Chicago Magazine's February issue has a list of 171 Chicago-based websites they think are worth checking out. Naturally we're in there ... twice! Once under "News Reporting" and then again as Sun-Times critic Jim DeRogatis' personal picks. The thing is until today, the only place this list lived was in the magazine, even through Chicago Magazine's website has been telling us "story coming soon" for weeks now. more ›

Fat Tuesday, Shmat Tuesday. As far as we are concerned, today is about one thing only, eating delicious deep-fried, fruit-filled, often-frosted paczkis. For the non-Polish, non-native Chicagoans, paczkis are traditional Polish donuts, often served on Fat Thursday, except in Chicago and Detroit where they are served today — today being Paczkis Day. more ›

We must admit, we've had our setbacks this year. A new year sounds pretty enticing as we wipe the 2006 slate clean, but we figure we may as well finish off this year strong. There are multiple things going on this weekend that are notable, as always feel free to add additional events in the comments section. Start your weekend off right with some good music. Tonight at theHideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, The Venom Lords,... more ›

Chicagoist is not immune to the nostalgia that strikes all media entities at the end of the year, as evidenced by the orgy of posts this week that looked back at significant happenings in food, booze, theatre, art, music, movies and photography. The desire to pontificate on this year's newsworthy events in Chicago is a powerful one, but we're saving ourselves for tomorrow night. Chicagoist co-editors Rachelle Bowden and Scott Smith will be guests on... more ›

Although many members of our staff are involved in noteworthy projects outside of our daily blogging duties, we generally don’t report on everything we do, reserving our self-coverage to only the coolest activites. Rachelle Bowden on "Eight Forty-Eight"? Cool. Scott Smith on "Chicago Tonight"? Trés Fab. Shannon Saar’s intricate ode to Louis Sullivan in gingerbread form? Well, that’s worth telling you about. Shannon, who writes on the weekend shifts and is one of our... more ›

Ew, ew and ew. The Sun-Times released their list of Chicago's "Dirty Dozen" yesterday; the 12 restaurants in the city that have received the most "critical" health code violations between July 2005 and July 2006. "Critical" violations are the type that "bring immediate closure and a $500 fine: rotten food, plumbing backups, rodent and insect infestation, lack of proper hand-washing facilities and inadequate cooking and cooling temperatures." more ›

Once again, we building lovers are put on the defense. Landmarks Illinois has come out with its fifth annual Chicagoland Watchlist. There are twelve buildings on the list in danger of demolition, including the Chicago Daily Defender Building and the Lakeshore Athletic Club. more ›

Celebrate Ben Franklin's 300th birthday with the Bikini Bandits and Phillyist! (NSFW). Speaking of Mr. Franklin, send in a picture of Ben (or Ed Rendell) with a red tongue and win a free t-shirt. And they might have the next YearlyKos in Philly. more ›

We don’t like to toot our own horn – well, OK, maybe we do – but we try not to do it too much. Sometimes, we just can’t help ourselves. Like when our fearless leader, Rachelle Bowden*, gets to mix it up with some of the top names in the blogosphere. more ›

Chicagoist can't help but be a little proud when one of our hometown own grows up and takes a step towards being a self-sufficient, independent adult out in the real world. No, little Johnny did not get his driver's license, nor did little Buffy have her sweet sixteen (complete with an authentic rap-star). Instead, one of our own hometown tech startups took a big step toward becoming a real grown up company by devouring another.... more ›

"His options were quickly running out" via p2wy more ›

If you work in the tech industry, are a technology enthusiast, an entrepreneur, a blogger or a business professional, TECH Cocktail is where you want to be tomorrow night. Or maybe you just want to go to stalk some cute nerds! In any case, this event is bringing together tech-minded people to network, meet each other, share ideas, drink some free wine... Did somebody say free wine? Yes! And there will also be giveaways from Chicago's own RipIt Digital and Extra Tasty. And maybe an iPod if you're really lucky? more ›

This extended holiday weekend should be another great time, weather permitting, to get out there and take some photos for our summer photography contest. Taste of Chicago begins today, fireworks on the 3rd, and don't forget the Country Music Fest. We're looking forward to seeing all of your photos. Just upload them to Flickr, and tag them with "Chicagoist" to be entered into the contest.* On Monday we'll review everything from the weekend and... more ›

"Sweet Pussy" by pantagrapher more ›

"flowers et the city" via Olivia Leigh more ›

This is part of a Devil Wears Prada promotion, and we feel slightly moronic for clicking on all the ads to get to it ... but those are the kinds of things we do to get to the good stuff for you! Today between the hours of 2pm and 4pm, right about that time your lunch is wearing off and you're feeling like you need a little burst of energy, a little caffeine, a coffee, perhaps (!), head over to one of the locations below for a free coffee. more ›

Tibetan Mozart's Requiem by MagnaWave more ›

This should be an awesome weekend for our summer photo contest. There are so many great parades and celebrations and festivals going on. You've got Intonation, Gay Pride, Clark Street Fest, and Jeff Fest, to name the big ones. And don't forget Ravinia's always going on. We know you're already bringing your camera, so when you upload your photos to Flickr, don't forget to tag them "Chicagoist". By doing this, you'll enter yourself into competition for Best Fest Photo of the Week. There's no prize, per se, but we'll feature your photo on the site and you'll get the fame (or infamy) that comes with having our entire audience see your photo. Have fun with it! more ›

In the last 2 days, 7 people in Miami were arrested in connection with the early stages of a plot to attack the Sears Tower and a federal building in Miami. An informant says that those taken into custody were "conspiring to conduct jihad in the United States." Also, the suspects thought they were dealing with the international al Qaeda group, but they had been infiltrated by a US informant. more ›

Today's featured photo by Scott M. more ›

Normally Chicagoist isn't big into reporting on every restaurant/bar/whatnot that has its door shuttered for health code violations. But this one we couldn't let pass by. This morning, a Chicagoist operative was on assignment out in North Center (read: drinking many beers at the Globe watching the World Cup) when he stumbled on over to Lincoln Restaurant only to find the doors locked and a big ol' neon-green sticker on the front, which means... more ›

People are constantly emailling us asking "Hey, Chicagoist, I'm going to be in town next week. What's a good place to grab a drink and some grub?" Or "Hey, Chicagoist, I've got an hour to kill between sessions at my conference next week. Can you tell me something I could do in the Loop?" Lately these emails have been more like "Hey, Chicagoist, I'm going to be in town for Intonation/Pitchfork/Lolla. Can you give me some tips about where to drink/eat/shop/take in the sights?" more ›

You may have noticed a new location in the Gothamist menu at the top of the page, or maybe not, so we're going to bring it to your attention: São Paulo. A group of paulistanos down there led by editor Leandro M. Pinto are telling the world what's happenin' in Brazil. So, for a quick trip to South America, visit Sampaist, but be warned: You'll need to brush up on the native language, Portuguese! more ›

- A bunch of local nurses have banded together to sue several area hospital systems, charging that they shared information about wages in a conspiracy to suppress their pay. more ›

Chicagoist reader Frank emailled us with this site that has 3-D renderings of Chicago with all the proposed and under construction buildings shown. Pretty cool. Check it out here. more ›

David Schwimmer just won a $400,000 defamation lawsuit, proving he doesn't demand 2 Rolex watches to attend his own charity events after all.. An older suburban couple with a lawn cluttered with ornaments had some of them stolen. A ransom note was discovered. It told the couple to leave $25k in fake money and some Boone's Farm wine "at the White Hen behind the Twist-N-Shake (ice cream parlor)." Hey Cubs fans, "Let's hug it... more ›

"baile 18" via City of Progress more ›

Have you seen The Break Up yet? Yes? Then you know that in the movie Jennifer Aniston's character works in an art gallery and that the condo she share's with Vince Vaughn is tastefully decorated with all kinds of art. That art was all done by Francine Turk, a Chicago artist who has a gallery on the Near South Side. more ›

Got the drill down yet? Beer, camera, Flickr, "ChicagoistDrunkfest" tag. You could be next week's winner! more ›

"2781: for the love of country - buy their gucci, their fendi, their prada, their christian dior, their louis vuitton, their versace, their dolce & gabbana, and their roberto cavalli - merchandise." by only-connect more ›