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Popular: The posts that got people talking, ranked by your recommendations and comments.

One For The Road: Happy 50th Birthday, Axl Rose

Axl Rose turns 50 today, so here are a few videos of the Indiana native taking on the world.
Extra Extra: Man Charged With Shooting At Cops Says He Didn't Know They Were Cops

“I didn’t know y’all was the police. I wouldn’t have shot,” he said as police handcuffed him.
Today's Weather: The New Abnormal

We may be experiencing our warmest winter in 80 years, but we'll be reminded it's still winter starting today.
Morning Box Score: Bulls Rout Nets

The Bulls went deep into their bench last night against a Nets team that has eight wins on the season and gave some starters much-needed rest.
Purdue Study On CTA Tweets Most Obvious Study Ever

Three Purdue researchers theorized that transit systems across the country could learn a lot from negative tweets and set out to chart the levels of positive and negative tweets about CTA.
WGN Radio Is Looking For The ~~First~~ Next Great Cubs Song

As a sign of lowered expectations at Clark and Addison, Cubs radio flagship station WGN has a contest where they're looking for "the next great song" about the Chicago National League Ballclub.
"Dining with Pullman" Revives the Luxury Train Eating Experience For One Magical Weekend

Ride and dine in style aboard five mid-century train cars.
Pete Hoekstra Doubles Down On Claims His Campaign Ad Was Not Racist

Michigan Senate candidate Hoekstra told Fox News' Megyn Kelly. "The bottom line is when they can't defend their record they will move to the race card." Using Hoekstra's logic, Charlie Chan movies, Boris Karloff's "Mr. Wong" films and Mickey Rooney's performance in Breakfast at Tiffany's are compliments to Asian Americans.
Edible Nerdiness: The Manbque Meat Stadium

This model of Soldier Field was built out of more than 30 pounds of meat.
Big Map Blog Works Their Magic On Another Vintage Map

The folks at the Big Map Blog have taken a 1908 map of Chicago's elevated railroads and boulevard system and coded it so you can zoom in on the detail the original cartographers put into creating the maps.
Gallery

Around Town: Kosher

Some vintage signage kicks off today's gallery.
Pencil This In: Spike Lee At Chicago State University; Big Big City Chicago Pop-Up Art Market

Filmmaker Spike Lee, last seen wearing a Lawrence Taylor New York Giants jersey to last week's Bulls victory over the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, will be at Chicago State University from 6-8 p.m. tomorrow for a lecture.
Midday News Links: Burglars Torture Man With Hot Spoon, Steal Van Used To Transport His Disabled Son

Callous burglars allegedly tortured a 70-year-old man with a red-hot spoon and stole the van he uses to transport his disabled son.
We're Not Fooling, Afrobeat King Seun Kuti Returns To Chicago

Seun Kuti, son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela and brother to cross-over star Femi, returns to the United States for a cross-country 30-date tour touching down in Chicago on April Fools' Day at the House of Blues.
It's Good To Be An Alderman

A current and former alderman are the latest examples in having friends in high places.
Nello Ferrara, Creator of Lemonheads And Red Hots Candies, Dies

Nello Ferrara, who played a major part in developing the sweet tooths of generations of Americans as chairman of the Ferrara Pan Candy company, passed away last week in his home in suburban Chicago. He was 93.
MDNA To Play CHCGO In SPTMBR

Photo via Madonna's Facebook page Did you know Madonna's halftime show was the most watched EVER with 114 million viewers tuning in? And despite the obvious lip synching we found it to be one of the...
Karl Rove Says Clint Eastwood's Chrysler Super Bowl Ad Is "Chicago-Style Politics"

Karl Rove, former senior adviser to President George W. Bush, says he was offended by Chrysler's "Halftime in America" Super Bowl ad starring Clint Eastwood, and he claims the ad is "Chicago-style politics."
WBEZ Hosts The High Fidelity Music Series

The Empty Bottle, 312 and WBEZ have teamed up to present the High Fidelity Music Series, an intimate and exclusive music series that kicks off next week.
Tuesday Afternoon Diversion: Dramatic Readings of Facebook

Today's diversion: the dramatic interpretation of a real conversation from a seventh grader's Facebook.
Tobacco Sellers Sue Cook County Over New Tax

A tobacco shop and a tobacco wholesaler have filed a lawsuit against Cook County saying a new tobacco tax is "unconstitutionally vague." They ask the courts to stop the tax that is supposed to go into effect on March 1.
LAST MINUTE PLANS: The Asteroids Galaxy Tour

Photo by Sigurd Grünberger You could call The Asteroids Galaxy Tour a commercial band since their initial break onto the scene was through an Apple commercial with their tune "Around the Bend," and recently they resurfaced...
Canadian Filmmakers Visit Ramova Theatre, Fundraiser This Weekend

Efforts to save the Ramova Theatre in Bridgeport continue with a charity fundraiser Saturday in honor of a Navy Petty Officer who's running a marathon in Kuwait and dedicating his run to the Ramova's preservation efforts.
Wisconsin Man's Body Found In House 4 Years After He Died

In 2007, a Wisconsin man told his friends and neighbors that he was moving away, but instead he shot himself in the head at his West Allis, Wis., home. David Carter's body was not found until Jan. 23, 2012.
McDonald's Backpedaling On Ad Saying Pitbulls Are More Dangerous Than Chicken

McDonald's is covering its tracks after dog lovers complained about a radio spot saying its McBites are less risky than petting a stray pitbull.
One For The Road: The Anniversary Of The British Invasion

On Feb. 7, 1964, the Beatles landed at JFK airport and started the British Invasion that changed American music forever.
Extra Extra: Cavallari Loves How Bundchen Stuck Up For QB Husband

Jay Cutler's fiance Kristin Cavallari, like, totally thinks Gisele Bundchen was right to criticize the Patriots receivers' Super Bowl performances the way she did. "Kind of loving how Gisele stuck up for her man," Cavallari said.
Today's Weather: Mulligan

We didn't get any snow yesterday, but it's still a bit of a stretch to call a forecast high of 37 above normal.
Chicago City Clerk Investigating Whether Winning City Sticker Entry Contains Gang Symbolism

A Chicago police blogger studied the winning entry in the Chicago vehicle sticker contest and determined the artist included symbolism for a street gang in the artwork. this would be the first city sticker to include Mayor Rahm Emanuel's name on it.
Morning Box Score: Blackhawks Can't Win A Game These Days

Colorado 5, Blackhawks 2 If you look at the NHL's Western Conference standings, the Blackhawks currently hold the number six playoff seed. Lately, they haven't been playing as though they want to make the postseason, let...

Popular: The posts that got people talking, ranked by your recommendations and comments.

One For The Road: Happy 50th Birthday, Axl Rose

Axl Rose turns 50 today, so here are a few videos of the Indiana native taking on the world.

Extra Extra: Man Charged With Shooting At Cops Says He Didn't Know They Were Cops

“I didn’t know y’all was the police. I wouldn’t have shot,” he said as police handcuffed him.

Today's Weather: The New Abnormal

We may be experiencing our warmest winter in 80 years, but we'll be reminded it's still winter starting today.

Morning Box Score: Bulls Rout Nets

The Bulls went deep into their bench last night against a Nets team that has eight wins on the season and gave some starters much-needed rest.

Purdue Study On CTA Tweets Most Obvious Study Ever

Three Purdue researchers theorized that transit systems across the country could learn a lot from negative tweets and set out to chart the levels of positive and negative tweets about CTA.

WGN Radio Is Looking For The First Next Great Cubs Song

As a sign of lowered expectations at Clark and Addison, Cubs radio flagship station WGN has a contest where they're looking for "the next great song" about the Chicago National League Ballclub.

"Dining with Pullman" Revives the Luxury Train Eating Experience For One Magical Weekend

Ride and dine in style aboard five mid-century train cars.

Pete Hoekstra Doubles Down On Claims His Campaign Ad Was Not Racist

Edible Nerdiness: The Manbque Meat Stadium

This model of Soldier Field was built out of more than 30 pounds of meat.

Big Map Blog Works Their Magic On Another Vintage Map

The folks at the Big Map Blog have taken a 1908 map of Chicago's elevated railroads and boulevard system and coded it so you can zoom in on the detail the original cartographers put into creating the maps.

Gallery

Around Town: Kosher

Some vintage signage kicks off today's gallery.

Pencil This In: Spike Lee At Chicago State University; Big Big City Chicago Pop-Up Art Market

Filmmaker Spike Lee, last seen wearing a Lawrence Taylor New York Giants jersey to last week's Bulls victory over the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, will be at Chicago State University from 6-8 p.m. tomorrow for a lecture.

Midday News Links: Burglars Torture Man With Hot Spoon, Steal Van Used To Transport His Disabled Son

Callous burglars allegedly tortured a 70-year-old man with a red-hot spoon and stole the van he uses to transport his disabled son.

We're Not Fooling, Afrobeat King Seun Kuti Returns To Chicago

Seun Kuti, son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela and brother to cross-over star Femi, returns to the United States for a cross-country 30-date tour touching down in Chicago on April Fools' Day at the House of Blues.

It's Good To Be An Alderman

A current and former alderman are the latest examples in having friends in high places.

Nello Ferrara, Creator of Lemonheads And Red Hots Candies, Dies

Nello Ferrara, who played a major part in developing the sweet tooths of generations of Americans as chairman of the Ferrara Pan Candy company, passed away last week in his home in suburban Chicago. He was 93.

MDNA To Play CHCGO In SPTMBR

Photo via Madonna's Facebook page Did you know Madonna's halftime show was the most watched EVER with 114 million viewers tuning in? And despite the obvious lip synching we found it to be one of the...

Karl Rove Says Clint Eastwood's Chrysler Super Bowl Ad Is "Chicago-Style Politics"

Karl Rove, former senior adviser to President George W. Bush, says he was offended by Chrysler's "Halftime in America" Super Bowl ad starring Clint Eastwood, and he claims the ad is "Chicago-style politics."

WBEZ Hosts The High Fidelity Music Series

The Empty Bottle, 312 and WBEZ have teamed up to present the High Fidelity Music Series, an intimate and exclusive music series that kicks off next week.

Tuesday Afternoon Diversion: Dramatic Readings of Facebook

Today's diversion: the dramatic interpretation of a real conversation from a seventh grader's Facebook.

Tobacco Sellers Sue Cook County Over New Tax

A tobacco shop and a tobacco wholesaler have filed a lawsuit against Cook County saying a new tobacco tax is "unconstitutionally vague." They ask the courts to stop the tax that is supposed to go into effect on March 1.

LAST MINUTE PLANS: The Asteroids Galaxy Tour

Photo by Sigurd Grünberger You could call The Asteroids Galaxy Tour a commercial band since their initial break onto the scene was through an Apple commercial with their tune "Around the Bend," and recently they resurfaced...

Canadian Filmmakers Visit Ramova Theatre, Fundraiser This Weekend

Efforts to save the Ramova Theatre in Bridgeport continue with a charity fundraiser Saturday in honor of a Navy Petty Officer who's running a marathon in Kuwait and dedicating his run to the Ramova's preservation efforts.

Wisconsin Man's Body Found In House 4 Years After He Died

In 2007, a Wisconsin man told his friends and neighbors that he was moving away, but instead he shot himself in the head at his West Allis, Wis., home. David Carter's body was not found until Jan. 23, 2012.

McDonald's Backpedaling On Ad Saying Pitbulls Are More Dangerous Than Chicken

McDonald's is covering its tracks after dog lovers complained about a radio spot saying its McBites are less risky than petting a stray pitbull.

One For The Road: The Anniversary Of The British Invasion

On Feb. 7, 1964, the Beatles landed at JFK airport and started the British Invasion that changed American music forever.

Extra Extra: Cavallari Loves How Bundchen Stuck Up For QB Husband

Jay Cutler's fiance Kristin Cavallari, like, totally thinks Gisele Bundchen was right to criticize the Patriots receivers' Super Bowl performances the way she did. "Kind of loving how Gisele stuck up for her man," Cavallari said.

Today's Weather: Mulligan

We didn't get any snow yesterday, but it's still a bit of a stretch to call a forecast high of 37 above normal.

Chicago City Clerk Investigating Whether Winning City Sticker Entry Contains Gang Symbolism

A Chicago police blogger studied the winning entry in the Chicago vehicle sticker contest and determined the artist included symbolism for a street gang in the artwork. this would be the first city sticker to include Mayor Rahm Emanuel's name on it.

Morning Box Score: Blackhawks Can't Win A Game These Days

Colorado 5, Blackhawks 2 If you look at the NHL's Western Conference standings, the Blackhawks currently hold the number six playoff seed. Lately, they haven't been playing as though they want to make the postseason, let...