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moto + chicago restaurant [del.icio.us]
2007-06-01 08:52:00
combines weird science with food to make bizarre, upscale dining experience
More About: Chicago , Restaurant , Moto , Aura , Chica

Barack Obama : "This Is Not Who We Are" [del.icio.us]
2007-05-31 20:11:00
Video footage of Barack Obama in Iowa highlighting a decent, hard-working couple whose finances have been devastated by the husband's battle with cancer. Yet, their -- and everyone's healthcare costs are skyrocketing. Is anyone listening? It's time for

God Is Good, and So Is John Chow [del.icio.us]
2007-05-31 01:15:00
Download your free ebook of John Chow 's hot 'make money blogging' tips at Blog Band-Aids!
More About: Good , John Cho

Memorial Day : Special Tribute to U.S. Troops
2007-05-27 13:34:00
This Memo rial Day and always, please join the South Side Star in showing love and appreciation for every U.S. soldier in Afghanistan, Iraq and beyond. Our troops continue to do one of the most important jobs any American can. Their brave services are invaluable; the danger in which they live is unimaginable.Whether you believe strongly in the war or feel it's past time to bring our troops home, remember to pray for their safe return to their loved ones soon.Essential Memorial Day Reading:~ Hot at the Washington Post is "I Lost My Son to a War I Oppose. We Were Both Doing Our Duty" by Andrew Bacevich, who writes:I genuinely believed that if the people spoke, our leaders in Washington would listen and respond. This, I can now see, was an illusion.~ NPR audio file about the U.S. military's new restrictions on milbloggers, i.e., soldiers who blog:The uproar circles around an Army regulation issued April 19 which updates earlier language about operational security (or "OPSEC") and blog...
More About: Special , Troops

barcelonajazzradio.com [del.icio.us]
2007-05-27 01:29:00
Excellent jazz on the Internet!
More About: Adio

Designer Vagina : Don't Mum the Monologue
2007-05-26 20:11:00
In a society that so loudly outcries on behalf of millions of girls and women in 28 countries who've been forced to have their genitals mutilated, a new cosmetic surgery craze in the U.S. and Britain chops, slices, and sews up "downtown" primarily to make the kitty pretty. Really, who could have imagined East meeting West on such intimate terms?The suspect new surgery is called elective genitoplasty. It usually entails shortening or changing the shape of a woman's outer lips (the labia). The surgery also could include reducing the hood of skin covering the clitoris, or even shortening the vagina itself.Some patients cite "lifestyle restrictions" as the impetus for pursuing genitoplasty, say researchers in this British Medical Journal article. However, the BMJ -- which does not condone elective genital plastic surgery -- warns that it can damage the all-important nerve endings that allow the sensation of pleasure.Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, sometimes deadly female ge...
More About: Designer , Vagina

Peter Braunstein : The Fashion, 'The Factory', The Prison
2007-05-25 18:24:00
The Halloween Sex Fiend, the New York Post has dubbed him; a brilliant fashion writer, would say his colleagues at Women's Wear Daily. The tragedies surrounding WWD fashion journalist Pete r Braunstein, who was sentenced yesterday to 25 years in a New York prison -- and not, controversially, a mental institution -- are disturbing. It's clearly been devastating for Braunstein's torture and sexual assault victim, a former fashion co-worker. God, grant her the spirit to shed the scars surely left by Braunstein's bizarre, 13-hour "mostly intellectual" abuse -- and the painful, open court trial.As could be expected, this Vanity Fair article puts the victim's hellish night with Braunstein in context:"It was a performance," says a longtime friend (of Braunstein's), one that was full of symbols, although nobody was sure of their meaning. There were the expensive designer shoes that he allegedly used to humiliate the victim. There was the video camera with which Braunstein, a devotee of...
More About: Fashion , Factory , Prison , Riso

NBC's David Gregory a Shoe-in for Don Imus's Slot
2007-05-18 13:40:00
Fans of the former Imus In the Morning show must be breathing a bit easier this week -- even crying a little less at the crack of dawn -- thanks to NBC's ultimate multitasker, Davi d Greg or y [Wiki]. The ever-personable White House correspondent made Don Imus's old MSNBC slot feel like home the last couple of days by holding down the hosting duties. The ad hoc show -- or trial show, per this Media Bistro article -- has been dubbed "Gregory Live."Fans of the old Imus show, of course, already have a comfort level with David Gregory, who for years has been among the favored guest journalists appearing on Don's show. At times the adorable, smart and very funny Mr. Gregory even seemed to channel his pal Don Imus. Not Imus's rude, curmugeonly manners but his habitual throw-away phrases such as "That'll be fine."One has to assume that David Gregory has Don Imus's blessing in filling his old MSNBC slot. According to this detailed recap at News Busters, David vigorously defended Don's i...
More About: Shoe

R. Kelly : Rise Up, World, 'Cause He's a Flirt
2007-05-17 12:56:00
Check out R. Kelly 's new CD, "Double Up," at Amazon!As this excellent Washington Post piece, "R. Kelly, Flirt ing With Empathy," well extols, there are few more enigmatic figures in music than the Chicago-bred R&B superstar. And despite his pending child pornography trial, R. Kelly's star continues to rise. I, for one, certainly can't get his infectious new hit, "I'm a Flirt," out of my head. Thing is, I can personally attest to the truth in R. Kelly's hot new song.If you're not familiar with it, "I'm a Flirt" admits to one of the most peculiar "dating customs" I've observed since moving to Chicago a decade ago. The song warns that when you're out on the town with your honey, don't be surprised if when you momentarily step away, someone makes a stealth attempt to steal your cutie from under your nose. And this is precisely what I experienced on one of my first dates in Chi-town.A new guy-friend had taken me to a swanky supper club for dinner and cocktails. Not many people w...
More About: World , R Kelly , Cause

SexyBack : Hip-Hop Pants Sagging to a New Low
2007-05-16 11:20:00
I haven't been online much as I'm visiting my mom in St. Louis, where 1.) I only have access to dial-up service and 2.) cannot tie-up my Chatty Cathy mom's beloved telephone during the day. But enough about what I cannot tie-up here in St. Louis... The question is why so many young men in my hometown cannot tie-up their sagging pants?!Living in Chicago, I see guys every day who opt for the low-riding, hip-hop pants look. Looks goofy and impractical, but whatev... However, I've seen a startling extreme here in St. Louis that absolutely blows my mind: I've witnessed about three inches of a guy's thigh meat showing above the waistband of a pair of low, baggy jeans! What the #$!*?Is it my imagination, or are these things sinking lower and lower? I mean, another inch or two lower, and the world would have been seeing this kid's knees. Except no one would be looking at those rusty knees, believe me.This is not fashion, guys; it is sexual advertising. Any man (boy) who reveals his e...
More About: Pants , Ants , Sexyback

Paul Wall : CD Review : "Get Money, Stay True" [del.icio.us]
2007-05-09 17:14:00
It's a scorcher!
More About: Tunes , Pod , Money , Review , Store

The Chicago Spire Skyscraper [del.icio.us]
2007-05-09 16:46:00
You already know that Chica go features one of the world's more exciting skylines. But did you know the Windy City is poised to gain more architectural flair in the air? North America's new tallest building is one the way...
More About: Skyscraper , Spire , Rape

Increase Traffic & Technorati Rank FAST! [del.icio.us]
2007-05-08 10:56:00
Bloggers, join this hot link exchange and watch Technorati rank jump real nicely!
More About: Increase Traffic , Traffic , Rank , Fast

Humor Memoir : Brian Frazier's 'Hyper-chondriac'
2007-05-06 16:19:00
And this is why I don't do MySpace. Not when you have "friends" like Sen. Barack Obama spamming you the way this LOL comedian describes. In an Op-Ed piece in the L.A. Times, hilarious Brian Frazier satirizes the world's most dangerous social network and presidential candidate who uses it most carelessly. "I'm Sorry Barack, We're Through" is about the funniest thing I've read in months. A taste of Frazier's goodies:Obama's (Spam) Subject: "NEW VIDEOS"Barack announced that he "just put two new videos" on his page. Which isn't really a reason to brag. I mean, I have five videos on YouTube and don't feel the need to tell everyone in my address book. Plus, at the end of the bulletin, he adds that he's "working on getting some podcasts back on the page." If you can't figure out MySpace, are you ready to run a country?Brian Frazier received excellent reviews for his humor memoir, Hype r-chondriac: One Man's Quest to Hurry Up and Calm Down.Glowing book reviews for Frazier include...
More About: Humor , Razi , Memo

YouTube Girlie : Obama Comments : PETA : Shock Jocks Won't Stop
2007-05-06 10:10:00
~ Oh no, not again!! PETA sure "pans" my desire for meat with these gory advertisements. After seeing these images, I may have a tough(er) time eating meat forever more. I already go through this weird mental thing when I'm prepping chicken. I sort of have a flashback to the David Lynch cult film, Eraserhead. You know... The scene where the scrawny chicken on the dinner table starts... Awww, don't make me say it! And the creepy family just sits there watching their dinner... Ewww!I swear, since seeing this bizarre film many years ago, I have not been able to deal with raw chicken quite the same... ... Sometimes, I just have to walk away from the chicken a moment. I think it's going to suddenly start... You know!~ The New York Times finds that, even in the wake of the Don Imus controversy and a number of DJs being "unplugged" for similar comments in poor taste, radio personalities have not slowed their roll. Few are speaking with more prudence; most are as outrageous as ever. Acco...
More About: Youtube , Barack Obama , Shock , Comments , Obama

Want Link Love? Just "Feed My Feed"!
2007-05-05 00:32:00
Thanks to blogger extraordinaire Jason at Gorilla Sushi, the South Side Star has been invited to participate in a blog-linking effort. This will be my first, as it seems some of these link-building thingies are too complicated and time-consuming to join. So I'm feeling like a confused Bride of Frankenstein, moving with wide-eyes and electrified hair into the unknown of my first linkboom experiment!Every blogger reading this is welcome and encouraged to grab the blogroll below and strengthen their community ties -- not to mention Technorati ranking.Here's Gorilla Sushi's list of blogs:Subscribe to BobmeetsWorldSubscribe to LifeisRiskySubscribe to ThoughtsfrommylifeSubscribe to CountRamblingsSubscribe to TheThinkingBlogSubscribe to NotsoBoringLifeSubscribe to DoshDoshSubscribe to KumikosCashQuestSubscribe to FuerySubscribe to Jemmille.comSubscribe to Alien HunterSubscribe to Bryan-BakerSubscribe to GorillaSushiSubscribe to UbertrampSubscribe to Queen of the Surf PiratesSubscribe to...
More About: Love , Link , Feed , Want

Don Imus : Legal Battle With CBS Takes Off
2007-05-04 17:10:00
Are you a fan of Don Imus and Bernard "Bernie" McGuirk? Or do you follow hot media issues and the legal system? Either way, stay up-to-date with the latest on Don Imus's emerging, high-profile lawsuit against CBS. Imus and his new First Amendment attorney, Martin Garbus, argue that his firing was improper due to language in the embattled DJ's new $40 million contract. CBS is filing a counter-suit against Don for his causing the station to lose millions of dollars in advertising revenues.By the way... Those who're ready to move on from the Imus and McGuirk controvery may be happy to learn that Stephanie Miller hosted in Imus's old MSNBC TV slot the last couple of days. She seems to have done an excellent job. If MSNBC signs smart and spunky Miller as the permanent replacement for Imus In the Morning, I'll be tuning in. Any DJ who plays Todd Rundgren, the B-52's, Deee-Lite, Missy Elliott and Fergie all in the same show -- plus chops it up with fierce political opinion -- ought t...
More About: Washington Post , Legal , Battle

Don Imus, Bernard McGuirk and... Snoop Dogg?
2007-05-03 00:49:00
~ Check out this CNN story about Don Imus retaining top first amendment lawyer Martin Garbus, a heavy-hitter at the law firm Davis and Gilbert in New York. The I-Man is "suiting" up to clear his right to have spoken freely about *hos with hair woes* -- and other controversial things Don and Bernard McGuirk have said on air over the years. Doing so could help Imus keep the brand new $40 million contract he'd pretty much just signed with CBS Radio. The new contract, of course, was swift-kicked by Imus's (ex) "pal" Les Moonves in conjunction with canceling Don's popular talk show.This could get ugly for CBS and racially overwrought America. If a settlement isn't reached, It could lead to scrutiny for all of the nutty/worse things that Don and Bernie McGuirk have said over the years. The question is whether CBS reprimanded them with proper warnings before terminating them. In all likelihood CBS did not. There's good reason to believe that Imus and his lawyer can prove just the oppo...
More About: Snoop Dogg , Snoop

In New York : A Transgender Haven
2007-05-03 00:06:00
Don't miss this heart-tugging New York Times video -- "A Place For Trans gender Youth" -- which is about Carmen's Place. Carmen's Place is a unique homeless shelter in Queens, New York, for transgender runaways. All of the young residents are biologically male, but on their way to looking and living like women.Carmen's Place is run by an African American Episcopal priest who seems to have the spunk and generosity of a Desmond Tutu. As such, Reverend Braxton seems to possess a brilliant mix of loving acceptance balanced with the confidence to challenge his young charges to better managing their overwhelmed lives. This is one blessed man, Rev. Braxton, for doing this work to truly help some of America's least understood and most marginalized citizens. In turn, he is blessing the handful of "sparrows" who likely know more pain than we could imagine.Also check out:~ Carmen's Place at MySpace~ New York Times's complete article "After Work, Bunk Beds and a Mass"~ Transgender [Wiki]~...
More About: Have , Ender

Carol Moseley Braun : Hyde Park Policing Needs Focus
2007-04-30 13:53:00
I don't mean to over-react... But what the heck is going on, crime-wise, in Chicago's charming Hyde Park community? One of our distinguished neighbors, former U.S. Senator Carol Moseley Braun, was attacked by a knife-wielding mugger on Friday night. Right at her front door. Luckily, Senator Moseley Braun only suffered a broken wrist, thanks to some University of Chicago students who happened by and got involved to stop the attack.The University of Chicago students said they saw a woman on the ground with an attacker standing over her, beating her; they had no idea it was the astute woman whom President Clinton had appointed U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa. Nor does Moseley Braun's attacker likely care...Thing is, there was another Hyde Park incident two Fridays ago. A rape a block away from my home, a stone's throw from lovely Promontory Point on Lake Michigan...Yet, at about the exact time this young woman was in distress, a jerk cop stopped and ticketed me for alleged...
More About: Focus

George Tenet / Bernard McGuirk / Barbie 2.0
2007-04-27 14:24:00
~ She moves. She grooves. She's an all-new Barbie poised to troll the Internet for friends. She also likely tunes out mom and every other annoyance except for catchy tunes like Fergie's "Glamorous Life." Officially called Barbie Girl, she is Mattel Inc.'s latest attempt to connect with modern girls. Considered more gadget than the traditional fashion doll, Barbie Girl is a device that plays MP3 music and connects to the virtual world via a personal computer. Read all about America's favorite fashion chick gone techie here: Barbie 2.0 delivers interactive experience.~ If you missed Bernard McGuirk's exclusive interview last night on Hannity & Colmes, News Hounds offers this excellent recap. Of all the inflammatory things McGuirk said on the Fox News show, I found most amusing that he apologized to Alan Colmes for repeatedly saying he resembles "a ferret in a suit." Beyond that, sounds like Bernie was on the show primarily to 1) bash Rev. Al Sharpton for taking a stand for t...
More About: George Tenet , George

Democrats : Doing Big Thangs - Gangsta Thangs
2007-04-26 09:52:00
Isn't Nancy Pelosi's leadership astonishing? Can I say "Like a Pimp?" No? Well, she's definitely gangsta then! With Pelosi's fearless shoving, the Demo crats are gaining impressive traction against so many outstanding issues. (Translation: Finally, the Dems seem awake.) As of yesterday, Speaker Pelosi's very frisky and newly demanding House is officially engaged in four or five crucial stare-downs with just about everyone in the Bush Administration.~~ This New York Times piece, Flexing Muscles, talks about three hot subpoenas the Democrat s served Republicans yesterday. Among the Big Pimpin' moves is the subpoena delivering more email trouble to Karl Rove, on an entirely different front.Subpoenas aside, last night House Democrats passed a $124 billion war spending bill. It was attached, of course, to a timetable for pulling American troops out of Iraq. If the Senate also passes the bill, and they're to vote on it today, Speaker Pelosi and the Democrats may have the honor of del...
More About: Gangs , Gangsta

Bernard 'Bernie' McGuirk : Fox News Scoops the Imus Poop
2007-04-26 06:42:00
Guess who's back -- on Fox News Channel's Hannity & Colmes, no less. Why, it's Bernard 'Bernie' McGuirk, rearing his ever-hot head on the very station he has said the most dispicable things about. Bernie McGuirk's exclusive interview with the "Odd Couple" of cable news is scheduled for Thursday, April 26th at 9 p.m. (ET).Of course last week, Don Imus retained power attorney Martin Garbus, says Business Week. The speculation is that Imus plans to fight CBS for the greatest possible severance package. Imus had recently signed a five-year deal with CBS, which was set to begin paying him nearly $10 million a year.It doesn't look good right now for Don Imus in terms of moving to Sirius Satellite Radio, though. The buzz is that Imus media powerhouse pal Mel Karmazin, who is Viacom's head of Sirius, consulted with his top shock jock Howard Stern about the idea of Imus joining their team. Sounds like Howard Stern said heck-e naw! But a year ago, Howard Stern did "bless" Don Imus...
More About: Poop , Fox News , Scoop

* chicago writers' pick : walter moseley *
2007-04-25 05:12:00
If you're anything like me -- a writer who benefits from every morsel of encouragement and information to get that novel published -- then don't miss Walter Moseley. Author of the best-selling 'Easy Rollins' mystery series, Moseley says he's sharing all he knows about "writing, and rewriting, fiction" through an intensive writer's workshop and book signing tour. Moseley's Chicago appearance tomorrow is in conjunction with his latest book, "This Year You Write Your Novel." The event with Walter Moseley is free and open to the public at the DuSable Museum on Thursday, April 24 at 7 p.m.~ An excellent primer covering most of Moseley's 25 mystery novels.~ Wikipedia write-up about the celebrated African American author, whose fans include former President Bill Clinton.~ And AALBC (African American Literature Book Club) provides this awesome, exhaustive list of African American authors.
More About: Writers , Writer , Pick , Sele

Grand Wizard of Imus : Ding Dong McGuirk Is Done
2007-04-21 20:49:00
I shouldn't be surprised that previous posts here about Bernard "Bernie" McGuirk, producer and sidekick on Don Imus 's infamous talk show, continue to interest a great number of new readers in checking out the South Side Star. People aren't really Google-ing "Don Imus" much any more: Finding more info on "Bernie McGuirk" seems all the rage, on par even with those seeking information about "Cho."As I've previously opined here, Bernie's inappropriate quips on Imus In the Morning were, by far, more mean-spirited and bigoted than Don's ever were. And so his long over-due day finally has come: BERNIE McGUIRK WAS FIRED by WFAN radio on Thursday for his part in the racially-charged banter... So hide your "white sheets," boys and girls. Be afraid that McGuirkkk's next "gig" may not be televised and monitorable. And if you happen to be among the Rutgers basketball players who've received death threats, please note that even on college campuses, terrible things can happen. Particularly...
More About: Grand , Wizard , Dong , Done

Paris Is (Still) Burning : Hip-hop Fires-up the French Vote
2007-04-21 10:20:00
Ever steeped in controversy, American hip-hop has undergone enormous scrutiny lately. At least it did until Monday, when the massacre at Virginia Tech relegated hip-hop and every other news story "below the fold." But in and around Paris , rap music has purposefully stepped up to the mic -- and is headlining French news. According to this NPR BBC audio report, the French artist known as Diams -- a female rapper influenced by those fiery riots -- has thrust hip-hoppers into the political spotlight. Suddenly, the vote of African youth has become among the most aggressively sought in France by candidates competing in the country's forthcoming presidential election.Links to:~ Diam, ~ Amazon's list of the most influential French rap CDs, ~ Top French rapper Joey Star of NTM,~ Rap leadership in the political sphere, and ~ More fiery culture clashes that occurred on the anniversary of the French youth riots.
More About: Vote , Fire , Stil

American Idol : Sanjaya's GONE!
2007-04-19 03:59:00
Nooooo... We weren't done marveling at beautiful Sanjaya yet! We still want to watch that fantastically bouncin' and behavin' hair a while. He got through each of his songs with a lovely smile and had fun performing every time. No one covered their ears!... Okay, so many complained that Sanjaya was still in the running; others hit the kitchen when he performed. But those of us who enjoyed him -- despite his lack of strong vocal chops -- stayed glued to American Idol . Hoping with his every vocal note that Sanjaya magically would sound fabulous, as if suddenly possessed with the spirit of Michael Jackson.The magical improvement we hoped for never came. But the magic of Sanjaya never failed to show up, always with glam hair.It's a conspiracy! All the bad people in America must've dialed up American Idol and voted for everyone but Sanjaya...What's that you've asked? Did I vote to keep Sanjaya on?Well... Let's just say I'm not engaged in American Idol in that way. I'm just sayi...
More About: Gone

Poet Nikki Giovanni at Virginia Tech Convocation
2007-04-18 22:08:00
I've long been a fan of poet and Virgin ia Tech (VT) professor Nikki Giovanni. She's on my mind today because of her healing words and the ovations she received at the VT convocation, a service held yesterday in memory of Monday's mass shooting by a disturbed young man named "Cho." Thing is, I well know how Nikki Giovanni can move an audience... Because as a child, I was absolutely intrigued -- transported, even -- by her famously vivid and empowering poem, Ego Trippin'.Compellingly delivered atop a music bed of some of the hardest African drumming you've ever heard, Ego Trippin' played in heavy rotation on the radio station I grew up listening to in St. Louis. Whenever Nikki's poem-song began wafting from my radio, I'd turn it up loud to hear her emphatically say:I was born in the CongoI walked to the fertile crescent and builtthe sphinxI designed a pyramid so tough that a starthat only glows every one hundred years fallsinto the center giving divine perfect lightI am bad......

Oprah's Hip-Hop Town Hall : Plenty of Fightin' Words
2007-04-18 14:52:00
Lucky for me that in Chicago, daily episodes of Oprah re-run on television around midnight. This allowed me to catch last night what may have come close to being the first-ever fist fight on Oprah. The impetus behind the contentious debate was hip-hop, a town hall topic the Queen of Talk included among her three shows in follow-up to the Don Imus "nappy headed hos" controversy.Special guests on-stage included Russell Simmons, conscientious rapper Common, Dr. Benjamin Chavis of Simmon's Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, and Kevin Liles, executive vice president at Warner Music. Seated in the audience -- with a visible degree of frustration with the hip-hop proponents on-stage -- were Stanley Crouch of the New York Daily News and Bruce Gordon of CBS, formerly head of the NAACP. And via satellite from Atlanta were about eight impressive young women from Spelman College, who took a stand a few years ago against Nelly for his horrendous, extremely sexualized "Tip Drill" video.Yada-yada: Yo...
More About: Words , Fight , Town , Hall , Plenty

Virginia Tech Massacre : The Best & Latest Links
2007-04-17 23:41:00
America is both mourning and abuzz about the shooting spree yesterday at Virginia Tech (VT). We wonder what could be so serious and angering as to lead a young person, one we now know as Cho Seung-Hui, to a deadly rampage resulting in 32 deaths. Thirty-three when you include his own. In the back of your mind, something this horric makes you wonder if someone you know could snap and do something like this, which is part of the reason we follow such stories.Stories they may be, but the victims are real. And it was a 23-year-old student gone mad who inflicted it. The clues and insights we seek into Cho Seung-Hui and his victims are starting to hit the Web. Following are the news reports and opinions that may help us begin to frame this tragedy, to understand what when so very wrong with so many aspects of this crisis...~ The Lede Blog at the New York Times gets to the point with lots of new information, leads and links. It includes VT-related news from every angle. Most interesting her...
More About: Links , Virginia Tech Massacre , Link