Chicagoist

Elsewhere In The 'ist-A-Verse

Staff — 2009-11-22T17:00:00-06:00

Gothamist was saddened after seeing why Sad Panda is so so sad.
DCist caught up with the dapper gents and ladies who took to the streets in high style for the D.C. Tweed Ride.
Torontoist Googled its city. Googled it hard.
Seattlest sputtered in disbelief at a grassroots campaign in favor of a proposal to dig the world's largest open-pit mine.
LAist wondered if the city's drivers are ready to go Dutch--as in be taxed based on miles driven instead of the current taxes levied on roads and new car purchases.
Bostonist interviewed Russell Ferguson of So You Think You Can Dance.
Shanghaiist rounded up all the news you'd ever need to read about Obama's town hall in their fair city.
Phillyist wondered if all the fun was on its way out of town.
Chicagoist focused on Oprah Winfrey's announcement that she plans on ending her show in 2011--which resulted in Mayor Daley blaming the media--causing Chicagoist to reflect on the Oprah of yesteryear.
SFist yearned for a McRib sandwich comeback.
Londonist mapped every London location that Sherlock Holmes visited. So now you know.

Compiled by SFist editor Brock Keeling

Mr. Burris Goes To Baghdad

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-22T16:00:00-06:00

AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File

Just as Senate Dems secured enough votes to open up President Obama's Health Care plan for debate, U.S. Sen. Roland Burris is headed for an early-week visit to troops in Iraq. Sen. Burris, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is part of a delegation that will, as an aide told the Tribune, "examine security and political developments in the region." Burris will be joined by Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, (both Oregon), Tom Udall (New Mexico) and Michael Bennet (Colorado), all fellow Dems. The delegation will return by Thanksgiving. Last week, Burris was cleared by a Senate ethics committee of any wrong-doing stemming from his testimony about his communications with then-governor Rod Blagojevich about the Senate seat he now holds, but it did earn him an admonition from the panel.

Weekend Diversion: Carl Sagan, Remixed

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-22T15:00:00-06:00

Proving you can auto-tune anything. [via]

Son Pushed and Robbed Wheelchair-Bound Mother

Anthonia Akitunde — 2009-11-22T14:00:00-06:00

A man faces one count of felony robbery for allegedly pushing and robbing his 80-year-old wheelchair-bound mother, according to CB2. The mother found her son, Randy Suggs, 54, in her bedroom early Friday morning with a blanket over his head to cover his face, the report states. When asked why he was "doing this," Suggs pushed the woman to the ground, stole $67 and fled. Suggs' mother waited for her other son to come home, who called the police and followed them to arrest Suggs.

[CBS2]

Red-Light Cameras Not So Special?

Anthonia Akitunde — 2009-11-22T13:00:00-06:00

Photo by lorentey

Anyone who has received a $100 ticket in the mail for blowing through a traffic light is familiar with red-light cameras. Beginning in 2003, these cameras have been installed at some of Chicago's busiest interactions in an attempt to curb traffic accidents. But are they meeting their goal?

It depends on who you ask. A report from the Chicago Tribune finds a discrepancy between state and city records on the effectiveness of red-light cameras. According to the report, Illinois Department of Transportation records show an increase in crashes at intersections where cameras are installed compared to the years cameras were not present. However, the city's record finds the cameras very successful in reducing traffic accidents.

The state's numbers looked at all 47 intersections that had cameras installed in 2006 or 2007, according to the Tribune. IDOT found that "although some Chicago intersections indeed appear to benefit from the presence of cameras, nearly 60 percent do not," the report said. The city's numbers found that accidents declined more than 60 percent at intersections where cameras were installed in the same years.

Differences in state and city numbers could be attributed to "different interpretations of when an accident is truly intersection-related," according to the report.

The controversy behind traffic-light cameras continues on, as some skeptics think the cameras increase unsafe driving (slamming on the brakes to avoid getting a ticket) and act as a revenue-building scheme (camera-generated tickets brought the city $45 million).

Chicago will have 189 cameras installed by the end of the year, far outpacing other metro cities, such as Los Angeles (32) and New York (150).

[Tribune]

Around Town

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-22T12:00:00-06:00

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Morning Box Score

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-22T11:00:00-06:00

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Blackhawks Roll Past Oilers
Two nights after exploding for seven goals, the Blackhawks juggernaut kept rolling as they eased past the Oilers by a 5-2 final, extending their winning streak to six games (and 2-0 on the Circus Trip). Jonathan Toews opened up scoring with a goal less than four minutes into the game; the Oilers answered, but the Blackhawks countered with goals from Kris Versteeg and Patrick Kane to take a 3-1 lead into the first intermission. John Madden added a second period goal and Taser scored his second goal of the game on a power play halfway through the third. Huet stopped 25 shots in net for the 'Hawks. It was a great game for Toews who missed time earlier in the season due to a concussion. The 'Hawks try to get the winning streak to lucky seven tonight in Vancouver (9 p.m., WGN).

Bulls Fall To Nuggets
The Bulls aren't having nearly as good a Circus Trip as their UC counterparts as the team dropped their second straight, falling to the Denver Nuggets 112-93. Things looked good early on as the Bulls jumped out to a 27-14 lead at the end of the first period, but the Nuggets chipped away at the lead in the second before sprinting past the Bulls in the second half, outscoring Chicago 63-41. Derrick Rose continued to improve his play in the losing effort, scoring 28 and pulling down 6 rebounds; Luol Deng added 22 points. Next up on the road trip is a swing through Portland Monday night (9 p.m., WGN).

College Football

The Northwestern Wildcats pulled off their second upset of the year over a ranked team, defeating the #16 Wisconsin Badgers by a 33-31 final. Mike Kafka had a great day under center for NU, throwing for 326 yards and two TDs. Kicker Stefan Demos was also clutch, going 4 for 4 on FG tries, including two from 45 yards. So what's next for Northwestern? At 8-4, certainly a bowl game, possibly the Champs Sports or Alamo Bowl.
The heat is on in South Bend after Notre Dame fell to UConn 33-30 in a 2OT thriller. At 6-5, Irish fans (and boosters) can't be happy with coach Charlie Weis. The Irish got out to a 14-0 lead early but couldn't hold as the Huskies fought back and hit a field goal with just over a minute left to force overtime. Jimmy Clausen threw 329 yards and a pair of touchdowns, Golden Tate being his favorite target (123 yards, 1 TD). It's the third straight loss for Notre Dame and it doesn't get any easier as they travel to Stanford to take on a Cardinal team that's coming off a heartbreaking loss of its own. Still, even if the Irish lose their fourth straight next weekend, they'll still make a bowl game; they are Notre Dame, after all.
Despite only allowing 247 total yards of offense to Ohio, NIU still fell by a 38-31 final. Chandler Harnish threw for 307 yards and a pair of TDs and one interception. Chad Spann scored two TDs on the ground but only rolled up 32 yards. NIU tries to help their bowl chances when they finish the season on Friday at Central Michigan.

College Basketball
The #25 Illini had no problems in cruising past Presbyterian by a 94-48 final. 13 different players scored, led by D.J. Richardson who had 15; Mike Davis added 12 and had 9 rebounds.

Today's Weather: Resplendent

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-22T10:00:00-06:00

Photo by Mark Mullis

Today looks like a lot like yesterday and that's pretty okay in our book. Sunny skies and highs in the lower 50s is a nice Sunday in late November as far as we're concerned, especially with "chance of snow" in the forecast for a few days from now. Tonight, lows drop to the mid 40s under partly cloudy skies.

Saturday Flashback: Chicagoist And Oprah

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-21T17:15:00-06:00

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You didn't think we were gonna make it through a whole day without mentioning Oprah again, did you? Well, we'll be brief. We've already revisited the controversy over this year's season premiere which was filmed downtown in early September. But readers who've been this site for a bit might remember that Stoplman and my predecessor, Margaret, attended the 2008 season premiere, filmed in Millennium Park and featuring a slew of Olympic athletes from the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Be sure to check out the entire story and even more photos here.

Billy Elliot Tickets On Sale

Suzy Evans — 2009-11-21T16:00:00-06:00

In case you plan your theater-going 4 months in advance, tickets for the much-anticipated Chicago-run of West End, then Broadway, blockbuster Billy Elliot went on sale yesterday. The show is scheduled to open in March and could be the next Jersey Boys or Wicked. According to the Tribune, the show will play for as long as it makes money. We enjoyed the show in London but we have no idea what the Chicago production will be like. We'd say it's worth the gamble, though.

Fake Bomb Suspect Charged

Anthonia Akitunde — 2009-11-21T15:00:00-06:00

Police photo of Roosevelt Billups from Examiner.com

A West Side man now faces three felony charges for allegedly planting fake bombs at two prominent downtown buildings, Chicago Breaking News reports.

Roosevelt Billups, 42, was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of planting "hoax bombs" at Boeing's headquarters at 100 N. Riverside Plaza and at One Prudential Plaza. Billups faces two additional charges, according to the report: "one count of felony possession of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor charge of drug paraphernalia possession."

Earlier the police alerted the community about three separate instances of suspicious packages resembling explosives being placed near "prominent downtown buildings," the report said. Someone recognized Billups as a person of interest from the community alert and called the police.

Police refused to confirm when the crimes occurred or when the phony bombs were planted.

[Chicago Breaking News]

[Sponsored]

2009-11-21T15:00:00-06:00

Weekend Diversion: Night Of The Ponies

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-21T14:00:00-06:00

We've all done it: Google or Facebook stalk old friends from college or high school. One guy did it a few years ago and made quite a discovery about an old high school friend. (Mostly SFW, a few naughty words) [via]

Thanks, Samantha!

South Side Craigslist Robbers Nabbed

Anthonia Akitunde — 2009-11-21T13:00:00-06:00

Photo by Ciaran McGuiggan

Three men were arrested earlier this week for a rash of Craigslist-aided robberies that began in October, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Twelve victims claim they were robbed of money and/or personal items when trying to meet up with the men who claimed to be selling cheap electronics over Craigslist.

After noting the number of attacks, police searched Craiglist for posts similar to the ones answered by the robbed, would-be customers and "posed as buyers," according to the Tribune. The posts advertised warehouse priced electronics, such as $100 Xboxes and $500 plasma screen televisions, and asked for "serious buyers" only. Potential buyers were urged to call instead of email them. Police say the posts' language lead them to the alleged robbers, the Tribune reports.

Dwayne Williams, 20, allegedly learned the scheme of offering electronic goods on the classifieds website only to rob buyers at a prearranged spot from associates and brothers, Jalmar M. Smalling, 19, and Jamelle M. Smalling, 18, the Tribune reports. Williams is charged with 12 counts of armed robbery on eight separate occasions. The Smallings are charged with five counts of armed robbery and one count of attempted armed robbery, "for trying to rob an undercover arresting officer," the Sun-Times reports. [Sun-Times], [Tribune]

It's Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Day

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-21T12:30:00-06:00

Heading downtown for the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival? You won't be alone: the Trib reports 800,000 are expected at the fest which has already kicked off and runs all day, climaxing with a parade this evening from 5:30 p.m. til 6:55 p.m. Of course, there are some reroutes and traffic issues to deal with if you're heading downtown for any reason. If you're taking the CTA, be sure to check in here for their bus reroutes and if you're driving, here's a list of road closures, courtesy of the Tribune.

Walton Street, from State Street to Dearborn Street, starting at 4 p.m. Friday until 6 p.m. today
Upper Illinois Street, east of Michigan Avenue, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today
Oak Street, from State to Dearborn, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. today
Oak Street from State to Michigan; North Michigan from Oak to Wacker; and Upper Wacker Drive from Michigan east, all from 4:45 p.m. to about 7 p.m. today

If you prefer to enjoy the parade from the comfort of your own home, ABC 7 is airing it tonight starting at 6 p.m. And if you do head down for the fest, be sure to snap some photos and share them in our Flickr pool.

Around Town

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-21T12:00:00-06:00

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Pedway, First Store Open At Block 37

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-21T11:30:00-06:00

Conceptual Art of Block 37 via

In spite of yesterday's ruling that stripped control of the beleaguered Block 37 project from its developer, the project will see the first store opening today after the city gave the project the green light, according to Crain's. Today will see the opening the opening of both the pedway and the Steve Madden store. A spokeswoman for the developer, Joseph Freed & Associates, LLC, said they expect two additional stores - Zara and Puma - to open early next week and several more will follow suit by Thanksgiving.

Both Crain's and the Tribune have good detailed accounts of the latest goings-on with the project, including analysis of yesterday's ruling.

Morning Box Score: College Hoops

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-21T10:40:00-06:00

DePaul's Will Walker takes a shot against No. Iowa (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)

No pro sports last night but there was a trio of area college hoops game.

DePaul moved to 2-0 on the year thanks to a 60-52 win over Northern Iowa. The game was part of the the Paradise Jam basketball tournament being held in St. Thomas. The Virgin Islands: a rough way to spend a weekend. Jeremiah Kelly led all scorers with 18 and Mac Koshwal had a solid 12 points-19 rebounds performance. Next up for the Blue Demons is a match-up with #10 Tennessee in the tourney semis.
NIU cruised past Tennessee State 85-57 to get their first win of the season. Three Huskies scored in double-digits: Sean Kowal (18), Tony Nixon (16), and Mike DiNunno (11).
The Loyola Ramblers moved above .500 with their 76-73 win over Holy Cross thanks to a Aric Van Weelden three-point shot at the buzzer. Loyola's three leading scorers were all off the bench: Walt Gibler (17), Marcus Thomas (16), and Van Weelden (11). The Ramblers were down by 8 with a little over a minute to go, but ran off an 11-0 run to close out the game and snatch the victory.

Today's Weather: Opulent

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-21T09:45:00-06:00

Photo by lauren*o

It'll be a through-and-through gorgeous day to get outside for yard work or the kids or whatever you like to do on your weekend. Highs will be in the mid-50s and sunshine will be plentiful. Tonight, under clear skies, temps drop into the upper 30s.

Extra, Extra

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-20T17:00:00-06:00

Awesome timelapse video by Joshua Mellin

Police went undercover and arrested three men for using Craigslist to set up a series of robberies.
Block 37 hit a huge snag today as a judge stripped the project from its developer and handed it over to CB Richard Ellis.
A public memorial service will be held for CPS Board of Education President Michael Scott this Sunday at the UIC Forum.
Another convention - the World of Wheels - is ditching McCormick Place but this time, it's relocating within the area to Roesmont.
Someone really has issues with WGN Radio's programming.
Skip the insane crowds and help out local crafters by doing some Christmas shopping at tomorrow's DIY Trunk Show. It runs from 10 a.m. til 5 p.m. at Pulaski Park Auditorium. [via GB]

The CNC's NY Times Page Is Live

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-20T16:35:00-06:00

We pondered the new Chicago section of the NY Times and even reminded you yesterday and...now it's here. I actually picked up a copy this morning but haven't had time to read it yet. However, lucky for me (and all of you, right?) you can also access the content online here. Besides the CNC's NY Times content, the site also features Chicago-centric headlines from other sources as well as links to other helpful Chicago sites (including us!). Of course, if you're reading this then you probably already know that stuff.

So what of the CNC's content? Today's main story focuses on the profits for Chicago Parking Meters LLC, the private company to whom the city's parking meters were leased; company projections are for almost $80 million in revenue for 2010. At that rate, it won't take them long to make up the price they paid for the 75-year contract. So it's a good start. We'll still need more time to see how well the section pans out, and while nothing in today's edition is ground-breaking, it seems it's off to a decent start and at least we know where to look to keep track.

Asian Carp: 'Nice Try, Suckers'

Prescott Carlson — 2009-11-20T16:05:00-06:00

Photo AP/M. Spencer Green

Is it any surprise that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers couldn't properly maintain a levee to hold up against a hurricane when they can't even seem to keep a fish out of Lake Michigan? New word from the Corps in the fight against the Asian carp is that they've discovered the fish's DNA beyond an electronic barrier that was set up along the Illinois River to keep the fish out of the Great Lakes. The new evidence was found a mere 7 miles from Lake Michigan, and at this point if the carp makes its way through a navigational lock it's home free from there, and its feeding habits will wreak havoc on the Great Lakes native species. Cameron Davis, from the Environmental Protection Agency, said that the DNA evidence is "very accurate" in terms of indicating the fish's presence.

Previously it was announced that Congress was providing $6 million in assistance to bulk up the barricade, and just last week the state announced it would be dumping the poison Rotenone into a canal near Romeoville to kill off the fish, but it looks like these measures have come too late. An order has been issued to "clean out" the Sanitary and Ship Canal in an emergency effort.

Henry Henderson, Director of the Natural Resources Defense Council's Midwest Program did not mince words about the Army Corps of Engineers' shortcomings -- in a statement issued this afternoon, Henderson said:

"Today’s announcement that Asian carp have gotten past the electric fish fence is sobering, but predictable. The responsible federal and state agencies have known about this problem for 13 years, but have utterly failed to act with the urgency that this threat requires. The prospect of 100 pound fish off of Oak Street Beach and leaping out at boaters in the Great Lakes should spur action that should have been undertaken years ago. We have seen how zebra and quagga mussels have literally transformed Lake Michigan, and I fear that the Asian carp could do far worse to the ecosystem... The Army Corps of Engineers needs to stop reacting to events, and get ahead of this problem with real solutions...The only thing aggressive about the virtual fish fence has been its multi-million dollar price tag."

Thanks to This Week's Advertisers

tien mao — 2009-11-20T16:00:00-06:00

We would like to take a moment to thank this week's advertisers on Chicagoist.

John Mayer, find tickets for his Battle Studies tour with the AMEX early on sale.
American Apparel, with 4 stores in Chicago, you can look your best after dark.
GroupOn, using collective buying power to bring you one ridiculous coupon each day.

If you're interested in advertising on Chicagoist or any other site in our network, check out our online mediakit.

Mariotti's Photo Scuffle?

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-20T15:40:00-06:00

Sports blog extraordinaire Deadspin reported earlier today that Jay Mariotti apparently got himself booted from Underground last night for a bit of a scuffle over a cell phone pic. The alleged incident was spread on Twitter last night and Deadspin got the story from a reader this morning. Mariotti (not surprisingly) hasn't responded to Deadspin and the photo hasn't surfaced yet, so we'll just have to make do with this one of Mariotti pulling a Tankboy on someone's couch after a big party. We wonder if Jay's gonna make a hungover appearance on Around The Horn.

Reappointment For Daley's Nephew

aaroncynic — 2009-11-20T15:20:00-06:00

Peter Thompson, another Daley nephew, has been reappointed to the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority. According to the Sun Times, Thompson helped the mayor rake in $7 million as his campaign finance chief in less than three months. Thompson will keep his unpaid seat on the ISFA until January 1st, 2012. In 2007, when Thompson was first appointed, he said “Finance and investments are what I do for a living. That's my sweet spot.” The ISFA is the developer, owner and operator of U.S. Cellular Field and renovates stadiums in the state of Illinois. The Sun Times reports some of its upcoming plans include potentially replacing the parking lots where Comiskey Park once stood with an expansion on the Gate 5 entrance.

Friday Afternoon Diversion: Earth With Rings

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-20T15:00:00-06:00

What would Earth look like if it had rings like Saturn? This amazing video shows what it would look like both from outer space and from down here, looking up. So freaking cool. [via]

Chicago Gets Googled

Jake Guidry — 2009-11-20T14:40:00-06:00

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Earlier this week our good friends at Torontoist had a great idea about "Google Auto-Suggesting" themselves and fleshed it out in a rather funny post. The Auto-Suggest feature--essentially the 21st century's version of a palm reader--has been the object of web comedy for a little while (or 12 blog years) and it's the kind of idea that we wish we would have come up with first. But when you aren't innovative, the next best thing to do is copy the idea entirely, right? So, what did we learn about ourselves from Google's Auto-Suggest? We smell like chocolate, Google "gets" the Cubs, and people hate Oprah, Michael Jordan, and us. Ouch.

Cop Arrested For Embezzling

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-20T14:20:00-06:00

Sgt. John J. Pallohusky, head of the Chicago Police Sergeant's Association, has been arrested for allegedly embezzling over $600,000 from the association. According to the Trib, Pallohusky is accused of spending that money on a variety of things including gambling trips to Las Vegas and to pay for improvements to his own home.

[Sponsored]

2009-11-20T14:20:00-06:00

CPL's Bookamania Brings The Reading Fun For Kids

Staff — 2009-11-20T14:00:00-06:00

Special to Chicagoist from Elizabeth Mikel

If we had kids, we'd certainly be bringing them to Chicago Public Library's Bookamania event on Saturday. Between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., the Harold Washington Library Center will be opening its doors to youngsters aged three to ten for a slew of free book-related events. Thanks to a grant from the Chicago Public Library Foundation and the Target Corporation, there will be enough crafts, music, theater, dance, puppetry and magic for all. Life-sized storybook characters from across the world are being summoned for the event. As they scurry between the 24 activities, kids can get their photos taken with the Very Hungry Caterpillar, Max and a Wild Thing, Madeline and others. Several activities will correspond with the work of featured children's authors, illustrators and photographers who will be present on Saturday. Check out a full schedule of events here.

To stave off our anticipation to meet these famous authors in person, we spoke with one of them. Jim Aylesworth has written more than 30 children's books. His most recent work is The Mitten, a new version of the story in which several animals squeeze into a lost mitten. Barbara McClintock is the illustrator.

Chicago Public Library's Bookamania, Saturday, November 21, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Harold Washington Library Center, 400 South State Street

Chicagoist: What inspired you to write a new variation of The Mitten?

Jim Aylesworth: I really love folklore, and I know that children love folklore. For many years, I was a first grade teacher. I spent a lot of time with kids and reading out loud to kids. I've gained a sense of what they like, and I want to write something they like. That's the whole point.

C: So what do kids like?

JA: Out-loud sounds, songs, and rhymes and animals. And pretending. Children love to pretend: Animals talking, or a cookie coming to life like the gingerbread man. "The Mitten" has all those things, including talking animals.

C: You've written a lot of children's books. Do you have some sort of process when you sit down to do a new one?

JA: I wish I knew how to answer that. If I were sure of that, I would do it everyday. The best I can tell you is that I spend a lot of time with kids. Because of my experience, I know what kids like more than the average person. The stories I favor are the ones that read out loud well to a group of children. Not just one or two, that's easier. But if you can read and entertain 20 or 30 kids… and that's the amazing thing about children's books. If kids like it, everyone else likes it too.

C: Do you have read kids drafts of your books to see if they like them or not?

JA: A lot of people ask that. When you're a first grade teacher, kids really love you and want to please you. You can't really trust them. And there are no pictures. I always note that a book of this kind is partly text and partly art, and they both have to be really good to make the book successful. I'm not the illustrator, and I have to give credit to the artist.

C: Who is your favorite children's author?

JA: My favorite children's author is probably one of your favorites, too: Dr. Seuss. Of course he was both the artist and illustrator. His work is out-loud, with sounds and rhymes and happiness. And lots of animals and crazy pretending.

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Rockin' Our Turntable: DJ / rupture & Matt Shadetek

Veronica Murtagh — 2009-11-20T13:40:00-06:00

Call it fate or label it luck, some musical pairings were just meant to happen. Solo, Jace Clayton (DJ / rupture) and Brooklyn producer Matt Shadetek have always excelled in their respective electronic pursuits. For the Barcelona-bred, now Brooklyn-based Clayton that means broad ranging, world-influenced heavy bass and for Shadetek, the lesser known (but no less talented) name of the duo, it means a career built on genre-shifting instrumentals. The duo have combined talents in the past, but never with the depth and stunning results of their newest effort, the full length mix album, Solar Life Raft.

Solar Life Raft was released earlier this month, but it could just as easily have come from 1995 or 2020. Combining disparate styles and sounds with effortless elegance, Clayton and Shadetek create an aural journey across borders and through time. Solar Life Raft stays fresh and innovative by culling an extensive roster of guests including fellow Brooklynites Telepathe and Gang Gang Dance, poets Elizabeth Alexander (who spoke at Obama's inauguration) and Caroline Bergvall, London grime producer Mizz Beats and French avant-garde musician Luc Ferrari. The duo reveal their keen production and curatorial talents by combining the unrelated genres of their collaborators into an ingenious and never jarring statement on what electronic music can be when you look past stylistic and geographic borders.

The 25 short cuts that compose Solar Life Raft dip through atmospheric dubstep, Finnish folk, Arabic dance, blip beep IDM noise, reinterpreted classical compositions, bass-heavy grime and Afro-Caribbean dub, all layered with a veil of subtle, minimal details that make the album an intensely immersive work. The words lent by poets Alexander and Bergvall make for two of the album's more startling selections, brief nonsensical musings that interrupt instrumentals but are, at the same time, a vocal extension of the atmospheric compositions they surround.

DJ / Rupture and Matt Shadetek's Solar Life Raft traverses space, time and continents. Engaging from the first beat to the last, it's an album that is best listened to, not read about. So, what're you waiting for?

Devlin & Darko with DJ / Rupture & Matt Shadetek and DJ Trew tonight, at the Empty Bottle, 1035 N Western, 10 p.m., rsvp@emptybottle.com by 5 p.m. for FREE entry or $10 at door, 21+.

Goose Island Names New Chef

Chuck Sudo — 2009-11-20T13:20:00-06:00

Photo via Hroza's facebook page

Meet Andrew Hroza. The chef and certified Cicerone (the beer equivalent of a sommelier) has just been promoted to fill the formidable shoes of John Manion at Goose Island's two brewpubs. It was announced last week that Manion will be taking over for Bob Zrenner at Branch 27 effective December 2. Hroza's resume includes working as a caterer for musical acts such as Prince and Van Halen.

Friday Flashback - Old School Oprah

Karl Klockars — 2009-11-20T13:00:00-06:00

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Dry your eyes, kiddies - the world will very likely continue to spin after Opes packs her bag and hustles over to the west coast. But while we're all in a collective state of mourning, let's turn to the internet to find us some shining examples of the Way Things Used To Be. Throughout Oprah's long and storied career, through the tabloid weight rollercoaster coverage and the choruses of "look at her hair!" photos throughout the years, we could always count on Ms. Winfrey to bring us the hard news, the soft news, the loopy medical advice, the celebrity softball interviews, and the occasional discussions of va-jay-jay painin'.

Now we take a look back at the joy and mirth she's delivered to us on a silver Oprah platter over the past couple decades. After the jump, a number of videos featuring Opes through the years, but rather than link to a video that's not a young Oprah, let's keep it local with Oprah and ABC-7's Joel Daly from 1984:

Oprah in Baltimore Hosting "People Are Talking"

Oprah with Mel Gibson in full late-80's Glory

Dolly Parton Visits Oprah:

Oprah Promotes a 1988 Show

Oprah Visits Letterman, 1990:

Abortion Law Put On Hold Til 2010

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-20T12:40:00-06:00

The controversial abortion law that requires doctors to notify a girl's parents or guardians before (if the girl is under the age of 17) before performing an abortion has hit another snag. A circuit court judge has decided to extend a current restraining order on the law through the end of the year. According to WBEZ, the judge, "says he's waiting for briefs from both sides before determining whether the law should stand." Though it was set to go into effect almost three weeks ago, the law, with an already tumultuous history dating as far back as 1984 (before being updated in '95), the law continues to be centered in a tug-of-war.

Today's Transgender Day of Remembrance Honors the Dead

Joseph Erbentraut — 2009-11-20T12:20:00-06:00

The gruesome murder of 19-year-old gay man Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado in Puerto Rico last week has shone new light on the potentially life-threatening dangers facing those who do not easily slide into our society's conventions of gender. He, and 161 others murdered due to anti-transgender violence and prejudice, are memorialized worldwide today as part of Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Mercado was decapitated, dismembered and burned upon murderer Juan A. Martinez Matos's discovery that the "woman" he was propositioning for sex was actually male. In defense of his actions, Matos is reportedly expected to claim a case of "gay panic," i.e. the claim his violence was the result of "a moment of temporary insanity." Speaking on the case, police investigator Angel Rodriguez said, "These types of people, when they enter this lifestyle and go out into the streets know that this could happen." It is not, as of yet, being investigated as a hate crime.

Other victims memorized this year include names like Tyli'a "NaNa Boo" Mack, 21, who was stabbed to death in broad daylight blocks away from a transgender support center in August. Paulina Ibarra, 24, was stabbed later in the same month in her East Hollywood, Calif. home. Andrea Waddell, 29, was strangled before her flat in Brighton, U.K., was set on fire in October. Jeva Padilla, 23, was tortured with burns and mutilated genitals before being shot 40 times in Santiago, Dominican Republic. The gruesome crimes - many left unsolved - span nearly every continent and speak to the transgender community's undeniable position as the most vulnerable component of the LGBT community.

In commemoration of the lives of those lost, Chicagoans are gathering in candlelight vigils today (Friday), including one at the University of Illinois at Chicago's East Campus Quad, 750 S. Halsted, 12:30-2 p.m. and another at the University of Chicago's Bartlett Quad, 5600 S. University Ave. The Day of Remembrance is also central to the Center on Halsted's Night of Fallen Stars, held Saturday at 5:30 p.m. The gala event will feature the talents of many of the city's best transgender performers.

Mercado's death is also being specifically memorialized with a vigil and march Sunday, Nov. 22, from 4-6 p.m., held in solidarity with similar demonstrations nationwide. The march will assemble at the intersection of Division & California before proceeding to the Humboldt Park Boat House.

Don't know much about transgender issues? These events offer a fantastic opportunity to change that. Educate yourself, get out and speak out against gender persecution.

Around Town

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-20T12:00:00-06:00

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Ethics Committee Shakes Finger At Burris But Clears Him

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-20T11:40:00-06:00

"Told ya!" (AP Photo)

While we were watching Oprah, the Senate Ethics Committee charged with investigating alleged shenanigans pulled by Sen. Roland Burris leading up to his appointment to his current Senate seat by then-governor Rod Blagojevich officially cleared Burris. Issuing a Public Letter of Admonition (read the full letter after the jump), the committee cleared Burris of wrongdoing but before shaking its finger at him for actions that reflected "unfavorably" and scolded, "...you should have known that you were providing incorrect, inconsistent, misleading, or incomplete information to the public, the Senate, and those conducting legitimate inquiries into your appointment to the Senate." They then sent him to his room without supper and asked him to think about what he did.

Burris' office issued a statement which included a quote from Burris [via Progress Illinois]:

“I am pleased that after numerous investigations, this matter has finally come to a close. I thank the members of the Senate Ethics Committee for their fair and thorough review of this matter, and now look forward to continuing the important work ahead on behalf of the people of Illinois.”

Burris dodged any charges of perjury from his shady testimony before a state house committee last winter because there simply wasn't enough evidence.

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Review: Paramount Room

Anthony Todd — 2009-11-20T11:20:00-06:00

It’s not often that we give a positive review to a restaurant that started flooding during our meal. Heck, it’s not often that we EXPERIENCE a flood during our meal - though the urge to pair up and make like Noah’s animals gave our date a certain sense of urgency. But Paramount Room is an exception. An upscale pub from the group behind the popular Roscoe Village spots Kitsch’n and Volo Restaurant Wine Bar, Paramount Room is a dark, atmospheric dive that, in another time, would’ve been filled with smoke and gangsters.

We were drawn to Paramount Room by the promise of their “famous” $9 Kobe beef burgers, offered nightly. The burger did not disappoint - tender, juicy and filled with a spicy flavor, we’d return for it in an instant. The real surprise, however, was not the bargain burger, but the accompaniment: tempura-fried green beans. The beans are an optional stand-in for French fries, and we’ve been converted. We stole them off of our companion’s plate and were tempted to order an entire plate, but the rest of the menu’s temptations diverted our attention.

Paramount Room sticks to the Gastropub formula, offering well-made, inexpensive-yet-interesting dishes that stick to the ribs and leave you feeling happy. Many of the dishes have an old-fashioned air to them, including steak tartare and oysters on the half-shell, but others are more modern. The aforementioned green beans, ale-steamed mussels, and very respectable hand-cut French fries round out the starters, all priced at less than $10. Decently priced cocktails and an extensive beer list add to the appeal.

You might be asking, “Wait, what about the flood?” About halfway through the meal, the table next to us realized that their feet were standing in about an inch of water. At first we thought something had been spilled, but then we realized that the restaurant was taking on water! Our first instinct was to shout “women and children first!” and flee the scene, but the restaurant handled it masterfully. The table and patrons were moved, the water was cleaned (a cracked foundation being repaired was the whispered cause among the wait staff) and free drinks were offered all around. This is exactly what we like to see when a restaurant experiences a problem - professionalism, good service and compensation.

We’re not the only people to notice Paramount Room - LTH Forum gave them a “Great Neighborhood Restaurant” Award - but many of our friends had never heard of the place. Stop by next time you’re looking for a tasty, informal dinner with a fun vibe - we’ll be back soon.

Paramount Room is located at 415 North Milwaukee. Street parking is plentiful.

Stevenson High School Paper Spiked By Administrators

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-20T11:00:00-06:00

There's more trouble brewing over the student newspaper over at Stevenson High. Already having been through one controversy last winter over a gossip edition - an incident which led to the resignation of the paper's adviser - this week's edition of the paper has been spiked by school administrators over more controversial stories that were to run. The trouble began with plans for a front-page story about the National Honor Society and freshmen mentors program which included references to students admitting they drank and smoked, behavior that's a no-no for members of those programs. Administrators threatened the paper's staff that they would seek the names of those students and discipline them accordingly. So rather than give up the sources, the staff decided to run a blank front page with a simple note explaining why the story had been pulled. But it didn't end there. The Trib explains:

On Wednesday, the paper's advisers told staff the administrative review board had problems with the blank front page -- plus the pregnancy and shoplifting stories -- and would spike the issue. Administrators said the teen pregnancy story lacked balance, [the paper's editor Pam] Selman said.
The story by Selman quoted a boy and girl at the school who are expecting a child together, she said. The school has seen an increase in student pregnancies this year, Selman said.

Frank LoMante, executive director of the Virginia-based Student Press Law Center, is advising the paper's staff on their legal options and had no issue with the stories that caused the trouble, telling the Trib, "They are balanced, responsible and mild...They carry positive messages: Don't shoplift, and get counseling if you get pregnant."

The Friday Buffet: Thanksgiving Edition

Chuck Sudo — 2009-11-20T10:40:00-06:00

Image via

We've been remiss with filing the Buffet the past two weeks and, with Thanksgiving right around the corner, we thought we'd instead list this week local restaurants offering Thanksgiving dinners, either to dine in or to go. This one's for those of you who think you have no cooking skills or simply don't want to put forth the effort in the kitchen.

Custom House (500 S. Dearborn, 312-523-0200) is offering a 4-course thanksgiving meal for $65 per person; children ages 2-12 $25. The dinner runs from 3-8 p.m.
Lockwood in the Palmer House Hilton (17 E. Monroe, 312-917-3404) is putting together a thanksgiving Buffet from 11 a,m, - 5 p.m.. Cost is $55 for adults; seniors 65 and older $45; children under 12 $25. Champagne is included.
The recently opened Streeterville restaurant Markethouse (611 N. Fairbanks Ct., 312-224-2200) is offering a prix fixe farm-to-table Thanksgiving dinner for $24.
The Spirit of Chicago yacht is hosting a Thanksgiving dinner cruise from 7-10 p.m. (boarding is at 6;30 p.m.). Cost is $69.50 for adults; half-price for children 3-11.
Old Town Brasserie (1209 N. Wells, 312-943-3000) is doing Thanksgiving to-go dinners for $29 per person. There's a 2 person minimum and orders must be placed by Monday for pickup on Wednesday.
Italian-Asian fusion restaurant Italiasia (350 W. Mart Center Dr., 312-529-1157) is hosting a Thanksgiving buffet from 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. cost is %15.95 for adults; $9.95 children 12 and under.
Trader Vic's (1030 N. State St., 312-642-6500) is hosting a "Staycation" Thanksgiving from noon-8 p.m. Cost is $39.95; children $19.95.

Daley Blames - Who Else? - The Media For Oprah-geddon

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-20T10:20:00-06:00

Mayor Daley, making the sad trombone face; Photo by our old friend, WBEZ's Kate Gardiner

Mayor Daley, fresh off his smackdown of the media over a question regarding Michael Scott on Wednesday, has wasted no time in lashing out once more. Remember Oprah's big party downtown to kick off her new season and the hubbub the local media - us included, admittedly - caused over it? Daley is saying it was that backlash that's contributed to Oprah's decision to pack up and move out in a few years. Speaking at a United Negro College Fund fundraiser last night, CBS 2 reports Daley said:

"I think she was the most successful woman that we will ever know in the history of this country...That became a big rhubarb in the Chicago press -- beat up Oprah...So you keep kicking people, people will leave, simple as that....I'm just saying that when someone's doing something like that, most cities would love it. … It's just amazing. I don't know why it became so controversial."

We'd like to take this opportunity to revel in our new-found power. If we have the power to force Oprah to leave town, why, we could possibly harness these powers to get other people to leave town! Maybe even, say, elected officials! Hmmm....

Morning Box Score

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-20T10:00:00-06:00

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Blackhawks Scorch Flames
The Blackhawks are off to a hot start on their Circus Trip as they exploded for five second period goals on their way to scorching the Calgary Flames 7-1. Troy Brouwer opened the scoring with a power play goal halfway through the first period. Calgary answered with a goal in the opening seconds of the second period and then it was all Blackhawks. Kris Versteeg got a power play goal; Dustin Byfuglien and Andrew Ladd followed with even-strength goals; Patrick Kane scored a power play goal late; and Versteeg brought the period full circle by scoring another power play goal in the closing seconds of the period. Whew. Ben Eager scored a late third period goal just for good measure. The 'Hawks were efficient as they were actually out-shot by the Flames 28-26; Cristobal Huet got 27 saves, including 6 of 7 on power plays. Next up for the 'Hawks is a trip to Edmonton Saturday night (9 p.m., CSN).

Lakers Overpower Bulls
The Bulls ran into the buzzsaw that is a full Lakers team as Pau Gasol made his season debut with the Lakers and helped them overpower the Bulls by a 108-93 final. All five Laker starters scored in double-figures while the Bulls struggled a bit to keep up. Luol Deng only scored six and Taj Gibsion scored only four in less than 19 minutes on the floor. If there was a silver lining, it was Derrick Rose scoring 20 points, making good on his promise to improve his play. Joakim Noah also recorded a 12-15 line. The Bulls will try to bounce back in Denver Saturday night (8 p.m., WGN).

College Basketball
Long Beach State played Notre Dame tough in the first half, but the Irish, paced by Luke Harangody's 29 points, cruised to an 82-62 victory to remain undefeated.