Hometown: Lewisville, N.C. Current 'Hood:Bucktown My favorite RedEye headline: "Big Efron deal" Life advice: Don't take life advice from a newspaper staff page. RedEye headlines I slightly regret: "Racism vs. sexism" Find me here on the weekends: Bars The best news story of 2012 was: Ikea monkey What I'm reading on the web:chicagotribune.com, cnn.com, deadspin.com, tmz.com
Hometown: Portland, Ore. Current 'Hood: Lakeview Weirdest phone call to the RedEye newsroom: The boss on NyQuil. That's all I am legally allowed to say. Life advice: Don't be one of those people who constantly tweets life advice. Nobody wants to hear it. Find me on the weekends: Mexican restaurant, ordering a second pitcher of margaritas. Don't pitch me columns about: Facebook. You know what's NOT cooler than 1 million Facebook columns? 1 billion Facebook columns. Best/worst thing about Chicago: The best is that there is never, ever an excuse for being bored. The worst is the summer heat. Give me 12 months of winter, please. What I'm reading on the web:redeyechicago.com, deadspin.com, registerguard.com
Hometown: Chicago. South Side! Current 'Hood: Lakeshore East Sox or Cubs? Sox, definitely, but I swear I don't hate the Cubs. The best moment in Chicago sports history is: Are you trying to start an argument? Oh wait. OK, I'll go with the 1985 Bears. Where you can find me on the weekends: Trying new restaurants, River North, U.S. Cellular Field, on the volleyball court or the golf course. The best athletes to follow on Twitter are: For starters, try Eddie Lack (@eddielack), Dan Carcillo (@carbombboom13) and Joakim Noah (@joakimnoah). My most memorable experience interviewing a sports star: Ernie Banks is probably the nicest guy on the planet. (See, I told you I don't hate the Cubs!) What I'm reading on the web:redeyechicago.com, deadspin.com, grantland.com
Hometown: Norfolk, Neb. Current 'Hood: West Ridge I've been at RedEye since: It started, 10 long years ago. The worst TV pilot I've ever seen was: Wow, so many. Hmm. Maybe "Work It." I can't tell you about the time: Let's just say I've socialized, maybe inappropriately, with people from "Chuck," "The League," "Community," "Sanctuary" and "Friday Night Lights," among others. And I danced with Ders from "Workaholics." RedEye covers I've been on: I was naked on one. Don't pitch me stories about: Reality TV. What I'm reading on the web:redeyechicago.com, showpatroltv.com
Hometown: Greenwood, Ind. Current 'Hood: Brookfield I've been at RedEye since: April 2003 Where you can find me on the weekends: Kicking asses--literally--in Tae Kwan Do class. RedEye cover I've been on: Big Fat Losers, about people suing McDonald's for being obese Favorite day of the week: Hair metal Friday on Spotify (morning), beer Friday (afternoon), wine Friday (night). What I'm reading on the web: Music news on blabbermouth.net, nme.com and melodicrock.com.
Hometown: Wichita, Kan. Current 'Hood: Wicker Park My biggest social media moment: Molly Ringwald responded to my tweet about "For Keeps" once. Ask me about: How much I hate "buzzwords." What I actually do at RedEye: I manage and post on all of RedEye's social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.), write occasionally for the website and the paper and try to keep up on new music for RedEye's Sound Board. Weirdest thing I've done for work: Followed a guy in a Batman costume around the city to make a video for "The Dark Knight Rises" release. The Aurora movie theater shooting happened the morning we posted the video, so it didn't see much daylight. Life advice: Body glitter is a red flag. What I'm reading on the web:xoJane, The Onion, Jezebel, Mashable, DNAinfo Chicago
Hometown: Born and raised in Chicago, socialized in Homewood, Ill. Current 'Hood: Logan Square The worst thing about Chicago: Crime/segregation/lack of good breakfast sandwiches The best thing about Chicago: Everything else Ask me about: College football, any and all rap music, and the 1994 Super J Cup. I'm known around the office for: Bad jokes and even worse catchphrases (Proooooooud of youuu!)
Hometown: Chicago. Yes, the city, not the burbs. Current 'Hood: Lakeview What I write about: Anything and everything from pot tickets, skinny jeans and Mayor Emanuel to the Hawks' Patrick Kane, pickup artists and beer pong. My best interview ever was with: Regular Chicagoans who were training for the Chicago marathon. They inspired me to get into running and enter the race myself! Where you'll find me on vacation: In another country trying to speak the language, doing something adventurous, getting a tan at the beach or sipping cocktails. Advice for surviving your first year in Chicago: Get a puffy winter coat. Pace yourself on St. Patrick's Day. Live it up in the summer. And park wisely to avoid a ticket. One celebrity I'll never get tired of is: Hey girl, the answer of course is Ryan Gosling. What I'm reading on the web:chicagotribune.com, pinterest.com, deadspin.com
Hometown: Sarasota, Fla. Current 'Hood: Lakeview What I write about: CTA and homicides Why I rode all 139 (and growing) CTA buses: I like pick-up lines. My CTA commute includes: Thanks to slow zones and delays, every day is a change of pace. I've been at RedEye since: March 2007. In RedEye years, I'm past my rhyme. Find me here on the weekends: Not here in Chicago. What I'm reading on the web: Pop: NYMag, TMZ, US Mag, Radar Online. Cop: Second City Cop. GOP (and Dem): Capitol Fax.
Hometown: Clarendon Hills (Western `burbs, for you city folk. Think Oak Brook mall.) Current 'Hood: The land of strollers and puppies, AKA Roscoe Village What I write about/cover: The Weird Wide Interwebs. Are you or have you ever been a meme? Are you responsible for an unintentional viral video? You'll probably be hearing from me. I also churn out general assignment stories for print like it's my job. (It is.) My most grueling breaking news story experience: Driving my 1992 Ford Taurus through 5-foot flood waters in Westchester. The Department of Public Works had to pick me up in a truck. One bizarre interview I've done: I called Chief Keef's manager once. Chief Keef answered the phone. My favorite person I follow on Twitter: I'm quite fond of @dadboner, because I'm always lookin' forward to the weekend, you guys. Find me on the weekends: In front of the XBOX as much as I can. I lurk Reddit a lot, too. I'm mickswasko. Yes, I know it's dumb to use your real name, but I can't bare parting with my sweet, mediocre karma. What I'm reading on the web:r/chicago, Something Awful, Waxy Links Miniblog, io9
Hometown: Deerfield, Ill. Current 'Hood: Bucktown One classic movie I've never seen: "Gone with the Wind." Just can't get myself to sit down for four hours to do it. How to successfully pitch me your new music: Describe it in a way that makes me want to listen to it. Misconception(s) about life as a movie critic: It's easy, undemanding and involves nothing but sitting around watching movies. Not the case. My best experience interviewing a celebrity: So many highlights. Recent favorites include arguing with Marlon Wayans, talking music with Rashida Jones and laughing with Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis. What I'm reading on the web:redeyechicago.com, avclub.com, si.com
Hometown: Winfield, Ill. I've been at RedEye since: 2007, when I joined the staff of RedEye's sibling website, Metromix. I've since moved over to the RedEye staff and have covered dining, nightlife and shopping (the perfect trifecta of entertainment, if you ask me!) over the years. My strangest experience reviewing a restaurant: I knew it would be a rough night when I saw wires hanging out of the wall. The place touted "competition ribs" that hadn't been entered in any competitions, and the bartender snatched away the last sips of my husband's beer so he could use it to make a cocktail for him "that he would really love." (He didn't and would have rather finished his beer.) It closed after a fire not too long after. I will never get sick of eating: Cheese fries. Known in the office for: Using my cubicle shelving for shoes instead of office supplies. Ask me about: The time I dressed up as half of Kris Kross for a Metromix Halloween party that DJ White Shadow spun for at Harry Caray's Tavern in Wrigleyville. What I'm reading on the web:garmental.com, What I Wore, Grub Street Chicago
Hometown: Union, NJ Current 'Hood: UKV In a former life, I probably: Was kicked out of pastry school for licking the spoon How to have the best 21st birthday outing in Chicago: Grab a drink and get on the dance floor, no matter how uncool you think you look. My go-to hangover cure: A bloody mary, poached eggs and a hot shower - probably not simultaneously. I will never get sick of drinking: Sour beers. And coffee. When I'm not tasting cocktails, I'm: Searching for my new favorite BYO restaurant, cheering on the NY Giants or trying to get my 5K time down. What I'm reading on the web:redeyechicago.com, The Sartorialist, longreads.com
Hometown: Bellingham, Wash. Current 'Hood: Lakeview What I do at RedEye: Sew clothing out of curtains, then lead Austrian children in song. Wait, that's someone else. Why copy errors really happen: Magical elves go into the InDesign documents and cause mischief. The celebrities I will never get tired of: Jennifer Lawrence and Jason Segel/Neil Patrick Harris. The celebrity I never want to hear from again: I am contractually obligated not to answer this. I'm also really good at: Baking pies. What I'm reading on the web:The New York Times, Go Fug Yourself, New York magazine's Vulture
Hometown: Idaho Falls, Idaho Current 'Hood: Lakeview/North Center What I do at RedEye: I get bossy about grammar and money. I'm SUPER fun. Why copy errors really happen: It's mostly typos. Surprisingly, there aren't that many smartasses trying to slip "pubic" past us instead of "public." How I know so much about personal finance: Trial and error, baby. Let's leave it at that. My advice for living the brokester life: Take a set amount of cash out of your checking account every week. That's your allowance. Once you run out, stop spending money. It's the easiest way to budget. When I'm not polishing copy, find me: Inside with friends eating junk food and marathoning TV shows. What I'm reading on the web:The Billfold, redeyechicago.com, The AV Club, Gapers Block
Hometown: Batavia, Ill. Current 'Hood: Ukrainian Village The strangest photo request I've gotten: To photograph a girl while she is reading a book entirely naked. Ask me about: What new restaurants to check out and not what camera you should get. Find me on the weekends: In my studio making art, fighting with my cat, dancing with my girlfriend, or playing ping-pong on my kitchen table. Dream photo assignment: Spend a month in Antarctica taking portraits of scientists. Life advice: Call your mom because she misses you. What I'm reading on the web:LennyGilmore.tumblr.com, LennyGilmore.com, instagram.com/lennygilmore
Hometown: Chicago Current 'Hood: Logan Square I've been at RedEye since: Right after the beginning but right before forever. RedEye covers I've been on: Um, I plead the fifth. Let's all pretend it never happened. Ask me about: The time I carried a concealed hotdog (in my purse) into a concert. Essential apps for my iPad Mini: The Foodnetwork, Chicfeed, Busuu. I'm known around the office for: My wit, charm & appreciation of all things edible. But mostly my looks. I enjoy looking at things.
What I'm reading on the web:Oh My Rockness, Oh My Rockness
Hometown: Bowling Green, OH Current 'Hood: Buena Park The hardest lesson I learned when I first moved to Chicago: Wear sunscreen at the summer fests. What I do at RedEye: Interactive design for our iPad edition Ask me about: Design...duh My adjustment to the Chicago cold was: ...Ohio gets cold. One thing I can't live without: Design....and books. Especially books about design. What I'm reading on the web:columnfivemedia.com/work, lens.blogs.nytimes.com, smittenkitchen.com
Hometown: New York City Current 'Hood: Lakeview The hardest lesson I learned when I first moved to Chicago: A lot of bars close at 2 a.m. here. I've heard last call so much I now expect it when I go out. What I do at RedEye: Design pages I'm known around the office for: Being scared easily. Seriously. One too many co-workers have scared me just by standing there. Why Chicago is better than New York: NYC is home, but Chicago has welcomed me with open arms. I've never encountered friendlier people anywhere. Find me on the weekends: Chilling at Comet vintage in Pilsen, eating a gluten free snickerdoodle at Heritage General Store or lurking around Moped in Logan Square. Where I get my design inspiration:friendsoftype.com/, because I am a type fiend.
Hometown: Fremont, Neb. Current 'Hood: Ukrainian Village Find me on the weekends: Biking to brunch Ask me about: The best thrift stores in the city I'm also really good at: Sewing my own clothes I'm known around the office for: Deep loves for sour candy and ice cream
My favorite vacation I've been on: Rented a scooter and rode up the west coast of Costa Rica What I'm reading on the web:Newdressaday, Modcloth, Smittenkitchen, Apartmenttherapy, Etsy, Vulture
Hometown: Hoffman Estates, Ill. Current 'Hood: Logan Square What I do at Metromix: I program the website, run the social medias, look at photos of food all day and hope you click on them. What makes for a perfect pizza: Pepperoni and Giardinera with extra sauce. Trust me. Ask me about: The best hidden gems in Chicago. Like, where you can buy an Alaskan doughnut at 3 a.m My Chicago happy place: Bar Deville. I love it so much I got engaged there. See, girls? Dreams do come true - you can get engaged at your favorite bar. How not to pitch an event to me: Coming to my front door at 3 a.m. and waking me up from my precious beauty rest. Beyond that, I'll pretty much always hear you out. What I'm reading on the web:FoodGawker.com, Buzzfeed.com, Macys.com
Hometown: South Elgin, Ill. Current 'Hood: Logan Square Why I wanted to intern at Metromix: I love to eat, write and keep up with new restaurants, and Metromix is the perfect place to do all three. The strangest assignment I've worked on: I ate five pumpkin pies in a row and rode the sugar shock long enough to write about it. What I love writing about: Food. Chicago's full of great restaurants and tasty events, so there's always something to write about. Ask me about: Anything related to cheese or beer. I can point you in the right direction. Where you'll find me on the weekends: Attempting to hand-pull noodles, at a dive bar, waiting for brunch or following the tamale guy. What I'm reading on the web:redeyechicago.com, seriouseats.com, waffleizer.com
Hometown: Troy, Mich. Current 'Hood: Edgewater My favorite photo assignment so far: Hanging out on top of the Willis Tower. Like, the top, top. Ask me about: Pugdogs. Find me on the weekends: Hunting down good whiskey bars. Life advice: Love what you do because you love what you do. How to take a self-portrait that doesn't suck: Somehow trick Lenny into taking it. What I'm reading on the web:whatshouldwecallme.tumblr.com, lightbox.time.com, dlisted.com
