Cyclists, beware the 'lumberjack bandit'
Brandon Holmes says he has no idea who stole his bike early Tuesday morning, but it must have been a lumberjack.When Holmes, 25, exited Nick's Beer Garden in Wicker Park around 3 a.m., his bike-his...
View ArticleMy barista gives my heart a caffeine jolt
Dear Anna,I have a crush on the barista that works in the coffee shop near me. How can I convince her to go on a date with me? Aside from small talk and asking about Wi-Fi problems, I'm at a loss....
View ArticleF**CK IT: 'Sin City: A Dame to Kill For'
**1/2 (out of four)Tourism must be struggling in Sin City. Virtually the only entertainment (not including prostitution and drinking) is watching one woman (Jessica Alba) dance on a bar ad nauseam....
View ArticleThe BYOB Files: Tsu Kiji Fish Market
Welcome to the BYOB Files, a new monthly column spotlighting the city's bring-your-own-bottle restaurants. To me, the preponderance of BYOB spots in Chicago feels like booze karma, a perk that sort-of...
View ArticleSouth Side sluggers steal city's heart
Bill Haley, director of Jackie Robinson West Little League, has one word to describe the league his father, Joseph, started in 1971."Tradition. We have a strong tradition that we're proud of," Haley...
View ArticleFerguson and reverse Miranda rights
Since he was never arrested, it is likely that Michael BrownĀ never was read his Miranda rights. It is even more likely that Darren Wilson never considered giving them before shooting Brown six...
View ArticleIn the thick of it: Chicago Dancing Festival
Get ready for three days of more than a dozen dance performances for zero dollars. That's right: The Chicago Dancing Festival, the biggest free dance fest in the country, returns for an eighth year,...
View Article'Execution of a child'
Nine-year-old Antonio Smith was gunned down on a concrete slab a few feet away from the railroad tracks that have long served as the dividing line between rival gangs in the Greater Grand Crossing...
View ArticleRiot Fest adds haunted house, more
In what has to be a response to increased interest, Riot Fest announced Thursday that the music festival and carnival will relocate to the northern side of Humboldt Park starting this year, increasing...
View ArticleChicago Little League swings a win
You've got Bears-Eagles, Cubs-Phillies, Blackhawks-Flyers, Bulls-76ers.Add Jackie Robinson West vs. Taney Little League to that list of great Chicago-Philadelphia matchups.ESPN billed Thursday's Little...
View ArticleTaking care of your pup at the beach
The weather hasn't been exactly ideal for beachgoing lately, but on a recent Monday morning, the sunken strip of sand along West Lawrence Avenue was packed. Chances are, though, that these visitors...
View Article#GetFested this weekend
This is your final weekend before Labor Day, and you have plenty of opportunities to make it count. Take your pick of nine festivals focused on food, art, music and fashion in neighborhoods from the...
View ArticleIs Chicago unplugging EDM?
In the wake of a ban on electronic dance music at the troubled Congress Theater, city officials are discussing the future of EDM in Chicago-but are tight-lipped about the exact nature of those...
View ArticleMark Duplass and Charlie McDowell talk 'The One I Love'
Mark Duplass discovered how damaging spoilers can be when he went to see "The Crying Game" at age 14."It took me like two weeks to get to the theater, so I had held off [knowing] everything," says the...
View ArticleBeyonce rocks the VMAs
Did you miss last nights MTV Video Music Awards? If so, you missed Beyonce win the Michael JacksonĀ Video Vanguard award and then promptly proceed to steal the whole show. In a sweat-inducing...
View ArticleEnding your summer fling
In the old days (read: fifth grade), the last day at Camp Wabunsee meant it was time to let go of your true summer love. Fortunately, boys have gotten a lot better at kissing since then. Unfortunately,...
View Article'Are You Here' wastes your time
*1/2 (out of four)"Are You Here," the feature writing-directing debut from "Mad Men" creator Matthew Weiner, features such a stunningly unconvincing emotional reversal that it must be shared. Spoiler...
View ArticleOut on a high note: Best Emmys moments
The Emmys gave "Breaking Bad" another wrap party Monday, honoring the drama with a slew of awards for its final season that ended last year.Besides the AMC show picking up best drama, Bryan Cranston...
View Article7 JRW games to remember
"Run through a wall for each other. Stop caring so much and have a ball out there."Jackie Robinson West manager Darold Butler pushed all the right buttons, including that in-game speech Sunday, to help...
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