It's a good day outside and with the combination of springing forward the clocks, the South Side Irish Parade Sunday, and warmer temps next week there are plenty of weeks to go out. Start the weekend off by leaving work early and heading to the Artisan Cellar at the Merchandise Mart, where they'll be having a tasting of the new-to-the area Graham Beck wines from South Africa. The free tasting runs from 3:30-6 p.m.,......

From the "things are tough all over" department: As if the folks at Jays didn't have enough to worry about with its recent bankruptcy filing, now two former executives of parent company Ubiquity Brands filed a lawsuit Friday claiming that they were fired in a corporate restructuring "without cause". Former Chief Financial Officer William McManaman and Chief Information Officer Gary Rietz claim their terminations are a violation of the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection......

"The United States of America v. the State of Illinois" has a real dramatic ring to it, no? The Department of Homeland Security is suing Illinois in an attempt to invalidate a state law that bans employers from using E-Verify, a website that allows employers to check if a Social Security number is valid. Blago signed the law, which passed with bipartisan "veto-proof majorities," in August, and it's supposed to go into effect in January.......

In a report published Monday, the Chicago Reporter found that Chicago is the the nation's capital for "high-cost" home loans. The study, looking at three years' worth of federal home-loan data, showed that in 2006, "the Chicago-Naperville-Joliet metropolitan statistical area, which includes Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, McHenry and Will counties" led the nation, with 88,315 “high-cost” mortgages. "High-cost" mortgages are defined as first-lien home loans that are at least three percentage points above......

It is difficult to believe it has been a year since Chicago outlawed selling foie gras in the city. Judging from the number of times we've written about it, the last twelve months have been interesting ones for the much-maligned/celebrated product. Perhaps what is most interesting, according to Phil Vettel in today's Trib, is that a year later, it really isn't so difficult to find foie gras in the city. Vettel writes, "But driving the......

This is a really simple, informational post. There is a website called SwapSimple.com, where you can trade books, DVDs and video games with people. You open up a free account, you list your stuff, and you trade for other people's stuff. We checked it out, and you have to pay for the shipping and handling (via USPS), but other than that, you can change out your collection nearly for free. The people at SwapSimple.com are......

One provision of President Bush's proposed budget could affect Chicagoans and city-dwellers all over the country. Bush is proposing a "congestion initiative" that would award federal grants to cities and states for building toll systems that charge drivers new or increased tolls for traveling in and out of cities during peak times. Congestion pricing could take the form of "cordon tolls," charges to enter the city proper, or monthly/annual fees for using High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV)......

Yet another rundown of weekend crimes, tragedies and tribulations: Four teenagers lost their lives in Blue Island on Friday night. A Pontiac Bonneville carrying the four was going westbound on 127th near Mozart when it crossed the centerline, where it was broadsided by a Jeep Liberty. Speed appears to be a factor, but an investigation is underway to determine the true cause of the crash. In another fatal crash, two teenagers were killed in Riverside......

In today's Getting Around column, the Tribune's Jon Hilkevitch says that this spring, the city of Chicago will start sending officials posing as pedestrians to bust drivers who endanger walkers at intersections. The Department of Transportation and Office of Emergency Management will work with the police to conduct stings on reckless drivers, particularly those making right turns through crosswalks. On average, more than one pedestrian is killed in a traffic accident each week in the......

By mid 2008 all US citizens are scheduled to be carrying documents that identify our names, addresses, birthdays, gender, photograph, and some kind of biometric marker to any federally sponsored agency that requests the information. Real ID act which gave The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) the authority over the contents of a national ID card was tacked onto a tsunami relief bill back in 2005. It passed in the US House (368-58) and Senate......

A study recently released by the Center for Housing Policy identifies the current trends in housing and transportation costs around the nation. MSN has a short summary of it. On average, Chicagoans spend 33 percent of their incomes on housing and transportation combined. Chicagoist has noticed in the past few years that more and more young people with professional jobs are moving into the city after growing up in the suburbs. Apparently this trend......

Murders and shootings are down this year, but robberies are up. Maybe because the gangs are moving to the burbs? The Department of Homeland Security has found that only 40% of Illinois' plans for handling a catastrophe can be considered "sufficient." Eh... the new O'Hare runway will fit... just move that creek over just a tad. 25 new "recharging stations" are opening at O'Hare & Midway so that travellers can charge their laptops, phones,......

What do you get when one of the world’s most celebrated cellists and one of the world’s most entertaining city governments join forces? Answer: a year-long celebration driven by a truly remarkable cultural exchange. Named for a network of routes from Rome to Japan traversed by explorers for over a millennium, Silk Road Chicago is our hometown showcase of art, music, theater, dance, and delectable dishes from half a world away. As anxiety persists over......

Have you ever entertained out-of-towners asking where to find the best hot dog in the city? Or deep-dish pizza? Should they go to Chinatown or Albany Park for good Asian-style barbecue? What spice houses sell real saffron? Is your short-term health affected by eating at a Harold's Chiucken Shack? The Department of Cultural Affairs has taken a long look at this and hired four people to act as "culinary concierges" for these and other......

Seven days into the month is the perfect time to mention that October is Chicago Artists’ Month. Much like the Bike Chicago festival, CAM is one part examination of a local subculture and one part showcase for events that would’ve happened anyway. The Department of Cultural Affairs arranges this series of free events and “A-game” exhibitions as a reminder that no matter which corner of the city you live in, you’re never too far from......

Yet another recently hired building inspector has lost a posh city job and salary. The Department of Buildings fired Brian Kelly yesterday amid questions about information on his resume and his refusal to answer those questions. On Tuesday, David Marino resigned after the department alleged he lied about his work history. The firing and resignation this week follow those of two people last week, Kevin Sexton and Andy Ryan--both sons of high-ranking Carpenters Union Local......