I won’t be sending this post to any of my friends, because once they find out that I’m blathering on about the Field Museum’s Evolving Planet exhibit yet again…well, it won’t be pretty. I guess you could say I’m a little obsessed with it, but trust me, I have good reason. I mean, where else could one traipse from the Precambrian to the present in under two hours, taking in such dazzling wonders as authentic Wooly Mammoth turds and suggestive fertility sculptures?
And if you’re in similarly dire financial straits, don’t forget to pick up a Museum Passport from your local library and kiss that pesky admission fee goodbye.

[Photo courtesy of Luke Schierholz.]

…supply the city of Chicago with drums? Apparently just one. Meet Dave Cohen: Dead-head, drummer, vintage drum dealer, and owner of the coolest collection of drums (and cymbals, and hardware, percussion stuff, and…) that I’ve ever seen.

Dave Cohen and a 24″ ride cymbal

It was a dark and stormy night (really, it was), and I was at the Celtic Knot to see Sexfist. I was looking to buy a couple of cymbals at the time, and I was talking to Gus about how there’s absolutely nowhere in the whole entire city of Chicago to buy drums (Guitar Center doesn’t count). Gus, of course, knows every musician and music-related person around here, and he told me about his friend Dave who has an amazing collection of drums and sells them out of his apartment right up the street. Gus proceeded to call him and tell him that we were coming over. So, at half-past midnight, I was on my way over to some guy’s apartment to bang on a bunch of cymbals.

And what an apartment it is–I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves. If you get anything from this post, get Dave’s contact info, and get in touch with him for all of your drumming needs. Whether you’re looking for vintage stuff (read on to see and hear about some really cool vintage stuff), or just reasonably priced non-vintage stuff, he’s got it: 847-UNI-STIK or http://drumshtick.com/drumshtick.html.

But he also happens to be a really cool guy, and he was nice enough to talk to me about stuff like being a founding member of the Dark Star Orchestra, working in the legendary Frank’s Drum Shop downtown, and building this amazing collection. Read on to see the interview, more pictures, and my embarrassing lack of knowledge of Chicago music history.
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The primaries have reached Illinois (and half the country) so don’t forget to get out and vote tomorrow. The Chicago Board of Elections is your resource for where to vote and for sample ballots. Robyn at Gapers Block put together a Voters Guide to Voters Guides to help you decide who to vote for. And consider taking a camera along and submitting a photo to the Polling Place Photo Project (originally a project from AIGA and Design Observer, now hosted by the New York Times).

Is it just me, or does everybody else get winter amnesia, too? You know, that feeling of “ohmigod it’s so cold! Has it ever really been this cold in Chicago before?” It’s as if we completely forget what it was like just 9 or 10 months ago.

I was having a conversation with someone this morning and I said “MAN it’s cold this year. Schools are closing and everything!”, to which she replied “Uh, Nellie, the schools closed last year, too. It’s this cold every year.”, to which I said *blink* *blink*.

For me, it’s a matter of blocking the memory. I hate the stupid winter. I’m traumatized by it every year. As soon as March rolls around I put winter as far out of my memory as possible. But as it turns out, it really is this cold in Chicago every year. Thank god for Chicagos amazing history, people, music, culture, art, and most importantly, comedy. Otherwise I’d be soooo over this whole “chicago” thing.

The Chicago Park District is running a challenge all summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day) to ride your bike along the entire 18 mile Lakefront Path, from the Margate Fieldhouse (4921 N Marine Dr) to Rainbow Beach & Park (3111 E 77th St) (or vice versa). Complete the challenge and you’ll get a t-shirt (they call it a “yellow jersey“, but it’s a t-shirt) (and they were out of smalls).

Two friends and I completed the challenge this weekend and it was a great way to spend a Sunday morning. Path traffic wasn’t too bad except in the Belmont to Navy Pier stretch, and even there I only got into two near-accidents.

I’ll add to the official information a couple of hints:

• Coming from the south, take the next underpass to the left after Lawrence to get to the Margate Fieldhouse. If you get to Foster, you’ve gone too far.
• Coming from the north, when the trail ends, just keep going south on the sidewalk until you get to the northern corner of Rainbow Park. Follow the dirt path to the basketball court, turn right onto the path past the handball courts, take a left at the memorial to the Rainbow Division and follow the road down through the parking lot to the main building.
• The hours for the two buildings are more complicated than what are listed (for example, the Margate Fieldhouse doesn’t open until 9 on weekends). The hours are changing throughout the summer, too, so it’d be best to call ahead and make sure the buildings are open when you plan to start out on your trip.
• Don’t forget sunscreen — my elbows are pink.

The staff person at the Margate Fieldhouse told us that about 14 people had completed the challenge so far. So there should be plenty of t-shirts left.

And speaking of hip and classy places, let’s not forget Webster’s Wine Bar. The atmosphere’s great, the service is outstanding, and the food, which is there simply to complement the wine, is absolutely delicious. Try the bacon-wrapped dates, the chorizo or one of their many cheeses. Just beware of the Stilton; it’ll knock you out of your chair. Make sure you have one of their little pizzas, and while you’re at it, go ahead and try some anchovies. You don’t think you like them, but try them anyway. As for the wine, order a “flight” and sample a few. You don’t have to be a connoisseur to enjoy yourself here. The menu reads like prose; it will tell you all you need to know. After you leave, you’ll feel confident enough to hold your own in a conversation about wine. Once the buzz wears off, that is.

The owner, Tom MacDonald, is also one hell of a nice guy.

Where do high-flying British three-star chefs go to eat when they come to Chicago? Hot Doug’s, of course.

I went to Chicago, and I went to Alinea. The boy there [chef Grant Achatz] has got extraordinary technical ability. This boy, I believe, can win three stars in the Michelin guide. But do I want to sit in that environment, where I’m dictated to? No. I’m told these are my two choices, 12 courses or 24 courses. It’s not my thing. It’s just too much; I get bored by it. …

But when I was in Chicago, I also went to Hot Doug’s, and it’s amazing. There’s a queue like you’ve never seen. Doug [Sohn, the owner] has got one eye on the kitchen, one eye on the room, and he’s taking their money. I loved him — he’s an old-fashioned restaurateur. Even that one, it isn’t just hot dogs. They are hot dogs with a difference. [Sohn] has a sausage maker, they work out the recipes — so you might have a sausage with rabbit, with mustard, and with the onions and cheese on top. What a lunch! But you know, and here’s the thing: That boy serves a hot dog — and a great hot dog, let’s not forget that — but at 4 o’clock he closes the door and he goes home to his family. He doesn’t leave anyone else to look over it. Interesting, isn’t it? He has the same philosophy as a great chef. [Salon]

(via Bookslut)

Don’t forget that your taxes, both Illinois and Federal, are due Tuesday, April 17.* Six post-offices in Chicago will be open until 9 pm and the downtown station at 433 W Harrison will be open until midnight for last minute filers.

* The 15th was a Sunday this year, and the 16th is an official holiday, Emancipation Day, in the District of Columbia. One tiny not-state and we all get an extra day for taxes.

Last Wednesday I decided to take a stroll while waiting for the S.O. to come home from work. I made my way up Damen, periodically taking out my umbrella for the thirty-second bursts of rain that characterized that afternoon.
I eventually arrived at The Crotch, steering myself southeast on Milwaukee.
And then I found what I was looking for:
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In keeping with the Bears mania, Ziggy over at Overheard in Chicago has had some good quotes from Chicagoans on the street over the past couple of weeks. Check ‘em out:

Bears Fan: (on cell) “I’m just letting you know that if the Bears win the Superbowl, I’m sleeping with whatever woman is closest to me. Whether you get mad or not is your problem. You were invited and turned me down. No it’s a Bears sex free-for-all. And, hon? I’m rooting for the Bears to win twenty times.”

- Green Line
– Submitted by Poset
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