NSFW

I didn’t know that there’s a Dutch Bike store in Chicago (and has been for almost two years) on W. Armitage in Lincoln Park. This is very exciting. I’ll have to check it out. 

Apple will spend $3.9 million to give a facelift to the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) North/Clybourn Station, next to Apple’s future Halsted Street retail store. The store is on the site of a former gas station inside the triangle bounded by North Ave., Clybourn Ave., and Halsted St. Besides the benefits of sprucing up its direct neighbor, Apple will also get the right to ‘domination’ advertising at the station, first right of refusal if the CTA ever decides to sell station-naming rights, and a free 10-year lease to the bus turnaround driveway between the store and the station. (ifoAppleStore)

Most coverage of this story, omits mention of the CTA’s leasing of the bus turnaround. That makes me wonder if there is something to hide. Someone should find out exactly what the lease with the CTA stipulates. Perhaps, Apple will use this turnaround as a loading dock? That could be bad news for the buses that turnaround there.

The City of Chicago should annex the Gary/Chicago airport. (The Times of Munster, IN)

Section 8, a fan club of the Chicago Fire soccer team, goes public over money the team owes the club. (Section 8 Chicago)

This has been a bad year for Chicago Fire fan relations. Earlier there was a big conflict over mistreatment of latino fans.

Congratulations to Rocco, a Chicagoan, for winning the Mr. International Rubber (M.I.R.) contest held this past weekend here in Chicago at Cellblock and Circuit. The field of 8 contestants from as far away as France and Canada was very tough. They were all very well qualified. The audience voting played a major role in determining the winner. (Chicago Den)

For me, the best part of the event was seeing all the familiar friends again from all over the world. Also, because it’s a lot smaller than IML, you really feel for the contestants. That makes the winning only sweeter. Sunday night was the most fun because I felt like a part of the contest. It was easy to get caught up in it.

The worst part was trying to keep up with all the drinking. What made me think I could keep up with a friend who’s a bartender for gosh sakes?! Answer: The alcohol.

UPDATE:

It turns out that there was an error in the scoring system. According to an email just sent by M.I.R., the title has been re-awarded to Stephane. This is the second year in a row that the Mr. International Rubber titleholder has hailed from Montréal.

Rocco, once informed of the error, was very gracious in stepping down. At least, he could experience the celebration on Sunday night with his M.I.R. title intact.

After re-tabulation, the correct first runner-up is Rubberbuck from Phoenix, and the 2nd runner-up place is shared between Rocco and Yann from Paris.

The Museum of Broadcast Communications (here in Chicago) plans to induct right wing extremist, James Dobson, into its Radio Hall of Fame on November 8. A coalition of groups is working to stop this. Add your protest to the dialogue at this site.