The big secret of the Chicago food world (aside from how far our chefs have gotten on reality TV shows) has been what the next special menus would be at Grant Achatz's Next. After Paris 1906 and Thai, where would they go ... well, next? Achatz revealed plans for four more menus to Time Out's Heather Shouse yesterday. more ›

Sad news today: actress Estelle Getty died today in her California home. She was 84. more ›

Train update: "Fire Commissioner Ray Orozco said five people were in serious to critical condition and at least 30 people suffered less serious injuries. That number could rise to 50, he said." The NTSB is investigating. Storm watch this weekend. Cold, icy, rainy, blerg. RIP, Evel Knievel. America's Legendary Daredevil was 69. Check it out: local steampunk wedding. Congrats! Here's our favorite part of this Freakonomics interview with Sin in the Second City author Karen... more ›

Londonist are starting to think their city is getting just a little bit too expensive, when even Christian Slater can't afford to go out there. And there's no escaping, as local singer Lily Allen discovered when she was barred entry to the US. The British mapping agency caused further bad karma, by blocking a 3-D representation of London in Google Earth. But the smiles returned to Londonist's faces as they interviewed Baroness von Reichardt,... more ›

We live in the midwest - the big, flat boring midwest. Yet, somehow, amid the corn and the corn and the distinct lack of exotic foliage, we still have our fair share of wild animals sightings around these parts: Monkeys have invaded Elgin. Coyotes are terrorizing Glencoe's pet population. Fish have their own piece of Michigan Avenue real estate. But, according to a Joyce Poole, a top research scientist at a Kenyan national park, this... more ›

Who knew that an unassuming ensemble show in the University of Chicago's Reynolds Club would spawn the most celebrated improv community in the world? On July 5, 1955, the Compass Players performed an improvisational revue skewering the day's headlines, the intensely serious nature of U of C students, and irresponsible spouses. Future celebrities on stage that night included Roger Bowen of M*A*S*H fame and Hollywood Golden Girls Elaine May (who envisioned Gene Hackman in drag for The Birdcage) and Barbara Harris. The talent behind Compass would launch Second City, which would feed prime time sitcoms, Saturday Night Live and countless movies. more ›

We didn't know everyone's favorite southern belle considered herself an activist. But Honorary PETA (shouldn't it be "PeTA"?) Director Rue McClanahan, who played "Blanche Devereaux" on The Golden Girls, is trying to prevent The Hawthorn Corp. from transferring four elephants from their Illinois facility to Carson & Barnes Circus’ Endangered Ark Foundation in Hugo, Okla. (the USDA has approved the transfer). The four elephants were exposed to tuberculosis but did not test positive for the... more ›