Is it just us, or has this week sucked ass? It seems like everyone we've talked to has wanted to stab the whole world in the neck this week. At least we have a bunch of things to do that are awesome..... The Old Town School of Folk Music has its annual craft fair tonight, plus their monthly First Friday series. Tomorrow, bust out your wallet at Renegade Craft Fair's holiday bonanza. We've noticed......

Before we go to the listings, we want to bid farewell to the Tribune's Kevin Pang, who's heading over to the Tempo section. But he leaves the food beat with a profile of Peter Engler, the city's foremost expert on mother-in-law sandwiches, street food and other south side cheap eats. Shaw's Crab House concludes this year's edition of their "Royster with the Oyster" festival with their annual tent party at their Hubbard Street location tonight.......

What does the MSM do when faced with a slow news day? They trot out pictures of puppies and ask you to vote on them. Man, are we glad there's nothing like an impending CTA shutdown, a grossly exaggerated tax hike, complaints of police department misbehavior, or anything like that going on.* Thank God for puppies. * The above snark is meant in no way to imply that we don't love puppies. In fact we......

The misty-eyed reunion took place this weekend when Reba, popular Loop panhandler Tom Finley’s dog, missing since September 7, was returned to the Anti-Cruelty Society. Finely was speechless, but Reba had a lot to say, barking at the group of photographers who had gathered for the press conference. A $500 reward had been offered for the return, which was refused. So the money, which has grown from other donations, will be given to Finley, who......

If you take the main ideas of the stories today and combine them, you get a medieval drug dog. Not bad. But separate them out, and you get pure stupidity, pure craziness, and pure laziness/greed. Sigh. When will people learn? We'd love to have a bunch of weeks where This Week In Stupid becomes obsolete, but people just keep doing crazy and dumb stuff. Onward, shall we? Oh we all wished we could go medieval......

Let us make one thing clear: Chicagoist loves the kitties. When we're convinced that some unknown force out there has us directly under its thumb, pinning us helplessly against the asphalt, we need only to look deep into our cat's eyes to restore the rightful balance of the universe. And then she goes for the face. That's why we're happy about a seminar going on this weekend concerning the welfare of stray cats in Chicago.......

Going with the 'last real weekend of the year' theme, we thought we would point out some things maybe you'd hoped get done in '06, but haven't quite gotten there yet. As always, feel free to leave additional events around the city in the comments section. Wanting to get inked up before the year is over? Head to Insight Studios, 1026 N. Milwaukee, for the Anti-Cruelty Society Benefit weekend. All profits from tattoos and piercings......

Chicagoist loves animals. More specifically, we love our dogs (some of which can be seen here), so we were pumped today when we came across 2 dog events and one dog study all in the same day! First off, did you know Old Navy has a dog mascot? And its name is Magic? We're not remembering this at all.... Anyway, Magic is retiring (too old for performance fleece and capri pants?) so Old Navy......

In case you hadn’t noticed, Valentine’s Day is a week away. Yeah, we're sick of it already too. Human companionship can be so exhausting. Pets are so much easier to love. Chicago shelters and rescue groups are holding several events this week – whether you’re in a relationship or still looking – to celebrate that special day. Haven’t found the perfect partner? The Anti-Cruelty Society will host its Sweet Hearts & Furry Paws adoption event......

• Chicagoist hits Taste • Hold on to your precious china, an earthquake shudders through the Midwest • A cop and his wife are beaten at Comiskey for asking people not to curse • Chicagoist gets asked out, kind of • Chicagoist is going to make t-shirts, have parties • Chicago is the 14th smoggiest city • Before Sunset is one of the best romantic movies of the last 10 years • The Chicago Anti-Cruelty......

Chicago's Anti-Cruelty Society soon will no longer be taking strays and will only accept animals dropped off by residents who no longer want or can no longer care for their pets. The Society wants to focus on caring for these animals and finding new homes. Starting in the fall, any stray animal dropped off at the Society will be driven that day to the city pound where it will join the 26,000 animals that......