An old favorite celebrates an anniversary.

My high-school classmates and I used to go here for pizza.

SS Eastland Disaster

Today is the 100th anniversary of the disaster. At the time, the Lithuanian newspaper, "Draugas," "speculated that there were few Lithuanian casualties, because 'Lithuanians always run late' and many did not make it to the ship on time."

Neither Mr. Irene nor I learned about this incident until recently.

"Ticket Nunsense"

The President of my high school encounters a vanity-plate problem.

"'Whew, people are nasty on the Internet'."

Driver who recorded Illinois tornado footage reacts to comments posted on YouTube.

Sunday Paper: Worried Edition

Suburban Chicago, Winter 1978. My Parents didn't read the Chicago Sun-Times; they subscribed to the Chicago Tribune. Dad must have bought this edition of the Sun-Times because of the headline—"Anti-Soviet Rampage in Lithuania."

Knitted Toys

Anna Hrachovec knits many types of "mochi," including a vomiting robot.

ADDED: Madison fiber artist Susan B. Anderson also designs adorable knitted toys.

It's reasonable to fear and avoid heights.

Skydeck glass on Sears Willis Tower's ledge cracks.

Depict the Mayor "as the star he really is."

"Emails show Emanuel aides, producers coordinated CNN 'Chicagoland' scenes."

John Barleycorn dies.

John Barleycorn was my favorite "spot" when I was in college. I often met a friend there after the friend got off work—at 11:00 pm.

A History of Melrose Park

A Photo Gallery.

"Bat Aftertaste"

Peruvian cane toad tries to eat a bat.

Meanwhile, authorities in Barrington, a suburb of Chicago, tell residents of a townhouse complex to get rabies shots.

Goodbye to Baboon Island

Brookfield Zoo announces the closing of Baboon Island.

(Photo here.)

A Cougar in Highland Park?

Who knew.

Brookfield Zoo, Illinois, 1985. This is not the North Shore Cougar. This is a Brookfield Cougar. This photo dates from the time when my Dad started processing and printing color film at home.