The Nooner | Chicago news and beyond | August 18, 2011

The Nooner: Chicago news and beyond.
In today’s news, we’ve got a goose poisoner and a gross restaurant.

Goose poisoner at large in Chicago
Two Southwest Side parks have been the site of mysterious goose die-offs this week. At least 18 geese have been found dead in McKinley and McGuane parks. The fowl may have been felled by poison, says a Chicago Park District spokesperson. A goose autopsy is planned. As for the identity of the poisoner? I’d look for a guy who’s totally fed up with goose poo on his shoes.

Orphans in China: It’s complicated
In this article featured on Slate, the author talks about finding an abandoned baby in a Shanghai alley. That leads to what I think is a very interesting and moving discussion about American adoption of Chinese children (the author has two of her own now-grown daughters she adopted from China), the changing relationship between China and the U.S. and adoption in general.

Emanuel announces home-saving loan pool
Mayor Rahm Emanuel has just announced a $20 million loan pool designed to save homes in nine specific Chicago neighborhoods that have been hit hard by foreclosures. The money, provided by the John T and Catherine D. MacArthur Foundation, will help assist homeowners who are underwater and encourage the purchase and reoccupation of already foreclosed homes. The neighborhoods in question are Auburn-Gresham, Belmont-Cragin, Chatham, Chicago Lawn, Englewood, Grand Boulevard, Humboldt Park, West Pullman and West Woodlawn. We addressed the problem of abandoned homes in Englewood, specifically, in an article this past spring.

Burger yuck
City health inspectors found so many flies inside a Beverly-area Burger King that they were “afraid to open their mouths.” They also found a wasp’s nest over the rear door. The restaurant has been shut down by the city, pending a total cleanliness overhaul.

Tiny Chicago BYOB restaurant makes Bon Appetit’s top 10
Ruxbin restaurant, a BYOB in West Town that has only 32 seats and doesn’t take reservations, was the only Chicago restaurant named this year in Bon Appetit magazine’s list of the ten best new eateries in the country. Previous Chicago winners include the Purple Pig (2010) and Mado (2009). Ruxbin's name always reminds me of Teddy Ruxpin. That can't just be me, right?