If there is anything certain about the effects of the Hurricane Katrina diaspora five years later, it's that nothing is certain. Most estimates are that around one million Gulf Coast residents were displaced by the storm, scattered to all corners of the country, in cities in all 50 states in the country. Of course, most stuck close to home. According to one estimate, over 90 percent stayed in the southeast region of the country with almost 60 percent staying in the region that suffered damage from the hurricane. But a good number made their way as far north as Chicago. A Red Cross of Chicago report less than two weeks after the storm claimed that over 6,000 displaced Katrinaees had met with the Red Cross in the Chicago metro area. Media estimates put the total evacuees in the city at 8,000, an influx that reminded some of The Great Migration. But keeping track of everyone who was displaced was impossible. Many numbers come from those who registered with shelters while scores more never did so, choosing instead to just shack up with friends and family. more ›

Like the rest of America, Chicago photographer Jane Fulton Alt watched the events, the destruction, and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina on television. But unlike many people, she found herself in a position to do something. Within weeks of Katrina's landfall, Jane found herself in New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward, the hardest hit part of the city, block after block wiped out by flood waters as the levees gave way. Jane was part of a program run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that assisted residents in returning briefly to their homes to see what they could find but who also had to immediately turn around and leave. And in this time in New Orleans - as well as several subsequent visits - Jane found herself taking photos of the destruction. more ›

This ain't the Dells. A pair of aquatic-themed films currently playing at the Landmark Century use water not only as a symbol but also as a character in their stories. more ›

Amanda Boyden knows a thing or two about gritty. Her first novel, the excellent Pretty Little Dirty, explores two midwestern girls' delving into the punk scene of the early 1980's. After a childhood that saw her raised in Minnesota, and the Chicago and St. Louis areas, Amanda settled in the swampy revelry of New Orleans where she attended the Creative Writing program at the University of New Orleans and has been there ever since. [Full disclosure: Amanda and her husband, Torontoist-approved writer Joseph Boyden, were colleagues of mine at the University of New Orleans.] more ›

As the residents of the Gulf Coast keep an eye on Gustav, today marks the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's landfall along the Louisiana and Mississippi coast. And while, on the surface, it seems most memorials would be confined to that region, there's no underscoring the amazing contribution Chicago made to the relief effort. The city of Chicago opened its arms to evacuees and learned from the experience for its own emergency plan. Chicagoans donated not just money but much-needed water. The Red Cross estimated that roughly 7,000 Katrina evacuees wound up in Chicago while other estimates were as high as 9,000 (one of the highest totals outside the Southeast). The rift between Illinois's politicians seen in Katrina's wake reflected what was happening across the country: while Dennis Hastert questioned the decision to rebuild (reasoning that's not nearly as outlandish as it originally sounded when read in context), Mayor Daley expressed outrage at FEMA's refusal for assistance. And, of course, who could forget Chicagoan Kanye West's dramatic declaration during the nationally broadcast telethon? more ›

Here are some things to do this evening to consider bringing your voter receipt. more ›

In a press conference earlier this morning, Daley announced that Cortez Trotter has resigned. The first and only disaster chief has been in place for just 14 months, but is now leaving for a job in the private sector. The position was created as a response to a lot of things, including the fatal 2003 fire at 69 W. Washington St., the abominable response to Hurricane Katrina and the threat of biological warfare or an... more ›

Come on, Chicago -- we know you're better than this. While your signs and banner should show support for your team, and maybe strike some fear in the opponent there are certainly limits to how far to go. You don't insult their mother. You don't question their sexuality. And you most certainly don't compare the game to a natural disaster that nearly wiped their city off the Earth. Yet one Bears fan's thought it would... more ›

We wonder whether Bill Swerski's head exploded trying to ponder the winner of this Sunday's NFC title game, pitting the Chicago Bears against the New Orleans Saints — both teams formerly coached by Da Coach Known as Ditka. Would the final be 642-637? Would it be 1-0? Or did Ditka bestow some special greatness on Da Bears, that will allow them to pound the Saints 710-3? In reality, most of the media seems to be... more ›

If you need further holiday gift recommendations after perusing our infamous Gift Guide, no one is a better authority on what your friends and family will like than a good old-fashioned stereotype. more ›

Artist Benny Andrews died of cancer on Friday in his New York home. Andrews, who served in the air force, used his G.I. bill to attend the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He has permanent collections in the Museum of Modern Art, the Brooklyn Museum, the High Museum of Art in Atlanta and the Hirshbom Museum in Washington, D.C. more ›

Exhibit A: Pilgrim Baptist Church Location: 3301 S. Indiana Avenue Built: 1890-91 Notable facts: Originally built by Louis Sullivan and his partner, Dankmar Adler, as the Kehilath Anshe Ma'ariv synagogue. Became the Pilgrim Baptist Church in 1922. Often called the birthplace of gospel music, due to musical director Thomas Dorsey. Designated as a Chicago landmark: Dec. 18, 1981 Fate: Destroyed by fire, Jan. 6, 2006. Caused by workers doing roof restoration. Future: Possible rebuilding. Exterior... more ›

How would you like to have delicious gourmet meals delivered to your home several times a week? And even better, how would you like to know that the money you pay for the food isn’t going to some huge corporation, but instead towards feeding the hungry in Chicago? Meet First Slice, an innovative, self-funded, non-profit organization started by Mary Ellen Diaz, former chef at the acclaimed North Pond restaurant. The organization, which is profiled in... more ›

Hurricanes be damned, the spirit of Mardi Gras is alive and well in New Orleans. This weekend, give it up Chicago style with several fundraising events happening around the city. more ›

Five months after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast, the future of New Orleans remains mired in doubt and bureaucracy. When the mainstream media shelves substantive debate over the city’s rebuilding to decipher Mayor Nagin’s “Chocolate City” speech, the art world picks up the slack. Two local exhibits and a new play examine The Big Easy, the city and the idea. more ›

Yesterday, as the snow poured down on Chicago for the first substantial time in a while, it was a great time to cuddle up by the fire with a new book. Oh, wait, that wasn't a book—it was your horrifying energy bill. more ›

chocolate New Orleans” (a vision we wholly support. Hell, Chicagoist sometimes feels like we could stand for some flavor around here). more ›

A few months back, A Chicago bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics was discussed. Chicagoist whole heartedly endorsed the idea. Da Mere also came out in favor of such a bid. It was pointed out, however, that the newly renovated Soldier Field wasn't large enough to accomodate the opening & closing ceremonies or track & field events. So, while we already have many of the necessary venues we'd have to build an Olympic Stadium in... more ›

Chicagoist nearly sprayed our coffee all over the living room this morning when we heard on the news that televangelist and former presidential candidate Pat Robertson is suing Governor Blagojevich. We were hoping the paler version of Alan Keyes would stay out of our state. And we’re surprised he has time to get involved here when he is so busy thanking Hurricane Katrina, anointing President Bush as God’s choice, calling for the assassination of... more ›

The turkey's in the oven, the parades are on TV, and jocks turned analysts are ready for some football. Thanksgiving is here! Before indulging in the big bird and enough sides to feed a small army, let's take a moment to give thanks. more ›

We here at Chicagoist just get all tickled inside, if a little bit conflicted, when we get to tell you about multiple great literary events happening in the same evening. Tomorrow night gives the local literatista (why yes, we do love making up words!) not one but two opportunities for some non-traditional literary edification--both lubricated with a little bit of beer and and a lot of the sweet, sweet pleasure of philanthropy. more ›

If you're like us here at the Chicagoist offices, you just finished paying People's for the energy you used last winter to warm your pad—and just in time to start paying out your ass for this winter! more ›

The mainstream media has moved on to other issues but the effects of Hurricane Katrina are still being felt by people in the Gulf Coast region. Two upcoming shows will try and ease some of the burden for folks who weren’t lucky enough to hit it big at the slots. (Seriously, CNN: was “flooded” really the best verb for the job in that second graf?) The stylish and hip folks at Pistil Magazine will strut... more ›

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Maybe you've maxed out your credit cards donating to hurricane victims. Maybe you've been concerned about all those other charities being ignored in the deluge of relief. Or maybe you just haven't gotten off your ass and need to alleviate all that guilt. Whatever your motivations, we've found plenty of ways for you to do good while being entertained, cultured, or even freaked out. more ›

Legendary Bears coach Mike Ditka -- now part owner of the Chicago Rush Arena League Football team -- introduced Grabowski, the team's new mascot yesterday. more ›

In case some readers think that we fine folks at Chicagoist have been going overboard with the Macy Field's coverage the past two days, for your perusal today here is a gaggle of news from Hamburger U that has nothing to do with the nutritional quality of its food or its CEO suddenly dropping dead: - Helping those affected by Hurricane Katrina will take years. The possibility of Rita hitting the Gulf Coast would... more ›

As Hurricane Rita gains steam and takes aim at Texas, the Bush administration is still reeling from the criticisms of its failures and slow action in the tragedy that is Hurricane Katrina. Last night Senator Barack Obama addressed the 35th annual legislative conference of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and condemned the President’s response to Katrina and his efforts, or lack thereof, to deal with poverty honestly in this country. In response to Bush’s... more ›

Tickets are now available for Recipe For Relief, the Jimmy Banos-led culinary benefit for the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. On Oct. 6 from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The Grand Ballroom at McCormick Place South, 2301 S. Martin Luther King Dr., the event includes music, a silent auction and cookbook signing with Rick Bayless. To be clear, Chicagoist is heartbroken than such an event is necessary but we have to tell you that as... more ›

Tomorrow night is the opening party for a new exhibit at Rogofugi, "Behind Blythe," a show that details the revival of Blythe dolls by Japan's Cross World Connections. The story is that in 1972 Kenner (remember them?) manufactured Blythe, a doll with eyes that changed when you pulled on a string. But it wasn't popular with kids and was pulled from the market after a year. Since then it's only been known by doll... more ›