The cold weather - and holiday festivities - descended upon Gothamist. The Rockefeller Christmas tree was lit, Broadway stagehand finally ended their strike, and NASCAR decided to run their victory lap through Times Square. There were disturbing photographs revealing the working conditions in which many city manholes are produced and ninjas were also a hot topic, either robbing homes or entering into alibis. But the city was really rocked by how Rudy Giuliani's visits... more ›

Chicagoist has just about finished reading Alex Kotlowitz's and we think it's pretty fabulous. This 2004 book is a loving examination of our city as seen through detailed portraits of people who care about it deeply. It's less, as classified by the publisher, a travelogue, and more an essential history lesson for us young and/or new Chicagoans, wrapped in engaging biography for all. more ›