FastCompany.com, a popular culture and tech webzine, recently printed one of my favorite headlines: “U.S. City of the Year: Chicago.” As a fourth generation Chicagoan who is constantly frustrated by misconceptions of our city as a second-runner up, I was happy to see our fair metropolis get noticed for something other than gangsters and Michael Jordan. The article, written by long-time Chicago Public Radio contributor Alex Kotlowitz, does a great job of highlighting why Chicago and all its neighborhoods are so special. Venerable institutions like The Hideout and Hot Doug’s get a mention, but Kotlowitz mainly focuses on three arenas unique to Chicago: skyscrapers, green roofs and house music. If after reading this celebratory piece you want to do more digging into these subjects, check out the following: Eight Forty-Eight’s look at the legacy of Chicago architect Louis Sullivan The City of Chicago’s rooftop gallery Sound Opinions’ host Greg Kot’s blog about a famous house music reunion Enjoy, and give Chicago a pat on the back! (Also, send to your friends on the first and second coasts.)