If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. Still, if someone says something mean to you, don't shoot them 16 times in the legs and back.* more ›

Today's National Park(ing) Day, a nationwide public arts event that celebrates America's parks — and reminds us all about the need for green space in cities. Volunteers turn a metered parking spot into a tiny park for the day in the hopes of demonstrating that parks are awesome. Too bad one of Chicago's installations was shut down after half an hour. Luckily, more are still going. There's one at Milwaukee and Leavitt, and one at... more ›

Chicagoist doesn't frequent the Skylark as often as we should. It's close to home; not as close as some other places, but close enough that it shouldn't be ignored completely. Located on Halsted, where 22nd Street separates Pilsen and Bridgeport (call it "Bridgepilsen"), Skylark is the sister tavern to Hanna's favorite Wicker Park hangout. Although it does draw its clientele mainly from the Pilsen artists' community, Skylark has also become a haven for longtime working-class... more ›

We usually think of May Day as pretty girls dancing around maypoles, but much of the world celebrates May 1st as International Workers’ Day, commemorating the Haymarket Riot of 1886. more ›

Yesterday Gothamist told us that Wired had a story on the GoogleCenter of America - the place that you find if you zoom into the closest point on the default Google map. It turns out the GoogleCenter of America is some field near Coffeyville, KS. Then they started doing some experiments and finding out what the GoogleCenters of New York are, which of course made us wonder what the GoogleCenter of Chicago is. more ›

Think of a wine store in this this city. Usually the first thing that comes to mind is a superstore like Sam's or Binny's. You've also got Randolph Wine Cellars and the Wine Discount Center if don't want to get lost in a warehouse; or smaller boutique shops like Que Syrah on Southport if you don't want to immerse yourself in the cultivated haughtiness of a wine bar. Now you can add Lush Wine... more ›

Our town’s known for big honking summer festivals. They draw the tourists and our friends from Schaumberg to spend their hard earned cash and contemplate someday moving here. Those of us living here already know the real joy of a Chicago summer lies in the smaller neighborhood fests. Chicagoist can’t wait to grab a kabob and exotic pastry and take in some local culture. more ›

As Pride Weekend gears up, gay news is spewing forth from Chicago faster than Jerry Falwell can yell "boycott!" A few gay briefs: · A recent poll commissioned by Equality Illinois found that while a majority of your neighbors would reject a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, most don't favor marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples. Even though no amendment is likely to be introduced soon, 67% of those polled would vote no, only... more ›