Something You Should Eat: Birria
Apr. 20, 2010
Jim DeRogatis leaves Sun-Times on a solid note
Apr. 19, 2010Jim DeRogatis, co-host of Chicago Public Radio's nationally syndicated "Sound Opinions" and one of America's premier authorities on everything that rocks, resigned Monday as pop music critic at the Sun-Times to join the faculty of Columbia College Chicago and become a blogger for Vocalo.org.
Jim DeRogatis (photo by Marty Perez)
C2E2: Wrap-up and random observations
Apr. 19, 2010
Although the first year of any convention is likely to have kinks, C2E2 seems to have been a success. A couple highlights:
#15 This week's mission: Polaroids! Last week's mission: Cartwheels!!! (video)
Apr. 19, 2010Good morning, fellow humans. You'll find two, two things in today's post:
a) the video I made over the weekend from all the fabulous cartwheel footage you sent in!
and b) the new mission of course.
Let's start with b.
I got this funky cool new Polaroid camera that slides out mini photos, like the size of a business card. ‚ So how's this: You all come up with fun ideas of where I should go/what I should do, and I'll take that polaroid! As long as it's viable (here in Chicago) and it's PG-13, I'm game.
Maybe you want me to pose in front of The Bean sculpture (at Millennium Park) with chips and bean dip? Or in front of a stop sign holding a piece of paper that says "Stop _______". Or dressed from head to toe in purple holding a magic wand? If you can conceive, and I can execute it, I'll do it!
Leave all your ideas in the handy comment section, please!
(Of course, I'll post all the photos here on Friday... and I might do something else with them, stay tuned...)
And now a, the new video! Thank you all so much!
Life after closing: When the chef-proprietor goes job-hunting
Apr. 19, 2010
Former Va Pensiero chef/owner Jeff Muldrow
It's been exactly two weeks since Va Pensiero closed its doors for good, after 22 years in business. The closing came as a surprise to many, who thought the venerable Italian restaurant in a quiet Evanston neighborhood would be able to withstand the economic downturn. It had always been one of the places Northwestern students could count on, especially when their parents came to visit, providing a modicum of "fine dining" after countless nights of ramen and pizza. Ten years ago, Jeff Muldrow bought the business, after he had been the chef there the previous three years.
"The decision had been a long-time coming," said Muldrow. "I had been debating it for about a month. Our lease was up, our equipment was very old, so we knew a big investment had to be made. We weren't doing the numbers. I couldn't see taking out another big loan."
The closing affects about 30 people, all of whom Muldrow considers family. But over the past two weeks - as he sorts through the legal minutiae with the lawyers, Muldrow is embarking on a quest few of his colleagues with his level of experience are equipped to deal with: job hunting.
Roy Leonard launches blog with a bang -- at WGN
Apr. 19, 2010
Roy Leonard
Throughout his long and distinguished career as one of Chicago's most respected radio personalities, television hosts and pop culture critics, Roy Leonard never pulled any punches. So why would he start now?
True to form, the 79-year-old broadcast legend has kicked off his new website at royleonard.com with a candid assessment of Tribune Co.-owned news/talk WGN-AM (720), where he held forth for 31 years -- most notably as midday personality and resident entertainment critic -- before his retirement in 1998.
"The question I am asked most often these days is: 'What‚ has happened to WGN?' "‚ he wrote in the first installment of his weekly blog. "Radio stations are in the business to make money, and the most desired audience is the group from somewhere around 25 to 49.‚ And the changes that have been made at 720 on the dial are supposed to attract that group of listeners, and only time will tell to‚ know if it works."‚ Here is Leonard's show-by-show critique of today's WGN:
Friday Foodie Forecast: Stars Big and Small
Apr. 16, 2010
One of the reasons Chicago‚ is a culinary hotspot, is‚ because it attracts big-name chefs and critics, but also includes a ton of not-yet-famous artisans, home cooks and food lovers. Over the next‚ week, the city will‚ host some big names and events, as well as provide a chance to meet the‚ people who make it their mission to tell you about all of the‚ delicious food in our region.
MEET BOURDAIN
TV host, author and certifiable bad-ass Anthony Bourdain will share stories from his travels at the Chicago Theater on Saturday, April 24 at 8:00 pm. Host of The Travel Channel's "No Reservations" and author of Kitchen Confidential, Bourdain is known for his blunt observations about restaurants, chefs and cuisine around the world. Tickets range from $43 to $128 and are available through the Chicago Theater's website and box office. The Chicago Theater is located at 175 N. State Street, and the box office is open from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday. Phone orders can be made at (800) 745-3000.
