Mistakes are made, it happens to everyone, even us (as our readers are so kind to point out; don't even get us started on our ongoing its/it's struggles). And this time it happened to someone in the WGN graphics department who confused 2010 World Cup host South Africa with South America (who, granted, host the 2014 World Cup in Brazil). [via Deadspin] more ›

So the giant mouse thing from Boing Boing was pretty awesome, especially when the last paragraph of that story casually says "'Our work suggests that 4 million years ago in South America, 'mice' that were larger than bulls lived with terror birds'"--bascuse me? ROUS, we can deal with. But terror birds are new for us. . more ›

In a grand and futile gesture to halt the expansion of agricultural business into the world's remaining rainforests, several protesters scaled the Chicago Board of Trade building and unfurled a banner this morning. The result? A bit of publicity and a trip to the police station. Five protesters are being held for criminal trespassing, reckless conduct and criminal damage to property. By the time police and medics arrived on the scene to remove them... more ›

All hail the start of Green Market season! Chicagoist loves the green markets, cooks love the markets, and even professional chefs are getting into them. A quick perusal of the official Green Market guide reveals that most are starting up between the middle of May and the middle of June, and most are running through October. Since it seems like this year local is the new organic (see: The Omnivore's Dilemma), Chicago Localvores, a... more ›

We like Tango Sur on Southport. A lot. For perhaps the most talked about Argentine restaurant in Chicago among, dare we say, “gringos,” it truly does have great food, a bopping crowd and casual ambiance, and the BYOB situation makes it easy on your wallet. But you know what? El Nandu, an Argentine steak restaurant in Logan Square, offers some pretty stiff competition. It might just be better. Haven’t heard of it? That's probably because... more ›

This was the kind of week we were ready to pack up the whole weather experiment and head to South America. After a week of sub-zero wind chills, we were greeted with never ending snow, meaning the growing pile of salt inside our front door isn't going anywhere anytime soon. However, this week we were able to recapture one of the excitements from our youth: the snow day. Last week we watched forecasts by Jerry... more ›

Some wine grapes are grown in yields so small that they're either largely ignored by vintners or replaced by more popular varietals. Such seemed to be the case with viognier (vee-on-yay). As recently as 1965 this grape, whose existence can be traced back to Roman times, saw growth in only eight hectares of farmland in France's northern Rhône region, where viognier is the single permitted grape varietal of the Condrieu and Château-Grillet appellations. French vineyards slowly began to increase the acreage they committed to viognier, from 20 hectares in 1986 to 108 hectares in 2000. That's still far short of the 200 hectares allowed under law. more ›

The Confederation of North, Central American, and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) announced this afternoon that the 2007 Gold Cup Semi-Finals and Finals will be played at Soldier Field here in Chicago. The Gold Cup is a tournament of national soccer teams within the North American, Central American, and Caribbean regions. There will be twelve teams competing in the tournament. Three are automatic bids that go to former winners: Canada (2000), Mexico (1993, 1996, 1998 &... 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 ›

Eight to 10 members of the infamous Hyde Park monk parakeets gang were kicked out of three nests they'd constructed on power-line poles in the 5000 block of South Dorchester on Tuesday. ComEd said the parakeets' early-morning screeching parties and attempts to pay rent with holly berries and bird seed were just a couple of many reasons for the eviction. more ›

Tonight is the last total lunar eclipse until 2007. You'll be able to see it with the naked eye, but scientists say binoculars or low-grade telescopes will still enhance the experience. And unlike solar eclipses, it's safe to watch. Chicagoist thinks a romantic eclipse picnic is in order, drinking Blue Moon beers and eating moon pies and mooning people and listening to "Bad Moon Rising." We're big on themes. more ›