Sorry Sarah, most likely not a form of flattery.

Nude Palin portrait, photographed by Flickr user benderbending

The Windy Citizen reports a new addition to the Old Town Ale House's art collection. As a fan of nude celebrity art, I am pleased. Don't worry folks,the artist assures us this is purely satire.

You thought there were no predators in Lake Michigan!

This photo, taken by Flickr user mjkmjk, was posted on Chicagoist yesterday. I noticed it again this morning on her photostream, titled "candygram". Brilliant!

Here's the back story:

"I was wandering around Grant Park when I saw this shark, and stopped to take pictures -- and these Flickr-ites from Kansas City, MO and Atlanta, GA were there, with this shark -- and told me it's an object that is sent around the world and photographed by different people.

Then they invited me to tag along with them, and I had the most wonderful and strange day I think I've had in the city since arriving 18 months ago....they were truly awesome women."

We are the GOONS.

"Goons is the real deal. Committed and true to form. Never a sell out. Never one to talk himself up. True, unrecognized talent." - theviking


Bimbo, photo posted by flickr user Senor Codo.

I've been noticing these alter-ego wheat pasted images, know only as GOONS, peering out of doorways of Chicago for quite a while. I stumbled across a large number of them on Flickr and am posting them for your viewing pleasure.


Posted by Flickr user Artiii.

My favorite thing about the GOONS is how they mirror pedestrian traffic in the areas they are posted, leaving no archetype untouched.


Posted by Flickr user DR000.

After some searching, I found a single Flickr account dedicated exclusively to the GOONS. Read the photo comments for even more links to these images. There is also an entire group focused on these pieces, including discussion about the work and speculation about the artist's identity, and a link to his favorite photos of his art.

Wedneday's Sweet Spot: Ace Motorcycle and Scooter Co.

My loyal readers will have noticed that there hasn't been a lot of action on BTSIC, and for that I beg your forgiveness. I've been trying to squeeze the last drops out of summer and all else has fallen to the wayside. Rest assured, we are on the cusp of my favorite season and more sweetness is coming!

That said, on with the show.


Ace owner and mechanic, Chad McDade, on a vintage BMW.

Ace Motorcycle and Scooter Company is new to Chicago but has built a name through professionalism and word of mouth. Noticed their flawless Yelp reviews - people love this shop. If you can find Ace(hidden off Jackson Blvd. next to the Bay English Muffin factory), you will feel instantly welcomed by the unpretentious and friendly staff. You'll also notice a sea of vintage bikes, some drool-worthy.



Next weekend, Ace will be hosting Acetoberfest!

There will be a vintage bike show from 1 to 4, followed by an urban poker run with a $100 gift card prize, and a 6pm after party at the Five Star Bar. Acetoberfest is sponsored by every vintage motorcycle organization in Chicago, so be prepared to meet fellow motorcycle fanatics and see cool bikes.

Get your Oktoberfest on.

The essence of Oktoberfest, by Flickr user farbfilm.

It's time once again to celebrate the historic marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig by embracing your inner beer-drinking, sausage-eating German and see how many Oktoberfest celebrations you can take in.


Brats posted by Flickr user Michael_L.

The City's official fest runs Sept 26-28 at St. Alphonsus Church, home to the only weekly Sunday German Mass in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Visit the plethora of German bars and restaurants throughout town to extend your celebration for the traditional sixteen days!

Chicago reacts to some new lakes.

Waves on Foster Avenue, by Flickr user Chili-bob.

We got a little bit of rain this weekend. The media is touting the accumulation as "the wost rain in 137 years", at total of ninety billion gallons of water!


Drivers downtown, by mklingo.

I spent Saturday riding around on my bike, and witnessed widespread flooding. Watch this great video by Flicker user bredaj, of motorists who appear to be in denial of a completely water-filled viaduct.

Chicago photographers captured the rising waters.

• Mikraas has a good set, including pictures of an earthmover submeged to the axels.
• Urbanwoodswalker shows the devastation of property loss.
• Zooeybat got some shots of people and cars wading down Devon Ave.

A different kind of kitty.

There's been a demographic change going on for the past few years, and with a Starbuck's and faux-Irish pubs popping up on every corner, you sometimes forget Chicago has it's gritty, seedy side.


Salmah and Carla, uploaded by Yahoo! Local user viviana R.

El Gato Negro (official website) in Lakeview is the perfect reminder. It's a Latin transvestite/transgender dive bar with enough dimly lit, grimy, and sexually challenging overtones to remain permanently off the beaten path. If you seek an alternative to the flood of young, upwardly mobile suburban transplants, this is a great place to sip a cheap beer and take in the scenery. On the right night, you might catch some live music as well. As with most old school establishments, having a good experience requires showing some respect for the regulars, in this case, a flock of immaculately groomed T-girls of various ages.

Sweet spots: Reggie's Pizza Express

Every Wednesday I will post about a great business or location in Chicago.

I'm starting with Reggie's Pizza Express. It's inside Alcock's Bar (411 S Wells St.), and best accessed through the back door on Financial Place. This is what fast food in the city should be.

1. Three choices. You can have cheese, sausage, or pepperoni.
2. Consistency. Not the best pizza in town(some beg to differ, below), but always tastes the same.
3. Speed. Three people in line max. Just enough time to order, exchange a word with Reggie, and pay up.
4. Cheap. Slice and pop for $3.50
5. Character. Reggie is a regular Chicago guy, complete with accent, Bears hat, and opinions he's happy to share.

This isn't Giordano's, Reggie serves a New York style slice that you'll have to fold in half to eat. Enough grease to satisfy the heartiest Midwesterner!

"Giant slice of pizza and a pop for only $3, leaving plenty of money for a $2.50 can of Miller Lite" - Centerstage Chicago

"The best pizza in town for the price. $3.25 gets you a huge slice, fresh out of the oven, and an ice cold pop. Doesn't get any better in the loop! 4.8 Starts out of 5" - Lunch in the Loop

Fall flames on the West Side.

Fire on my block of Walton Ave., photographed by Flickr user --FOTOMAT--.

Not everyone can successfully pull off a fire in the city. My neighbors down the block, for instance, had a major explosion two nights ago, blasting the doors off their garage and burning four cars as well as every garbage bin in the alley. More pictures in --FOTOMAT--'s photostream.

We, however, just had a very nice outdoor campfire in a brazier in my friends back yard. The air is so crisp and it smells like fall everywhere. I had to wear a jacket while walking home through Humboldt Park. It reminded me how much I love the change off seasons, even if just yesterday I was romancing the last days of summer.

Summer's not over 'till you can't buy tacos in the parking lot.

Steak taco, published by Flickr user su-lin.

I love it when produce markets set up outdoor grills and sell cheap tacos and sausages in front of the store. You can almost taste the smoke and meat-juice floating on the air, drawing you to the freshly cooked steak and chicken. Wrap the meat up in a couple of moist corn tortillas, sprinkle with fresh cilantro and pico de gallo, add your choice of home-made salsa, and you can't go wrong.

I bought 3 heavily loaded steak tacos for $4.50 at Cermak Produce (2701 W. North Ave.) yesterday. It's still summer...for now.

Would you like some pasties with your cocktail?

Michelle L'Amour performs at Lucha Va Voom, by Flickr user Don Spiro.

After witnessing a burlesque performance by leggy sex-pot Michelle L'Amour, I've been meaning to check out the free shows Lavender Cabaret performs at bars around the city. Ray's Guide to Chicago Area Burlesque has published their monthly guide, and once again there are many options to see the T 'n' A shake.

Star & Garter Burlesque: The Motel Bar, first Wednesday of the month.

French Quarter Burlesque: The Blue Bayou, every Thursday from 11 to midnight.

I can't vouch for either of the bars, but it may be worth a drink or two to catch a glimpse of "The ass that goes POW!".

It's raining large grocery stores.

With the remnants of Gustav alternately spattering and blasting the city all day, I can't seem to clear aside the gloom long enough to get excited about today. "Interested" will have to do.

I just noticed yesterday the unmistakable form of the new Jewel-Osco sprouting from the industrial filth at the corner of Des Plaines and Kinzie. Should be a great spot for Westsiders like myself to pick up last minute lunch needs on the way to work downtown.


South Loop location, photographed by Flicker user Coyote2012

Unlike the new Dominic's store on Chicago Ave., the new Jewel has no competition from small groceries, and I don't foresee community outcry from condo owners on Fulton Market.


Site of new Jewel-Osco, per Google Street View.

Not much recent news on the store, but I noticed it mentioned in on Extranews.net in a post dated last year, and expect to see more as the remainder of large red black letters are installed.


This captures the locale perfectly. Desplaines Ave., as seen from Halsted. Photo by Flickr user jfrancescob.

Earn your encased meat!

Among the multitude Chicago summers offer, two standouts are cycling and hot dogs. Bike The Dog, "Chicago's premier cycling/gastronomic challenge", combines the two in what should be an intestinally taxing and physically triumphant marathon of the highest order.


Photo published by Flickr user pauladamsmith

Participants will rally between hot dog stands throughout Chicago on their bicycles, eating a total of nine tube steaks and covering 17.8 miles. The event is free, but for those willing to collect pledges (per dog), donations will sponsor a local two-and-a-half year old child with a rare blood disease.

Itinerary, from the official website:

A. VIENNA BEEF FACTORY STORE / 2501 N. DAMEN AVE.
B. HOT DOUG'S / 3324 N. CALIFORNIA AVE.
C. SUSIE'S DRIVE-IN / 4126 W. MONTROSE AVE.
D. SUPERDAWG / 6363 N. MIWAUKEE AVE.
E. WOLFY'S / 2734 W. PETERSON AVE.
F. HUEY'S / 1507 W. BALMORAL AVE.
G. MURPHY'S / 1211 W. BELMONT AVE.
H. WEINER'S CIRCLE / 2622 N. CLARK ST.
I. AMERICA'S DOG / 2300 N. LINCOLN AVE.

Back in town, too late for the NACCC.

I'm back in the action with sunburn on seventy five percent of my body and a past week full of Michigan beer.

I regret missing the North American Cycle Courier Championship this weekend, although I caught the tail end in the form of small factions of out-of-town couriers trying to navigate our massive grid.


Chicago's own Andy "Dumptruck" Banana as photographed by dorkula.

Winners of the championship were both New Yorkers, Horse Austin(What a name!) took the mens' and Kimberly Kymberly Perfetto the womens'.

Edit: Here are links to the snaps.

johnhartsfield
sketchyproposal
stevevance
dorkula
iamameatpopsicle
Tevstudios
Kym p
NACCC Flickr group


And video.