News Net Sharon Jones loves suburban teen band Northbrook Garage

Since sifting through dull newspapers, hyperbolic blogs, and overflowing RSS feeds for meaningful news can be an arduous process, News Net catches and compiles both the amusing and the significant reports that were overlooked throughout the week. Here are some things to think about as the workweek winds down.

·      Northbrook middle schoolers Northbrook Garage found minor internet fame earlier this summer with their bangin’ cover of Sharon Jones’ “She Ain’t a Child No More,” performed at the illustrious Northbrook Days Festival. Well, Jones must have seen the video, because she invited the kids down to St. Louis to see her and the Dap-Kings perform, dragged them all out on stage, and helped them shimmy shake.

·      The Whistler and The Violet Hour were named two of GQ’s best cocktail bars in America. The lad mag shouted out The Whistler’s rye concoctions and The Violet Hour’s fancy ice shapes.

·      Speaking of booze, Naperville city council voted to allow Sunday alcohol sales starting at 8 a.m. Previously, as with many places, blue laws prohibited sales before noon. Finally, a win for the powerful brunch lobby.

·      The city re-opened the search for Chicago’s official Christmas tree. Apparently, they’ve had a number of entries, but not one tree was tall enough. The city asks that applicants be at least 55 feet tall, spruce or fir, and located within 100 miles of the Loop. They also ask that trees step their motherfucking game up.

·      Sprout’s Dale Levitski is set to appear on Top Chef All-Stars, debuting Dec. 1. The show was already filmed in New York, and Levitski will be going against 17 other almost-winners from Top Chef seasons past.