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October 30, 2006
3 Papers a Day & No Connection to Local Culture
This weekend, my friends were astonished to learn that I read three papers a day - the LA Times, NY Times, and Wall Street Journal. Granted, my reading time will severely diminish once I start working full time again. While my appetite for news remains insatiable, I also realized this weekend that none of these papers provide a tangible connection to the local culture scene. The Calendar section is my favorite in the LAT, but its use is primarily for studying the business of entertainment. I never feel like its contributors are close enough to the LA scene to provide really useful reviews.
In Chicago, I didn't have this problem. There was Chicago Tonight to connect me with local politics, culture, and history. (A weekday news program from Chicago public t.v.) There was Check, Please! to introduce me to great restaurants (three local residents pick three restaurants, they all go then come into the studio to chat about them, led by host and sommelier Alpana Singh). And of course, there's Phil Vittel, the Trib's restaurant critic and Roger Ebert's film criticism at the Sun Times. There's Metromix (also from the Trib) to find a restaurant, bar, or club in any part of Chicagoland. And the Reader for great insight into the plethora of block parties and other festivals in Chi-town (and jobs and apartments, both of which I found through the Reader).
Sigh. I miss Chi-town. So, how do I find all of this local info for my hometown?!?!
Posted by cj at October 30, 2006 11:24 AM