Events

Chicago has had the longest streak of above-normal daily temperatures in any November since records have been kept: The last day of November will see Chicago's 27th record-setting consecutive day with above-normal temperatures. Warmer readings are likely Tuesday as southwesterly winds and abundant sunshine allow afternoon high temperatures to approach and even exceed 50 degrees at many observation points around the metro area. A cold front should pass through Chicago early Wednesday, followed by a...

Why it's important to get your scanner settings correct: Duh. Film setting, dude. Film setting.

The bed is just a suggestion, apparently:

I did, in fact, fly yesterday. As usual, here's the Google Earth track.

It looks like I might fly this afternoon: I've had to postpone my annual flight review four times because of weather. Finally, today, the forecast calls for what you see above: clear skies, light winds, cold temperatures. (It's 0°C this morning.)

As usual, the primary color is gray: There's a rumor we will have sunlight tomorrow. Unconfirmed.

Pilot and author James Fallows is thankful for the reasonable and minimal changes to New York City airspace the FAA announced last week: When regulators and security officials address a problem through minimal rather than excessive rule-setting and interference or panicky over-reaction, that is worth our thankfulness too. Building toward a crescendo of things to be thankful for at this time of year. By the way, it's a very fun trip for private pilots: (From a flight I took in March 2000.)

Not Always Right, vigniettes that demonstrate how customer stupidity is an absolute limit on customer service: Me: "Thank you for calling ***. How may I help you today?" Caller: "I'm having problems with my computer and–" (Suddenly, what sounds like an air raid siren sounds off in the background.) Me: "Ma'am, I apologize. I was unable to hear what you said." Caller: "Stupid tornado warnings! They always make it hard to talk on the phone." Me: "Oh...should I let you go?" Caller: "Nah. This happens all of...

Carl Kasell is retiring December 30th: Kasell will, however, continue as official judge and scorekeeper of the Chicago Public Radio-produced quiz program, "Wait Wait … Don't Tell Me!," "the show that turned him from a newsman into a rock star," as noted in a memo to staff Monday from David Sweeney, NPR's managing editor for news, and Margaret Low Smith, its vice president of programming. Sigh.

The Chicago Tribune today has an in-depth article about the misuse of autism research in therapy: In his letter, obtained by the Tribune, [Florida family physician Dr. Dan] Rossignol justified the unorthodox treatment in part by writing that "a recent study out of Johns Hopkins has shown that children with autism have evidence of neuroinflammation on autopsy and (cerebral spinal fluid) evaluations." It was [Dr. Carlos] Pardo's study. Rossignol did not mention that Pardo's team had written in its online...