Space Jam might be based on sacred Mayan text
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.
• Making the Internet rounds is a 2001 essay from Chicago gay-rights activist Michal Brody saying the Michael Jordan/Bugs Bunny blockbuster Space Jam may be based on the Sacred Mayan text Popol Vuh. Brody claims striking similarities: both feature two heroes summoned to a “high-stakes underworld ball game”; both show the heroes ascending from another world in a glowing orb. So when the world is ending on Dec. 21, 2012, you’ll know how to naturally segue a conversation to Larry Bird, Bill Murray, or R. Kelly. (via Chicagoist)
• Recent arrests at North Avenue Beach had Mayor Daley sounding like a senile senior citizen as he partially blamed the arrests on sinister technology: “We know there's texting going on, something going on in the suburban area with a lot of young adults.” Gosh darnit, those kids and their blasted means of communication are up to no good again.
• Police say an Arlington Heights man was caught dealing cocaine in a Northbrook Starbucks parking lot. To be fair, that weak Pike Place roast really could use some extra oomph.
• With the Stanley Cup starting Saturday, Blackhawks blog Second City Hockey and Flyers blog Broad Street Hockey have wagered their city’s respective signature artery-destroying sandwiches: Al’s Italian beef versus Tony Luke’s Philly cheesesteak. Already, Broad Street has been trash-talking Second City Hockey, saying they’re getting the “raw end of the deal” and that they’ll review “that Al’s thing.” Fellas, can’t we both agree that hockey haven Canada has no sandwiches worth wagering?
• The good news is the Sun-Times says the Chicago unemployment rate is down. The bad news is Crain’s says Chicago unemployment is up.
• Woodridge-owned Pabst Brewing Company, proud brewer of Pabst Blue Ribbon, was bought by investor C. Dean Metropoulos for $250 million. Metropoulos’ two sons, Daren, 26, and Evan, 29, are expected be key figures for the brand after the boys helped feature Metropoulos-owned Perrier Jouet champagne at a Limp Bizkit concert. All snickering aside, linking vacuously angry rap-rock with the balance and finesse of sparkling champagne shows impressive marketing skills.
