An organized, free-cigarette tracker

Don’t get us wrong. The Tamale guy at 1am at Innertown is a godsend. But we could (basically) just as easily grab a bite on our way home. What would be REALLY beneficial—given these unjust economic times—is if everyone knew where and when the free-smoke-suppliers were dishing out cigs for nothin’. Those people who do that job are more popular than Zack Morris. While it might not exactly help our initiative to quit (we really do have that initiative, really), we would feel much more comfortable being unhealthy for free. Honestly, who wouldn’t?

Best of Chicago 2009

“And the villagers never liked you.
They are dancing and stamping on you.
They always knew it was you.
Daddy, daddy, you bastard, I’m through.”

Best audience choices:
“F*@# you, F*@# them, F*@# it all. $$$$$.”; “At Panera with Rod he spilled milk”; “Can’t find fucking curlers for TV appearance. Jesus fuck wad fucker bastard face. Fuck.”; “ghostbusters: still not as good as ghostbusters II.”

Best of Chicago 2009

Roger Ebert

The influential film critic has become more accessible recently with his abundance of blog posts on his Web site and his newfound love for this little thing called Twitter. Not only does Roger post immediate reactions to films he sees, he directs readers to other articles and writing, and has even given shout-outs to other film writers, including Newcity’s Ray Pride.

twitter.com/ebertchicago

Audience choice:
Rick Bayless

Best of Chicago 2009

Jay Cutler

Twitter brings our sports stars closer to us than ever before, but they rarely have anything interesting to say other than “Getting ready for Sunday” or something similar. The Bears quarterback is not exactly the Hemingway of the Midway, but his Twitter account and accompanying Web site (jaycutlersix.com) shows a team leader at least willing to engage with the adoring public and show a modicum of transparency. His “Fan of the Week” series is charming, too.

twitter.com/jaycutler6

Best of Chicago 2009

Tampa-2 just sounds sissy.

Best audience choices:
“Hey Chicago, I really love using (product) when I’m (service). Especially when I’m being treated so well at (place). Buy my SALZA”; “@media – Up Yours @Fans – Come eat a steak!”; “Twitter? WTF is ‘dat like playin’ with yourself or something?”

Best of Chicago 2009

John Fritchey

Fritchey is a neighborhood political insider in that fine Chicago tradition, who holds the honor of winning and still occupying Rod Blagojevich’s old seat as State Representative in the 11th District. In other words, he knows people and sees things. On Twitter, he’s refreshingly candid, unlike some of his political peers who treat the new social medium as just another carefully vetted PR platform. Be advised of his Big Ten football obsession, but keep an eye out for his playful takes on politics, like this recent tweet: “Word is 2 incumbents have big petition problems. 1 is running for higher office and 1 simply seeking re-election. Ruh roh!” But even more fun is when he, um, indulges his old-school-rap notions, like this ditty: “Gotta move quick on the double, get focused like Hubble; living life on the bubble’s turned my work into rubble.” There must be something in the water up in the 11th District.

Audience choice:
Roger Ebert

Best of Chicago 2009