The Nooner | Chicago News and beyond | June 23, 2011

Last year, this woman lived at the Museum of Science and Industry for a month. This year, it could be you. You know you want to.

WINNER! Follow Kate’s adventures at monthatthemuseum.org.

Photo: JB Spector/Museum of Science and Industry

The Nooner: Chicago news and beyond, plus what TOC editors are reading now.
In today’s news, we’ve got a (second) chance to move into the MSI for a month—and drunken, naked dog surgery.

Turn yourself into a museum exhibit with Month at the Museum 2
You remember last year, when The Museum of Science and Industry had someone live in the museum for a month? They’re doing it again—if you regretted not applying last year, that window has reopened. Do it. I say that, but would I want to do this? Nope; who would water my plants? But you, on the other hand—I think you’d be perfect for it. Did I mention that they give you $10,000 if you’re chosen? Just think about it.

More news after the break...

Illinois: Holding the line on gun stuff
Even with gun ownership recently legalized in Chicago, Illinois is still (or rather, is about to become), the most gun-outlawingest state. Wisconsin’s going to pass a law allowing concealed carry; they’ll be the 49th state to do so. That leaves only us now. Thanks for leaving us out by our lonesome, WI.

All the turkey legs, less shooting (hopefully) at the Taste
Speaking of gun violence, the Chicago Police Department has just said that they’ll have extra undercover police officers at the Taste of Chicago this year, though they wouldn’t say how many. So now while you gnaw happily at a slice of frozen Eli’s Cheesecake, you can also play “guess who’s a cop.” I’m hoping it’ll be like trying to identify the Air Marshall on a plane, but without the bruised knees and dry air.

Spirit airlines flying to more cities from Chicago
And speaking of air travel, here’s great news for penny-pinching flyers, especially those petite and patient enough for Spirit’s non-reclining seats and upcharge for carry-on bags: They’ve announced service from Chicago O’Hare to five new cities. Those cities are Boston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, New York LaGuardia and Orlando.

The full Colbert
Wonder what Stephen Colbert said to those Northwestern graduates at their commencement last week? Here’s the full speech. No surprise, he gets a lot of good-natured digs in on his alma mater.

The social network... of travel?
Some of the folks behind Groupon are betting, with gtrot.com, that we will enjoy sharing our travel plans with online friends and scoring "sweet deals" in the process. They are aware that not all Americans use the term "sweet" in that way, right?

People in the news I’d like to slap:
1)  The north-suburban d-bags who pointed a laser-pointer into the cockpit of a Chicago Police Department helicopter. Apparently at least one of the perpetrators is a Northwestern University grad student.
2)  The troubled weirdo on the near-West Side who got super drunk and attempted to perform surgery on his own dog. While naked.