What would a scene from sound like dubbed by Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck? Well, now we know. Enjoy and, obviously, language is NSFW. [via] more ›

Flurries possible tonight, but this weekend shouldn't be too, too chilly. Which is good because there's a ton of fun stuff going on tomorrow: Paula Deen has two live shows at the Chicago Theater tomorrow. BYO sticks of butter, we're guessing. Tickets start at $45 and are still available for both the 11am and 4pm shows. Not in the mood for angioplasty? Head over to the DIY Trunk Show, at Pulaski Park auditorium. We're starting... more ›

The trees along North Michigan Ave. have been light up for more than 40 years, signifying the official start of the holiday season in Chicago. Today the festival starts at Pioneer Court (at the Equitable building) at 11 am with Disney characters putting on a stage show (the above photo was taken yesterday when they were setting up the stage). All day long there will be carollers, food, activities for the kids, dancers & tumblers, charitable events, and even a little petting zoo. Then at 6pm the procession begins. more ›

Yesterday a jury found LaGrou Distribution System Inc., a food storage warehouse at 2101 W. Pershing on the South Side, guilty of violating the U.S. meat and poultry acts, conspiring to violate federal laws and mail fraud. LaGrou is looking at up to $42 million in fines and the company's president, Jack Stewart, could see 19 years in the pen and up to $70 million in fines. Sentencing is scheduled for May 26. more ›

After a rainy, rotten week, Chicagoist is counting down the minutes to the weekend. All that junk about "cellar door" being the most beautiful phrase in the English language? Buh-buh-buh-bullshit. Try "it's Friday." Or "my treat." Or "open bar." Really anything that involves a) not working and b) recreation. To the Batcave! Um, check that, to…the newspaper listings! more ›

Michael Phelps is home from Greece where he tied a record by winning 8 medals, set a world record, and broke 3 Olympic records. And after all that you'd think the guy'd want to take a break, but it turns out: not so much. Phelps, along with his gold-medal winning teammates Lenny Krayzelburg and Ian Crocker are going on tour to promote swimming among American kids. more ›

Through July, 15 giant, 700 lb. statues of Mickey Mouse will be on display on State Street "Cows on Parade"-stye. The 6-foot-tall mice were created to celebrate Mickey's 75th birthday. The statues debuted in Orlando in November, which was the 75th anniversary of the release of the Mickey Mouse short, Steamboat Willie. They will head to Washington D.C. and then go to New York City before being auctioned for charity. Mickey Mouse's creator, Walt Disney, was born in Chicago in 1901 and studied at the Academy of Fine Arts here. more ›