Recently, though, the Second City training center has added stand-up comedy to its list of available classes. There is a teen program for ages 13-17 (which has a spring session beginning Saturday April 18), and an adult class taught by amazing Chicago comedian Dan Telfer.

The training center’s stage, Donny’s Skybox Theater, even has stand-up performances on Sundays. Comedy at the Don is a weekly showcase of local stand-up, sketch, and improv. You can check that out on Sundays at 9:30pm for only $5. Donny’s Skybox Theater is located on the fourth floor of Piper’s Alley, 1608 N. Wells.

Who knows? Maybe a current student will be the next big stand-up star.

(photo from Elizabeth McQuern)

Tweet a reply to @tamaletracker when and where you saw the tamale guy and then users could be able to follow the progress by following twitter.com/tamaletracker

Genius. My weekends will now be filled with beer and tamales.

(photo by warm n’ fuzzy)

I worked on the west side for a year and a half before leaving the school. It was too stressful to teach every subject to a room of 33-38 8th grade students. I worked hard and got some great results, but paid for it with my sanity and blood pressure.

This is the other half of my frustration. I’m hearing that there are no teaching jobs available in Chicago, but I substitute teach in classrooms that can have 30+ kids in it. With all these eager, young, qualified teaching candidates wandering about the city, why are classrooms still over crowded? Why not work to drop class size to 20, and/or hire teaching assistants? I know, I know. Money. But can you imagine the future graduates of Chicago public schools if the students were in a classroom where a teacher could spend tons of time and attention on their learning?

So teachers, what are we doing for work these days? Those teach English in [insert foreign country here] ads are looking alluring, and McHammer, and Ed McMahon seem eager to give me cash 4 gold (don’t tell them I have no gold). Anybody want to go in on a teacher squatter commune?

(photo from Dequella Manera)

The Visitor’s Locker Room is a very funny local sports radio show. It’s hosted by local comedians (and fervent sports fans) Sean Flannery and C.J. Sullivan. The two tear into all sports news like your favorite drinking buddy, but smarter and funnier. Also appearing for their live show will be: comedians Mark Vana, Emily Dorezas, and Cameron Esposito, as well as comedy group Cook County Social Club, and college football legend Joe Paterno. Yes, Joe Paterno will really be there.

I’ll definitely be there with my big ol’ beer, and plate of chili cheese fries.

Visitor’s Locker Room – Live!
Thursday January 29th and Friday January 30th
9PM
@ Lincoln Lodge
4008 N. Lincoln
Tickets: $10

(photo from George Eastman House)

I work at the Department of Education headquarters in DC. Today completed our 2-day introduction to Arne Duncan. Yesterday he had lunch in our cafeteria (Edibles, ha ha), with his wife and children. His wife wore jeans and a sweater and Arne looked like an average joe in khaki dress pants, white shirt and tie. They stood in all of the lines and talked to anyone who approached them. They probably stayed 90 minutes. It was definitely the highest cafeteria attendance ever.

Yesterday afternoon he visited every floor of our building and introduced himself to everyone. We all came out into the hall and he shook everyone’s hand with a “Hi, I’m Arne.”

By the end of the day yesterday, everyone was aglow, since this was already more attention than we’d received from Spellings or Paige. Today, however, was the all-staff meeting, and I can say that the morale in the building increased ten-fold by the end of it.

Our auditorium was beyond packed, with people standing in the aisles. I myself snagged a seat on the floor next to the stage kindergarten-style. Arne stood in front of a blue screen that read “Call me Arne!” in bright yellow letters. He insisted that we call him Arne, rather than Mr. Secretary or anything like that, saying his name was Arne before he got this job and it would be 8 years from now.

…

I know this isn’t anything earthshattering, but the change in the atmosphere at the Department over the last week has been really astounding. In the past, we all knew that the Secretary had an agenda that she was going to follow, and that we were only there to affirm that her way was best. We really feel that Arne wants to know the truth, whether it fits with his agenda or not.

(photo from Obama-Biden Transition Project)

What’s more likely is that you have heard of the New York pranksters and seen their videos. You probably also know of their wonderful group pranks, and possibly even participated in the MP3 bit back in October. Now you can join in another one with No Pants 2009. This is where a flash mob of folks in Chicago, New York, and other public transportation blessed cities will ride the (in our case) the El without any pants.

Full details are available at the No Pants subway ride Chicago Facebook group. Basically, show up at the Granville station this Saturday January 10th at noon wearing pants (don’t forget the undies!). Instructions will be given out from there, but the whole point is to look like you have no idea that you walked out of the house without your pants. To inspire you, here is an old cartoon promo discussing pants vs. no pants: