The Chicago River has flooded the north-side neighborhood Albany Park. As a result, the Chicago Fire Department has evacuated several families. more ›

Ah, it's like shootin' fish in a barrel over at Chicagoist EOYW headquarters. We know how passionate you guys can get about these things, so we'll cut right to the chase: more ›

It's hard not to stumble across a food blog while browsing the web. Two recent newspaper articles shine a light on the positive and negative aspects of the rise of food blogging. The front page of the Sun-Times' food section this morning is all about LTHForum, from the origins of their formation, their wide coverage of neighborhood and off-the-beaten path eats, the immediate response that can make or break a restaurant, and their overall influence... more ›

To paraphrase Ronald Reagan, it's morning in Chicago, but not for long. The storms that wreaked havoc throughout the area are a faint memory, and we're left to clean up the mess as we wait for more storms to come today. The north and northwest sides of the city felt the brunt of the storm, with reports of trees being split by the high winds. Over 300,000 businesses and residents were left without electricity... more ›

While the Tribune calls this a "shocking storm," we heard it was going to be hot and rainy all week. However, our friends at the Weather Channel have just reported that over at the Chicago Historical Society (1601 N. Clark), the windows were blown out from the wind and there are some injuries. We send a good thought to everyone there. They also report that there were wind speeds of 78 m.p.h. recorded at Wrigley... more ›

- Y'all know we were under a flood watch today? Could've fooled us. - The Chicago Police department unsuccessfully tried to fire an officer for punching an elderly man in the face during a fender bender. Now that same officer is accused of doing nothing while fellow officers beat up patrons at Carol's Pub in January. - All those "It's Gonna Happen" t-shirts, hats, and wristbands being sold at Cubs games are the brainchild... more ›

The Agudas Achim North Shore Congregation in Uptown was robbed late Friday of computers, audio-visual equipment and donated food on Friday. This is just one of several crimes committed at the synagogue in the last year. We're not sure how we feel about this ... Wendy's International will begin selling breakfast in Chicago, part of a national expansion into the breakfast market, the Dublin, Ohio-based hamburger chain said last week. Steve Irwin is helping... more ›

Saturday night, the Chicago Fire won their first season opener in five years. The game time temperature was a frigid 31 degrees but that did not deter nearly 15,000 fans from coming out to Toyota Park to cheer on the Fire. The fans were barely in their seats before the Fire netted the game winner. In the fourth minute midfielder Justin Mapp(right) drove down the sideline and crossed a ball to Logan Pause who flicked... more ›

Time to get that credit card out of hibernation and spend away, my friends! This week must mark the proper amount of time between on sale dates and concert dates that corresponds to warm weather coming back to Chicago. Kaiser Chiefs will be out in support of their soon-to-be-released album Yours Truly, Angry Mob off which the single “Ruby” we were told sounds like Morrissey fronting Cheap Trick. While this image still has us reeling,... more ›

We realize we’re a bit late to the game on this one, but Illinois Entertainer recently published a list of the top 25 local albums of the last ten years. And we’re a bit surprised that it hasn’t inspired more discussion on their site. The usual suspects made the list with Wilco, Sea and Cake, Jim O'Rourke, Kanye and Smashing Pumpkins all making appearances. Local H seems to be the most glaring omission here, as... more ›

Since Tankboy was so kind as to alert us to the presence of John Hodgman tonight over at Second City for FREE (!!), we headed over there to check that shit out. And we are pleased to note that Mr. Hodgman was everything we wanted him to be -- funny, kind, and gracious. He took questions from the audience via walkie talkie, and later signed everyone's books with genuine affability. And just like anyone who... more ›

If you know where to look, you can find scores of bakeries throughout the city that still bake their goods in the traditional Eastern European manner: full of buttery and sugary goodness. Since this is "South Side Cheap Eats", however, you can talk up the praises of the bakeries in K-Town and Milwaukee Avenue on your own time. more ›

After an unfortunate incident a couple years ago involving “pumpkin spice” punch and a too-easily-removed Superman costume, Chicagoist tends to avoid big Halloween parties. Instead, we hole up with a list of video horrorflicks the night before (All Hallow’s Eve Eve?). But there are a few cinematic options this week for those looking for a communal, fright night experience. Doc Films at the University of Chicago is eschewing scary for sci-fi this week. Invaders from... more ›

It’s a bad sign when even watching the news makes you miserable. While the flood waters have started to recede along the Gulf Coast and positive stories are emerging about Katrina survivors reunited with their families, the 24/7 aftermath coverage and Oprah’s inspired but rather graphic reporting have worn us down. As we approach the anniversary of another tragedy, we will set aside time to reflect but still plan to get on with our weekend.... more ›

Even if Bill Murray wasn’t originally from the Chicago area, we’d still plan on seeing his latest collaboration with Jim Jarmusch, Broken Flowers, which hits Piper’s Alley and the AMC River East this weekend. Chicagoist has long believed that the way to tell the really compelling actors from the lousy ones is with The Phone Book Test. That is, if an actor is really good then listening to them read the phone book will still... more ›

Next week, Chicago will play host to Fireball, a massive gay/lesbian circuit dance party held every February by the Hearts Foundation. Last year, nearly 4,000 Chicagoans and visitors attended Fireball parties. In turn, Hearts gives proceeds to various Chicago-based HIV/AIDS charities. more ›

Cities were rated on sights, culture/arts, restaurants/food, people, shopping, and value. We�re going to start formulating a plan to beat at least Vancouver and Santa Fe next year, and everyone�s going to need to pitch in. Or maybe we just need to flood the votes next time around. more ›

We know a blog about Chicago weather wouldn�t exactly the most riveting site of all time ("It�s cold. Still cold. Cold again today. Rain." ), but this month is the 17th-wettest May in Chicago history! Good god damn, my soaked compadres. more ›