Glorified Rent-A-Cops

While the city and its police union continue the two-year fight of contract negotiations, Mayor Richard Daley likes the idea to glorify Rent-a-Cops, and give them the right to issue tickets.

Currently only Chicago police officers can issue citations, the mayor is considering armed security guards who patrol business districts in their wards to have the3 same authority. Daley said allowing the guards to ticket people for graffiti, parking violations and other minor infractions could free Chicago officers to concentrate on combating violent crime. The move could also generate revenue for the city while enforcing minor ordinances.

In a city where our police are constantly the subject of inflecting physical abuse, unlawful shootings, and corruption we expect these guards to do a better or equal job? What are these rent-a-cops backgrounds and training? I certainly hope these security guards don't have itchy trigger fingers.


Trib's Whole story

ABC crew speaks of Gangs and Graffiti in Chicago

"But the real start of Chicago graffiti came before the gang banger walls, when Angel Perez defected from his gang in Chicago, took a bullet in the knee and left for New York City. Returning in 1979, he called himself “Seen” and introduced a host of ideas for art in the Chicago streets, even painting gang banger walls for Joey and Georgie a few years later."
The Windy Citizen: Chicago Graffiti: Why Fight the Paint?

The O My's

Ask Jesus, he knows.
Easily the greatest band to emerge in years and they reign from Chicago. Two vocalist (one on piano, the other on guitar), two rhyme spitters (one part spiritual guide), a bassist, drummer, and a 3 piece brass section; blend upbeat Funk, smooth Soul, intellectual Hip-Hop and grown-man Blues. These guys play far beyond their years with a maturity only men carry, this mixed with the motivation and energy of their actual youth keeps them untouched by any rival and set this group into a class all of there own. If your out by SXSW, this is a must catch act.



Photos taken at Swap-O-Rama on Ashland and Schubas on Belmont
The O My's

Upcoming Shows:
Mar 21 2009 5:00P
SXSW: Kick Butt Coffee Austin, Texas
Mar 22 2009 1:30P
The Music Gym Austin, Texas
Jun 5 2009 9:00P
Reggies Chicago, Illinois
Aug 8 2009 1:00P
Millenium Park Chicago, Illinois

For up-to-date unofficial news at SXSW, check out my guy Gavin Paul

Mr. Thor, snappin in the reSession.

Thor pass through some 2... uh maybe 3 (RETENTION NICKY!) weeks ago with this hot number. It's showing at reSession @ Columbia College.

reSESSION SKATE DECK 2009
1006 S Michigan Avenue, 1st Floor
Friday, March 06, 2009 - Sunday, April 12, 2009
Reception the evening of March 27, 6:00-9:00
Gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday Noon-5:00 PM
Open to the public as well as SGC conference-goers and exhibitors

MR. THOR
Info from Shawnamals

Chicago's very own Nike

The Stevie "Dread" Blazer.
Based on the Chicago Flag of course.
Great party folks.

Available all over Earth especially atUprise Skate Shop

Super Secret!!!

Mr. Antisuccess himself H. Mathis emerges triumphantly from hiding, like a pheniox rising from the ashes... bllaahahahaha Ha ha.
Seriously though H. Mathis has been tucked away for several years conducting an extremely secretive project, but thanks to the folks at Multi Polar Projects we can now be let in. Between April 2007 and April 2008, he embarked on 'Super Secret Art Interactions'. These interactions involved secrecy, disguises, magic mustaches, and craigslist. This project coincides with the release of his new site AntiSuccess.com. I often wounder if I know anything about H. Mathis or perhaps am only familar with his work.


Super Secret Art Interaction

Also at Multi Polar Projects Sighn also just made his first installment of the 'vintage' ITSOK's. These 25 pieces were all cut from a single board of weathered barn wood. There is not a better way to celebrate the resurrection of Christ, "It's Ok", get 2 in time for Easter!


What's this all about?
H. Mathis Sighn Multi Polar Projects Store

BOOM SHA LAKA LAKA BOOM Y'ALL

Wicker Park the international destination!
There is one sure fire method to measure the "came too-late" and "bitch you slept" factors of your surroundings.

Step One: Look right.
Step Two: Look left.
Step Three: Process all the information taken in from your eyes.

If you find yourself looking at a group of Japanese High-school Girls on spring break instead of a corner of Vice Lords.... well your far beyond late. Sorry, get yourself a miller lite or whatever. Now this method only tells idiots they are way late, if your looking for a way to know when to leave that is another story. When you getting groceries is easy or you notice more banks and coffee spots than Currency Exchanges, well pack your bags.

Mc Donalds, and Burger King it's now a great time to come back, I'm sure your store won't get as fucked up as before.

Wicker Park... Officially, Lincoln Park West.

HAHAahaaa P.S.
Wiki has a Wicker Park travel-guide.

(not my photo, it's stolen off this chick's Flickr, she has more photos of her girls)

Science of Myth

Perfect example of Screeching Weasel at the pinnacle of their game.



If you've ever question beliefs that you hold you're not alone
But you oughtta realize that every myth is a metaphor
in the case of Christianity
and Judaism there exist the belief
that spiritual matters are enslaved to history
The Buddhists believe that the functional aspects override the myth
while other religions use the literal core to build foundations with
See half the world sees the myth as fact
while it's seen as a lie by the other half and
the simple truth is that it's none of that and
somehow no matter what the world keeps turning
Somehow we get by without ever learning
Science and religion
are not mutually exclusive
In fact for better understanding
we take the facts of science and apply them
And if both factors keep evolving
then we continue getting information
but closing off possibilities
makes it hard to see the bigger picture
Consider the case of the women
whose faith helped her make it through
when she was raped and cut up left for dead
in a trunk her beliefs held true
It doesn't matter if it's real or not cause
some things are better left without a doubt and
if it works then it gets the job done
Somehow no matter what the world keeps turning

My fucking glasses bro.

Jimmy and RonJon By Todd James



Oh shit, this guy Jimmy is the definition of a man with heart.

For Jimmy so loved his friend, that he gave his only begotten Porsche sunglasses, that George wearith them within city bounds, but George took a cruz.

Fundamentals