By Steve Rhodes

The Flying Saucer was the hit of the Renegade Craft Fair this weekend, and it was a blast working the booth with the fine Flying Saucer family, whom I’m proud to call my friends. Also, a shout-out to Naomi from TipsyCake, who served scrumptious sweets, and the folks at Mana for their version of the White Castle slider.
I didn’t get a chance to check out the actual crafts, but I can at least report that rock poster guru Jay Ryan was there along with these artisans.
Now let’s see if I catch up with the news.

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Posted on December 6, 2010

Will appear later this weekend return next week. The Papers will return on Monday.

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Posted on December 4, 2010

By Steve Rhodes

“Some candidates for Chicago mayor are touting ethics plans to clean up a City Hall infamous for its shenanigans,” AP reported on Thursday, citing Rahm Emanuel and Gery Chico.
“Chicago mayoral candidates Rahm Emanuel and Gery Chico . . . declined to swear off campaign contributions from those who do business with the city,” the Tribune reports on Friday.

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Posted on December 3, 2010

By Steve Rhodes

The elite prize power, influence, wealth and celebrity above all, so it’s not surprising that New Trier High School’s inaugural Hall of Fame inductees include Donald Rumsfeld, Christie Hefner and The Office’s Rainn Wilson.
“‘These extraordinary alumni truly are a testament to the quality and character of New Trier’s graduates,’ the district’s superintendent said in a letter to alumni obtained by Politico. ‘It was difficult to narrow the field of nominees, but ultimately, these first inductees were chosen for lives and careers spent upholding the New Trier values of inquiry, compassion and service.'”
Yes, Don Rumsfeld is a shining example. Too bad New Trier officials won’t be asked to appear as character witnesses at a Rumsfeld war crimes trial.

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Posted on December 2, 2010

By Steve Rhodes

“After tracking these most extreme of extreme beers to Texas and Colorado, I can now report that two of the strongest beers ever made will be sold in Chicago soon,” Mark McDermott writes for the Examiner.
“Binny’s Beverage Depot’s Assistant Beer Buyer, Kyle Fornek, posted on the retailer’s web site that they will be getting a small shipment of Tactical Nuclear Penguin and Sink the Bismarck! from BrewDog, based near Aberdeen, northern Scotland.
“Proudly waving the banner of ‘Beer for Punks,’ BrewDog has been pushing the boundaries of both style and propriety. When UK government regulators complained about their naming an 18.2% oak-aged imperial stout ‘Tokyo,’ they responded by creating a 1.1% beer (later 0.5%) called ‘Nanny State.'”

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Posted on December 1, 2010

By Steve Rhodes

The Beachwood will return on Wednesday. And it will kick ass. As usual.
The [Monday] Papers
“Stuart Haverty was a down-to-earth 23-year-old who loved watching the Bears so much that he set up ‘stadium seating’ in his living room,” the Sun-Times reports.
“But when he got up to go to the bathroom Sunday at halftime at Soldier Field, his friends never saw him again.
“Haverty, of far northwest suburban Woodstock, fell 35 feet to his death from a balcony on the west side of the stadium.
“A skilled climber who enjoyed scaling up the side of buildings and trees, he may have even hopped over a railing to enjoy a cigarette behind one of Soldier Field’s famous columns before he fell, friends said.”

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Posted on November 30, 2010

By Steve Rhodes

“Stuart Haverty was a down-to-earth 23-year-old who loved watching the Bears so much that he set up ‘stadium seating’ in his living room,” the Sun-Times reports.
“But when he got up to go to the bathroom Sunday at halftime at Soldier Field, his friends never saw him again.
“Haverty, of far northwest suburban Woodstock, fell 35 feet to his death from a balcony on the west side of the stadium.
“A skilled climber who enjoyed scaling up the side of buildings and trees, he may have even hopped over a railing to enjoy a cigarette behind one of Soldier Field’s famous columns before he fell, friends said.”

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Posted on November 29, 2010

By Steve Rhodes

11/26 UPDATE 12:15 PM: The College Football Report: The Mighty Ducks, The Pistol, The Iron Bowl and Tiger Droppings.
11/26 UPDATE/7:05 A.M.: What If The Punisher Became Captain America? An allegory of America’s transformation into a vigilante state?
11/26 UPDATE/7 A.M.: The Week in Chicago Rock: You shoulda been there.
11/25 UPDATE/Noon: George W. Bush’s Letter To President Obama: You legitimize me.
11/25 UPDATE/11:25 A.M.: This Week on CAN TV: A British sculptor, a West Side gangbanger turned drummer, Black Mexico and more.
11/25 UPDATE/10:45 A.M.: Czar of the Playbook Preview: Eagles at Bears.
–
Posting will will continue throughout the holiday weekend and today we’re chock full of great stuff.
For example:
* Lupe Fiasco vs. Kanye West: Stop Apologizing To Bush! (Via the fine folks at Vocalo.

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Posted on November 24, 2010

By Steve Rhodes

* In Action: Grinderman at the Riv.
* From The Jay Levine Affair Desk: Let Him Finish Or I’m Gonna Deck Ya!
* George Ryan’s Dogs and Ponies.

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Posted on November 23, 2010

By Steve Rhodes

“Independent brewers say the brand-name distributors, with deep pockets and abundant supply, often resort to pay-to-play business practices that mirror the worst of Chicago politics,” Crain’s reports.
“Sources say the big brewers and their wholesalers keep out the independents by offering cash, new tap systems, free beer and other incentives to tavern owners and retailers in exchange for taps or shelf space for mainstream brands. Some bar owners have set up separate marketing companies to take in the cash, a monthslong Crain’s investigation has found, while their taverns benefit from lower prices and ‘special’ discounts.

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Posted on November 22, 2010