display at the Chicago Lego store. Sean's Tribune Tower is awesome too.

"},{"id":"text-525","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 04, 2011\nNew trouble for hometown giant Groupon, this time self-inflicted. According to a report in The New York Times, Groupon chief executive Andrew Mason may have broken SEC rules preventing a company from attempting to "condition the market by hyping its stock" by issuing an internal memo recently. In it, he defends against media reports about the company's numbers, a balance sheet that will no doubt be adversely affected if Groupon's IPO is put on hold.","html":"

September 04, 2011\nNew trouble for hometown giant Groupon, this time self-inflicted. According to a report in The New York Times, Groupon chief executive Andrew Mason may have broken SEC rules preventing a company from attempting to "condition the market by hyping its stock" by issuing an internal memo recently. In it, he defends against media reports about the company's numbers, a balance sheet that will no doubt be adversely affected if Groupon's IPO is put on hold.

"},{"id":"text-526","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 02, 2011\nYou truly belong here with us among the clouds…","html":"

September 02, 2011\nYou truly belong here with us among the clouds…

"},{"id":"text-527","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 31, 2011\nA resident of the Green Street Lofts, where our mayor and his family lived until they were able to move back into their Ravenswood home, found an interesting angle for selling his condo.","html":"

August 31, 2011\nA resident of the Green Street Lofts, where our mayor and his family lived until they were able to move back into their Ravenswood home, found an interesting angle for selling his condo.

"},{"id":"text-528","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 27, 2011\nThe Trib's slideshows aren't always top-notch quality, but none match this hilarious phone-it-in gallery of photographs of things that have the same names as recent hurricanes.","html":"

August 27, 2011\nThe Trib's slideshows aren't always top-notch quality, but none match this hilarious phone-it-in gallery of photographs of things that have the same names as recent hurricanes.

"},{"id":"text-529","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 26, 2011\nFrom the audience of the recent Del Close Marathon in NYC, a Las Vegas-based improviser named Eric D. Angell casually told a story of having sex with an "old, drunk girl" in a hotel room in Chicago several years ago that sounds a great deal like rape. See for yourself; it was all captured on video.","html":"

August 26, 2011\nFrom the audience of the recent Del Close Marathon in NYC, a Las Vegas-based improviser named Eric D. Angell casually told a story of having sex with an "old, drunk girl" in a hotel room in Chicago several years ago that sounds a great deal like rape. See for yourself; it was all captured on video.

"},{"id":"text-530","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 25, 2011\nCheck out the minimalist, typographical transit maps of TRNSPRTNATION.","html":"

August 25, 2011\nCheck out the minimalist, typographical transit maps of TRNSPRTNATION.

"},{"id":"text-531","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 24, 2011\nChicago is included on Bård Edlund's pretty but confusing Weather Wheel — but unfortunately so is the popular misconception about why we're called the Windy City. [via]","html":"

August 24, 2011\nChicago is included on Bård Edlund's pretty but confusing Weather Wheel — but unfortunately so is the popular misconception about why we're called the Windy City. [via]

"},{"id":"text-532","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 22, 2011\nWe've seen some heartbreaking instances of missing dogs around the city lately. If you're a pet owner, microchipping can help locate your lost pet. There's also a few sites that can help advertise your search.","html":"

August 22, 2011\nWe've seen some heartbreaking instances of missing dogs around the city lately. If you're a pet owner, microchipping can help locate your lost pet. There's also a few sites that can help advertise your search.

"},{"id":"text-533","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 19, 2011\nKate O'Leary lovingly maps some of her personal Lincoln Square landmarks on They Draw & Travel.","html":"

August 19, 2011\nKate O'Leary lovingly maps some of her personal Lincoln Square landmarks on They Draw & Travel.

"},{"id":"text-534","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 18, 2011\nHell's travel and tourism site recently got a spectacular redesign at the hands of local designer Chris Herron. [via]","html":"

August 18, 2011\nHell's travel and tourism site recently got a spectacular redesign at the hands of local designer Chris Herron. [via]

"},{"id":"text-535","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 10, 2011\nUniversity of Chicago fourth year Mitchell Kohles challenged the automated storage and retrieval system at the U of C's newest library, the Joe and Rika Mansueto Library, to a race. How did Mitchell do? Let's go to the tape, err, YouTube video.","html":"

August 10, 2011\nUniversity of Chicago fourth year Mitchell Kohles challenged the automated storage and retrieval system at the U of C's newest library, the Joe and Rika Mansueto Library, to a race. How did Mitchell do? Let's go to the tape, err, YouTube video.

"},{"id":"text-536","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 01, 2011\nRorschmap turns googlemaps into kaleidoscopes. Here's Chicago. [via]","html":"

August 01, 2011\nRorschmap turns googlemaps into kaleidoscopes. Here's Chicago. [via]

"},{"id":"text-537","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 29, 2011\nOn Re-Nest, they have a swell Etsy find: specialty cast-iron pans in the shape of Illinois. You can even load up on pans in the shape of other Midwestern states if you so desire.","html":"

July 29, 2011\nOn Re-Nest, they have a swell Etsy find: specialty cast-iron pans in the shape of Illinois. You can even load up on pans in the shape of other Midwestern states if you so desire.

"},{"id":"text-538","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 28, 2011\nFrom Studio Sweet Studio comes The City Scout, a stylish set recommendations of places to check out in Chicago (and soon Brooklyn) from local creative types.","html":"

July 28, 2011\nFrom Studio Sweet Studio comes The City Scout, a stylish set recommendations of places to check out in Chicago (and soon Brooklyn) from local creative types.

"},{"id":"text-539","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 27, 2011\nThe late Amy Winehouse loved her Ronnie Spector-esqe beehive, a hair design that was created in Chicago a whopping 50 years ago.","html":"

July 27, 2011\nThe late Amy Winehouse loved her Ronnie Spector-esqe beehive, a hair design that was created in Chicago a whopping 50 years ago.

"},{"id":"text-540","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 25, 2011\nRemember Chicago Express Airlines? Me neither. Its flight attendant uniform and others from American, Midway and United are among more than a thousand in this massive collection. [via]","html":"

July 25, 2011\nRemember Chicago Express Airlines? Me neither. Its flight attendant uniform and others from American, Midway and United are among more than a thousand in this massive collection. [via]

"},{"id":"text-541","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 21, 2011\nTavi Gevinson, the teen fashion blogger behind Thestylerookie.com, is shopping a book. The proposal for "Diary" suggests "the book will be one part make-your-own scrapbook, one part feminist manifesto for girls and one part celebrity memento collage."","html":"

July 21, 2011\nTavi Gevinson, the teen fashion blogger behind Thestylerookie.com, is shopping a book. The proposal for "Diary" suggests "the book will be one part make-your-own scrapbook, one part feminist manifesto for girls and one part celebrity memento collage."

"},{"id":"text-542","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 15, 2011\nGangsta rap about Python, straight outta the suburbs. (NSFW)","html":"

July 15, 2011\nGangsta rap about Python, straight outta the suburbs. (NSFW)

"},{"id":"text-543","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 12, 2011\nEric Fischer's "See Something or Say Something" project maps geotagged tweets and Flickr photos and shows where they overlap. Chicago lights up nicely.","html":"

July 12, 2011\nEric Fischer's "See Something or Say Something" project maps geotagged tweets and Flickr photos and shows where they overlap. Chicago lights up nicely.

"},{"id":"text-544","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 07, 2011\nCraig Shimala's latest work is a time-lapse video showing every sunrise over downtown Chicago for the month of June. [via]","html":"

July 07, 2011\nCraig Shimala's latest work is a time-lapse video showing every sunrise over downtown Chicago for the month of June. [via]

"},{"id":"text-545","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 06, 2011\nLocal jewelery designer Ashley Scott's new line, "Drapes," is currently featured on fashion blog, Refiney 29.","html":"

July 06, 2011\nLocal jewelery designer Ashley Scott's new line, "Drapes," is currently featured on fashion blog, Refiney 29.

"},{"id":"text-546","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 01, 2011\nDoesn't The Bean look like a vaguely ominous gateway to a parallel dimension? [via]","html":"

July 01, 2011\nDoesn't The Bean look like a vaguely ominous gateway to a parallel dimension? [via]

"},{"id":"text-547","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 01, 2011\nWhat's a San Antonio reporter to do when strangers continually mistake him for our mayor? Write an article of course. [via]","html":"

July 01, 2011\nWhat's a San Antonio reporter to do when strangers continually mistake him for our mayor? Write an article of course. [via]

"},{"id":"text-548","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 30, 2011\nCheck out this awesome personal stationery from architect Frank Lloyd Wright circa 1946.","html":"

June 30, 2011\nCheck out this awesome personal stationery from architect Frank Lloyd Wright circa 1946.

"},{"id":"text-549","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 29, 2011\nThe video we've all been waiting for has finally dropped.[[via]","html":"

June 29, 2011\nThe video we've all been waiting for has finally dropped.[[via]

"},{"id":"text-550","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 28, 2011\nIf you need a compelling reason to go to the Taste (and really, who doesn't), Grub Street has a nifty map showing where vendors are coming from, all over the city. You'd save gas money just by going to Grant Park — especially if you're into dessert.","html":"

June 28, 2011\nIf you need a compelling reason to go to the Taste (and really, who doesn't), Grub Street has a nifty map showing where vendors are coming from, all over the city. You'd save gas money just by going to Grant Park — especially if you're into dessert.

"},{"id":"text-551","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 27, 2011\nNorthwestern's finest rapper/rising sophomore Chet Haze dazzled the clubgoers at Enclave Friday night–and his famous mom and dad were there, too!","html":"

June 27, 2011\nNorthwestern's finest rapper/rising sophomore Chet Haze dazzled the clubgoers at Enclave Friday night–and his famous mom and dad were there, too!

"},{"id":"text-552","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 27, 2011\nJune 25 was Reddit Arbitrary Day. Chicago's redditor meetup was also a concert; here's a photo and audio essay by occasional GB contributor Fruzsina Eordogh.","html":"

June 27, 2011\nJune 25 was Reddit Arbitrary Day. Chicago's redditor meetup was also a concert; here's a photo and audio essay by occasional GB contributor Fruzsina Eordogh.

"},{"id":"text-553","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 24, 2011\nA MetaFilter thread about the venerable Chicago-L.org led me to Railfan, a 2006 PS3 game simulating the Brown Line. You can find it used on Amazon and elsewhere, but it's not cheap.","html":"

June 24, 2011\nA MetaFilter thread about the venerable Chicago-L.org led me to Railfan, a 2006 PS3 game simulating the Brown Line. You can find it used on Amazon and elsewhere, but it's not cheap.

"},{"id":"text-554","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 22, 2011\nEspecially when you're the only Cubs fans on the train to Wrigley.","html":"

June 22, 2011\nEspecially when you're the only Cubs fans on the train to Wrigley.

"},{"id":"text-555","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 22, 2011\nApparently you can pack the entire population of Oman into the city limits.","html":"

June 22, 2011\nApparently you can pack the entire population of Oman into the city limits.

"},{"id":"text-556","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 22, 2011\nAnother summer, another travel guide from the BBC.","html":"

June 22, 2011\nAnother summer, another travel guide from the BBC.

"},{"id":"text-557","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 21, 2011\n"That day when it's everyone's birthday but yours."","html":"

June 21, 2011\n"That day when it's everyone's birthday but yours."

"},{"id":"text-558","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 21, 2011\nStewart Gibbs, a health care administrator living in River West, was arrested late Sunday night after police discovered him in his apartment; Gibbs was drunk, naked, and covered in his dog's blood after trying to remove a cyst from the animal's ear with a butcher knife. The animal will recover. Gibbs was charged with felony animal cruelty.","html":"

June 21, 2011\nStewart Gibbs, a health care administrator living in River West, was arrested late Sunday night after police discovered him in his apartment; Gibbs was drunk, naked, and covered in his dog's blood after trying to remove a cyst from the animal's ear with a butcher knife. The animal will recover. Gibbs was charged with felony animal cruelty.

"},{"id":"text-559","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 13, 2011\nI Am Not Greg follows a hoofed critter who seems to have lost his way in East Lake View.","html":"

June 13, 2011\nI Am Not Greg follows a hoofed critter who seems to have lost his way in East Lake View.

"},{"id":"text-560","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 10, 2011\nA Redditor's coworker found an old quiz in her desk drawer titled "So You Think You Know Chicago"; how many can you guess? (The answers.)","html":"

June 10, 2011\nA Redditor's coworker found an old quiz in her desk drawer titled "So You Think You Know Chicago"; how many can you guess? (The answers.)

"},{"id":"text-561","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 06, 2011\nDesigner Gerard Huerta created a number of iconic band logos, but his rendition of Nick Fasciano's Chicago logo in a fingerprint is pretty inspired.","html":"

June 06, 2011\nDesigner Gerard Huerta created a number of iconic band logos, but his rendition of Nick Fasciano's Chicago logo in a fingerprint is pretty inspired.

"},{"id":"text-562","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 02, 2011\nWe at Gapers Block are big fans of Kickstarter, as you may have noticed. So much so that we've set up a curated page filled with local projects we think sound cool. Threadless, Pitchfork and a bunch of other non-local organizations have pages, too.","html":"

June 02, 2011\nWe at Gapers Block are big fans of Kickstarter, as you may have noticed. So much so that we've set up a curated page filled with local projects we think sound cool. Threadless, Pitchfork and a bunch of other non-local organizations have pages, too.

"},{"id":"text-563","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 01, 2011\nAccording to the webcomic xkcd, "if you take any article, click on the first link in the article text not in parentheses or italics, and then repeat, you will eventually end up at "Philosophy." Chicago is only 13 steps away. (We're 14.)","html":"

June 01, 2011\nAccording to the webcomic xkcd, "if you take any article, click on the first link in the article text not in parentheses or italics, and then repeat, you will eventually end up at "Philosophy." Chicago is only 13 steps away. (We're 14.)

"},{"id":"text-564","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 31, 2011\nU of C-trained doctor Amy Lehman, who founded a floating medical clinic in Africa's Lake Tanganyika, showed off her large tattoo of the lake's geography for the Daily Beast.","html":"

May 31, 2011\nU of C-trained doctor Amy Lehman, who founded a floating medical clinic in Africa's Lake Tanganyika, showed off her large tattoo of the lake's geography for the Daily Beast.

"},{"id":"text-565","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 26, 2011\nThe developers behind the Opera web browser are going to miss Oprah — because of the great misdirected emails they get. (Don't worry, guys, she's just moving to cable.) [via]","html":"

May 26, 2011\nThe developers behind the Opera web browser are going to miss Oprah — because of the great misdirected emails they get. (Don't worry, guys, she's just moving to cable.) [via]

"},{"id":"text-566","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 25, 2011\nCompletely missed this this winter: "Why You Hate Comic Sans," a presentation by David Kadavy given at Ignite Chicago. [via]","html":"

May 25, 2011\nCompletely missed this this winter: "Why You Hate Comic Sans," a presentation by David Kadavy given at Ignite Chicago. [via]

"},{"id":"text-567","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 24, 2011\nBeyond lending street cred, this tattoo helps its owner with pesky questions from tourists. (At least it's easier to reference than the last one we linked to.)","html":"

May 24, 2011\nBeyond lending street cred, this tattoo helps its owner with pesky questions from tourists. (At least it's easier to reference than the last one we linked to.)

"},{"id":"text-568","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 20, 2011\nUnited Airlines got into some public relations hot water earlier this week when code numbers of flights that were part of the 9/11 tragedy were accidentally reinstated in their operating system.","html":"

May 20, 2011\nUnited Airlines got into some public relations hot water earlier this week when code numbers of flights that were part of the 9/11 tragedy were accidentally reinstated in their operating system.

"},{"id":"text-569","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 19, 2011\nThe baby white-cheeked gibbon at Lincoln Park Zoo took his first steps to a poppy synthesizer soundtrack.","html":"

May 19, 2011\nThe baby white-cheeked gibbon at Lincoln Park Zoo took his first steps to a poppy synthesizer soundtrack.

"},{"id":"text-570","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 19, 2011\nWhen the Rapture comes on May 21 (or anytime in the next 10 years), Eternal Earthbound Pets will take care of your left-behind pets for a simple, one-time fee of $135.","html":"

May 19, 2011\nWhen the Rapture comes on May 21 (or anytime in the next 10 years), Eternal Earthbound Pets will take care of your left-behind pets for a simple, one-time fee of $135.

"},{"id":"text-571","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 16, 2011\nFor the record, this vintage ad from the "Soda Pop Board of America," based here in Chicago, is completely fake.\nAs handily annotated above, the ad features obviously satirical copy ("fitting in" is a purported health claim), a Coca-Cola bottle with a backwards logo, and a fake address (there's a Hart Street, but it runs north-south, for just a block). And then there's the name — Soda Pop Board? While very wholesome, almost nobody calls sweetened carbonated beverages "soda pop," least of all the industry itself. It was created as a spoof for the sadly defunct The City Desk which published nothing mais fictional news. But hey, don't tell that to this guy.","html":"

May 16, 2011\nFor the record, this vintage ad from the "Soda Pop Board of America," based here in Chicago, is completely fake.\nAs handily annotated above, the ad features obviously satirical copy ("fitting in" is a purported health claim), a Coca-Cola bottle with a backwards logo, and a fake address (there's a Hart Street, but it runs north-south, for just a block). And then there's the name — Soda Pop Board? While very wholesome, almost nobody calls sweetened carbonated beverages "soda pop," least of all the industry itself. It was created as a spoof for the sadly defunct The City Desk which published nothing mais fictional news. But hey, don't tell that to this guy.

"},{"id":"text-572","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 13, 2011\nLunchtime just got a lot more rocking since White Mystery is going to play live at the Threadless HQ today. Lucky for you, you can catch the whole thing from your cube on Ustream starting at noon.","html":"

May 13, 2011\nLunchtime just got a lot more rocking since White Mystery is going to play live at the Threadless HQ today. Lucky for you, you can catch the whole thing from your cube on Ustream starting at noon.

"},{"id":"text-573","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 13, 2011\nRemember the two dogs who were rescued after falling through an iced-over Lake Michigan back in February after their owner abandoned them? One of the doggy duo, a 2-year-old pit bull terrier mix named Honey, is now available for adoption.","html":"

May 13, 2011\nRemember the two dogs who were rescued after falling through an iced-over Lake Michigan back in February after their owner abandoned them? One of the doggy duo, a 2-year-old pit bull terrier mix named Honey, is now available for adoption.

"},{"id":"text-574","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 11, 2011\nThere's a whole lot to read on Jesus-Is-Savior.com, whose author grew up in Chicago and writes about the city frequently. (Sensitive readers be warned.)","html":"

May 11, 2011\nThere's a whole lot to read on Jesus-Is-Savior.com, whose author grew up in Chicago and writes about the city frequently. (Sensitive readers be warned.)

"},{"id":"text-575","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 10, 2011\nThe Illinois entry in the 50 and 50 Project may call to mind a certain local hot dog purveyor.","html":"

May 10, 2011\nThe Illinois entry in the 50 and 50 Project may call to mind a certain local hot dog purveyor.

"},{"id":"text-576","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 29, 2011\nGoogle Maps captured a lovely and mindblowing photo of a plane flying over Hyde park. (via)","html":"

April 29, 2011\nGoogle Maps captured a lovely and mindblowing photo of a plane flying over Hyde park. (via)

"},{"id":"text-577","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 28, 2011\nMoat lets you browse through all of a company's online ads. Such as Groupon, McDonald's, United and the Tribune.","html":"

April 28, 2011\nMoat lets you browse through all of a company's online ads. Such as Groupon, McDonald's, United and the Tribune.

"},{"id":"text-578","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 27, 2011\nAnd speaking of Reddit's "Ask Me Anything" forum, here are all the Chicago-related threads.","html":"

April 27, 2011\nAnd speaking of Reddit's "Ask Me Anything" forum, here are all the Chicago-related threads.

"},{"id":"text-579","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 25, 2011\nThe Chicago Grid has returned as a quarterly publication after a few month hiatus.","html":"

April 25, 2011\nThe Chicago Grid has returned as a quarterly publication after a few month hiatus.

"},{"id":"text-580","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 22, 2011\nA scientist at Argonne National Laboratory has studied ways to turn plastic grocery bags into materials that can produce printer ink and batteries.","html":"

April 22, 2011\nA scientist at Argonne National Laboratory has studied ways to turn plastic grocery bags into materials that can produce printer ink and batteries.

"},{"id":"text-581","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 22, 2011\nRed Door Shelter's Spring to Life Raffle ends tomorrow at 4pm. Tickets are $1 each, and prizes include $1,000 in cold hard cash, a Kindle, a case of wine, a weekend getaway on the North Shore, and Vosges chocolate bars. Proceeds benefit care of the Shelter's animals (while you're at it, look at these awesome fluffly bunnies, this doggy, and this kitteh–they're all available for adoption, along with many others!).","html":"

April 22, 2011\nRed Door Shelter's Spring to Life Raffle ends tomorrow at 4pm. Tickets are $1 each, and prizes include $1,000 in cold hard cash, a Kindle, a case of wine, a weekend getaway on the North Shore, and Vosges chocolate bars. Proceeds benefit care of the Shelter's animals (while you're at it, look at these awesome fluffly bunnies, this doggy, and this kitteh–they're all available for adoption, along with many others!).

"},{"id":"text-582","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 22, 2011\nWrite your own.","html":"

April 22, 2011\nWrite your own.

"},{"id":"text-583","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 20, 2011\nThe Kanye West Foundation, which was created to decrease school dropout rates through creative programming, has folded after four years of operating. The charity's grantmaking dropped dramatically after the 2007 death of West's mother Donda, who was the Foundation's founder.","html":"

April 20, 2011\nThe Kanye West Foundation, which was created to decrease school dropout rates through creative programming, has folded after four years of operating. The charity's grantmaking dropped dramatically after the 2007 death of West's mother Donda, who was the Foundation's founder.

"},{"id":"text-584","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 19, 2011\nI'm not entirely sure what "Guys Book Club" is about, but it sure ain't books.","html":"

April 19, 2011\nI'm not entirely sure what "Guys Book Club" is about, but it sure ain't books.

"},{"id":"text-585","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 18, 2011\nAll week, Chicago Publishes will feature poems from The Poetry Center's Hands on Stanzas program. Check back daily for a new poem and a Q&A with the poet.","html":"

April 18, 2011\nAll week, Chicago Publishes will feature poems from The Poetry Center's Hands on Stanzas program. Check back daily for a new poem and a Q&A with the poet.

"},{"id":"text-586","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 13, 2011\nAccording to this report by WBEZ — old municipal buildings never die, they just turn into theaters. Next in line? Griffin Theatre Company — they just bought an abandoned police station near Foster and Damen for one dollar. When your neighborhood police station gets replaced by a theater, well, I think that's a good sign.","html":"

April 13, 2011\nAccording to this report by WBEZ — old municipal buildings never die, they just turn into theaters. Next in line? Griffin Theatre Company — they just bought an abandoned police station near Foster and Damen for one dollar. When your neighborhood police station gets replaced by a theater, well, I think that's a good sign.

"},{"id":"text-587","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 12, 2011\nGizmodo shows what areas of Chicago would have been affected had the tsunami/earthquake/Fukushima power plant tragedy struck here instead of Japan. I'm going to go hide under my bedsheets now.","html":"

April 12, 2011\nGizmodo shows what areas of Chicago would have been affected had the tsunami/earthquake/Fukushima power plant tragedy struck here instead of Japan. I'm going to go hide under my bedsheets now.

"},{"id":"text-588","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 11, 2011\nThe Poetry Foundation has redesigned their website to be "richer, faster" and more user-friendly.","html":"

April 11, 2011\nThe Poetry Foundation has redesigned their website to be "richer, faster" and more user-friendly.

"},{"id":"text-589","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 11, 2011\nAfter years of trying, Roger Ebert is a finalist in The New Yorker's caption contest for this drawing. Voting closes at 11:59pm on April 17. [via]","html":"

April 11, 2011\nAfter years of trying, Roger Ebert is a finalist in The New Yorker's caption contest for this drawing. Voting closes at 11:59pm on April 17. [via]

"},{"id":"text-590","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 10, 2011\nYou have to love letterhead that shows exactly what a company does. Vintage letterhead from The B. F. Cummins Company, 1914.","html":"

April 10, 2011\nYou have to love letterhead that shows exactly what a company does. Vintage letterhead from The B. F. Cummins Company, 1914.

"},{"id":"text-591","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 05, 2011\nIllinois's 2nd congressional district has the least lonely ladies in the land. Check out R. Luke DuBois's maps, which he created after analyzing the profiles of 19 million singles from 21 dating sites, to learn more.","html":"

April 05, 2011\nIllinois's 2nd congressional district has the least lonely ladies in the land. Check out R. Luke DuBois's maps, which he created after analyzing the profiles of 19 million singles from 21 dating sites, to learn more.

"},{"id":"text-592","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 05, 2011\nChicago's Bear Brand Hosiery Co. (whose Gary factory was finally torn down in 2009) once sold socks that grew with, um, you.","html":"

April 05, 2011\nChicago's Bear Brand Hosiery Co. (whose Gary factory was finally torn down in 2009) once sold socks that grew with, um, you.

"},{"id":"text-593","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 05, 2011\nAccording to the Sun-Times, the Loop, Rogers Park and Chatham have the most potholes in the city. [via]","html":"

April 05, 2011\nAccording to the Sun-Times, the Loop, Rogers Park and Chatham have the most potholes in the city. [via]

"},{"id":"text-594","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 05, 2011\nHighrise/Out My Window, a web documentary about high-rise apartment buildings in 13 cities — including Cabrini Green, shot by our own David Schalliol — won an International Digital Emmy.","html":"

April 05, 2011\nHighrise/Out My Window, a web documentary about high-rise apartment buildings in 13 cities — including Cabrini Green, shot by our own David Schalliol — won an International Digital Emmy.

"},{"id":"text-595","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 04, 2011\nA cryptic — and possibly encrypted — tweet appeared on the @MayorEmanuel account briefly last night before being deleted. The Puzzler caught it, and is looking for help figuring out what it means.","html":"

April 04, 2011\nA cryptic — and possibly encrypted — tweet appeared on the @MayorEmanuel account briefly last night before being deleted. The Puzzler caught it, and is looking for help figuring out what it means.

"},{"id":"text-596","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 04, 2011\nA reader submitted a photo on Windy Citizen and wonders if Banksy (or a local street art fan) created this topical image of Moammar Gadhafi in Chicago.","html":"

April 04, 2011\nA reader submitted a photo on Windy Citizen and wonders if Banksy (or a local street art fan) created this topical image of Moammar Gadhafi in Chicago.

"},{"id":"text-597","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 01, 2011\n"@avoision: Split my toenail pretty bad last night. Seeing doc on Monday, but slightly worried. Does this look infected? http://bit.ly/h3VI3R"","html":"

April 01, 2011\n"@avoision: Split my toenail pretty bad last night. Seeing doc on Monday, but slightly worried. Does this look infected? http://bit.ly/h3VI3R"

"},{"id":"text-598","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 31, 2011\nWondering what to do for April Fool's Day tomorrow? Alicia from Uncle Fun visited the "Guy Bauer Half Hour" to share some tips.","html":"

March 31, 2011\nWondering what to do for April Fool's Day tomorrow? Alicia from Uncle Fun visited the "Guy Bauer Half Hour" to share some tips.

"},{"id":"text-599","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 31, 2011\nA cobra at the Bronx Zoo took to Twitter after escaping from its cage this week. The animals of Brookfield Zoo, Twitter veterans themselves, dropped it a Remarque. "Hey @BronxZoosCobra; we animals have been tweeting for a few months now, where've u been? Let's tweet up-just hop on a plane."","html":"

March 31, 2011\nA cobra at the Bronx Zoo took to Twitter after escaping from its cage this week. The animals of Brookfield Zoo, Twitter veterans themselves, dropped it a Remarque. "Hey @BronxZoosCobra; we animals have been tweeting for a few months now, where've u been? Let's tweet up-just hop on a plane."

"},{"id":"text-600","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 23, 2011\nSurprisingly few Chicago-related submissions to Dear Blank, Please Blank, but the ones there are pretty great.","html":"

March 23, 2011\nSurprisingly few Chicago-related submissions to Dear Blank, Please Blank, but the ones there are pretty great.

"},{"id":"text-601","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 22, 2011\nWest Loop-based green furniture company Strand Design recently launched an online store. Now you can buy new furniture while you sit on your old furniture. In your underwear.","html":"

March 22, 2011\nWest Loop-based green furniture company Strand Design recently launched an online store. Now you can buy new furniture while you sit on your old furniture. In your underwear.

"},{"id":"text-602","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 21, 2011\nI'd love to see Google Maps add a night-time version of the satellite map overlay. In the meantime, there's Night Earth.","html":"

March 21, 2011\nI'd love to see Google Maps add a night-time version of the satellite map overlay. In the meantime, there's Night Earth.

"},{"id":"text-603","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 21, 2011\n…People in Chicago will do a surprising number of things. [via]","html":"

March 21, 2011\n…People in Chicago will do a surprising number of things. [via]

"},{"id":"text-604","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 21, 2011\nWebsite youarelistening.to offers mashups of police radio chatter and ambient music from five North American cities, including Chicago.","html":"

March 21, 2011\nWebsite youarelistening.to offers mashups of police radio chatter and ambient music from five North American cities, including Chicago.

"},{"id":"text-605","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 16, 2011\ntheWit Chicago needs a correspondent for the second season of their "Witisodes" web series. The correspondent, in exchange for covering going-on around the city, will be compensated with a food and drink stipend, some free stays at the hotel, and $150 (per episode?). Interested applicants need only make a 60- to 90-second video to apply. Deadline is March 24. Click here for more details.","html":"

March 16, 2011\ntheWit Chicago needs a correspondent for the second season of their "Witisodes" web series. The correspondent, in exchange for covering going-on around the city, will be compensated with a food and drink stipend, some free stays at the hotel, and $150 (per episode?). Interested applicants need only make a 60- to 90-second video to apply. Deadline is March 24. Click here for more details.

"},{"id":"text-606","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 14, 2011\nA few years ago National Geographic dispatched some photographers to 60614 to produce this vignette of life along the L.","html":"

March 14, 2011\nA few years ago National Geographic dispatched some photographers to 60614 to produce this vignette of life along the L.

"},{"id":"text-607","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 14, 2011\nChicago-based entrepreneurs Kevin Wielgus and Angelo Rago have launched JabberJury.com, a free online forum for settling all manner of debates. [via]","html":"

March 14, 2011\nChicago-based entrepreneurs Kevin Wielgus and Angelo Rago have launched JabberJury.com, a free online forum for settling all manner of debates. [via]

"},{"id":"text-608","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 09, 2011\nSaved for posterity by Josh Larios, @MayorEmanuel's tweets, along with contextual replies.","html":"

March 09, 2011\nSaved for posterity by Josh Larios, @MayorEmanuel's tweets, along with contextual replies.

"},{"id":"text-609","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 08, 2011\nThere's a new high-tech frontier for advertising at O'Hare: animated video ads on the bathroom mirrors. [via]","html":"

March 08, 2011\nThere's a new high-tech frontier for advertising at O'Hare: animated video ads on the bathroom mirrors. [via]

"},{"id":"text-610","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 08, 2011\nEver wonder what European cities are even with Chicago latitudinally? Je ne me demande plus.","html":"

March 08, 2011\nEver wonder what European cities are even with Chicago latitudinally? Je ne me demande plus.

"},{"id":"text-611","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 07, 2011\nLocal lip sync legend Keenan Cahill starts off a new Smartwater commercial starring Jennifer Aniston that The Daily What calls one of the worst ever.","html":"

March 07, 2011\nLocal lip sync legend Keenan Cahill starts off a new Smartwater commercial starring Jennifer Aniston that The Daily What calls one of the worst ever.

"},{"id":"text-612","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 04, 2011\nThe internets are leaking: Jay Ryan made a slikscreen print of a recent viral video. (Thanks, Su!)","html":"

March 04, 2011\nThe internets are leaking: Jay Ryan made a slikscreen print of a recent viral video. (Thanks, Su!)

"},{"id":"text-613","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 03, 2011\nIn the midst of all the weirdness, it appears Charlie Sheen owns vintage Wrigley Field seats and likes Chicago-style hot dogs. (You may also want to read this.) UPDATE: Actually, Sheen just ate at a place called The Infield (Thanks, Brismi!).","html":"

March 03, 2011\nIn the midst of all the weirdness, it appears Charlie Sheen owns vintage Wrigley Field seats and likes Chicago-style hot dogs. (You may also want to read this.) UPDATE: Actually, Sheen just ate at a place called The Infield (Thanks, Brismi!).

"},{"id":"text-614","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 03, 2011\nWhat's worse, Chicago? Being called "big-boned", or being the cattle to mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel's herding dog? The New York Times sounds like the best frenemy we ever had.","html":"

March 03, 2011\nWhat's worse, Chicago? Being called "big-boned", or being the cattle to mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel's herding dog? The New York Times sounds like the best frenemy we ever had.

"},{"id":"text-615","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 02, 2011\n"'Twas born to the House of Lorraine in 1478 in the town of Bar-le-Duc of northern France. Mine occupation is court royal to Louis XII, a fine king indeed." And now Robert the Courtier tweets about the Art Institute's new exhibition of art in Renaissance France.","html":"

March 02, 2011\n"'Twas born to the House of Lorraine in 1478 in the town of Bar-le-Duc of northern France. Mine occupation is court royal to Louis XII, a fine king indeed." And now Robert the Courtier tweets about the Art Institute's new exhibition of art in Renaissance France.

"},{"id":"text-616","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 01, 2011\nTwo contests on Facebook offer to give some lucky Chicagoans some valuable and memorable prizes: you could win free rent for a year from apartment-hunting site domu, or luck out with a ride on the Mercy Home float in the St. Patrick's Day Parade.","html":"

March 01, 2011\nTwo contests on Facebook offer to give some lucky Chicagoans some valuable and memorable prizes: you could win free rent for a year from apartment-hunting site domu, or luck out with a ride on the Mercy Home float in the St. Patrick's Day Parade.

"},{"id":"text-617","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 01, 2011\nThe Tribune Apps team created a Google map overlay showing the percentage rise or drop in population for Chicago and the region. They launched another one tracking mayoral votes by precinct today.","html":"

March 01, 2011\nThe Tribune Apps team created a Google map overlay showing the percentage rise or drop in population for Chicago and the region. They launched another one tracking mayoral votes by precinct today.

"},{"id":"text-618","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 01, 2011\nDirty Six-Thirty, a web series set in Chicago.","html":"

March 01, 2011\nDirty Six-Thirty, a web series set in Chicago.

"},{"id":"text-619","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 27, 2011\nActor and comedian Thomas Lennon ("Reno 911!," "The State") has a handmade tribute to Oak Park's Lake Theatre in his living room.","html":"

February 27, 2011\nActor and comedian Thomas Lennon ("Reno 911!," "The State") has a handmade tribute to Oak Park's Lake Theatre in his living room.

"},{"id":"text-620","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 25, 2011\nChicagoist breaks it down, curse by curse. Download the whole tweet archive in PDF form for posterity.","html":"

February 25, 2011\nChicagoist breaks it down, curse by curse. Download the whole tweet archive in PDF form for posterity.

"},{"id":"text-621","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 24, 2011\nApparently, Sweden's Statoil gas stations now offer a "Chicago menu" of a (non-Chicago style) hot dog, a Coke and …baby carrots? [via]","html":"

February 24, 2011\nApparently, Sweden's Statoil gas stations now offer a "Chicago menu" of a (non-Chicago style) hot dog, a Coke and …baby carrots? [via]

"},{"id":"text-622","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 23, 2011\nWith a new Mayor-elect in the wings, one ponders if the city can be unified by a crowdsourced alcoholic beverage. Chicagoans, the choice is yours. (h/t Joe)","html":"

February 23, 2011\nWith a new Mayor-elect in the wings, one ponders if the city can be unified by a crowdsourced alcoholic beverage. Chicagoans, the choice is yours. (h/t Joe)

"},{"id":"text-623","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 19, 2011\nLocal band Empires are competing in a contest to be featured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. Help them out by voting for them here. [via]","html":"

February 19, 2011\nLocal band Empires are competing in a contest to be featured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. Help them out by voting for them here. [via]

"},{"id":"text-624","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 17, 2011\nChicago comedy troupe Funemployed has created a special PSA video for all those who don't know who (Grammy award winning band) Arcade Fire is. (h/t Sandor)","html":"

February 17, 2011\nChicago comedy troupe Funemployed has created a special PSA video for all those who don't know who (Grammy award winning band) Arcade Fire is. (h/t Sandor)

"},{"id":"text-625","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 17, 2011\nVirgin America showed off its marketing savvy buy partnering with Groupon for today's launch of service between O'Hare and LA or San Fran. The deal sold out in less than an hour.","html":"

February 17, 2011\nVirgin America showed off its marketing savvy buy partnering with Groupon for today's launch of service between O'Hare and LA or San Fran. The deal sold out in less than an hour.

"},{"id":"text-626","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 17, 2011\nAlways correct. [via]","html":"

February 17, 2011\nAlways correct. [via]

"},{"id":"text-627","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 16, 2011\nRyan Hodgson-Rigsbee pairs photos and music to create the webzine Urban Nature. Plug in your headphones and enjoy.","html":"

February 16, 2011\nRyan Hodgson-Rigsbee pairs photos and music to create the webzine Urban Nature. Plug in your headphones and enjoy.

"},{"id":"text-628","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 15, 2011\nSpeaking of nickd, his Shitty Portmanteaux is as awesome as jeggings.","html":"

February 15, 2011\nSpeaking of nickd, his Shitty Portmanteaux is as awesome as jeggings.

"},{"id":"text-629","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 15, 2011\nPublic Collectors.","html":"

February 15, 2011\nPublic Collectors.

"},{"id":"text-630","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 11, 2011\nBig Dog Eat Child has a your anthem.","html":"

February 11, 2011\nBig Dog Eat Child has a your anthem.

"},{"id":"text-631","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 09, 2011\nA good Samaritan found two dogs at Howard Street Beach yesterday that had fallen through the ice. The dogs' owner, after being tracked down, admitted that he had dumped them near the (freezing) lake because he didn't want them anymore. Do you? Contact the Bark Bark Club for details on how to adopt.","html":"

February 09, 2011\nA good Samaritan found two dogs at Howard Street Beach yesterday that had fallen through the ice. The dogs' owner, after being tracked down, admitted that he had dumped them near the (freezing) lake because he didn't want them anymore. Do you? Contact the Bark Bark Club for details on how to adopt.

"},{"id":"text-632","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 09, 2011\nHere's a Department of Development and Planning map showing how neatly Chicago stored its ethnics in 1950. Note how the Swedes are encircling the Irish in the lower-right quadrant. Was it something we said?","html":"

February 09, 2011\nHere's a Department of Development and Planning map showing how neatly Chicago stored its ethnics in 1950. Note how the Swedes are encircling the Irish in the lower-right quadrant. Was it something we said?

"},{"id":"text-633","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 08, 2011\nThe Book Club's compiled a list of notable, local literary blogs — go check it out, and say something if you feel they've left someone out.","html":"

February 08, 2011\nThe Book Club's compiled a list of notable, local literary blogs — go check it out, and say something if you feel they've left someone out.

"},{"id":"text-634","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 08, 2011\nYou think stealing someone's dibs spot is risky? Try stealing their shovel.","html":"

February 08, 2011\nYou think stealing someone's dibs spot is risky? Try stealing their shovel.

"},{"id":"text-635","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 03, 2011\nAnother time-lapse video of the blizzard, this time from the Blackhawks. Worth watching for the mystery of why there were plows clearing the parking lots next to the United Center pretty much non-stop. (Thanks, Dominick!)","html":"

February 03, 2011\nAnother time-lapse video of the blizzard, this time from the Blackhawks. Worth watching for the mystery of why there were plows clearing the parking lots next to the United Center pretty much non-stop. (Thanks, Dominick!)

"},{"id":"text-636","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 02, 2011\nYou heard it, but in case you didn't see it, now you can. UPDATE: Turns out that photo's been on the web for at least two years. Sorry to share a fake; thanks to Marc for the heads up.","html":"

February 02, 2011\nYou heard it, but in case you didn't see it, now you can. UPDATE: Turns out that photo's been on the web for at least two years. Sorry to share a fake; thanks to Marc for the heads up.

"},{"id":"text-637","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 02, 2011\nNot that this will help you today, but Punxsutawney Phil did see his shadow this morning, which predcits an early spring.","html":"

February 02, 2011\nNot that this will help you today, but Punxsutawney Phil did see his shadow this morning, which predcits an early spring.

"},{"id":"text-638","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 01, 2011\nA new take on the upcoming snowstorm. (Thanks, AnswerDave!)","html":"

February 01, 2011\nA new take on the upcoming snowstorm. (Thanks, AnswerDave!)

"},{"id":"text-639","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 01, 2011\n@MayorEmanuel isn't alone on Twitter, you know. @MayorMiguel, @MayorCarol et @MayorChico are ready for your attention.","html":"

February 01, 2011\n@MayorEmanuel isn't alone on Twitter, you know. @MayorMiguel, @MayorCarol et @MayorChico are ready for your attention.

"},{"id":"text-640","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 27, 2011\nSadly, it is no longer possible to order strip tease necktie that glows in the dark; the office at 215 N. Michigan Ave. no longer exists. [via]","html":"

January 27, 2011\nSadly, it is no longer possible to order strip tease necktie that glows in the dark; the office at 215 N. Michigan Ave. no longer exists. [via]

"},{"id":"text-641","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 27, 2011\nYou can keep up with Crain's Chicago Business and Hyde Park's 57th Street Books on their brand new Tumblr blogs.","html":"

January 27, 2011\nYou can keep up with Crain's Chicago Business and Hyde Park's 57th Street Books on their brand new Tumblr blogs.

"},{"id":"text-642","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 27, 2011\nIllinois is best at robbery according to one map, but it's also most average, according to another one.","html":"

January 27, 2011\nIllinois is best at robbery according to one map, but it's also most average, according to another one.

"},{"id":"text-643","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 27, 2011\nBlackBook spent a few hours with Liz Phair in her old stomping grounds of Wicker Park and Lincoln Park. [via]","html":"

January 27, 2011\nBlackBook spent a few hours with Liz Phair in her old stomping grounds of Wicker Park and Lincoln Park. [via]

"},{"id":"text-644","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 27, 2011\nChicago's Digital Kitchen created some very impressive columns for the latest Las Vegas casino, The Cosmopolitan. [via]","html":"

January 27, 2011\nChicago's Digital Kitchen created some very impressive columns for the latest Las Vegas casino, The Cosmopolitan. [via]

"},{"id":"text-645","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 27, 2011\nYou really just have to watch the video and read the story about a guy who tried to rob a Subway and then stole a cab in Des Plaines before crashing on Clark Street in Rogers Park just blocks from a police station. "You see so many things on Clark Street," said a witness. (h/t Damon)\nUpdate: WGN's SkyCam9 got some extra footage of the "chase".","html":"

January 27, 2011\nYou really just have to watch the video and read the story about a guy who tried to rob a Subway and then stole a cab in Des Plaines before crashing on Clark Street in Rogers Park just blocks from a police station. "You see so many things on Clark Street," said a witness. (h/t Damon)\nUpdate: WGN's SkyCam9 got some extra footage of the "chase".

"},{"id":"text-646","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 21, 2011\nI'm not endorsing this in any way, but this edit to the Chicago entry is at least mildly funny on a day like today.","html":"

January 21, 2011\nI'm not endorsing this in any way, but this edit to the Chicago entry is at least mildly funny on a day like today.

"},{"id":"text-647","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 21, 2011\nDIY lifestyle mag ReadyMade recently gave props to (already beautiful) Pilsen bar Simone's for their accidental artistic venture: blank beer coasters. Patrons are enjoying the chance to draw their own designs and decorate it with a glass of their favorite bevvy.","html":"

January 21, 2011\nDIY lifestyle mag ReadyMade recently gave props to (already beautiful) Pilsen bar Simone's for their accidental artistic venture: blank beer coasters. Patrons are enjoying the chance to draw their own designs and decorate it with a glass of their favorite bevvy.

"},{"id":"text-648","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 18, 2011\nCrain's Chicago Business talks to some Chicago-area bloggers about why they've quit.","html":"

January 18, 2011\nCrain's Chicago Business talks to some Chicago-area bloggers about why they've quit.

"},{"id":"text-649","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 17, 2011\nThe Sears Tower in Minecraft. [via]","html":"

January 17, 2011\nThe Sears Tower in Minecraft. [via]

"},{"id":"text-650","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 17, 2011\nAnother map boiling the US down to a single trait (previously), only this time by foods.","html":"

January 17, 2011\nAnother map boiling the US down to a single trait (previously), only this time by foods.

"},{"id":"text-651","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 14, 2011\nJudith Jamison will be delivering the keynote address at the U of C's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration this afternoon at 3:30pm. You can watch the webcast live here. [via]","html":"

January 14, 2011\nJudith Jamison will be delivering the keynote address at the U of C's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration this afternoon at 3:30pm. You can watch the webcast live here. [via]

"},{"id":"text-652","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 13, 2011\nA patron at Mullets Sports Bar & Restaurant in Homer Glen got into some trouble after he broke a framed picture of A. C. Slater. A. C. Slater was the mullet-wearing wrestler on the television series "Saved By The Bell."","html":"

January 13, 2011\nA patron at Mullets Sports Bar & Restaurant in Homer Glen got into some trouble after he broke a framed picture of A. C. Slater. A. C. Slater was the mullet-wearing wrestler on the television series "Saved By The Bell."

"},{"id":"text-653","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 12, 2011\nSince we've posted about both "best things" and cards today, how about the Chicago Opener, the "world's best card trick?"","html":"

January 12, 2011\nSince we've posted about both "best things" and cards today, how about the Chicago Opener, the "world's best card trick?"

"},{"id":"text-654","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 12, 2011\nLocal PR guy Mitch Delaplane believes he's drafted "The Most Amazing Press Release Ever Written."","html":"

January 12, 2011\nLocal PR guy Mitch Delaplane believes he's drafted "The Most Amazing Press Release Ever Written."

"},{"id":"text-655","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 12, 2011\nLos Angeles native and Northwestern student Chet Haze is a rapper who also happens to be the son of actor Tom Hanks. [via]","html":"

January 12, 2011\nLos Angeles native and Northwestern student Chet Haze is a rapper who also happens to be the son of actor Tom Hanks. [via]

"},{"id":"text-656","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 07, 2011\nOr rather, don't. 37signals is encouraging you to make Jan. 19 Boycott a Meeting Day.","html":"

January 07, 2011\nOr rather, don't. 37signals is encouraging you to make Jan. 19 Boycott a Meeting Day.

"},{"id":"text-657","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 07, 2011\nRoger Ebert got quite a bit of heat for a controversial tweet about the removal of a certain word from Huck Finn. He later apologized.","html":"

January 07, 2011\nRoger Ebert got quite a bit of heat for a controversial tweet about the removal of a certain word from Huck Finn. He later apologized.

"},{"id":"text-658","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 06, 2011\nWhile you're working hard at not being a dick on the bus, also don't be a gym jerk! Tips courtesy of WCIU and Cheetah Gym.","html":"

January 06, 2011\nWhile you're working hard at not being a dick on the bus, also don't be a gym jerk! Tips courtesy of WCIU and Cheetah Gym.

"},{"id":"text-659","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 05, 2011\nWhen Chicago mayoral candidate Carol Moseley Braun was unable to attend an LGBT event in person, she did what anybody in her position would do: she called the event organizer, who held his phone up to a microphone so the attendees could (sorta) hear her speak to the gathering. [via]","html":"

January 05, 2011\nWhen Chicago mayoral candidate Carol Moseley Braun was unable to attend an LGBT event in person, she did what anybody in her position would do: she called the event organizer, who held his phone up to a microphone so the attendees could (sorta) hear her speak to the gathering. [via]

"},{"id":"text-660","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 05, 2011\nArt Daily reports that last year, the Chicago Public Library circulated 8.8 million items and provided 2.8 million free computer sessions. A less cheery statistic: librarians reported that 60 percent of their time with patrons involved helping them look for jobs on library computers.","html":"

January 05, 2011\nArt Daily reports that last year, the Chicago Public Library circulated 8.8 million items and provided 2.8 million free computer sessions. A less cheery statistic: librarians reported that 60 percent of their time with patrons involved helping them look for jobs on library computers.

"},{"id":"text-661","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 05, 2011\nIf you watch the animated map on this page, you can see the wave of obesity rising and making its way toward Illinois.","html":"

January 05, 2011\nIf you watch the animated map on this page, you can see the wave of obesity rising and making its way toward Illinois.

"},{"id":"text-662","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 04, 2011\nWhile we're on the subject of stylish students, the U of C has its own in Rafael Menis, the "Tie-Dye Guy."","html":"

January 04, 2011\nWhile we're on the subject of stylish students, the U of C has its own in Rafael Menis, the "Tie-Dye Guy."

"},{"id":"text-663","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 04, 2011\nJustice Antonin Scalia doesn't think Chicago-style deep dish pizza is really pizza, and said as much in an interview with California Lawyer magazine: "It's very good, but … call it tomato pie or something. … I'm a traditionalist, what can I tell you?" [via]","html":"

January 04, 2011\nJustice Antonin Scalia doesn't think Chicago-style deep dish pizza is really pizza, and said as much in an interview with California Lawyer magazine: "It's very good, but … call it tomato pie or something. … I'm a traditionalist, what can I tell you?" [via]

"},{"id":"text-664","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 30, 2010\nSomehow, being number one in the country in gang membership is a positive energy policy for Illinois. [via]","html":"

December 30, 2010\nSomehow, being number one in the country in gang membership is a positive energy policy for Illinois. [via]

"},{"id":"text-665","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 29, 2010\nThat's what Chicago's dialect is, I think, according to this dazzlingly complicated map.","html":"

December 29, 2010\nThat's what Chicago's dialect is, I think, according to this dazzlingly complicated map.

"},{"id":"text-666","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 28, 2010\nIf you haven't figured out a New Year's resolution yet, the Chicago Portfolio School's Resolution Generator may be able to help.","html":"

December 28, 2010\nIf you haven't figured out a New Year's resolution yet, the Chicago Portfolio School's Resolution Generator may be able to help.

"},{"id":"text-667","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 24, 2010\nThird most chivalrous city in the country, according to Dockers.","html":"

December 24, 2010\nThird most chivalrous city in the country, according to Dockers.

"},{"id":"text-668","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 23, 2010\nI can has cheezburger (Doritos), animated.","html":"

December 23, 2010\nI can has cheezburger (Doritos), animated.

"},{"id":"text-669","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 23, 2010\nAlthough most of us probably couldn't care less, art gossip junkies out there will be tickled pink by ArtSlant's saucy new list of Chicago's 2010 art controversies.","html":"

December 23, 2010\nAlthough most of us probably couldn't care less, art gossip junkies out there will be tickled pink by ArtSlant's saucy new list of Chicago's 2010 art controversies.

"},{"id":"text-670","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 22, 2010\nIn Chicago Magazine's "40 Reasons to Love Chicago," reason 35 highlights some epic architectural rivalries. Stanley Tigerman's "shove it" to the UIC architecture department takes the cake.","html":"

December 22, 2010\nIn Chicago Magazine's "40 Reasons to Love Chicago," reason 35 highlights some epic architectural rivalries. Stanley Tigerman's "shove it" to the UIC architecture department takes the cake.

"},{"id":"text-671","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 22, 2010\nA man was recorded stealing UPS packages off of a porch in Andersonville over the weekend. Police are still looking for him, or waiting for his heart to grow three sizes. [via]","html":"

December 22, 2010\nA man was recorded stealing UPS packages off of a porch in Andersonville over the weekend. Police are still looking for him, or waiting for his heart to grow three sizes. [via]

"},{"id":"text-672","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 20, 2010\nCraig Shimala turns Chicago into a water wonderland with a digital camera strapped to his windshield (and a nice ambient soundtrack).","html":"

December 20, 2010\nCraig Shimala turns Chicago into a water wonderland with a digital camera strapped to his windshield (and a nice ambient soundtrack).

"},{"id":"text-673","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 17, 2010\nTime Out Chicago's Frank Sennett took a look at Chicago media websites' reading levels according to Google. I'm not sure I agree with his all his results. Here's how GB's sections break down.","html":"

December 17, 2010\nTime Out Chicago's Frank Sennett took a look at Chicago media websites' reading levels according to Google. I'm not sure I agree with his all his results. Here's how GB's sections break down.

"},{"id":"text-674","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 17, 2010\nThe Loneliest Monk released their debut music video this week. The cello and drumset dreamscape was shot by Chicago film collectives Rubbish and HYSTK. The HD version of The Ghost & the Silhouette is up on YouTube.","html":"

December 17, 2010\nThe Loneliest Monk released their debut music video this week. The cello and drumset dreamscape was shot by Chicago film collectives Rubbish and HYSTK. The HD version of The Ghost & the Silhouette is up on YouTube.

"},{"id":"text-675","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 16, 2010\nMayor Daley's looking rather bear-like in this portrait, part of the Chicago Urban Art Society's The Daley Show. [via]","html":"

December 16, 2010\nMayor Daley's looking rather bear-like in this portrait, part of the Chicago Urban Art Society's The Daley Show. [via]

"},{"id":"text-676","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 16, 2010\nIn the latest Chicagoist podcast, Karl Klockars talks with the creators of Rahmfacts.","html":"

December 16, 2010\nIn the latest Chicagoist podcast, Karl Klockars talks with the creators of Rahmfacts.

"},{"id":"text-677","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 15, 2010\nDesign firm Faust will be out front of NBC Tower on Friday, Dec. 17 from 7 to 10am to promote Appreciate-It, a site they hope will collect a million appreciative sentiments, which they'll submit to Guinness as the world's longest holiday card.","html":"

December 15, 2010\nDesign firm Faust will be out front of NBC Tower on Friday, Dec. 17 from 7 to 10am to promote Appreciate-It, a site they hope will collect a million appreciative sentiments, which they'll submit to Guinness as the world's longest holiday card.

"},{"id":"text-678","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 15, 2010\nVanity Fair shares their ten favorite questions from Rahm Emanuel's Chicago residency hearing.","html":"

December 15, 2010\nVanity Fair shares their ten favorite questions from Rahm Emanuel's Chicago residency hearing.

"},{"id":"text-679","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 15, 2010\nSinger R. Kelly reached out to fans last night by posting a photo of a hand-typed letter to his TwitPic stream. Added bonus: his signature is accompanied by a sketch of a teddy bear head.","html":"

December 15, 2010\nSinger R. Kelly reached out to fans last night by posting a photo of a hand-typed letter to his TwitPic stream. Added bonus: his signature is accompanied by a sketch of a teddy bear head.

"},{"id":"text-680","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 14, 2010\nLocal writer Tim Steil received a strange, mangled letter in the mail recently, forwarded from the fictional Romanian MidAtlantic Postage Recovery at 82.5 S. Cicero.","html":"

December 14, 2010\nLocal writer Tim Steil received a strange, mangled letter in the mail recently, forwarded from the fictional Romanian MidAtlantic Postage Recovery at 82.5 S. Cicero.

"},{"id":"text-681","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 10, 2010\nThis miniature Chicago Manual of Style is probably the only style guide you can use to decorate your Christmas tree.[[via]","html":"

December 10, 2010\nThis miniature Chicago Manual of Style is probably the only style guide you can use to decorate your Christmas tree.[[via]

"},{"id":"text-682","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 10, 2010\nWith ballcaps, Bulls at the top. [via]","html":"

December 10, 2010\nWith ballcaps, Bulls at the top. [via]

"},{"id":"text-683","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 10, 2010\nHerbert Fickenworth, 12 years old, Chicago, writes: "I am picking and selling mushrooms every day."","html":"

December 10, 2010\nHerbert Fickenworth, 12 years old, Chicago, writes: "I am picking and selling mushrooms every day."

"},{"id":"text-684","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 10, 2010\nThreadless designer Mig Reyes made it to the second round of Layer Tennis playoffs, and is playing today against Atlantan Mark Weaver. You can watch him work live during the match.","html":"

December 10, 2010\nThreadless designer Mig Reyes made it to the second round of Layer Tennis playoffs, and is playing today against Atlantan Mark Weaver. You can watch him work live during the match.

"},{"id":"text-685","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 10, 2010\nThe iO-based improv group Warm Milk have created a videogame called Improv Heroes, with characters based on local improv greats.","html":"

December 10, 2010\nThe iO-based improv group Warm Milk have created a videogame called Improv Heroes, with characters based on local improv greats.

"},{"id":"text-686","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 09, 2010\nNorthwestern University student Lawrence Dai is watching Julie & Julia every day for an entire year. Naturally, he is blogging about it. [via]","html":"

December 09, 2010\nNorthwestern University student Lawrence Dai is watching Julie & Julia every day for an entire year. Naturally, he is blogging about it. [via]

"},{"id":"text-687","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 09, 2010\nTurns out "come with" isn't just a Chicago (and Midwest) thing, it's grammatically correct. Read the study here.","html":"

December 09, 2010\nTurns out "come with" isn't just a Chicago (and Midwest) thing, it's grammatically correct. Read the study here.

"},{"id":"text-688","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 08, 2010\nBuick wants you to "re:discover" Chicago, and turned to Busy Beaver's Christen Carter, Groupon's Andrew Mason, DJ Kate Simko and others for insider looks at the city. Carter and Mason also did a driving tour video together. [via]","html":"

December 08, 2010\nBuick wants you to "re:discover" Chicago, and turned to Busy Beaver's Christen Carter, Groupon's Andrew Mason, DJ Kate Simko and others for insider looks at the city. Carter and Mason also did a driving tour video together. [via]

"},{"id":"text-689","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 08, 2010\nThat's what popped up for us on the United States of Autocomplete.","html":"

December 08, 2010\nThat's what popped up for us on the United States of Autocomplete.

"},{"id":"text-690","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 08, 2010\nA gallery captures the grandeur and elegance of the Granada, Uptown, Adelphi, and other Chicago area "lost palaces" — movie theaters that recall a bygone age.[[via]","html":"

December 08, 2010\nA gallery captures the grandeur and elegance of the Granada, Uptown, Adelphi, and other Chicago area "lost palaces" — movie theaters that recall a bygone age.[[via]

"},{"id":"text-691","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 07, 2010\nApparently Oprah is evil after all…","html":"

December 07, 2010\nApparently Oprah is evil after all…

"},{"id":"text-692","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 03, 2010\nThe minty and ballyhooed, Michael Bay-directed Victoria's Secret commercial has hit the Internets and lo, Chicago and our friendly neighbor to the north, Milwaukee are both featured prominently. Well, their cityscapes at least. Yep, that's Marina City you see behind some beauty's behind. And, that's right, there's the Calatrava-designed Milwaukee Art Museum. Not really a surprise that Chicago and Milwaukee were used as sets for the shoot. Bay's been in town since this summer for the next Transformateurs sequel and well, supermodels just hang out here all the time. Droite?","html":"

December 03, 2010\nThe minty and ballyhooed, Michael Bay-directed Victoria's Secret commercial has hit the Internets and lo, Chicago and our friendly neighbor to the north, Milwaukee are both featured prominently. Well, their cityscapes at least. Yep, that's Marina City you see behind some beauty's behind. And, that's right, there's the Calatrava-designed Milwaukee Art Museum. Not really a surprise that Chicago and Milwaukee were used as sets for the shoot. Bay's been in town since this summer for the next Transformateurs sequel and well, supermodels just hang out here all the time. Droite?

"},{"id":"text-693","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 03, 2010\n…and All I Got Was Brutally Murdered: what the title of Devil in the White City should have been, according to Better Book Titles, where you can "cut through all the cryptic crap" of titles local and otherwise.","html":"

December 03, 2010\n…and All I Got Was Brutally Murdered: what the title of Devil in the White City should have been, according to Better Book Titles, where you can "cut through all the cryptic crap" of titles local and otherwise.

"},{"id":"text-694","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 02, 2010\nIn 2050, Chicago will be the major megalopolis holding together the Great Lakes Mega-Region, according to the Regional Plan Association.","html":"

December 02, 2010\nIn 2050, Chicago will be the major megalopolis holding together the Great Lakes Mega-Region, according to the Regional Plan Association.

"},{"id":"text-695","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 01, 2010\nThe Howard Brown Health Center, which recently has been plagued by financial problems, has gotten a spot of good luck: an anonymous donor has agreed to donate $25 to them for every new Facebook friend added to the Center's profile today, in honor of World AIDS Day.","html":"

December 01, 2010\nThe Howard Brown Health Center, which recently has been plagued by financial problems, has gotten a spot of good luck: an anonymous donor has agreed to donate $25 to them for every new Facebook friend added to the Center's profile today, in honor of World AIDS Day.

"},{"id":"text-696","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 30, 2010\nEat your heart out, DOMA! The law needs to pass in the Illinois Senate, which it is expected to do; when approved, the law will be effective next July.","html":"

November 30, 2010\nEat your heart out, DOMA! The law needs to pass in the Illinois Senate, which it is expected to do; when approved, the law will be effective next July.

"},{"id":"text-697","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 29, 2010\nThat's a really great deal![[via]","html":"

November 29, 2010\nThat's a really great deal![[via]

"},{"id":"text-698","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 26, 2010\nMade in Chicago.","html":"

November 26, 2010\nMade in Chicago.

"},{"id":"text-699","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 19, 2010\nThe Trib's Kevin Pang just tweeted that anybody with a Hot Doug's tattoo eats at Hot Doug's for free for life. UPDATE: ChicagoNow first reported this back in 2009, so think of Kevin's tweet as a friendly (and delicious) reminder. FURTHER UPDATE: Confirmed by Hot Doug himself.","html":"

November 19, 2010\nThe Trib's Kevin Pang just tweeted that anybody with a Hot Doug's tattoo eats at Hot Doug's for free for life. UPDATE: ChicagoNow first reported this back in 2009, so think of Kevin's tweet as a friendly (and delicious) reminder. FURTHER UPDATE: Confirmed by Hot Doug himself.

"},{"id":"text-700","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 19, 2010\nAccording to research done at universities here and in China, people don't mind busywork if there's a good excuse.","html":"

November 19, 2010\nAccording to research done at universities here and in China, people don't mind busywork if there's a good excuse.

"},{"id":"text-701","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 18, 2010\nWhen the WGN Morning News crew misses the collapse of a bridge they'd been waiting to broadcast, they take it in stride.","html":"

November 18, 2010\nWhen the WGN Morning News crew misses the collapse of a bridge they'd been waiting to broadcast, they take it in stride.

"},{"id":"text-702","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 16, 2010\nOK Go, a band that used to call Chicago home, released the video for "Last Leaf" last week. It's animated entirely with pieces of toast.","html":"

November 16, 2010\nOK Go, a band that used to call Chicago home, released the video for "Last Leaf" last week. It's animated entirely with pieces of toast.

"},{"id":"text-703","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 15, 2010\nDale Bernis of Oak Forest will be inducted into the White Castle Hall of Fame after writing an essay about how White Castle has affected his life. [via]","html":"

November 15, 2010\nDale Bernis of Oak Forest will be inducted into the White Castle Hall of Fame after writing an essay about how White Castle has affected his life. [via]

"},{"id":"text-704","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 10, 2010\nJason Lazarus, a photographer and instructor at the Art Institute, wants the personal photographs people can no longer bear to look at for his "Too Hard to Keep" archive. Details on how to submit photographs to Jason are posted on his blog for the project.","html":"

November 10, 2010\nJason Lazarus, a photographer and instructor at the Art Institute, wants the personal photographs people can no longer bear to look at for his "Too Hard to Keep" archive. Details on how to submit photographs to Jason are posted on his blog for the project.

"},{"id":"text-705","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 09, 2010\nAdd our city's skyline to your holiday cards, or whatever would benefit from Chicago's silhouette, with Merriment Design's free templates. All she asks is that you e-mail or comment when you do.","html":"

November 09, 2010\nAdd our city's skyline to your holiday cards, or whatever would benefit from Chicago's silhouette, with Merriment Design's free templates. All she asks is that you e-mail or comment when you do.

"},{"id":"text-706","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 09, 2010\nOur own Mr. West entertained folks on a Delta flight last Friday over the loudspeaker. Was his own plane in the shop? UPDATE: Here's a longer recording from another passenger on the flight.","html":"

November 09, 2010\nOur own Mr. West entertained folks on a Delta flight last Friday over the loudspeaker. Was his own plane in the shop? UPDATE: Here's a longer recording from another passenger on the flight.

"},{"id":"text-707","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 08, 2010\nTravel + Leisure just posted the results of the 2010 'America's Favorite Cities' poll. We've got good pizza and a great skyline, but no one wants to visit us at Christmas.","html":"

November 08, 2010\nTravel + Leisure just posted the results of the 2010 'America's Favorite Cities' poll. We've got good pizza and a great skyline, but no one wants to visit us at Christmas.

"},{"id":"text-708","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 08, 2010\nBill Murray's jour de la marmotte is the palette for an incredible videomix by HomeStarRunnerTron. [via]","html":"

November 08, 2010\nBill Murray's jour de la marmotte is the palette for an incredible videomix by HomeStarRunnerTron. [via]

"},{"id":"text-709","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 05, 2010\nEWeek's Geek's Guide to Chicago is pretty basic, but it hits mostly right notes.","html":"

November 05, 2010\nEWeek's Geek's Guide to Chicago is pretty basic, but it hits mostly right notes.

"},{"id":"text-710","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 05, 2010\nNot sure where it's located, but here's a nifty 19th Century Chicago Lutheran church re-purposed as a artist's loft. Unfortunately, sometimes God's old college buddies show up in the middle of the night, looking for a place to crash.","html":"

November 05, 2010\nNot sure where it's located, but here's a nifty 19th Century Chicago Lutheran church re-purposed as a artist's loft. Unfortunately, sometimes God's old college buddies show up in the middle of the night, looking for a place to crash.

"},{"id":"text-711","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 04, 2010\nNoBodoni's Spurius Press has an impressive collection of Chicago Ephemera. (Some nice fonts, too.)","html":"

November 04, 2010\nNoBodoni's Spurius Press has an impressive collection of Chicago Ephemera. (Some nice fonts, too.)

"},{"id":"text-712","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 03, 2010\nThe folks at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum want you to name their box turtle. The winner will have his or her picture taken with said turtle, and receive a one-year membership and turtle gift basket–most likely not including a turtle.","html":"

November 03, 2010\nThe folks at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum want you to name their box turtle. The winner will have his or her picture taken with said turtle, and receive a one-year membership and turtle gift basket–most likely not including a turtle.

"},{"id":"text-713","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 01, 2010\nA building at Columbia College was shut down today after an administrator received a threatening message that was left over the weekend on a voice mail system.","html":"

November 01, 2010\nA building at Columbia College was shut down today after an administrator received a threatening message that was left over the weekend on a voice mail system.

"},{"id":"text-714","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 01, 2010\nSo, I'll follow up with: Despite all their rage they are still just primates in a cage.[[via]","html":"

November 01, 2010\nSo, I'll follow up with: Despite all their rage they are still just primates in a cage.[[via]

"},{"id":"text-715","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 28, 2010\nCarl, Amy, Layne and Kaitlyn are the Billboard Family, and you can hire them to wear your company shirt "all day long." They're from St. Louis, but according to their site they sometimes visit Chicago, Seattle, Walt Disney World, and the Southern Illinois University area. Let us pray this doesn't escalate into tattoos.","html":"

October 28, 2010\nCarl, Amy, Layne and Kaitlyn are the Billboard Family, and you can hire them to wear your company shirt "all day long." They're from St. Louis, but according to their site they sometimes visit Chicago, Seattle, Walt Disney World, and the Southern Illinois University area. Let us pray this doesn't escalate into tattoos.

"},{"id":"text-716","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 25, 2010\nSpeaking of the Sears Tower, This awesome map (best viewed large) of what you can see from the top is apparently hiding somewhere in the Ball State University GIS Research and Map Collection over in Muncie. [via]","html":"

October 25, 2010\nSpeaking of the Sears Tower, This awesome map (best viewed large) of what you can see from the top is apparently hiding somewhere in the Ball State University GIS Research and Map Collection over in Muncie. [via]

"},{"id":"text-717","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 25, 2010\nThe Breakfast Club gets immortalized in needlepoint.","html":"

October 25, 2010\nThe Breakfast Club gets immortalized in needlepoint.

"},{"id":"text-718","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 25, 2010\nThe only problem with the Adam West for Mayor campaign is he protects a rather different Gotham. Well that and he's already mayor of Quahog. [via]","html":"

October 25, 2010\nThe only problem with the Adam West for Mayor campaign is he protects a rather different Gotham. Well that and he's already mayor of Quahog. [via]

"},{"id":"text-719","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 25, 2010\nIra Glass sings Elliott Smith.","html":"

October 25, 2010\nIra Glass sings Elliott Smith.

"},{"id":"text-720","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 22, 2010\nMy (and everyone else's) secret television girlfriend Tina Fey presents her thoughts on Chicago's best restaurants, sandwiches, and why we're superior to New York.","html":"

October 22, 2010\nMy (and everyone else's) secret television girlfriend Tina Fey presents her thoughts on Chicago's best restaurants, sandwiches, and why we're superior to New York.

"},{"id":"text-721","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 22, 2010\nCartoonist Lucy Knisley has a better Halloween costume than you. [via]","html":"

October 22, 2010\nCartoonist Lucy Knisley has a better Halloween costume than you. [via]

"},{"id":"text-722","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 19, 2010\nMajor Carpet Burn dug up a bunch of monster movie mag layouts and crazy old ads, including one from the Help Company Club at 4554 Broadway. Remember, fellas: "No man is any good without a woman."","html":"

October 19, 2010\nMajor Carpet Burn dug up a bunch of monster movie mag layouts and crazy old ads, including one from the Help Company Club at 4554 Broadway. Remember, fellas: "No man is any good without a woman."

"},{"id":"text-723","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 18, 2010\nThe almost comically bedraggled Willow, up for adoption at Chicago Canine Rescue, has inspired an outpouring of sympathy (and adoption subsidies) on Reddit.","html":"

October 18, 2010\nThe almost comically bedraggled Willow, up for adoption at Chicago Canine Rescue, has inspired an outpouring of sympathy (and adoption subsidies) on Reddit.

"},{"id":"text-724","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 15, 2010\nIn the wake of Universal Pictures pulling the controversial promo for his upcoming movie The Dilemma, Vince Vaughn made a statement over the kerfuffle: "Drawing dividing lines over what we can and cannot joke about does exactly that; it divides us."","html":"

October 15, 2010\nIn the wake of Universal Pictures pulling the controversial promo for his upcoming movie The Dilemma, Vince Vaughn made a statement over the kerfuffle: "Drawing dividing lines over what we can and cannot joke about does exactly that; it divides us."

"},{"id":"text-725","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 15, 2010\nWatch Threadless designer Mig Reyes take on Jessica Hische in today's Layer Tennis match at 1pm.","html":"

October 15, 2010\nWatch Threadless designer Mig Reyes take on Jessica Hische in today's Layer Tennis match at 1pm.

"},{"id":"text-726","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 15, 2010\nAn off-campus party full of drunken Northwestern students earns a letter of complaint by an Evanston resident, who said that a group of students frightened her young daughter with their "hollering about [oral sex]"","html":"

October 15, 2010\nAn off-campus party full of drunken Northwestern students earns a letter of complaint by an Evanston resident, who said that a group of students frightened her young daughter with their "hollering about [oral sex]"

"},{"id":"text-727","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 14, 2010\nLetters of Note finds an A League of their Own-era Madonna complaining to photographer Steven Meisel about Geena Davis, playing baseball all day, and the pain of being in our "yuk"-ky city.","html":"

October 14, 2010\nLetters of Note finds an A League of their Own-era Madonna complaining to photographer Steven Meisel about Geena Davis, playing baseball all day, and the pain of being in our "yuk"-ky city.

"},{"id":"text-728","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 13, 2010\nI'm sure the new Palace nightclub, opening Nov. 4 inside the Alhambra Palace on Randolph will be awesome, but its Facebook page makes me wonder what's happening to the social network's simple, uncluttered design.","html":"

October 13, 2010\nI'm sure the new Palace nightclub, opening Nov. 4 inside the Alhambra Palace on Randolph will be awesome, but its Facebook page makes me wonder what's happening to the social network's simple, uncluttered design.

"},{"id":"text-729","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 12, 2010\n"Funemployed" takes a comical look at the state of work — or lack thereof.","html":"

October 12, 2010\n"Funemployed" takes a comical look at the state of work — or lack thereof.

"},{"id":"text-730","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 12, 2010\nThese were once the kind of spontaneous publicity — your name in print — that made people.","html":"

October 12, 2010\nThese were once the kind of spontaneous publicity — your name in print — that made people.

"},{"id":"text-731","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 11, 2010\nThe CTA Tattler posted a picture of a woman wearing a snake on the North Avenue bus.","html":"

October 11, 2010\nThe CTA Tattler posted a picture of a woman wearing a snake on the North Avenue bus.

"},{"id":"text-732","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 08, 2010\nOprah pops up in the strangest places. [via]","html":"

October 08, 2010\nOprah pops up in the strangest places. [via]

"},{"id":"text-733","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 07, 2010\nCover letters apparently pouvez get you a job. [via]","html":"

October 07, 2010\nCover letters apparently pouvez get you a job. [via]

"},{"id":"text-734","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 06, 2010\nI'm going by anecdotal evidence, but it seems like a lot of people move around September — warm their house with these suggestions from local gift shops, compiled by Time Out Chicago.","html":"

October 06, 2010\nI'm going by anecdotal evidence, but it seems like a lot of people move around September — warm their house with these suggestions from local gift shops, compiled by Time Out Chicago.

"},{"id":"text-735","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 06, 2010\nApartment Therapy profiles Chicagoan and production artist James Wurm's industrial and practical, yet attractive and welcoming kitchen-studio-living space, created in a Pilsen storefront. It's worth checking out for the chandelier alone.","html":"

October 06, 2010\nApartment Therapy profiles Chicagoan and production artist James Wurm's industrial and practical, yet attractive and welcoming kitchen-studio-living space, created in a Pilsen storefront. It's worth checking out for the chandelier alone.

"},{"id":"text-736","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 01, 2010\nLocal cartoonist/musician Archer Prewitt designed the cutest little Allen Ginsberg doll you ever did see. [via]","html":"

October 01, 2010\nLocal cartoonist/musician Archer Prewitt designed the cutest little Allen Ginsberg doll you ever did see. [via]

"},{"id":"text-737","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 01, 2010\nThe Glam Beast thinks that whoever's behind the Des Plaines I ♥ DP campaign should have considered a better abbreviation (easily offended folks might not want to click that link). But there's a silver lining: they're completely sold out.","html":"

October 01, 2010\nThe Glam Beast thinks that whoever's behind the Des Plaines I ♥ DP campaign should have considered a better abbreviation (easily offended folks might not want to click that link). But there's a silver lining: they're completely sold out.

"},{"id":"text-738","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 01, 2010\nBased on a scale called the Train Romance Index Score Total (how Kinseyian), the CTA Belmont stop (Red, Brown and Purple lines) is the most romantic place on the El.","html":"

October 01, 2010\nBased on a scale called the Train Romance Index Score Total (how Kinseyian), the CTA Belmont stop (Red, Brown and Purple lines) is the most romantic place on the El.

"},{"id":"text-739","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 29, 2010\nA women's studies professor uses hip hop to drop some knowledge about feminism in "Feminist Rapper," by improv actor Jenny Hagel. [via]","html":"

September 29, 2010\nA women's studies professor uses hip hop to drop some knowledge about feminism in "Feminist Rapper," by improv actor Jenny Hagel. [via]

"},{"id":"text-740","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 28, 2010\nAnd other food, too: the 2nd place winners for Judges' Choice in the Chicago Bacon Takedown have a blog, The Green Chalkboard, where they explore porky and non-porky (or even meaty) delights.","html":"

September 28, 2010\nAnd other food, too: the 2nd place winners for Judges' Choice in the Chicago Bacon Takedown have a blog, The Green Chalkboard, where they explore porky and non-porky (or even meaty) delights.

"},{"id":"text-741","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 28, 2010\n@MayorEmanuel is as NSFW as you'd expect it to be. (Meanwhile, @MayorRahm is conspicuously silent — and @RahmForMayor is self-censoring[thanks[thanks@sterno!].)","html":"

September 28, 2010\n@MayorEmanuel is as NSFW as you'd expect it to be. (Meanwhile, @MayorRahm is conspicuously silent — and @RahmForMayor is self-censoring[thanks[thanks@sterno!].)

"},{"id":"text-742","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 27, 2010\nChicago-based glassware company By the Glass has been getting some attention lately for their tasteful lines of drinking glasses inspired by several cities around the world. Maybe I'm biased, but I like the Chicago line.","html":"

September 27, 2010\nChicago-based glassware company By the Glass has been getting some attention lately for their tasteful lines of drinking glasses inspired by several cities around the world. Maybe I'm biased, but I like the Chicago line.

"},{"id":"text-743","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 27, 2010\nThe University of Chicago mascot has been reborn. While it may be "bigger, meaner, and much more maroon," does it actually look like a phoenix or just a beefed up war chicken?[[via]","html":"

September 27, 2010\nThe University of Chicago mascot has been reborn. While it may be "bigger, meaner, and much more maroon," does it actually look like a phoenix or just a beefed up war chicken?[[via]

"},{"id":"text-744","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 27, 2010\nMarketWhiz.Biz tests your knowledge of the market valuations of various companies in relation to Facebook's supposed $33 billion.","html":"

September 27, 2010\nMarketWhiz.Biz tests your knowledge of the market valuations of various companies in relation to Facebook's supposed $33 billion.

"},{"id":"text-745","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 27, 2010\nChicagoan Jennifer Fastwolf wasn't thrilled to find herself on People of Public Transit, a blog poking fun at people on trains and buses. Rather than take the photo down and/or apologize, the site's owners changed every photo on the site to hers for the weekend (screenshot).","html":"

September 27, 2010\nChicagoan Jennifer Fastwolf wasn't thrilled to find herself on People of Public Transit, a blog poking fun at people on trains and buses. Rather than take the photo down and/or apologize, the site's owners changed every photo on the site to hers for the weekend (screenshot).

"},{"id":"text-746","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 23, 2010\nU of C law professor Todd Henderson has quit blogging for Truth on the Market now that his recent controversial post has been lampooned by everyone, including the WSJ.","html":"

September 23, 2010\nU of C law professor Todd Henderson has quit blogging for Truth on the Market now that his recent controversial post has been lampooned by everyone, including the WSJ.

"},{"id":"text-747","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 23, 2010\nCreated by a member of local theatre troupe Abraham Werewolf, the new site Simple Auditions aims to connect actors with auditions in the Chicago area. If you're interested in casting some talent, they're offering free listings until October 15th.","html":"

September 23, 2010\nCreated by a member of local theatre troupe Abraham Werewolf, the new site Simple Auditions aims to connect actors with auditions in the Chicago area. If you're interested in casting some talent, they're offering free listings until October 15th.

"},{"id":"text-748","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 22, 2010\n"Never Not Find What You're Looking For Again!"","html":"

September 22, 2010\n"Never Not Find What You're Looking For Again!"

"},{"id":"text-749","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 22, 2010\n"What a truly great city Chicago is. It's like NYC without the baked urine smell or masturbating-guy-on-the-subway episodes. Three cheers!" (Thanks, George!)","html":"

September 22, 2010\n"What a truly great city Chicago is. It's like NYC without the baked urine smell or masturbating-guy-on-the-subway episodes. Three cheers!" (Thanks, George!)

"},{"id":"text-750","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 22, 2010\nFormer Chicago Journal editor Brett McNeil is spending a year teaching in Indonesia. Follow his adventures and observations here.","html":"

September 22, 2010\nFormer Chicago Journal editor Brett McNeil is spending a year teaching in Indonesia. Follow his adventures and observations here.

"},{"id":"text-751","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 21, 2010\n"Tell Me If My Breath Smells for $600 Per Hour."","html":"

September 21, 2010\n"Tell Me If My Breath Smells for $600 Per Hour."

"},{"id":"text-752","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 21, 2010\nTry the Dick Tracy Continuity Randomizer, a tool from the Comics Curmudgeon that demonstrates how random the strip often was. [via]","html":"

September 21, 2010\nTry the Dick Tracy Continuity Randomizer, a tool from the Comics Curmudgeon that demonstrates how random the strip often was. [via]

"},{"id":"text-753","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 21, 2010\nNPR started a conversation about what it takes to be rich by referring to a now-deleted blog post by U of C law professor Todd Henderson in which he said his family was "just getting by despite seeming to be rich."","html":"

September 21, 2010\nNPR started a conversation about what it takes to be rich by referring to a now-deleted blog post by U of C law professor Todd Henderson in which he said his family was "just getting by despite seeming to be rich."

"},{"id":"text-754","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 19, 2010\nCheck out this map, whose hues spell out the geography of Chicago's racial and ethnic makeup. Based on the Radical Cartography map we linked to back in August.[[via]","html":"

September 19, 2010\nCheck out this map, whose hues spell out the geography of Chicago's racial and ethnic makeup. Based on the Radical Cartography map we linked to back in August.[[via]

"},{"id":"text-755","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 15, 2010\nBut if you did, you're probably spending about $60 an eighth.","html":"

September 15, 2010\nBut if you did, you're probably spending about $60 an eighth.

"},{"id":"text-756","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 15, 2010\nMeet Mr. Chicago and other adorably anthropomorphized typefaces at Supersmelle's tumblr.","html":"

September 15, 2010\nMeet Mr. Chicago and other adorably anthropomorphized typefaces at Supersmelle's tumblr.

"},{"id":"text-757","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 14, 2010\nThis is "a good start" down the rabbit hole that is the Found Magazine "Find of the Day" archives.","html":"

September 14, 2010\nThis is "a good start" down the rabbit hole that is the Found Magazine "Find of the Day" archives.

"},{"id":"text-758","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 09, 2010\nEven with all the hoopla over the impending mayoral elections, Asian carp are still looming large in our dietary and cinematic imaginations. And now, they're taking this thing national: the United States just got itself a carp czar.","html":"

September 09, 2010\nEven with all the hoopla over the impending mayoral elections, Asian carp are still looming large in our dietary and cinematic imaginations. And now, they're taking this thing national: the United States just got itself a carp czar.

"},{"id":"text-759","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 08, 2010\nGB flickr group contributor J.Knecht found a plane with some interesting image capturing artifacts in Jackson Park on google maps.","html":"

September 08, 2010\nGB flickr group contributor J.Knecht found a plane with some interesting image capturing artifacts in Jackson Park on google maps.

"},{"id":"text-760","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 08, 2010\nThere are two results on flickr for the query "Chicago Catzilla."","html":"

September 08, 2010\nThere are two results on flickr for the query "Chicago Catzilla."

"},{"id":"text-761","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 07, 2010\nTeen lip-syncer Keenan Cahill is apparently the new hotness in YouTube memes. Even Katy Perry's a fan.","html":"

September 07, 2010\nTeen lip-syncer Keenan Cahill is apparently the new hotness in YouTube memes. Even Katy Perry's a fan.

"},{"id":"text-762","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 02, 2010\nSpeaking of, FoGB Phineas Jones points out that Dinosaur Comics references the S.S. Eastland disaster in today's comic. Learn more about it from the Eastland Disaster Historical Society.","html":"

September 02, 2010\nSpeaking of, FoGB Phineas Jones points out that Dinosaur Comics references the S.S. Eastland disaster in today's comic. Learn more about it from the Eastland Disaster Historical Society.

"},{"id":"text-763","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 02, 2010\nScreaming across the night sky like a ball of hellfire cast by an angry deity, the people of earth cowered and dubbed this avatar of cosmic glory… Mifflin? Vraiment? Anyway, the Field Museum recently acquired four chunks of (sigh) Mifflin, and science geeks can drool over its stats here.","html":"

September 02, 2010\nScreaming across the night sky like a ball of hellfire cast by an angry deity, the people of earth cowered and dubbed this avatar of cosmic glory… Mifflin? Vraiment? Anyway, the Field Museum recently acquired four chunks of (sigh) Mifflin, and science geeks can drool over its stats here.

"},{"id":"text-764","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 01, 2010\nThe Threadless design team takes to, of all places, Facebook to give fans a peek into their process. [via]","html":"

September 01, 2010\nThe Threadless design team takes to, of all places, Facebook to give fans a peek into their process. [via]

"},{"id":"text-765","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 31, 2010\nInvestigation of a rumored "dry run" of a terrorist plot via a flight that originated at O'Hare was canceled; the two men who were detained yesterday will not be charged.","html":"

August 31, 2010\nInvestigation of a rumored "dry run" of a terrorist plot via a flight that originated at O'Hare was canceled; the two men who were detained yesterday will not be charged.

"},{"id":"text-766","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 27, 2010\nThe skyrocketing success of Chicago-based Groupon has spawned many copycat deal sites–but none as blatant or bizarro as Big Lion. The only thing more phony than a Russian rip-off would be a Chinese cheater! What the Faker?!","html":"

August 27, 2010\nThe skyrocketing success of Chicago-based Groupon has spawned many copycat deal sites–but none as blatant or bizarro as Big Lion. The only thing more phony than a Russian rip-off would be a Chinese cheater! What the Faker?!

"},{"id":"text-767","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 26, 2010\nCartoonist Dan Meth is on his way to Chicago, and here's what he plans to do.","html":"

August 26, 2010\nCartoonist Dan Meth is on his way to Chicago, and here's what he plans to do.

"},{"id":"text-768","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 24, 2010\nLocal music label, Contraphonic, has recently launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund their nationwide aural mapping project as a part of their already successful Sound Series. Chip in a few clams and help to preserve the best sounds of Chicago, New York, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, and other locales.","html":"

August 24, 2010\nLocal music label, Contraphonic, has recently launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund their nationwide aural mapping project as a part of their already successful Sound Series. Chip in a few clams and help to preserve the best sounds of Chicago, New York, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, and other locales.

"},{"id":"text-769","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 20, 2010\nThis BBC map of the fallout if Chernobyl had happened in Chicago is rather timely in light of the Braidwood nuclear power plant shutdown earlier this week. [via]","html":"

August 20, 2010\nThis BBC map of the fallout if Chernobyl had happened in Chicago is rather timely in light of the Braidwood nuclear power plant shutdown earlier this week. [via]

"},{"id":"text-770","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 20, 2010\nEpitonic, one of the first streaming mp3 sites, is planning a comeback, with local musician Justin Sinkovich back at the helm. The relaunch is being funded through Kickstarter.","html":"

August 20, 2010\nEpitonic, one of the first streaming mp3 sites, is planning a comeback, with local musician Justin Sinkovich back at the helm. The relaunch is being funded through Kickstarter.

"},{"id":"text-771","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 19, 2010\n…of not maintaining his storage locker. The Arlington Heights-based company who Blagojevich owes $3,000 to is planning to auction the contents this morning, with the proceeds going to Children's Memorial Hospital. The ex-governor claims to be too broke to pay the back rent.","html":"

August 19, 2010\n…of not maintaining his storage locker. The Arlington Heights-based company who Blagojevich owes $3,000 to is planning to auction the contents this morning, with the proceeds going to Children's Memorial Hospital. The ex-governor claims to be too broke to pay the back rent.

"},{"id":"text-772","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 18, 2010\nFear no ART Chicago just released their newest webisode: an interview with 3 Blondes & a Bald Guy, winners of the 2010 Art on Track A.W.A.R.D.","html":"

August 18, 2010\nFear no ART Chicago just released their newest webisode: an interview with 3 Blondes & a Bald Guy, winners of the 2010 Art on Track A.W.A.R.D.

"},{"id":"text-773","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 16, 2010\nThe A.V. Club has a first-person account of what what happened at the Gathering of the Juggalos this weekend when "entertainer" Tila Tequila was attacked by festival attendees.","html":"

August 16, 2010\nThe A.V. Club has a first-person account of what what happened at the Gathering of the Juggalos this weekend when "entertainer" Tila Tequila was attacked by festival attendees.

"},{"id":"text-774","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 13, 2010\nAt least when they're compared with Brooklyn hipsters.","html":"

August 13, 2010\nAt least when they're compared with Brooklyn hipsters.

"},{"id":"text-775","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 12, 2010\nHow do you even begin to examine and biopsy a suspicious growth on a four foot long electric eel? Put on some non-conductive gloves as a start, and get some help from the folks at the Shedd Aquarium.","html":"

August 12, 2010\nHow do you even begin to examine and biopsy a suspicious growth on a four foot long electric eel? Put on some non-conductive gloves as a start, and get some help from the folks at the Shedd Aquarium.

"},{"id":"text-776","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 12, 2010\nThe Public Servant Blog nominated Chicago's boulevard system as number four on its list of the top 20 urban planning successes of all time.","html":"

August 12, 2010\nThe Public Servant Blog nominated Chicago's boulevard system as number four on its list of the top 20 urban planning successes of all time.

"},{"id":"text-777","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 10, 2010\nRamadan began tonight, which means Muslims must fast from sunup to sundown and abstain from anything impure for the next month. This includes anger. Which is why Olivia Kompier, homeschooling parent of three, created ScreamFreeMuslims.com, a website to help Muslims cope with the crabbiness that comes easily while fasting.","html":"

August 10, 2010\nRamadan began tonight, which means Muslims must fast from sunup to sundown and abstain from anything impure for the next month. This includes anger. Which is why Olivia Kompier, homeschooling parent of three, created ScreamFreeMuslims.com, a website to help Muslims cope with the crabbiness that comes easily while fasting.

"},{"id":"text-778","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 09, 2010\nThese slideshows from Time Out Chicago and Style.com focused on the style found at Lollapalooza 2010.","html":"

August 09, 2010\nThese slideshows from Time Out Chicago and Style.com focused on the style found at Lollapalooza 2010.

"},{"id":"text-779","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 09, 2010\nDouble rainbow all the way across the site!","html":"

August 09, 2010\nDouble rainbow all the way across the site!

"},{"id":"text-780","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 09, 2010\nImmersive Games knows how to kill your productivity.","html":"

August 09, 2010\nImmersive Games knows how to kill your productivity.

"},{"id":"text-781","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 06, 2010\nCheck out this useful chart which breaks down exactly what R. Kelly believes in. No word yet if a similar chart for "You Remind Me Of Something" is available.","html":"

August 06, 2010\nCheck out this useful chart which breaks down exactly what R. Kelly believes in. No word yet if a similar chart for "You Remind Me Of Something" is available.

"},{"id":"text-782","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 05, 2010\nAnne wants to know why we're all alcoholics. Thin-skinned Chicagoans provide her with the answers! This is why the Internet exists!","html":"

August 05, 2010\nAnne wants to know why we're all alcoholics. Thin-skinned Chicagoans provide her with the answers! This is why the Internet exists!

"},{"id":"text-783","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 05, 2010\nDid you see a crab claw smoking a cigarette on a stop sign?","html":"

August 05, 2010\nDid you see a crab claw smoking a cigarette on a stop sign?

"},{"id":"text-784","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 04, 2010\nTo celebrate President Obama's 49th birthday (which he will be celebrating in Hyde Park tonight), the GOP has released a set of political attacks disguised as e-cards that you can send to him.","html":"

August 04, 2010\nTo celebrate President Obama's 49th birthday (which he will be celebrating in Hyde Park tonight), the GOP has released a set of political attacks disguised as e-cards that you can send to him.

"},{"id":"text-785","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 04, 2010\nA viral email has been circulating filled with outrage over the new "Cook County Correction Center" "built by Obama" in Chicago pictured as a beautifully designed glass and steel building on rolling hills dense with trees. Obviously not Chicago, so where is it? Snopes has the answer. (Thanks, Don!)","html":"

August 04, 2010\nA viral email has been circulating filled with outrage over the new "Cook County Correction Center" "built by Obama" in Chicago pictured as a beautifully designed glass and steel building on rolling hills dense with trees. Obviously not Chicago, so where is it? Snopes has the answer. (Thanks, Don!)

"},{"id":"text-786","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 03, 2010\nCombining Kanye's tweets with New Yorker cartoons has turned into a meme.","html":"

August 03, 2010\nCombining Kanye's tweets with New Yorker cartoons has turned into a meme.

"},{"id":"text-787","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 03, 2010\nNot that we needed Forbes' validation, of course.","html":"

August 03, 2010\nNot that we needed Forbes' validation, of course.

"},{"id":"text-788","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 03, 2010\nProfessor Snape lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, according to his business card.[[via]","html":"

August 03, 2010\nProfessor Snape lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, according to his business card.[[via]

"},{"id":"text-789","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 02, 2010\nWhen she was not folding towels at the Evanston YMCA or performing at Second City and IO Chicago in the mid-nineties, Tina Fey was talking about interest rates.","html":"

August 02, 2010\nWhen she was not folding towels at the Evanston YMCA or performing at Second City and IO Chicago in the mid-nineties, Tina Fey was talking about interest rates.

"},{"id":"text-790","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 02, 2010\nThe U of C's Writing Program loves dissecting sentences from academic articles, and lets you write your own jargony academic sentence.","html":"

August 02, 2010\nThe U of C's Writing Program loves dissecting sentences from academic articles, and lets you write your own jargony academic sentence.

"},{"id":"text-791","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 28, 2010\nCoudal has created another charming film, this time featuring the sights and sounds of the Monona County Fair in Iowa where the team was peddling their new Field Notes County Fair edition.","html":"

July 28, 2010\nCoudal has created another charming film, this time featuring the sights and sounds of the Monona County Fair in Iowa where the team was peddling their new Field Notes County Fair edition.

"},{"id":"text-792","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 27, 2010\nChicago makes a cameo in this time-lapse video of a road trip from Ohio to Minnesota.","html":"

July 27, 2010\nChicago makes a cameo in this time-lapse video of a road trip from Ohio to Minnesota.

"},{"id":"text-793","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 27, 2010\nUnited Airlines gets poor marks in childcare at O'Hare, but is the real story here that 9-year-olds are cool enough to be self-proclaimed vegetarians?","html":"

July 27, 2010\nUnited Airlines gets poor marks in childcare at O'Hare, but is the real story here that 9-year-olds are cool enough to be self-proclaimed vegetarians?

"},{"id":"text-794","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 26, 2010\nFirst, there was I Want to Draw a Cat for You, drawing cats for just $10. Now there's May I Please Draw an Owl for You? undercutting by $2, provided you don't mind an owl instead of a cat. Meanwhile, I'll Draw Any Animal You Want (with a notable exception) does it three-for-$5. [via]","html":"

July 26, 2010\nFirst, there was I Want to Draw a Cat for You, drawing cats for just $10. Now there's May I Please Draw an Owl for You? undercutting by $2, provided you don't mind an owl instead of a cat. Meanwhile, I'll Draw Any Animal You Want (with a notable exception) does it three-for-$5. [via]

"},{"id":"text-795","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 22, 2010\nOne more example of the web bleeding into real life: webcomic Pictures for Sad Children spotted on a wall on Halsted.","html":"

July 22, 2010\nOne more example of the web bleeding into real life: webcomic Pictures for Sad Children spotted on a wall on Halsted.

"},{"id":"text-796","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 22, 2010\nRespected research and abs development journal Men's Health has decided that we're the 11th most angry city in America. They can go f*ck themselves.","html":"

July 22, 2010\nRespected research and abs development journal Men's Health has decided that we're the 11th most angry city in America. They can go f*ck themselves.

"},{"id":"text-797","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 20, 2010\nChicago's best-known political street artist Ray Noland (a.k.a. CRO) was interviewed by Art Slant Chicago's Abraham Ritchie while he passed out Blagojevich-themed cupcakes outside the courthouse during his trial.","html":"

July 20, 2010\nChicago's best-known political street artist Ray Noland (a.k.a. CRO) was interviewed by Art Slant Chicago's Abraham Ritchie while he passed out Blagojevich-themed cupcakes outside the courthouse during his trial.

"},{"id":"text-798","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 20, 2010\nThe Smoking Jacket, Playboy's safe-for-work site, is now live.","html":"

July 20, 2010\nThe Smoking Jacket, Playboy's safe-for-work site, is now live.

"},{"id":"text-799","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 16, 2010\nHistoryPin is a photomapping site that puts photos on a map and links them to their era.","html":"

July 16, 2010\nHistoryPin is a photomapping site that puts photos on a map and links them to their era.

"},{"id":"text-800","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 15, 2010\nDon't talk abo- Wait, did you just say Ferris Club?","html":"

July 15, 2010\nDon't talk abo- Wait, did you just say Ferris Club?

"},{"id":"text-801","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 14, 2010\nThe Blackhawks got a special video response from the Old Spice guy regarding what he'd do with the Stanley Cup.","html":"

July 14, 2010\nThe Blackhawks got a special video response from the Old Spice guy regarding what he'd do with the Stanley Cup.

"},{"id":"text-802","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 14, 2010\nCan't keep up with all those daily coupon emails? Try following Deal Radar to see all the offers at once. (Thanks, Rachelle et Anna!)","html":"

July 14, 2010\nCan't keep up with all those daily coupon emails? Try following Deal Radar to see all the offers at once. (Thanks, Rachelle et Anna!)

"},{"id":"text-803","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 14, 2010\nWith its 40th issue, local webmag KeepGoing.org turns 10. The regular contributors took a moment to reflect.","html":"

July 14, 2010\nWith its 40th issue, local webmag KeepGoing.org turns 10. The regular contributors took a moment to reflect.

"},{"id":"text-804","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 09, 2010\nToday isn't a good day for visitors to Garfield Park … or for the fish who live(d) there.","html":"

July 09, 2010\nToday isn't a good day for visitors to Garfield Park … or for the fish who live(d) there.

"},{"id":"text-805","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 09, 2010\nOh and he was also in a group called the Go Getters before "College Drop Out," check it out.","html":"

July 09, 2010\nOh and he was also in a group called the Go Getters before "College Drop Out," check it out.

"},{"id":"text-806","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 08, 2010\nThe summer interns at the Art Institute have started a twitter account where they post funny things they overhear patrons say in the museum. The results are hilarious and sometimes adorable. Oh, and they have a blog now, too.","html":"

July 08, 2010\nThe summer interns at the Art Institute have started a twitter account where they post funny things they overhear patrons say in the museum. The results are hilarious and sometimes adorable. Oh, and they have a blog now, too.

"},{"id":"text-807","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 02, 2010\nThe true origins of Bros Icing Bros have been discovered in the archives of British Cinema Institute. [via]","html":"

July 02, 2010\nThe true origins of Bros Icing Bros have been discovered in the archives of British Cinema Institute. [via]

"},{"id":"text-808","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 02, 2010\nCarrie Malec of Chicago is suing Snooki and JWOWW of MTV's "Jersey Shore" for assaulting her at a Miami bar in May after Malec danced with other castmembers.","html":"

July 02, 2010\nCarrie Malec of Chicago is suing Snooki and JWOWW of MTV's "Jersey Shore" for assaulting her at a Miami bar in May after Malec danced with other castmembers.

"},{"id":"text-809","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 30, 2010\nLeah A. Zeldes of Dining Chicago argues that meatloaf really is a summer food, and passes off a simple, delicious-sounding recipe from Chef Alfredo Anaya does at Dine in the West Loop. [via]","html":"

June 30, 2010\nLeah A. Zeldes of Dining Chicago argues that meatloaf really is a summer food, and passes off a simple, delicious-sounding recipe from Chef Alfredo Anaya does at Dine in the West Loop. [via]

"},{"id":"text-810","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 29, 2010\nZoomar reprints an old ad touting a, presumably, naughty book about a pretty girl in Chicago. I'd touch-type cette, bro.","html":"

June 29, 2010\nZoomar reprints an old ad touting a, presumably, naughty book about a pretty girl in Chicago. I'd touch-type cette, bro.

"},{"id":"text-811","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 28, 2010\n"Walking down Lincoln, trying to stay alive."","html":"

June 28, 2010\n"Walking down Lincoln, trying to stay alive."

"},{"id":"text-812","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 24, 2010\nIllinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office is looking into the "radius clauses" imposed by Lollapalooza upon its performers. These clauses prohibit bands from playing in Chicago for months before and after the musical festival takes place in August 2010.","html":"

June 24, 2010\nIllinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office is looking into the "radius clauses" imposed by Lollapalooza upon its performers. These clauses prohibit bands from playing in Chicago for months before and after the musical festival takes place in August 2010.

"},{"id":"text-813","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 24, 2010\nAccording to a study by the makers of Combos Snacks, Chicago is the seventh manliest city in America. The ranking process involved "using manly criteria like the number of home improvement stores, steak houses, pickup trucks and motorcycles per capita."","html":"

June 24, 2010\nAccording to a study by the makers of Combos Snacks, Chicago is the seventh manliest city in America. The ranking process involved "using manly criteria like the number of home improvement stores, steak houses, pickup trucks and motorcycles per capita."

"},{"id":"text-814","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 24, 2010\nAlways awesome: From last night's storm, a triple lighting strike on the Hancock, Trump, and former Sears Tower.","html":"

June 24, 2010\nAlways awesome: From last night's storm, a triple lighting strike on the Hancock, Trump, and former Sears Tower.

"},{"id":"text-815","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 24, 2010\nChecking in at Kickstarter, there are some local projects looking for funding. Films Southern Comfort et Marathon, an animation project for the Blue Line tunnel, a website collecting stories of Chicago chefs' favorite farmers and more await your support.","html":"

June 24, 2010\nChecking in at Kickstarter, there are some local projects looking for funding. Films Southern Comfort et Marathon, an animation project for the Blue Line tunnel, a website collecting stories of Chicago chefs' favorite farmers and more await your support.

"},{"id":"text-816","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 24, 2010\nSpeaking of cool things in the new Chicago magazine, they have a list of 40 words that Chicago and Chicagoans have contributed to the English language. So want people to know you're a true Chicagoan? Call them an asswipe or an egghead.","html":"

June 24, 2010\nSpeaking of cool things in the new Chicago magazine, they have a list of 40 words that Chicago and Chicagoans have contributed to the English language. So want people to know you're a true Chicagoan? Call them an asswipe or an egghead.

"},{"id":"text-817","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 23, 2010\nThe spire atop the Trump Tower will be turned on for the first time tonight around 8:29 pm.","html":"

June 23, 2010\nThe spire atop the Trump Tower will be turned on for the first time tonight around 8:29 pm.

"},{"id":"text-818","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 23, 2010\nChicago's beloved mobile street entertainment known to one and all as Puppet Bike will offer up a little piece of itself on eBay starting next week. Owner/Creator Jason Trusty is "retiring" several older puppets and you can take them home, if you're the highest bidder.","html":"

June 23, 2010\nChicago's beloved mobile street entertainment known to one and all as Puppet Bike will offer up a little piece of itself on eBay starting next week. Owner/Creator Jason Trusty is "retiring" several older puppets and you can take them home, if you're the highest bidder.

"},{"id":"text-819","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 23, 2010\nChicago blog Strange Closets takes a close look at the charming and beautiful all around us. Similar to Apartment Therapy, but 100% local, the blog features shopping, interior design, and architecture you'll love looking at.","html":"

June 23, 2010\nChicago blog Strange Closets takes a close look at the charming and beautiful all around us. Similar to Apartment Therapy, but 100% local, the blog features shopping, interior design, and architecture you'll love looking at.

"},{"id":"text-820","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 22, 2010\nVenture to the West Side much? Maybe you should.","html":"

June 22, 2010\nVenture to the West Side much? Maybe you should.

"},{"id":"text-821","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 17, 2010\nOprah Winfrey will be getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2011.","html":"

June 17, 2010\nOprah Winfrey will be getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2011.

"},{"id":"text-822","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 17, 2010\nBig Dog Eat Child knows that even mutant ninja turtles don't stay teenagers forever.","html":"

June 17, 2010\nBig Dog Eat Child knows that even mutant ninja turtles don't stay teenagers forever.

"},{"id":"text-823","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 16, 2010\nDon Thompson, COO of Oak Brook-based McDonald's, talks to the Trib about his tenure at the company, and why a French McDonald's commercial featuring a gay teenage boy and his father won't be airing in the US any time soon.","html":"

June 16, 2010\nDon Thompson, COO of Oak Brook-based McDonald's, talks to the Trib about his tenure at the company, and why a French McDonald's commercial featuring a gay teenage boy and his father won't be airing in the US any time soon.

"},{"id":"text-824","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 15, 2010\nYou're in luck: The media titan is looking for a budding talk show host for her new cable network, OWN.","html":"

June 15, 2010\nYou're in luck: The media titan is looking for a budding talk show host for her new cable network, OWN.

"},{"id":"text-825","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 12, 2010\nLocal biker, blogger, and super-cool chick Julie thinks USA Cycling should enforce standards that make it possible for women to have access and ability to race like their male counterparts. Hopefully the local associations get a lot of requests and start requiring parity.","html":"

June 12, 2010\nLocal biker, blogger, and super-cool chick Julie thinks USA Cycling should enforce standards that make it possible for women to have access and ability to race like their male counterparts. Hopefully the local associations get a lot of requests and start requiring parity.

"},{"id":"text-826","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 11, 2010\nLocal Twitter folks Mike Minnick et Dave Gorum help answer the question, "What if Twitter came to life — again?" (Here's the first one.)","html":"

June 11, 2010\nLocal Twitter folks Mike Minnick et Dave Gorum help answer the question, "What if Twitter came to life — again?" (Here's the first one.)

"},{"id":"text-827","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 09, 2010\nThere's a new Grévy's zebra colt at the Lincoln Park Zoo, the first born since 2001. More really cute pictures and videos here.","html":"

June 09, 2010\nThere's a new Grévy's zebra colt at the Lincoln Park Zoo, the first born since 2001. More really cute pictures and videos here.

"},{"id":"text-828","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 08, 2010\nCoffee wasn't being served at the President's commencement address at a Michigan high school last night.","html":"

June 08, 2010\nCoffee wasn't being served at the President's commencement address at a Michigan high school last night.

"},{"id":"text-829","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 07, 2010\nChicago Cares is still looking for volunteers for this Saturday's annual Serve-a-Thon.","html":"

June 07, 2010\nChicago Cares is still looking for volunteers for this Saturday's annual Serve-a-Thon.

"},{"id":"text-830","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 07, 2010\nMoshe Tamssot is sick of folks from the nearby United Center and bars using his alley as a urinal. So he decided to get even.","html":"

June 07, 2010\nMoshe Tamssot is sick of folks from the nearby United Center and bars using his alley as a urinal. So he decided to get even.

"},{"id":"text-831","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 03, 2010\nDesigners take a crack at re-imagining some ho-hum license plates, including that of Illinois. (via)","html":"

June 03, 2010\nDesigners take a crack at re-imagining some ho-hum license plates, including that of Illinois. (via)

"},{"id":"text-832","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 03, 2010\nEither Elmhurst is some sort of internet search hub or its residents are extremely bored and horny.","html":"

June 03, 2010\nEither Elmhurst is some sort of internet search hub or its residents are extremely bored and horny.

"},{"id":"text-833","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 03, 2010\nDid you know that there's a Bronzeville Children's Museum, and that it's in … Calumet Heights?","html":"

June 03, 2010\nDid you know that there's a Bronzeville Children's Museum, and that it's in … Calumet Heights?

"},{"id":"text-834","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 02, 2010\nThe BP oil plume if it were in Chicago.","html":"

June 02, 2010\nThe BP oil plume if it were in Chicago.

"},{"id":"text-835","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 02, 2010\nThe Field Museum comes in at number seven on the America's Best and Top Ten site's list of the Best Dinosaur Museums in the USA. I suspect Sue will demand a recount.","html":"

June 02, 2010\nThe Field Museum comes in at number seven on the America's Best and Top Ten site's list of the Best Dinosaur Museums in the USA. I suspect Sue will demand a recount.

"},{"id":"text-836","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 02, 2010\nDid Google StreetView cameras capture the shooting of a child on the South Side? Hard to tell from the image whether it's a real gun or a toy, but the buzz around it has caused Google to remove the image. UPDATE: It's been brought to our attention that the image surfaced a year ago. On the Internet, everything old is new again!","html":"

June 02, 2010\nDid Google StreetView cameras capture the shooting of a child on the South Side? Hard to tell from the image whether it's a real gun or a toy, but the buzz around it has caused Google to remove the image. UPDATE: It's been brought to our attention that the image surfaced a year ago. On the Internet, everything old is new again!

"},{"id":"text-837","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 01, 2010\nThat's, um, a very specific site you have there.","html":"

June 01, 2010\nThat's, um, a very specific site you have there.

"},{"id":"text-838","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 01, 2010\nMaybe not, but Bonnie McGrath wants to know what the hey those two big stones are doing in Grant Park. Any ideas? Later: Updated link!","html":"

June 01, 2010\nMaybe not, but Bonnie McGrath wants to know what the hey those two big stones are doing in Grant Park. Any ideas? Later: Updated link!

"},{"id":"text-839","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 25, 2010\nLast Saturday, NBC's Ann Curry delivered the commencement address at Wheaton College's graduation in Norton, Massachusetts; however, when citing famous graduates of the school, she erroneously cited alums of the autre Wheaton College — the one in the Chicago suburbs.","html":"

May 25, 2010\nLast Saturday, NBC's Ann Curry delivered the commencement address at Wheaton College's graduation in Norton, Massachusetts; however, when citing famous graduates of the school, she erroneously cited alums of the autre Wheaton College — the one in the Chicago suburbs.

"},{"id":"text-840","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 24, 2010\nSpeaking of interesting maps of the city, Chicagoist points to one by photographer Eric Fischer that uses geotagging info from Flickr to map photographers' travels through the city.","html":"

May 24, 2010\nSpeaking of interesting maps of the city, Chicagoist points to one by photographer Eric Fischer that uses geotagging info from Flickr to map photographers' travels through the city.

"},{"id":"text-841","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 24, 2010\nLeather goods brand Coach is suing the City of Chicago over the sale of counterfeit Coach merchandise at the New Maxwell Street Market.","html":"

May 24, 2010\nLeather goods brand Coach is suing the City of Chicago over the sale of counterfeit Coach merchandise at the New Maxwell Street Market.

"},{"id":"text-842","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 21, 2010\nMarc Fischer takes photos of anti-car barriers, unlovely and utilitarian devices intended to protect garages and buildings from, well, cars.","html":"

May 21, 2010\nMarc Fischer takes photos of anti-car barriers, unlovely and utilitarian devices intended to protect garages and buildings from, well, cars.

"},{"id":"text-843","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 20, 2010\nUn Amityville Horror-like gathering of bees amassed under a wicker table in Oak Park today in an obvious attempt to induce the heebie jeebies.[[via]","html":"

May 20, 2010\nUn Amityville Horror-like gathering of bees amassed under a wicker table in Oak Park today in an obvious attempt to induce the heebie jeebies.[[via]

"},{"id":"text-844","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 18, 2010\nMashable takes a look at five web sites that "are introducing new approaches to the consumption of information that few have tried or thought of before." Two of these sites are ChicagoNow and EveryBlock.","html":"

May 18, 2010\nMashable takes a look at five web sites that "are introducing new approaches to the consumption of information that few have tried or thought of before." Two of these sites are ChicagoNow and EveryBlock.

"},{"id":"text-845","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 18, 2010\nThe MacBook Pro that film critic Roger Ebert uses to speak is missing. It was last seen in the back of a taxi in Cannes, France, where Ebert is attending the Cannes Film Festival. There is a reward for its safe return.","html":"

May 18, 2010\nThe MacBook Pro that film critic Roger Ebert uses to speak is missing. It was last seen in the back of a taxi in Cannes, France, where Ebert is attending the Cannes Film Festival. There is a reward for its safe return.

"},{"id":"text-846","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 17, 2010\nThe Chicago Public Library's poster contest entries are now open for voting. Vote through flickr by Sunday, May 23.","html":"

May 17, 2010\nThe Chicago Public Library's poster contest entries are now open for voting. Vote through flickr by Sunday, May 23.

"},{"id":"text-847","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 14, 2010\nThe Museum of Online Museums has been collecting odd obsessions for many years. Now it invites you to meet some of the collectors.","html":"

May 14, 2010\nThe Museum of Online Museums has been collecting odd obsessions for many years. Now it invites you to meet some of the collectors.

"},{"id":"text-848","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 13, 2010\nFormer Cicero town president Betty Loren-Maltese has left her job as a hostess at Salerno's in Oak Park. Maybe she's looking to get in on the food truck trend?","html":"

May 13, 2010\nFormer Cicero town president Betty Loren-Maltese has left her job as a hostess at Salerno's in Oak Park. Maybe she's looking to get in on the food truck trend?

"},{"id":"text-849","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 13, 2010\nSecond City has a YouTube channel.","html":"

May 13, 2010\nSecond City has a YouTube channel.

"},{"id":"text-850","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 12, 2010\n…Would just be corporately sponsored and smell just as sweet. The Onion's AV Club reviews the naming history of several big marquees in the Chicago area. Of particular note: The Chicago Marathon for three years was sponsored by G. Heileman Brewing Company and was known as the Old Style Chicago Marathon.","html":"

May 12, 2010\n…Would just be corporately sponsored and smell just as sweet. The Onion's AV Club reviews the naming history of several big marquees in the Chicago area. Of particular note: The Chicago Marathon for three years was sponsored by G. Heileman Brewing Company and was known as the Old Style Chicago Marathon.

"},{"id":"text-851","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 07, 2010\nFerris Bueller's Day Off played out live on Twitter and Foursquare today. All the major characters are there. [via]","html":"

May 07, 2010\nFerris Bueller's Day Off played out live on Twitter and Foursquare today. All the major characters are there. [via]

"},{"id":"text-852","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 06, 2010\nHe really is everywhere: nearly a year after the stencil spawned a group art show, Ray Noland's jogging Blago has been spotted down in the Tar Heel state.","html":"

May 06, 2010\nHe really is everywhere: nearly a year after the stencil spawned a group art show, Ray Noland's jogging Blago has been spotted down in the Tar Heel state.

"},{"id":"text-853","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 06, 2010\nThe University of Chicago 2010 Scavenger Hunt is on. A PDF of the list is here.","html":"

May 06, 2010\nThe University of Chicago 2010 Scavenger Hunt is on. A PDF of the list is here.

"},{"id":"text-854","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 06, 2010\nGuess who's got his own Facebook page? That's right, Ike — the Eisenhower Expressway Dog.","html":"

May 06, 2010\nGuess who's got his own Facebook page? That's right, Ike — the Eisenhower Expressway Dog.

"},{"id":"text-855","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 06, 2010\nSo this exists: Miss Wicker Park.","html":"

May 06, 2010\nSo this exists: Miss Wicker Park.

"},{"id":"text-856","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 05, 2010\nWhat some would call a quintessentially Midwest food is now available through Le Cordon Bleu graduate "Johnny Casserole"'s delivery service.","html":"

May 05, 2010\nWhat some would call a quintessentially Midwest food is now available through Le Cordon Bleu graduate "Johnny Casserole"'s delivery service.

"},{"id":"text-857","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 05, 2010\nRavenchase's P.O.E. — Puzzles Over Email — sends you a monthly riddle to solve; figure it out and you might win a prize.","html":"

May 05, 2010\nRavenchase's P.O.E. — Puzzles Over Email — sends you a monthly riddle to solve; figure it out and you might win a prize.

"},{"id":"text-858","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 04, 2010\nHere's how to leave no doubt as to where you're from: cover your passport with the Chicago flag.","html":"

May 04, 2010\nHere's how to leave no doubt as to where you're from: cover your passport with the Chicago flag.

"},{"id":"text-859","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 04, 2010\nThe Program in Linguistics of the Department of English at George Mason University has a entertaining collection of recordings of people speaking the same peculiar phrase. The classic Chicago accent is well-represented by subject: english82, female.","html":"

May 04, 2010\nThe Program in Linguistics of the Department of English at George Mason University has a entertaining collection of recordings of people speaking the same peculiar phrase. The classic Chicago accent is well-represented by subject: english82, female.

"},{"id":"text-860","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 03, 2010\nNow that United and Continental airlines are looking to make their union official, WBEZ thinks that United should keep the merger ball rolling by merging with something else. Anything else, it would seem, as shown in this poll.","html":"

May 03, 2010\nNow that United and Continental airlines are looking to make their union official, WBEZ thinks that United should keep the merger ball rolling by merging with something else. Anything else, it would seem, as shown in this poll.

"},{"id":"text-861","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 30, 2010\nRaccoons the size of orangutans and German shepherds! Bending steel bars! Fashioning crude stone weapons and mastering fire! Wait, scratch that last one. But the rising number of foreclosed homes in the city give raccoons places to grow bigger, stronger, and feistier. Side note: After reading Ms. Ward's account, can I be forgiven for thinking of a certain story by Poe?","html":"

April 30, 2010\nRaccoons the size of orangutans and German shepherds! Bending steel bars! Fashioning crude stone weapons and mastering fire! Wait, scratch that last one. But the rising number of foreclosed homes in the city give raccoons places to grow bigger, stronger, and feistier. Side note: After reading Ms. Ward's account, can I be forgiven for thinking of a certain story by Poe?

"},{"id":"text-862","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 27, 2010\nIf you enjoy statistics and data, this site is for you.","html":"

April 27, 2010\nIf you enjoy statistics and data, this site is for you.

"},{"id":"text-863","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 26, 2010\nApartment Therapy is looking for some guys who have a room in need of a do-over. Lucky for you, Chicago is one of their five selected metro areas (but sorry, ladies, this project is for boys only). Apply by May 24.","html":"

April 26, 2010\nApartment Therapy is looking for some guys who have a room in need of a do-over. Lucky for you, Chicago is one of their five selected metro areas (but sorry, ladies, this project is for boys only). Apply by May 24.

"},{"id":"text-864","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 26, 2010\nEver dreamed of getting married in Wrigley Field? Just enter the Home Run Inn, Lou Malnati's and Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Co.'s "Through Thick & Thin Photo Essay Contest" and start planning that red brick and ivy fairy tale.","html":"

April 26, 2010\nEver dreamed of getting married in Wrigley Field? Just enter the Home Run Inn, Lou Malnati's and Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Co.'s "Through Thick & Thin Photo Essay Contest" and start planning that red brick and ivy fairy tale.

"},{"id":"text-865","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 26, 2010\nNo, Lionel Richie, someone's just looking for a terracotta bust of you like the one from your "Hello" video. (It gets weirder.)","html":"

April 26, 2010\nNo, Lionel Richie, someone's just looking for a terracotta bust of you like the one from your "Hello" video. (It gets weirder.)

"},{"id":"text-866","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 23, 2010\nVocalo's Lee Bey sees some of Chicago architecture's best views in hip-hop videos.","html":"

April 23, 2010\nVocalo's Lee Bey sees some of Chicago architecture's best views in hip-hop videos.

"},{"id":"text-867","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 22, 2010\nWrigleyville tends to draw a vast blogger presence. But hey, what's one more URL to bookmark among die hard fans? Cubs Fan Report launched today as a collaborative of them all, as well as major news Cubs coverage.","html":"

April 22, 2010\nWrigleyville tends to draw a vast blogger presence. But hey, what's one more URL to bookmark among die hard fans? Cubs Fan Report launched today as a collaborative of them all, as well as major news Cubs coverage.

"},{"id":"text-868","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 22, 2010\nCheck out this United Air Lines ad from the good old male chauvinist pig days. Trapped on a plane with a bunch of drunks, all smoking cigars and pipes and stuffing themselves with steaks? Uh, I'll take the train.","html":"

April 22, 2010\nCheck out this United Air Lines ad from the good old male chauvinist pig days. Trapped on a plane with a bunch of drunks, all smoking cigars and pipes and stuffing themselves with steaks? Uh, I'll take the train.

"},{"id":"text-869","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 21, 2010\nWant the taste of Alinea at a fraction of the cost? Reproduce the menu with jelly beans. [via]","html":"

April 21, 2010\nWant the taste of Alinea at a fraction of the cost? Reproduce the menu with jelly beans. [via]

"},{"id":"text-870","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 21, 2010\nDon't eat meat, but still want in on the latest fast food abomination? A local young lady and her boyfriend help you out with their meatless version of the KFC sandwich.","html":"

April 21, 2010\nDon't eat meat, but still want in on the latest fast food abomination? A local young lady and her boyfriend help you out with their meatless version of the KFC sandwich.

"},{"id":"text-871","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 19, 2010\nReporting in from Milan, Craighton Berman brings us The Eyjafjallajokull Chair.","html":"

April 19, 2010\nReporting in from Milan, Craighton Berman brings us The Eyjafjallajokull Chair.

"},{"id":"text-872","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 19, 2010\nScare the neighbors into moving their cars. Make an imposing lawn sculpture. Create a giant float and protest the street sweeping schedule. If you buy your own, the possibilities are endless.","html":"

April 19, 2010\nScare the neighbors into moving their cars. Make an imposing lawn sculpture. Create a giant float and protest the street sweeping schedule. If you buy your own, the possibilities are endless.

"},{"id":"text-873","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 19, 2010\nCraig Clark is scanning his life, including his dog. [via]","html":"

April 19, 2010\nCraig Clark is scanning his life, including his dog. [via]

"},{"id":"text-874","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 16, 2010\nLast year, the Woodlawn Wonder tweeted about spring heralding the return of gators to city sidewalks. This year, she's got pictures.","html":"

April 16, 2010\nLast year, the Woodlawn Wonder tweeted about spring heralding the return of gators to city sidewalks. This year, she's got pictures.

"},{"id":"text-875","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 16, 2010\nLast night, Scott popped a very big question at the Cloud Cult show.","html":"

April 16, 2010\nLast night, Scott popped a very big question at the Cloud Cult show.

"},{"id":"text-876","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 16, 2010\nIt's Foursquare Day — connect with your fellow Mayors and badge-unlockers, and enjoy special deals at participating businesses when you check in.","html":"

April 16, 2010\nIt's Foursquare Day — connect with your fellow Mayors and badge-unlockers, and enjoy special deals at participating businesses when you check in.

"},{"id":"text-877","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 16, 2010\nStarting at 2pm today, Coudal's Layer Tennis will be played around the world in 10 layers — and the second will be by Chicago's Mig Reyes.","html":"

April 16, 2010\nStarting at 2pm today, Coudal's Layer Tennis will be played around the world in 10 layers — and the second will be by Chicago's Mig Reyes.

"},{"id":"text-878","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 13, 2010\nGetting married soon? If you make your dress out of toilet paper you might win $1,000 to buy one that's made out of real fabric. Need inspiration? Check out this article featuring 2005's Chicago-based TP wedding dress contest winner.","html":"

April 13, 2010\nGetting married soon? If you make your dress out of toilet paper you might win $1,000 to buy one that's made out of real fabric. Need inspiration? Check out this article featuring 2005's Chicago-based TP wedding dress contest winner.

"},{"id":"text-879","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 13, 2010\nRoger Ebert's Twitter followers are less stupid than Oprah's.","html":"

April 13, 2010\nRoger Ebert's Twitter followers are less stupid than Oprah's.

"},{"id":"text-880","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 12, 2010\n"2) Telling Internet people that you work for a newspaper feels a bit like telling them you're a Civil War reenactor." The rest of Rex's list is here. [via]","html":"

April 12, 2010\n"2) Telling Internet people that you work for a newspaper feels a bit like telling them you're a Civil War reenactor." The rest of Rex's list is here. [via]

"},{"id":"text-881","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 08, 2010\nNot only does the First Lady have some new neighbors, but she also seems to have an entirely new upper body.","html":"

April 08, 2010\nNot only does the First Lady have some new neighbors, but she also seems to have an entirely new upper body.

"},{"id":"text-882","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 08, 2010\nChris Ware's smartest kid on earth will provide you with hours of plush and depressing fun. Place him on your couch or bed and taunt his decapitated helplessness. Whee!","html":"

April 08, 2010\nChris Ware's smartest kid on earth will provide you with hours of plush and depressing fun. Place him on your couch or bed and taunt his decapitated helplessness. Whee!

"},{"id":"text-883","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 07, 2010\nA Chicago GOP website currently features a photo of a topless woman, illustrating a post about Democratic "job creation" through women getting memoirs based on their affairs. (NSFW, obviously.) More details on WindyCitizen.","html":"

April 07, 2010\nA Chicago GOP website currently features a photo of a topless woman, illustrating a post about Democratic "job creation" through women getting memoirs based on their affairs. (NSFW, obviously.) More details on WindyCitizen.

"},{"id":"text-884","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 06, 2010\nThis license plate has probably started many a fight in Wisconsin.","html":"

April 06, 2010\nThis license plate has probably started many a fight in Wisconsin.

"},{"id":"text-885","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 05, 2010\nThe Hello Project invites you to say "Hello" to the world on a 3×3 Post-It note and join the mosaic. It's the brain spawn of area creatives Joseph Delhommer and Kristen Caston.","html":"

April 05, 2010\nThe Hello Project invites you to say "Hello" to the world on a 3×3 Post-It note and join the mosaic. It's the brain spawn of area creatives Joseph Delhommer and Kristen Caston.

"},{"id":"text-886","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 05, 2010\nGalesburg, Ill.'s Knox College is known for snagging pretty impressive Commencement speakers, such as Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Madeleine Albright, Stephen Colbert, and last year, Patrick J. Fitgerald. So, this June's graduation should be interesting.","html":"

April 05, 2010\nGalesburg, Ill.'s Knox College is known for snagging pretty impressive Commencement speakers, such as Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Madeleine Albright, Stephen Colbert, and last year, Patrick J. Fitgerald. So, this June's graduation should be interesting.

"},{"id":"text-887","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 05, 2010\nForget bar and pub: Chicago Bites' cupcake crawl is where it's at. [via]","html":"

April 05, 2010\nForget bar and pub: Chicago Bites' cupcake crawl is where it's at. [via]

"},{"id":"text-888","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 01, 2010\nHappy Easter.","html":"

April 01, 2010\nHappy Easter.

"},{"id":"text-889","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 31, 2010\nIn 1974, a kangaroo haunted the streets of Chicago, then the Midwest. What could be lurking today?","html":"

March 31, 2010\nIn 1974, a kangaroo haunted the streets of Chicago, then the Midwest. What could be lurking today?

"},{"id":"text-890","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 30, 2010\nCameron's dad's Ferrari 250GT California used in Ferris Bueller's Day Off is up for auction in London, and his house is still up for sale in Highland Park. All you need is a vintage Fiero and a water tower and that shot for shot remake is done.","html":"

March 30, 2010\nCameron's dad's Ferrari 250GT California used in Ferris Bueller's Day Off is up for auction in London, and his house is still up for sale in Highland Park. All you need is a vintage Fiero and a water tower and that shot for shot remake is done.

"},{"id":"text-891","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 30, 2010\nIf you find yourself overqualified for your current job, you just might be working for the U.S. Census.","html":"

March 30, 2010\nIf you find yourself overqualified for your current job, you just might be working for the U.S. Census.

"},{"id":"text-892","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 29, 2010\nKeep Going's spring issue is up, and among other things features a private plague and a story mentioning many things that someday soon won't exist.","html":"

March 29, 2010\nKeep Going's spring issue is up, and among other things features a private plague and a story mentioning many things that someday soon won't exist.

"},{"id":"text-893","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 29, 2010\nÜnnecessary Ümlaut has a review and photos of what is likely the creepiest miniature golf course in the country: Palatine's Ahlgrim Family Funeral Services … and basement golf course.","html":"

March 29, 2010\nÜnnecessary Ümlaut has a review and photos of what is likely the creepiest miniature golf course in the country: Palatine's Ahlgrim Family Funeral Services … and basement golf course.

"},{"id":"text-894","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 29, 2010\nCity Of Chicago To Modernize Outdated Graft Programs. (Yes, it's The Onion.)","html":"

March 29, 2010\nCity Of Chicago To Modernize Outdated Graft Programs. (Yes, it's The Onion.)

"},{"id":"text-895","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 27, 2010\nMSI's new Science Storms exhibit sports the nation's largest indoor tornado at 40 feet. So who's got us beat for world honors? The Mercedes Benz Museum in Stuttgart, which whirls up a cyclone of over 100 feet.","html":"

March 27, 2010\nMSI's new Science Storms exhibit sports the nation's largest indoor tornado at 40 feet. So who's got us beat for world honors? The Mercedes Benz Museum in Stuttgart, which whirls up a cyclone of over 100 feet.

"},{"id":"text-896","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 27, 2010\nAs a teen in Chicago, Hugh Hefner corresponded with friend Jane Sellers through letters and cartoons. Feeling that he was "destined to do amazing things," Sellers kept everything Hef sent. A selection of the comic strips was recently posted on Book Patrol.","html":"

March 27, 2010\nAs a teen in Chicago, Hugh Hefner corresponded with friend Jane Sellers through letters and cartoons. Feeling that he was "destined to do amazing things," Sellers kept everything Hef sent. A selection of the comic strips was recently posted on Book Patrol.

"},{"id":"text-897","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 26, 2010\nThis week's Layer Tennis match pits local video post-production artist Josh Bodnar against Austin's Jason Uson. The weapon of choice: archival video clips.","html":"

March 26, 2010\nThis week's Layer Tennis match pits local video post-production artist Josh Bodnar against Austin's Jason Uson. The weapon of choice: archival video clips.

"},{"id":"text-898","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 26, 2010\nStaff at Libertyville-Vernon Hills Area High School District 128 are not permitted to email students from personal email accounts. A new policy that went into effect this week also prohibits online gaming with students as well as communicating with them via text message. [via]","html":"

March 26, 2010\nStaff at Libertyville-Vernon Hills Area High School District 128 are not permitted to email students from personal email accounts. A new policy that went into effect this week also prohibits online gaming with students as well as communicating with them via text message. [via]

"},{"id":"text-899","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 26, 2010\nA recent visit to an Iowa City bookstore shows the President's kind of nerdy.[[via]","html":"

March 26, 2010\nA recent visit to an Iowa City bookstore shows the President's kind of nerdy.[[via]

"},{"id":"text-900","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 26, 2010\nDannielle Owens-Reid has a lot of salt and pepper shakers. Seven hundred sets, in fact. Some could be yours if you pledge through Kickstarter.","html":"

March 26, 2010\nDannielle Owens-Reid has a lot of salt and pepper shakers. Seven hundred sets, in fact. Some could be yours if you pledge through Kickstarter.

"},{"id":"text-901","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 25, 2010\nThe Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) gives a nod to new global resource STACKD which lets people connect via their workplace. It's a great opportunity to "Act Local" and connect with others outside of that excruciatingly silent morning elevator ride.","html":"

March 25, 2010\nThe Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) gives a nod to new global resource STACKD which lets people connect via their workplace. It's a great opportunity to "Act Local" and connect with others outside of that excruciatingly silent morning elevator ride.

"},{"id":"text-902","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 23, 2010\nAnder Monson recounts a recent (OK, 2009) visit to Schaumburg's Medieval Times. [via]","html":"

March 23, 2010\nAnder Monson recounts a recent (OK, 2009) visit to Schaumburg's Medieval Times. [via]

"},{"id":"text-903","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 17, 2010\nBroaden your architectural acumen at Blueprint Chicago, a blog about buildings both famous and forgotten. Its author, a docent for the Chicago Architecture Foundation, also offers a "Word of the Week" to build your building vocabulary.","html":"

March 17, 2010\nBroaden your architectural acumen at Blueprint Chicago, a blog about buildings both famous and forgotten. Its author, a docent for the Chicago Architecture Foundation, also offers a "Word of the Week" to build your building vocabulary.

"},{"id":"text-904","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 16, 2010\nThe Tribune looks into the rough, dangerous and some 80-hour workweeks leaving cab drivers frequented (more than 58 percent) by occupational violence. The Reader's Whet Moser weighs in with their account last year on "bad neighborhoods" vs. "white-collar types partying in trendy areas" and why race plays a major role.","html":"

March 16, 2010\nThe Tribune looks into the rough, dangerous and some 80-hour workweeks leaving cab drivers frequented (more than 58 percent) by occupational violence. The Reader's Whet Moser weighs in with their account last year on "bad neighborhoods" vs. "white-collar types partying in trendy areas" and why race plays a major role.

"},{"id":"text-905","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 16, 2010\nStart up tech companies may have a helping hand from a local success story. Lightbank, a new investment fund, was recently set up by Eric Lefkofsky and Brad Keywell, the brains behind "collective buying" deal-of-the-day site Groupon, to funnel as much as $10 million annually into early-stage tech entrepreneurial ventures.","html":"

March 16, 2010\nStart up tech companies may have a helping hand from a local success story. Lightbank, a new investment fund, was recently set up by Eric Lefkofsky and Brad Keywell, the brains behind "collective buying" deal-of-the-day site Groupon, to funnel as much as $10 million annually into early-stage tech entrepreneurial ventures.

"},{"id":"text-906","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 16, 2010\nMayor Daley now has a Twitter account. How long till he adds Foursquare and becomes "mayor" of City Hall?","html":"

March 16, 2010\nMayor Daley now has a Twitter account. How long till he adds Foursquare and becomes "mayor" of City Hall?

"},{"id":"text-907","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 15, 2010\nHere's an interesting clip of the original Mayor Daley on What's My Line from August 5, 1956. Watch till the end when host John Daly offers a hilarious/discomforting comment about one of our fair city's talents.","html":"

March 15, 2010\nHere's an interesting clip of the original Mayor Daley on What's My Line from August 5, 1956. Watch till the end when host John Daly offers a hilarious/discomforting comment about one of our fair city's talents.

"},{"id":"text-908","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 14, 2010\nThe 2010 Census will start filling our mailboxes soon, but will your identity be truly counted? The Tribune looks into how mixed races might be erroneously counted with local Chicagoans.","html":"

March 14, 2010\nThe 2010 Census will start filling our mailboxes soon, but will your identity be truly counted? The Tribune looks into how mixed races might be erroneously counted with local Chicagoans.

"},{"id":"text-909","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 10, 2010\nToday's passing of 80s teen icon Corey Haim is certainly a sad subject, but Schadenfreude takes us back to a happier, more hair-bleached time in the actor's life.","html":"

March 10, 2010\nToday's passing of 80s teen icon Corey Haim is certainly a sad subject, but Schadenfreude takes us back to a happier, more hair-bleached time in the actor's life.

"},{"id":"text-910","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 10, 2010\n…and it's their loss. A quick lineup of cute, bespectacled Chicagoans.","html":"

March 10, 2010\n…and it's their loss. A quick lineup of cute, bespectacled Chicagoans.

"},{"id":"text-911","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 09, 2010\nMedia Matters notes Survival Seed Bank of Thomson IL, one of the advertisers filling the gaps on Glenn Beck's show where major advertisers have left. Whether you think a "crisis garden" will be necessary or not, it's an entertaining read.","html":"

March 09, 2010\nMedia Matters notes Survival Seed Bank of Thomson IL, one of the advertisers filling the gaps on Glenn Beck's show where major advertisers have left. Whether you think a "crisis garden" will be necessary or not, it's an entertaining read.

"},{"id":"text-912","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 08, 2010\nToday, Whitney Gifford runs an article about the public nuisance of hatpins, 100 years ago today. "One man told me he was almost decapitated in the City Hall elevator by the sweep of a hatpin like a scimitar worn by one of the City Hall belles."","html":"

March 08, 2010\nToday, Whitney Gifford runs an article about the public nuisance of hatpins, 100 years ago today. "One man told me he was almost decapitated in the City Hall elevator by the sweep of a hatpin like a scimitar worn by one of the City Hall belles."

"},{"id":"text-913","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 04, 2010\nNo, Layer Tennis, which tomorrow will feature GB co-founder Naz Hamid vs. Sam Javanrouh in a volley of photos — with on-the-spot musical accompaniment by Coctails member Mark Greenberg (who we profiled years ago.)","html":"

March 04, 2010\nNo, Layer Tennis, which tomorrow will feature GB co-founder Naz Hamid vs. Sam Javanrouh in a volley of photos — with on-the-spot musical accompaniment by Coctails member Mark Greenberg (who we profiled years ago.)

"},{"id":"text-914","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 03, 2010\nContinuing the lovefest, writer/editor Scott Edelman reran a fun interview he did with Mr. Ebert for Sci-Fi Entertainment about, yes, science-fiction. Fun fact: Ebert started the science fiction club at his high school.","html":"

March 03, 2010\nContinuing the lovefest, writer/editor Scott Edelman reran a fun interview he did with Mr. Ebert for Sci-Fi Entertainment about, yes, science-fiction. Fun fact: Ebert started the science fiction club at his high school.

"},{"id":"text-915","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 02, 2010\nTwo New Yorkers visited Andersonville and shared ideas for shopping for cool thrift store finds, antiques, and DIY make-overs that won't break the bank. (via)","html":"

March 02, 2010\nTwo New Yorkers visited Andersonville and shared ideas for shopping for cool thrift store finds, antiques, and DIY make-overs that won't break the bank. (via)

"},{"id":"text-916","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 01, 2010\nRock for Kids sure it when March rolls around — it's Music in Our Schools Month and they're working hard to spread the love of music to underserved kids around Chicago.","html":"

March 01, 2010\nRock for Kids sure it when March rolls around — it's Music in Our Schools Month and they're working hard to spread the love of music to underserved kids around Chicago.

"},{"id":"text-917","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 26, 2010\n. . .remain on the train or exit as instructed.","html":"

February 26, 2010\n. . .remain on the train or exit as instructed.

"},{"id":"text-918","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 25, 2010\nExplore Chicago has just launched an online gallery of free and cheap Chicago-oriented smartphone apps (mostly geared to you iPhone users, though some work on Blackberry and the like). You can keep track of shows at Broadway in Chicago, menus on GrubHub, get the latest Bears rumors, or locate nearby LGBT businesses through the Gay Cities Guide.","html":"

February 25, 2010\nExplore Chicago has just launched an online gallery of free and cheap Chicago-oriented smartphone apps (mostly geared to you iPhone users, though some work on Blackberry and the like). You can keep track of shows at Broadway in Chicago, menus on GrubHub, get the latest Bears rumors, or locate nearby LGBT businesses through the Gay Cities Guide.

"},{"id":"text-919","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 25, 2010\nFilm fan site Batman on Film says a source spotted producers scouting sites for the franchise's third installment around Chicago's Financial District. Meanwhile, filming blogs are cautiously generating a buzz.","html":"

February 25, 2010\nFilm fan site Batman on Film says a source spotted producers scouting sites for the franchise's third installment around Chicago's Financial District. Meanwhile, filming blogs are cautiously generating a buzz.

"},{"id":"text-920","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 25, 2010\n35th Ward Alderman Rey Colon would like to think so. Check out his entry about his commitment to art on Studio Chicago's blog.","html":"

February 25, 2010\n35th Ward Alderman Rey Colon would like to think so. Check out his entry about his commitment to art on Studio Chicago's blog.

"},{"id":"text-921","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 24, 2010\nSet phasers to stun! Rich of broadbarn.com provides 8mm footage of a Star Trek convention/original series cast reunion that took place at the Hilton, August 22-24, 1975.","html":"

February 24, 2010\nSet phasers to stun! Rich of broadbarn.com provides 8mm footage of a Star Trek convention/original series cast reunion that took place at the Hilton, August 22-24, 1975.

"},{"id":"text-922","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 22, 2010\nFollowing Kevin Smith's Southwest Airlines incident, Vanity Fair can't wait for Smith to duke it out with Chicago Sun-Times columnist Laura Washington who wrote that Smith is in denial about being "fat and in trouble."","html":"

February 22, 2010\nFollowing Kevin Smith's Southwest Airlines incident, Vanity Fair can't wait for Smith to duke it out with Chicago Sun-Times columnist Laura Washington who wrote that Smith is in denial about being "fat and in trouble."

"},{"id":"text-923","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 22, 2010\nIf so, Advocates for Urban Agriculture Chicago launched a design competition for a new logo.","html":"

February 22, 2010\nIf so, Advocates for Urban Agriculture Chicago launched a design competition for a new logo.

"},{"id":"text-924","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 17, 2010\nDespite being hit hard by the economic slump, the Art Institute is hanging on– they're even able to offer free admission during February, as always. Comment? Hipsters, among other things.","html":"

February 17, 2010\nDespite being hit hard by the economic slump, the Art Institute is hanging on– they're even able to offer free admission during February, as always. Comment? Hipsters, among other things.

"},{"id":"text-925","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 17, 2010\nLook out for worldcarshows.com's top five cars at the Chicago Auto Show.","html":"

February 17, 2010\nLook out for worldcarshows.com's top five cars at the Chicago Auto Show.

"},{"id":"text-926","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 17, 2010\nHit the right consignment shop, and you too could get your hands on some fancy threads that once belonged to former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich.","html":"

February 17, 2010\nHit the right consignment shop, and you too could get your hands on some fancy threads that once belonged to former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich.

"},{"id":"text-927","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 16, 2010\nPitchfork has gotten into the micro-blogging game at http://pitchfork.tumblr.com. This comes as a surprise to Tumblr user Tumbledore, who says the subdomain was stolen from him.","html":"

February 16, 2010\nPitchfork has gotten into the micro-blogging game at http://pitchfork.tumblr.com. This comes as a surprise to Tumblr user Tumbledore, who says the subdomain was stolen from him.

"},{"id":"text-928","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 16, 2010\nThe first online bulletin board launched 32 years ago today. Its programmer-inventors founded it during the Chicago blizzard of 1978, paving the way for the snowed-in Twitter hordes of today.","html":"

February 16, 2010\nThe first online bulletin board launched 32 years ago today. Its programmer-inventors founded it during the Chicago blizzard of 1978, paving the way for the snowed-in Twitter hordes of today.

"},{"id":"text-929","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 15, 2010\nChicago music critic and "Sound Opinions" host Jim DeRogatis explains his picks for the worst rock movies. I stand by Heavy Metal Parking Lot.","html":"

February 15, 2010\nChicago music critic and "Sound Opinions" host Jim DeRogatis explains his picks for the worst rock movies. I stand by Heavy Metal Parking Lot.

"},{"id":"text-930","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 11, 2010\nThe New York Times describes the struggle of Kenwood resident Jean-Paul Coffy as he cares for his parents in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake. Coffy's Chicago friends are maintaining a blog following his travels.","html":"

February 11, 2010\nThe New York Times describes the struggle of Kenwood resident Jean-Paul Coffy as he cares for his parents in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake. Coffy's Chicago friends are maintaining a blog following his travels.

"},{"id":"text-931","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 10, 2010\nIf you're feeling sassy today, why not join the "I survived the Chicago Quake of 2010" Facebook group? Please spare us the wall posts about how we should get relief money, though. That's a bit much, don't you think?","html":"

February 10, 2010\nIf you're feeling sassy today, why not join the "I survived the Chicago Quake of 2010" Facebook group? Please spare us the wall posts about how we should get relief money, though. That's a bit much, don't you think?

"},{"id":"text-932","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 09, 2010\nOhNo!Doom has the jeans to go with your new iPad.","html":"

February 09, 2010\nOhNo!Doom has the jeans to go with your new iPad.

"},{"id":"text-933","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 03, 2010\nUnless this is some word-of-mouth, Tweet-of-type publicity stunt, local Wilmette band Fall Out Boy is contemplating a permanent hiatus, as evident in bassist Pete Wentz's blog. While their fans share inspiring stories, pop blogs are skeptical.","html":"

February 03, 2010\nUnless this is some word-of-mouth, Tweet-of-type publicity stunt, local Wilmette band Fall Out Boy is contemplating a permanent hiatus, as evident in bassist Pete Wentz's blog. While their fans share inspiring stories, pop blogs are skeptical.

"},{"id":"text-934","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 03, 2010\nI'm trying to envision the look on the face of a lost tourist as the owner of this tattoo of the CTA train map gives him directions by taking off her shoe. (Thanks, James!)","html":"

February 03, 2010\nI'm trying to envision the look on the face of a lost tourist as the owner of this tattoo of the CTA train map gives him directions by taking off her shoe. (Thanks, James!)

"},{"id":"text-935","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 02, 2010\nThe CPD is now sending out safety alerts, CAPS meeting info and other announcements by text and email using Nixle.com. But what's Nixle doing claiming copyright over public information?","html":"

February 02, 2010\nThe CPD is now sending out safety alerts, CAPS meeting info and other announcements by text and email using Nixle.com. But what's Nixle doing claiming copyright over public information?

"},{"id":"text-936","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 01, 2010\nEarly 20th Century graphic designer Lester Beall–educated and employed in Chicago for many years–was a trailblazer who created an immediately recognizable look for his work that incorporated modernist notions imported from the Bauhaus and other art movements. Here's a site devoted to the man and his ideas.","html":"

February 01, 2010\nEarly 20th Century graphic designer Lester Beall–educated and employed in Chicago for many years–was a trailblazer who created an immediately recognizable look for his work that incorporated modernist notions imported from the Bauhaus and other art movements. Here's a site devoted to the man and his ideas.

"},{"id":"text-937","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 29, 2010\nThreadless and Coudal Partners have joined forces (like Voltron) to create a special set of Field Notes. You can win a set of your own this weekend in their lil contest.","html":"

January 29, 2010\nThreadless and Coudal Partners have joined forces (like Voltron) to create a special set of Field Notes. You can win a set of your own this weekend in their lil contest.

"},{"id":"text-938","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 27, 2010\nIf you've got a great new design on your mind for some temporary outdoor furniture, the Chicago chapter of Architecture for Humanity wants to hear from you. They're sponsoring a street furniture competition, with entries due by February 26th. Check out this PDF for further guidelines. (Via the Reader blog.)","html":"

January 27, 2010\nIf you've got a great new design on your mind for some temporary outdoor furniture, the Chicago chapter of Architecture for Humanity wants to hear from you. They're sponsoring a street furniture competition, with entries due by February 26th. Check out this PDF for further guidelines. (Via the Reader blog.)

"},{"id":"text-939","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 26, 2010\nChicago blogs I Hate My Developer and Young Chicagonista have been nominated for Weblog Awards, or "Bloggies." I Hate My Developer is in the "Best Kept Secret Weblog" category while Young Chicagonista is competing for "Best Teen Weblog." Voting is open until January 31, 2010 at http://2010.bloggies.com.","html":"

January 26, 2010\nChicago blogs I Hate My Developer and Young Chicagonista have been nominated for Weblog Awards, or "Bloggies." I Hate My Developer is in the "Best Kept Secret Weblog" category while Young Chicagonista is competing for "Best Teen Weblog." Voting is open until January 31, 2010 at http://2010.bloggies.com.

"},{"id":"text-940","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 26, 2010\nYesterday Apartment Therapy's House Tours section featured FofGB George and Sara Aye's beautiful Logan Square home. You might remember George shot amazing photos from Pitchfork in Transmission in years past, and the couple run the company Hubwear, among other projects.","html":"

January 26, 2010\nYesterday Apartment Therapy's House Tours section featured FofGB George and Sara Aye's beautiful Logan Square home. You might remember George shot amazing photos from Pitchfork in Transmission in years past, and the couple run the company Hubwear, among other projects.

"},{"id":"text-941","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 26, 2010\nNot that anybody should be surprised by anything he says, but Bill O'Reilly's latest head-scratching proclamation (via Huffington Post) may have South Siders a little miffed.","html":"

January 26, 2010\nNot that anybody should be surprised by anything he says, but Bill O'Reilly's latest head-scratching proclamation (via Huffington Post) may have South Siders a little miffed.

"},{"id":"text-942","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 25, 2010\nIt's a meme — and an edict — that's traveling the globe, thanks to a Chicago blogger who scanned his autistic nephew's hand-drawn sign.","html":"

January 25, 2010\nIt's a meme — and an edict — that's traveling the globe, thanks to a Chicago blogger who scanned his autistic nephew's hand-drawn sign.

"},{"id":"text-943","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 21, 2010\nThere's a debate raging on the campus of the University of Chicago. No, not "evolution vs. creation" or anything like that. It's what to call their new cafe/mini-mart. (BTW, the suggestion above is binary for "7-11", but that might be legally stepping on toes.)","html":"

January 21, 2010\nThere's a debate raging on the campus of the University of Chicago. No, not "evolution vs. creation" or anything like that. It's what to call their new cafe/mini-mart. (BTW, the suggestion above is binary for "7-11", but that might be legally stepping on toes.)

"},{"id":"text-944","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 21, 2010\nFor those creatively inclined Valentine's Day lovers, Andersonville and Lakeview card and frame shops Foursided and Twosided want to see your best handmade Valentine's cards. Winner gets $50 gift certificate. Deadline 2/7. Details and rules.","html":"

January 21, 2010\nFor those creatively inclined Valentine's Day lovers, Andersonville and Lakeview card and frame shops Foursided and Twosided want to see your best handmade Valentine's cards. Winner gets $50 gift certificate. Deadline 2/7. Details and rules.

"},{"id":"text-945","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 20, 2010\nLooks like Chicago had a low showing of talent on yesterday's "American Idol" auditions — only 13 made the cut. While showcasing our wild and foul-mouthed side, "Idol" has Chicago Breaking News wondering how some Windy City contestants were filmed in front of palm trees and the Amway Center in Orlando.","html":"

January 20, 2010\nLooks like Chicago had a low showing of talent on yesterday's "American Idol" auditions — only 13 made the cut. While showcasing our wild and foul-mouthed side, "Idol" has Chicago Breaking News wondering how some Windy City contestants were filmed in front of palm trees and the Amway Center in Orlando.

"},{"id":"text-946","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 18, 2010\nNew CTA safety postings are urging riders to report "excessive photography/ filming," equating it to "unattended packages" or "noxious smells or smoke." This, understandably disturbs photographer and activist blogger Carlos Miller, and here's why.","html":"

January 18, 2010\nNew CTA safety postings are urging riders to report "excessive photography/ filming," equating it to "unattended packages" or "noxious smells or smoke." This, understandably disturbs photographer and activist blogger Carlos Miller, and here's why.

"},{"id":"text-947","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 18, 2010\nThe African Sausage Tree (Kigelia africana) at the Lincoln Park Conservatory is bearing 20-pound fruits. Fun fact: the fresh "sausage" is poisonous, causes mouth blisters, and acts as a laxative. No sampling.","html":"

January 18, 2010\nThe African Sausage Tree (Kigelia africana) at the Lincoln Park Conservatory is bearing 20-pound fruits. Fun fact: the fresh "sausage" is poisonous, causes mouth blisters, and acts as a laxative. No sampling.

"},{"id":"text-948","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 15, 2010\nThanks to Malik Yusef, a South Side Harold's Chicken Shack location now contains an official platinum record.","html":"

January 15, 2010\nThanks to Malik Yusef, a South Side Harold's Chicken Shack location now contains an official platinum record.

"},{"id":"text-949","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 13, 2010\nApparently, "The more body art you have, the more likely you are to be involved in deviance." At least, that's what a recent study briefly profiled by the Tribune's Steve Johnson says.","html":"

January 13, 2010\nApparently, "The more body art you have, the more likely you are to be involved in deviance." At least, that's what a recent study briefly profiled by the Tribune's Steve Johnson says.

"},{"id":"text-950","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 13, 2010\nThe Reader's Cliff Doerksen has tracked down a handful of newspaper clippings regarding a very peculiar crime wave in 1920s Chicago.","html":"

January 13, 2010\nThe Reader's Cliff Doerksen has tracked down a handful of newspaper clippings regarding a very peculiar crime wave in 1920s Chicago.

"},{"id":"text-951","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 13, 2010\nTim Steil's Chicago A to Z.","html":"

January 13, 2010\nTim Steil's Chicago A to Z.

"},{"id":"text-952","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 12, 2010\nIf you're still in search of a 2010 calendar for your wall, the CTA has a free one for download. It's chock-full of pictures from throughout the CTA's history, plus lots of glorious Helvetica.","html":"

January 12, 2010\nIf you're still in search of a 2010 calendar for your wall, the CTA has a free one for download. It's chock-full of pictures from throughout the CTA's history, plus lots of glorious Helvetica.

"},{"id":"text-953","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 12, 2010\nWhy, on a floating platform in an elongated Chicago, of course.","html":"

January 12, 2010\nWhy, on a floating platform in an elongated Chicago, of course.

"},{"id":"text-954","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 08, 2010\nWhat Chicago is tweeting about.","html":"

January 08, 2010\nWhat Chicago is tweeting about.

"},{"id":"text-955","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 06, 2010\nFor those seeking to turn a blind eye to doom and gloom stories, the Tribune brings readers the Happy News page, modestly covering the found-dreams-and-little-miracles beat. For a trip back to reality, click here.","html":"

January 06, 2010\nFor those seeking to turn a blind eye to doom and gloom stories, the Tribune brings readers the Happy News page, modestly covering the found-dreams-and-little-miracles beat. For a trip back to reality, click here.

"},{"id":"text-956","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 05, 2010\nAccording to their latest Twitter posts, The Hood Internet (or possibly just DJ STV SLV) are caught up in a security lockdown at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport. Update: They're out!","html":"

January 05, 2010\nAccording to their latest Twitter posts, The Hood Internet (or possibly just DJ STV SLV) are caught up in a security lockdown at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport. Update: They're out!

"},{"id":"text-957","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 04, 2010\nIf you're interested in temporary work, the 2010 US Census is looking for applicants to be census takers starting this spring. An informational session and qualifying exam will be held tonight and tomorrow at 7pm at the Wicker Park Fieldhouse, 1425 North Damen.","html":"

January 04, 2010\nIf you're interested in temporary work, the 2010 US Census is looking for applicants to be census takers starting this spring. An informational session and qualifying exam will be held tonight and tomorrow at 7pm at the Wicker Park Fieldhouse, 1425 North Damen.

"},{"id":"text-958","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 31, 2009\nJohn Rininger was a local artist who passed away a few years ago at the age of 45. Wicker Park/Quimby's old-timers might remember him for his stamp art in particular. Marc Fischer paid a visit to John back in 2001 when Rininger was disposing of many of his possessions. He's since posted the story, and a selection of scans of the odd, disturbing, and thought-provoking materials he recovered, on his Flickr page. UPDATE: More here; Merci Salem.","html":"

December 31, 2009\nJohn Rininger was a local artist who passed away a few years ago at the age of 45. Wicker Park/Quimby's old-timers might remember him for his stamp art in particular. Marc Fischer paid a visit to John back in 2001 when Rininger was disposing of many of his possessions. He's since posted the story, and a selection of scans of the odd, disturbing, and thought-provoking materials he recovered, on his Flickr page. UPDATE: More here; Merci Salem.

"},{"id":"text-959","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 29, 2009\nWhat was Chicago like in the mid-century for the city's African American community? Unknown Chicago takes a look at the fast-growing and segregated "Black Belt," and the harsh housing conditions.","html":"

December 29, 2009\nWhat was Chicago like in the mid-century for the city's African American community? Unknown Chicago takes a look at the fast-growing and segregated "Black Belt," and the harsh housing conditions.

"},{"id":"text-960","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 23, 2009\nPatrick Rea of Tinley Park was just recently elected the grand master of the International Knights Templar. Until he resumes his post officially next November, he'll be happy to tell you where the Holy Grail is. [via]","html":"

December 23, 2009\nPatrick Rea of Tinley Park was just recently elected the grand master of the International Knights Templar. Until he resumes his post officially next November, he'll be happy to tell you where the Holy Grail is. [via]

"},{"id":"text-961","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 23, 2009\nTiny Miller Park Zoo in downstate Bloomington is selling a unique holiday accoutrement: ornaments made of reindeer dung. Don't laugh; they've made $20,000 off of them.","html":"

December 23, 2009\nTiny Miller Park Zoo in downstate Bloomington is selling a unique holiday accoutrement: ornaments made of reindeer dung. Don't laugh; they've made $20,000 off of them.

"},{"id":"text-962","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 22, 2009\nYes, you can even eat the lions at the Art Institute's Gingerseum.","html":"

December 22, 2009\nYes, you can even eat the lions at the Art Institute's Gingerseum.

"},{"id":"text-963","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 22, 2009\nA Beluga whale has been born at the Shedd for the second time in a week. This time the calf is 5 feet 6 inches long and weighs 152 pounds. UPDATE: Unfortunately, the calf did not survive past its first day.","html":"

December 22, 2009\nA Beluga whale has been born at the Shedd for the second time in a week. This time the calf is 5 feet 6 inches long and weighs 152 pounds. UPDATE: Unfortunately, the calf did not survive past its first day.

"},{"id":"text-964","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 21, 2009\nFlickr user lauren*o pointed us to a sign printed by ExploreChicago.org. Not only does the Arabic version of the word "welcome" appear incorrectly (it should look like this), but the Polish and Korean words for welcome appear twice. [Thanks Lauren!]","html":"

December 21, 2009\nFlickr user lauren*o pointed us to a sign printed by ExploreChicago.org. Not only does the Arabic version of the word "welcome" appear incorrectly (it should look like this), but the Polish and Korean words for welcome appear twice. [Thanks Lauren!]

"},{"id":"text-965","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 17, 2009\nA century ago, Bell & Howell's (click the Company History tab!) HQ and factory was located on Larchmont Avenue, where they made Filmo movie cameras. Tough, dependable, and, in some cases, quite lovely, Filmo cameras were the preferred brand among filmmakers in the early days of motion pictures.","html":"

December 17, 2009\nA century ago, Bell & Howell's (click the Company History tab!) HQ and factory was located on Larchmont Avenue, where they made Filmo movie cameras. Tough, dependable, and, in some cases, quite lovely, Filmo cameras were the preferred brand among filmmakers in the early days of motion pictures.

"},{"id":"text-966","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 17, 2009\nChicagoans appear to be imbued with holiday spirit and decorating like mad fools. Local retailers report that decorative lights have been flying off the shelves this season.","html":"

December 17, 2009\nChicagoans appear to be imbued with holiday spirit and decorating like mad fools. Local retailers report that decorative lights have been flying off the shelves this season.

"},{"id":"text-967","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 15, 2009\nCongratulations to Puiji, a Beluga whale at the Shedd Aquarium, who gave birth yesterday morning at 6:36am. The calf is 5 feet 4 inches long and weighs 162 pounds. No word yet on a name. [via]","html":"

December 15, 2009\nCongratulations to Puiji, a Beluga whale at the Shedd Aquarium, who gave birth yesterday morning at 6:36am. The calf is 5 feet 4 inches long and weighs 162 pounds. No word yet on a name. [via]

"},{"id":"text-968","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 14, 2009\nIt's not exactly B.J. and the Bear, but a former Chicago and his animal friend are on a journey west for fortune and charity.","html":"

December 14, 2009\nIt's not exactly B.J. and the Bear, but a former Chicago and his animal friend are on a journey west for fortune and charity.

"},{"id":"text-969","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 11, 2009\nChicago magazine's Jeff Ruby hates New York in song.","html":"

December 11, 2009\nChicago magazine's Jeff Ruby hates New York in song.

"},{"id":"text-970","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 11, 2009\nTrue/Slant columnist James Finn Garner tells us why we should hurry up and put Chicago 2009 in our rearview mirror.","html":"

December 11, 2009\nTrue/Slant columnist James Finn Garner tells us why we should hurry up and put Chicago 2009 in our rearview mirror.

"},{"id":"text-971","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 10, 2009\nU of C philosophy professor Martha Nussbaum talked to The New York Times Magazine about ideas, faith, and leather.","html":"

December 10, 2009\nU of C philosophy professor Martha Nussbaum talked to The New York Times Magazine about ideas, faith, and leather.

"},{"id":"text-972","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 10, 2009\nSome of you have probably given Jamba Juice a lot of your money over the years. Now the company will give something back to Chicago: free skating at Millennium Park this Saturday (for the first 200 people).","html":"

December 10, 2009\nSome of you have probably given Jamba Juice a lot of your money over the years. Now the company will give something back to Chicago: free skating at Millennium Park this Saturday (for the first 200 people).

"},{"id":"text-973","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 08, 2009\nThe Huffington Post's been busy networking major American cities' Twitter presence, with Chicago growing pretty fast in Local News, Sports et Personnes list categories. See if your favorite Twitterers made the cut, if not suggest them.","html":"

December 08, 2009\nThe Huffington Post's been busy networking major American cities' Twitter presence, with Chicago growing pretty fast in Local News, Sports et Personnes list categories. See if your favorite Twitterers made the cut, if not suggest them.

"},{"id":"text-974","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 04, 2009\nWriter, director, actor and DePaul alum John Cabrera shares a memory from his illustrious temping career in Chicago.","html":"

December 04, 2009\nWriter, director, actor and DePaul alum John Cabrera shares a memory from his illustrious temping career in Chicago.

"},{"id":"text-975","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 03, 2009\nSpeaking of Ira Glass, here he is in LEGO form. (A couple more Chicago/Illinois faces in the CubeDudes flickr pool, too.)","html":"

December 03, 2009\nSpeaking of Ira Glass, here he is in LEGO form. (A couple more Chicago/Illinois faces in the CubeDudes flickr pool, too.)

"},{"id":"text-976","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 03, 2009\nFunsherpa promises to help you find fun experiences that make good gifts for you or someone else.","html":"

December 03, 2009\nFunsherpa promises to help you find fun experiences that make good gifts for you or someone else.

"},{"id":"text-977","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 02, 2009\nBut it's easily as funny and/or offensive.","html":"

December 02, 2009\nBut it's easily as funny and/or offensive.

"},{"id":"text-978","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 02, 2009\nThe first Left 4 Dead videogame featured a bit of graffiti stating: "NO ZOMBIE IS SAFE FROM CHICAGO TED" (allegedly based on similar, nastier graffiti found in an Indianian men's room). Thank God for the Internet. Despite not appearing in the actual game (or its sequel), Ted has developed a mysterious and vicious zombie-killing legend nonetheless. Who is Chicago Ted? We may never know. But we can imagine.","html":"

December 02, 2009\nThe first Left 4 Dead videogame featured a bit of graffiti stating: "NO ZOMBIE IS SAFE FROM CHICAGO TED" (allegedly based on similar, nastier graffiti found in an Indianian men's room). Thank God for the Internet. Despite not appearing in the actual game (or its sequel), Ted has developed a mysterious and vicious zombie-killing legend nonetheless. Who is Chicago Ted? We may never know. But we can imagine.

"},{"id":"text-979","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 02, 2009\nA bizarre hobby has locals playing with lightning, or rather, Tesla coils straight out of Dr. Frankenstein's lab. The Tribune looks into these Masters of Lightning and this shocking sect of pop culture.","html":"

December 02, 2009\nA bizarre hobby has locals playing with lightning, or rather, Tesla coils straight out of Dr. Frankenstein's lab. The Tribune looks into these Masters of Lightning and this shocking sect of pop culture.

"},{"id":"text-980","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 02, 2009\nUnfortunately they're sold out, but what's the story with these Hot Chip t-shirts featuring R.Kelly in a DEVO hat? [via]","html":"

December 02, 2009\nUnfortunately they're sold out, but what's the story with these Hot Chip t-shirts featuring R.Kelly in a DEVO hat? [via]

"},{"id":"text-981","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 01, 2009\nJohn Paro is a med student at the University of Chicago. He also has a web site, MedSchoolRock, that "is dedicated to bringing entertaining and informative songs/videos about medical education." [via]","html":"

December 01, 2009\nJohn Paro is a med student at the University of Chicago. He also has a web site, MedSchoolRock, that "is dedicated to bringing entertaining and informative songs/videos about medical education." [via]

"},{"id":"text-982","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 30, 2009\nInsider Chicago is a new publication by Medill School of Journalism students, aiming to be your guide to Chicagoland.","html":"

November 30, 2009\nInsider Chicago is a new publication by Medill School of Journalism students, aiming to be your guide to Chicagoland.

"},{"id":"text-983","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 29, 2009\nGwen Sharp of Sociological Images came across a piece on the Los Angeles Times Daily Mirror site showing drawings and names of Chicago women who postponed their traditional Thanksgiving dinner on November 25, 1909 so they could meet British Suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst at the train station and escort her to the Congress Hotel. What a radical idea, to postpone a holiday meal by five hours so you could meet a politically active woman. (Thanks, Sue Strauss!)","html":"

November 29, 2009\nGwen Sharp of Sociological Images came across a piece on the Los Angeles Times Daily Mirror site showing drawings and names of Chicago women who postponed their traditional Thanksgiving dinner on November 25, 1909 so they could meet British Suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst at the train station and escort her to the Congress Hotel. What a radical idea, to postpone a holiday meal by five hours so you could meet a politically active woman. (Thanks, Sue Strauss!)

"},{"id":"text-984","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 29, 2009\nPer CBS, Black Friday is the busiest day of the year for Chicago plumbers. Sinks and garbage disposals are crammed with the distasteful likes of turkey skin, bones, ham grease, vegetable chunks, and more. The likeliest sink-jamming culprits? Out-of-town guests.","html":"

November 29, 2009\nPer CBS, Black Friday is the busiest day of the year for Chicago plumbers. Sinks and garbage disposals are crammed with the distasteful likes of turkey skin, bones, ham grease, vegetable chunks, and more. The likeliest sink-jamming culprits? Out-of-town guests.

"},{"id":"text-985","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 24, 2009\nYarn-lovers, start your needles. The folks who brought you the fabulous Threadcakes competition are now sponsoring a Threadless-tee inspired knitting/crocheting contest called Threadknits. Now through January 16th. Details and rules online.","html":"

November 24, 2009\nYarn-lovers, start your needles. The folks who brought you the fabulous Threadcakes competition are now sponsoring a Threadless-tee inspired knitting/crocheting contest called Threadknits. Now through January 16th. Details and rules online.

"},{"id":"text-986","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 23, 2009\nDave Lamoureux spends most of the year as a futures and options trader in Chicago, but he sets world records catching bluefin tuna from a kayak on the Atlantic, unassisted.","html":"

November 23, 2009\nDave Lamoureux spends most of the year as a futures and options trader in Chicago, but he sets world records catching bluefin tuna from a kayak on the Atlantic, unassisted.

"},{"id":"text-987","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 22, 2009\nJessica Reaves of the Chicago News Cooperative explains.","html":"

November 22, 2009\nJessica Reaves of the Chicago News Cooperative explains.

"},{"id":"text-988","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 19, 2009\nIf you're a whiz with your W2s, the Center for Economic Progress has volunteer opportunities to help low-income families prepare their taxes. Last year, their volunteers did over 33,000 returns and brought back $52 million in refunds for families across Illinois.","html":"

November 19, 2009\nIf you're a whiz with your W2s, the Center for Economic Progress has volunteer opportunities to help low-income families prepare their taxes. Last year, their volunteers did over 33,000 returns and brought back $52 million in refunds for families across Illinois.

"},{"id":"text-989","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 17, 2009\nLocal band The Lust Killers have an interesting gimmick to promote their Chicago shows.","html":"

November 17, 2009\nLocal band The Lust Killers have an interesting gimmick to promote their Chicago shows.

"},{"id":"text-990","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 17, 2009\nLocal fitness guru Stephanie Mansour of Step It Up with Steph thinks you can get in exercise anytime, anyplace. Like when you're waiting for the no. 22 Clark street bus.","html":"

November 17, 2009\nLocal fitness guru Stephanie Mansour of Step It Up with Steph thinks you can get in exercise anytime, anyplace. Like when you're waiting for the no. 22 Clark street bus.

"},{"id":"text-991","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 16, 2009\nCareful of that Chicago lightning, longhairs, or you could end up in a Chicago overcoat.","html":"

November 16, 2009\nCareful of that Chicago lightning, longhairs, or you could end up in a Chicago overcoat.

"},{"id":"text-992","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 16, 2009\nNewly disclosed documents reveal that the FBI tracked Studs Terkel as a suspected communist for much of his life. His complete file is available in this (rather large) PDF.","html":"

November 16, 2009\nNewly disclosed documents reveal that the FBI tracked Studs Terkel as a suspected communist for much of his life. His complete file is available in this (rather large) PDF.

"},{"id":"text-993","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 11, 2009\nEsquire magazine talked to Rolling Meadows' Bryan Anderson, an Iraq War veteran, for their Veterans' Day "What I've Learned" column.","html":"

November 11, 2009\nEsquire magazine talked to Rolling Meadows' Bryan Anderson, an Iraq War veteran, for their Veterans' Day "What I've Learned" column.

"},{"id":"text-994","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 11, 2009\nTwenty-five students from a middle school in Gresham were arrested for reckless conduct last week after starting a food fight.","html":"

November 11, 2009\nTwenty-five students from a middle school in Gresham were arrested for reckless conduct last week after starting a food fight.

"},{"id":"text-995","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 09, 2009\nIf you've enjoyed the Audissey podcast tour of Chicago or recommended it to a tourist in your life, check out their entry in the Forbes Boost Your Business contest.","html":"

November 09, 2009\nIf you've enjoyed the Audissey podcast tour of Chicago or recommended it to a tourist in your life, check out their entry in the Forbes Boost Your Business contest.

"},{"id":"text-996","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 09, 2009\nLocal musician and co-editor of THE2NDHAND C.T. Ballentine left his McKinley Park apartment on Friday afternoon and has not been heard from since. If you're able to help locate him, his friends have set up a Facebook group for the search. UPDATE: Looks like C.T. has been found.","html":"

November 09, 2009\nLocal musician and co-editor of THE2NDHAND C.T. Ballentine left his McKinley Park apartment on Friday afternoon and has not been heard from since. If you're able to help locate him, his friends have set up a Facebook group for the search. UPDATE: Looks like C.T. has been found.

"},{"id":"text-997","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 05, 2009\nFor the first time in decades the Christmas tree in Daley plaza will be a single spruce. This year's was found in the wilds of Palos Heights.","html":"

November 05, 2009\nFor the first time in decades the Christmas tree in Daley plaza will be a single spruce. This year's was found in the wilds of Palos Heights.

"},{"id":"text-998","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 04, 2009\nCheck out this website devoted to pictures of Chicago-style food. It won't help your situation, but it sure is beautiful.","html":"

November 04, 2009\nCheck out this website devoted to pictures of Chicago-style food. It won't help your situation, but it sure is beautiful.

"},{"id":"text-999","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 03, 2009\nDon't believe the traffic reporters or myriad online maps? Well then see for yourself. TrafficLand has expanded to Chicago.","html":"

November 03, 2009\nDon't believe the traffic reporters or myriad online maps? Well then see for yourself. TrafficLand has expanded to Chicago.

"},{"id":"text-1000","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 02, 2009\nWondering what Chicago's President™ would be wearing to match this week's weather? Obama-Weather.com has your answer.","html":"

November 02, 2009\nWondering what Chicago's President™ would be wearing to match this week's weather? Obama-Weather.com has your answer.

"},{"id":"text-1001","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 02, 2009\nAbout 28 years ago a fellow by the name of Dan Goodwin scaled both the John Hancock Center and the Sears Tower and a few other famous skyscrapers. Now he's back with a book. Look out! There goes the Spider Dan!","html":"

November 02, 2009\nAbout 28 years ago a fellow by the name of Dan Goodwin scaled both the John Hancock Center and the Sears Tower and a few other famous skyscrapers. Now he's back with a book. Look out! There goes the Spider Dan!

"},{"id":"text-1002","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 02, 2009\nSarah Perez's Longo Monster costume came in third for "Scariest Costume" at the 13th Annual North Halsted Halloween Parade this weekend. She tells Boing Boing about how her creation came about.","html":"

November 02, 2009\nSarah Perez's Longo Monster costume came in third for "Scariest Costume" at the 13th Annual North Halsted Halloween Parade this weekend. She tells Boing Boing about how her creation came about.

"},{"id":"text-1003","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 02, 2009\nPlayboy makes a cameo appearance in what I pense is a spec work ad for FAO Schwarz. [via]","html":"

November 02, 2009\nPlayboy makes a cameo appearance in what I pense is a spec work ad for FAO Schwarz. [via]

"},{"id":"text-1004","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 28, 2009\nWait, Wait… Don't Tell Me host Peter Sagal is sure to spook the neighbors (or give them a good laugh) with his "traditional" Halloween display.","html":"

October 28, 2009\nWait, Wait… Don't Tell Me host Peter Sagal is sure to spook the neighbors (or give them a good laugh) with his "traditional" Halloween display.

"},{"id":"text-1005","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 23, 2009\nDillon is a four year old English bulldog. He is also Director of Pet Relations at the Hotel Burnham.","html":"

October 23, 2009\nDillon is a four year old English bulldog. He is also Director of Pet Relations at the Hotel Burnham.

"},{"id":"text-1006","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 22, 2009\nWe Are Supervision blog shows a series of old '70s and '80s Chicago gang calling cards. Crudely drawn, sometimes offensive, and frequently opaque, they're also quite compelling.","html":"

October 22, 2009\nWe Are Supervision blog shows a series of old '70s and '80s Chicago gang calling cards. Crudely drawn, sometimes offensive, and frequently opaque, they're also quite compelling.

"},{"id":"text-1007","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 21, 2009\nBelated congratulations to Chicagoans Elena Bodnar, Raphael C. Lee, and Sandra Marijan, winners of the 2009 Ig Nobel Prize in Public Health. The team designed "a brassiere that, in an emergency, can be quickly converted into a pair of protective face masks, one for the brassiere wearer and one to be given to some needy bystander." Click here to see a complete list of 2009 winners (as well as an awesome picture of Nobel laureates including Paul Krugman wearing the bra-mask). [via]","html":"

October 21, 2009\nBelated congratulations to Chicagoans Elena Bodnar, Raphael C. Lee, and Sandra Marijan, winners of the 2009 Ig Nobel Prize in Public Health. The team designed "a brassiere that, in an emergency, can be quickly converted into a pair of protective face masks, one for the brassiere wearer and one to be given to some needy bystander." Click here to see a complete list of 2009 winners (as well as an awesome picture of Nobel laureates including Paul Krugman wearing the bra-mask). [via]

"},{"id":"text-1008","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 21, 2009\nGet some information on H1N1 and seasonal flu resources at this growing flu.gov site. The Illinois page also has links to state resources.","html":"

October 21, 2009\nGet some information on H1N1 and seasonal flu resources at this growing flu.gov site. The Illinois page also has links to state resources.

"},{"id":"text-1009","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 21, 2009\nLast night's "Ghost Lab" on the Discovery Channel featured the (alcoholic?) ghosts of Liar's Club.","html":"

October 21, 2009\nLast night's "Ghost Lab" on the Discovery Channel featured the (alcoholic?) ghosts of Liar's Club.

"},{"id":"text-1010","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 20, 2009\nGrubstreet Chicago is (justifiably) wondering what the hell is going on in this advertisement for the Dana Hotel's Aja restaurant. Fans of sci-fi/horror B-movies know all too well what's coming next. Let's rock, before we blast that thing out of the sky!","html":"

October 20, 2009\nGrubstreet Chicago is (justifiably) wondering what the hell is going on in this advertisement for the Dana Hotel's Aja restaurant. Fans of sci-fi/horror B-movies know all too well what's coming next. Let's rock, before we blast that thing out of the sky!

"},{"id":"text-1011","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 20, 2009\nThe Sears Tower is the centerpiece of this magnificent commercial rendering. Prendre plaisir. (P.S. Call it what you will, but I'm sticking with "Sears Tower" for now.)","html":"

October 20, 2009\nThe Sears Tower is the centerpiece of this magnificent commercial rendering. Prendre plaisir. (P.S. Call it what you will, but I'm sticking with "Sears Tower" for now.)

"},{"id":"text-1012","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 19, 2009\nA betrayed lover turns the tables in the latest edition of Keep Going.","html":"

October 19, 2009\nA betrayed lover turns the tables in the latest edition of Keep Going.

"},{"id":"text-1013","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 15, 2009\nIt's official: playing ringtones in public doesn't infringe copyright. Looks like it might be time for Chicago's DJs to learn how to beatmatch that noise.","html":"

October 15, 2009\nIt's official: playing ringtones in public doesn't infringe copyright. Looks like it might be time for Chicago's DJs to learn how to beatmatch that noise.

"},{"id":"text-1014","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 15, 2009\nPlease watch "Mike G's Rules for Better Dining", a video from Michael Gebert of Sky Full of Bacon inspired by Michael Pollan's dietary rules recently featured in the New York Times.","html":"

October 15, 2009\nPlease watch "Mike G's Rules for Better Dining", a video from Michael Gebert of Sky Full of Bacon inspired by Michael Pollan's dietary rules recently featured in the New York Times.

"},{"id":"text-1015","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 13, 2009\nThe A.V. Club Chicago just went through a redesign, and thinks there are a few other Chicago sites that could use a freshening up.","html":"

October 13, 2009\nThe A.V. Club Chicago just went through a redesign, and thinks there are a few other Chicago sites that could use a freshening up.

"},{"id":"text-1016","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 06, 2009\nMeet The Bra Man. He collects bras. No, really, bras. He has more than a thousand of them. Yeah, we know. But it's for a good cause, so…yeah.","html":"

October 06, 2009\nMeet The Bra Man. He collects bras. No, really, bras. He has more than a thousand of them. Yeah, we know. But it's for a good cause, so…yeah.

"},{"id":"text-1017","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 06, 2009\nA couple of bike-loving gals filmed this video on stopping and starting a bicycle. Includes outtakes.","html":"

October 06, 2009\nA couple of bike-loving gals filmed this video on stopping and starting a bicycle. Includes outtakes.

"},{"id":"text-1018","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 02, 2009\nChicago resident Nite Kongtahworn created a mosaic of Marilyn Monroe with paint chips in his Lakeview condo. He was inspired by this Apartment Therapy post on pixelated painting.","html":"

October 02, 2009\nChicago resident Nite Kongtahworn created a mosaic of Marilyn Monroe with paint chips in his Lakeview condo. He was inspired by this Apartment Therapy post on pixelated painting.

"},{"id":"text-1019","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 01, 2009\nHere's a 1987 Chicago Tribune spot featuring the great Mike Royko at the Billy Goat Tavern. The sound seems a touch off at the beginning–Royko sounds a little like Barry White.","html":"

October 01, 2009\nHere's a 1987 Chicago Tribune spot featuring the great Mike Royko at the Billy Goat Tavern. The sound seems a touch off at the beginning–Royko sounds a little like Barry White.

"},{"id":"text-1020","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 01, 2009\nListen to Elucidations, a podcast started by two graduate students in philosophy at the U of C. They talk to professors about their work, "covering a range of topics from the theoretical to the practical, including perception, moral motivation, and sexual orientation."","html":"

October 01, 2009\nListen to Elucidations, a podcast started by two graduate students in philosophy at the U of C. They talk to professors about their work, "covering a range of topics from the theoretical to the practical, including perception, moral motivation, and sexual orientation."

"},{"id":"text-1021","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 30, 2009\nThe Chicago Public Library Book Cart Drill Team.","html":"

September 30, 2009\nThe Chicago Public Library Book Cart Drill Team.

"},{"id":"text-1022","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 30, 2009\nWhether you're for Rio, Madrid, Tokyo, or Chicago, your Olympic fervor (and addiction to Twitter) could win you a trip to one of the finalist cities from travel social media app Where I've Been. Check Facebook for more details.","html":"

September 30, 2009\nWhether you're for Rio, Madrid, Tokyo, or Chicago, your Olympic fervor (and addiction to Twitter) could win you a trip to one of the finalist cities from travel social media app Where I've Been. Check Facebook for more details.

"},{"id":"text-1023","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 30, 2009\nAdd another voice to the ones supporting the 2016 Olympics for Chicago, only this one might be a little sarcastic. (Note: The support comes from a "columnist" for the infamous Weekly World News so take it with a big fat grain of salt.)","html":"

September 30, 2009\nAdd another voice to the ones supporting the 2016 Olympics for Chicago, only this one might be a little sarcastic. (Note: The support comes from a "columnist" for the infamous Weekly World News so take it with a big fat grain of salt.)

"},{"id":"text-1024","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 28, 2009\nOn Yelp, reviews of the Broadway and Lawrence branch of the USPS are, uh, mixed: "Just writing about this place forces me to relive all my nightmarish experiences there. I need to drink some herbal tea just to calm down." And: "I wonder what they do with all my mail they don't deliver? Do they just throw it out?" There's much, much more.","html":"

September 28, 2009\nOn Yelp, reviews of the Broadway and Lawrence branch of the USPS are, uh, mixed: "Just writing about this place forces me to relive all my nightmarish experiences there. I need to drink some herbal tea just to calm down." And: "I wonder what they do with all my mail they don't deliver? Do they just throw it out?" There's much, much more.

"},{"id":"text-1025","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 25, 2009\nMeet the thorn in Twitter's side.","html":"

September 25, 2009\nMeet the thorn in Twitter's side.

"},{"id":"text-1026","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 25, 2009\nLike candy and NASCAR? Satisfy both cravings when racer Kyle Bush hands out free Mars chocolate bars next Thursday at Pioneer Plaza. Why the free candy? Well, apparently Chicago was voted the city most in need of "sweet relief". Whatever, just hand over the Snickers.","html":"

September 25, 2009\nLike candy and NASCAR? Satisfy both cravings when racer Kyle Bush hands out free Mars chocolate bars next Thursday at Pioneer Plaza. Why the free candy? Well, apparently Chicago was voted the city most in need of "sweet relief". Whatever, just hand over the Snickers.

"},{"id":"text-1027","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 25, 2009\nNo, Instant Bueller. (Reminds me of something.)","html":"

September 25, 2009\nNo, Instant Bueller. (Reminds me of something.)

"},{"id":"text-1028","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 22, 2009\nThe MacArthur Foundation announced its 2009 Fellows, who will receive a no-strings-attached $500k check just for being…a genius. No Chicagoans in the bunch, but John Rogers, a UIUC physics professor, made the list for his contributions to flexible electronics devices.","html":"

September 22, 2009\nThe MacArthur Foundation announced its 2009 Fellows, who will receive a no-strings-attached $500k check just for being…a genius. No Chicagoans in the bunch, but John Rogers, a UIUC physics professor, made the list for his contributions to flexible electronics devices.

"},{"id":"text-1029","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 21, 2009\nSpeaking of the Olympics, here's another site for the anti- crowd: Chicagoans for Rio.[[via]","html":"

September 21, 2009\nSpeaking of the Olympics, here's another site for the anti- crowd: Chicagoans for Rio.[[via]

"},{"id":"text-1030","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 18, 2009\nWill Chicago be the victim of a nuclear terrorist attack on Sept. 22? At least one person thinks so.","html":"

September 18, 2009\nWill Chicago be the victim of a nuclear terrorist attack on Sept. 22? At least one person thinks so.

"},{"id":"text-1031","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 17, 2009\nThe Oprah effect may go beyond books, products, musicians. The next episode on the continuing saga of "It's Oprah's world and we just live in it": Local restaurants and certain chefs are seeing an Oprah bump, according to 312 Dining Diva.","html":"

September 17, 2009\nThe Oprah effect may go beyond books, products, musicians. The next episode on the continuing saga of "It's Oprah's world and we just live in it": Local restaurants and certain chefs are seeing an Oprah bump, according to 312 Dining Diva.

"},{"id":"text-1032","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 17, 2009\nBaffling. Two marble statues of the Hindu gods Shiva and Parvati turned up in the DuPage River. Local Hindu temples report that their statues are all accounted for.","html":"

September 17, 2009\nBaffling. Two marble statues of the Hindu gods Shiva and Parvati turned up in the DuPage River. Local Hindu temples report that their statues are all accounted for.

"},{"id":"text-1033","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 15, 2009\nHarnessing the freaky cool power of Google Maps, the Tutor/Mentor Connection shows Chicagoans where to find tutor and mentor programs. But it also goes way further, showing maps of poorly performing schools, crime in the news, and even support groups like churches and universities, all to pinpoint areas in which organizations should create and nurture tutor and mentor programs.","html":"

September 15, 2009\nHarnessing the freaky cool power of Google Maps, the Tutor/Mentor Connection shows Chicagoans where to find tutor and mentor programs. But it also goes way further, showing maps of poorly performing schools, crime in the news, and even support groups like churches and universities, all to pinpoint areas in which organizations should create and nurture tutor and mentor programs.

"},{"id":"text-1034","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 11, 2009\nRestaurant.com is offering super-reduced prices for their gift certificates, for use at hundreds of Chicago-area restaurants. The fine print is here.","html":"

September 11, 2009\nRestaurant.com is offering super-reduced prices for their gift certificates, for use at hundreds of Chicago-area restaurants. The fine print is here.

"},{"id":"text-1035","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 10, 2009\nColumbia College's Conversations in the Arts packs quite a wallop in its fifth year with Twitter co-founder Biz Stone (speaking Oct. 6), Huffington Post Editor-in-Chief Arianna Huffington and director Mira Nair scheduled to address media trends at the free series. RSVP info in Slowdown.","html":"

September 10, 2009\nColumbia College's Conversations in the Arts packs quite a wallop in its fifth year with Twitter co-founder Biz Stone (speaking Oct. 6), Huffington Post Editor-in-Chief Arianna Huffington and director Mira Nair scheduled to address media trends at the free series. RSVP info in Slowdown.

"},{"id":"text-1036","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 31, 2009\nWhat (Lake Michigan, apparently) sharks dream about. (Warning: One naughty word.)","html":"

August 31, 2009\nWhat (Lake Michigan, apparently) sharks dream about. (Warning: One naughty word.)

"},{"id":"text-1037","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 25, 2009\nGuinness and the Mayor's Office of Special Events ruled the Grant Park showing of the Marx Brothers' Duck Soup broke the record for most people wearing Groucho glasses (4,436 frames) at one time on July 21.","html":"

August 25, 2009\nGuinness and the Mayor's Office of Special Events ruled the Grant Park showing of the Marx Brothers' Duck Soup broke the record for most people wearing Groucho glasses (4,436 frames) at one time on July 21.

"},{"id":"text-1038","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 25, 2009\nA result of the economy, a lack of nursing graduates, and a possible wave of nurses retiring from the field, more of these health care professionals are needed, and Chicago is no exception.","html":"

August 25, 2009\nA result of the economy, a lack of nursing graduates, and a possible wave of nurses retiring from the field, more of these health care professionals are needed, and Chicago is no exception.

"},{"id":"text-1039","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 24, 2009\nCoudal points us to a fantastic Budweiser commercial shot on the El (mostly the Brown Line), for the Irish beer drinking market if the URL attached to it is any indication. UPDATE: The Sun-Times gets the backstory on the ad.","html":"

August 24, 2009\nCoudal points us to a fantastic Budweiser commercial shot on the El (mostly the Brown Line), for the Irish beer drinking market if the URL attached to it is any indication. UPDATE: The Sun-Times gets the backstory on the ad.

"},{"id":"text-1040","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 19, 2009\nTime Out takes a look at the secret life of the Chicagoan bomb squad technician, pot dealer, fantasy specialist, sensual masseuse, well, you get the idea.","html":"

August 19, 2009\nTime Out takes a look at the secret life of the Chicagoan bomb squad technician, pot dealer, fantasy specialist, sensual masseuse, well, you get the idea.

"},{"id":"text-1041","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 19, 2009\nStep carefully when visiting the dolphin show at Brookfield Zoo. A woman filed a lawsuit against the Brookfield Zoo regarding a spill she took leaving the dolphin show. Her complaint is that the dolphins have been "willfully and recklessly" trained to make the steps slippery. (Via Chicago Now)","html":"

August 19, 2009\nStep carefully when visiting the dolphin show at Brookfield Zoo. A woman filed a lawsuit against the Brookfield Zoo regarding a spill she took leaving the dolphin show. Her complaint is that the dolphins have been "willfully and recklessly" trained to make the steps slippery. (Via Chicago Now)

"},{"id":"text-1042","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 19, 2009\nI learned something new about the Illinois State Bar Association when I was asked to be a reference for a hopeful future lawyer. I needed to go to the website for the Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar in order to do that. What's the website, you ask? ibaby.org. That's right: iBaby. Apparently, it stands for "Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar … and You," but I can't say I was overwhelmed with confidence by their domain name choice.","html":"

August 19, 2009\nI learned something new about the Illinois State Bar Association when I was asked to be a reference for a hopeful future lawyer. I needed to go to the website for the Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar in order to do that. What's the website, you ask? ibaby.org. That's right: iBaby. Apparently, it stands for "Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar … and You," but I can't say I was overwhelmed with confidence by their domain name choice.

"},{"id":"text-1043","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 19, 2009\nA captivating anecdote in the bar of the Chicago Ritz-Carlton leads off this 1993 profile of the magician turned actor Ricky Jay, dug up in the New Yorker archives by Kottke.org.","html":"

August 19, 2009\nA captivating anecdote in the bar of the Chicago Ritz-Carlton leads off this 1993 profile of the magician turned actor Ricky Jay, dug up in the New Yorker archives by Kottke.org.

"},{"id":"text-1044","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 19, 2009\nNovella Carpenter found a vacant lot in her Oakland, Calif. neighborhood and started planting. Her memoir about this DIY urban farm was just profiled in Flavorpill. And according to her blog, she'd love to take her knowledge on the road in October and teach workshops about urban farming all over the country (including Chicago). So pony up your couch or some cash and help bring her here.","html":"

August 19, 2009\nNovella Carpenter found a vacant lot in her Oakland, Calif. neighborhood and started planting. Her memoir about this DIY urban farm was just profiled in Flavorpill. And according to her blog, she'd love to take her knowledge on the road in October and teach workshops about urban farming all over the country (including Chicago). So pony up your couch or some cash and help bring her here.

"},{"id":"text-1045","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 19, 2009\nThe New York Times Dining section reports on last year's banning of ice cream trucks from the 18th Ward and modern parents annoyed with ice-cream-demanding toddlers and chain-smoking, shirtless, and burping ice cream vendors.","html":"

August 19, 2009\nThe New York Times Dining section reports on last year's banning of ice cream trucks from the 18th Ward and modern parents annoyed with ice-cream-demanding toddlers and chain-smoking, shirtless, and burping ice cream vendors.

"},{"id":"text-1046","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 18, 2009\nFor foodies and boozers around Chicago, Wait Watcher tweets wait times at key restaurants and bars. Developed by the Onion's AV Chicago section, local restaurant-goers can text or call in wait times to help their fellow diners.","html":"

August 18, 2009\nFor foodies and boozers around Chicago, Wait Watcher tweets wait times at key restaurants and bars. Developed by the Onion's AV Chicago section, local restaurant-goers can text or call in wait times to help their fellow diners.

"},{"id":"text-1047","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 17, 2009\nYep, that's all Life Magazine has to say about this odd series of photographs from 1962. Nonetheless, that's one angry bird.","html":"

August 17, 2009\nYep, that's all Life Magazine has to say about this odd series of photographs from 1962. Nonetheless, that's one angry bird.

"},{"id":"text-1048","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 17, 2009\nA handy checklist of things you should do in the city. [via]","html":"

August 17, 2009\nA handy checklist of things you should do in the city. [via]

"},{"id":"text-1049","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 14, 2009\nWGN-TV Feature Reporter Marcus Leshock caught this guy getting really into a DJ set at Lollapalooza last weekend. (Thanks, Brett!)","html":"

August 14, 2009\nWGN-TV Feature Reporter Marcus Leshock caught this guy getting really into a DJ set at Lollapalooza last weekend. (Thanks, Brett!)

"},{"id":"text-1050","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 14, 2009\nSue, the Field Museum's T-Rex, is on Twitter, tweeting about meat-eating, being an apex predator, and her repulsively tiny forearms (which, apparently, text just fine). She also plans to be at the Air and Water Show. (Via.)","html":"

August 14, 2009\nSue, the Field Museum's T-Rex, is on Twitter, tweeting about meat-eating, being an apex predator, and her repulsively tiny forearms (which, apparently, text just fine). She also plans to be at the Air and Water Show. (Via.)

"},{"id":"text-1051","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 14, 2009\nUptown Update has some amazing video of a street brawl that broke out around 9pm Wednesday night. (via)","html":"

August 14, 2009\nUptown Update has some amazing video of a street brawl that broke out around 9pm Wednesday night. (via)

"},{"id":"text-1052","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 13, 2009\nThe Trib's John Kass points to a Facebook group "Lakeview 911" that was created this month to gather "concerned citizens" who want to connect about the recent muggings in the neighborhood. Remember EveryBlock is also a great local resource on crime stats relative to your street, no matter where you live in the city.","html":"

August 13, 2009\nThe Trib's John Kass points to a Facebook group "Lakeview 911" that was created this month to gather "concerned citizens" who want to connect about the recent muggings in the neighborhood. Remember EveryBlock is also a great local resource on crime stats relative to your street, no matter where you live in the city.

"},{"id":"text-1053","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 10, 2009\nThe Fineprint has some neat t-shirts for showing Chicago pride. Case in point: this shirt featuring a takeoff of Harold's Chicken Shack's famous "dude chasing after a chicken with a meat cleaver" logo. [via]","html":"

August 10, 2009\nThe Fineprint has some neat t-shirts for showing Chicago pride. Case in point: this shirt featuring a takeoff of Harold's Chicken Shack's famous "dude chasing after a chicken with a meat cleaver" logo. [via]

"},{"id":"text-1054","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 08, 2009\nCool! Here are "10 Awesome Images That Are Actually Paintings," including a nifty image of the Damen El station. And here's an even closer look.","html":"

August 08, 2009\nCool! Here are "10 Awesome Images That Are Actually Paintings," including a nifty image of the Damen El station. And here's an even closer look.

"},{"id":"text-1055","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 04, 2009\nNorth Shore blogger Poppy Buxom bought every issue of Domino magazine after the title folded earlier this year. Maybe if she'd done it earlier Domino might still be in business? Anyway, she's reading every issue – from Spring/Summer 2005 to March 2009 – and blogging about it over at The Dominotrix.","html":"

August 04, 2009\nNorth Shore blogger Poppy Buxom bought every issue of Domino magazine after the title folded earlier this year. Maybe if she'd done it earlier Domino might still be in business? Anyway, she's reading every issue – from Spring/Summer 2005 to March 2009 – and blogging about it over at The Dominotrix.

"},{"id":"text-1056","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 04, 2009\nThese Chicago-centric designs by Vic Sanchez are pretty sweet. [via]","html":"

August 04, 2009\nThese Chicago-centric designs by Vic Sanchez are pretty sweet. [via]

"},{"id":"text-1057","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 31, 2009\nHey, Chicago music/bowling fans! Just a few hours left to order a special shirt titled "Bring Back the Fireside" at RIPT Apparel.[[via]","html":"

July 31, 2009\nHey, Chicago music/bowling fans! Just a few hours left to order a special shirt titled "Bring Back the Fireside" at RIPT Apparel.[[via]

"},{"id":"text-1058","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 30, 2009\nWindy City Rock points us to a nifty deal at Reverbnation.com where 1,000 songs are now available for free download, including tunes from several Chicago bands.","html":"

July 30, 2009\nWindy City Rock points us to a nifty deal at Reverbnation.com where 1,000 songs are now available for free download, including tunes from several Chicago bands.

"},{"id":"text-1059","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 29, 2009\n"I am like any other man. All I do is supply a demand." —Al Capone","html":"

July 29, 2009\n"I am like any other man. All I do is supply a demand." —Al Capone

"},{"id":"text-1060","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 29, 2009\nMinutes before he was arrested last December, Rod Blagojevich was bumped from appearing on the Today Show in a one-on-one interview with Matt Lauer because far more important news had to be announced…Jay Leno's new television show (which premieres September 14, Rod!).","html":"

July 29, 2009\nMinutes before he was arrested last December, Rod Blagojevich was bumped from appearing on the Today Show in a one-on-one interview with Matt Lauer because far more important news had to be announced…Jay Leno's new television show (which premieres September 14, Rod!).

"},{"id":"text-1061","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 28, 2009\nA Chicago man is accused of stealing more than $45,000 worth of eyeglasses from suburban Milwaukee stores. Why, and again, why? The complaint quotes the accused as saying he "really likes to be around glasses."","html":"

July 28, 2009\nA Chicago man is accused of stealing more than $45,000 worth of eyeglasses from suburban Milwaukee stores. Why, and again, why? The complaint quotes the accused as saying he "really likes to be around glasses."

"},{"id":"text-1062","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 28, 2009\nLeah took her job search to the streets.","html":"

July 28, 2009\nLeah took her job search to the streets.

"},{"id":"text-1063","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 28, 2009\nJuly was the coldest it's been in Chicago in 65 years, with an average temp of 68.9°. If you use (or rather didn't use) the AC, look for savings on your electric bills.[[via]","html":"

July 28, 2009\nJuly was the coldest it's been in Chicago in 65 years, with an average temp of 68.9°. If you use (or rather didn't use) the AC, look for savings on your electric bills.[[via]

"},{"id":"text-1064","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 28, 2009\nHow accurate is your favorite online weather service?","html":"

July 28, 2009\nHow accurate is your favorite online weather service?

"},{"id":"text-1065","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 24, 2009\nMichelle Obama's fashion confidant Ikram Goldman was interviewed to get a handle on which designers Mrs. O. will be wearing in the future. Alexander McQueen, your moment's coming.","html":"

July 24, 2009\nMichelle Obama's fashion confidant Ikram Goldman was interviewed to get a handle on which designers Mrs. O. will be wearing in the future. Alexander McQueen, your moment's coming.

"},{"id":"text-1066","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 23, 2009\nLocal podcast North & Clark holds a microphone to Chicagoans who don't often make the media spotlight: grown-up graffiti kids, riot-surviving activists, anthropologists digging into the free-for-all emerald trade, and more. Produced by Casey Brazeal.","html":"

July 23, 2009\nLocal podcast North & Clark holds a microphone to Chicagoans who don't often make the media spotlight: grown-up graffiti kids, riot-surviving activists, anthropologists digging into the free-for-all emerald trade, and more. Produced by Casey Brazeal.

"},{"id":"text-1067","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 23, 2009\nGoogle has new comics themes for iGoogle, including work by former and current Chicago cartoonists Dan Clowes, Jessica Abel, and Jeffrey Brown","html":"

July 23, 2009\nGoogle has new comics themes for iGoogle, including work by former and current Chicago cartoonists Dan Clowes, Jessica Abel, and Jeffrey Brown

"},{"id":"text-1068","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 23, 2009\nIf you're a Cute Chicago Boy, watch out! You might just end up on the interweb.","html":"

July 23, 2009\nIf you're a Cute Chicago Boy, watch out! You might just end up on the interweb.

"},{"id":"text-1069","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 22, 2009\nWhile CTA President Richard Rodriquez canceled the weird company car benefit for CTA employees this week, he insists on keeping a car for himself and driving to work everyday. Local blogs are debating the intelligence of the move, with CTA Tattler defending Rodriquez's family time and Chicago Carless ripping him a new one.","html":"

July 22, 2009\nWhile CTA President Richard Rodriquez canceled the weird company car benefit for CTA employees this week, he insists on keeping a car for himself and driving to work everyday. Local blogs are debating the intelligence of the move, with CTA Tattler defending Rodriquez's family time and Chicago Carless ripping him a new one.

"},{"id":"text-1070","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 22, 2009\nThe New York Times Magazine profile of Obama advisor Valerie Jarrett is up: "The executive didn't know that the 'feel' ran deeper than policy — that it was about trust: if Valerie Jarrett told Barack Obama that something was the right thing to do, he would very likely do it."","html":"

July 22, 2009\nThe New York Times Magazine profile of Obama advisor Valerie Jarrett is up: "The executive didn't know that the 'feel' ran deeper than policy — that it was about trust: if Valerie Jarrett told Barack Obama that something was the right thing to do, he would very likely do it."

"},{"id":"text-1071","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 21, 2009\nVF Daily's Society & Style blog asked some of the country's top chefs to take on the recipes of the late, great Julia Child. Chicago's own Graham Elliot Bowles presents a terrine based on Child's vichyssoise.","html":"

July 21, 2009\nVF Daily's Society & Style blog asked some of the country's top chefs to take on the recipes of the late, great Julia Child. Chicago's own Graham Elliot Bowles presents a terrine based on Child's vichyssoise.

"},{"id":"text-1072","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 17, 2009\nFirst the NYT gave struggling clothing store Jake the business, now the Wall Street Journal is lamenting the days when Evanston wasn't full of chain stores and had some personality (but gives a nice report about the state of retail in Andersonville).","html":"

July 17, 2009\nFirst the NYT gave struggling clothing store Jake the business, now the Wall Street Journal is lamenting the days when Evanston wasn't full of chain stores and had some personality (but gives a nice report about the state of retail in Andersonville).

"},{"id":"text-1073","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 17, 2009\nJust in time for the Pitchfork Music Festival, it's the latest edition of Hipster Bingo!","html":"

July 17, 2009\nJust in time for the Pitchfork Music Festival, it's the latest edition of Hipster Bingo!

"},{"id":"text-1074","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 16, 2009\nNo idea this existed: Michael Jordan: Chaos in the Windy City, a 1994 game for the Super Nintendo. [via]","html":"

July 16, 2009\nNo idea this existed: Michael Jordan: Chaos in the Windy City, a 1994 game for the Super Nintendo. [via]

"},{"id":"text-1075","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 16, 2009\nAs if the city didn't have enough problems with gangs and violence, now we're being accused of outsourcing our gang activity to Iowa.","html":"

July 16, 2009\nAs if the city didn't have enough problems with gangs and violence, now we're being accused of outsourcing our gang activity to Iowa.

"},{"id":"text-1076","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 15, 2009\nVia Christopher J. in the Fuel thread, behold Wesley Willis Tower. Awesome.","html":"

July 15, 2009\nVia Christopher J. in the Fuel thread, behold Wesley Willis Tower. Awesome.

"},{"id":"text-1077","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 13, 2009\nThis year's CNN Money's Best Places to Live rankings are out, and Illinois small towns only garnered 3 of the top 100 spots. Batavia, Buffalo Grove, and downstate Glen Carbon made the list, but none broke the top 50.","html":"

July 13, 2009\nThis year's CNN Money's Best Places to Live rankings are out, and Illinois small towns only garnered 3 of the top 100 spots. Batavia, Buffalo Grove, and downstate Glen Carbon made the list, but none broke the top 50.

"},{"id":"text-1078","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 13, 2009\nAs if your life wasn't enough of a soap opera, you can now follow a real one on Twitter: "Chicago to Coronado" chronicles the love triangle between a former Chicago ad agency CEO and two Navy SEALs on Coronado Island, California.","html":"

July 13, 2009\nAs if your life wasn't enough of a soap opera, you can now follow a real one on Twitter: "Chicago to Coronado" chronicles the love triangle between a former Chicago ad agency CEO and two Navy SEALs on Coronado Island, California.

"},{"id":"text-1079","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 10, 2009\nThere's just a few short weeks left for you to nominate your favorite places in Chicago for MPC's Placemaking contest. We wrote about this great project when it started, but now's your chance to share your favorites.","html":"

July 10, 2009\nThere's just a few short weeks left for you to nominate your favorite places in Chicago for MPC's Placemaking contest. We wrote about this great project when it started, but now's your chance to share your favorites.

"},{"id":"text-1080","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 10, 2009\nThis year's Layer Tennis season comes to a close today at 2pm with a championship match between designers Shaun Inman and Gregory Hubacek. (Neither is from Chicago, but that's OK — the stadium is.)","html":"

July 10, 2009\nThis year's Layer Tennis season comes to a close today at 2pm with a championship match between designers Shaun Inman and Gregory Hubacek. (Neither is from Chicago, but that's OK — the stadium is.)

"},{"id":"text-1081","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 09, 2009\nThe A.V. Club was kind enough to make an inventory of all the things R. Kelly wants, as detailed in his new mix-tape, The Demo Tape. It's hard to pick a favorite because they're all kind of awesome.","html":"

July 09, 2009\nThe A.V. Club was kind enough to make an inventory of all the things R. Kelly wants, as detailed in his new mix-tape, The Demo Tape. It's hard to pick a favorite because they're all kind of awesome.

"},{"id":"text-1082","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 02, 2009\nUh, I don't want to panic anyone or anything, but… um… there's a big old monitor lizard running around Libertyville right now. No, really. Well, we can't say the Dead Milkmen didn't warn us.","html":"

July 02, 2009\nUh, I don't want to panic anyone or anything, but… um… there's a big old monitor lizard running around Libertyville right now. No, really. Well, we can't say the Dead Milkmen didn't warn us.

"},{"id":"text-1083","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 02, 2009\nStuck at the office? Play a little Bike Salute Memory, based on Dubi Kaufmann's Bike Salute site.","html":"

July 02, 2009\nStuck at the office? Play a little Bike Salute Memory, based on Dubi Kaufmann's Bike Salute site.

"},{"id":"text-1084","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 02, 2009\nBureau of Self-Promotion: I wrote an article about coyotes in Chicago and an undeveloped parcel of land at 16th and Clark a few have chosen to make their home. Part two next week.","html":"

July 02, 2009\nBureau of Self-Promotion: I wrote an article about coyotes in Chicago and an undeveloped parcel of land at 16th and Clark a few have chosen to make their home. Part two next week.

"},{"id":"text-1085","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 27, 2009\nOur own Jim Allenspach created a series of fake covers for the popular 33 1/3 book series, exploring some of the worst possible album/author combinations. His set hass started making the rounds on blogs and spawned at least one imitator — and now has inspired the publisher to run a contest for humorous covers.","html":"

June 27, 2009\nOur own Jim Allenspach created a series of fake covers for the popular 33 1/3 book series, exploring some of the worst possible album/author combinations. His set hass started making the rounds on blogs and spawned at least one imitator — and now has inspired the publisher to run a contest for humorous covers.

"},{"id":"text-1086","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 24, 2009\nSeen the new Burger King ad that manages to evoke a certain sexual act? The 312 Dining Diva points us to the newest offender in desperate advertising.","html":"

June 24, 2009\nSeen the new Burger King ad that manages to evoke a certain sexual act? The 312 Dining Diva points us to the newest offender in desperate advertising.

"},{"id":"text-1087","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 22, 2009\nThe Hyde Park Urbanist takes a look at the verge – "that strip between the sidewalk and the street" – on a stretch of East 57th Street.","html":"

June 22, 2009\nThe Hyde Park Urbanist takes a look at the verge – "that strip between the sidewalk and the street" – on a stretch of East 57th Street.

"},{"id":"text-1088","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 15, 2009\nThese clever pillows from CraftSquatch (local artist/ crafter Justin Thomas) won't make all your online dreams come true, but they will give you something to rest your social-media weary head upon when your interwebs are down.","html":"

June 15, 2009\nThese clever pillows from CraftSquatch (local artist/ crafter Justin Thomas) won't make all your online dreams come true, but they will give you something to rest your social-media weary head upon when your interwebs are down.

"},{"id":"text-1089","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 15, 2009\nA member of the Navajo Nation is becoming a unique presence as a designer in the fashion world, with a showing of her work in the Chicago area.","html":"

June 15, 2009\nA member of the Navajo Nation is becoming a unique presence as a designer in the fashion world, with a showing of her work in the Chicago area.

"},{"id":"text-1090","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 15, 2009\nGraphic designer Jax de Leon created a graphic representation of Come on, Feel the Illinoise! by Sufjan Stevens as her final student project. Some really cool stuff in there. [via]","html":"

June 15, 2009\nGraphic designer Jax de Leon created a graphic representation of Come on, Feel the Illinoise! by Sufjan Stevens as her final student project. Some really cool stuff in there. [via]

"},{"id":"text-1091","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 12, 2009\nLove Chicago so much you want to put it in your pocket and take it home? Now you can. [via] (Previously.)","html":"

June 12, 2009\nLove Chicago so much you want to put it in your pocket and take it home? Now you can. [via] (Previously.)

"},{"id":"text-1092","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 11, 2009\nLocally produced Hot Tweeters should eat up some of your time on a rainy afternoon.","html":"

June 11, 2009\nLocally produced Hot Tweeters should eat up some of your time on a rainy afternoon.

"},{"id":"text-1093","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 10, 2009\nWas "Family Matters" your favorite sit-com located in Chicago? Then you may be interested in this video made during a visit to the Winslow house. [via]","html":"

June 10, 2009\nWas "Family Matters" your favorite sit-com located in Chicago? Then you may be interested in this video made during a visit to the Winslow house. [via]

"},{"id":"text-1094","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 09, 2009\nNorthwestern's journalism school wants students to not clog inboxes when talking about Twitter, so they've provided a 1970s-esqe way of facilitating discussion.","html":"

June 09, 2009\nNorthwestern's journalism school wants students to not clog inboxes when talking about Twitter, so they've provided a 1970s-esqe way of facilitating discussion.

"},{"id":"text-1095","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 08, 2009\nLaunched today, RIPT Apparel is a Chicago-based t-shirt retailer selling one-of-a-kind shirts designed by a community of artists. The beauty is that a single design is sold over a 24-hour period only; it is then retired, replaced and the cycle repeats.","html":"

June 08, 2009\nLaunched today, RIPT Apparel is a Chicago-based t-shirt retailer selling one-of-a-kind shirts designed by a community of artists. The beauty is that a single design is sold over a 24-hour period only; it is then retired, replaced and the cycle repeats.

"},{"id":"text-1096","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 08, 2009\nScotty Got An Office Job, the video blog started by local actor/musician/tech guy Scotty Iseri, takes a surprising turn as Scotty's boss finds the videos online.","html":"

June 08, 2009\nScotty Got An Office Job, the video blog started by local actor/musician/tech guy Scotty Iseri, takes a surprising turn as Scotty's boss finds the videos online.

"},{"id":"text-1097","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 08, 2009\nSo now that you're using Kanye Vision to dress up your web browser, you're probably ready to dress like the man himself. Kanye shares 10 fashion picks with Style.com. [via]","html":"

June 08, 2009\nSo now that you're using Kanye Vision to dress up your web browser, you're probably ready to dress like the man himself. Kanye shares 10 fashion picks with Style.com. [via]

"},{"id":"text-1098","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 04, 2009\nFriday is National Donut Day. This is important because it means a free Krispy Kreme and Dunkin Donut for all. It IS the best day of your life.","html":"

June 04, 2009\nFriday is National Donut Day. This is important because it means a free Krispy Kreme and Dunkin Donut for all. It IS the best day of your life.

"},{"id":"text-1099","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 03, 2009\nExplore Chicago's new game Chicago Neighborhood Express allows you to wander through different neighborhoods on-line.","html":"

June 03, 2009\nExplore Chicago's new game Chicago Neighborhood Express allows you to wander through different neighborhoods on-line.

"},{"id":"text-1100","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 02, 2009\nOnce seen, it cannot be unseen.","html":"

June 02, 2009\nOnce seen, it cannot be unseen.

"},{"id":"text-1101","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 29, 2009\nIf you thought air guitar was titillating, you're gonna get schooled. The World Air Sex Championships are going on tour, and coming to Chicago June 14 at Logan Square Auditorium. Yes, that means contestants get up on stage and do it (fully clothed) with the air. Want to show how you can rock the air's world? Contact chris@airsexworldchampionships.com.","html":"

May 29, 2009\nIf you thought air guitar was titillating, you're gonna get schooled. The World Air Sex Championships are going on tour, and coming to Chicago June 14 at Logan Square Auditorium. Yes, that means contestants get up on stage and do it (fully clothed) with the air. Want to show how you can rock the air's world? Contact chris@airsexworldchampionships.com.

"},{"id":"text-1102","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 28, 2009\nWant to give your place that perfect 60s or 70s countercultural ambience? Lead Pipe Posters has original prints (some with Chicago themes) of the black light, hippie-dippie, up-against-the-wall-pig, muggle-huffing ilk quite possibly still hanging up in your trippy uncle's basement. Guess there's nothing left to be said but…","html":"

May 28, 2009\nWant to give your place that perfect 60s or 70s countercultural ambience? Lead Pipe Posters has original prints (some with Chicago themes) of the black light, hippie-dippie, up-against-the-wall-pig, muggle-huffing ilk quite possibly still hanging up in your trippy uncle's basement. Guess there's nothing left to be said but…

"},{"id":"text-1103","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 28, 2009\nChicago artist Kathryn Rodrigues offers an A-to-Z size comparison of the United States to (almost) every other country over on Radical Cartography.","html":"

May 28, 2009\nChicago artist Kathryn Rodrigues offers an A-to-Z size comparison of the United States to (almost) every other country over on Radical Cartography.

"},{"id":"text-1104","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 27, 2009\nDancing with Brides is like "Dancing With The Stars" only for regular folks who aren't quite so addicted to spray tanning and glitter. Sorta. Brides Magazine's instructional dance workshop for couples comes to The Drake Hotel on Sunday, May 31. Not only can prospective brides and grooms learn some smooth first dance moves, they may also get a chance to win $10,000. Check Slowdown for details.","html":"

May 27, 2009\nDancing with Brides is like "Dancing With The Stars" only for regular folks who aren't quite so addicted to spray tanning and glitter. Sorta. Brides Magazine's instructional dance workshop for couples comes to The Drake Hotel on Sunday, May 31. Not only can prospective brides and grooms learn some smooth first dance moves, they may also get a chance to win $10,000. Check Slowdown for details.

"},{"id":"text-1105","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 26, 2009\nWhat happens when a toy escapes the Island of Misfit Toys and can't make a go of it? They end up down and out in the City of Sad Toys, of course. The Windy City is creepily represented by a bevy of naked Barbies hanging by their hair.","html":"

May 26, 2009\nWhat happens when a toy escapes the Island of Misfit Toys and can't make a go of it? They end up down and out in the City of Sad Toys, of course. The Windy City is creepily represented by a bevy of naked Barbies hanging by their hair.

"},{"id":"text-1106","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 25, 2009\nIf you're in the market, the infamous Highland Park home featured in Ferris Bueller's Day Off is available at the bargain price of $2.3 million. [via]","html":"

May 25, 2009\nIf you're in the market, the infamous Highland Park home featured in Ferris Bueller's Day Off is available at the bargain price of $2.3 million. [via]

"},{"id":"text-1107","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 21, 2009\nThe Chicago feds have rigged up a Web site alerting citizens about bank robbery suspects. The nicknames alone are worth a look.","html":"

May 21, 2009\nThe Chicago feds have rigged up a Web site alerting citizens about bank robbery suspects. The nicknames alone are worth a look.

"},{"id":"text-1108","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 19, 2009\nWas this U of C student's column about the springtime sartorial choices of his fellow Maroons sexist and misogynistic? That may depend on which version you've read.","html":"

May 19, 2009\nWas this U of C student's column about the springtime sartorial choices of his fellow Maroons sexist and misogynistic? That may depend on which version you've read.

"},{"id":"text-1109","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 18, 2009\nEven if you're not that interested in the topic, these "sketchnotes" by Mike Rohde at the Society of News Designers meeting this weekend are pretty darn cool.","html":"

May 18, 2009\nEven if you're not that interested in the topic, these "sketchnotes" by Mike Rohde at the Society of News Designers meeting this weekend are pretty darn cool.

"},{"id":"text-1110","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 16, 2009\nChicagoan and former "Bachelorette" Jen Schefft got married Friday night. Zzzzzz.","html":"

May 16, 2009\nChicagoan and former "Bachelorette" Jen Schefft got married Friday night. Zzzzzz.

"},{"id":"text-1111","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 15, 2009\nCecil Adams considers this question for The Straight Dope Chicago. Meanwhile, R. Kelly's defense team is joining Team Blago.","html":"

May 15, 2009\nCecil Adams considers this question for The Straight Dope Chicago. Meanwhile, R. Kelly's defense team is joining Team Blago.

"},{"id":"text-1112","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 15, 2009\nIs Chicago the most ironic city ever? Steve Rhodes of The Beachwood Reporter shares his thoughts on the matter.","html":"

May 15, 2009\nIs Chicago the most ironic city ever? Steve Rhodes of The Beachwood Reporter shares his thoughts on the matter.

"},{"id":"text-1113","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 15, 2009\nYour job may not be &*@#!* golden, but your hair can be. It's "Blago" shampoo and conditioner. Only your hairdresser and bagman will know for sure.","html":"

May 15, 2009\nYour job may not be &*@#!* golden, but your hair can be. It's "Blago" shampoo and conditioner. Only your hairdresser and bagman will know for sure.

"},{"id":"text-1114","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 13, 2009\nBesides providing crazy-cool t-shirts, Chicago's Threadless evidently also provides a killer place to work. TravelChannel.com named Threadless an "extreme workplace," citing their 25,000-square-foot warehouse and production space where employees play Wii, bring it in intense ping-pong championships, and even rock out on an indoor skate ramp. Chicago photo blogger Joe M500 is interviewed about his recent photographic journey of the warehouse (and confirms its coolness) here.","html":"

May 13, 2009\nBesides providing crazy-cool t-shirts, Chicago's Threadless evidently also provides a killer place to work. TravelChannel.com named Threadless an "extreme workplace," citing their 25,000-square-foot warehouse and production space where employees play Wii, bring it in intense ping-pong championships, and even rock out on an indoor skate ramp. Chicago photo blogger Joe M500 is interviewed about his recent photographic journey of the warehouse (and confirms its coolness) here.

"},{"id":"text-1115","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 12, 2009\nWant to see the web through Kanye's signature sunglasses?","html":"

May 12, 2009\nWant to see the web through Kanye's signature sunglasses?

"},{"id":"text-1116","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 05, 2009\nWell, are you?","html":"

May 05, 2009\nWell, are you?

"},{"id":"text-1117","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 05, 2009\nFrom the deepest depths of the University of Chicago Library's digital stacks came… The Biology of B-Movie Monsters! [via]","html":"

May 05, 2009\nFrom the deepest depths of the University of Chicago Library's digital stacks came… The Biology of B-Movie Monsters! [via]

"},{"id":"text-1118","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 04, 2009\nThe Tribune Company is launching a new blog community site later this summer called ChicagoNow.com. No publicly accessible pages yet, but here's a glimpse via a marketing video dug up by a WindyCitizen user.","html":"

May 04, 2009\nThe Tribune Company is launching a new blog community site later this summer called ChicagoNow.com. No publicly accessible pages yet, but here's a glimpse via a marketing video dug up by a WindyCitizen user.

"},{"id":"text-1119","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 04, 2009\nFormer Chicago Tribune reporter Emily Achenbaum discusses the decision she and her husband-to-be made "to pursue a pared-down life."","html":"

May 04, 2009\nFormer Chicago Tribune reporter Emily Achenbaum discusses the decision she and her husband-to-be made "to pursue a pared-down life."

"},{"id":"text-1120","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 04, 2009\nGathering stats on STDs, murders, and similar data, KSU geographers performed a study titled "The Spatial Distribution of the Seven Deadly Sins within Nevada," then created maps showing "hotspots" of Wrath, Lust, etc. across the nation. Sounds like a bunch of hooey, but it looks cool. Chicago's way up on greed but surprisingly not prone to envy.","html":"

May 04, 2009\nGathering stats on STDs, murders, and similar data, KSU geographers performed a study titled "The Spatial Distribution of the Seven Deadly Sins within Nevada," then created maps showing "hotspots" of Wrath, Lust, etc. across the nation. Sounds like a bunch of hooey, but it looks cool. Chicago's way up on greed but surprisingly not prone to envy.

"},{"id":"text-1121","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 04, 2009\nAlex Kotlowitz explains why Chicago is Fast Company's U.S. City of the Year: "The real Chicago isn't so easy to keep up with. It's constantly reinventing itself. Jumpy. Agitated. Impatient. It's as if the place is trembling. Move aside. Don't linger. And if you're going to dawdle, get out of the way. But what any Chicagoan will also tell you is that the past is very much present. It doesn't go away. It shouldn't. In fact, that's Chicago's lure and its beauty: its ability to take what was and figure out what could be."","html":"

May 04, 2009\nAlex Kotlowitz explains why Chicago is Fast Company's U.S. City of the Year: "The real Chicago isn't so easy to keep up with. It's constantly reinventing itself. Jumpy. Agitated. Impatient. It's as if the place is trembling. Move aside. Don't linger. And if you're going to dawdle, get out of the way. But what any Chicagoan will also tell you is that the past is very much present. It doesn't go away. It shouldn't. In fact, that's Chicago's lure and its beauty: its ability to take what was and figure out what could be."

"},{"id":"text-1122","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 03, 2009\nAn ode to our transit system's more memorable characters.","html":"

May 03, 2009\nAn ode to our transit system's more memorable characters.

"},{"id":"text-1123","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 29, 2009\nNevada's own Moonlite Bunny Ranch has offered an apprenticeship to former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich. According to a press release from ranch owner Dennis Hof, "Rod's willpower would be challenged daily by the ladies as they bribe him to acquire finer rooms or better working hours and days off. In lieu of Rod's work throughout the apprenticeship Dennis Hof will pay him a handsome amount of money." [via]","html":"

April 29, 2009\nNevada's own Moonlite Bunny Ranch has offered an apprenticeship to former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich. According to a press release from ranch owner Dennis Hof, "Rod's willpower would be challenged daily by the ladies as they bribe him to acquire finer rooms or better working hours and days off. In lieu of Rod's work throughout the apprenticeship Dennis Hof will pay him a handsome amount of money." [via]

"},{"id":"text-1124","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 27, 2009\nThe self-proclaimed "greatest celebrity photographer in the world" and new YouTube star?","html":"

April 27, 2009\nThe self-proclaimed "greatest celebrity photographer in the world" and new YouTube star?

"},{"id":"text-1125","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 23, 2009\nToday's fake Internet holiday is Talk Like Shakespeare Day, in honor of the Bard's birth 445 years ago. If that isn't enough encouragement to drop a few "thees" and "thous," the mayor has issued yon proclamation, ye blackguards. Here are a few quotes to get you started.","html":"

April 23, 2009\nToday's fake Internet holiday is Talk Like Shakespeare Day, in honor of the Bard's birth 445 years ago. If that isn't enough encouragement to drop a few "thees" and "thous," the mayor has issued yon proclamation, ye blackguards. Here are a few quotes to get you started.

"},{"id":"text-1126","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 21, 2009\nWhile researching a post about Playboy's possible de-listing from the NYSE, the Reader's Whet Moser unearthed a database of Playboy centerfolds (NSFW, obviously) maintained by a University of Chicago library employee.","html":"

April 21, 2009\nWhile researching a post about Playboy's possible de-listing from the NYSE, the Reader's Whet Moser unearthed a database of Playboy centerfolds (NSFW, obviously) maintained by a University of Chicago library employee.

"},{"id":"text-1127","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 21, 2009\nBacon maniacs rejoice! Here's a handy app that gives any website bacony delicious. In the address bar of your web browser, type in http://bacolicio.us/ and then your website (including the "http://") and enjoy. Here's what happens to Gapers Block.","html":"

April 21, 2009\nBacon maniacs rejoice! Here's a handy app that gives any website bacony delicious. In the address bar of your web browser, type in http://bacolicio.us/ and then your website (including the "http://") and enjoy. Here's what happens to Gapers Block.

"},{"id":"text-1128","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 16, 2009\nOprah Winfrey is now on Twitter. She shall tweet for the first time live on her show tomorrow. What about Oprah's BFF Gayle King? Already on it.","html":"

April 16, 2009\nOprah Winfrey is now on Twitter. She shall tweet for the first time live on her show tomorrow. What about Oprah's BFF Gayle King? Already on it.

"},{"id":"text-1129","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 16, 2009\nThe Wisconsin State Journal would like to introduce you to UW-Madison student (and presumed Cubs fan) Elizabeth Wrigley-Field.","html":"

April 16, 2009\nThe Wisconsin State Journal would like to introduce you to UW-Madison student (and presumed Cubs fan) Elizabeth Wrigley-Field.

"},{"id":"text-1130","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 13, 2009\nThe University of Chicago Press has put together a "Bo-dacious" reading list for the First Puppy.","html":"

April 13, 2009\nThe University of Chicago Press has put together a "Bo-dacious" reading list for the First Puppy.

"},{"id":"text-1131","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 03, 2009\nThe University of Chicago alumni magazine is running its own Peeps diorama contest. Vote here for the Peeple's Choice recipient. All winners will be announced Tuesday, April 14.","html":"

April 03, 2009\nThe University of Chicago alumni magazine is running its own Peeps diorama contest. Vote here for the Peeple's Choice recipient. All winners will be announced Tuesday, April 14.

"},{"id":"text-1132","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 01, 2009\nThis is what passes as an April Fool's joke at the Tribune Company. Rendering the Internet obsolete, indeed. [via]","html":"

April 01, 2009\nThis is what passes as an April Fool's joke at the Tribune Company. Rendering the Internet obsolete, indeed. [via]

"},{"id":"text-1133","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 27, 2009\nStrange things are afoot on uchi.marketplace, the U of C's version of Craigslist.","html":"

March 27, 2009\nStrange things are afoot on uchi.marketplace, the U of C's version of Craigslist.

"},{"id":"text-1134","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 26, 2009\nChicago mag's Jeff Ruby takes his chances for a whole week of gambling, betting on everything under — and including — the sun.","html":"

March 26, 2009\nChicago mag's Jeff Ruby takes his chances for a whole week of gambling, betting on everything under — and including — the sun.

"},{"id":"text-1135","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 25, 2009\nA classic videogame character explores our city. [via]","html":"

March 25, 2009\nA classic videogame character explores our city. [via]

"},{"id":"text-1136","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 18, 2009\nWillis Group CEO Jim Plameri takes to the web to talk about the renaming of the Sears Tower.[[via]","html":"

March 18, 2009\nWillis Group CEO Jim Plameri takes to the web to talk about the renaming of the Sears Tower.[[via]

"},{"id":"text-1137","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 13, 2009\nHave you spied any more Monopoly-themed graffiti around Chicago? [via]","html":"

March 13, 2009\nHave you spied any more Monopoly-themed graffiti around Chicago? [via]

"},{"id":"text-1138","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 12, 2009\nIf you have always wanted to learn how to turn squares of pretty paper into cranes, cars, shoes or laptops, the Chicago Area Origami Society (fantastic acronym!) can direct your creases in a more organized fashion than their name suggests. Whether you've never folded, or can fold with your eyes closed, their next meeting is this Saturday. And since the expected high temp is 49° F, a visit to the desert or rainforest rooms would be soothing. [via]","html":"

March 12, 2009\nIf you have always wanted to learn how to turn squares of pretty paper into cranes, cars, shoes or laptops, the Chicago Area Origami Society (fantastic acronym!) can direct your creases in a more organized fashion than their name suggests. Whether you've never folded, or can fold with your eyes closed, their next meeting is this Saturday. And since the expected high temp is 49° F, a visit to the desert or rainforest rooms would be soothing. [via]

"},{"id":"text-1139","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 12, 2009\nChicago comes in third (behind London and Los Angeles) when it comes to the number of people who use Twitter.[[via]","html":"

March 12, 2009\nChicago comes in third (behind London and Los Angeles) when it comes to the number of people who use Twitter.[[via]

"},{"id":"text-1140","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 12, 2009\nAs a boy, Waukegan resident Douglas Stiles was told a story that his great-great grandfather, Jonathan Dillon, repaired the watch of Abraham Lincoln in 1861. The story also went that during that repair, Dillon scrawled something on the watch's inside. Was the story true? Take a look for yourself.","html":"

March 12, 2009\nAs a boy, Waukegan resident Douglas Stiles was told a story that his great-great grandfather, Jonathan Dillon, repaired the watch of Abraham Lincoln in 1861. The story also went that during that repair, Dillon scrawled something on the watch's inside. Was the story true? Take a look for yourself.

"},{"id":"text-1141","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 10, 2009\nObama's love of Chicago sports reared its head again recently, as The Daily Show's John Stewart pointed out on last night's show (it comes at about the 2:00 mark). Let's just say the Bulls get a little spanking from Stewart and even the '85 Bears come under scrutiny.","html":"

March 10, 2009\nObama's love of Chicago sports reared its head again recently, as The Daily Show's John Stewart pointed out on last night's show (it comes at about the 2:00 mark). Let's just say the Bulls get a little spanking from Stewart and even the '85 Bears come under scrutiny.

"},{"id":"text-1142","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 06, 2009\nA homeless poet finds salvation in his words. Hear some of his work over at Medill Reports.","html":"

March 06, 2009\nA homeless poet finds salvation in his words. Hear some of his work over at Medill Reports.

"},{"id":"text-1143","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 05, 2009\nMy family lineage is a bit murky and hard to trace, so I'm always flummoxed when people ask me where my ancestral heritage came from. Even so, I'm enthralled by the stories of Chicagoans who can visit the homes their ancestors lived in — but this post by John Tolva is one of the best I've read.","html":"

March 05, 2009\nMy family lineage is a bit murky and hard to trace, so I'm always flummoxed when people ask me where my ancestral heritage came from. Even so, I'm enthralled by the stories of Chicagoans who can visit the homes their ancestors lived in — but this post by John Tolva is one of the best I've read.

"},{"id":"text-1144","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 03, 2009\nAccording to MovieMaker, Chicago is the best city for independent moviemakers, offering "the best all-around chance of finding success with their art during these tough economic times." [via]","html":"

March 03, 2009\nAccording to MovieMaker, Chicago is the best city for independent moviemakers, offering "the best all-around chance of finding success with their art during these tough economic times." [via]

"},{"id":"text-1145","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 01, 2009\nAh! In Central Illinois.","html":"

March 01, 2009\nAh! In Central Illinois.

"},{"id":"text-1146","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 27, 2009\nNo less than Cute Overload calls out the blog of the U of C Press for omitting the rules of cuteness when talking about "the science of cute."","html":"

February 27, 2009\nNo less than Cute Overload calls out the blog of the U of C Press for omitting the rules of cuteness when talking about "the science of cute."

"},{"id":"text-1147","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 26, 2009\nNBCChicago.com wrote a nice piece pointing to Chicago Public Radio's great "Hard Working" series about jobs and joblessness. Then, MSNBC republished NBCChicago's story — but stripped out all links to the original series, effectively killing any utility the article had. CPR is crying foul.","html":"

February 26, 2009\nNBCChicago.com wrote a nice piece pointing to Chicago Public Radio's great "Hard Working" series about jobs and joblessness. Then, MSNBC republished NBCChicago's story — but stripped out all links to the original series, effectively killing any utility the article had. CPR is crying foul.

"},{"id":"text-1148","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 26, 2009\nHarper's Index factoids referencing Chicago, Illinois.","html":"

February 26, 2009\nHarper's Index factoids referencing Chicago, Illinois.

"},{"id":"text-1149","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 25, 2009\nIn Isreal's Negev Desert is the Tze'elim Military Base, and on that military base is the city of Chicago, "so named because its bullet-ridden fake walls apparently recall the punctured real walls of Al Capone's Chicago."","html":"

February 25, 2009\nIn Isreal's Negev Desert is the Tze'elim Military Base, and on that military base is the city of Chicago, "so named because its bullet-ridden fake walls apparently recall the punctured real walls of Al Capone's Chicago."

"},{"id":"text-1150","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 23, 2009\nWhen the economy's down, be assured that someone always wants to buy your hair.","html":"

February 23, 2009\nWhen the economy's down, be assured that someone always wants to buy your hair.

"},{"id":"text-1151","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 20, 2009\nToday's Layer Tennis match doesn't start till 2pm, but the first-ever qualifying match got underway at noon, and it's between two locals: Fuzzy Gerdes and Mig Reyes.","html":"

February 20, 2009\nToday's Layer Tennis match doesn't start till 2pm, but the first-ever qualifying match got underway at noon, and it's between two locals: Fuzzy Gerdes and Mig Reyes.

"},{"id":"text-1152","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 19, 2009\nI'm speechless (mainly because I can't read Japanese). [via]","html":"

February 19, 2009\nI'm speechless (mainly because I can't read Japanese). [via]

"},{"id":"text-1153","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 16, 2009\nJust because you lack land in Chicago, doesn't mean you can't have a garden. Green Roof Growers have some great information on helping you get started.","html":"

February 16, 2009\nJust because you lack land in Chicago, doesn't mean you can't have a garden. Green Roof Growers have some great information on helping you get started.

"},{"id":"text-1154","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 11, 2009\nWell, not the late president himself, but his bust which sits at 69th and Walcott on the South Side and has undergone some interesting changes. Update: Here are two other shots of Abe.","html":"

February 11, 2009\nWell, not the late president himself, but his bust which sits at 69th and Walcott on the South Side and has undergone some interesting changes. Update: Here are two other shots of Abe.

"},{"id":"text-1155","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 11, 2009\nAs the economy continues to take a nosedive, even tattoo parlors are beginning to fill the pinch.","html":"

February 11, 2009\nAs the economy continues to take a nosedive, even tattoo parlors are beginning to fill the pinch.

"},{"id":"text-1156","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 09, 2009\nTa-Nehisi Coates of The Atlantic considers the case some of his readers try to bring against Chicago (one word: winter) but seems to come out for it. Or for the South Side, anyway: "I'm kinda in love with the South Side. It's like Harlem's smarter, but less jiggy, little sister. Fine as all hell. You just gotta see past those glasses. And them damn overalls."","html":"

February 09, 2009\nTa-Nehisi Coates of The Atlantic considers the case some of his readers try to bring against Chicago (one word: winter) but seems to come out for it. Or for the South Side, anyway: "I'm kinda in love with the South Side. It's like Harlem's smarter, but less jiggy, little sister. Fine as all hell. You just gotta see past those glasses. And them damn overalls."

"},{"id":"text-1157","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 06, 2009\nThis will probably be more interesting in a few months, but hey, I like seeing what's going on outside Wrigley anyway. [Thanks, Gabe!]","html":"

February 06, 2009\nThis will probably be more interesting in a few months, but hey, I like seeing what's going on outside Wrigley anyway. [Thanks, Gabe!]

"},{"id":"text-1158","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 02, 2009\nOr maybe not, in the case of this gargantuan Frosted Mini-Wheats cluster found in a Chicagoan's cereal box.","html":"

February 02, 2009\nOr maybe not, in the case of this gargantuan Frosted Mini-Wheats cluster found in a Chicagoan's cereal box.

"},{"id":"text-1159","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 29, 2009\nUptown Update, the highly popular blog that has become a thorn in the side of Ald. Helen Shiller, particularly over the fate of the Wilson Yard Project, has been brought into that case by the attorney for the yard's developer, Peter Holsten. The attorney is subpoening records from Google about the ownership of that blog and another (apparently defunct blog) called "What The Helen".","html":"

January 29, 2009\nUptown Update, the highly popular blog that has become a thorn in the side of Ald. Helen Shiller, particularly over the fate of the Wilson Yard Project, has been brought into that case by the attorney for the yard's developer, Peter Holsten. The attorney is subpoening records from Google about the ownership of that blog and another (apparently defunct blog) called "What The Helen".

"},{"id":"text-1160","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 17, 2009\nMost Insignificant News Item of the Day: After more than 100 years, the H.J. Heinz Company is removing the pickle from the logo on its ketchup bottle and replacing it with the more appropriate tomato. The Chicago connection? The pickle logo idea was hatched during the 1893 Chicago World's Fair.","html":"

January 17, 2009\nMost Insignificant News Item of the Day: After more than 100 years, the H.J. Heinz Company is removing the pickle from the logo on its ketchup bottle and replacing it with the more appropriate tomato. The Chicago connection? The pickle logo idea was hatched during the 1893 Chicago World's Fair.

"},{"id":"text-1161","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 16, 2009\nSound Transit is a website that lets you plan an audio trip around the world. The clip collection includes hundreds of interesting sounds including a couple from nearby Berwyn (search: Illinois). Here's hoping folks keep adding to the collection.","html":"

January 16, 2009\nSound Transit is a website that lets you plan an audio trip around the world. The clip collection includes hundreds of interesting sounds including a couple from nearby Berwyn (search: Illinois). Here's hoping folks keep adding to the collection.

"},{"id":"text-1162","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 15, 2009\nIt's definitely a concern right now, as I watch a huge icicle grow outside my window. Ask.MetaFilter asks where is best to walk to avoid injury from falling ice.","html":"

January 15, 2009\nIt's definitely a concern right now, as I watch a huge icicle grow outside my window. Ask.MetaFilter asks where is best to walk to avoid injury from falling ice.

"},{"id":"text-1163","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 13, 2009\nBe careful if a stranger asks you to help him move his television at 6:30 in the morning.","html":"

January 13, 2009\nBe careful if a stranger asks you to help him move his television at 6:30 in the morning.

"},{"id":"text-1164","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 06, 2009\nMichael Simmons releases his iPhone-ified CTA Bus Tracker. If you're looking for a more native looking app, this is it. Just point your iPhone here.","html":"

January 06, 2009\nMichael Simmons releases his iPhone-ified CTA Bus Tracker. If you're looking for a more native looking app, this is it. Just point your iPhone here.

"},{"id":"text-1165","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 05, 2009\nAs new condo buildings continue to rise in the South Loop, "the neighborhood now accounts for more than half the unsold units expected to hit the downtown market" in 2009. Whether these buildings will sit mostly empty in hopes of future growth spurred by a successful Olympics bid or drop dramatically in price remains to be seen.","html":"

January 05, 2009\nAs new condo buildings continue to rise in the South Loop, "the neighborhood now accounts for more than half the unsold units expected to hit the downtown market" in 2009. Whether these buildings will sit mostly empty in hopes of future growth spurred by a successful Olympics bid or drop dramatically in price remains to be seen.

"},{"id":"text-1166","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 05, 2009\nThe Tribune's looking for the best blog in Chicago. If you know of "established bloggers who post great content often and are known in their community" (ahem) fill out their online form.","html":"

January 05, 2009\nThe Tribune's looking for the best blog in Chicago. If you know of "established bloggers who post great content often and are known in their community" (ahem) fill out their online form.

"},{"id":"text-1167","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 31, 2008\nLeather Creations scores on sarcasm with this ad mocking the Blagojevich scandal.","html":"

December 31, 2008\nLeather Creations scores on sarcasm with this ad mocking the Blagojevich scandal.

"},{"id":"text-1168","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 29, 2008\nThe semi-trailer long bar from the Black Orchid Club has gone south to take up residence in a new Phoenix, Arizona bar that is due to open toward the end of 2009. At least it will be warmer where it is headed.","html":"

December 29, 2008\nThe semi-trailer long bar from the Black Orchid Club has gone south to take up residence in a new Phoenix, Arizona bar that is due to open toward the end of 2009. At least it will be warmer where it is headed.

"},{"id":"text-1169","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 27, 2008\nOne of Ebert's fans created a sextuple acrostic in the critic's honor.","html":"

December 27, 2008\nOne of Ebert's fans created a sextuple acrostic in the critic's honor.

"},{"id":"text-1170","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 25, 2008\nDopplr is a sort of social network about travel. They just launched pages for each city people go to — here's Chicago's.","html":"

December 25, 2008\nDopplr is a sort of social network about travel. They just launched pages for each city people go to — here's Chicago's.

"},{"id":"text-1171","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 23, 2008\nNo matter how cold the weather, the University of Chicago gargoyles remain ever vigilant.","html":"

December 23, 2008\nNo matter how cold the weather, the University of Chicago gargoyles remain ever vigilant.

"},{"id":"text-1172","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 18, 2008\nThe domain name www.impeachpresidenthussein.com is apparently for sale on Craigslist. But hurry: The (bargain!) $50,000 price tag doubles on Inauguration Day.","html":"

December 18, 2008\nThe domain name www.impeachpresidenthussein.com is apparently for sale on Craigslist. But hurry: The (bargain!) $50,000 price tag doubles on Inauguration Day.

"},{"id":"text-1173","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 17, 2008\nThe "unique" local political scene gets yet another national dissection. This time, it's The Atlantic. And this time it's from October, 1930. The more things change…","html":"

December 17, 2008\nThe "unique" local political scene gets yet another national dissection. This time, it's The Atlantic. And this time it's from October, 1930. The more things change…

"},{"id":"text-1174","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 16, 2008\nJust because your boss canceled the office holiday party doesn't mean you can't attend one virtually, choose-your-own-adventure style.","html":"

December 16, 2008\nJust because your boss canceled the office holiday party doesn't mean you can't attend one virtually, choose-your-own-adventure style.

"},{"id":"text-1175","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 15, 2008\nThe "Reasons to Love New York 2008" issue of New York magazine is on-line. Their no. 1 reason to love the Big Apple? "Because Obama Is One of Us, Despite All That Business About Chicago." Dang, New York, step off already.","html":"

December 15, 2008\nThe "Reasons to Love New York 2008" issue of New York magazine is on-line. Their no. 1 reason to love the Big Apple? "Because Obama Is One of Us, Despite All That Business About Chicago." Dang, New York, step off already.

"},{"id":"text-1176","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 12, 2008\nThe blog Public Art In Chicago gives a peek at the latest addition to the city's outdoor art lineup. We think it'll look familiar to you, although not quite like this.","html":"

December 12, 2008\nThe blog Public Art In Chicago gives a peek at the latest addition to the city's outdoor art lineup. We think it'll look familiar to you, although not quite like this.

"},{"id":"text-1177","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 08, 2008\nApparently your cell phones are not only vexing, but also extremely insolent.","html":"

December 08, 2008\nApparently your cell phones are not only vexing, but also extremely insolent.

"},{"id":"text-1178","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 04, 2008\nA while back we asked if Chicago had the ugliest house in America. Well, the verdict is in and the answer is … yup, sure do.","html":"

December 04, 2008\nA while back we asked if Chicago had the ugliest house in America. Well, the verdict is in and the answer is … yup, sure do.

"},{"id":"text-1179","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 03, 2008\nIf you find yourself wanting to mark "other" under the Gender category on forms, then you'll find Safe2Pee.org a welcome addition to your bookmarks. There are supposedly only 19 gender-neutral bathrooms in Chicago (which I know is very low) but thankfully anyone can add in another entry. Making the world a GenderQueer friendly place, one bathroom at a time.","html":"

December 03, 2008\nIf you find yourself wanting to mark "other" under the Gender category on forms, then you'll find Safe2Pee.org a welcome addition to your bookmarks. There are supposedly only 19 gender-neutral bathrooms in Chicago (which I know is very low) but thankfully anyone can add in another entry. Making the world a GenderQueer friendly place, one bathroom at a time.

"},{"id":"text-1180","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 02, 2008\nStumped on what to get that hypochondriac on your Christmas list? How about a giant, plush microbe, created by University of Chicago law school grad Drew Oliver. Choose from The Common Cold, E. coli or Black Death. Hours of fun…","html":"

December 02, 2008\nStumped on what to get that hypochondriac on your Christmas list? How about a giant, plush microbe, created by University of Chicago law school grad Drew Oliver. Choose from The Common Cold, E. coli or Black Death. Hours of fun…

"},{"id":"text-1181","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 01, 2008\nReason To Give has the perfect solution for those hard-to-buy-for people on your list. The Chicago nonprofit's new webstore offers an innovative alternative to traditional holiday gift exchange and a sweet chance to help out the Humboldt Park community. It's like Extreme Makeover Home Edition meets Amazon.com!","html":"

December 01, 2008\nReason To Give has the perfect solution for those hard-to-buy-for people on your list. The Chicago nonprofit's new webstore offers an innovative alternative to traditional holiday gift exchange and a sweet chance to help out the Humboldt Park community. It's like Extreme Makeover Home Edition meets Amazon.com!

"},{"id":"text-1182","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 29, 2008\nA couple of months ago, we wrote that Kimberly Walz, chief of staff to Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley, was looking for votes in the Benefit makeup Posie Gal contest. The results are in, and Walz came away with the victory.","html":"

November 29, 2008\nA couple of months ago, we wrote that Kimberly Walz, chief of staff to Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley, was looking for votes in the Benefit makeup Posie Gal contest. The results are in, and Walz came away with the victory.

"},{"id":"text-1183","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 26, 2008\nNARAL has launched a website featuring local spoken word talent promoting reproductive rights. It was produced by See3 Communications, a local web/video firm working with non-profits.","html":"

November 26, 2008\nNARAL has launched a website featuring local spoken word talent promoting reproductive rights. It was produced by See3 Communications, a local web/video firm working with non-profits.

"},{"id":"text-1184","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 25, 2008\nYou probably aren't familiar with the saga of the Giant Italian Truffle, which has failed to find a home here in the States… until it reached Chicago, that is.","html":"

November 25, 2008\nYou probably aren't familiar with the saga of the Giant Italian Truffle, which has failed to find a home here in the States… until it reached Chicago, that is.

"},{"id":"text-1185","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 25, 2008\nHe'll store anything you want for $10.99 a month.","html":"

November 25, 2008\nHe'll store anything you want for $10.99 a month.

"},{"id":"text-1186","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 22, 2008\nFile under "Nom Nom Nom": Top Chef cupcakes are back at the Bleeding Heart Bakery.","html":"

November 22, 2008\nFile under "Nom Nom Nom": Top Chef cupcakes are back at the Bleeding Heart Bakery.

"},{"id":"text-1187","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 21, 2008\nKnow a University of Chicago student or alumnus? Know two or more? Print out these U of C-centric Bingo cards for them to enjoy during the holidays. Then stand back and watch the geek-tacular fun ensue.","html":"

November 21, 2008\nKnow a University of Chicago student or alumnus? Know two or more? Print out these U of C-centric Bingo cards for them to enjoy during the holidays. Then stand back and watch the geek-tacular fun ensue.

"},{"id":"text-1188","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 21, 2008\nHispanicBusiness.com take a look at the Puerto Rican community in Chicago and its staunch supporters who once again try to stave off gentrification.","html":"

November 21, 2008\nHispanicBusiness.com take a look at the Puerto Rican community in Chicago and its staunch supporters who once again try to stave off gentrification.

"},{"id":"text-1189","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 21, 2008\nCongratulations to Wilmette native and new father Pete Wentz — wife Ashlee Simpson-Wentz gave birth to their son, Bronx Mowgli Wentz, last night. Celebrate by checking out the Simpson-Wentz Baby Name Generator.","html":"

November 21, 2008\nCongratulations to Wilmette native and new father Pete Wentz — wife Ashlee Simpson-Wentz gave birth to their son, Bronx Mowgli Wentz, last night. Celebrate by checking out the Simpson-Wentz Baby Name Generator.

"},{"id":"text-1190","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 19, 2008\nWho knew that employees at Chicago-based Potbelly Sandwich Works were so into DIY and being green?","html":"

November 19, 2008\nWho knew that employees at Chicago-based Potbelly Sandwich Works were so into DIY and being green?

"},{"id":"text-1191","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 14, 2008\nTake that $1000 and invest it one stock. Each day, make one trade. Twitter the results. (A little more background.)","html":"

November 14, 2008\nTake that $1000 and invest it one stock. Each day, make one trade. Twitter the results. (A little more background.)

"},{"id":"text-1192","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 14, 2008\nWhen* are we Going to see an end to sites letting us know about Upcoming events? I'm just about Eventful. (*When.com is the latest, a rebranding of AOL's Zvents. Whoopee.)","html":"

November 14, 2008\nWhen* are we Going to see an end to sites letting us know about Upcoming events? I'm just about Eventful. (*When.com is the latest, a rebranding of AOL's Zvents. Whoopee.)

"},{"id":"text-1193","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 13, 2008\nOr, as Timothy O' Sullivan might have put it to Abner Mikva (were O' Sullivan a hotel concierge and, well, alive), "We don't help nobody that nobody sent."","html":"

November 13, 2008\nOr, as Timothy O' Sullivan might have put it to Abner Mikva (were O' Sullivan a hotel concierge and, well, alive), "We don't help nobody that nobody sent."

"},{"id":"text-1194","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 13, 2008\nChicago child therapist Mike Ruggles will be starring in "Super-Manny," a spinoff of the ABC show "SuperNanny," debuting Friday night.","html":"

November 13, 2008\nChicago child therapist Mike Ruggles will be starring in "Super-Manny," a spinoff of the ABC show "SuperNanny," debuting Friday night.

"},{"id":"text-1195","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 12, 2008\nThe blog Hyde Park Progress explores the transportation options available to the area from a U of C (ex)undergrad perspective.","html":"

November 12, 2008\nThe blog Hyde Park Progress explores the transportation options available to the area from a U of C (ex)undergrad perspective.

"},{"id":"text-1196","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 10, 2008\nFor the presidential trivia buffs, the Secret Service names for President-elect Obama and the next First Family are: Renegade (Barack), Renaissance (Michelle), Radiance (Malia), and Rosebud (Sasha – aw). Want your own? Get it here.","html":"

November 10, 2008\nFor the presidential trivia buffs, the Secret Service names for President-elect Obama and the next First Family are: Renegade (Barack), Renaissance (Michelle), Radiance (Malia), and Rosebud (Sasha – aw). Want your own? Get it here.

"},{"id":"text-1197","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 09, 2008\nA mass dog marriage was held in Oak Park this weekend with the hopes of setting a world record.","html":"

November 09, 2008\nA mass dog marriage was held in Oak Park this weekend with the hopes of setting a world record.

"},{"id":"text-1198","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 07, 2008\nI firmly believe that personal stories are the best way to express how legislation affects people. And why it needs to change.","html":"

November 07, 2008\nI firmly believe that personal stories are the best way to express how legislation affects people. And why it needs to change.

"},{"id":"text-1199","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 05, 2008\nLooking for love in a sea of hope. [via]","html":"

November 05, 2008\nLooking for love in a sea of hope. [via]

"},{"id":"text-1200","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 05, 2008\nOk, I was wrong. There's nothing else going on in the world but Obamania, and we have Peruvian Shamans to thank for it. [Thanks, Kara!]","html":"

November 05, 2008\nOk, I was wrong. There's nothing else going on in the world but Obamania, and we have Peruvian Shamans to thank for it. [Thanks, Kara!]

"},{"id":"text-1201","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 04, 2008\nOK, I know we're going a little overboard with the Obama linkage, but this is just too cool not to post.","html":"

November 04, 2008\nOK, I know we're going a little overboard with the Obama linkage, but this is just too cool not to post.

"},{"id":"text-1202","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 03, 2008\nHey, is anyone else tired of This. F*cking. Election?","html":"

November 03, 2008\nHey, is anyone else tired of This. F*cking. Election?

"},{"id":"text-1203","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 03, 2008\nAccording to a New York Post columnist, when it comes to power-wielding big city mayors, Mayor Daley tops NYC's Bloomberg hands down. Just check out the tale of the tape.","html":"

November 03, 2008\nAccording to a New York Post columnist, when it comes to power-wielding big city mayors, Mayor Daley tops NYC's Bloomberg hands down. Just check out the tale of the tape.

"},{"id":"text-1204","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 03, 2008\n"Zombie World," in the Fall issue of Keep Going. (No, it's not a late Halloween story.)","html":"

November 03, 2008\n"Zombie World," in the Fall issue of Keep Going. (No, it's not a late Halloween story.)

"},{"id":"text-1205","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 31, 2008\nFor every trend, there's an anti-trend. Twitter has blown up …and spawned h8ter, created by local webfolk. Sign up for a h8ter account and h8te on all sorts of stuff. Not only that, but your h8tes will be tweeted (anonymously) sur Twitter.","html":"

October 31, 2008\nFor every trend, there's an anti-trend. Twitter has blown up …and spawned h8ter, created by local webfolk. Sign up for a h8ter account and h8te on all sorts of stuff. Not only that, but your h8tes will be tweeted (anonymously) sur Twitter.

"},{"id":"text-1206","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 30, 2008\nIn the wake of "Minutegate," Roger Ebert has decided to write his own "little rule book" regarding ethics for his fellow film critics. The picture of Ebert and Jason Patric assisting a rather festive looking Peter O'Toole is worth clicking through.","html":"

October 30, 2008\nIn the wake of "Minutegate," Roger Ebert has decided to write his own "little rule book" regarding ethics for his fellow film critics. The picture of Ebert and Jason Patric assisting a rather festive looking Peter O'Toole is worth clicking through.

"},{"id":"text-1207","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 30, 2008\nJoyland is a new site dedicated to the collection of short — sometimes really short — fiction. The site is organized by city, featuring stories by authors who live or have lived there. They've just opened up a Chicago branch, edited by local blogger Levi Stahl. The first piece is Insult, by Chicago writer, artist and musician Joseph Clayton Mills.","html":"

October 30, 2008\nJoyland is a new site dedicated to the collection of short — sometimes really short — fiction. The site is organized by city, featuring stories by authors who live or have lived there. They've just opened up a Chicago branch, edited by local blogger Levi Stahl. The first piece is Insult, by Chicago writer, artist and musician Joseph Clayton Mills.

"},{"id":"text-1208","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 27, 2008\nChicago-based Holos Fitness figures it's easier to stick to a workout plan if you've got company, so it aims to serve as a social network centered around fitness.","html":"

October 27, 2008\nChicago-based Holos Fitness figures it's easier to stick to a workout plan if you've got company, so it aims to serve as a social network centered around fitness.

"},{"id":"text-1209","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 27, 2008\nSomebody bugging the $#!& out of you? The Spite Site has what you need.","html":"

October 27, 2008\nSomebody bugging the $#!& out of you? The Spite Site has what you need.

"},{"id":"text-1210","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 27, 2008\nYou be the judge.","html":"

October 27, 2008\nYou be the judge.

"},{"id":"text-1211","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 20, 2008\nFlash artist and past GB staffer Felix Jung has created Colourful Echo, which creates a color-paletted visualizer for songs you upload. Here's an example.","html":"

October 20, 2008\nFlash artist and past GB staffer Felix Jung has created Colourful Echo, which creates a color-paletted visualizer for songs you upload. Here's an example.

"},{"id":"text-1212","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 15, 2008\nWho says scientists don't have a sense of humor? Here's a list of security maxims from Argonne National Laboratory. [via]","html":"

October 15, 2008\nWho says scientists don't have a sense of humor? Here's a list of security maxims from Argonne National Laboratory. [via]

"},{"id":"text-1213","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 15, 2008\nIn time for the last debate tonight, as previously noted, you can download, print, and don the mask of your favorite political candidate.","html":"

October 15, 2008\nIn time for the last debate tonight, as previously noted, you can download, print, and don the mask of your favorite political candidate.

"},{"id":"text-1214","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 15, 2008\nTwo Chicago gang experts are bringing their knowledge on stopping the violence to a conference in Glasgow, Scotland, where the gang murder rate has grown to five times that of England.","html":"

October 15, 2008\nTwo Chicago gang experts are bringing their knowledge on stopping the violence to a conference in Glasgow, Scotland, where the gang murder rate has grown to five times that of England.

"},{"id":"text-1215","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 13, 2008\nOnline shop CostumeStudio will donate 100% of proceeds from costume sales to Invisible Children, an aid organization focused on helping children in war-torn Uganda. Brought to you by the socially-conscious fashion folks at GoodSociety.","html":"

October 13, 2008\nOnline shop CostumeStudio will donate 100% of proceeds from costume sales to Invisible Children, an aid organization focused on helping children in war-torn Uganda. Brought to you by the socially-conscious fashion folks at GoodSociety.

"},{"id":"text-1216","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 11, 2008\nThe Trib's helping you out with some easy Halloween costumes this year. Download a printable Sarah Palin mask here, and keep an eye out for their Obama, Biden and McCain versions as well.","html":"

October 11, 2008\nThe Trib's helping you out with some easy Halloween costumes this year. Download a printable Sarah Palin mask here, and keep an eye out for their Obama, Biden and McCain versions as well.

"},{"id":"text-1217","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 09, 2008\nCare to take a Googletour of Chicago and the suburbs?","html":"

October 09, 2008\nCare to take a Googletour of Chicago and the suburbs?

"},{"id":"text-1218","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 08, 2008\nAn Etch-a-Sketch paean to the 2008 Cubs.","html":"

October 08, 2008\nAn Etch-a-Sketch paean to the 2008 Cubs.

"},{"id":"text-1219","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 06, 2008\nBehold… the Playboy Wine Collection. The collectible bottles, each paired with a vintage magazine cover, are sold individually or as part of a subscription. [via]","html":"

October 06, 2008\nBehold… the Playboy Wine Collection. The collectible bottles, each paired with a vintage magazine cover, are sold individually or as part of a subscription. [via]

"},{"id":"text-1220","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 03, 2008\nExaminer.com pulls together a collection of "Chicago's best" lists. At least one contributor called it for the cliché that it is. (Seriously, Craigslist is the city's best marketing site!?)","html":"

October 03, 2008\nExaminer.com pulls together a collection of "Chicago's best" lists. At least one contributor called it for the cliché that it is. (Seriously, Craigslist is the city's best marketing site!?)

"},{"id":"text-1221","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 03, 2008\nA Chinese restaurant in Urbana, IL (if you know which one, let me know) has started using a wireless remote to let customers summon their waiter for food, water, the check, or just regular old attention. Makes me want to roadtrip for some ma po tofu.","html":"

October 03, 2008\nA Chinese restaurant in Urbana, IL (if you know which one, let me know) has started using a wireless remote to let customers summon their waiter for food, water, the check, or just regular old attention. Makes me want to roadtrip for some ma po tofu.

"},{"id":"text-1222","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 02, 2008\nWant to get crafty during the debate tonight? You can play some Palin Bingo, try your hand at a Build-O-Bama, or any of these Obama-themed craft projects. [via]","html":"

October 02, 2008\nWant to get crafty during the debate tonight? You can play some Palin Bingo, try your hand at a Build-O-Bama, or any of these Obama-themed craft projects. [via]

"},{"id":"text-1223","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 02, 2008\nMr. Clean actor House Peters died recently at the age of 92. In case you didn't know, Mr. Clean was created here in Chicago by Harry Barnhart and Ernie Allen at the Tatham-Laird & Kudner ad agency. The hairless, obsessive compulsive, controversial, and sexually ambiguous corporate mascot's first name is Veritably, by the way, and he's known as Mr. Proper in England and Don Limpio in Spain. There you go: more than you ever wanted to know about Mr. Clean.","html":"

October 02, 2008\nMr. Clean actor House Peters died recently at the age of 92. In case you didn't know, Mr. Clean was created here in Chicago by Harry Barnhart and Ernie Allen at the Tatham-Laird & Kudner ad agency. The hairless, obsessive compulsive, controversial, and sexually ambiguous corporate mascot's first name is Veritably, by the way, and he's known as Mr. Proper in England and Don Limpio in Spain. There you go: more than you ever wanted to know about Mr. Clean.

"},{"id":"text-1224","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 01, 2008\nChicagoan Joanne Smith just won a Saginaw, MI, house on eBay for $1.75. The only drawbacks: she needs to pay $850 in back taxes and for trash and weed clean-up. Also, it's in Saginaw, for Pete's sake. She expressed concerns that it might be haunted too. Hopefully, she's joking about that last part.","html":"

October 01, 2008\nChicagoan Joanne Smith just won a Saginaw, MI, house on eBay for $1.75. The only drawbacks: she needs to pay $850 in back taxes and for trash and weed clean-up. Also, it's in Saginaw, for Pete's sake. She expressed concerns that it might be haunted too. Hopefully, she's joking about that last part.

"},{"id":"text-1225","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 01, 2008\nGroupon, a Chicago startup, will offer daily coupons for local events, services, hotels, eateries and more. The twist? You only get the deal if enough people sign up for it. If not – well, you know.","html":"

October 01, 2008\nGroupon, a Chicago startup, will offer daily coupons for local events, services, hotels, eateries and more. The twist? You only get the deal if enough people sign up for it. If not – well, you know.

"},{"id":"text-1226","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 30, 2008\nLife's drama recorded on a bus shelter wall. [via]","html":"

September 30, 2008\nLife's drama recorded on a bus shelter wall. [via]

"},{"id":"text-1227","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 30, 2008\nGoogle has updated its satellite map of the city, and now shows a completed Millennium Park and a view of the top of Cloud Gate. [via]","html":"

September 30, 2008\nGoogle has updated its satellite map of the city, and now shows a completed Millennium Park and a view of the top of Cloud Gate. [via]

"},{"id":"text-1228","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 29, 2008\nRoger Ebert vraiment did not like Senator John McCain's behavior at Friday night's presidential debate: "Before the debate, pundits were wondering if you might explode in a display of your famous temper. I think we saw that happen, all right, but it was an implosion. I have instructed my wife to exclude you from any future dinner parties."","html":"

September 29, 2008\nRoger Ebert vraiment did not like Senator John McCain's behavior at Friday night's presidential debate: "Before the debate, pundits were wondering if you might explode in a display of your famous temper. I think we saw that happen, all right, but it was an implosion. I have instructed my wife to exclude you from any future dinner parties."

"},{"id":"text-1229","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 26, 2008\nEater Chicago may not be bowing until next month, but the love for "Chicago's darling" Grant Achatz has been simmering for a while. Get a taste of "The Daily Achatz".","html":"

September 26, 2008\nEater Chicago may not be bowing until next month, but the love for "Chicago's darling" Grant Achatz has been simmering for a while. Get a taste of "The Daily Achatz".

"},{"id":"text-1230","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 26, 2008\nBenefit Cosmetics and Sephora are holding a contest to find a Posie Gal to promote their Posie Tint product. One of the three national finalists is Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley's Chief of Staff Kimberly Walz (Gal #1). Put the Chicago Machine to work and vote for her video to win.","html":"

September 26, 2008\nBenefit Cosmetics and Sephora are holding a contest to find a Posie Gal to promote their Posie Tint product. One of the three national finalists is Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley's Chief of Staff Kimberly Walz (Gal #1). Put the Chicago Machine to work and vote for her video to win.

"},{"id":"text-1231","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 21, 2008\nHas Roger Ebert's site been hacked or is he really trumpeting Creationism? I'm going with hacked. Yep.","html":"

September 21, 2008\nHas Roger Ebert's site been hacked or is he really trumpeting Creationism? I'm going with hacked. Yep.

"},{"id":"text-1232","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 11, 2008\nChicago native Scott Johnson barbecues for a cause: to fight cancer. He donates his winnings in national competitions to a cancer research foundation. That's nice, but his reasons for getting into barbecuing might tick a few people off: he points to "the lack of quality barbecue cuisine in his native Chicago." Ahem…","html":"

September 11, 2008\nChicago native Scott Johnson barbecues for a cause: to fight cancer. He donates his winnings in national competitions to a cancer research foundation. That's nice, but his reasons for getting into barbecuing might tick a few people off: he points to "the lack of quality barbecue cuisine in his native Chicago." Ahem…

"},{"id":"text-1233","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 10, 2008\nThe title says it all.","html":"

September 10, 2008\nThe title says it all.

"},{"id":"text-1234","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 10, 2008\nIt wasn't just the Marshall Fields and the Potter Palmers who rebuilt Chicago after the Great Fire. WBEZ-FM reports on the women who helped raise the city from the ashes.","html":"

September 10, 2008\nIt wasn't just the Marshall Fields and the Potter Palmers who rebuilt Chicago after the Great Fire. WBEZ-FM reports on the women who helped raise the city from the ashes.

"},{"id":"text-1235","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 10, 2008\nIn honor of National Preparedness Month, the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago is awarding Safety Tubes to the two commenters who can best explain when a safety tube (which contains water, light source, dust mask, and whistle) could have come in handy in a previous emergency, or when they might need one. Deadline for comments is 5pm Friday.","html":"

September 10, 2008\nIn honor of National Preparedness Month, the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago is awarding Safety Tubes to the two commenters who can best explain when a safety tube (which contains water, light source, dust mask, and whistle) could have come in handy in a previous emergency, or when they might need one. Deadline for comments is 5pm Friday.

"},{"id":"text-1236","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 03, 2008\nSports blog East Coast Bias took a trip to Wrigley Field this past weekend and (surprise!) they kinda liked it.","html":"

September 03, 2008\nSports blog East Coast Bias took a trip to Wrigley Field this past weekend and (surprise!) they kinda liked it.

"},{"id":"text-1237","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 02, 2008\nWhether you're a fan of Obama, McCain, or a Hillary booster, you can embroider your vote with free redwork patterns from Black Threads, a blog about African American quilting. [via]","html":"

September 02, 2008\nWhether you're a fan of Obama, McCain, or a Hillary booster, you can embroider your vote with free redwork patterns from Black Threads, a blog about African American quilting. [via]

"},{"id":"text-1238","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 30, 2008\nAmy Dickinson, who writes the Ask Amy advice column for the Chicago Tribune, wed childhood pal Bruno Schickel in upstate New York on August 16.","html":"

August 30, 2008\nAmy Dickinson, who writes the Ask Amy advice column for the Chicago Tribune, wed childhood pal Bruno Schickel in upstate New York on August 16.

"},{"id":"text-1239","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 29, 2008\n236.com's quiz finally solves the age-old question: "Which inflammatory pastor are you?"","html":"

August 29, 2008\n236.com's quiz finally solves the age-old question: "Which inflammatory pastor are you?"

"},{"id":"text-1240","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 25, 2008\nThe Reader has completely redone its online event listings. Looks a whole lot better, although I'm not sure how they arrive at the order in which stuff gets listed.","html":"

August 25, 2008\nThe Reader has completely redone its online event listings. Looks a whole lot better, although I'm not sure how they arrive at the order in which stuff gets listed.

"},{"id":"text-1241","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 20, 2008\nFor the third year in a row, Hotwire.com declares Chicago the top destination for the Labor Day weekend. And if you do choose Chicago as your vacation destination, a New Zealand travel site tells you the best way to spend 48 hours here.","html":"

August 20, 2008\nFor the third year in a row, Hotwire.com declares Chicago the top destination for the Labor Day weekend. And if you do choose Chicago as your vacation destination, a New Zealand travel site tells you the best way to spend 48 hours here.

"},{"id":"text-1242","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 17, 2008\nAlthough the woman behind the LivingOprah blog was anonymous in a Chicago Reader profile last month, the New York Times outed her. UPDATE: Actually, She outed herself last month after taping an NPR interview. (Thanks, Erin!)","html":"

August 17, 2008\nAlthough the woman behind the LivingOprah blog was anonymous in a Chicago Reader profile last month, the New York Times outed her. UPDATE: Actually, She outed herself last month after taping an NPR interview. (Thanks, Erin!)

"},{"id":"text-1243","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 13, 2008\nRemember little Anakin Skywalker from Star Wars Episode I: The Clone Wars? Well, rumor has it, that he is a film and video major at Columbia College. Or maybe its just his clone.","html":"

August 13, 2008\nRemember little Anakin Skywalker from Star Wars Episode I: The Clone Wars? Well, rumor has it, that he is a film and video major at Columbia College. Or maybe its just his clone.

"},{"id":"text-1244","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 12, 2008\nNow that the banks have collapsed, here are some tips for surviving the New Depression.","html":"

August 12, 2008\nNow that the banks have collapsed, here are some tips for surviving the New Depression.

"},{"id":"text-1245","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 09, 2008\nComedian and actor Bernie Mac, 50, died this morning at Northwestern Memorial Hospital due to complications from pneumonia.","html":"

August 09, 2008\nComedian and actor Bernie Mac, 50, died this morning at Northwestern Memorial Hospital due to complications from pneumonia.

"},{"id":"text-1246","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 08, 2008\nDecider.com is a new city entertainment guide produced by the Chicago office of The Onion and A.V. Club.","html":"

August 08, 2008\nDecider.com is a new city entertainment guide produced by the Chicago office of The Onion and A.V. Club.

"},{"id":"text-1247","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 06, 2008\nTne New York Times shows LaSalle Street and its classic architecture some love, citing renovation as one of the boulevard's assets.","html":"

August 06, 2008\nTne New York Times shows LaSalle Street and its classic architecture some love, citing renovation as one of the boulevard's assets.

"},{"id":"text-1248","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 05, 2008\nThe Chicago Examiner (by way of New York-based Gawker.com) says that the Big Brother-ish Google Maps Street View might have caught an image of a kid with a gun and a drug deal going down here in Chicago.","html":"

August 05, 2008\nThe Chicago Examiner (by way of New York-based Gawker.com) says that the Big Brother-ish Google Maps Street View might have caught an image of a kid with a gun and a drug deal going down here in Chicago.

"},{"id":"text-1249","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 05, 2008\nYour choice: pro or con.","html":"

August 05, 2008\nYour choice: pro or con.

"},{"id":"text-1250","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 30, 2008\nMy Guesstimate is a site for simple straw polls. Seems to be mainly the founder querying into the ether so far; give him a little company.","html":"

July 30, 2008\nMy Guesstimate is a site for simple straw polls. Seems to be mainly the founder querying into the ether so far; give him a little company.

"},{"id":"text-1251","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 30, 2008\nSenior citizens playing Wii Sports at the Skokie Public Library.","html":"

July 30, 2008\nSenior citizens playing Wii Sports at the Skokie Public Library.

"},{"id":"text-1252","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 28, 2008\nWhile Chicago suffers through a devastating crime wave, the Smithsonian takes a look at a murder that rocked the city and the nation…84 years ago. If the case sounds familiar it might be because you ran across it here first.","html":"

July 28, 2008\nWhile Chicago suffers through a devastating crime wave, the Smithsonian takes a look at a murder that rocked the city and the nation…84 years ago. If the case sounds familiar it might be because you ran across it here first.

"},{"id":"text-1253","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 17, 2008\nIn an op-ed piece in the Terre Haute TribStar, Chicago gets a thumbs-down from one woman who states a preference for corn fields and cowpies. Maybe she hasn't gone to the Farm In The Zoo.","html":"

July 17, 2008\nIn an op-ed piece in the Terre Haute TribStar, Chicago gets a thumbs-down from one woman who states a preference for corn fields and cowpies. Maybe she hasn't gone to the Farm In The Zoo.

"},{"id":"text-1254","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 16, 2008\nThe Adventures of Miss Girl.","html":"

July 16, 2008\nThe Adventures of Miss Girl.

"},{"id":"text-1255","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 16, 2008\nTwo ways to meet your invisible friends next week: the Digg Meetup on the 23rd and Yelp Around the World party on the 24th. If you're a member of either (or both), don't forget to RSVP.","html":"

July 16, 2008\nTwo ways to meet your invisible friends next week: the Digg Meetup on the 23rd and Yelp Around the World party on the 24th. If you're a member of either (or both), don't forget to RSVP.

"},{"id":"text-1256","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 10, 2008\nYou may love her, or love to hate her, but no one can deny the power of Oprah's suggestion. Do the haters have reason, or should everyone join the Oprarmy? The Reader chronicles one local woman's attempt to find out.","html":"

July 10, 2008\nYou may love her, or love to hate her, but no one can deny the power of Oprah's suggestion. Do the haters have reason, or should everyone join the Oprarmy? The Reader chronicles one local woman's attempt to find out.

"},{"id":"text-1257","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 09, 2008\nYou can relax now: The list of "America's Best Public Restrooms" is out and, yes, Illinois has two of the top 10 spots, including one in Chicago. You can vote for the No. 1 place for No. 1 (or 2) here.","html":"

July 09, 2008\nYou can relax now: The list of "America's Best Public Restrooms" is out and, yes, Illinois has two of the top 10 spots, including one in Chicago. You can vote for the No. 1 place for No. 1 (or 2) here.

"},{"id":"text-1258","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 03, 2008\nTen people Twitter'd Navy Pier's annual July 3rd fireworks display.","html":"

July 03, 2008\nTen people Twitter'd Navy Pier's annual July 3rd fireworks display.

"},{"id":"text-1259","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 01, 2008\nProfessional curmudgeon and columnist Thomas Roeser absolutely trashes the Taste of Chicago experience as "a sad trampling of civility" and says that it reduces the dining experience to "ashes and banal barbarism." But other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?","html":"

July 01, 2008\nProfessional curmudgeon and columnist Thomas Roeser absolutely trashes the Taste of Chicago experience as "a sad trampling of civility" and says that it reduces the dining experience to "ashes and banal barbarism." But other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?

"},{"id":"text-1260","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 28, 2008\nMatt traveled the globe, making videos of himself dancing badly. Eventually, folks started to join in. It's pretty moving, actually. Chicago and the Bean put in an appearance at the 2:26 mark.","html":"

June 28, 2008\nMatt traveled the globe, making videos of himself dancing badly. Eventually, folks started to join in. It's pretty moving, actually. Chicago and the Bean put in an appearance at the 2:26 mark.

"},{"id":"text-1261","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 27, 2008\nAbout the same size as the Loop.","html":"

June 27, 2008\nAbout the same size as the Loop.

"},{"id":"text-1262","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 26, 2008\nWhat in the world is it?","html":"

June 26, 2008\nWhat in the world is it?

"},{"id":"text-1263","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 25, 2008\nMoving/cleaning/mending your pack-ratty ways? The Chicago Recycling Coalition maintains a handy-dandy list of how to recycle pretty much anything in Chicagoland.","html":"

June 25, 2008\nMoving/cleaning/mending your pack-ratty ways? The Chicago Recycling Coalition maintains a handy-dandy list of how to recycle pretty much anything in Chicagoland.

"},{"id":"text-1264","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 19, 2008\nThe subject of a Sun-Times article in today's paper, who complained about the hardships of not having a car, gets a bit of a dressing down by (naturally) the author of the blog Chicago Carless.","html":"

June 19, 2008\nThe subject of a Sun-Times article in today's paper, who complained about the hardships of not having a car, gets a bit of a dressing down by (naturally) the author of the blog Chicago Carless.

"},{"id":"text-1265","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 12, 2008\nThe Chicago version of the activity-planning website Eventful.com kicked off today, which lets users search, set alerts for and buy tickets to thousands of local events, from concerts to street fairs to discussion groups. You can even add your own events to the listings.","html":"

June 12, 2008\nThe Chicago version of the activity-planning website Eventful.com kicked off today, which lets users search, set alerts for and buy tickets to thousands of local events, from concerts to street fairs to discussion groups. You can even add your own events to the listings.

"},{"id":"text-1266","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 12, 2008\nAn entertaining slice of urban life or a pain in the…eardrums? Either way, the "bucket boys" are a familiar sight in Chicago and North by Northwestern has an article/video on the ubiquitous street performers.","html":"

June 12, 2008\nAn entertaining slice of urban life or a pain in the…eardrums? Either way, the "bucket boys" are a familiar sight in Chicago and North by Northwestern has an article/video on the ubiquitous street performers.

"},{"id":"text-1267","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 11, 2008\nThe Examiner recently launched a Chicago edition, featuring blogs from Adam Fendelman, Al Yellon and other local writers.","html":"

June 11, 2008\nThe Examiner recently launched a Chicago edition, featuring blogs from Adam Fendelman, Al Yellon and other local writers.

"},{"id":"text-1268","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 11, 2008\nThe Reader will be launching a new nightlife site this week: drinks.chicagoreader.com. The site isn't live yet, but it's mentioned in the official flickr group.","html":"

June 11, 2008\nThe Reader will be launching a new nightlife site this week: drinks.chicagoreader.com. The site isn't live yet, but it's mentioned in the official flickr group.

"},{"id":"text-1269","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 09, 2008\nAnother Belushi, Jim's son Rob, joins the line of entertainers from that famous Chicago family. But this one is going for the dramatic roles, currently rehearsing for The Lion In Winter in Glencoe's Writer's Theater.","html":"

June 09, 2008\nAnother Belushi, Jim's son Rob, joins the line of entertainers from that famous Chicago family. But this one is going for the dramatic roles, currently rehearsing for The Lion In Winter in Glencoe's Writer's Theater.

"},{"id":"text-1270","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 09, 2008\nIntroducing FlickrTwitterThinker, the latest project by digital tinkerer (and ex-GB staffer) Felix Jung.","html":"

June 09, 2008\nIntroducing FlickrTwitterThinker, the latest project by digital tinkerer (and ex-GB staffer) Felix Jung.

"},{"id":"text-1271","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 06, 2008\nUnlike other cities, Chicago is showing no special preferences to owners of hybrid cars by giving them a break on feeding the meter and providing them with free parking spaces to encourage their use. Should we really be surprised?","html":"

June 06, 2008\nUnlike other cities, Chicago is showing no special preferences to owners of hybrid cars by giving them a break on feeding the meter and providing them with free parking spaces to encourage their use. Should we really be surprised?

"},{"id":"text-1272","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 05, 2008\nThe latest issue of local literary mag Please Don't is up, casting its gaze on TV and music, and featuring new short fiction by Susannah Felts.","html":"

June 05, 2008\nThe latest issue of local literary mag Please Don't is up, casting its gaze on TV and music, and featuring new short fiction by Susannah Felts.

"},{"id":"text-1273","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 04, 2008\nWith Barack Obama's (presumptive) Democratic primary win all sewn up, The London Times gives the A-Z of his remarkable life. Guess what the "C" stands for? There's also an AP bio on Obama with photos from throughout his life.","html":"

June 04, 2008\nWith Barack Obama's (presumptive) Democratic primary win all sewn up, The London Times gives the A-Z of his remarkable life. Guess what the "C" stands for? There's also an AP bio on Obama with photos from throughout his life.

"},{"id":"text-1274","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 03, 2008\nEmbedded in the text of the indictments handed down by\nU.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald’s office May 22 charging bribes and\ncorruption\nin our city’s building and zoning departments, are Chicago\naddresses, locations where these crimes are alleged to\nhave taken place. EveryBlock does a deep-dive into these\naddresses,\nhighlighting choice greased-palm spots such as the Starbucks at Clark\nand Washington.","html":"

June 03, 2008\nEmbedded in the text of the indictments handed down by\nU.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald’s office May 22 charging bribes and\ncorruption\nin our city’s building and zoning departments, are Chicago\naddresses, locations where these crimes are alleged to\nhave taken place. EveryBlock does a deep-dive into these\naddresses,\nhighlighting choice greased-palm spots such as the Starbucks at Clark\nand Washington.

"},{"id":"text-1275","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 02, 2008\nIt's called Soceeo (pronounced like "socio-economic"), and it went live today.","html":"

June 02, 2008\nIt's called Soceeo (pronounced like "socio-economic"), and it went live today.

"},{"id":"text-1276","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 30, 2008\nSo, you don't think you can afford a home in the city? Sure you can. Take a look at the cheapest real estate in Chicago.","html":"

May 30, 2008\nSo, you don't think you can afford a home in the city? Sure you can. Take a look at the cheapest real estate in Chicago.

"},{"id":"text-1277","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 29, 2008\nDo we really need all these missed connections? Isn't Craig's List enough?","html":"

May 29, 2008\nDo we really need all these missed connections? Isn't Craig's List enough?

"},{"id":"text-1278","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 28, 2008\nThere's an "exclusive new lounge" in the city — but you're only invited if you take a $4,000 personal development class called Lifebook.","html":"

May 28, 2008\nThere's an "exclusive new lounge" in the city — but you're only invited if you take a $4,000 personal development class called Lifebook.

"},{"id":"text-1279","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 24, 2008\nIt seems that basement slot-car racing has quite a following in Chicago and elsewhere, according to this recent Wall Street Journal article.","html":"

May 24, 2008\nIt seems that basement slot-car racing has quite a following in Chicago and elsewhere, according to this recent Wall Street Journal article.

"},{"id":"text-1280","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 23, 2008\nA diverse clientele gets their kicks not on Route 66 but at an upscale athletic shoe store across from the Sheridan Red Line el stop.","html":"

May 23, 2008\nA diverse clientele gets their kicks not on Route 66 but at an upscale athletic shoe store across from the Sheridan Red Line el stop.

"},{"id":"text-1281","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 22, 2008\nIn addition to our flickr group, you may want to check out the Chicago Office of Tourism's new group, which gives you a shot of being featured on their Chicago's Great Urban Adventures site.","html":"

May 22, 2008\nIn addition to our flickr group, you may want to check out the Chicago Office of Tourism's new group, which gives you a shot of being featured on their Chicago's Great Urban Adventures site.

"},{"id":"text-1282","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 21, 2008\nPaperGirl (aka Mary Fons) documents her encounter with a suspect yoga instructor. Let's just say a calming environment is not the first impression.","html":"

May 21, 2008\nPaperGirl (aka Mary Fons) documents her encounter with a suspect yoga instructor. Let's just say a calming environment is not the first impression.

"},{"id":"text-1283","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 20, 2008\nVeronica saw a few PSAs for Illinois' Click It or Ticket program and thought they were commercials for an adult chat line. According to the state's new campaign, men will only wear their seatbelt if there is a sexy woman talking them into it. And of course Latinas can only seduce men into "being safe" if they're talking in Spanish. Ay yi yi!","html":"

May 20, 2008\nVeronica saw a few PSAs for Illinois' Click It or Ticket program and thought they were commercials for an adult chat line. According to the state's new campaign, men will only wear their seatbelt if there is a sexy woman talking them into it. And of course Latinas can only seduce men into "being safe" if they're talking in Spanish. Ay yi yi!

"},{"id":"text-1284","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 20, 2008\nThe Center on Halsted will host a screening for "Dottie's Magic Pockets," billed as the first children's program for kids in gay and lesbian families. The show features puppets as well as real-life families. Bert and Ernie approve.","html":"

May 20, 2008\nThe Center on Halsted will host a screening for "Dottie's Magic Pockets," billed as the first children's program for kids in gay and lesbian families. The show features puppets as well as real-life families. Bert and Ernie approve.

"},{"id":"text-1285","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 20, 2008\nMembers of the Rogers Park Young Women's Action Team have gotten tired of getting groped, propositioned, and followed while riding the CTA. And they're sure they're not alone. So instead of feeling shamed and staying quiet they've decided to fight back. If you need a safe place to share your story, see the calendar for an all ages event. But if you want to just share your story fill out their survey. Maybe someone at the CTA will read this and come up with a plan to make public transit safer.","html":"

May 20, 2008\nMembers of the Rogers Park Young Women's Action Team have gotten tired of getting groped, propositioned, and followed while riding the CTA. And they're sure they're not alone. So instead of feeling shamed and staying quiet they've decided to fight back. If you need a safe place to share your story, see the calendar for an all ages event. But if you want to just share your story fill out their survey. Maybe someone at the CTA will read this and come up with a plan to make public transit safer.

"},{"id":"text-1286","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 16, 2008\nA Chicago couple is competing in the Today show's Race to the Altar contest. Check out their website and decide if you want to vote for them.","html":"

May 16, 2008\nA Chicago couple is competing in the Today show's Race to the Altar contest. Check out their website and decide if you want to vote for them.

"},{"id":"text-1287","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 12, 2008\nWhat's going on on your street? (Why yes, it's yet another googlemap.)","html":"

May 12, 2008\nWhat's going on on your street? (Why yes, it's yet another googlemap.)

"},{"id":"text-1288","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 09, 2008\nAs if wild parakeets weren't enough, Hyde Park now is home to a band of feral cats who have set up shop in an alley near East 62nd Street. No reports of cougars in the HP, though… yet.","html":"

May 09, 2008\nAs if wild parakeets weren't enough, Hyde Park now is home to a band of feral cats who have set up shop in an alley near East 62nd Street. No reports of cougars in the HP, though… yet.

"},{"id":"text-1289","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 09, 2008\nOnly two days remain in the Dance Movie Blogathon! Learn yourself all about David Bowie's footwork in Labyrinth, Kevin Bacon's prototypical Angry Young Dancer ("I'm so angry I'm dancing up against backlit silo walls") — and so very much more. [via]","html":"

May 09, 2008\nOnly two days remain in the Dance Movie Blogathon! Learn yourself all about David Bowie's footwork in Labyrinth, Kevin Bacon's prototypical Angry Young Dancer ("I'm so angry I'm dancing up against backlit silo walls") — and so very much more. [via]

"},{"id":"text-1290","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 08, 2008\nGot hair on your palms?Did your mom say you'd go blind?Early to Bed says, "Nope."(Think you can make a better haiku about masturbation? Then lube up your wordsmith skills and toss your favorites over to the wonderful folks at Early to Bed.)","html":"

May 08, 2008\nGot hair on your palms?Did your mom say you'd go blind?Early to Bed says, "Nope."(Think you can make a better haiku about masturbation? Then lube up your wordsmith skills and toss your favorites over to the wonderful folks at Early to Bed.)

"},{"id":"text-1291","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 08, 2008\nHe usually writes about the local architecture, but "urbanist" Lee Bay turns his attention to the gas crisis and even gives the presidential candidates a free speech sure to garner them votes.","html":"

May 08, 2008\nHe usually writes about the local architecture, but "urbanist" Lee Bay turns his attention to the gas crisis and even gives the presidential candidates a free speech sure to garner them votes.

"},{"id":"text-1292","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 08, 2008\nAn anonymous email circulating in a Florida community contends that Tyson Foods is bringing in "vanloads" of gang members from Chicago to work in their plant there, some of whom are apparently fired and "roaming the streets like wild dogs." The local sheriff's office acknowledges the email, but says the information is not true.","html":"

May 08, 2008\nAn anonymous email circulating in a Florida community contends that Tyson Foods is bringing in "vanloads" of gang members from Chicago to work in their plant there, some of whom are apparently fired and "roaming the streets like wild dogs." The local sheriff's office acknowledges the email, but says the information is not true.

"},{"id":"text-1293","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 06, 2008\nAnswersTV is a video resource center filled with advice on everything from food to health to pets and, uh, magic.","html":"

May 06, 2008\nAnswersTV is a video resource center filled with advice on everything from food to health to pets and, uh, magic.

"},{"id":"text-1294","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 06, 2008\nOne of the more bizzare pieces of cyberfluff floating around the Internet these days is Chicago's Kanye West challenging several friends in games of Connect Four, of which Kanye claims to be a master. Toronto's Now free weekly paper highlights his duel with actor Jonah Hill, star of Superbad et Forgetting Sarah Marshall.","html":"

May 06, 2008\nOne of the more bizzare pieces of cyberfluff floating around the Internet these days is Chicago's Kanye West challenging several friends in games of Connect Four, of which Kanye claims to be a master. Toronto's Now free weekly paper highlights his duel with actor Jonah Hill, star of Superbad et Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

"},{"id":"text-1295","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 06, 2008\nEver wonder how Google finds what you're looking for? The Chicago office demonstrates.","html":"

May 06, 2008\nEver wonder how Google finds what you're looking for? The Chicago office demonstrates.

"},{"id":"text-1296","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 05, 2008\nBill Bramanti of South Chicago Heights loves Pabst Blue Ribbon beer so much, he wants to be buried in it. No, really.","html":"

May 05, 2008\nBill Bramanti of South Chicago Heights loves Pabst Blue Ribbon beer so much, he wants to be buried in it. No, really.

"},{"id":"text-1297","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 05, 2008\nDid you miss the Chicago Pen Show? Were you even aware that there était a Chicago Pen Show? Apparently, some folks take pens quite seriously.","html":"

May 05, 2008\nDid you miss the Chicago Pen Show? Were you even aware that there était a Chicago Pen Show? Apparently, some folks take pens quite seriously.

"},{"id":"text-1298","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 30, 2008\nOur neighbors to the south, in Marion, Indiana need some help. The Marion-Grant County Humane Shelter is closing down at the end of May or early June and all animals need to go to a loving home. Unfortunately, any animals still at the shelter at its time of closing will be euthanized. There are some dogs whose status is urgent and photos and more details on those dogs can be found here. If you're looking to adopt and dog or cat and can find your way down to Marion, Indiana, please consider this an option.","html":"

April 30, 2008\nOur neighbors to the south, in Marion, Indiana need some help. The Marion-Grant County Humane Shelter is closing down at the end of May or early June and all animals need to go to a loving home. Unfortunately, any animals still at the shelter at its time of closing will be euthanized. There are some dogs whose status is urgent and photos and more details on those dogs can be found here. If you're looking to adopt and dog or cat and can find your way down to Marion, Indiana, please consider this an option.

"},{"id":"text-1299","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 29, 2008\nBen Fry is an expert on data visualization. He recently created a map of all the roads in the United States; this closeup of the Midwest shows just how dense the pavement is around Chicagoland.","html":"

April 29, 2008\nBen Fry is an expert on data visualization. He recently created a map of all the roads in the United States; this closeup of the Midwest shows just how dense the pavement is around Chicagoland.

"},{"id":"text-1300","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 29, 2008\nUptown Update has the lowdown on some of John Dillinger's hangouts in Uptown, including his last stop: the neighborhood funeral home.","html":"

April 29, 2008\nUptown Update has the lowdown on some of John Dillinger's hangouts in Uptown, including his last stop: the neighborhood funeral home.

"},{"id":"text-1301","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 25, 2008\nKids write stories. The Barrel of Monkeys theater group performs these stories for audiences of kids and grown-ups. The group just launched a web site with a searchable story archive… which means you can read stuff like what I'm reading: a poem that begins, "If you ever run into a piece of barbecued chicken, run away as fast as you can to China."","html":"

April 25, 2008\nKids write stories. The Barrel of Monkeys theater group performs these stories for audiences of kids and grown-ups. The group just launched a web site with a searchable story archive… which means you can read stuff like what I'm reading: a poem that begins, "If you ever run into a piece of barbecued chicken, run away as fast as you can to China."

"},{"id":"text-1302","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 22, 2008\nChicago is on track to become the first city to have a street sweeper-mounted camera system. As the sweeper moves down the street it will take a take a photo of any illegally-parked vehicle and a second image of the license plate, relaying both automatically to the Department of Revenue. Strictly for traffic flow purposes, you understand.","html":"

April 22, 2008\nChicago is on track to become the first city to have a street sweeper-mounted camera system. As the sweeper moves down the street it will take a take a photo of any illegally-parked vehicle and a second image of the license plate, relaying both automatically to the Department of Revenue. Strictly for traffic flow purposes, you understand.

"},{"id":"text-1303","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 19, 2008\nCarfree Chicago has launched a new line of L Stop buttons for fashionistas who are interested in displaying neighborhood pride, support for public transit, or both. The buttons' bright, bold colors are perfect for springtime.","html":"

April 19, 2008\nCarfree Chicago has launched a new line of L Stop buttons for fashionistas who are interested in displaying neighborhood pride, support for public transit, or both. The buttons' bright, bold colors are perfect for springtime.

"},{"id":"text-1304","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 18, 2008\nRagan Communications gives it a B-. I'm surprised it rates even that high. (Thanks, Terri!)","html":"

April 18, 2008\nRagan Communications gives it a B-. I'm surprised it rates even that high. (Thanks, Terri!)

"},{"id":"text-1305","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 18, 2008\nThreadless' is on this list of 10 annoyingly brilliant office interiors. [via]","html":"

April 18, 2008\nThreadless' is on this list of 10 annoyingly brilliant office interiors. [via]

"},{"id":"text-1306","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 17, 2008\nCraigslist tells us that TLC's What Not to Wear, the TV show that gives shame-based makeovers, is accepting nominees from Chicago. The post says, "Do you have a friend/ family member/ sister/ co-worker that is in desperate need of a fashion overhaul?!" No word on whether successful applications must adopt the same frantic tone.","html":"

April 17, 2008\nCraigslist tells us that TLC's What Not to Wear, the TV show that gives shame-based makeovers, is accepting nominees from Chicago. The post says, "Do you have a friend/ family member/ sister/ co-worker that is in desperate need of a fashion overhaul?!" No word on whether successful applications must adopt the same frantic tone.

"},{"id":"text-1307","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 17, 2008\nCat and Girl dissects This American Life, and finds out something that says absolutely nothing about us and the way we live.","html":"

April 17, 2008\nCat and Girl dissects This American Life, and finds out something that says absolutely nothing about us and the way we live.

"},{"id":"text-1308","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 15, 2008\nVolunteers with the WPB's Community Open Houses asked the people of Wicker Park/Bucktown what they wanted to see in their neighborhood. Their responses were collected in a series of photographs on Flickr: here, here and here. A quick survey indicates a big push for a more bike-friendly area. Oh, and a toy store. Don't feel left out of the process, though, you can submit your thoughts too. [Via]","html":"

April 15, 2008\nVolunteers with the WPB's Community Open Houses asked the people of Wicker Park/Bucktown what they wanted to see in their neighborhood. Their responses were collected in a series of photographs on Flickr: here, here and here. A quick survey indicates a big push for a more bike-friendly area. Oh, and a toy store. Don't feel left out of the process, though, you can submit your thoughts too. [Via]

"},{"id":"text-1309","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 04, 2008\nThe Catholic University of America claims that the first fictional representation of a black person receiving a major party nomination for president was in a 1964 issue of their comic book, Treasure Chest of Fun and Fact.","html":"

April 04, 2008\nThe Catholic University of America claims that the first fictional representation of a black person receiving a major party nomination for president was in a 1964 issue of their comic book, Treasure Chest of Fun and Fact.

"},{"id":"text-1310","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 02, 2008\nEvery so often, new phone books arrive, yet this guy noticed that not everyone seems to want them. (Thanks, Jimmy!)","html":"

April 02, 2008\nEvery so often, new phone books arrive, yet this guy noticed that not everyone seems to want them. (Thanks, Jimmy!)

"},{"id":"text-1311","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 27, 2008\nPouah. A basketball coach at Walter Payton Prep School has been arrested for sexually assaulting two female students. It is alleged that George Turner, a married father of two children, used a vibrator on one student while in a parked car; he attempted to molest a second student in late February. The two students notified authorities together.","html":"

March 27, 2008\nPouah. A basketball coach at Walter Payton Prep School has been arrested for sexually assaulting two female students. It is alleged that George Turner, a married father of two children, used a vibrator on one student while in a parked car; he attempted to molest a second student in late February. The two students notified authorities together.

"},{"id":"text-1312","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 26, 2008\nOverheard in Chicago = eavsedropping made easy.","html":"

March 26, 2008\nOverheard in Chicago = eavsedropping made easy.

"},{"id":"text-1313","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 24, 2008\nThreadless launched Threadless TV, a new weekly video show.","html":"

March 24, 2008\nThreadless launched Threadless TV, a new weekly video show.

"},{"id":"text-1314","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 22, 2008\nSo many people complain about the existence of teen mothers, but New Moms has been doing something about it. Until this last week, they've been housing about 20 new mothers and their young children, but a fire destroyed their facility and now those moms are in temporary housing. They're always looking for donations, but now would be a great time to help with a donation of $25, or more. (Hat tip to Veronica.)","html":"

March 22, 2008\nSo many people complain about the existence of teen mothers, but New Moms has been doing something about it. Until this last week, they've been housing about 20 new mothers and their young children, but a fire destroyed their facility and now those moms are in temporary housing. They're always looking for donations, but now would be a great time to help with a donation of $25, or more. (Hat tip to Veronica.)

"},{"id":"text-1315","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 22, 2008\nI wonder what's going on here at 3912 S. Vincennes Ave.? UPDATE: Google has taken the scene down; Gawker has the screenshots.","html":"

March 22, 2008\nI wonder what's going on here at 3912 S. Vincennes Ave.? UPDATE: Google has taken the scene down; Gawker has the screenshots.

"},{"id":"text-1316","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 22, 2008\nDespite the recent snizzle storms, spring is here, and it's time to plant stuff. Even if you lack a lawn, you can still get into the gardening spirit by "seed bombing" your nearest vacant lot. This video, shot in Pilsen by locals Fresh Cut Media, provides a concise how-to and tips on the latest trend in guerrilla gardening. Seed bombs away …","html":"

March 22, 2008\nDespite the recent snizzle storms, spring is here, and it's time to plant stuff. Even if you lack a lawn, you can still get into the gardening spirit by "seed bombing" your nearest vacant lot. This video, shot in Pilsen by locals Fresh Cut Media, provides a concise how-to and tips on the latest trend in guerrilla gardening. Seed bombs away …

"},{"id":"text-1317","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 21, 2008\nLast month the Polaroid Corporation announced that it would stop making instant film at the end of 2008. In response to the news, the Save Polaroid campaign was launched to help find a manufacturer willing to produce the film. There's also a Flickr group, not to mention our very own Polariod shots. Power to the people!","html":"

March 21, 2008\nLast month the Polaroid Corporation announced that it would stop making instant film at the end of 2008. In response to the news, the Save Polaroid campaign was launched to help find a manufacturer willing to produce the film. There's also a Flickr group, not to mention our very own Polariod shots. Power to the people!

"},{"id":"text-1318","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 20, 2008\nIs the Trib really behind ColonelTribune?","html":"

March 20, 2008\nIs the Trib really behind ColonelTribune?

"},{"id":"text-1319","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 17, 2008\nHey, Love, Chicago is back, now as an online-only zine about the city's music, food and indie culture.","html":"

March 17, 2008\nHey, Love, Chicago is back, now as an online-only zine about the city's music, food and indie culture.

"},{"id":"text-1320","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 05, 2008\nHereThere, a new webzine for "creative professionals," has launched.","html":"

March 05, 2008\nHereThere, a new webzine for "creative professionals," has launched.

"},{"id":"text-1321","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 04, 2008\nChicago cheapskates rejoice: SaveChicago.org gives its members access to a database of discounts at local retailers, then kicks a portion of the proceeds from membership fees back to area nonprofit organizations. Plus they're offering a $15 Visa gift card for new members.","html":"

March 04, 2008\nChicago cheapskates rejoice: SaveChicago.org gives its members access to a database of discounts at local retailers, then kicks a portion of the proceeds from membership fees back to area nonprofit organizations. Plus they're offering a $15 Visa gift card for new members.

"},{"id":"text-1322","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 04, 2008\nBoingBoing TV visits U of I's student inventors during Engineers Week. That cassette tape wallet is pretty sweet.","html":"

March 04, 2008\nBoingBoing TV visits U of I's student inventors during Engineers Week. That cassette tape wallet is pretty sweet.

"},{"id":"text-1323","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 29, 2008\nWho do you want answering the phone?","html":"

February 29, 2008\nWho do you want answering the phone?

"},{"id":"text-1324","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 28, 2008\nTECH Cocktail co-organizer and Somewhat Frank scribe Frank Gruber recently made this seemingly authoritative list of "140 Faces of Well-Known Bloggers." Gruber's name appears alongside those of bloggebrities Markos "Daily Kos" Moulitsas, Perez Hilton and Arianna Huffington, among others.","html":"

February 28, 2008\nTECH Cocktail co-organizer and Somewhat Frank scribe Frank Gruber recently made this seemingly authoritative list of "140 Faces of Well-Known Bloggers." Gruber's name appears alongside those of bloggebrities Markos "Daily Kos" Moulitsas, Perez Hilton and Arianna Huffington, among others.

"},{"id":"text-1325","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 22, 2008\nFans of scantily clad Internet star Tila Tequila are invited to a casting call being held on Saturday, March 1 from 4-8 p.m. at a Loop location TBA. E Oh Productions is conducting the talent search on behalf of a documentary project about the Tequila phenomenon; contact them here.","html":"

February 22, 2008\nFans of scantily clad Internet star Tila Tequila are invited to a casting call being held on Saturday, March 1 from 4-8 p.m. at a Loop location TBA. E Oh Productions is conducting the talent search on behalf of a documentary project about the Tequila phenomenon; contact them here.

"},{"id":"text-1326","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 22, 2008\nFound on Songza: The Theme from Hot Doug's by bee.","html":"

February 22, 2008\nFound on Songza: The Theme from Hot Doug's by bee.

"},{"id":"text-1327","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 21, 2008\nTakotron takes a look at the Railroad Bridges of Chicago, some of which even have their own myspace pages.","html":"

February 21, 2008\nTakotron takes a look at the Railroad Bridges of Chicago, some of which even have their own myspace pages.

"},{"id":"text-1328","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 19, 2008\nIn 1990, a Cook County Hospital physician mused on the topic in the British Medical Journal, finding a connection to… castration?","html":"

February 19, 2008\nIn 1990, a Cook County Hospital physician mused on the topic in the British Medical Journal, finding a connection to… castration?

"},{"id":"text-1329","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 19, 2008\nIt's true because I found it on the Internet?","html":"

February 19, 2008\nIt's true because I found it on the Internet?

"},{"id":"text-1330","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 18, 2008\nOui il peut.","html":"

February 18, 2008\nOui il peut.

"},{"id":"text-1331","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 18, 2008\nCrazy Blind Date, a blind-dating website with helpful reminders like "your blind date is a real person," is now available to Chicagoans.","html":"

February 18, 2008\nCrazy Blind Date, a blind-dating website with helpful reminders like "your blind date is a real person," is now available to Chicagoans.

"},{"id":"text-1332","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 16, 2008\nNot only does Vera Videnovich sell tomatoes, herbs, asparagus, etc. that she grows on her Michigan farm during the summer and fall at the Logan Square Farmers Market, but she's now started to sell 1-pound lots of yarn, hand-spun and hand-dyed (using flowers she grows on her farm), from wool she shears off her sheep. This woman reminds me of all the small farmers I knew growing up. And she only has a few shares left for her April yarn sale, so get'em quick!","html":"

February 16, 2008\nNot only does Vera Videnovich sell tomatoes, herbs, asparagus, etc. that she grows on her Michigan farm during the summer and fall at the Logan Square Farmers Market, but she's now started to sell 1-pound lots of yarn, hand-spun and hand-dyed (using flowers she grows on her farm), from wool she shears off her sheep. This woman reminds me of all the small farmers I knew growing up. And she only has a few shares left for her April yarn sale, so get'em quick!

"},{"id":"text-1333","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 15, 2008\nAre you and a friend or loved one in need of some self-reduction? Wanna do it on a major network TV reality show? Then show up at Chicago Home Fitness at 1555 N. Halsted tomorrow, Feb. 16 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and try out for NBC's The Biggest Loser. Come early: This ad from casting call hosts BL4 Productions Inc. promises that the first 500 people in line will be seen, but latecomers might have to settle for listening to their iPods on the nearest treadmill.","html":"

February 15, 2008\nAre you and a friend or loved one in need of some self-reduction? Wanna do it on a major network TV reality show? Then show up at Chicago Home Fitness at 1555 N. Halsted tomorrow, Feb. 16 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and try out for NBC's The Biggest Loser. Come early: This ad from casting call hosts BL4 Productions Inc. promises that the first 500 people in line will be seen, but latecomers might have to settle for listening to their iPods on the nearest treadmill.

"},{"id":"text-1334","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 13, 2008\nIf you would like to wear your support for Chicago's 2016 Olympics bid on your sleeve (or head), a new online store offers hats, shirts and jackets emblazoned with the six-pointed star logo and catchy "Stir the Soul" slogan. This could be just the thing for those of you who need a last-minute Valentine's Day gift for your sweetie.","html":"

February 13, 2008\nIf you would like to wear your support for Chicago's 2016 Olympics bid on your sleeve (or head), a new online store offers hats, shirts and jackets emblazoned with the six-pointed star logo and catchy "Stir the Soul" slogan. This could be just the thing for those of you who need a last-minute Valentine's Day gift for your sweetie.

"},{"id":"text-1335","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 13, 2008\nIn a Web populated with user-generated-this and user-generated-that, everyone's a critic. Here's an odd little essay about Safeway Crushed Tomatoes purchased at the Dominick's at 3145 S. Ashland.","html":"

February 13, 2008\nIn a Web populated with user-generated-this and user-generated-that, everyone's a critic. Here's an odd little essay about Safeway Crushed Tomatoes purchased at the Dominick's at 3145 S. Ashland.

"},{"id":"text-1336","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 13, 2008\nWhat do they have in common? Lincoln Logs! Check out bullet #3 in this Mental Floss article to find out the connections.","html":"

February 13, 2008\nWhat do they have in common? Lincoln Logs! Check out bullet #3 in this Mental Floss article to find out the connections.

"},{"id":"text-1337","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 12, 2008\nA video of a Chicago woman taking some friendly 4am pictures at a police station in Elkhart, IN has caused some consternation.","html":"

February 12, 2008\nA video of a Chicago woman taking some friendly 4am pictures at a police station in Elkhart, IN has caused some consternation.

"},{"id":"text-1338","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 12, 2008\nCity event-planning guides seem to be multiplying the way googlemap mashups once did. The latest is PlanJam.","html":"

February 12, 2008\nCity event-planning guides seem to be multiplying the way googlemap mashups once did. The latest is PlanJam.

"},{"id":"text-1339","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 09, 2008\nI suppose when you're the head of a media empire, you can get away with making blue comments to your employees about why it's okay to advertise for strip bars in your publications.","html":"

February 09, 2008\nI suppose when you're the head of a media empire, you can get away with making blue comments to your employees about why it's okay to advertise for strip bars in your publications.

"},{"id":"text-1340","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 06, 2008\n"Faces," a new, black-and-white portrait project by local photog Jason Richardson, uses light, angle and composition to reveal people's faces as they really are (i.e., wrinkles, dots and all). Richardson needs models, so check out his flickr page and drop him a line to participate.","html":"

February 06, 2008\n"Faces," a new, black-and-white portrait project by local photog Jason Richardson, uses light, angle and composition to reveal people's faces as they really are (i.e., wrinkles, dots and all). Richardson needs models, so check out his flickr page and drop him a line to participate.

"},{"id":"text-1341","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 06, 2008\nBarackula, The Musical!","html":"

February 06, 2008\nBarackula, The Musical!

"},{"id":"text-1342","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 06, 2008\nHave an boozehound neighbor with a yappy dog, wild children, and a rusty car up on blocks in the driveway? Is he prone to late-night drum rehearsals or screamfests with his spouse? Too terrified to confront him directly? Impotently and anonymously vent your spleen at rottenneighbor.com. Here's the Chicago edition.","html":"

February 06, 2008\nHave an boozehound neighbor with a yappy dog, wild children, and a rusty car up on blocks in the driveway? Is he prone to late-night drum rehearsals or screamfests with his spouse? Too terrified to confront him directly? Impotently and anonymously vent your spleen at rottenneighbor.com. Here's the Chicago edition.

"},{"id":"text-1343","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 05, 2008\nThe Sun Times reports that two 911 dispatchers made over $110,000 last year (twice their salaries) in overtime last year. These two employees are not the only highly-paid staffers; twenty of their colleagues accrued up to $80,000 in overtime pay as well.","html":"

February 05, 2008\nThe Sun Times reports that two 911 dispatchers made over $110,000 last year (twice their salaries) in overtime last year. These two employees are not the only highly-paid staffers; twenty of their colleagues accrued up to $80,000 in overtime pay as well.

"},{"id":"text-1344","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 31, 2008\nChicago Magazine's February issue features "171 Best Chicago Websites," a nice round-up for your reading pleasure. Ses still not wasn't online, though, so Time Out took the initiative and created a linklist for you. Then Chicago Metroblogging created an OPML file of the list — along with all the ones mentioned in Time Out's recent blog feature package — that you can dump into your favorite feed reader. UPDATE: The Chicago Mag feature went online late today.\n\tYes, Gapers Block is mentioned in both the Chicago Mag and Time Out features. And, as Tankboy noted, we faire get along with the folks at Chicagoist.","html":"

January 31, 2008\nChicago Magazine's February issue features "171 Best Chicago Websites," a nice round-up for your reading pleasure. Ses still not wasn't online, though, so Time Out took the initiative and created a linklist for you. Then Chicago Metroblogging created an OPML file of the list — along with all the ones mentioned in Time Out's recent blog feature package — that you can dump into your favorite feed reader. UPDATE: The Chicago Mag feature went online late today.\n\tYes, Gapers Block is mentioned in both the Chicago Mag and Time Out features. And, as Tankboy noted, we faire get along with the folks at Chicagoist.

"},{"id":"text-1345","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 30, 2008\nA series of great commercials for Dirty Found, created by Young & Rubicam Chicago and director Aaron Stoller. (NSFW)","html":"

January 30, 2008\nA series of great commercials for Dirty Found, created by Young & Rubicam Chicago and director Aaron Stoller. (NSFW)

"},{"id":"text-1346","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 30, 2008\nRich Uncle Pennybags is going to include city names in a new Monopoly edition. Apparently he's ok with competition in this case, so vote for Chicago's inclusion today, and if you're really dedicated, every day until Leap Day.","html":"

January 30, 2008\nRich Uncle Pennybags is going to include city names in a new Monopoly edition. Apparently he's ok with competition in this case, so vote for Chicago's inclusion today, and if you're really dedicated, every day until Leap Day.

"},{"id":"text-1347","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 29, 2008\nSidewaysPony and the Inter-State Narcotic Association want you to beware of friendly strangers who might slip "dope" into your oolong. Also, CTA "Doomsday" takes on a whole new meaning.","html":"

January 29, 2008\nSidewaysPony and the Inter-State Narcotic Association want you to beware of friendly strangers who might slip "dope" into your oolong. Also, CTA "Doomsday" takes on a whole new meaning.

"},{"id":"text-1348","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 28, 2008\nThe Montrose Ave. sinkhole now has its own MySpace page, where it promotes its own beauty and compares itself to the Grand Canyon. If you're looking for a way to throw some love its way, you're invited to join the rally outside the Montrose L station on Tuesday afternoon, to protest the city's ruthless plan to fill it it back up.","html":"

January 28, 2008\nThe Montrose Ave. sinkhole now has its own MySpace page, where it promotes its own beauty and compares itself to the Grand Canyon. If you're looking for a way to throw some love its way, you're invited to join the rally outside the Montrose L station on Tuesday afternoon, to protest the city's ruthless plan to fill it it back up.

"},{"id":"text-1349","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 25, 2008\nThe current season of Layer Tennis finishes up this afternoon, and it's going out with a bang: not one but two matches, running simultaneously. Kiss your productivity goodbye at 2pm. (I'll be needing a drink after this one.)","html":"

January 25, 2008\nThe current season of Layer Tennis finishes up this afternoon, and it's going out with a bang: not one but two matches, running simultaneously. Kiss your productivity goodbye at 2pm. (I'll be needing a drink after this one.)

"},{"id":"text-1350","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 24, 2008\nCalifornian James Srodon has filed a $50,000 lawsuit against the Blue Man Group after attending an October 2006 show at the Briar Street Theater. The "esophagus cam," a video camera reportedly covered in food, dirt and the trademark blue paint was forcibly shoved down Srodon's throat during the performance, damaging dental work and giving him nightmares.","html":"

January 24, 2008\nCalifornian James Srodon has filed a $50,000 lawsuit against the Blue Man Group after attending an October 2006 show at the Briar Street Theater. The "esophagus cam," a video camera reportedly covered in food, dirt and the trademark blue paint was forcibly shoved down Srodon's throat during the performance, damaging dental work and giving him nightmares.

"},{"id":"text-1351","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 23, 2008\nFitPregnancy magazine rated Chicago #28 out of 50 major U.S. cities in its "Best Cities in America to Have a Baby" survey. The city received praise for its progressive fertility resources but got a grade of F in categories such as affordability and something known as "stroller friendliness."","html":"

January 23, 2008\nFitPregnancy magazine rated Chicago #28 out of 50 major U.S. cities in its "Best Cities in America to Have a Baby" survey. The city received praise for its progressive fertility resources but got a grade of F in categories such as affordability and something known as "stroller friendliness."

"},{"id":"text-1352","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 22, 2008\nThe Chicago Postcard Museum takes a look at the Museum of Science and Industry this month.","html":"

January 22, 2008\nThe Chicago Postcard Museum takes a look at the Museum of Science and Industry this month.

"},{"id":"text-1353","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 22, 2008\nIf you've seen that odd, Blair Witch Project-ish TV commercial for SeeItNext.com that is running on the local television stations, you may have visited the website and found a lone prompt to leave your email address for a February 4th reveal of the mystery behind the commercial. What's really going on here? The most popular theory suggests that the commercial is a viral advertisement for General Motors' presentation at the upcoming February 7-18 Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place. And If the future is a GM car, I'm sure it won't be a much-needed reprise of the EV1.","html":"

January 22, 2008\nIf you've seen that odd, Blair Witch Project-ish TV commercial for SeeItNext.com that is running on the local television stations, you may have visited the website and found a lone prompt to leave your email address for a February 4th reveal of the mystery behind the commercial. What's really going on here? The most popular theory suggests that the commercial is a viral advertisement for General Motors' presentation at the upcoming February 7-18 Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place. And If the future is a GM car, I'm sure it won't be a much-needed reprise of the EV1.

"},{"id":"text-1354","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 20, 2008\nChevrolet invites Chicagoans to nominate inspiring and heroic women to be named the Chicago Woman of the Year 2008. The winning woman receives a $5,000 shopping spree at Macy's and a big self-esteem boost. The nomination process lasts until March 10.","html":"

January 20, 2008\nChevrolet invites Chicagoans to nominate inspiring and heroic women to be named the Chicago Woman of the Year 2008. The winning woman receives a $5,000 shopping spree at Macy's and a big self-esteem boost. The nomination process lasts until March 10.

"},{"id":"text-1355","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 18, 2008\nDePaul College of Law grad David Wold is selling his diploma on eBay for $100,000. "This degree has been a great invitation to work at least 60 hours a week at a place where I don't want to be for people that I don't care about," he explains. As an added bonus, Wold will include his law school books, enabling the winning bidder to learn about the Carbolic Smoke Ball and other 1L in-jokes without having to attend any classes.","html":"

January 18, 2008\nDePaul College of Law grad David Wold is selling his diploma on eBay for $100,000. "This degree has been a great invitation to work at least 60 hours a week at a place where I don't want to be for people that I don't care about," he explains. As an added bonus, Wold will include his law school books, enabling the winning bidder to learn about the Carbolic Smoke Ball and other 1L in-jokes without having to attend any classes.

"},{"id":"text-1356","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 17, 2008\nAre you looking for a new Chicago-centric online community? CitizenPowered.org, an outgrowth of the Community Building Initiative between the City of Chicago & the Green Street Project, is now available in beta. Prendre plaisir.","html":"

January 17, 2008\nAre you looking for a new Chicago-centric online community? CitizenPowered.org, an outgrowth of the Community Building Initiative between the City of Chicago & the Green Street Project, is now available in beta. Prendre plaisir.

"},{"id":"text-1357","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 17, 2008\nChicago designer Scott Sullivan recently made the Wall Street Journal for his affordable and eco-friendly lamps and coasters, which he makes from discarded clutches, shift gears, and other car parts. Sullivan runs his own Etsy shop where you can purchase his wares.","html":"

January 17, 2008\nChicago designer Scott Sullivan recently made the Wall Street Journal for his affordable and eco-friendly lamps and coasters, which he makes from discarded clutches, shift gears, and other car parts. Sullivan runs his own Etsy shop where you can purchase his wares.

"},{"id":"text-1358","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 17, 2008\nAn ode to suburbia, by Chicago mag's Jeff Ruby.","html":"

January 17, 2008\nAn ode to suburbia, by Chicago mag's Jeff Ruby.

"},{"id":"text-1359","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 14, 2008\nRyan Maconochie is a Chicago-based designer who loves maps. The ones he's designed for Chicago are great, especially his "Small Snack" map of Wicker Park/Ukrainian Village/East Village.","html":"

January 14, 2008\nRyan Maconochie is a Chicago-based designer who loves maps. The ones he's designed for Chicago are great, especially his "Small Snack" map of Wicker Park/Ukrainian Village/East Village.

"},{"id":"text-1360","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 14, 2008\n You've got to hand it to a 73-year-old woman in Springfield who consistently refuses to sell her home to nearby Memorial Medical Center. As a result, her home is nestled in the cozy, welcoming hospital parking lot.","html":"

January 14, 2008\n You've got to hand it to a 73-year-old woman in Springfield who consistently refuses to sell her home to nearby Memorial Medical Center. As a result, her home is nestled in the cozy, welcoming hospital parking lot.

"},{"id":"text-1361","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 10, 2008\nThe Cook County Board of Commissioners is proposing a $4/month, $48/year tax on all phones — land, cell, cable and otherwise. The tax would also increase with inflation — at five years, your total amount paid would be over $250 a phone. Read more at NoPhoneTax.org. Update: Outside the Loop Radio will discuss the likelihood of the tax's success along with other taxes proposed at the end of 2007 on Friday's show. Look for Episode 68 on the main page around noon or listen to WLUW at 6pm.","html":"

January 10, 2008\nThe Cook County Board of Commissioners is proposing a $4/month, $48/year tax on all phones — land, cell, cable and otherwise. The tax would also increase with inflation — at five years, your total amount paid would be over $250 a phone. Read more at NoPhoneTax.org. Update: Outside the Loop Radio will discuss the likelihood of the tax's success along with other taxes proposed at the end of 2007 on Friday's show. Look for Episode 68 on the main page around noon or listen to WLUW at 6pm.

"},{"id":"text-1362","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 10, 2008\nFreakonomics guru and U of C prof Steven Levitt and collaborator Sudhir Venkatesh have determined that 3 percent of all "transactions" performed by prostitutes in Chicago are free samples granted the boys in blue to avoid arrest.","html":"

January 10, 2008\nFreakonomics guru and U of C prof Steven Levitt and collaborator Sudhir Venkatesh have determined that 3 percent of all "transactions" performed by prostitutes in Chicago are free samples granted the boys in blue to avoid arrest.

"},{"id":"text-1363","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 10, 2008\nOrganizers of Chicago's Tech Cocktail are starting the "Bring CES to Chicago" movement, after learning that the consumer electronics trade show — the largest in the U.S., and underway as we type — might be leaving its usual spot, Las Vegas. The Cocktail guys discuss their campaign for the masses as any savvy technogeek would: via BlogTV. To join in on the fun, you can email the T-Cocktail guys here.","html":"

January 10, 2008\nOrganizers of Chicago's Tech Cocktail are starting the "Bring CES to Chicago" movement, after learning that the consumer electronics trade show — the largest in the U.S., and underway as we type — might be leaving its usual spot, Las Vegas. The Cocktail guys discuss their campaign for the masses as any savvy technogeek would: via BlogTV. To join in on the fun, you can email the T-Cocktail guys here.

"},{"id":"text-1364","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 07, 2008\nTracy Buckley, a supervising investigator for the city Office of the Inspector General, was charged with stealing food from a Northwest side Whole Foods this past Saturday. Buckley has worked for the city office for almost 14 years.","html":"

January 07, 2008\nTracy Buckley, a supervising investigator for the city Office of the Inspector General, was charged with stealing food from a Northwest side Whole Foods this past Saturday. Buckley has worked for the city office for almost 14 years.

"},{"id":"text-1365","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 07, 2008\nAt the American Economic Association's annual meeting, held over the weekend in New Orleans, University of Chicago economist Steve Levitt and sociologist Sudhir Venkatesh of Columbia University presented their preliminary work on a study focused on data collected from more than 100 Chicago prostitutes. Some of the scholars' findings: that prostitutes work 11 to 12 hours a week and make between $25- to $35-an-hour; and that condoms were used in only five percent of 2,000 transactions. According to portfolio.com, Levitt and Venkatesh's full results will be featured in the upcoming sequel to Freakonomics.","html":"

January 07, 2008\nAt the American Economic Association's annual meeting, held over the weekend in New Orleans, University of Chicago economist Steve Levitt and sociologist Sudhir Venkatesh of Columbia University presented their preliminary work on a study focused on data collected from more than 100 Chicago prostitutes. Some of the scholars' findings: that prostitutes work 11 to 12 hours a week and make between $25- to $35-an-hour; and that condoms were used in only five percent of 2,000 transactions. According to portfolio.com, Levitt and Venkatesh's full results will be featured in the upcoming sequel to Freakonomics.

"},{"id":"text-1366","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 05, 2008\nIt's easy to fall into a slump this time of year — which is all the more reason to check out the newly launched Library of Inspiration.","html":"

January 05, 2008\nIt's easy to fall into a slump this time of year — which is all the more reason to check out the newly launched Library of Inspiration.

"},{"id":"text-1367","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 04, 2008\nTwo cleaning women were trapped in a stuck elevator in a Niles office building for two days, surviving on two cough drops and six aspirin before an employee discovered them on Christmas Eve.","html":"

January 04, 2008\nTwo cleaning women were trapped in a stuck elevator in a Niles office building for two days, surviving on two cough drops and six aspirin before an employee discovered them on Christmas Eve.

"},{"id":"text-1368","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 03, 2008\nO'Hare is still the second-busiest airport in the nation, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Atlanta's Hartsfeld-Jackson airport has been the busiest for the last three years due to increased travel needs in the area and advertising efforts by Atlanta-hubbed airlines Delta and Air Tran (which used to be the deadly ValuJet Airlines, FYI).","html":"

January 03, 2008\nO'Hare is still the second-busiest airport in the nation, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Atlanta's Hartsfeld-Jackson airport has been the busiest for the last three years due to increased travel needs in the area and advertising efforts by Atlanta-hubbed airlines Delta and Air Tran (which used to be the deadly ValuJet Airlines, FYI).

"},{"id":"text-1369","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 28, 2007\nChromium, a nightclub near the intersection of Halsted and Lake, had a problem with fights and drunk driving. A neighbor took to videotaping the activity outside the club, and caught a shooting on tape. The videos on YouTube garnered national publicity, and Chromium was closed on Dec. 3.","html":"

December 28, 2007\nChromium, a nightclub near the intersection of Halsted and Lake, had a problem with fights and drunk driving. A neighbor took to videotaping the activity outside the club, and caught a shooting on tape. The videos on YouTube garnered national publicity, and Chromium was closed on Dec. 3.

"},{"id":"text-1370","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 24, 2007\nIt's not every day that a minivan crashes into the ABC 7 studios in the middle of a live broadcast.","html":"

December 24, 2007\nIt's not every day that a minivan crashes into the ABC 7 studios in the middle of a live broadcast.

"},{"id":"text-1371","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 21, 2007\nDon't think your Shellac album will go over well with the in-laws this Christmas as you play it during after-dinner talk? Never fear, The Jingler is here to add a festive bell track to all your music. The results? Hilarious.","html":"

December 21, 2007\nDon't think your Shellac album will go over well with the in-laws this Christmas as you play it during after-dinner talk? Never fear, The Jingler is here to add a festive bell track to all your music. The results? Hilarious.

"},{"id":"text-1372","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 20, 2007\nThe Delta Institute, a non-profit organization, has launched a Website where you can measure your annual greenhouse gas emissions, learn how to reduce your impact, and offset your carbon footprint through the purchase of carbon credits certified by the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX).","html":"

December 20, 2007\nThe Delta Institute, a non-profit organization, has launched a Website where you can measure your annual greenhouse gas emissions, learn how to reduce your impact, and offset your carbon footprint through the purchase of carbon credits certified by the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX).

"},{"id":"text-1373","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 19, 2007\nScaryideas.com tackles Wrigley Field…with Tide.","html":"

December 19, 2007\nScaryideas.com tackles Wrigley Field…with Tide.

"},{"id":"text-1374","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 17, 2007\nThe Times of London offers an inquisitive reader a few tips on the best Chicago hotels. Did you know the Hotel Burnham has a "swish" ground floor cafe?","html":"

December 17, 2007\nThe Times of London offers an inquisitive reader a few tips on the best Chicago hotels. Did you know the Hotel Burnham has a "swish" ground floor cafe?

"},{"id":"text-1375","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 17, 2007\nChicagoLive.com is a new video site by the Tribune, hoping to jump on the bandwagon of user generated content. Enter their holiday contest and your video could appear on CLTV! (That's all they could spring for?)","html":"

December 17, 2007\nChicagoLive.com is a new video site by the Tribune, hoping to jump on the bandwagon of user generated content. Enter their holiday contest and your video could appear on CLTV! (That's all they could spring for?)

"},{"id":"text-1376","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 17, 2007\nA sigh of relief for those irritating people concerned that too much of Chicago real estate consists of demolishing old buildings in order to replace them with state-of-the-art monstrosities: according to a New York Times article, New York is now the "Teardown Capital" of the US, bumping Chicago to the #2 spot. Huzzah!","html":"

December 17, 2007\nA sigh of relief for those irritating people concerned that too much of Chicago real estate consists of demolishing old buildings in order to replace them with state-of-the-art monstrosities: according to a New York Times article, New York is now the "Teardown Capital" of the US, bumping Chicago to the #2 spot. Huzzah!

"},{"id":"text-1377","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 12, 2007\nThe good people of Lisle believe they came under an airplane lavatory attack during Monday's sleet storm. The FAA isn't so sure, suggesting it was the work of a flock of birds. "It is mysterious. It is very mysterious," says one resident.","html":"

December 12, 2007\nThe good people of Lisle believe they came under an airplane lavatory attack during Monday's sleet storm. The FAA isn't so sure, suggesting it was the work of a flock of birds. "It is mysterious. It is very mysterious," says one resident.

"},{"id":"text-1378","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 11, 2007\nLawyers for Drew Peterson have set up a web site where you can donate money to defray his legal costs. Although the site is currently down, the following message posted at DefendDrew.com really tugged at my heart strings: "For the cost of a few cups of your morning coffee, you can help to ensure that Drew can afford to support his ongoing legal defense, find his missing wife and divert any remaining funds into a trust for his children." Yeah, good luck, buddy.","html":"

December 11, 2007\nLawyers for Drew Peterson have set up a web site where you can donate money to defray his legal costs. Although the site is currently down, the following message posted at DefendDrew.com really tugged at my heart strings: "For the cost of a few cups of your morning coffee, you can help to ensure that Drew can afford to support his ongoing legal defense, find his missing wife and divert any remaining funds into a trust for his children." Yeah, good luck, buddy.

"},{"id":"text-1379","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 11, 2007\nMug shots give way to molar shots. The Chicago Homicide Unit asked the ADA to help identify the teeth of a woman who was found dead in a North Side alleyway last January. The cops "would like to speak to dentists who have any knowledge about a patient who obtained braces and never returned for follow-up care."","html":"

December 11, 2007\nMug shots give way to molar shots. The Chicago Homicide Unit asked the ADA to help identify the teeth of a woman who was found dead in a North Side alleyway last January. The cops "would like to speak to dentists who have any knowledge about a patient who obtained braces and never returned for follow-up care."

"},{"id":"text-1380","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 06, 2007\nStopping just short of calling opposing coaches chickens, a new website pretty much DEMANDS that teams be forced to kick to the Bears' freakishly-amazing return man Devin Hester.","html":"

December 06, 2007\nStopping just short of calling opposing coaches chickens, a new website pretty much DEMANDS that teams be forced to kick to the Bears' freakishly-amazing return man Devin Hester.

"},{"id":"text-1381","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 29, 2007\nRearview contributor and excellent photographer Carey Primeau launches a new photography site and portfolio. While I've seen my fair share of deserted and abandoned photography sites, Primeau really does elevate these photos to stunning. One of the more stellar sets has to be his Uptown Theater set, a building that has intrigued me for years. So good.","html":"

November 29, 2007\nRearview contributor and excellent photographer Carey Primeau launches a new photography site and portfolio. While I've seen my fair share of deserted and abandoned photography sites, Primeau really does elevate these photos to stunning. One of the more stellar sets has to be his Uptown Theater set, a building that has intrigued me for years. So good.

"},{"id":"text-1382","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 28, 2007\nHappened to stumble upon these while looking for something else: images of Chicago in the public domain on Flickr. While there is the usual Sears Tower/Millenium Park/El photos, there are quite a few historical ones as well. I find this one of the stockyards fascinating, as well as this locomotive shop picture.","html":"

November 28, 2007\nHappened to stumble upon these while looking for something else: images of Chicago in the public domain on Flickr. While there is the usual Sears Tower/Millenium Park/El photos, there are quite a few historical ones as well. I find this one of the stockyards fascinating, as well as this locomotive shop picture.

"},{"id":"text-1383","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 27, 2007\nOur friends at Coudal Partners spent some time at the Black Hole, a Los Alamos surplus store, and are showing their film in five parts this week. The full DVD is also available.","html":"

November 27, 2007\nOur friends at Coudal Partners spent some time at the Black Hole, a Los Alamos surplus store, and are showing their film in five parts this week. The full DVD is also available.

"},{"id":"text-1384","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 26, 2007\nThe wife of billionaire adventurer Steve Fossett has asked the Cook County court to declare Fossett dead after his disappearance following a September 3 flight in Nevada.","html":"

November 26, 2007\nThe wife of billionaire adventurer Steve Fossett has asked the Cook County court to declare Fossett dead after his disappearance following a September 3 flight in Nevada.

"},{"id":"text-1385","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 20, 2007\nData released by the US Postal Service shows that Chicago has the worst mail delivery service in the country, with only 94% of letters reaching their destination within one day (an improvement from last year's delivery rate).","html":"

November 20, 2007\nData released by the US Postal Service shows that Chicago has the worst mail delivery service in the country, with only 94% of letters reaching their destination within one day (an improvement from last year's delivery rate).

"},{"id":"text-1386","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 19, 2007\nIt comes around every year, and even though it might annoy you, you know you're going to watch it: the "Favorite Things" episode of Oprah airs tomorrow, and this year's recipient of the coveted gifts is a group of people from Macon, Georgia, as that city reportedly has the nation's highest percentage of viewers tuned in to her show.","html":"

November 19, 2007\nIt comes around every year, and even though it might annoy you, you know you're going to watch it: the "Favorite Things" episode of Oprah airs tomorrow, and this year's recipient of the coveted gifts is a group of people from Macon, Georgia, as that city reportedly has the nation's highest percentage of viewers tuned in to her show.

"},{"id":"text-1387","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 19, 2007\nThe Nature Conservancy in Illinois is starting a new kind of environmental awareness campaign to get Illinois talking about eco-destruction. Dubbed Start One Conversation, the campaign centers on a Website that gives folks enough background info about issues such climate change and habitat preservation to talk about them without sounding all "you know … global warming, like, sucks."","html":"

November 19, 2007\nThe Nature Conservancy in Illinois is starting a new kind of environmental awareness campaign to get Illinois talking about eco-destruction. Dubbed Start One Conversation, the campaign centers on a Website that gives folks enough background info about issues such climate change and habitat preservation to talk about them without sounding all "you know … global warming, like, sucks."

"},{"id":"text-1388","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 14, 2007\nAlthough it's reportedly unlikely, Delta Airlines is thinking about buying United in an effort to deal with rising jet fuel costs.","html":"

November 14, 2007\nAlthough it's reportedly unlikely, Delta Airlines is thinking about buying United in an effort to deal with rising jet fuel costs.

"},{"id":"text-1389","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 13, 2007\nThe GLBT media scene just got a little more crowded with the arrival today of EDGEChicago.com.","html":"

November 13, 2007\nThe GLBT media scene just got a little more crowded with the arrival today of EDGEChicago.com.

"},{"id":"text-1390","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 13, 2007\nAccording to a recent AP story, Illinois ranks third in the purchase of vanity license plates; Virginia is first, as the cost of their plates is a measly 10 dollars. Before you run off to the DMV to see if "Jordan 23" is still available, the joke is on us: Illinois also charges the most of any state for vanity ($94) and personalized ($47) plates.","html":"

November 13, 2007\nAccording to a recent AP story, Illinois ranks third in the purchase of vanity license plates; Virginia is first, as the cost of their plates is a measly 10 dollars. Before you run off to the DMV to see if "Jordan 23" is still available, the joke is on us: Illinois also charges the most of any state for vanity ($94) and personalized ($47) plates.

"},{"id":"text-1391","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 11, 2007\nDonda West, mother of musician Kanye West and former chair of the Chicago State University English Department, died Saturday night in Los Angeles at the age of 58. The cause of death is unknown at this time, and her death was apparently sudden.","html":"

November 11, 2007\nDonda West, mother of musician Kanye West and former chair of the Chicago State University English Department, died Saturday night in Los Angeles at the age of 58. The cause of death is unknown at this time, and her death was apparently sudden.

"},{"id":"text-1392","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 08, 2007\nThe Midwest Teen Sex Show, a sex-ed video podcast, got some attention from the Wall Street Journal today. The show is regularly in the top-10 in iTunes' Health section.","html":"

November 08, 2007\nThe Midwest Teen Sex Show, a sex-ed video podcast, got some attention from the Wall Street Journal today. The show is regularly in the top-10 in iTunes' Health section.

"},{"id":"text-1393","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 07, 2007\nNot quite the expose on Santiago Calatrava (also known for his work on the Milwaukee Art Museum), but Creative Review, a design magazine based in the UK, showcases the design work of Third Eye Design who did the collateral for The Chicago Spire. Even if you don't like the Spire itself, the accompanying literature praises our fair city.","html":"

November 07, 2007\nNot quite the expose on Santiago Calatrava (also known for his work on the Milwaukee Art Museum), but Creative Review, a design magazine based in the UK, showcases the design work of Third Eye Design who did the collateral for The Chicago Spire. Even if you don't like the Spire itself, the accompanying literature praises our fair city.

"},{"id":"text-1394","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 04, 2007\nActor Shia LaBoeuf was arrested at the Walgreens store located at Chicago and Michigan Avenues Sunday morning for (drunkenly) refusing to leave. The actor, who will appear in the next Indiana Jones movie, will be back in town for his court date on November 28.","html":"

November 04, 2007\nActor Shia LaBoeuf was arrested at the Walgreens store located at Chicago and Michigan Avenues Sunday morning for (drunkenly) refusing to leave. The actor, who will appear in the next Indiana Jones movie, will be back in town for his court date on November 28.

"},{"id":"text-1395","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 02, 2007\nLocal, self-described "joggler" Perry Romanowski just set a new world record for running a 50-mile ultra-marathon while juggling three bean bags. Romanowski did it in an amazing 8 hours, 23 minutes, and 52 seconds with no more than four drops–a half hour less than the old record. Hold on there… there was an old record to beat?","html":"

November 02, 2007\nLocal, self-described "joggler" Perry Romanowski just set a new world record for running a 50-mile ultra-marathon while juggling three bean bags. Romanowski did it in an amazing 8 hours, 23 minutes, and 52 seconds with no more than four drops–a half hour less than the old record. Hold on there… there was an old record to beat?

"},{"id":"text-1396","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 01, 2007\nJargon Magazine relaunched today with a new design and new sections.","html":"

November 01, 2007\nJargon Magazine relaunched today with a new design and new sections.

"},{"id":"text-1397","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 31, 2007\nChicago is a city full of ghosts, and Irving Renquist is out to find them. There's only one problem: he's never seen one before. That's the basic set-up for Irving Renquist, Ghost Hunter, a new web-based mini-series. Check out the first episode here.","html":"

October 31, 2007\nChicago is a city full of ghosts, and Irving Renquist is out to find them. There's only one problem: he's never seen one before. That's the basic set-up for Irving Renquist, Ghost Hunter, a new web-based mini-series. Check out the first episode here.

"},{"id":"text-1398","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 30, 2007\nA new news aggregator called Newser debuted today, with a full-time Chicago-based editorial staff and freelancers summarizing as many as 60 stories a day. (Thanks, Phil!)","html":"

October 30, 2007\nA new news aggregator called Newser debuted today, with a full-time Chicago-based editorial staff and freelancers summarizing as many as 60 stories a day. (Thanks, Phil!)

"},{"id":"text-1399","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 30, 2007\nIt's been awhile since we had a YAGm, but here's YourStreet, a new mash-up that puts news on the map. Not sure it's any better or more useful than Outside.In, but now you have a choice. (Wonder what EveryBlock thinks of it.) (Thanks, Sarah!)","html":"

October 30, 2007\nIt's been awhile since we had a YAGm, but here's YourStreet, a new mash-up that puts news on the map. Not sure it's any better or more useful than Outside.In, but now you have a choice. (Wonder what EveryBlock thinks of it.) (Thanks, Sarah!)

"},{"id":"text-1400","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 30, 2007\nAn article in the New York Times investigates Barack Obama's short but significant time spent in New York in the 1980s as a Columbia University student and a brief post-graduate stint in international finance. Obama says his time in the Big Apple was "pivotal to his life"; however, he declined the Times' "repeated requests to talk about his New York years, release his Columbia transcript or identify even a single fellow student, co-worker, roommate or friend from those years."","html":"

October 30, 2007\nAn article in the New York Times investigates Barack Obama's short but significant time spent in New York in the 1980s as a Columbia University student and a brief post-graduate stint in international finance. Obama says his time in the Big Apple was "pivotal to his life"; however, he declined the Times' "repeated requests to talk about his New York years, release his Columbia transcript or identify even a single fellow student, co-worker, roommate or friend from those years."

"},{"id":"text-1401","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 29, 2007\nChicago Metropolis 2020 and Jellyvision teamed up to create Metro Joe, a game that tests your knowledge of both the city and the suburbs.","html":"

October 29, 2007\nChicago Metropolis 2020 and Jellyvision teamed up to create Metro Joe, a game that tests your knowledge of both the city and the suburbs.

"},{"id":"text-1402","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 28, 2007\nWhen Witch School International set up shop in Rossville, a struggling southern Illinois town, not everyone was excited about the economic jolt.","html":"

October 28, 2007\nWhen Witch School International set up shop in Rossville, a struggling southern Illinois town, not everyone was excited about the economic jolt.

"},{"id":"text-1403","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 26, 2007\nJeannette Sliwinski, the former model who killed local musicians Michael Dahlquist, Douglas Meis and John Glick in July 2005 while trying to commit suicide, was found guilty of reckless homicide today. Sliwinski was also deemed mentally ill, which lessened the initial charge of three counts of first-degree murder. She will be sentenced November 26.","html":"

October 26, 2007\nJeannette Sliwinski, the former model who killed local musicians Michael Dahlquist, Douglas Meis and John Glick in July 2005 while trying to commit suicide, was found guilty of reckless homicide today. Sliwinski was also deemed mentally ill, which lessened the initial charge of three counts of first-degree murder. She will be sentenced November 26.

"},{"id":"text-1404","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 19, 2007\nOur very own Naz Hamid is playing Layer Tennis today; go root for him in the forums!","html":"

October 19, 2007\nOur very own Naz Hamid is playing Layer Tennis today; go root for him in the forums!

"},{"id":"text-1405","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 16, 2007\nThe Apartments.com Possession Obsession contest is in its final week, and ex-GB staffer Brenda is still in the lead; give her a hand to make sure she stays out front by voting today! And speaking of contests, you can also vote Cubs or Sox in People magazine's Sexiest Fan Alive contest.","html":"

October 16, 2007\nThe Apartments.com Possession Obsession contest is in its final week, and ex-GB staffer Brenda is still in the lead; give her a hand to make sure she stays out front by voting today! And speaking of contests, you can also vote Cubs or Sox in People magazine's Sexiest Fan Alive contest.

"},{"id":"text-1406","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 15, 2007\nChicagoAncestors.org uses data from local churches, yearbook collections, neighborhood histories from the Newberry Library and information from the Chicago Historical Homicide Project to map Chicago's past. Registered users can add tags, comments, photos, stories and "Chicago Places" to maps on the site.","html":"

October 15, 2007\nChicagoAncestors.org uses data from local churches, yearbook collections, neighborhood histories from the Newberry Library and information from the Chicago Historical Homicide Project to map Chicago's past. Registered users can add tags, comments, photos, stories and "Chicago Places" to maps on the site.

"},{"id":"text-1407","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 14, 2007\nAnd with a techno soundtrack no less.","html":"

October 14, 2007\nAnd with a techno soundtrack no less.

"},{"id":"text-1408","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 12, 2007\nIt's easy to be enamored with the charms of Second City Cop. But today let's give some blue love to Checkboard Chat, the official Chicago Police blog. Today they give us some quality cop talk in describing how they cracked a cold case murder. Example: "The victim was then physically beaten by his associates." Bonus: "You can find anything on Craigs List"","html":"

October 12, 2007\nIt's easy to be enamored with the charms of Second City Cop. But today let's give some blue love to Checkboard Chat, the official Chicago Police blog. Today they give us some quality cop talk in describing how they cracked a cold case murder. Example: "The victim was then physically beaten by his associates." Bonus: "You can find anything on Craigs List"

"},{"id":"text-1409","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 12, 2007\nA time lapse video of the day of the Chicago Marathon.","html":"

October 12, 2007\nA time lapse video of the day of the Chicago Marathon.

"},{"id":"text-1410","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 11, 2007\nHypertext has collected some more interesting captures from Google Street View.","html":"

October 11, 2007\nHypertext has collected some more interesting captures from Google Street View.

"},{"id":"text-1411","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 10, 2007\nWho are the people in your Google Street View neighborhood?","html":"

October 10, 2007\nWho are the people in your Google Street View neighborhood?

"},{"id":"text-1412","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 09, 2007\nGoogle Maps Street View comes to Chicago. The Tribune waxes about the privacy issues that come with it.","html":"

October 09, 2007\nGoogle Maps Street View comes to Chicago. The Tribune waxes about the privacy issues that come with it.

"},{"id":"text-1413","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 03, 2007\nSomeone needs a Journalism Ethics class! Deborah Solomon, a New York Times Magazine reporter responsible for the mildly revealing "Q & A" section at the end of each issue, was recently taken to task by past interview subjects, among them This American Life creator Ira Glass, for fabricating pointed questions to fit dialogue spoken during her interviews.","html":"

October 03, 2007\nSomeone needs a Journalism Ethics class! Deborah Solomon, a New York Times Magazine reporter responsible for the mildly revealing "Q & A" section at the end of each issue, was recently taken to task by past interview subjects, among them This American Life creator Ira Glass, for fabricating pointed questions to fit dialogue spoken during her interviews.

"},{"id":"text-1414","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 03, 2007\nThen you might be interested in the Chicago Geek Guide. Your one-stop shop for all things geek.","html":"

October 03, 2007\nThen you might be interested in the Chicago Geek Guide. Your one-stop shop for all things geek.

"},{"id":"text-1415","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 02, 2007\nChicago graphic designer Leah Dickey of Pixelgate Media beat out 435 other entries to win a worldwide design contest held by Yahoo to create a "green" designs for a taskbar icon. As part of her prize, Leah got to select which environmental-related nonprofit receives $20,000 from Yahoo; she chose the Green Street Project, an organization that is collaborating with civic leaders, government and media to get people engaged in making Chicago a leading environmentally sustainable city.","html":"

October 02, 2007\nChicago graphic designer Leah Dickey of Pixelgate Media beat out 435 other entries to win a worldwide design contest held by Yahoo to create a "green" designs for a taskbar icon. As part of her prize, Leah got to select which environmental-related nonprofit receives $20,000 from Yahoo; she chose the Green Street Project, an organization that is collaborating with civic leaders, government and media to get people engaged in making Chicago a leading environmentally sustainable city.

"},{"id":"text-1416","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 01, 2007\nWhile we've all had our fill of the brief but entertaining Cheetah Gym Closing Scandal of last month, a recent check of a website forum that was created by a former member intending to coordinate a class action lawsuit for recovering gym fees revealed that although Cheetah has fully reopened, the site still exists, and the former owner of the gym (or someone pretending to be him) has surfaced in the bulletin boards. The resulting conversation between him and the other folks on the board is quite interesting. And completely bonkers.","html":"

October 01, 2007\nWhile we've all had our fill of the brief but entertaining Cheetah Gym Closing Scandal of last month, a recent check of a website forum that was created by a former member intending to coordinate a class action lawsuit for recovering gym fees revealed that although Cheetah has fully reopened, the site still exists, and the former owner of the gym (or someone pretending to be him) has surfaced in the bulletin boards. The resulting conversation between him and the other folks on the board is quite interesting. And completely bonkers.

"},{"id":"text-1417","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 01, 2007\nWhile the season opener of Saturday Night Live this past weekend delivered another funny digital short, the finest sketch of the night was about local export (and SNL musical guest) Kanye West's visit to BET's 106 and Park to discuss his award show tantrums of late. To watch Kanye's music performances, click here and here.","html":"

October 01, 2007\nWhile the season opener of Saturday Night Live this past weekend delivered another funny digital short, the finest sketch of the night was about local export (and SNL musical guest) Kanye West's visit to BET's 106 and Park to discuss his award show tantrums of late. To watch Kanye's music performances, click here and here.

"},{"id":"text-1418","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 30, 2007\nExcessively trusting thrillseekers may be interested in attending the First Annual Ghost Conference, held October 26-28 at the Congress Plaza Hotel… which is, of course, billed as being "haunted."","html":"

September 30, 2007\nExcessively trusting thrillseekers may be interested in attending the First Annual Ghost Conference, held October 26-28 at the Congress Plaza Hotel… which is, of course, billed as being "haunted."

"},{"id":"text-1419","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 28, 2007\nGood way to spend your Friday afternoon: Layer Tennis is live.","html":"

September 28, 2007\nGood way to spend your Friday afternoon: Layer Tennis is live.

"},{"id":"text-1420","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 27, 2007\nCongratulations to Feast of Fools, which won Best GLBT Podcast in the People's Choice Podcast Awards.","html":"

September 27, 2007\nCongratulations to Feast of Fools, which won Best GLBT Podcast in the People's Choice Podcast Awards.

"},{"id":"text-1421","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 25, 2007\nA special effects technician died on the British set of The Dark Knight Returns, the upcoming Batman film scheduled for release next summer. Parts of the movie were filmed in Chicago this past summer. The technician was in a vehicle carrying camera equipment that crashed into a tree during a test of a stunt likely involving the Batmobile.","html":"

September 25, 2007\nA special effects technician died on the British set of The Dark Knight Returns, the upcoming Batman film scheduled for release next summer. Parts of the movie were filmed in Chicago this past summer. The technician was in a vehicle carrying camera equipment that crashed into a tree during a test of a stunt likely involving the Batmobile.

"},{"id":"text-1422","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 24, 2007\nAfter stints as the head of both the Chicago and Philadelphia Public School Systems, Paul Vallas is now the head of the New Orleans Recovery School District. A nice profile in today's New York Times details his hopes for the district's future.","html":"

September 24, 2007\nAfter stints as the head of both the Chicago and Philadelphia Public School Systems, Paul Vallas is now the head of the New Orleans Recovery School District. A nice profile in today's New York Times details his hopes for the district's future.

"},{"id":"text-1423","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 21, 2007\nWurlington Brothers Press has published a series of postcards that allow you to make your own miniature paper Windy City! Teeny-tiny Mayor Daley not included. (We discovered it years ago, but BoingBoing just found it.)","html":"

September 21, 2007\nWurlington Brothers Press has published a series of postcards that allow you to make your own miniature paper Windy City! Teeny-tiny Mayor Daley not included. (We discovered it years ago, but BoingBoing just found it.)

"},{"id":"text-1424","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 18, 2007\nWhile searching for a bike rental in Amsterdam, I happened upon a very cool looking B&B in Bucktown. So if you have guests for more than a few days who might appreciate a sauna, kitchen, and a break from the same-old same-old downtown, Ray's Bucktown B&B might be just the thing. (Bonus: they have a retro hair-dryer. Take that, Palmer House!)","html":"

September 18, 2007\nWhile searching for a bike rental in Amsterdam, I happened upon a very cool looking B&B in Bucktown. So if you have guests for more than a few days who might appreciate a sauna, kitchen, and a break from the same-old same-old downtown, Ray's Bucktown B&B might be just the thing. (Bonus: they have a retro hair-dryer. Take that, Palmer House!)

"},{"id":"text-1425","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 18, 2007\nMetromix launched a full redesign today, and divorced itself URL-wise from the Tribune. It sure looks slick, but does it work any better?","html":"

September 18, 2007\nMetromix launched a full redesign today, and divorced itself URL-wise from the Tribune. It sure looks slick, but does it work any better?

"},{"id":"text-1426","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 13, 2007\nThe Westin Chicago River North hotel wants to attract guests not just with continental breakfasts or chocolates on the pillows, but rather a super-toilet, the Brondell Swash 800. Equipped with such indulgences as a heated seat, bidet, warm air dryer (!), and water pressure controls (!!!), one wonders how this will impact local escort services.","html":"

September 13, 2007\nThe Westin Chicago River North hotel wants to attract guests not just with continental breakfasts or chocolates on the pillows, but rather a super-toilet, the Brondell Swash 800. Equipped with such indulgences as a heated seat, bidet, warm air dryer (!), and water pressure controls (!!!), one wonders how this will impact local escort services.

"},{"id":"text-1427","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 13, 2007\nDo you know where Reba is? (Thanks, Ellen!)","html":"

September 13, 2007\nDo you know where Reba is? (Thanks, Ellen!)

"},{"id":"text-1428","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 10, 2007\n"WikiProject Chicago was started on July 5, 2005 to coordinate work on articles related to the article Chicago in the English Wikipedia". Pick up some open tasks, browse good articles, and edit newly-created articles like Poles in Chicago. Bonus: hi-res pic of the skyline from the lakefront.","html":"

September 10, 2007\n"WikiProject Chicago was started on July 5, 2005 to coordinate work on articles related to the article Chicago in the English Wikipedia". Pick up some open tasks, browse good articles, and edit newly-created articles like Poles in Chicago. Bonus: hi-res pic of the skyline from the lakefront.

"},{"id":"text-1429","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 10, 2007\nNot what you're thinking: The Midwest Teen Sex Show is a great video podcast put together, apparently, by some very funny folks in northwest suburban Woodstock. [via]","html":"

September 10, 2007\nNot what you're thinking: The Midwest Teen Sex Show is a great video podcast put together, apparently, by some very funny folks in northwest suburban Woodstock. [via]

"},{"id":"text-1430","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 08, 2007\nI have a feeling Jonathan Fin and Casey Black are going to regret making this video.","html":"

September 08, 2007\nI have a feeling Jonathan Fin and Casey Black are going to regret making this video.

"},{"id":"text-1431","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 06, 2007\nThe latest edition of GoogleEarth includes a flight simulator (controls here). GB reader Dubi Kaufmann noticed that "One of the 27 airports available in the flight simulator is Meigs Field – FOUR YEARS after it was closed."","html":"

September 06, 2007\nThe latest edition of GoogleEarth includes a flight simulator (controls here). GB reader Dubi Kaufmann noticed that "One of the 27 airports available in the flight simulator is Meigs Field – FOUR YEARS after it was closed."

"},{"id":"text-1432","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 01, 2007\nCraig Berman, writer emeritus for Gapers Block, maker of the honorably mentioned Pinch salt cellar and pepper shaker, and his wife Emily Berman, a vendor in this year's DIY Trunk Show, had their home profiled by Apartment Therapy. Their style? "Shabby chic meets modern sleek meets budget conscious new homeowner meets avid crafter meets product designer."","html":"

September 01, 2007\nCraig Berman, writer emeritus for Gapers Block, maker of the honorably mentioned Pinch salt cellar and pepper shaker, and his wife Emily Berman, a vendor in this year's DIY Trunk Show, had their home profiled by Apartment Therapy. Their style? "Shabby chic meets modern sleek meets budget conscious new homeowner meets avid crafter meets product designer."

"},{"id":"text-1433","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 30, 2007\nIf you've ever been down Ravenswood near Wilson, you might have seen the rather large stickered and logoed truck with bright red, yellow and black graphics that say, "On the Fly." The Chicago Traveler has the scoop: On the Fly is a mobile bike mechanic shop. Joe Ebervein and Rich Kwaitkowski will go where you are to get you on the road again.","html":"

August 30, 2007\nIf you've ever been down Ravenswood near Wilson, you might have seen the rather large stickered and logoed truck with bright red, yellow and black graphics that say, "On the Fly." The Chicago Traveler has the scoop: On the Fly is a mobile bike mechanic shop. Joe Ebervein and Rich Kwaitkowski will go where you are to get you on the road again.

"},{"id":"text-1434","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 29, 2007\nWho doesn't love a mash-up? Ongopongo is a site that aggregates user's Google My Maps mash-ups. Check out Chicago Ongopongo maps, including vegan restaurants, 4 am bars and even area pinball machines.","html":"

August 29, 2007\nWho doesn't love a mash-up? Ongopongo is a site that aggregates user's Google My Maps mash-ups. Check out Chicago Ongopongo maps, including vegan restaurants, 4 am bars and even area pinball machines.

"},{"id":"text-1435","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 29, 2007\nA couple in Lombard left their teenage son at home alone for a week earlier this summer. He and his friends took the opportunity to build a 60-foot waterslide in the backyard. Potential for serious injury aside, that's pretty frickin' cool.","html":"

August 29, 2007\nA couple in Lombard left their teenage son at home alone for a week earlier this summer. He and his friends took the opportunity to build a 60-foot waterslide in the backyard. Potential for serious injury aside, that's pretty frickin' cool.

"},{"id":"text-1436","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 29, 2007\nAn interesting look behind the scenes at The Wiener's Circle, courtesy of This American Life. Audio is most definitely NSFW, so throw on those headphones!","html":"

August 29, 2007\nAn interesting look behind the scenes at The Wiener's Circle, courtesy of This American Life. Audio is most definitely NSFW, so throw on those headphones!

"},{"id":"text-1437","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 28, 2007\nFave is a new "Chicago neighborhood browser." Unlike most search tools, this one is a downloadable browser that supposedly doesn't transmit your search to the Internet, which leads me to believe it has an internal directory — so it's more like an electronic yellow pages, I guess? If you're curious, they've got a storefront at Clark and Fullerton where you can try it out and ask more questions.","html":"

August 28, 2007\nFave is a new "Chicago neighborhood browser." Unlike most search tools, this one is a downloadable browser that supposedly doesn't transmit your search to the Internet, which leads me to believe it has an internal directory — so it's more like an electronic yellow pages, I guess? If you're curious, they've got a storefront at Clark and Fullerton where you can try it out and ask more questions.

"},{"id":"text-1438","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 28, 2007\nApparently seriously concerned about its public image, BP has taken to purchasing (regionally specific?) advertisements via google to tout its pledge to not increase discharge limits. This advertisement was embedded in a NYTimes.com article about the Maison de Verre.","html":"

August 28, 2007\nApparently seriously concerned about its public image, BP has taken to purchasing (regionally specific?) advertisements via google to tout its pledge to not increase discharge limits. This advertisement was embedded in a NYTimes.com article about the Maison de Verre.

"},{"id":"text-1439","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 27, 2007\nNerds at Heart wants to help you find love! This crew throws singles events catering to a range of niche markets. Upcoming Nerds at Heart events will match regular ol' nerds, playful nerds, queer nerds and green nerds at locales around town. Check out their site to register in advance.","html":"

August 27, 2007\nNerds at Heart wants to help you find love! This crew throws singles events catering to a range of niche markets. Upcoming Nerds at Heart events will match regular ol' nerds, playful nerds, queer nerds and green nerds at locales around town. Check out their site to register in advance.

"},{"id":"text-1440","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 25, 2007\nI suppose lightning striking the Sears Tower is a fairly common occurrence, but that doesn't make it any less cool to witness. Oh sh*t!","html":"

August 25, 2007\nI suppose lightning striking the Sears Tower is a fairly common occurrence, but that doesn't make it any less cool to witness. Oh sh*t!

"},{"id":"text-1441","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 24, 2007\nThe Dark Knight which has been filming in Chicago on and off for the past few months is doing something big. The Brachs Candy factory will be imploded on August the 29th August the 30th between 10:30am and noon. The implosion will be later added digitally into the film for a building explosion. Details here. Update: Note the date and time change. New details here.","html":"

August 24, 2007\nThe Dark Knight which has been filming in Chicago on and off for the past few months is doing something big. The Brachs Candy factory will be imploded on August the 29th August the 30th between 10:30am and noon. The implosion will be later added digitally into the film for a building explosion. Details here. Update: Note the date and time change. New details here.

"},{"id":"text-1442","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 23, 2007\nFollowing the news that "Max" is the number one name for cats and dogs for the fifth year in a row, a weird pet name free for all has broken out at the Trib.","html":"

August 23, 2007\nFollowing the news that "Max" is the number one name for cats and dogs for the fifth year in a row, a weird pet name free for all has broken out at the Trib.

"},{"id":"text-1443","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 21, 2007\nChicago native Brian Dettmer uses a knife to alter pre-existing media – most notably, books. I've been staring at these photos for the past ten minutes now, and they're absolutely taking my breath away. He and artist Jen Stark do things to paper I never even knew were possible. [via]//Edit: Some of Dettmer's work is currently at the Hyde Park Art Center. Thanks, Jessi!","html":"

August 21, 2007\nChicago native Brian Dettmer uses a knife to alter pre-existing media – most notably, books. I've been staring at these photos for the past ten minutes now, and they're absolutely taking my breath away. He and artist Jen Stark do things to paper I never even knew were possible. [via]//Edit: Some of Dettmer's work is currently at the Hyde Park Art Center. Thanks, Jessi!

"},{"id":"text-1444","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 20, 2007\nIn what might be the most elaborately, delightful case of deception I've ever seen, George Aye asks Sara Cantor to marry him. Congratulations and kudos!","html":"

August 20, 2007\nIn what might be the most elaborately, delightful case of deception I've ever seen, George Aye asks Sara Cantor to marry him. Congratulations and kudos!

"},{"id":"text-1445","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 18, 2007\nIf you're going to see Beyonce tonight at the United Center, don't forget the canned carrots! The Greater Chicago Food Depository is holding a pre-show food drive at the United Center, and the first 1,000 fans who drop off a minimum of three nonperishable food items before the 7:30 p.m. show will receive an autographed photo of Beyonce and a raffle ticket for a chance to win a seat upgrade.","html":"

August 18, 2007\nIf you're going to see Beyonce tonight at the United Center, don't forget the canned carrots! The Greater Chicago Food Depository is holding a pre-show food drive at the United Center, and the first 1,000 fans who drop off a minimum of three nonperishable food items before the 7:30 p.m. show will receive an autographed photo of Beyonce and a raffle ticket for a chance to win a seat upgrade.

"},{"id":"text-1446","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 17, 2007\nBatavia's doing well in IKEA's Small Businesses, Big Dreams contest, in which cities compete for having up to ten small businesses remodeled by the company. Check out their entry, vote for them and help them do even better.","html":"

August 17, 2007\nBatavia's doing well in IKEA's Small Businesses, Big Dreams contest, in which cities compete for having up to ten small businesses remodeled by the company. Check out their entry, vote for them and help them do even better.

"},{"id":"text-1447","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 14, 2007\nGumtree.com, England's answer to Craigslist, is launching in Chicago, NYC, and Boston today. Currently, it's an empty palette over at chicago.gumtree.com, so if you're sick of the white noise on Craigslist, this might be the chance to stand out.","html":"

August 14, 2007\nGumtree.com, England's answer to Craigslist, is launching in Chicago, NYC, and Boston today. Currently, it's an empty palette over at chicago.gumtree.com, so if you're sick of the white noise on Craigslist, this might be the chance to stand out.

"},{"id":"text-1448","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 13, 2007\nA moment of web zen: "TV DX Photos by Channel\nseen from Macomb, IL Since 1983" — in other words screenshots from stations seen with a long-distance TV antenna. [via]","html":"

August 13, 2007\nA moment of web zen: "TV DX Photos by Channel\nseen from Macomb, IL Since 1983" — in other words screenshots from stations seen with a long-distance TV antenna. [via]

"},{"id":"text-1449","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 13, 2007\nSet in Chicago, R. Kelly's over-the-top cult hit Trapped in the Closet needs to be seen to be believed. To date, there have been 12 chapters created; today marks the first of ten more (that's right, plus) chapters with the release of Chapter 13. A video recap is available, along with a helpful character map. I'm still unsure whether he's a comic genius, or utterly insane. Audio is NSFW.","html":"

August 13, 2007\nSet in Chicago, R. Kelly's over-the-top cult hit Trapped in the Closet needs to be seen to be believed. To date, there have been 12 chapters created; today marks the first of ten more (that's right, plus) chapters with the release of Chapter 13. A video recap is available, along with a helpful character map. I'm still unsure whether he's a comic genius, or utterly insane. Audio is NSFW.

"},{"id":"text-1450","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 10, 2007\nThe T-shirts of Lollapalooza.","html":"

August 10, 2007\nThe T-shirts of Lollapalooza.

"},{"id":"text-1451","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 10, 2007\nOur very own Felix has created a fun little time-killer: the Astronaut syncs random flickr photos to appear with key words from a song by Dan Frick.","html":"

August 10, 2007\nOur very own Felix has created a fun little time-killer: the Astronaut syncs random flickr photos to appear with key words from a song by Dan Frick.

"},{"id":"text-1452","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 09, 2007\nUsing old signs and discarded metal as his materials, David Buckingham creates pieces that are heavily influenced by both history and pop culture. What's particularly amazing is that all the colors in his works are from the original objects, as he uses no paint whatsoever. His work is currently at the Aron Packer Gallery until August 18th.","html":"

August 09, 2007\nUsing old signs and discarded metal as his materials, David Buckingham creates pieces that are heavily influenced by both history and pop culture. What's particularly amazing is that all the colors in his works are from the original objects, as he uses no paint whatsoever. His work is currently at the Aron Packer Gallery until August 18th.

"},{"id":"text-1453","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 07, 2007\nVia the Beachwood Reporter, the somewhat bizarre year-end gifts of Sam Zell. (It's copyright Saltator Sepulcri, which translates roughly to "dancer [of/on] graves," so I'm gonna guess they're social satire, not real gifts.) UPDATE: They're real!\nGB reader Paula writes, "I wish they were social satire, but they are real and he does give them out as gifts every year. A friend of mine works at a financial company in Chicago that works with Zell and every year they get a bizarre moving sculpture piece that has a button to activate the movement and the voice of Sam Zell pontificating about something important to him. In her front office they have them lined up on shelves and they drive her nuts because guests love to push the buttons, but there’s no off switch so once you start the monologue you’re stuck until it ends. Bizarre."","html":"

August 07, 2007\nVia the Beachwood Reporter, the somewhat bizarre year-end gifts of Sam Zell. (It's copyright Saltator Sepulcri, which translates roughly to "dancer [of/on] graves," so I'm gonna guess they're social satire, not real gifts.) UPDATE: They're real!\nGB reader Paula writes, "I wish they were social satire, but they are real and he does give them out as gifts every year. A friend of mine works at a financial company in Chicago that works with Zell and every year they get a bizarre moving sculpture piece that has a button to activate the movement and the voice of Sam Zell pontificating about something important to him. In her front office they have them lined up on shelves and they drive her nuts because guests love to push the buttons, but there’s no off switch so once you start the monologue you’re stuck until it ends. Bizarre."

"},{"id":"text-1454","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 06, 2007\nCayetano Ferrer, who did a fascinating set of transparent Chicago street signs, recently applied a similar approach to a group of 30-foot trees in Daejeon, Korea. [via and previously]","html":"

August 06, 2007\nCayetano Ferrer, who did a fascinating set of transparent Chicago street signs, recently applied a similar approach to a group of 30-foot trees in Daejeon, Korea. [via and previously]

"},{"id":"text-1455","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 03, 2007\n80's mechanical icon Johnny Five is apparently being sold on ebay, and bidding starts at a cool $100,000. A special exo-skeleton, which controls all of the mechanical features, is also included. For an extra dose of nostalgia, check out the previously mentioned, newly available 1988 Siskel and Ebert review.","html":"

August 03, 2007\n80's mechanical icon Johnny Five is apparently being sold on ebay, and bidding starts at a cool $100,000. A special exo-skeleton, which controls all of the mechanical features, is also included. For an extra dose of nostalgia, check out the previously mentioned, newly available 1988 Siskel and Ebert review.

"},{"id":"text-1456","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 27, 2007\nPicnicmob is looking for someone… just like you! Participants are asked a set of questions, then given a spot in a public park where they'll be near others who share their interests. When enough folks particiapte (the site is shooting for 1,000 per city), a map is generated and an email sent announcing the day of the picnic (always at noon on a Sunday). An interesting concept, and if nothing else – a good excuse for a picnic.","html":"

July 27, 2007\nPicnicmob is looking for someone… just like you! Participants are asked a set of questions, then given a spot in a public park where they'll be near others who share their interests. When enough folks particiapte (the site is shooting for 1,000 per city), a map is generated and an email sent announcing the day of the picnic (always at noon on a Sunday). An interesting concept, and if nothing else – a good excuse for a picnic.

"},{"id":"text-1457","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 26, 2007\nComing soon? Thanks, Roni.","html":"

July 26, 2007\nComing soon? Thanks, Roni.

"},{"id":"text-1458","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 23, 2007\nBroadview, IL-based Replogle has been making globes in the Chicago area since 1931. Naturally, the earth globes are works of art, but, so what? Freaking moon globe, man!","html":"

July 23, 2007\nBroadview, IL-based Replogle has been making globes in the Chicago area since 1931. Naturally, the earth globes are works of art, but, so what? Freaking moon globe, man!

"},{"id":"text-1459","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 23, 2007\nIt's getting a little crazy, but Chicago music legend Steve Albini is answering a wide variety of questions in the Two Plus Two forums.","html":"

July 23, 2007\nIt's getting a little crazy, but Chicago music legend Steve Albini is answering a wide variety of questions in the Two Plus Two forums.

"},{"id":"text-1460","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 18, 2007\nExpanding her focus on the plight of the chronically ill in today's healthcare system, past GB contributor Kimberly Soenen and friends have launched Project Sin Alma.","html":"

July 18, 2007\nExpanding her focus on the plight of the chronically ill in today's healthcare system, past GB contributor Kimberly Soenen and friends have launched Project Sin Alma.

"},{"id":"text-1461","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 16, 2007\nNeo-Futurist playwright Sean Benjamin recently received 21 packets of taco sauce for two tacos from the Taco Bell drive-thru. Then he wrote a play about it. Now he wants your help collecting one million condiment packets for his Condimentometer project. Because why the hell not? You have more condiment packets than you could ever possibly use, right? Bring (or mail) your packets to the Neo-Futurarium at 5153 N. Ashland, 60640, and be a part of something big and meaningless.","html":"

July 16, 2007\nNeo-Futurist playwright Sean Benjamin recently received 21 packets of taco sauce for two tacos from the Taco Bell drive-thru. Then he wrote a play about it. Now he wants your help collecting one million condiment packets for his Condimentometer project. Because why the hell not? You have more condiment packets than you could ever possibly use, right? Bring (or mail) your packets to the Neo-Futurarium at 5153 N. Ashland, 60640, and be a part of something big and meaningless.

"},{"id":"text-1462","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 16, 2007\nThe Micro-Fiber Militia: a group of Chicago crochet graffiti artists, keeping the streets patterned and cozy.","html":"

July 16, 2007\nThe Micro-Fiber Militia: a group of Chicago crochet graffiti artists, keeping the streets patterned and cozy.

"},{"id":"text-1463","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 16, 2007\nMan, you indie-rock kids were really on the make at this weekend's Pitchfork Festival. Check out all of these sweaty, lyrical Missed Connections from the List du Craig.","html":"

July 16, 2007\nMan, you indie-rock kids were really on the make at this weekend's Pitchfork Festival. Check out all of these sweaty, lyrical Missed Connections from the List du Craig.

"},{"id":"text-1464","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 11, 2007\nFollowing Michael Chertoff's boogity-boogity meeting with the Tribune's editorial board, Wired Blog writer Ryan Singel raised the Homeland Security Gut Threat Level system warning to the Chicago hot dog with everything level. May God protect us from the Tijuana Danger Dog.","html":"

July 11, 2007\nFollowing Michael Chertoff's boogity-boogity meeting with the Tribune's editorial board, Wired Blog writer Ryan Singel raised the Homeland Security Gut Threat Level system warning to the Chicago hot dog with everything level. May God protect us from the Tijuana Danger Dog.

"},{"id":"text-1465","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 10, 2007\nSpeaking of timewasters, the Chicago Opera Theater recently posted a time-lapse video of three set changes: from "Beatrice and Benedict" to "Duke Bluebeard's Castle" to "Erwartung" to "Beatrice and Benedict" again. Seven minutes of stagehand fun!","html":"

July 10, 2007\nSpeaking of timewasters, the Chicago Opera Theater recently posted a time-lapse video of three set changes: from "Beatrice and Benedict" to "Duke Bluebeard's Castle" to "Erwartung" to "Beatrice and Benedict" again. Seven minutes of stagehand fun!

"},{"id":"text-1466","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 09, 2007\nMeet folkstreams.net, a project to preserve documentaries about American roots cultures. There is, of course, a Midwestern section, and at least two Chicago-related films "The Popovich Brothers of South Chicago" and "Grace Earl."","html":"

July 09, 2007\nMeet folkstreams.net, a project to preserve documentaries about American roots cultures. There is, of course, a Midwestern section, and at least two Chicago-related films "The Popovich Brothers of South Chicago" and "Grace Earl."

"},{"id":"text-1467","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 08, 2007\nIf you went to the Police concert, there's a pretty good chance someone posted a Missed Connection about you. Check out the veritable blizzard of Craig's List posts from the '80s band's two-nighter at Wrigley.","html":"

July 08, 2007\nIf you went to the Police concert, there's a pretty good chance someone posted a Missed Connection about you. Check out the veritable blizzard of Craig's List posts from the '80s band's two-nighter at Wrigley.

"},{"id":"text-1468","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 07, 2007\nMonitoring local weapon news so you don't have to: the Chicago Police is getting ready to adopt a new weapons order that includes "striker-fired pistols manufactured by Smith and Wesson, Springfield Armory, and Glock"; Wired says that Taser International is about to roll out its new, wireless weapon here on Monday; and police higher-up Deputy Supt. John Risley's suspicions were right when he saw an 18-year old fidgeting with his shirt at the Taste of Chicago. The kid had a gun.","html":"

July 07, 2007\nMonitoring local weapon news so you don't have to: the Chicago Police is getting ready to adopt a new weapons order that includes "striker-fired pistols manufactured by Smith and Wesson, Springfield Armory, and Glock"; Wired says that Taser International is about to roll out its new, wireless weapon here on Monday; and police higher-up Deputy Supt. John Risley's suspicions were right when he saw an 18-year old fidgeting with his shirt at the Taste of Chicago. The kid had a gun.

"},{"id":"text-1469","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 01, 2007\nSoooooooeeeeeeee! In quite possibly one of the most disgusting truck spills in recent memory, the northbound Edens was shut down for seven hours after a truck tipped over, spilling out pig ears, pig feet, and grease across the highway. Ironically, the spill happened near the Skokie exit.","html":"

July 01, 2007\nSoooooooeeeeeeee! In quite possibly one of the most disgusting truck spills in recent memory, the northbound Edens was shut down for seven hours after a truck tipped over, spilling out pig ears, pig feet, and grease across the highway. Ironically, the spill happened near the Skokie exit.

"},{"id":"text-1470","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 30, 2007\n"Dean" and his female associate engaged in some hotel bed jumping at the Chicago Hyatt, as have many other people at hotels worldwide.","html":"

June 30, 2007\n"Dean" and his female associate engaged in some hotel bed jumping at the Chicago Hyatt, as have many other people at hotels worldwide.

"},{"id":"text-1471","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 25, 2007\nAnd Kevin Corr, formerly a clerk in the Cook County State's Attorney's office, collects Chicago Police patches, medals, and insignia. There are several historical tidbits (There were 41 districts before Superintendent O.W. Wilson reorganized the department after he took the helm in 1960.) interspersed with collector-specific information about patches and what they mean. And like any good collector, Kevin has a Flickr site.","html":"

June 25, 2007\nAnd Kevin Corr, formerly a clerk in the Cook County State's Attorney's office, collects Chicago Police patches, medals, and insignia. There are several historical tidbits (There were 41 districts before Superintendent O.W. Wilson reorganized the department after he took the helm in 1960.) interspersed with collector-specific information about patches and what they mean. And like any good collector, Kevin has a Flickr site.

"},{"id":"text-1472","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 21, 2007\nGoing.com lands somewhere between Upcoming and Yelp — a social network for actual socializing. They're throwing a launch party for their Chicago channel tonight at Debonair Social Club, 1575 N. Milwaukee, starting at 7pm. RSVP and more info here.","html":"

June 21, 2007\nGoing.com lands somewhere between Upcoming and Yelp — a social network for actual socializing. They're throwing a launch party for their Chicago channel tonight at Debonair Social Club, 1575 N. Milwaukee, starting at 7pm. RSVP and more info here.

"},{"id":"text-1473","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 14, 2007\nJulie Thoma Wright, a noted designer, passed away earlier this week after a battle with colon cancer. Thoma Wright, along with her husband Richard Wright, was known for being the force behind Wright, a Chicago auction house specializing in modern furniture and art. The Wrights were profiled last year in an article in Le New York Times.","html":"

June 14, 2007\nJulie Thoma Wright, a noted designer, passed away earlier this week after a battle with colon cancer. Thoma Wright, along with her husband Richard Wright, was known for being the force behind Wright, a Chicago auction house specializing in modern furniture and art. The Wrights were profiled last year in an article in Le New York Times.

"},{"id":"text-1474","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 12, 2007\nThis map renames US States with the country whose GDP is most similar. Illinois has a GDP like Mexico. As the author points out in the notes it's somewhat misleading as there's no sense of (population) scale, but it's fantastic nevertheless.","html":"

June 12, 2007\nThis map renames US States with the country whose GDP is most similar. Illinois has a GDP like Mexico. As the author points out in the notes it's somewhat misleading as there's no sense of (population) scale, but it's fantastic nevertheless.

"},{"id":"text-1475","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 08, 2007\nThe District 299 Blog asks some good questions about "where exactly are the gang lines?" and follows them up with an even better link… to Southside Gang Maps. So now you know.","html":"

June 08, 2007\nThe District 299 Blog asks some good questions about "where exactly are the gang lines?" and follows them up with an even better link… to Southside Gang Maps. So now you know.

"},{"id":"text-1476","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 05, 2007\nWord from Kartemquin Films regarding their in progress film: "Kartemquin is currently working on Typeface, a documentary about cultural preservation, rural renewal and graphic design history in the Midwest.To support these efforts, we're holding a benefit on June 15th at the Center for Book and Paper Arts here in Chicago. Toad Hollow Vineyards is providing the bubbly, MJ Catering is bringing the sweets and a number of local artists (including Jay Ryan and Dennis Ichiyama) are donating original works for the silent auction." While the much lauded Helvetica opens the same night at the Siskel, it is a weeklong engagement. So, why not support the locals? Looks good to me.","html":"

June 05, 2007\nWord from Kartemquin Films regarding their in progress film: "Kartemquin is currently working on Typeface, a documentary about cultural preservation, rural renewal and graphic design history in the Midwest.To support these efforts, we're holding a benefit on June 15th at the Center for Book and Paper Arts here in Chicago. Toad Hollow Vineyards is providing the bubbly, MJ Catering is bringing the sweets and a number of local artists (including Jay Ryan and Dennis Ichiyama) are donating original works for the silent auction." While the much lauded Helvetica opens the same night at the Siskel, it is a weeklong engagement. So, why not support the locals? Looks good to me.

"},{"id":"text-1477","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 31, 2007\nCrain's reports that a Chicago-based attorney got a little fresh with a Miami judge earlier this month. "'I suggest with respect, Your Honor, that you’re a few french fries short of a Happy Meal in terms of what’s likely to take place,' William Smith, a partner with Chicago-based McDermott Will & Emery LLP, said during a hearing".","html":"

May 31, 2007\nCrain's reports that a Chicago-based attorney got a little fresh with a Miami judge earlier this month. "'I suggest with respect, Your Honor, that you’re a few french fries short of a Happy Meal in terms of what’s likely to take place,' William Smith, a partner with Chicago-based McDermott Will & Emery LLP, said during a hearing".

"},{"id":"text-1478","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 30, 2007\nChicago.Metroblogging's Fuzzy Gerdes has created our local entry into the very cool flags of the world as pie charts","html":"

May 30, 2007\nChicago.Metroblogging's Fuzzy Gerdes has created our local entry into the very cool flags of the world as pie charts

"},{"id":"text-1479","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 23, 2007\nA musical tribute to Harold's Chicken Shack. [via]","html":"

May 23, 2007\nA musical tribute to Harold's Chicken Shack. [via]

"},{"id":"text-1480","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 17, 2007\nIf you're interested in every last detail of Tuesday's Morrissey concert, check out the Morrissey Solo message board. Documented are the set list, crowd reactions, number of times people rushed the stage, merchandise quality, and, well, every last detail.","html":"

May 17, 2007\nIf you're interested in every last detail of Tuesday's Morrissey concert, check out the Morrissey Solo message board. Documented are the set list, crowd reactions, number of times people rushed the stage, merchandise quality, and, well, every last detail.

"},{"id":"text-1481","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 14, 2007\nChicago-based writer Kristen Nicole of 606tech.com and Mashable announces Web Ascent Events, set for next month. Web Ascent is "a way to recognize the sprouting technology communities in places that aren't the Valley". If you are interested in presenting, sponsoring, or attending, her contact info is here.","html":"

May 14, 2007\nChicago-based writer Kristen Nicole of 606tech.com and Mashable announces Web Ascent Events, set for next month. Web Ascent is "a way to recognize the sprouting technology communities in places that aren't the Valley". If you are interested in presenting, sponsoring, or attending, her contact info is here.

"},{"id":"text-1482","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 14, 2007\nNow that the Buckingham Fountain is going full blast, maybe you'd like to astound your friends with some related trivia. For example, it opened on May 26, 1927, and its computer's name is the "Honeywell Excel-Plus."","html":"

May 14, 2007\nNow that the Buckingham Fountain is going full blast, maybe you'd like to astound your friends with some related trivia. For example, it opened on May 26, 1927, and its computer's name is the "Honeywell Excel-Plus."

"},{"id":"text-1483","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 09, 2007\nThe City List is a new city-focused, Digg-like community site that allows users to vote on the best food, nightlife, etc. in each city. The site just launched and currently only has content for Washington D.C., which leaves the Chicago portion completely open to manipulation– I mean contributions from PR people– I mean users.","html":"

May 09, 2007\nThe City List is a new city-focused, Digg-like community site that allows users to vote on the best food, nightlife, etc. in each city. The site just launched and currently only has content for Washington D.C., which leaves the Chicago portion completely open to manipulation– I mean contributions from PR people– I mean users.

"},{"id":"text-1484","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 07, 2007\nHere's a few classic Chicago TV clips from everyone's favorite illegal video site: Malcolm X being rudely grilled on a Chicago talk show in the sixties, Siskel and Ebert review Blue Velvet, and a couple minutes from the famous Dec 31, 1988 "Fog Bowl" between the Philadelphia Eagles vs Chicago Bears.","html":"

May 07, 2007\nHere's a few classic Chicago TV clips from everyone's favorite illegal video site: Malcolm X being rudely grilled on a Chicago talk show in the sixties, Siskel and Ebert review Blue Velvet, and a couple minutes from the famous Dec 31, 1988 "Fog Bowl" between the Philadelphia Eagles vs Chicago Bears.

"},{"id":"text-1485","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 04, 2007\nHow to Open Things is a new site that allows you to set up contests for ways to open …well, whatever you want. The creator was recently interviewed on WindyBits.","html":"

May 04, 2007\nHow to Open Things is a new site that allows you to set up contests for ways to open …well, whatever you want. The creator was recently interviewed on WindyBits.

"},{"id":"text-1486","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 02, 2007\nCheck out this mini-photo essay documenting the Belmont L station house move [window resizes].","html":"

May 02, 2007\nCheck out this mini-photo essay documenting the Belmont L station house move [window resizes].

"},{"id":"text-1487","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 30, 2007\nElementary students at the Lab School have been building their favorite pieces of the Chicago skyline in Joyce Carrasco's class for more than a decade. Check out examples from the class of 2004-2005. Dibs on the Morton Salt building! [via]","html":"

April 30, 2007\nElementary students at the Lab School have been building their favorite pieces of the Chicago skyline in Joyce Carrasco's class for more than a decade. Check out examples from the class of 2004-2005. Dibs on the Morton Salt building! [via]

"},{"id":"text-1488","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 30, 2007\nIf you've ever driven the Eisenhower expressway, and found yourself saying, "what's that smell?" right between CarMax on the south and a Holiday Inn on the north, you've sniffed methane gas from the Hilliside Landfill. The Attorney General forced its closing back in January. A new owner is now getting it done. Check their progress on landfillclosing.com.","html":"

April 30, 2007\nIf you've ever driven the Eisenhower expressway, and found yourself saying, "what's that smell?" right between CarMax on the south and a Holiday Inn on the north, you've sniffed methane gas from the Hilliside Landfill. The Attorney General forced its closing back in January. A new owner is now getting it done. Check their progress on landfillclosing.com.

"},{"id":"text-1489","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 25, 2007\nWhet Moser shares a 2016 t-shirt design I think in some circles would sell at least as well as the official one.","html":"

April 25, 2007\nWhet Moser shares a 2016 t-shirt design I think in some circles would sell at least as well as the official one.

"},{"id":"text-1490","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 25, 2007\nChronicBabe, the locally-produced website for women with chronic health conditions, just launched a redesign. New features include a chronic conditions resource center and an online store. Additionally, if you sign up for Goodie Bags, the site's electronic newsletter, you get a free ebook copy of How to Be a ChronicBabe: A Beginner's Toolkit.","html":"

April 25, 2007\nChronicBabe, the locally-produced website for women with chronic health conditions, just launched a redesign. New features include a chronic conditions resource center and an online store. Additionally, if you sign up for Goodie Bags, the site's electronic newsletter, you get a free ebook copy of How to Be a ChronicBabe: A Beginner's Toolkit.

"},{"id":"text-1491","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 22, 2007\nIf you've traveled around the world "crossing every meridian of longitude in the same direction" and are interested in meeting others like you, you're in luck. Chicago has its own chapter of the Circumnavigators Club. Oh, and your travel doesn't have to be in the same trip.","html":"

April 22, 2007\nIf you've traveled around the world "crossing every meridian of longitude in the same direction" and are interested in meeting others like you, you're in luck. Chicago has its own chapter of the Circumnavigators Club. Oh, and your travel doesn't have to be in the same trip.

"},{"id":"text-1492","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 20, 2007\nYouths up to no good in Streamwood, as alerted via the Chicago Police Department Weblog.","html":"

April 20, 2007\nYouths up to no good in Streamwood, as alerted via the Chicago Police Department Weblog.

"},{"id":"text-1493","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 19, 2007\nIntelligentsia's Black Cat espresso is number five on Esquire's list of "60 Things Worth Shortening Your Life For." We also have a place to try number 35, "duck fat potatoes." [via]","html":"

April 19, 2007\nIntelligentsia's Black Cat espresso is number five on Esquire's list of "60 Things Worth Shortening Your Life For." We also have a place to try number 35, "duck fat potatoes." [via]

"},{"id":"text-1494","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 16, 2007\nIn a classic "why the suburbs are better than the city" story from the Wheaton News Leader, all the old faves are resurrected: parking, taxes, stargazing. Cool. Then they go after the accent. "The Chicago accent itself is cringe-worthy. Out here, the speech is a little less blue collar, a little more blue blood."","html":"

April 16, 2007\nIn a classic "why the suburbs are better than the city" story from the Wheaton News Leader, all the old faves are resurrected: parking, taxes, stargazing. Cool. Then they go after the accent. "The Chicago accent itself is cringe-worthy. Out here, the speech is a little less blue collar, a little more blue blood."

"},{"id":"text-1495","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 12, 2007\nOver on Ask.MetaFilter, there's a thread compiling videogames that are set, in whole or in part, in Chicago. The list includes "Duelin' Firemen," in which a jet and the Space Shuttle crash into the Sears Tower. (Fortunately, it was never released.)","html":"

April 12, 2007\nOver on Ask.MetaFilter, there's a thread compiling videogames that are set, in whole or in part, in Chicago. The list includes "Duelin' Firemen," in which a jet and the Space Shuttle crash into the Sears Tower. (Fortunately, it was never released.)

"},{"id":"text-1496","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 11, 2007\nMichael Horvich is more than a supernumerary, he's the curator of Michael's Museum. Unfortunately, the physical museum is currently not open to the public, presumably due to high demand because of a recent Tribune article. For now, enjoy the photographs and lists.","html":"

April 11, 2007\nMichael Horvich is more than a supernumerary, he's the curator of Michael's Museum. Unfortunately, the physical museum is currently not open to the public, presumably due to high demand because of a recent Tribune article. For now, enjoy the photographs and lists.

"},{"id":"text-1497","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 10, 2007\nChicago-based eco-friendly ecommerce company Reusable Bags is featured on AOL today.","html":"

April 10, 2007\nChicago-based eco-friendly ecommerce company Reusable Bags is featured on AOL today.

"},{"id":"text-1498","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 10, 2007\nWere you stuck at your mom's house picking Easter grass out of your chocolate bunnies? Scraping charoset from grandma's china? Sounds like you could have used some Craig's List Casual Encounters. Check out these definitely NSFW Easter- and Passover-themed ads?","html":"

April 10, 2007\nWere you stuck at your mom's house picking Easter grass out of your chocolate bunnies? Scraping charoset from grandma's china? Sounds like you could have used some Craig's List Casual Encounters. Check out these definitely NSFW Easter- and Passover-themed ads?

"},{"id":"text-1499","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 09, 2007\nKeep an eye on Same Title Different Story, a new podcast which gives several different Chicago artists a title, and asks them to create their own version of the "story" it belongs too.","html":"

April 09, 2007\nKeep an eye on Same Title Different Story, a new podcast which gives several different Chicago artists a title, and asks them to create their own version of the "story" it belongs too.

"},{"id":"text-1500","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 03, 2007\nRochester, NY radio talk show host and writer Bob Lonsberry found himself with some unexpected time in Chicago due to an airline screw-up. His blog features a glowing, joyful account of a nice afternoon spent in our city's embrace.","html":"

April 03, 2007\nRochester, NY radio talk show host and writer Bob Lonsberry found himself with some unexpected time in Chicago due to an airline screw-up. His blog features a glowing, joyful account of a nice afternoon spent in our city's embrace.

"},{"id":"text-1501","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 30, 2007\nIf you want to be a Mensa member or just hang out with them, Chicago Area Mensa is where it's at. Learn about the official Mensa test, get recipes (yeah, recipes for food), and find brainteasers.","html":"

March 30, 2007\nIf you want to be a Mensa member or just hang out with them, Chicago Area Mensa is where it's at. Learn about the official Mensa test, get recipes (yeah, recipes for food), and find brainteasers.

"},{"id":"text-1502","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 30, 2007\nGood fun for a Friday: the Chicago Theater marquee generator. UPDATE: Dubi Kaufmann, the site's owner, has been asked by the theater's owner to take down the image.","html":"

March 30, 2007\nGood fun for a Friday: the Chicago Theater marquee generator. UPDATE: Dubi Kaufmann, the site's owner, has been asked by the theater's owner to take down the image.

"},{"id":"text-1503","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 30, 2007\nIt's always a pleasure to see a news organization pick just the right stock image for a Downers Grove mob hit story.","html":"

March 30, 2007\nIt's always a pleasure to see a news organization pick just the right stock image for a Downers Grove mob hit story.

"},{"id":"text-1504","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 30, 2007\nAs explained by Google Maps. Step 20 is a doozy.","html":"

March 30, 2007\nAs explained by Google Maps. Step 20 is a doozy.

"},{"id":"text-1505","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 29, 2007\nThey might be a distant second, but if you didn't manage to get tickets to see Chicago's adopted daughter Neko Case this week, photos and videos of the shows are popping up on the web.","html":"

March 29, 2007\nThey might be a distant second, but if you didn't manage to get tickets to see Chicago's adopted daughter Neko Case this week, photos and videos of the shows are popping up on the web.

"},{"id":"text-1506","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 29, 2007\nChalk up another strong showing for Chicago — this time in the category of Icky and/or Clever Names for Local Makers of Portable Toilets. According to a list compiled by New York Magazine, of the top twenty names in the industry, nationwide, Chicago is home to three: LepreCAN (#12), Oui Oui Enterprises (#5) and UrinBiz.com (#3). New Orleans claims the top spot with… Doodie Calls.","html":"

March 29, 2007\nChalk up another strong showing for Chicago — this time in the category of Icky and/or Clever Names for Local Makers of Portable Toilets. According to a list compiled by New York Magazine, of the top twenty names in the industry, nationwide, Chicago is home to three: LepreCAN (#12), Oui Oui Enterprises (#5) and UrinBiz.com (#3). New Orleans claims the top spot with… Doodie Calls.

"},{"id":"text-1507","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 28, 2007\nA meandering video expos&eacute on Chicago boat names. Oddly therapeutic.","html":"

March 28, 2007\nA meandering video expos&eacute on Chicago boat names. Oddly therapeutic.

"},{"id":"text-1508","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 28, 2007\nCollege newspapers may not be known as paragons of journalism, but some local schools have some trailblazing pieces online, such as Columbia Chronicle's Jackass of the Week column. Other recent college paper wackiness comes from an article about Microsoft vernacular, an apology from a paper that got it all wrong and a pseudo op-ed arguing for a "Star Trek Defense" system against illegal aliens.","html":"

March 28, 2007\nCollege newspapers may not be known as paragons of journalism, but some local schools have some trailblazing pieces online, such as Columbia Chronicle's Jackass of the Week column. Other recent college paper wackiness comes from an article about Microsoft vernacular, an apology from a paper that got it all wrong and a pseudo op-ed arguing for a "Star Trek Defense" system against illegal aliens.

"},{"id":"text-1509","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 25, 2007\nThe Art Institute recently installed a construction camera so we can put a face in our dreams of more modern and contemporary art. The camera produces a new image every 15 minutes.","html":"

March 25, 2007\nThe Art Institute recently installed a construction camera so we can put a face in our dreams of more modern and contemporary art. The camera produces a new image every 15 minutes.

"},{"id":"text-1510","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 22, 2007\nGridskipper got it right when they called it "the Beginner's Guide to Chicago;" not many surprises on this list (though the shout-out to UIC's bowling alley is refreshing.) And hey, we're "twice as smart and half as nice as the folks in St. Louis and Minneapolis" here in the "capital of the Midwest." Génial.","html":"

March 22, 2007\nGridskipper got it right when they called it "the Beginner's Guide to Chicago;" not many surprises on this list (though the shout-out to UIC's bowling alley is refreshing.) And hey, we're "twice as smart and half as nice as the folks in St. Louis and Minneapolis" here in the "capital of the Midwest." Génial.

"},{"id":"text-1511","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 20, 2007\nIt's been on YouTube for two weeks, but the video mashup of Hillary's "conversations" with the famous Ridley Scott "1984" Mac commercial, purportedly made by an anonymous Obama supporter, has made worldwide news since it was picked up by the Drudge Report this weekend. Obama's camp is disavowing any involvement, but I imagine internally they think it's pretty awesome.","html":"

March 20, 2007\nIt's been on YouTube for two weeks, but the video mashup of Hillary's "conversations" with the famous Ridley Scott "1984" Mac commercial, purportedly made by an anonymous Obama supporter, has made worldwide news since it was picked up by the Drudge Report this weekend. Obama's camp is disavowing any involvement, but I imagine internally they think it's pretty awesome.

"},{"id":"text-1512","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 16, 2007\nOak Brook's very own McDonald's seems to be having some trouble on one of its British websites. (Unfortunately, the item on the original website is in Flash, so we can't link to it.)","html":"

March 16, 2007\nOak Brook's very own McDonald's seems to be having some trouble on one of its British websites. (Unfortunately, the item on the original website is in Flash, so we can't link to it.)

"},{"id":"text-1513","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 15, 2007\nAccessible Chicago is a site that "takes the guesswork out of traveling in Chicago with a wheelchair." Their five-star ratings and reviews give their take on degree of accessibility.","html":"

March 15, 2007\nAccessible Chicago is a site that "takes the guesswork out of traveling in Chicago with a wheelchair." Their five-star ratings and reviews give their take on degree of accessibility.

"},{"id":"text-1514","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 14, 2007\nDon't be distracted by Wrigley's announcement that it will launch a sensory "invigorating" gum called "5" this summer. Their Product FAQ offers so much more, including an important dog related item.","html":"

March 14, 2007\nDon't be distracted by Wrigley's announcement that it will launch a sensory "invigorating" gum called "5" this summer. Their Product FAQ offers so much more, including an important dog related item.

"},{"id":"text-1515","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 14, 2007\n"It started out as a harmless fling. He was a male cicada in love, she was a female cicada with needs." Could this possibly be from a real newspaper? Find out now.","html":"

March 14, 2007\n"It started out as a harmless fling. He was a male cicada in love, she was a female cicada with needs." Could this possibly be from a real newspaper? Find out now.

"},{"id":"text-1516","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 13, 2007\nOkay, not sure what was in the air at last week's Scissor Sisters concert, but there's a bunch of Missed Connections related to it on Craig's List. Let's hope this weekend's drunken St. Patrick's Day festivities are equally productive.","html":"

March 13, 2007\nOkay, not sure what was in the air at last week's Scissor Sisters concert, but there's a bunch of Missed Connections related to it on Craig's List. Let's hope this weekend's drunken St. Patrick's Day festivities are equally productive.

"},{"id":"text-1517","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 10, 2007\nConvert your currency to South Side dollars while enjoying an unusual White Sox website.","html":"

March 10, 2007\nConvert your currency to South Side dollars while enjoying an unusual White Sox website.

"},{"id":"text-1518","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 09, 2007\nThe Chicago Police has a new section on their website for cold case investigations. Includes images, death stats, and chilling summaries of the victim's fates. You can submit any info you have anonymously or call (312)746-9690.","html":"

March 09, 2007\nThe Chicago Police has a new section on their website for cold case investigations. Includes images, death stats, and chilling summaries of the victim's fates. You can submit any info you have anonymously or call (312)746-9690.

"},{"id":"text-1519","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 06, 2007\nIf you're looking for the toniest neighborhood for your next real estate purchase, maybe you should check the Chicago Business High End Homes section. The feature includes maps, photos and sale prices for the most expensive homes in the region in 2006.","html":"

March 06, 2007\nIf you're looking for the toniest neighborhood for your next real estate purchase, maybe you should check the Chicago Business High End Homes section. The feature includes maps, photos and sale prices for the most expensive homes in the region in 2006.

"},{"id":"text-1520","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 05, 2007\nChicago Parent magazine has redesigned its website, which now includes a whole bunch of blogs covering a variety of aspects of parenting, from feminist childrearing to being a working mom to just being a dad.","html":"

March 05, 2007\nChicago Parent magazine has redesigned its website, which now includes a whole bunch of blogs covering a variety of aspects of parenting, from feminist childrearing to being a working mom to just being a dad.

"},{"id":"text-1521","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 02, 2007\nIt should have come as no surprise that the slings and arrows would be in action avant Barack Obama even announced a possible Presidential bid, and the past month has borne that out. Perhaps the strangest and most muddled discussion has been the one about whether the Junior Senator is "black enough" for some folks. Sure, "identity politics" were bound to be an issue at some point. It's interesting to note, however, that some of the most thoughtful and level-headed punditry on the whole subject of Obama's cultural steet cred has come from music journalists. It seems that Touré anticipated the issue back in 2004 when he published his reflections on Obama and Colin Powell in the essay "Ships Passing In The Night." Some of the points Touré made were echoed last month by hip-hop critic Oliver Wang in his think piece over at the website Poplicks.","html":"

March 02, 2007\nIt should have come as no surprise that the slings and arrows would be in action avant Barack Obama even announced a possible Presidential bid, and the past month has borne that out. Perhaps the strangest and most muddled discussion has been the one about whether the Junior Senator is "black enough" for some folks. Sure, "identity politics" were bound to be an issue at some point. It's interesting to note, however, that some of the most thoughtful and level-headed punditry on the whole subject of Obama's cultural steet cred has come from music journalists. It seems that Touré anticipated the issue back in 2004 when he published his reflections on Obama and Colin Powell in the essay "Ships Passing In The Night." Some of the points Touré made were echoed last month by hip-hop critic Oliver Wang in his think piece over at the website Poplicks.

"},{"id":"text-1522","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 02, 2007\nIf you're going to talk weather, at least know some trivia. Now you know, for instance, that on this day, exactly 53 years ago, Chicago witnessed the seventh greatest calendar day snowfall total in its recorded history (!). Check out March 4, 1961 while you're there. Fou.","html":"

March 02, 2007\nIf you're going to talk weather, at least know some trivia. Now you know, for instance, that on this day, exactly 53 years ago, Chicago witnessed the seventh greatest calendar day snowfall total in its recorded history (!). Check out March 4, 1961 while you're there. Fou.

"},{"id":"text-1523","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 27, 2007\nProspect Heights-based Alibi Network will construct elaborate lies on their clients' behalf. Given the copious amounts of stock photography and late 1990s web design, I thought this company was a hoax until I found their massive media archive.","html":"

February 27, 2007\nProspect Heights-based Alibi Network will construct elaborate lies on their clients' behalf. Given the copious amounts of stock photography and late 1990s web design, I thought this company was a hoax until I found their massive media archive.

"},{"id":"text-1524","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 26, 2007\nMonitoring the PR Newswire so you don't have to: Dateline, Houston. Marion Banowski of Chicago won $10,000 in free Shell gasoline at the Auto Show. "Each finalist drew a Shell gas card and then inserted it into the credit card reader of the display gas pump in hopes it would activate the pump. Banowski was the eleventh finalist to insert his card into the reader so the excitement in the air was palpable."","html":"

February 26, 2007\nMonitoring the PR Newswire so you don't have to: Dateline, Houston. Marion Banowski of Chicago won $10,000 in free Shell gasoline at the Auto Show. "Each finalist drew a Shell gas card and then inserted it into the credit card reader of the display gas pump in hopes it would activate the pump. Banowski was the eleventh finalist to insert his card into the reader so the excitement in the air was palpable."

"},{"id":"text-1525","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 25, 2007\nHere's a story about gangs in Springfield, MO that references an influx of GDs from Chicago. Apparently the principles of supply & demand work in the Ozarks as well: "Police say dealers can also sell drugs and charge more than they can in major cities like Kansas City, St. Louis and even Chicago."","html":"

February 25, 2007\nHere's a story about gangs in Springfield, MO that references an influx of GDs from Chicago. Apparently the principles of supply & demand work in the Ozarks as well: "Police say dealers can also sell drugs and charge more than they can in major cities like Kansas City, St. Louis and even Chicago."

"},{"id":"text-1526","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 23, 2007\nWelcome to a world wherein grandparents in Lake County teach their grandchildren how to play video games.","html":"

February 23, 2007\nWelcome to a world wherein grandparents in Lake County teach their grandchildren how to play video games.

"},{"id":"text-1527","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 20, 2007\nIt's 1961 and the communists have overthrown the government of the United States of America. Prepare yourself for the U.S.S.A.! What is the communists' first step? Move the government to Merchandise Mart! As J. Edgar Hoover says, read this comic now in order to "help us recognize and detect communists as they attempt to infiltrate the various segments of our society."","html":"

February 20, 2007\nIt's 1961 and the communists have overthrown the government of the United States of America. Prepare yourself for the U.S.S.A.! What is the communists' first step? Move the government to Merchandise Mart! As J. Edgar Hoover says, read this comic now in order to "help us recognize and detect communists as they attempt to infiltrate the various segments of our society."

"},{"id":"text-1528","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 16, 2007\nJulie Vieira is a Chicago-based nun in the order of Sisters of the Immaculate Heart. She works at Loyola Press and chronicles her life as a modern, 35-year-old nun at her blog, A Nun's Life. Julie was also a guest of PRI's "Fair Game." Listen to the MP3 here.","html":"

February 16, 2007\nJulie Vieira is a Chicago-based nun in the order of Sisters of the Immaculate Heart. She works at Loyola Press and chronicles her life as a modern, 35-year-old nun at her blog, A Nun's Life. Julie was also a guest of PRI's "Fair Game." Listen to the MP3 here.

"},{"id":"text-1529","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 14, 2007\nMost Chicagoans may not be aware that J. Allen Hynek was a UFOlogist whose Center for UFO Studies remains active in Chicago. Those who find Mr. Hynek's ideas a little out there are advised not to stop by the web site of alleged contactee Billy Meier.","html":"

February 14, 2007\nMost Chicagoans may not be aware that J. Allen Hynek was a UFOlogist whose Center for UFO Studies remains active in Chicago. Those who find Mr. Hynek's ideas a little out there are advised not to stop by the web site of alleged contactee Billy Meier.

"},{"id":"text-1530","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 14, 2007\nBlockshopper is a relatively new site that calls itself a "real estate news service for … the residents themselves." However, in practice, it's more for the residents neighbors, not so much for the subject of the site's news briefs, which are written apparently without actually contacting the people involved. Speaking of checking on the neighbors, ever wonder how your rent compares to the rest of neighborhood? Check it on the Rentometer.","html":"

February 14, 2007\nBlockshopper is a relatively new site that calls itself a "real estate news service for … the residents themselves." However, in practice, it's more for the residents neighbors, not so much for the subject of the site's news briefs, which are written apparently without actually contacting the people involved. Speaking of checking on the neighbors, ever wonder how your rent compares to the rest of neighborhood? Check it on the Rentometer.

"},{"id":"text-1531","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 13, 2007\nStuck inside? Left work early? Well, if you're feeling a little bored, the horndogs hanging out at Craig's List can provide company. Check out this search query for all kinds of XXX snow-related fun. Totally hilarious — and NSFW.","html":"

February 13, 2007\nStuck inside? Left work early? Well, if you're feeling a little bored, the horndogs hanging out at Craig's List can provide company. Check out this search query for all kinds of XXX snow-related fun. Totally hilarious — and NSFW.

"},{"id":"text-1532","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 11, 2007\nThis month's Chicago Magazine contains a funny little feature providing high school portraits of area notables like Dave Eggers, Liz Phair, Harold Ramis and Donald Rumsfeld.","html":"

February 11, 2007\nThis month's Chicago Magazine contains a funny little feature providing high school portraits of area notables like Dave Eggers, Liz Phair, Harold Ramis and Donald Rumsfeld.

"},{"id":"text-1533","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 08, 2007\nMatthew McClintock welcomes you to his Oak Park home, which he has kindly photographed and uploaded to the Web–from the contents of his refrigerator to his underwear drawer.","html":"

February 08, 2007\nMatthew McClintock welcomes you to his Oak Park home, which he has kindly photographed and uploaded to the Web–from the contents of his refrigerator to his underwear drawer.

"},{"id":"text-1534","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 08, 2007\nThe AIA recently surveyed 1,800 Americans about their favorite architecture and released the top 150 as a web feature. Chicago did well in the polls, with the third largest collection of "favorite" buildings in the country, behind New York and D.C. Some obvious Chicago favorites like Wrigley Field, the Tribune Tower and the Sears Tower are listed, but other buildings such as the United Airlines Terminal and the Harold Washington Library also made the cut.","html":"

February 08, 2007\nThe AIA recently surveyed 1,800 Americans about their favorite architecture and released the top 150 as a web feature. Chicago did well in the polls, with the third largest collection of "favorite" buildings in the country, behind New York and D.C. Some obvious Chicago favorites like Wrigley Field, the Tribune Tower and the Sears Tower are listed, but other buildings such as the United Airlines Terminal and the Harold Washington Library also made the cut.

"},{"id":"text-1535","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 02, 2007\nHow's this for an unusual look into the lives of our senior senator and his three high-powered roommates! Juicy tidbits include Durbin killing mice with his bare hands and his insistence on having a big screen television.","html":"

February 02, 2007\nHow's this for an unusual look into the lives of our senior senator and his three high-powered roommates! Juicy tidbits include Durbin killing mice with his bare hands and his insistence on having a big screen television.

"},{"id":"text-1536","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 01, 2007\nThe Aqua Teen Hunger Force advertisements that caused serious problems in Boston have been in Chicago for weeks. After all of the hubbub in Boston, most of ours were collected last night. [If you happened to snap a photo of the Chicago Ignignokts/Errs, please post it to our flickr pool for all to enjoy.]","html":"

February 01, 2007\nThe Aqua Teen Hunger Force advertisements that caused serious problems in Boston have been in Chicago for weeks. After all of the hubbub in Boston, most of ours were collected last night. [If you happened to snap a photo of the Chicago Ignignokts/Errs, please post it to our flickr pool for all to enjoy.]

"},{"id":"text-1537","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 30, 2007\nFortunately, the irony that the Illinois Institute of Technology's student newspaper hadn't been updated since January 31, 2006 wasn't lost on its editors. Oh, irony, thou must find elsewhere to roost.","html":"

January 30, 2007\nFortunately, the irony that the Illinois Institute of Technology's student newspaper hadn't been updated since January 31, 2006 wasn't lost on its editors. Oh, irony, thou must find elsewhere to roost.

"},{"id":"text-1538","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 25, 2007\nCheck out this recent write-up of Thomas Marlow's Chicago Street Studio Project in the Australian media.","html":"

January 25, 2007\nCheck out this recent write-up of Thomas Marlow's Chicago Street Studio Project in the Australian media.

"},{"id":"text-1539","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 22, 2007\nChicago software stalwarts 37signals are conducting another one of their Fireside Chats– roundtable discussions using their Campfire chat software. This time it's marketing wonder man Seth Godin and online customer experience guru Mark Hurst. Your questions are welcome.","html":"

January 22, 2007\nChicago software stalwarts 37signals are conducting another one of their Fireside Chats– roundtable discussions using their Campfire chat software. This time it's marketing wonder man Seth Godin and online customer experience guru Mark Hurst. Your questions are welcome.

"},{"id":"text-1540","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 19, 2007\nThe Green Exchange, Logan Square's proposed "green merchandise mart" has launched its website. Dedicated towards green living, the site offers building plans, an FAQ and a forum to discuss the building and issues surrounding its development. [Hat tip: Craig]","html":"

January 19, 2007\nThe Green Exchange, Logan Square's proposed "green merchandise mart" has launched its website. Dedicated towards green living, the site offers building plans, an FAQ and a forum to discuss the building and issues surrounding its development. [Hat tip: Craig]

"},{"id":"text-1541","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 18, 2007\nTense Forms, the collaborative multi-disciplinary, project-based workgroup, is holding their 2nd annual Winter Showcase at Subterranean on February the 2nd at 8pm onwards. The showcase features an insane amount of buttons (1000+), a wall of televisions screening all kinds of visual art as well as live music.","html":"

January 18, 2007\nTense Forms, the collaborative multi-disciplinary, project-based workgroup, is holding their 2nd annual Winter Showcase at Subterranean on February the 2nd at 8pm onwards. The showcase features an insane amount of buttons (1000+), a wall of televisions screening all kinds of visual art as well as live music.

"},{"id":"text-1542","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 18, 2007\nIncreasingly needed in this day and age, A Fresh Squeeze is a site dedicated to green living in Chicago. Primarily a bi-weekly email, the site also offers articles in their archives for a taste of things past.","html":"

January 18, 2007\nIncreasingly needed in this day and age, A Fresh Squeeze is a site dedicated to green living in Chicago. Primarily a bi-weekly email, the site also offers articles in their archives for a taste of things past.

"},{"id":"text-1543","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 18, 2007\nIf you haven't yet seen the Leo Burnett-created Allstate ad with the car that plunges into the Chicago River from the Marina City parking deck, the companies have posted both the 30-second and 60-second versions and a behind-the-scenes video at YouTube. YouTube blocked at work? The videos and a "how'd they do that?" FAQ get their own mini-site at Allstate.com, too.","html":"

January 18, 2007\nIf you haven't yet seen the Leo Burnett-created Allstate ad with the car that plunges into the Chicago River from the Marina City parking deck, the companies have posted both the 30-second and 60-second versions and a behind-the-scenes video at YouTube. YouTube blocked at work? The videos and a "how'd they do that?" FAQ get their own mini-site at Allstate.com, too.

"},{"id":"text-1544","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 11, 2007\nThe next time you're flying out of O'Hare, check the sky for UFOs, then check under your seat for scorpions.","html":"

January 11, 2007\nThe next time you're flying out of O'Hare, check the sky for UFOs, then check under your seat for scorpions.

"},{"id":"text-1545","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 09, 2007\nWow, since we last checked in, the WikiMapia of Chicago has really filled out. You should add to it yourself, before everything's tagged. (Sad to see the Wicker Park entry remains a battleground.)","html":"

January 09, 2007\nWow, since we last checked in, the WikiMapia of Chicago has really filled out. You should add to it yourself, before everything's tagged. (Sad to see the Wicker Park entry remains a battleground.)

"},{"id":"text-1546","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 09, 2007\nOf 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.)","html":"

January 09, 2007\nOf 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.)

"},{"id":"text-1547","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 04, 2007\nThe History Channel recently asked designers to submit concepts of their cities 100 years in the future. Teams from Chicago, New York and Los Angeles are now facing off for the grand prize. Check out and possibly vote for Chicago's entry from UrbanLab today.","html":"

January 04, 2007\nThe History Channel recently asked designers to submit concepts of their cities 100 years in the future. Teams from Chicago, New York and Los Angeles are now facing off for the grand prize. Check out and possibly vote for Chicago's entry from UrbanLab today.

"},{"id":"text-1548","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 04, 2007\nIf today's Rearview photo (courtesy of the ever excellent Archie Florcruz) bewilders you or makes you want to do the same thing, take a look at his entry explaining his photo and then head over to the Create Your Own Planets Flickr pool for info on how to do this.","html":"

January 04, 2007\nIf today's Rearview photo (courtesy of the ever excellent Archie Florcruz) bewilders you or makes you want to do the same thing, take a look at his entry explaining his photo and then head over to the Create Your Own Planets Flickr pool for info on how to do this.

"},{"id":"text-1549","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 03, 2007\nWell, really, there's no reason to worry about the car dangling off of Marina City. [UPDATE: Visit Rearview for a photo.]","html":"

January 03, 2007\nWell, really, there's no reason to worry about the car dangling off of Marina City. [UPDATE: Visit Rearview for a photo.]

"},{"id":"text-1550","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 03, 2007\nAt last year's recent DIY Trunk Show, I made my usual rounds looking at who was doing what. The quality keeps getting better and better every year, a testament to those who organize the Trunk Show. However, one vendor caught my eye — Pink Loves Brown. The goods were smart, well-designed, retro-modern and quality. Nicole Balch puts out some really nice stuff — her apartment is quite inspiring, an extension of her work and aesthetic.","html":"

January 03, 2007\nAt last year's recent DIY Trunk Show, I made my usual rounds looking at who was doing what. The quality keeps getting better and better every year, a testament to those who organize the Trunk Show. However, one vendor caught my eye — Pink Loves Brown. The goods were smart, well-designed, retro-modern and quality. Nicole Balch puts out some really nice stuff — her apartment is quite inspiring, an extension of her work and aesthetic.

"},{"id":"text-1551","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 01, 2007\nSome United employees saw a UFO at O'Hare on November 7th, but the FAA's having none of it.","html":"

January 01, 2007\nSome United employees saw a UFO at O'Hare on November 7th, but the FAA's having none of it.

"},{"id":"text-1552","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 27, 2006\nOnline gaming magazine Gamasutra just released the final installment of its five-part series on Chicago game studios. The final stop is Midway.","html":"

December 27, 2006\nOnline gaming magazine Gamasutra just released the final installment of its five-part series on Chicago game studios. The final stop is Midway.

"},{"id":"text-1553","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 26, 2006\nDevin Hester is a top contender for Rookie of the Year, but the contest to squat on his name on the web has already been won, apparently by these guys. At least second place, DevinHester.net, was nabbed by someone local.","html":"

December 26, 2006\nDevin Hester is a top contender for Rookie of the Year, but the contest to squat on his name on the web has already been won, apparently by these guys. At least second place, DevinHester.net, was nabbed by someone local.

"},{"id":"text-1554","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 24, 2006\nIf you're looking for a holiday laugh, check out the Tribune's reader-submitted "Scared of Santa" photo gallery. (Link pops due to window resizing.)","html":"

December 24, 2006\nIf you're looking for a holiday laugh, check out the Tribune's reader-submitted "Scared of Santa" photo gallery. (Link pops due to window resizing.)

"},{"id":"text-1555","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 22, 2006\nA seasonal diversion from Schadenfreude & AlphaZeta.","html":"

December 22, 2006\nA seasonal diversion from Schadenfreude & AlphaZeta.

"},{"id":"text-1556","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 20, 2006\nSome revised Christmas Carols for you, mostly Chicago-related, courtesy of the Beachwood Reporter.","html":"

December 20, 2006\nSome revised Christmas Carols for you, mostly Chicago-related, courtesy of the Beachwood Reporter.

"},{"id":"text-1557","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 19, 2006\nGood to know that even Jesus has trouble shopping for some of his relatives this time of year. Check him out as he hits the Mag Mile. [via and by]","html":"

December 19, 2006\nGood to know that even Jesus has trouble shopping for some of his relatives this time of year. Check him out as he hits the Mag Mile. [via and by]

"},{"id":"text-1558","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 19, 2006\nI don't know how many times I've been to the Quimby's site, but I'd never noticed the "live at quimby's" section until this morning. It has audio recordings from almost two-dozen events, although the one I really wanted to hear (Al Burian) is broken.","html":"

December 19, 2006\nI don't know how many times I've been to the Quimby's site, but I'd never noticed the "live at quimby's" section until this morning. It has audio recordings from almost two-dozen events, although the one I really wanted to hear (Al Burian) is broken.

"},{"id":"text-1559","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 18, 2006\n…circa 1959. [via]","html":"

December 18, 2006\n…circa 1959. [via]

"},{"id":"text-1560","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 17, 2006\nUIC biologist Joel Brown wants to know how squirrels survive the dangers of city life in Chicago.","html":"

December 17, 2006\nUIC biologist Joel Brown wants to know how squirrels survive the dangers of city life in Chicago.

"},{"id":"text-1561","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 14, 2006\nJellyvision has launched the "Daily Dis or Dat," a quick flash trivia game based on their popular "You Don't Know Jack" series. Press buttons and win (virtual) cash!","html":"

December 14, 2006\nJellyvision has launched the "Daily Dis or Dat," a quick flash trivia game based on their popular "You Don't Know Jack" series. Press buttons and win (virtual) cash!

"},{"id":"text-1562","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 12, 2006\nYoChicago is dedicating much of this week's coverage to Pilsen, with reviews, real estate coverage, and much more. Their YouTube Pilsen playlist is especially worth checking out.","html":"

December 12, 2006\nYoChicago is dedicating much of this week's coverage to Pilsen, with reviews, real estate coverage, and much more. Their YouTube Pilsen playlist is especially worth checking out.

"},{"id":"text-1563","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 11, 2006\n(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.","html":"

December 11, 2006\n(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.

"},{"id":"text-1564","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 07, 2006\nFrom the team behind the political aggregator Real Clear Politics comes BuzzTracker — as if you needed another way to keep up on celebrities. (To be fair, you can track lots of other stuff, too.)","html":"

December 07, 2006\nFrom the team behind the political aggregator Real Clear Politics comes BuzzTracker — as if you needed another way to keep up on celebrities. (To be fair, you can track lots of other stuff, too.)

"},{"id":"text-1565","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 05, 2006\nOptional Events is a colorfully presented event calendar, with more of an activist bent to the listings.","html":"

December 05, 2006\nOptional Events is a colorfully presented event calendar, with more of an activist bent to the listings.

"},{"id":"text-1566","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 30, 2006\nAmazon just unveiled Unspun, a new ranking site where users rank such things as the best small live music venues in Chicago, best websites about the city, best coffee houses… lots here, and lots to do to clean up duplicates and typos. (It runs on Ruby on Rails, but this isn't the rumored Amazon-37signals collaboration.)","html":"

November 30, 2006\nAmazon just unveiled Unspun, a new ranking site where users rank such things as the best small live music venues in Chicago, best websites about the city, best coffee houses… lots here, and lots to do to clean up duplicates and typos. (It runs on Ruby on Rails, but this isn't the rumored Amazon-37signals collaboration.)

"},{"id":"text-1567","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 17, 2006\nA number of robots will soon see action in Chicago. Oh, and one of them is named "Frank."","html":"

November 17, 2006\nA number of robots will soon see action in Chicago. Oh, and one of them is named "Frank."

"},{"id":"text-1568","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 16, 2006\nSince college kids don't have enough online personae to manage, what with MySpace pages, Facebook profiles and Xanga blogs, UIC is exploring the possibility of a school-wide implementation of LiveJournal. Le but? Building community via an informal mode of student, faculty and staff interaction.","html":"

November 16, 2006\nSince college kids don't have enough online personae to manage, what with MySpace pages, Facebook profiles and Xanga blogs, UIC is exploring the possibility of a school-wide implementation of LiveJournal. Le but? Building community via an informal mode of student, faculty and staff interaction.

"},{"id":"text-1569","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 15, 2006\nDowntown ad agency Leo Burnett is behind a weather-sensitive billboard for cosmetics that's got the internet going nuts.","html":"

November 15, 2006\nDowntown ad agency Leo Burnett is behind a weather-sensitive billboard for cosmetics that's got the internet going nuts.

"},{"id":"text-1570","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 14, 2006\nFound 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.","html":"

November 14, 2006\nFound 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.

"},{"id":"text-1571","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 14, 2006\nOne might think that 5,700 complaints against Chicago cab drivers would be a record high, but it's a 17% drop.","html":"

November 14, 2006\nOne might think that 5,700 complaints against Chicago cab drivers would be a record high, but it's a 17% drop.

"},{"id":"text-1572","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 13, 2006\nRecent Detour subjects 37signals hit a big milestone today: a million users of its Basecamp software.","html":"

November 13, 2006\nRecent Detour subjects 37signals hit a big milestone today: a million users of its Basecamp software.

"},{"id":"text-1573","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 10, 2006\nConsole Camp, a new, Chicago-based game console blog, carries news and will provide details about the best camping spots for the Wii and the PS3. And in the spirit of democratic media, you can even post to it via email!","html":"

November 10, 2006\nConsole Camp, a new, Chicago-based game console blog, carries news and will provide details about the best camping spots for the Wii and the PS3. And in the spirit of democratic media, you can even post to it via email!

"},{"id":"text-1574","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 09, 2006\nFor its Chicago Fame 150, Newcity determined celebrity the 21st century way: it compiled a list of Google hits. Winning by a landslide, Oprah. No surprise there. The methodology does lead to some odd results: surely more people know who Hugh Hefner (19) is than Rod Blagojevich (17)? Still, there are amusing comparisons to be made. Jim DeRogatis (93) handily beats out Greg Kot (136), while Crede (77) slides in one spot above Iguchi (78).","html":"

November 09, 2006\nFor its Chicago Fame 150, Newcity determined celebrity the 21st century way: it compiled a list of Google hits. Winning by a landslide, Oprah. No surprise there. The methodology does lead to some odd results: surely more people know who Hugh Hefner (19) is than Rod Blagojevich (17)? Still, there are amusing comparisons to be made. Jim DeRogatis (93) handily beats out Greg Kot (136), while Crede (77) slides in one spot above Iguchi (78).

"},{"id":"text-1575","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 09, 2006\nA group of graduate students at the Medill School of Journalism recently founded The Methods Reporter to share their unpublished work. The stories have a broad range, and they have particularly interesting coverage of community-based arts.","html":"

November 09, 2006\nA group of graduate students at the Medill School of Journalism recently founded The Methods Reporter to share their unpublished work. The stories have a broad range, and they have particularly interesting coverage of community-based arts.

"},{"id":"text-1576","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 08, 2006\nHow much do you know about bizarre Chicagoland murders? Take this short quiz and find out!","html":"

November 08, 2006\nHow much do you know about bizarre Chicagoland murders? Take this short quiz and find out!

"},{"id":"text-1577","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 07, 2006\nI read recently that, in the future, search engines will be able to reveal people's whereabouts at a given time, simply by the electronic footprints they've left. For now, though, that information is mostly captured voluntarily, making it largely the provenance of blogs. So it is that, if ever asked where screenwriter John August was when he started a play in late 2006, you can boldly answer "Chicago" — qualified, as he notes for posterity, "technically, Evanston." [via]","html":"

November 07, 2006\nI read recently that, in the future, search engines will be able to reveal people's whereabouts at a given time, simply by the electronic footprints they've left. For now, though, that information is mostly captured voluntarily, making it largely the provenance of blogs. So it is that, if ever asked where screenwriter John August was when he started a play in late 2006, you can boldly answer "Chicago" — qualified, as he notes for posterity, "technically, Evanston." [via]

"},{"id":"text-1578","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 07, 2006\nRegardless of who wins, tomorrow will bring some sense of relief when we finally see an end to the televised blitzkrieg of political attack ads. A couple of years ago, political science professor John G. Geer published a book in which he argued that such negative ads were actually bien for the democratic process. Fair enough, as one of Geer's colleagues has recently demonstrated, provided you don't mind wearing the target.","html":"

November 07, 2006\nRegardless of who wins, tomorrow will bring some sense of relief when we finally see an end to the televised blitzkrieg of political attack ads. A couple of years ago, political science professor John G. Geer published a book in which he argued that such negative ads were actually bien for the democratic process. Fair enough, as one of Geer's colleagues has recently demonstrated, provided you don't mind wearing the target.

"},{"id":"text-1579","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 04, 2006\nOur friends at Coudal have been awfully busy shipping Sixteen Straight tees. It's only natural folks would want to show them off.","html":"

November 04, 2006\nOur friends at Coudal have been awfully busy shipping Sixteen Straight tees. It's only natural folks would want to show them off.

"},{"id":"text-1580","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 25, 2006\nIf, after reading this week's Detour, you're curious about the 37signals mantra, you can now get Getting Real for free.","html":"

October 25, 2006\nIf, after reading this week's Detour, you're curious about the 37signals mantra, you can now get Getting Real for free.

"},{"id":"text-1581","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 24, 2006\nChicagoan Michael Una built this neat combination of bicycle and drum machine for Chicago Artists' Month (that's octobre to the uninitiated). "Beat-Bike v.1 rewards exercise and coordination with funky outer-space disco beats," says Una. Who are we to argue?","html":"

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

"},{"id":"text-1582","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 24, 2006\nIf so, head out to East Dundee for the Santa's Village auction. Don't forget to check out the full catalog [PDF] and supplementary photos so you'll be fully prepared to bid.","html":"

October 24, 2006\nIf so, head out to East Dundee for the Santa's Village auction. Don't forget to check out the full catalog [PDF] and supplementary photos so you'll be fully prepared to bid.

"},{"id":"text-1583","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 19, 2006\nYou know you've made it in the world of software when Apple does a promo video about how much you love your Mac and OS X. But that's business as usual for 37signals lately, I guess. Read up on the Chicago-based web dev. firm in next week's Detour.","html":"

October 19, 2006\nYou know you've made it in the world of software when Apple does a promo video about how much you love your Mac and OS X. But that's business as usual for 37signals lately, I guess. Read up on the Chicago-based web dev. firm in next week's Detour.

"},{"id":"text-1584","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 19, 2006\nIf I had the inside line on a conspiracy involving former Chicago Bears great Ed O'Bradovich, fraud, oil and the mob, I don't know if YouTube is the place I'd turn. But that seems to be the only place Joe Weinbender is telling his story.","html":"

October 19, 2006\nIf I had the inside line on a conspiracy involving former Chicago Bears great Ed O'Bradovich, fraud, oil and the mob, I don't know if YouTube is the place I'd turn. But that seems to be the only place Joe Weinbender is telling his story.

"},{"id":"text-1585","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 17, 2006\nA follow-up on Mr. Undateable: Brian Wolf of "Settle For" fame has had some luck. While they've not yet reached the boyfriend / girlfriend stage, he tells NPR that he's currently seeing someone special. Hope springs eternal.","html":"

October 17, 2006\nA follow-up on Mr. Undateable: Brian Wolf of "Settle For" fame has had some luck. While they've not yet reached the boyfriend / girlfriend stage, he tells NPR that he's currently seeing someone special. Hope springs eternal.

"},{"id":"text-1586","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 16, 2006\nLooks like the Chicago Bike Federation has a new website for their Drive With Care campaign. At first, I thought it was real, but then I knew that any memorial like "The Brittany" had to be too good to be true. Well done, chaps.","html":"

October 16, 2006\nLooks like the Chicago Bike Federation has a new website for their Drive With Care campaign. At first, I thought it was real, but then I knew that any memorial like "The Brittany" had to be too good to be true. Well done, chaps.

"},{"id":"text-1587","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 16, 2006\nCall 773/394-2017 and confess your secret. It will then be exposed — but only for a day — at One Day Secret.","html":"

October 16, 2006\nCall 773/394-2017 and confess your secret. It will then be exposed — but only for a day — at One Day Secret.

"},{"id":"text-1588","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 11, 2006\nAnother from our neck of the woods.","html":"

October 11, 2006\nAnother from our neck of the woods.

"},{"id":"text-1589","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 09, 2006\nHave 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?","html":"

October 09, 2006\nHave 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?

"},{"id":"text-1590","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 09, 2006\nHow long do you think it'll take the City to notice they forgot to renew navypier.com? [Update: They renewed it. Screenshot here for posterity.]","html":"

October 09, 2006\nHow long do you think it'll take the City to notice they forgot to renew navypier.com? [Update: They renewed it. Screenshot here for posterity.]

"},{"id":"text-1591","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 07, 2006\ninsideChicago can provide you with another fix. It currently produces two programs: STOP! Police, a weekly news of the weird podcast, and insideChicago, an offbeat arts and entertainment video podcast that is published twice a week.","html":"

October 07, 2006\ninsideChicago can provide you with another fix. It currently produces two programs: STOP! Police, a weekly news of the weird podcast, and insideChicago, an offbeat arts and entertainment video podcast that is published twice a week.

"},{"id":"text-1592","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 30, 2006\nFollowing the Tribune's list of ugly Loop buildings, the Chicago Journal is asking for nominations for the worst buildings in your neighborhood. There's only one nomination so far, so let the archislaying begin.","html":"

September 30, 2006\nFollowing the Tribune's list of ugly Loop buildings, the Chicago Journal is asking for nominations for the worst buildings in your neighborhood. There's only one nomination so far, so let the archislaying begin.

"},{"id":"text-1593","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 29, 2006\nVia Coudal, the website of a woman whose autobiography's title only tells part of the story: Kellie Everts: I Strip for God. Not safe for work, obviously, and I only post it here because of a lengthy book exerpt of her experiences at the Chicago Playboy Club in 1978.","html":"

September 29, 2006\nVia Coudal, the website of a woman whose autobiography's title only tells part of the story: Kellie Everts: I Strip for God. Not safe for work, obviously, and I only post it here because of a lengthy book exerpt of her experiences at the Chicago Playboy Club in 1978.

"},{"id":"text-1594","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 27, 2006\nWhile Chicago has put out some good videos in recent years (see: OK Go), this video from Jan Terri from 1993 is the exact opposite. I'm not really sure what to think: that it's actually from 1993 but looks like it's from the 80's or how cheesy Chicago looks. However, I have that chorus stuck in my head! [via Jennifer]","html":"

September 27, 2006\nWhile Chicago has put out some good videos in recent years (see: OK Go), this video from Jan Terri from 1993 is the exact opposite. I'm not really sure what to think: that it's actually from 1993 but looks like it's from the 80's or how cheesy Chicago looks. However, I have that chorus stuck in my head! [via Jennifer]

"},{"id":"text-1595","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 26, 2006\nUnable 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.","html":"

September 26, 2006\nUnable 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.

"},{"id":"text-1596","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 26, 2006\nKillers have moved into MySpace. The social networking juggernaut removed a profile for Laurie Dann, who shot six kids in a Winnetka school in 1988, over the weekend. Profiles of serial killers John Wayne Gacey, Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer are still up, for now.","html":"

September 26, 2006\nKillers have moved into MySpace. The social networking juggernaut removed a profile for Laurie Dann, who shot six kids in a Winnetka school in 1988, over the weekend. Profiles of serial killers John Wayne Gacey, Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer are still up, for now.

"},{"id":"text-1597","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 25, 2006\nThe Sun-Times launched a redesigned website Monday night; it looks swell, but they also changed the way their URLs are built, so any links to articles that worked yesterday are now completely useless. [Matt adds: I’m not sure how swell it looks, but it’s not just the links that are obsolete — the old RSS feeds are, as well, so you’ll apparently need to resubscribe. Beyond that, here’s the site tooting its own horn.] (Thanks, Mike.)","html":"

September 25, 2006\nThe Sun-Times launched a redesigned website Monday night; it looks swell, but they also changed the way their URLs are built, so any links to articles that worked yesterday are now completely useless. [Matt adds: I’m not sure how swell it looks, but it’s not just the links that are obsolete — the old RSS feeds are, as well, so you’ll apparently need to resubscribe. Beyond that, here’s the site tooting its own horn.] (Thanks, Mike.)

"},{"id":"text-1598","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 25, 2006\nRanging from parades to street art to "Gringos out of Pilsen" agitprop and spanning several years, Flickr user Pedro Juan's photoset takes the pulse of a neighborhood.","html":"

September 25, 2006\nRanging from parades to street art to "Gringos out of Pilsen" agitprop and spanning several years, Flickr user Pedro Juan's photoset takes the pulse of a neighborhood.

"},{"id":"text-1599","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 25, 2006\nLearn the legend of Asshand, read a recounting of a visit to Lebanon, and other stories in the latest issue of Keep Going.","html":"

September 25, 2006\nLearn the legend of Asshand, read a recounting of a visit to Lebanon, and other stories in the latest issue of Keep Going.

"},{"id":"text-1600","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 24, 2006\nIf you've ever wondered about the proper way to eat foods like thali, bo nuong and injera, a Tribune video story has you covered. Watch the video and then check out the restaurants they recommend.","html":"

September 24, 2006\nIf you've ever wondered about the proper way to eat foods like thali, bo nuong and injera, a Tribune video story has you covered. Watch the video and then check out the restaurants they recommend.

"},{"id":"text-1601","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 22, 2006\nMy goodness, it's not every day that one reads a Missed Connection that invokes "the beauty of the plains of Kenya at sunset, the peaceful radiance of Annecy surrounded by snow capped Alps and the glorious treasures of Florence" and then proceeds to say they're nothing compared to That Girl on the Pink Line, is it?","html":"

September 22, 2006\nMy goodness, it's not every day that one reads a Missed Connection that invokes "the beauty of the plains of Kenya at sunset, the peaceful radiance of Annecy surrounded by snow capped Alps and the glorious treasures of Florence" and then proceeds to say they're nothing compared to That Girl on the Pink Line, is it?

"},{"id":"text-1602","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 22, 2006\nWe all know that the Art Institute was a location for Ferris Bueller's Day Off, but did you know that Gerri's Palm Tavern was a location for The Sixth Sense? MovieMappr knows, and it will show you where Gerri's was.","html":"

September 22, 2006\nWe all know that the Art Institute was a location for Ferris Bueller's Day Off, but did you know that Gerri's Palm Tavern was a location for The Sixth Sense? MovieMappr knows, and it will show you where Gerri's was.

"},{"id":"text-1603","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 19, 2006\nWith all of this walking around Chicago, why not take an idiosyncratic video stroll through the city?","html":"

September 19, 2006\nWith all of this walking around Chicago, why not take an idiosyncratic video stroll through the city?

"},{"id":"text-1604","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 18, 2006\nYou've got to hand it to Nigerian scammers: they're on top of current affairs. The May Report published an email scam using the George Ryan corruption case as its set-up. [via]","html":"

September 18, 2006\nYou've got to hand it to Nigerian scammers: they're on top of current affairs. The May Report published an email scam using the George Ryan corruption case as its set-up. [via]

"},{"id":"text-1605","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 18, 2006\nTECH Cocktail, a social occasion for the Chicago tech scene, has announced its next event: pencil it in for October 12 at The Gramercy. RSVP here.","html":"

September 18, 2006\nTECH Cocktail, a social occasion for the Chicago tech scene, has announced its next event: pencil it in for October 12 at The Gramercy. RSVP here.

"},{"id":"text-1606","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 18, 2006\nHow well do you know your Dylan trivia? Well enough to connect, say, Sid Vicious to Robert Zimmerman in six steps or less? Find out with Coudal Partners' latest diversion and you could win some cool stuff.","html":"

September 18, 2006\nHow well do you know your Dylan trivia? Well enough to connect, say, Sid Vicious to Robert Zimmerman in six steps or less? Find out with Coudal Partners' latest diversion and you could win some cool stuff.

"},{"id":"text-1607","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 15, 2006\nIdolator, 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 ne pas used in a Pitchfork review. (Previous stellar example of Pitchfork-mocking: David Cross' essay on fake CDs for real Pitchfork reviews.)","html":"

September 15, 2006\nIdolator, 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 ne pas used in a Pitchfork review. (Previous stellar example of Pitchfork-mocking: David Cross' essay on fake CDs for real Pitchfork reviews.)

"},{"id":"text-1608","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 11, 2006\nDoes anyone know why there was an Indy racecar pulled over on Damen the other night?","html":"

September 11, 2006\nDoes anyone know why there was an Indy racecar pulled over on Damen the other night?

"},{"id":"text-1609","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 07, 2006\nAn oldie, but a goodie that I don't see that we've ever mentioned on GB: Steve Delahoyde's "238 Miles" or "I Drove for Five Hours, from Chicago to Iowa City, and Listened to ABBA's 'Dancing Queen' the Entire Way."","html":"

September 07, 2006\nAn oldie, but a goodie that I don't see that we've ever mentioned on GB: Steve Delahoyde's "238 Miles" or "I Drove for Five Hours, from Chicago to Iowa City, and Listened to ABBA's 'Dancing Queen' the Entire Way."

"},{"id":"text-1610","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 05, 2006\nCongrats to Chicago blogs (and FoGB) Bookslut and Coudal Partners who were chosen by PCmagazine as part of their list of the Top 99 Websites You Don't Know About. Of course, we know, and we love.","html":"

September 05, 2006\nCongrats to Chicago blogs (and FoGB) Bookslut and Coudal Partners who were chosen by PCmagazine as part of their list of the Top 99 Websites You Don't Know About. Of course, we know, and we love.

"},{"id":"text-1611","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 05, 2006\nNPR's Present at the Creation provides unique insight to some Chicago-related icons. Our fair city pops up in some obvious place like Animal House, A Raisin in the Sun , and Nighthawks, but it's also there for Cracker Jacks!","html":"

September 05, 2006\nNPR's Present at the Creation provides unique insight to some Chicago-related icons. Our fair city pops up in some obvious place like Animal House, A Raisin in the Sun , and Nighthawks, but it's also there for Cracker Jacks!

"},{"id":"text-1612","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 30, 2006\nFlickr geotaggers and those viewing one recent post may have noticed that Chicago's historic neighborhoods like Little Hell and Shantytown are alive on the Internet. Other interesting locations include the Berkeley Cottages and Packingtown.","html":"

August 30, 2006\nFlickr geotaggers and those viewing one recent post may have noticed that Chicago's historic neighborhoods like Little Hell and Shantytown are alive on the Internet. Other interesting locations include the Berkeley Cottages and Packingtown.

"},{"id":"text-1613","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 28, 2006\nAs Flickr and Upcoming announce new features today, geotagging looks like it's about to blow up. As of this posting, there were 150 photos displayed on a broadly defined Chicago map; expect that number to be significantly higher in a day or two, especially as previously tagged photos are imported. (And, for kicks, I tried the Upcoming event-tagging, using Lollapalooza as a test case. Sure enough, it worked! So neato.)","html":"

August 28, 2006\nAs Flickr and Upcoming announce new features today, geotagging looks like it's about to blow up. As of this posting, there were 150 photos displayed on a broadly defined Chicago map; expect that number to be significantly higher in a day or two, especially as previously tagged photos are imported. (And, for kicks, I tried the Upcoming event-tagging, using Lollapalooza as a test case. Sure enough, it worked! So neato.)

"},{"id":"text-1614","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 28, 2006\nKanjii alive is "a searchable, web-based tool to help beginning and intermediate level Japanese language learners read and write kanji." It is a free program that was developed by folks at the University of Chicago, and it is definitely worth checking out, even if you have no specific interest in learning the language. QuickTime 6.0 or higher is required to use Kanjii alive.","html":"

August 28, 2006\nKanjii alive is "a searchable, web-based tool to help beginning and intermediate level Japanese language learners read and write kanji." It is a free program that was developed by folks at the University of Chicago, and it is definitely worth checking out, even if you have no specific interest in learning the language. QuickTime 6.0 or higher is required to use Kanjii alive.

"},{"id":"text-1615","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 24, 2006\nTaking another step away from scissors, glue, and late night photocopying sessions, our city's very own Punk Planet has redesigned and expanded its website. Of particular note is the addition of user blogs.","html":"

August 24, 2006\nTaking another step away from scissors, glue, and late night photocopying sessions, our city's very own Punk Planet has redesigned and expanded its website. Of particular note is the addition of user blogs.

"},{"id":"text-1616","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 22, 2006\n…it just got reinvigorated in the hands of the Delicious Design League.","html":"

August 22, 2006\n…it just got reinvigorated in the hands of the Delicious Design League.

"},{"id":"text-1617","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 22, 2006\nFor those who've never heard of Craigslist, there's always the old-school option: flyering Wicker Park cars looking for a girl you once met — well, okay, kinda met — in Las Vegas.","html":"

August 22, 2006\nFor those who've never heard of Craigslist, there's always the old-school option: flyering Wicker Park cars looking for a girl you once met — well, okay, kinda met — in Las Vegas.

"},{"id":"text-1618","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 21, 2006\nYou've been writing that article about wine and trust and deception for a few weeks now, but it's missing that certain something. Could it be a quote from a local expert?","html":"

August 21, 2006\nYou've been writing that article about wine and trust and deception for a few weeks now, but it's missing that certain something. Could it be a quote from a local expert?

"},{"id":"text-1619","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 16, 2006\nThe city's recent appointment of \nMelissa Turner as Chicago's fashion czarina brought a challenge from treehugger: become the green fashion capital of the U.S. Designers, will you embrace the challenge?","html":"

August 16, 2006\nThe city's recent appointment of \nMelissa Turner as Chicago's fashion czarina brought a challenge from treehugger: become the green fashion capital of the U.S. Designers, will you embrace the challenge?

"},{"id":"text-1620","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 16, 2006\nYoChicago launched a massive forums section yesterday, covering every nook and cranny of the city and many suburbs. Get in on the ground floor.","html":"

August 16, 2006\nYoChicago launched a massive forums section yesterday, covering every nook and cranny of the city and many suburbs. Get in on the ground floor.

"},{"id":"text-1621","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 09, 2006\nThose of us who miss the Terra Museum (formerly at 666 N Michigan, now the home of the temporary Motorola store) can now visit our favorite paintings online. The site also includes information about where the collection can be seen in person–part of it is still in Chicago, at the Art Institute.","html":"

August 09, 2006\nThose of us who miss the Terra Museum (formerly at 666 N Michigan, now the home of the temporary Motorola store) can now visit our favorite paintings online. The site also includes information about where the collection can be seen in person–part of it is still in Chicago, at the Art Institute.

"},{"id":"text-1622","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 07, 2006\nAn Exquisite Corpse, the locally based collaborative art project site created by friend of GB Phineas X. Jones (and run on a CMS by GB MVP Jim Allenspach), posted the 500th corpse since its relaunch today. (It's technically the 627th corpse if you count from the beginning of the site, but why do that?)","html":"

August 07, 2006\nAn Exquisite Corpse, the locally based collaborative art project site created by friend of GB Phineas X. Jones (and run on a CMS by GB MVP Jim Allenspach), posted the 500th corpse since its relaunch today. (It's technically the 627th corpse if you count from the beginning of the site, but why do that?)

"},{"id":"text-1623","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 06, 2006\nIf you're yearning for some travel (video), check out YouTube user Srovetz's atmospheric videos documenting his train and car travel throughout the country. There are too many Chicago related videos to post here, but some train segments include Kansas City to Chicago, Chicago to New Orleans, and Chicago to New York.","html":"

August 06, 2006\nIf you're yearning for some travel (video), check out YouTube user Srovetz's atmospheric videos documenting his train and car travel throughout the country. There are too many Chicago related videos to post here, but some train segments include Kansas City to Chicago, Chicago to New Orleans, and Chicago to New York.

"},{"id":"text-1624","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 04, 2006\nSome time in the very recent past — quite possibly today — Craigslist split its local listings into five regional categories: City of Chicago, North Chicagoland, West Chicagoland, South Chicagoland, and, reaching a bit further, Northwest Indiana. Which means, of course, you'll never have to read about a Missed Connection in Palatine or rental ad for an apartment in Northbrook again.","html":"

August 04, 2006\nSome time in the very recent past — quite possibly today — Craigslist split its local listings into five regional categories: City of Chicago, North Chicagoland, West Chicagoland, South Chicagoland, and, reaching a bit further, Northwest Indiana. Which means, of course, you'll never have to read about a Missed Connection in Palatine or rental ad for an apartment in Northbrook again.

"},{"id":"text-1625","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 04, 2006\n"Community areas in Chicago, isolated from context."","html":"

August 04, 2006\n"Community areas in Chicago, isolated from context."

"},{"id":"text-1626","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 03, 2006\nLooking for a technology group to meet with? Let Tech Social be your guide.","html":"

August 03, 2006\nLooking for a technology group to meet with? Let Tech Social be your guide.

"},{"id":"text-1627","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 31, 2006\nMeet another website devoted to the wonders of the Midwest: Midwestern Goodness. While they have content from around the region, they recently filmed a short video tour in Chicago. More Chicago content is in the works.","html":"

July 31, 2006\nMeet another website devoted to the wonders of the Midwest: Midwestern Goodness. While they have content from around the region, they recently filmed a short video tour in Chicago. More Chicago content is in the works.

"},{"id":"text-1628","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 31, 2006\nFriend of GB, scooterist, designer and vegan guide making extraordinaire, PJ Chmiel hits the open road on his scooter on a tour he calls the 2006 R.A.M.B.L.E. Ambitious in scope, it should be quite a ride. Follow along when he kicks off tomorrow.","html":"

July 31, 2006\nFriend of GB, scooterist, designer and vegan guide making extraordinaire, PJ Chmiel hits the open road on his scooter on a tour he calls the 2006 R.A.M.B.L.E. Ambitious in scope, it should be quite a ride. Follow along when he kicks off tomorrow.

"},{"id":"text-1629","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 31, 2006\nZillow offers an interesting graphic representation of cost per square foot for Chicagoland real estate: a "heat map."","html":"

July 31, 2006\nZillow offers an interesting graphic representation of cost per square foot for Chicagoland real estate: a "heat map."

"},{"id":"text-1630","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 30, 2006\nSunday's Coastal Flood Statement predicts a seiche caused by severe thunderstorms. While not uncommon, they have caused considerable damage in Chicago. In 1954, an eight to ten foot reflective wave caused by a seiche drowned eight people (page 24) and swept dozens into the lake (page 67). But don't worry: today's seiche should be less than a foot tall.","html":"

July 30, 2006\nSunday's Coastal Flood Statement predicts a seiche caused by severe thunderstorms. While not uncommon, they have caused considerable damage in Chicago. In 1954, an eight to ten foot reflective wave caused by a seiche drowned eight people (page 24) and swept dozens into the lake (page 67). But don't worry: today's seiche should be less than a foot tall.

"},{"id":"text-1631","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 26, 2006\nWhen you vraiment love that Threadless tshirt design so much, that you never want to take it off…get it tattooed.","html":"

July 26, 2006\nWhen you vraiment love that Threadless tshirt design so much, that you never want to take it off…get it tattooed.

"},{"id":"text-1632","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 26, 2006\nFoGB Coudal Partners' Museum of Online Museums was featured on NPR's "All Things Considered" yesterday.","html":"

July 26, 2006\nFoGB Coudal Partners' Museum of Online Museums was featured on NPR's "All Things Considered" yesterday.

"},{"id":"text-1633","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 25, 2006\nVia 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?","html":"

July 25, 2006\nVia 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?

"},{"id":"text-1634","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 24, 2006\nAt 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.","html":"

July 24, 2006\nAt 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.

"},{"id":"text-1635","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 11, 2006\nIn 2002, BBC Radio 4's Thinking Allowed visited Chicago to do a five-part series about the city in the spirit of early Chicago School sociologists. With interviews from prominent Chicago academics, musicians, and public thinkers, the programs are surprisingly fresh four years later.","html":"

July 11, 2006\nIn 2002, BBC Radio 4's Thinking Allowed visited Chicago to do a five-part series about the city in the spirit of early Chicago School sociologists. With interviews from prominent Chicago academics, musicians, and public thinkers, the programs are surprisingly fresh four years later.

"},{"id":"text-1636","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 10, 2006\nsongs:illinois is an excellent little mp3 blog run by Craig Bonell in Oak Park. There's definitely a folk/ acoustic/ singer-songwriter focus but what excites me personally is that I've only heard of maybe one artist on the homepage. A nice deviation from Pitchfork and the like, dig in and discover some new tunes.","html":"

July 10, 2006\nsongs:illinois is an excellent little mp3 blog run by Craig Bonell in Oak Park. There's definitely a folk/ acoustic/ singer-songwriter focus but what excites me personally is that I've only heard of maybe one artist on the homepage. A nice deviation from Pitchfork and the like, dig in and discover some new tunes.

"},{"id":"text-1637","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 10, 2006\nMultiplex, by former GB film critic Gordon McAlpin, turns one year old today with its 75th strip, "Pirates of pirates des Caraïbes"","html":"

July 10, 2006\nMultiplex, by former GB film critic Gordon McAlpin, turns one year old today with its 75th strip, "Pirates of pirates des Caraïbes"

"},{"id":"text-1638","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 07, 2006\nIntroducing Coastr, "a social guide to beer," produced by local design team Luckymonk.","html":"

July 07, 2006\nIntroducing Coastr, "a social guide to beer," produced by local design team Luckymonk.

"},{"id":"text-1639","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 06, 2006\nOh 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.","html":"

July 06, 2006\nOh 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.

"},{"id":"text-1640","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 02, 2006\nGay guys don't have too much trouble finding themselves in the local queer media. But gay gals? Oublie. That's the way the founders of CHILL Magazine feel, at least, and they're doing their part to change things, offering Chicago-area lesbians an online publication "free of L Word references and [with] no naked men photos in sight."","html":"

July 02, 2006\nGay guys don't have too much trouble finding themselves in the local queer media. But gay gals? Oublie. That's the way the founders of CHILL Magazine feel, at least, and they're doing their part to change things, offering Chicago-area lesbians an online publication "free of L Word references and [with] no naked men photos in sight."

"},{"id":"text-1641","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 30, 2006\nDavid Woodhouse Architects has a spiffy new site detailing many of the architectural projects that have come out of the studio. Based in Chicago, they're the creatives behind quite a few of the Chicago Institutions you enjoy today. Take a look at the site, meander the buildings and find out the inspiration behind each.","html":"

June 30, 2006\nDavid Woodhouse Architects has a spiffy new site detailing many of the architectural projects that have come out of the studio. Based in Chicago, they're the creatives behind quite a few of the Chicago Institutions you enjoy today. Take a look at the site, meander the buildings and find out the inspiration behind each.

"},{"id":"text-1642","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 23, 2006\nYou may read our Public Notice column about Craigslist's Missed Connections. If you're absolutely addicted to them, you might be interested in delving deeper behind the scenes. GB staffer Jason Maslanka created a website with audio and video (including an interview with Craigslist founder Craig Newmark) called Connect to try to figure it all out.","html":"

June 23, 2006\nYou may read our Public Notice column about Craigslist's Missed Connections. If you're absolutely addicted to them, you might be interested in delving deeper behind the scenes. GB staffer Jason Maslanka created a website with audio and video (including an interview with Craigslist founder Craig Newmark) called Connect to try to figure it all out.

"},{"id":"text-1643","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 23, 2006\nJuly is going to see lots of great bike activity in Beverly. First, there will be big-wheel race for kids of 100 yards, adorably titled the "Longwood 100". Then the pros take over and race in the Beverly Hills Cycling Classic, where the average speed is 32 mph. Yowsers! This happens on Friday July 7th; on Sunday the 9th you can sign-up for a fun ride around the neighborhood, the Tour De Beverly where you can see the historic features of the neighborhood on two wheels. (Sorry, no big wheels on that one.)","html":"

June 23, 2006\nJuly is going to see lots of great bike activity in Beverly. First, there will be big-wheel race for kids of 100 yards, adorably titled the "Longwood 100". Then the pros take over and race in the Beverly Hills Cycling Classic, where the average speed is 32 mph. Yowsers! This happens on Friday July 7th; on Sunday the 9th you can sign-up for a fun ride around the neighborhood, the Tour De Beverly where you can see the historic features of the neighborhood on two wheels. (Sorry, no big wheels on that one.)

"},{"id":"text-1644","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 22, 2006\nIn small ways, Mazzone's, local purveyors of Italian ice, do their part to make the world a better place. To wit: spotted somewhere in New Jersey, the company's admonition to "Always Be Nice To Your School Lunch Lady."","html":"

June 22, 2006\nIn small ways, Mazzone's, local purveyors of Italian ice, do their part to make the world a better place. To wit: spotted somewhere in New Jersey, the company's admonition to "Always Be Nice To Your School Lunch Lady."

"},{"id":"text-1645","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 20, 2006\nThe 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.)","html":"

June 20, 2006\nThe 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.)

"},{"id":"text-1646","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 19, 2006\nFriend of GB, George Aye has just unleashed his latest idea which I find frickin' cool. It's called Hubwear. Hubwear are t-shirts with airport codes printed on them: the front is first part of the trip while the back is your return leg of the journey.","html":"

June 19, 2006\nFriend of GB, George Aye has just unleashed his latest idea which I find frickin' cool. It's called Hubwear. Hubwear are t-shirts with airport codes printed on them: the front is first part of the trip while the back is your return leg of the journey.

"},{"id":"text-1647","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 18, 2006\nA few new cool entries on Chicagobloggers.com: Mom-O-Matic, a great site about being a mom and still having a sense of adventure and humor; Porcini Chronicles, a woman in Milan by way of Berwyn who posts delightful Italian recipes and pictures of her adventures; and SariSariShots, a photoblog/documentary about the Chicago Filipino experience that's as beautiful as it is fascinating to take a peek into a slice of a different world from your own.","html":"

June 18, 2006\nA few new cool entries on Chicagobloggers.com: Mom-O-Matic, a great site about being a mom and still having a sense of adventure and humor; Porcini Chronicles, a woman in Milan by way of Berwyn who posts delightful Italian recipes and pictures of her adventures; and SariSariShots, a photoblog/documentary about the Chicago Filipino experience that's as beautiful as it is fascinating to take a peek into a slice of a different world from your own.

"},{"id":"text-1648","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 13, 2006\nLegendary bank robber John Dillinger: Public Enemy Number One, patron of the Biograph Theater in Lincoln Park, and now, in death, must-have mantelpiece tchotchke.","html":"

June 13, 2006\nLegendary bank robber John Dillinger: Public Enemy Number One, patron of the Biograph Theater in Lincoln Park, and now, in death, must-have mantelpiece tchotchke.

"},{"id":"text-1649","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 06, 2006\nIn an interview with the Online Journalism Review, programmer-journalist Adrian Holovaty mentions that he's "been collecting various public-record data in Chicago in preparation for the launch of [his] 'sequel' to chicagocrime.org." Sounds interesting, eh? Watch this space for more as we learn it.","html":"

June 06, 2006\nIn an interview with the Online Journalism Review, programmer-journalist Adrian Holovaty mentions that he's "been collecting various public-record data in Chicago in preparation for the launch of [his] 'sequel' to chicagocrime.org." Sounds interesting, eh? Watch this space for more as we learn it.

"},{"id":"text-1650","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 05, 2006\nFriday at O'Hare, United neglected to wake up an unaccompanied minor who was napping while he waited for his connection to South Bend; his seat was taken by a 10-year-old bound for Taiwan.","html":"

June 05, 2006\nFriday at O'Hare, United neglected to wake up an unaccompanied minor who was napping while he waited for his connection to South Bend; his seat was taken by a 10-year-old bound for Taiwan.

"},{"id":"text-1651","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 01, 2006\nWhat if Manhattan was an island off the coast of Chicago?","html":"

June 01, 2006\nWhat if Manhattan was an island off the coast of Chicago?

"},{"id":"text-1652","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 30, 2006\nIf you want up-to-date weather, and I mean, updated instantly, check out the nifty weather station installed in Uptown at Pete's Weather. Handy if you're about to hit the bike trail and the delightful Flash display is quite fascinating. If you want other local weather, the Wunderground's personal weather stations map for Chicago is useful too.","html":"

May 30, 2006\nIf you want up-to-date weather, and I mean, updated instantly, check out the nifty weather station installed in Uptown at Pete's Weather. Handy if you're about to hit the bike trail and the delightful Flash display is quite fascinating. If you want other local weather, the Wunderground's personal weather stations map for Chicago is useful too.

"},{"id":"text-1653","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 29, 2006\nA handy link passed on to me: the City's Convention Bureau has a search engine for special events. Looking for an outdoor party for 200? A meeting with cigar smoking for 20? It has answers.","html":"

May 29, 2006\nA handy link passed on to me: the City's Convention Bureau has a search engine for special events. Looking for an outdoor party for 200? A meeting with cigar smoking for 20? It has answers.

"},{"id":"text-1654","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 28, 2006\nAre you a "very tall gent" who attempted to strike up a conversation with a gal at the GB Anniversary Party Friday night with the classic pick-up line "How are you this evening?," only to be rebuffed by mumble? If so, she's looking for you.","html":"

May 28, 2006\nAre you a "very tall gent" who attempted to strike up a conversation with a gal at the GB Anniversary Party Friday night with the classic pick-up line "How are you this evening?," only to be rebuffed by mumble? If so, she's looking for you.

"},{"id":"text-1655","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 18, 2006\nEver wondered about the chronology of license plate designs has been in Illinois? Me neither, but here's the place to look.","html":"

May 18, 2006\nEver wondered about the chronology of license plate designs has been in Illinois? Me neither, but here's the place to look.

"},{"id":"text-1656","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 17, 2006\nDon't know if you noticed this or not, but a couple of days ago, Flickr went gamma. Impressionnant! Now's the perfect time for you to check out the slew of new features and of course, join up one of their Chicago groups (especially this great one called Gapers Block. We gotta feed Rearview somehow, right?).","html":"

May 17, 2006\nDon't know if you noticed this or not, but a couple of days ago, Flickr went gamma. Impressionnant! Now's the perfect time for you to check out the slew of new features and of course, join up one of their Chicago groups (especially this great one called Gapers Block. We gotta feed Rearview somehow, right?).

"},{"id":"text-1657","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 12, 2006\nAn IIT student created a small site examining one of the anomalies in Chicago's grid system: the six-way intersection.","html":"

May 12, 2006\nAn IIT student created a small site examining one of the anomalies in Chicago's grid system: the six-way intersection.

"},{"id":"text-1658","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 12, 2006\nAn interesting photo history of Maxwell St. Market, 1975 – 1984. Contrast that with the city's official info about the market.","html":"

May 12, 2006\nAn interesting photo history of Maxwell St. Market, 1975 – 1984. Contrast that with the city's official info about the market.

"},{"id":"text-1659","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 12, 2006\nOur fabulous staff Librarian has mentioned the Encyclopedia of Chicago before, but I do believe it's time you visit it again. Check out some of the special features. Stump your coworkers with your newfound Chicago trivia knowledge!","html":"

May 12, 2006\nOur fabulous staff Librarian has mentioned the Encyclopedia of Chicago before, but I do believe it's time you visit it again. Check out some of the special features. Stump your coworkers with your newfound Chicago trivia knowledge!

"},{"id":"text-1660","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 11, 2006\nThanks to an alert reader, we've learned that previously mentioned Bring Back the Draught is having a pub crawl this weekend in Roscoe Village. $20 gets you a T-shirt and surely a needed lunch; extra proceeds are donated to local not-for-profits.","html":"

May 11, 2006\nThanks to an alert reader, we've learned that previously mentioned Bring Back the Draught is having a pub crawl this weekend in Roscoe Village. $20 gets you a T-shirt and surely a needed lunch; extra proceeds are donated to local not-for-profits.

"},{"id":"text-1661","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 04, 2006\nHey, are you a jerk? Did you lose your sportcoat after groping a woman at a bar recently? If you want it back, it's up on eBay. Go bid on it. (Thanks, Benjy!)","html":"

May 04, 2006\nHey, are you a jerk? Did you lose your sportcoat after groping a woman at a bar recently? If you want it back, it's up on eBay. Go bid on it. (Thanks, Benjy!)

"},{"id":"text-1662","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 30, 2006\nYou thought your absurd and/or nightmarish MySpace stories were only good for amusing your friends; this Craigslist post suggests otherwise.","html":"

April 30, 2006\nYou thought your absurd and/or nightmarish MySpace stories were only good for amusing your friends; this Craigslist post suggests otherwise.

"},{"id":"text-1663","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 29, 2006\nLooper is a "quasi-daily architectural photoblog generally focused in and around the Loop;" if only we could all proselytize so well about our urban environment. Read and be inspired.","html":"

April 29, 2006\nLooper is a "quasi-daily architectural photoblog generally focused in and around the Loop;" if only we could all proselytize so well about our urban environment. Read and be inspired.

"},{"id":"text-1664","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 27, 2006\nWikipedia's Chicago entry has been voted "good article collaboration of the week." This means the entry is "among the best…of Wikipedia articles, but…flaws [are] holding [it] back." To help eliminate the flaws, join the conversation. (Thanks, Sandy!)","html":"

April 27, 2006\nWikipedia's Chicago entry has been voted "good article collaboration of the week." This means the entry is "among the best…of Wikipedia articles, but…flaws [are] holding [it] back." To help eliminate the flaws, join the conversation. (Thanks, Sandy!)

"},{"id":"text-1665","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 26, 2006\nThe 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]","html":"

April 26, 2006\nThe 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]

"},{"id":"text-1666","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 22, 2006\n"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the (Craigslist) Forum."","html":"

April 22, 2006\n"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the (Craigslist) Forum."

"},{"id":"text-1667","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 21, 2006\nEnjoy some Friday fun with statistics! State Master is a free site that collects current statistical data about all 50 states and allows visitors to compare and view data on just about every topic imaginable. Find out how Illinois stacks up against the rest of the country. Hey, we're third in the total number of homicides, and Illinois comes in ninth for the highest unemployment rate. And, did you know 65 percent of the population of Illinois lives in the Chicagoland area? Plus, you can get your statistics fix anytime with RSS and Atom feeds on the site.","html":"

April 21, 2006\nEnjoy some Friday fun with statistics! State Master is a free site that collects current statistical data about all 50 states and allows visitors to compare and view data on just about every topic imaginable. Find out how Illinois stacks up against the rest of the country. Hey, we're third in the total number of homicides, and Illinois comes in ninth for the highest unemployment rate. And, did you know 65 percent of the population of Illinois lives in the Chicagoland area? Plus, you can get your statistics fix anytime with RSS and Atom feeds on the site.

"},{"id":"text-1668","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 19, 2006\nYou might already check out the award-winning site ChicagoCrime.org to see what's gone down in your neighborhood, but don't forget to check your commute. The CTA Tattler has a story of a knock 'em, sock 'em fight on a Blue Line train this week, and also points out the ChicagoCrime.org options of checking crimes on platforms, buses, garages, and trains.","html":"

April 19, 2006\nYou might already check out the award-winning site ChicagoCrime.org to see what's gone down in your neighborhood, but don't forget to check your commute. The CTA Tattler has a story of a knock 'em, sock 'em fight on a Blue Line train this week, and also points out the ChicagoCrime.org options of checking crimes on platforms, buses, garages, and trains.

"},{"id":"text-1669","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 19, 2006\nDear Dude on The Blue Line with the Pink iPod Wallet, Take your powder pink iPod protection devotion to the next level. Thomas Pink's latest collection at Marshall Field's includes this practical gem: "The Commuter Tie". Pink's tie (available in Thomas' signature pink, as well as red and navy blue) has a pocket on the backside for your MP3 player and a loop to tame headphone wires. Pink's collection also includes "The Commuter Shirt." Yours, Gapers Block Style Team","html":"

April 19, 2006\nDear Dude on The Blue Line with the Pink iPod Wallet, Take your powder pink iPod protection devotion to the next level. Thomas Pink's latest collection at Marshall Field's includes this practical gem: "The Commuter Tie". Pink's tie (available in Thomas' signature pink, as well as red and navy blue) has a pocket on the backside for your MP3 player and a loop to tame headphone wires. Pink's collection also includes "The Commuter Shirt." Yours, Gapers Block Style Team

"},{"id":"text-1670","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 14, 2006\nSwap Simple is a Chicago-based site where people can trade used books, CDs, DVDs and videogames with other members, paying only postage and a $2 fee per item ordered — which is reduced to free if you list enough of your own stuff for trade. (Thanks, Lakshmi)","html":"

April 14, 2006\nSwap Simple is a Chicago-based site where people can trade used books, CDs, DVDs and videogames with other members, paying only postage and a $2 fee per item ordered — which is reduced to free if you list enough of your own stuff for trade. (Thanks, Lakshmi)

"},{"id":"text-1671","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 13, 2006\nEarly notice: Allstate's going to do a large media campaign in the Loop on Monday. And they'll pay for (metered) parking, as well as adding a bunch of car-themed art downtown. (Will it be as cool as the car spike? Probably not.) Happy Birthday, Allstate.","html":"

April 13, 2006\nEarly notice: Allstate's going to do a large media campaign in the Loop on Monday. And they'll pay for (metered) parking, as well as adding a bunch of car-themed art downtown. (Will it be as cool as the car spike? Probably not.) Happy Birthday, Allstate.

"},{"id":"text-1672","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 12, 2006\nFormer GB film critic Gordon McAlpin has turned his love of the movies into a great webcomic, Multiplex.","html":"

April 12, 2006\nFormer GB film critic Gordon McAlpin has turned his love of the movies into a great webcomic, Multiplex.

"},{"id":"text-1673","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 11, 2006\nHave you ever thought that a perfect counter to the over-size sport utility vehicles would be a sport utility motorcycle? One that fits you and your friends, as well as your trusty machine gun or mortar to hold off enemy fire (wmv)? Even better: mount the machine gun on the sidecar (wmv). Oh yes, I'm not making this up, and it's all brought to you from Ural Motorcycles, available (sans gun) at Ural Chicago.","html":"

April 11, 2006\nHave you ever thought that a perfect counter to the over-size sport utility vehicles would be a sport utility motorcycle? One that fits you and your friends, as well as your trusty machine gun or mortar to hold off enemy fire (wmv)? Even better: mount the machine gun on the sidecar (wmv). Oh yes, I'm not making this up, and it's all brought to you from Ural Motorcycles, available (sans gun) at Ural Chicago.

"},{"id":"text-1674","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 11, 2006\nWhile I was looking for a place to donate a slew of computers I used in a high school classroom, I came across Chicago-based Computers For Schools. They offer refurbished computers to schools, non-profits, and churches at 1/3 the retail cost. Their dropoff location is 3350 N. Kedzie. They even recycle cell phones, too!","html":"

April 11, 2006\nWhile I was looking for a place to donate a slew of computers I used in a high school classroom, I came across Chicago-based Computers For Schools. They offer refurbished computers to schools, non-profits, and churches at 1/3 the retail cost. Their dropoff location is 3350 N. Kedzie. They even recycle cell phones, too!

"},{"id":"text-1675","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 06, 2006\nBefore 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).","html":"

April 06, 2006\nBefore 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).

"},{"id":"text-1676","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 05, 2006\nWhat's better than an REO Speedwagon concert? UNE libre REO Speedwagon concert. Can't remember their hits? Check out these great MIDI versions. (Thanks, Stacey.)","html":"

April 05, 2006\nWhat's better than an REO Speedwagon concert? UNE libre REO Speedwagon concert. Can't remember their hits? Check out these great MIDI versions. (Thanks, Stacey.)

"},{"id":"text-1677","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 05, 2006\nSpoon 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?","html":"

April 05, 2006\nSpoon 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?

"},{"id":"text-1678","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 04, 2006\nA Chicago feminist, mother, wife, and UIC employee is one of the finalists in the Swiffer Amazing Women of the Year contest. Veronica is the 7th from the top and she needs your vote. With her help maybe Chicago will get voted "Cleanest City to Live In."","html":"

April 04, 2006\nA Chicago feminist, mother, wife, and UIC employee is one of the finalists in the Swiffer Amazing Women of the Year contest. Veronica is the 7th from the top and she needs your vote. With her help maybe Chicago will get voted "Cleanest City to Live In."

"},{"id":"text-1679","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 31, 2006\nA reader sent in a link to a craigslist post about a big fight last night in Wicker Park: anyone else see this? Email us at inbox@gapersblock.com with details.","html":"

March 31, 2006\nA reader sent in a link to a craigslist post about a big fight last night in Wicker Park: anyone else see this? Email us at inbox@gapersblock.com with details.

"},{"id":"text-1680","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 29, 2006\nThe Northwestern Crew Team was on its way to compete in South Carolina when the trailer flipped and destroyed their fleet. You can read the story and flow them a few dollars to replace their beloved boats.","html":"

March 29, 2006\nThe Northwestern Crew Team was on its way to compete in South Carolina when the trailer flipped and destroyed their fleet. You can read the story and flow them a few dollars to replace their beloved boats.

"},{"id":"text-1681","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 27, 2006\nLuigi Di Serio's web site lists the Top 15 Skylines in the world. Not shockingly, Chicago clocks in at number two on the list just behind Hong Kong. Anyone who remembers their first drive down Lakeshore Drive at dusk can surely attest to our ranking here.","html":"

March 27, 2006\nLuigi Di Serio's web site lists the Top 15 Skylines in the world. Not shockingly, Chicago clocks in at number two on the list just behind Hong Kong. Anyone who remembers their first drive down Lakeshore Drive at dusk can surely attest to our ranking here.

"},{"id":"text-1682","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 24, 2006\nNew And Notable on Chicagobloggers.com: Euchre Universe, a blog about playing cards that features an obsession with a rubber chicken; Shrinktalk, a site that encourages readers to share their experiences with psychiatrists.","html":"

March 24, 2006\nNew And Notable on Chicagobloggers.com: Euchre Universe, a blog about playing cards that features an obsession with a rubber chicken; Shrinktalk, a site that encourages readers to share their experiences with psychiatrists.

"},{"id":"text-1683","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 24, 2006\nThis is totally awesome–some most excellent paintings by local blogger joedevivre.","html":"

March 24, 2006\nThis is totally awesome–some most excellent paintings by local blogger joedevivre.

"},{"id":"text-1684","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 24, 2006\nThe latest issue of Keep Going is up, and there's a useful how-to on getting a postcard from Nigeria. Better than an email from Nigeria, I suppose.","html":"

March 24, 2006\nThe latest issue of Keep Going is up, and there's a useful how-to on getting a postcard from Nigeria. Better than an email from Nigeria, I suppose.

"},{"id":"text-1685","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 20, 2006\nT-shirt mavens Threadless have their pretty-often $10 sale going on now. Act fast!","html":"

March 20, 2006\nT-shirt mavens Threadless have their pretty-often $10 sale going on now. Act fast!

"},{"id":"text-1686","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 16, 2006\nAny fans of the band Chicago that could help a fella out? (yes, we are Chicago heavy on GB this week). This gentleman found some old reel-to-reel tapes of the band, back when they were called CTA, from a show at Wine and Roses, circa 1968. Could they be thee Chicago? Maybe you hardcore Chicago fans know.","html":"

March 16, 2006\nAny fans of the band Chicago that could help a fella out? (yes, we are Chicago heavy on GB this week). This gentleman found some old reel-to-reel tapes of the band, back when they were called CTA, from a show at Wine and Roses, circa 1968. Could they be thee Chicago? Maybe you hardcore Chicago fans know.

"},{"id":"text-1687","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 12, 2006\nFriends of GB Jim Coudal and Jason Fried opened SXSW Interactive yesterday — hear their remarks. Also, our own Andrew Huff is also there; naturally, he's reporting back.","html":"

March 12, 2006\nFriends of GB Jim Coudal and Jason Fried opened SXSW Interactive yesterday — hear their remarks. Also, our own Andrew Huff is also there; naturally, he's reporting back.

"},{"id":"text-1688","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 09, 2006\nIf Slowdown just isn't enough for you, Matt Maldre has created Chicago Bean, a site which has nothing to do with the sculpture in Millennium Park. Instead, it's a calendar of eclectic events around town, such as today's lunchtime lecture on "recycling bikes for social change." Or, for those planning ahead, the WWE Bacon, Bagels & Biceps Brunch.","html":"

March 09, 2006\nIf Slowdown just isn't enough for you, Matt Maldre has created Chicago Bean, a site which has nothing to do with the sculpture in Millennium Park. Instead, it's a calendar of eclectic events around town, such as today's lunchtime lecture on "recycling bikes for social change." Or, for those planning ahead, the WWE Bacon, Bagels & Biceps Brunch.

"},{"id":"text-1689","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 06, 2006\nThought 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.","html":"

March 06, 2006\nThought 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.

"},{"id":"text-1690","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 05, 2006\nBlock 37 webcam — you know it's live, as it's currently under a blanket of snow. [via]","html":"

March 05, 2006\nBlock 37 webcam — you know it's live, as it's currently under a blanket of snow. [via]

"},{"id":"text-1691","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 03, 2006\nPeople watching in Rosemont should be extra interesting this weekend. The Chicago Midwest Beauty Show is happening at the convention center this weekend. Brian's tip for best bad hair spotting: go to the RAM in Rosemont. (Sadly, the nail competition entries aren't online.) UPDATE: The Fangoria Convention is happening this weekend in Rosemont too. This just keeps getting better.","html":"

March 03, 2006\nPeople watching in Rosemont should be extra interesting this weekend. The Chicago Midwest Beauty Show is happening at the convention center this weekend. Brian's tip for best bad hair spotting: go to the RAM in Rosemont. (Sadly, the nail competition entries aren't online.) UPDATE: The Fangoria Convention is happening this weekend in Rosemont too. This just keeps getting better.

"},{"id":"text-1692","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 03, 2006\nToday's Tribune compiles a list of the "50 Best Web Sites"; Trib internet blogger Steve Johnson has put it online. I doubt more than, say, five of these will be new to our readers (sample inclusions: Defamer, Metacritic, The Onion), but your grandparents may find it a good place to get started on "that internet thing." That said, the paper is taking reader suggestions, so if you've got a favorite, plug it.","html":"

March 03, 2006\nToday's Tribune compiles a list of the "50 Best Web Sites"; Trib internet blogger Steve Johnson has put it online. I doubt more than, say, five of these will be new to our readers (sample inclusions: Defamer, Metacritic, The Onion), but your grandparents may find it a good place to get started on "that internet thing." That said, the paper is taking reader suggestions, so if you've got a favorite, plug it.

"},{"id":"text-1693","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 28, 2006\nThis sure is pretty: a visualization of monthly average highest and lowest temperatures recorded for Chicago from 1975 through 2004.","html":"

February 28, 2006\nThis sure is pretty: a visualization of monthly average highest and lowest temperatures recorded for Chicago from 1975 through 2004.

"},{"id":"text-1694","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 28, 2006\nEver wonder what a high-yield atomic bomb would do to the city? You can find out with this handy mapper from Eric Meyer; Chicago is in the drop-down menu. (Thanks, Dan!)","html":"

February 28, 2006\nEver wonder what a high-yield atomic bomb would do to the city? You can find out with this handy mapper from Eric Meyer; Chicago is in the drop-down menu. (Thanks, Dan!)

"},{"id":"text-1695","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 27, 2006\nThe Chicago Defender has several podcasts available for download including a speech by Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. calling black Chicagoans to "raise their 'low expectations' and demand that they receive economic and political parity from their elected officials."","html":"

February 27, 2006\nThe Chicago Defender has several podcasts available for download including a speech by Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. calling black Chicagoans to "raise their 'low expectations' and demand that they receive economic and political parity from their elected officials."

"},{"id":"text-1696","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 23, 2006\nChicagoist took a tip from its parent and tracked down the "Google Center" of the city — the point you see if you type "Chicago IL" into GoogleMaps and zoom all the way in. Some other city centers after the jump.","html":"

February 23, 2006\nChicagoist took a tip from its parent and tracked down the "Google Center" of the city — the point you see if you type "Chicago IL" into GoogleMaps and zoom all the way in. Some other city centers after the jump.

"},{"id":"text-1697","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"• geographic center of the Loop: the Chase Tower• "Number One City Datum Mark," the point from which the heights of all city buildings are measured: Northern Trust headquarters, 50 S. LaSalle• And the "zero point," the center of the city's grid, is at State & Madison, of course.","html":"

• geographic center of the Loop: the Chase Tower• "Number One City Datum Mark," the point from which the heights of all city buildings are measured: Northern Trust headquarters, 50 S. LaSalle• And the "zero point," the center of the city's grid, is at State & Madison, of course.

"},{"id":"text-1698","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 21, 2006\nReader Carrie points us to the official response from craigslist, from CEO Jim Buckmaster, to the Fair Housing Act lawsuit filed by the CLCCRUL we told you about here and here. Related: Chicagoist's interview with Michael Pensack, the executive director of the Illinois Tenants Union.","html":"

February 21, 2006\nReader Carrie points us to the official response from craigslist, from CEO Jim Buckmaster, to the Fair Housing Act lawsuit filed by the CLCCRUL we told you about here and here. Related: Chicagoist's interview with Michael Pensack, the executive director of the Illinois Tenants Union.

"},{"id":"text-1699","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 20, 2006\nIra Glass may not understand why Chicagoans are upset about This American Life leaving for New York, but maybe that's because he doesn't realize just how rabid his fanbase is. I mean, stud orchids have been named after him.","html":"

February 20, 2006\nIra Glass may not understand why Chicagoans are upset about This American Life leaving for New York, but maybe that's because he doesn't realize just how rabid his fanbase is. I mean, stud orchids have been named after him.

"},{"id":"text-1700","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 16, 2006\nI am absolutely obsessed with Rod's hair. It's always perfect and rivals Donald Trump's hair for yucks. So imagine how surprised I was when I found he sometimes dyes it. And that our governor is pals with Spongebob, too.","html":"

February 16, 2006\nI am absolutely obsessed with Rod's hair. It's always perfect and rivals Donald Trump's hair for yucks. So imagine how surprised I was when I found he sometimes dyes it. And that our governor is pals with Spongebob, too.

"},{"id":"text-1701","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 16, 2006\nHere's something I had no idea existed: Crain's compiles a list of patents awarded to local businesses and independent inventors. If that tickles your fancy, you'd probably also like Patently-O, a patent law blog.","html":"

February 16, 2006\nHere's something I had no idea existed: Crain's compiles a list of patents awarded to local businesses and independent inventors. If that tickles your fancy, you'd probably also like Patently-O, a patent law blog.

"},{"id":"text-1702","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 15, 2006\nThe hype about podcasts seems to be waning, but that doesn't mean there's no innovation going on. ChiHookah.com offers not only a podcast about Chicago food, beer and music (and, um, hookahs), but also video of said podcasts.","html":"

February 15, 2006\nThe hype about podcasts seems to be waning, but that doesn't mean there's no innovation going on. ChiHookah.com offers not only a podcast about Chicago food, beer and music (and, um, hookahs), but also video of said podcasts.

"},{"id":"text-1703","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 15, 2006\nAfter five years of looking for something romantic to do on Valentines Day, I thought this would be fun and different, Dockery said. Her reaction: "You're kidding, right?" Why the negativity? Yes, he took her to White Castle. Even worse: IT WAS PACKED. (Thanks, Stacey!)","html":"

February 15, 2006\nAfter five years of looking for something romantic to do on Valentines Day, I thought this would be fun and different, Dockery said. Her reaction: "You're kidding, right?" Why the negativity? Yes, he took her to White Castle. Even worse: IT WAS PACKED. (Thanks, Stacey!)

"},{"id":"text-1704","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 15, 2006\nFor 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.)","html":"

February 15, 2006\nFor 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.)

"},{"id":"text-1705","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 11, 2006\nA few new additions to Chicagobloggers worth examining: Cella Bellum, the humorous rantings of a law student; I Want To Be Donna Reed, offers the other side of attorney-ness, as a lawyer who stayed home to be with her child; and EmptyFree.com, a blog devoted to mp3s. I was just listening to song that combined Ukrainian accordians with hip-hop. A few more ways to while away time while it snows….","html":"

February 11, 2006\nA few new additions to Chicagobloggers worth examining: Cella Bellum, the humorous rantings of a law student; I Want To Be Donna Reed, offers the other side of attorney-ness, as a lawyer who stayed home to be with her child; and EmptyFree.com, a blog devoted to mp3s. I was just listening to song that combined Ukrainian accordians with hip-hop. A few more ways to while away time while it snows….

"},{"id":"text-1706","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 09, 2006\nChicago Auto Show Webcams (to be online after 3pm).","html":"

February 09, 2006\nChicago Auto Show Webcams (to be online after 3pm).

"},{"id":"text-1707","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 07, 2006\nStill more beer: it seems that someone has self-published a history of Chicagoland brewing. A few samples are available online (of the text, not the beer).","html":"

February 07, 2006\nStill more beer: it seems that someone has self-published a history of Chicagoland brewing. A few samples are available online (of the text, not the beer).

"},{"id":"text-1708","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 07, 2006\nJumping into the city's already crowded booze map field is beer.chicago.com.","html":"

February 07, 2006\nJumping into the city's already crowded booze map field is beer.chicago.com.

"},{"id":"text-1709","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 31, 2006\nLooking for yet another source of great Chicago food writing? Check out Hungry, an online magazine that also features podcasts with top Chi-town chefs. The most recent issue features an interview with Hot Doug's Doug Sohn, plus product reviews and more.","html":"

January 31, 2006\nLooking for yet another source of great Chicago food writing? Check out Hungry, an online magazine that also features podcasts with top Chi-town chefs. The most recent issue features an interview with Hot Doug's Doug Sohn, plus product reviews and more.

"},{"id":"text-1710","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 27, 2006\nA few new notable blogs that are worth a glance: chicagopunjabi, the account of a newly arrived man from India(?) writing about coming to Chicago. "And you know, I started to get the feeling that Morgan Freeman wanted these Penguins to die." Feeling Kinda Blog Today has a great sense of humor worth reading, too. And something from a Portugese student in Chicago.","html":"

January 27, 2006\nA few new notable blogs that are worth a glance: chicagopunjabi, the account of a newly arrived man from India(?) writing about coming to Chicago. "And you know, I started to get the feeling that Morgan Freeman wanted these Penguins to die." Feeling Kinda Blog Today has a great sense of humor worth reading, too. And something from a Portugese student in Chicago.

"},{"id":"text-1711","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 25, 2006\nWhat if the New York Times chronicled your childhood? In the "My Life in the Fois" series over at The Morning News, John Warner is imagining just that.","html":"

January 25, 2006\nWhat if the New York Times chronicled your childhood? In the "My Life in the Fois" series over at The Morning News, John Warner is imagining just that.

"},{"id":"text-1712","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 24, 2006\nTwo points for creativity: want to drive traffic to your blog? Advertise in the paper, like this woman did in yesterday's Sun-Times. But another technique is to utilize the new PING feature on Chicagobloggers, either to get more traffic on your site or to see what other Chicagoans are saying. Details on how to participate are here.","html":"

January 24, 2006\nTwo points for creativity: want to drive traffic to your blog? Advertise in the paper, like this woman did in yesterday's Sun-Times. But another technique is to utilize the new PING feature on Chicagobloggers, either to get more traffic on your site or to see what other Chicagoans are saying. Details on how to participate are here.

"},{"id":"text-1713","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 18, 2006\nA Craigslist post that Shylo could surely support: How Not to Write a Missed Connection (otherwise known as "Get an anonymous livejournal, you jerk").","html":"

January 18, 2006\nA Craigslist post that Shylo could surely support: How Not to Write a Missed Connection (otherwise known as "Get an anonymous livejournal, you jerk").

"},{"id":"text-1714","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 17, 2006\nTarget have taken advertising to the next level. This blog suggests that they've started using their roofs as a huge satellite view version of their billboard (as seen in this Google Map). Kottke suggests that this particular store however could be for the benefit for passengers landing at nearby O'Hare (as seen in this Google Map).","html":"

January 17, 2006\nTarget have taken advertising to the next level. This blog suggests that they've started using their roofs as a huge satellite view version of their billboard (as seen in this Google Map). Kottke suggests that this particular store however could be for the benefit for passengers landing at nearby O'Hare (as seen in this Google Map).

"},{"id":"text-1715","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 16, 2006\nOh, my God. We know that many of you are off work today in honor of civil rights great Martin Luther King. If you're bored, why not see what other Chicagoans are up to today? Check out this compilation of ridiculously unsafe-for-work Craig's List posts about MLK Day fun.","html":"

January 16, 2006\nOh, my God. We know that many of you are off work today in honor of civil rights great Martin Luther King. If you're bored, why not see what other Chicagoans are up to today? Check out this compilation of ridiculously unsafe-for-work Craig's List posts about MLK Day fun.

"},{"id":"text-1716","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 11, 2006\nThe Fantagraphics blog links to photos of a cool-looking hand-made plush head of Chicago cartoonist Ivan Brunetti, made by the girlfriend of Chicago cartoonist Onsmith Jeremi. Can the Ivan Brunetti action figure be far behind?","html":"

January 11, 2006\nThe Fantagraphics blog links to photos of a cool-looking hand-made plush head of Chicago cartoonist Ivan Brunetti, made by the girlfriend of Chicago cartoonist Onsmith Jeremi. Can the Ivan Brunetti action figure be far behind?

"},{"id":"text-1717","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 05, 2006\nThe saga continues. Reader and member of Canasta (who have a fantastic website by the way), Elizabeth writes in informing us that there are two Chicago based websites that qualified for the 10 voting spots eligible for a website makeover. One spot has been given to her site: "I don't know whether to be ashamed or elated." The other spot goes to the Chicago Lawyers Association (who might vraiment need it). Vote away!","html":"

January 05, 2006\nThe saga continues. Reader and member of Canasta (who have a fantastic website by the way), Elizabeth writes in informing us that there are two Chicago based websites that qualified for the 10 voting spots eligible for a website makeover. One spot has been given to her site: "I don't know whether to be ashamed or elated." The other spot goes to the Chicago Lawyers Association (who might vraiment need it). Vote away!

"},{"id":"text-1718","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 05, 2006\nAs the Million Dollar Homepage sells off its last 1,000 pixels, other people are getting into the act. Chicago-based FundMyLifestyle.com claims to be aiming for a "really nice car," while ChicagoMillionPixels is going for the local angle.","html":"

January 05, 2006\nAs the Million Dollar Homepage sells off its last 1,000 pixels, other people are getting into the act. Chicago-based FundMyLifestyle.com claims to be aiming for a "really nice car," while ChicagoMillionPixels is going for the local angle.

"},{"id":"text-1719","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 29, 2005\nThe Chicago Daily News name controversy has apparently ended. Introducing ChiTownDailyNews.org. Ignore the masthead, and read the Editor & Publisher interview with site founder Geoff Dougherty. (Want to get involved? Start with the photo call.)","html":"

December 29, 2005\nThe Chicago Daily News name controversy has apparently ended. Introducing ChiTownDailyNews.org. Ignore the masthead, and read the Editor & Publisher interview with site founder Geoff Dougherty. (Want to get involved? Start with the photo call.)

"},{"id":"text-1720","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 29, 2005\nWork pretty slow this week? Take some of that downtime to watch some videos! You know what videos are, right? Those things that MTV used to play? Anyway, European music blog DoCopenhagen has compiled their top fifty music videos of 2005, with interesting clips from Xiu Xiu, M83, Animal Collective and The Decemberists making the cut. A note of caution: The Aphex Twin vid gave me a serious case of the heebie-jeebies. You've been warned.","html":"

December 29, 2005\nWork pretty slow this week? Take some of that downtime to watch some videos! You know what videos are, right? Those things that MTV used to play? Anyway, European music blog DoCopenhagen has compiled their top fifty music videos of 2005, with interesting clips from Xiu Xiu, M83, Animal Collective and The Decemberists making the cut. A note of caution: The Aphex Twin vid gave me a serious case of the heebie-jeebies. You've been warned.

"},{"id":"text-1721","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 21, 2005\nIntrigued by the Jones Holiday Sodas? Well, before you run out and buy a pack of them, perhaps you should take a look at this taste test, done by a local blogger and his girlfriend at Thanksgiving.","html":"

December 21, 2005\nIntrigued by the Jones Holiday Sodas? Well, before you run out and buy a pack of them, perhaps you should take a look at this taste test, done by a local blogger and his girlfriend at Thanksgiving.

"},{"id":"text-1722","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 19, 2005\nIndeed it is true. Intechnic, a local internet solutions company, is offering a $10,000 website makeover for the worst business website out there. You can submit your website with a short story explaining why you think you'd need a website makeover. Heh.","html":"

December 19, 2005\nIndeed it is true. Intechnic, a local internet solutions company, is offering a $10,000 website makeover for the worst business website out there. You can submit your website with a short story explaining why you think you'd need a website makeover. Heh.

"},{"id":"text-1723","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 17, 2005\nWith Midway in the news so much lately, this great site has a lot of information about the history of Midway. If that isn't enough, you can of course buy the book too.","html":"

December 17, 2005\nWith Midway in the news so much lately, this great site has a lot of information about the history of Midway. If that isn't enough, you can of course buy the book too.

"},{"id":"text-1724","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 13, 2005\nI'll admit that Bea Arthur has not been on my cultural radar since around 1979, so I was a little surprised to find out that Ms. Arthur is a strong advocate of women's rights and animal rights. Why do I know this? Because Chicago area web designer Kevin Buckstiegel told me. He designed and maintains a web site dedicated to the former Golden Girl. Check out Bea In The Limelight.","html":"

December 13, 2005\nI'll admit that Bea Arthur has not been on my cultural radar since around 1979, so I was a little surprised to find out that Ms. Arthur is a strong advocate of women's rights and animal rights. Why do I know this? Because Chicago area web designer Kevin Buckstiegel told me. He designed and maintains a web site dedicated to the former Golden Girl. Check out Bea In The Limelight.

"},{"id":"text-1725","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 07, 2005\nOh lordy, lord. Mike Ditka in some 1980s video doing some rap and dancing with freshly scrubbed denizens of the leg warmer set. I apologize in advance [via MetaFilter].","html":"

December 07, 2005\nOh lordy, lord. Mike Ditka in some 1980s video doing some rap and dancing with freshly scrubbed denizens of the leg warmer set. I apologize in advance [via MetaFilter].

"},{"id":"text-1726","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 05, 2005\nHave you ever wondered how many songs mention Chicago by name? Well wonder no more my friends. These folks on LiveJournal have you covered where My Kind of Town, Chicago is concerned.","html":"

December 05, 2005\nHave you ever wondered how many songs mention Chicago by name? Well wonder no more my friends. These folks on LiveJournal have you covered where My Kind of Town, Chicago is concerned.

"},{"id":"text-1727","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 02, 2005\nHere's a delightful urban photoblog named Road To Nowhere. So many beautiful pictures from cities around the world.","html":"

December 02, 2005\nHere's a delightful urban photoblog named Road To Nowhere. So many beautiful pictures from cities around the world.

"},{"id":"text-1728","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 01, 2005\nChicago music scene mainstay Thrill Jockey Records recently updated their website, and have added a "Vault" section which houses every video made by the likes of Tortoise, Mouse on Mars, Giant Sand, and the rest of the Thrill Jockey family. It's the most visually and aurally rewarding work day time-killer out there right now, guaranteed.","html":"

December 01, 2005\nChicago music scene mainstay Thrill Jockey Records recently updated their website, and have added a "Vault" section which houses every video made by the likes of Tortoise, Mouse on Mars, Giant Sand, and the rest of the Thrill Jockey family. It's the most visually and aurally rewarding work day time-killer out there right now, guaranteed.

"},{"id":"text-1729","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 23, 2005\nThe Beautiful People Take The Red Line. Interesting B&W portraits of red line riders from 97-98. Be patient with the navigation.","html":"

November 23, 2005\nThe Beautiful People Take The Red Line. Interesting B&W portraits of red line riders from 97-98. Be patient with the navigation.

"},{"id":"text-1730","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 22, 2005\nI'm somewhat impervious to cold, but I have to believe someone with better knitting skills than me has designed a sweater with built-in scarf and mittens. Any knitters out there know of an existing pattern for this? (Alternatively, you could enter the contest to make it. There's a PRIZE you know.)","html":"

November 22, 2005\nI'm somewhat impervious to cold, but I have to believe someone with better knitting skills than me has designed a sweater with built-in scarf and mittens. Any knitters out there know of an existing pattern for this? (Alternatively, you could enter the contest to make it. There's a PRIZE you know.)

"},{"id":"text-1731","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 17, 2005\nDespite not releasing any new material since 1991, the band Chicago will be releasing a new album. The yet untitled work was produced by Rascal Flatts bassist Jay DeMarcus. Their current touring season has them in Texas with Earth Wind and Fire and there's talk of yet another tour with Huey Lewis. Future headline: Ghost of Johnny Cash Summons REO Speedwagon To Studio For Possible Recording.","html":"

November 17, 2005\nDespite not releasing any new material since 1991, the band Chicago will be releasing a new album. The yet untitled work was produced by Rascal Flatts bassist Jay DeMarcus. Their current touring season has them in Texas with Earth Wind and Fire and there's talk of yet another tour with Huey Lewis. Future headline: Ghost of Johnny Cash Summons REO Speedwagon To Studio For Possible Recording.

"},{"id":"text-1732","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 14, 2005\nI'm not big on cabs. If I were, I'd want Ray St. Ray. I'd be treated to his one-man show; an ongoing performance piece called The Singing Cab Driver Show. As Ray himself would say, "it's part vaudeville, part inspirational seminar and "More than a ride…It's a trip!" Check out the videos.","html":"

November 14, 2005\nI'm not big on cabs. If I were, I'd want Ray St. Ray. I'd be treated to his one-man show; an ongoing performance piece called The Singing Cab Driver Show. As Ray himself would say, "it's part vaudeville, part inspirational seminar and "More than a ride…It's a trip!" Check out the videos.

"},{"id":"text-1733","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 11, 2005\nIf you thought blogs were just for people with cats, kids or catastrophes, then think again. Because Olive and Mason (two co-workers, who are secretly dating) are here, detailing their lives of working, betting and eating lunch. Required reading.","html":"

November 11, 2005\nIf you thought blogs were just for people with cats, kids or catastrophes, then think again. Because Olive and Mason (two co-workers, who are secretly dating) are here, detailing their lives of working, betting and eating lunch. Required reading.

"},{"id":"text-1734","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 07, 2005\nAre you a fan of the super-hot roller derby dolls in the Windy City Rollers? Yeah? Then vote for your favorite girl today. The voting ends November 9, so click now.","html":"

November 07, 2005\nAre you a fan of the super-hot roller derby dolls in the Windy City Rollers? Yeah? Then vote for your favorite girl today. The voting ends November 9, so click now.

"},{"id":"text-1735","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 06, 2005\nCopy Goes Here: Coudal Partners, the folks who help to bring you Transmission, have made a funny little movie.","html":"

November 06, 2005\nCopy Goes Here: Coudal Partners, the folks who help to bring you Transmission, have made a funny little movie.

"},{"id":"text-1736","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 03, 2005\nRide the CTA all by your lonesome no more: "The Front 'L' Car is for Singles Only!"","html":"

November 03, 2005\nRide the CTA all by your lonesome no more: "The Front 'L' Car is for Singles Only!"

"},{"id":"text-1737","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 31, 2005\nThe Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros were asked to submit their favorite songs for Apple iTunes [link will only work with iTunes installed]. The choices are mostly predictable (some Pearl Jam mixed in with Nu-Metal and a smattering of rap/hip-hop) with one exception. Damaso Marte's choice was Britney Spears's "Oops!… I Did It Again." Say it ain't so, Damaso!","html":"

October 31, 2005\nThe Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros were asked to submit their favorite songs for Apple iTunes [link will only work with iTunes installed]. The choices are mostly predictable (some Pearl Jam mixed in with Nu-Metal and a smattering of rap/hip-hop) with one exception. Damaso Marte's choice was Britney Spears's "Oops!… I Did It Again." Say it ain't so, Damaso!

"},{"id":"text-1738","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 27, 2005\nBut, it would seem, worth it. We mentioned the UpYourBudget Treasure Hunt earlier in the week, and it turns out the White Sox weren't the only winners last night. Congratulations, Willie Stevens, you're ten thousand dollars richer.","html":"

October 27, 2005\nBut, it would seem, worth it. We mentioned the UpYourBudget Treasure Hunt earlier in the week, and it turns out the White Sox weren't the only winners last night. Congratulations, Willie Stevens, you're ten thousand dollars richer.

"},{"id":"text-1739","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 24, 2005\nSifting through the website for the UpYourBudget Treasure Hunt is a bit of a task, but, as far as I can make out, there are $10,000 prizes to be won in various cities each week over the next month. Tell you one thing: I'll be doggoned if the "North" video clue doesn't look awfully familiar. May the best gaper win.","html":"

October 24, 2005\nSifting through the website for the UpYourBudget Treasure Hunt is a bit of a task, but, as far as I can make out, there are $10,000 prizes to be won in various cities each week over the next month. Tell you one thing: I'll be doggoned if the "North" video clue doesn't look awfully familiar. May the best gaper win.

"},{"id":"text-1740","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 24, 2005\nRemember the Jenga Sears Tower? The Sun-Times interviews its builder today, who reveals he's ready to knock it down and start on his next project, London's Big Ben. To that end, Bryant Varney is looking for suggestions on how best to send the Tower toppling; send yours to bvarney[at]nmu.edu.","html":"

October 24, 2005\nRemember the Jenga Sears Tower? The Sun-Times interviews its builder today, who reveals he's ready to knock it down and start on his next project, London's Big Ben. To that end, Bryant Varney is looking for suggestions on how best to send the Tower toppling; send yours to bvarney[at]nmu.edu.

"},{"id":"text-1741","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 20, 2005\nContinuing the onslaught of "Cool Things You Can Do With GoogleMaps" is this new tool I discovered this morning, Frapper. You can map locations of where people in a particular group live. Some Chicago-based groups have already gotten into the act such as mommy-forum Chicagomothers.com and the Chicago Cycling Club.","html":"

October 20, 2005\nContinuing the onslaught of "Cool Things You Can Do With GoogleMaps" is this new tool I discovered this morning, Frapper. You can map locations of where people in a particular group live. Some Chicago-based groups have already gotten into the act such as mommy-forum Chicagomothers.com and the Chicago Cycling Club.

"},{"id":"text-1742","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 17, 2005\nAccording to this post on craigslist, dating services are illegal. We've all heard of stupid laws before, but I hadn't actually seen the legal code cited. And what if you're gay? (via westnorth)","html":"

October 17, 2005\nAccording to this post on craigslist, dating services are illegal. We've all heard of stupid laws before, but I hadn't actually seen the legal code cited. And what if you're gay? (via westnorth)

"},{"id":"text-1743","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 16, 2005\nWith so many Nobel Laureates down in Hyde Park, we may be forgiven for thinking of science as a serious-minded and lofty enterprise; however, the folks at the Annals of Improbable Research are happy to nudge our thinking in another direction. 2005s IgNobel Prize winners have been announced. And while none of this years winners are from Chicago, we can be proud that 2004s winner for Public Healththe youngest IgNobel winner evergraduated from the Chicago High School of Agricultural Sciences. (Jillian Clarke was honored for her paper: If You Drop It: Should You Eat It? Weigh-in on the 5-Second Rule.)","html":"

October 16, 2005\nWith so many Nobel Laureates down in Hyde Park, we may be forgiven for thinking of science as a serious-minded and lofty enterprise; however, the folks at the Annals of Improbable Research are happy to nudge our thinking in another direction. 2005s IgNobel Prize winners have been announced. And while none of this years winners are from Chicago, we can be proud that 2004s winner for Public Healththe youngest IgNobel winner evergraduated from the Chicago High School of Agricultural Sciences. (Jillian Clarke was honored for her paper: If You Drop It: Should You Eat It? Weigh-in on the 5-Second Rule.)

"},{"id":"text-1744","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 14, 2005\nDo you do a little doubletake when a website you visit regularly suddenly looks different? That's what I did when I visited Crain's ChicagoBusiness.com this morning, and a week or two ago at Chicagomag.com. And a bit before that at CBS2Chicago.com. CSS-y goodness!","html":"

October 14, 2005\nDo you do a little doubletake when a website you visit regularly suddenly looks different? That's what I did when I visited Crain's ChicagoBusiness.com this morning, and a week or two ago at Chicagomag.com. And a bit before that at CBS2Chicago.com. CSS-y goodness!

"},{"id":"text-1745","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 12, 2005\nThe planners at Chicago Metropolis 2020 present "Metro Joe", a flash-based game for 8th graders to learn about Chicagoland planning issues. The game challenges your knowledge of regional issues such as low density sprawl; the spatial mismatch between jobs; and affordable housing and transportation, and is even kinda fun to play whether you're a pre-teen in Elgin or a cubicle-jockey in the Loop.","html":"

October 12, 2005\nThe planners at Chicago Metropolis 2020 present "Metro Joe", a flash-based game for 8th graders to learn about Chicagoland planning issues. The game challenges your knowledge of regional issues such as low density sprawl; the spatial mismatch between jobs; and affordable housing and transportation, and is even kinda fun to play whether you're a pre-teen in Elgin or a cubicle-jockey in the Loop.

"},{"id":"text-1746","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 12, 2005\nHoly crap! Some guy at Northern Michigan University built a 30-foot-tall replica of the Sears Tower out of Jenga blocks!","html":"

October 12, 2005\nHoly crap! Some guy at Northern Michigan University built a 30-foot-tall replica of the Sears Tower out of Jenga blocks!

"},{"id":"text-1747","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 10, 2005\nThis one maps the city's bike routes.","html":"

October 10, 2005\nThis one maps the city's bike routes.

"},{"id":"text-1748","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 06, 2005\nAlthough LPTrixie.com is temporarily off the air, if you've ever been curious about the finer points of being a Lincoln Park Chad, well, look no further…","html":"

October 06, 2005\nAlthough LPTrixie.com is temporarily off the air, if you've ever been curious about the finer points of being a Lincoln Park Chad, well, look no further…

"},{"id":"text-1749","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 05, 2005\nUpcoming.org has been purchased by Yahoo. Hopefully this will raise this cool service's profile and encourage a bit more use here in Chicago.","html":"

October 05, 2005\nUpcoming.org has been purchased by Yahoo. Hopefully this will raise this cool service's profile and encourage a bit more use here in Chicago.

"},{"id":"text-1750","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 03, 2005\n37signals has launched Writeboard, a collaborative text editing program. Read, write, share and edit at will, while all previous versions are backed up and retrievable. I know Mauvais be using it.","html":"

October 03, 2005\n37signals has launched Writeboard, a collaborative text editing program. Read, write, share and edit at will, while all previous versions are backed up and retrievable. I know Mauvais be using it.

"},{"id":"text-1751","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 27, 2005\nSkinnyCorp is at it again. But they've moved from your t-shirt drawer to your wetbar with ExtraTasty!, launching soon. Go sign up.","html":"

September 27, 2005\nSkinnyCorp is at it again. But they've moved from your t-shirt drawer to your wetbar with ExtraTasty!, launching soon. Go sign up.

"},{"id":"text-1752","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 20, 2005\nSérieusement. I've begun to turn to blogs to get more and more information that I know I'm not going to find in traditional media. For example, the Chicago Foundation for Women had a Symposium yesterday titled "Speaking So They Can Hear Us," which was all about getting feminist voices in the media. Right up my alley, right? Unfortunately the day job got in the way of me going. So today I go to Google News and find nothing. So I turn to my bookmarks, and find Roni's notes. With lots of pertinent links. Thanks, Roni!","html":"

September 20, 2005\nSérieusement. I've begun to turn to blogs to get more and more information that I know I'm not going to find in traditional media. For example, the Chicago Foundation for Women had a Symposium yesterday titled "Speaking So They Can Hear Us," which was all about getting feminist voices in the media. Right up my alley, right? Unfortunately the day job got in the way of me going. So today I go to Google News and find nothing. So I turn to my bookmarks, and find Roni's notes. With lots of pertinent links. Thanks, Roni!

"},{"id":"text-1753","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 19, 2005\nIn a city that's completely banned spray paint, Chicago street-artists have had to take creative and untraditional routes to get their work on the streets. Chicago Street Art, the latest group pool on Flickr, is starting to document all of the hand drawn-stickers, stencils, plywood cutouts, scrawlings, paste-ups, and installations that bring color to the all-too-often drab urban landscape.","html":"

September 19, 2005\nIn a city that's completely banned spray paint, Chicago street-artists have had to take creative and untraditional routes to get their work on the streets. Chicago Street Art, the latest group pool on Flickr, is starting to document all of the hand drawn-stickers, stencils, plywood cutouts, scrawlings, paste-ups, and installations that bring color to the all-too-often drab urban landscape.

"},{"id":"text-1754","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 16, 2005\nAnd I don't mean the server. Being a server is a thankless, crappy, dirty job which very rarely gets you paid time off, health insurance, or many other benefits that most corporate drones can take for granted. And while servers run into other servers when they're having a beer and unwinding, it's hard to network so you can get the good jobs, for good owners. In comes Shameless Restaraunts.com and creates a safe environment so bartenders and food service workers can find out the dirt before they drop off a resume. And since I'm lucky enough to be a corporate drone now, I'll be checking through the list to make sure my usual haunts aren't run by "dillweeds", "jagoffs", or the like. Thanks, Paul.","html":"

September 16, 2005\nAnd I don't mean the server. Being a server is a thankless, crappy, dirty job which very rarely gets you paid time off, health insurance, or many other benefits that most corporate drones can take for granted. And while servers run into other servers when they're having a beer and unwinding, it's hard to network so you can get the good jobs, for good owners. In comes Shameless Restaraunts.com and creates a safe environment so bartenders and food service workers can find out the dirt before they drop off a resume. And since I'm lucky enough to be a corporate drone now, I'll be checking through the list to make sure my usual haunts aren't run by "dillweeds", "jagoffs", or the like. Thanks, Paul.

"},{"id":"text-1755","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 15, 2005\nA neat little zine deserving of your time: Love Chicago. We do, you should too.","html":"

September 15, 2005\nA neat little zine deserving of your time: Love Chicago. We do, you should too.

"},{"id":"text-1756","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 14, 2005\nRecently, a friend left town to spend a year studying abroad, and I'm keeping up with his travels via Flickr. The other day, a somewhat inscrutable picture appeared in his photostream. It looked like a packet of candy cigarettes emblazoned with our skyline, but why? Curious to know more, I asked what it all meant. His reply: "In Germany everyone thinks that Chicagoans are so rich that they smoke chocolate!"","html":"

September 14, 2005\nRecently, a friend left town to spend a year studying abroad, and I'm keeping up with his travels via Flickr. The other day, a somewhat inscrutable picture appeared in his photostream. It looked like a packet of candy cigarettes emblazoned with our skyline, but why? Curious to know more, I asked what it all meant. His reply: "In Germany everyone thinks that Chicagoans are so rich that they smoke chocolate!"

"},{"id":"text-1757","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 13, 2005\nFrom an unlikely source, CondoBuzz.com has created a series of overlay maps that show the New Orleans flood area as it would affect other U.S. cities, including Chicago. If we had been flooded, the water would have reached from Logan Square to 67th Street, and as far west as Forest Park. Just imagine your home, still standing under water after two weeks. Please keep giving. [via Zorn and Austin Mayor]","html":"

September 13, 2005\nFrom an unlikely source, CondoBuzz.com has created a series of overlay maps that show the New Orleans flood area as it would affect other U.S. cities, including Chicago. If we had been flooded, the water would have reached from Logan Square to 67th Street, and as far west as Forest Park. Just imagine your home, still standing under water after two weeks. Please keep giving. [via Zorn and Austin Mayor]

"},{"id":"text-1758","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 12, 2005\nMany congratulations to Adrian Holovaty for winning the grand prize at the Batten Awards for Innovations in Journalism — grand prize being, in fact, a cool ten grand. Holovaty's site, chicagocrime.org, has been impressing users in Chicago and beyond since it launched back in May. Well done; we'll be looking forward to the promised sequel.","html":"

September 12, 2005\nMany congratulations to Adrian Holovaty for winning the grand prize at the Batten Awards for Innovations in Journalism — grand prize being, in fact, a cool ten grand. Holovaty's site, chicagocrime.org, has been impressing users in Chicago and beyond since it launched back in May. Well done; we'll be looking forward to the promised sequel.

"},{"id":"text-1759","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 12, 2005\nFile under: "If you say so…" About.com has posted a list of Chicago's five most popular sites as determined by daily visitors. While I can buy Craigslist, I'm a bit skeptical that the local UVa alumni club pulls more traffic than, say, the Tribune's site, which isn't even listed. Speaking of it, though, Daywatch writer Charlie Meyerson is hosting one of chicagotribune.com's first online chats today at noon; get interactive here.","html":"

September 12, 2005\nFile under: "If you say so…" About.com has posted a list of Chicago's five most popular sites as determined by daily visitors. While I can buy Craigslist, I'm a bit skeptical that the local UVa alumni club pulls more traffic than, say, the Tribune's site, which isn't even listed. Speaking of it, though, Daywatch writer Charlie Meyerson is hosting one of chicagotribune.com's first online chats today at noon; get interactive here.

"},{"id":"text-1760","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 08, 2005\nWhether you're a beginning knitter, or a long-time crocheter, there's a new spot in town where you can learn some new tricks. The store Knit 1 just launched its website, but it's already getting into high gear with its vast selection of class offerings. There's a special class where moms can bring their kids along, others where the youngsters get to knit alongside their parents, and a number of general and project-oriented classes for all levels. Prices are reasonable, and they do offer a discount on materials. You can check out Knit 1 in person at 3823 N. Lincoln Ave. in the North Center neighborhood.","html":"

September 08, 2005\nWhether you're a beginning knitter, or a long-time crocheter, there's a new spot in town where you can learn some new tricks. The store Knit 1 just launched its website, but it's already getting into high gear with its vast selection of class offerings. There's a special class where moms can bring their kids along, others where the youngsters get to knit alongside their parents, and a number of general and project-oriented classes for all levels. Prices are reasonable, and they do offer a discount on materials. You can check out Knit 1 in person at 3823 N. Lincoln Ave. in the North Center neighborhood.

"},{"id":"text-1761","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 06, 2005\nPush the button nowAnd computer creates aTerrible haiku","html":"

September 06, 2005\nPush the button nowAnd computer creates aTerrible haiku

"},{"id":"text-1762","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 06, 2005\nIn today's online edition, Philly.com columnist Mark Alan Hughes writes, "If Chicago is corrupt, at least it's corruption that delivers." He uses The Bean as an apt metaphor [registration at philly.com required gb@gapersblock.com/gapers1].","html":"

September 06, 2005\nIn today's online edition, Philly.com columnist Mark Alan Hughes writes, "If Chicago is corrupt, at least it's corruption that delivers." He uses The Bean as an apt metaphor [registration at philly.com required gb@gapersblock.com/gapers1].

"},{"id":"text-1763","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 05, 2005\nDear anon-86861632, It's been over a month since you posted your first five "Chicago-Centric Ways I'd Like to Kill Myself." By now, I'm sure we've all read and forwarded them on to our friends and neighbors — heck, you made the Best Of Craigslist, didn't you? I know, of course, that suicide is no laughing matter, but, after vainly spending time on the lookout, I can't help wondering, "Where's Part II?"","html":"

September 05, 2005\nDear anon-86861632, It's been over a month since you posted your first five "Chicago-Centric Ways I'd Like to Kill Myself." By now, I'm sure we've all read and forwarded them on to our friends and neighbors — heck, you made the Best Of Craigslist, didn't you? I know, of course, that suicide is no laughing matter, but, after vainly spending time on the lookout, I can't help wondering, "Where's Part II?"

"},{"id":"text-1764","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 31, 2005\nI ran into this interesting little tidbit of info on about.com:\n"Anton LaVey, in his popular work, The Devil's Notebook, credited some of Chicago's paranormal openness to its architecture, namely, the trapezoidal John Hancock building, the shape of which has been traditionally known as a gateway for arcane forces." This according to the book Creepy Chicago; A Ghosthunter's Tales of the City's Scariest Sites by Ursula Bielski. In my best Johnny Carson voice, I can honestly say "I did not know that."","html":"

August 31, 2005\nI ran into this interesting little tidbit of info on about.com:\n"Anton LaVey, in his popular work, The Devil's Notebook, credited some of Chicago's paranormal openness to its architecture, namely, the trapezoidal John Hancock building, the shape of which has been traditionally known as a gateway for arcane forces." This according to the book Creepy Chicago; A Ghosthunter's Tales of the City's Scariest Sites by Ursula Bielski. In my best Johnny Carson voice, I can honestly say "I did not know that."

"},{"id":"text-1765","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 26, 2005\nDid you wake up this morning and say "I feel like a little suburban banjo music?" I did, and friend, I have quite the site for you. Listen to live versions of "Oh Susanna" and "Boil That Cabbage Down" from suburban twangers "Loose Change and Friends".","html":"

August 26, 2005\nDid you wake up this morning and say "I feel like a little suburban banjo music?" I did, and friend, I have quite the site for you. Listen to live versions of "Oh Susanna" and "Boil That Cabbage Down" from suburban twangers "Loose Change and Friends".

"},{"id":"text-1766","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 18, 2005\nThe Lucky Strike on Lincoln is changing its name, and the deadline for submitting name ideas is tomorrow. Anyone who e-mails their idea(s) gets an hour of free bowling. However, if your idea is selected for the name change, you win a lifetime of free bowling at any of the 3 (formerly) Lucky Strike locations. Dude, good luck.","html":"

August 18, 2005\nThe Lucky Strike on Lincoln is changing its name, and the deadline for submitting name ideas is tomorrow. Anyone who e-mails their idea(s) gets an hour of free bowling. However, if your idea is selected for the name change, you win a lifetime of free bowling at any of the 3 (formerly) Lucky Strike locations. Dude, good luck.

"},{"id":"text-1767","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 17, 2005\nWondering what that thing your great aunt Martha left you is worth? Chicago Antiques Guide is here to help. In addition to listing upcoming events and listings of local antique shops and auction houses, owners Ron (author of our Old Style column) and Brian will estimate the value of your antiques if you send them a photo.","html":"

August 17, 2005\nWondering what that thing your great aunt Martha left you is worth? Chicago Antiques Guide is here to help. In addition to listing upcoming events and listings of local antique shops and auction houses, owners Ron (author of our Old Style column) and Brian will estimate the value of your antiques if you send them a photo.

"},{"id":"text-1768","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 16, 2005\nHere's a whole different kind of map: The Museum of Sex in New York has launched an interactive exhibit, Mapping Sex in America. Using good ole GoogleMaps technology, the exhibit allows visitors to virtually thumbtack their own stories to a map of the country. Chicago is already one of the most annotated cities, but there's plenty of room for more. Add your own sexcapades to the map.","html":"

August 16, 2005\nHere's a whole different kind of map: The Museum of Sex in New York has launched an interactive exhibit, Mapping Sex in America. Using good ole GoogleMaps technology, the exhibit allows visitors to virtually thumbtack their own stories to a map of the country. Chicago is already one of the most annotated cities, but there's plenty of room for more. Add your own sexcapades to the map.

"},{"id":"text-1769","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 09, 2005\nTired of mindlessly supplementing your vintage bric-a-brac from The Brown Elephant with items you covet at CB2 from arrival to clearance price? Want to remain the homemaker your friends refer to as frugal, stylish and creative? Enter Budget Living Magazine. The current issue features tips for scoring a hot fall handbag, as well as sassy chandeliers on the cheap side. And, pssst, complimentary one-year subscriptions are available. Take your sweetie out on a budget date and tell her.","html":"

August 09, 2005\nTired of mindlessly supplementing your vintage bric-a-brac from The Brown Elephant with items you covet at CB2 from arrival to clearance price? Want to remain the homemaker your friends refer to as frugal, stylish and creative? Enter Budget Living Magazine. The current issue features tips for scoring a hot fall handbag, as well as sassy chandeliers on the cheap side. And, pssst, complimentary one-year subscriptions are available. Take your sweetie out on a budget date and tell her.

"},{"id":"text-1770","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 02, 2005\nNo, seriously, there is a club for everything. The Chicago Public Library has a comprehensive list of Chicago-area clubs for those interested in everything from soap box derby to Magic the Gathering to Esperanto. Vérifiez-le.","html":"

August 02, 2005\nNo, seriously, there is a club for everything. The Chicago Public Library has a comprehensive list of Chicago-area clubs for those interested in everything from soap box derby to Magic the Gathering to Esperanto. Vérifiez-le.

"},{"id":"text-1771","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 14, 2005\nIf you wake up everyday wondering if it's going to be a pain-filled day or if you'll be able to forget about your chronic illness and have fun, then Chronic Babe is for you. Local writer Jenni Prokopy (aka Mrs. Steve at the Movies) has been living with fibromyalgia for a few years. Instead of sitting on her sofa whining about it, she strapped on some comfy shoes and created this kick-a$$ website which lets you go from "Waanh" to "Rowr-sexy!" in just a few posts. Yep, she's not here to tell you how to get healed, just how to enjoy life while you're living with what ails you. And if you want to support this hot chronic babe, you can buy the Chronic Babe Bag.","html":"

July 14, 2005\nIf you wake up everyday wondering if it's going to be a pain-filled day or if you'll be able to forget about your chronic illness and have fun, then Chronic Babe is for you. Local writer Jenni Prokopy (aka Mrs. Steve at the Movies) has been living with fibromyalgia for a few years. Instead of sitting on her sofa whining about it, she strapped on some comfy shoes and created this kick-a$$ website which lets you go from "Waanh" to "Rowr-sexy!" in just a few posts. Yep, she's not here to tell you how to get healed, just how to enjoy life while you're living with what ails you. And if you want to support this hot chronic babe, you can buy the Chronic Babe Bag.

"},{"id":"text-1772","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 12, 2005\nLet's say you're a fan of Shylo's Public Notice column (and, really, how could you not be?). But maybe, every now and again, you get a hankering for some mid-week Missed Connections. Whizalert is here to help. The free service searches Craigslist and sends you email alerts based on your customized settings. Never miss a w4w in Lincoln Square again! (Also works for apartment listings and more practical interests, but that's hardly as fun, is it?) [via, and, as the comments note, you can do similar things with RSS feeds]","html":"

July 12, 2005\nLet's say you're a fan of Shylo's Public Notice column (and, really, how could you not be?). But maybe, every now and again, you get a hankering for some mid-week Missed Connections. Whizalert is here to help. The free service searches Craigslist and sends you email alerts based on your customized settings. Never miss a w4w in Lincoln Square again! (Also works for apartment listings and more practical interests, but that's hardly as fun, is it?) [via, and, as the comments note, you can do similar things with RSS feeds]

"},{"id":"text-1773","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 09, 2005\nHot on the heels of the iPod flea, Chicago-based industrial designer (and sometime Gapers contributor) Craig Berman has an idea I can actually imagine gaining traction: the iButton. Sized no larger than a 1" band badge, Berman imagines the micro iPod playing singles while adorning the blazer/hoodie combos of the hipster masses. Calling Steve Jobs…","html":"

July 09, 2005\nHot on the heels of the iPod flea, Chicago-based industrial designer (and sometime Gapers contributor) Craig Berman has an idea I can actually imagine gaining traction: the iButton. Sized no larger than a 1" band badge, Berman imagines the micro iPod playing singles while adorning the blazer/hoodie combos of the hipster masses. Calling Steve Jobs…

"},{"id":"text-1774","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 08, 2005\nYou know those "What's in it for you?" ads the Tribune has been running? Apparently the song they use, "Anthem" by local commercial scoring co. Scandal Music, has been so popular that they're offering it as a free mp3 and cellphone ringtone.","html":"

July 08, 2005\nYou know those "What's in it for you?" ads the Tribune has been running? Apparently the song they use, "Anthem" by local commercial scoring co. Scandal Music, has been so popular that they're offering it as a free mp3 and cellphone ringtone.

"},{"id":"text-1775","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 07, 2005\nToday's Front Pages is a very neat website that allows you to scroll over maps of the continents and browse the current front pages of the world's newspapers. Comparing which stories make the front pages in various parts of the country–or the world–is fascinating. Roll your cursor over the Chicago area to compare headlines from the Sun-Times, Tribune, Red Eye, Red Streak, Daily Herald, Northwest Herald and even the Rockford Register Star. Cool.","html":"

July 07, 2005\nToday's Front Pages is a very neat website that allows you to scroll over maps of the continents and browse the current front pages of the world's newspapers. Comparing which stories make the front pages in various parts of the country–or the world–is fascinating. Roll your cursor over the Chicago area to compare headlines from the Sun-Times, Tribune, Red Eye, Red Streak, Daily Herald, Northwest Herald and even the Rockford Register Star. Cool.

"},{"id":"text-1776","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 05, 2005\nIf you're searching for a truly unique gift, I don't think you can go wrong with the Mama Meow catalogue. Based here in Chicago, it is over 30 pages of cat crap like you've never seen before. The killer pages are the T-Shirts. Don't you know a friend who wants to celebrate our freedom with a Proud American Cats T-shirt or Ladies Of The Night. Captivating and bizarre.","html":"

July 05, 2005\nIf you're searching for a truly unique gift, I don't think you can go wrong with the Mama Meow catalogue. Based here in Chicago, it is over 30 pages of cat crap like you've never seen before. The killer pages are the T-Shirts. Don't you know a friend who wants to celebrate our freedom with a Proud American Cats T-shirt or Ladies Of The Night. Captivating and bizarre.

"},{"id":"text-1777","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 28, 2005\nAn interesting statistic: Chicago, "the city that works," boasts the second highest number of goal-setters on 43 Things. Life can't be all work and no play, though, so those folks — and possibly you — will want to contribute their $.02 on why our city is so great at the just-launched 43 Places. (And, no, neither of these sites have the slightest bit to do with 43 Folders, though cette site might give you tips on making the work and travel plans actually happen.)","html":"

June 28, 2005\nAn interesting statistic: Chicago, "the city that works," boasts the second highest number of goal-setters on 43 Things. Life can't be all work and no play, though, so those folks — and possibly you — will want to contribute their $.02 on why our city is so great at the just-launched 43 Places. (And, no, neither of these sites have the slightest bit to do with 43 Folders, though cette site might give you tips on making the work and travel plans actually happen.)

"},{"id":"text-1778","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 28, 2005\nIf you're a map geek, the new Google Earth software will blow your mind. Google Maps was cool, but it's nothing like seeing downtown in 3D and having the CTA, Starbucks, and highway maps laid overtop as you turn the city to a 45 degree angle. (Sadly, the Bean isn't in 3D.) Look for the 3D layers in the bottom corner for a truly rad view of downtown. (Windows only, sorry.)","html":"

June 28, 2005\nIf you're a map geek, the new Google Earth software will blow your mind. Google Maps was cool, but it's nothing like seeing downtown in 3D and having the CTA, Starbucks, and highway maps laid overtop as you turn the city to a 45 degree angle. (Sadly, the Bean isn't in 3D.) Look for the 3D layers in the bottom corner for a truly rad view of downtown. (Windows only, sorry.)

"},{"id":"text-1779","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 27, 2005\nLocal web quarterly Keep Going has released its summer edition, and it looks great. Features include musings on basketball from Word Jazz's Ken Nordine, a fascinating article on the Hindenburg explosion, and a detailed history of one of my first daily online reads, Suck.","html":"

June 27, 2005\nLocal web quarterly Keep Going has released its summer edition, and it looks great. Features include musings on basketball from Word Jazz's Ken Nordine, a fascinating article on the Hindenburg explosion, and a detailed history of one of my first daily online reads, Suck.

"},{"id":"text-1780","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 24, 2005\nYesterday I pointed out a few photos of a mural at Damen and Lake. Reader Daniel X. O'Neil sent some more info. The man's name is Oba Maja (I think I'm qualified to say that is an awesome name) and he's a poet who sells his poetry at the Damen/North/Milwaukee intersection. And if you're interested, apparently you can commission him to write a poem for you. Thanks, Dan.","html":"

June 24, 2005\nYesterday I pointed out a few photos of a mural at Damen and Lake. Reader Daniel X. O'Neil sent some more info. The man's name is Oba Maja (I think I'm qualified to say that is an awesome name) and he's a poet who sells his poetry at the Damen/North/Milwaukee intersection. And if you're interested, apparently you can commission him to write a poem for you. Thanks, Dan.

"},{"id":"text-1781","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 24, 2005\nHere's a neat way to search for images of Chicago: enter a keyword on Montager, and have it build a montage of images for you. Not surprising to see that searching for Cubs has lots of people, while Chicago has lots of objects. And Gapersblock has few pictures of traffic, but lots of Cinnamon. (wink wink)","html":"

June 24, 2005\nHere's a neat way to search for images of Chicago: enter a keyword on Montager, and have it build a montage of images for you. Not surprising to see that searching for Cubs has lots of people, while Chicago has lots of objects. And Gapersblock has few pictures of traffic, but lots of Cinnamon. (wink wink)

"},{"id":"text-1782","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 22, 2005\nBurlesque Design make some very very nice posters and artwork. They also have a killer store with some of the best intricate silkscreened posters I've seen. But, the best item might just be a t-shirt they have (sadly now sold out) about a certain incident in Chicago involving the Dave Matthews Band — scroll down all the way to the bottom on the right. Here's a detail shot.","html":"

June 22, 2005\nBurlesque Design make some very very nice posters and artwork. They also have a killer store with some of the best intricate silkscreened posters I've seen. But, the best item might just be a t-shirt they have (sadly now sold out) about a certain incident in Chicago involving the Dave Matthews Band — scroll down all the way to the bottom on the right. Here's a detail shot.

"},{"id":"text-1783","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 16, 2005\nMeredith Farkas, a local librarian, has developed an unofficial wiki to help out her fellow members of the American Library Association as they hit town later this month for their 2005 Conference. In true wiki fashion, if you've got something to share about the city, all you have to do is click the "edit" link.","html":"

June 16, 2005\nMeredith Farkas, a local librarian, has developed an unofficial wiki to help out her fellow members of the American Library Association as they hit town later this month for their 2005 Conference. In true wiki fashion, if you've got something to share about the city, all you have to do is click the "edit" link.

"},{"id":"text-1784","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 09, 2005\nEmilie Autumn was recently featured on HGTV's Crafters Coast to Coast where she made a pair of Faerie Wings. Some girls wanted to be a princess, but I wanted to be a fairy because I wanted to be able to fly and be mischevious. Seeing these makes me want to play pretend all over again. Thanks Roni.","html":"

June 09, 2005\nEmilie Autumn was recently featured on HGTV's Crafters Coast to Coast where she made a pair of Faerie Wings. Some girls wanted to be a princess, but I wanted to be a fairy because I wanted to be able to fly and be mischevious. Seeing these makes me want to play pretend all over again. Thanks Roni.

"},{"id":"text-1785","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 07, 2005\nIt was bound to happen, but I didn't expect it to be so skeezy: some guy used Salt Stain Mary (and a lie about a brother who died in Iraq) to hook up with a beautiful Polish immigrant. Then he posted the story on Craig's List. Ick.","html":"

June 07, 2005\nIt was bound to happen, but I didn't expect it to be so skeezy: some guy used Salt Stain Mary (and a lie about a brother who died in Iraq) to hook up with a beautiful Polish immigrant. Then he posted the story on Craig's List. Ick.

"},{"id":"text-1786","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 02, 2005\nThis is pretty neat – WTTW has put their video archives of Chicago history online and they are searchable. I don't know eactly what I'm looking at, but it looks neat.","html":"

June 02, 2005\nThis is pretty neat – WTTW has put their video archives of Chicago history online and they are searchable. I don't know eactly what I'm looking at, but it looks neat.

"},{"id":"text-1787","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 27, 2005\nA couple 606 alums have created a new website, Smile Smile Smile, in which a question is asked and lots of random photos flash on the screen. Simple, somewhat Fluxist, definitely worth playing with.","html":"

May 27, 2005\nA couple 606 alums have created a new website, Smile Smile Smile, in which a question is asked and lots of random photos flash on the screen. Simple, somewhat Fluxist, definitely worth playing with.

"},{"id":"text-1788","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 25, 2005\nOr several actually. Eight Chicago-area knitters have teamed up to create The Daily Knitter. And it's pretty good and certainly worth adding to your list of knitting blogs to visit. Just because it's warming up outside doesn't mean knitting season is over. Quite the contrary, it's a good excuse for sucking up air conditioning in coffee shops.","html":"

May 25, 2005\nOr several actually. Eight Chicago-area knitters have teamed up to create The Daily Knitter. And it's pretty good and certainly worth adding to your list of knitting blogs to visit. Just because it's warming up outside doesn't mean knitting season is over. Quite the contrary, it's a good excuse for sucking up air conditioning in coffee shops.

"},{"id":"text-1789","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 25, 2005\nGB reported on the various violations and allegations against Sam's Wine & Spirits over the last few months. After a visit to the website to check on scotch prices, it is apparent many changes were made. First off, the Rosen family addresses the charges in an open letter to all customers. Next up, online shopping is expanded and customer accounts allow for easier searching and shopping. Lastly, the wine blog has moved locations, which means our old link is no longer active.","html":"

May 25, 2005\nGB reported on the various violations and allegations against Sam's Wine & Spirits over the last few months. After a visit to the website to check on scotch prices, it is apparent many changes were made. First off, the Rosen family addresses the charges in an open letter to all customers. Next up, online shopping is expanded and customer accounts allow for easier searching and shopping. Lastly, the wine blog has moved locations, which means our old link is no longer active.

"},{"id":"text-1790","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 19, 2005\nThe Morning News handed out its 2005 Editors' Awards for Online Excellence today, and there's one category that especially deserves your attention: Favorite Online Newspaper Redesign. Pourquoi? Because it points out that, while the other major newspapers in the country have revamped their sites, the Tribune's remains stuck in 2001. The only change they seem to have implemented lately is splitting stories into multiple pages, and who likes that? Plus, they don't offer RSS feeds. Come on, Trib! Chicago deserves better! That said, on a happier note, Basecamp, a venture by local web outfit 37signals, gets props as Favorite Tool for Handling Projects. If you're not familiar with their products — Backpack, say — there's no time like the present.","html":"

May 19, 2005\nThe Morning News handed out its 2005 Editors' Awards for Online Excellence today, and there's one category that especially deserves your attention: Favorite Online Newspaper Redesign. Pourquoi? Because it points out that, while the other major newspapers in the country have revamped their sites, the Tribune's remains stuck in 2001. The only change they seem to have implemented lately is splitting stories into multiple pages, and who likes that? Plus, they don't offer RSS feeds. Come on, Trib! Chicago deserves better! That said, on a happier note, Basecamp, a venture by local web outfit 37signals, gets props as Favorite Tool for Handling Projects. If you're not familiar with their products — Backpack, say — there's no time like the present.

"},{"id":"text-1791","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 18, 2005\nGary must be good for something besides cheap gas, right? Well if you're just interested in the cheap gas, check out this neat Google app that searches for cheap gas prices around a region. If you're in Chicago, think Lombard, and ignore Lake County.","html":"

May 18, 2005\nGary must be good for something besides cheap gas, right? Well if you're just interested in the cheap gas, check out this neat Google app that searches for cheap gas prices around a region. If you're in Chicago, think Lombard, and ignore Lake County.

"},{"id":"text-1792","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 10, 2005\nNow you know that crafting is H-O-T-T-T, right? Well, Josi Hannon Madera of Weird Mirror wants to prove how S-E-X-X-Y crafting is, too. She's creating an adult DIY magazine, called Tactille which will blend the sexy best of handmade, independent designers: "from the semi-nude to the simply silly". The first issue isn't available until November, but to get folks interested, she's challenging you to create an Ass Hat and send it in. The winner of the contest gets a prize, but I think the readers will be the real winners.","html":"

May 10, 2005\nNow you know that crafting is H-O-T-T-T, right? Well, Josi Hannon Madera of Weird Mirror wants to prove how S-E-X-X-Y crafting is, too. She's creating an adult DIY magazine, called Tactille which will blend the sexy best of handmade, independent designers: "from the semi-nude to the simply silly". The first issue isn't available until November, but to get folks interested, she's challenging you to create an Ass Hat and send it in. The winner of the contest gets a prize, but I think the readers will be the real winners.

"},{"id":"text-1793","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 09, 2005\nUnless you live under a rock, you've probably heard of Stitch 'n' Bitch, a common name for a knitting group that's been actively engaging stitchers in Chicago for at least the past four years and many other parts of the country as well. Debbie Stoller, editor of Bust magazine, has written two books with that title. Brenda Janish, ex-GB staffer and creator of the Chicago group, has been sent a cease and desist letter from a company called Sew Fast, Sew Easy in New York City saying that her use of the Stitch and Bitch name in her Cafe Press shop is an infringement on their trademark. Think this is bogus? I sure did. So I told them what I thought.","html":"

May 09, 2005\nUnless you live under a rock, you've probably heard of Stitch 'n' Bitch, a common name for a knitting group that's been actively engaging stitchers in Chicago for at least the past four years and many other parts of the country as well. Debbie Stoller, editor of Bust magazine, has written two books with that title. Brenda Janish, ex-GB staffer and creator of the Chicago group, has been sent a cease and desist letter from a company called Sew Fast, Sew Easy in New York City saying that her use of the Stitch and Bitch name in her Cafe Press shop is an infringement on their trademark. Think this is bogus? I sure did. So I told them what I thought.

"},{"id":"text-1794","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 04, 2005\nYesterday, the FlickrBlog mentioned a new web app that pinpoints properly tagged photos on Google Maps. A few Chicagoans have quickly gotten in on the act, as Downtown is already very well represented. You simply click on one of the markers, the map recenters, and you see a linked description and thumbnail. The GMaps features we know and love function as usual, so you can also zoom in or switch views. The satellite images provide an interesting contrast to the photos, especially in the cases of Millennium Park and other spots that have since been developed. To join the fun, geocoder.us provides a handy way to find coordinates for your pictures. And, if you're looking for another way to put Google Maps to use, check out this mash-up with Yahoo!'s traffic reports.","html":"

May 04, 2005\nYesterday, the FlickrBlog mentioned a new web app that pinpoints properly tagged photos on Google Maps. A few Chicagoans have quickly gotten in on the act, as Downtown is already very well represented. You simply click on one of the markers, the map recenters, and you see a linked description and thumbnail. The GMaps features we know and love function as usual, so you can also zoom in or switch views. The satellite images provide an interesting contrast to the photos, especially in the cases of Millennium Park and other spots that have since been developed. To join the fun, geocoder.us provides a handy way to find coordinates for your pictures. And, if you're looking for another way to put Google Maps to use, check out this mash-up with Yahoo!'s traffic reports.

"},{"id":"text-1795","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 29, 2005\nNot sure what to make of this: the Bisonarium project wants to turn Northerly Island, former home of Meigs Field, into a preserve on which bison would graze. MISE À JOUR: Reader Jeb points us to a similar proposal for the site of the World Trade Center made in 2003.","html":"

April 29, 2005\nNot sure what to make of this: the Bisonarium project wants to turn Northerly Island, former home of Meigs Field, into a preserve on which bison would graze. MISE À JOUR: Reader Jeb points us to a similar proposal for the site of the World Trade Center made in 2003.

"},{"id":"text-1796","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 13, 2005\nChicago has a healthy toy scene, with shops like Rotofugi supporting plushie creators like FizzieFuzzie, Spasmodica and Shawnimals. You can add CutieCooties to that list. The sister duo make all kinds of crafty goodness (methinks Chicago is a hotpot for crafty folks) but I'm most taken with the Plush Toys.","html":"

April 13, 2005\nChicago has a healthy toy scene, with shops like Rotofugi supporting plushie creators like FizzieFuzzie, Spasmodica and Shawnimals. You can add CutieCooties to that list. The sister duo make all kinds of crafty goodness (methinks Chicago is a hotpot for crafty folks) but I'm most taken with the Plush Toys.

"},{"id":"text-1797","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 07, 2005\nYour favorite local-based music filter/reviewer and mine, AsianMack has returned with a fresh, fun and new design. I'm overly fond of bright, eye-catching designs that make me feel all warm inside and this new design makes the good content stand out even more. Nice job Jamie & co. They've also started making free legal mixes available for download — a great idea. You can start with their latest.","html":"

April 07, 2005\nYour favorite local-based music filter/reviewer and mine, AsianMack has returned with a fresh, fun and new design. I'm overly fond of bright, eye-catching designs that make me feel all warm inside and this new design makes the good content stand out even more. Nice job Jamie & co. They've also started making free legal mixes available for download — a great idea. You can start with their latest.

"},{"id":"text-1798","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 05, 2005\nAt The Budget Traveller's Guide to Sleeping in Airports, visitors can share their stories about trying to catch some shut-eye while waiting to catch a flight. Airports are also ranked by the relative quality of sleeping experience. Coming in at number 10 on the "most popular airport to sleep in" list is O'Hare International. It is great fun to read everyone's travel horror stories, which include brillant lines like, "6 days later MY BACK STILL HURTS!!!" Awesome.","html":"

April 05, 2005\nAt The Budget Traveller's Guide to Sleeping in Airports, visitors can share their stories about trying to catch some shut-eye while waiting to catch a flight. Airports are also ranked by the relative quality of sleeping experience. Coming in at number 10 on the "most popular airport to sleep in" list is O'Hare International. It is great fun to read everyone's travel horror stories, which include brillant lines like, "6 days later MY BACK STILL HURTS!!!" Awesome.

"},{"id":"text-1799","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 05, 2005\nUpcoming.org has a bunch of new features to help coordinate with friends. You can now search venues, events and people, send email invites to friends and grab RSS feeds for venues and tags. Pretty cool stuff.","html":"

April 05, 2005\nUpcoming.org has a bunch of new features to help coordinate with friends. You can now search venues, events and people, send email invites to friends and grab RSS feeds for venues and tags. Pretty cool stuff.

"},{"id":"text-1800","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 04, 2005\nWant to wear your city's colors on your back? Check out this 'Chicago-style' messenger bag. (via Chicago Cycling Club mailing list, who also have neat Chicago swag.)","html":"

April 04, 2005\nWant to wear your city's colors on your back? Check out this 'Chicago-style' messenger bag. (via Chicago Cycling Club mailing list, who also have neat Chicago swag.)

"},{"id":"text-1801","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 24, 2005\nFriend of GB Luke happened to take a couple photos of poet/fugitive murderer JJ Jameson/Norman Porter at last year's Bughouse Square Debates.","html":"

March 24, 2005\nFriend of GB Luke happened to take a couple photos of poet/fugitive murderer JJ Jameson/Norman Porter at last year's Bughouse Square Debates.

"},{"id":"text-1802","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 22, 2005\nThe latest issue of Revol is out, and we've come across a couple other webzines you might be interested in: Keep Going is a quarterly produced by some folks on the West Side, and while Negative Waves has a coupla West Coasters on staff, it's mainly based here. Check'em out.","html":"

March 22, 2005\nThe latest issue of Revol is out, and we've come across a couple other webzines you might be interested in: Keep Going is a quarterly produced by some folks on the West Side, and while Negative Waves has a coupla West Coasters on staff, it's mainly based here. Check'em out.

"},{"id":"text-1803","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 20, 2005\nWe linked to this awhile ago, but Coudal points us back to Jack Blanchard's "Sun-Times Sunset," a Quicktime time-lapse video of the destruction of the Sun-Times Building. It's now the complete demolition, and it's set to some really nice music by Frou Frou. You might want to follow the link to Fight For the User while you're there.","html":"

March 20, 2005\nWe linked to this awhile ago, but Coudal points us back to Jack Blanchard's "Sun-Times Sunset," a Quicktime time-lapse video of the destruction of the Sun-Times Building. It's now the complete demolition, and it's set to some really nice music by Frou Frou. You might want to follow the link to Fight For the User while you're there.

"},{"id":"text-1804","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 17, 2005\nOne of the contributors at Nacho.org needed to track down a phone number for an ex-landlord. She did a little googling, and discovered the landlord's name on a timeline of Holocaust denial (1990 entry) — the woman is a Holocaust revisionist who removed her daughter from a high school history class in which the Holocaust was discussed. Read the rest of the story here.","html":"

March 17, 2005\nOne of the contributors at Nacho.org needed to track down a phone number for an ex-landlord. She did a little googling, and discovered the landlord's name on a timeline of Holocaust denial (1990 entry) — the woman is a Holocaust revisionist who removed her daughter from a high school history class in which the Holocaust was discussed. Read the rest of the story here.

"},{"id":"text-1805","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 15, 2005\nRecently Arte TV, a French television channel, ran a series of specials on comic book artists, including one on Chris Ware. Traveling all the way from France to get the story on one of our own? Well, that's kind of cool. You can view the video here. (Thanks, Eric.)","html":"

March 15, 2005\nRecently Arte TV, a French television channel, ran a series of specials on comic book artists, including one on Chris Ware. Traveling all the way from France to get the story on one of our own? Well, that's kind of cool. You can view the video here. (Thanks, Eric.)

"},{"id":"text-1806","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 14, 2005\nApartment hunting is a universal experience. So universal that some wise soul has written a haiku cycle about it.","html":"

March 14, 2005\nApartment hunting is a universal experience. So universal that some wise soul has written a haiku cycle about it.

"},{"id":"text-1807","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 09, 2005\nThe University of Chicago's new online prose magazine, Otium has just launched. Otium features fiction, plays, an interview, and art. I didn't realize prose included photography, but it's good so I'll let it slide. If your New Years resolution was to get something published this year, note that they're also accepting submissions for future issues. Go get 'em.","html":"

March 09, 2005\nThe University of Chicago's new online prose magazine, Otium has just launched. Otium features fiction, plays, an interview, and art. I didn't realize prose included photography, but it's good so I'll let it slide. If your New Years resolution was to get something published this year, note that they're also accepting submissions for future issues. Go get 'em.

"},{"id":"text-1808","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 08, 2005\nTenseforms, an art and music collective, has started a new project called "the snow filled our tracks as quick as we made them." As Josh describes it, "Each day presents a new bit of ephemera — a poem, a joke, a recipe, a painting, a song, or whatever else we dig up. The next day it's hidden away, covered (not publicly archived), replaced with something new. Folks can bookmark the site and visit daily, but the best way to experience it is via RSS feed. Subscribe to the site and there'll be a little art gift in your news reader each weekday."","html":"

March 08, 2005\nTenseforms, an art and music collective, has started a new project called "the snow filled our tracks as quick as we made them." As Josh describes it, "Each day presents a new bit of ephemera — a poem, a joke, a recipe, a painting, a song, or whatever else we dig up. The next day it's hidden away, covered (not publicly archived), replaced with something new. Folks can bookmark the site and visit daily, but the best way to experience it is via RSS feed. Subscribe to the site and there'll be a little art gift in your news reader each weekday."

"},{"id":"text-1809","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 04, 2005\nFormer GB staffer Phineas X. Jones has announced the return of AnExquisiteCorpse.net, an online adaptation of the classic Surrealist word game Exquisite Corpse. Come peruse the existing Corpses (which feature work by more than a few GB staffers and friends), and if you feel worthy enough, sign up to help assemble a Corpse.","html":"

March 04, 2005\nFormer GB staffer Phineas X. Jones has announced the return of AnExquisiteCorpse.net, an online adaptation of the classic Surrealist word game Exquisite Corpse. Come peruse the existing Corpses (which feature work by more than a few GB staffers and friends), and if you feel worthy enough, sign up to help assemble a Corpse.

"},{"id":"text-1810","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 03, 2005\nA little late for local needs, but maybe our readers out East will be interested in purchasing an "Official Chicago Winter Parking Space Placeholder" on eBay. "Endorsed by the Honorable Mayor Daley!!" (Thanks, Nik.)","html":"

February 03, 2005\nA little late for local needs, but maybe our readers out East will be interested in purchasing an "Official Chicago Winter Parking Space Placeholder" on eBay. "Endorsed by the Honorable Mayor Daley!!" (Thanks, Nik.)

"},{"id":"text-1811","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 27, 2005\nA9, Amazon's search engine, has added a photo element to its yellow pages search function. Now you can see what a place looks like before you go and even check out what's nearby by scrolling up and down the block in many cases. Unfortunately, the method employed — van-mounted cameras trolling up and down streets — often captures vehicles and people, most of whom have no idea they're being photographed. Sepoy, local author of ChapatiMystery.com, found this the hard way when he searched for a local pizzeria and discovered his entire family up the block.","html":"

January 27, 2005\nA9, Amazon's search engine, has added a photo element to its yellow pages search function. Now you can see what a place looks like before you go and even check out what's nearby by scrolling up and down the block in many cases. Unfortunately, the method employed — van-mounted cameras trolling up and down streets — often captures vehicles and people, most of whom have no idea they're being photographed. Sepoy, local author of ChapatiMystery.com, found this the hard way when he searched for a local pizzeria and discovered his entire family up the block.

"},{"id":"text-1812","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 25, 2005\nTony Coppoletta's online collection of CTA Stuff will bring warmth to the heart of any transit nerd. He has photos from station tours, a huge set of WAV recordings of the CTA Voice from the el and buses, and a collection of scans of farecard designs from tokens to the ChicagoCard.","html":"

January 25, 2005\nTony Coppoletta's online collection of CTA Stuff will bring warmth to the heart of any transit nerd. He has photos from station tours, a huge set of WAV recordings of the CTA Voice from the el and buses, and a collection of scans of farecard designs from tokens to the ChicagoCard.

"},{"id":"text-1813","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 19, 2005\nEveryone makes lists. Some people love making lists. All the High Fidelity followers believe in Lists. So, what do you do if you're a web design firm? You make a FREE site where you can host your very own lists. Ta-da!","html":"

January 19, 2005\nEveryone makes lists. Some people love making lists. All the High Fidelity followers believe in Lists. So, what do you do if you're a web design firm? You make a FREE site where you can host your very own lists. Ta-da!

"},{"id":"text-1814","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 18, 2005\n…the goods? They are odd. So we say about the bizarre 70 percent marriage rate of University of Chicago couples. Contrary to my opinion, U of C Maroon writer Phoebe Maltz commends the U of C for being a "post-feminist utopia," by which she means that it is a place where girls are lucky enough to have guys within close proximity who care as much, or as little, about their appearances as they do. But have you been to the U of C? I'm not so sure this is a good thing.","html":"

January 18, 2005\n…the goods? They are odd. So we say about the bizarre 70 percent marriage rate of University of Chicago couples. Contrary to my opinion, U of C Maroon writer Phoebe Maltz commends the U of C for being a "post-feminist utopia," by which she means that it is a place where girls are lucky enough to have guys within close proximity who care as much, or as little, about their appearances as they do. But have you been to the U of C? I'm not so sure this is a good thing.

"},{"id":"text-1815","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 17, 2005\nBlogger John Tolva has a little geek fun with the architecture of the movie I, Robot, which was set in a Chicago of the future. In this flickr photo set, he examines the changes in city geography that occur by 2035.","html":"

January 17, 2005\nBlogger John Tolva has a little geek fun with the architecture of the movie I, Robot, which was set in a Chicago of the future. In this flickr photo set, he examines the changes in city geography that occur by 2035.

"},{"id":"text-1816","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 14, 2005\nCommunity blogs will always have their place, as hand-selected content remains preferable to lists of automatically generated links. But, 'tagging' — the process of adding keywords to posts — is allowing for the quick distillation of information, grouping thoughts together around shared subject matter. You've no doubt seen the Del.icio.us Chicago tag, and the Flickr Chicago tag, both great Windy City-related resources.\n\tBut now, the folks at Technorati have added a tag system to their site, alllowing for the instant search of a particular theme on member blogs. Check out their Chicago page, and you'll notice that it not only aggregates posts with the city as their subject, but conveniently consolidates each of the above services onto one single page. Brilliant.","html":"

January 14, 2005\nCommunity blogs will always have their place, as hand-selected content remains preferable to lists of automatically generated links. But, 'tagging' — the process of adding keywords to posts — is allowing for the quick distillation of information, grouping thoughts together around shared subject matter. You've no doubt seen the Del.icio.us Chicago tag, and the Flickr Chicago tag, both great Windy City-related resources.\n\tBut now, the folks at Technorati have added a tag system to their site, alllowing for the instant search of a particular theme on member blogs. Check out their Chicago page, and you'll notice that it not only aggregates posts with the city as their subject, but conveniently consolidates each of the above services onto one single page. Brilliant.

"},{"id":"text-1817","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 13, 2005\nDo you have lotsa patience? Does the idea of linking little rings together to create jewelry or even chain maille make you giddy? Then you'll want to take a gander at Blue Buddha Boutique. Rebeca Mojica has lots of classes set up around the city, or she can give you, and a few friends, a personal lesson for a very reasonable fee. Before you go thinking that chain maille is clunky and ugly, take a look at her gallery and you'll change your mind. If you're more likely to just buy pre-made jewelry, check out Rapt in Maille by Melissa Banks. Thanks, Fil!","html":"

January 13, 2005\nDo you have lotsa patience? Does the idea of linking little rings together to create jewelry or even chain maille make you giddy? Then you'll want to take a gander at Blue Buddha Boutique. Rebeca Mojica has lots of classes set up around the city, or she can give you, and a few friends, a personal lesson for a very reasonable fee. Before you go thinking that chain maille is clunky and ugly, take a look at her gallery and you'll change your mind. If you're more likely to just buy pre-made jewelry, check out Rapt in Maille by Melissa Banks. Thanks, Fil!

"},{"id":"text-1818","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 13, 2005\nBen Johnson offers timely tips for surviving Chicago winter, such as "Allow yourself the simple pleasure of getting shitfaced alone in your apartment. Bars are expensive and its cold outside." This and many other insights can be found in The Greenroom, the "improvisationally-slanted digital literary magazine" at ChicagoImprov.org.","html":"

January 13, 2005\nBen Johnson offers timely tips for surviving Chicago winter, such as "Allow yourself the simple pleasure of getting shitfaced alone in your apartment. Bars are expensive and its cold outside." This and many other insights can be found in The Greenroom, the "improvisationally-slanted digital literary magazine" at ChicagoImprov.org.

"},{"id":"text-1819","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 13, 2005\nNot content to sit on their massive pile of t-shirts, SkinnyCorp are once again at it with another t-shirt site, this time you don't have to be a designer — just a witty slogan will do. OMG Clothing works like Threadless in that you submit, it gets scored and it gets printed. However, this time, you're just submitting slogans. Pretty 'effin cool we say.","html":"

January 13, 2005\nNot content to sit on their massive pile of t-shirts, SkinnyCorp are once again at it with another t-shirt site, this time you don't have to be a designer — just a witty slogan will do. OMG Clothing works like Threadless in that you submit, it gets scored and it gets printed. However, this time, you're just submitting slogans. Pretty 'effin cool we say.

"},{"id":"text-1820","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 11, 2005\nSpeaking of wi-fi, here's a detailed list of wi-fi spots around the world. I found out which houses on my block have access.","html":"

January 11, 2005\nSpeaking of wi-fi, here's a detailed list of wi-fi spots around the world. I found out which houses on my block have access.

"},{"id":"text-1821","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 05, 2005\nChicagoans are proud of the influence our city has on the country. We brag about our comedians, our actors, our authors, and our politicians. But the Florida Department of Corrections, breaks down how Chicago gangs have influenced gang culture nationwide. There are also several sketches and photos of graffiti, in case you want to find out who rules your hood.","html":"

January 05, 2005\nChicagoans are proud of the influence our city has on the country. We brag about our comedians, our actors, our authors, and our politicians. But the Florida Department of Corrections, breaks down how Chicago gangs have influenced gang culture nationwide. There are also several sketches and photos of graffiti, in case you want to find out who rules your hood.

"},{"id":"text-1822","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 04, 2005\nThe good folks over at Threadless, who have been clothing those of discerning tastes, have an all new site and a brand new contest — $2005 cash prize for 2005.","html":"

January 04, 2005\nThe good folks over at Threadless, who have been clothing those of discerning tastes, have an all new site and a brand new contest — $2005 cash prize for 2005.

"},{"id":"text-1823","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 03, 2005\nThe Robot Co-op and 37 Signals have launched 43 Things — a site where you can track things you want to do, or rather, goals. The site itself is similar to Flickr and Friendster (and even integrates with Flickr and other popular weblog systems) — you can see who else is trying to achieve your goal, what they do, etc. More social software, more community building.","html":"

January 03, 2005\nThe Robot Co-op and 37 Signals have launched 43 Things — a site where you can track things you want to do, or rather, goals. The site itself is similar to Flickr and Friendster (and even integrates with Flickr and other popular weblog systems) — you can see who else is trying to achieve your goal, what they do, etc. More social software, more community building.

"},{"id":"text-1824","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 21, 2004\nKids + Santa = Fun! Or not. SouthFlorida.com offers a gallery of kids frightened by Santa, and the first 25 photos are from the Tribune's 2003 "Scared of Santa" photo contest. (Thanks, Heather!)","html":"

December 21, 2004\nKids + Santa = Fun! Or not. SouthFlorida.com offers a gallery of kids frightened by Santa, and the first 25 photos are from the Tribune's 2003 "Scared of Santa" photo contest. (Thanks, Heather!)

"},{"id":"text-1825","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 17, 2004\nAre you a true Chicagoan? I am.","html":"

December 17, 2004\nAre you a true Chicagoan? I am.

"},{"id":"text-1826","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 13, 2004\nNot too far from where I live is a place where I can pick out a live chicken and have it butchered and dressed while I wait. I've wondered how many people have found a chicken building a nest in their flower garden, 'cause I'm sure at least a few of them have to be smart enough to get away. I'm pretty sure the ones Kristin found weren't all that smart, but it makes for a good story.","html":"

December 13, 2004\nNot too far from where I live is a place where I can pick out a live chicken and have it butchered and dressed while I wait. I've wondered how many people have found a chicken building a nest in their flower garden, 'cause I'm sure at least a few of them have to be smart enough to get away. I'm pretty sure the ones Kristin found weren't all that smart, but it makes for a good story.

"},{"id":"text-1827","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 08, 2004\nTired of overhearing other people's cellphone conversations? Don't vouloir to know what the doctor said? You may be interested in joining a new organization, the Society for HandHeld Hushing, just launched by Coudal Partners and Draplindustries. Just download this handy PDF and get to work on a quieter tomorrow!","html":"

December 08, 2004\nTired of overhearing other people's cellphone conversations? Don't vouloir to know what the doctor said? You may be interested in joining a new organization, the Society for HandHeld Hushing, just launched by Coudal Partners and Draplindustries. Just download this handy PDF and get to work on a quieter tomorrow!

"},{"id":"text-1828","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 22, 2004\nCBS Sunday Morning is looking for folks who've had success on craigslist. They seem to be primarily interested in getting a wide range of folks who have had interesting experiences with Missed Connections. You can write them a brief account of your craigslist experiences, along with your name and telephone number at CBS_Sunday_Morning[at]hotmail[dot]com.","html":"

November 22, 2004\nCBS Sunday Morning is looking for folks who've had success on craigslist. They seem to be primarily interested in getting a wide range of folks who have had interesting experiences with Missed Connections. You can write them a brief account of your craigslist experiences, along with your name and telephone number at CBS_Sunday_Morning[at]hotmail[dot]com.

"},{"id":"text-1829","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 15, 2004\nIf you're looking for a constantly updated and comprehensive list of skateboarding videos, you need not look further than Skim the Fat. Pete and Jerry and The Army have reviewed (at this count) 542 skate videos. That's a lot. Some nice features include a tracklist of the soundtrack featured in a video, which as many skaters know is great because some videos don't list those and when you're trying to find out what song that was during that one skater, it's bloody nice to have that. Also send a buck in to the HQ (local, of course) and get some hilarious stickers.","html":"

November 15, 2004\nIf you're looking for a constantly updated and comprehensive list of skateboarding videos, you need not look further than Skim the Fat. Pete and Jerry and The Army have reviewed (at this count) 542 skate videos. That's a lot. Some nice features include a tracklist of the soundtrack featured in a video, which as many skaters know is great because some videos don't list those and when you're trying to find out what song that was during that one skater, it's bloody nice to have that. Also send a buck in to the HQ (local, of course) and get some hilarious stickers.

"},{"id":"text-1830","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 10, 2004\nChicago is home to CUFOS, or the Center for UFO Studies. They have a library where they study the reports of UFO sightings and abductions on Peterson Ave. The site has some neat information if you're into UFO; they also offer advice on what to do if you have been abducted by aliens. Try to remain calm…","html":"

November 10, 2004\nChicago is home to CUFOS, or the Center for UFO Studies. They have a library where they study the reports of UFO sightings and abductions on Peterson Ave. The site has some neat information if you're into UFO; they also offer advice on what to do if you have been abducted by aliens. Try to remain calm…

"},{"id":"text-1831","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 09, 2004\nNeed to grab some quick statistics about the city? Or perhaps you've always wondered exactly how many people do live here? Or how many people live in your neighborhood? The Chicago Fact Book, put together by the city, has all sorts of trivia about our city. (Oh, and as of the last census, 2.89 million people live in Chicago.)","html":"

November 09, 2004\nNeed to grab some quick statistics about the city? Or perhaps you've always wondered exactly how many people do live here? Or how many people live in your neighborhood? The Chicago Fact Book, put together by the city, has all sorts of trivia about our city. (Oh, and as of the last census, 2.89 million people live in Chicago.)

"},{"id":"text-1832","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 07, 2004\nSears Roebuck and Co. has launched the Sears Archives, an online archive of more than 100 years of photos, product info and historical documents from the company, from its first stores here in Chicago to today.","html":"

November 07, 2004\nSears Roebuck and Co. has launched the Sears Archives, an online archive of more than 100 years of photos, product info and historical documents from the company, from its first stores here in Chicago to today.

"},{"id":"text-1833","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 01, 2004\nIn just one month, you could write a novel. At least, that's what the folks at National Novel Writing Month say. NaNoWriMo is a motivational contest, of sorts, where willing writers begin their novels only at the stroke of midnight on November 1, and stop at midnight November 30, hopefully with 50,000 words to show for it. Last year, there were 25,500 participants and about 3,500 of them made it to the goal. It's free, and once you register, you'll be put in touch with other NaNoWriMo's in your area, for information on meet-ups and other activities. So get going, you're late already!","html":"

November 01, 2004\nIn just one month, you could write a novel. At least, that's what the folks at National Novel Writing Month say. NaNoWriMo is a motivational contest, of sorts, where willing writers begin their novels only at the stroke of midnight on November 1, and stop at midnight November 30, hopefully with 50,000 words to show for it. Last year, there were 25,500 participants and about 3,500 of them made it to the goal. It's free, and once you register, you'll be put in touch with other NaNoWriMo's in your area, for information on meet-ups and other activities. So get going, you're late already!

"},{"id":"text-1834","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 28, 2004\nA new issue of the Saturnine Detractor is up. They're calling it "The Election Issue," but don't let that scare you away; Ben Adams' feature on No Child Left Behind and his experience working as a middle school tutor in Chicago is definitely worth checking out. Actually, all the articles are good this round. Get over there.","html":"

October 28, 2004\nA new issue of the Saturnine Detractor is up. They're calling it "The Election Issue," but don't let that scare you away; Ben Adams' feature on No Child Left Behind and his experience working as a middle school tutor in Chicago is definitely worth checking out. Actually, all the articles are good this round. Get over there.

"},{"id":"text-1835","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 27, 2004\nRearview contributor (today's in fact) Alessandra Gillen belongs to a collective of sorts, called Statisfield. The site deals with experimental audio and visual art (with a strong focus on the audio) and is nicely designed. There's a lot of interesting stuff going on there so whatcha waiting for?","html":"

October 27, 2004\nRearview contributor (today's in fact) Alessandra Gillen belongs to a collective of sorts, called Statisfield. The site deals with experimental audio and visual art (with a strong focus on the audio) and is nicely designed. There's a lot of interesting stuff going on there so whatcha waiting for?

"},{"id":"text-1836","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 21, 2004\nSometimes it's difficult to open the Yellow pages and figure out which plumber, electrician, or pizzeria is going to be any good. The Chicago Alternative Yellow Pages doesn't promise better results, but they do guarantee a smaller list to choose from.","html":"

October 21, 2004\nSometimes it's difficult to open the Yellow pages and figure out which plumber, electrician, or pizzeria is going to be any good. The Chicago Alternative Yellow Pages doesn't promise better results, but they do guarantee a smaller list to choose from.

"},{"id":"text-1837","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 19, 2004\nAre you a geek? Do you have trouble meeting other geeks with which to share your life experiences? Perhaps it's time to check out Geek2Geek dating service. Its retro-styled site is filled to the brim with swinging, uh, geeks waiting to meet you. And it's based right here in Chicago!","html":"

October 19, 2004\nAre you a geek? Do you have trouble meeting other geeks with which to share your life experiences? Perhaps it's time to check out Geek2Geek dating service. Its retro-styled site is filled to the brim with swinging, uh, geeks waiting to meet you. And it's based right here in Chicago!

"},{"id":"text-1838","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 08, 2004\nHow many times have you been out and said "What the heck is that phone number?" or "What was her exact address again?" If you have a cell phone and know how to send text messages, you can now get the address from Google by text message. Send a text message (also called SMS) to GOOGL saying "Schuba's Chicago, IL" and the address will pop back. Or, building on the fuel question about pizza from this week, say "pizza 60625" and see what they recommend. Now if they only had movie times….","html":"

October 08, 2004\nHow many times have you been out and said "What the heck is that phone number?" or "What was her exact address again?" If you have a cell phone and know how to send text messages, you can now get the address from Google by text message. Send a text message (also called SMS) to GOOGL saying "Schuba's Chicago, IL" and the address will pop back. Or, building on the fuel question about pizza from this week, say "pizza 60625" and see what they recommend. Now if they only had movie times….

"},{"id":"text-1839","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 28, 2004\nLuckyface, another (but good!) online creative endeavor, has some standout features. Of particular note, the photo essay about the Burgoo Festival in Utica, IL is like getting small glimpses of lives you don't know and Left of the Middle is an excellent photo travelogue from Chicago to the wild west.","html":"

September 28, 2004\nLuckyface, another (but good!) online creative endeavor, has some standout features. Of particular note, the photo essay about the Burgoo Festival in Utica, IL is like getting small glimpses of lives you don't know and Left of the Middle is an excellent photo travelogue from Chicago to the wild west.

"},{"id":"text-1840","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 24, 2004\nWant to meet new people? You could come to our GB Get-Together tonight, but in a more long-term sense, you could check out MEETinChicago, a free service to "provide a relaxed, 'non-pickup-scene' social environment for people to enjoy." It's free, and there's a ton of things to do listed, from camping trips to movie outings to just drinks. Pretty cool!","html":"

September 24, 2004\nWant to meet new people? You could come to our GB Get-Together tonight, but in a more long-term sense, you could check out MEETinChicago, a free service to "provide a relaxed, 'non-pickup-scene' social environment for people to enjoy." It's free, and there's a ton of things to do listed, from camping trips to movie outings to just drinks. Pretty cool!

"},{"id":"text-1841","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 24, 2004\nIf you're looking for some freelance writing work, and are comfortable writing about sex (and porn, and toys…), check out today's listings in the Writing jobs section of Craigslist. Adult film reviewer, Sextoy reviewer, Sexual health writer, and more jobs have been posted. Too bad there's no ad for a sex columnist.","html":"

September 24, 2004\nIf you're looking for some freelance writing work, and are comfortable writing about sex (and porn, and toys…), check out today's listings in the Writing jobs section of Craigslist. Adult film reviewer, Sextoy reviewer, Sexual health writer, and more jobs have been posted. Too bad there's no ad for a sex columnist.

"},{"id":"text-1842","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 23, 2004\nAh, another issue of stellar art/design magazine Revol is now online for your viewing pleasure. They've also got some new pins in their store, My favourites would be by killer illustrators KozyNDan and those hot world-peace-goodwill styled ones by Reach. Good stuff coming out of Chicago these days, good stuff.","html":"

September 23, 2004\nAh, another issue of stellar art/design magazine Revol is now online for your viewing pleasure. They've also got some new pins in their store, My favourites would be by killer illustrators KozyNDan and those hot world-peace-goodwill styled ones by Reach. Good stuff coming out of Chicago these days, good stuff.

"},{"id":"text-1843","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 21, 2004\nThe Boston Globe reports on a current exhibit at the Chicago Botanic Garden, titled "Plants in Print: The Age of Botanical Discovery." The reason for the mention all the way in Boston? It turns out the Massachusetts Horticultural Society used to own some of the items in this exhibit. But, facing a looming financial crisis in November 2002, the center sold more than 2,000 rare books and thousands more journals worth $3 million to Chicago (2nd item). The result of this sale is currently on display up in Glencoe through November 7th.","html":"

September 21, 2004\nThe Boston Globe reports on a current exhibit at the Chicago Botanic Garden, titled "Plants in Print: The Age of Botanical Discovery." The reason for the mention all the way in Boston? It turns out the Massachusetts Horticultural Society used to own some of the items in this exhibit. But, facing a looming financial crisis in November 2002, the center sold more than 2,000 rare books and thousands more journals worth $3 million to Chicago (2nd item). The result of this sale is currently on display up in Glencoe through November 7th.

"},{"id":"text-1844","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 18, 2004\nI was shopping around for a new wireless plan today and realized that if I do switch, I'll probably get yet another new phone. Since I don't want to let my old one go to waste, I looked into what can be done with it. Turns out there are places across Illinois where you can donate your old cell phone. The phones are used to benefit victims of domestic violence — a worthwhile cause indeed.","html":"

September 18, 2004\nI was shopping around for a new wireless plan today and realized that if I do switch, I'll probably get yet another new phone. Since I don't want to let my old one go to waste, I looked into what can be done with it. Turns out there are places across Illinois where you can donate your old cell phone. The phones are used to benefit victims of domestic violence — a worthwhile cause indeed.

"},{"id":"text-1845","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 16, 2004\nLumino Magazine is an "entertainment centered" web publication for young adults, based in the Chicago suburbs. They have stories of national interest, like the current interviews with the cast of Revenge of the Nerds, as well as a Midwest focus, with features and concert calendars for Chicago, Milwaukee and Des Moines (Indianapolis will be added next month). Check out the recent story on Mark Prior.","html":"

September 16, 2004\nLumino Magazine is an "entertainment centered" web publication for young adults, based in the Chicago suburbs. They have stories of national interest, like the current interviews with the cast of Revenge of the Nerds, as well as a Midwest focus, with features and concert calendars for Chicago, Milwaukee and Des Moines (Indianapolis will be added next month). Check out the recent story on Mark Prior.

"},{"id":"text-1846","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 14, 2004\nCoudal points us to Urban Adventure, a site dedicated to exploration of places people don't normally get to visit. There are a couple Chicagoland features: a semi-abandoned mental hospital in downstate Manteno and Dixie Square Mall, the one the Blues Brothers drove through in the movie. (More about Dixie Square here at DeadMalls.com.)","html":"

September 14, 2004\nCoudal points us to Urban Adventure, a site dedicated to exploration of places people don't normally get to visit. There are a couple Chicagoland features: a semi-abandoned mental hospital in downstate Manteno and Dixie Square Mall, the one the Blues Brothers drove through in the movie. (More about Dixie Square here at DeadMalls.com.)

"},{"id":"text-1847","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 14, 2004\nA new-ish online magazine (in that oh so trendy pseudo magazine rendered in Flash style), Revol looks to be a keeper. Co-produced by a sister in Chicago and a brother in LA, they've got three issues up for your enjoyment and the newest one — a mixture of found objects, collages, stellar photography and miscellany — is perfect to wake you up a little bit this morning. It even features one of our faves, Brian Ulrich who's popping up all over the place (hint: he's got a feature in the new issue of Subsystence) As they say on their site, "Keeping up the fight."","html":"

September 14, 2004\nA new-ish online magazine (in that oh so trendy pseudo magazine rendered in Flash style), Revol looks to be a keeper. Co-produced by a sister in Chicago and a brother in LA, they've got three issues up for your enjoyment and the newest one — a mixture of found objects, collages, stellar photography and miscellany — is perfect to wake you up a little bit this morning. It even features one of our faves, Brian Ulrich who's popping up all over the place (hint: he's got a feature in the new issue of Subsystence) As they say on their site, "Keeping up the fight."

"},{"id":"text-1848","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 13, 2004\nOur friends at Subsystence have launched a new volume of their excellent web presence. Their events section (on the home page) is well worth checking out for quality stuff you may not have heard of around the city, and who doesn't like free downloads? I may be biased but the two photo exhibits, Copia and China in Polaroid kick a$$.","html":"

September 13, 2004\nOur friends at Subsystence have launched a new volume of their excellent web presence. Their events section (on the home page) is well worth checking out for quality stuff you may not have heard of around the city, and who doesn't like free downloads? I may be biased but the two photo exhibits, Copia and China in Polaroid kick a$$.

"},{"id":"text-1849","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 10, 2004\nPerusing the Craigslist For Sale ads, I came across this site by a fellow in Deerfield who's auctioning off his stuff; he's moving to Japan. The descriptions! I bust a gut.","html":"

September 10, 2004\nPerusing the Craigslist For Sale ads, I came across this site by a fellow in Deerfield who's auctioning off his stuff; he's moving to Japan. The descriptions! I bust a gut.

"},{"id":"text-1850","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 03, 2004\nSixosix Magazine takes us back to childhood with a Choose Your Own Adventure tale of a Thursday night on the town. Plus, things you should do, but don't.","html":"

September 03, 2004\nSixosix Magazine takes us back to childhood with a Choose Your Own Adventure tale of a Thursday night on the town. Plus, things you should do, but don't.

"},{"id":"text-1851","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 02, 2004\nThis would have gone in the old Cool as F@#k category we used to have. A quick disclaimer: the following linked URLs lead to mature content and is not for the weak of heart. That said, it's pretty damn impressive. Some of you may know him as "That Ian" around here. Ian's posted a well-done and remarkable video of himself getting suspended. By the knees. With hooks. Like a gapers block, we want to look away but just can't. Fascinating. Oh, and Ian is quite OK; he wrote back to me, "I'm bulletproof." But he also says "…this should never be attempted."","html":"

September 02, 2004\nThis would have gone in the old Cool as F@#k category we used to have. A quick disclaimer: the following linked URLs lead to mature content and is not for the weak of heart. That said, it's pretty damn impressive. Some of you may know him as "That Ian" around here. Ian's posted a well-done and remarkable video of himself getting suspended. By the knees. With hooks. Like a gapers block, we want to look away but just can't. Fascinating. Oh, and Ian is quite OK; he wrote back to me, "I'm bulletproof." But he also says "…this should never be attempted."

"},{"id":"text-1852","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 01, 2004\nMcSweeney's delivers with "Dave Matthews Band Lyrics That Take On New Meaning in Light of the Recent Brouhaha surrounding One of the Band's Bus Drivers, Who Allegedly Dumped the Contents of the Excrement Tank Off of a Chicago River Bridge and Onto the Deck of a Tour Boat."","html":"

September 01, 2004\nMcSweeney's delivers with "Dave Matthews Band Lyrics That Take On New Meaning in Light of the Recent Brouhaha surrounding One of the Band's Bus Drivers, Who Allegedly Dumped the Contents of the Excrement Tank Off of a Chicago River Bridge and Onto the Deck of a Tour Boat."

"},{"id":"text-1853","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 30, 2004\nFirst there was The Making of a Restaurant. Then for a while, Sandy joined us here at the Block. But now, he's back on his own, or rather with his partners-in-crime (a girl, two cats), tackling a new project, The Making of a Home. Incidentally, the site's design is refreshing and stellar. And of course, the content is good, you know, aside from that cat entry. We kid.","html":"

August 30, 2004\nFirst there was The Making of a Restaurant. Then for a while, Sandy joined us here at the Block. But now, he's back on his own, or rather with his partners-in-crime (a girl, two cats), tackling a new project, The Making of a Home. Incidentally, the site's design is refreshing and stellar. And of course, the content is good, you know, aside from that cat entry. We kid.

"},{"id":"text-1854","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 25, 2004\nSwell online magazine Blacklist is back with their second issue. Lots of great stuff to look at and read, featuring an interview with one of my faves, Cody Hudson of Struggle, Inc. and another interview with our favorite designer toy store, Rotofugi. Head on over!","html":"

August 25, 2004\nSwell online magazine Blacklist is back with their second issue. Lots of great stuff to look at and read, featuring an interview with one of my faves, Cody Hudson of Struggle, Inc. and another interview with our favorite designer toy store, Rotofugi. Head on over!

"},{"id":"text-1855","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 19, 2004\nFor your web surfing pleasure, Paul Freeman has collected information and photographs concerning Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields across the U.S. The airfields are arranged by state, and the page for Illinois includes facts about the former Glenview Naval Air Station, the Sky Harbor Airport in Northbrook, and more. Although not comprehensive, this is a fun site to browse.","html":"

August 19, 2004\nFor your web surfing pleasure, Paul Freeman has collected information and photographs concerning Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields across the U.S. The airfields are arranged by state, and the page for Illinois includes facts about the former Glenview Naval Air Station, the Sky Harbor Airport in Northbrook, and more. Although not comprehensive, this is a fun site to browse.

"},{"id":"text-1856","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 12, 2004\nPeoria, our downstate neighbor, is the brunt of many many jokes. Want to make a difference and improve commerce in Illinois? Buy FantasyLand, a strip club in Peoria and make that first step towards turning Peoria into a destination once again.","html":"

August 12, 2004\nPeoria, our downstate neighbor, is the brunt of many many jokes. Want to make a difference and improve commerce in Illinois? Buy FantasyLand, a strip club in Peoria and make that first step towards turning Peoria into a destination once again.

"},{"id":"text-1857","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 11, 2004\nYou really need to bid on this drawing by Derek Erdman of James Hetfield thinking about Cliff Burton and a jetski. No really, you do.","html":"

August 11, 2004\nYou really need to bid on this drawing by Derek Erdman of James Hetfield thinking about Cliff Burton and a jetski. No really, you do.

"},{"id":"text-1858","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 05, 2004\nIn case you hadn't noticed, 606 Magazine launched their latest issue this week. Of note: commentary on the FCC's cleaning up of the airwaves, a point-coutnerpoint on psychics, and a profile of the author of Baghdad Burning, a female Iraqi blogger, and the city in which she lives. Get your kicks.","html":"

August 05, 2004\nIn case you hadn't noticed, 606 Magazine launched their latest issue this week. Of note: commentary on the FCC's cleaning up of the airwaves, a point-coutnerpoint on psychics, and a profile of the author of Baghdad Burning, a female Iraqi blogger, and the city in which she lives. Get your kicks.

"},{"id":"text-1859","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 02, 2004\nI have often wondered: who is that Abby Ryan I hear so often on the radio? Many of you know her from WBEZ, but she does other stations as well. What are Abby's dreams? Her wishes? And an important question: Does she clip coupons? An interview at The Fish's site gives us a peak at Chicago's #1 traffic personality.","html":"

August 02, 2004\nI have often wondered: who is that Abby Ryan I hear so often on the radio? Many of you know her from WBEZ, but she does other stations as well. What are Abby's dreams? Her wishes? And an important question: Does she clip coupons? An interview at The Fish's site gives us a peak at Chicago's #1 traffic personality.

"},{"id":"text-1860","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 02, 2004\nHey, hey, hey! This weekend, NYC must-read Gawker directed readers to check out Chicago DJ extraordinaire Atomly! You might have caught him at a Gapers Block party or elsewhere around town. He'll be at Chicago's Cafe Lura on Aug. 18.","html":"

August 02, 2004\nHey, hey, hey! This weekend, NYC must-read Gawker directed readers to check out Chicago DJ extraordinaire Atomly! You might have caught him at a Gapers Block party or elsewhere around town. He'll be at Chicago's Cafe Lura on Aug. 18.

"},{"id":"text-1861","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 29, 2004\nThe Saturnine Detractor debuts its third issue today, featuring coverage of Civil War reenactments, pulp fiction reviews and Robert Downey, Jr.'s theory of a tripartite god. It's enough to keep you up nights.","html":"

July 29, 2004\nThe Saturnine Detractor debuts its third issue today, featuring coverage of Civil War reenactments, pulp fiction reviews and Robert Downey, Jr.'s theory of a tripartite god. It's enough to keep you up nights.

"},{"id":"text-1862","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 26, 2004\nSpeaking of sending your dreams out there, frequent visitor and once-and-future resident of Chicago, Simon King produced TCUP: The Collective Unconsciousness Project a while ago. It's got a click interface and is wonderful to explore. It's pretty simple: "1) Create a Dreamer account. 2) Log a dream. 3) Explore the collective." It's nifty to see how your dream relates to the dreams of others and who else shares similar dream thematics.","html":"

July 26, 2004\nSpeaking of sending your dreams out there, frequent visitor and once-and-future resident of Chicago, Simon King produced TCUP: The Collective Unconsciousness Project a while ago. It's got a click interface and is wonderful to explore. It's pretty simple: "1) Create a Dreamer account. 2) Log a dream. 3) Explore the collective." It's nifty to see how your dream relates to the dreams of others and who else shares similar dream thematics.

"},{"id":"text-1863","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 26, 2004\nFound this one on CL this morning: the Dream Machine. Call 773.486.9035 and leave a recording of a dream you had last night; if you leave a phone number, they'll call you back with someone else's dream.","html":"

July 26, 2004\nFound this one on CL this morning: the Dream Machine. Call 773.486.9035 and leave a recording of a dream you had last night; if you leave a phone number, they'll call you back with someone else's dream.

"},{"id":"text-1864","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 23, 2004\nThose wonderfully, freaky creations made from red-toed socks can be found anywhere, but did you know they originated in Rockford, Illinois? Probably not, which is why Joan Sage wants to get some publicity for the second largest city in Illinois. She's taking her seven-foot-tall sock monkey to New York to try and get on the David Letterman show (who she's been hounding for months), Good Morning America, the Today show, and Central Park. To cinch her chances of getting on Letterman, she'll be visiting Rupert at Hello Deli to give him a sock monkey as well. The odd thing is that she's using her own money to get to New York for four days. If you have a sock monkey story you want to share with Rockford's museum you can email it to Sage.","html":"

July 23, 2004\nThose wonderfully, freaky creations made from red-toed socks can be found anywhere, but did you know they originated in Rockford, Illinois? Probably not, which is why Joan Sage wants to get some publicity for the second largest city in Illinois. She's taking her seven-foot-tall sock monkey to New York to try and get on the David Letterman show (who she's been hounding for months), Good Morning America, the Today show, and Central Park. To cinch her chances of getting on Letterman, she'll be visiting Rupert at Hello Deli to give him a sock monkey as well. The odd thing is that she's using her own money to get to New York for four days. If you have a sock monkey story you want to share with Rockford's museum you can email it to Sage.

"},{"id":"text-1865","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 23, 2004\nOur friends at Coudal need a little help: "We need a bit o help at the CP/Jewelboxing World Headquarters in Chicago for the balance of the summer and into the fall. Call it a paid internship. We need a smart, talented, motivated person to help us with administration and distribution for Jewelboxing and to do occasional work on other Coudal Partners stuff too. Youll have to do a bit of lifting and packing, etc. for Jewelboxing. It would be a nice part-time gig (3 days a week or so) for someone in school, and it may or may not lead to other things. Writing skills would be a plus, so show them off by emailing Michele Seiler (go to the site for e-mail address) if youre interested."","html":"

July 23, 2004\nOur friends at Coudal need a little help: "We need a bit o help at the CP/Jewelboxing World Headquarters in Chicago for the balance of the summer and into the fall. Call it a paid internship. We need a smart, talented, motivated person to help us with administration and distribution for Jewelboxing and to do occasional work on other Coudal Partners stuff too. Youll have to do a bit of lifting and packing, etc. for Jewelboxing. It would be a nice part-time gig (3 days a week or so) for someone in school, and it may or may not lead to other things. Writing skills would be a plus, so show them off by emailing Michele Seiler (go to the site for e-mail address) if youre interested."

"},{"id":"text-1866","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 23, 2004\nA great story about a very naked and (we assume anyway) raw protest against GMO food on the lakefront. Would you too rather run naked than eat biotech? If so, you should go to the Masks and Thongs party tonight to benefit T.H.O.N.G. Chicago. No, not Trixies Hunt Out New Guys. Topless Humans Organized for Natural Genetics. (Ps to the One True Trixie: come back! We miss you! )","html":"

July 23, 2004\nA great story about a very naked and (we assume anyway) raw protest against GMO food on the lakefront. Would you too rather run naked than eat biotech? If so, you should go to the Masks and Thongs party tonight to benefit T.H.O.N.G. Chicago. No, not Trixies Hunt Out New Guys. Topless Humans Organized for Natural Genetics. (Ps to the One True Trixie: come back! We miss you! )

"},{"id":"text-1867","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 07, 2004\nThe 3rd annual tribute to the Coen Brothers, Lebowskifest went down a little while ago in Louisville, KY. Chicago was representing with our own Brian Sobolak who took photos and Halo+Horns was there, too, also with photos. Can we get enough of The Dude? Apparently not.","html":"

July 07, 2004\nThe 3rd annual tribute to the Coen Brothers, Lebowskifest went down a little while ago in Louisville, KY. Chicago was representing with our own Brian Sobolak who took photos and Halo+Horns was there, too, also with photos. Can we get enough of The Dude? Apparently not.

"},{"id":"text-1868","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 07, 2004\nThe folks at Artmuck.com are funny. Like in this article, "Patriot Missle". If you really need some encouragement to go read that, it's worth seeing the photo of a girl with a firecracker in her ahem, behind. However, if you're more into less juvenile endeavours, you might really like this interview with Davy Rothbart of Found Magazine.","html":"

July 07, 2004\nThe folks at Artmuck.com are funny. Like in this article, "Patriot Missle". If you really need some encouragement to go read that, it's worth seeing the photo of a girl with a firecracker in her ahem, behind. However, if you're more into less juvenile endeavours, you might really like this interview with Davy Rothbart of Found Magazine.

"},{"id":"text-1869","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 29, 2004\nYour Humorous Moment of the Day: The 12 Dumbest Covers of American Comics brought to you by "Chicago's Finest Comic Shop", Atlas.","html":"

June 29, 2004\nYour Humorous Moment of the Day: The 12 Dumbest Covers of American Comics brought to you by "Chicago's Finest Comic Shop", Atlas.

"},{"id":"text-1870","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 17, 2004\nEveryone likes free music. I just can't say no myself. And everyone likes listening to new artists. My penchant for new, new, new is unsatiable. Well, betterPropaganda is here to fill that void. Their model focuses on showcasing indie artists both known and a little less known and making mp3's available to download and it's all legal baby. Jointly co-produced in Chicago and San Francisco, they're here to make the world a better place with better music and betterPropaganda.","html":"

June 17, 2004\nEveryone likes free music. I just can't say no myself. And everyone likes listening to new artists. My penchant for new, new, new is unsatiable. Well, betterPropaganda is here to fill that void. Their model focuses on showcasing indie artists both known and a little less known and making mp3's available to download and it's all legal baby. Jointly co-produced in Chicago and San Francisco, they're here to make the world a better place with better music and betterPropaganda.

"},{"id":"text-1871","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 15, 2004\nOne of the niftiest things on the internet is the Wikipedia. It's a free open source (meaning you can add to and edit information!) encyclopedia. Since it's open source, it's kept up-to-date in real time. Chicago's entry is a nice neat nutshell that gives one a good overview of the city. At a glance it tell you about the history, geography, novels sets in Chicago, companies based here and much, much more. The best part? If you feel it's missing something, just go ahead and add your information. Power, in the hands of the user. Related: What is a Wiki?","html":"

June 15, 2004\nOne of the niftiest things on the internet is the Wikipedia. It's a free open source (meaning you can add to and edit information!) encyclopedia. Since it's open source, it's kept up-to-date in real time. Chicago's entry is a nice neat nutshell that gives one a good overview of the city. At a glance it tell you about the history, geography, novels sets in Chicago, companies based here and much, much more. The best part? If you feel it's missing something, just go ahead and add your information. Power, in the hands of the user. Related: What is a Wiki?

"},{"id":"text-1872","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 15, 2004\nNew City Chicago takes a look at a Korean-heavy stretch of Lawrence Avenue. Find out where to buy books, eat food, and shop for supplies — all with a decidedly Korean bent.","html":"

June 15, 2004\nNew City Chicago takes a look at a Korean-heavy stretch of Lawrence Avenue. Find out where to buy books, eat food, and shop for supplies — all with a decidedly Korean bent.

"},{"id":"text-1873","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 11, 2004\nAlways thought music criticism was formulaic? Loren Jan Wilson wrote a computer program to analyze the frequency of words in positive and negative album reviews published on Pitchfork. He used the data to determine which words and phrases appear most frequently in positive reviews, and wrote songs to capitalize on the reviewers' collective preferences. The paper is Wilson's BA project at the University of Chicago.","html":"

June 11, 2004\nAlways thought music criticism was formulaic? Loren Jan Wilson wrote a computer program to analyze the frequency of words in positive and negative album reviews published on Pitchfork. He used the data to determine which words and phrases appear most frequently in positive reviews, and wrote songs to capitalize on the reviewers' collective preferences. The paper is Wilson's BA project at the University of Chicago.

"},{"id":"text-1874","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 03, 2004\nCoudal and Things point us to NASA's incredible Cities Collection, photos of the world's cities taken from space. They've got a whole lot of shots of Chicago and its environs, including some of the city at night and interesting cloud patterns.","html":"

June 03, 2004\nCoudal and Things point us to NASA's incredible Cities Collection, photos of the world's cities taken from space. They've got a whole lot of shots of Chicago and its environs, including some of the city at night and interesting cloud patterns.

"},{"id":"text-1875","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 02, 2004\nThis is Grand, an online journal devoted exclusively to non-fiction stories about public transportation in Chicago, has officially launched. Check it out or submit.","html":"

June 02, 2004\nThis is Grand, an online journal devoted exclusively to non-fiction stories about public transportation in Chicago, has officially launched. Check it out or submit.

"},{"id":"text-1876","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 01, 2004\nRocky Mosele hates spam. But unlike the rest of us, he took that hatred and turned it into a mission: Ethical Email. Enter your email address at ethicalemail.com and it will be included in the start-up organization's "do not contact" database. According to the press release, Mosele plans to deliver the database of names to the bulk email houses that are responsible for billions of emails being generated on the Internet. By law, the bulk email houses will have 10 days to remove those email names from their databases.","html":"

June 01, 2004\nRocky Mosele hates spam. But unlike the rest of us, he took that hatred and turned it into a mission: Ethical Email. Enter your email address at ethicalemail.com and it will be included in the start-up organization's "do not contact" database. According to the press release, Mosele plans to deliver the database of names to the bulk email houses that are responsible for billions of emails being generated on the Internet. By law, the bulk email houses will have 10 days to remove those email names from their databases.

"},{"id":"text-1877","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 28, 2004\nEsquire is looking for more Brutally Honest Personal ads. Describe yourself "without euphemisms or exaggerations or any truth-hedging." Need a date? Secure in your flaws? Apply now. [Via Craig’s List]","html":"

May 28, 2004\nEsquire is looking for more Brutally Honest Personal ads. Describe yourself "without euphemisms or exaggerations or any truth-hedging." Need a date? Secure in your flaws? Apply now. [Via Craig’s List]

"},{"id":"text-1878","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 22, 2004\nDepave Lake Shore Drive? And Daley really supports it?","html":"

May 22, 2004\nDepave Lake Shore Drive? And Daley really supports it?

"},{"id":"text-1879","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 21, 2004\nYahooMaps now offers the ability to search for WiFi hotspots (at least those using Intel's wireless technology). One question about the Chicago map, though: what's up with the shantytown listed at Erie and Fairbanks?","html":"

May 21, 2004\nYahooMaps now offers the ability to search for WiFi hotspots (at least those using Intel's wireless technology). One question about the Chicago map, though: what's up with the shantytown listed at Erie and Fairbanks?

"},{"id":"text-1880","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 18, 2004\nUS Senate candidate Barack Obama's official Weblog just went live. Vérifiez-le!","html":"

May 18, 2004\nUS Senate candidate Barack Obama's official Weblog just went live. Vérifiez-le!

"},{"id":"text-1881","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 18, 2004\nThis Is Grand is a soon-to-launch online journal "publishing short non-fiction narratives about riding Chicago's trains and buses and all that happens when doing so." They're looking for story submissions: email your story, whether it be funny, scary or poignant, to submissionsthisisgrandorg.","html":"

May 18, 2004\nThis Is Grand is a soon-to-launch online journal "publishing short non-fiction narratives about riding Chicago's trains and buses and all that happens when doing so." They're looking for story submissions: email your story, whether it be funny, scary or poignant, to submissionsthisisgrandorg.

"},{"id":"text-1882","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 03, 2004\nThe GB official Humorous Moment of the Day comes courtesy of photographer and Rearview contributor, Archie Florcruz. Hand dryers in bathrooms now dispense bacon. Miam!","html":"

May 03, 2004\nThe GB official Humorous Moment of the Day comes courtesy of photographer and Rearview contributor, Archie Florcruz. Hand dryers in bathrooms now dispense bacon. Miam!

"},{"id":"text-1883","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 29, 2004\nParking Spots is a silly site, one of those "waste your time while being bored to death at work" sites. Highly entertaining. It's international and you too can submit one, and there's quite a few from Illinois (scroll down to the US section). You'll have to see what I mean.","html":"

April 29, 2004\nParking Spots is a silly site, one of those "waste your time while being bored to death at work" sites. Highly entertaining. It's international and you too can submit one, and there's quite a few from Illinois (scroll down to the US section). You'll have to see what I mean.

"},{"id":"text-1884","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 15, 2004\nFor those of you who love Google, there is now Google Local. It's in beta but already seems useful. This quick search on sushi (I luuuurve sushi) displays great results and quite a refined interface. I know I'll be using this to find restaurants and local places.","html":"

April 15, 2004\nFor those of you who love Google, there is now Google Local. It's in beta but already seems useful. This quick search on sushi (I luuuurve sushi) displays great results and quite a refined interface. I know I'll be using this to find restaurants and local places.

"},{"id":"text-1885","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 09, 2004\nThe Week Behind has a little Easter story for you: "Jesus Had a Bad Day," a somewhat irreverant look at the son of a Jewish carpenter's last day on Earth. As a bonus, included is a pocket list of the 14 stations of the cross.","html":"

April 09, 2004\nThe Week Behind has a little Easter story for you: "Jesus Had a Bad Day," a somewhat irreverant look at the son of a Jewish carpenter's last day on Earth. As a bonus, included is a pocket list of the 14 stations of the cross.

"},{"id":"text-1886","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"April 02, 2004\nPurveyors of fine accommodation, Hampton Inns, would like us to explore Chicago's hidden (or not-so-hidden) landmarks at HamptonLandmarks.com. Not too many Chicago-related entries so far, but you can always submit your own. (Thanks Ian.)","html":"

April 02, 2004\nPurveyors of fine accommodation, Hampton Inns, would like us to explore Chicago's hidden (or not-so-hidden) landmarks at HamptonLandmarks.com. Not too many Chicago-related entries so far, but you can always submit your own. (Thanks Ian.)

"},{"id":"text-1887","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 31, 2004\nCraig's List's Rants & Raves section is usually full of petty namecalling and inane arguments, but every once in awhile, something truly great shows up. Like this screed from an anonymous Loop desk jockey. "Oh yeah, lunch drinking is back!"","html":"

March 31, 2004\nCraig's List's Rants & Raves section is usually full of petty namecalling and inane arguments, but every once in awhile, something truly great shows up. Like this screed from an anonymous Loop desk jockey. "Oh yeah, lunch drinking is back!"

"},{"id":"text-1888","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 26, 2004\nFrom the University of Chicago's Harris School, we get this charming little paper about the universal problem of a group of people trying to choose a restaurant, and how to apply the art of statistics and game theory to solving it. It's like that age-old cake-cutting puzzle on steroids.","html":"

March 26, 2004\nFrom the University of Chicago's Harris School, we get this charming little paper about the universal problem of a group of people trying to choose a restaurant, and how to apply the art of statistics and game theory to solving it. It's like that age-old cake-cutting puzzle on steroids.

"},{"id":"text-1889","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 17, 2004\nNeed to find the address of a good local bakery? Want to know how many dry cleaners are in your zip code? Try Google's new Local search. The results may be a little strange (searching for "blog" turns up an odd pairing of businesses and blog references) but we'll all probably become as reliant on it as we are all Google's other services. [Thanks Ian]","html":"

March 17, 2004\nNeed to find the address of a good local bakery? Want to know how many dry cleaners are in your zip code? Try Google's new Local search. The results may be a little strange (searching for "blog" turns up an odd pairing of businesses and blog references) but we'll all probably become as reliant on it as we are all Google's other services. [Thanks Ian]

"},{"id":"text-1890","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 16, 2004\nThe friendly, and aromatic, folks at The Spice House are looking for recipes from the customers to add to their online database. Got a tasty recipe that you just can't share with enough people? Click on their "Submit Recipes" link and tell them your culinary secrets.","html":"

March 16, 2004\nThe friendly, and aromatic, folks at The Spice House are looking for recipes from the customers to add to their online database. Got a tasty recipe that you just can't share with enough people? Click on their "Submit Recipes" link and tell them your culinary secrets.

"},{"id":"text-1891","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 08, 2004\nThere's a lot to do in this city, which is probably why there are so many places to get info about your options. Chicago Rules is one such place — currently in beta — compiling restaurant and club reviews, as well as a concert calendar.","html":"

March 08, 2004\nThere's a lot to do in this city, which is probably why there are so many places to get info about your options. Chicago Rules is one such place — currently in beta — compiling restaurant and club reviews, as well as a concert calendar.

"},{"id":"text-1892","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"March 02, 2004\nProving 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.","html":"

March 02, 2004\nProving 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.

"},{"id":"text-1893","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 25, 2004\nLori Napoleon, who DJs locally as SubK, has begun a beautiful mapsproject. Check out what she has posted so far.","html":"

February 25, 2004\nLori Napoleon, who DJs locally as SubK, has begun a beautiful mapsproject. Check out what she has posted so far.

"},{"id":"text-1894","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 20, 2004\nThe Saturnine Detractor features a photo essay of Northern Iraq by photographer Daniel Pepper. Good stuff.","html":"

February 20, 2004\nThe Saturnine Detractor features a photo essay of Northern Iraq by photographer Daniel Pepper. Good stuff.

"},{"id":"text-1895","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 20, 2004\nThe state government may owe you money! The Office of the State Treasurer is attempting to return unclaimed money (in the form of lost wages, forgotten bank accounts and security deposits, etc.) to its rightful owners, and to promote the giveaway released a top 10 "most wanted" list of the Illinois residents who are owed the highest amounts of cash. The values range from $100,000 to half a million dollars. Fortunately for you, Web surfer, you can check your own name at the State Treasurer's Website, cashdash.net.","html":"

February 20, 2004\nThe state government may owe you money! The Office of the State Treasurer is attempting to return unclaimed money (in the form of lost wages, forgotten bank accounts and security deposits, etc.) to its rightful owners, and to promote the giveaway released a top 10 "most wanted" list of the Illinois residents who are owed the highest amounts of cash. The values range from $100,000 to half a million dollars. Fortunately for you, Web surfer, you can check your own name at the State Treasurer's Website, cashdash.net.

"},{"id":"text-1896","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 17, 2004\nThe Modernist, a web publication created by one of the people behind Jinx coffeeshop and the now-closed Big Brother Video, is your one-stop shop for 20th century modernist furniture and, um, naked people. (Wait till you get home to delve into this one.)","html":"

February 17, 2004\nThe Modernist, a web publication created by one of the people behind Jinx coffeeshop and the now-closed Big Brother Video, is your one-stop shop for 20th century modernist furniture and, um, naked people. (Wait till you get home to delve into this one.)

"},{"id":"text-1897","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 10, 2004\nIf you haven't already seen the GI Joe PSA's by Eric Fensler, run, dash, or sprint over there and check them out. There are new ones! And doesn't he look charming in his Cubs uniform? "Give him the stick, don't give him the stick!"","html":"

February 10, 2004\nIf you haven't already seen the GI Joe PSA's by Eric Fensler, run, dash, or sprint over there and check them out. There are new ones! And doesn't he look charming in his Cubs uniform? "Give him the stick, don't give him the stick!"

"},{"id":"text-1898","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"February 05, 2004\n37signals, Chicago's own web design and usability powerhouse, has just released Basecamp, a beautiful web-based project management system aimed at the freelance and small shop crowd. It's only been out a few days, and it's already racked up lots of praise. If you're looking for something to improve organization and communication among your co-workers, or beteween you and your client, consider checking it out.","html":"

February 05, 2004\n37signals, Chicago's own web design and usability powerhouse, has just released Basecamp, a beautiful web-based project management system aimed at the freelance and small shop crowd. It's only been out a few days, and it's already racked up lots of praise. If you're looking for something to improve organization and communication among your co-workers, or beteween you and your client, consider checking it out.

"},{"id":"text-1899","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 23, 2004\nThe Payphone Project is a collection of lists of (theoretically) every payphone in the world that is able to receive calls. The Illinois list is pretty huge; check out just the 312 phones.","html":"

January 23, 2004\nThe Payphone Project is a collection of lists of (theoretically) every payphone in the world that is able to receive calls. The Illinois list is pretty huge; check out just the 312 phones.

"},{"id":"text-1900","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 09, 2004\nHere's a decidedly different way of exploring the city: the Virtual Tourist was a project begun in 1995 that intended to map all the servers in a geographic area. Obviously that became an impossible task pretty quickly, and the original project gave way to a general travel site. But somebody in UofC's CS department saved the original maps for Illinois, and they offer and interesting snapshot of the server landscape. The project offers several layers of detail, moving in from statewide to Chicagoland to the city to the Loop.","html":"

January 09, 2004\nHere's a decidedly different way of exploring the city: the Virtual Tourist was a project begun in 1995 that intended to map all the servers in a geographic area. Obviously that became an impossible task pretty quickly, and the original project gave way to a general travel site. But somebody in UofC's CS department saved the original maps for Illinois, and they offer and interesting snapshot of the server landscape. The project offers several layers of detail, moving in from statewide to Chicagoland to the city to the Loop.

"},{"id":"text-1901","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 08, 2004\nThis site has collected over 250 "best of" lists for the year 2003. The lists are divided into 26 categories and include such local delights as the Hip-Hop Top 10 and the Top 10 Worst Reality TV Shows for 2003 — both from the Chicago Sun-Times.","html":"

January 08, 2004\nThis site has collected over 250 "best of" lists for the year 2003. The lists are divided into 26 categories and include such local delights as the Hip-Hop Top 10 and the Top 10 Worst Reality TV Shows for 2003 — both from the Chicago Sun-Times.

"},{"id":"text-1902","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"January 06, 2004\nDon Woolf, a waiter with 15 years of experience and a graduate of the master's program of Public Affairs Journalism at Columbia College, is angry! He's created TheAngryWaiter.com to serve (no pun intended) as an outlet for all the other angry restaraunt employees in the world. If you want to be a whistleblower and tell the public that Chez Crape has a fly infestation problem, or that the owner of the Dog-Diggity-Dugout is a sexually harrassing jag-off, send your story to The Angry Waiter.","html":"

January 06, 2004\nDon Woolf, a waiter with 15 years of experience and a graduate of the master's program of Public Affairs Journalism at Columbia College, is angry! He's created TheAngryWaiter.com to serve (no pun intended) as an outlet for all the other angry restaraunt employees in the world. If you want to be a whistleblower and tell the public that Chez Crape has a fly infestation problem, or that the owner of the Dog-Diggity-Dugout is a sexually harrassing jag-off, send your story to The Angry Waiter.

"},{"id":"text-1903","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 03, 2003\nIt's possible that one could wax poetic about Chicago using Google's new "define:" keyword. (Define: turns up definitions of words, and I find them quite comical.) For example: Microsoft codename / the original version of the four-bridge deal / the well-known rock band / a bustling Great Lakes Port. Not quite the same as the poem, which most of us are familiar with: "They tell me you are wicked and I believe them, for I have seen your painted women under the gas lamps luring the farm boys."","html":"

December 03, 2003\nIt's possible that one could wax poetic about Chicago using Google's new "define:" keyword. (Define: turns up definitions of words, and I find them quite comical.) For example: Microsoft codename / the original version of the four-bridge deal / the well-known rock band / a bustling Great Lakes Port. Not quite the same as the poem, which most of us are familiar with: "They tell me you are wicked and I believe them, for I have seen your painted women under the gas lamps luring the farm boys."

"},{"id":"text-1904","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"December 03, 2003\nThe Saturnine Detractor, a Chicago-born quarterly web magazine of feature journalism, reviews, opinion, fiction, and artwork, recently published its second issue. Vérifiez-le.","html":"

December 03, 2003\nThe Saturnine Detractor, a Chicago-born quarterly web magazine of feature journalism, reviews, opinion, fiction, and artwork, recently published its second issue. Vérifiez-le.

"},{"id":"text-1905","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 25, 2003\nUpcoming.org is a "collaborative event calendar" — in other words, you enter concerts or other events into its database, and other members can let you know they're coming, too. In theory, as the system learns more about your interests, it will recommend events to you. Chicago's listing is pretty thin right now, but you're going to help change that, right?","html":"

November 25, 2003\nUpcoming.org is a "collaborative event calendar" — in other words, you enter concerts or other events into its database, and other members can let you know they're coming, too. In theory, as the system learns more about your interests, it will recommend events to you. Chicago's listing is pretty thin right now, but you're going to help change that, right?

"},{"id":"text-1906","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 24, 2003\nThe Illinois Department of Child Support Enforcement has created a new website featuring photos and information about the state's worst deadbeat parents. And, while you're checking into nefarious characters, you may also be interested in the rapists and child molesters in your neighborhood, searchable by city or ZIP code. The Cook County Sheriff's Department has its own list.","html":"

November 24, 2003\nThe Illinois Department of Child Support Enforcement has created a new website featuring photos and information about the state's worst deadbeat parents. And, while you're checking into nefarious characters, you may also be interested in the rapists and child molesters in your neighborhood, searchable by city or ZIP code. The Cook County Sheriff's Department has its own list.

"},{"id":"text-1907","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"November 19, 2003\nThe homepage (and only the homepage) of the Chicago Reader gets a bit of a facelift. The "face" no longer jives very well with the rest of it's "body" though I can see an attempt to conserve real estate and add ads down the side which really in the end just takes away from the esoteric charm of the site and it's 1993 old school web design. A peek under the hood also reveals font face tags and non stylesheet use. Pouah.","html":"

November 19, 2003\nThe homepage (and only the homepage) of the Chicago Reader gets a bit of a facelift. The "face" no longer jives very well with the rest of it's "body" though I can see an attempt to conserve real estate and add ads down the side which really in the end just takes away from the esoteric charm of the site and it's 1993 old school web design. A peek under the hood also reveals font face tags and non stylesheet use. Pouah.

"},{"id":"text-1908","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 29, 2003\nIIT's Shlomo Argamon helped write the algorithm behind the Gender Genie, this week's blog meme. Enter a passage of text and the Genie predicts the author's gender. I entered several days of Merge, the Proprietors page and the current installments of Detour, Airbags and Fuel, and the results were unanimous: Gapers Block is a boy!","html":"

October 29, 2003\nIIT's Shlomo Argamon helped write the algorithm behind the Gender Genie, this week's blog meme. Enter a passage of text and the Genie predicts the author's gender. I entered several days of Merge, the Proprietors page and the current installments of Detour, Airbags and Fuel, and the results were unanimous: Gapers Block is a boy!

"},{"id":"text-1909","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"October 01, 2003\nYou'd think Merriam-Webster, the maker of dictionaries, would be stodgy and uncool? Wrong! Much like Spinal Tap, they go to 11.","html":"

October 01, 2003\nYou'd think Merriam-Webster, the maker of dictionaries, would be stodgy and uncool? Wrong! Much like Spinal Tap, they go to 11.

"},{"id":"text-1910","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 29, 2003\nChicagomotorcycle.com is, as you'd expect, all about motorcycles and riding around Chicago.","html":"

September 29, 2003\nChicagomotorcycle.com is, as you'd expect, all about motorcycles and riding around Chicago.

"},{"id":"text-1911","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 29, 2003\nThose crazy kids at ad agency Cramer-Krasselt know that anytime, anywhere, "the Seventies are right behind you."","html":"

September 29, 2003\nThose crazy kids at ad agency Cramer-Krasselt know that anytime, anywhere, "the Seventies are right behind you."

"},{"id":"text-1912","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 25, 2003\nThe Chicago Craigslist is sort of revamped. Looking more like it's older and bigger siblings in SF and NY, the site also sports a new Events Calendar which is already being abused for all sorts of events spam. Speaking of Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist, he now has a weblog.","html":"

September 25, 2003\nThe Chicago Craigslist is sort of revamped. Looking more like it's older and bigger siblings in SF and NY, the site also sports a new Events Calendar which is already being abused for all sorts of events spam. Speaking of Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist, he now has a weblog.

"},{"id":"text-1913","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 24, 2003\n2 Stroke Buzz, by local scooter boy Bryan Bedell, was featured in the New York Time's "Men's Fashion of the Times" magazine this past weekend.","html":"

September 24, 2003\n2 Stroke Buzz, by local scooter boy Bryan Bedell, was featured in the New York Time's "Men's Fashion of the Times" magazine this past weekend.

"},{"id":"text-1914","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 24, 2003\nNo East Web Magazine is looking for submissions. The site will no longer adopt a "magazine" stance with quarterly issues but is being revamped for a weekly freeform 425x600px format.","html":"

September 24, 2003\nNo East Web Magazine is looking for submissions. The site will no longer adopt a "magazine" stance with quarterly issues but is being revamped for a weekly freeform 425x600px format.

"},{"id":"text-1915","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 23, 2003\nDeadtech, the Chicago art-noise-installation gallery, has launched a new site with more frequently updated content and space for collective editorship. Also, check out this month's electronic music show with Evolution Control Committee on Thursday the 25th, 8pm, 3321 W. Fullerton, $5 donation.","html":"

September 23, 2003\nDeadtech, the Chicago art-noise-installation gallery, has launched a new site with more frequently updated content and space for collective editorship. Also, check out this month's electronic music show with Evolution Control Committee on Thursday the 25th, 8pm, 3321 W. Fullerton, $5 donation.

"},{"id":"text-1916","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 22, 2003\nJeremy P. Bushnell is writing a "serialized web narrative" following the lives of a group of fictional Chicagoans over the course of a year. Imaginary Year is updated every Monday and Friday; the newest "book" begins today. Read also Bushnell's manifesto, explaining the philosophy behind the project.","html":"

September 22, 2003\nJeremy P. Bushnell is writing a "serialized web narrative" following the lives of a group of fictional Chicagoans over the course of a year. Imaginary Year is updated every Monday and Friday; the newest "book" begins today. Read also Bushnell's manifesto, explaining the philosophy behind the project.

"},{"id":"text-1917","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 19, 2003\nYou can listen to live transmissions of the Chicago Approach frequency (via Real Audio)used for plane arrivals and departures for the west suburban satellite airports of O'Hare. The site also includes a nifty aeronautical map of the Chicago area.","html":"

September 19, 2003\nYou can listen to live transmissions of the Chicago Approach frequency (via Real Audio)used for plane arrivals and departures for the west suburban satellite airports of O'Hare. The site also includes a nifty aeronautical map of the Chicago area.

"},{"id":"text-1918","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 19, 2003\nArrrgh! Any o' you mateys who be wantin' to seize some vrai booty this 'Talk Like a Pirate Day' would do well t' plunk down a few pieces o' eight for Pimps at Sea. An' if ye be likin' to play the game don't ferget to pick yer own pirate name. Arrgh! Pieces o' Eight! Ducats! Ducats!","html":"

September 19, 2003\nArrrgh! Any o' you mateys who be wantin' to seize some vrai booty this 'Talk Like a Pirate Day' would do well t' plunk down a few pieces o' eight for Pimps at Sea. An' if ye be likin' to play the game don't ferget to pick yer own pirate name. Arrgh! Pieces o' Eight! Ducats! Ducats!

"},{"id":"text-1919","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"September 03, 2003\nScience, Art, and Technology, from the Art Institute of Chicago, is a website dedicated to exploring relationship between science and art within a museum setting. Originally offered as a course to Chicago Public School science teachers, the site includes sections on the chemistry and physics of light and color; art and astronomy; and conservation. You can view the original lectures online or read summaries of the lectures.","html":"

September 03, 2003\nScience, Art, and Technology, from the Art Institute of Chicago, is a website dedicated to exploring relationship between science and art within a museum setting. Originally offered as a course to Chicago Public School science teachers, the site includes sections on the chemistry and physics of light and color; art and astronomy; and conservation. You can view the original lectures online or read summaries of the lectures.

"},{"id":"text-1920","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 29, 2003\nWant to hear how much a Chicago accent differs from Milwaukee or Minneapolis? The International Dialects of English Archive is a web repository of speech samples in MP3 form. The archive, hosted by the University of Kansas's theatre department and intended for use by actors, has several Chicago samples.","html":"

August 29, 2003\nWant to hear how much a Chicago accent differs from Milwaukee or Minneapolis? The International Dialects of English Archive is a web repository of speech samples in MP3 form. The archive, hosted by the University of Kansas's theatre department and intended for use by actors, has several Chicago samples.

"},{"id":"text-1921","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 29, 2003\nQuite possibly the reason why Illinois has no In N Out Burger restaurants. Viewing this is total gapers' block. Hungry anyone?","html":"

August 29, 2003\nQuite possibly the reason why Illinois has no In N Out Burger restaurants. Viewing this is total gapers' block. Hungry anyone?

"},{"id":"text-1922","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 29, 2003\nAn article in yesterday's Chicago Tribune reports on the results of a study that show "Midwesterners use the Web slightly less than people in other parts of the country" (56% versus the national 59%). This latest report from the Pew Internet Project, one of the first to study differences in regional Internet use, also shows that Internet use in the Midwest has leveled off. According to the study, "the same proportion of Midwesterners access the Web now that did two years ago." The Tribune also talks to Lia Londrono, a local librarian, about her observations regarding Internet use and the digital divide.[triblogin:[triblogin:gapers/gapers]","html":"

August 29, 2003\nAn article in yesterday's Chicago Tribune reports on the results of a study that show "Midwesterners use the Web slightly less than people in other parts of the country" (56% versus the national 59%). This latest report from the Pew Internet Project, one of the first to study differences in regional Internet use, also shows that Internet use in the Midwest has leveled off. According to the study, "the same proportion of Midwesterners access the Web now that did two years ago." The Tribune also talks to Lia Londrono, a local librarian, about her observations regarding Internet use and the digital divide.[triblogin:[triblogin:gapers/gapers]

"},{"id":"text-1923","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 27, 2003\nEarthCam is a directory of webcams from all over the world. Check out these views from the Sears Tower courtesy of ABC7Chicago; a view of traffic on the Michigan Ave. bridge thanks to WGN; the continuing construction of the new Soldier's Field from the Chicago Bears website; or, finally, this lovely view of First & State streets in suburban Geneva (Why?). Addictive, pointless, timewasting fun. Prendre plaisir.","html":"

August 27, 2003\nEarthCam is a directory of webcams from all over the world. Check out these views from the Sears Tower courtesy of ABC7Chicago; a view of traffic on the Michigan Ave. bridge thanks to WGN; the continuing construction of the new Soldier's Field from the Chicago Bears website; or, finally, this lovely view of First & State streets in suburban Geneva (Why?). Addictive, pointless, timewasting fun. Prendre plaisir.

"},{"id":"text-1924","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 20, 2003\nChowhound's Chicago message board is an incredible repository of local food knowledge, exploration, history, and restaurant and product reviews. The user interface may be a bit of a beast, but it's worth wading through to gain access to vast amounts of information. Unfortunately, it takes a lot to keep at site like that running. Lately, times are especially tough. So if you value Chowhound as much as I do, please consider donating, or otherwise supporting the site.","html":"

August 20, 2003\nChowhound's Chicago message board is an incredible repository of local food knowledge, exploration, history, and restaurant and product reviews. The user interface may be a bit of a beast, but it's worth wading through to gain access to vast amounts of information. Unfortunately, it takes a lot to keep at site like that running. Lately, times are especially tough. So if you value Chowhound as much as I do, please consider donating, or otherwise supporting the site.

"},{"id":"text-1925","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 13, 2003\nMcDonald's is rolling out wireless internet access at 60 stores in Chicago and Milwaukee. Cost is $4.95 for an hour, or $7.95 for an all-day pass; "for a limited time" you can get a free hour with the purchase of an extra value meal or premium salad. Just last week, Panera Bread announced its own WiFi service — for libre — in 16 Chicagoland stores.","html":"

August 13, 2003\nMcDonald's is rolling out wireless internet access at 60 stores in Chicago and Milwaukee. Cost is $4.95 for an hour, or $7.95 for an all-day pass; "for a limited time" you can get a free hour with the purchase of an extra value meal or premium salad. Just last week, Panera Bread announced its own WiFi service — for libre — in 16 Chicagoland stores.

"},{"id":"text-1926","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 08, 2003\nYou've probably heard about some friend of a friend who got paid a ton of money to sit in an exam room and smoke pot while hooked up to a brain wave monitor. If you were jealous, and you think it could be fun getting poked with needles and getting paid for it, or if you're just desparate to cover the difference between your unemployment check and your rent payment that was due a week ago, consider signing up for a clinical trial in your area.","html":"

August 08, 2003\nYou've probably heard about some friend of a friend who got paid a ton of money to sit in an exam room and smoke pot while hooked up to a brain wave monitor. If you were jealous, and you think it could be fun getting poked with needles and getting paid for it, or if you're just desparate to cover the difference between your unemployment check and your rent payment that was due a week ago, consider signing up for a clinical trial in your area.

"},{"id":"text-1927","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 07, 2003\nSexy, sexy single ladies of Chicago! We all know that dating is a hopeless, soul-grating endeavor. All the good ones are taken, and the ones who aren't are never the ones trying to get you ripped on Jaegermeister whilst discussing current events with your cleavage. But there's hope! Just fill out this application and just maybe you could lay claim to sensitive poet and generally sharp-dressing guy, Alan Studowski, Chicago's very own Number One Stud! You can't win if you don't play!","html":"

August 07, 2003\nSexy, sexy single ladies of Chicago! We all know that dating is a hopeless, soul-grating endeavor. All the good ones are taken, and the ones who aren't are never the ones trying to get you ripped on Jaegermeister whilst discussing current events with your cleavage. But there's hope! Just fill out this application and just maybe you could lay claim to sensitive poet and generally sharp-dressing guy, Alan Studowski, Chicago's very own Number One Stud! You can't win if you don't play!

"},{"id":"text-1928","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"August 07, 2003\nChicago 2600 is a site for Chicago-based hackers, focusing on the community's "ethical perspective [on] technology and politics." White hats only, please.","html":"

August 07, 2003\nChicago 2600 is a site for Chicago-based hackers, focusing on the community's "ethical perspective [on] technology and politics." White hats only, please.

"},{"id":"text-1929","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 31, 2003\nWanna go bowling? Here's a list of all the bowling alleys in Chicagoland, alphabetized by name or location. Strike!","html":"

July 31, 2003\nWanna go bowling? Here's a list of all the bowling alleys in Chicagoland, alphabetized by name or location. Strike!

"},{"id":"text-1930","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 30, 2003\nYou're missing out by not reading CraigsList Chicago ads on a semi-regular basis. Take a few minutes out of your day to check out a missive to employment, and ads for psychics, Mary Kay "smell goods," and lots and lots of threesomes.","html":"

July 30, 2003\nYou're missing out by not reading CraigsList Chicago ads on a semi-regular basis. Take a few minutes out of your day to check out a missive to employment, and ads for psychics, Mary Kay "smell goods," and lots and lots of threesomes.

"},{"id":"text-1931","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 29, 2003\nWe all know the social network Friendster (what? you're not on Friendster?), but how about the new Enemyster? Or even Fiendster? While Fiendster is a joke, does anyone have a beta code for Enemyster? Drop me a line.","html":"

July 29, 2003\nWe all know the social network Friendster (what? you're not on Friendster?), but how about the new Enemyster? Or even Fiendster? While Fiendster is a joke, does anyone have a beta code for Enemyster? Drop me a line.

"},{"id":"text-1932","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 28, 2003\nRelatively new Chicagoan Liz Butler, a friend of the Block, is now writing a weekly TV column for The Daily Gusto.","html":"

July 28, 2003\nRelatively new Chicagoan Liz Butler, a friend of the Block, is now writing a weekly TV column for The Daily Gusto.

"},{"id":"text-1933","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 25, 2003\nWDET in Detroit, one of the country's best public radio stations, resumes its streaming today. The stream was shut down in February to comply with the RIAA, but DJs can now work around the rules by using a kill switch. For example, if more than four songs by the same artist are played within a three-hour period, the stream will simply be turned off for the duration of the non-complying programming.","html":"

July 25, 2003\nWDET in Detroit, one of the country's best public radio stations, resumes its streaming today. The stream was shut down in February to comply with the RIAA, but DJs can now work around the rules by using a kill switch. For example, if more than four songs by the same artist are played within a three-hour period, the stream will simply be turned off for the duration of the non-complying programming.

"},{"id":"text-1934","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 25, 2003\nPomposity!, a "lit rag for the computing set," is a product of a couple students in the Interactive Multimedia Program at Columbia College. The html version is dead, but the Flash site boasts a nice mix of high- and low-brow writing.","html":"

July 25, 2003\nPomposity!, a "lit rag for the computing set," is a product of a couple students in the Interactive Multimedia Program at Columbia College. The html version is dead, but the Flash site boasts a nice mix of high- and low-brow writing.

"},{"id":"text-1935","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 23, 2003\nThe complete history of WLS Radio. I gotta get me some WLS radio tubes.","html":"

July 23, 2003\nThe complete history of WLS Radio. I gotta get me some WLS radio tubes.

"},{"id":"text-1936","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 21, 2003\nCoudal Partners announces the launch of Photoshop Tennis, Season 3. This time 'round, it's a 32-slot, single-elimination tournament. 11 spots are still open, so get your applications in!","html":"

July 21, 2003\nCoudal Partners announces the launch of Photoshop Tennis, Season 3. This time 'round, it's a 32-slot, single-elimination tournament. 11 spots are still open, so get your applications in!

"},{"id":"text-1937","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 20, 2003\nThere's a lot of discussion going on in the current Detour article about what is and isn't hip, or a hipster, or a dive bar, or the end of the universe, or something like that. Anyway, ignore that hot air and play for real money – Hipster Bingo. (via BoingBoing)","html":"

July 20, 2003\nThere's a lot of discussion going on in the current Detour article about what is and isn't hip, or a hipster, or a dive bar, or the end of the universe, or something like that. Anyway, ignore that hot air and play for real money – Hipster Bingo. (via BoingBoing)

"},{"id":"text-1938","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 14, 2003\n"A Booth Project" is quite similar to the Mirror Project, but focused specifically on photobooths. Visit one of the booths on their list tonight and send in your photo tomorrow!","html":"

July 14, 2003\n"A Booth Project" is quite similar to the Mirror Project, but focused specifically on photobooths. Visit one of the booths on their list tonight and send in your photo tomorrow!

"},{"id":"text-1939","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"July 08, 2003\nFar from dying as the joke wore thin, the Lincoln Park Trixies Society website has grown, now incorporating a discussion forum (covering such topics as "Bridgeport: the next LP?") and an "Ask Ashley" column. Get in your Jetta, hit Starbucks and read up on the unique social creature that is the Lincoln Park Trixie.","html":"

July 08, 2003\nFar from dying as the joke wore thin, the Lincoln Park Trixies Society website has grown, now incorporating a discussion forum (covering such topics as "Bridgeport: the next LP?") and an "Ask Ashley" column. Get in your Jetta, hit Starbucks and read up on the unique social creature that is the Lincoln Park Trixie.

"},{"id":"text-1940","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 26, 2003\nYou may be a geek, but are you a Design Geek? Our very own Paul McAleer ponders the usefulness of objects and the way they work. It's fresh and (somewhat) new. I wish he'd put up the old archives.","html":"

June 26, 2003\nYou may be a geek, but are you a Design Geek? Our very own Paul McAleer ponders the usefulness of objects and the way they work. It's fresh and (somewhat) new. I wish he'd put up the old archives.

"},{"id":"text-1941","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 26, 2003\nHave you heard reference on WBEZ to the Third Coast International Audio Festival? Wondered what it was? Well, it's an online festival of audio documentary works of all types, from field recordings to news features, presented by Chicago Public Radio and the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation. There's a competition component to it, and the submission deadline is coming up — July 18, to be exact. So get that tape of your grandpa's war stories ready, clean up the sound on your live recording of Guatemalan field hands. It's time to shine.","html":"

June 26, 2003\nHave you heard reference on WBEZ to the Third Coast International Audio Festival? Wondered what it was? Well, it's an online festival of audio documentary works of all types, from field recordings to news features, presented by Chicago Public Radio and the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation. There's a competition component to it, and the submission deadline is coming up — July 18, to be exact. So get that tape of your grandpa's war stories ready, clean up the sound on your live recording of Guatemalan field hands. It's time to shine.

"},{"id":"text-1942","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 23, 2003\nRevamped and looking good, Coudal reboots fresh. We like the new logo. They have also launched a new feature called Reading which features none other than our Editor-in-Chief, Andrew Huff.","html":"

June 23, 2003\nRevamped and looking good, Coudal reboots fresh. We like the new logo. They have also launched a new feature called Reading which features none other than our Editor-in-Chief, Andrew Huff.

"},{"id":"text-1943","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 18, 2003\nThe site's not much to look at, but the Chicago Audubon Society boasts a great collection of links on bird watching in Chicagoland, including a Chicago Bird Census and interactive database. Happy Birding!","html":"

June 18, 2003\nThe site's not much to look at, but the Chicago Audubon Society boasts a great collection of links on bird watching in Chicagoland, including a Chicago Bird Census and interactive database. Happy Birding!

"},{"id":"text-1944","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 16, 2003\nIt's the eighth birthday of one of my favorite sites on the net: APOD (Astronomy Picture of the Day). Check out the archive for some stunning pictures, ranging from hi-res NASA imaging to photographs taken by sky enthusiasts.","html":"

June 16, 2003\nIt's the eighth birthday of one of my favorite sites on the net: APOD (Astronomy Picture of the Day). Check out the archive for some stunning pictures, ranging from hi-res NASA imaging to photographs taken by sky enthusiasts.

"},{"id":"text-1945","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 16, 2003\nThe latest issue of No East, a digital magazine created by members of the Chicagobloggers group, is out at last. The theme this time is "work," in its many permutations. Prendre plaisir.","html":"

June 16, 2003\nThe latest issue of No East, a digital magazine created by members of the Chicagobloggers group, is out at last. The theme this time is "work," in its many permutations. Prendre plaisir.

"},{"id":"text-1946","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 10, 2003\nHas anyone else noticed Metroblossom? It's another urban-focused website with ultra-slick design, and it seems to be run out of Chicago and is looking to take off. Kind of like No-East except with less words.","html":"

June 10, 2003\nHas anyone else noticed Metroblossom? It's another urban-focused website with ultra-slick design, and it seems to be run out of Chicago and is looking to take off. Kind of like No-East except with less words.

"},{"id":"text-1947","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"June 04, 2003\nCar maker Volvo is threatening legal action against the tiny Volo Auto Museum in northwest suburban Volo because its domain name, volocars.com, is too similar to volvocars.com. The museum began using the domain in 1997, three years before Volvo created its site.","html":"

June 04, 2003\nCar maker Volvo is threatening legal action against the tiny Volo Auto Museum in northwest suburban Volo because its domain name, volocars.com, is too similar to volvocars.com. The museum began using the domain in 1997, three years before Volvo created its site.

"},{"id":"text-1948","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 28, 2003\nA computer program developed at Illinois Institute of Technology is able to determine the sex of an author based on an analysis of a text. The program is right 80% of the time.","html":"

May 28, 2003\nA computer program developed at Illinois Institute of Technology is able to determine the sex of an author based on an analysis of a text. The program is right 80% of the time.

"},{"id":"text-1949","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 28, 2003\nWhile I thought it would have come back with nothing but stills from the film Chicago, I was quite awed to see some stunning images of Chicago when doing a Google image search for "Chicago".","html":"

May 28, 2003\nWhile I thought it would have come back with nothing but stills from the film Chicago, I was quite awed to see some stunning images of Chicago when doing a Google image search for "Chicago".

"},{"id":"text-1950","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 28, 2003\nDidn't realize this till today but Indymedia has a Chicago sister site. Some interesting activist reporting, especially with Chicago's universities and colleges it seems.","html":"

May 28, 2003\nDidn't realize this till today but Indymedia has a Chicago sister site. Some interesting activist reporting, especially with Chicago's universities and colleges it seems.

"},{"id":"text-1951","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 22, 2003\nScooter-ridin', sometimes 'stache sportin', all round good man, PJ Chmiel returns from Poland with a gallery of more than 200 photos of his trip. An amazing photographic journey of Poland, a country with a lot of history. Simply jaw-dropping.","html":"

May 22, 2003\nScooter-ridin', sometimes 'stache sportin', all round good man, PJ Chmiel returns from Poland with a gallery of more than 200 photos of his trip. An amazing photographic journey of Poland, a country with a lot of history. Simply jaw-dropping.

"},{"id":"text-1952","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 19, 2003\nI was browsing the backpage section of the Chicago Reader and came across this ad:","html":"

May 19, 2003\nI was browsing the backpage section of the Chicago Reader and came across this ad:

"},{"id":"text-1953","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"COBRAScooters, ATVs, Off-Road, B2B sales, need dealers\nI guess Cobra Commander and his cronies are in financial trouble. As plainly evidenced by their stupidity. Yo Joe!","html":"

COBRAScooters, ATVs, Off-Road, B2B sales, need dealers\nI guess Cobra Commander and his cronies are in financial trouble. As plainly evidenced by their stupidity. Yo Joe!

"},{"id":"text-1954","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 16, 2003\nAbsolutely gorgeous handmade books, prints and t-shirts from ReddingK. Completely inspired by this one, and best of all, they are amazingly cheap considering the quality of artwork here. Be sure to take a look at the Perilous Predicament poster set, amazing in the print section. Side note: Not from Chicago but too good to not link.","html":"

May 16, 2003\nAbsolutely gorgeous handmade books, prints and t-shirts from ReddingK. Completely inspired by this one, and best of all, they are amazingly cheap considering the quality of artwork here. Be sure to take a look at the Perilous Predicament poster set, amazing in the print section. Side note: Not from Chicago but too good to not link.

"},{"id":"text-1955","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 07, 2003\nCoudal intern Anthony Vitagliano shot some amazing footage of the fire at the Acorn Garage [Trib. reg: gapers/gapers] — check it out here (Quicktime video).","html":"

May 07, 2003\nCoudal intern Anthony Vitagliano shot some amazing footage of the fire at the Acorn Garage [Trib. reg: gapers/gapers] — check it out here (Quicktime video).

"},{"id":"text-1956","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"May 05, 2003\nI might be a johnny-come-lately with this, but Jazz Era Chicago is astounding. Copious amounts of photos, text, and historical trivia. I learned, for instance, that the loft I work in used to be a Woolworth's. Well worth your time.","html":"

May 05, 2003\nI might be a johnny-come-lately with this, but Jazz Era Chicago is astounding. Copious amounts of photos, text, and historical trivia. I learned, for instance, that the loft I work in used to be a Woolworth's. Well worth your time.

"},{"id":"text-1957","type":"text","heading":"","plain_text":"Click to rate this post!\n \n [Total: 0 Average: 0]","html":"

Click to rate this post!\n \n [Total: 0 Average: 0]

"}],"sections":[{"id":"text-1","heading":"Text","content":"31 décembre 2015\nJe vole le titre de FoGB Veronica Arreola, car il est parfait. Il y a tellement de listes de Best of à cette époque de l'année, mais si vous voulez connaître 15 femmes (heureusement, il y en a beaucoup plus) qui ont fait des choses géniales à Chicago cette année, alors allez lire à leur sujet. Ils sont tous géniaux."},{"id":"text-2","heading":"Text","content":"31 décembre 2015\nLe comédien Owen Weber affronte les trolls dans la chanson "Comment le troll a volé YouTube"."},{"id":"text-3","heading":"Text","content":"29 décembre 2015\nLa comédienne Beth Stelling, qui a fait ses débuts à Chicago, a posté sur Instagram que son ex-petit ami l'avait violée et maltraitée physiquement et mentalement."},{"id":"text-4","heading":"Text","content":"Même fille dans toutes ces photos (moi). J'ai eu une année incroyable et vous avez vu les points saillants ici, alors ces photos sont une chose peu commune à partager mais pas une question inhabituelle. Vous pouvez être bizarre mais continuez à lire. J'ai un point. Il y a de nombreuses raisons de ne pas rendre publique une relation abusive, principalement la peur. Effrayé par ce que les gens vont penser, effrayé, cela me fait paraître faible ou peu professionnel. Quand j'ai rompu avec mon ex cet été, ce n'était pas parce que je ne l'aimais pas, c'était à cause de ça. Et j'ai absolument rechuté et l'ai contacté avec des choses que je n'aurais pas dû, mais il n'y a pas de "meilleures pratiques" avec cela. Lorsque des amis ou des bandes dessinées demandent pourquoi nous avons rompu, il n’est ni facile ni confortable de répondre; il ne semble pas que ce soit la chose appropriée à dire lors d'un spectacle, d'une fête ou d'un mariage. C'est gênant. Je me sens stupide. Après avoir été verbalement, physiquement maltraité et violé, je suis sorti avec lui pendant deux mois. Ce n'est pas simple Après ma rupture avec lui, il a déclaré: "Vous vous montrez très ouvert et honnête, et je vous demande simplement de me considérer quand vous parlez de votre ex parce que tout le monde sait de qui vous parlez." Et je suis resté. J'ai écrit des blagues vagues parce que nous vivons tous les deux à Los Angeles et je ne voulais pas le blesser, commencer une guerre, porter des accusations, être interrogé ou harcelé par lui ou ses amis et sa famille. Je voulais avancer et oublier parce que je ne comprenais pas. Je ne veux pas me venger ni le blesser maintenant, mais il est malsain de garder cela à l'intérieur car mon stand-up est tiré directement de ma vie. C'est comme ça que je gagne ma vie. Mon personnel est mon professionnel. C'est comme ça que j'ai toujours été; Je fais sombre, drôle. Alors maintenant, je permets que cela fasse partie de mon histoire. Ce n'est pas ma seule histoire, alors s'il vous plaît, ne le laissez pas être. Si vous habitez à Los Angeles, vous avez déjà commencé à entendre mes blagues à ce sujet et je vous demande d'avoir le courage de l'écouter et de l'accepter parce que j'essaie. Déjà depuis que j'ai parlé de cela sur scène, beaucoup de femmes sont venues me voir après des spectacles me demandant de continuer à le faire. Les hommes ont montré leur solidarité. Une ex-petite amie de cet ex-petit ami est venue me voir et a raconté qu'elle avait connu le même sort. Puis il y en avait un autre et un autre (hommes et femmes) qui partageaient d’autres injustices de sa part qui ..\nUne photo postée par Beth Stelling (@bethstelling) sur 28 décembre 2015 à 9h30 PST"},{"id":"text-5","heading":"Text","content":"21 décembre 2015\nLe A.V. L'année annuelle du club en noms de groupes est une merveille."},{"id":"text-6","heading":"Text","content":"17 décembre 2015\nVous devez améliorer votre jeu de maison en pain d’épice."},{"id":"text-7","heading":"Text","content":"17 décembre 2015\nLe personnage de Macaulay Culkin dans un épisode récent du webshort: DRYVRS semble très familier (et NSFW)."},{"id":"text-8","heading":"Text","content":"16 décembre 2015\nNewCity a lancé un nouveau podcast intitulé "Beaucoup de choses pour Holler", animé par Ben Schulman, éditeur de Newcity Design (et GB alum), et le journaliste d’architecture Zach Mortice. Le premier épisode parle de Chicago dans les films."},{"id":"text-9","heading":"Text","content":"16 décembre 2015\nCards Against Humanity a fait don à WBEZ de tous les bénéfices des huit cadeaux de cette année pour Hanukkah et a fait en sorte que tous ceux qui ont acheté des membres de WBEZ (s'ils le voulaient)."},{"id":"text-10","heading":"Text","content":"Maintenant que nous avons ajouté 150 000 Millennials à @WBEZLa base de membres de, est abaissé l'âge moyen des membres à 92.\n– Max Temkin (@MaxTemkin) 16 décembre 2015"},{"id":"text-11","heading":"Text","content":"15 décembre 2015\nRéalisations de Rahm et Amour de Rahm."},{"id":"text-12","heading":"Text","content":"14 décembre 2015\nJusqu'à mercredi soir, les étudiants de l'Université de Toronto vous chanteront par téléphone une chanson de vacances de votre choix."},{"id":"text-13","heading":"Text","content":"11 décembre 2015\nSmack Dab Productions vous présente Shootr, une nouvelle application qui vous tient au courant des derniers meurtres de masse, des fusillades par la police et plus encore."},{"id":"text-14","heading":"Text","content":"11 décembre 2015\nFLOTUS Michelle Obama rappe – oui, raps – un shoutout pour South Side dans la vidéo de CollegeHumor "Go to College"."},{"id":"text-15","heading":"Text","content":"09 décembre 2015\nLa Bitchin 'Camaro, la mascotte automobile officielle du Riot Fest, a été volée hier sur un parking du West Loop. MISE À JOUR: Le vol était un canular, lié à une collecte de jouets de vacances."},{"id":"text-16","heading":"Text","content":"20 novembre 2015\nL'affiche du film Aloha est-elle toujours sur ce panneau d'affichage à Logan Square?\nOui."},{"id":"text-17","heading":"Text","content":"via GIPHY"},{"id":"text-18","heading":"Text","content":"19 novembre 2015\nLe membre fondateur de Survivor, auteur de l'hymne des années 80 "Eye of the Tiger", a intenté aujourd'hui un procès en violation du droit d'auteur devant un tribunal fédéral de l'Illinois contre le politicien Mike Huckabee pour avoir joué la chanson alors qu'il escortait le greffier du comté, Kim Davis, d'une courte peine de prison. suite à son refus de délivrer des licences de mariage de même sexe."},{"id":"text-19","heading":"Text","content":"16 novembre 2015\nTime Out propose sept relations inédites spécifiquement pour les Chicagoiens – et heureusement, aucune ne concerne le ketchup ou le deep dish."},{"id":"text-20","heading":"Text","content":"13 novembre 2015\nHalf Acre disposait d'une gamme de canettes de bière abandonnées, alors elles ont fait la seule chose logique avant de les jeter dans le recyclage."},{"id":"text-21","heading":"Text","content":"12 novembre 2015\nLe père Michael Pfleger a écrit sur Facebook mercredi qu'un technicien de Comcast ne viendrait pas réparer le service Internet de St. Sabina parce que le quartier est trop violent. Après des centaines de commentaires et de couverture médiatique, Pfleger a annoncé que Comcast avait changé d'avis, mais se demandait s'ils feraient de même pour un voisin moins branché."},{"id":"text-22","heading":"Text","content":"11 novembre 2015\nMax Temkin de Cards Against Human pense vraiment que vous devriez écouter le podcast Hello de Magic Tavern. Juste peut-être pas en conduisant."},{"id":"text-23","heading":"Text","content":"06 novembre 2015\nLa scène emblématique de l’Institut d’art de «La fête de Ferris Bueller» a été recréée par les fans (en costume) pour votre plus grand plaisir des yeux."},{"id":"text-24","heading":"Text","content":"06 novembre 2015\nTu es belle tout le monde est un message personnalisable à envoyer à un ami ou à un être cher, inspiré par les autocollants emblématiques de Matthew Hoffman. (Malheureusement, cela ne fonctionne pas avec Firefox.)"},{"id":"text-25","heading":"Text","content":"04 novembre 2015\nCitant la mauvaise gestion et des taux d'euthanasie inutilement élevés, un groupe de défenseurs du sauvetage des animaux demande au maire Emanuel de tout mettre en œuvre pour nommer le prochain directeur du département de la protection et du contrôle des animaux de la ville. Le directeur précédent a pris sa retraite la semaine dernière; sa remplaçante a des antécédents de mesures disciplinaires et a rendu son propre chien à l’ACC après y avoir été transférée d’un autre service de la ville, alors qu’elle n’avait aucune expérience en matière de protection et de sauvetage des animaux."},{"id":"text-26","heading":"Text","content":"02 novembre 2015\nNous vivons dans le futur et le futur est Aladdin."},{"id":"text-27","heading":"Text","content":"27 octobre 2015\nSi "sexy citrouille" ne vous convient pas, vous pouvez toujours choisir Svengoolie."},{"id":"text-28","heading":"Text","content":"20 octobre 2015\nDans une interview avec le magazine de Chicago, le garde des Bulls, Jimmy Butler, a révélé qu'il avait retiré les rétroviseurs de sa voiture "comme un rappel symbolique pour ne jamais regarder en arrière"."},{"id":"text-29","heading":"Text","content":"20 octobre 2015\nEt si la rive du lac Michigan était une ligne droite? Basé sur l'endroit où le cartographe Daniel Huffman a coupé le périmètre, Chicago se retrouverait au nord de Green Bay. [via]"},{"id":"text-30","heading":"Text","content":"19 octobre 2015\nLe cinéma 8 bits de Cinefix a récemment appliqué son traitement de jeu vidéo rétro à Journée de Ferris Bueller."},{"id":"text-31","heading":"Text","content":"12 octobre 2015\nÀ partir de 1989, Mark Davis a travaillé dans un K-Mart de Naperville pendant 10 ans. Il a sauvé 56 des cassettes de musique en magasin du début des années 90 et a récemment numérisé la collection. [via]"},{"id":"text-32","heading":"Text","content":"02 octobre 2015\nTime Out propose une liste des meilleures choses à faire à Chicago pour voler en solo. ""},{"id":"text-33","heading":"Text","content":"01 octobre 2015\nAngie Jaime parle du deuil à l'ère de Facebook pour TouchVision."},{"id":"text-34","heading":"Text","content":"30 septembre 2015\nAtlas Obscura vient de publier une carte plébiscitée de noms d’entreprises, et Chicagoland est bien représentée, du Viet Nom Nom à Evanston à la Hoosier Mama Pie Company dans le village ukrainien jusqu’à Wok This Way, près de Midway."},{"id":"text-35","heading":"Text","content":"28 septembre 2015\nPlongez dans des quartiers branchés de Chicago avec On the Grid, un guide de la ville axé sur le design – et plusieurs autres."},{"id":"text-36","heading":"Text","content":"18 septembre 2015\nDes images de Chicago datant d'août 1896 ont été diffusées sur YouTube."},{"id":"text-37","heading":"Text","content":"18 septembre 2015\nAyez toujours une réponse avec le générateur de banlieue de Chicago!"},{"id":"text-38","heading":"Text","content":"15 septembre 2015\nCook County Jail gère 2,5 étoiles sur 5 sur Yelp, bien que ce ne soit clairement pas un endroit où vous souhaitiez faire une réservation."},{"id":"text-39","heading":"Text","content":"31 août 2015\nUn homme de West Town a trouvé des étrangers dans son appartement après que son locataire / colocataire a répertorié la chambre du propriétaire sur Airbnb sans la permission ou la connaissance du propriétaire."},{"id":"text-40","heading":"Text","content":"28 août 2015\nLe gars de la crêpe YouTube, Nathan Shields, a créé des versions amphibies de l’aquarium Shedd en version flapjack."},{"id":"text-41","heading":"Text","content":"28 août 2015\nPartir partout utilise des données de recensement réelles pour générer de fausses raisons de quitter Chicago."},{"id":"text-42","heading":"Text","content":"24 août 2015\nSpike, la fleur du cadavre au Chicago Botanic Museum, pourrait fleurir ce soir ou demain. Vous pouvez regarder son déroulement en direct en ligne; une fois confirmé, le musée sera ouvert jusqu'à 2 heures du matin pour que les visiteurs puissent sentir l'odeur révoltante de Spike."},{"id":"text-43","heading":"Text","content":"19 août 2015\nGrantland interviewe Mark Moses, originaire d'Evanston, qui a joué QB pour les Wildkits bien avant de jouer Duck Phillips dans "Mad Men"."},{"id":"text-44","heading":"Text","content":"19 août 2015\n"Le meilleur tweet sur Internet", gracieuseté de la Tribune: "George Zimmerman vendant des peintures de drapeaux confédérés dans un magasin d'armes à feu" Muslim Free "en Floride.""},{"id":"text-45","heading":"Text","content":"George Zimmerman vendant des peintures de drapeaux confédérés dans un magasin d'armes à feu «Muslim Free» en Floride. http://t.co/2K3cnilRmd pic.twitter.com/ShQmiVsND2\n– Chicago Tribune (@chicagotribune) 18 août 2015"},{"id":"text-46","heading":"Text","content":"14 août 2015\nSi vous sentez que vous dormez trop la nuit, consultez NUKEMAP pour cartographier les conséquences de l’explosion d’une bombe nucléaire à Chicago ou ailleurs."},{"id":"text-47","heading":"Text","content":"11 août 2015\nConséquence of Sound a fait une vidéo (un peu drôle) de fausses interviews de personnes qui ont été témoins (et ont vécu) le jour d'août 2004 où un conducteur d'autobus de la bande Dave Matthews a vidé sa fosse septique sur un bateau de touristes alors qu'il traversait la rue Kinzie. pont."},{"id":"text-48","heading":"Text","content":"10 août 2015\nSelon une étude réalisée par le site, les utilisateurs de Facebook à Chicago utilisent davantage les émoticônes pour émettre des éclats de rire que les habitants d'autres villes. [via]"},{"id":"text-49","heading":"Text","content":"09 août 2015\nAprès le match des Cubs / Giants plus tôt dans la journée, Wrigley Field a été brièvement évacué après que la police eut reçu une alerte à la bombe ".plus crédible"que ceux qu'ils reçoivent normalement (gulp)."},{"id":"text-50","heading":"Text","content":"06 août 2015\nLa chambre de commerce de Rogers Park a créé une page Facebook pour ce qui semble être toutes les rues du quartier, d'Albion à Walcott."},{"id":"text-51","heading":"Text","content":"05 août 2015\nLes Chicagoiens Rebecca et Tim marchent à travers l’Amérique pour collecter des fonds pour la réadaptation d’un ami après une blessure à la colonne vertébrale. Ils ont quitté San Francisco en avril et ont récemment atteint le point intermédiaire; aidez-les à faire le reste du chemin. (Merci, Phil!)"},{"id":"text-52","heading":"Text","content":"29 juillet 2015\nCape Horn Illustration a réuni un beau poème pour rappeler les rues principales."},{"id":"text-53","heading":"Text","content":"9 juillet 2015\nL’écrivain culinaire Steve Dolinsky a rencontré un Hot Dog de Chicago très inauthentique recouvert d’oignons frits, de cornichons et d’une "sauce de Chicago" (le fantasme) en Espagne."},{"id":"text-54","heading":"Text","content":"03 juillet 2015\nSouvenez-vous du défunt disparu de Craig's Lost Chicago, une cavalcade de ce qui va et vient."},{"id":"text-55","heading":"Text","content":"02 juillet 2015\nUn site de regroupement appelé Voat ressemble beaucoup à Reddit, mais ses créateurs disent que c'est différent, en mettant l'accent sur la convivialité et la confidentialité."},{"id":"text-56","heading":"Text","content":"26 juin 2015\nLe propriétaire de la pièce, Bill Jacobs, a publié aujourd'hui au New York Times un éditorial sur les risques pour la sécurité et la santé liés aux heures heureuses. Le gouverneur Rauner envisage de signer un projet de loi qui rétablira les heures heureuses, interdites depuis 1989."},{"id":"text-57","heading":"Text","content":"11 juin 2015\nVous êtes-vous déjà demandé à quoi ressemblait un vraquier de 730 pieds quittant le lac Michigan pour naviguer vers une destination en aval de la rivière Calumet? Je ne me demande plus."},{"id":"text-58","heading":"Text","content":"10 juin 2015\nBilly Corgan a adopté deux chatons de PAWS."},{"id":"text-59","heading":"Text","content":"29 mai 2015\nUne brève séquence vidéo de la levée du fleuve S.S. Eastland de la rivière Chicago après le naufrage de 1915, qui a tué plus de 800 personnes, est parue en ligne."},{"id":"text-60","heading":"Text","content":"30 avril 2015\nMolly Adams et Tim Barnes font équipe pour expliquer Mansplaining. Vous devriez probablement lire ceci, cela a beaucoup à voir avec votre vie quotidienne."},{"id":"text-61","heading":"Text","content":"23 avril 2015\nDNAInfo Chicago contient des informations utiles sur la manière de recycler des objets souvent mis au rebut, tels que des biberons en plastique, des mégots de cigarette, des balles de tennis et même des soutiens-gorge usés! A lire avant de les jeter."},{"id":"text-62","heading":"Text","content":"19 avril 2015\nVous voulez savoir quelle est la nourriture la plus populaire de façon disproportionnée dans votre quartier, c'est-à-dire le type de restaurant que les gens raffolent sur Yelp? Alors ne cherchez pas plus loin que la carte interactive sur DNAinfo- et pour votre bien, j'espère que ce n'est pas de la salade."},{"id":"text-63","heading":"Text","content":"10 avril 2015\nLa plupart des endroits figurant sur la liste des meilleurs joyaux cachés de Chicago, Buzzfeed, seront familiers aux habitants, mais au moins ils ne feront pas fuir les touristes."},{"id":"text-64","heading":"Text","content":"31 mars 2015\nFaire de la ville un jeu Pac-Man sur Google Maps est un moyen assez efficace de faire face à toute rage routière persistante."},{"id":"text-65","heading":"Text","content":"20 mars 2015\n"La dernière fois que j'ai entendu dire, il était commerçant de produits de base à Chicago. Cela semble assez carré, mais tant qu'il prend l'argent et reste en place, il a ma bénédiction. " [via]"},{"id":"text-66","heading":"Text","content":"17 mars 2015\nConsultez Earthcam.com pour savoir ce que font les parieurs et les fêtards le jour de la Saint-Patrick dans le monde entier. Regardez le défilé de New York et les célébrants au Temple Bar de Dublin, ainsi que tout ce que les Irlandais font à Las Vegas aujourd'hui."},{"id":"text-67","heading":"Text","content":"11 mars 2015\nPAWS Chicago fait du porte-à-porte pour voir comment se portent les animaux domestiques et les animaux, apportant des services dans les rues au lieu de simplement construire un autre refuge pour animaux, écrit le blogueur Vanessa Smetkowski."},{"id":"text-68","heading":"Text","content":"05 mars 2015\nUn adolescent de Deerfield attire l'attention du pays pour sa vidéo promotionnelle sur la bar-mitsva. Bien sûr, il n'est pas le premier enfant de banlieue à faire de cette journée spéciale encore plus spéciale."},{"id":"text-69","heading":"Text","content":"05 mars 2015\n@TheHashtagGamede #ChicagoAMovie Le hashtag sur Twitter hier soir était très amusant."},{"id":"text-70","heading":"Text","content":"C'est un Madigan, Madigan, Madigan, Madigan World. #ChicagoAMovie\n– Frank Sennett (@SennettReport) 5 mars 2015"},{"id":"text-71","heading":"Text","content":"Cloudgate avec une chance de boulettes de viande #ChicagoAMovie\n– Phil Prombo (@philprombo) 5 mars 2015"},{"id":"text-72","heading":"Text","content":"@TheHashtagGame La machine à remonter le temps de Doug #ChicagoAMovie\n– Dan Widensky (@OriginalDDub) 5 mars 2015"},{"id":"text-73","heading":"Text","content":"Victory Auto Wreck-It-Ralph #ChicagoAMovie pic.twitter.com/pEdf8MEnbG\n– John K. Born (@johnkborn) 5 mars 2015"},{"id":"text-74","heading":"Text","content":"Un couple de deux arbres a survolé le nid de coucou #ChicagoAMovie\n– Matt Windle (@Matt_Windle) 5 mars 2015"},{"id":"text-75","heading":"Text","content":"M. Smith se rend à Washington et dans l'État #ChicagoAMovie\n– Andrew Huff (@ me3dia) 5 mars 2015"},{"id":"text-76","heading":"Text","content":"Minuit dans la Giardiniera du Bien et du Mal #ChicagoAMovie\n– Pinson splendide (@Schwarziest) 5 mars 2015"},{"id":"text-77","heading":"Text","content":"L'empire contre les verges #ChicagoAMovie\n– Singe d'assistance (@ HelperMonkey) 5 mars 2015"},{"id":"text-78","heading":"Text","content":"5882 300 #ChicagoAMovie\n– Marlow (@ bmar2112) 5 mars 2015"},{"id":"text-79","heading":"Text","content":"Composer M pour Malort #ChicagoAMovie\n– LeeAnn Shelton (@ByLeeAnnS) 5 mars 2015"},{"id":"text-80","heading":"Text","content":"26 février 2015\nMarquez ce signet par temps plus clément: cartes routières vers des lieux de films John Hughes, à partir de Ferris Bueller à Seul à la maison à Science étrange."},{"id":"text-81","heading":"Text","content":"18 février 2015\nLe Sun-Times a reçu une copie du rapport de police concernant le vol du fils du maire Emanuel en décembre, mais l'incident ne figure pas dans la base de données sur les crimes du portail de données de la ville."},{"id":"text-82","heading":"Text","content":"16 février 2015\nRodney Nelson a proposé à sa fiancée Alexa Wenning un livre-papier au Lincoln Park Zoo. [via]"},{"id":"text-83","heading":"Text","content":"13 février 2015\nFoGB Felix Jung a récemment créé deux robots amusants sur Twitter. Un suit les désirs des gens, tandis qu'un autre joue le jeu de questions et réponses."},{"id":"text-84","heading":"Text","content":"05 février 2015\nPrenez une seconde et écrivez une note sympa à un enfant malade et l'Hôpital pour enfants de Lurie livrera une Saint-Valentin spéciale le 14. Allez … pense aux enfants!"},{"id":"text-85","heading":"Text","content":"02 février 2015\nUn lien approprié après le blizzard: en 2009, un Chicagoien du nom de George Joachim a fait une randonnée dans le champ de glace Columbia au Canada et s'est perdu. [via]"},{"id":"text-86","heading":"Text","content":"28 janvier 2015\nRiver Thrill est le cinquième quartier le plus sexy du pays selon Thrillist – ce qui n’est pas assez élevé pour être classé parmi les quartiers les plus sexy de la Terre."},{"id":"text-87","heading":"Text","content":"23 janvier 2015\nCraig Benzine, le serveur Wheezy, vous montre 30 façons de rire."},{"id":"text-88","heading":"Text","content":"20 janvier 2015\nDans une exclusivité pour The Onion, Chicago a inauguré ses nouvelles stations de partage d'armes, déployées dans toute la ville."},{"id":"text-89","heading":"Text","content":"16 janvier 2015\nTu n'as pas à le laisser dans la ruelle! Le programme de recyclage gratuit des arbres de la ville se termine demain; vous pouvez le prendre à l'un des 23 endroits [PDF]."},{"id":"text-90","heading":"Text","content":"14 janvier 2015\nTime Out propose une panoplie de "bidouilles" pour faciliter la vie à Chicago."},{"id":"text-91","heading":"Text","content":"13 janvier 2015\nSi vous utilisez toujours Metromix, vous savez déjà que le site vient de lancer une refonte. Par ailleurs, Do312 a mis à jour son logo le mois dernier et Centre de la scène n'existe plus."},{"id":"text-92","heading":"Text","content":"12 janvier 2015\nVous êtes-vous déjà demandé ce que signifient les numéros de cartes sur les voitures de police? [via]"},{"id":"text-93","heading":"Text","content":"10 janvier 2015\nLa Chambre de commerce franco-américaine organisera un rassemblement demain à 15 heures à Daley Plaza pour exprimer sa solidarité avec les victimes de la récente fusillade de Charlie Hebdo."},{"id":"text-94","heading":"Text","content":"09 janvier 2015\nL’interprète, metteur en scène et professeur, qui était bien connu dans la communauté d’improvisation locale, a été retrouvé mort dans son appartement la nuit dernière. Il avait 46 ans."},{"id":"text-95","heading":"Text","content":"08 janvier 2015\nMalgré les tweets qui circulent disant qu'il fait plus froid à Chicago que sur Mars, la température moyenne de l'air martien est en fait de -50 ° F."},{"id":"text-96","heading":"Text","content":"05 janvier 2015\nAvec la permission de l'Institut culturel Google, vous pouvez désormais visiter virtuellement l'Art Institute."},{"id":"text-97","heading":"Text","content":"05 janvier 2015\nNotre casier judiciaire au gouvernement est une source d'inspiration pour cette liste de devises d'État sarcastiques."},{"id":"text-98","heading":"Text","content":"02 janvier 2015\nLogan Square a devancé Bridgeport pour remporter la Curbed Cup 2014, un concours de vote en ligne organisé pour trouver le meilleur quartier de la ville."},{"id":"text-99","heading":"Text","content":"30 décembre 2014\nCertains Acura des environs ont été engloutis dans le sel lorsqu'un mur de l'usine de Morton Salt s'est effondré cet après-midi. Aucun mot sur les nouvelles démarques chez le concessionnaire. (Aucune blessure n'a été rapportée.)"},{"id":"text-100","heading":"Text","content":"Aucun rapport de blessure. Voitures affectées par le concessionnaire Acura pic.twitter.com/cPZM3iPYhi\n– Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) 30 décembre 2014"},{"id":"text-101","heading":"Text","content":"Vue aérienne du mur effondré à #MortonSalt de Skycam 9 .. le sel coulant sur les voitures. (Elston / Division) @WGNNews pic.twitter.com/v0nzi8gLqh\n– Sarah Jindra (@SarahJindra) 30 décembre 2014"},{"id":"text-102","heading":"Text","content":"23 décembre 2014\nDans le cadre de sa tournée Holiday Bullshit cette année, les gars de Cards Against Humanity ont acheté une petite île privée dans le Maine, qu'ils ont renommée Hawaii 2, et ont envoyé des titres de propriété pour un pied carré à chacun des 250 000 abonnés."},{"id":"text-103","heading":"Text","content":"20 décembre 2014\nLe fils de Rahm Emanuel, Zach, âgé de 17 ans, a été privé de son téléphone par deux hommes hier soir alors qu'il marchait près du domicile de la famille Ravenswood. La police enquête."},{"id":"text-104","heading":"Text","content":"19 décembre 2014\nCondamné à Cook indique les quartiers de la ville où le nombre d'arrestations et de condamnations est le plus élevé."},{"id":"text-105","heading":"Text","content":"16 décembre 2014\nRencontrez un relocateur de poissons, un explorateur urbain et d’autres personnes qui vivent "So Chicago" à travers de courts documentaires réalisés par le photojournaliste Chris Walker."},{"id":"text-106","heading":"Text","content":"16 décembre 2014\nLes Bears ont connu un autre match terrible la nuit dernière, s'inclinant 31 à 15 face aux Saints. Les sites jumeaux CutCutler.com et SaveDaBears.com tentent d'amener les fans de Bears à racheter le contrat de Cutler en faisant un don de 15 $ chacun. [via]"},{"id":"text-107","heading":"Text","content":"11 décembre 2014\nYouTuber Blake Grigsby a apporté son propre gui à Christkindlmarket et y a trouvé toute sa joie."},{"id":"text-108","heading":"Text","content":"09 décembre 2014\nLe site Web mis à jour du service de police de Chicago permet aux utilisateurs de signaler des crimes non urgents, de donner des conseils et de visionner des vidéos sur la criminalité afin de tenter d'identifier des suspects. [via]"},{"id":"text-109","heading":"Text","content":"08 décembre 2014\nMarian Eichholz, qui, en tant que tout-petit, a échappé au tristement célèbre désastre de 1915 dans l’Eastland avec ses parents, est décédée le mois dernier à 102 ans."},{"id":"text-110","heading":"Text","content":"02 décembre 2014\nJe veux dire, qui ne le fait pas? Il y a un bébé bouc pygmée disponible gratuitement à River North – avec Adorable petit pull et harnais – si tu agis vite. (Merci, Nell!) Oups, trop tard, la liste a été supprimée. Voici une capture d'écran. C'était une blague quand même."},{"id":"text-111","heading":"Text","content":"01 décembre 2014\nLes joueurs locaux, Cards Against Humanity, ont donné une nouvelle direction au Black Friday: ils ont retiré leur jeu de société des ventes en ligne et vendu des boîtes remplies d'excréments de taureau (qui se sont rapidement vendues)."},{"id":"text-112","heading":"Text","content":"25 novembre 2014\nJoyce Wadler des NYTimes a été trompée par un article satirique du Daily Currant, affirmant que Kanye West avait déclaré à WGYN de Chicago que ses fesses étaient meilleures que celles de Kim Kardashian. Ironiquement, la colonne de Wadler s'appelle "J'étais mal informée"."},{"id":"text-113","heading":"Text","content":"21 novembre 2014\nFaites un "quiz dopey" et voyez combien de quartiers de Chicago vous avez visités."},{"id":"text-114","heading":"Text","content":"21 novembre 2014\nAujourd'hui, le conseil d'admission au barreau de l'Illinois réexaminera la demande d'allaitement de Kristin Pagano lors de l'examen du barreau de février 2015, qui avait été rejeté auparavant. [Illinois law states, « A mother may breastfeed her baby in any location, public or private, where the mother is otherwise authorized to be. »]"},{"id":"text-115","heading":"Text","content":"19 novembre 2014\nUn membre présumé du gang des Black Disciples a décidé de faire une Reddit AMA on / r / Chicago."},{"id":"text-116","heading":"Text","content":"12 novembre 2014\nHollaback Chicago cherche de l'aide pour trouver un homme qui a agressé sexuellement une femme endormie à côté de lui dans le train Metra le mois dernier."},{"id":"text-117","heading":"Text","content":"11 novembre 2014\nJ'ignore surtout Quora, mais le fil de discussion me demandant "Comment est la vie à Chicago?" obtient des réponses assez intéressantes."},{"id":"text-118","heading":"Text","content":"10 novembre 2014\nCréez et explorez le créateur de rythmes ESTA associé au photographe Michael Salisbury pour créer une vidéo rendant hommage aux images et aux sons de la ville.\n \nCréer et explorer 001 – Michael Salisbury X ESTA de Créer et explorer sur Vimeo."},{"id":"text-119","heading":"Text","content":"29 octobre 2014\nLe candidat au poste de gouverneur, Bruce Rauner, a fait un faux-pas de la taille de Chicagoland en commandant un hot-dog avec du ketchup dans une banlieue de Portillo. Twitter a explosé; Attaché de presse de Rauner insiste que le chien était pour elle … mais comment pouvons-nous savoir?"},{"id":"text-120","heading":"Text","content":"27 octobre 2014\nLes actions de Fodor sont certaines choses que les visiteurs ne devraient pas faire à Chicago, y compris un vol à destination de O'Hare et une visite au Willis Tower Skydeck."},{"id":"text-121","heading":"Text","content":"21 octobre 2014\nLa dernière fausse information concernant votre flux Facebook est celle qui affirme qu'un homme est décédé dans une maison hantée de Waukegan et n'a pas été retrouvé depuis près de deux semaines."},{"id":"text-122","heading":"Text","content":"20 octobre 2014\nDiscovery Channel a lancé un flux vidéo en direct du centre-ville de Wyndham Grand, en amont de la promenade à l'horizon de Nik Wallenda."},{"id":"text-123","heading":"Text","content":"20 octobre 2014\nLes rues de Chicago s'écartent rarement de la grille, une visualisation codée en couleur par les émissions Data Pointed."},{"id":"text-124","heading":"Text","content":"13 octobre 2014\nRoger Ebert était apparemment actif sur Wikipedia de 2004 à 2009. L’Atlantic rapporte qu’un artiste australien a compilé les éditions de la dernière critique dans un livre de 45 pages en tant que projet artistique."},{"id":"text-125","heading":"Text","content":"10 octobre 2014\nVous pouvez dire à votre tante inquiète sur Facebook que non, il n’ya pas eu de morts à ebola à Chicago, malgré ce que dit un site web satirique peu précis. (Merci, Dee!)"},{"id":"text-126","heading":"Text","content":"10 octobre 2014\nParce que les résultats reposent uniquement sur les statistiques, les codes 60602 et 60603 – deux codes postaux Loop regroupant moins de 2 000 résidents – apparaissent comme les "meilleurs codes postaux" de Movoto en Amérique du Nord. Mais bon, "En finale perk, aucune famille n’a indiqué qu’elle se trouvait en dessous du seuil de pauvreté, c’est donc un endroit moins stressant où vivre à la maison. ""},{"id":"text-127","heading":"Text","content":"10 octobre 2014\nIl ne reste que 16 heures aux fans de cette fanfare punk / spectacle épique pour soutenir le dernier album de Mucca Pazza sur Indie Go-Go. Procurez-vous de la musique, un sweat à capuche, un sac à bandoulière ou votre propre jeu de partitions à jouer avec le groupe à la maison."},{"id":"text-128","heading":"Text","content":"08 octobre 2014\nMakeitfor.us veut commémorer le grand incendie de Chicago en faisant sonner les sirènes d’avertissement de la ville à 21 heures ce soir; transformez vos haut-parleurs en une sirène en visitant leur site web."},{"id":"text-129","heading":"Text","content":"07 octobre 2014\nUne vaste vidéo ultra haute définition du centre-ville de The Outbound Life ressemble à la conclusion épique d'un documentaire sur la ville."},{"id":"text-130","heading":"Text","content":"02 octobre 2014\nVous voulez toujours vous assurer que vous sentez le vent qui vient de l'odeur de chocolat qui vient de sortir du chocolat de la chocolaterie Blommer au centre-ville? Ce tumblr peut vous aider avec des conseils basés sur les prévisions météorologiques et de vent quotidiens."},{"id":"text-131","heading":"Text","content":"02 octobre 2014\n@ChicagoWords tweets un mot, une phrase ou une personne de chaque jour que tous les habitants de Chicago devraient connaître."},{"id":"text-132","heading":"Text","content":"Gapers: Les gens regardent un accident de la route avec la bouche «bouche bée» ouverte.\n– Chicago Words (@ChicagoWords) 1er octobre 2014"},{"id":"text-133","heading":"Text","content":"30 septembre 2014\nGawker est en train de classer l'accent le plus laid d'Amérique, et celui de Chicago contre les filles de la vallée de Los Angeles. C'est probablement l'un de ces moments où il vaut mieux ne pas voter pour Chicago."},{"id":"text-134","heading":"Text","content":"25 septembre 2014\nUn vélo pliant sans siège, un mémoire d'un ancien skinhead, un documentaire sur les chrétiens transgenres et la prochaine saison de "Star Makers de Steve Gadlin" figurent parmi les projets en cours de financement sur la page Kickstarter de GB."},{"id":"text-135","heading":"Text","content":"24 septembre 2014\nLe dernier projet de Felix Jung de FoGB, Underviewed, attire votre attention sur les vidéos avec très peu de vues sur YouTube, probablement en partie parce que leurs créateurs n'ont jamais changé les noms de fichiers par défaut."},{"id":"text-136","heading":"Text","content":"23 septembre 2014\nAller sur une branche et dire, non, il n'y a pas d'hippopotame dans la rivière Chicago.\nJugez par vous-même:"},{"id":"text-137","heading":"Text","content":"17 septembre 2014\n24 / 7WallSt a dressé une liste des «50 meilleures villes américaines» (sic) et a placé Evanston au 5e rang."},{"id":"text-138","heading":"Text","content":"10 septembre 2014\nAvec toute cette pluie et ces inondations, vous pouvez vérifier en un clic si les eaux usées non traitées débordent dans la rivière Chicago. Vérifiez istheresewageinthechicagoriver.com pour toute la réalité cliquable, basée sur des données du district métropolitain de récupération des eaux du Grand Chicago."},{"id":"text-139","heading":"Text","content":"09 septembre 2014\nUn passionné de LEGO suédois a créé une reconstitution du Journée de Ferris Bueller scène dans laquelle Cameron envoie la Ferrari de son père à travers la fenêtre.\nIl y avait aussi un autre Ferris Bueller scène et un de Les frères blues dans la compétition annuelle."},{"id":"text-140","heading":"Text","content":"08 septembre 2014\nL'équipe des médias sociaux d'entreprise de McDonald's a été formée après avoir dit à @HowThingsWork de ne pas "diffuser de mauvaises informations" – par partage d'un gif animé de la propre vidéo de l'entreprise."},{"id":"text-141","heading":"Text","content":"03 septembre 2014\nLe nouveau esurance billboard à Washington et Canal propose une suggestion intéressante."},{"id":"text-142","heading":"Text","content":"Alors, euh, qui a vu la nouvelle publicité sur l'assurance à Canal / Washington? pic.twitter.com/SFXJFh7sBR\n– Sharlene King (@typodactyl) 3 septembre 2014\nMISE À JOUR: On dirait que ça a déjà été corrigé."},{"id":"text-143","heading":"Text","content":"@typodactyle @madamradams Des gars du parc avec service de voiturier à proximité ont dit que c'était chez Canal & Randolph pendant un moment, mais ont été changés ce matin. Cc: @AndreaHanis\n– Becky Yerak (@beckyyerak) 3 septembre 2014"},{"id":"text-144","heading":"Text","content":"27 août 2014\nPAWS a une webcam pour chaton en direct montrant les derniers ajouts en vue de son adoption; Les refuges reçoivent généralement un afflux de jeunes chats et chiens pendant les chauds mois d'été."},{"id":"text-145","heading":"Text","content":"25 août 2014\nUn étudiant de Loyola exprime sa frustration à propos d’un numéro de loterie pour le logement d’une manière créative (mais exagérée)."},{"id":"text-146","heading":"Text","content":"25 août 2014\nLe Lyric Opera organisera une vente de plus de 3000 de ses costumes la semaine prochaine."},{"id":"text-147","heading":"Text","content":"25 août 2014\nUn présumé agent de l'Etat islamique aurait tweeté un message semblant menacer Washington DC et Chicago, notamment des photos de la Maison Blanche et du 307 N. Michigan Ave., également connu sous le nom de Old Republic Building."},{"id":"text-148","heading":"Text","content":"#MessagedeISIStoUS\nNous sommes dans votre état\nNous sommes dans vos villes\nNous sommes dans vos rues\nVous êtes nos objectifs n'importe où pic.twitter.com/1EYMgCWJse\n– قهر الطواغيت (@Sunna_rev) 9 août 2014"},{"id":"text-149","heading":"Text","content":"20 août 2014\nLe service "TV partout" NimbleTV arrive à Chicago, et Rivet Radio, société basée à Chicago, a récemment collecté 1,7 million de dollars auprès d'investisseurs, notamment Associated Press."},{"id":"text-150","heading":"Text","content":"20 août 2014\nNon, pas Anne Murray. Notre garçon, Bill, a reçu le 5 septembre sa propre journée officielle dans le Nord."},{"id":"text-151","heading":"Text","content":"13 août 2014\nSi vous avez une peur des hauteurs ou si vous avez le vertige, vous ne voudrez peut-être pas regarder cette vidéo des monteurs de métaux qui se préparent à retirer une partie de l'antenne ouest de la tour John Hancock. [via]"},{"id":"text-152","heading":"Text","content":"12 août 2014\nLes nouvelles saveurs étranges de Lays Potato Chips ont une connexion locale; L'artwork à la saveur "Cappuccino" représente un café au lait du Wormer Park. D'après ce que j'ai lu, l'emballage est meilleur que le produit qu'il contient."},{"id":"text-153","heading":"Text","content":"12 août 2014\nJamie Kalven de l'invisible institut a publié plusieurs documents liés à l'inconduite de la police. Et dans des nouvelles sans rapport, Dan X. O'Neil et Scott Robbin analysent les données des commentaires publics de la FCC concernant Net Neutrality."},{"id":"text-154","heading":"Text","content":"11 août 2014\nContrairement à la plupart des farceurs sur YouTube, Blake Grigsby privilégie les sourires de bien-être au lieu des rires pas chers."},{"id":"text-155","heading":"Text","content":"07 août 2014\nChicago envoie un coup de grâce à New York dans un article de Yahoo Travel qui oppose les destinations de voyage rivales."},{"id":"text-156","heading":"Text","content":"06 août 2014\nEncore une fois, les chats préférés d'Internet sont en ville. Lil Bub est au métro ce soir (avec David Yow de Jesus Lizard), et Grumpy Cat est au Old Orchard Barnes & Noble Friday."},{"id":"text-157","heading":"Text","content":"31 juillet 2014\nEthan Swanson, actionnaire et passionné de parkour, s'est filmé en train de sauter d'un toit sur le Lincoln Park, sur un autre toit puis sur un escalier en colimaçon."},{"id":"text-158","heading":"Text","content":"Voici la cassette d'audition de Swanson pour "American Ninja Warrior", sur laquelle il a participé en 2013."},{"id":"text-159","heading":"Text","content":"29 juillet 2014\nLe détaillant de vêtements japonais Uniqlo envisage d’ouvrir l’automne prochain sur le Mag Mile, dans l’espace anciennement occupé par Filene's Basement; Basé à New York, Shake Shack, qui ouvrira ses portes cet automne sur la Gold Coast, ajoutera un deuxième site l’année prochaine à Millennium Park."},{"id":"text-160","heading":"Text","content":"28 juillet 2014\nGeorge Lucas a sélectionné deux architectes de renommée mondiale, Jeanne Gang à Chicago et Ma Yansong en Chine, pour concevoir le musée d'art narratif Lucas sur l'île du Nord."},{"id":"text-161","heading":"Text","content":"25 juillet 2014\nKevin Selagea traversait Skokie lorsqu'un pilote a commencé à le talonner. Heureusement, ce ne fut pas pour longtemps – un officier de police a tiré le garde-queue et lui a envoyé une contravention. [via]"},{"id":"text-162","heading":"Text","content":"16 juillet 2014\nUne vidéo du comédien de Chicago, Blake Grigsby, criant des compliments à des étrangers alors qu’il traversait la ville en voiture a été visionnée plus de 500 000 fois sur YouTube."},{"id":"text-163","heading":"Text","content":"02 juillet 2014\nUn cycliste à qui un homme ivre à l'extérieur du Big Star de Wicker Park a dit que "le monde serait un meilleur endroit sans elle" (entre autres choses très impossibles à imprimer) parce qu'elle lui avait demandé de ne pas flâner dans la piste cyclable a posté son récit sur Craigslist ."},{"id":"text-164","heading":"Text","content":"05 juin 2014\nLe frère de l'écrivain Eric Spitznagel, basé à Chicago, est très riche et Eric ne l'est pas. Ce qui les a rapprochés était une montre Timex à 50 $."},{"id":"text-165","heading":"Text","content":"05 juin 2014\nDe toute évidence, Chicago est la cinquième ville la plus attrayante vers laquelle se tourner pour les "jeunes diplômés", selon un sondage de LinkedIn."},{"id":"text-166","heading":"Text","content":"27 mai 2014\nUne femme a eu tout un choc ce week-end en conduisant sur la I-90 près de Barrington; un cerf est tombé d'un viaduc et a traversé son pare-brise. Personne n'a été blessé."},{"id":"text-167","heading":"Text","content":"19 mai 2014\nL'utilisateur Reddit "dobbi" a annoncé qu'elle avait été attaquée alors qu'elle marchait sur Lyndale vers 9h15 ce matin. Une description et une longue discussion suivent à la publication de Reddit."},{"id":"text-168","heading":"Text","content":"13 mai 2014\nPas étonnant que l'espagnol soit la langue la plus parlée aux États-Unis après l'anglais. Mais quel est le plus bas sur la liste? Dans l'Illinois, le polonais est troisième. Ben Blatt de Slate a également examiné les langues parlées par les peuples amérindiens, scandinaves, indo-aryens et africains les plus répandues à travers le pays. MISE À JOUR: Karthick Ramakrishnan d'AAPI Voices souligne les failles de certaines cartes de Blatt et fournit des mises à jour."},{"id":"text-169","heading":"Text","content":"13 mai 2014\nHotdogs.com est, étonnamment, un compte à rebours pour la fermeture de Hot Doug."},{"id":"text-170","heading":"Text","content":"09 mai 2014\nTrois, selon cette carte de "New York exprimée en unités de Chicagos". [via]"},{"id":"text-171","heading":"Text","content":"21 avril 2014\nLe laboratoire de recherche sur l'humour de l'Université du Colorado, Boulder, a déterminé que Chicago est la ville la plus amusante d'Amérique."},{"id":"text-172","heading":"Text","content":"18 avril 2014\nIf going to church is not on this weekend's to-do list, you should at least view this narrated footage of a traditional Catholic Latin Mass filmed on Easter Sunday 1941 at the amazing Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica on the city's West Side."},{"id":"text-173","heading":"Text","content":"11 avril 2014\nCats from local no kill shelters are the stars of CATastrophes, a web series that uses the Internet's love of whiskered videos to promote pet adoption."},{"id":"text-174","heading":"Text","content":"April 10, 2014\nTimeOut takes a stab at matching Chicago neighborhoods to the kingdoms and castles of Le Trône de Fer."},{"id":"text-175","heading":"Text","content":"April 09, 2014\nThrillist's Chicago editor Sean Cooly put together a list of the city's 99 problems."},{"id":"text-176","heading":"Text","content":"March 28, 2014\nPopcorn represents Illinois on Hargreaves & Levin's map of the US in corn. [via]"},{"id":"text-177","heading":"Text","content":"March 27, 2014\nOn the heels of yesterday's shooting at the suburban home of the manager of rapper Chief Keef, Gawker takes a look at drill music and its effect on the city's music, politics and culture."},{"id":"text-178","heading":"Text","content":"March 24, 2014\nA train car entering the Blue Line O'Hare station at a speed observed to be faster than normal derailed and hit a platform at about 3am this morning, causing the car to rest on the stairs that lead into the airport. Over 30 were sent to nearby hospitals; six of them have fair-to-serious injuries. CTA is running bus shuttles between O'Hare and the Rosemont stop to accommodate passengers."},{"id":"text-179","heading":"Text","content":"March 20, 2014\nSpeaking of brackets, Deadspin put Chicagoans — that's right, all of us — on its bitchiest, most defensive fans in America bracket, up against Crossfit Enthusiasts."},{"id":"text-180","heading":"Text","content":"March 14, 2014\nInterviewly takes Reddit AMAs and turns them into more traditionally formatted interviews. Chicagoans getting the treatment so far include John Cusack, Bill Murray, Audrey Niffenegger, Gary Sinise and of course, President Barack Obama."},{"id":"text-181","heading":"Text","content":"March 12, 2014\nThe two French bulldogs that were missing after a home burglary in Avondale yesterday were found in Humboldt Park and reunited with their owners earlier this evening."},{"id":"text-182","heading":"Text","content":"March 11, 2014\nThrillist posted a list of 50 Chicago Twitter Feeds that Matter — but the list is pretty light on ladies. Scott Smith (a member of Thrillist's list) provides this corrective."},{"id":"text-183","heading":"Text","content":"March 11, 2014\nBarack Obama traded barbs with Zach Galifianakis on his Between Two Ferns web series to promote signing up for health insurance."},{"id":"text-184","heading":"Text","content":"March 07, 2014\nDon't forget to set your clocks forward for Daylight Savings Time this weekend. And did you know that the military has its own time zone system? Chicago is on Sierra Time."},{"id":"text-185","heading":"Text","content":"March 06, 2014\nA photo shared by CNN of Chicago's "early days along Lake Street," which made the rounds here and on social media, was actually a still from the '30's film "In Old Chicago.""},{"id":"text-186","heading":"Text","content":"March 06, 2014\nAnnie of the Offbeat Drummer has a better winter hat than you, but maybe you could find someone to make it for you for next year."},{"id":"text-187","heading":"Text","content":"March 04, 2014\nVoters chose Chicago as the best city in the U.S. through a March Madness-style tournament bracket posted by the Atlantic. Sure it's unscientific, arbitrary linkbait, but after this winter we'll take the win."},{"id":"text-188","heading":"Text","content":"March 04, 2014\nIf you're nostalgic for the departed grocery chain — or if you're opening a store of your own — you could bid on items from the Edgewater location, from ice scoops to a Frialator to a whole coffee shop."},{"id":"text-189","heading":"Text","content":"February 27, 2014\nAn infographic compares the nation's two most fast-paced and busy cities, Chicago and New York, on a variety of aspects of city culture, from sports to airports to tourists, and of course, the ever-lasting pizza rivalry."},{"id":"text-190","heading":"Text","content":"February 27, 2014\nA remix of the "House of Cards" intro credits using time-lapse footage of Chicago at night (lifted without credit from Eric Hines and Max Wilson) hints at what a local version of the show would look like, although its two-party politics probably wouldn't be so compelling here. [via]"},{"id":"text-191","heading":"Text","content":"February 26, 2014\nChicago radio host and former Illinois Congressman Joe Walsh called the LGBT community "a group of constitutional terrorists" on Twitter Tuesday, in reference to the Arizona bill allowing businesses to deny services to LGBT customers. Walsh's tweets continued, as he said he felt forced to respect other people's constitutional liberties but others don't respect his."},{"id":"text-192","heading":"Text","content":"February 14, 2014\nLike a shot of Malort dipped in chocolate, Chicagoans on Twitter are finding local ways to express their affection using the hashtag #ChicagoValentines."},{"id":"text-193","heading":"Text","content":"February 14, 2014\nThe Google Doodle today is a special Valentine's Day mini-episode from "This American Life." The show also has a Valentine sampler of favorite love-themed pieces."},{"id":"text-194","heading":"Text","content":"February 13, 2014\n"Enroll by February 14th for coverage, because on the 15th, it's too late." Valentines.gov. [via]"},{"id":"text-195","heading":"Text","content":"February 13, 2014\nCan a Twitter bot capture Chicago's essence? @whatschicago echoes tweets that mention "Chicago is," and Robinson Meyer reflects on what the results say about the city in the Atlantic."},{"id":"text-196","heading":"Text","content":"February 12, 2014\nWas The Incredibles set in Chicago? Eowyn Smith, the creator of this map of Disney & Pixar implied locales, thinks so. [via]"},{"id":"text-197","heading":"Text","content":"February 07, 2014\nChief Keef isn't the only Chicagoan arrested because of a YouTube video. From rants to violence, the CPD comes knocking when people post their crimes online."},{"id":"text-198","heading":"Text","content":"February 04, 2014\nAnd it'll feature the Monsters of the Midway: the Hoth Wampas."},{"id":"text-199","heading":"Text","content":"January 29, 2014\nI think of Williamsburg as the Wicker Park of New York, since the former got hot years after the latter already was, but Gawker reversed it — and called Pilsen Chicago's Bushwick (aka the next up-and-coming hipster hood)."},{"id":"text-200","heading":"Text","content":"January 28, 2014\nWhile students directed a torrent of offensive tweets towards U of I Chancellor Phyllis Wise after the school didn't cancel classes Monday, RedEye social media lady Jessica Galliart writes the incident doesn't deserve any attention."},{"id":"text-201","heading":"Text","content":"January 28, 2014\nChicagoland has several entries in the Tom Waits Map, a thorough mapping of every place mentioned in the singer's many songs."},{"id":"text-202","heading":"Text","content":"January 26, 2014\nChicago Public Schools has already cancelled classes tomorrow in anticipation of the next round of bone-chilling cold."},{"id":"text-203","heading":"Text","content":"January 24, 2014\nForbes has a layover guide for O'Hare that conveniently breaks down according to length of pit stop."},{"id":"text-204","heading":"Text","content":"January 22, 2014\nBath & Body Works thinks a Lake Shore Drive scented candle should smell like "fresh water, shoreline woods and a hint of mint." In other words, they have never been on Lake Shore Drive. (Thanks, Rachelle!)"},{"id":"text-205","heading":"Text","content":"January 21, 2014\nThe "Super Bowl Shuffle" has been remade by a motley crew of comedians (among them Chicagoan Kyle Kinane) and other entertaining folk in the name of charity."},{"id":"text-206","heading":"Text","content":"January 20, 2014\nLast week Ald. Scott Waguespack did an "Ask Me Anything" session on Reddit. He didn't get quite the attention that another Chicagoan got: Bill Murray."},{"id":"text-207","heading":"Text","content":"January 17, 2014\nSpeaking of potholes, The Pothole Store is your one-stop shop for Chicago pothole-related gifts and keepsakes. [via]"},{"id":"text-208","heading":"Text","content":"January 17, 2014\nComedian Emily Winter's parents wee both lawyers. When she lost a tooth in 1989 and couldn't find it, they wrote up a legal affidavit for the Tooth Fairy explaining its disappearance so she could still receive compensation. [via]"},{"id":"text-209","heading":"Text","content":"January 13, 2014\nThe Cubs unveiled their new mascot, Clark the Cub today, and the Internet went nuts. Among the people chiming in was Deadspin editor and Chicagoan Tim Marchman, who calls Clark "a nightmarish, perverted furry.""},{"id":"text-210","heading":"Text","content":"January 08, 2014\nHeadlines Against Humanity pits two preposterous headlines against each other — can you guess which is real? It's surprisingly hard. [via]"},{"id":"text-211","heading":"Text","content":"January 02, 2014\nThe dates of 1975 and 2014 line up, so local cartoonist Mark Anderson scanned in his mint condition Mighty Marvel Calendar for 1975 for you to use as a monthly desktop. [via]"},{"id":"text-212","heading":"Text","content":"December 31, 2013\nWant to screw with visitors? Time Out has some lies about Chicago you can tell them."},{"id":"text-213","heading":"Text","content":"December 29, 2013\nSteve Yamamoto showed up for his last shift at a Glen Ellyn Dominick's yesterday, only to be told that he had been suspended over a brilliantly sarcastic YouTube video he produced commemorating the closing of the supermarket chain."},{"id":"text-214","heading":"Text","content":"December 27, 2013\nThis holiday season, take care of the hipsters. (Thanks, Paul!)"},{"id":"text-215","heading":"Text","content":"December 27, 2013\nEmily Graslie, the Field Museum's "chief curiosity correspondent," recently took on workplace sexism and Internet trolls in a video that went viral. Chicago magazine's Whet Moser delved deeper into the topic with Graslie and others."},{"id":"text-216","heading":"Text","content":"December 23, 2013\nDo you talk like a Chicagoan? The NYTimes is running a version of the Harvard Dialectical Survey that shows you which parts of the country your personal dialect is most similar to. Keep your eye out for a question that helped name this very site."},{"id":"text-217","heading":"Text","content":"December 20, 2013\nThe entry to the Snowman Bouncer at Navy Pier's Winter Wonderfest is decidedly vaginal, notes Jezebel."},{"id":"text-218","heading":"Text","content":"December 11, 2013\nNot content with delivery drones, Groupon is going with catapults."},{"id":"text-219","heading":"Text","content":"December 11, 2013\nOut of the Loop delivers a random assortment of "simple facts about the greatest city on Earth.""},{"id":"text-220","heading":"Text","content":"December 05, 2013\nAs part of R. Kelly's appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" last night, British actor Benedict Cumberbatch recited lyrics to his song "Genius.""},{"id":"text-221","heading":"Text","content":"December 04, 2013\nUrbane released a map of Chicago that only covers the city from Foster to about 21st, and west to around Central Park, and fills it in with place descriptions that range from witty to condescending to somewhat clueless. But hey, what do you expect from a bunch of San Franciscans?"},{"id":"text-222","heading":"Text","content":"December 04, 2013\nBricktease recreated the shopping mall chase from The Blues Brothers in LEGO. [via]"},{"id":"text-223","heading":"Text","content":"Here's how it was made:"},{"id":"text-224","heading":"Text","content":"November 22, 2013\nA certain segment of the TV-watching world is in a tizzy over the 50th anniversary of "Doctor Who." At C2E2 earlier this year, local cosplayer Nina "MangoSirene" and friends put together a photoshoot of genderbent Doctors, and it's pretty awesome."},{"id":"text-225","heading":"Text","content":"November 15, 2013\nTime Out Chicago has announced the winners in its first annual Best Awards, as selected by the readers and staff."},{"id":"text-226","heading":"Text","content":"November 14, 2013\nAt the end of August, one very unfortunate Divvy bike rider found herself in about the wrongest place possible: the left lane on northbound Lake Shore Drive during the afternoon rush. [via]"},{"id":"text-227","heading":"Text","content":"November 13, 2013\nWhat if the Bears played that other game called football? A new logo project imagines what their insignia would look like. (I think we fared better than Green Bay.)"},{"id":"text-228","heading":"Text","content":"November 13, 2013\nESPN's "30 for 30" looks back on one of the craziest games ever played: the Space Jam game of 1995, which included two of Chicago's biggest stars in basketball, Michael Jordan and Bill Murray. [via]"},{"id":"text-229","heading":"Text","content":"November 12, 2013\nAfter Buzzfeed listed the "celebrities" of New York, Time Out Chicago decided to make its own list of local celebrities. Chaz Walters, Ronnie Woo Woo and the Landan twins are ready for their close-ups."},{"id":"text-230","heading":"Text","content":"October 31, 2013\nEn parlant de Poltergeist III, there's an entire fanpage devoted to the 1988 film, in which angry spirits follow Carol Anne to the Hancock Tower."},{"id":"text-231","heading":"Text","content":"October 30, 2013\nThe Christian Science Society of Dixon in western Illinois is getting a lot of attention this week after the Internet noticed the shape of its new church on Google Maps."},{"id":"text-232","heading":"Text","content":"The church is showing it has a sense of humor in light of the attention: its Facebook profile cover photo now features a "giant fig leaf" over the Google Maps image."},{"id":"text-233","heading":"Text","content":"October 29, 2013\nLocally led #Foodiechats has figured out a way to make money off its weekly Twitter chats."},{"id":"text-234","heading":"Text","content":"October 29, 2013\nJesse Jackson, Jr. showed up yesterday to a North Carolina federal prison to begin his 30-month sentence a few days earlier than his scheduled surrender date (this Friday) and was turned away. Mise à jour: he is in custody as of this morning. Persistence pays off!"},{"id":"text-235","heading":"Text","content":"October 16, 2013\nThought Catalog's "35 Important Things Only Chicagoans Will Understand" should give you plenty of fuel."},{"id":"text-236","heading":"Text","content":"October 08, 2013\nBen Raatz has a personal drone that he's been testing out around town, getting a top view of Buckingham Fountain and the South Loop."},{"id":"text-237","heading":"Text","content":"October 08, 2013\nNickolay Lamm mapped income onto real estate in Manhattan to show the inequality between neighborhoods. He's since done similar maps for Chicago and other cities."},{"id":"text-238","heading":"Text","content":"October 07, 2013\nA mini Abe Lincoln lives it up across the state in a new ad by Enjoy Illinois, journeying from down in Springfield to up on the skydeck of the Willis Tower."},{"id":"text-239","heading":"Text","content":"October 01, 2013\nThe Hoffman Estates Park District knows how to keep the crowd at their youth hockey league games in check. [via]"},{"id":"text-240","heading":"Text","content":"October 01, 2013\nChicago native Marina Shifrin spent the last two years working in the CGI coal mines at Taiwan's Next Media Animation in relative anonymity. That is, until her dance-interpreted resignation video this weekend went viral. [via]"},{"id":"text-241","heading":"Text","content":"UPDATE: New Media Animation created a response video."},{"id":"text-242","heading":"Text","content":"September 30, 2013\nThe lead designer of the classic arcade game NBA Jam admitted it was rigged to make the Chicago Bulls play worse whenever they went up against the Detroit Pistons. [via]"},{"id":"text-243","heading":"Text","content":"September 27, 2013\nWhen it was revealed that the @horse_ebooks Twitter account was a hoax performance art, Dan Sinker of @MayorEmanuel fame took it pretty hard. Luckily, someone has created @sinker_ebooks."},{"id":"text-244","heading":"Text","content":"September 25, 2013\nFrom the Couch Monument in Lincoln Park to a bust of Lincoln in Englewood, Peter Bella tells the story behind some interesting Chicago sights hiding in plain sight."},{"id":"text-245","heading":"Text","content":"September 25, 2013\nThe CGI-fueled destruction of the city for the latest Transformateurs movie caused some real damage as Michael Bay and company blew up part of the Santa Fe Grain Elevators on the South Side."},{"id":"text-246","heading":"Text","content":"September 24, 2013\nFirst, Al Capone danced the Charleston on top of a flagpole, and now a group of local dancers lindy hop their way through the city in a new video."},{"id":"text-247","heading":"Text","content":"September 21, 2013\nConan O'Brien revealed that Miley Cyrus' strange video for her song Wrecking Ball stole the concept from an ad for a Chicago-area appliance store. [via]"},{"id":"text-248","heading":"Text","content":"September 20, 2013\nCube Cities shows Chicago's history in less than two minutes with an animated timeline of the city's growth from 1862 until today. [via]"},{"id":"text-249","heading":"Text","content":"September 18, 2013\nAfter yet another controversy-spoiled Penny Arcade Expo, Cards Against Humanity cofounder Max Temkin explains what he and the company are going to do to combat discrimination and harassment at PAX in the future."},{"id":"text-250","heading":"Text","content":"September 16, 2013\nA Subway restaurant actually honored the fake (and obviously controversé) "Subtember 11th" coupons featured in a recent Onion article. Even adding to the twisted irony is that the pre-tax total of the purchase was $9.11."},{"id":"text-251","heading":"Text","content":"September 13, 2013\nTwo kittens survived a five-day journey from Chicago to Edmonton, Canada as stow aways on a train."},{"id":"text-252","heading":"Text","content":"September 11, 2013\nThe Bears Superfans are back in a new commercial with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers."},{"id":"text-253","heading":"Text","content":"September 10, 2013\nCrain's Clout Calculator measures the degrees of separation between you and industry leaders in Chicago."},{"id":"text-254","heading":"Text","content":"September 06, 2013\nA man claiming to be a member of the Board of Trade recently got into a fight with another passenger in a Metra quiet car after talking on his phone. Not sure how being a trader qualifies someone to "cut you in half."\nNSFW audio, so put your headphones on."},{"id":"text-255","heading":"Text","content":"September 05, 2013\nThe Transit Readings tumblr recommends books based on what people are spotted reading on the CTA."},{"id":"text-256","heading":"Text","content":"September 05, 2013\nImprov Legends takes a look back at the first days of the Second City. [via]"},{"id":"text-257","heading":"Text","content":"September 04, 2013\nGrumpy Cat will help fundraise for a new cat adoption center for the Tree House Humane Society in an upcoming video."},{"id":"text-258","heading":"Text","content":"September 01, 2013\nA secret from today's edition of PostSecret alludes to a buried body at Wooded Island in Jackson Park."},{"id":"text-259","heading":"Text","content":"August 30, 2013\nSouth Side residents share how shootings affect their lives and what it's like to live under the constant threat of violence in a new video by local Jon Lowenstein."},{"id":"text-260","heading":"Text","content":"August 30, 2013\nNot sure this fledgling record label is going to make it, but this CraigsList ad is pretty great. (Thanks, Anne!)"},{"id":"text-261","heading":"Text","content":"August 28, 2013\nOn this historic day, local button makers Busy Beaver Buttons blogged about some historic buttons relating to the civil rights movement."},{"id":"text-262","heading":"Text","content":"August 26, 2013\nThis pic of kids walking to a first day of school (near Schiller and Clark) in 1962 doesn't seem to be much of an upgrade from what kids going to school today could experience."},{"id":"text-263","heading":"Text","content":"August 23, 2013\nA weird window display leads Michael Gebert to discover a sketch comedy online show by one of the discoverers of Vivian Maier."},{"id":"text-264","heading":"Text","content":"August 20, 2013\nI get the feeling Chicago coming in at number two on Movoto's list of the funniest cities in America is some sort of joke on the Second City. The list makes no effort to justify how Atlanta is number one."},{"id":"text-265","heading":"Text","content":"August 19, 2013\nThe superintendent of the Evanston-Skokie School District announced his resignation last week to pursue "consulting opportunities.""},{"id":"text-266","heading":"Text","content":"August 15, 2013\nChicago native and comic Cameron Esposito wrote a thoughtful op-ed piece for Advocate about being heckled onstage by her opening act."},{"id":"text-267","heading":"Text","content":"August 13, 2013\nThere's a battle for the hearts and minds of Bridgeport going on — on Facebook. After one too many racially and politically charged arguments on the Bridgeport Chicago IL group, two neighborhood residents created The REAL Bridgeport and Bridgeport Neighborhood groups as hate-free zones; at least one group formed in response has already been closed."},{"id":"text-268","heading":"Text","content":"August 09, 2013\nWhat if Ferris Bueller wasn't bluffing about being sick? What if he was dead?"},{"id":"text-269","heading":"Text","content":"July 30, 2013\nNPR host Scott Simon has been tweeting about his mother's last days from a hospital here in Chicago. Patricia Lyons Simon Newman Gilband passed away last night."},{"id":"text-270","heading":"Text","content":"The heavens over Chicago have opened and Patricia Lyons Simon Newman has stepped onstage.\n— Scott Simon (@nprscottsimon) July 30, 2013"},{"id":"text-271","heading":"Text","content":"July 26, 2013\nWonder if the giant magnet that just arrived at Fermilab is part of the plan in today's xkcd cartoon."},{"id":"text-272","heading":"Text","content":"July 26, 2013\nWTTW shared a photo of a Divvy truck that had knocked down a parking meter. They want you to caption it."},{"id":"text-273","heading":"Text","content":"July 26, 2013\nA Wheaton couple's wedding invitation went viral this week thanks to its hilarious RSVP options."},{"id":"text-274","heading":"Text","content":"July 25, 2013\nDo you like the idea of renting a bike on occasion, but dislike the idea of being relegated to where Divvy has stations? Then you may be interested in SpinLister where you can rent bikes owned by locals for a day (or more). And these aren't your average heavy, beat-up, partially rusted bikes for rent. Oh, no, there are some pettable bikes here. For example, this bike may be what you need if you have a dog (the moustache and dog are not included in rental.)"},{"id":"text-275","heading":"Text","content":"July 24, 2013\n…in the form of a very cute child. [via]"},{"id":"text-276","heading":"Text","content":"July 19, 2013\nI've seen some really beautifully designed engagement announcements, but this one is pretty great. Great design and story by Matthew Bush, Josh Compton and Gabe Cooper. Congrats!"},{"id":"text-277","heading":"Text","content":"July 19, 2013\nThree beautiful light fixtures from the Uptown Theatre are for sale on eBay right now."},{"id":"text-278","heading":"Text","content":"July 18, 2013\nDrag City recently released Andy and his Grandmother, the first-ever Andy Kaufman comedy album. Grantland explains how this came to be."},{"id":"text-279","heading":"Text","content":"July 10, 2013\nThis Craigslist ad for a fixed-gear bike is aimed squarely at Lincoln Park bros hoping to blend in over in Wicker Park… though really, is there a difference these days? [via]"},{"id":"text-280","heading":"Text","content":"July 08, 2013\nSteve Gadlin of Blewt! and I Want to Draw a Cat for You fame has a new project: Steve Gadlin's Star Makers, showcasing some of the area's greatest talents."},{"id":"text-281","heading":"Text","content":"July 05, 2013\nA new study by economists at Wheaton College and Northwestern found that since the 1970s, Americans have not been as upwardly mobile as the British have been.\nHere's an earlier article by the study's authors, covering similar ground.\n Grandfathers Matter(ed): Occupational Mobility Across Three Generations in the U.S. and Britain, 1850-1910 by Gapers Block"},{"id":"text-282","heading":"Text","content":"July 02, 2013\nYelp has a few heat maps of words that pop up in user reviews, such as bacon, tourist and hipster."},{"id":"text-283","heading":"Text","content":"June 28, 2013\nComplex Magazine highlights the resurgence of Chicago's hip-hop scene by featuring the city's most stylish rappers [right now]. While the list includes artists such as Chief Keef, Joey Purp, Mikkey Halsted and more, it won't be hard to guess who came in at number one."},{"id":"text-284","heading":"Text","content":"June 27, 2013\nIf you've got any Blackhawks gear, wear it to the Museum of Science & Industry this weekend and get buy one, get one free admission."},{"id":"text-285","heading":"Text","content":"June 24, 2013\nSomeone in Pilsen painted helpful directions on his roof for lost pilots. [via]\nAgrandir le plan"},{"id":"text-286","heading":"Text","content":"June 21, 2013\nComedian and writer Deon Cole, along with Iliza Shlesinger and Michael Yo, recently participated on "Larry King Now's" pop culture panel to discuss current hot topics including emergency contraception, Japanese eyeball licking, and of course, new parents, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian. Although reports have confirmed "Baby Kimye's" actual name, Cole reveals his choice for the name of America's most famous infant."},{"id":"text-287","heading":"Text","content":"Past GB interviews with Cole:• 2010: One Sketch at a Time• 2013: "Deon Cole's Black Box": Chicago Native Takes on Pop Culture In His New TBS Series"},{"id":"text-288","heading":"Text","content":"June 21, 2013\nChicago has a history of segregation — and it apparently extends to smartphone types too, to a certain degree. MapBox teamed up with Gnip and map designer Eric Fischer (previously: 1, 2) to map 3 billion tweets by phone brand and other variables. Start in the Loop and zoom out."},{"id":"text-289","heading":"Text","content":"It's also worth checking out the maps of locals and tourists and languages used. [via]"},{"id":"text-290","heading":"Text","content":"June 20, 2013\nSchadenfreude has a new show: "Shh-Cago," a guide to the city's lesser known gems."},{"id":"text-291","heading":"Text","content":"June 20, 2013\nStill wired after that OT win the Blackhawks offered last night? Soothe yourself with a rendition of "Chelsea Dagger" played by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. (Nice shirt, Muti!)"},{"id":"text-292","heading":"Text","content":"June 19, 2013\nFoGB Coudal Partners just released a new "Night Sky" edition of their Field Notes notebooks, and recorded 6 hours and 21 minutes of night sky in rural Nevada. Just set this for full screen, sit back and watch the stars go by in real time."},{"id":"text-293","heading":"Text","content":"June 15, 2013\nNew father Kanye West will be projecting new images on the sides of buildings all over the city tonight, among them Uptown's Bridgeview Bank, and both the Field and DuSable Museums."},{"id":"text-294","heading":"Text","content":"June 14, 2013\nSure, it's been a cool summer. But that's nothing compared with 21,000 years ago."},{"id":"text-295","heading":"Text","content":"June 05, 2013\nGroupon has launched a "deal" of a donation to fund the construction of more bike lanes in honor of deceased employee Bobby Cann, the cyclist killed last week on Clybourn."},{"id":"text-296","heading":"Text","content":"June 04, 2013\nEnjoy this photograph of Patrick Stewart enjoying some Chicago-style pizza."},{"id":"text-297","heading":"Text","content":"June 04, 2013\nZen Pencils tells a touching story with words from Roger Ebert. [via]"},{"id":"text-298","heading":"Text","content":"May 28, 2013\nA writer on the Daily Kos decided to emulate The Onion by announcing its demise after the 2014 presidential election. That's one way to get a job."},{"id":"text-299","heading":"Text","content":"May 24, 2013\nMaking out in front of Paulina Meat Market is a private thing — unless the Google Streetview car is nearby (see #29)."},{"id":"text-300","heading":"Text","content":"May 21, 2013\nA group of Logan Square residents are suing the Tribune for continuing frequent deliveries of its coupons and advertisements (aka those piles of soggy, dirty newsprint wrapped in pink bags that accumulate on your doorstep/yard) despite repeated, bureaucracy-laden requests to stop."},{"id":"text-301","heading":"Text","content":"May 21, 2013\nThe South Side-based rapper was arrested in Georgia this morning for disorderly conduct."},{"id":"text-302","heading":"Text","content":"May 20, 2013\nThanks to Google Earth Historical Imagery, I was able to make this gif of North Avenue Beach over the decades."},{"id":"text-303","heading":"Text","content":"May 16, 2013\nAs part of a larger collaborative piece titled "New York Elsewhere" for The Morning News, Tyler Coates projects New York neighborhood counterparts in Chicago. Southport Corridor as Park Slope is amusingly on point, though some Chicagoans would take issue with the idea that Logan Square isn't fully gentrified."},{"id":"text-304","heading":"Text","content":"May 14, 2013\nRecently, via a little ditty on ESPN, Chicago native and comedic actor Craig Robinson, whose movie Peeples opened last weekend, expressed his heartfelt sentiments about the [someday] return of Derrick Rose back to the Bulls' lineup."},{"id":"text-305","heading":"Text","content":"May 10, 2013\nThis week, YouTube launched its Trends Map, which breaks down viewing patterns by metropolitan area, age and gender. At time of writing, "This is Water," the new video of David Foster Wallace's 2005 commencement address at Kenyon College, is number one in Chicago."},{"id":"text-306","heading":"Text","content":"May 09, 2013\nIn 2003, Chicago filmmaker Eric Fensler (who now lives in Portland, OR) created "GI Joe PSAs," a series of weird remixes of the odd PSAs tacked onto some episodes of "GI Joe" cartoons, which wet viral before anyone had ever heard of social media. The Verge examines their legacy."},{"id":"text-307","heading":"Text","content":"May 02, 2013\n"'I'm not going to lie,' says Jenna Lyons, the president and creative director of J. Crew, who is an admirer of Goldman. She scares me a little bit.'" "She" is Ikram Goldman, Chicago boutique owner, "fashion ambassador", and the subject of a profile in the New York Times magazine."},{"id":"text-308","heading":"Text","content":"May 02, 2013\nWGN Meteorologist Tom Skilling may be lovable, but he is frequently wrong about the weather. HowWrongIsSkilling.com tracks just how off the mark he is. (Of course, this is not a new complaint, and even the National Weather Service is right only about two-thirds of the time.)"},{"id":"text-309","heading":"Text","content":"April 19, 2013\nShelter puppies often suffer from more health issues than other dogs. The Lucida Puppy Fund aims to help defray the costs of keeping them healthy."},{"id":"text-310","heading":"Text","content":"April 12, 2013\nAs nice as CTA bus shelters may be, only clueless lovers would think making out while waiting for a westbound 66 was anything like Paris."},{"id":"text-311","heading":"Text","content":"April 12, 2013\nSeveral shuttered city firehouses are for sale, along with some other interesting places."},{"id":"text-312","heading":"Text","content":"April 12, 2013\nAdvertising creative director Jonathan Finerty was bored with his old portfolio site so he created All-In-One Adman, and the testimonials started rolling in."},{"id":"text-313","heading":"Text","content":"April 08, 2013\nChicago becomes sort of the central node in XKCD's map of all the "subways" of North America."},{"id":"text-314","heading":"Text","content":"April 04, 2013\nOne of the odder places you can stay in the city via AirBnB: a birght green VW camper van parked on the street in Lincoln Park. Just $75 a night! [via]"},{"id":"text-315","heading":"Text","content":"March 29, 2013\nSome of these you've probably seen, others will be new. A collection of Chicago maps on A Continuous Lean. [via]"},{"id":"text-316","heading":"Text","content":"March 27, 2013\nle Willis Sears Tower (ahem) makes a common mistake on the spelling of Studs Terkel's name. (I admit, I've made the same error more than once.)"},{"id":"text-317","heading":"Text","content":"March 21, 2013\nRobert Bacon created a Super Mario Bros. 3 version of the CTA 'L'system map."},{"id":"text-318","heading":"Text","content":"March 20, 2013\nBut that doesn't stop Fido from photobombing his owner's Craigslist posting for renting his Lakeview apartment."},{"id":"text-319","heading":"Text","content":"March 20, 2013\nThings you can buy: the Chicago skyline made out of RAM."},{"id":"text-320","heading":"Text","content":"March 15, 2013\nLupe Fiasco penned and posted a new song imagining what could have been the life of murdered infant Jonylah Watkins."},{"id":"text-321","heading":"Text","content":"March 12, 2013\nA Redditor spotted an interesting anomaly on Google Maps: take a step forward from this spot and watch one of the last Cabrini Green towers disappear."},{"id":"text-322","heading":"Text","content":"March 04, 2013\nA UIC researcher found that being moderately intoxicated helps one's ability to identify minor differences in pictures faster than sober people."},{"id":"text-323","heading":"Text","content":"March 01, 2013\nBlogger James Lileks collects all sorts of things, and his set of motel postcards includes some great ones from Chicago's past. [via]"},{"id":"text-324","heading":"Text","content":"March 01, 2013\nThis here meme is taking over everything…including this website."},{"id":"text-325","heading":"Text","content":"February 27, 2013\nR. Kelly released "Trapped in the Closet: the Confessionals, Part 1" today, which focuses on the stories of specific characters of the endless, often pointless soap opera. Wake me up when it's over."},{"id":"text-326","heading":"Text","content":"February 26, 2013\nThe Ononeon curates actual news headlines that might make you think you're reading another site that curates fake headlines."},{"id":"text-327","heading":"Text","content":"February 26, 2013\nSocial history photographer Camilo José Vergara is developing a personal website to share more of his repeat photography work. Included are four Chicago sites: 4434 W. Madison, 4337 W. Madison, 1117 N. Cleveland and 5134 W. Madison. Each series starts in the 1980s and continues to present day."},{"id":"text-328","heading":"Text","content":"February 26, 2013\nFormer Chicago Bull Dennis Rodman is visiting North Korea as part of a "basketball diplomacy" trip; he hopes to meet the country's ruler Kim Jong Un, who reportedly was a huge fan of Rodman's old teammate Michael Jordan."},{"id":"text-329","heading":"Text","content":"February 25, 2013\nThe Art Institute launched a new online exhibition of its staging of the 1913 International Exhibition of Modern Art, a.k.a. The Armory Show. The site includes everything from interactive gallery images to the programs."},{"id":"text-330","heading":"Text","content":"February 22, 2013\nForbes ranks Chicago as the fourth most miserable city in the US, apparently based primarily on our real estate woes. Detroit, Flint and Rockford top the list."},{"id":"text-331","heading":"Text","content":"February 18, 2013\nAmong the strangest tweets in the last few days is certainly the announcement that rooftop minister Corey Brooks is going to baptize Chief Keef when he's released from prison."},{"id":"text-332","heading":"Text","content":"February 13, 2013\nThis Judgmental Map of Chicago covers plenty of neighborhood stereotypes, and just as stereotypically leaves out the South Side. (Thanks, Marc!)"},{"id":"text-333","heading":"Text","content":"February 12, 2013\nChicago-based cartoonist Mark Anderson loves to build LEGO spaceships — and his latest is piloted by Capt. Val N. Tine. [via]"},{"id":"text-334","heading":"Text","content":"February 05, 2013\nExpat Ed Hirsch has some sage, profane advice for friends visiting Chicago like a Chicagoan. [via]"},{"id":"text-335","heading":"Text","content":"February 04, 2013\nHow quickly can you place Chicago neighborhoods on a map? Click That 'Hood tests your strength."},{"id":"text-336","heading":"Text","content":"January 28, 2013\nAfter recent scandals over poorly labeled sponsored articles, Time Out's Frank Sennett has proposed guidelines for online sponsored content."},{"id":"text-337","heading":"Text","content":"January 25, 2013\nThe Admiral strip club is looking for a DJ. "No rap or hip hop allowed.""},{"id":"text-338","heading":"Text","content":"January 21, 2013\nAmtrak put together a "Gangnam Style" video touring through Chicago. Better late to the meme than never. [via]"},{"id":"text-339","heading":"Text","content":"January 21, 2013\nChicago's own Lupe Fiasco was escorted off the stage at a private pre-Inauguration concert last night after veering into a seemingly unplanned 30 minute solo of repeating the same (NSFW) lyric from his song "Words I Never Said" that criticizes President Obama's role in the conflict between Israel and the Gaza Strip."},{"id":"text-340","heading":"Text","content":"This is not the first time Fiasco has been critical of Obama."},{"id":"text-341","heading":"Text","content":"January 15, 2013\nWant to buy a full-size, wooden replica of the Batmobile? It's in North Riverside, and has "air cannon Nerf dart capability.""},{"id":"text-342","heading":"Text","content":"January 08, 2013\nThe GIS Lounge's review of 2012's best maps includes some interesting views of Chicago in national context, but also points to Slate's review of the Essential Geography of the United State of America highlights Chicago as a fine example of cartographic representation (half way down)."},{"id":"text-343","heading":"Text","content":"January 07, 2013\nViolence has taken a literary turn."},{"id":"text-344","heading":"Text","content":"January 04, 2013\nR. Kelly wrote a song for the students of Sandy Hook Elementary."},{"id":"text-345","heading":"Text","content":"Proceeds from iTunes sales will be donated to the victims' families."},{"id":"text-346","heading":"Text","content":"January 04, 2013\nA priest in Springfield has been placed on leave following a November incident in which he called 911 to demand help with getting out of a pair of handcuffs he was "playing" with."},{"id":"text-347","heading":"Text","content":"January 02, 2013\nIn its look back on 2012, The Onion reports on the die-hard Cubs fans who protested outside Wrigley Field, advocating that the rest of Chicago be torn down and rebuilt."},{"id":"text-348","heading":"Text","content":"December 20, 2012\nAs Thundersnow threatens our noble city, Chicagoans can pledge to keep their sidewalks clear and find those in need of a shoveling savior on the Adopt a Sidewalk website."},{"id":"text-349","heading":"Text","content":"December 18, 2012\nDerek Brooks spent the last 15 months living in Chicago while working on the Obama campaign. When he got back home to Iowa, he cleaned out his closet and tried on 255 t-shirts."},{"id":"text-350","heading":"Text","content":"December 13, 2012\nBloomberg profiles Tyree Johnson, a Chicago man who has worked at McDonald's for 20 years and still makes the $8.25 hourly minimum wage. In contrast, McDonald's CEO Jim Skinner made $8.75 million last year."},{"id":"text-351","heading":"Text","content":"December 13, 2012\nAddressed to Henry Walton Jones, Jr., a package delivered to the University of Chicago contained a dusty, detailed replica of the journal from Raiders of the Lost Arc- and no one knows where it came from."},{"id":"text-352","heading":"Text","content":"December 12, 2012\nBrooklyn-born, Chicago-based DJ Joseph Vourteque tries to explain which parts of the city match up with New York's boroughs. Apparently there's nothing like the South Side."},{"id":"text-353","heading":"Text","content":"December 03, 2012\nSymbolia, a new iPad magazine of comics journalism, launched today. You can snag a free preview PDF before subscribing."},{"id":"text-354","heading":"Text","content":"November 26, 2012\nIf the United States dissolved and every state went to war with the rest, which would win? Illinois does well for awhile, with Chicago its capital, in one thorough answer. [via]"},{"id":"text-355","heading":"Text","content":"November 15, 2012\nWhen you've got a name like Luvvie, you just have to see the world as a place full of love. And for Chicagoan, activist, writer, Red Pump Project creator and humorist Luvvie Ajayi, her world is most recently full of love from Women's Media Center where she received their Social Media Award. Hopefully for Luvvie, the love doesn't stop."},{"id":"text-356","heading":"Text","content":"November 14, 2012\nThe infamous empty lot next to the Obama's Kenwood home is on the real estate market for $900k."},{"id":"text-357","heading":"Text","content":"November 13, 2012\nSteve Gadlin of I Want To Draw A Cat For You" fame has created a petition to be the White House's official cat portraiture artist. Naturally, I support this."},{"id":"text-358","heading":"Text","content":"November 13, 2012\nTable XI introduces you to their senior designer, Daniel Strabley, who happens to be the guy behind InstantCosby — and reveals his coworker Jon Fernandez's creation, InstantArnold."},{"id":"text-359","heading":"Text","content":"November 09, 2012\nChicago's high level of gang violence is nothing new, but its increasingly popular "trap" rap scene, featuring juvenile rappers that rhyme about guns, "bitches" and drugs, is adding more fuel to the already out of control fire. Many wonder who is responsible for the epidemic, the misguided teens or their parents? Chicago blogger Alexander Fruchter explores this troubling trend in an editorial for Ruby Hornet."},{"id":"text-360","heading":"Text","content":"November 07, 2012\nCook County judge Cynthia Brim appeared in court this morning regarding her arrest in March after assaulting a deputy. Brim handily won retention to the bench in yesterday's polls."},{"id":"text-361","heading":"Text","content":"November 07, 2012\nA Philly-based photographer takes a look at polling places in Chicago."},{"id":"text-362","heading":"Text","content":"November 06, 2012\nComplex magazine named local photographer Debbie Carlos one of the 25 Coolest Artists on Etsy. They say she has "some of the most stunning photography" on the popular arts and crafts website."},{"id":"text-363","heading":"Text","content":"November 02, 2012\nCustomMade.com is a marketplace for furniture, art and other custom-made and commissioned work. Plenty of the posted projects were either made or reside here."},{"id":"text-364","heading":"Text","content":"October 31, 2012\nNestio's Don't Haunt Me, Bro will tell you. (Hull House is on their list of favorite haunted homes in America.)"},{"id":"text-365","heading":"Text","content":"October 25, 2012\n—Kanye Wes."},{"id":"text-366","heading":"Text","content":"October 25, 2012\nFun with a label maker. [via]"},{"id":"text-367","heading":"Text","content":"October 22, 2012\n"This American Life's" Ira Glass explains how to make a balloon animal — and how to get a guy to wear a condom "without being a total buzzkill," among other sex-related questions — for Rookie.\n \nBalloon Animals: A Video Tutorial by Ira Glass from Rookie on Vimeo."},{"id":"text-368","heading":"Text","content":"October 17, 2012\nBehold, Chapter 23 of Trapped in the Closet."},{"id":"text-369","heading":"Text","content":"October 16, 2012\nA commercial for the latest edition of SimCity features an example of the Sears Tower being struck by meteors. [via]"},{"id":"text-370","heading":"Text","content":"October 12, 2012\n"In" space, "from" space, whatever. NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day from yesterday is a satellite snapshot with Chicago in the center."},{"id":"text-371","heading":"Text","content":"October 04, 2012\nRandall, of honey badger fame, turns his eyes toward Chicago. [via]"},{"id":"text-372","heading":"Text","content":"September 27, 2012\nA movie about Mormons, an archive of improvised music and small-batch giardiniera are among the projects on Gapers Block's curated Kickstarter page right now. Give a hand."},{"id":"text-373","heading":"Text","content":"September 23, 2012\nShaun Sperling, whose video of lip-syncing and dancing to Madonna's hit "Vogue" at his 1992 suburban Bar Mitzvah party made himself a You Tube sensation, got another boost: at one of her shows at United Center last week, Madge herself singled out Sperling in the crowd for a brief sing-a-long during "Like a Prayer." Madonna's publicist claims the singer randomly selected Sperling and had no knowledge of the video. You can see Sperling himself in concert this Saturday at Mary's Attic."},{"id":"text-374","heading":"Text","content":"September 21, 2012\nSocial media meets real world interaction on Monday, when Social Media Week begins. There's still plenty of room in most of the events; see the schedule here."},{"id":"text-375","heading":"Text","content":"September 12, 2012\nWhat images come up for "Chicago" when people in different countries search Google Images? ImageAtlas.org shows you."},{"id":"text-376","heading":"Text","content":"September 10, 2012\nCintas is once again running its America's Best Restroom contest, and the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel is the local nominee."},{"id":"text-377","heading":"Text","content":"September 10, 2012\nThe Chronicle of Philanthropy's recent report, How America Gives, breaks down charitable giving by state, metropolitan area and by zip code. Illinois ranks 29, and the Chicago metropolitan area comes in at 227 out 366 areas. Local donors give 4.2% of income, a median amount of $2,296. If you want to know how your ZIP code fares, take a look."},{"id":"text-378","heading":"Text","content":"September 04, 2012\nThe Chicago Film Archives put together a collection of newsreel footage from the 1960 Republican National Convention, which was held in Chicago. There's no sound for most of it, but that's kind of a nice change compared to today's "wall-to-wall" coverage."},{"id":"text-379","heading":"Text","content":"August 28, 2012\nThe Onion makes light of the city's high murder rate by reporting it as a fad."},{"id":"text-380","heading":"Text","content":"August 28, 2012\nFunny filmmaker Steve Delahoyde says, "I made it eight full days before using my infant son as a prop in a stupid short film.""},{"id":"text-381","heading":"Text","content":"August 22, 2012\nThere's a certain door in a certain O'Hare parking garage that does a mean impression of jazz trumpeter Miles Davis. [via]"},{"id":"text-382","heading":"Text","content":"August 13, 2012\nSpecial, updated versions of FOX's popular '90s sketch comedy series "In Living Color," scheduled to air this year, have been shelved — at least for now. In a radio interview, Chicago comedian Lil Rel, an ensemble cast member of the rebooted series, shares his thoughts on why the laughs may have been put on hold."},{"id":"text-383","heading":"Text","content":"August 10, 2012\nHell if I know, but this site will give you some f*ckin' suggestions. (Or maybe you just need a drink.)"},{"id":"text-384","heading":"Text","content":"August 10, 2012\nStarting today, local music education nonprofit Rock for Kids is launching an eBay auction of autographed 8×10 photos from 150 bands, including The Temptations, Pat Benatar, The Village People, Nickel Creek, Naughty By Nature, Ben Folds and more. Bid early and often to win your favorites. Bidding starts at $8.10 and proceeds benefit the charity that brings music education to at-risk youth in Chicago."},{"id":"text-385","heading":"Text","content":"August 07, 2012\nHere's an overlay of an 1857 map over a current one of the city. [via]"},{"id":"text-386","heading":"Text","content":"August 07, 2012\nThe University of Chicago is the 5th happiest college in the country, according to a recent survey from Newsweek and The Daily Beast. If the U of C is no longer "where fun comes to die", consider this t-shirt (long a staple of the typical UChicago wardrobe) a collector's item."},{"id":"text-387","heading":"Text","content":"August 07, 2012\nRock Island police arrested a naked man covered in cooking spray on Monday."},{"id":"text-388","heading":"Text","content":"August 06, 2012\nThe Onion ran a video featuring a blurb about "Sears extremists" flying a plane into the Willis Tower in retaliation for changing the building's name. People on Facebook are very upset."},{"id":"text-389","heading":"Text","content":"August 02, 2012\nAnother work day has started. Look at these Chicagoland puppies."},{"id":"text-390","heading":"Text","content":"August 01, 2012\nA United flight from Dallas to Denver had a run-in with a bird while in the air yesterday. The flight wasn't affected, but the plane is a bit sore."},{"id":"text-391","heading":"Text","content":"July 30, 2012\nThe Interrupters et Hoop Dreams director Steve James and author Raj Patel are currently answering questions on Reddit."},{"id":"text-392","heading":"Text","content":"July 26, 2012\nT-shirt designer Nathan Pyle is running an animated gif contest on Threadless. The submissions are pretty fantastic."},{"id":"text-393","heading":"Text","content":"July 25, 2012\nAccording to Eater, a "No Soup For You" Food Truck will be in Chicago on Friday, July 27. No word yet on planned stops or a route for the truck, which will feature "free iconic Seinfeld" treats and The Soup Nazi himself, Larry Thomas, so check this Facebook page for updates (and be careful when asking for bread)."},{"id":"text-394","heading":"Text","content":"July 20, 2012\nThe Art Institute's DotBot uses your computer's webcam to make Roy Lichtenstein-esque comic portraits."},{"id":"text-395","heading":"Text","content":"July 18, 2012\nA client of nail artist Astrowifey got her nails done up with a map of the CTA. Chip a nail, lose a transfer. [via]"},{"id":"text-396","heading":"Text","content":"July 17, 2012\nSometimes the best show at Wrigley is in the stands.\n \nPhil wins a bet from regis wakefield on Vimeo."},{"id":"text-397","heading":"Text","content":"July 13, 2012\nDesigner and past GB contributor Craighton Berman draws the country in a new music video for Marbles the Brain Store's new CD, Brain Beats."},{"id":"text-398","heading":"Text","content":"July 11, 2012\nSlightly Insulting Chicago Posters does basically what it says in the name. It's The Chicago Neighborhoods but mean."},{"id":"text-399","heading":"Text","content":"June 21, 2012\nGet inspired by the Kickstarter campaign for Chicago long-time sign painter Ches Perry. He's painted signs by hand since the mid '60s, and shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, he wants to fund an instructional DVD to pass on his knowledge to a new generation. This, and other worthy local Kickstarter projects, can be found in our Gapers Block curated page of campaigns."},{"id":"text-400","heading":"Text","content":"June 15, 2012\nWant to make sure everyone knows you got a real "Chicago dog" in Chicago? This tee on Fab.com proudly states the fact for all to see."},{"id":"text-401","heading":"Text","content":"June 15, 2012\nFather's Day means different things to different people."},{"id":"text-402","heading":"Text","content":"June 05, 2012\nClear your schedules Friday, when the Bootmobile rolls into Chicago."},{"id":"text-403","heading":"Text","content":"May 23, 2012\nThe Lake Shore Drive viaduct at Grand Avenue, which has been home to Shepherd Fairey's "Obey" mural for the past year, was painted over this morning."},{"id":"text-404","heading":"Text","content":"May 16, 2012\nMaybe getting a full back tattoo of Michael Jordan with a gimpy leg and a Dennis Rodman growing out of his armpit wasn't such a good idea."},{"id":"text-405","heading":"Text","content":"May 08, 2012\nOld Maps Online shows you where various historical maps from several collections land on a Google map. Here's Chicagoland."},{"id":"text-406","heading":"Text","content":"May 04, 2012\nIf things are going sour at the half, consider turning off the television and looping this video of high school Derrick Rose dancing instead. [via]"},{"id":"text-407","heading":"Text","content":"May 02, 2012\nFor no apparent reason, the Chicago-set '80s sitcom "Perfect Strangers" has been turned into a a very weird online videogame."},{"id":"text-408","heading":"Text","content":"27 avril 2012\nAn oldie but a goodie: back in 2006, Jason Kottke imagines what Manhattan would look like off the coast of Chicago and other cities, inspired by the classic Radical Cartography experiment."},{"id":"text-409","heading":"Text","content":"April 22, 2012\nNY Mag spends an evening with NU's finest rapper (and celebrity kid) Chet Haze."},{"id":"text-410","heading":"Text","content":"April 19, 2012\nThat "You got me pregnant at the Megadeth/Motörhead show" Craigslist ad from last week turns out to be fake, as you may have suspected. [via]"},{"id":"text-411","heading":"Text","content":"April 19, 2012\nCPS teachers are seeking state support to increase The Chicago Teachers Pension Fund (CTPF), which is currently underfunded by millions of dollars. Senate Bill 3628 would allow $270 million to flow into the CTPF but, after that, state contributions would fall to ten percent of what it provides to the Teachers Retirement Fund, which is for teachers outside of Chicago. If the bill were to pass the senate it would still need to find support in the Illinois House. Controversial spending by the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) of Illinois adds an element of question to the debate."},{"id":"text-412","heading":"Text","content":"April 18, 2012\nRemember the search for the owner of a pit bull who fatally attacked a toy breed mix dog at Montrose Dog Beach in late March? The owner who slipped away, refusing to give his name or take responsibility as onlookers followed, snapping a picture of him and his dog and posting it online for helping the dead dog's family get some justice? The pit's owner has now been identified as an off-duty policeman, of all things. He was ticketed for failing to report the incident, and has been relieved of his police powers while an investigation is conducted."},{"id":"text-413","heading":"Text","content":"April 17, 2012\nBlackhawk and Little Bird helicopters engaged in a military training exercise downtown darted through the streets with no lights on, stirring up a flurry of tweets and videos from confused Loop workers and residents."},{"id":"text-414","heading":"Text","content":"Later in the evening, two MH-6 Little Birds flew along the Chicago River corridor as well. (Thanks John for the chopper ID!)"},{"id":"text-415","heading":"Text","content":"April 16, 2012\nAs AON moves out of the Uptown neighborhood this summer, the neighborhood is gaining another type of commerce. The company's staff parking structure on Broadway (near Argyle) will be utilized as a part-time vintage market from June-October, with vendors selling straight from their methods of transportation on the third Sunday of each month."},{"id":"text-416","heading":"Text","content":"April 12, 2012\nIf you got busy in an Aragon bathroom during the Megadeth/Motörhead show in February, you've got a kid on the way. [via]"},{"id":"text-417","heading":"Text","content":"April 12, 2012\nLocal art and design blog Colossal, The Chicago Portfolio School, Pitchfork and The Onion (whose web team is local) are nominated in this year's Webby Awards."},{"id":"text-418","heading":"Text","content":"April 05, 2012\nTina Fey is a big fan of Chicago, but warns that "a dude might bite your nose off.""},{"id":"text-419","heading":"Text","content":"April 03, 2012\nIf you're itching to stylishly transport that new iPad or maybe an iPhone or MacBook Air or Pro, check out the lovely "Biblio" handmade covers offered via Kickstarter by FoGB George Aye (he's shot some inspired photos at Pitchfork over the years for Transmission) and David Hull. The sweetness is in the video on the campaign page (also after the jump). See other GB-curated Kickstarter campaigns."},{"id":"text-420","heading":"Text","content":"April 03, 2012\nIn honor of National Poetry Month, here is A Poem From Us, yet another awesome project from former GB staffer Felix Jung."},{"id":"text-421","heading":"Text","content":"April 02, 2012\nThe map of Chicago looks even better in watercolor."},{"id":"text-422","heading":"Text","content":"You might also dig this map."},{"id":"text-423","heading":"Text","content":"April 02, 2012\nOne of Google's April Fool's pranks this year was to release an 8-bit "Quest" version of Google Maps, which supposedly runs on the Nintendo Entertainment System. But while it may be a prank, it results in some pretty amazing low-res views of Chicago.\nChicago, Legend of Zelda style:\nA view of the buildings across from Google's Chicago offices:\nMarina Towers:\nThe Hancock:\nThe Bean and skyline:\nBuckingham Fountain:\nWrigley Field:\nThe Field Museum:\nA surprisingly colorful Sears Tower:\nThe Water Tower:"},{"id":"text-424","heading":"Text","content":"March 27, 2012\nGoogle's doodle today is a depiction of IIT's Crown Hall, in honor of architect Mies van der Rohe's 126th birthday. The Mies van der Rohe Society is throwing a party tonight, with a focus on the architect's influence over hair stylist Vidal Sassoon."},{"id":"text-425","heading":"Text","content":"March 25, 2012\nFantastic Chicago-based Lesbian website The L Stop, (aka "the one stop for everything lesbian in Chicago") just published their list of the 10 Chicago Lesbians to Look Out For."},{"id":"text-426","heading":"Text","content":"March 23, 2012\nGoodie Mags is a service that sends magazines to your loved ones in the hospital, nursing homes, even jails and prisons. You can also send magazines to your favorite incarcerated celebrities! The first celebrity recipient? According to Goodie Mags founder and CEO Miriam Bhimani, former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich."},{"id":"text-427","heading":"Text","content":"March 21, 2012\nThe Chicago Council on Global Affairs and Community Media Workshop launched ChicagoStories.org today as a resource for journalists coming to the city to cover the NATO summit."},{"id":"text-428","heading":"Text","content":"March 20, 2012\nOK Go's latest adventure is OK Gopid, an online dating site that matches your profile with one carefully selected by one of the band's wacky contraptions."},{"id":"text-429","heading":"Text","content":"March 12, 2012\nOpen Culture collects interesting audio and video from 290 cultural icons, including Saul Bellow, Bill Murray, Shel Silverstein and Frank Lloyd Wright. [via]"},{"id":"text-430","heading":"Text","content":"March 10, 2012\nA ChipIn account is accepting donations for Remmy the dog, whose owners are Shawn Smith (the genius behind Shawnimals) and his wife Jen. Remmy was attacked by two dogs in her Logan Square neighborhood this past week, and while she's recovering, it's to the tune of about $9k in veterinary bills."},{"id":"text-431","heading":"Text","content":"March 08, 2012\nWhile Chicago's bid for the Olympics may have failed, a local group is launching a campaign to bring the 2013 Quidditch World Cup to Chicago. To see Quidditch in action, check out the highlights from last year's championship."},{"id":"text-432","heading":"Text","content":"March 07, 2012\nA game made out of reclaimed barn wood, a children's book about Chicago history and student compilation CD from Intonation Music Workshop are among the recent additions to the Gapers Block Kickstarter page."},{"id":"text-433","heading":"Text","content":"March 07, 2012\nGothamist founder Jake Dobkin created GrafRank, a ranking of "important graffiti artists around the world using data drawn from the internet." Chicago is, of course, well represented."},{"id":"text-434","heading":"Text","content":"March 06, 2012\nCongratulations to the U of C's Ted Gonder, whose Moneythink organization is one of five winners in the White House's Champions of Change Challenge. [via]"},{"id":"text-435","heading":"Text","content":"March 05, 2012\nStudents at the University of Chicago use social media to raise awareness about certain unsanitary living conditions — including exploding toilets — in one of the oldest dorms on campus."},{"id":"text-436","heading":"Text","content":"March 01, 2012\nThe Reader reports some drama in the realms of the hip-hop web culture involving Fake Shore Drive and a keyboard crusader tweeting and blogging under the name Real Shore Drive."},{"id":"text-437","heading":"Text","content":"March 01, 2012\nPresident Obama backed the Bulls once more in an interview with ESPN last night. During the podcast, he alluded to his possible re-election and included that sometime during his presidency, "it will happen." Considering the possibility that he's not re-elected, this could be the year. Droite?"},{"id":"text-438","heading":"Text","content":"February 29, 2012\nLen Kendall proposed to his girlfriend, Katie Holland, via Buzzfeed, and the social mediasphere went wild. Thankfully, she said yes."},{"id":"text-439","heading":"Text","content":"February 29, 2012\nAndrew Rosinski has fixed that."},{"id":"text-440","heading":"Text","content":"February 27, 2012\nLittle Lady, a Jack Russell terrier available for adoption in the area, looks a great deal like Uggie, the canine star of The Artist (which won Best Picture at last night's Oscars) who was also a shelter dog."},{"id":"text-441","heading":"Text","content":"February 17, 2012\nA new city ordinance promises to hold cab companies liable for repeat-offender drivers. The law will go into effect in the summer and is expected to make current laws surrounding cab drivers, which are typically circumvented, easier to enforce."},{"id":"text-442","heading":"Text","content":"February 16, 2012\nComedy troupe Hot Snow knows that rich bigotry knows know race, creed or sexual preference."},{"id":"text-443","heading":"Text","content":"February 14, 2012\nMitch O'Connell has an astounding collection of weird Valentine's Day cards."},{"id":"text-444","heading":"Text","content":"February 14, 2012\nChicago residents can now volunteer to shovel a snow-covered sidewalk by claiming a section of the city on their smart phone through a new web app, Adopt-a-sidewalk. The app also connects volunteers with seniors and people with disabilities who might need help with snow removal."},{"id":"text-445","heading":"Text","content":"February 14, 2012\nChicago is spending about $193,000 for police face shields — Money well spent?"},{"id":"text-446","heading":"Text","content":"February 14, 2012\nIf you love old photos of Chicago as much as we do, new blog Chicago Past looks extremely promising."},{"id":"text-447","heading":"Text","content":"February 12, 2012\nCheck out the full transcript of Tribune reporter David Kidwell's Feb. 8 interview with Emanuel — an interview described as "sometimes contentious, sometimes humorous.""},{"id":"text-448","heading":"Text","content":"February 10, 2012\nHere's a brief video asking 35 locals why they love Chicago — and which is part of the "175 Ways to Love Chicago" project."},{"id":"text-449","heading":"Text","content":"February 09, 2012\nIn light of the city sticker controversy, designer Aaron Kraus looked for evidence of gang signs in other civic symbols. Cook County might have a problem. (Then again, there's also the flag.)"},{"id":"text-450","heading":"Text","content":"February 07, 2012\nSmashing Pumpkins, Fall Out Boy and the University of Chicago all earned homemade shrines from Rookie mag readers."},{"id":"text-451","heading":"Text","content":"February 02, 2012\nLocal comic Ever Mainard had a set this past Tuesday at Chicago Underground Comedy that people are still talking about. Not just comics; people who have never done a stand-up set in their life are talking about it. Luckily, it was caught on video so that those of you who weren't there can witness the moment that people will talk about for years to come. Right now, though, I'm going to Arrêtez talking about it, and let you see for yourself."},{"id":"text-452","heading":"Text","content":"February 01, 2012\nCheck out this video posted by Brokelyn, a spoof of Portlandia's "Did You Read It?" sketch. Keep an eye out for a Chicago version and send it my way immediately."},{"id":"text-453","heading":"Text","content":"February 01, 2012\nThe "shit ___ say" meme is thoroughly played out, but this one is notable for its inclusion of Richard Roeper performing Bill O'Reilly's famous "Inside Edition" temper tantrum in its entirety."},{"id":"text-454","heading":"Text","content":"January 31, 2012\nYou've been pronouncing "Kanye West" all wrong. [via]"},{"id":"text-455","heading":"Text","content":"January 29, 2012\nInterested in the Tribune's new weekly book supplement, Printers Row? You can check out a free digital sneak peek here."},{"id":"text-456","heading":"Text","content":"January 28, 2012\nA mysterious portrait of Mayor Rahm Emanuel created as a movie poster of the Godfather appeared in the office of Tribune columnist John Kass. And he'd like to know who sent it to him. He even checked it for bugs, just in case."},{"id":"text-457","heading":"Text","content":"January 27, 2012\nIf your indoor plants are seeming a bit lonely, why not get them a set of wee Obamas to keep them company."},{"id":"text-458","heading":"Text","content":"January 26, 2012\nLooking for Glove is a new site by FoGB Dubi Kaufmann attempting to help lost gloves and mittens find their mates."},{"id":"text-459","heading":"Text","content":"January 26, 2012\nBears aren't in it, which mutes much of my interest in the game, but the commercials still got a shot at tuning me in. I caught wind of this 10-second teaser, featuring the hometown '80s icon and all time favorite bad influence Ferris Bueller, who looks ready for some mid-life madness."},{"id":"text-460","heading":"Text","content":"January 26, 2012\nThe "Sh*t People Say" meme is spreading through the Internet faster than a cat with its tail on fire, and YouTuber LyonEsEnTodo brings it home with "Sh*t Chicagoans Say." What DO you say, Chicago? Tweet it to us @gapersblock."},{"id":"text-461","heading":"Text","content":"January 26, 2012\nChicago "L" Hangman is pretty much what it sounds like. [via]"},{"id":"text-462","heading":"Text","content":"January 24, 2012\nLocal comedy duo and NEDTalks creators Seth and Kellen skewer two memes at once in a self-described "desperate attempt to go viral.""},{"id":"text-463","heading":"Text","content":"January 23, 2012\nThe "Shit ___ Say" video meme train is finally pulling into Chicago. Add your suggestions for the video over on Reddit."},{"id":"text-464","heading":"Text","content":"January 20, 2012\n…but you can be driven around Chicago in a Ferrari by this guy for $300/hour."},{"id":"text-465","heading":"Text","content":"January 20, 2012\nWGN-TV footage from the city's fourth worst blizzard in history, that brought down nearly 19 inches of snow from Jan. 13 to Jan. 14, 1979."},{"id":"text-466","heading":"Text","content":"January 18, 2012\nChicago's failed Olympic bid still haunts the Internet on Google street view."},{"id":"text-467","heading":"Text","content":"January 17, 2012\nTwo separate controversies are battling it out in the Yelp-a-verse: a sommelier so angry at a negative review of his wine-tasting courses that he created a fake blog for the rater that documented a (fabricated) criminal history and substance abuse problems (she's suing him); and a dog obedience trainer who reportedly choked and kicked a dog in his care in front of a number of local animal rescue groups at an adoption event this past weekend."},{"id":"text-468","heading":"Text","content":"January 16, 2012\nMichael Jordan: Chaos in the Windy City was a Super NES videogame released by EA in 1994, to very poor reviews. If you have a couple hours to kill, you can watch a guy play the whole thing on YouTube in, appropriately enough, 23 parts. Or download the ROM and play it yourself."},{"id":"text-469","heading":"Text","content":"January 12, 2012\nJust happened upon some footage that features some of the best bboys, or breakdancers, in the city, battling it out at the Alternatives Youth Center back in November."},{"id":"text-470","heading":"Text","content":"January 12, 2012\nIf you see folks taking dibs on parking spots after it snows, or even if you have proof of pre-dibs, share it with Chicago Dibs."},{"id":"text-471","heading":"Text","content":"January 11, 2012\nAs Redditor DrapedInVelvet said, "And I thought I had too much free time."\nClick to see the full version:"},{"id":"text-472","heading":"Text","content":"January 10, 2012\nThe time on the symbolic Doomsday Clock, which tracks how close the world is to global disaster, has been adjusted. The time was moved from six minutes to five due to "ongoing threats from nuclear proliferation, climate change and the need to find sustainable and safe sources of energy." The Clock is maintained by the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists at the University of Chicago."},{"id":"text-473","heading":"Text","content":"January 06, 2012\nAaron Kraus has created a Tumblr (NSFW) with an intersection of the phrase "Hey Girl" from Ryan Gosling memes, Rick Santorum's positions women's rights and pictures of Rick Santorum. Submissions to the blog are being accepted (Still NSFW)."},{"id":"text-474","heading":"Text","content":"January 04, 2012\nThe Lincoln Park Zoo has a new owl (it's a snowy owl; what's with those this year?) and have left its name up to a Facebook poll. A.V. Club Chicago wasn't inspired by the choices, so it took to Twitter to elicit some more."},{"id":"text-475","heading":"Text","content":"January 04, 2012\nA deep dish pizza makes an appearance in an unlikely place."},{"id":"text-476","heading":"Text","content":"December 30, 2011\nThe Resolution Generator knows."},{"id":"text-477","heading":"Text","content":"December 30, 2011\nWBEZ has a downloadable list of Chicago traffic maven Sarah Jindra's favorite tweets from the past year. Ah, the memories."},{"id":"text-478","heading":"Text","content":"December 29, 2011\nA Super-Fan in the making? (Thanks, Fruzsina!)"},{"id":"text-479","heading":"Text","content":"December 28, 2011\nChicago's entry in Wikipeetia, the misspelled encyclopedia."},{"id":"text-480","heading":"Text","content":"December 27, 2011\nStop by the Chicago History Museum's lobby to see Pie Face, one of several games developed in our fair city (along with Mouse Trap, Operation, and Lite-Brite) by Marvin Glass & Associates."},{"id":"text-481","heading":"Text","content":"December 23, 2011\nChristmas toy delivery has been outsourced to FedEx, so Kris Claus has been looking for a job. Plan B hired him."},{"id":"text-482","heading":"Text","content":"December 20, 2011\nOffice party or living room bash — you still need some good tunes. Refinery 29 blogs that DJ Matt Roan has your Christmas hip shakers all in one mix you can stream or download."},{"id":"text-483","heading":"Text","content":"December 19, 2011\nKim Jong-un, the son of recently departed North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, was obsessed with Michael Jordan during his teen years: the future dictator loved to wear Air Jordans and spent hours "doing meticulous pencil drawings" of the legendary athlete while attending a Swiss boarding school. Jong-un reportedly also had pictures of himself with former Bulls player Toni Kukoc (and Kobe Bryant) hanging in his dorm room."},{"id":"text-484","heading":"Text","content":"December 14, 2011\nThe New King of R n' B wants to take you to his floating "Hotel" and sail the Bahamas with you.\nSeafarers can join The Pied Piper of R n' B in a stepping class to learn "The Love Signals," experience cuisine prepared under the watchful eye of Mr. "Sex in the Kitchen," and compete the "12 Play" basketball tournament. This will be R. Kelly's first concert cruise so all bets are off. Judging by Aziz Ansari's response of a past Kells performance all shipmates will have a "Wonderful" time. More info is on the Love Letter Cruise website."},{"id":"text-485","heading":"Text","content":"December 12, 2011\nBear with me — Energy Impact Illinois has put together a web series following Big Bill and Little Bill (both played by Second City actors) who share a variety of tips and tricks to help homeowners make their homes more energy efficient for the upcoming winter."},{"id":"text-486","heading":"Text","content":"December 09, 2011\nIf you're a fan of "The Office" (or just love paper), the Dunder Mifflin Paper Truck will be in town next week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Follow the truck on Twitter at @DMPaperTruck for exact times and locations."},{"id":"text-487","heading":"Text","content":"December 07, 2011\nLongtime Andersonville tavern, Simon's, had a theft from its basement over the weekend of an antique cash register that's as old as the bar itself (nearly 77 years). If you have any leads, they'd be very interested to recover it. [Update: Simon’s has additional information describing the register, should you see it at your local pawn shop or flea market.]"},{"id":"text-488","heading":"Text","content":"December 02, 2011\nDid you know there's no such thing as Santa Claus? WGN's Robin Robertson broke it down for her colleagues earlier this week on-air earlier this week; after some viewers called in complaints, she then apologized."},{"id":"text-489","heading":"Text","content":"December 01, 2011\nA bit of tinkering with the Guinness Book of World Records search engine will let you see all records currently held by Chicago and its residents."},{"id":"text-490","heading":"Text","content":"December 01, 2011\nTime Out Chicago discovers that while things might not be so hot, members of the Millennial generation have got what it takes to prevail."},{"id":"text-491","heading":"Text","content":"November 30, 2011\nCongratulations to Northwestern student Lawrence Dai, whose mission to watch Julie & Julia everyday for a year (and blog about it at The Lawrence/Julie & Julia Project), ended last night with a viewing party in Denver attended by his fan club and Amy Adams's mom."},{"id":"text-492","heading":"Text","content":"November 18, 2011\nSure, if you can afford to pay $15,000 in rent. Oprah's renting out her Streeterville condo."},{"id":"text-493","heading":"Text","content":"November 18, 2011\nIf you search for "planes overhead" in (Champaign-based) Wolfram Alpha, it'll give you a list of planes flying over your location, along with a sky map. [via]\nHere's one from last night:"},{"id":"text-494","heading":"Text","content":"November 17, 2011\nSomeone snuck a photo of Xzibit into an exhibit in the Oriental Institute Museum.* As they say, the intertubes are leaking."},{"id":"text-495","heading":"Text","content":"*OK, really they just photoshopped it in there, but where's the fun in that?"},{"id":"text-496","heading":"Text","content":"November 15, 2011\nThe corner of State and Madison becomes 4437th Street and 4363 Avenue on ExtendNY, which applies New York's grid worldwide. [via]"},{"id":"text-497","heading":"Text","content":"November 15, 2011\nThe Ghostbusters have a Chicago Division, in case you need some ghosts busted over by dere. [via]"},{"id":"text-498","heading":"Text","content":"November 14, 2011\nSee if you can spot Chicago at the beginning of this stunning time-lapse video of Earth at night, short from the International Space Station. [via]"},{"id":"text-499","heading":"Text","content":"Earth | Time Lapse View from Space, Fly Over | NASA, ISS from Michael König on Vimeo."},{"id":"text-500","heading":"Text","content":"November 11, 2011\nBig Dog Eat Child is back with a couple more Twenty-Something Ninja Turtles"},{"id":"text-501","heading":"Text","content":"November 09, 2011\nWinnie the Pooh rides the CTA."},{"id":"text-502","heading":"Text","content":"November 08, 2011\nIn case you missed it sur Twitter this morning, for a little while there was a Lake Michigan-shaped storm covering the entirety of Lake Michigan."},{"id":"text-503","heading":"Text","content":"November 08, 2011\nA Lincoln Square local scours the internet daily to find the best sweepstakes out there to give everyone a chance to win. One Sweeps offers a sweepstake a day where you can decide if you'd like to enter."},{"id":"text-504","heading":"Text","content":"November 03, 2011\nOne of the best TribLocal headlines I've read, "It's hard out there for a mime," is actually about a teen mistaken for one when what he intended was to dress up as a dancer from America’s Best Dance Crew. "…not used to seeing street performers in a residential neighborhood, some neighbors were confused and called police.""},{"id":"text-505","heading":"Text","content":"October 26, 2011\nEver wonder what it's like to be inside one of the planes in the Chicago Air & Water Show? [via]"},{"id":"text-506","heading":"Text","content":"October 20, 2011\nValentino Vamp posted a picture of two young women who dressed up for a night on the town on May 25, 1944."},{"id":"text-507","heading":"Text","content":"October 19, 2011\nNow on Feast of Fun: After coming out to his parents, a gay soldier decides to come out to his pizza delivery guy."},{"id":"text-508","heading":"Text","content":"October 18, 2011\nA Lincoln Park dentist office is offering kids money for their Halloween candy this year."},{"id":"text-509","heading":"Text","content":"October 18, 2011\nFoo-gos.com recreates sports and other logos with food; here's the Blackhawks logo made out of hotdogs, pickles, mushrooms, sauerkraut and ketchup. [via]"},{"id":"text-510","heading":"Text","content":"October 13, 2011\nWeb folk, you have less than 24 hours to buy the United Pixel Workers Illinois Local 21 t-shirt."},{"id":"text-511","heading":"Text","content":"October 12, 2011\nThe official video for rapper/Northwestern student/son o' Hanks Chet Haze's "Hollywood" is out. You're welcome."},{"id":"text-512","heading":"Text","content":"October 07, 2011\nThe Fake Criswell, the amazing Twitter predictor of science, now has a website."},{"id":"text-513","heading":"Text","content":"October 07, 2011\nGoogle's map of Chicago seems to be a little inconsistent: in some versions, Madison Street is missing west of the river, and Randolph Street is listed as "planned.""},{"id":"text-514","heading":"Text","content":"October 04, 2011\nThe Blagojevich's Ravenswood Manor home is for sale; just $1,070,000 for a piece of Illinois history. WBEZ's Justin Kaufmann makes some suggestions on how to jazz up the listing.\nPhoto by Eric Allix Rogers."},{"id":"text-515","heading":"Text","content":"September 29, 2011\nEverything is Terrible strikes again."},{"id":"text-516","heading":"Text","content":"IT'S THE 90S! from Everything Is Terrible! on Vimeo."},{"id":"text-517","heading":"Text","content":"September 26, 2011\nSeems like it arrived a little early; it won't be Hoth-like weather for three or four more months. [via]"},{"id":"text-518","heading":"Text","content":"September 26, 2011\nInspired by Morgan Spurlock's recent film, one Chicagoan is looking for 34 sponsors for his Halloween costume."},{"id":"text-519","heading":"Text","content":"September 25, 2011\nNot all of this advice is strictly good."},{"id":"text-520","heading":"Text","content":"September 16, 2011\nGalvea Kelly of Irish marketing agency NUA asked 50 people in Chicago what their favorite memory is."},{"id":"text-521","heading":"Text","content":"September 14, 2011\nA dude who decided to relieve himself in an Uptown alley on Saturday didn't realize that a security camera was watching his every move(ment). (Maybe kinda NSFW)"},{"id":"text-522","heading":"Text","content":"September 08, 2011\nWe've linked to it before, but with all the Playboy Club hub-bub, it seems like a good time to point out the Ex Playboy Bunnies Website, an online community for Bunnies new and old."},{"id":"text-523","heading":"Text","content":"September 06, 2011\nGB flickr pool contributor MewDeep uploaded a somewhat creepy 1965 Life magazine photograph of balloon men over the Chicago River."},{"id":"text-524","heading":"Text","content":"September 04, 2011\nTrump International Hotel and Tower got the Lego treatment curtsey of Sean Kenney and about 65,000 Lego pieces. Since the tower itself is a glass and steel structure, the "reflected" skyline was built on the inside of the 10-foot sculpture to better simulate the glassiness. On display at the Chicago Lego store. Sean's Tribune Tower is awesome too."},{"id":"text-525","heading":"Text","content":"September 04, 2011\nNew trouble for hometown giant Groupon, this time self-inflicted. According to a report in The New York Times, Groupon chief executive Andrew Mason may have broken SEC rules preventing a company from attempting to "condition the market by hyping its stock" by issuing an internal memo recently. In it, he defends against media reports about the company's numbers, a balance sheet that will no doubt be adversely affected if Groupon's IPO is put on hold."},{"id":"text-526","heading":"Text","content":"September 02, 2011\nYou truly belong here with us among the clouds…"},{"id":"text-527","heading":"Text","content":"August 31, 2011\nA resident of the Green Street Lofts, where our mayor and his family lived until they were able to move back into their Ravenswood home, found an interesting angle for selling his condo."},{"id":"text-528","heading":"Text","content":"August 27, 2011\nThe Trib's slideshows aren't always top-notch quality, but none match this hilarious phone-it-in gallery of photographs of things that have the same names as recent hurricanes."},{"id":"text-529","heading":"Text","content":"August 26, 2011\nFrom the audience of the recent Del Close Marathon in NYC, a Las Vegas-based improviser named Eric D. Angell casually told a story of having sex with an "old, drunk girl" in a hotel room in Chicago several years ago that sounds a great deal like rape. See for yourself; it was all captured on video."},{"id":"text-530","heading":"Text","content":"August 25, 2011\nCheck out the minimalist, typographical transit maps of TRNSPRTNATION."},{"id":"text-531","heading":"Text","content":"August 24, 2011\nChicago is included on Bård Edlund's pretty but confusing Weather Wheel — but unfortunately so is the popular misconception about why we're called the Windy City. [via]"},{"id":"text-532","heading":"Text","content":"August 22, 2011\nWe've seen some heartbreaking instances of missing dogs around the city lately. If you're a pet owner, microchipping can help locate your lost pet. There's also a few sites that can help advertise your search."},{"id":"text-533","heading":"Text","content":"August 19, 2011\nKate O'Leary lovingly maps some of her personal Lincoln Square landmarks on They Draw & Travel."},{"id":"text-534","heading":"Text","content":"August 18, 2011\nHell's travel and tourism site recently got a spectacular redesign at the hands of local designer Chris Herron. [via]"},{"id":"text-535","heading":"Text","content":"August 10, 2011\nUniversity of Chicago fourth year Mitchell Kohles challenged the automated storage and retrieval system at the U of C's newest library, the Joe and Rika Mansueto Library, to a race. How did Mitchell do? Let's go to the tape, err, YouTube video."},{"id":"text-536","heading":"Text","content":"August 01, 2011\nRorschmap turns googlemaps into kaleidoscopes. Here's Chicago. [via]"},{"id":"text-537","heading":"Text","content":"July 29, 2011\nOn Re-Nest, they have a swell Etsy find: specialty cast-iron pans in the shape of Illinois. You can even load up on pans in the shape of other Midwestern states if you so desire."},{"id":"text-538","heading":"Text","content":"July 28, 2011\nFrom Studio Sweet Studio comes The City Scout, a stylish set recommendations of places to check out in Chicago (and soon Brooklyn) from local creative types."},{"id":"text-539","heading":"Text","content":"July 27, 2011\nThe late Amy Winehouse loved her Ronnie Spector-esqe beehive, a hair design that was created in Chicago a whopping 50 years ago."},{"id":"text-540","heading":"Text","content":"July 25, 2011\nRemember Chicago Express Airlines? Me neither. Its flight attendant uniform and others from American, Midway and United are among more than a thousand in this massive collection. [via]"},{"id":"text-541","heading":"Text","content":"July 21, 2011\nTavi Gevinson, the teen fashion blogger behind Thestylerookie.com, is shopping a book. The proposal for "Diary" suggests "the book will be one part make-your-own scrapbook, one part feminist manifesto for girls and one part celebrity memento collage.""},{"id":"text-542","heading":"Text","content":"July 15, 2011\nGangsta rap about Python, straight outta the suburbs. (NSFW)"},{"id":"text-543","heading":"Text","content":"July 12, 2011\nEric Fischer's "See Something or Say Something" project maps geotagged tweets and Flickr photos and shows where they overlap. Chicago lights up nicely."},{"id":"text-544","heading":"Text","content":"July 07, 2011\nCraig Shimala's latest work is a time-lapse video showing every sunrise over downtown Chicago for the month of June. [via]"},{"id":"text-545","heading":"Text","content":"July 06, 2011\nLocal jewelery designer Ashley Scott's new line, "Drapes," is currently featured on fashion blog, Refiney 29."},{"id":"text-546","heading":"Text","content":"July 01, 2011\nDoesn't The Bean look like a vaguely ominous gateway to a parallel dimension? [via]"},{"id":"text-547","heading":"Text","content":"July 01, 2011\nWhat's a San Antonio reporter to do when strangers continually mistake him for our mayor? Write an article of course. [via]"},{"id":"text-548","heading":"Text","content":"June 30, 2011\nCheck out this awesome personal stationery from architect Frank Lloyd Wright circa 1946."},{"id":"text-549","heading":"Text","content":"June 29, 2011\nThe video we've all been waiting for has finally dropped.[[via]"},{"id":"text-550","heading":"Text","content":"June 28, 2011\nIf you need a compelling reason to go to the Taste (and really, who doesn't), Grub Street has a nifty map showing where vendors are coming from, all over the city. You'd save gas money just by going to Grant Park — especially if you're into dessert."},{"id":"text-551","heading":"Text","content":"June 27, 2011\nNorthwestern's finest rapper/rising sophomore Chet Haze dazzled the clubgoers at Enclave Friday night–and his famous mom and dad were there, too!"},{"id":"text-552","heading":"Text","content":"June 27, 2011\nJune 25 was Reddit Arbitrary Day. Chicago's redditor meetup was also a concert; here's a photo and audio essay by occasional GB contributor Fruzsina Eordogh."},{"id":"text-553","heading":"Text","content":"June 24, 2011\nA MetaFilter thread about the venerable Chicago-L.org led me to Railfan, a 2006 PS3 game simulating the Brown Line. You can find it used on Amazon and elsewhere, but it's not cheap."},{"id":"text-554","heading":"Text","content":"June 22, 2011\nEspecially when you're the only Cubs fans on the train to Wrigley."},{"id":"text-555","heading":"Text","content":"June 22, 2011\nApparently you can pack the entire population of Oman into the city limits."},{"id":"text-556","heading":"Text","content":"June 22, 2011\nAnother summer, another travel guide from the BBC."},{"id":"text-557","heading":"Text","content":"June 21, 2011\n"That day when it's everyone's birthday but yours.""},{"id":"text-558","heading":"Text","content":"June 21, 2011\nStewart Gibbs, a health care administrator living in River West, was arrested late Sunday night after police discovered him in his apartment; Gibbs was drunk, naked, and covered in his dog's blood after trying to remove a cyst from the animal's ear with a butcher knife. The animal will recover. Gibbs was charged with felony animal cruelty."},{"id":"text-559","heading":"Text","content":"June 13, 2011\nI Am Not Greg follows a hoofed critter who seems to have lost his way in East Lake View."},{"id":"text-560","heading":"Text","content":"June 10, 2011\nA Redditor's coworker found an old quiz in her desk drawer titled "So You Think You Know Chicago"; how many can you guess? (The answers.)"},{"id":"text-561","heading":"Text","content":"June 06, 2011\nDesigner Gerard Huerta created a number of iconic band logos, but his rendition of Nick Fasciano's Chicago logo in a fingerprint is pretty inspired."},{"id":"text-562","heading":"Text","content":"June 02, 2011\nWe at Gapers Block are big fans of Kickstarter, as you may have noticed. So much so that we've set up a curated page filled with local projects we think sound cool. Threadless, Pitchfork and a bunch of other non-local organizations have pages, too."},{"id":"text-563","heading":"Text","content":"June 01, 2011\nAccording to the webcomic xkcd, "if you take any article, click on the first link in the article text not in parentheses or italics, and then repeat, you will eventually end up at "Philosophy." Chicago is only 13 steps away. (We're 14.)"},{"id":"text-564","heading":"Text","content":"May 31, 2011\nU of C-trained doctor Amy Lehman, who founded a floating medical clinic in Africa's Lake Tanganyika, showed off her large tattoo of the lake's geography for the Daily Beast."},{"id":"text-565","heading":"Text","content":"May 26, 2011\nThe developers behind the Opera web browser are going to miss Oprah — because of the great misdirected emails they get. (Don't worry, guys, she's just moving to cable.) [via]"},{"id":"text-566","heading":"Text","content":"May 25, 2011\nCompletely missed this this winter: "Why You Hate Comic Sans," a presentation by David Kadavy given at Ignite Chicago. [via]"},{"id":"text-567","heading":"Text","content":"May 24, 2011\nBeyond lending street cred, this tattoo helps its owner with pesky questions from tourists. (At least it's easier to reference than the last one we linked to.)"},{"id":"text-568","heading":"Text","content":"May 20, 2011\nUnited Airlines got into some public relations hot water earlier this week when code numbers of flights that were part of the 9/11 tragedy were accidentally reinstated in their operating system."},{"id":"text-569","heading":"Text","content":"May 19, 2011\nThe baby white-cheeked gibbon at Lincoln Park Zoo took his first steps to a poppy synthesizer soundtrack."},{"id":"text-570","heading":"Text","content":"May 19, 2011\nWhen the Rapture comes on May 21 (or anytime in the next 10 years), Eternal Earthbound Pets will take care of your left-behind pets for a simple, one-time fee of $135."},{"id":"text-571","heading":"Text","content":"May 16, 2011\nFor the record, this vintage ad from the "Soda Pop Board of America," based here in Chicago, is completely fake.\nAs handily annotated above, the ad features obviously satirical copy ("fitting in" is a purported health claim), a Coca-Cola bottle with a backwards logo, and a fake address (there's a Hart Street, but it runs north-south, for just a block). And then there's the name — Soda Pop Board? While very wholesome, almost nobody calls sweetened carbonated beverages "soda pop," least of all the industry itself. It was created as a spoof for the sadly defunct The City Desk which published nothing mais fictional news. But hey, don't tell that to this guy."},{"id":"text-572","heading":"Text","content":"May 13, 2011\nLunchtime just got a lot more rocking since White Mystery is going to play live at the Threadless HQ today. Lucky for you, you can catch the whole thing from your cube on Ustream starting at noon."},{"id":"text-573","heading":"Text","content":"May 13, 2011\nRemember the two dogs who were rescued after falling through an iced-over Lake Michigan back in February after their owner abandoned them? One of the doggy duo, a 2-year-old pit bull terrier mix named Honey, is now available for adoption."},{"id":"text-574","heading":"Text","content":"May 11, 2011\nThere's a whole lot to read on Jesus-Is-Savior.com, whose author grew up in Chicago and writes about the city frequently. (Sensitive readers be warned.)"},{"id":"text-575","heading":"Text","content":"May 10, 2011\nThe Illinois entry in the 50 and 50 Project may call to mind a certain local hot dog purveyor."},{"id":"text-576","heading":"Text","content":"April 29, 2011\nGoogle Maps captured a lovely and mindblowing photo of a plane flying over Hyde park. (via)"},{"id":"text-577","heading":"Text","content":"April 28, 2011\nMoat lets you browse through all of a company's online ads. Such as Groupon, McDonald's, United and the Tribune."},{"id":"text-578","heading":"Text","content":"April 27, 2011\nAnd speaking of Reddit's "Ask Me Anything" forum, here are all the Chicago-related threads."},{"id":"text-579","heading":"Text","content":"April 25, 2011\nThe Chicago Grid has returned as a quarterly publication after a few month hiatus."},{"id":"text-580","heading":"Text","content":"April 22, 2011\nA scientist at Argonne National Laboratory has studied ways to turn plastic grocery bags into materials that can produce printer ink and batteries."},{"id":"text-581","heading":"Text","content":"April 22, 2011\nRed Door Shelter's Spring to Life Raffle ends tomorrow at 4pm. Tickets are $1 each, and prizes include $1,000 in cold hard cash, a Kindle, a case of wine, a weekend getaway on the North Shore, and Vosges chocolate bars. Proceeds benefit care of the Shelter's animals (while you're at it, look at these awesome fluffly bunnies, this doggy, and this kitteh–they're all available for adoption, along with many others!)."},{"id":"text-582","heading":"Text","content":"April 22, 2011\nWrite your own."},{"id":"text-583","heading":"Text","content":"April 20, 2011\nThe Kanye West Foundation, which was created to decrease school dropout rates through creative programming, has folded after four years of operating. The charity's grantmaking dropped dramatically after the 2007 death of West's mother Donda, who was the Foundation's founder."},{"id":"text-584","heading":"Text","content":"April 19, 2011\nI'm not entirely sure what "Guys Book Club" is about, but it sure ain't books."},{"id":"text-585","heading":"Text","content":"April 18, 2011\nAll week, Chicago Publishes will feature poems from The Poetry Center's Hands on Stanzas program. Check back daily for a new poem and a Q&A with the poet."},{"id":"text-586","heading":"Text","content":"April 13, 2011\nAccording to this report by WBEZ — old municipal buildings never die, they just turn into theaters. Next in line? Griffin Theatre Company — they just bought an abandoned police station near Foster and Damen for one dollar. When your neighborhood police station gets replaced by a theater, well, I think that's a good sign."},{"id":"text-587","heading":"Text","content":"April 12, 2011\nGizmodo shows what areas of Chicago would have been affected had the tsunami/earthquake/Fukushima power plant tragedy struck here instead of Japan. I'm going to go hide under my bedsheets now."},{"id":"text-588","heading":"Text","content":"April 11, 2011\nThe Poetry Foundation has redesigned their website to be "richer, faster" and more user-friendly."},{"id":"text-589","heading":"Text","content":"April 11, 2011\nAfter years of trying, Roger Ebert is a finalist in The New Yorker's caption contest for this drawing. Voting closes at 11:59pm on April 17. [via]"},{"id":"text-590","heading":"Text","content":"April 10, 2011\nYou have to love letterhead that shows exactly what a company does. Vintage letterhead from The B. F. Cummins Company, 1914."},{"id":"text-591","heading":"Text","content":"April 05, 2011\nIllinois's 2nd congressional district has the least lonely ladies in the land. Check out R. Luke DuBois's maps, which he created after analyzing the profiles of 19 million singles from 21 dating sites, to learn more."},{"id":"text-592","heading":"Text","content":"April 05, 2011\nChicago's Bear Brand Hosiery Co. (whose Gary factory was finally torn down in 2009) once sold socks that grew with, um, you."},{"id":"text-593","heading":"Text","content":"April 05, 2011\nAccording to the Sun-Times, the Loop, Rogers Park and Chatham have the most potholes in the city. [via]"},{"id":"text-594","heading":"Text","content":"April 05, 2011\nHighrise/Out My Window, a web documentary about high-rise apartment buildings in 13 cities — including Cabrini Green, shot by our own David Schalliol — won an International Digital Emmy."},{"id":"text-595","heading":"Text","content":"April 04, 2011\nA cryptic — and possibly encrypted — tweet appeared on the @MayorEmanuel account briefly last night before being deleted. The Puzzler caught it, and is looking for help figuring out what it means."},{"id":"text-596","heading":"Text","content":"April 04, 2011\nA reader submitted a photo on Windy Citizen and wonders if Banksy (or a local street art fan) created this topical image of Moammar Gadhafi in Chicago."},{"id":"text-597","heading":"Text","content":"April 01, 2011\n"@avoision: Split my toenail pretty bad last night. Seeing doc on Monday, but slightly worried. Does this look infected? http://bit.ly/h3VI3R""},{"id":"text-598","heading":"Text","content":"March 31, 2011\nWondering what to do for April Fool's Day tomorrow? Alicia from Uncle Fun visited the "Guy Bauer Half Hour" to share some tips."},{"id":"text-599","heading":"Text","content":"March 31, 2011\nA cobra at the Bronx Zoo took to Twitter after escaping from its cage this week. The animals of Brookfield Zoo, Twitter veterans themselves, dropped it a Remarque. "Hey @BronxZoosCobra; we animals have been tweeting for a few months now, where've u been? Let's tweet up-just hop on a plane.""},{"id":"text-600","heading":"Text","content":"March 23, 2011\nSurprisingly few Chicago-related submissions to Dear Blank, Please Blank, but the ones there are pretty great."},{"id":"text-601","heading":"Text","content":"March 22, 2011\nWest Loop-based green furniture company Strand Design recently launched an online store. Now you can buy new furniture while you sit on your old furniture. In your underwear."},{"id":"text-602","heading":"Text","content":"March 21, 2011\nI'd love to see Google Maps add a night-time version of the satellite map overlay. In the meantime, there's Night Earth."},{"id":"text-603","heading":"Text","content":"March 21, 2011\n…People in Chicago will do a surprising number of things. [via]"},{"id":"text-604","heading":"Text","content":"March 21, 2011\nWebsite youarelistening.to offers mashups of police radio chatter and ambient music from five North American cities, including Chicago."},{"id":"text-605","heading":"Text","content":"March 16, 2011\ntheWit Chicago needs a correspondent for the second season of their "Witisodes" web series. The correspondent, in exchange for covering going-on around the city, will be compensated with a food and drink stipend, some free stays at the hotel, and $150 (per episode?). Interested applicants need only make a 60- to 90-second video to apply. Deadline is March 24. Click here for more details."},{"id":"text-606","heading":"Text","content":"March 14, 2011\nA few years ago National Geographic dispatched some photographers to 60614 to produce this vignette of life along the L."},{"id":"text-607","heading":"Text","content":"March 14, 2011\nChicago-based entrepreneurs Kevin Wielgus and Angelo Rago have launched JabberJury.com, a free online forum for settling all manner of debates. [via]"},{"id":"text-608","heading":"Text","content":"March 09, 2011\nSaved for posterity by Josh Larios, @MayorEmanuel's tweets, along with contextual replies."},{"id":"text-609","heading":"Text","content":"March 08, 2011\nThere's a new high-tech frontier for advertising at O'Hare: animated video ads on the bathroom mirrors. [via]"},{"id":"text-610","heading":"Text","content":"March 08, 2011\nEver wonder what European cities are even with Chicago latitudinally? Je ne me demande plus."},{"id":"text-611","heading":"Text","content":"March 07, 2011\nLocal lip sync legend Keenan Cahill starts off a new Smartwater commercial starring Jennifer Aniston that The Daily What calls one of the worst ever."},{"id":"text-612","heading":"Text","content":"March 04, 2011\nThe internets are leaking: Jay Ryan made a slikscreen print of a recent viral video. (Thanks, Su!)"},{"id":"text-613","heading":"Text","content":"March 03, 2011\nIn the midst of all the weirdness, it appears Charlie Sheen owns vintage Wrigley Field seats and likes Chicago-style hot dogs. (You may also want to read this.) UPDATE: Actually, Sheen just ate at a place called The Infield (Thanks, Brismi!)."},{"id":"text-614","heading":"Text","content":"March 03, 2011\nWhat's worse, Chicago? Being called "big-boned", or being the cattle to mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel's herding dog? The New York Times sounds like the best frenemy we ever had."},{"id":"text-615","heading":"Text","content":"March 02, 2011\n"'Twas born to the House of Lorraine in 1478 in the town of Bar-le-Duc of northern France. Mine occupation is court royal to Louis XII, a fine king indeed." And now Robert the Courtier tweets about the Art Institute's new exhibition of art in Renaissance France."},{"id":"text-616","heading":"Text","content":"March 01, 2011\nTwo contests on Facebook offer to give some lucky Chicagoans some valuable and memorable prizes: you could win free rent for a year from apartment-hunting site domu, or luck out with a ride on the Mercy Home float in the St. Patrick's Day Parade."},{"id":"text-617","heading":"Text","content":"March 01, 2011\nThe Tribune Apps team created a Google map overlay showing the percentage rise or drop in population for Chicago and the region. They launched another one tracking mayoral votes by precinct today."},{"id":"text-618","heading":"Text","content":"March 01, 2011\nDirty Six-Thirty, a web series set in Chicago."},{"id":"text-619","heading":"Text","content":"February 27, 2011\nActor and comedian Thomas Lennon ("Reno 911!," "The State") has a handmade tribute to Oak Park's Lake Theatre in his living room."},{"id":"text-620","heading":"Text","content":"February 25, 2011\nChicagoist breaks it down, curse by curse. Download the whole tweet archive in PDF form for posterity."},{"id":"text-621","heading":"Text","content":"February 24, 2011\nApparently, Sweden's Statoil gas stations now offer a "Chicago menu" of a (non-Chicago style) hot dog, a Coke and …baby carrots? [via]"},{"id":"text-622","heading":"Text","content":"February 23, 2011\nWith a new Mayor-elect in the wings, one ponders if the city can be unified by a crowdsourced alcoholic beverage. Chicagoans, the choice is yours. (h/t Joe)"},{"id":"text-623","heading":"Text","content":"February 19, 2011\nLocal band Empires are competing in a contest to be featured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. Help them out by voting for them here. [via]"},{"id":"text-624","heading":"Text","content":"February 17, 2011\nChicago comedy troupe Funemployed has created a special PSA video for all those who don't know who (Grammy award winning band) Arcade Fire is. (h/t Sandor)"},{"id":"text-625","heading":"Text","content":"February 17, 2011\nVirgin America showed off its marketing savvy buy partnering with Groupon for today's launch of service between O'Hare and LA or San Fran. The deal sold out in less than an hour."},{"id":"text-626","heading":"Text","content":"February 17, 2011\nAlways correct. [via]"},{"id":"text-627","heading":"Text","content":"February 16, 2011\nRyan Hodgson-Rigsbee pairs photos and music to create the webzine Urban Nature. Plug in your headphones and enjoy."},{"id":"text-628","heading":"Text","content":"February 15, 2011\nSpeaking of nickd, his Shitty Portmanteaux is as awesome as jeggings."},{"id":"text-629","heading":"Text","content":"February 15, 2011\nPublic Collectors."},{"id":"text-630","heading":"Text","content":"February 11, 2011\nBig Dog Eat Child has a your anthem."},{"id":"text-631","heading":"Text","content":"February 09, 2011\nA good Samaritan found two dogs at Howard Street Beach yesterday that had fallen through the ice. The dogs' owner, after being tracked down, admitted that he had dumped them near the (freezing) lake because he didn't want them anymore. Do you? Contact the Bark Bark Club for details on how to adopt."},{"id":"text-632","heading":"Text","content":"February 09, 2011\nHere's a Department of Development and Planning map showing how neatly Chicago stored its ethnics in 1950. Note how the Swedes are encircling the Irish in the lower-right quadrant. Was it something we said?"},{"id":"text-633","heading":"Text","content":"February 08, 2011\nThe Book Club's compiled a list of notable, local literary blogs — go check it out, and say something if you feel they've left someone out."},{"id":"text-634","heading":"Text","content":"February 08, 2011\nYou think stealing someone's dibs spot is risky? Try stealing their shovel."},{"id":"text-635","heading":"Text","content":"February 03, 2011\nAnother time-lapse video of the blizzard, this time from the Blackhawks. Worth watching for the mystery of why there were plows clearing the parking lots next to the United Center pretty much non-stop. (Thanks, Dominick!)"},{"id":"text-636","heading":"Text","content":"February 02, 2011\nYou heard it, but in case you didn't see it, now you can. UPDATE: Turns out that photo's been on the web for at least two years. Sorry to share a fake; thanks to Marc for the heads up."},{"id":"text-637","heading":"Text","content":"February 02, 2011\nNot that this will help you today, but Punxsutawney Phil did see his shadow this morning, which predcits an early spring."},{"id":"text-638","heading":"Text","content":"February 01, 2011\nA new take on the upcoming snowstorm. (Thanks, AnswerDave!)"},{"id":"text-639","heading":"Text","content":"February 01, 2011\n@MayorEmanuel isn't alone on Twitter, you know. @MayorMiguel, @MayorCarol et @MayorChico are ready for your attention."},{"id":"text-640","heading":"Text","content":"January 27, 2011\nSadly, it is no longer possible to order strip tease necktie that glows in the dark; the office at 215 N. Michigan Ave. no longer exists. [via]"},{"id":"text-641","heading":"Text","content":"January 27, 2011\nYou can keep up with Crain's Chicago Business and Hyde Park's 57th Street Books on their brand new Tumblr blogs."},{"id":"text-642","heading":"Text","content":"January 27, 2011\nIllinois is best at robbery according to one map, but it's also most average, according to another one."},{"id":"text-643","heading":"Text","content":"January 27, 2011\nBlackBook spent a few hours with Liz Phair in her old stomping grounds of Wicker Park and Lincoln Park. [via]"},{"id":"text-644","heading":"Text","content":"January 27, 2011\nChicago's Digital Kitchen created some very impressive columns for the latest Las Vegas casino, The Cosmopolitan. [via]"},{"id":"text-645","heading":"Text","content":"January 27, 2011\nYou really just have to watch the video and read the story about a guy who tried to rob a Subway and then stole a cab in Des Plaines before crashing on Clark Street in Rogers Park just blocks from a police station. "You see so many things on Clark Street," said a witness. (h/t Damon)\nUpdate: WGN's SkyCam9 got some extra footage of the "chase"."},{"id":"text-646","heading":"Text","content":"January 21, 2011\nI'm not endorsing this in any way, but this edit to the Chicago entry is at least mildly funny on a day like today."},{"id":"text-647","heading":"Text","content":"January 21, 2011\nDIY lifestyle mag ReadyMade recently gave props to (already beautiful) Pilsen bar Simone's for their accidental artistic venture: blank beer coasters. Patrons are enjoying the chance to draw their own designs and decorate it with a glass of their favorite bevvy."},{"id":"text-648","heading":"Text","content":"January 18, 2011\nCrain's Chicago Business talks to some Chicago-area bloggers about why they've quit."},{"id":"text-649","heading":"Text","content":"January 17, 2011\nThe Sears Tower in Minecraft. [via]"},{"id":"text-650","heading":"Text","content":"January 17, 2011\nAnother map boiling the US down to a single trait (previously), only this time by foods."},{"id":"text-651","heading":"Text","content":"January 14, 2011\nJudith Jamison will be delivering the keynote address at the U of C's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration this afternoon at 3:30pm. You can watch the webcast live here. [via]"},{"id":"text-652","heading":"Text","content":"January 13, 2011\nA patron at Mullets Sports Bar & Restaurant in Homer Glen got into some trouble after he broke a framed picture of A. C. Slater. A. C. Slater was the mullet-wearing wrestler on the television series "Saved By The Bell.""},{"id":"text-653","heading":"Text","content":"January 12, 2011\nSince we've posted about both "best things" and cards today, how about the Chicago Opener, the "world's best card trick?""},{"id":"text-654","heading":"Text","content":"January 12, 2011\nLocal PR guy Mitch Delaplane believes he's drafted "The Most Amazing Press Release Ever Written.""},{"id":"text-655","heading":"Text","content":"January 12, 2011\nLos Angeles native and Northwestern student Chet Haze is a rapper who also happens to be the son of actor Tom Hanks. [via]"},{"id":"text-656","heading":"Text","content":"January 07, 2011\nOr rather, don't. 37signals is encouraging you to make Jan. 19 Boycott a Meeting Day."},{"id":"text-657","heading":"Text","content":"January 07, 2011\nRoger Ebert got quite a bit of heat for a controversial tweet about the removal of a certain word from Huck Finn. He later apologized."},{"id":"text-658","heading":"Text","content":"January 06, 2011\nWhile you're working hard at not being a dick on the bus, also don't be a gym jerk! Tips courtesy of WCIU and Cheetah Gym."},{"id":"text-659","heading":"Text","content":"January 05, 2011\nWhen Chicago mayoral candidate Carol Moseley Braun was unable to attend an LGBT event in person, she did what anybody in her position would do: she called the event organizer, who held his phone up to a microphone so the attendees could (sorta) hear her speak to the gathering. [via]"},{"id":"text-660","heading":"Text","content":"January 05, 2011\nArt Daily reports that last year, the Chicago Public Library circulated 8.8 million items and provided 2.8 million free computer sessions. A less cheery statistic: librarians reported that 60 percent of their time with patrons involved helping them look for jobs on library computers."},{"id":"text-661","heading":"Text","content":"January 05, 2011\nIf you watch the animated map on this page, you can see the wave of obesity rising and making its way toward Illinois."},{"id":"text-662","heading":"Text","content":"January 04, 2011\nWhile we're on the subject of stylish students, the U of C has its own in Rafael Menis, the "Tie-Dye Guy.""},{"id":"text-663","heading":"Text","content":"January 04, 2011\nJustice Antonin Scalia doesn't think Chicago-style deep dish pizza is really pizza, and said as much in an interview with California Lawyer magazine: "It's very good, but … call it tomato pie or something. … I'm a traditionalist, what can I tell you?" [via]"},{"id":"text-664","heading":"Text","content":"December 30, 2010\nSomehow, being number one in the country in gang membership is a positive energy policy for Illinois. [via]"},{"id":"text-665","heading":"Text","content":"December 29, 2010\nThat's what Chicago's dialect is, I think, according to this dazzlingly complicated map."},{"id":"text-666","heading":"Text","content":"December 28, 2010\nIf you haven't figured out a New Year's resolution yet, the Chicago Portfolio School's Resolution Generator may be able to help."},{"id":"text-667","heading":"Text","content":"December 24, 2010\nThird most chivalrous city in the country, according to Dockers."},{"id":"text-668","heading":"Text","content":"December 23, 2010\nI can has cheezburger (Doritos), animated."},{"id":"text-669","heading":"Text","content":"December 23, 2010\nAlthough most of us probably couldn't care less, art gossip junkies out there will be tickled pink by ArtSlant's saucy new list of Chicago's 2010 art controversies."},{"id":"text-670","heading":"Text","content":"December 22, 2010\nIn Chicago Magazine's "40 Reasons to Love Chicago," reason 35 highlights some epic architectural rivalries. Stanley Tigerman's "shove it" to the UIC architecture department takes the cake."},{"id":"text-671","heading":"Text","content":"December 22, 2010\nA man was recorded stealing UPS packages off of a porch in Andersonville over the weekend. Police are still looking for him, or waiting for his heart to grow three sizes. [via]"},{"id":"text-672","heading":"Text","content":"December 20, 2010\nCraig Shimala turns Chicago into a water wonderland with a digital camera strapped to his windshield (and a nice ambient soundtrack)."},{"id":"text-673","heading":"Text","content":"December 17, 2010\nTime Out Chicago's Frank Sennett took a look at Chicago media websites' reading levels according to Google. I'm not sure I agree with his all his results. Here's how GB's sections break down."},{"id":"text-674","heading":"Text","content":"December 17, 2010\nThe Loneliest Monk released their debut music video this week. The cello and drumset dreamscape was shot by Chicago film collectives Rubbish and HYSTK. The HD version of The Ghost & the Silhouette is up on YouTube."},{"id":"text-675","heading":"Text","content":"December 16, 2010\nMayor Daley's looking rather bear-like in this portrait, part of the Chicago Urban Art Society's The Daley Show. [via]"},{"id":"text-676","heading":"Text","content":"December 16, 2010\nIn the latest Chicagoist podcast, Karl Klockars talks with the creators of Rahmfacts."},{"id":"text-677","heading":"Text","content":"December 15, 2010\nDesign firm Faust will be out front of NBC Tower on Friday, Dec. 17 from 7 to 10am to promote Appreciate-It, a site they hope will collect a million appreciative sentiments, which they'll submit to Guinness as the world's longest holiday card."},{"id":"text-678","heading":"Text","content":"December 15, 2010\nVanity Fair shares their ten favorite questions from Rahm Emanuel's Chicago residency hearing."},{"id":"text-679","heading":"Text","content":"December 15, 2010\nSinger R. Kelly reached out to fans last night by posting a photo of a hand-typed letter to his TwitPic stream. Added bonus: his signature is accompanied by a sketch of a teddy bear head."},{"id":"text-680","heading":"Text","content":"December 14, 2010\nLocal writer Tim Steil received a strange, mangled letter in the mail recently, forwarded from the fictional Romanian MidAtlantic Postage Recovery at 82.5 S. Cicero."},{"id":"text-681","heading":"Text","content":"December 10, 2010\nThis miniature Chicago Manual of Style is probably the only style guide you can use to decorate your Christmas tree.[[via]"},{"id":"text-682","heading":"Text","content":"December 10, 2010\nWith ballcaps, Bulls at the top. [via]"},{"id":"text-683","heading":"Text","content":"December 10, 2010\nHerbert Fickenworth, 12 years old, Chicago, writes: "I am picking and selling mushrooms every day.""},{"id":"text-684","heading":"Text","content":"December 10, 2010\nThreadless designer Mig Reyes made it to the second round of Layer Tennis playoffs, and is playing today against Atlantan Mark Weaver. You can watch him work live during the match."},{"id":"text-685","heading":"Text","content":"December 10, 2010\nThe iO-based improv group Warm Milk have created a videogame called Improv Heroes, with characters based on local improv greats."},{"id":"text-686","heading":"Text","content":"December 09, 2010\nNorthwestern University student Lawrence Dai is watching Julie & Julia every day for an entire year. Naturally, he is blogging about it. [via]"},{"id":"text-687","heading":"Text","content":"December 09, 2010\nTurns out "come with" isn't just a Chicago (and Midwest) thing, it's grammatically correct. Read the study here."},{"id":"text-688","heading":"Text","content":"December 08, 2010\nBuick wants you to "re:discover" Chicago, and turned to Busy Beaver's Christen Carter, Groupon's Andrew Mason, DJ Kate Simko and others for insider looks at the city. Carter and Mason also did a driving tour video together. [via]"},{"id":"text-689","heading":"Text","content":"December 08, 2010\nThat's what popped up for us on the United States of Autocomplete."},{"id":"text-690","heading":"Text","content":"December 08, 2010\nA gallery captures the grandeur and elegance of the Granada, Uptown, Adelphi, and other Chicago area "lost palaces" — movie theaters that recall a bygone age.[[via]"},{"id":"text-691","heading":"Text","content":"December 07, 2010\nApparently Oprah is evil after all…"},{"id":"text-692","heading":"Text","content":"December 03, 2010\nThe minty and ballyhooed, Michael Bay-directed Victoria's Secret commercial has hit the Internets and lo, Chicago and our friendly neighbor to the north, Milwaukee are both featured prominently. Well, their cityscapes at least. Yep, that's Marina City you see behind some beauty's behind. And, that's right, there's the Calatrava-designed Milwaukee Art Museum. Not really a surprise that Chicago and Milwaukee were used as sets for the shoot. Bay's been in town since this summer for the next Transformateurs sequel and well, supermodels just hang out here all the time. Droite?"},{"id":"text-693","heading":"Text","content":"December 03, 2010\n…and All I Got Was Brutally Murdered: what the title of Devil in the White City should have been, according to Better Book Titles, where you can "cut through all the cryptic crap" of titles local and otherwise."},{"id":"text-694","heading":"Text","content":"December 02, 2010\nIn 2050, Chicago will be the major megalopolis holding together the Great Lakes Mega-Region, according to the Regional Plan Association."},{"id":"text-695","heading":"Text","content":"December 01, 2010\nThe Howard Brown Health Center, which recently has been plagued by financial problems, has gotten a spot of good luck: an anonymous donor has agreed to donate $25 to them for every new Facebook friend added to the Center's profile today, in honor of World AIDS Day."},{"id":"text-696","heading":"Text","content":"November 30, 2010\nEat your heart out, DOMA! The law needs to pass in the Illinois Senate, which it is expected to do; when approved, the law will be effective next July."},{"id":"text-697","heading":"Text","content":"November 29, 2010\nThat's a really great deal![[via]"},{"id":"text-698","heading":"Text","content":"November 26, 2010\nMade in Chicago."},{"id":"text-699","heading":"Text","content":"November 19, 2010\nThe Trib's Kevin Pang just tweeted that anybody with a Hot Doug's tattoo eats at Hot Doug's for free for life. UPDATE: ChicagoNow first reported this back in 2009, so think of Kevin's tweet as a friendly (and delicious) reminder. FURTHER UPDATE: Confirmed by Hot Doug himself."},{"id":"text-700","heading":"Text","content":"November 19, 2010\nAccording to research done at universities here and in China, people don't mind busywork if there's a good excuse."},{"id":"text-701","heading":"Text","content":"November 18, 2010\nWhen the WGN Morning News crew misses the collapse of a bridge they'd been waiting to broadcast, they take it in stride."},{"id":"text-702","heading":"Text","content":"November 16, 2010\nOK Go, a band that used to call Chicago home, released the video for "Last Leaf" last week. It's animated entirely with pieces of toast."},{"id":"text-703","heading":"Text","content":"November 15, 2010\nDale Bernis of Oak Forest will be inducted into the White Castle Hall of Fame after writing an essay about how White Castle has affected his life. [via]"},{"id":"text-704","heading":"Text","content":"November 10, 2010\nJason Lazarus, a photographer and instructor at the Art Institute, wants the personal photographs people can no longer bear to look at for his "Too Hard to Keep" archive. Details on how to submit photographs to Jason are posted on his blog for the project."},{"id":"text-705","heading":"Text","content":"November 09, 2010\nAdd our city's skyline to your holiday cards, or whatever would benefit from Chicago's silhouette, with Merriment Design's free templates. All she asks is that you e-mail or comment when you do."},{"id":"text-706","heading":"Text","content":"November 09, 2010\nOur own Mr. West entertained folks on a Delta flight last Friday over the loudspeaker. Was his own plane in the shop? UPDATE: Here's a longer recording from another passenger on the flight."},{"id":"text-707","heading":"Text","content":"November 08, 2010\nTravel + Leisure just posted the results of the 2010 'America's Favorite Cities' poll. We've got good pizza and a great skyline, but no one wants to visit us at Christmas."},{"id":"text-708","heading":"Text","content":"November 08, 2010\nBill Murray's jour de la marmotte is the palette for an incredible videomix by HomeStarRunnerTron. [via]"},{"id":"text-709","heading":"Text","content":"November 05, 2010\nEWeek's Geek's Guide to Chicago is pretty basic, but it hits mostly right notes."},{"id":"text-710","heading":"Text","content":"November 05, 2010\nNot sure where it's located, but here's a nifty 19th Century Chicago Lutheran church re-purposed as a artist's loft. Unfortunately, sometimes God's old college buddies show up in the middle of the night, looking for a place to crash."},{"id":"text-711","heading":"Text","content":"November 04, 2010\nNoBodoni's Spurius Press has an impressive collection of Chicago Ephemera. (Some nice fonts, too.)"},{"id":"text-712","heading":"Text","content":"November 03, 2010\nThe folks at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum want you to name their box turtle. The winner will have his or her picture taken with said turtle, and receive a one-year membership and turtle gift basket–most likely not including a turtle."},{"id":"text-713","heading":"Text","content":"November 01, 2010\nA building at Columbia College was shut down today after an administrator received a threatening message that was left over the weekend on a voice mail system."},{"id":"text-714","heading":"Text","content":"November 01, 2010\nSo, I'll follow up with: Despite all their rage they are still just primates in a cage.[[via]"},{"id":"text-715","heading":"Text","content":"October 28, 2010\nCarl, Amy, Layne and Kaitlyn are the Billboard Family, and you can hire them to wear your company shirt "all day long." They're from St. Louis, but according to their site they sometimes visit Chicago, Seattle, Walt Disney World, and the Southern Illinois University area. Let us pray this doesn't escalate into tattoos."},{"id":"text-716","heading":"Text","content":"October 25, 2010\nSpeaking of the Sears Tower, This awesome map (best viewed large) of what you can see from the top is apparently hiding somewhere in the Ball State University GIS Research and Map Collection over in Muncie. [via]"},{"id":"text-717","heading":"Text","content":"October 25, 2010\nThe Breakfast Club gets immortalized in needlepoint."},{"id":"text-718","heading":"Text","content":"October 25, 2010\nThe only problem with the Adam West for Mayor campaign is he protects a rather different Gotham. Well that and he's already mayor of Quahog. [via]"},{"id":"text-719","heading":"Text","content":"October 25, 2010\nIra Glass sings Elliott Smith."},{"id":"text-720","heading":"Text","content":"October 22, 2010\nMy (and everyone else's) secret television girlfriend Tina Fey presents her thoughts on Chicago's best restaurants, sandwiches, and why we're superior to New York."},{"id":"text-721","heading":"Text","content":"October 22, 2010\nCartoonist Lucy Knisley has a better Halloween costume than you. [via]"},{"id":"text-722","heading":"Text","content":"October 19, 2010\nMajor Carpet Burn dug up a bunch of monster movie mag layouts and crazy old ads, including one from the Help Company Club at 4554 Broadway. Remember, fellas: "No man is any good without a woman.""},{"id":"text-723","heading":"Text","content":"October 18, 2010\nThe almost comically bedraggled Willow, up for adoption at Chicago Canine Rescue, has inspired an outpouring of sympathy (and adoption subsidies) on Reddit."},{"id":"text-724","heading":"Text","content":"October 15, 2010\nIn the wake of Universal Pictures pulling the controversial promo for his upcoming movie The Dilemma, Vince Vaughn made a statement over the kerfuffle: "Drawing dividing lines over what we can and cannot joke about does exactly that; it divides us.""},{"id":"text-725","heading":"Text","content":"October 15, 2010\nWatch Threadless designer Mig Reyes take on Jessica Hische in today's Layer Tennis match at 1pm."},{"id":"text-726","heading":"Text","content":"October 15, 2010\nAn off-campus party full of drunken Northwestern students earns a letter of complaint by an Evanston resident, who said that a group of students frightened her young daughter with their "hollering about [oral sex]""},{"id":"text-727","heading":"Text","content":"October 14, 2010\nLetters of Note finds an A League of their Own-era Madonna complaining to photographer Steven Meisel about Geena Davis, playing baseball all day, and the pain of being in our "yuk"-ky city."},{"id":"text-728","heading":"Text","content":"October 13, 2010\nI'm sure the new Palace nightclub, opening Nov. 4 inside the Alhambra Palace on Randolph will be awesome, but its Facebook page makes me wonder what's happening to the social network's simple, uncluttered design."},{"id":"text-729","heading":"Text","content":"October 12, 2010\n"Funemployed" takes a comical look at the state of work — or lack thereof."},{"id":"text-730","heading":"Text","content":"October 12, 2010\nThese were once the kind of spontaneous publicity — your name in print — that made people."},{"id":"text-731","heading":"Text","content":"October 11, 2010\nThe CTA Tattler posted a picture of a woman wearing a snake on the North Avenue bus."},{"id":"text-732","heading":"Text","content":"October 08, 2010\nOprah pops up in the strangest places. [via]"},{"id":"text-733","heading":"Text","content":"October 07, 2010\nCover letters apparently pouvez get you a job. [via]"},{"id":"text-734","heading":"Text","content":"October 06, 2010\nI'm going by anecdotal evidence, but it seems like a lot of people move around September — warm their house with these suggestions from local gift shops, compiled by Time Out Chicago."},{"id":"text-735","heading":"Text","content":"October 06, 2010\nApartment Therapy profiles Chicagoan and production artist James Wurm's industrial and practical, yet attractive and welcoming kitchen-studio-living space, created in a Pilsen storefront. It's worth checking out for the chandelier alone."},{"id":"text-736","heading":"Text","content":"October 01, 2010\nLocal cartoonist/musician Archer Prewitt designed the cutest little Allen Ginsberg doll you ever did see. [via]"},{"id":"text-737","heading":"Text","content":"October 01, 2010\nThe Glam Beast thinks that whoever's behind the Des Plaines I ♥ DP campaign should have considered a better abbreviation (easily offended folks might not want to click that link). But there's a silver lining: they're completely sold out."},{"id":"text-738","heading":"Text","content":"October 01, 2010\nBased on a scale called the Train Romance Index Score Total (how Kinseyian), the CTA Belmont stop (Red, Brown and Purple lines) is the most romantic place on the El."},{"id":"text-739","heading":"Text","content":"September 29, 2010\nA women's studies professor uses hip hop to drop some knowledge about feminism in "Feminist Rapper," by improv actor Jenny Hagel. [via]"},{"id":"text-740","heading":"Text","content":"September 28, 2010\nAnd other food, too: the 2nd place winners for Judges' Choice in the Chicago Bacon Takedown have a blog, The Green Chalkboard, where they explore porky and non-porky (or even meaty) delights."},{"id":"text-741","heading":"Text","content":"September 28, 2010\n@MayorEmanuel is as NSFW as you'd expect it to be. (Meanwhile, @MayorRahm is conspicuously silent — and @RahmForMayor is self-censoring[thanks[thanks@sterno!].)"},{"id":"text-742","heading":"Text","content":"September 27, 2010\nChicago-based glassware company By the Glass has been getting some attention lately for their tasteful lines of drinking glasses inspired by several cities around the world. Maybe I'm biased, but I like the Chicago line."},{"id":"text-743","heading":"Text","content":"September 27, 2010\nThe University of Chicago mascot has been reborn. While it may be "bigger, meaner, and much more maroon," does it actually look like a phoenix or just a beefed up war chicken?[[via]"},{"id":"text-744","heading":"Text","content":"September 27, 2010\nMarketWhiz.Biz tests your knowledge of the market valuations of various companies in relation to Facebook's supposed $33 billion."},{"id":"text-745","heading":"Text","content":"September 27, 2010\nChicagoan Jennifer Fastwolf wasn't thrilled to find herself on People of Public Transit, a blog poking fun at people on trains and buses. Rather than take the photo down and/or apologize, the site's owners changed every photo on the site to hers for the weekend (screenshot)."},{"id":"text-746","heading":"Text","content":"September 23, 2010\nU of C law professor Todd Henderson has quit blogging for Truth on the Market now that his recent controversial post has been lampooned by everyone, including the WSJ."},{"id":"text-747","heading":"Text","content":"September 23, 2010\nCreated by a member of local theatre troupe Abraham Werewolf, the new site Simple Auditions aims to connect actors with auditions in the Chicago area. If you're interested in casting some talent, they're offering free listings until October 15th."},{"id":"text-748","heading":"Text","content":"September 22, 2010\n"Never Not Find What You're Looking For Again!""},{"id":"text-749","heading":"Text","content":"September 22, 2010\n"What a truly great city Chicago is. It's like NYC without the baked urine smell or masturbating-guy-on-the-subway episodes. Three cheers!" (Thanks, George!)"},{"id":"text-750","heading":"Text","content":"September 22, 2010\nFormer Chicago Journal editor Brett McNeil is spending a year teaching in Indonesia. Follow his adventures and observations here."},{"id":"text-751","heading":"Text","content":"September 21, 2010\n"Tell Me If My Breath Smells for $600 Per Hour.""},{"id":"text-752","heading":"Text","content":"September 21, 2010\nTry the Dick Tracy Continuity Randomizer, a tool from the Comics Curmudgeon that demonstrates how random the strip often was. [via]"},{"id":"text-753","heading":"Text","content":"September 21, 2010\nNPR started a conversation about what it takes to be rich by referring to a now-deleted blog post by U of C law professor Todd Henderson in which he said his family was "just getting by despite seeming to be rich.""},{"id":"text-754","heading":"Text","content":"September 19, 2010\nCheck out this map, whose hues spell out the geography of Chicago's racial and ethnic makeup. Based on the Radical Cartography map we linked to back in August.[[via]"},{"id":"text-755","heading":"Text","content":"September 15, 2010\nBut if you did, you're probably spending about $60 an eighth."},{"id":"text-756","heading":"Text","content":"September 15, 2010\nMeet Mr. Chicago and other adorably anthropomorphized typefaces at Supersmelle's tumblr."},{"id":"text-757","heading":"Text","content":"September 14, 2010\nThis is "a good start" down the rabbit hole that is the Found Magazine "Find of the Day" archives."},{"id":"text-758","heading":"Text","content":"September 09, 2010\nEven with all the hoopla over the impending mayoral elections, Asian carp are still looming large in our dietary and cinematic imaginations. And now, they're taking this thing national: the United States just got itself a carp czar."},{"id":"text-759","heading":"Text","content":"September 08, 2010\nGB flickr group contributor J.Knecht found a plane with some interesting image capturing artifacts in Jackson Park on google maps."},{"id":"text-760","heading":"Text","content":"September 08, 2010\nThere are two results on flickr for the query "Chicago Catzilla.""},{"id":"text-761","heading":"Text","content":"September 07, 2010\nTeen lip-syncer Keenan Cahill is apparently the new hotness in YouTube memes. Even Katy Perry's a fan."},{"id":"text-762","heading":"Text","content":"September 02, 2010\nSpeaking of, FoGB Phineas Jones points out that Dinosaur Comics references the S.S. Eastland disaster in today's comic. Learn more about it from the Eastland Disaster Historical Society."},{"id":"text-763","heading":"Text","content":"September 02, 2010\nScreaming across the night sky like a ball of hellfire cast by an angry deity, the people of earth cowered and dubbed this avatar of cosmic glory… Mifflin? Vraiment? Anyway, the Field Museum recently acquired four chunks of (sigh) Mifflin, and science geeks can drool over its stats here."},{"id":"text-764","heading":"Text","content":"September 01, 2010\nThe Threadless design team takes to, of all places, Facebook to give fans a peek into their process. [via]"},{"id":"text-765","heading":"Text","content":"August 31, 2010\nInvestigation of a rumored "dry run" of a terrorist plot via a flight that originated at O'Hare was canceled; the two men who were detained yesterday will not be charged."},{"id":"text-766","heading":"Text","content":"August 27, 2010\nThe skyrocketing success of Chicago-based Groupon has spawned many copycat deal sites–but none as blatant or bizarro as Big Lion. The only thing more phony than a Russian rip-off would be a Chinese cheater! What the Faker?!"},{"id":"text-767","heading":"Text","content":"August 26, 2010\nCartoonist Dan Meth is on his way to Chicago, and here's what he plans to do."},{"id":"text-768","heading":"Text","content":"August 24, 2010\nLocal music label, Contraphonic, has recently launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund their nationwide aural mapping project as a part of their already successful Sound Series. Chip in a few clams and help to preserve the best sounds of Chicago, New York, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, and other locales."},{"id":"text-769","heading":"Text","content":"August 20, 2010\nThis BBC map of the fallout if Chernobyl had happened in Chicago is rather timely in light of the Braidwood nuclear power plant shutdown earlier this week. [via]"},{"id":"text-770","heading":"Text","content":"August 20, 2010\nEpitonic, one of the first streaming mp3 sites, is planning a comeback, with local musician Justin Sinkovich back at the helm. The relaunch is being funded through Kickstarter."},{"id":"text-771","heading":"Text","content":"August 19, 2010\n…of not maintaining his storage locker. The Arlington Heights-based company who Blagojevich owes $3,000 to is planning to auction the contents this morning, with the proceeds going to Children's Memorial Hospital. The ex-governor claims to be too broke to pay the back rent."},{"id":"text-772","heading":"Text","content":"August 18, 2010\nFear no ART Chicago just released their newest webisode: an interview with 3 Blondes & a Bald Guy, winners of the 2010 Art on Track A.W.A.R.D."},{"id":"text-773","heading":"Text","content":"August 16, 2010\nThe A.V. Club has a first-person account of what what happened at the Gathering of the Juggalos this weekend when "entertainer" Tila Tequila was attacked by festival attendees."},{"id":"text-774","heading":"Text","content":"August 13, 2010\nAt least when they're compared with Brooklyn hipsters."},{"id":"text-775","heading":"Text","content":"August 12, 2010\nHow do you even begin to examine and biopsy a suspicious growth on a four foot long electric eel? Put on some non-conductive gloves as a start, and get some help from the folks at the Shedd Aquarium."},{"id":"text-776","heading":"Text","content":"August 12, 2010\nThe Public Servant Blog nominated Chicago's boulevard system as number four on its list of the top 20 urban planning successes of all time."},{"id":"text-777","heading":"Text","content":"August 10, 2010\nRamadan began tonight, which means Muslims must fast from sunup to sundown and abstain from anything impure for the next month. This includes anger. Which is why Olivia Kompier, homeschooling parent of three, created ScreamFreeMuslims.com, a website to help Muslims cope with the crabbiness that comes easily while fasting."},{"id":"text-778","heading":"Text","content":"August 09, 2010\nThese slideshows from Time Out Chicago and Style.com focused on the style found at Lollapalooza 2010."},{"id":"text-779","heading":"Text","content":"August 09, 2010\nDouble rainbow all the way across the site!"},{"id":"text-780","heading":"Text","content":"August 09, 2010\nImmersive Games knows how to kill your productivity."},{"id":"text-781","heading":"Text","content":"August 06, 2010\nCheck out this useful chart which breaks down exactly what R. Kelly believes in. No word yet if a similar chart for "You Remind Me Of Something" is available."},{"id":"text-782","heading":"Text","content":"August 05, 2010\nAnne wants to know why we're all alcoholics. Thin-skinned Chicagoans provide her with the answers! This is why the Internet exists!"},{"id":"text-783","heading":"Text","content":"August 05, 2010\nDid you see a crab claw smoking a cigarette on a stop sign?"},{"id":"text-784","heading":"Text","content":"August 04, 2010\nTo celebrate President Obama's 49th birthday (which he will be celebrating in Hyde Park tonight), the GOP has released a set of political attacks disguised as e-cards that you can send to him."},{"id":"text-785","heading":"Text","content":"August 04, 2010\nA viral email has been circulating filled with outrage over the new "Cook County Correction Center" "built by Obama" in Chicago pictured as a beautifully designed glass and steel building on rolling hills dense with trees. Obviously not Chicago, so where is it? Snopes has the answer. (Thanks, Don!)"},{"id":"text-786","heading":"Text","content":"August 03, 2010\nCombining Kanye's tweets with New Yorker cartoons has turned into a meme."},{"id":"text-787","heading":"Text","content":"August 03, 2010\nNot that we needed Forbes' validation, of course."},{"id":"text-788","heading":"Text","content":"August 03, 2010\nProfessor Snape lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, according to his business card.[[via]"},{"id":"text-789","heading":"Text","content":"August 02, 2010\nWhen she was not folding towels at the Evanston YMCA or performing at Second City and IO Chicago in the mid-nineties, Tina Fey was talking about interest rates."},{"id":"text-790","heading":"Text","content":"August 02, 2010\nThe U of C's Writing Program loves dissecting sentences from academic articles, and lets you write your own jargony academic sentence."},{"id":"text-791","heading":"Text","content":"July 28, 2010\nCoudal has created another charming film, this time featuring the sights and sounds of the Monona County Fair in Iowa where the team was peddling their new Field Notes County Fair edition."},{"id":"text-792","heading":"Text","content":"July 27, 2010\nChicago makes a cameo in this time-lapse video of a road trip from Ohio to Minnesota."},{"id":"text-793","heading":"Text","content":"July 27, 2010\nUnited Airlines gets poor marks in childcare at O'Hare, but is the real story here that 9-year-olds are cool enough to be self-proclaimed vegetarians?"},{"id":"text-794","heading":"Text","content":"July 26, 2010\nFirst, there was I Want to Draw a Cat for You, drawing cats for just $10. Now there's May I Please Draw an Owl for You? undercutting by $2, provided you don't mind an owl instead of a cat. Meanwhile, I'll Draw Any Animal You Want (with a notable exception) does it three-for-$5. [via]"},{"id":"text-795","heading":"Text","content":"July 22, 2010\nOne more example of the web bleeding into real life: webcomic Pictures for Sad Children spotted on a wall on Halsted."},{"id":"text-796","heading":"Text","content":"July 22, 2010\nRespected research and abs development journal Men's Health has decided that we're the 11th most angry city in America. They can go f*ck themselves."},{"id":"text-797","heading":"Text","content":"July 20, 2010\nChicago's best-known political street artist Ray Noland (a.k.a. CRO) was interviewed by Art Slant Chicago's Abraham Ritchie while he passed out Blagojevich-themed cupcakes outside the courthouse during his trial."},{"id":"text-798","heading":"Text","content":"July 20, 2010\nThe Smoking Jacket, Playboy's safe-for-work site, is now live."},{"id":"text-799","heading":"Text","content":"July 16, 2010\nHistoryPin is a photomapping site that puts photos on a map and links them to their era."},{"id":"text-800","heading":"Text","content":"July 15, 2010\nDon't talk abo- Wait, did you just say Ferris Club?"},{"id":"text-801","heading":"Text","content":"July 14, 2010\nThe Blackhawks got a special video response from the Old Spice guy regarding what he'd do with the Stanley Cup."},{"id":"text-802","heading":"Text","content":"July 14, 2010\nCan't keep up with all those daily coupon emails? Try following Deal Radar to see all the offers at once. (Thanks, Rachelle et Anna!)"},{"id":"text-803","heading":"Text","content":"July 14, 2010\nWith its 40th issue, local webmag KeepGoing.org turns 10. The regular contributors took a moment to reflect."},{"id":"text-804","heading":"Text","content":"July 09, 2010\nToday isn't a good day for visitors to Garfield Park … or for the fish who live(d) there."},{"id":"text-805","heading":"Text","content":"July 09, 2010\nOh and he was also in a group called the Go Getters before "College Drop Out," check it out."},{"id":"text-806","heading":"Text","content":"July 08, 2010\nThe summer interns at the Art Institute have started a twitter account where they post funny things they overhear patrons say in the museum. The results are hilarious and sometimes adorable. Oh, and they have a blog now, too."},{"id":"text-807","heading":"Text","content":"July 02, 2010\nThe true origins of Bros Icing Bros have been discovered in the archives of British Cinema Institute. [via]"},{"id":"text-808","heading":"Text","content":"July 02, 2010\nCarrie Malec of Chicago is suing Snooki and JWOWW of MTV's "Jersey Shore" for assaulting her at a Miami bar in May after Malec danced with other castmembers."},{"id":"text-809","heading":"Text","content":"June 30, 2010\nLeah A. Zeldes of Dining Chicago argues that meatloaf really is a summer food, and passes off a simple, delicious-sounding recipe from Chef Alfredo Anaya does at Dine in the West Loop. [via]"},{"id":"text-810","heading":"Text","content":"June 29, 2010\nZoomar reprints an old ad touting a, presumably, naughty book about a pretty girl in Chicago. I'd touch-type cette, bro."},{"id":"text-811","heading":"Text","content":"June 28, 2010\n"Walking down Lincoln, trying to stay alive.""},{"id":"text-812","heading":"Text","content":"June 24, 2010\nIllinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office is looking into the "radius clauses" imposed by Lollapalooza upon its performers. These clauses prohibit bands from playing in Chicago for months before and after the musical festival takes place in August 2010."},{"id":"text-813","heading":"Text","content":"June 24, 2010\nAccording to a study by the makers of Combos Snacks, Chicago is the seventh manliest city in America. The ranking process involved "using manly criteria like the number of home improvement stores, steak houses, pickup trucks and motorcycles per capita.""},{"id":"text-814","heading":"Text","content":"June 24, 2010\nAlways awesome: From last night's storm, a triple lighting strike on the Hancock, Trump, and former Sears Tower."},{"id":"text-815","heading":"Text","content":"June 24, 2010\nChecking in at Kickstarter, there are some local projects looking for funding. Films Southern Comfort et Marathon, an animation project for the Blue Line tunnel, a website collecting stories of Chicago chefs' favorite farmers and more await your support."},{"id":"text-816","heading":"Text","content":"June 24, 2010\nSpeaking of cool things in the new Chicago magazine, they have a list of 40 words that Chicago and Chicagoans have contributed to the English language. So want people to know you're a true Chicagoan? Call them an asswipe or an egghead."},{"id":"text-817","heading":"Text","content":"June 23, 2010\nThe spire atop the Trump Tower will be turned on for the first time tonight around 8:29 pm."},{"id":"text-818","heading":"Text","content":"June 23, 2010\nChicago's beloved mobile street entertainment known to one and all as Puppet Bike will offer up a little piece of itself on eBay starting next week. Owner/Creator Jason Trusty is "retiring" several older puppets and you can take them home, if you're the highest bidder."},{"id":"text-819","heading":"Text","content":"June 23, 2010\nChicago blog Strange Closets takes a close look at the charming and beautiful all around us. Similar to Apartment Therapy, but 100% local, the blog features shopping, interior design, and architecture you'll love looking at."},{"id":"text-820","heading":"Text","content":"June 22, 2010\nVenture to the West Side much? Maybe you should."},{"id":"text-821","heading":"Text","content":"June 17, 2010\nOprah Winfrey will be getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2011."},{"id":"text-822","heading":"Text","content":"June 17, 2010\nBig Dog Eat Child knows that even mutant ninja turtles don't stay teenagers forever."},{"id":"text-823","heading":"Text","content":"June 16, 2010\nDon Thompson, COO of Oak Brook-based McDonald's, talks to the Trib about his tenure at the company, and why a French McDonald's commercial featuring a gay teenage boy and his father won't be airing in the US any time soon."},{"id":"text-824","heading":"Text","content":"June 15, 2010\nYou're in luck: The media titan is looking for a budding talk show host for her new cable network, OWN."},{"id":"text-825","heading":"Text","content":"June 12, 2010\nLocal biker, blogger, and super-cool chick Julie thinks USA Cycling should enforce standards that make it possible for women to have access and ability to race like their male counterparts. Hopefully the local associations get a lot of requests and start requiring parity."},{"id":"text-826","heading":"Text","content":"June 11, 2010\nLocal Twitter folks Mike Minnick et Dave Gorum help answer the question, "What if Twitter came to life — again?" (Here's the first one.)"},{"id":"text-827","heading":"Text","content":"June 09, 2010\nThere's a new Grévy's zebra colt at the Lincoln Park Zoo, the first born since 2001. More really cute pictures and videos here."},{"id":"text-828","heading":"Text","content":"June 08, 2010\nCoffee wasn't being served at the President's commencement address at a Michigan high school last night."},{"id":"text-829","heading":"Text","content":"June 07, 2010\nChicago Cares is still looking for volunteers for this Saturday's annual Serve-a-Thon."},{"id":"text-830","heading":"Text","content":"June 07, 2010\nMoshe Tamssot is sick of folks from the nearby United Center and bars using his alley as a urinal. So he decided to get even."},{"id":"text-831","heading":"Text","content":"June 03, 2010\nDesigners take a crack at re-imagining some ho-hum license plates, including that of Illinois. (via)"},{"id":"text-832","heading":"Text","content":"June 03, 2010\nEither Elmhurst is some sort of internet search hub or its residents are extremely bored and horny."},{"id":"text-833","heading":"Text","content":"June 03, 2010\nDid you know that there's a Bronzeville Children's Museum, and that it's in … Calumet Heights?"},{"id":"text-834","heading":"Text","content":"June 02, 2010\nThe BP oil plume if it were in Chicago."},{"id":"text-835","heading":"Text","content":"June 02, 2010\nThe Field Museum comes in at number seven on the America's Best and Top Ten site's list of the Best Dinosaur Museums in the USA. I suspect Sue will demand a recount."},{"id":"text-836","heading":"Text","content":"June 02, 2010\nDid Google StreetView cameras capture the shooting of a child on the South Side? Hard to tell from the image whether it's a real gun or a toy, but the buzz around it has caused Google to remove the image. UPDATE: It's been brought to our attention that the image surfaced a year ago. On the Internet, everything old is new again!"},{"id":"text-837","heading":"Text","content":"June 01, 2010\nThat's, um, a very specific site you have there."},{"id":"text-838","heading":"Text","content":"June 01, 2010\nMaybe not, but Bonnie McGrath wants to know what the hey those two big stones are doing in Grant Park. Any ideas? Later: Updated link!"},{"id":"text-839","heading":"Text","content":"May 25, 2010\nLast Saturday, NBC's Ann Curry delivered the commencement address at Wheaton College's graduation in Norton, Massachusetts; however, when citing famous graduates of the school, she erroneously cited alums of the autre Wheaton College — the one in the Chicago suburbs."},{"id":"text-840","heading":"Text","content":"May 24, 2010\nSpeaking of interesting maps of the city, Chicagoist points to one by photographer Eric Fischer that uses geotagging info from Flickr to map photographers' travels through the city."},{"id":"text-841","heading":"Text","content":"May 24, 2010\nLeather goods brand Coach is suing the City of Chicago over the sale of counterfeit Coach merchandise at the New Maxwell Street Market."},{"id":"text-842","heading":"Text","content":"May 21, 2010\nMarc Fischer takes photos of anti-car barriers, unlovely and utilitarian devices intended to protect garages and buildings from, well, cars."},{"id":"text-843","heading":"Text","content":"May 20, 2010\nUn Amityville Horror-like gathering of bees amassed under a wicker table in Oak Park today in an obvious attempt to induce the heebie jeebies.[[via]"},{"id":"text-844","heading":"Text","content":"May 18, 2010\nMashable takes a look at five web sites that "are introducing new approaches to the consumption of information that few have tried or thought of before." Two of these sites are ChicagoNow and EveryBlock."},{"id":"text-845","heading":"Text","content":"May 18, 2010\nThe MacBook Pro that film critic Roger Ebert uses to speak is missing. It was last seen in the back of a taxi in Cannes, France, where Ebert is attending the Cannes Film Festival. There is a reward for its safe return."},{"id":"text-846","heading":"Text","content":"May 17, 2010\nThe Chicago Public Library's poster contest entries are now open for voting. Vote through flickr by Sunday, May 23."},{"id":"text-847","heading":"Text","content":"May 14, 2010\nThe Museum of Online Museums has been collecting odd obsessions for many years. Now it invites you to meet some of the collectors."},{"id":"text-848","heading":"Text","content":"May 13, 2010\nFormer Cicero town president Betty Loren-Maltese has left her job as a hostess at Salerno's in Oak Park. Maybe she's looking to get in on the food truck trend?"},{"id":"text-849","heading":"Text","content":"May 13, 2010\nSecond City has a YouTube channel."},{"id":"text-850","heading":"Text","content":"May 12, 2010\n…Would just be corporately sponsored and smell just as sweet. The Onion's AV Club reviews the naming history of several big marquees in the Chicago area. Of particular note: The Chicago Marathon for three years was sponsored by G. Heileman Brewing Company and was known as the Old Style Chicago Marathon."},{"id":"text-851","heading":"Text","content":"May 07, 2010\nFerris Bueller's Day Off played out live on Twitter and Foursquare today. All the major characters are there. [via]"},{"id":"text-852","heading":"Text","content":"May 06, 2010\nHe really is everywhere: nearly a year after the stencil spawned a group art show, Ray Noland's jogging Blago has been spotted down in the Tar Heel state."},{"id":"text-853","heading":"Text","content":"May 06, 2010\nThe University of Chicago 2010 Scavenger Hunt is on. A PDF of the list is here."},{"id":"text-854","heading":"Text","content":"May 06, 2010\nGuess who's got his own Facebook page? That's right, Ike — the Eisenhower Expressway Dog."},{"id":"text-855","heading":"Text","content":"May 06, 2010\nSo this exists: Miss Wicker Park."},{"id":"text-856","heading":"Text","content":"May 05, 2010\nWhat some would call a quintessentially Midwest food is now available through Le Cordon Bleu graduate "Johnny Casserole"'s delivery service."},{"id":"text-857","heading":"Text","content":"May 05, 2010\nRavenchase's P.O.E. — Puzzles Over Email — sends you a monthly riddle to solve; figure it out and you might win a prize."},{"id":"text-858","heading":"Text","content":"May 04, 2010\nHere's how to leave no doubt as to where you're from: cover your passport with the Chicago flag."},{"id":"text-859","heading":"Text","content":"May 04, 2010\nThe Program in Linguistics of the Department of English at George Mason University has a entertaining collection of recordings of people speaking the same peculiar phrase. The classic Chicago accent is well-represented by subject: english82, female."},{"id":"text-860","heading":"Text","content":"May 03, 2010\nNow that United and Continental airlines are looking to make their union official, WBEZ thinks that United should keep the merger ball rolling by merging with something else. Anything else, it would seem, as shown in this poll."},{"id":"text-861","heading":"Text","content":"April 30, 2010\nRaccoons the size of orangutans and German shepherds! Bending steel bars! Fashioning crude stone weapons and mastering fire! Wait, scratch that last one. But the rising number of foreclosed homes in the city give raccoons places to grow bigger, stronger, and feistier. Side note: After reading Ms. Ward's account, can I be forgiven for thinking of a certain story by Poe?"},{"id":"text-862","heading":"Text","content":"April 27, 2010\nIf you enjoy statistics and data, this site is for you."},{"id":"text-863","heading":"Text","content":"April 26, 2010\nApartment Therapy is looking for some guys who have a room in need of a do-over. Lucky for you, Chicago is one of their five selected metro areas (but sorry, ladies, this project is for boys only). Apply by May 24."},{"id":"text-864","heading":"Text","content":"April 26, 2010\nEver dreamed of getting married in Wrigley Field? Just enter the Home Run Inn, Lou Malnati's and Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Co.'s "Through Thick & Thin Photo Essay Contest" and start planning that red brick and ivy fairy tale."},{"id":"text-865","heading":"Text","content":"April 26, 2010\nNo, Lionel Richie, someone's just looking for a terracotta bust of you like the one from your "Hello" video. (It gets weirder.)"},{"id":"text-866","heading":"Text","content":"April 23, 2010\nVocalo's Lee Bey sees some of Chicago architecture's best views in hip-hop videos."},{"id":"text-867","heading":"Text","content":"April 22, 2010\nWrigleyville tends to draw a vast blogger presence. But hey, what's one more URL to bookmark among die hard fans? Cubs Fan Report launched today as a collaborative of them all, as well as major news Cubs coverage."},{"id":"text-868","heading":"Text","content":"April 22, 2010\nCheck out this United Air Lines ad from the good old male chauvinist pig days. Trapped on a plane with a bunch of drunks, all smoking cigars and pipes and stuffing themselves with steaks? Uh, I'll take the train."},{"id":"text-869","heading":"Text","content":"April 21, 2010\nWant the taste of Alinea at a fraction of the cost? Reproduce the menu with jelly beans. [via]"},{"id":"text-870","heading":"Text","content":"April 21, 2010\nDon't eat meat, but still want in on the latest fast food abomination? A local young lady and her boyfriend help you out with their meatless version of the KFC sandwich."},{"id":"text-871","heading":"Text","content":"April 19, 2010\nReporting in from Milan, Craighton Berman brings us The Eyjafjallajokull Chair."},{"id":"text-872","heading":"Text","content":"April 19, 2010\nScare the neighbors into moving their cars. Make an imposing lawn sculpture. Create a giant float and protest the street sweeping schedule. If you buy your own, the possibilities are endless."},{"id":"text-873","heading":"Text","content":"April 19, 2010\nCraig Clark is scanning his life, including his dog. [via]"},{"id":"text-874","heading":"Text","content":"April 16, 2010\nLast year, the Woodlawn Wonder tweeted about spring heralding the return of gators to city sidewalks. This year, she's got pictures."},{"id":"text-875","heading":"Text","content":"April 16, 2010\nLast night, Scott popped a very big question at the Cloud Cult show."},{"id":"text-876","heading":"Text","content":"April 16, 2010\nIt's Foursquare Day — connect with your fellow Mayors and badge-unlockers, and enjoy special deals at participating businesses when you check in."},{"id":"text-877","heading":"Text","content":"April 16, 2010\nStarting at 2pm today, Coudal's Layer Tennis will be played around the world in 10 layers — and the second will be by Chicago's Mig Reyes."},{"id":"text-878","heading":"Text","content":"April 13, 2010\nGetting married soon? If you make your dress out of toilet paper you might win $1,000 to buy one that's made out of real fabric. Need inspiration? Check out this article featuring 2005's Chicago-based TP wedding dress contest winner."},{"id":"text-879","heading":"Text","content":"April 13, 2010\nRoger Ebert's Twitter followers are less stupid than Oprah's."},{"id":"text-880","heading":"Text","content":"April 12, 2010\n"2) Telling Internet people that you work for a newspaper feels a bit like telling them you're a Civil War reenactor." The rest of Rex's list is here. [via]"},{"id":"text-881","heading":"Text","content":"April 08, 2010\nNot only does the First Lady have some new neighbors, but she also seems to have an entirely new upper body."},{"id":"text-882","heading":"Text","content":"April 08, 2010\nChris Ware's smartest kid on earth will provide you with hours of plush and depressing fun. Place him on your couch or bed and taunt his decapitated helplessness. Whee!"},{"id":"text-883","heading":"Text","content":"April 07, 2010\nA Chicago GOP website currently features a photo of a topless woman, illustrating a post about Democratic "job creation" through women getting memoirs based on their affairs. (NSFW, obviously.) More details on WindyCitizen."},{"id":"text-884","heading":"Text","content":"April 06, 2010\nThis license plate has probably started many a fight in Wisconsin."},{"id":"text-885","heading":"Text","content":"April 05, 2010\nThe Hello Project invites you to say "Hello" to the world on a 3×3 Post-It note and join the mosaic. It's the brain spawn of area creatives Joseph Delhommer and Kristen Caston."},{"id":"text-886","heading":"Text","content":"April 05, 2010\nGalesburg, Ill.'s Knox College is known for snagging pretty impressive Commencement speakers, such as Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Madeleine Albright, Stephen Colbert, and last year, Patrick J. Fitgerald. So, this June's graduation should be interesting."},{"id":"text-887","heading":"Text","content":"April 05, 2010\nForget bar and pub: Chicago Bites' cupcake crawl is where it's at. [via]"},{"id":"text-888","heading":"Text","content":"April 01, 2010\nHappy Easter."},{"id":"text-889","heading":"Text","content":"March 31, 2010\nIn 1974, a kangaroo haunted the streets of Chicago, then the Midwest. What could be lurking today?"},{"id":"text-890","heading":"Text","content":"March 30, 2010\nCameron's dad's Ferrari 250GT California used in Ferris Bueller's Day Off is up for auction in London, and his house is still up for sale in Highland Park. All you need is a vintage Fiero and a water tower and that shot for shot remake is done."},{"id":"text-891","heading":"Text","content":"March 30, 2010\nIf you find yourself overqualified for your current job, you just might be working for the U.S. Census."},{"id":"text-892","heading":"Text","content":"March 29, 2010\nKeep Going's spring issue is up, and among other things features a private plague and a story mentioning many things that someday soon won't exist."},{"id":"text-893","heading":"Text","content":"March 29, 2010\nÜnnecessary Ümlaut has a review and photos of what is likely the creepiest miniature golf course in the country: Palatine's Ahlgrim Family Funeral Services … and basement golf course."},{"id":"text-894","heading":"Text","content":"March 29, 2010\nCity Of Chicago To Modernize Outdated Graft Programs. (Yes, it's The Onion.)"},{"id":"text-895","heading":"Text","content":"March 27, 2010\nMSI's new Science Storms exhibit sports the nation's largest indoor tornado at 40 feet. So who's got us beat for world honors? The Mercedes Benz Museum in Stuttgart, which whirls up a cyclone of over 100 feet."},{"id":"text-896","heading":"Text","content":"March 27, 2010\nAs a teen in Chicago, Hugh Hefner corresponded with friend Jane Sellers through letters and cartoons. Feeling that he was "destined to do amazing things," Sellers kept everything Hef sent. A selection of the comic strips was recently posted on Book Patrol."},{"id":"text-897","heading":"Text","content":"March 26, 2010\nThis week's Layer Tennis match pits local video post-production artist Josh Bodnar against Austin's Jason Uson. The weapon of choice: archival video clips."},{"id":"text-898","heading":"Text","content":"March 26, 2010\nStaff at Libertyville-Vernon Hills Area High School District 128 are not permitted to email students from personal email accounts. A new policy that went into effect this week also prohibits online gaming with students as well as communicating with them via text message. [via]"},{"id":"text-899","heading":"Text","content":"March 26, 2010\nA recent visit to an Iowa City bookstore shows the President's kind of nerdy.[[via]"},{"id":"text-900","heading":"Text","content":"March 26, 2010\nDannielle Owens-Reid has a lot of salt and pepper shakers. Seven hundred sets, in fact. Some could be yours if you pledge through Kickstarter."},{"id":"text-901","heading":"Text","content":"March 25, 2010\nThe Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) gives a nod to new global resource STACKD which lets people connect via their workplace. It's a great opportunity to "Act Local" and connect with others outside of that excruciatingly silent morning elevator ride."},{"id":"text-902","heading":"Text","content":"March 23, 2010\nAnder Monson recounts a recent (OK, 2009) visit to Schaumburg's Medieval Times. [via]"},{"id":"text-903","heading":"Text","content":"March 17, 2010\nBroaden your architectural acumen at Blueprint Chicago, a blog about buildings both famous and forgotten. Its author, a docent for the Chicago Architecture Foundation, also offers a "Word of the Week" to build your building vocabulary."},{"id":"text-904","heading":"Text","content":"March 16, 2010\nThe Tribune looks into the rough, dangerous and some 80-hour workweeks leaving cab drivers frequented (more than 58 percent) by occupational violence. The Reader's Whet Moser weighs in with their account last year on "bad neighborhoods" vs. "white-collar types partying in trendy areas" and why race plays a major role."},{"id":"text-905","heading":"Text","content":"March 16, 2010\nStart up tech companies may have a helping hand from a local success story. Lightbank, a new investment fund, was recently set up by Eric Lefkofsky and Brad Keywell, the brains behind "collective buying" deal-of-the-day site Groupon, to funnel as much as $10 million annually into early-stage tech entrepreneurial ventures."},{"id":"text-906","heading":"Text","content":"March 16, 2010\nMayor Daley now has a Twitter account. How long till he adds Foursquare and becomes "mayor" of City Hall?"},{"id":"text-907","heading":"Text","content":"March 15, 2010\nHere's an interesting clip of the original Mayor Daley on What's My Line from August 5, 1956. Watch till the end when host John Daly offers a hilarious/discomforting comment about one of our fair city's talents."},{"id":"text-908","heading":"Text","content":"March 14, 2010\nThe 2010 Census will start filling our mailboxes soon, but will your identity be truly counted? The Tribune looks into how mixed races might be erroneously counted with local Chicagoans."},{"id":"text-909","heading":"Text","content":"March 10, 2010\nToday's passing of 80s teen icon Corey Haim is certainly a sad subject, but Schadenfreude takes us back to a happier, more hair-bleached time in the actor's life."},{"id":"text-910","heading":"Text","content":"March 10, 2010\n…and it's their loss. A quick lineup of cute, bespectacled Chicagoans."},{"id":"text-911","heading":"Text","content":"March 09, 2010\nMedia Matters notes Survival Seed Bank of Thomson IL, one of the advertisers filling the gaps on Glenn Beck's show where major advertisers have left. Whether you think a "crisis garden" will be necessary or not, it's an entertaining read."},{"id":"text-912","heading":"Text","content":"March 08, 2010\nToday, Whitney Gifford runs an article about the public nuisance of hatpins, 100 years ago today. "One man told me he was almost decapitated in the City Hall elevator by the sweep of a hatpin like a scimitar worn by one of the City Hall belles.""},{"id":"text-913","heading":"Text","content":"March 04, 2010\nNo, Layer Tennis, which tomorrow will feature GB co-founder Naz Hamid vs. Sam Javanrouh in a volley of photos — with on-the-spot musical accompaniment by Coctails member Mark Greenberg (who we profiled years ago.)"},{"id":"text-914","heading":"Text","content":"March 03, 2010\nContinuing the lovefest, writer/editor Scott Edelman reran a fun interview he did with Mr. Ebert for Sci-Fi Entertainment about, yes, science-fiction. Fun fact: Ebert started the science fiction club at his high school."},{"id":"text-915","heading":"Text","content":"March 02, 2010\nTwo New Yorkers visited Andersonville and shared ideas for shopping for cool thrift store finds, antiques, and DIY make-overs that won't break the bank. (via)"},{"id":"text-916","heading":"Text","content":"March 01, 2010\nRock for Kids sure it when March rolls around — it's Music in Our Schools Month and they're working hard to spread the love of music to underserved kids around Chicago."},{"id":"text-917","heading":"Text","content":"February 26, 2010\n. . .remain on the train or exit as instructed."},{"id":"text-918","heading":"Text","content":"February 25, 2010\nExplore Chicago has just launched an online gallery of free and cheap Chicago-oriented smartphone apps (mostly geared to you iPhone users, though some work on Blackberry and the like). You can keep track of shows at Broadway in Chicago, menus on GrubHub, get the latest Bears rumors, or locate nearby LGBT businesses through the Gay Cities Guide."},{"id":"text-919","heading":"Text","content":"February 25, 2010\nFilm fan site Batman on Film says a source spotted producers scouting sites for the franchise's third installment around Chicago's Financial District. Meanwhile, filming blogs are cautiously generating a buzz."},{"id":"text-920","heading":"Text","content":"February 25, 2010\n35th Ward Alderman Rey Colon would like to think so. Check out his entry about his commitment to art on Studio Chicago's blog."},{"id":"text-921","heading":"Text","content":"February 24, 2010\nSet phasers to stun! Rich of broadbarn.com provides 8mm footage of a Star Trek convention/original series cast reunion that took place at the Hilton, August 22-24, 1975."},{"id":"text-922","heading":"Text","content":"February 22, 2010\nFollowing Kevin Smith's Southwest Airlines incident, Vanity Fair can't wait for Smith to duke it out with Chicago Sun-Times columnist Laura Washington who wrote that Smith is in denial about being "fat and in trouble.""},{"id":"text-923","heading":"Text","content":"February 22, 2010\nIf so, Advocates for Urban Agriculture Chicago launched a design competition for a new logo."},{"id":"text-924","heading":"Text","content":"February 17, 2010\nDespite being hit hard by the economic slump, the Art Institute is hanging on– they're even able to offer free admission during February, as always. Comment? Hipsters, among other things."},{"id":"text-925","heading":"Text","content":"February 17, 2010\nLook out for worldcarshows.com's top five cars at the Chicago Auto Show."},{"id":"text-926","heading":"Text","content":"February 17, 2010\nHit the right consignment shop, and you too could get your hands on some fancy threads that once belonged to former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich."},{"id":"text-927","heading":"Text","content":"February 16, 2010\nPitchfork has gotten into the micro-blogging game at http://pitchfork.tumblr.com. This comes as a surprise to Tumblr user Tumbledore, who says the subdomain was stolen from him."},{"id":"text-928","heading":"Text","content":"February 16, 2010\nThe first online bulletin board launched 32 years ago today. Its programmer-inventors founded it during the Chicago blizzard of 1978, paving the way for the snowed-in Twitter hordes of today."},{"id":"text-929","heading":"Text","content":"February 15, 2010\nChicago music critic and "Sound Opinions" host Jim DeRogatis explains his picks for the worst rock movies. I stand by Heavy Metal Parking Lot."},{"id":"text-930","heading":"Text","content":"February 11, 2010\nThe New York Times describes the struggle of Kenwood resident Jean-Paul Coffy as he cares for his parents in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake. Coffy's Chicago friends are maintaining a blog following his travels."},{"id":"text-931","heading":"Text","content":"February 10, 2010\nIf you're feeling sassy today, why not join the "I survived the Chicago Quake of 2010" Facebook group? Please spare us the wall posts about how we should get relief money, though. That's a bit much, don't you think?"},{"id":"text-932","heading":"Text","content":"February 09, 2010\nOhNo!Doom has the jeans to go with your new iPad."},{"id":"text-933","heading":"Text","content":"February 03, 2010\nUnless this is some word-of-mouth, Tweet-of-type publicity stunt, local Wilmette band Fall Out Boy is contemplating a permanent hiatus, as evident in bassist Pete Wentz's blog. While their fans share inspiring stories, pop blogs are skeptical."},{"id":"text-934","heading":"Text","content":"February 03, 2010\nI'm trying to envision the look on the face of a lost tourist as the owner of this tattoo of the CTA train map gives him directions by taking off her shoe. (Thanks, James!)"},{"id":"text-935","heading":"Text","content":"February 02, 2010\nThe CPD is now sending out safety alerts, CAPS meeting info and other announcements by text and email using Nixle.com. But what's Nixle doing claiming copyright over public information?"},{"id":"text-936","heading":"Text","content":"February 01, 2010\nEarly 20th Century graphic designer Lester Beall–educated and employed in Chicago for many years–was a trailblazer who created an immediately recognizable look for his work that incorporated modernist notions imported from the Bauhaus and other art movements. Here's a site devoted to the man and his ideas."},{"id":"text-937","heading":"Text","content":"January 29, 2010\nThreadless and Coudal Partners have joined forces (like Voltron) to create a special set of Field Notes. You can win a set of your own this weekend in their lil contest."},{"id":"text-938","heading":"Text","content":"January 27, 2010\nIf you've got a great new design on your mind for some temporary outdoor furniture, the Chicago chapter of Architecture for Humanity wants to hear from you. They're sponsoring a street furniture competition, with entries due by February 26th. Check out this PDF for further guidelines. (Via the Reader blog.)"},{"id":"text-939","heading":"Text","content":"January 26, 2010\nChicago blogs I Hate My Developer and Young Chicagonista have been nominated for Weblog Awards, or "Bloggies." I Hate My Developer is in the "Best Kept Secret Weblog" category while Young Chicagonista is competing for "Best Teen Weblog." Voting is open until January 31, 2010 at http://2010.bloggies.com."},{"id":"text-940","heading":"Text","content":"January 26, 2010\nYesterday Apartment Therapy's House Tours section featured FofGB George and Sara Aye's beautiful Logan Square home. You might remember George shot amazing photos from Pitchfork in Transmission in years past, and the couple run the company Hubwear, among other projects."},{"id":"text-941","heading":"Text","content":"January 26, 2010\nNot that anybody should be surprised by anything he says, but Bill O'Reilly's latest head-scratching proclamation (via Huffington Post) may have South Siders a little miffed."},{"id":"text-942","heading":"Text","content":"January 25, 2010\nIt's a meme — and an edict — that's traveling the globe, thanks to a Chicago blogger who scanned his autistic nephew's hand-drawn sign."},{"id":"text-943","heading":"Text","content":"January 21, 2010\nThere's a debate raging on the campus of the University of Chicago. No, not "evolution vs. creation" or anything like that. It's what to call their new cafe/mini-mart. (BTW, the suggestion above is binary for "7-11", but that might be legally stepping on toes.)"},{"id":"text-944","heading":"Text","content":"January 21, 2010\nFor those creatively inclined Valentine's Day lovers, Andersonville and Lakeview card and frame shops Foursided and Twosided want to see your best handmade Valentine's cards. Winner gets $50 gift certificate. Deadline 2/7. Details and rules."},{"id":"text-945","heading":"Text","content":"January 20, 2010\nLooks like Chicago had a low showing of talent on yesterday's "American Idol" auditions — only 13 made the cut. While showcasing our wild and foul-mouthed side, "Idol" has Chicago Breaking News wondering how some Windy City contestants were filmed in front of palm trees and the Amway Center in Orlando."},{"id":"text-946","heading":"Text","content":"January 18, 2010\nNew CTA safety postings are urging riders to report "excessive photography/ filming," equating it to "unattended packages" or "noxious smells or smoke." This, understandably disturbs photographer and activist blogger Carlos Miller, and here's why."},{"id":"text-947","heading":"Text","content":"January 18, 2010\nThe African Sausage Tree (Kigelia africana) at the Lincoln Park Conservatory is bearing 20-pound fruits. Fun fact: the fresh "sausage" is poisonous, causes mouth blisters, and acts as a laxative. No sampling."},{"id":"text-948","heading":"Text","content":"January 15, 2010\nThanks to Malik Yusef, a South Side Harold's Chicken Shack location now contains an official platinum record."},{"id":"text-949","heading":"Text","content":"January 13, 2010\nApparently, "The more body art you have, the more likely you are to be involved in deviance." At least, that's what a recent study briefly profiled by the Tribune's Steve Johnson says."},{"id":"text-950","heading":"Text","content":"January 13, 2010\nThe Reader's Cliff Doerksen has tracked down a handful of newspaper clippings regarding a very peculiar crime wave in 1920s Chicago."},{"id":"text-951","heading":"Text","content":"January 13, 2010\nTim Steil's Chicago A to Z."},{"id":"text-952","heading":"Text","content":"January 12, 2010\nIf you're still in search of a 2010 calendar for your wall, the CTA has a free one for download. It's chock-full of pictures from throughout the CTA's history, plus lots of glorious Helvetica."},{"id":"text-953","heading":"Text","content":"January 12, 2010\nWhy, on a floating platform in an elongated Chicago, of course."},{"id":"text-954","heading":"Text","content":"January 08, 2010\nWhat Chicago is tweeting about."},{"id":"text-955","heading":"Text","content":"January 06, 2010\nFor those seeking to turn a blind eye to doom and gloom stories, the Tribune brings readers the Happy News page, modestly covering the found-dreams-and-little-miracles beat. For a trip back to reality, click here."},{"id":"text-956","heading":"Text","content":"January 05, 2010\nAccording to their latest Twitter posts, The Hood Internet (or possibly just DJ STV SLV) are caught up in a security lockdown at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport. Update: They're out!"},{"id":"text-957","heading":"Text","content":"January 04, 2010\nIf you're interested in temporary work, the 2010 US Census is looking for applicants to be census takers starting this spring. An informational session and qualifying exam will be held tonight and tomorrow at 7pm at the Wicker Park Fieldhouse, 1425 North Damen."},{"id":"text-958","heading":"Text","content":"December 31, 2009\nJohn Rininger was a local artist who passed away a few years ago at the age of 45. Wicker Park/Quimby's old-timers might remember him for his stamp art in particular. Marc Fischer paid a visit to John back in 2001 when Rininger was disposing of many of his possessions. He's since posted the story, and a selection of scans of the odd, disturbing, and thought-provoking materials he recovered, on his Flickr page. UPDATE: More here; Merci Salem."},{"id":"text-959","heading":"Text","content":"December 29, 2009\nWhat was Chicago like in the mid-century for the city's African American community? Unknown Chicago takes a look at the fast-growing and segregated "Black Belt," and the harsh housing conditions."},{"id":"text-960","heading":"Text","content":"December 23, 2009\nPatrick Rea of Tinley Park was just recently elected the grand master of the International Knights Templar. Until he resumes his post officially next November, he'll be happy to tell you where the Holy Grail is. [via]"},{"id":"text-961","heading":"Text","content":"December 23, 2009\nTiny Miller Park Zoo in downstate Bloomington is selling a unique holiday accoutrement: ornaments made of reindeer dung. Don't laugh; they've made $20,000 off of them."},{"id":"text-962","heading":"Text","content":"December 22, 2009\nYes, you can even eat the lions at the Art Institute's Gingerseum."},{"id":"text-963","heading":"Text","content":"December 22, 2009\nA Beluga whale has been born at the Shedd for the second time in a week. This time the calf is 5 feet 6 inches long and weighs 152 pounds. UPDATE: Unfortunately, the calf did not survive past its first day."},{"id":"text-964","heading":"Text","content":"December 21, 2009\nFlickr user lauren*o pointed us to a sign printed by ExploreChicago.org. Not only does the Arabic version of the word "welcome" appear incorrectly (it should look like this), but the Polish and Korean words for welcome appear twice. [Thanks Lauren!]"},{"id":"text-965","heading":"Text","content":"December 17, 2009\nA century ago, Bell & Howell's (click the Company History tab!) HQ and factory was located on Larchmont Avenue, where they made Filmo movie cameras. Tough, dependable, and, in some cases, quite lovely, Filmo cameras were the preferred brand among filmmakers in the early days of motion pictures."},{"id":"text-966","heading":"Text","content":"December 17, 2009\nChicagoans appear to be imbued with holiday spirit and decorating like mad fools. Local retailers report that decorative lights have been flying off the shelves this season."},{"id":"text-967","heading":"Text","content":"December 15, 2009\nCongratulations to Puiji, a Beluga whale at the Shedd Aquarium, who gave birth yesterday morning at 6:36am. The calf is 5 feet 4 inches long and weighs 162 pounds. No word yet on a name. [via]"},{"id":"text-968","heading":"Text","content":"December 14, 2009\nIt's not exactly B.J. and the Bear, but a former Chicago and his animal friend are on a journey west for fortune and charity."},{"id":"text-969","heading":"Text","content":"December 11, 2009\nChicago magazine's Jeff Ruby hates New York in song."},{"id":"text-970","heading":"Text","content":"December 11, 2009\nTrue/Slant columnist James Finn Garner tells us why we should hurry up and put Chicago 2009 in our rearview mirror."},{"id":"text-971","heading":"Text","content":"December 10, 2009\nU of C philosophy professor Martha Nussbaum talked to The New York Times Magazine about ideas, faith, and leather."},{"id":"text-972","heading":"Text","content":"December 10, 2009\nSome of you have probably given Jamba Juice a lot of your money over the years. Now the company will give something back to Chicago: free skating at Millennium Park this Saturday (for the first 200 people)."},{"id":"text-973","heading":"Text","content":"December 08, 2009\nThe Huffington Post's been busy networking major American cities' Twitter presence, with Chicago growing pretty fast in Local News, Sports et Personnes list categories. See if your favorite Twitterers made the cut, if not suggest them."},{"id":"text-974","heading":"Text","content":"December 04, 2009\nWriter, director, actor and DePaul alum John Cabrera shares a memory from his illustrious temping career in Chicago."},{"id":"text-975","heading":"Text","content":"December 03, 2009\nSpeaking of Ira Glass, here he is in LEGO form. (A couple more Chicago/Illinois faces in the CubeDudes flickr pool, too.)"},{"id":"text-976","heading":"Text","content":"December 03, 2009\nFunsherpa promises to help you find fun experiences that make good gifts for you or someone else."},{"id":"text-977","heading":"Text","content":"December 02, 2009\nBut it's easily as funny and/or offensive."},{"id":"text-978","heading":"Text","content":"December 02, 2009\nThe first Left 4 Dead videogame featured a bit of graffiti stating: "NO ZOMBIE IS SAFE FROM CHICAGO TED" (allegedly based on similar, nastier graffiti found in an Indianian men's room). Thank God for the Internet. Despite not appearing in the actual game (or its sequel), Ted has developed a mysterious and vicious zombie-killing legend nonetheless. Who is Chicago Ted? We may never know. But we can imagine."},{"id":"text-979","heading":"Text","content":"December 02, 2009\nA bizarre hobby has locals playing with lightning, or rather, Tesla coils straight out of Dr. Frankenstein's lab. The Tribune looks into these Masters of Lightning and this shocking sect of pop culture."},{"id":"text-980","heading":"Text","content":"December 02, 2009\nUnfortunately they're sold out, but what's the story with these Hot Chip t-shirts featuring R.Kelly in a DEVO hat? [via]"},{"id":"text-981","heading":"Text","content":"December 01, 2009\nJohn Paro is a med student at the University of Chicago. He also has a web site, MedSchoolRock, that "is dedicated to bringing entertaining and informative songs/videos about medical education." [via]"},{"id":"text-982","heading":"Text","content":"November 30, 2009\nInsider Chicago is a new publication by Medill School of Journalism students, aiming to be your guide to Chicagoland."},{"id":"text-983","heading":"Text","content":"November 29, 2009\nGwen Sharp of Sociological Images came across a piece on the Los Angeles Times Daily Mirror site showing drawings and names of Chicago women who postponed their traditional Thanksgiving dinner on November 25, 1909 so they could meet British Suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst at the train station and escort her to the Congress Hotel. What a radical idea, to postpone a holiday meal by five hours so you could meet a politically active woman. (Thanks, Sue Strauss!)"},{"id":"text-984","heading":"Text","content":"November 29, 2009\nPer CBS, Black Friday is the busiest day of the year for Chicago plumbers. Sinks and garbage disposals are crammed with the distasteful likes of turkey skin, bones, ham grease, vegetable chunks, and more. The likeliest sink-jamming culprits? Out-of-town guests."},{"id":"text-985","heading":"Text","content":"November 24, 2009\nYarn-lovers, start your needles. The folks who brought you the fabulous Threadcakes competition are now sponsoring a Threadless-tee inspired knitting/crocheting contest called Threadknits. Now through January 16th. Details and rules online."},{"id":"text-986","heading":"Text","content":"November 23, 2009\nDave Lamoureux spends most of the year as a futures and options trader in Chicago, but he sets world records catching bluefin tuna from a kayak on the Atlantic, unassisted."},{"id":"text-987","heading":"Text","content":"November 22, 2009\nJessica Reaves of the Chicago News Cooperative explains."},{"id":"text-988","heading":"Text","content":"November 19, 2009\nIf you're a whiz with your W2s, the Center for Economic Progress has volunteer opportunities to help low-income families prepare their taxes. Last year, their volunteers did over 33,000 returns and brought back $52 million in refunds for families across Illinois."},{"id":"text-989","heading":"Text","content":"November 17, 2009\nLocal band The Lust Killers have an interesting gimmick to promote their Chicago shows."},{"id":"text-990","heading":"Text","content":"November 17, 2009\nLocal fitness guru Stephanie Mansour of Step It Up with Steph thinks you can get in exercise anytime, anyplace. Like when you're waiting for the no. 22 Clark street bus."},{"id":"text-991","heading":"Text","content":"November 16, 2009\nCareful of that Chicago lightning, longhairs, or you could end up in a Chicago overcoat."},{"id":"text-992","heading":"Text","content":"November 16, 2009\nNewly disclosed documents reveal that the FBI tracked Studs Terkel as a suspected communist for much of his life. His complete file is available in this (rather large) PDF."},{"id":"text-993","heading":"Text","content":"November 11, 2009\nEsquire magazine talked to Rolling Meadows' Bryan Anderson, an Iraq War veteran, for their Veterans' Day "What I've Learned" column."},{"id":"text-994","heading":"Text","content":"November 11, 2009\nTwenty-five students from a middle school in Gresham were arrested for reckless conduct last week after starting a food fight."},{"id":"text-995","heading":"Text","content":"November 09, 2009\nIf you've enjoyed the Audissey podcast tour of Chicago or recommended it to a tourist in your life, check out their entry in the Forbes Boost Your Business contest."},{"id":"text-996","heading":"Text","content":"November 09, 2009\nLocal musician and co-editor of THE2NDHAND C.T. Ballentine left his McKinley Park apartment on Friday afternoon and has not been heard from since. If you're able to help locate him, his friends have set up a Facebook group for the search. UPDATE: Looks like C.T. has been found."},{"id":"text-997","heading":"Text","content":"November 05, 2009\nFor the first time in decades the Christmas tree in Daley plaza will be a single spruce. This year's was found in the wilds of Palos Heights."},{"id":"text-998","heading":"Text","content":"November 04, 2009\nCheck out this website devoted to pictures of Chicago-style food. It won't help your situation, but it sure is beautiful."},{"id":"text-999","heading":"Text","content":"November 03, 2009\nDon't believe the traffic reporters or myriad online maps? Well then see for yourself. TrafficLand has expanded to Chicago."},{"id":"text-1000","heading":"Text","content":"November 02, 2009\nWondering what Chicago's President™ would be wearing to match this week's weather? Obama-Weather.com has your answer."},{"id":"text-1001","heading":"Text","content":"November 02, 2009\nAbout 28 years ago a fellow by the name of Dan Goodwin scaled both the John Hancock Center and the Sears Tower and a few other famous skyscrapers. Now he's back with a book. Look out! There goes the Spider Dan!"},{"id":"text-1002","heading":"Text","content":"November 02, 2009\nSarah Perez's Longo Monster costume came in third for "Scariest Costume" at the 13th Annual North Halsted Halloween Parade this weekend. She tells Boing Boing about how her creation came about."},{"id":"text-1003","heading":"Text","content":"November 02, 2009\nPlayboy makes a cameo appearance in what I pense is a spec work ad for FAO Schwarz. [via]"},{"id":"text-1004","heading":"Text","content":"October 28, 2009\nWait, Wait… Don't Tell Me host Peter Sagal is sure to spook the neighbors (or give them a good laugh) with his "traditional" Halloween display."},{"id":"text-1005","heading":"Text","content":"October 23, 2009\nDillon is a four year old English bulldog. He is also Director of Pet Relations at the Hotel Burnham."},{"id":"text-1006","heading":"Text","content":"October 22, 2009\nWe Are Supervision blog shows a series of old '70s and '80s Chicago gang calling cards. Crudely drawn, sometimes offensive, and frequently opaque, they're also quite compelling."},{"id":"text-1007","heading":"Text","content":"October 21, 2009\nBelated congratulations to Chicagoans Elena Bodnar, Raphael C. Lee, and Sandra Marijan, winners of the 2009 Ig Nobel Prize in Public Health. The team designed "a brassiere that, in an emergency, can be quickly converted into a pair of protective face masks, one for the brassiere wearer and one to be given to some needy bystander." Click here to see a complete list of 2009 winners (as well as an awesome picture of Nobel laureates including Paul Krugman wearing the bra-mask). [via]"},{"id":"text-1008","heading":"Text","content":"October 21, 2009\nGet some information on H1N1 and seasonal flu resources at this growing flu.gov site. The Illinois page also has links to state resources."},{"id":"text-1009","heading":"Text","content":"October 21, 2009\nLast night's "Ghost Lab" on the Discovery Channel featured the (alcoholic?) ghosts of Liar's Club."},{"id":"text-1010","heading":"Text","content":"October 20, 2009\nGrubstreet Chicago is (justifiably) wondering what the hell is going on in this advertisement for the Dana Hotel's Aja restaurant. Fans of sci-fi/horror B-movies know all too well what's coming next. Let's rock, before we blast that thing out of the sky!"},{"id":"text-1011","heading":"Text","content":"October 20, 2009\nThe Sears Tower is the centerpiece of this magnificent commercial rendering. Prendre plaisir. (P.S. Call it what you will, but I'm sticking with "Sears Tower" for now.)"},{"id":"text-1012","heading":"Text","content":"October 19, 2009\nA betrayed lover turns the tables in the latest edition of Keep Going."},{"id":"text-1013","heading":"Text","content":"October 15, 2009\nIt's official: playing ringtones in public doesn't infringe copyright. Looks like it might be time for Chicago's DJs to learn how to beatmatch that noise."},{"id":"text-1014","heading":"Text","content":"October 15, 2009\nPlease watch "Mike G's Rules for Better Dining", a video from Michael Gebert of Sky Full of Bacon inspired by Michael Pollan's dietary rules recently featured in the New York Times."},{"id":"text-1015","heading":"Text","content":"October 13, 2009\nThe A.V. Club Chicago just went through a redesign, and thinks there are a few other Chicago sites that could use a freshening up."},{"id":"text-1016","heading":"Text","content":"October 06, 2009\nMeet The Bra Man. He collects bras. No, really, bras. He has more than a thousand of them. Yeah, we know. But it's for a good cause, so…yeah."},{"id":"text-1017","heading":"Text","content":"October 06, 2009\nA couple of bike-loving gals filmed this video on stopping and starting a bicycle. Includes outtakes."},{"id":"text-1018","heading":"Text","content":"October 02, 2009\nChicago resident Nite Kongtahworn created a mosaic of Marilyn Monroe with paint chips in his Lakeview condo. He was inspired by this Apartment Therapy post on pixelated painting."},{"id":"text-1019","heading":"Text","content":"October 01, 2009\nHere's a 1987 Chicago Tribune spot featuring the great Mike Royko at the Billy Goat Tavern. The sound seems a touch off at the beginning–Royko sounds a little like Barry White."},{"id":"text-1020","heading":"Text","content":"October 01, 2009\nListen to Elucidations, a podcast started by two graduate students in philosophy at the U of C. They talk to professors about their work, "covering a range of topics from the theoretical to the practical, including perception, moral motivation, and sexual orientation.""},{"id":"text-1021","heading":"Text","content":"September 30, 2009\nThe Chicago Public Library Book Cart Drill Team."},{"id":"text-1022","heading":"Text","content":"September 30, 2009\nWhether you're for Rio, Madrid, Tokyo, or Chicago, your Olympic fervor (and addiction to Twitter) could win you a trip to one of the finalist cities from travel social media app Where I've Been. Check Facebook for more details."},{"id":"text-1023","heading":"Text","content":"September 30, 2009\nAdd another voice to the ones supporting the 2016 Olympics for Chicago, only this one might be a little sarcastic. (Note: The support comes from a "columnist" for the infamous Weekly World News so take it with a big fat grain of salt.)"},{"id":"text-1024","heading":"Text","content":"September 28, 2009\nOn Yelp, reviews of the Broadway and Lawrence branch of the USPS are, uh, mixed: "Just writing about this place forces me to relive all my nightmarish experiences there. I need to drink some herbal tea just to calm down." And: "I wonder what they do with all my mail they don't deliver? Do they just throw it out?" There's much, much more."},{"id":"text-1025","heading":"Text","content":"September 25, 2009\nMeet the thorn in Twitter's side."},{"id":"text-1026","heading":"Text","content":"September 25, 2009\nLike candy and NASCAR? Satisfy both cravings when racer Kyle Bush hands out free Mars chocolate bars next Thursday at Pioneer Plaza. Why the free candy? Well, apparently Chicago was voted the city most in need of "sweet relief". Whatever, just hand over the Snickers."},{"id":"text-1027","heading":"Text","content":"September 25, 2009\nNo, Instant Bueller. (Reminds me of something.)"},{"id":"text-1028","heading":"Text","content":"September 22, 2009\nThe MacArthur Foundation announced its 2009 Fellows, who will receive a no-strings-attached $500k check just for being…a genius. No Chicagoans in the bunch, but John Rogers, a UIUC physics professor, made the list for his contributions to flexible electronics devices."},{"id":"text-1029","heading":"Text","content":"September 21, 2009\nSpeaking of the Olympics, here's another site for the anti- crowd: Chicagoans for Rio.[[via]"},{"id":"text-1030","heading":"Text","content":"September 18, 2009\nWill Chicago be the victim of a nuclear terrorist attack on Sept. 22? At least one person thinks so."},{"id":"text-1031","heading":"Text","content":"September 17, 2009\nThe Oprah effect may go beyond books, products, musicians. The next episode on the continuing saga of "It's Oprah's world and we just live in it": Local restaurants and certain chefs are seeing an Oprah bump, according to 312 Dining Diva."},{"id":"text-1032","heading":"Text","content":"September 17, 2009\nBaffling. Two marble statues of the Hindu gods Shiva and Parvati turned up in the DuPage River. Local Hindu temples report that their statues are all accounted for."},{"id":"text-1033","heading":"Text","content":"September 15, 2009\nHarnessing the freaky cool power of Google Maps, the Tutor/Mentor Connection shows Chicagoans where to find tutor and mentor programs. But it also goes way further, showing maps of poorly performing schools, crime in the news, and even support groups like churches and universities, all to pinpoint areas in which organizations should create and nurture tutor and mentor programs."},{"id":"text-1034","heading":"Text","content":"September 11, 2009\nRestaurant.com is offering super-reduced prices for their gift certificates, for use at hundreds of Chicago-area restaurants. The fine print is here."},{"id":"text-1035","heading":"Text","content":"September 10, 2009\nColumbia College's Conversations in the Arts packs quite a wallop in its fifth year with Twitter co-founder Biz Stone (speaking Oct. 6), Huffington Post Editor-in-Chief Arianna Huffington and director Mira Nair scheduled to address media trends at the free series. RSVP info in Slowdown."},{"id":"text-1036","heading":"Text","content":"August 31, 2009\nWhat (Lake Michigan, apparently) sharks dream about. (Warning: One naughty word.)"},{"id":"text-1037","heading":"Text","content":"August 25, 2009\nGuinness and the Mayor's Office of Special Events ruled the Grant Park showing of the Marx Brothers' Duck Soup broke the record for most people wearing Groucho glasses (4,436 frames) at one time on July 21."},{"id":"text-1038","heading":"Text","content":"August 25, 2009\nA result of the economy, a lack of nursing graduates, and a possible wave of nurses retiring from the field, more of these health care professionals are needed, and Chicago is no exception."},{"id":"text-1039","heading":"Text","content":"August 24, 2009\nCoudal points us to a fantastic Budweiser commercial shot on the El (mostly the Brown Line), for the Irish beer drinking market if the URL attached to it is any indication. UPDATE: The Sun-Times gets the backstory on the ad."},{"id":"text-1040","heading":"Text","content":"August 19, 2009\nTime Out takes a look at the secret life of the Chicagoan bomb squad technician, pot dealer, fantasy specialist, sensual masseuse, well, you get the idea."},{"id":"text-1041","heading":"Text","content":"August 19, 2009\nStep carefully when visiting the dolphin show at Brookfield Zoo. A woman filed a lawsuit against the Brookfield Zoo regarding a spill she took leaving the dolphin show. Her complaint is that the dolphins have been "willfully and recklessly" trained to make the steps slippery. (Via Chicago Now)"},{"id":"text-1042","heading":"Text","content":"August 19, 2009\nI learned something new about the Illinois State Bar Association when I was asked to be a reference for a hopeful future lawyer. I needed to go to the website for the Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar in order to do that. What's the website, you ask? ibaby.org. That's right: iBaby. Apparently, it stands for "Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar … and You," but I can't say I was overwhelmed with confidence by their domain name choice."},{"id":"text-1043","heading":"Text","content":"August 19, 2009\nA captivating anecdote in the bar of the Chicago Ritz-Carlton leads off this 1993 profile of the magician turned actor Ricky Jay, dug up in the New Yorker archives by Kottke.org."},{"id":"text-1044","heading":"Text","content":"August 19, 2009\nNovella Carpenter found a vacant lot in her Oakland, Calif. neighborhood and started planting. Her memoir about this DIY urban farm was just profiled in Flavorpill. And according to her blog, she'd love to take her knowledge on the road in October and teach workshops about urban farming all over the country (including Chicago). So pony up your couch or some cash and help bring her here."},{"id":"text-1045","heading":"Text","content":"August 19, 2009\nThe New York Times Dining section reports on last year's banning of ice cream trucks from the 18th Ward and modern parents annoyed with ice-cream-demanding toddlers and chain-smoking, shirtless, and burping ice cream vendors."},{"id":"text-1046","heading":"Text","content":"August 18, 2009\nFor foodies and boozers around Chicago, Wait Watcher tweets wait times at key restaurants and bars. Developed by the Onion's AV Chicago section, local restaurant-goers can text or call in wait times to help their fellow diners."},{"id":"text-1047","heading":"Text","content":"August 17, 2009\nYep, that's all Life Magazine has to say about this odd series of photographs from 1962. Nonetheless, that's one angry bird."},{"id":"text-1048","heading":"Text","content":"August 17, 2009\nA handy checklist of things you should do in the city. [via]"},{"id":"text-1049","heading":"Text","content":"August 14, 2009\nWGN-TV Feature Reporter Marcus Leshock caught this guy getting really into a DJ set at Lollapalooza last weekend. (Thanks, Brett!)"},{"id":"text-1050","heading":"Text","content":"August 14, 2009\nSue, the Field Museum's T-Rex, is on Twitter, tweeting about meat-eating, being an apex predator, and her repulsively tiny forearms (which, apparently, text just fine). She also plans to be at the Air and Water Show. (Via.)"},{"id":"text-1051","heading":"Text","content":"August 14, 2009\nUptown Update has some amazing video of a street brawl that broke out around 9pm Wednesday night. (via)"},{"id":"text-1052","heading":"Text","content":"August 13, 2009\nThe Trib's John Kass points to a Facebook group "Lakeview 911" that was created this month to gather "concerned citizens" who want to connect about the recent muggings in the neighborhood. Remember EveryBlock is also a great local resource on crime stats relative to your street, no matter where you live in the city."},{"id":"text-1053","heading":"Text","content":"August 10, 2009\nThe Fineprint has some neat t-shirts for showing Chicago pride. Case in point: this shirt featuring a takeoff of Harold's Chicken Shack's famous "dude chasing after a chicken with a meat cleaver" logo. [via]"},{"id":"text-1054","heading":"Text","content":"August 08, 2009\nCool! Here are "10 Awesome Images That Are Actually Paintings," including a nifty image of the Damen El station. And here's an even closer look."},{"id":"text-1055","heading":"Text","content":"August 04, 2009\nNorth Shore blogger Poppy Buxom bought every issue of Domino magazine after the title folded earlier this year. Maybe if she'd done it earlier Domino might still be in business? Anyway, she's reading every issue – from Spring/Summer 2005 to March 2009 – and blogging about it over at The Dominotrix."},{"id":"text-1056","heading":"Text","content":"August 04, 2009\nThese Chicago-centric designs by Vic Sanchez are pretty sweet. [via]"},{"id":"text-1057","heading":"Text","content":"July 31, 2009\nHey, Chicago music/bowling fans! Just a few hours left to order a special shirt titled "Bring Back the Fireside" at RIPT Apparel.[[via]"},{"id":"text-1058","heading":"Text","content":"July 30, 2009\nWindy City Rock points us to a nifty deal at Reverbnation.com where 1,000 songs are now available for free download, including tunes from several Chicago bands."},{"id":"text-1059","heading":"Text","content":"July 29, 2009\n"I am like any other man. All I do is supply a demand." —Al Capone"},{"id":"text-1060","heading":"Text","content":"July 29, 2009\nMinutes before he was arrested last December, Rod Blagojevich was bumped from appearing on the Today Show in a one-on-one interview with Matt Lauer because far more important news had to be announced…Jay Leno's new television show (which premieres September 14, Rod!)."},{"id":"text-1061","heading":"Text","content":"July 28, 2009\nA Chicago man is accused of stealing more than $45,000 worth of eyeglasses from suburban Milwaukee stores. Why, and again, why? The complaint quotes the accused as saying he "really likes to be around glasses.""},{"id":"text-1062","heading":"Text","content":"July 28, 2009\nLeah took her job search to the streets."},{"id":"text-1063","heading":"Text","content":"July 28, 2009\nJuly was the coldest it's been in Chicago in 65 years, with an average temp of 68.9°. If you use (or rather didn't use) the AC, look for savings on your electric bills.[[via]"},{"id":"text-1064","heading":"Text","content":"July 28, 2009\nHow accurate is your favorite online weather service?"},{"id":"text-1065","heading":"Text","content":"July 24, 2009\nMichelle Obama's fashion confidant Ikram Goldman was interviewed to get a handle on which designers Mrs. O. will be wearing in the future. Alexander McQueen, your moment's coming."},{"id":"text-1066","heading":"Text","content":"July 23, 2009\nLocal podcast North & Clark holds a microphone to Chicagoans who don't often make the media spotlight: grown-up graffiti kids, riot-surviving activists, anthropologists digging into the free-for-all emerald trade, and more. Produced by Casey Brazeal."},{"id":"text-1067","heading":"Text","content":"July 23, 2009\nGoogle has new comics themes for iGoogle, including work by former and current Chicago cartoonists Dan Clowes, Jessica Abel, and Jeffrey Brown"},{"id":"text-1068","heading":"Text","content":"July 23, 2009\nIf you're a Cute Chicago Boy, watch out! You might just end up on the interweb."},{"id":"text-1069","heading":"Text","content":"July 22, 2009\nWhile CTA President Richard Rodriquez canceled the weird company car benefit for CTA employees this week, he insists on keeping a car for himself and driving to work everyday. Local blogs are debating the intelligence of the move, with CTA Tattler defending Rodriquez's family time and Chicago Carless ripping him a new one."},{"id":"text-1070","heading":"Text","content":"July 22, 2009\nThe New York Times Magazine profile of Obama advisor Valerie Jarrett is up: "The executive didn't know that the 'feel' ran deeper than policy — that it was about trust: if Valerie Jarrett told Barack Obama that something was the right thing to do, he would very likely do it.""},{"id":"text-1071","heading":"Text","content":"July 21, 2009\nVF Daily's Society & Style blog asked some of the country's top chefs to take on the recipes of the late, great Julia Child. Chicago's own Graham Elliot Bowles presents a terrine based on Child's vichyssoise."},{"id":"text-1072","heading":"Text","content":"July 17, 2009\nFirst the NYT gave struggling clothing store Jake the business, now the Wall Street Journal is lamenting the days when Evanston wasn't full of chain stores and had some personality (but gives a nice report about the state of retail in Andersonville)."},{"id":"text-1073","heading":"Text","content":"July 17, 2009\nJust in time for the Pitchfork Music Festival, it's the latest edition of Hipster Bingo!"},{"id":"text-1074","heading":"Text","content":"July 16, 2009\nNo idea this existed: Michael Jordan: Chaos in the Windy City, a 1994 game for the Super Nintendo. [via]"},{"id":"text-1075","heading":"Text","content":"July 16, 2009\nAs if the city didn't have enough problems with gangs and violence, now we're being accused of outsourcing our gang activity to Iowa."},{"id":"text-1076","heading":"Text","content":"July 15, 2009\nVia Christopher J. in the Fuel thread, behold Wesley Willis Tower. Awesome."},{"id":"text-1077","heading":"Text","content":"July 13, 2009\nThis year's CNN Money's Best Places to Live rankings are out, and Illinois small towns only garnered 3 of the top 100 spots. Batavia, Buffalo Grove, and downstate Glen Carbon made the list, but none broke the top 50."},{"id":"text-1078","heading":"Text","content":"July 13, 2009\nAs if your life wasn't enough of a soap opera, you can now follow a real one on Twitter: "Chicago to Coronado" chronicles the love triangle between a former Chicago ad agency CEO and two Navy SEALs on Coronado Island, California."},{"id":"text-1079","heading":"Text","content":"July 10, 2009\nThere's just a few short weeks left for you to nominate your favorite places in Chicago for MPC's Placemaking contest. We wrote about this great project when it started, but now's your chance to share your favorites."},{"id":"text-1080","heading":"Text","content":"July 10, 2009\nThis year's Layer Tennis season comes to a close today at 2pm with a championship match between designers Shaun Inman and Gregory Hubacek. (Neither is from Chicago, but that's OK — the stadium is.)"},{"id":"text-1081","heading":"Text","content":"July 09, 2009\nThe A.V. Club was kind enough to make an inventory of all the things R. Kelly wants, as detailed in his new mix-tape, The Demo Tape. It's hard to pick a favorite because they're all kind of awesome."},{"id":"text-1082","heading":"Text","content":"July 02, 2009\nUh, I don't want to panic anyone or anything, but… um… there's a big old monitor lizard running around Libertyville right now. No, really. Well, we can't say the Dead Milkmen didn't warn us."},{"id":"text-1083","heading":"Text","content":"July 02, 2009\nStuck at the office? Play a little Bike Salute Memory, based on Dubi Kaufmann's Bike Salute site."},{"id":"text-1084","heading":"Text","content":"July 02, 2009\nBureau of Self-Promotion: I wrote an article about coyotes in Chicago and an undeveloped parcel of land at 16th and Clark a few have chosen to make their home. Part two next week."},{"id":"text-1085","heading":"Text","content":"June 27, 2009\nOur own Jim Allenspach created a series of fake covers for the popular 33 1/3 book series, exploring some of the worst possible album/author combinations. His set hass started making the rounds on blogs and spawned at least one imitator — and now has inspired the publisher to run a contest for humorous covers."},{"id":"text-1086","heading":"Text","content":"June 24, 2009\nSeen the new Burger King ad that manages to evoke a certain sexual act? The 312 Dining Diva points us to the newest offender in desperate advertising."},{"id":"text-1087","heading":"Text","content":"June 22, 2009\nThe Hyde Park Urbanist takes a look at the verge – "that strip between the sidewalk and the street" – on a stretch of East 57th Street."},{"id":"text-1088","heading":"Text","content":"June 15, 2009\nThese clever pillows from CraftSquatch (local artist/ crafter Justin Thomas) won't make all your online dreams come true, but they will give you something to rest your social-media weary head upon when your interwebs are down."},{"id":"text-1089","heading":"Text","content":"June 15, 2009\nA member of the Navajo Nation is becoming a unique presence as a designer in the fashion world, with a showing of her work in the Chicago area."},{"id":"text-1090","heading":"Text","content":"June 15, 2009\nGraphic designer Jax de Leon created a graphic representation of Come on, Feel the Illinoise! by Sufjan Stevens as her final student project. Some really cool stuff in there. [via]"},{"id":"text-1091","heading":"Text","content":"June 12, 2009\nLove Chicago so much you want to put it in your pocket and take it home? Now you can. [via] (Previously.)"},{"id":"text-1092","heading":"Text","content":"June 11, 2009\nLocally produced Hot Tweeters should eat up some of your time on a rainy afternoon."},{"id":"text-1093","heading":"Text","content":"June 10, 2009\nWas "Family Matters" your favorite sit-com located in Chicago? Then you may be interested in this video made during a visit to the Winslow house. [via]"},{"id":"text-1094","heading":"Text","content":"June 09, 2009\nNorthwestern's journalism school wants students to not clog inboxes when talking about Twitter, so they've provided a 1970s-esqe way of facilitating discussion."},{"id":"text-1095","heading":"Text","content":"June 08, 2009\nLaunched today, RIPT Apparel is a Chicago-based t-shirt retailer selling one-of-a-kind shirts designed by a community of artists. The beauty is that a single design is sold over a 24-hour period only; it is then retired, replaced and the cycle repeats."},{"id":"text-1096","heading":"Text","content":"June 08, 2009\nScotty Got An Office Job, the video blog started by local actor/musician/tech guy Scotty Iseri, takes a surprising turn as Scotty's boss finds the videos online."},{"id":"text-1097","heading":"Text","content":"June 08, 2009\nSo now that you're using Kanye Vision to dress up your web browser, you're probably ready to dress like the man himself. Kanye shares 10 fashion picks with Style.com. [via]"},{"id":"text-1098","heading":"Text","content":"June 04, 2009\nFriday is National Donut Day. This is important because it means a free Krispy Kreme and Dunkin Donut for all. It IS the best day of your life."},{"id":"text-1099","heading":"Text","content":"June 03, 2009\nExplore Chicago's new game Chicago Neighborhood Express allows you to wander through different neighborhoods on-line."},{"id":"text-1100","heading":"Text","content":"June 02, 2009\nOnce seen, it cannot be unseen."},{"id":"text-1101","heading":"Text","content":"May 29, 2009\nIf you thought air guitar was titillating, you're gonna get schooled. The World Air Sex Championships are going on tour, and coming to Chicago June 14 at Logan Square Auditorium. Yes, that means contestants get up on stage and do it (fully clothed) with the air. Want to show how you can rock the air's world? Contact chris@airsexworldchampionships.com."},{"id":"text-1102","heading":"Text","content":"May 28, 2009\nWant to give your place that perfect 60s or 70s countercultural ambience? Lead Pipe Posters has original prints (some with Chicago themes) of the black light, hippie-dippie, up-against-the-wall-pig, muggle-huffing ilk quite possibly still hanging up in your trippy uncle's basement. Guess there's nothing left to be said but…"},{"id":"text-1103","heading":"Text","content":"May 28, 2009\nChicago artist Kathryn Rodrigues offers an A-to-Z size comparison of the United States to (almost) every other country over on Radical Cartography."},{"id":"text-1104","heading":"Text","content":"May 27, 2009\nDancing with Brides is like "Dancing With The Stars" only for regular folks who aren't quite so addicted to spray tanning and glitter. Sorta. Brides Magazine's instructional dance workshop for couples comes to The Drake Hotel on Sunday, May 31. Not only can prospective brides and grooms learn some smooth first dance moves, they may also get a chance to win $10,000. Check Slowdown for details."},{"id":"text-1105","heading":"Text","content":"May 26, 2009\nWhat happens when a toy escapes the Island of Misfit Toys and can't make a go of it? They end up down and out in the City of Sad Toys, of course. The Windy City is creepily represented by a bevy of naked Barbies hanging by their hair."},{"id":"text-1106","heading":"Text","content":"May 25, 2009\nIf you're in the market, the infamous Highland Park home featured in Ferris Bueller's Day Off is available at the bargain price of $2.3 million. [via]"},{"id":"text-1107","heading":"Text","content":"May 21, 2009\nThe Chicago feds have rigged up a Web site alerting citizens about bank robbery suspects. The nicknames alone are worth a look."},{"id":"text-1108","heading":"Text","content":"May 19, 2009\nWas this U of C student's column about the springtime sartorial choices of his fellow Maroons sexist and misogynistic? That may depend on which version you've read."},{"id":"text-1109","heading":"Text","content":"May 18, 2009\nEven if you're not that interested in the topic, these "sketchnotes" by Mike Rohde at the Society of News Designers meeting this weekend are pretty darn cool."},{"id":"text-1110","heading":"Text","content":"May 16, 2009\nChicagoan and former "Bachelorette" Jen Schefft got married Friday night. Zzzzzz."},{"id":"text-1111","heading":"Text","content":"May 15, 2009\nCecil Adams considers this question for The Straight Dope Chicago. Meanwhile, R. Kelly's defense team is joining Team Blago."},{"id":"text-1112","heading":"Text","content":"May 15, 2009\nIs Chicago the most ironic city ever? Steve Rhodes of The Beachwood Reporter shares his thoughts on the matter."},{"id":"text-1113","heading":"Text","content":"May 15, 2009\nYour job may not be &*@#!* golden, but your hair can be. It's "Blago" shampoo and conditioner. Only your hairdresser and bagman will know for sure."},{"id":"text-1114","heading":"Text","content":"May 13, 2009\nBesides providing crazy-cool t-shirts, Chicago's Threadless evidently also provides a killer place to work. TravelChannel.com named Threadless an "extreme workplace," citing their 25,000-square-foot warehouse and production space where employees play Wii, bring it in intense ping-pong championships, and even rock out on an indoor skate ramp. Chicago photo blogger Joe M500 is interviewed about his recent photographic journey of the warehouse (and confirms its coolness) here."},{"id":"text-1115","heading":"Text","content":"May 12, 2009\nWant to see the web through Kanye's signature sunglasses?"},{"id":"text-1116","heading":"Text","content":"May 05, 2009\nWell, are you?"},{"id":"text-1117","heading":"Text","content":"May 05, 2009\nFrom the deepest depths of the University of Chicago Library's digital stacks came… The Biology of B-Movie Monsters! [via]"},{"id":"text-1118","heading":"Text","content":"May 04, 2009\nThe Tribune Company is launching a new blog community site later this summer called ChicagoNow.com. No publicly accessible pages yet, but here's a glimpse via a marketing video dug up by a WindyCitizen user."},{"id":"text-1119","heading":"Text","content":"May 04, 2009\nFormer Chicago Tribune reporter Emily Achenbaum discusses the decision she and her husband-to-be made "to pursue a pared-down life.""},{"id":"text-1120","heading":"Text","content":"May 04, 2009\nGathering stats on STDs, murders, and similar data, KSU geographers performed a study titled "The Spatial Distribution of the Seven Deadly Sins within Nevada," then created maps showing "hotspots" of Wrath, Lust, etc. across the nation. Sounds like a bunch of hooey, but it looks cool. Chicago's way up on greed but surprisingly not prone to envy."},{"id":"text-1121","heading":"Text","content":"May 04, 2009\nAlex Kotlowitz explains why Chicago is Fast Company's U.S. City of the Year: "The real Chicago isn't so easy to keep up with. It's constantly reinventing itself. Jumpy. Agitated. Impatient. It's as if the place is trembling. Move aside. Don't linger. And if you're going to dawdle, get out of the way. But what any Chicagoan will also tell you is that the past is very much present. It doesn't go away. It shouldn't. In fact, that's Chicago's lure and its beauty: its ability to take what was and figure out what could be.""},{"id":"text-1122","heading":"Text","content":"May 03, 2009\nAn ode to our transit system's more memorable characters."},{"id":"text-1123","heading":"Text","content":"April 29, 2009\nNevada's own Moonlite Bunny Ranch has offered an apprenticeship to former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich. According to a press release from ranch owner Dennis Hof, "Rod's willpower would be challenged daily by the ladies as they bribe him to acquire finer rooms or better working hours and days off. In lieu of Rod's work throughout the apprenticeship Dennis Hof will pay him a handsome amount of money." [via]"},{"id":"text-1124","heading":"Text","content":"April 27, 2009\nThe self-proclaimed "greatest celebrity photographer in the world" and new YouTube star?"},{"id":"text-1125","heading":"Text","content":"April 23, 2009\nToday's fake Internet holiday is Talk Like Shakespeare Day, in honor of the Bard's birth 445 years ago. If that isn't enough encouragement to drop a few "thees" and "thous," the mayor has issued yon proclamation, ye blackguards. Here are a few quotes to get you started."},{"id":"text-1126","heading":"Text","content":"April 21, 2009\nWhile researching a post about Playboy's possible de-listing from the NYSE, the Reader's Whet Moser unearthed a database of Playboy centerfolds (NSFW, obviously) maintained by a University of Chicago library employee."},{"id":"text-1127","heading":"Text","content":"April 21, 2009\nBacon maniacs rejoice! Here's a handy app that gives any website bacony delicious. In the address bar of your web browser, type in http://bacolicio.us/ and then your website (including the "http://") and enjoy. Here's what happens to Gapers Block."},{"id":"text-1128","heading":"Text","content":"April 16, 2009\nOprah Winfrey is now on Twitter. She shall tweet for the first time live on her show tomorrow. What about Oprah's BFF Gayle King? Already on it."},{"id":"text-1129","heading":"Text","content":"April 16, 2009\nThe Wisconsin State Journal would like to introduce you to UW-Madison student (and presumed Cubs fan) Elizabeth Wrigley-Field."},{"id":"text-1130","heading":"Text","content":"April 13, 2009\nThe University of Chicago Press has put together a "Bo-dacious" reading list for the First Puppy."},{"id":"text-1131","heading":"Text","content":"April 03, 2009\nThe University of Chicago alumni magazine is running its own Peeps diorama contest. Vote here for the Peeple's Choice recipient. All winners will be announced Tuesday, April 14."},{"id":"text-1132","heading":"Text","content":"April 01, 2009\nThis is what passes as an April Fool's joke at the Tribune Company. Rendering the Internet obsolete, indeed. [via]"},{"id":"text-1133","heading":"Text","content":"March 27, 2009\nStrange things are afoot on uchi.marketplace, the U of C's version of Craigslist."},{"id":"text-1134","heading":"Text","content":"March 26, 2009\nChicago mag's Jeff Ruby takes his chances for a whole week of gambling, betting on everything under — and including — the sun."},{"id":"text-1135","heading":"Text","content":"March 25, 2009\nA classic videogame character explores our city. [via]"},{"id":"text-1136","heading":"Text","content":"March 18, 2009\nWillis Group CEO Jim Plameri takes to the web to talk about the renaming of the Sears Tower.[[via]"},{"id":"text-1137","heading":"Text","content":"March 13, 2009\nHave you spied any more Monopoly-themed graffiti around Chicago? [via]"},{"id":"text-1138","heading":"Text","content":"March 12, 2009\nIf you have always wanted to learn how to turn squares of pretty paper into cranes, cars, shoes or laptops, the Chicago Area Origami Society (fantastic acronym!) can direct your creases in a more organized fashion than their name suggests. Whether you've never folded, or can fold with your eyes closed, their next meeting is this Saturday. And since the expected high temp is 49° F, a visit to the desert or rainforest rooms would be soothing. [via]"},{"id":"text-1139","heading":"Text","content":"March 12, 2009\nChicago comes in third (behind London and Los Angeles) when it comes to the number of people who use Twitter.[[via]"},{"id":"text-1140","heading":"Text","content":"March 12, 2009\nAs a boy, Waukegan resident Douglas Stiles was told a story that his great-great grandfather, Jonathan Dillon, repaired the watch of Abraham Lincoln in 1861. The story also went that during that repair, Dillon scrawled something on the watch's inside. Was the story true? Take a look for yourself."},{"id":"text-1141","heading":"Text","content":"March 10, 2009\nObama's love of Chicago sports reared its head again recently, as The Daily Show's John Stewart pointed out on last night's show (it comes at about the 2:00 mark). Let's just say the Bulls get a little spanking from Stewart and even the '85 Bears come under scrutiny."},{"id":"text-1142","heading":"Text","content":"March 06, 2009\nA homeless poet finds salvation in his words. Hear some of his work over at Medill Reports."},{"id":"text-1143","heading":"Text","content":"March 05, 2009\nMy family lineage is a bit murky and hard to trace, so I'm always flummoxed when people ask me where my ancestral heritage came from. Even so, I'm enthralled by the stories of Chicagoans who can visit the homes their ancestors lived in — but this post by John Tolva is one of the best I've read."},{"id":"text-1144","heading":"Text","content":"March 03, 2009\nAccording to MovieMaker, Chicago is the best city for independent moviemakers, offering "the best all-around chance of finding success with their art during these tough economic times." [via]"},{"id":"text-1145","heading":"Text","content":"March 01, 2009\nAh! In Central Illinois."},{"id":"text-1146","heading":"Text","content":"February 27, 2009\nNo less than Cute Overload calls out the blog of the U of C Press for omitting the rules of cuteness when talking about "the science of cute.""},{"id":"text-1147","heading":"Text","content":"February 26, 2009\nNBCChicago.com wrote a nice piece pointing to Chicago Public Radio's great "Hard Working" series about jobs and joblessness. Then, MSNBC republished NBCChicago's story — but stripped out all links to the original series, effectively killing any utility the article had. CPR is crying foul."},{"id":"text-1148","heading":"Text","content":"February 26, 2009\nHarper's Index factoids referencing Chicago, Illinois."},{"id":"text-1149","heading":"Text","content":"February 25, 2009\nIn Isreal's Negev Desert is the Tze'elim Military Base, and on that military base is the city of Chicago, "so named because its bullet-ridden fake walls apparently recall the punctured real walls of Al Capone's Chicago.""},{"id":"text-1150","heading":"Text","content":"February 23, 2009\nWhen the economy's down, be assured that someone always wants to buy your hair."},{"id":"text-1151","heading":"Text","content":"February 20, 2009\nToday's Layer Tennis match doesn't start till 2pm, but the first-ever qualifying match got underway at noon, and it's between two locals: Fuzzy Gerdes and Mig Reyes."},{"id":"text-1152","heading":"Text","content":"February 19, 2009\nI'm speechless (mainly because I can't read Japanese). [via]"},{"id":"text-1153","heading":"Text","content":"February 16, 2009\nJust because you lack land in Chicago, doesn't mean you can't have a garden. Green Roof Growers have some great information on helping you get started."},{"id":"text-1154","heading":"Text","content":"February 11, 2009\nWell, not the late president himself, but his bust which sits at 69th and Walcott on the South Side and has undergone some interesting changes. Update: Here are two other shots of Abe."},{"id":"text-1155","heading":"Text","content":"February 11, 2009\nAs the economy continues to take a nosedive, even tattoo parlors are beginning to fill the pinch."},{"id":"text-1156","heading":"Text","content":"February 09, 2009\nTa-Nehisi Coates of The Atlantic considers the case some of his readers try to bring against Chicago (one word: winter) but seems to come out for it. Or for the South Side, anyway: "I'm kinda in love with the South Side. It's like Harlem's smarter, but less jiggy, little sister. Fine as all hell. You just gotta see past those glasses. And them damn overalls.""},{"id":"text-1157","heading":"Text","content":"February 06, 2009\nThis will probably be more interesting in a few months, but hey, I like seeing what's going on outside Wrigley anyway. [Thanks, Gabe!]"},{"id":"text-1158","heading":"Text","content":"February 02, 2009\nOr maybe not, in the case of this gargantuan Frosted Mini-Wheats cluster found in a Chicagoan's cereal box."},{"id":"text-1159","heading":"Text","content":"January 29, 2009\nUptown Update, the highly popular blog that has become a thorn in the side of Ald. Helen Shiller, particularly over the fate of the Wilson Yard Project, has been brought into that case by the attorney for the yard's developer, Peter Holsten. The attorney is subpoening records from Google about the ownership of that blog and another (apparently defunct blog) called "What The Helen"."},{"id":"text-1160","heading":"Text","content":"January 17, 2009\nMost Insignificant News Item of the Day: After more than 100 years, the H.J. Heinz Company is removing the pickle from the logo on its ketchup bottle and replacing it with the more appropriate tomato. The Chicago connection? The pickle logo idea was hatched during the 1893 Chicago World's Fair."},{"id":"text-1161","heading":"Text","content":"January 16, 2009\nSound Transit is a website that lets you plan an audio trip around the world. The clip collection includes hundreds of interesting sounds including a couple from nearby Berwyn (search: Illinois). Here's hoping folks keep adding to the collection."},{"id":"text-1162","heading":"Text","content":"January 15, 2009\nIt's definitely a concern right now, as I watch a huge icicle grow outside my window. Ask.MetaFilter asks where is best to walk to avoid injury from falling ice."},{"id":"text-1163","heading":"Text","content":"January 13, 2009\nBe careful if a stranger asks you to help him move his television at 6:30 in the morning."},{"id":"text-1164","heading":"Text","content":"January 06, 2009\nMichael Simmons releases his iPhone-ified CTA Bus Tracker. If you're looking for a more native looking app, this is it. Just point your iPhone here."},{"id":"text-1165","heading":"Text","content":"January 05, 2009\nAs new condo buildings continue to rise in the South Loop, "the neighborhood now accounts for more than half the unsold units expected to hit the downtown market" in 2009. Whether these buildings will sit mostly empty in hopes of future growth spurred by a successful Olympics bid or drop dramatically in price remains to be seen."},{"id":"text-1166","heading":"Text","content":"January 05, 2009\nThe Tribune's looking for the best blog in Chicago. If you know of "established bloggers who post great content often and are known in their community" (ahem) fill out their online form."},{"id":"text-1167","heading":"Text","content":"December 31, 2008\nLeather Creations scores on sarcasm with this ad mocking the Blagojevich scandal."},{"id":"text-1168","heading":"Text","content":"December 29, 2008\nThe semi-trailer long bar from the Black Orchid Club has gone south to take up residence in a new Phoenix, Arizona bar that is due to open toward the end of 2009. At least it will be warmer where it is headed."},{"id":"text-1169","heading":"Text","content":"December 27, 2008\nOne of Ebert's fans created a sextuple acrostic in the critic's honor."},{"id":"text-1170","heading":"Text","content":"December 25, 2008\nDopplr is a sort of social network about travel. They just launched pages for each city people go to — here's Chicago's."},{"id":"text-1171","heading":"Text","content":"December 23, 2008\nNo matter how cold the weather, the University of Chicago gargoyles remain ever vigilant."},{"id":"text-1172","heading":"Text","content":"December 18, 2008\nThe domain name www.impeachpresidenthussein.com is apparently for sale on Craigslist. But hurry: The (bargain!) $50,000 price tag doubles on Inauguration Day."},{"id":"text-1173","heading":"Text","content":"December 17, 2008\nThe "unique" local political scene gets yet another national dissection. This time, it's The Atlantic. And this time it's from October, 1930. The more things change…"},{"id":"text-1174","heading":"Text","content":"December 16, 2008\nJust because your boss canceled the office holiday party doesn't mean you can't attend one virtually, choose-your-own-adventure style."},{"id":"text-1175","heading":"Text","content":"December 15, 2008\nThe "Reasons to Love New York 2008" issue of New York magazine is on-line. Their no. 1 reason to love the Big Apple? "Because Obama Is One of Us, Despite All That Business About Chicago." Dang, New York, step off already."},{"id":"text-1176","heading":"Text","content":"December 12, 2008\nThe blog Public Art In Chicago gives a peek at the latest addition to the city's outdoor art lineup. We think it'll look familiar to you, although not quite like this."},{"id":"text-1177","heading":"Text","content":"December 08, 2008\nApparently your cell phones are not only vexing, but also extremely insolent."},{"id":"text-1178","heading":"Text","content":"December 04, 2008\nA while back we asked if Chicago had the ugliest house in America. Well, the verdict is in and the answer is … yup, sure do."},{"id":"text-1179","heading":"Text","content":"December 03, 2008\nIf you find yourself wanting to mark "other" under the Gender category on forms, then you'll find Safe2Pee.org a welcome addition to your bookmarks. There are supposedly only 19 gender-neutral bathrooms in Chicago (which I know is very low) but thankfully anyone can add in another entry. Making the world a GenderQueer friendly place, one bathroom at a time."},{"id":"text-1180","heading":"Text","content":"December 02, 2008\nStumped on what to get that hypochondriac on your Christmas list? How about a giant, plush microbe, created by University of Chicago law school grad Drew Oliver. Choose from The Common Cold, E. coli or Black Death. Hours of fun…"},{"id":"text-1181","heading":"Text","content":"December 01, 2008\nReason To Give has the perfect solution for those hard-to-buy-for people on your list. The Chicago nonprofit's new webstore offers an innovative alternative to traditional holiday gift exchange and a sweet chance to help out the Humboldt Park community. It's like Extreme Makeover Home Edition meets Amazon.com!"},{"id":"text-1182","heading":"Text","content":"November 29, 2008\nA couple of months ago, we wrote that Kimberly Walz, chief of staff to Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley, was looking for votes in the Benefit makeup Posie Gal contest. The results are in, and Walz came away with the victory."},{"id":"text-1183","heading":"Text","content":"November 26, 2008\nNARAL has launched a website featuring local spoken word talent promoting reproductive rights. It was produced by See3 Communications, a local web/video firm working with non-profits."},{"id":"text-1184","heading":"Text","content":"November 25, 2008\nYou probably aren't familiar with the saga of the Giant Italian Truffle, which has failed to find a home here in the States… until it reached Chicago, that is."},{"id":"text-1185","heading":"Text","content":"November 25, 2008\nHe'll store anything you want for $10.99 a month."},{"id":"text-1186","heading":"Text","content":"November 22, 2008\nFile under "Nom Nom Nom": Top Chef cupcakes are back at the Bleeding Heart Bakery."},{"id":"text-1187","heading":"Text","content":"November 21, 2008\nKnow a University of Chicago student or alumnus? Know two or more? Print out these U of C-centric Bingo cards for them to enjoy during the holidays. Then stand back and watch the geek-tacular fun ensue."},{"id":"text-1188","heading":"Text","content":"November 21, 2008\nHispanicBusiness.com take a look at the Puerto Rican community in Chicago and its staunch supporters who once again try to stave off gentrification."},{"id":"text-1189","heading":"Text","content":"November 21, 2008\nCongratulations to Wilmette native and new father Pete Wentz — wife Ashlee Simpson-Wentz gave birth to their son, Bronx Mowgli Wentz, last night. Celebrate by checking out the Simpson-Wentz Baby Name Generator."},{"id":"text-1190","heading":"Text","content":"November 19, 2008\nWho knew that employees at Chicago-based Potbelly Sandwich Works were so into DIY and being green?"},{"id":"text-1191","heading":"Text","content":"November 14, 2008\nTake that $1000 and invest it one stock. Each day, make one trade. Twitter the results. (A little more background.)"},{"id":"text-1192","heading":"Text","content":"November 14, 2008\nWhen* are we Going to see an end to sites letting us know about Upcoming events? I'm just about Eventful. (*When.com is the latest, a rebranding of AOL's Zvents. Whoopee.)"},{"id":"text-1193","heading":"Text","content":"November 13, 2008\nOr, as Timothy O' Sullivan might have put it to Abner Mikva (were O' Sullivan a hotel concierge and, well, alive), "We don't help nobody that nobody sent.""},{"id":"text-1194","heading":"Text","content":"November 13, 2008\nChicago child therapist Mike Ruggles will be starring in "Super-Manny," a spinoff of the ABC show "SuperNanny," debuting Friday night."},{"id":"text-1195","heading":"Text","content":"November 12, 2008\nThe blog Hyde Park Progress explores the transportation options available to the area from a U of C (ex)undergrad perspective."},{"id":"text-1196","heading":"Text","content":"November 10, 2008\nFor the presidential trivia buffs, the Secret Service names for President-elect Obama and the next First Family are: Renegade (Barack), Renaissance (Michelle), Radiance (Malia), and Rosebud (Sasha – aw). Want your own? Get it here."},{"id":"text-1197","heading":"Text","content":"November 09, 2008\nA mass dog marriage was held in Oak Park this weekend with the hopes of setting a world record."},{"id":"text-1198","heading":"Text","content":"November 07, 2008\nI firmly believe that personal stories are the best way to express how legislation affects people. And why it needs to change."},{"id":"text-1199","heading":"Text","content":"November 05, 2008\nLooking for love in a sea of hope. [via]"},{"id":"text-1200","heading":"Text","content":"November 05, 2008\nOk, I was wrong. There's nothing else going on in the world but Obamania, and we have Peruvian Shamans to thank for it. [Thanks, Kara!]"},{"id":"text-1201","heading":"Text","content":"November 04, 2008\nOK, I know we're going a little overboard with the Obama linkage, but this is just too cool not to post."},{"id":"text-1202","heading":"Text","content":"November 03, 2008\nHey, is anyone else tired of This. F*cking. Election?"},{"id":"text-1203","heading":"Text","content":"November 03, 2008\nAccording to a New York Post columnist, when it comes to power-wielding big city mayors, Mayor Daley tops NYC's Bloomberg hands down. Just check out the tale of the tape."},{"id":"text-1204","heading":"Text","content":"November 03, 2008\n"Zombie World," in the Fall issue of Keep Going. (No, it's not a late Halloween story.)"},{"id":"text-1205","heading":"Text","content":"October 31, 2008\nFor every trend, there's an anti-trend. Twitter has blown up …and spawned h8ter, created by local webfolk. Sign up for a h8ter account and h8te on all sorts of stuff. Not only that, but your h8tes will be tweeted (anonymously) sur Twitter."},{"id":"text-1206","heading":"Text","content":"October 30, 2008\nIn the wake of "Minutegate," Roger Ebert has decided to write his own "little rule book" regarding ethics for his fellow film critics. The picture of Ebert and Jason Patric assisting a rather festive looking Peter O'Toole is worth clicking through."},{"id":"text-1207","heading":"Text","content":"October 30, 2008\nJoyland is a new site dedicated to the collection of short — sometimes really short — fiction. The site is organized by city, featuring stories by authors who live or have lived there. They've just opened up a Chicago branch, edited by local blogger Levi Stahl. The first piece is Insult, by Chicago writer, artist and musician Joseph Clayton Mills."},{"id":"text-1208","heading":"Text","content":"October 27, 2008\nChicago-based Holos Fitness figures it's easier to stick to a workout plan if you've got company, so it aims to serve as a social network centered around fitness."},{"id":"text-1209","heading":"Text","content":"October 27, 2008\nSomebody bugging the $#!& out of you? The Spite Site has what you need."},{"id":"text-1210","heading":"Text","content":"October 27, 2008\nYou be the judge."},{"id":"text-1211","heading":"Text","content":"October 20, 2008\nFlash artist and past GB staffer Felix Jung has created Colourful Echo, which creates a color-paletted visualizer for songs you upload. Here's an example."},{"id":"text-1212","heading":"Text","content":"October 15, 2008\nWho says scientists don't have a sense of humor? Here's a list of security maxims from Argonne National Laboratory. [via]"},{"id":"text-1213","heading":"Text","content":"October 15, 2008\nIn time for the last debate tonight, as previously noted, you can download, print, and don the mask of your favorite political candidate."},{"id":"text-1214","heading":"Text","content":"October 15, 2008\nTwo Chicago gang experts are bringing their knowledge on stopping the violence to a conference in Glasgow, Scotland, where the gang murder rate has grown to five times that of England."},{"id":"text-1215","heading":"Text","content":"October 13, 2008\nOnline shop CostumeStudio will donate 100% of proceeds from costume sales to Invisible Children, an aid organization focused on helping children in war-torn Uganda. Brought to you by the socially-conscious fashion folks at GoodSociety."},{"id":"text-1216","heading":"Text","content":"October 11, 2008\nThe Trib's helping you out with some easy Halloween costumes this year. Download a printable Sarah Palin mask here, and keep an eye out for their Obama, Biden and McCain versions as well."},{"id":"text-1217","heading":"Text","content":"October 09, 2008\nCare to take a Googletour of Chicago and the suburbs?"},{"id":"text-1218","heading":"Text","content":"October 08, 2008\nAn Etch-a-Sketch paean to the 2008 Cubs."},{"id":"text-1219","heading":"Text","content":"October 06, 2008\nBehold… the Playboy Wine Collection. The collectible bottles, each paired with a vintage magazine cover, are sold individually or as part of a subscription. [via]"},{"id":"text-1220","heading":"Text","content":"October 03, 2008\nExaminer.com pulls together a collection of "Chicago's best" lists. At least one contributor called it for the cliché that it is. (Seriously, Craigslist is the city's best marketing site!?)"},{"id":"text-1221","heading":"Text","content":"October 03, 2008\nA Chinese restaurant in Urbana, IL (if you know which one, let me know) has started using a wireless remote to let customers summon their waiter for food, water, the check, or just regular old attention. Makes me want to roadtrip for some ma po tofu."},{"id":"text-1222","heading":"Text","content":"October 02, 2008\nWant to get crafty during the debate tonight? You can play some Palin Bingo, try your hand at a Build-O-Bama, or any of these Obama-themed craft projects. [via]"},{"id":"text-1223","heading":"Text","content":"October 02, 2008\nMr. Clean actor House Peters died recently at the age of 92. In case you didn't know, Mr. Clean was created here in Chicago by Harry Barnhart and Ernie Allen at the Tatham-Laird & Kudner ad agency. The hairless, obsessive compulsive, controversial, and sexually ambiguous corporate mascot's first name is Veritably, by the way, and he's known as Mr. Proper in England and Don Limpio in Spain. There you go: more than you ever wanted to know about Mr. Clean."},{"id":"text-1224","heading":"Text","content":"October 01, 2008\nChicagoan Joanne Smith just won a Saginaw, MI, house on eBay for $1.75. The only drawbacks: she needs to pay $850 in back taxes and for trash and weed clean-up. Also, it's in Saginaw, for Pete's sake. She expressed concerns that it might be haunted too. Hopefully, she's joking about that last part."},{"id":"text-1225","heading":"Text","content":"October 01, 2008\nGroupon, a Chicago startup, will offer daily coupons for local events, services, hotels, eateries and more. The twist? You only get the deal if enough people sign up for it. If not – well, you know."},{"id":"text-1226","heading":"Text","content":"September 30, 2008\nLife's drama recorded on a bus shelter wall. [via]"},{"id":"text-1227","heading":"Text","content":"September 30, 2008\nGoogle has updated its satellite map of the city, and now shows a completed Millennium Park and a view of the top of Cloud Gate. [via]"},{"id":"text-1228","heading":"Text","content":"September 29, 2008\nRoger Ebert vraiment did not like Senator John McCain's behavior at Friday night's presidential debate: "Before the debate, pundits were wondering if you might explode in a display of your famous temper. I think we saw that happen, all right, but it was an implosion. I have instructed my wife to exclude you from any future dinner parties.""},{"id":"text-1229","heading":"Text","content":"September 26, 2008\nEater Chicago may not be bowing until next month, but the love for "Chicago's darling" Grant Achatz has been simmering for a while. Get a taste of "The Daily Achatz"."},{"id":"text-1230","heading":"Text","content":"September 26, 2008\nBenefit Cosmetics and Sephora are holding a contest to find a Posie Gal to promote their Posie Tint product. One of the three national finalists is Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley's Chief of Staff Kimberly Walz (Gal #1). Put the Chicago Machine to work and vote for her video to win."},{"id":"text-1231","heading":"Text","content":"September 21, 2008\nHas Roger Ebert's site been hacked or is he really trumpeting Creationism? I'm going with hacked. Yep."},{"id":"text-1232","heading":"Text","content":"September 11, 2008\nChicago native Scott Johnson barbecues for a cause: to fight cancer. He donates his winnings in national competitions to a cancer research foundation. That's nice, but his reasons for getting into barbecuing might tick a few people off: he points to "the lack of quality barbecue cuisine in his native Chicago." Ahem…"},{"id":"text-1233","heading":"Text","content":"September 10, 2008\nThe title says it all."},{"id":"text-1234","heading":"Text","content":"September 10, 2008\nIt wasn't just the Marshall Fields and the Potter Palmers who rebuilt Chicago after the Great Fire. WBEZ-FM reports on the women who helped raise the city from the ashes."},{"id":"text-1235","heading":"Text","content":"September 10, 2008\nIn honor of National Preparedness Month, the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago is awarding Safety Tubes to the two commenters who can best explain when a safety tube (which contains water, light source, dust mask, and whistle) could have come in handy in a previous emergency, or when they might need one. Deadline for comments is 5pm Friday."},{"id":"text-1236","heading":"Text","content":"September 03, 2008\nSports blog East Coast Bias took a trip to Wrigley Field this past weekend and (surprise!) they kinda liked it."},{"id":"text-1237","heading":"Text","content":"September 02, 2008\nWhether you're a fan of Obama, McCain, or a Hillary booster, you can embroider your vote with free redwork patterns from Black Threads, a blog about African American quilting. [via]"},{"id":"text-1238","heading":"Text","content":"August 30, 2008\nAmy Dickinson, who writes the Ask Amy advice column for the Chicago Tribune, wed childhood pal Bruno Schickel in upstate New York on August 16."},{"id":"text-1239","heading":"Text","content":"August 29, 2008\n236.com's quiz finally solves the age-old question: "Which inflammatory pastor are you?""},{"id":"text-1240","heading":"Text","content":"August 25, 2008\nThe Reader has completely redone its online event listings. Looks a whole lot better, although I'm not sure how they arrive at the order in which stuff gets listed."},{"id":"text-1241","heading":"Text","content":"August 20, 2008\nFor the third year in a row, Hotwire.com declares Chicago the top destination for the Labor Day weekend. And if you do choose Chicago as your vacation destination, a New Zealand travel site tells you the best way to spend 48 hours here."},{"id":"text-1242","heading":"Text","content":"August 17, 2008\nAlthough the woman behind the LivingOprah blog was anonymous in a Chicago Reader profile last month, the New York Times outed her. UPDATE: Actually, She outed herself last month after taping an NPR interview. (Thanks, Erin!)"},{"id":"text-1243","heading":"Text","content":"August 13, 2008\nRemember little Anakin Skywalker from Star Wars Episode I: The Clone Wars? Well, rumor has it, that he is a film and video major at Columbia College. Or maybe its just his clone."},{"id":"text-1244","heading":"Text","content":"August 12, 2008\nNow that the banks have collapsed, here are some tips for surviving the New Depression."},{"id":"text-1245","heading":"Text","content":"August 09, 2008\nComedian and actor Bernie Mac, 50, died this morning at Northwestern Memorial Hospital due to complications from pneumonia."},{"id":"text-1246","heading":"Text","content":"August 08, 2008\nDecider.com is a new city entertainment guide produced by the Chicago office of The Onion and A.V. Club."},{"id":"text-1247","heading":"Text","content":"August 06, 2008\nTne New York Times shows LaSalle Street and its classic architecture some love, citing renovation as one of the boulevard's assets."},{"id":"text-1248","heading":"Text","content":"August 05, 2008\nThe Chicago Examiner (by way of New York-based Gawker.com) says that the Big Brother-ish Google Maps Street View might have caught an image of a kid with a gun and a drug deal going down here in Chicago."},{"id":"text-1249","heading":"Text","content":"August 05, 2008\nYour choice: pro or con."},{"id":"text-1250","heading":"Text","content":"July 30, 2008\nMy Guesstimate is a site for simple straw polls. Seems to be mainly the founder querying into the ether so far; give him a little company."},{"id":"text-1251","heading":"Text","content":"July 30, 2008\nSenior citizens playing Wii Sports at the Skokie Public Library."},{"id":"text-1252","heading":"Text","content":"July 28, 2008\nWhile Chicago suffers through a devastating crime wave, the Smithsonian takes a look at a murder that rocked the city and the nation…84 years ago. If the case sounds familiar it might be because you ran across it here first."},{"id":"text-1253","heading":"Text","content":"July 17, 2008\nIn an op-ed piece in the Terre Haute TribStar, Chicago gets a thumbs-down from one woman who states a preference for corn fields and cowpies. Maybe she hasn't gone to the Farm In The Zoo."},{"id":"text-1254","heading":"Text","content":"July 16, 2008\nThe Adventures of Miss Girl."},{"id":"text-1255","heading":"Text","content":"July 16, 2008\nTwo ways to meet your invisible friends next week: the Digg Meetup on the 23rd and Yelp Around the World party on the 24th. If you're a member of either (or both), don't forget to RSVP."},{"id":"text-1256","heading":"Text","content":"July 10, 2008\nYou may love her, or love to hate her, but no one can deny the power of Oprah's suggestion. Do the haters have reason, or should everyone join the Oprarmy? The Reader chronicles one local woman's attempt to find out."},{"id":"text-1257","heading":"Text","content":"July 09, 2008\nYou can relax now: The list of "America's Best Public Restrooms" is out and, yes, Illinois has two of the top 10 spots, including one in Chicago. You can vote for the No. 1 place for No. 1 (or 2) here."},{"id":"text-1258","heading":"Text","content":"July 03, 2008\nTen people Twitter'd Navy Pier's annual July 3rd fireworks display."},{"id":"text-1259","heading":"Text","content":"July 01, 2008\nProfessional curmudgeon and columnist Thomas Roeser absolutely trashes the Taste of Chicago experience as "a sad trampling of civility" and says that it reduces the dining experience to "ashes and banal barbarism." But other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?"},{"id":"text-1260","heading":"Text","content":"June 28, 2008\nMatt traveled the globe, making videos of himself dancing badly. Eventually, folks started to join in. It's pretty moving, actually. Chicago and the Bean put in an appearance at the 2:26 mark."},{"id":"text-1261","heading":"Text","content":"June 27, 2008\nAbout the same size as the Loop."},{"id":"text-1262","heading":"Text","content":"June 26, 2008\nWhat in the world is it?"},{"id":"text-1263","heading":"Text","content":"June 25, 2008\nMoving/cleaning/mending your pack-ratty ways? The Chicago Recycling Coalition maintains a handy-dandy list of how to recycle pretty much anything in Chicagoland."},{"id":"text-1264","heading":"Text","content":"June 19, 2008\nThe subject of a Sun-Times article in today's paper, who complained about the hardships of not having a car, gets a bit of a dressing down by (naturally) the author of the blog Chicago Carless."},{"id":"text-1265","heading":"Text","content":"June 12, 2008\nThe Chicago version of the activity-planning website Eventful.com kicked off today, which lets users search, set alerts for and buy tickets to thousands of local events, from concerts to street fairs to discussion groups. You can even add your own events to the listings."},{"id":"text-1266","heading":"Text","content":"June 12, 2008\nAn entertaining slice of urban life or a pain in the…eardrums? Either way, the "bucket boys" are a familiar sight in Chicago and North by Northwestern has an article/video on the ubiquitous street performers."},{"id":"text-1267","heading":"Text","content":"June 11, 2008\nThe Examiner recently launched a Chicago edition, featuring blogs from Adam Fendelman, Al Yellon and other local writers."},{"id":"text-1268","heading":"Text","content":"June 11, 2008\nThe Reader will be launching a new nightlife site this week: drinks.chicagoreader.com. The site isn't live yet, but it's mentioned in the official flickr group."},{"id":"text-1269","heading":"Text","content":"June 09, 2008\nAnother Belushi, Jim's son Rob, joins the line of entertainers from that famous Chicago family. But this one is going for the dramatic roles, currently rehearsing for The Lion In Winter in Glencoe's Writer's Theater."},{"id":"text-1270","heading":"Text","content":"June 09, 2008\nIntroducing FlickrTwitterThinker, the latest project by digital tinkerer (and ex-GB staffer) Felix Jung."},{"id":"text-1271","heading":"Text","content":"June 06, 2008\nUnlike other cities, Chicago is showing no special preferences to owners of hybrid cars by giving them a break on feeding the meter and providing them with free parking spaces to encourage their use. Should we really be surprised?"},{"id":"text-1272","heading":"Text","content":"June 05, 2008\nThe latest issue of local literary mag Please Don't is up, casting its gaze on TV and music, and featuring new short fiction by Susannah Felts."},{"id":"text-1273","heading":"Text","content":"June 04, 2008\nWith Barack Obama's (presumptive) Democratic primary win all sewn up, The London Times gives the A-Z of his remarkable life. Guess what the "C" stands for? There's also an AP bio on Obama with photos from throughout his life."},{"id":"text-1274","heading":"Text","content":"June 03, 2008\nEmbedded in the text of the indictments handed down by\nU.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald’s office May 22 charging bribes and\ncorruption\nin our city’s building and zoning departments, are Chicago\naddresses, locations where these crimes are alleged to\nhave taken place. EveryBlock does a deep-dive into these\naddresses,\nhighlighting choice greased-palm spots such as the Starbucks at Clark\nand Washington."},{"id":"text-1275","heading":"Text","content":"June 02, 2008\nIt's called Soceeo (pronounced like "socio-economic"), and it went live today."},{"id":"text-1276","heading":"Text","content":"May 30, 2008\nSo, you don't think you can afford a home in the city? Sure you can. Take a look at the cheapest real estate in Chicago."},{"id":"text-1277","heading":"Text","content":"May 29, 2008\nDo we really need all these missed connections? Isn't Craig's List enough?"},{"id":"text-1278","heading":"Text","content":"May 28, 2008\nThere's an "exclusive new lounge" in the city — but you're only invited if you take a $4,000 personal development class called Lifebook."},{"id":"text-1279","heading":"Text","content":"May 24, 2008\nIt seems that basement slot-car racing has quite a following in Chicago and elsewhere, according to this recent Wall Street Journal article."},{"id":"text-1280","heading":"Text","content":"May 23, 2008\nA diverse clientele gets their kicks not on Route 66 but at an upscale athletic shoe store across from the Sheridan Red Line el stop."},{"id":"text-1281","heading":"Text","content":"May 22, 2008\nIn addition to our flickr group, you may want to check out the Chicago Office of Tourism's new group, which gives you a shot of being featured on their Chicago's Great Urban Adventures site."},{"id":"text-1282","heading":"Text","content":"May 21, 2008\nPaperGirl (aka Mary Fons) documents her encounter with a suspect yoga instructor. Let's just say a calming environment is not the first impression."},{"id":"text-1283","heading":"Text","content":"May 20, 2008\nVeronica saw a few PSAs for Illinois' Click It or Ticket program and thought they were commercials for an adult chat line. According to the state's new campaign, men will only wear their seatbelt if there is a sexy woman talking them into it. And of course Latinas can only seduce men into "being safe" if they're talking in Spanish. Ay yi yi!"},{"id":"text-1284","heading":"Text","content":"May 20, 2008\nThe Center on Halsted will host a screening for "Dottie's Magic Pockets," billed as the first children's program for kids in gay and lesbian families. The show features puppets as well as real-life families. Bert and Ernie approve."},{"id":"text-1285","heading":"Text","content":"May 20, 2008\nMembers of the Rogers Park Young Women's Action Team have gotten tired of getting groped, propositioned, and followed while riding the CTA. And they're sure they're not alone. So instead of feeling shamed and staying quiet they've decided to fight back. If you need a safe place to share your story, see the calendar for an all ages event. But if you want to just share your story fill out their survey. Maybe someone at the CTA will read this and come up with a plan to make public transit safer."},{"id":"text-1286","heading":"Text","content":"May 16, 2008\nA Chicago couple is competing in the Today show's Race to the Altar contest. Check out their website and decide if you want to vote for them."},{"id":"text-1287","heading":"Text","content":"May 12, 2008\nWhat's going on on your street? (Why yes, it's yet another googlemap.)"},{"id":"text-1288","heading":"Text","content":"May 09, 2008\nAs if wild parakeets weren't enough, Hyde Park now is home to a band of feral cats who have set up shop in an alley near East 62nd Street. No reports of cougars in the HP, though… yet."},{"id":"text-1289","heading":"Text","content":"May 09, 2008\nOnly two days remain in the Dance Movie Blogathon! Learn yourself all about David Bowie's footwork in Labyrinth, Kevin Bacon's prototypical Angry Young Dancer ("I'm so angry I'm dancing up against backlit silo walls") — and so very much more. [via]"},{"id":"text-1290","heading":"Text","content":"May 08, 2008\nGot hair on your palms?Did your mom say you'd go blind?Early to Bed says, "Nope."(Think you can make a better haiku about masturbation? Then lube up your wordsmith skills and toss your favorites over to the wonderful folks at Early to Bed.)"},{"id":"text-1291","heading":"Text","content":"May 08, 2008\nHe usually writes about the local architecture, but "urbanist" Lee Bay turns his attention to the gas crisis and even gives the presidential candidates a free speech sure to garner them votes."},{"id":"text-1292","heading":"Text","content":"May 08, 2008\nAn anonymous email circulating in a Florida community contends that Tyson Foods is bringing in "vanloads" of gang members from Chicago to work in their plant there, some of whom are apparently fired and "roaming the streets like wild dogs." The local sheriff's office acknowledges the email, but says the information is not true."},{"id":"text-1293","heading":"Text","content":"May 06, 2008\nAnswersTV is a video resource center filled with advice on everything from food to health to pets and, uh, magic."},{"id":"text-1294","heading":"Text","content":"May 06, 2008\nOne of the more bizzare pieces of cyberfluff floating around the Internet these days is Chicago's Kanye West challenging several friends in games of Connect Four, of which Kanye claims to be a master. Toronto's Now free weekly paper highlights his duel with actor Jonah Hill, star of Superbad et Forgetting Sarah Marshall."},{"id":"text-1295","heading":"Text","content":"May 06, 2008\nEver wonder how Google finds what you're looking for? The Chicago office demonstrates."},{"id":"text-1296","heading":"Text","content":"May 05, 2008\nBill Bramanti of South Chicago Heights loves Pabst Blue Ribbon beer so much, he wants to be buried in it. No, really."},{"id":"text-1297","heading":"Text","content":"May 05, 2008\nDid you miss the Chicago Pen Show? Were you even aware that there était a Chicago Pen Show? Apparently, some folks take pens quite seriously."},{"id":"text-1298","heading":"Text","content":"April 30, 2008\nOur neighbors to the south, in Marion, Indiana need some help. The Marion-Grant County Humane Shelter is closing down at the end of May or early June and all animals need to go to a loving home. Unfortunately, any animals still at the shelter at its time of closing will be euthanized. There are some dogs whose status is urgent and photos and more details on those dogs can be found here. If you're looking to adopt and dog or cat and can find your way down to Marion, Indiana, please consider this an option."},{"id":"text-1299","heading":"Text","content":"April 29, 2008\nBen Fry is an expert on data visualization. He recently created a map of all the roads in the United States; this closeup of the Midwest shows just how dense the pavement is around Chicagoland."},{"id":"text-1300","heading":"Text","content":"April 29, 2008\nUptown Update has the lowdown on some of John Dillinger's hangouts in Uptown, including his last stop: the neighborhood funeral home."},{"id":"text-1301","heading":"Text","content":"April 25, 2008\nKids write stories. The Barrel of Monkeys theater group performs these stories for audiences of kids and grown-ups. The group just launched a web site with a searchable story archive… which means you can read stuff like what I'm reading: a poem that begins, "If you ever run into a piece of barbecued chicken, run away as fast as you can to China.""},{"id":"text-1302","heading":"Text","content":"April 22, 2008\nChicago is on track to become the first city to have a street sweeper-mounted camera system. As the sweeper moves down the street it will take a take a photo of any illegally-parked vehicle and a second image of the license plate, relaying both automatically to the Department of Revenue. Strictly for traffic flow purposes, you understand."},{"id":"text-1303","heading":"Text","content":"April 19, 2008\nCarfree Chicago has launched a new line of L Stop buttons for fashionistas who are interested in displaying neighborhood pride, support for public transit, or both. The buttons' bright, bold colors are perfect for springtime."},{"id":"text-1304","heading":"Text","content":"April 18, 2008\nRagan Communications gives it a B-. I'm surprised it rates even that high. (Thanks, Terri!)"},{"id":"text-1305","heading":"Text","content":"April 18, 2008\nThreadless' is on this list of 10 annoyingly brilliant office interiors. [via]"},{"id":"text-1306","heading":"Text","content":"April 17, 2008\nCraigslist tells us that TLC's What Not to Wear, the TV show that gives shame-based makeovers, is accepting nominees from Chicago. The post says, "Do you have a friend/ family member/ sister/ co-worker that is in desperate need of a fashion overhaul?!" No word on whether successful applications must adopt the same frantic tone."},{"id":"text-1307","heading":"Text","content":"April 17, 2008\nCat and Girl dissects This American Life, and finds out something that says absolutely nothing about us and the way we live."},{"id":"text-1308","heading":"Text","content":"April 15, 2008\nVolunteers with the WPB's Community Open Houses asked the people of Wicker Park/Bucktown what they wanted to see in their neighborhood. Their responses were collected in a series of photographs on Flickr: here, here and here. A quick survey indicates a big push for a more bike-friendly area. Oh, and a toy store. Don't feel left out of the process, though, you can submit your thoughts too. [Via]"},{"id":"text-1309","heading":"Text","content":"April 04, 2008\nThe Catholic University of America claims that the first fictional representation of a black person receiving a major party nomination for president was in a 1964 issue of their comic book, Treasure Chest of Fun and Fact."},{"id":"text-1310","heading":"Text","content":"April 02, 2008\nEvery so often, new phone books arrive, yet this guy noticed that not everyone seems to want them. (Thanks, Jimmy!)"},{"id":"text-1311","heading":"Text","content":"March 27, 2008\nPouah. A basketball coach at Walter Payton Prep School has been arrested for sexually assaulting two female students. It is alleged that George Turner, a married father of two children, used a vibrator on one student while in a parked car; he attempted to molest a second student in late February. The two students notified authorities together."},{"id":"text-1312","heading":"Text","content":"March 26, 2008\nOverheard in Chicago = eavsedropping made easy."},{"id":"text-1313","heading":"Text","content":"March 24, 2008\nThreadless launched Threadless TV, a new weekly video show."},{"id":"text-1314","heading":"Text","content":"March 22, 2008\nSo many people complain about the existence of teen mothers, but New Moms has been doing something about it. Until this last week, they've been housing about 20 new mothers and their young children, but a fire destroyed their facility and now those moms are in temporary housing. They're always looking for donations, but now would be a great time to help with a donation of $25, or more. (Hat tip to Veronica.)"},{"id":"text-1315","heading":"Text","content":"March 22, 2008\nI wonder what's going on here at 3912 S. Vincennes Ave.? UPDATE: Google has taken the scene down; Gawker has the screenshots."},{"id":"text-1316","heading":"Text","content":"March 22, 2008\nDespite the recent snizzle storms, spring is here, and it's time to plant stuff. Even if you lack a lawn, you can still get into the gardening spirit by "seed bombing" your nearest vacant lot. This video, shot in Pilsen by locals Fresh Cut Media, provides a concise how-to and tips on the latest trend in guerrilla gardening. Seed bombs away …"},{"id":"text-1317","heading":"Text","content":"March 21, 2008\nLast month the Polaroid Corporation announced that it would stop making instant film at the end of 2008. In response to the news, the Save Polaroid campaign was launched to help find a manufacturer willing to produce the film. There's also a Flickr group, not to mention our very own Polariod shots. Power to the people!"},{"id":"text-1318","heading":"Text","content":"March 20, 2008\nIs the Trib really behind ColonelTribune?"},{"id":"text-1319","heading":"Text","content":"March 17, 2008\nHey, Love, Chicago is back, now as an online-only zine about the city's music, food and indie culture."},{"id":"text-1320","heading":"Text","content":"March 05, 2008\nHereThere, a new webzine for "creative professionals," has launched."},{"id":"text-1321","heading":"Text","content":"March 04, 2008\nChicago cheapskates rejoice: SaveChicago.org gives its members access to a database of discounts at local retailers, then kicks a portion of the proceeds from membership fees back to area nonprofit organizations. Plus they're offering a $15 Visa gift card for new members."},{"id":"text-1322","heading":"Text","content":"March 04, 2008\nBoingBoing TV visits U of I's student inventors during Engineers Week. That cassette tape wallet is pretty sweet."},{"id":"text-1323","heading":"Text","content":"February 29, 2008\nWho do you want answering the phone?"},{"id":"text-1324","heading":"Text","content":"February 28, 2008\nTECH Cocktail co-organizer and Somewhat Frank scribe Frank Gruber recently made this seemingly authoritative list of "140 Faces of Well-Known Bloggers." Gruber's name appears alongside those of bloggebrities Markos "Daily Kos" Moulitsas, Perez Hilton and Arianna Huffington, among others."},{"id":"text-1325","heading":"Text","content":"February 22, 2008\nFans of scantily clad Internet star Tila Tequila are invited to a casting call being held on Saturday, March 1 from 4-8 p.m. at a Loop location TBA. E Oh Productions is conducting the talent search on behalf of a documentary project about the Tequila phenomenon; contact them here."},{"id":"text-1326","heading":"Text","content":"February 22, 2008\nFound on Songza: The Theme from Hot Doug's by bee."},{"id":"text-1327","heading":"Text","content":"February 21, 2008\nTakotron takes a look at the Railroad Bridges of Chicago, some of which even have their own myspace pages."},{"id":"text-1328","heading":"Text","content":"February 19, 2008\nIn 1990, a Cook County Hospital physician mused on the topic in the British Medical Journal, finding a connection to… castration?"},{"id":"text-1329","heading":"Text","content":"February 19, 2008\nIt's true because I found it on the Internet?"},{"id":"text-1330","heading":"Text","content":"February 18, 2008\nOui il peut."},{"id":"text-1331","heading":"Text","content":"February 18, 2008\nCrazy Blind Date, a blind-dating website with helpful reminders like "your blind date is a real person," is now available to Chicagoans."},{"id":"text-1332","heading":"Text","content":"February 16, 2008\nNot only does Vera Videnovich sell tomatoes, herbs, asparagus, etc. that she grows on her Michigan farm during the summer and fall at the Logan Square Farmers Market, but she's now started to sell 1-pound lots of yarn, hand-spun and hand-dyed (using flowers she grows on her farm), from wool she shears off her sheep. This woman reminds me of all the small farmers I knew growing up. And she only has a few shares left for her April yarn sale, so get'em quick!"},{"id":"text-1333","heading":"Text","content":"February 15, 2008\nAre you and a friend or loved one in need of some self-reduction? Wanna do it on a major network TV reality show? Then show up at Chicago Home Fitness at 1555 N. Halsted tomorrow, Feb. 16 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and try out for NBC's The Biggest Loser. Come early: This ad from casting call hosts BL4 Productions Inc. promises that the first 500 people in line will be seen, but latecomers might have to settle for listening to their iPods on the nearest treadmill."},{"id":"text-1334","heading":"Text","content":"February 13, 2008\nIf you would like to wear your support for Chicago's 2016 Olympics bid on your sleeve (or head), a new online store offers hats, shirts and jackets emblazoned with the six-pointed star logo and catchy "Stir the Soul" slogan. This could be just the thing for those of you who need a last-minute Valentine's Day gift for your sweetie."},{"id":"text-1335","heading":"Text","content":"February 13, 2008\nIn a Web populated with user-generated-this and user-generated-that, everyone's a critic. Here's an odd little essay about Safeway Crushed Tomatoes purchased at the Dominick's at 3145 S. Ashland."},{"id":"text-1336","heading":"Text","content":"February 13, 2008\nWhat do they have in common? Lincoln Logs! Check out bullet #3 in this Mental Floss article to find out the connections."},{"id":"text-1337","heading":"Text","content":"February 12, 2008\nA video of a Chicago woman taking some friendly 4am pictures at a police station in Elkhart, IN has caused some consternation."},{"id":"text-1338","heading":"Text","content":"February 12, 2008\nCity event-planning guides seem to be multiplying the way googlemap mashups once did. The latest is PlanJam."},{"id":"text-1339","heading":"Text","content":"February 09, 2008\nI suppose when you're the head of a media empire, you can get away with making blue comments to your employees about why it's okay to advertise for strip bars in your publications."},{"id":"text-1340","heading":"Text","content":"February 06, 2008\n"Faces," a new, black-and-white portrait project by local photog Jason Richardson, uses light, angle and composition to reveal people's faces as they really are (i.e., wrinkles, dots and all). Richardson needs models, so check out his flickr page and drop him a line to participate."},{"id":"text-1341","heading":"Text","content":"February 06, 2008\nBarackula, The Musical!"},{"id":"text-1342","heading":"Text","content":"February 06, 2008\nHave an boozehound neighbor with a yappy dog, wild children, and a rusty car up on blocks in the driveway? Is he prone to late-night drum rehearsals or screamfests with his spouse? Too terrified to confront him directly? Impotently and anonymously vent your spleen at rottenneighbor.com. Here's the Chicago edition."},{"id":"text-1343","heading":"Text","content":"February 05, 2008\nThe Sun Times reports that two 911 dispatchers made over $110,000 last year (twice their salaries) in overtime last year. These two employees are not the only highly-paid staffers; twenty of their colleagues accrued up to $80,000 in overtime pay as well."},{"id":"text-1344","heading":"Text","content":"January 31, 2008\nChicago Magazine's February issue features "171 Best Chicago Websites," a nice round-up for your reading pleasure. Ses still not wasn't online, though, so Time Out took the initiative and created a linklist for you. Then Chicago Metroblogging created an OPML file of the list — along with all the ones mentioned in Time Out's recent blog feature package — that you can dump into your favorite feed reader. UPDATE: The Chicago Mag feature went online late today.\n\tYes, Gapers Block is mentioned in both the Chicago Mag and Time Out features. And, as Tankboy noted, we faire get along with the folks at Chicagoist."},{"id":"text-1345","heading":"Text","content":"January 30, 2008\nA series of great commercials for Dirty Found, created by Young & Rubicam Chicago and director Aaron Stoller. (NSFW)"},{"id":"text-1346","heading":"Text","content":"January 30, 2008\nRich Uncle Pennybags is going to include city names in a new Monopoly edition. Apparently he's ok with competition in this case, so vote for Chicago's inclusion today, and if you're really dedicated, every day until Leap Day."},{"id":"text-1347","heading":"Text","content":"January 29, 2008\nSidewaysPony and the Inter-State Narcotic Association want you to beware of friendly strangers who might slip "dope" into your oolong. Also, CTA "Doomsday" takes on a whole new meaning."},{"id":"text-1348","heading":"Text","content":"January 28, 2008\nThe Montrose Ave. sinkhole now has its own MySpace page, where it promotes its own beauty and compares itself to the Grand Canyon. If you're looking for a way to throw some love its way, you're invited to join the rally outside the Montrose L station on Tuesday afternoon, to protest the city's ruthless plan to fill it it back up."},{"id":"text-1349","heading":"Text","content":"January 25, 2008\nThe current season of Layer Tennis finishes up this afternoon, and it's going out with a bang: not one but two matches, running simultaneously. Kiss your productivity goodbye at 2pm. (I'll be needing a drink after this one.)"},{"id":"text-1350","heading":"Text","content":"January 24, 2008\nCalifornian James Srodon has filed a $50,000 lawsuit against the Blue Man Group after attending an October 2006 show at the Briar Street Theater. The "esophagus cam," a video camera reportedly covered in food, dirt and the trademark blue paint was forcibly shoved down Srodon's throat during the performance, damaging dental work and giving him nightmares."},{"id":"text-1351","heading":"Text","content":"January 23, 2008\nFitPregnancy magazine rated Chicago #28 out of 50 major U.S. cities in its "Best Cities in America to Have a Baby" survey. The city received praise for its progressive fertility resources but got a grade of F in categories such as affordability and something known as "stroller friendliness.""},{"id":"text-1352","heading":"Text","content":"January 22, 2008\nThe Chicago Postcard Museum takes a look at the Museum of Science and Industry this month."},{"id":"text-1353","heading":"Text","content":"January 22, 2008\nIf you've seen that odd, Blair Witch Project-ish TV commercial for SeeItNext.com that is running on the local television stations, you may have visited the website and found a lone prompt to leave your email address for a February 4th reveal of the mystery behind the commercial. What's really going on here? The most popular theory suggests that the commercial is a viral advertisement for General Motors' presentation at the upcoming February 7-18 Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place. And If the future is a GM car, I'm sure it won't be a much-needed reprise of the EV1."},{"id":"text-1354","heading":"Text","content":"January 20, 2008\nChevrolet invites Chicagoans to nominate inspiring and heroic women to be named the Chicago Woman of the Year 2008. The winning woman receives a $5,000 shopping spree at Macy's and a big self-esteem boost. The nomination process lasts until March 10."},{"id":"text-1355","heading":"Text","content":"January 18, 2008\nDePaul College of Law grad David Wold is selling his diploma on eBay for $100,000. "This degree has been a great invitation to work at least 60 hours a week at a place where I don't want to be for people that I don't care about," he explains. As an added bonus, Wold will include his law school books, enabling the winning bidder to learn about the Carbolic Smoke Ball and other 1L in-jokes without having to attend any classes."},{"id":"text-1356","heading":"Text","content":"January 17, 2008\nAre you looking for a new Chicago-centric online community? CitizenPowered.org, an outgrowth of the Community Building Initiative between the City of Chicago & the Green Street Project, is now available in beta. Prendre plaisir."},{"id":"text-1357","heading":"Text","content":"January 17, 2008\nChicago designer Scott Sullivan recently made the Wall Street Journal for his affordable and eco-friendly lamps and coasters, which he makes from discarded clutches, shift gears, and other car parts. Sullivan runs his own Etsy shop where you can purchase his wares."},{"id":"text-1358","heading":"Text","content":"January 17, 2008\nAn ode to suburbia, by Chicago mag's Jeff Ruby."},{"id":"text-1359","heading":"Text","content":"January 14, 2008\nRyan Maconochie is a Chicago-based designer who loves maps. The ones he's designed for Chicago are great, especially his "Small Snack" map of Wicker Park/Ukrainian Village/East Village."},{"id":"text-1360","heading":"Text","content":"January 14, 2008\n You've got to hand it to a 73-year-old woman in Springfield who consistently refuses to sell her home to nearby Memorial Medical Center. As a result, her home is nestled in the cozy, welcoming hospital parking lot."},{"id":"text-1361","heading":"Text","content":"January 10, 2008\nThe Cook County Board of Commissioners is proposing a $4/month, $48/year tax on all phones — land, cell, cable and otherwise. The tax would also increase with inflation — at five years, your total amount paid would be over $250 a phone. Read more at NoPhoneTax.org. Update: Outside the Loop Radio will discuss the likelihood of the tax's success along with other taxes proposed at the end of 2007 on Friday's show. Look for Episode 68 on the main page around noon or listen to WLUW at 6pm."},{"id":"text-1362","heading":"Text","content":"January 10, 2008\nFreakonomics guru and U of C prof Steven Levitt and collaborator Sudhir Venkatesh have determined that 3 percent of all "transactions" performed by prostitutes in Chicago are free samples granted the boys in blue to avoid arrest."},{"id":"text-1363","heading":"Text","content":"January 10, 2008\nOrganizers of Chicago's Tech Cocktail are starting the "Bring CES to Chicago" movement, after learning that the consumer electronics trade show — the largest in the U.S., and underway as we type — might be leaving its usual spot, Las Vegas. The Cocktail guys discuss their campaign for the masses as any savvy technogeek would: via BlogTV. To join in on the fun, you can email the T-Cocktail guys here."},{"id":"text-1364","heading":"Text","content":"January 07, 2008\nTracy Buckley, a supervising investigator for the city Office of the Inspector General, was charged with stealing food from a Northwest side Whole Foods this past Saturday. Buckley has worked for the city office for almost 14 years."},{"id":"text-1365","heading":"Text","content":"January 07, 2008\nAt the American Economic Association's annual meeting, held over the weekend in New Orleans, University of Chicago economist Steve Levitt and sociologist Sudhir Venkatesh of Columbia University presented their preliminary work on a study focused on data collected from more than 100 Chicago prostitutes. Some of the scholars' findings: that prostitutes work 11 to 12 hours a week and make between $25- to $35-an-hour; and that condoms were used in only five percent of 2,000 transactions. According to portfolio.com, Levitt and Venkatesh's full results will be featured in the upcoming sequel to Freakonomics."},{"id":"text-1366","heading":"Text","content":"January 05, 2008\nIt's easy to fall into a slump this time of year — which is all the more reason to check out the newly launched Library of Inspiration."},{"id":"text-1367","heading":"Text","content":"January 04, 2008\nTwo cleaning women were trapped in a stuck elevator in a Niles office building for two days, surviving on two cough drops and six aspirin before an employee discovered them on Christmas Eve."},{"id":"text-1368","heading":"Text","content":"January 03, 2008\nO'Hare is still the second-busiest airport in the nation, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Atlanta's Hartsfeld-Jackson airport has been the busiest for the last three years due to increased travel needs in the area and advertising efforts by Atlanta-hubbed airlines Delta and Air Tran (which used to be the deadly ValuJet Airlines, FYI)."},{"id":"text-1369","heading":"Text","content":"December 28, 2007\nChromium, a nightclub near the intersection of Halsted and Lake, had a problem with fights and drunk driving. A neighbor took to videotaping the activity outside the club, and caught a shooting on tape. The videos on YouTube garnered national publicity, and Chromium was closed on Dec. 3."},{"id":"text-1370","heading":"Text","content":"December 24, 2007\nIt's not every day that a minivan crashes into the ABC 7 studios in the middle of a live broadcast."},{"id":"text-1371","heading":"Text","content":"December 21, 2007\nDon't think your Shellac album will go over well with the in-laws this Christmas as you play it during after-dinner talk? Never fear, The Jingler is here to add a festive bell track to all your music. The results? Hilarious."},{"id":"text-1372","heading":"Text","content":"December 20, 2007\nThe Delta Institute, a non-profit organization, has launched a Website where you can measure your annual greenhouse gas emissions, learn how to reduce your impact, and offset your carbon footprint through the purchase of carbon credits certified by the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX)."},{"id":"text-1373","heading":"Text","content":"December 19, 2007\nScaryideas.com tackles Wrigley Field…with Tide."},{"id":"text-1374","heading":"Text","content":"December 17, 2007\nThe Times of London offers an inquisitive reader a few tips on the best Chicago hotels. Did you know the Hotel Burnham has a "swish" ground floor cafe?"},{"id":"text-1375","heading":"Text","content":"December 17, 2007\nChicagoLive.com is a new video site by the Tribune, hoping to jump on the bandwagon of user generated content. Enter their holiday contest and your video could appear on CLTV! (That's all they could spring for?)"},{"id":"text-1376","heading":"Text","content":"December 17, 2007\nA sigh of relief for those irritating people concerned that too much of Chicago real estate consists of demolishing old buildings in order to replace them with state-of-the-art monstrosities: according to a New York Times article, New York is now the "Teardown Capital" of the US, bumping Chicago to the #2 spot. Huzzah!"},{"id":"text-1377","heading":"Text","content":"December 12, 2007\nThe good people of Lisle believe they came under an airplane lavatory attack during Monday's sleet storm. The FAA isn't so sure, suggesting it was the work of a flock of birds. "It is mysterious. It is very mysterious," says one resident."},{"id":"text-1378","heading":"Text","content":"December 11, 2007\nLawyers for Drew Peterson have set up a web site where you can donate money to defray his legal costs. Although the site is currently down, the following message posted at DefendDrew.com really tugged at my heart strings: "For the cost of a few cups of your morning coffee, you can help to ensure that Drew can afford to support his ongoing legal defense, find his missing wife and divert any remaining funds into a trust for his children." Yeah, good luck, buddy."},{"id":"text-1379","heading":"Text","content":"December 11, 2007\nMug shots give way to molar shots. The Chicago Homicide Unit asked the ADA to help identify the teeth of a woman who was found dead in a North Side alleyway last January. The cops "would like to speak to dentists who have any knowledge about a patient who obtained braces and never returned for follow-up care.""},{"id":"text-1380","heading":"Text","content":"December 06, 2007\nStopping just short of calling opposing coaches chickens, a new website pretty much DEMANDS that teams be forced to kick to the Bears' freakishly-amazing return man Devin Hester."},{"id":"text-1381","heading":"Text","content":"November 29, 2007\nRearview contributor and excellent photographer Carey Primeau launches a new photography site and portfolio. While I've seen my fair share of deserted and abandoned photography sites, Primeau really does elevate these photos to stunning. One of the more stellar sets has to be his Uptown Theater set, a building that has intrigued me for years. So good."},{"id":"text-1382","heading":"Text","content":"November 28, 2007\nHappened to stumble upon these while looking for something else: images of Chicago in the public domain on Flickr. While there is the usual Sears Tower/Millenium Park/El photos, there are quite a few historical ones as well. I find this one of the stockyards fascinating, as well as this locomotive shop picture."},{"id":"text-1383","heading":"Text","content":"November 27, 2007\nOur friends at Coudal Partners spent some time at the Black Hole, a Los Alamos surplus store, and are showing their film in five parts this week. The full DVD is also available."},{"id":"text-1384","heading":"Text","content":"November 26, 2007\nThe wife of billionaire adventurer Steve Fossett has asked the Cook County court to declare Fossett dead after his disappearance following a September 3 flight in Nevada."},{"id":"text-1385","heading":"Text","content":"November 20, 2007\nData released by the US Postal Service shows that Chicago has the worst mail delivery service in the country, with only 94% of letters reaching their destination within one day (an improvement from last year's delivery rate)."},{"id":"text-1386","heading":"Text","content":"November 19, 2007\nIt comes around every year, and even though it might annoy you, you know you're going to watch it: the "Favorite Things" episode of Oprah airs tomorrow, and this year's recipient of the coveted gifts is a group of people from Macon, Georgia, as that city reportedly has the nation's highest percentage of viewers tuned in to her show."},{"id":"text-1387","heading":"Text","content":"November 19, 2007\nThe Nature Conservancy in Illinois is starting a new kind of environmental awareness campaign to get Illinois talking about eco-destruction. Dubbed Start One Conversation, the campaign centers on a Website that gives folks enough background info about issues such climate change and habitat preservation to talk about them without sounding all "you know … global warming, like, sucks.""},{"id":"text-1388","heading":"Text","content":"November 14, 2007\nAlthough it's reportedly unlikely, Delta Airlines is thinking about buying United in an effort to deal with rising jet fuel costs."},{"id":"text-1389","heading":"Text","content":"November 13, 2007\nThe GLBT media scene just got a little more crowded with the arrival today of EDGEChicago.com."},{"id":"text-1390","heading":"Text","content":"November 13, 2007\nAccording to a recent AP story, Illinois ranks third in the purchase of vanity license plates; Virginia is first, as the cost of their plates is a measly 10 dollars. Before you run off to the DMV to see if "Jordan 23" is still available, the joke is on us: Illinois also charges the most of any state for vanity ($94) and personalized ($47) plates."},{"id":"text-1391","heading":"Text","content":"November 11, 2007\nDonda West, mother of musician Kanye West and former chair of the Chicago State University English Department, died Saturday night in Los Angeles at the age of 58. The cause of death is unknown at this time, and her death was apparently sudden."},{"id":"text-1392","heading":"Text","content":"November 08, 2007\nThe Midwest Teen Sex Show, a sex-ed video podcast, got some attention from the Wall Street Journal today. The show is regularly in the top-10 in iTunes' Health section."},{"id":"text-1393","heading":"Text","content":"November 07, 2007\nNot quite the expose on Santiago Calatrava (also known for his work on the Milwaukee Art Museum), but Creative Review, a design magazine based in the UK, showcases the design work of Third Eye Design who did the collateral for The Chicago Spire. Even if you don't like the Spire itself, the accompanying literature praises our fair city."},{"id":"text-1394","heading":"Text","content":"November 04, 2007\nActor Shia LaBoeuf was arrested at the Walgreens store located at Chicago and Michigan Avenues Sunday morning for (drunkenly) refusing to leave. The actor, who will appear in the next Indiana Jones movie, will be back in town for his court date on November 28."},{"id":"text-1395","heading":"Text","content":"November 02, 2007\nLocal, self-described "joggler" Perry Romanowski just set a new world record for running a 50-mile ultra-marathon while juggling three bean bags. Romanowski did it in an amazing 8 hours, 23 minutes, and 52 seconds with no more than four drops–a half hour less than the old record. Hold on there… there was an old record to beat?"},{"id":"text-1396","heading":"Text","content":"November 01, 2007\nJargon Magazine relaunched today with a new design and new sections."},{"id":"text-1397","heading":"Text","content":"October 31, 2007\nChicago is a city full of ghosts, and Irving Renquist is out to find them. There's only one problem: he's never seen one before. That's the basic set-up for Irving Renquist, Ghost Hunter, a new web-based mini-series. Check out the first episode here."},{"id":"text-1398","heading":"Text","content":"October 30, 2007\nA new news aggregator called Newser debuted today, with a full-time Chicago-based editorial staff and freelancers summarizing as many as 60 stories a day. (Thanks, Phil!)"},{"id":"text-1399","heading":"Text","content":"October 30, 2007\nIt's been awhile since we had a YAGm, but here's YourStreet, a new mash-up that puts news on the map. Not sure it's any better or more useful than Outside.In, but now you have a choice. (Wonder what EveryBlock thinks of it.) (Thanks, Sarah!)"},{"id":"text-1400","heading":"Text","content":"October 30, 2007\nAn article in the New York Times investigates Barack Obama's short but significant time spent in New York in the 1980s as a Columbia University student and a brief post-graduate stint in international finance. Obama says his time in the Big Apple was "pivotal to his life"; however, he declined the Times' "repeated requests to talk about his New York years, release his Columbia transcript or identify even a single fellow student, co-worker, roommate or friend from those years.""},{"id":"text-1401","heading":"Text","content":"October 29, 2007\nChicago Metropolis 2020 and Jellyvision teamed up to create Metro Joe, a game that tests your knowledge of both the city and the suburbs."},{"id":"text-1402","heading":"Text","content":"October 28, 2007\nWhen Witch School International set up shop in Rossville, a struggling southern Illinois town, not everyone was excited about the economic jolt."},{"id":"text-1403","heading":"Text","content":"October 26, 2007\nJeannette Sliwinski, the former model who killed local musicians Michael Dahlquist, Douglas Meis and John Glick in July 2005 while trying to commit suicide, was found guilty of reckless homicide today. Sliwinski was also deemed mentally ill, which lessened the initial charge of three counts of first-degree murder. She will be sentenced November 26."},{"id":"text-1404","heading":"Text","content":"October 19, 2007\nOur very own Naz Hamid is playing Layer Tennis today; go root for him in the forums!"},{"id":"text-1405","heading":"Text","content":"October 16, 2007\nThe Apartments.com Possession Obsession contest is in its final week, and ex-GB staffer Brenda is still in the lead; give her a hand to make sure she stays out front by voting today! And speaking of contests, you can also vote Cubs or Sox in People magazine's Sexiest Fan Alive contest."},{"id":"text-1406","heading":"Text","content":"October 15, 2007\nChicagoAncestors.org uses data from local churches, yearbook collections, neighborhood histories from the Newberry Library and information from the Chicago Historical Homicide Project to map Chicago's past. Registered users can add tags, comments, photos, stories and "Chicago Places" to maps on the site."},{"id":"text-1407","heading":"Text","content":"October 14, 2007\nAnd with a techno soundtrack no less."},{"id":"text-1408","heading":"Text","content":"October 12, 2007\nIt's easy to be enamored with the charms of Second City Cop. But today let's give some blue love to Checkboard Chat, the official Chicago Police blog. Today they give us some quality cop talk in describing how they cracked a cold case murder. Example: "The victim was then physically beaten by his associates." Bonus: "You can find anything on Craigs List""},{"id":"text-1409","heading":"Text","content":"October 12, 2007\nA time lapse video of the day of the Chicago Marathon."},{"id":"text-1410","heading":"Text","content":"October 11, 2007\nHypertext has collected some more interesting captures from Google Street View."},{"id":"text-1411","heading":"Text","content":"October 10, 2007\nWho are the people in your Google Street View neighborhood?"},{"id":"text-1412","heading":"Text","content":"October 09, 2007\nGoogle Maps Street View comes to Chicago. The Tribune waxes about the privacy issues that come with it."},{"id":"text-1413","heading":"Text","content":"October 03, 2007\nSomeone needs a Journalism Ethics class! Deborah Solomon, a New York Times Magazine reporter responsible for the mildly revealing "Q & A" section at the end of each issue, was recently taken to task by past interview subjects, among them This American Life creator Ira Glass, for fabricating pointed questions to fit dialogue spoken during her interviews."},{"id":"text-1414","heading":"Text","content":"October 03, 2007\nThen you might be interested in the Chicago Geek Guide. Your one-stop shop for all things geek."},{"id":"text-1415","heading":"Text","content":"October 02, 2007\nChicago graphic designer Leah Dickey of Pixelgate Media beat out 435 other entries to win a worldwide design contest held by Yahoo to create a "green" designs for a taskbar icon. As part of her prize, Leah got to select which environmental-related nonprofit receives $20,000 from Yahoo; she chose the Green Street Project, an organization that is collaborating with civic leaders, government and media to get people engaged in making Chicago a leading environmentally sustainable city."},{"id":"text-1416","heading":"Text","content":"October 01, 2007\nWhile we've all had our fill of the brief but entertaining Cheetah Gym Closing Scandal of last month, a recent check of a website forum that was created by a former member intending to coordinate a class action lawsuit for recovering gym fees revealed that although Cheetah has fully reopened, the site still exists, and the former owner of the gym (or someone pretending to be him) has surfaced in the bulletin boards. The resulting conversation between him and the other folks on the board is quite interesting. And completely bonkers."},{"id":"text-1417","heading":"Text","content":"October 01, 2007\nWhile the season opener of Saturday Night Live this past weekend delivered another funny digital short, the finest sketch of the night was about local export (and SNL musical guest) Kanye West's visit to BET's 106 and Park to discuss his award show tantrums of late. To watch Kanye's music performances, click here and here."},{"id":"text-1418","heading":"Text","content":"September 30, 2007\nExcessively trusting thrillseekers may be interested in attending the First Annual Ghost Conference, held October 26-28 at the Congress Plaza Hotel… which is, of course, billed as being "haunted.""},{"id":"text-1419","heading":"Text","content":"September 28, 2007\nGood way to spend your Friday afternoon: Layer Tennis is live."},{"id":"text-1420","heading":"Text","content":"September 27, 2007\nCongratulations to Feast of Fools, which won Best GLBT Podcast in the People's Choice Podcast Awards."},{"id":"text-1421","heading":"Text","content":"September 25, 2007\nA special effects technician died on the British set of The Dark Knight Returns, the upcoming Batman film scheduled for release next summer. Parts of the movie were filmed in Chicago this past summer. The technician was in a vehicle carrying camera equipment that crashed into a tree during a test of a stunt likely involving the Batmobile."},{"id":"text-1422","heading":"Text","content":"September 24, 2007\nAfter stints as the head of both the Chicago and Philadelphia Public School Systems, Paul Vallas is now the head of the New Orleans Recovery School District. A nice profile in today's New York Times details his hopes for the district's future."},{"id":"text-1423","heading":"Text","content":"September 21, 2007\nWurlington Brothers Press has published a series of postcards that allow you to make your own miniature paper Windy City! Teeny-tiny Mayor Daley not included. (We discovered it years ago, but BoingBoing just found it.)"},{"id":"text-1424","heading":"Text","content":"September 18, 2007\nWhile searching for a bike rental in Amsterdam, I happened upon a very cool looking B&B in Bucktown. So if you have guests for more than a few days who might appreciate a sauna, kitchen, and a break from the same-old same-old downtown, Ray's Bucktown B&B might be just the thing. (Bonus: they have a retro hair-dryer. Take that, Palmer House!)"},{"id":"text-1425","heading":"Text","content":"September 18, 2007\nMetromix launched a full redesign today, and divorced itself URL-wise from the Tribune. It sure looks slick, but does it work any better?"},{"id":"text-1426","heading":"Text","content":"September 13, 2007\nThe Westin Chicago River North hotel wants to attract guests not just with continental breakfasts or chocolates on the pillows, but rather a super-toilet, the Brondell Swash 800. Equipped with such indulgences as a heated seat, bidet, warm air dryer (!), and water pressure controls (!!!), one wonders how this will impact local escort services."},{"id":"text-1427","heading":"Text","content":"September 13, 2007\nDo you know where Reba is? (Thanks, Ellen!)"},{"id":"text-1428","heading":"Text","content":"September 10, 2007\n"WikiProject Chicago was started on July 5, 2005 to coordinate work on articles related to the article Chicago in the English Wikipedia". Pick up some open tasks, browse good articles, and edit newly-created articles like Poles in Chicago. Bonus: hi-res pic of the skyline from the lakefront."},{"id":"text-1429","heading":"Text","content":"September 10, 2007\nNot what you're thinking: The Midwest Teen Sex Show is a great video podcast put together, apparently, by some very funny folks in northwest suburban Woodstock. [via]"},{"id":"text-1430","heading":"Text","content":"September 08, 2007\nI have a feeling Jonathan Fin and Casey Black are going to regret making this video."},{"id":"text-1431","heading":"Text","content":"September 06, 2007\nThe latest edition of GoogleEarth includes a flight simulator (controls here). GB reader Dubi Kaufmann noticed that "One of the 27 airports available in the flight simulator is Meigs Field – FOUR YEARS after it was closed.""},{"id":"text-1432","heading":"Text","content":"September 01, 2007\nCraig Berman, writer emeritus for Gapers Block, maker of the honorably mentioned Pinch salt cellar and pepper shaker, and his wife Emily Berman, a vendor in this year's DIY Trunk Show, had their home profiled by Apartment Therapy. Their style? "Shabby chic meets modern sleek meets budget conscious new homeowner meets avid crafter meets product designer.""},{"id":"text-1433","heading":"Text","content":"August 30, 2007\nIf you've ever been down Ravenswood near Wilson, you might have seen the rather large stickered and logoed truck with bright red, yellow and black graphics that say, "On the Fly." The Chicago Traveler has the scoop: On the Fly is a mobile bike mechanic shop. Joe Ebervein and Rich Kwaitkowski will go where you are to get you on the road again."},{"id":"text-1434","heading":"Text","content":"August 29, 2007\nWho doesn't love a mash-up? Ongopongo is a site that aggregates user's Google My Maps mash-ups. Check out Chicago Ongopongo maps, including vegan restaurants, 4 am bars and even area pinball machines."},{"id":"text-1435","heading":"Text","content":"August 29, 2007\nA couple in Lombard left their teenage son at home alone for a week earlier this summer. He and his friends took the opportunity to build a 60-foot waterslide in the backyard. Potential for serious injury aside, that's pretty frickin' cool."},{"id":"text-1436","heading":"Text","content":"August 29, 2007\nAn interesting look behind the scenes at The Wiener's Circle, courtesy of This American Life. Audio is most definitely NSFW, so throw on those headphones!"},{"id":"text-1437","heading":"Text","content":"August 28, 2007\nFave is a new "Chicago neighborhood browser." Unlike most search tools, this one is a downloadable browser that supposedly doesn't transmit your search to the Internet, which leads me to believe it has an internal directory — so it's more like an electronic yellow pages, I guess? If you're curious, they've got a storefront at Clark and Fullerton where you can try it out and ask more questions."},{"id":"text-1438","heading":"Text","content":"August 28, 2007\nApparently seriously concerned about its public image, BP has taken to purchasing (regionally specific?) advertisements via google to tout its pledge to not increase discharge limits. This advertisement was embedded in a NYTimes.com article about the Maison de Verre."},{"id":"text-1439","heading":"Text","content":"August 27, 2007\nNerds at Heart wants to help you find love! This crew throws singles events catering to a range of niche markets. Upcoming Nerds at Heart events will match regular ol' nerds, playful nerds, queer nerds and green nerds at locales around town. Check out their site to register in advance."},{"id":"text-1440","heading":"Text","content":"August 25, 2007\nI suppose lightning striking the Sears Tower is a fairly common occurrence, but that doesn't make it any less cool to witness. Oh sh*t!"},{"id":"text-1441","heading":"Text","content":"August 24, 2007\nThe Dark Knight which has been filming in Chicago on and off for the past few months is doing something big. The Brachs Candy factory will be imploded on August the 29th August the 30th between 10:30am and noon. The implosion will be later added digitally into the film for a building explosion. Details here. Update: Note the date and time change. New details here."},{"id":"text-1442","heading":"Text","content":"August 23, 2007\nFollowing the news that "Max" is the number one name for cats and dogs for the fifth year in a row, a weird pet name free for all has broken out at the Trib."},{"id":"text-1443","heading":"Text","content":"August 21, 2007\nChicago native Brian Dettmer uses a knife to alter pre-existing media – most notably, books. I've been staring at these photos for the past ten minutes now, and they're absolutely taking my breath away. He and artist Jen Stark do things to paper I never even knew were possible. [via]//Edit: Some of Dettmer's work is currently at the Hyde Park Art Center. Thanks, Jessi!"},{"id":"text-1444","heading":"Text","content":"August 20, 2007\nIn what might be the most elaborately, delightful case of deception I've ever seen, George Aye asks Sara Cantor to marry him. Congratulations and kudos!"},{"id":"text-1445","heading":"Text","content":"August 18, 2007\nIf you're going to see Beyonce tonight at the United Center, don't forget the canned carrots! The Greater Chicago Food Depository is holding a pre-show food drive at the United Center, and the first 1,000 fans who drop off a minimum of three nonperishable food items before the 7:30 p.m. show will receive an autographed photo of Beyonce and a raffle ticket for a chance to win a seat upgrade."},{"id":"text-1446","heading":"Text","content":"August 17, 2007\nBatavia's doing well in IKEA's Small Businesses, Big Dreams contest, in which cities compete for having up to ten small businesses remodeled by the company. Check out their entry, vote for them and help them do even better."},{"id":"text-1447","heading":"Text","content":"August 14, 2007\nGumtree.com, England's answer to Craigslist, is launching in Chicago, NYC, and Boston today. Currently, it's an empty palette over at chicago.gumtree.com, so if you're sick of the white noise on Craigslist, this might be the chance to stand out."},{"id":"text-1448","heading":"Text","content":"August 13, 2007\nA moment of web zen: "TV DX Photos by Channel\nseen from Macomb, IL Since 1983" — in other words screenshots from stations seen with a long-distance TV antenna. [via]"},{"id":"text-1449","heading":"Text","content":"August 13, 2007\nSet in Chicago, R. Kelly's over-the-top cult hit Trapped in the Closet needs to be seen to be believed. To date, there have been 12 chapters created; today marks the first of ten more (that's right, plus) chapters with the release of Chapter 13. A video recap is available, along with a helpful character map. I'm still unsure whether he's a comic genius, or utterly insane. Audio is NSFW."},{"id":"text-1450","heading":"Text","content":"August 10, 2007\nThe T-shirts of Lollapalooza."},{"id":"text-1451","heading":"Text","content":"August 10, 2007\nOur very own Felix has created a fun little time-killer: the Astronaut syncs random flickr photos to appear with key words from a song by Dan Frick."},{"id":"text-1452","heading":"Text","content":"August 09, 2007\nUsing old signs and discarded metal as his materials, David Buckingham creates pieces that are heavily influenced by both history and pop culture. What's particularly amazing is that all the colors in his works are from the original objects, as he uses no paint whatsoever. His work is currently at the Aron Packer Gallery until August 18th."},{"id":"text-1453","heading":"Text","content":"August 07, 2007\nVia the Beachwood Reporter, the somewhat bizarre year-end gifts of Sam Zell. (It's copyright Saltator Sepulcri, which translates roughly to "dancer [of/on] graves," so I'm gonna guess they're social satire, not real gifts.) UPDATE: They're real!\nGB reader Paula writes, "I wish they were social satire, but they are real and he does give them out as gifts every year. A friend of mine works at a financial company in Chicago that works with Zell and every year they get a bizarre moving sculpture piece that has a button to activate the movement and the voice of Sam Zell pontificating about something important to him. In her front office they have them lined up on shelves and they drive her nuts because guests love to push the buttons, but there’s no off switch so once you start the monologue you’re stuck until it ends. Bizarre.""},{"id":"text-1454","heading":"Text","content":"August 06, 2007\nCayetano Ferrer, who did a fascinating set of transparent Chicago street signs, recently applied a similar approach to a group of 30-foot trees in Daejeon, Korea. [via and previously]"},{"id":"text-1455","heading":"Text","content":"August 03, 2007\n80's mechanical icon Johnny Five is apparently being sold on ebay, and bidding starts at a cool $100,000. A special exo-skeleton, which controls all of the mechanical features, is also included. For an extra dose of nostalgia, check out the previously mentioned, newly available 1988 Siskel and Ebert review."},{"id":"text-1456","heading":"Text","content":"July 27, 2007\nPicnicmob is looking for someone… just like you! Participants are asked a set of questions, then given a spot in a public park where they'll be near others who share their interests. When enough folks particiapte (the site is shooting for 1,000 per city), a map is generated and an email sent announcing the day of the picnic (always at noon on a Sunday). An interesting concept, and if nothing else – a good excuse for a picnic."},{"id":"text-1457","heading":"Text","content":"July 26, 2007\nComing soon? Thanks, Roni."},{"id":"text-1458","heading":"Text","content":"July 23, 2007\nBroadview, IL-based Replogle has been making globes in the Chicago area since 1931. Naturally, the earth globes are works of art, but, so what? Freaking moon globe, man!"},{"id":"text-1459","heading":"Text","content":"July 23, 2007\nIt's getting a little crazy, but Chicago music legend Steve Albini is answering a wide variety of questions in the Two Plus Two forums."},{"id":"text-1460","heading":"Text","content":"July 18, 2007\nExpanding her focus on the plight of the chronically ill in today's healthcare system, past GB contributor Kimberly Soenen and friends have launched Project Sin Alma."},{"id":"text-1461","heading":"Text","content":"July 16, 2007\nNeo-Futurist playwright Sean Benjamin recently received 21 packets of taco sauce for two tacos from the Taco Bell drive-thru. Then he wrote a play about it. Now he wants your help collecting one million condiment packets for his Condimentometer project. Because why the hell not? You have more condiment packets than you could ever possibly use, right? Bring (or mail) your packets to the Neo-Futurarium at 5153 N. Ashland, 60640, and be a part of something big and meaningless."},{"id":"text-1462","heading":"Text","content":"July 16, 2007\nThe Micro-Fiber Militia: a group of Chicago crochet graffiti artists, keeping the streets patterned and cozy."},{"id":"text-1463","heading":"Text","content":"July 16, 2007\nMan, you indie-rock kids were really on the make at this weekend's Pitchfork Festival. Check out all of these sweaty, lyrical Missed Connections from the List du Craig."},{"id":"text-1464","heading":"Text","content":"July 11, 2007\nFollowing Michael Chertoff's boogity-boogity meeting with the Tribune's editorial board, Wired Blog writer Ryan Singel raised the Homeland Security Gut Threat Level system warning to the Chicago hot dog with everything level. May God protect us from the Tijuana Danger Dog."},{"id":"text-1465","heading":"Text","content":"July 10, 2007\nSpeaking of timewasters, the Chicago Opera Theater recently posted a time-lapse video of three set changes: from "Beatrice and Benedict" to "Duke Bluebeard's Castle" to "Erwartung" to "Beatrice and Benedict" again. Seven minutes of stagehand fun!"},{"id":"text-1466","heading":"Text","content":"July 09, 2007\nMeet folkstreams.net, a project to preserve documentaries about American roots cultures. There is, of course, a Midwestern section, and at least two Chicago-related films "The Popovich Brothers of South Chicago" and "Grace Earl.""},{"id":"text-1467","heading":"Text","content":"July 08, 2007\nIf you went to the Police concert, there's a pretty good chance someone posted a Missed Connection about you. Check out the veritable blizzard of Craig's List posts from the '80s band's two-nighter at Wrigley."},{"id":"text-1468","heading":"Text","content":"July 07, 2007\nMonitoring local weapon news so you don't have to: the Chicago Police is getting ready to adopt a new weapons order that includes "striker-fired pistols manufactured by Smith and Wesson, Springfield Armory, and Glock"; Wired says that Taser International is about to roll out its new, wireless weapon here on Monday; and police higher-up Deputy Supt. John Risley's suspicions were right when he saw an 18-year old fidgeting with his shirt at the Taste of Chicago. The kid had a gun."},{"id":"text-1469","heading":"Text","content":"July 01, 2007\nSoooooooeeeeeeee! In quite possibly one of the most disgusting truck spills in recent memory, the northbound Edens was shut down for seven hours after a truck tipped over, spilling out pig ears, pig feet, and grease across the highway. Ironically, the spill happened near the Skokie exit."},{"id":"text-1470","heading":"Text","content":"June 30, 2007\n"Dean" and his female associate engaged in some hotel bed jumping at the Chicago Hyatt, as have many other people at hotels worldwide."},{"id":"text-1471","heading":"Text","content":"June 25, 2007\nAnd Kevin Corr, formerly a clerk in the Cook County State's Attorney's office, collects Chicago Police patches, medals, and insignia. There are several historical tidbits (There were 41 districts before Superintendent O.W. Wilson reorganized the department after he took the helm in 1960.) interspersed with collector-specific information about patches and what they mean. And like any good collector, Kevin has a Flickr site."},{"id":"text-1472","heading":"Text","content":"June 21, 2007\nGoing.com lands somewhere between Upcoming and Yelp — a social network for actual socializing. They're throwing a launch party for their Chicago channel tonight at Debonair Social Club, 1575 N. Milwaukee, starting at 7pm. RSVP and more info here."},{"id":"text-1473","heading":"Text","content":"June 14, 2007\nJulie Thoma Wright, a noted designer, passed away earlier this week after a battle with colon cancer. Thoma Wright, along with her husband Richard Wright, was known for being the force behind Wright, a Chicago auction house specializing in modern furniture and art. The Wrights were profiled last year in an article in Le New York Times."},{"id":"text-1474","heading":"Text","content":"June 12, 2007\nThis map renames US States with the country whose GDP is most similar. Illinois has a GDP like Mexico. As the author points out in the notes it's somewhat misleading as there's no sense of (population) scale, but it's fantastic nevertheless."},{"id":"text-1475","heading":"Text","content":"June 08, 2007\nThe District 299 Blog asks some good questions about "where exactly are the gang lines?" and follows them up with an even better link… to Southside Gang Maps. So now you know."},{"id":"text-1476","heading":"Text","content":"June 05, 2007\nWord from Kartemquin Films regarding their in progress film: "Kartemquin is currently working on Typeface, a documentary about cultural preservation, rural renewal and graphic design history in the Midwest.To support these efforts, we're holding a benefit on June 15th at the Center for Book and Paper Arts here in Chicago. Toad Hollow Vineyards is providing the bubbly, MJ Catering is bringing the sweets and a number of local artists (including Jay Ryan and Dennis Ichiyama) are donating original works for the silent auction." While the much lauded Helvetica opens the same night at the Siskel, it is a weeklong engagement. So, why not support the locals? Looks good to me."},{"id":"text-1477","heading":"Text","content":"May 31, 2007\nCrain's reports that a Chicago-based attorney got a little fresh with a Miami judge earlier this month. "'I suggest with respect, Your Honor, that you’re a few french fries short of a Happy Meal in terms of what’s likely to take place,' William Smith, a partner with Chicago-based McDermott Will & Emery LLP, said during a hearing"."},{"id":"text-1478","heading":"Text","content":"May 30, 2007\nChicago.Metroblogging's Fuzzy Gerdes has created our local entry into the very cool flags of the world as pie charts"},{"id":"text-1479","heading":"Text","content":"May 23, 2007\nA musical tribute to Harold's Chicken Shack. [via]"},{"id":"text-1480","heading":"Text","content":"May 17, 2007\nIf you're interested in every last detail of Tuesday's Morrissey concert, check out the Morrissey Solo message board. Documented are the set list, crowd reactions, number of times people rushed the stage, merchandise quality, and, well, every last detail."},{"id":"text-1481","heading":"Text","content":"May 14, 2007\nChicago-based writer Kristen Nicole of 606tech.com and Mashable announces Web Ascent Events, set for next month. Web Ascent is "a way to recognize the sprouting technology communities in places that aren't the Valley". If you are interested in presenting, sponsoring, or attending, her contact info is here."},{"id":"text-1482","heading":"Text","content":"May 14, 2007\nNow that the Buckingham Fountain is going full blast, maybe you'd like to astound your friends with some related trivia. For example, it opened on May 26, 1927, and its computer's name is the "Honeywell Excel-Plus.""},{"id":"text-1483","heading":"Text","content":"May 09, 2007\nThe City List is a new city-focused, Digg-like community site that allows users to vote on the best food, nightlife, etc. in each city. The site just launched and currently only has content for Washington D.C., which leaves the Chicago portion completely open to manipulation– I mean contributions from PR people– I mean users."},{"id":"text-1484","heading":"Text","content":"May 07, 2007\nHere's a few classic Chicago TV clips from everyone's favorite illegal video site: Malcolm X being rudely grilled on a Chicago talk show in the sixties, Siskel and Ebert review Blue Velvet, and a couple minutes from the famous Dec 31, 1988 "Fog Bowl" between the Philadelphia Eagles vs Chicago Bears."},{"id":"text-1485","heading":"Text","content":"May 04, 2007\nHow to Open Things is a new site that allows you to set up contests for ways to open …well, whatever you want. The creator was recently interviewed on WindyBits."},{"id":"text-1486","heading":"Text","content":"May 02, 2007\nCheck out this mini-photo essay documenting the Belmont L station house move [window resizes]."},{"id":"text-1487","heading":"Text","content":"April 30, 2007\nElementary students at the Lab School have been building their favorite pieces of the Chicago skyline in Joyce Carrasco's class for more than a decade. Check out examples from the class of 2004-2005. Dibs on the Morton Salt building! [via]"},{"id":"text-1488","heading":"Text","content":"April 30, 2007\nIf you've ever driven the Eisenhower expressway, and found yourself saying, "what's that smell?" right between CarMax on the south and a Holiday Inn on the north, you've sniffed methane gas from the Hilliside Landfill. The Attorney General forced its closing back in January. A new owner is now getting it done. Check their progress on landfillclosing.com."},{"id":"text-1489","heading":"Text","content":"April 25, 2007\nWhet Moser shares a 2016 t-shirt design I think in some circles would sell at least as well as the official one."},{"id":"text-1490","heading":"Text","content":"April 25, 2007\nChronicBabe, the locally-produced website for women with chronic health conditions, just launched a redesign. New features include a chronic conditions resource center and an online store. Additionally, if you sign up for Goodie Bags, the site's electronic newsletter, you get a free ebook copy of How to Be a ChronicBabe: A Beginner's Toolkit."},{"id":"text-1491","heading":"Text","content":"April 22, 2007\nIf you've traveled around the world "crossing every meridian of longitude in the same direction" and are interested in meeting others like you, you're in luck. Chicago has its own chapter of the Circumnavigators Club. Oh, and your travel doesn't have to be in the same trip."},{"id":"text-1492","heading":"Text","content":"April 20, 2007\nYouths up to no good in Streamwood, as alerted via the Chicago Police Department Weblog."},{"id":"text-1493","heading":"Text","content":"April 19, 2007\nIntelligentsia's Black Cat espresso is number five on Esquire's list of "60 Things Worth Shortening Your Life For." We also have a place to try number 35, "duck fat potatoes." [via]"},{"id":"text-1494","heading":"Text","content":"April 16, 2007\nIn a classic "why the suburbs are better than the city" story from the Wheaton News Leader, all the old faves are resurrected: parking, taxes, stargazing. Cool. Then they go after the accent. "The Chicago accent itself is cringe-worthy. Out here, the speech is a little less blue collar, a little more blue blood.""},{"id":"text-1495","heading":"Text","content":"April 12, 2007\nOver on Ask.MetaFilter, there's a thread compiling videogames that are set, in whole or in part, in Chicago. The list includes "Duelin' Firemen," in which a jet and the Space Shuttle crash into the Sears Tower. (Fortunately, it was never released.)"},{"id":"text-1496","heading":"Text","content":"April 11, 2007\nMichael Horvich is more than a supernumerary, he's the curator of Michael's Museum. Unfortunately, the physical museum is currently not open to the public, presumably due to high demand because of a recent Tribune article. For now, enjoy the photographs and lists."},{"id":"text-1497","heading":"Text","content":"April 10, 2007\nChicago-based eco-friendly ecommerce company Reusable Bags is featured on AOL today."},{"id":"text-1498","heading":"Text","content":"April 10, 2007\nWere you stuck at your mom's house picking Easter grass out of your chocolate bunnies? Scraping charoset from grandma's china? Sounds like you could have used some Craig's List Casual Encounters. Check out these definitely NSFW Easter- and Passover-themed ads?"},{"id":"text-1499","heading":"Text","content":"April 09, 2007\nKeep an eye on Same Title Different Story, a new podcast which gives several different Chicago artists a title, and asks them to create their own version of the "story" it belongs too."},{"id":"text-1500","heading":"Text","content":"April 03, 2007\nRochester, NY radio talk show host and writer Bob Lonsberry found himself with some unexpected time in Chicago due to an airline screw-up. His blog features a glowing, joyful account of a nice afternoon spent in our city's embrace."},{"id":"text-1501","heading":"Text","content":"March 30, 2007\nIf you want to be a Mensa member or just hang out with them, Chicago Area Mensa is where it's at. Learn about the official Mensa test, get recipes (yeah, recipes for food), and find brainteasers."},{"id":"text-1502","heading":"Text","content":"March 30, 2007\nGood fun for a Friday: the Chicago Theater marquee generator. UPDATE: Dubi Kaufmann, the site's owner, has been asked by the theater's owner to take down the image."},{"id":"text-1503","heading":"Text","content":"March 30, 2007\nIt's always a pleasure to see a news organization pick just the right stock image for a Downers Grove mob hit story."},{"id":"text-1504","heading":"Text","content":"March 30, 2007\nAs explained by Google Maps. Step 20 is a doozy."},{"id":"text-1505","heading":"Text","content":"March 29, 2007\nThey might be a distant second, but if you didn't manage to get tickets to see Chicago's adopted daughter Neko Case this week, photos and videos of the shows are popping up on the web."},{"id":"text-1506","heading":"Text","content":"March 29, 2007\nChalk up another strong showing for Chicago — this time in the category of Icky and/or Clever Names for Local Makers of Portable Toilets. According to a list compiled by New York Magazine, of the top twenty names in the industry, nationwide, Chicago is home to three: LepreCAN (#12), Oui Oui Enterprises (#5) and UrinBiz.com (#3). New Orleans claims the top spot with… Doodie Calls."},{"id":"text-1507","heading":"Text","content":"March 28, 2007\nA meandering video expos&eacute on Chicago boat names. Oddly therapeutic."},{"id":"text-1508","heading":"Text","content":"March 28, 2007\nCollege newspapers may not be known as paragons of journalism, but some local schools have some trailblazing pieces online, such as Columbia Chronicle's Jackass of the Week column. Other recent college paper wackiness comes from an article about Microsoft vernacular, an apology from a paper that got it all wrong and a pseudo op-ed arguing for a "Star Trek Defense" system against illegal aliens."},{"id":"text-1509","heading":"Text","content":"March 25, 2007\nThe Art Institute recently installed a construction camera so we can put a face in our dreams of more modern and contemporary art. The camera produces a new image every 15 minutes."},{"id":"text-1510","heading":"Text","content":"March 22, 2007\nGridskipper got it right when they called it "the Beginner's Guide to Chicago;" not many surprises on this list (though the shout-out to UIC's bowling alley is refreshing.) And hey, we're "twice as smart and half as nice as the folks in St. Louis and Minneapolis" here in the "capital of the Midwest." Génial."},{"id":"text-1511","heading":"Text","content":"March 20, 2007\nIt's been on YouTube for two weeks, but the video mashup of Hillary's "conversations" with the famous Ridley Scott "1984" Mac commercial, purportedly made by an anonymous Obama supporter, has made worldwide news since it was picked up by the Drudge Report this weekend. Obama's camp is disavowing any involvement, but I imagine internally they think it's pretty awesome."},{"id":"text-1512","heading":"Text","content":"March 16, 2007\nOak Brook's very own McDonald's seems to be having some trouble on one of its British websites. (Unfortunately, the item on the original website is in Flash, so we can't link to it.)"},{"id":"text-1513","heading":"Text","content":"March 15, 2007\nAccessible Chicago is a site that "takes the guesswork out of traveling in Chicago with a wheelchair." Their five-star ratings and reviews give their take on degree of accessibility."},{"id":"text-1514","heading":"Text","content":"March 14, 2007\nDon't be distracted by Wrigley's announcement that it will launch a sensory "invigorating" gum called "5" this summer. Their Product FAQ offers so much more, including an important dog related item."},{"id":"text-1515","heading":"Text","content":"March 14, 2007\n"It started out as a harmless fling. He was a male cicada in love, she was a female cicada with needs." Could this possibly be from a real newspaper? Find out now."},{"id":"text-1516","heading":"Text","content":"March 13, 2007\nOkay, not sure what was in the air at last week's Scissor Sisters concert, but there's a bunch of Missed Connections related to it on Craig's List. Let's hope this weekend's drunken St. Patrick's Day festivities are equally productive."},{"id":"text-1517","heading":"Text","content":"March 10, 2007\nConvert your currency to South Side dollars while enjoying an unusual White Sox website."},{"id":"text-1518","heading":"Text","content":"March 09, 2007\nThe Chicago Police has a new section on their website for cold case investigations. Includes images, death stats, and chilling summaries of the victim's fates. You can submit any info you have anonymously or call (312)746-9690."},{"id":"text-1519","heading":"Text","content":"March 06, 2007\nIf you're looking for the toniest neighborhood for your next real estate purchase, maybe you should check the Chicago Business High End Homes section. The feature includes maps, photos and sale prices for the most expensive homes in the region in 2006."},{"id":"text-1520","heading":"Text","content":"March 05, 2007\nChicago Parent magazine has redesigned its website, which now includes a whole bunch of blogs covering a variety of aspects of parenting, from feminist childrearing to being a working mom to just being a dad."},{"id":"text-1521","heading":"Text","content":"March 02, 2007\nIt should have come as no surprise that the slings and arrows would be in action avant Barack Obama even announced a possible Presidential bid, and the past month has borne that out. Perhaps the strangest and most muddled discussion has been the one about whether the Junior Senator is "black enough" for some folks. Sure, "identity politics" were bound to be an issue at some point. It's interesting to note, however, that some of the most thoughtful and level-headed punditry on the whole subject of Obama's cultural steet cred has come from music journalists. It seems that Touré anticipated the issue back in 2004 when he published his reflections on Obama and Colin Powell in the essay "Ships Passing In The Night." Some of the points Touré made were echoed last month by hip-hop critic Oliver Wang in his think piece over at the website Poplicks."},{"id":"text-1522","heading":"Text","content":"March 02, 2007\nIf you're going to talk weather, at least know some trivia. Now you know, for instance, that on this day, exactly 53 years ago, Chicago witnessed the seventh greatest calendar day snowfall total in its recorded history (!). Check out March 4, 1961 while you're there. Fou."},{"id":"text-1523","heading":"Text","content":"February 27, 2007\nProspect Heights-based Alibi Network will construct elaborate lies on their clients' behalf. Given the copious amounts of stock photography and late 1990s web design, I thought this company was a hoax until I found their massive media archive."},{"id":"text-1524","heading":"Text","content":"February 26, 2007\nMonitoring the PR Newswire so you don't have to: Dateline, Houston. Marion Banowski of Chicago won $10,000 in free Shell gasoline at the Auto Show. "Each finalist drew a Shell gas card and then inserted it into the credit card reader of the display gas pump in hopes it would activate the pump. Banowski was the eleventh finalist to insert his card into the reader so the excitement in the air was palpable.""},{"id":"text-1525","heading":"Text","content":"February 25, 2007\nHere's a story about gangs in Springfield, MO that references an influx of GDs from Chicago. Apparently the principles of supply & demand work in the Ozarks as well: "Police say dealers can also sell drugs and charge more than they can in major cities like Kansas City, St. Louis and even Chicago.""},{"id":"text-1526","heading":"Text","content":"February 23, 2007\nWelcome to a world wherein grandparents in Lake County teach their grandchildren how to play video games."},{"id":"text-1527","heading":"Text","content":"February 20, 2007\nIt's 1961 and the communists have overthrown the government of the United States of America. Prepare yourself for the U.S.S.A.! What is the communists' first step? Move the government to Merchandise Mart! As J. Edgar Hoover says, read this comic now in order to "help us recognize and detect communists as they attempt to infiltrate the various segments of our society.""},{"id":"text-1528","heading":"Text","content":"February 16, 2007\nJulie Vieira is a Chicago-based nun in the order of Sisters of the Immaculate Heart. She works at Loyola Press and chronicles her life as a modern, 35-year-old nun at her blog, A Nun's Life. Julie was also a guest of PRI's "Fair Game." Listen to the MP3 here."},{"id":"text-1529","heading":"Text","content":"February 14, 2007\nMost Chicagoans may not be aware that J. Allen Hynek was a UFOlogist whose Center for UFO Studies remains active in Chicago. Those who find Mr. Hynek's ideas a little out there are advised not to stop by the web site of alleged contactee Billy Meier."},{"id":"text-1530","heading":"Text","content":"February 14, 2007\nBlockshopper is a relatively new site that calls itself a "real estate news service for … the residents themselves." However, in practice, it's more for the residents neighbors, not so much for the subject of the site's news briefs, which are written apparently without actually contacting the people involved. Speaking of checking on the neighbors, ever wonder how your rent compares to the rest of neighborhood? Check it on the Rentometer."},{"id":"text-1531","heading":"Text","content":"February 13, 2007\nStuck inside? Left work early? Well, if you're feeling a little bored, the horndogs hanging out at Craig's List can provide company. Check out this search query for all kinds of XXX snow-related fun. Totally hilarious — and NSFW."},{"id":"text-1532","heading":"Text","content":"February 11, 2007\nThis month's Chicago Magazine contains a funny little feature providing high school portraits of area notables like Dave Eggers, Liz Phair, Harold Ramis and Donald Rumsfeld."},{"id":"text-1533","heading":"Text","content":"February 08, 2007\nMatthew McClintock welcomes you to his Oak Park home, which he has kindly photographed and uploaded to the Web–from the contents of his refrigerator to his underwear drawer."},{"id":"text-1534","heading":"Text","content":"February 08, 2007\nThe AIA recently surveyed 1,800 Americans about their favorite architecture and released the top 150 as a web feature. Chicago did well in the polls, with the third largest collection of "favorite" buildings in the country, behind New York and D.C. Some obvious Chicago favorites like Wrigley Field, the Tribune Tower and the Sears Tower are listed, but other buildings such as the United Airlines Terminal and the Harold Washington Library also made the cut."},{"id":"text-1535","heading":"Text","content":"February 02, 2007\nHow's this for an unusual look into the lives of our senior senator and his three high-powered roommates! Juicy tidbits include Durbin killing mice with his bare hands and his insistence on having a big screen television."},{"id":"text-1536","heading":"Text","content":"February 01, 2007\nThe Aqua Teen Hunger Force advertisements that caused serious problems in Boston have been in Chicago for weeks. After all of the hubbub in Boston, most of ours were collected last night. [If you happened to snap a photo of the Chicago Ignignokts/Errs, please post it to our flickr pool for all to enjoy.]"},{"id":"text-1537","heading":"Text","content":"January 30, 2007\nFortunately, the irony that the Illinois Institute of Technology's student newspaper hadn't been updated since January 31, 2006 wasn't lost on its editors. Oh, irony, thou must find elsewhere to roost."},{"id":"text-1538","heading":"Text","content":"January 25, 2007\nCheck out this recent write-up of Thomas Marlow's Chicago Street Studio Project in the Australian media."},{"id":"text-1539","heading":"Text","content":"January 22, 2007\nChicago software stalwarts 37signals are conducting another one of their Fireside Chats– roundtable discussions using their Campfire chat software. This time it's marketing wonder man Seth Godin and online customer experience guru Mark Hurst. Your questions are welcome."},{"id":"text-1540","heading":"Text","content":"January 19, 2007\nThe Green Exchange, Logan Square's proposed "green merchandise mart" has launched its website. Dedicated towards green living, the site offers building plans, an FAQ and a forum to discuss the building and issues surrounding its development. [Hat tip: Craig]"},{"id":"text-1541","heading":"Text","content":"January 18, 2007\nTense Forms, the collaborative multi-disciplinary, project-based workgroup, is holding their 2nd annual Winter Showcase at Subterranean on February the 2nd at 8pm onwards. The showcase features an insane amount of buttons (1000+), a wall of televisions screening all kinds of visual art as well as live music."},{"id":"text-1542","heading":"Text","content":"January 18, 2007\nIncreasingly needed in this day and age, A Fresh Squeeze is a site dedicated to green living in Chicago. Primarily a bi-weekly email, the site also offers articles in their archives for a taste of things past."},{"id":"text-1543","heading":"Text","content":"January 18, 2007\nIf you haven't yet seen the Leo Burnett-created Allstate ad with the car that plunges into the Chicago River from the Marina City parking deck, the companies have posted both the 30-second and 60-second versions and a behind-the-scenes video at YouTube. YouTube blocked at work? The videos and a "how'd they do that?" FAQ get their own mini-site at Allstate.com, too."},{"id":"text-1544","heading":"Text","content":"January 11, 2007\nThe next time you're flying out of O'Hare, check the sky for UFOs, then check under your seat for scorpions."},{"id":"text-1545","heading":"Text","content":"January 09, 2007\nWow, since we last checked in, the WikiMapia of Chicago has really filled out. You should add to it yourself, before everything's tagged. (Sad to see the Wicker Park entry remains a battleground.)"},{"id":"text-1546","heading":"Text","content":"January 09, 2007\nOf 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.)"},{"id":"text-1547","heading":"Text","content":"January 04, 2007\nThe History Channel recently asked designers to submit concepts of their cities 100 years in the future. Teams from Chicago, New York and Los Angeles are now facing off for the grand prize. Check out and possibly vote for Chicago's entry from UrbanLab today."},{"id":"text-1548","heading":"Text","content":"January 04, 2007\nIf today's Rearview photo (courtesy of the ever excellent Archie Florcruz) bewilders you or makes you want to do the same thing, take a look at his entry explaining his photo and then head over to the Create Your Own Planets Flickr pool for info on how to do this."},{"id":"text-1549","heading":"Text","content":"January 03, 2007\nWell, really, there's no reason to worry about the car dangling off of Marina City. [UPDATE: Visit Rearview for a photo.]"},{"id":"text-1550","heading":"Text","content":"January 03, 2007\nAt last year's recent DIY Trunk Show, I made my usual rounds looking at who was doing what. The quality keeps getting better and better every year, a testament to those who organize the Trunk Show. However, one vendor caught my eye — Pink Loves Brown. The goods were smart, well-designed, retro-modern and quality. Nicole Balch puts out some really nice stuff — her apartment is quite inspiring, an extension of her work and aesthetic."},{"id":"text-1551","heading":"Text","content":"January 01, 2007\nSome United employees saw a UFO at O'Hare on November 7th, but the FAA's having none of it."},{"id":"text-1552","heading":"Text","content":"December 27, 2006\nOnline gaming magazine Gamasutra just released the final installment of its five-part series on Chicago game studios. The final stop is Midway."},{"id":"text-1553","heading":"Text","content":"December 26, 2006\nDevin Hester is a top contender for Rookie of the Year, but the contest to squat on his name on the web has already been won, apparently by these guys. At least second place, DevinHester.net, was nabbed by someone local."},{"id":"text-1554","heading":"Text","content":"December 24, 2006\nIf you're looking for a holiday laugh, check out the Tribune's reader-submitted "Scared of Santa" photo gallery. (Link pops due to window resizing.)"},{"id":"text-1555","heading":"Text","content":"December 22, 2006\nA seasonal diversion from Schadenfreude & AlphaZeta."},{"id":"text-1556","heading":"Text","content":"December 20, 2006\nSome revised Christmas Carols for you, mostly Chicago-related, courtesy of the Beachwood Reporter."},{"id":"text-1557","heading":"Text","content":"December 19, 2006\nGood to know that even Jesus has trouble shopping for some of his relatives this time of year. Check him out as he hits the Mag Mile. [via and by]"},{"id":"text-1558","heading":"Text","content":"December 19, 2006\nI don't know how many times I've been to the Quimby's site, but I'd never noticed the "live at quimby's" section until this morning. It has audio recordings from almost two-dozen events, although the one I really wanted to hear (Al Burian) is broken."},{"id":"text-1559","heading":"Text","content":"December 18, 2006\n…circa 1959. [via]"},{"id":"text-1560","heading":"Text","content":"December 17, 2006\nUIC biologist Joel Brown wants to know how squirrels survive the dangers of city life in Chicago."},{"id":"text-1561","heading":"Text","content":"December 14, 2006\nJellyvision has launched the "Daily Dis or Dat," a quick flash trivia game based on their popular "You Don't Know Jack" series. Press buttons and win (virtual) cash!"},{"id":"text-1562","heading":"Text","content":"December 12, 2006\nYoChicago is dedicating much of this week's coverage to Pilsen, with reviews, real estate coverage, and much more. Their YouTube Pilsen playlist is especially worth checking out."},{"id":"text-1563","heading":"Text","content":"December 11, 2006\n(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."},{"id":"text-1564","heading":"Text","content":"December 07, 2006\nFrom the team behind the political aggregator Real Clear Politics comes BuzzTracker — as if you needed another way to keep up on celebrities. (To be fair, you can track lots of other stuff, too.)"},{"id":"text-1565","heading":"Text","content":"December 05, 2006\nOptional Events is a colorfully presented event calendar, with more of an activist bent to the listings."},{"id":"text-1566","heading":"Text","content":"November 30, 2006\nAmazon just unveiled Unspun, a new ranking site where users rank such things as the best small live music venues in Chicago, best websites about the city, best coffee houses… lots here, and lots to do to clean up duplicates and typos. (It runs on Ruby on Rails, but this isn't the rumored Amazon-37signals collaboration.)"},{"id":"text-1567","heading":"Text","content":"November 17, 2006\nA number of robots will soon see action in Chicago. Oh, and one of them is named "Frank.""},{"id":"text-1568","heading":"Text","content":"November 16, 2006\nSince college kids don't have enough online personae to manage, what with MySpace pages, Facebook profiles and Xanga blogs, UIC is exploring the possibility of a school-wide implementation of LiveJournal. Le but? Building community via an informal mode of student, faculty and staff interaction."},{"id":"text-1569","heading":"Text","content":"November 15, 2006\nDowntown ad agency Leo Burnett is behind a weather-sensitive billboard for cosmetics that's got the internet going nuts."},{"id":"text-1570","heading":"Text","content":"November 14, 2006\nFound 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."},{"id":"text-1571","heading":"Text","content":"November 14, 2006\nOne might think that 5,700 complaints against Chicago cab drivers would be a record high, but it's a 17% drop."},{"id":"text-1572","heading":"Text","content":"November 13, 2006\nRecent Detour subjects 37signals hit a big milestone today: a million users of its Basecamp software."},{"id":"text-1573","heading":"Text","content":"November 10, 2006\nConsole Camp, a new, Chicago-based game console blog, carries news and will provide details about the best camping spots for the Wii and the PS3. And in the spirit of democratic media, you can even post to it via email!"},{"id":"text-1574","heading":"Text","content":"November 09, 2006\nFor its Chicago Fame 150, Newcity determined celebrity the 21st century way: it compiled a list of Google hits. Winning by a landslide, Oprah. No surprise there. The methodology does lead to some odd results: surely more people know who Hugh Hefner (19) is than Rod Blagojevich (17)? Still, there are amusing comparisons to be made. Jim DeRogatis (93) handily beats out Greg Kot (136), while Crede (77) slides in one spot above Iguchi (78)."},{"id":"text-1575","heading":"Text","content":"November 09, 2006\nA group of graduate students at the Medill School of Journalism recently founded The Methods Reporter to share their unpublished work. The stories have a broad range, and they have particularly interesting coverage of community-based arts."},{"id":"text-1576","heading":"Text","content":"November 08, 2006\nHow much do you know about bizarre Chicagoland murders? Take this short quiz and find out!"},{"id":"text-1577","heading":"Text","content":"November 07, 2006\nI read recently that, in the future, search engines will be able to reveal people's whereabouts at a given time, simply by the electronic footprints they've left. For now, though, that information is mostly captured voluntarily, making it largely the provenance of blogs. So it is that, if ever asked where screenwriter John August was when he started a play in late 2006, you can boldly answer "Chicago" — qualified, as he notes for posterity, "technically, Evanston." [via]"},{"id":"text-1578","heading":"Text","content":"November 07, 2006\nRegardless of who wins, tomorrow will bring some sense of relief when we finally see an end to the televised blitzkrieg of political attack ads. A couple of years ago, political science professor John G. Geer published a book in which he argued that such negative ads were actually bien for the democratic process. Fair enough, as one of Geer's colleagues has recently demonstrated, provided you don't mind wearing the target."},{"id":"text-1579","heading":"Text","content":"November 04, 2006\nOur friends at Coudal have been awfully busy shipping Sixteen Straight tees. It's only natural folks would want to show them off."},{"id":"text-1580","heading":"Text","content":"October 25, 2006\nIf, after reading this week's Detour, you're curious about the 37signals mantra, you can now get Getting Real for free."},{"id":"text-1581","heading":"Text","content":"October 24, 2006\nChicagoan Michael Una built this neat combination of bicycle and drum machine for Chicago Artists' Month (that's octobre to the uninitiated). "Beat-Bike v.1 rewards exercise and coordination with funky outer-space disco beats," says Una. Who are we to argue?"},{"id":"text-1582","heading":"Text","content":"October 24, 2006\nIf so, head out to East Dundee for the Santa's Village auction. Don't forget to check out the full catalog [PDF] and supplementary photos so you'll be fully prepared to bid."},{"id":"text-1583","heading":"Text","content":"October 19, 2006\nYou know you've made it in the world of software when Apple does a promo video about how much you love your Mac and OS X. But that's business as usual for 37signals lately, I guess. Read up on the Chicago-based web dev. firm in next week's Detour."},{"id":"text-1584","heading":"Text","content":"October 19, 2006\nIf I had the inside line on a conspiracy involving former Chicago Bears great Ed O'Bradovich, fraud, oil and the mob, I don't know if YouTube is the place I'd turn. But that seems to be the only place Joe Weinbender is telling his story."},{"id":"text-1585","heading":"Text","content":"October 17, 2006\nA follow-up on Mr. Undateable: Brian Wolf of "Settle For" fame has had some luck. While they've not yet reached the boyfriend / girlfriend stage, he tells NPR that he's currently seeing someone special. Hope springs eternal."},{"id":"text-1586","heading":"Text","content":"October 16, 2006\nLooks like the Chicago Bike Federation has a new website for their Drive With Care campaign. At first, I thought it was real, but then I knew that any memorial like "The Brittany" had to be too good to be true. Well done, chaps."},{"id":"text-1587","heading":"Text","content":"October 16, 2006\nCall 773/394-2017 and confess your secret. It will then be exposed — but only for a day — at One Day Secret."},{"id":"text-1588","heading":"Text","content":"October 11, 2006\nAnother from our neck of the woods."},{"id":"text-1589","heading":"Text","content":"October 09, 2006\nHave 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?"},{"id":"text-1590","heading":"Text","content":"October 09, 2006\nHow long do you think it'll take the City to notice they forgot to renew navypier.com? [Update: They renewed it. Screenshot here for posterity.]"},{"id":"text-1591","heading":"Text","content":"October 07, 2006\ninsideChicago can provide you with another fix. It currently produces two programs: STOP! Police, a weekly news of the weird podcast, and insideChicago, an offbeat arts and entertainment video podcast that is published twice a week."},{"id":"text-1592","heading":"Text","content":"September 30, 2006\nFollowing the Tribune's list of ugly Loop buildings, the Chicago Journal is asking for nominations for the worst buildings in your neighborhood. There's only one nomination so far, so let the archislaying begin."},{"id":"text-1593","heading":"Text","content":"September 29, 2006\nVia Coudal, the website of a woman whose autobiography's title only tells part of the story: Kellie Everts: I Strip for God. Not safe for work, obviously, and I only post it here because of a lengthy book exerpt of her experiences at the Chicago Playboy Club in 1978."},{"id":"text-1594","heading":"Text","content":"September 27, 2006\nWhile Chicago has put out some good videos in recent years (see: OK Go), this video from Jan Terri from 1993 is the exact opposite. I'm not really sure what to think: that it's actually from 1993 but looks like it's from the 80's or how cheesy Chicago looks. However, I have that chorus stuck in my head! [via Jennifer]"},{"id":"text-1595","heading":"Text","content":"September 26, 2006\nUnable 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."},{"id":"text-1596","heading":"Text","content":"September 26, 2006\nKillers have moved into MySpace. The social networking juggernaut removed a profile for Laurie Dann, who shot six kids in a Winnetka school in 1988, over the weekend. Profiles of serial killers John Wayne Gacey, Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer are still up, for now."},{"id":"text-1597","heading":"Text","content":"September 25, 2006\nThe Sun-Times launched a redesigned website Monday night; it looks swell, but they also changed the way their URLs are built, so any links to articles that worked yesterday are now completely useless. [Matt adds: I’m not sure how swell it looks, but it’s not just the links that are obsolete — the old RSS feeds are, as well, so you’ll apparently need to resubscribe. Beyond that, here’s the site tooting its own horn.] (Thanks, Mike.)"},{"id":"text-1598","heading":"Text","content":"September 25, 2006\nRanging from parades to street art to "Gringos out of Pilsen" agitprop and spanning several years, Flickr user Pedro Juan's photoset takes the pulse of a neighborhood."},{"id":"text-1599","heading":"Text","content":"September 25, 2006\nLearn the legend of Asshand, read a recounting of a visit to Lebanon, and other stories in the latest issue of Keep Going."},{"id":"text-1600","heading":"Text","content":"September 24, 2006\nIf you've ever wondered about the proper way to eat foods like thali, bo nuong and injera, a Tribune video story has you covered. Watch the video and then check out the restaurants they recommend."},{"id":"text-1601","heading":"Text","content":"September 22, 2006\nMy goodness, it's not every day that one reads a Missed Connection that invokes "the beauty of the plains of Kenya at sunset, the peaceful radiance of Annecy surrounded by snow capped Alps and the glorious treasures of Florence" and then proceeds to say they're nothing compared to That Girl on the Pink Line, is it?"},{"id":"text-1602","heading":"Text","content":"September 22, 2006\nWe all know that the Art Institute was a location for Ferris Bueller's Day Off, but did you know that Gerri's Palm Tavern was a location for The Sixth Sense? MovieMappr knows, and it will show you where Gerri's was."},{"id":"text-1603","heading":"Text","content":"September 19, 2006\nWith all of this walking around Chicago, why not take an idiosyncratic video stroll through the city?"},{"id":"text-1604","heading":"Text","content":"September 18, 2006\nYou've got to hand it to Nigerian scammers: they're on top of current affairs. The May Report published an email scam using the George Ryan corruption case as its set-up. [via]"},{"id":"text-1605","heading":"Text","content":"September 18, 2006\nTECH Cocktail, a social occasion for the Chicago tech scene, has announced its next event: pencil it in for October 12 at The Gramercy. RSVP here."},{"id":"text-1606","heading":"Text","content":"September 18, 2006\nHow well do you know your Dylan trivia? Well enough to connect, say, Sid Vicious to Robert Zimmerman in six steps or less? Find out with Coudal Partners' latest diversion and you could win some cool stuff."},{"id":"text-1607","heading":"Text","content":"September 15, 2006\nIdolator, 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 ne pas used in a Pitchfork review. (Previous stellar example of Pitchfork-mocking: David Cross' essay on fake CDs for real Pitchfork reviews.)"},{"id":"text-1608","heading":"Text","content":"September 11, 2006\nDoes anyone know why there was an Indy racecar pulled over on Damen the other night?"},{"id":"text-1609","heading":"Text","content":"September 07, 2006\nAn oldie, but a goodie that I don't see that we've ever mentioned on GB: Steve Delahoyde's "238 Miles" or "I Drove for Five Hours, from Chicago to Iowa City, and Listened to ABBA's 'Dancing Queen' the Entire Way.""},{"id":"text-1610","heading":"Text","content":"September 05, 2006\nCongrats to Chicago blogs (and FoGB) Bookslut and Coudal Partners who were chosen by PCmagazine as part of their list of the Top 99 Websites You Don't Know About. Of course, we know, and we love."},{"id":"text-1611","heading":"Text","content":"September 05, 2006\nNPR's Present at the Creation provides unique insight to some Chicago-related icons. Our fair city pops up in some obvious place like Animal House, A Raisin in the Sun , and Nighthawks, but it's also there for Cracker Jacks!"},{"id":"text-1612","heading":"Text","content":"August 30, 2006\nFlickr geotaggers and those viewing one recent post may have noticed that Chicago's historic neighborhoods like Little Hell and Shantytown are alive on the Internet. Other interesting locations include the Berkeley Cottages and Packingtown."},{"id":"text-1613","heading":"Text","content":"August 28, 2006\nAs Flickr and Upcoming announce new features today, geotagging looks like it's about to blow up. As of this posting, there were 150 photos displayed on a broadly defined Chicago map; expect that number to be significantly higher in a day or two, especially as previously tagged photos are imported. (And, for kicks, I tried the Upcoming event-tagging, using Lollapalooza as a test case. Sure enough, it worked! So neato.)"},{"id":"text-1614","heading":"Text","content":"August 28, 2006\nKanjii alive is "a searchable, web-based tool to help beginning and intermediate level Japanese language learners read and write kanji." It is a free program that was developed by folks at the University of Chicago, and it is definitely worth checking out, even if you have no specific interest in learning the language. QuickTime 6.0 or higher is required to use Kanjii alive."},{"id":"text-1615","heading":"Text","content":"August 24, 2006\nTaking another step away from scissors, glue, and late night photocopying sessions, our city's very own Punk Planet has redesigned and expanded its website. Of particular note is the addition of user blogs."},{"id":"text-1616","heading":"Text","content":"August 22, 2006\n…it just got reinvigorated in the hands of the Delicious Design League."},{"id":"text-1617","heading":"Text","content":"August 22, 2006\nFor those who've never heard of Craigslist, there's always the old-school option: flyering Wicker Park cars looking for a girl you once met — well, okay, kinda met — in Las Vegas."},{"id":"text-1618","heading":"Text","content":"August 21, 2006\nYou've been writing that article about wine and trust and deception for a few weeks now, but it's missing that certain something. Could it be a quote from a local expert?"},{"id":"text-1619","heading":"Text","content":"August 16, 2006\nThe city's recent appointment of \nMelissa Turner as Chicago's fashion czarina brought a challenge from treehugger: become the green fashion capital of the U.S. Designers, will you embrace the challenge?"},{"id":"text-1620","heading":"Text","content":"August 16, 2006\nYoChicago launched a massive forums section yesterday, covering every nook and cranny of the city and many suburbs. Get in on the ground floor."},{"id":"text-1621","heading":"Text","content":"August 09, 2006\nThose of us who miss the Terra Museum (formerly at 666 N Michigan, now the home of the temporary Motorola store) can now visit our favorite paintings online. The site also includes information about where the collection can be seen in person–part of it is still in Chicago, at the Art Institute."},{"id":"text-1622","heading":"Text","content":"August 07, 2006\nAn Exquisite Corpse, the locally based collaborative art project site created by friend of GB Phineas X. Jones (and run on a CMS by GB MVP Jim Allenspach), posted the 500th corpse since its relaunch today. (It's technically the 627th corpse if you count from the beginning of the site, but why do that?)"},{"id":"text-1623","heading":"Text","content":"August 06, 2006\nIf you're yearning for some travel (video), check out YouTube user Srovetz's atmospheric videos documenting his train and car travel throughout the country. There are too many Chicago related videos to post here, but some train segments include Kansas City to Chicago, Chicago to New Orleans, and Chicago to New York."},{"id":"text-1624","heading":"Text","content":"August 04, 2006\nSome time in the very recent past — quite possibly today — Craigslist split its local listings into five regional categories: City of Chicago, North Chicagoland, West Chicagoland, South Chicagoland, and, reaching a bit further, Northwest Indiana. Which means, of course, you'll never have to read about a Missed Connection in Palatine or rental ad for an apartment in Northbrook again."},{"id":"text-1625","heading":"Text","content":"August 04, 2006\n"Community areas in Chicago, isolated from context.""},{"id":"text-1626","heading":"Text","content":"August 03, 2006\nLooking for a technology group to meet with? Let Tech Social be your guide."},{"id":"text-1627","heading":"Text","content":"July 31, 2006\nMeet another website devoted to the wonders of the Midwest: Midwestern Goodness. While they have content from around the region, they recently filmed a short video tour in Chicago. More Chicago content is in the works."},{"id":"text-1628","heading":"Text","content":"July 31, 2006\nFriend of GB, scooterist, designer and vegan guide making extraordinaire, PJ Chmiel hits the open road on his scooter on a tour he calls the 2006 R.A.M.B.L.E. Ambitious in scope, it should be quite a ride. Follow along when he kicks off tomorrow."},{"id":"text-1629","heading":"Text","content":"July 31, 2006\nZillow offers an interesting graphic representation of cost per square foot for Chicagoland real estate: a "heat map.""},{"id":"text-1630","heading":"Text","content":"July 30, 2006\nSunday's Coastal Flood Statement predicts a seiche caused by severe thunderstorms. While not uncommon, they have caused considerable damage in Chicago. In 1954, an eight to ten foot reflective wave caused by a seiche drowned eight people (page 24) and swept dozens into the lake (page 67). But don't worry: today's seiche should be less than a foot tall."},{"id":"text-1631","heading":"Text","content":"July 26, 2006\nWhen you vraiment love that Threadless tshirt design so much, that you never want to take it off…get it tattooed."},{"id":"text-1632","heading":"Text","content":"July 26, 2006\nFoGB Coudal Partners' Museum of Online Museums was featured on NPR's "All Things Considered" yesterday."},{"id":"text-1633","heading":"Text","content":"July 25, 2006\nVia 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?"},{"id":"text-1634","heading":"Text","content":"July 24, 2006\nAt 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."},{"id":"text-1635","heading":"Text","content":"July 11, 2006\nIn 2002, BBC Radio 4's Thinking Allowed visited Chicago to do a five-part series about the city in the spirit of early Chicago School sociologists. With interviews from prominent Chicago academics, musicians, and public thinkers, the programs are surprisingly fresh four years later."},{"id":"text-1636","heading":"Text","content":"July 10, 2006\nsongs:illinois is an excellent little mp3 blog run by Craig Bonell in Oak Park. There's definitely a folk/ acoustic/ singer-songwriter focus but what excites me personally is that I've only heard of maybe one artist on the homepage. A nice deviation from Pitchfork and the like, dig in and discover some new tunes."},{"id":"text-1637","heading":"Text","content":"July 10, 2006\nMultiplex, by former GB film critic Gordon McAlpin, turns one year old today with its 75th strip, "Pirates of pirates des Caraïbes""},{"id":"text-1638","heading":"Text","content":"July 07, 2006\nIntroducing Coastr, "a social guide to beer," produced by local design team Luckymonk."},{"id":"text-1639","heading":"Text","content":"July 06, 2006\nOh 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."},{"id":"text-1640","heading":"Text","content":"July 02, 2006\nGay guys don't have too much trouble finding themselves in the local queer media. But gay gals? Oublie. That's the way the founders of CHILL Magazine feel, at least, and they're doing their part to change things, offering Chicago-area lesbians an online publication "free of L Word references and [with] no naked men photos in sight.""},{"id":"text-1641","heading":"Text","content":"June 30, 2006\nDavid Woodhouse Architects has a spiffy new site detailing many of the architectural projects that have come out of the studio. Based in Chicago, they're the creatives behind quite a few of the Chicago Institutions you enjoy today. Take a look at the site, meander the buildings and find out the inspiration behind each."},{"id":"text-1642","heading":"Text","content":"June 23, 2006\nYou may read our Public Notice column about Craigslist's Missed Connections. If you're absolutely addicted to them, you might be interested in delving deeper behind the scenes. GB staffer Jason Maslanka created a website with audio and video (including an interview with Craigslist founder Craig Newmark) called Connect to try to figure it all out."},{"id":"text-1643","heading":"Text","content":"June 23, 2006\nJuly is going to see lots of great bike activity in Beverly. First, there will be big-wheel race for kids of 100 yards, adorably titled the "Longwood 100". Then the pros take over and race in the Beverly Hills Cycling Classic, where the average speed is 32 mph. Yowsers! This happens on Friday July 7th; on Sunday the 9th you can sign-up for a fun ride around the neighborhood, the Tour De Beverly where you can see the historic features of the neighborhood on two wheels. (Sorry, no big wheels on that one.)"},{"id":"text-1644","heading":"Text","content":"June 22, 2006\nIn small ways, Mazzone's, local purveyors of Italian ice, do their part to make the world a better place. To wit: spotted somewhere in New Jersey, the company's admonition to "Always Be Nice To Your School Lunch Lady.""},{"id":"text-1645","heading":"Text","content":"June 20, 2006\nThe 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.)"},{"id":"text-1646","heading":"Text","content":"June 19, 2006\nFriend of GB, George Aye has just unleashed his latest idea which I find frickin' cool. It's called Hubwear. Hubwear are t-shirts with airport codes printed on them: the front is first part of the trip while the back is your return leg of the journey."},{"id":"text-1647","heading":"Text","content":"June 18, 2006\nA few new cool entries on Chicagobloggers.com: Mom-O-Matic, a great site about being a mom and still having a sense of adventure and humor; Porcini Chronicles, a woman in Milan by way of Berwyn who posts delightful Italian recipes and pictures of her adventures; and SariSariShots, a photoblog/documentary about the Chicago Filipino experience that's as beautiful as it is fascinating to take a peek into a slice of a different world from your own."},{"id":"text-1648","heading":"Text","content":"June 13, 2006\nLegendary bank robber John Dillinger: Public Enemy Number One, patron of the Biograph Theater in Lincoln Park, and now, in death, must-have mantelpiece tchotchke."},{"id":"text-1649","heading":"Text","content":"June 06, 2006\nIn an interview with the Online Journalism Review, programmer-journalist Adrian Holovaty mentions that he's "been collecting various public-record data in Chicago in preparation for the launch of [his] 'sequel' to chicagocrime.org." Sounds interesting, eh? Watch this space for more as we learn it."},{"id":"text-1650","heading":"Text","content":"June 05, 2006\nFriday at O'Hare, United neglected to wake up an unaccompanied minor who was napping while he waited for his connection to South Bend; his seat was taken by a 10-year-old bound for Taiwan."},{"id":"text-1651","heading":"Text","content":"June 01, 2006\nWhat if Manhattan was an island off the coast of Chicago?"},{"id":"text-1652","heading":"Text","content":"May 30, 2006\nIf you want up-to-date weather, and I mean, updated instantly, check out the nifty weather station installed in Uptown at Pete's Weather. Handy if you're about to hit the bike trail and the delightful Flash display is quite fascinating. If you want other local weather, the Wunderground's personal weather stations map for Chicago is useful too."},{"id":"text-1653","heading":"Text","content":"May 29, 2006\nA handy link passed on to me: the City's Convention Bureau has a search engine for special events. Looking for an outdoor party for 200? A meeting with cigar smoking for 20? It has answers."},{"id":"text-1654","heading":"Text","content":"May 28, 2006\nAre you a "very tall gent" who attempted to strike up a conversation with a gal at the GB Anniversary Party Friday night with the classic pick-up line "How are you this evening?," only to be rebuffed by mumble? If so, she's looking for you."},{"id":"text-1655","heading":"Text","content":"May 18, 2006\nEver wondered about the chronology of license plate designs has been in Illinois? Me neither, but here's the place to look."},{"id":"text-1656","heading":"Text","content":"May 17, 2006\nDon't know if you noticed this or not, but a couple of days ago, Flickr went gamma. Impressionnant! Now's the perfect time for you to check out the slew of new features and of course, join up one of their Chicago groups (especially this great one called Gapers Block. We gotta feed Rearview somehow, right?)."},{"id":"text-1657","heading":"Text","content":"May 12, 2006\nAn IIT student created a small site examining one of the anomalies in Chicago's grid system: the six-way intersection."},{"id":"text-1658","heading":"Text","content":"May 12, 2006\nAn interesting photo history of Maxwell St. Market, 1975 – 1984. Contrast that with the city's official info about the market."},{"id":"text-1659","heading":"Text","content":"May 12, 2006\nOur fabulous staff Librarian has mentioned the Encyclopedia of Chicago before, but I do believe it's time you visit it again. Check out some of the special features. Stump your coworkers with your newfound Chicago trivia knowledge!"},{"id":"text-1660","heading":"Text","content":"May 11, 2006\nThanks to an alert reader, we've learned that previously mentioned Bring Back the Draught is having a pub crawl this weekend in Roscoe Village. $20 gets you a T-shirt and surely a needed lunch; extra proceeds are donated to local not-for-profits."},{"id":"text-1661","heading":"Text","content":"May 04, 2006\nHey, are you a jerk? Did you lose your sportcoat after groping a woman at a bar recently? If you want it back, it's up on eBay. Go bid on it. (Thanks, Benjy!)"},{"id":"text-1662","heading":"Text","content":"April 30, 2006\nYou thought your absurd and/or nightmarish MySpace stories were only good for amusing your friends; this Craigslist post suggests otherwise."},{"id":"text-1663","heading":"Text","content":"April 29, 2006\nLooper is a "quasi-daily architectural photoblog generally focused in and around the Loop;" if only we could all proselytize so well about our urban environment. Read and be inspired."},{"id":"text-1664","heading":"Text","content":"April 27, 2006\nWikipedia's Chicago entry has been voted "good article collaboration of the week." This means the entry is "among the best…of Wikipedia articles, but…flaws [are] holding [it] back." To help eliminate the flaws, join the conversation. (Thanks, Sandy!)"},{"id":"text-1665","heading":"Text","content":"April 26, 2006\nThe 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]"},{"id":"text-1666","heading":"Text","content":"April 22, 2006\n"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the (Craigslist) Forum.""},{"id":"text-1667","heading":"Text","content":"April 21, 2006\nEnjoy some Friday fun with statistics! State Master is a free site that collects current statistical data about all 50 states and allows visitors to compare and view data on just about every topic imaginable. Find out how Illinois stacks up against the rest of the country. Hey, we're third in the total number of homicides, and Illinois comes in ninth for the highest unemployment rate. And, did you know 65 percent of the population of Illinois lives in the Chicagoland area? Plus, you can get your statistics fix anytime with RSS and Atom feeds on the site."},{"id":"text-1668","heading":"Text","content":"April 19, 2006\nYou might already check out the award-winning site ChicagoCrime.org to see what's gone down in your neighborhood, but don't forget to check your commute. The CTA Tattler has a story of a knock 'em, sock 'em fight on a Blue Line train this week, and also points out the ChicagoCrime.org options of checking crimes on platforms, buses, garages, and trains."},{"id":"text-1669","heading":"Text","content":"April 19, 2006\nDear Dude on The Blue Line with the Pink iPod Wallet, Take your powder pink iPod protection devotion to the next level. Thomas Pink's latest collection at Marshall Field's includes this practical gem: "The Commuter Tie". Pink's tie (available in Thomas' signature pink, as well as red and navy blue) has a pocket on the backside for your MP3 player and a loop to tame headphone wires. Pink's collection also includes "The Commuter Shirt." Yours, Gapers Block Style Team"},{"id":"text-1670","heading":"Text","content":"April 14, 2006\nSwap Simple is a Chicago-based site where people can trade used books, CDs, DVDs and videogames with other members, paying only postage and a $2 fee per item ordered — which is reduced to free if you list enough of your own stuff for trade. (Thanks, Lakshmi)"},{"id":"text-1671","heading":"Text","content":"April 13, 2006\nEarly notice: Allstate's going to do a large media campaign in the Loop on Monday. And they'll pay for (metered) parking, as well as adding a bunch of car-themed art downtown. (Will it be as cool as the car spike? Probably not.) Happy Birthday, Allstate."},{"id":"text-1672","heading":"Text","content":"April 12, 2006\nFormer GB film critic Gordon McAlpin has turned his love of the movies into a great webcomic, Multiplex."},{"id":"text-1673","heading":"Text","content":"April 11, 2006\nHave you ever thought that a perfect counter to the over-size sport utility vehicles would be a sport utility motorcycle? One that fits you and your friends, as well as your trusty machine gun or mortar to hold off enemy fire (wmv)? Even better: mount the machine gun on the sidecar (wmv). Oh yes, I'm not making this up, and it's all brought to you from Ural Motorcycles, available (sans gun) at Ural Chicago."},{"id":"text-1674","heading":"Text","content":"April 11, 2006\nWhile I was looking for a place to donate a slew of computers I used in a high school classroom, I came across Chicago-based Computers For Schools. They offer refurbished computers to schools, non-profits, and churches at 1/3 the retail cost. Their dropoff location is 3350 N. Kedzie. They even recycle cell phones, too!"},{"id":"text-1675","heading":"Text","content":"April 06, 2006\nBefore 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)."},{"id":"text-1676","heading":"Text","content":"April 05, 2006\nWhat's better than an REO Speedwagon concert? UNE libre REO Speedwagon concert. Can't remember their hits? Check out these great MIDI versions. (Thanks, Stacey.)"},{"id":"text-1677","heading":"Text","content":"April 05, 2006\nSpoon 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?"},{"id":"text-1678","heading":"Text","content":"April 04, 2006\nA Chicago feminist, mother, wife, and UIC employee is one of the finalists in the Swiffer Amazing Women of the Year contest. Veronica is the 7th from the top and she needs your vote. With her help maybe Chicago will get voted "Cleanest City to Live In.""},{"id":"text-1679","heading":"Text","content":"March 31, 2006\nA reader sent in a link to a craigslist post about a big fight last night in Wicker Park: anyone else see this? Email us at inbox@gapersblock.com with details."},{"id":"text-1680","heading":"Text","content":"March 29, 2006\nThe Northwestern Crew Team was on its way to compete in South Carolina when the trailer flipped and destroyed their fleet. You can read the story and flow them a few dollars to replace their beloved boats."},{"id":"text-1681","heading":"Text","content":"March 27, 2006\nLuigi Di Serio's web site lists the Top 15 Skylines in the world. Not shockingly, Chicago clocks in at number two on the list just behind Hong Kong. Anyone who remembers their first drive down Lakeshore Drive at dusk can surely attest to our ranking here."},{"id":"text-1682","heading":"Text","content":"March 24, 2006\nNew And Notable on Chicagobloggers.com: Euchre Universe, a blog about playing cards that features an obsession with a rubber chicken; Shrinktalk, a site that encourages readers to share their experiences with psychiatrists."},{"id":"text-1683","heading":"Text","content":"March 24, 2006\nThis is totally awesome–some most excellent paintings by local blogger joedevivre."},{"id":"text-1684","heading":"Text","content":"March 24, 2006\nThe latest issue of Keep Going is up, and there's a useful how-to on getting a postcard from Nigeria. Better than an email from Nigeria, I suppose."},{"id":"text-1685","heading":"Text","content":"March 20, 2006\nT-shirt mavens Threadless have their pretty-often $10 sale going on now. Act fast!"},{"id":"text-1686","heading":"Text","content":"March 16, 2006\nAny fans of the band Chicago that could help a fella out? (yes, we are Chicago heavy on GB this week). This gentleman found some old reel-to-reel tapes of the band, back when they were called CTA, from a show at Wine and Roses, circa 1968. Could they be thee Chicago? Maybe you hardcore Chicago fans know."},{"id":"text-1687","heading":"Text","content":"March 12, 2006\nFriends of GB Jim Coudal and Jason Fried opened SXSW Interactive yesterday — hear their remarks. Also, our own Andrew Huff is also there; naturally, he's reporting back."},{"id":"text-1688","heading":"Text","content":"March 09, 2006\nIf Slowdown just isn't enough for you, Matt Maldre has created Chicago Bean, a site which has nothing to do with the sculpture in Millennium Park. Instead, it's a calendar of eclectic events around town, such as today's lunchtime lecture on "recycling bikes for social change." Or, for those planning ahead, the WWE Bacon, Bagels & Biceps Brunch."},{"id":"text-1689","heading":"Text","content":"March 06, 2006\nThought 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."},{"id":"text-1690","heading":"Text","content":"March 05, 2006\nBlock 37 webcam — you know it's live, as it's currently under a blanket of snow. [via]"},{"id":"text-1691","heading":"Text","content":"March 03, 2006\nPeople watching in Rosemont should be extra interesting this weekend. The Chicago Midwest Beauty Show is happening at the convention center this weekend. Brian's tip for best bad hair spotting: go to the RAM in Rosemont. (Sadly, the nail competition entries aren't online.) UPDATE: The Fangoria Convention is happening this weekend in Rosemont too. This just keeps getting better."},{"id":"text-1692","heading":"Text","content":"March 03, 2006\nToday's Tribune compiles a list of the "50 Best Web Sites"; Trib internet blogger Steve Johnson has put it online. I doubt more than, say, five of these will be new to our readers (sample inclusions: Defamer, Metacritic, The Onion), but your grandparents may find it a good place to get started on "that internet thing." That said, the paper is taking reader suggestions, so if you've got a favorite, plug it."},{"id":"text-1693","heading":"Text","content":"February 28, 2006\nThis sure is pretty: a visualization of monthly average highest and lowest temperatures recorded for Chicago from 1975 through 2004."},{"id":"text-1694","heading":"Text","content":"February 28, 2006\nEver wonder what a high-yield atomic bomb would do to the city? You can find out with this handy mapper from Eric Meyer; Chicago is in the drop-down menu. (Thanks, Dan!)"},{"id":"text-1695","heading":"Text","content":"February 27, 2006\nThe Chicago Defender has several podcasts available for download including a speech by Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. calling black Chicagoans to "raise their 'low expectations' and demand that they receive economic and political parity from their elected officials.""},{"id":"text-1696","heading":"Text","content":"February 23, 2006\nChicagoist took a tip from its parent and tracked down the "Google Center" of the city — the point you see if you type "Chicago IL" into GoogleMaps and zoom all the way in. Some other city centers after the jump."},{"id":"text-1697","heading":"Text","content":"• geographic center of the Loop: the Chase Tower• "Number One City Datum Mark," the point from which the heights of all city buildings are measured: Northern Trust headquarters, 50 S. LaSalle• And the "zero point," the center of the city's grid, is at State & Madison, of course."},{"id":"text-1698","heading":"Text","content":"February 21, 2006\nReader Carrie points us to the official response from craigslist, from CEO Jim Buckmaster, to the Fair Housing Act lawsuit filed by the CLCCRUL we told you about here and here. Related: Chicagoist's interview with Michael Pensack, the executive director of the Illinois Tenants Union."},{"id":"text-1699","heading":"Text","content":"February 20, 2006\nIra Glass may not understand why Chicagoans are upset about This American Life leaving for New York, but maybe that's because he doesn't realize just how rabid his fanbase is. I mean, stud orchids have been named after him."},{"id":"text-1700","heading":"Text","content":"February 16, 2006\nI am absolutely obsessed with Rod's hair. It's always perfect and rivals Donald Trump's hair for yucks. So imagine how surprised I was when I found he sometimes dyes it. And that our governor is pals with Spongebob, too."},{"id":"text-1701","heading":"Text","content":"February 16, 2006\nHere's something I had no idea existed: Crain's compiles a list of patents awarded to local businesses and independent inventors. If that tickles your fancy, you'd probably also like Patently-O, a patent law blog."},{"id":"text-1702","heading":"Text","content":"February 15, 2006\nThe hype about podcasts seems to be waning, but that doesn't mean there's no innovation going on. ChiHookah.com offers not only a podcast about Chicago food, beer and music (and, um, hookahs), but also video of said podcasts."},{"id":"text-1703","heading":"Text","content":"February 15, 2006\nAfter five years of looking for something romantic to do on Valentines Day, I thought this would be fun and different, Dockery said. Her reaction: "You're kidding, right?" Why the negativity? Yes, he took her to White Castle. Even worse: IT WAS PACKED. (Thanks, Stacey!)"},{"id":"text-1704","heading":"Text","content":"February 15, 2006\nFor 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.)"},{"id":"text-1705","heading":"Text","content":"February 11, 2006\nA few new additions to Chicagobloggers worth examining: Cella Bellum, the humorous rantings of a law student; I Want To Be Donna Reed, offers the other side of attorney-ness, as a lawyer who stayed home to be with her child; and EmptyFree.com, a blog devoted to mp3s. I was just listening to song that combined Ukrainian accordians with hip-hop. A few more ways to while away time while it snows…."},{"id":"text-1706","heading":"Text","content":"February 09, 2006\nChicago Auto Show Webcams (to be online after 3pm)."},{"id":"text-1707","heading":"Text","content":"February 07, 2006\nStill more beer: it seems that someone has self-published a history of Chicagoland brewing. A few samples are available online (of the text, not the beer)."},{"id":"text-1708","heading":"Text","content":"February 07, 2006\nJumping into the city's already crowded booze map field is beer.chicago.com."},{"id":"text-1709","heading":"Text","content":"January 31, 2006\nLooking for yet another source of great Chicago food writing? Check out Hungry, an online magazine that also features podcasts with top Chi-town chefs. The most recent issue features an interview with Hot Doug's Doug Sohn, plus product reviews and more."},{"id":"text-1710","heading":"Text","content":"January 27, 2006\nA few new notable blogs that are worth a glance: chicagopunjabi, the account of a newly arrived man from India(?) writing about coming to Chicago. "And you know, I started to get the feeling that Morgan Freeman wanted these Penguins to die." Feeling Kinda Blog Today has a great sense of humor worth reading, too. And something from a Portugese student in Chicago."},{"id":"text-1711","heading":"Text","content":"January 25, 2006\nWhat if the New York Times chronicled your childhood? In the "My Life in the Fois" series over at The Morning News, John Warner is imagining just that."},{"id":"text-1712","heading":"Text","content":"January 24, 2006\nTwo points for creativity: want to drive traffic to your blog? Advertise in the paper, like this woman did in yesterday's Sun-Times. But another technique is to utilize the new PING feature on Chicagobloggers, either to get more traffic on your site or to see what other Chicagoans are saying. Details on how to participate are here."},{"id":"text-1713","heading":"Text","content":"January 18, 2006\nA Craigslist post that Shylo could surely support: How Not to Write a Missed Connection (otherwise known as "Get an anonymous livejournal, you jerk")."},{"id":"text-1714","heading":"Text","content":"January 17, 2006\nTarget have taken advertising to the next level. This blog suggests that they've started using their roofs as a huge satellite view version of their billboard (as seen in this Google Map). Kottke suggests that this particular store however could be for the benefit for passengers landing at nearby O'Hare (as seen in this Google Map)."},{"id":"text-1715","heading":"Text","content":"January 16, 2006\nOh, my God. We know that many of you are off work today in honor of civil rights great Martin Luther King. If you're bored, why not see what other Chicagoans are up to today? Check out this compilation of ridiculously unsafe-for-work Craig's List posts about MLK Day fun."},{"id":"text-1716","heading":"Text","content":"January 11, 2006\nThe Fantagraphics blog links to photos of a cool-looking hand-made plush head of Chicago cartoonist Ivan Brunetti, made by the girlfriend of Chicago cartoonist Onsmith Jeremi. Can the Ivan Brunetti action figure be far behind?"},{"id":"text-1717","heading":"Text","content":"January 05, 2006\nThe saga continues. Reader and member of Canasta (who have a fantastic website by the way), Elizabeth writes in informing us that there are two Chicago based websites that qualified for the 10 voting spots eligible for a website makeover. One spot has been given to her site: "I don't know whether to be ashamed or elated." The other spot goes to the Chicago Lawyers Association (who might vraiment need it). Vote away!"},{"id":"text-1718","heading":"Text","content":"January 05, 2006\nAs the Million Dollar Homepage sells off its last 1,000 pixels, other people are getting into the act. Chicago-based FundMyLifestyle.com claims to be aiming for a "really nice car," while ChicagoMillionPixels is going for the local angle."},{"id":"text-1719","heading":"Text","content":"December 29, 2005\nThe Chicago Daily News name controversy has apparently ended. Introducing ChiTownDailyNews.org. Ignore the masthead, and read the Editor & Publisher interview with site founder Geoff Dougherty. (Want to get involved? Start with the photo call.)"},{"id":"text-1720","heading":"Text","content":"December 29, 2005\nWork pretty slow this week? Take some of that downtime to watch some videos! You know what videos are, right? Those things that MTV used to play? Anyway, European music blog DoCopenhagen has compiled their top fifty music videos of 2005, with interesting clips from Xiu Xiu, M83, Animal Collective and The Decemberists making the cut. A note of caution: The Aphex Twin vid gave me a serious case of the heebie-jeebies. You've been warned."},{"id":"text-1721","heading":"Text","content":"December 21, 2005\nIntrigued by the Jones Holiday Sodas? Well, before you run out and buy a pack of them, perhaps you should take a look at this taste test, done by a local blogger and his girlfriend at Thanksgiving."},{"id":"text-1722","heading":"Text","content":"December 19, 2005\nIndeed it is true. Intechnic, a local internet solutions company, is offering a $10,000 website makeover for the worst business website out there. You can submit your website with a short story explaining why you think you'd need a website makeover. Heh."},{"id":"text-1723","heading":"Text","content":"December 17, 2005\nWith Midway in the news so much lately, this great site has a lot of information about the history of Midway. If that isn't enough, you can of course buy the book too."},{"id":"text-1724","heading":"Text","content":"December 13, 2005\nI'll admit that Bea Arthur has not been on my cultural radar since around 1979, so I was a little surprised to find out that Ms. Arthur is a strong advocate of women's rights and animal rights. Why do I know this? Because Chicago area web designer Kevin Buckstiegel told me. He designed and maintains a web site dedicated to the former Golden Girl. Check out Bea In The Limelight."},{"id":"text-1725","heading":"Text","content":"December 07, 2005\nOh lordy, lord. Mike Ditka in some 1980s video doing some rap and dancing with freshly scrubbed denizens of the leg warmer set. I apologize in advance [via MetaFilter]."},{"id":"text-1726","heading":"Text","content":"December 05, 2005\nHave you ever wondered how many songs mention Chicago by name? Well wonder no more my friends. These folks on LiveJournal have you covered where My Kind of Town, Chicago is concerned."},{"id":"text-1727","heading":"Text","content":"December 02, 2005\nHere's a delightful urban photoblog named Road To Nowhere. So many beautiful pictures from cities around the world."},{"id":"text-1728","heading":"Text","content":"December 01, 2005\nChicago music scene mainstay Thrill Jockey Records recently updated their website, and have added a "Vault" section which houses every video made by the likes of Tortoise, Mouse on Mars, Giant Sand, and the rest of the Thrill Jockey family. It's the most visually and aurally rewarding work day time-killer out there right now, guaranteed."},{"id":"text-1729","heading":"Text","content":"November 23, 2005\nThe Beautiful People Take The Red Line. Interesting B&W portraits of red line riders from 97-98. Be patient with the navigation."},{"id":"text-1730","heading":"Text","content":"November 22, 2005\nI'm somewhat impervious to cold, but I have to believe someone with better knitting skills than me has designed a sweater with built-in scarf and mittens. Any knitters out there know of an existing pattern for this? (Alternatively, you could enter the contest to make it. There's a PRIZE you know.)"},{"id":"text-1731","heading":"Text","content":"November 17, 2005\nDespite not releasing any new material since 1991, the band Chicago will be releasing a new album. The yet untitled work was produced by Rascal Flatts bassist Jay DeMarcus. Their current touring season has them in Texas with Earth Wind and Fire and there's talk of yet another tour with Huey Lewis. Future headline: Ghost of Johnny Cash Summons REO Speedwagon To Studio For Possible Recording."},{"id":"text-1732","heading":"Text","content":"November 14, 2005\nI'm not big on cabs. If I were, I'd want Ray St. Ray. I'd be treated to his one-man show; an ongoing performance piece called The Singing Cab Driver Show. As Ray himself would say, "it's part vaudeville, part inspirational seminar and "More than a ride…It's a trip!" Check out the videos."},{"id":"text-1733","heading":"Text","content":"November 11, 2005\nIf you thought blogs were just for people with cats, kids or catastrophes, then think again. Because Olive and Mason (two co-workers, who are secretly dating) are here, detailing their lives of working, betting and eating lunch. Required reading."},{"id":"text-1734","heading":"Text","content":"November 07, 2005\nAre you a fan of the super-hot roller derby dolls in the Windy City Rollers? Yeah? Then vote for your favorite girl today. The voting ends November 9, so click now."},{"id":"text-1735","heading":"Text","content":"November 06, 2005\nCopy Goes Here: Coudal Partners, the folks who help to bring you Transmission, have made a funny little movie."},{"id":"text-1736","heading":"Text","content":"November 03, 2005\nRide the CTA all by your lonesome no more: "The Front 'L' Car is for Singles Only!""},{"id":"text-1737","heading":"Text","content":"October 31, 2005\nThe Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros were asked to submit their favorite songs for Apple iTunes [link will only work with iTunes installed]. The choices are mostly predictable (some Pearl Jam mixed in with Nu-Metal and a smattering of rap/hip-hop) with one exception. Damaso Marte's choice was Britney Spears's "Oops!… I Did It Again." Say it ain't so, Damaso!"},{"id":"text-1738","heading":"Text","content":"October 27, 2005\nBut, it would seem, worth it. We mentioned the UpYourBudget Treasure Hunt earlier in the week, and it turns out the White Sox weren't the only winners last night. Congratulations, Willie Stevens, you're ten thousand dollars richer."},{"id":"text-1739","heading":"Text","content":"October 24, 2005\nSifting through the website for the UpYourBudget Treasure Hunt is a bit of a task, but, as far as I can make out, there are $10,000 prizes to be won in various cities each week over the next month. Tell you one thing: I'll be doggoned if the "North" video clue doesn't look awfully familiar. May the best gaper win."},{"id":"text-1740","heading":"Text","content":"October 24, 2005\nRemember the Jenga Sears Tower? The Sun-Times interviews its builder today, who reveals he's ready to knock it down and start on his next project, London's Big Ben. To that end, Bryant Varney is looking for suggestions on how best to send the Tower toppling; send yours to bvarney[at]nmu.edu."},{"id":"text-1741","heading":"Text","content":"October 20, 2005\nContinuing the onslaught of "Cool Things You Can Do With GoogleMaps" is this new tool I discovered this morning, Frapper. You can map locations of where people in a particular group live. Some Chicago-based groups have already gotten into the act such as mommy-forum Chicagomothers.com and the Chicago Cycling Club."},{"id":"text-1742","heading":"Text","content":"October 17, 2005\nAccording to this post on craigslist, dating services are illegal. We've all heard of stupid laws before, but I hadn't actually seen the legal code cited. And what if you're gay? (via westnorth)"},{"id":"text-1743","heading":"Text","content":"October 16, 2005\nWith so many Nobel Laureates down in Hyde Park, we may be forgiven for thinking of science as a serious-minded and lofty enterprise; however, the folks at the Annals of Improbable Research are happy to nudge our thinking in another direction. 2005s IgNobel Prize winners have been announced. And while none of this years winners are from Chicago, we can be proud that 2004s winner for Public Healththe youngest IgNobel winner evergraduated from the Chicago High School of Agricultural Sciences. (Jillian Clarke was honored for her paper: If You Drop It: Should You Eat It? Weigh-in on the 5-Second Rule.)"},{"id":"text-1744","heading":"Text","content":"October 14, 2005\nDo you do a little doubletake when a website you visit regularly suddenly looks different? That's what I did when I visited Crain's ChicagoBusiness.com this morning, and a week or two ago at Chicagomag.com. And a bit before that at CBS2Chicago.com. CSS-y goodness!"},{"id":"text-1745","heading":"Text","content":"October 12, 2005\nThe planners at Chicago Metropolis 2020 present "Metro Joe", a flash-based game for 8th graders to learn about Chicagoland planning issues. The game challenges your knowledge of regional issues such as low density sprawl; the spatial mismatch between jobs; and affordable housing and transportation, and is even kinda fun to play whether you're a pre-teen in Elgin or a cubicle-jockey in the Loop."},{"id":"text-1746","heading":"Text","content":"October 12, 2005\nHoly crap! Some guy at Northern Michigan University built a 30-foot-tall replica of the Sears Tower out of Jenga blocks!"},{"id":"text-1747","heading":"Text","content":"October 10, 2005\nThis one maps the city's bike routes."},{"id":"text-1748","heading":"Text","content":"October 06, 2005\nAlthough LPTrixie.com is temporarily off the air, if you've ever been curious about the finer points of being a Lincoln Park Chad, well, look no further…"},{"id":"text-1749","heading":"Text","content":"October 05, 2005\nUpcoming.org has been purchased by Yahoo. Hopefully this will raise this cool service's profile and encourage a bit more use here in Chicago."},{"id":"text-1750","heading":"Text","content":"October 03, 2005\n37signals has launched Writeboard, a collaborative text editing program. Read, write, share and edit at will, while all previous versions are backed up and retrievable. I know Mauvais be using it."},{"id":"text-1751","heading":"Text","content":"September 27, 2005\nSkinnyCorp is at it again. But they've moved from your t-shirt drawer to your wetbar with ExtraTasty!, launching soon. Go sign up."},{"id":"text-1752","heading":"Text","content":"September 20, 2005\nSérieusement. I've begun to turn to blogs to get more and more information that I know I'm not going to find in traditional media. For example, the Chicago Foundation for Women had a Symposium yesterday titled "Speaking So They Can Hear Us," which was all about getting feminist voices in the media. Right up my alley, right? Unfortunately the day job got in the way of me going. So today I go to Google News and find nothing. So I turn to my bookmarks, and find Roni's notes. With lots of pertinent links. Thanks, Roni!"},{"id":"text-1753","heading":"Text","content":"September 19, 2005\nIn a city that's completely banned spray paint, Chicago street-artists have had to take creative and untraditional routes to get their work on the streets. Chicago Street Art, the latest group pool on Flickr, is starting to document all of the hand drawn-stickers, stencils, plywood cutouts, scrawlings, paste-ups, and installations that bring color to the all-too-often drab urban landscape."},{"id":"text-1754","heading":"Text","content":"September 16, 2005\nAnd I don't mean the server. Being a server is a thankless, crappy, dirty job which very rarely gets you paid time off, health insurance, or many other benefits that most corporate drones can take for granted. And while servers run into other servers when they're having a beer and unwinding, it's hard to network so you can get the good jobs, for good owners. In comes Shameless Restaraunts.com and creates a safe environment so bartenders and food service workers can find out the dirt before they drop off a resume. And since I'm lucky enough to be a corporate drone now, I'll be checking through the list to make sure my usual haunts aren't run by "dillweeds", "jagoffs", or the like. Thanks, Paul."},{"id":"text-1755","heading":"Text","content":"September 15, 2005\nA neat little zine deserving of your time: Love Chicago. We do, you should too."},{"id":"text-1756","heading":"Text","content":"September 14, 2005\nRecently, a friend left town to spend a year studying abroad, and I'm keeping up with his travels via Flickr. The other day, a somewhat inscrutable picture appeared in his photostream. It looked like a packet of candy cigarettes emblazoned with our skyline, but why? Curious to know more, I asked what it all meant. His reply: "In Germany everyone thinks that Chicagoans are so rich that they smoke chocolate!""},{"id":"text-1757","heading":"Text","content":"September 13, 2005\nFrom an unlikely source, CondoBuzz.com has created a series of overlay maps that show the New Orleans flood area as it would affect other U.S. cities, including Chicago. If we had been flooded, the water would have reached from Logan Square to 67th Street, and as far west as Forest Park. Just imagine your home, still standing under water after two weeks. Please keep giving. [via Zorn and Austin Mayor]"},{"id":"text-1758","heading":"Text","content":"September 12, 2005\nMany congratulations to Adrian Holovaty for winning the grand prize at the Batten Awards for Innovations in Journalism — grand prize being, in fact, a cool ten grand. Holovaty's site, chicagocrime.org, has been impressing users in Chicago and beyond since it launched back in May. Well done; we'll be looking forward to the promised sequel."},{"id":"text-1759","heading":"Text","content":"September 12, 2005\nFile under: "If you say so…" About.com has posted a list of Chicago's five most popular sites as determined by daily visitors. While I can buy Craigslist, I'm a bit skeptical that the local UVa alumni club pulls more traffic than, say, the Tribune's site, which isn't even listed. Speaking of it, though, Daywatch writer Charlie Meyerson is hosting one of chicagotribune.com's first online chats today at noon; get interactive here."},{"id":"text-1760","heading":"Text","content":"September 08, 2005\nWhether you're a beginning knitter, or a long-time crocheter, there's a new spot in town where you can learn some new tricks. The store Knit 1 just launched its website, but it's already getting into high gear with its vast selection of class offerings. There's a special class where moms can bring their kids along, others where the youngsters get to knit alongside their parents, and a number of general and project-oriented classes for all levels. Prices are reasonable, and they do offer a discount on materials. You can check out Knit 1 in person at 3823 N. Lincoln Ave. in the North Center neighborhood."},{"id":"text-1761","heading":"Text","content":"September 06, 2005\nPush the button nowAnd computer creates aTerrible haiku"},{"id":"text-1762","heading":"Text","content":"September 06, 2005\nIn today's online edition, Philly.com columnist Mark Alan Hughes writes, "If Chicago is corrupt, at least it's corruption that delivers." He uses The Bean as an apt metaphor [registration at philly.com required gb@gapersblock.com/gapers1]."},{"id":"text-1763","heading":"Text","content":"September 05, 2005\nDear anon-86861632, It's been over a month since you posted your first five "Chicago-Centric Ways I'd Like to Kill Myself." By now, I'm sure we've all read and forwarded them on to our friends and neighbors — heck, you made the Best Of Craigslist, didn't you? I know, of course, that suicide is no laughing matter, but, after vainly spending time on the lookout, I can't help wondering, "Where's Part II?""},{"id":"text-1764","heading":"Text","content":"August 31, 2005\nI ran into this interesting little tidbit of info on about.com:\n"Anton LaVey, in his popular work, The Devil's Notebook, credited some of Chicago's paranormal openness to its architecture, namely, the trapezoidal John Hancock building, the shape of which has been traditionally known as a gateway for arcane forces." This according to the book Creepy Chicago; A Ghosthunter's Tales of the City's Scariest Sites by Ursula Bielski. In my best Johnny Carson voice, I can honestly say "I did not know that.""},{"id":"text-1765","heading":"Text","content":"August 26, 2005\nDid you wake up this morning and say "I feel like a little suburban banjo music?" I did, and friend, I have quite the site for you. Listen to live versions of "Oh Susanna" and "Boil That Cabbage Down" from suburban twangers "Loose Change and Friends"."},{"id":"text-1766","heading":"Text","content":"August 18, 2005\nThe Lucky Strike on Lincoln is changing its name, and the deadline for submitting name ideas is tomorrow. Anyone who e-mails their idea(s) gets an hour of free bowling. However, if your idea is selected for the name change, you win a lifetime of free bowling at any of the 3 (formerly) Lucky Strike locations. Dude, good luck."},{"id":"text-1767","heading":"Text","content":"August 17, 2005\nWondering what that thing your great aunt Martha left you is worth? Chicago Antiques Guide is here to help. In addition to listing upcoming events and listings of local antique shops and auction houses, owners Ron (author of our Old Style column) and Brian will estimate the value of your antiques if you send them a photo."},{"id":"text-1768","heading":"Text","content":"August 16, 2005\nHere's a whole different kind of map: The Museum of Sex in New York has launched an interactive exhibit, Mapping Sex in America. Using good ole GoogleMaps technology, the exhibit allows visitors to virtually thumbtack their own stories to a map of the country. Chicago is already one of the most annotated cities, but there's plenty of room for more. Add your own sexcapades to the map."},{"id":"text-1769","heading":"Text","content":"August 09, 2005\nTired of mindlessly supplementing your vintage bric-a-brac from The Brown Elephant with items you covet at CB2 from arrival to clearance price? Want to remain the homemaker your friends refer to as frugal, stylish and creative? Enter Budget Living Magazine. The current issue features tips for scoring a hot fall handbag, as well as sassy chandeliers on the cheap side. And, pssst, complimentary one-year subscriptions are available. Take your sweetie out on a budget date and tell her."},{"id":"text-1770","heading":"Text","content":"August 02, 2005\nNo, seriously, there is a club for everything. The Chicago Public Library has a comprehensive list of Chicago-area clubs for those interested in everything from soap box derby to Magic the Gathering to Esperanto. Vérifiez-le."},{"id":"text-1771","heading":"Text","content":"July 14, 2005\nIf you wake up everyday wondering if it's going to be a pain-filled day or if you'll be able to forget about your chronic illness and have fun, then Chronic Babe is for you. Local writer Jenni Prokopy (aka Mrs. Steve at the Movies) has been living with fibromyalgia for a few years. Instead of sitting on her sofa whining about it, she strapped on some comfy shoes and created this kick-a$$ website which lets you go from "Waanh" to "Rowr-sexy!" in just a few posts. Yep, she's not here to tell you how to get healed, just how to enjoy life while you're living with what ails you. And if you want to support this hot chronic babe, you can buy the Chronic Babe Bag."},{"id":"text-1772","heading":"Text","content":"July 12, 2005\nLet's say you're a fan of Shylo's Public Notice column (and, really, how could you not be?). But maybe, every now and again, you get a hankering for some mid-week Missed Connections. Whizalert is here to help. The free service searches Craigslist and sends you email alerts based on your customized settings. Never miss a w4w in Lincoln Square again! (Also works for apartment listings and more practical interests, but that's hardly as fun, is it?) [via, and, as the comments note, you can do similar things with RSS feeds]"},{"id":"text-1773","heading":"Text","content":"July 09, 2005\nHot on the heels of the iPod flea, Chicago-based industrial designer (and sometime Gapers contributor) Craig Berman has an idea I can actually imagine gaining traction: the iButton. Sized no larger than a 1" band badge, Berman imagines the micro iPod playing singles while adorning the blazer/hoodie combos of the hipster masses. Calling Steve Jobs…"},{"id":"text-1774","heading":"Text","content":"July 08, 2005\nYou know those "What's in it for you?" ads the Tribune has been running? Apparently the song they use, "Anthem" by local commercial scoring co. Scandal Music, has been so popular that they're offering it as a free mp3 and cellphone ringtone."},{"id":"text-1775","heading":"Text","content":"July 07, 2005\nToday's Front Pages is a very neat website that allows you to scroll over maps of the continents and browse the current front pages of the world's newspapers. Comparing which stories make the front pages in various parts of the country–or the world–is fascinating. Roll your cursor over the Chicago area to compare headlines from the Sun-Times, Tribune, Red Eye, Red Streak, Daily Herald, Northwest Herald and even the Rockford Register Star. Cool."},{"id":"text-1776","heading":"Text","content":"July 05, 2005\nIf you're searching for a truly unique gift, I don't think you can go wrong with the Mama Meow catalogue. Based here in Chicago, it is over 30 pages of cat crap like you've never seen before. The killer pages are the T-Shirts. Don't you know a friend who wants to celebrate our freedom with a Proud American Cats T-shirt or Ladies Of The Night. Captivating and bizarre."},{"id":"text-1777","heading":"Text","content":"June 28, 2005\nAn interesting statistic: Chicago, "the city that works," boasts the second highest number of goal-setters on 43 Things. Life can't be all work and no play, though, so those folks — and possibly you — will want to contribute their $.02 on why our city is so great at the just-launched 43 Places. (And, no, neither of these sites have the slightest bit to do with 43 Folders, though cette site might give you tips on making the work and travel plans actually happen.)"},{"id":"text-1778","heading":"Text","content":"June 28, 2005\nIf you're a map geek, the new Google Earth software will blow your mind. Google Maps was cool, but it's nothing like seeing downtown in 3D and having the CTA, Starbucks, and highway maps laid overtop as you turn the city to a 45 degree angle. (Sadly, the Bean isn't in 3D.) Look for the 3D layers in the bottom corner for a truly rad view of downtown. (Windows only, sorry.)"},{"id":"text-1779","heading":"Text","content":"June 27, 2005\nLocal web quarterly Keep Going has released its summer edition, and it looks great. Features include musings on basketball from Word Jazz's Ken Nordine, a fascinating article on the Hindenburg explosion, and a detailed history of one of my first daily online reads, Suck."},{"id":"text-1780","heading":"Text","content":"June 24, 2005\nYesterday I pointed out a few photos of a mural at Damen and Lake. Reader Daniel X. O'Neil sent some more info. The man's name is Oba Maja (I think I'm qualified to say that is an awesome name) and he's a poet who sells his poetry at the Damen/North/Milwaukee intersection. And if you're interested, apparently you can commission him to write a poem for you. Thanks, Dan."},{"id":"text-1781","heading":"Text","content":"June 24, 2005\nHere's a neat way to search for images of Chicago: enter a keyword on Montager, and have it build a montage of images for you. Not surprising to see that searching for Cubs has lots of people, while Chicago has lots of objects. And Gapersblock has few pictures of traffic, but lots of Cinnamon. (wink wink)"},{"id":"text-1782","heading":"Text","content":"June 22, 2005\nBurlesque Design make some very very nice posters and artwork. They also have a killer store with some of the best intricate silkscreened posters I've seen. But, the best item might just be a t-shirt they have (sadly now sold out) about a certain incident in Chicago involving the Dave Matthews Band — scroll down all the way to the bottom on the right. Here's a detail shot."},{"id":"text-1783","heading":"Text","content":"June 16, 2005\nMeredith Farkas, a local librarian, has developed an unofficial wiki to help out her fellow members of the American Library Association as they hit town later this month for their 2005 Conference. In true wiki fashion, if you've got something to share about the city, all you have to do is click the "edit" link."},{"id":"text-1784","heading":"Text","content":"June 09, 2005\nEmilie Autumn was recently featured on HGTV's Crafters Coast to Coast where she made a pair of Faerie Wings. Some girls wanted to be a princess, but I wanted to be a fairy because I wanted to be able to fly and be mischevious. Seeing these makes me want to play pretend all over again. Thanks Roni."},{"id":"text-1785","heading":"Text","content":"June 07, 2005\nIt was bound to happen, but I didn't expect it to be so skeezy: some guy used Salt Stain Mary (and a lie about a brother who died in Iraq) to hook up with a beautiful Polish immigrant. Then he posted the story on Craig's List. Ick."},{"id":"text-1786","heading":"Text","content":"June 02, 2005\nThis is pretty neat – WTTW has put their video archives of Chicago history online and they are searchable. I don't know eactly what I'm looking at, but it looks neat."},{"id":"text-1787","heading":"Text","content":"May 27, 2005\nA couple 606 alums have created a new website, Smile Smile Smile, in which a question is asked and lots of random photos flash on the screen. Simple, somewhat Fluxist, definitely worth playing with."},{"id":"text-1788","heading":"Text","content":"May 25, 2005\nOr several actually. Eight Chicago-area knitters have teamed up to create The Daily Knitter. And it's pretty good and certainly worth adding to your list of knitting blogs to visit. Just because it's warming up outside doesn't mean knitting season is over. Quite the contrary, it's a good excuse for sucking up air conditioning in coffee shops."},{"id":"text-1789","heading":"Text","content":"May 25, 2005\nGB reported on the various violations and allegations against Sam's Wine & Spirits over the last few months. After a visit to the website to check on scotch prices, it is apparent many changes were made. First off, the Rosen family addresses the charges in an open letter to all customers. Next up, online shopping is expanded and customer accounts allow for easier searching and shopping. Lastly, the wine blog has moved locations, which means our old link is no longer active."},{"id":"text-1790","heading":"Text","content":"May 19, 2005\nThe Morning News handed out its 2005 Editors' Awards for Online Excellence today, and there's one category that especially deserves your attention: Favorite Online Newspaper Redesign. Pourquoi? Because it points out that, while the other major newspapers in the country have revamped their sites, the Tribune's remains stuck in 2001. The only change they seem to have implemented lately is splitting stories into multiple pages, and who likes that? Plus, they don't offer RSS feeds. Come on, Trib! Chicago deserves better! That said, on a happier note, Basecamp, a venture by local web outfit 37signals, gets props as Favorite Tool for Handling Projects. If you're not familiar with their products — Backpack, say — there's no time like the present."},{"id":"text-1791","heading":"Text","content":"May 18, 2005\nGary must be good for something besides cheap gas, right? Well if you're just interested in the cheap gas, check out this neat Google app that searches for cheap gas prices around a region. If you're in Chicago, think Lombard, and ignore Lake County."},{"id":"text-1792","heading":"Text","content":"May 10, 2005\nNow you know that crafting is H-O-T-T-T, right? Well, Josi Hannon Madera of Weird Mirror wants to prove how S-E-X-X-Y crafting is, too. She's creating an adult DIY magazine, called Tactille which will blend the sexy best of handmade, independent designers: "from the semi-nude to the simply silly". The first issue isn't available until November, but to get folks interested, she's challenging you to create an Ass Hat and send it in. The winner of the contest gets a prize, but I think the readers will be the real winners."},{"id":"text-1793","heading":"Text","content":"May 09, 2005\nUnless you live under a rock, you've probably heard of Stitch 'n' Bitch, a common name for a knitting group that's been actively engaging stitchers in Chicago for at least the past four years and many other parts of the country as well. Debbie Stoller, editor of Bust magazine, has written two books with that title. Brenda Janish, ex-GB staffer and creator of the Chicago group, has been sent a cease and desist letter from a company called Sew Fast, Sew Easy in New York City saying that her use of the Stitch and Bitch name in her Cafe Press shop is an infringement on their trademark. Think this is bogus? I sure did. So I told them what I thought."},{"id":"text-1794","heading":"Text","content":"May 04, 2005\nYesterday, the FlickrBlog mentioned a new web app that pinpoints properly tagged photos on Google Maps. A few Chicagoans have quickly gotten in on the act, as Downtown is already very well represented. You simply click on one of the markers, the map recenters, and you see a linked description and thumbnail. The GMaps features we know and love function as usual, so you can also zoom in or switch views. The satellite images provide an interesting contrast to the photos, especially in the cases of Millennium Park and other spots that have since been developed. To join the fun, geocoder.us provides a handy way to find coordinates for your pictures. And, if you're looking for another way to put Google Maps to use, check out this mash-up with Yahoo!'s traffic reports."},{"id":"text-1795","heading":"Text","content":"April 29, 2005\nNot sure what to make of this: the Bisonarium project wants to turn Northerly Island, former home of Meigs Field, into a preserve on which bison would graze. MISE À JOUR: Reader Jeb points us to a similar proposal for the site of the World Trade Center made in 2003."},{"id":"text-1796","heading":"Text","content":"April 13, 2005\nChicago has a healthy toy scene, with shops like Rotofugi supporting plushie creators like FizzieFuzzie, Spasmodica and Shawnimals. You can add CutieCooties to that list. The sister duo make all kinds of crafty goodness (methinks Chicago is a hotpot for crafty folks) but I'm most taken with the Plush Toys."},{"id":"text-1797","heading":"Text","content":"April 07, 2005\nYour favorite local-based music filter/reviewer and mine, AsianMack has returned with a fresh, fun and new design. I'm overly fond of bright, eye-catching designs that make me feel all warm inside and this new design makes the good content stand out even more. Nice job Jamie & co. They've also started making free legal mixes available for download — a great idea. You can start with their latest."},{"id":"text-1798","heading":"Text","content":"April 05, 2005\nAt The Budget Traveller's Guide to Sleeping in Airports, visitors can share their stories about trying to catch some shut-eye while waiting to catch a flight. Airports are also ranked by the relative quality of sleeping experience. Coming in at number 10 on the "most popular airport to sleep in" list is O'Hare International. It is great fun to read everyone's travel horror stories, which include brillant lines like, "6 days later MY BACK STILL HURTS!!!" Awesome."},{"id":"text-1799","heading":"Text","content":"April 05, 2005\nUpcoming.org has a bunch of new features to help coordinate with friends. You can now search venues, events and people, send email invites to friends and grab RSS feeds for venues and tags. Pretty cool stuff."},{"id":"text-1800","heading":"Text","content":"April 04, 2005\nWant to wear your city's colors on your back? Check out this 'Chicago-style' messenger bag. (via Chicago Cycling Club mailing list, who also have neat Chicago swag.)"},{"id":"text-1801","heading":"Text","content":"March 24, 2005\nFriend of GB Luke happened to take a couple photos of poet/fugitive murderer JJ Jameson/Norman Porter at last year's Bughouse Square Debates."},{"id":"text-1802","heading":"Text","content":"March 22, 2005\nThe latest issue of Revol is out, and we've come across a couple other webzines you might be interested in: Keep Going is a quarterly produced by some folks on the West Side, and while Negative Waves has a coupla West Coasters on staff, it's mainly based here. Check'em out."},{"id":"text-1803","heading":"Text","content":"March 20, 2005\nWe linked to this awhile ago, but Coudal points us back to Jack Blanchard's "Sun-Times Sunset," a Quicktime time-lapse video of the destruction of the Sun-Times Building. It's now the complete demolition, and it's set to some really nice music by Frou Frou. You might want to follow the link to Fight For the User while you're there."},{"id":"text-1804","heading":"Text","content":"March 17, 2005\nOne of the contributors at Nacho.org needed to track down a phone number for an ex-landlord. She did a little googling, and discovered the landlord's name on a timeline of Holocaust denial (1990 entry) — the woman is a Holocaust revisionist who removed her daughter from a high school history class in which the Holocaust was discussed. Read the rest of the story here."},{"id":"text-1805","heading":"Text","content":"March 15, 2005\nRecently Arte TV, a French television channel, ran a series of specials on comic book artists, including one on Chris Ware. Traveling all the way from France to get the story on one of our own? Well, that's kind of cool. You can view the video here. (Thanks, Eric.)"},{"id":"text-1806","heading":"Text","content":"March 14, 2005\nApartment hunting is a universal experience. So universal that some wise soul has written a haiku cycle about it."},{"id":"text-1807","heading":"Text","content":"March 09, 2005\nThe University of Chicago's new online prose magazine, Otium has just launched. Otium features fiction, plays, an interview, and art. I didn't realize prose included photography, but it's good so I'll let it slide. If your New Years resolution was to get something published this year, note that they're also accepting submissions for future issues. Go get 'em."},{"id":"text-1808","heading":"Text","content":"March 08, 2005\nTenseforms, an art and music collective, has started a new project called "the snow filled our tracks as quick as we made them." As Josh describes it, "Each day presents a new bit of ephemera — a poem, a joke, a recipe, a painting, a song, or whatever else we dig up. The next day it's hidden away, covered (not publicly archived), replaced with something new. Folks can bookmark the site and visit daily, but the best way to experience it is via RSS feed. Subscribe to the site and there'll be a little art gift in your news reader each weekday.""},{"id":"text-1809","heading":"Text","content":"March 04, 2005\nFormer GB staffer Phineas X. Jones has announced the return of AnExquisiteCorpse.net, an online adaptation of the classic Surrealist word game Exquisite Corpse. Come peruse the existing Corpses (which feature work by more than a few GB staffers and friends), and if you feel worthy enough, sign up to help assemble a Corpse."},{"id":"text-1810","heading":"Text","content":"February 03, 2005\nA little late for local needs, but maybe our readers out East will be interested in purchasing an "Official Chicago Winter Parking Space Placeholder" on eBay. "Endorsed by the Honorable Mayor Daley!!" (Thanks, Nik.)"},{"id":"text-1811","heading":"Text","content":"January 27, 2005\nA9, Amazon's search engine, has added a photo element to its yellow pages search function. Now you can see what a place looks like before you go and even check out what's nearby by scrolling up and down the block in many cases. Unfortunately, the method employed — van-mounted cameras trolling up and down streets — often captures vehicles and people, most of whom have no idea they're being photographed. Sepoy, local author of ChapatiMystery.com, found this the hard way when he searched for a local pizzeria and discovered his entire family up the block."},{"id":"text-1812","heading":"Text","content":"January 25, 2005\nTony Coppoletta's online collection of CTA Stuff will bring warmth to the heart of any transit nerd. He has photos from station tours, a huge set of WAV recordings of the CTA Voice from the el and buses, and a collection of scans of farecard designs from tokens to the ChicagoCard."},{"id":"text-1813","heading":"Text","content":"January 19, 2005\nEveryone makes lists. Some people love making lists. All the High Fidelity followers believe in Lists. So, what do you do if you're a web design firm? You make a FREE site where you can host your very own lists. Ta-da!"},{"id":"text-1814","heading":"Text","content":"January 18, 2005\n…the goods? They are odd. So we say about the bizarre 70 percent marriage rate of University of Chicago couples. Contrary to my opinion, U of C Maroon writer Phoebe Maltz commends the U of C for being a "post-feminist utopia," by which she means that it is a place where girls are lucky enough to have guys within close proximity who care as much, or as little, about their appearances as they do. But have you been to the U of C? I'm not so sure this is a good thing."},{"id":"text-1815","heading":"Text","content":"January 17, 2005\nBlogger John Tolva has a little geek fun with the architecture of the movie I, Robot, which was set in a Chicago of the future. In this flickr photo set, he examines the changes in city geography that occur by 2035."},{"id":"text-1816","heading":"Text","content":"January 14, 2005\nCommunity blogs will always have their place, as hand-selected content remains preferable to lists of automatically generated links. But, 'tagging' — the process of adding keywords to posts — is allowing for the quick distillation of information, grouping thoughts together around shared subject matter. You've no doubt seen the Del.icio.us Chicago tag, and the Flickr Chicago tag, both great Windy City-related resources.\n\tBut now, the folks at Technorati have added a tag system to their site, alllowing for the instant search of a particular theme on member blogs. Check out their Chicago page, and you'll notice that it not only aggregates posts with the city as their subject, but conveniently consolidates each of the above services onto one single page. Brilliant."},{"id":"text-1817","heading":"Text","content":"January 13, 2005\nDo you have lotsa patience? Does the idea of linking little rings together to create jewelry or even chain maille make you giddy? Then you'll want to take a gander at Blue Buddha Boutique. Rebeca Mojica has lots of classes set up around the city, or she can give you, and a few friends, a personal lesson for a very reasonable fee. Before you go thinking that chain maille is clunky and ugly, take a look at her gallery and you'll change your mind. If you're more likely to just buy pre-made jewelry, check out Rapt in Maille by Melissa Banks. Thanks, Fil!"},{"id":"text-1818","heading":"Text","content":"January 13, 2005\nBen Johnson offers timely tips for surviving Chicago winter, such as "Allow yourself the simple pleasure of getting shitfaced alone in your apartment. Bars are expensive and its cold outside." This and many other insights can be found in The Greenroom, the "improvisationally-slanted digital literary magazine" at ChicagoImprov.org."},{"id":"text-1819","heading":"Text","content":"January 13, 2005\nNot content to sit on their massive pile of t-shirts, SkinnyCorp are once again at it with another t-shirt site, this time you don't have to be a designer — just a witty slogan will do. OMG Clothing works like Threadless in that you submit, it gets scored and it gets printed. However, this time, you're just submitting slogans. Pretty 'effin cool we say."},{"id":"text-1820","heading":"Text","content":"January 11, 2005\nSpeaking of wi-fi, here's a detailed list of wi-fi spots around the world. I found out which houses on my block have access."},{"id":"text-1821","heading":"Text","content":"January 05, 2005\nChicagoans are proud of the influence our city has on the country. We brag about our comedians, our actors, our authors, and our politicians. But the Florida Department of Corrections, breaks down how Chicago gangs have influenced gang culture nationwide. There are also several sketches and photos of graffiti, in case you want to find out who rules your hood."},{"id":"text-1822","heading":"Text","content":"January 04, 2005\nThe good folks over at Threadless, who have been clothing those of discerning tastes, have an all new site and a brand new contest — $2005 cash prize for 2005."},{"id":"text-1823","heading":"Text","content":"January 03, 2005\nThe Robot Co-op and 37 Signals have launched 43 Things — a site where you can track things you want to do, or rather, goals. The site itself is similar to Flickr and Friendster (and even integrates with Flickr and other popular weblog systems) — you can see who else is trying to achieve your goal, what they do, etc. More social software, more community building."},{"id":"text-1824","heading":"Text","content":"December 21, 2004\nKids + Santa = Fun! Or not. SouthFlorida.com offers a gallery of kids frightened by Santa, and the first 25 photos are from the Tribune's 2003 "Scared of Santa" photo contest. (Thanks, Heather!)"},{"id":"text-1825","heading":"Text","content":"December 17, 2004\nAre you a true Chicagoan? I am."},{"id":"text-1826","heading":"Text","content":"December 13, 2004\nNot too far from where I live is a place where I can pick out a live chicken and have it butchered and dressed while I wait. I've wondered how many people have found a chicken building a nest in their flower garden, 'cause I'm sure at least a few of them have to be smart enough to get away. I'm pretty sure the ones Kristin found weren't all that smart, but it makes for a good story."},{"id":"text-1827","heading":"Text","content":"December 08, 2004\nTired of overhearing other people's cellphone conversations? Don't vouloir to know what the doctor said? You may be interested in joining a new organization, the Society for HandHeld Hushing, just launched by Coudal Partners and Draplindustries. Just download this handy PDF and get to work on a quieter tomorrow!"},{"id":"text-1828","heading":"Text","content":"November 22, 2004\nCBS Sunday Morning is looking for folks who've had success on craigslist. They seem to be primarily interested in getting a wide range of folks who have had interesting experiences with Missed Connections. You can write them a brief account of your craigslist experiences, along with your name and telephone number at CBS_Sunday_Morning[at]hotmail[dot]com."},{"id":"text-1829","heading":"Text","content":"November 15, 2004\nIf you're looking for a constantly updated and comprehensive list of skateboarding videos, you need not look further than Skim the Fat. Pete and Jerry and The Army have reviewed (at this count) 542 skate videos. That's a lot. Some nice features include a tracklist of the soundtrack featured in a video, which as many skaters know is great because some videos don't list those and when you're trying to find out what song that was during that one skater, it's bloody nice to have that. Also send a buck in to the HQ (local, of course) and get some hilarious stickers."},{"id":"text-1830","heading":"Text","content":"November 10, 2004\nChicago is home to CUFOS, or the Center for UFO Studies. They have a library where they study the reports of UFO sightings and abductions on Peterson Ave. The site has some neat information if you're into UFO; they also offer advice on what to do if you have been abducted by aliens. Try to remain calm…"},{"id":"text-1831","heading":"Text","content":"November 09, 2004\nNeed to grab some quick statistics about the city? Or perhaps you've always wondered exactly how many people do live here? Or how many people live in your neighborhood? The Chicago Fact Book, put together by the city, has all sorts of trivia about our city. (Oh, and as of the last census, 2.89 million people live in Chicago.)"},{"id":"text-1832","heading":"Text","content":"November 07, 2004\nSears Roebuck and Co. has launched the Sears Archives, an online archive of more than 100 years of photos, product info and historical documents from the company, from its first stores here in Chicago to today."},{"id":"text-1833","heading":"Text","content":"November 01, 2004\nIn just one month, you could write a novel. At least, that's what the folks at National Novel Writing Month say. NaNoWriMo is a motivational contest, of sorts, where willing writers begin their novels only at the stroke of midnight on November 1, and stop at midnight November 30, hopefully with 50,000 words to show for it. Last year, there were 25,500 participants and about 3,500 of them made it to the goal. It's free, and once you register, you'll be put in touch with other NaNoWriMo's in your area, for information on meet-ups and other activities. So get going, you're late already!"},{"id":"text-1834","heading":"Text","content":"October 28, 2004\nA new issue of the Saturnine Detractor is up. They're calling it "The Election Issue," but don't let that scare you away; Ben Adams' feature on No Child Left Behind and his experience working as a middle school tutor in Chicago is definitely worth checking out. Actually, all the articles are good this round. Get over there."},{"id":"text-1835","heading":"Text","content":"October 27, 2004\nRearview contributor (today's in fact) Alessandra Gillen belongs to a collective of sorts, called Statisfield. The site deals with experimental audio and visual art (with a strong focus on the audio) and is nicely designed. There's a lot of interesting stuff going on there so whatcha waiting for?"},{"id":"text-1836","heading":"Text","content":"October 21, 2004\nSometimes it's difficult to open the Yellow pages and figure out which plumber, electrician, or pizzeria is going to be any good. The Chicago Alternative Yellow Pages doesn't promise better results, but they do guarantee a smaller list to choose from."},{"id":"text-1837","heading":"Text","content":"October 19, 2004\nAre you a geek? Do you have trouble meeting other geeks with which to share your life experiences? Perhaps it's time to check out Geek2Geek dating service. Its retro-styled site is filled to the brim with swinging, uh, geeks waiting to meet you. And it's based right here in Chicago!"},{"id":"text-1838","heading":"Text","content":"October 08, 2004\nHow many times have you been out and said "What the heck is that phone number?" or "What was her exact address again?" If you have a cell phone and know how to send text messages, you can now get the address from Google by text message. Send a text message (also called SMS) to GOOGL saying "Schuba's Chicago, IL" and the address will pop back. Or, building on the fuel question about pizza from this week, say "pizza 60625" and see what they recommend. Now if they only had movie times…."},{"id":"text-1839","heading":"Text","content":"September 28, 2004\nLuckyface, another (but good!) online creative endeavor, has some standout features. Of particular note, the photo essay about the Burgoo Festival in Utica, IL is like getting small glimpses of lives you don't know and Left of the Middle is an excellent photo travelogue from Chicago to the wild west."},{"id":"text-1840","heading":"Text","content":"September 24, 2004\nWant to meet new people? You could come to our GB Get-Together tonight, but in a more long-term sense, you could check out MEETinChicago, a free service to "provide a relaxed, 'non-pickup-scene' social environment for people to enjoy." It's free, and there's a ton of things to do listed, from camping trips to movie outings to just drinks. Pretty cool!"},{"id":"text-1841","heading":"Text","content":"September 24, 2004\nIf you're looking for some freelance writing work, and are comfortable writing about sex (and porn, and toys…), check out today's listings in the Writing jobs section of Craigslist. Adult film reviewer, Sextoy reviewer, Sexual health writer, and more jobs have been posted. Too bad there's no ad for a sex columnist."},{"id":"text-1842","heading":"Text","content":"September 23, 2004\nAh, another issue of stellar art/design magazine Revol is now online for your viewing pleasure. They've also got some new pins in their store, My favourites would be by killer illustrators KozyNDan and those hot world-peace-goodwill styled ones by Reach. Good stuff coming out of Chicago these days, good stuff."},{"id":"text-1843","heading":"Text","content":"September 21, 2004\nThe Boston Globe reports on a current exhibit at the Chicago Botanic Garden, titled "Plants in Print: The Age of Botanical Discovery." The reason for the mention all the way in Boston? It turns out the Massachusetts Horticultural Society used to own some of the items in this exhibit. But, facing a looming financial crisis in November 2002, the center sold more than 2,000 rare books and thousands more journals worth $3 million to Chicago (2nd item). The result of this sale is currently on display up in Glencoe through November 7th."},{"id":"text-1844","heading":"Text","content":"September 18, 2004\nI was shopping around for a new wireless plan today and realized that if I do switch, I'll probably get yet another new phone. Since I don't want to let my old one go to waste, I looked into what can be done with it. Turns out there are places across Illinois where you can donate your old cell phone. The phones are used to benefit victims of domestic violence — a worthwhile cause indeed."},{"id":"text-1845","heading":"Text","content":"September 16, 2004\nLumino Magazine is an "entertainment centered" web publication for young adults, based in the Chicago suburbs. They have stories of national interest, like the current interviews with the cast of Revenge of the Nerds, as well as a Midwest focus, with features and concert calendars for Chicago, Milwaukee and Des Moines (Indianapolis will be added next month). Check out the recent story on Mark Prior."},{"id":"text-1846","heading":"Text","content":"September 14, 2004\nCoudal points us to Urban Adventure, a site dedicated to exploration of places people don't normally get to visit. There are a couple Chicagoland features: a semi-abandoned mental hospital in downstate Manteno and Dixie Square Mall, the one the Blues Brothers drove through in the movie. (More about Dixie Square here at DeadMalls.com.)"},{"id":"text-1847","heading":"Text","content":"September 14, 2004\nA new-ish online magazine (in that oh so trendy pseudo magazine rendered in Flash style), Revol looks to be a keeper. Co-produced by a sister in Chicago and a brother in LA, they've got three issues up for your enjoyment and the newest one — a mixture of found objects, collages, stellar photography and miscellany — is perfect to wake you up a little bit this morning. It even features one of our faves, Brian Ulrich who's popping up all over the place (hint: he's got a feature in the new issue of Subsystence) As they say on their site, "Keeping up the fight.""},{"id":"text-1848","heading":"Text","content":"September 13, 2004\nOur friends at Subsystence have launched a new volume of their excellent web presence. Their events section (on the home page) is well worth checking out for quality stuff you may not have heard of around the city, and who doesn't like free downloads? I may be biased but the two photo exhibits, Copia and China in Polaroid kick a$$."},{"id":"text-1849","heading":"Text","content":"September 10, 2004\nPerusing the Craigslist For Sale ads, I came across this site by a fellow in Deerfield who's auctioning off his stuff; he's moving to Japan. The descriptions! I bust a gut."},{"id":"text-1850","heading":"Text","content":"September 03, 2004\nSixosix Magazine takes us back to childhood with a Choose Your Own Adventure tale of a Thursday night on the town. Plus, things you should do, but don't."},{"id":"text-1851","heading":"Text","content":"September 02, 2004\nThis would have gone in the old Cool as F@#k category we used to have. A quick disclaimer: the following linked URLs lead to mature content and is not for the weak of heart. That said, it's pretty damn impressive. Some of you may know him as "That Ian" around here. Ian's posted a well-done and remarkable video of himself getting suspended. By the knees. With hooks. Like a gapers block, we want to look away but just can't. Fascinating. Oh, and Ian is quite OK; he wrote back to me, "I'm bulletproof." But he also says "…this should never be attempted.""},{"id":"text-1852","heading":"Text","content":"September 01, 2004\nMcSweeney's delivers with "Dave Matthews Band Lyrics That Take On New Meaning in Light of the Recent Brouhaha surrounding One of the Band's Bus Drivers, Who Allegedly Dumped the Contents of the Excrement Tank Off of a Chicago River Bridge and Onto the Deck of a Tour Boat.""},{"id":"text-1853","heading":"Text","content":"August 30, 2004\nFirst there was The Making of a Restaurant. Then for a while, Sandy joined us here at the Block. But now, he's back on his own, or rather with his partners-in-crime (a girl, two cats), tackling a new project, The Making of a Home. Incidentally, the site's design is refreshing and stellar. And of course, the content is good, you know, aside from that cat entry. We kid."},{"id":"text-1854","heading":"Text","content":"August 25, 2004\nSwell online magazine Blacklist is back with their second issue. Lots of great stuff to look at and read, featuring an interview with one of my faves, Cody Hudson of Struggle, Inc. and another interview with our favorite designer toy store, Rotofugi. Head on over!"},{"id":"text-1855","heading":"Text","content":"August 19, 2004\nFor your web surfing pleasure, Paul Freeman has collected information and photographs concerning Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields across the U.S. The airfields are arranged by state, and the page for Illinois includes facts about the former Glenview Naval Air Station, the Sky Harbor Airport in Northbrook, and more. Although not comprehensive, this is a fun site to browse."},{"id":"text-1856","heading":"Text","content":"August 12, 2004\nPeoria, our downstate neighbor, is the brunt of many many jokes. Want to make a difference and improve commerce in Illinois? Buy FantasyLand, a strip club in Peoria and make that first step towards turning Peoria into a destination once again."},{"id":"text-1857","heading":"Text","content":"August 11, 2004\nYou really need to bid on this drawing by Derek Erdman of James Hetfield thinking about Cliff Burton and a jetski. No really, you do."},{"id":"text-1858","heading":"Text","content":"August 05, 2004\nIn case you hadn't noticed, 606 Magazine launched their latest issue this week. Of note: commentary on the FCC's cleaning up of the airwaves, a point-coutnerpoint on psychics, and a profile of the author of Baghdad Burning, a female Iraqi blogger, and the city in which she lives. Get your kicks."},{"id":"text-1859","heading":"Text","content":"August 02, 2004\nI have often wondered: who is that Abby Ryan I hear so often on the radio? Many of you know her from WBEZ, but she does other stations as well. What are Abby's dreams? Her wishes? And an important question: Does she clip coupons? An interview at The Fish's site gives us a peak at Chicago's #1 traffic personality."},{"id":"text-1860","heading":"Text","content":"August 02, 2004\nHey, hey, hey! This weekend, NYC must-read Gawker directed readers to check out Chicago DJ extraordinaire Atomly! You might have caught him at a Gapers Block party or elsewhere around town. He'll be at Chicago's Cafe Lura on Aug. 18."},{"id":"text-1861","heading":"Text","content":"July 29, 2004\nThe Saturnine Detractor debuts its third issue today, featuring coverage of Civil War reenactments, pulp fiction reviews and Robert Downey, Jr.'s theory of a tripartite god. It's enough to keep you up nights."},{"id":"text-1862","heading":"Text","content":"July 26, 2004\nSpeaking of sending your dreams out there, frequent visitor and once-and-future resident of Chicago, Simon King produced TCUP: The Collective Unconsciousness Project a while ago. It's got a click interface and is wonderful to explore. It's pretty simple: "1) Create a Dreamer account. 2) Log a dream. 3) Explore the collective." It's nifty to see how your dream relates to the dreams of others and who else shares similar dream thematics."},{"id":"text-1863","heading":"Text","content":"July 26, 2004\nFound this one on CL this morning: the Dream Machine. Call 773.486.9035 and leave a recording of a dream you had last night; if you leave a phone number, they'll call you back with someone else's dream."},{"id":"text-1864","heading":"Text","content":"July 23, 2004\nThose wonderfully, freaky creations made from red-toed socks can be found anywhere, but did you know they originated in Rockford, Illinois? Probably not, which is why Joan Sage wants to get some publicity for the second largest city in Illinois. She's taking her seven-foot-tall sock monkey to New York to try and get on the David Letterman show (who she's been hounding for months), Good Morning America, the Today show, and Central Park. To cinch her chances of getting on Letterman, she'll be visiting Rupert at Hello Deli to give him a sock monkey as well. The odd thing is that she's using her own money to get to New York for four days. If you have a sock monkey story you want to share with Rockford's museum you can email it to Sage."},{"id":"text-1865","heading":"Text","content":"July 23, 2004\nOur friends at Coudal need a little help: "We need a bit o help at the CP/Jewelboxing World Headquarters in Chicago for the balance of the summer and into the fall. Call it a paid internship. We need a smart, talented, motivated person to help us with administration and distribution for Jewelboxing and to do occasional work on other Coudal Partners stuff too. Youll have to do a bit of lifting and packing, etc. for Jewelboxing. It would be a nice part-time gig (3 days a week or so) for someone in school, and it may or may not lead to other things. Writing skills would be a plus, so show them off by emailing Michele Seiler (go to the site for e-mail address) if youre interested.""},{"id":"text-1866","heading":"Text","content":"July 23, 2004\nA great story about a very naked and (we assume anyway) raw protest against GMO food on the lakefront. Would you too rather run naked than eat biotech? If so, you should go to the Masks and Thongs party tonight to benefit T.H.O.N.G. Chicago. No, not Trixies Hunt Out New Guys. Topless Humans Organized for Natural Genetics. (Ps to the One True Trixie: come back! We miss you! )"},{"id":"text-1867","heading":"Text","content":"July 07, 2004\nThe 3rd annual tribute to the Coen Brothers, Lebowskifest went down a little while ago in Louisville, KY. Chicago was representing with our own Brian Sobolak who took photos and Halo+Horns was there, too, also with photos. Can we get enough of The Dude? Apparently not."},{"id":"text-1868","heading":"Text","content":"July 07, 2004\nThe folks at Artmuck.com are funny. Like in this article, "Patriot Missle". If you really need some encouragement to go read that, it's worth seeing the photo of a girl with a firecracker in her ahem, behind. However, if you're more into less juvenile endeavours, you might really like this interview with Davy Rothbart of Found Magazine."},{"id":"text-1869","heading":"Text","content":"June 29, 2004\nYour Humorous Moment of the Day: The 12 Dumbest Covers of American Comics brought to you by "Chicago's Finest Comic Shop", Atlas."},{"id":"text-1870","heading":"Text","content":"June 17, 2004\nEveryone likes free music. I just can't say no myself. And everyone likes listening to new artists. My penchant for new, new, new is unsatiable. Well, betterPropaganda is here to fill that void. Their model focuses on showcasing indie artists both known and a little less known and making mp3's available to download and it's all legal baby. Jointly co-produced in Chicago and San Francisco, they're here to make the world a better place with better music and betterPropaganda."},{"id":"text-1871","heading":"Text","content":"June 15, 2004\nOne of the niftiest things on the internet is the Wikipedia. It's a free open source (meaning you can add to and edit information!) encyclopedia. Since it's open source, it's kept up-to-date in real time. Chicago's entry is a nice neat nutshell that gives one a good overview of the city. At a glance it tell you about the history, geography, novels sets in Chicago, companies based here and much, much more. The best part? If you feel it's missing something, just go ahead and add your information. Power, in the hands of the user. Related: What is a Wiki?"},{"id":"text-1872","heading":"Text","content":"June 15, 2004\nNew City Chicago takes a look at a Korean-heavy stretch of Lawrence Avenue. Find out where to buy books, eat food, and shop for supplies — all with a decidedly Korean bent."},{"id":"text-1873","heading":"Text","content":"June 11, 2004\nAlways thought music criticism was formulaic? Loren Jan Wilson wrote a computer program to analyze the frequency of words in positive and negative album reviews published on Pitchfork. He used the data to determine which words and phrases appear most frequently in positive reviews, and wrote songs to capitalize on the reviewers' collective preferences. The paper is Wilson's BA project at the University of Chicago."},{"id":"text-1874","heading":"Text","content":"June 03, 2004\nCoudal and Things point us to NASA's incredible Cities Collection, photos of the world's cities taken from space. They've got a whole lot of shots of Chicago and its environs, including some of the city at night and interesting cloud patterns."},{"id":"text-1875","heading":"Text","content":"June 02, 2004\nThis is Grand, an online journal devoted exclusively to non-fiction stories about public transportation in Chicago, has officially launched. Check it out or submit."},{"id":"text-1876","heading":"Text","content":"June 01, 2004\nRocky Mosele hates spam. But unlike the rest of us, he took that hatred and turned it into a mission: Ethical Email. Enter your email address at ethicalemail.com and it will be included in the start-up organization's "do not contact" database. According to the press release, Mosele plans to deliver the database of names to the bulk email houses that are responsible for billions of emails being generated on the Internet. By law, the bulk email houses will have 10 days to remove those email names from their databases."},{"id":"text-1877","heading":"Text","content":"May 28, 2004\nEsquire is looking for more Brutally Honest Personal ads. Describe yourself "without euphemisms or exaggerations or any truth-hedging." Need a date? Secure in your flaws? Apply now. [Via Craig’s List]"},{"id":"text-1878","heading":"Text","content":"May 22, 2004\nDepave Lake Shore Drive? And Daley really supports it?"},{"id":"text-1879","heading":"Text","content":"May 21, 2004\nYahooMaps now offers the ability to search for WiFi hotspots (at least those using Intel's wireless technology). One question about the Chicago map, though: what's up with the shantytown listed at Erie and Fairbanks?"},{"id":"text-1880","heading":"Text","content":"May 18, 2004\nUS Senate candidate Barack Obama's official Weblog just went live. Vérifiez-le!"},{"id":"text-1881","heading":"Text","content":"May 18, 2004\nThis Is Grand is a soon-to-launch online journal "publishing short non-fiction narratives about riding Chicago's trains and buses and all that happens when doing so." They're looking for story submissions: email your story, whether it be funny, scary or poignant, to submissionsthisisgrandorg."},{"id":"text-1882","heading":"Text","content":"May 03, 2004\nThe GB official Humorous Moment of the Day comes courtesy of photographer and Rearview contributor, Archie Florcruz. Hand dryers in bathrooms now dispense bacon. Miam!"},{"id":"text-1883","heading":"Text","content":"April 29, 2004\nParking Spots is a silly site, one of those "waste your time while being bored to death at work" sites. Highly entertaining. It's international and you too can submit one, and there's quite a few from Illinois (scroll down to the US section). You'll have to see what I mean."},{"id":"text-1884","heading":"Text","content":"April 15, 2004\nFor those of you who love Google, there is now Google Local. It's in beta but already seems useful. This quick search on sushi (I luuuurve sushi) displays great results and quite a refined interface. I know I'll be using this to find restaurants and local places."},{"id":"text-1885","heading":"Text","content":"April 09, 2004\nThe Week Behind has a little Easter story for you: "Jesus Had a Bad Day," a somewhat irreverant look at the son of a Jewish carpenter's last day on Earth. As a bonus, included is a pocket list of the 14 stations of the cross."},{"id":"text-1886","heading":"Text","content":"April 02, 2004\nPurveyors of fine accommodation, Hampton Inns, would like us to explore Chicago's hidden (or not-so-hidden) landmarks at HamptonLandmarks.com. Not too many Chicago-related entries so far, but you can always submit your own. (Thanks Ian.)"},{"id":"text-1887","heading":"Text","content":"March 31, 2004\nCraig's List's Rants & Raves section is usually full of petty namecalling and inane arguments, but every once in awhile, something truly great shows up. Like this screed from an anonymous Loop desk jockey. "Oh yeah, lunch drinking is back!""},{"id":"text-1888","heading":"Text","content":"March 26, 2004\nFrom the University of Chicago's Harris School, we get this charming little paper about the universal problem of a group of people trying to choose a restaurant, and how to apply the art of statistics and game theory to solving it. It's like that age-old cake-cutting puzzle on steroids."},{"id":"text-1889","heading":"Text","content":"March 17, 2004\nNeed to find the address of a good local bakery? Want to know how many dry cleaners are in your zip code? Try Google's new Local search. The results may be a little strange (searching for "blog" turns up an odd pairing of businesses and blog references) but we'll all probably become as reliant on it as we are all Google's other services. [Thanks Ian]"},{"id":"text-1890","heading":"Text","content":"March 16, 2004\nThe friendly, and aromatic, folks at The Spice House are looking for recipes from the customers to add to their online database. Got a tasty recipe that you just can't share with enough people? Click on their "Submit Recipes" link and tell them your culinary secrets."},{"id":"text-1891","heading":"Text","content":"March 08, 2004\nThere's a lot to do in this city, which is probably why there are so many places to get info about your options. Chicago Rules is one such place — currently in beta — compiling restaurant and club reviews, as well as a concert calendar."},{"id":"text-1892","heading":"Text","content":"March 02, 2004\nProving 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."},{"id":"text-1893","heading":"Text","content":"February 25, 2004\nLori Napoleon, who DJs locally as SubK, has begun a beautiful mapsproject. Check out what she has posted so far."},{"id":"text-1894","heading":"Text","content":"February 20, 2004\nThe Saturnine Detractor features a photo essay of Northern Iraq by photographer Daniel Pepper. Good stuff."},{"id":"text-1895","heading":"Text","content":"February 20, 2004\nThe state government may owe you money! The Office of the State Treasurer is attempting to return unclaimed money (in the form of lost wages, forgotten bank accounts and security deposits, etc.) to its rightful owners, and to promote the giveaway released a top 10 "most wanted" list of the Illinois residents who are owed the highest amounts of cash. The values range from $100,000 to half a million dollars. Fortunately for you, Web surfer, you can check your own name at the State Treasurer's Website, cashdash.net."},{"id":"text-1896","heading":"Text","content":"February 17, 2004\nThe Modernist, a web publication created by one of the people behind Jinx coffeeshop and the now-closed Big Brother Video, is your one-stop shop for 20th century modernist furniture and, um, naked people. (Wait till you get home to delve into this one.)"},{"id":"text-1897","heading":"Text","content":"February 10, 2004\nIf you haven't already seen the GI Joe PSA's by Eric Fensler, run, dash, or sprint over there and check them out. There are new ones! And doesn't he look charming in his Cubs uniform? "Give him the stick, don't give him the stick!""},{"id":"text-1898","heading":"Text","content":"February 05, 2004\n37signals, Chicago's own web design and usability powerhouse, has just released Basecamp, a beautiful web-based project management system aimed at the freelance and small shop crowd. It's only been out a few days, and it's already racked up lots of praise. If you're looking for something to improve organization and communication among your co-workers, or beteween you and your client, consider checking it out."},{"id":"text-1899","heading":"Text","content":"January 23, 2004\nThe Payphone Project is a collection of lists of (theoretically) every payphone in the world that is able to receive calls. The Illinois list is pretty huge; check out just the 312 phones."},{"id":"text-1900","heading":"Text","content":"January 09, 2004\nHere's a decidedly different way of exploring the city: the Virtual Tourist was a project begun in 1995 that intended to map all the servers in a geographic area. Obviously that became an impossible task pretty quickly, and the original project gave way to a general travel site. But somebody in UofC's CS department saved the original maps for Illinois, and they offer and interesting snapshot of the server landscape. The project offers several layers of detail, moving in from statewide to Chicagoland to the city to the Loop."},{"id":"text-1901","heading":"Text","content":"January 08, 2004\nThis site has collected over 250 "best of" lists for the year 2003. The lists are divided into 26 categories and include such local delights as the Hip-Hop Top 10 and the Top 10 Worst Reality TV Shows for 2003 — both from the Chicago Sun-Times."},{"id":"text-1902","heading":"Text","content":"January 06, 2004\nDon Woolf, a waiter with 15 years of experience and a graduate of the master's program of Public Affairs Journalism at Columbia College, is angry! He's created TheAngryWaiter.com to serve (no pun intended) as an outlet for all the other angry restaraunt employees in the world. If you want to be a whistleblower and tell the public that Chez Crape has a fly infestation problem, or that the owner of the Dog-Diggity-Dugout is a sexually harrassing jag-off, send your story to The Angry Waiter."},{"id":"text-1903","heading":"Text","content":"December 03, 2003\nIt's possible that one could wax poetic about Chicago using Google's new "define:" keyword. (Define: turns up definitions of words, and I find them quite comical.) For example: Microsoft codename / the original version of the four-bridge deal / the well-known rock band / a bustling Great Lakes Port. Not quite the same as the poem, which most of us are familiar with: "They tell me you are wicked and I believe them, for I have seen your painted women under the gas lamps luring the farm boys.""},{"id":"text-1904","heading":"Text","content":"December 03, 2003\nThe Saturnine Detractor, a Chicago-born quarterly web magazine of feature journalism, reviews, opinion, fiction, and artwork, recently published its second issue. Vérifiez-le."},{"id":"text-1905","heading":"Text","content":"November 25, 2003\nUpcoming.org is a "collaborative event calendar" — in other words, you enter concerts or other events into its database, and other members can let you know they're coming, too. In theory, as the system learns more about your interests, it will recommend events to you. Chicago's listing is pretty thin right now, but you're going to help change that, right?"},{"id":"text-1906","heading":"Text","content":"November 24, 2003\nThe Illinois Department of Child Support Enforcement has created a new website featuring photos and information about the state's worst deadbeat parents. And, while you're checking into nefarious characters, you may also be interested in the rapists and child molesters in your neighborhood, searchable by city or ZIP code. The Cook County Sheriff's Department has its own list."},{"id":"text-1907","heading":"Text","content":"November 19, 2003\nThe homepage (and only the homepage) of the Chicago Reader gets a bit of a facelift. The "face" no longer jives very well with the rest of it's "body" though I can see an attempt to conserve real estate and add ads down the side which really in the end just takes away from the esoteric charm of the site and it's 1993 old school web design. A peek under the hood also reveals font face tags and non stylesheet use. Pouah."},{"id":"text-1908","heading":"Text","content":"October 29, 2003\nIIT's Shlomo Argamon helped write the algorithm behind the Gender Genie, this week's blog meme. Enter a passage of text and the Genie predicts the author's gender. I entered several days of Merge, the Proprietors page and the current installments of Detour, Airbags and Fuel, and the results were unanimous: Gapers Block is a boy!"},{"id":"text-1909","heading":"Text","content":"October 01, 2003\nYou'd think Merriam-Webster, the maker of dictionaries, would be stodgy and uncool? Wrong! Much like Spinal Tap, they go to 11."},{"id":"text-1910","heading":"Text","content":"September 29, 2003\nChicagomotorcycle.com is, as you'd expect, all about motorcycles and riding around Chicago."},{"id":"text-1911","heading":"Text","content":"September 29, 2003\nThose crazy kids at ad agency Cramer-Krasselt know that anytime, anywhere, "the Seventies are right behind you.""},{"id":"text-1912","heading":"Text","content":"September 25, 2003\nThe Chicago Craigslist is sort of revamped. Looking more like it's older and bigger siblings in SF and NY, the site also sports a new Events Calendar which is already being abused for all sorts of events spam. Speaking of Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist, he now has a weblog."},{"id":"text-1913","heading":"Text","content":"September 24, 2003\n2 Stroke Buzz, by local scooter boy Bryan Bedell, was featured in the New York Time's "Men's Fashion of the Times" magazine this past weekend."},{"id":"text-1914","heading":"Text","content":"September 24, 2003\nNo East Web Magazine is looking for submissions. The site will no longer adopt a "magazine" stance with quarterly issues but is being revamped for a weekly freeform 425x600px format."},{"id":"text-1915","heading":"Text","content":"September 23, 2003\nDeadtech, the Chicago art-noise-installation gallery, has launched a new site with more frequently updated content and space for collective editorship. Also, check out this month's electronic music show with Evolution Control Committee on Thursday the 25th, 8pm, 3321 W. Fullerton, $5 donation."},{"id":"text-1916","heading":"Text","content":"September 22, 2003\nJeremy P. Bushnell is writing a "serialized web narrative" following the lives of a group of fictional Chicagoans over the course of a year. Imaginary Year is updated every Monday and Friday; the newest "book" begins today. Read also Bushnell's manifesto, explaining the philosophy behind the project."},{"id":"text-1917","heading":"Text","content":"September 19, 2003\nYou can listen to live transmissions of the Chicago Approach frequency (via Real Audio)used for plane arrivals and departures for the west suburban satellite airports of O'Hare. The site also includes a nifty aeronautical map of the Chicago area."},{"id":"text-1918","heading":"Text","content":"September 19, 2003\nArrrgh! Any o' you mateys who be wantin' to seize some vrai booty this 'Talk Like a Pirate Day' would do well t' plunk down a few pieces o' eight for Pimps at Sea. An' if ye be likin' to play the game don't ferget to pick yer own pirate name. Arrgh! Pieces o' Eight! Ducats! Ducats!"},{"id":"text-1919","heading":"Text","content":"September 03, 2003\nScience, Art, and Technology, from the Art Institute of Chicago, is a website dedicated to exploring relationship between science and art within a museum setting. Originally offered as a course to Chicago Public School science teachers, the site includes sections on the chemistry and physics of light and color; art and astronomy; and conservation. You can view the original lectures online or read summaries of the lectures."},{"id":"text-1920","heading":"Text","content":"August 29, 2003\nWant to hear how much a Chicago accent differs from Milwaukee or Minneapolis? The International Dialects of English Archive is a web repository of speech samples in MP3 form. The archive, hosted by the University of Kansas's theatre department and intended for use by actors, has several Chicago samples."},{"id":"text-1921","heading":"Text","content":"August 29, 2003\nQuite possibly the reason why Illinois has no In N Out Burger restaurants. Viewing this is total gapers' block. Hungry anyone?"},{"id":"text-1922","heading":"Text","content":"August 29, 2003\nAn article in yesterday's Chicago Tribune reports on the results of a study that show "Midwesterners use the Web slightly less than people in other parts of the country" (56% versus the national 59%). This latest report from the Pew Internet Project, one of the first to study differences in regional Internet use, also shows that Internet use in the Midwest has leveled off. According to the study, "the same proportion of Midwesterners access the Web now that did two years ago." The Tribune also talks to Lia Londrono, a local librarian, about her observations regarding Internet use and the digital divide.[triblogin:[triblogin:gapers/gapers]"},{"id":"text-1923","heading":"Text","content":"August 27, 2003\nEarthCam is a directory of webcams from all over the world. Check out these views from the Sears Tower courtesy of ABC7Chicago; a view of traffic on the Michigan Ave. bridge thanks to WGN; the continuing construction of the new Soldier's Field from the Chicago Bears website; or, finally, this lovely view of First & State streets in suburban Geneva (Why?). Addictive, pointless, timewasting fun. Prendre plaisir."},{"id":"text-1924","heading":"Text","content":"August 20, 2003\nChowhound's Chicago message board is an incredible repository of local food knowledge, exploration, history, and restaurant and product reviews. The user interface may be a bit of a beast, but it's worth wading through to gain access to vast amounts of information. Unfortunately, it takes a lot to keep at site like that running. Lately, times are especially tough. So if you value Chowhound as much as I do, please consider donating, or otherwise supporting the site."},{"id":"text-1925","heading":"Text","content":"August 13, 2003\nMcDonald's is rolling out wireless internet access at 60 stores in Chicago and Milwaukee. Cost is $4.95 for an hour, or $7.95 for an all-day pass; "for a limited time" you can get a free hour with the purchase of an extra value meal or premium salad. Just last week, Panera Bread announced its own WiFi service — for libre — in 16 Chicagoland stores."},{"id":"text-1926","heading":"Text","content":"August 08, 2003\nYou've probably heard about some friend of a friend who got paid a ton of money to sit in an exam room and smoke pot while hooked up to a brain wave monitor. If you were jealous, and you think it could be fun getting poked with needles and getting paid for it, or if you're just desparate to cover the difference between your unemployment check and your rent payment that was due a week ago, consider signing up for a clinical trial in your area."},{"id":"text-1927","heading":"Text","content":"August 07, 2003\nSexy, sexy single ladies of Chicago! We all know that dating is a hopeless, soul-grating endeavor. All the good ones are taken, and the ones who aren't are never the ones trying to get you ripped on Jaegermeister whilst discussing current events with your cleavage. But there's hope! Just fill out this application and just maybe you could lay claim to sensitive poet and generally sharp-dressing guy, Alan Studowski, Chicago's very own Number One Stud! You can't win if you don't play!"},{"id":"text-1928","heading":"Text","content":"August 07, 2003\nChicago 2600 is a site for Chicago-based hackers, focusing on the community's "ethical perspective [on] technology and politics." White hats only, please."},{"id":"text-1929","heading":"Text","content":"July 31, 2003\nWanna go bowling? Here's a list of all the bowling alleys in Chicagoland, alphabetized by name or location. Strike!"},{"id":"text-1930","heading":"Text","content":"July 30, 2003\nYou're missing out by not reading CraigsList Chicago ads on a semi-regular basis. Take a few minutes out of your day to check out a missive to employment, and ads for psychics, Mary Kay "smell goods," and lots and lots of threesomes."},{"id":"text-1931","heading":"Text","content":"July 29, 2003\nWe all know the social network Friendster (what? you're not on Friendster?), but how about the new Enemyster? Or even Fiendster? While Fiendster is a joke, does anyone have a beta code for Enemyster? Drop me a line."},{"id":"text-1932","heading":"Text","content":"July 28, 2003\nRelatively new Chicagoan Liz Butler, a friend of the Block, is now writing a weekly TV column for The Daily Gusto."},{"id":"text-1933","heading":"Text","content":"July 25, 2003\nWDET in Detroit, one of the country's best public radio stations, resumes its streaming today. The stream was shut down in February to comply with the RIAA, but DJs can now work around the rules by using a kill switch. For example, if more than four songs by the same artist are played within a three-hour period, the stream will simply be turned off for the duration of the non-complying programming."},{"id":"text-1934","heading":"Text","content":"July 25, 2003\nPomposity!, a "lit rag for the computing set," is a product of a couple students in the Interactive Multimedia Program at Columbia College. The html version is dead, but the Flash site boasts a nice mix of high- and low-brow writing."},{"id":"text-1935","heading":"Text","content":"July 23, 2003\nThe complete history of WLS Radio. I gotta get me some WLS radio tubes."},{"id":"text-1936","heading":"Text","content":"July 21, 2003\nCoudal Partners announces the launch of Photoshop Tennis, Season 3. This time 'round, it's a 32-slot, single-elimination tournament. 11 spots are still open, so get your applications in!"},{"id":"text-1937","heading":"Text","content":"July 20, 2003\nThere's a lot of discussion going on in the current Detour article about what is and isn't hip, or a hipster, or a dive bar, or the end of the universe, or something like that. Anyway, ignore that hot air and play for real money – Hipster Bingo. (via BoingBoing)"},{"id":"text-1938","heading":"Text","content":"July 14, 2003\n"A Booth Project" is quite similar to the Mirror Project, but focused specifically on photobooths. Visit one of the booths on their list tonight and send in your photo tomorrow!"},{"id":"text-1939","heading":"Text","content":"July 08, 2003\nFar from dying as the joke wore thin, the Lincoln Park Trixies Society website has grown, now incorporating a discussion forum (covering such topics as "Bridgeport: the next LP?") and an "Ask Ashley" column. Get in your Jetta, hit Starbucks and read up on the unique social creature that is the Lincoln Park Trixie."},{"id":"text-1940","heading":"Text","content":"June 26, 2003\nYou may be a geek, but are you a Design Geek? Our very own Paul McAleer ponders the usefulness of objects and the way they work. It's fresh and (somewhat) new. I wish he'd put up the old archives."},{"id":"text-1941","heading":"Text","content":"June 26, 2003\nHave you heard reference on WBEZ to the Third Coast International Audio Festival? Wondered what it was? Well, it's an online festival of audio documentary works of all types, from field recordings to news features, presented by Chicago Public Radio and the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation. There's a competition component to it, and the submission deadline is coming up — July 18, to be exact. So get that tape of your grandpa's war stories ready, clean up the sound on your live recording of Guatemalan field hands. It's time to shine."},{"id":"text-1942","heading":"Text","content":"June 23, 2003\nRevamped and looking good, Coudal reboots fresh. We like the new logo. They have also launched a new feature called Reading which features none other than our Editor-in-Chief, Andrew Huff."},{"id":"text-1943","heading":"Text","content":"June 18, 2003\nThe site's not much to look at, but the Chicago Audubon Society boasts a great collection of links on bird watching in Chicagoland, including a Chicago Bird Census and interactive database. Happy Birding!"},{"id":"text-1944","heading":"Text","content":"June 16, 2003\nIt's the eighth birthday of one of my favorite sites on the net: APOD (Astronomy Picture of the Day). Check out the archive for some stunning pictures, ranging from hi-res NASA imaging to photographs taken by sky enthusiasts."},{"id":"text-1945","heading":"Text","content":"June 16, 2003\nThe latest issue of No East, a digital magazine created by members of the Chicagobloggers group, is out at last. The theme this time is "work," in its many permutations. Prendre plaisir."},{"id":"text-1946","heading":"Text","content":"June 10, 2003\nHas anyone else noticed Metroblossom? It's another urban-focused website with ultra-slick design, and it seems to be run out of Chicago and is looking to take off. Kind of like No-East except with less words."},{"id":"text-1947","heading":"Text","content":"June 04, 2003\nCar maker Volvo is threatening legal action against the tiny Volo Auto Museum in northwest suburban Volo because its domain name, volocars.com, is too similar to volvocars.com. The museum began using the domain in 1997, three years before Volvo created its site."},{"id":"text-1948","heading":"Text","content":"May 28, 2003\nA computer program developed at Illinois Institute of Technology is able to determine the sex of an author based on an analysis of a text. The program is right 80% of the time."},{"id":"text-1949","heading":"Text","content":"May 28, 2003\nWhile I thought it would have come back with nothing but stills from the film Chicago, I was quite awed to see some stunning images of Chicago when doing a Google image search for "Chicago"."},{"id":"text-1950","heading":"Text","content":"May 28, 2003\nDidn't realize this till today but Indymedia has a Chicago sister site. Some interesting activist reporting, especially with Chicago's universities and colleges it seems."},{"id":"text-1951","heading":"Text","content":"May 22, 2003\nScooter-ridin', sometimes 'stache sportin', all round good man, PJ Chmiel returns from Poland with a gallery of more than 200 photos of his trip. An amazing photographic journey of Poland, a country with a lot of history. Simply jaw-dropping."},{"id":"text-1952","heading":"Text","content":"May 19, 2003\nI was browsing the backpage section of the Chicago Reader and came across this ad:"},{"id":"text-1953","heading":"Text","content":"COBRAScooters, ATVs, Off-Road, B2B sales, need dealers\nI guess Cobra Commander and his cronies are in financial trouble. As plainly evidenced by their stupidity. Yo Joe!"},{"id":"text-1954","heading":"Text","content":"May 16, 2003\nAbsolutely gorgeous handmade books, prints and t-shirts from ReddingK. Completely inspired by this one, and best of all, they are amazingly cheap considering the quality of artwork here. Be sure to take a look at the Perilous Predicament poster set, amazing in the print section. Side note: Not from Chicago but too good to not link."},{"id":"text-1955","heading":"Text","content":"May 07, 2003\nCoudal intern Anthony Vitagliano shot some amazing footage of the fire at the Acorn Garage [Trib. reg: gapers/gapers] — check it out here (Quicktime video)."},{"id":"text-1956","heading":"Text","content":"May 05, 2003\nI might be a johnny-come-lately with this, but Jazz Era Chicago is astounding. Copious amounts of photos, text, and historical trivia. I learned, for instance, that the loft I work in used to be a Woolworth's. Well worth your time."},{"id":"text-1957","heading":"Text","content":"Click to rate this post!\n \n [Total: 0 Average: 0]"}],"media":{"primary_image":"https://tutos-gameserver.fr/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/esurance_dick.png"},"relations":[{"rel":"canonical","href":"https://tutos-gameserver.fr/2019/10/20/gapers-block-merge-trouve-sur-le-web-un-bon-serveur-minecraft/"},{"rel":"alternate","href":"https://tutos-gameserver.fr/2019/10/20/gapers-block-merge-trouve-sur-le-web-un-bon-serveur-minecraft/llm","type":"text/html"},{"rel":"alternate","href":"https://tutos-gameserver.fr/2019/10/20/gapers-block-merge-trouve-sur-le-web-un-bon-serveur-minecraft/llm.json","type":"application/json"},{"rel":"llm-manifest","href":"https://tutos-gameserver.fr/llm-endpoints-manifest.json","type":"application/json"}],"http_headers":{"X-LLM-Friendly":"1","X-LLM-Schema":"1.1.0","Content-Security-Policy":"default-src 'none'; img-src * data:; style-src 'unsafe-inline'"},"license":"CC BY-ND 4.0","attribution_required":true,"allow_cors":false}