Now that Obama has inched closer to out-and-out announcing that he is going to run for President, it seems that the right is cranking up the talking points. We were shocked, and frankly a little dissapointed to read this piece on Illinoize by Bill Baar. Although his political leanings aren't immediately evident, and probably are more complex and nuanced than simply left or right, you would be hard pressed to find something like The American Prospect or The Nation linked in his blogroll. more ›

Tickets are now available for Recipe For Relief, the Jimmy Banos-led culinary benefit for the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. On Oct. 6 from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The Grand Ballroom at McCormick Place South, 2301 S. Martin Luther King Dr., the event includes music, a silent auction and cookbook signing with Rick Bayless. To be clear, Chicagoist is heartbroken than such an event is necessary but we have to tell you that as... more ›

There’s a Chicago connection to the shooting death of “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott and four other people at a Columbus rock club last night. Dimebag and his brother Vinnie Paul, who formed the metal outfit Pantera in the 1980s, and the rest of their band Damageplan were scheduled to play tomorrow’s Nutcracker 2004, a live event at House of Blues sponsored by 94.7 The Zone. Representatives at House of Blues and The Zone confirm that the Nutcracker 2004 event will go on as scheduled. A source at The Zone said there will be a short tribute to Dimebag at the beginning of the show featuring a couple Damageplan and Pantera songs as well as a brief moment of silence before the show goes on. more ›

The reader favorite was National Geographic, which is, um, a good magazine. Right? That seems like a pretty good if safe choice�respected, old-school, brainy, etc. High five, Trib readers. Clocking in at 2 (not clear how they're ranked) was ESPN the Magazine, which Chicagoist�s own Benjy suggested the first time around. Nicely done, B-Lip. Rounding out the top five are The Week, Budget Travel, and The Nation. List highlights: Christian Century, O, Bark, and ReadyMade. We actually really like ReadyMade (we're crafty), even if it's expensive and owned by Urban Outfitters, but we just can't get behind one Trib reader's use of "very unique." Yick. more ›