Feature
Hunter Clauss
A Kink in the Campaign
If his challenge to Deb Mell's nominating petition succeeds, state rep candidate Joe Laiacona just might run unopposed in the Democratic primary. But can a leather master actually win in the general election?
Free Shit 11/21—Lights Festival Freebies
Posted by Robyn Chang on Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 4:42 PM
The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival offers a full day's worth of freebies—including concerts, pictures with Santa, a fireworks finale, and giveaways. From 11 AM to 5 PM at Lights Festival Lane (Pioneer Court, 401 N. Michigan), guests can decorate free holiday cookies at the Whole Foods booth, fancify a free piece of cheesecake at the Eli's Cheesecake booth (bring a donation for the Greater Chicago Food Depository to receive an additional free piece of cheesecake), and grab free clementines from the Cuties Clementines booth. From 7 to 9 PM, More Cupcakes (1 E. Delaware Place) will give away their signature "More" cupcake: a chocolate cupcake with a cream center (limit one per person) and Best Western (125 W. Ohio) will pass out free gourmet hot chocolate and cookies. More booths will be passing out more stuff to eat and drink.
Media / News Bites Still More on the Mezuzah
Posted by Michael Miner on Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 4:29 PM
Only hard-core courts buffs are sticking with me on this, my third post on the subject of the Seventh Circuit's en banc mezuzah ruling. But if you're hanging in, I recommend the oral arguments.
Chicagoland / Food Chain / Music / Food & Drink / Performing Arts Dinner and a Show: Friday 11/19
Posted by Whet Moser on Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 4:23 PM
- Stefano Giovannini
- DJ/Rupture & Matt Shadetek
Some of tonight's best events, as recommended by our music, movie, and performing arts critics—and where to eat before or afterward.
Food Chain / Food & Drink Too New to Review
Posted by Kate Schmidt on Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 4:21 PM
Tonight, after months of delay, Nella Pizzeria Napoletana opens with a full bar, antipasti and salads, and pizza from Nella Grassano, the original pizzaiola at Spacca Napoli. Lunch starts Monday. A second location on Taylor Street is in the works for February.
More new places after the jump:
Crickets / Music Bummer Alert
Posted by Miles Raymer on Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 4:01 PM
After tonight's show at Ronny's the Fake Fictions will cease their scrappy and utterly charming noisemaking, which means there will be one less band out there making music for what I believe to be all the right reasons. In an e-mail blast announcing the breakup, guitarist and singer Nick Ammerman explains, "The Fake Fictions are stopping playing music so that they can go to the moon." I guess that's an acceptable reason.
The show starts at 9 PM and the Laureates, Very Truly Yours, and Beauty and the Feast open. The Fake Fictions' entire recorded output is still available to download for free here.
Ink Well
Your City Council Now more than ever, it's important to follow what our 50 aldermen are up to. Are our representatives up to the task of telling the mayor "no" once in a while, or, better yet, of coming up with an alternative vision of Chicago government? Read our guide and decide for yourself what their prospects are.
Neighborhood Guides
The New Keepin' It Real Kid Sister punctures the materialist fantasies of pop radio.
A New Record Shop Opens in Logan Square Chicago Independent Distribution opens a record shop, Logan Hardware, in its storefront at Fullerton and Western.
The List: November 19-25, 2009 Critics' Choices and other notable concerts: Aventura, DJ/Rupture & Matt Shadetek, Fuck Buttons, Saviours, Baroness, and more
Requiem for a Room What to expect from the Sonotheque space in its new life as a Beauty Bar
The Bad Lieutenant Gone Wild Werner Herzog and Nicolas Cage whoop it up in New Orleans.
A “Lost Boy” Finds His Calling Brutally driven from Sudan as a child, Garang Mayuol is bringing clean water to the suffering villagers back home. A new documentary chronicles his journey.
Slow Jam Hours go into every jar of Elizabeth Madden's Rare Bird Preserves.
Fresh From the Oven Thirteen recommended bakeries
The Food Issue: The Best New Restaurants of 2009 From Browntrout to Zebda
Cartoony Country A review of All the Fame of Lofty Deeds, a show by Mark Guarino based on the music and art of Mekons cofounder Jon Langford. Tommy Rapley directs the world premiere production by the House Theatre of Chicago.
Bah Mitzvah The 13-year-old at the center of the Alan Gross's High Holidays shouldn’t be.
Fall Books Special: The Gritty City New books about old murders, queer underworlds, race wars, and more
Holiday Markets, a Pop-Up Shop, and Other Shopping Events This Weekend Sales, trunk shows, holiday fairs, and more
FEATURED CLASSIFIED
The Reader's Guides
Chicago 101
A city guide for newbies and lifers alike
Environment Archive
Field & Street: A selection from our reporting on the natural world
Ukrainian Village/East Village
Fourth in a series of special issues focusing on Chicago neighborhoods.
