Sure, it's still damn cold out. And the snow keeps coming. And coming. But spring is just around the corner. How do we know? Because Spring Training is finally upon us. more ›

Obama wins Illinois; Clinton takes Arkansas, Tennesee and Kansas. McCain took Illinois, Romney Massachusettes. [Trib, Trib] more ›

It's been quite a week for Bulls rookie Joakim Noah. After a confrontation with Bulls assistant coach Ron Adams, Noah was suspended for a game. Then his teammates voted to suspend him an additional game. more ›

The White Sox traded starting pitcher Jon Garland to the Anaheim Angels on Monday in return for shortstop Orlando Cabrera. Cabrera, 33, hit .301 with 86 RBIs for the Angels while also winning his second Gold Glove award for his fielding. Garland, 28, went 10-13 for the White Sox while posting a 4.23 ERA in 32 starts. This move creates as many questions as it does answers for the Sox. We wonder what Kenny Williams... more ›

It's been confirmed. Orlando Jones, John Stroger's godson who avoided being interviewed by the FBI in conjunction with a hosptial shakedown in Las Vegas, committed suicide on a Michigan beach. Not only is this a tragedy for the people involved, but we're really disappointed with the Jesuits, as well -- The Rev. Donald McGuire has been convicted of molesting two boys in Wisconsin, faces a new accusation of sexual abuse, and his Jesuit religious... more ›

SHOOTING: Two homeless men shot in a 24 hour span in Uptown -- they appear to be unrelated. In more shooting news (why is there so much?!): Police have two "persons of interest" in custody Sunday morning after two teenagers were shot in a playlot on the South Side in the Woodlawn neighborhood, blocks from the University of Chicago campus. TRAINS: Our dear friend warns us: This is why you NEVER put headphones in... more ›

When you think of the nation’s top tourist destinations, family favorite Orlando, Fla., and adult playground Las Vegas, Nev., might spring to mind. But our own Windy City? Depends on who you ask…. In June, tourism officials from the city and state proclaimed that the number of domestic visitors journeying to our fair city had increased by nearly ten percent, from 40.2 million in 2005 to 44.6 million in 2006 — a significant achievement, to... more ›

You know why we love Chicago? Sometimes it feels as though we are living in one of those undiscovered destinations where only locals know the amazing surprises that await. We’ve had friends come into town, fully believing that Chicago is a city where people spend the day chomping on pizza and beef and going to sports games (and requisite crappy sports bars) while wearing grubby clothes. However, after a visit to the parts of the... more ›

Well, Chicagoist had finally come to terms with the fact that Mark Buehrle's days with the White Sox were numbered. We've heard and read the daily rumors about him being traded to the Mets, the Red Sox, the Cards, the Dodgers, the Braves, etc. While we hoped the Sox would lock up the durable lefty, his looming free agency, along with his supposed desire for a five year deal and rumors that he wanted to play for his hometown Cardinals made it seem unlikely that he'd remain on the South Side as the Sox continue to head south in the standings. more ›

After sweeping the Miami Heat and moving past the first round of the playoffs for the first time since the days of MJ, the Bulls now face off against the Detroit Pistons. The series opens on Saturday in Detroit. The one-seed Pistons also swept their opening-round series, taking down the Orlando Magic. Both teams have had nearly a week to prepare for what we anticipate will be a much tougher series for both teams. Do... more ›

We know that you don't have anything better to do than run around town looking for a teal bird, so get out there (you have until March 3). Just remember who gave you the idea when you're handing out those free flights. more ›

This isn't a local story, but nothing, and we mean nothing, can top the strange case of astronaut Lisa Marie Nowak. She was arrested Monday at Orlando International Airport after attacking Air Force Capt. Colleen Shipman, who she thought was trying to steal her would-be boyfriend and fellow astronaut, Cmdr. William Oefelein. Aren't astronauts supposed to be our best and brightest? This makes that episode of the Simpsons where Barney lays off the sauce and... more ›

Yesterday, Chicagoist took a trip over to the Tower Records downtown, where it’s all over but the shoutin’. If you wanted to own the complete Tony Orlando and Dawn series on 3 DVDs for less than twenty bucks, you were in luck. Other than that, finding recognizable artists in the dregs was a challenge (we managed to pick up recent releases from Cougars and Damone but nothing else held any appeal). It was pretty obvious... more ›

If you don’t hear much from the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau in the next couple of months, don’t be alarmed. The bureau, which drives sales for McCormick Place and Navy Pier, is on the road, trying to find work. It will be stopping in 10 cities to try to convince corporate and association meeting planners to book their conventions here. Why all the palm-pressing? "Our new emphasis is back-to-the-basics, face-to-face sales and marketing,"... more ›

With baseball's Winter Meetings now underway in Orlando, baseball's hot stove is heating up. Both Chicago clubs are at the center of many rumors, as pitching has been the clear focus of this offseason for most teams. The Cubs have been mentioned as suitors of nearly all big-name free agent pitchers, from Daisuke Matsuzaka to Jason Schmidt. With the Red Sox winning the rights to negotiate with Matsuzaka and Schmidt likely out of the Cubs'... more ›

"This is like going all the way to Orlando, but then not getting to go to Disney World," said our date for the evening as he surveyed the menu at 24-hour Korean restaurant San Soo Gap San. Chicagoist's dining partner was referring, in this case, to the lack of vegetarian options on the menu. After a careful survey, we determined that there was not a single meat-free option. more ›

A consultant to McCormick Place recommended Tuesday that a food court with a "1900s Chicago" theme be added to the mammoth convention center. Citing the lack of dining options in the area, consultant William J. Caruso advised the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, who owns McCormick Place, that a food court be built at the front of the South Building, next to the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place. McCormick Place, the country's largest convention center, can... more ›

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Perhaps taking a cue from the Chicago city council's recent lust for meddling in everyone's personal affairs, someone in south suburban Frankfort isn't happy about a neighbor's treehouse. Bob and Tracy Matheu built a ginormous tree fort for their three kids and their friends, a real life Swiss Family Robinson affair complete with swings, ladders, storage space, and a watch tower. But one of their neighbors ratted them out to the town's planning commission because they didn't apply for a building permit. more ›

Our friends at Crain's are reporting that tomorrow the National Restaurant Association will announce its intent to keep its ginormous show right here in Chicago, the city the show has called home for more than 50 years. more ›

The Chicago Rush defeated the Orlando Predators 69-61 to win ArenaBowl XX in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Rush tamed the Predators in front of a crowd of over 13,000 at the Thomas & Mack Center. more ›

At the beginning of May the Chicago Rush looked as though they might miss the playoffs with a 5-9 record. Since then, the Rush have posted five straight victories, including three playoff wins, propelling them into the 20th Arena Bowl Championship match. more ›

It took a while. A really long while. But the Bulls finally seem to have discovered that scrappy instinct that led them to a 47-35 record last season and their first playoff appearance since MJ left town. more ›

What a difference a year makes! Last year, as we embarked on a new baseball season, we discussed the eternal optimism of Chicago baseball fans in light of decades of futility. But in 2005 something most unexpected and most wonderful happened. Chicago won a World Series! And it wasn't even the Chicago team that many thought had a shot at the title. While the Cubs entered the season picked by many to reach the postseason,... more ›

So you've heard of the Chicago-based Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA), the official trade association for the word of mouth marketing industry, right? Cool concept, eh? Like to learn more? more ›

"To the victor goes the spoils", indeed. Jon Garland avoided arbitration this offseason, signing a three-year, $29 million dollar contract with the White Sox yesterday. This year Garland had the breakout season that everyone expected of him when he was drafted by the Cubs then later traded to the Sox. Even though he had a subpar second half, Garland still finished with a record of 18-10 with a 3.50 ERA and a league-leading three... more ›

In a press release that's pretty much an advertisement for Hotwire, Chicago has been named the top destination spot for New Years Eve. Based on Hotwire's top 10 hotel bookings for New Year's, this was the second year that Chicago topped the list. When Chicagoist thinks of NYE destinations we think NYC, Times Square, Dick Clark (Regis Philbin?), the big countdown and ball drop. While New York is still on the top 10 list, Hotwire... more ›

Kenny Williams sure has been busy since the White Sox won the World Series. Had he simply brought back most of last year's roster, the Sox would have been a favorite to repeat. However, the taste of victory seems to have fueled an organizational urge to do everything possible ensure another trophy. Are the White Sox positioning themselves to do what the Bulls did in the 90's? more ›

The Bulls welcome the Orlando Magic to the United Center tonight, their first home game in over two weeks. They concluded their annual "Circus Trip" on Sunday, when they beat the Houston Rockets 94-89. That win pulled the Bulls record on the West Coast swing to an even 3-3. more ›

Chicagoist admits we might have been a little over-confident going into Game 1 of the ALCS. We thought that the Angels' three games in three cities in three nights with 5000 miles of travel in between would give the Sox a decided advantage. And then there were thoughts of facing a tired Paul Byrd and an overworked bullpen. But in spite of all those factors working against the Angels, they came up on the winning... more ›