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Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-07T12:00:00-06:00

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Today's Weather: Dazzling

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-07T09:30:00-06:00

Photo by Phototravel1

It appears fall's not ready to give way to winter quite yet and, in fact, it feel like the Spring we never quite had. Gorgeous, sunny skies are overhead with that bright, little guy we call the sun. Temps will warm themselves up to 70 today for the warmest temps in almost a month and a half (tomorrow is already looking like more of the same, as well). So we think this is Mother Nature's make-up gift to us, her "sorry about taking away your spring and making the first half of your summer cold and wet" gift. If so, we accept it. Now if you'll excuse us, we have some bike riding to do.

Oprah Sorta Clears The Air

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-06T16:40:00-06:00

The Great O addressed the rumors of a new cable network but her silence on the possible departure from Chicago for Los Angeles may have been just as loud. She confirmed the formation of a new network (OWN, short for Oprah Winfrey Network) but on the subject of the relocation, she told CBS 2 simply, "I am going to make that announcement soon. I am going to make that decision and make the announcement soon." And what of the numerous local jobs at Harpo, Inc? "They should not worry." Sooooo.. they're going with you? You're gonna compensate them handsomely when you ditch town? We guess it's just more wait-and-see.

Thanks to This Week's Advertisers

tien mao — 2009-11-06T16:00:00-06:00

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

Pirate Radio, the new comedy starring Phillip Seymour Hoffman, from the creator of Love Actually. In theatres 11/13.
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.

Around Town

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

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Friday Morning Diversion: Moline Teen's Jeopardy Joke

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

We couldn't pass this up. Bonny Jain, a teen from Moline, brought the giggles on a recent episode of Jeopardy when, in his Final Jeopardy answer, he made a reference to those SNL Celebrity Jeopardy skits and got a laugh out of even Alex Trebek. It would have been funnier, though, if he had gotten the answer correct. [via]

Today's Weather: Gratifying

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-06T08:30:00-06:00

Photo by pantagrapher

It's cloudy now but don't worry, the sun is coming out later. And when the clouds do break, it's going to start warming up. How warm? Hard to say, we're not weathermen, but Skilling Sayz it's going to get into the mid 60s and maybe even near 70 by tomorrow. The National Weather Service is a bit more modest in their forecast, but either way, we're shaking the chill for a few more days so enjoy it.

After The Flood

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-05T14:20:00-06:00

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There's been plenty of rain this autumn, particularly in Western Illinois where there's been flooding along both the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. The quick eyes of NASA were able to catch some cool images of the flooding via satellites.

Thanks, Zach!

Study: Northwestern Best State Bang For Your Buck

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-05T13:20:00-06:00

A recent study released by Kiplinger lists Northwestern University as the top Illinois school in its recent Top 100 private school rankings (top 50 private universities and top 50 liberal arts schools). NU (tuition: $51,850/year) came in at Number 15 overall, just ahead of Notre Dame (tuition: $49,795/year) at Number 16. The Sun-Times has all the Illinois schools that were ranked and you can check out the full list here.

Around Town

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-05T12:00:00-06:00

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New Film Production Studio Will Make Its Home on the West Side

Camela Furry — 2009-11-05T09:20:00-06:00

Cinespace counts the musical movie "Chicago" among its production credits

The owner of a Toronto film studio has purchased 48 acres on the West Side with plans to develop a film and tv production complex reports WBBM. Nick Mirkopoulos chairman of Cinespace Studios said he paid about $20 million for the property at 2558 W. 16th St., a complex of nine buildings which was the Ryerson Inc. headquarters and old metals plant.

The Illinois senate endorsed a $5 million grant last week for the operation which will be called Chicago Film Studios. Mirkopoulos told WBBM he "forsees a business based mostly on Hollywood film releases whose production companies are drawn by state tax incentives." The tax incentive he refers to is a tax credit offered by the state equal to 30% of Illinois production costs and worker salaries.

Work on converting the space will start as early as January, and Brian Rainville, executive director of Teamsters Joint Council 25 is happy because the construction project and movie production in the city means work for union members - "Remember that each movie production is a major construction project."

Today's Weather: Jocular

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-05T08:00:00-06:00

Photo by matthannigan

Today will be one of those lovely fall days we've been blathering on and on about lately. Clear skies and seasonal temps - highs in the low-to-mid 50s - are the forecast so that means some pleasant weather for whatever you've got going on today. Tonight is more of the same with lows in the lower 40s and clear skies. There's a warm-up coming this weekend; how warm we're not quite sure as there's a 10-degree difference between different forecasts for Saturday, but it'll be warmer than today. We feel safe saying that.

Humpday Diversions: Puppies & Ferrets + Weezer = Awesome

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-04T15:00:00-06:00

After our earlier zany mash-up diversion, you might have thought we'd go with something a bit less off-the-wall for this diversion. You thought wrong. In the wake of Tankboy's Weezer review from yesterday and our never-ending love of small, furry animals, we are happy to post these videos.

First vid: Thanks, Pete

Second video via

Helping Out McPier

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-04T13:40:00-06:00

We mentioned earlier today that the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority is in debt but we didn't offer any solutions. Fortunately, WBEZ's Justin Kaufmann put his thinking cap on and came up with a few ideas that might help out. Our one caveat: we like Shakespeare, Justin. Don't mess with the lit nerds.

Further Proof That Crime Doesn't Pay

Marcus Gilmer — 2009-11-04T13:20:00-06:00

Some criminals learned this lesson the hard way recently and wound up ditching their attempted loot because the safe they tried to swipe was too heavy. Police were called late last night to a Lincoln Square office building (5653 N. Lincoln Ave.) and found the front door of the business busted open and the office "ransacked." But, 40 feet away, the office's safe lay unopened on sidewalk. Fox 32 has the details:

“They got as far as the sidewalk and dumped it. They left it there unopened,’’ [Lincoln District police Sgt. Patrick] Barker said.
The safe was also apparently too heavy for a broken 2-wheeled dolly left on the scene by the burglary, with the words “rated 600 pounds’’ on it.

“I have to give it to them, they moved it about 40 feet. I was surprised they got it as far as they did. I had three guys with me and the four of us had a hard time moving it. We only got 10 feet,’’ Barker laughed. "It's absolutely the heaviest thing I've ever had to move."

The kicker? According to the business's owner, the safe was completely empty and only used in the office as a table. Take that, jerkstores.