Now that we've spent a weekend taking in the Hollywood spectacle, it's time to buckle down once more and prepare for another weekend of street closures as film crews shoot more scenes for Transformers 3. But this one is going to be even more widespread and will include a closure of Michigan Ave starting tomorrow. Michigan Ave will be closed to traffic from Ontario Street to Wacker Drive starting tomorrow night at 8 p.m. and lasting through 5 a.m. Monday morning while Lower Michigan will be closed between Lower Wacker and Hubbard from 8 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday. According to the Tribune, stretches of the street will still be open to foot traffic and businesses/stores will remain open. You can also expect more helicopters around the Trump Tower and Chicago River areas as aerial filming continues through the weekend. more ›

Thanks to Flickr user ambjorn (website) for uploading the amazing, entrancing time-lapse video below to our Flickr pool. more ›

An Iowa man who claimed he was stabbed by a mugger on the Riverwalk last month has now come clean: he made it all up. Police have charged Gary Hunninghake, 63, of Coralville, Iowa (pictured right) with felony disorderly conduct for filing a fake police report for the April 24 "incident." Police have maintained since the incident occurred that Hunninghake's story had inconsistencies. He claimed to have been stabbed multiple times shortly before 6 a.m. on April 24 while jogging along the Riverwalk but it now turns out those wounds were self-inflicted but police said they have no motive as to why so far. Hunninghake turned himself in to police yesterday afternoon. more ›

A small fire on the first floor of the North Bridge shopping center - located at 520 N. Michigan Ave. - prompted a full response from firefighters earlier this morning, shutting down traffic and rerouting CTA buses. A police officer told the Tribune that the fire broke out in cosmetic shop Sephora but the fire department hasn't confirmed that. The mall is anchored by Nordstrom; there's no word on how long the mall will be closed as clean up continues. more ›

Don't forget that a segment of Michigan Ave closes tonight at midnight in preparation for Oprah's (controversial) episode taping. Check out a map of the affected area here [PDF]. The taping takes place Tuesday and the closed area will reopen early Wednesday morning. more ›

Oprah's throwing a party on the Mag Mile for her 24th season opener, filming next week. If you want to get in, "doors" for the celebration open at high noon next Tuesday. The portion of Michigan Ave between Ohio and Wacker will close down next Monday morning to set up for the taping, which gets underway at 5 p.m Tuesday. The show will also feature a performance by the We'll Work With Anyone Happy Funtime Band a.k.a. The Black Eyed Peas. Officials say Oprah and her folks are footing the bill for this party (a la the DNC for Obamapalooza) and that the mess will all be out of the way by 5 a.m. next Wednesday morning. [Crain's, NBC 5] more ›

In a thin whimsical dress and matching headband, Elizabeth tiptoes down Michigan Avenue as if in a scene from the ballet. Her silky thigh-length dress creates a soft, ever changing shape blowing in the light breeze. With understated details like the silk flower corsages on the dress and the headband, Elizabeth creates a youthful and elegant look for the summer. more ›

After years of talking, the City of Chicago might finally get cracking on the Carroll Avenue project, which would utilize the old bridge near Kinzie and the connected tunnel that runs beneath the Merchandise Mart as a means to connect train stops (presumably both Metra and CTA) in the West Loop to Michigan Ave.

The city envisions a streetcar -- or an express bus -- picking up passengers at the train stations and carrying them north along Clinton. City officials would like to create an underpass under the Metra tracks so cars and buses wouldn't have to wait for the train. more ›

Garrett Popcorn is closing its Michigan Ave store on May 31, making room for the Ritz Carlton and for people to actually walk on the sidewalk. Don't panic, you can still get your "Downtown Mix" at several other locations throughout the city, and plans to open another Garrett on Michigan are in the works. History snippet: Garrett Popcorn Shops has been a Chicago institution since 1949 and after Oprah listed it as one of her coveted favorite things in 2002 and 2005, internet sales increased like whoa, where "whoa" = 35 percent. more ›

Sneakerfiles reports that the Levi's 501 premium selvedge denim have an elephant print lining the inside and the signature Air Jordan symbol is embroidered on one of the pockets along with six gold rings that symbolize each of the championship rings MJ won during his BBall years. The jeans, sneakers and shirt come in a red collector box decorated with graphics from each brand. more ›

where she will not only take on the role of executive producer but will also star as legendary singer Etta James. No word yet on when she will actually arrive, but we’re certain well know as soon as her private jet lands, as Beyonce buzz travels fast. The film will mainly be shot in New Jersey and Mississippi, but may shoot in Chicago for a few exteriors. more ›

Chicago's a solid art town--we have a Picasso on the street, a big mirrored bean, amazing museums, etc. The only thing were missing is the Simpson's "Escalator-to-Nowhere". So expectations were high for Wall-O-Ice. more ›

Music: The Jazz Institute of Chicago is sponsoring a jazz guitar summit at Austin Town Hall this evening. Featured performers will be John Moulder, Buddy Fambro, Jeff Parker, and Curtis Robinson. more ›

Ira Glass wasn’t so popular with Chicagoans in 2006, when he announced that he would be moving production of This American Life from Chicago to New York. Showtime had approached Glass and his production staff with a television deal, but the budget just couldn’t work without a New York transplant, so the deal was sealed. Glass has publicly addressed this issue, saying “I’ve always said that because I end up working, like, 70 or 80 hours over the course of a week, I could be on the space shuttle and it wouldn’t make a difference.” more ›

, in which he's so far starred in more than 1,750 adult films and directed more than 135. more ›

It’s that time of year when our kids begin to get stir crazy. With the parks snowed over, and the temps discouraging any neighborhood meandering, these indoor play areas are godsends. The idea is that you pay per visit (or pay less by becoming a member or buying visits in bulk), and spend a few hours with your kid, playing in their space. Each location has huge interactive areas, stocked with toys you can ride on or slide down, dress up clothes and props. Many of these places indicate they serve a 6 month - 6 year age range, but we’ve found that kids 12 months- 4 years are most entertained. These three locations also offer a cafeteria area for you to brown bag it. Check websites for hours and more info. more ›

KISS-FM's "Radio Boy" Michael Wawrzyniak has been charged with indecent solicitation of a child for allegedly trying to arrange a meeting for with a 13-year-old in Carol Stream. It wasn't a 13-year-old, though. It was a cop. more ›

Prepare yourselves for the first big indie nerdgasm of '08, coming up Tuesday: Michel Gondry (that's one) will be at the Apple Store (that's two) discussing his upcoming film (three), about video-store clerks (four) played by Jack Black and Mos Def (five), who accidentally erase but then remake the videos they rent out (aaaand new pants). more ›

Scott Harney must have been very very good in a previous life. Well, that is, if you believe in that sort of thing. How else do you explain having a job where you have to spend—emphasis on the have to—large amounts of time eating high-end chocolate and cheese, followed by drinking lots of very good wine? Okay, we know that his job as wine director at Eno also involves doing some work-like tasks, too, but we’re sure even he would admit he’s got a sweet deal. more ›

Another week, another all-you-can-eat Friday Buffet. The photo alone is giving us cravings for some shark meat. - It's National Ice Cream Month. Feeling charitable this afternoon? In the mood for ice cream? Then head over to Atwood Café between 2-4 p.m. and take part in their annual ice cream social to benefit the Fairy Godmother Foundation. Atwood chef Heather Terhune will donate $1 from every ice cream sold (graciously donated by Ciao Bella gelato)... more ›

This is Officer Coates. When we first saw him at approximately 4 p.m. this afternoon, he was standing on a Segway (instant annoying!) and appeared to be telling some dudes with big signs announcing a 50% off sale on tuxedos (?) on Michigan Avenue that they couldn't stand there or something. This was right out front of 535 N. Michigan Ave. just south of the Intercontinental Hotel. We thought, "Who cares? Leave them alone!"... more ›

We know what you’re thinking: “Aren’t the best ethnic markets located in, well, ethnic neighborhoods?” Why, yes, astute reader, for the most part they are. But sometimes, like that ever-elusive bluebird of happiness, you can find them right in your own backyard. Case in point: L’Appetito, an Italian deli and café with two locations in the Gold Coast. Yeah, yeah, there you go again: Yes, we, like you, normally avoid shopping in the Gold Coast... more ›

Where to go Prom Dress Shopping? more ›

Chicagoist made sure to get out and enjoy yesterday's 70+ degree temps. Entertaining visitors from out of the country, we mostly stuck to walking along Michigan Ave. However, many took advantage of the nice temps to participate in the the 28th Annual Shamrock Shuffle, which drew a record 30,000 participants for its 8k run and 5k walk. more ›

We can't believe we never heard about this before, but it took us years to hear about this, so we definitely miss things. There is a free monthly interview series called Writers on the Record with Victoria Lautman. It's a live interview hosted by Victoria Lautman at the Lookingglass Theatre and takes place Sundays at noon. more ›

Happy St. Patty’s Day, folks! We are taking off a little early this morning, for what we hope will be a long drunken day filled with debauchery in celebration of wanting to be Irish. At about 10:45 a.m. the Chicago River will be full of Fluorescein, the chemical used in the annual dyeing of the river. The magnificent green can be seen from the Wacker Bridge on Michigan Ave and it should last about 30... more ›

Up in the Great White North, a murder took place in a nightclub parking lot on Nov. 17. 22-year-old Ryan Milner was stabbed to death in Hamilton, Ontario, after a Sean Price hip-hop concert. Surveillance video from the club was checked out by local police, who were apparently at a loss. They then considered the demographic of the concert attendees and the fact that the assailant appeared to be a younger man. Their next move?... more ›

Uniquely Chicago Gifts? more ›

We’ve heard of one person waiting in line at Borders for five hours for a glimpse of Amy Sedaris the other week. And while we wouldn’t dare question Sedaris’ national notoriety, we’re going to step out on a limb and say that it probably doesn’t compare to Rachael Ray’s. With that in mind, you may want to leave the house a couple (8) hours early for Ray’s book signing at Borders tomorrow. We turned our... more ›

The lovely and talented Amy Sedaris will be at the Borders at 830 N. Michigan Ave. tomorrow night as part of a nationwide book tour for her new book, I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence. This work is at the top of our Christmas/Chanukah/Kwanzaa gift list (after, of course, everything we asked for yesterday). Sedaris herself is incredibly funny, but also incredibly peculiar, and these two characteristics are wonderfully reflected in I Like You.... more ›