Woodstock, Illinois celebrates the 20th anniversary of Groundhog Day
No related
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 weekend begins.
• Woodstock, Illinois celebrated its most heralded day of the year once again Thursday, as Woodstock Willie emerged from his lavish underground bunker to let folks know Spring is coming early. The day also marked the 20th anniversary of the classic Bill Murray flick Groundhog Day, which was filmed in Woodstock. However, Willie’s douchey Pennsylvanian counterpart, Punxsutawney Phil, did see his shadow—meaning six more weeks of winter. WGN meteorologist Tim McGill reacted calling Phil a “punk when it comes to weather forecasting.” The two rival groundhogs were set to fight to the death later this month, but the bout was postponed when Punxsutawney Phil refused to take a drug test.
• Ameena Matthews, Cease Fire violence interrupter and star of the critically acclaimed documentary The Interrupters, made an appearance on The Colbert Report this week. The highest grossing film in the history of the Gene Siskel Film Center will première on PBS’ Frontline Tuesday, Feb 14.
• An increasing number of state officials and alderman are questioning Lollapalooza’s tax exemptions. The festival has been using its partnership with the non-profit Parkways Foundation to dodge its $350,000 yearly county tax bill. Lollapalooza is also exempt from paying the 5 percent amusement tax, estimated at more than a million dollars.
• A plane departing O’Hare for Portland, Oregon had to return to the ground shortly after striking a bird Thursday afternoon. The flight landed safely and no one was injured. One of the presumably deceased bird’s close friends spoke to The A.V. Club saying, “He was a good bird at heart, not too bright upstairs though. Also, please refrain from making any Angry Birds jokes. Shit’s played out.”
• Hitler was none too happy when he found out The Keg was getting shut down.
• Chicago has retained its title as the nation’s most segregated major city.
• Illinois may soon become the fifth state to ban the possession, sale, trade or distribution of shark fin. State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) proposed the shark fin ban but is unsure if the legislation will make it a floor vote. Shark fin is a key ingredient of what is considered a very special treat in some Asian traditions. While the actual process of finning sharks is an illegal practice, several Chicago-area restaurants continue to serve shark fin soup. Many immature nostalgics hope the legislation will allow the long-awaited return of the estranged Street Sharks who have been laying low for some years now in fear of the brutal practice.
• There were 40 homicides in Chicago in January. On the bright side, the city did finish out the month strong without a homicide between Jan 25-31.
• Derrick Rose was voted a starter in the NBA all-star game for a second straight year. However, the National Band Association snubbed the Chicago Bulls star for a second straight year despite the fact he plays a real mean oboe.
• Some couple from Crystal Lake let Facebook name their baby.
