Why look outside your window when Barack Obama, Dr. Gregory House, Bender, Angelina Jolie, or Bruce Lee can tell you what the weather's going to be like for the next few days? While Chicago weather seems a bit static right now, we recommend clicking on more exotic locales to see our prognosticator's t-shirts and clothing styles change. more ›

A reader mentioned last week that Hackney's South Loop location has an excellent beer selection. We think it's probably one of the more underrated beer bars in the city. Their draft selections are a creative and varied blend of some of the best European and American craft brews around. Minnesota's Surly Brewing Company is one of the latter. We've profiled their "Smoke" Baltic style porter earlier this year. While we wished we could get our hands on some 16-ounce cans, drinking Bender from the tap isn't a bad alternative. more ›