How much money should I try to raise to get 8 kids in a studio, with a producer, to cut some songs? I'm working with 8 inner city students in the city of Chicago. They all have a passion for music, but limited experience with music. They all write, rap, and a few of them can sing like crazy. I just received a kickstarter invitation, and have no idea where I should set my sites. [more inside]
posted by allthewhile on Nov 9, 2009 - 6 answers

[Chicago Filter] Does anyone know anything about the "Less Than Perfect" ads running on the CTA? [more inside]
posted by phunniemee on Nov 6, 2009 - 12 answers

Anyone know of a very good hospice care center in the SW burbs of Chicago? [more inside]
posted by stormpooper on Nov 4, 2009 - 7 answers

Hello Chicago! Do you know of any area bridal salons who are plus-size bride friendly? [more inside]
posted by princesspathos on Nov 2, 2009 - 6 answers

Is there a search engine for finding techie therapists? [more inside]
posted by bleary on Nov 2, 2009 - 14 answers

Went to a family run estate sale. The deceased was a student of some very famous Chicago photographers. The work was never really shown on a large scale. Some amazing stuff. I bought all of his negatives and prints. Thousands of images. They were sold by the direct relatives of the photographer to me. The big question, who owns the rights to the images?
posted by Bighappyfunhouse on Oct 21, 2009 - 8 answers

Restaurantfilter: Downtown Chicago, dinner recommendations for a couple of grad students with a foodie bent in town for a conference. [more inside]
posted by porpoise on Oct 20, 2009 - 14 answers

Cool shopping experiences in a cluster, in the Chicago area? [more inside]
posted by jbickers on Oct 19, 2009 - 13 answers

Chicago home improvement filter: We'd like to get an estimate for installing radiant-heat flooring in our condo (6-flat built at the turn of the last century. We own a duplex down, with the primary living area being on the ground floor) or possibly replacing the HVAC with baseboard heating. Anything, really, because the conversion from whatever-it-was to the gas furnace HVAC it now is was badly done and the place is freezing all the time. Any business or contractors you recommend? Suggestions for going about this the right way? Dire warnings? [more inside]
posted by crush-onastick on Oct 19, 2009 - 5 answers

Where on the north side of Chicago can I use a laptop and connect to a wireless network late at night? [more inside]
posted by enn on Oct 14, 2009 - 4 answers

My class has been tasked with "confronting an injustice" within our community, and I'm looking past experiences and/or suggestions for action within my areas of interest. (more) [more inside]
posted by mkrenzer on Oct 9, 2009 - 7 answers

Any last minute ideas for Chicago? Looks like I'm staying on the Magnificient Mile (not into shopping but oh well). [more inside]
posted by philad on Oct 7, 2009 - 21 answers

Help us find a great first anniversary restaurant in Chicago! [more inside]
posted by santojulieta on Oct 4, 2009 - 14 answers

Best sources for information on the primary election in Chicago? [more inside]
posted by a robot made out of meat on Oct 4, 2009 - 2 answers

Is there a nice academic library in Chicago that is open to the public on evenings and weekends? [more inside]
posted by pitseleh on Oct 1, 2009 - 12 answers

Day trip to Chicago [more inside]
posted by slowtree on Oct 1, 2009 - 17 answers

I am considering renting out an artist's studio space and squatting in it temporarily, does anyone have any experience in this? Good idea, bad idea? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 27, 2009 - 21 answers

I'd like to find a source in NE Illinois or even Chicago for heirloom seeds and garlic for my Aunt, bricks and mortar if possible. I couldn't seem to find anything promising online, and there are a lot of online places, but I'm in Canada so I have no experience with the U.S. based companies. [more inside]
posted by glip on Sep 20, 2009 - 5 answers

Is the place where the de facto price of grain is set world-wide, the Chicago Board of Trade "wheat pit," still a cacophony of live in-person bidders yelling and making hand signals while wearing platform shoes and bright jackets, or has it become electronic and silent? Or are both types of bidding possible? If it changed, when did it do so and why?
posted by tnygard on Sep 20, 2009 - 4 answers

Are there any preventative measures, leaving aside driving the car every day, that will prevent my brakes from rusting like mad? [more inside]
posted by Cold Lurkey on Sep 16, 2009 - 12 answers

Best places to cheer on friends running in the Chicago marathon? [more inside]
posted by MsMolly on Sep 15, 2009 - 5 answers

Need recommendations for the best (read: lowest stress) way to move from Chicago to Milwaukee. We've never dealt with a moving company before. [more inside]
posted by desjardins on Sep 15, 2009 - 12 answers

Name that infestation! What the hell are these zombie insects and why do they want access to my home? [more inside]
posted by Ignatius J. Reilly on Sep 11, 2009 - 18 answers

Travel-Filter: If my wife and I stay downtown in Chicago, how long would it take to see all the tourist-y sights we want to see? [more inside]
posted by QUHZK on Sep 5, 2009 - 9 answers

What's the overlap between the Chicago Manual of Style and A Manual for Writers... (Turabian)? [more inside]
posted by reductiondesign on Sep 4, 2009 - 6 answers

We are traveling from Chicago to Columbus, OH next week and to keep things interesting we'll have our 15-month-old in the back seat. I'm wondering if people who have made this drive have advice in terms of routing, avoiding traffic tie-ups and stopping points. [more inside]
posted by Morydd on Sep 4, 2009 - 6 answers

Can you bring your own kayak/canoe to the Chicago River? [more inside]
posted by jsmith78 on Sep 2, 2009 - 7 answers

Gotta-Get-Away Filter: I'm trying to book a weekend away with my darling fiancée in late september or early october for our combination birthdays/two year anniversary. [more inside]
posted by Oktober on Aug 26, 2009 - 4 answers

I have lived in NYC for most of my life and I am exhausted, tired, and in need of a change. I've settled into two cities Chicago or DC...But would like to get the Hive's input, which one is better? [more inside]
posted by The1andonly on Aug 21, 2009 - 52 answers

Trying to identify a Chicago novel I read way back in the 50s or 60s. It is about a veteran (WWII or Korea) who spends his nights walking the streets of the Near North Side and always ends up in an all night coffee shop peopled by bums, alcoholics, writers and bohemians. Not Algren, Farrell or Studs Terkel. Please help.
posted by charlesminus on Aug 15, 2009 - 2 answers

If you've ever lived in or visited Chicago and had a good time without getting hopelessly lost, you are cordially invited to post in this thread. Needed: an explanation of the grid system, tips and tricks on navigation, and recommendations for how to find the underground music scene, awesome beers, weird things to explore, and the best Chicago-focused blogs. [more inside]
posted by Juliet Banana on Aug 13, 2009 - 44 answers

Where in Chicago can someone with some foot problems get fitted for good running shoes? [more inside]
posted by the luke parker fiasco on Aug 13, 2009 - 3 answers

I want to go on a photography weekend trip next month. I'm in Chicago, and want to drive no more than 6-8 hours to a destination. With my preferences (inside) in mind, I'd like advice on where to go. Help? [more inside]
posted by hijinx on Aug 12, 2009 - 9 answers

How does one go about finding a good plumber anyway? [more inside]
posted by Teira on Aug 5, 2009 - 13 answers

Can anyone recommend a reliable, yet reasonably priced moving service/company in Chicago? [more inside]
posted by shrimpsmalls on Aug 5, 2009 - 20 answers

Where can I take my 17 year old cousin for Chicago nightlife? [more inside]
posted by Seeba on Aug 3, 2009 - 8 answers

I am looking for a cardio-and-weights gym, with towel service and showers, in or near the Loop in Chicago, which sells an honest day pass. The guest pass / free workout thing is not for me because I don't want to mislead about my being a prospect for a full membership, or subject myself to the hard sell concerning same.
posted by MattD on Aug 1, 2009 - 5 answers

What really happens if you skip jury duty? [more inside]
posted by nooneyouknow on Jul 31, 2009 - 21 answers

Please help me find the cheapest way to get from Chicago to New York late next week! [more inside]
posted by jordanlewis on Jul 31, 2009 - 7 answers

Boston or Chicago -- which is the better city for the gay traveler? [more inside]
posted by sevenyearlurk on Jul 28, 2009 - 18 answers

I'm in the market for a new bank and I was wondering if you had any thoughts on the matter? (I miss WaMu already!) [more inside]
posted by amethysts on Jul 26, 2009 - 15 answers

How might one get ahold of Red Lemonade if one lives in Chicago?
posted by eustacescrubb on Jul 26, 2009 - 4 answers

Where can I find live, low-key music in (North) Chicago? [more inside]
posted by Seeba on Jul 24, 2009 - 13 answers

In September I'm flying to Chicago to meet some friends. We'll be driving a van from Chicago to New York. What are some interesting things to do along the way? Is there anything especially weird that we should stop to see? [more inside]
posted by anoirmarie on Jul 23, 2009 - 9 answers

Where can I find pickled okra in Chicago? [more inside]
posted by honeybee413 on Jul 22, 2009 - 9 answers

Looking for a men's suit in Chicago. I have an idea what I want, but I don't know where to look. Any pointers are appreciated. [more inside]
posted by echo target on Jul 22, 2009 - 10 answers

I'm moving from a 2bdr (had a roommate) to a studio in the same apartment building on the south side of Chicago. I'll be moving, oh, maybe 15 floors down. The building has a freight elevator. Since I don't even need a truck, should I hire people? My desk almost doesn't fit in the door, my then-boyfriend had to tilt it in strange and crazy ways that I don't think I can do by myself. I have a loveseat, bed, giant expedit bookshelf, and a desk - everything else I could handle myself I guess.
posted by anthropomorphic on Jul 19, 2009 - 17 answers

Looking for a reasonably priced Chicago hotel within walking distance to the L. (At most $125 per night) [more inside]
posted by hazyspring on Jul 17, 2009 - 17 answers

Need suggestions for places to kayak around Chicago. [more inside]
posted by sk381 on Jul 16, 2009 - 6 answers

Chicago-driving-filter. If I leave Milwaukee (airport) at about 4 pm on Friday, and drive to South Bend, Indiana, will I spend hours in Chicago rush hour traffic? Can I avoid that somehow? What if I could move my departure time a bit earlier? Is this the route to take? [more inside]
posted by ruff on Jul 15, 2009 - 18 answers