What's something that flaps in the wind, pollutes our cityscape, and annoys Hyde Park Progress blogger Richard Gill? Plastic bags.

Gill laments that while other cities have had outright bans on plastic bags in retail stores, Chicago seems not to care about its environmentally un-friendly garbage. Try substitutes, he writes, the kinds that are compost-able or reusable. 

Vienna-born artist Josef Strau celebrates the "non-productive attitude, the kind of social recognition that artists could attain without having to produce 'art works' to show for themselves," as quoted in Elena Filipovic's September 2007 article in Frieze magazine. In response to this opener--and as a precursor to Strau's solo exhibition up now at Rowley Kennerk Gallery--art blogger Erik Wenzel writes that "the big questions now seem to be who are the artists and what are they doing?" and "where is the art and who is making it?" There might be a physical object to look for in this show--or perhaps Strau's "work" will suggest the triumph of an artist's influence over the idea of actually producing work. We do hear from this Newcity art review, however, that IKEA lamps are involved.

As Chicago threatens to tear down works that are connected to Mies van der Rohe or Walter Gropius, blogger Edward Lifson of Hello Beautiful! expresses his frustration by writing about Chicago's past battles to save our architectural landmarks. 

The Blackhawks narrowly kept home-ice advantage with a pair of 3-2 wins over Calgary, which gave the HOCKEENIGHT bloggers plenty to discuss during their most recent podcast.

Or, as they call it, their "Puckcast." Not all of it's on the topic of hockey and it gets a bit raunchy, but if you've ever been to a Hawks game then this makes perfect sense.

Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Nevermind Barack and Blago--Rahm Emanuel's the star on Rahmblr, a Tumblr blog dedicated to the Chief of Staff. With jokey photo captions and punchy one-liners, this blogger might just get the word "rahmblin" into the Urban Dictionary.

It sounds like our resident "20-something blogger" will soon be a bonafide homeowner. Jessica, voice behind The Everyday Adventures of Me in the City, wrote about her aspirations to owning her own place... and paying a mortgage. Finally, she says, she won't have to move all the time, and it looks like it struck a chord with her 20-something readers.

From sharing stories about buying their first condos, to complaining about moving, Jessica' readers had plenty to say.

"You are not along in hating moving. Packing up a U-Haul and driving nearly 500 miles from Pittsburgh to Chicago was quite the adventure I'd never like to repeat," Maggie wrote.

"I am also in the long process of being a home owner... and it's terrifying/exciting/wonderful/horrible. Most of the time, I feel like I'm pretending to be an adult or something," Shannalee wrote.

"I bought my first condo (as a single gal) at 29," SoMi's Nilsa wrote. "I recommend you spend time scouring online listings ... It will begin to give you a sense of what your budget will allow for."

"I, too, am rather transient, or at least I like to think so," A Super Girl wrote. "I'm mainly just afraid of settling down because what if by some odd chance I want to move again!! I think it's the army brat in me."

"I hate, hate, HATE moving!" Kate wrote. "My dealbreakers are the laundry (I also need a washer and dryer in my house), a garage (must have it) and kitchen cabinets (the more, the better)."

Chicago's Think Pink Radio used to air on WLUW 88.7 until August 2008, when it become this hip, informative online blog. Since moving online, blogster DJ Stinky Pinky has been able to focus more on local under-the-radar queer arts events, as well as indie bands/artists to watch. This recent post is a shout out to Young Creature, a new Chicago-based blog that focuses on "exposing and supporting queer musicians, artists, filmmakers, writers, troublemakers, and earth shakers." 

This angry white guy opines about theater and other Chicago musings, like the much gossiped about March 26 American Theater Company drama--and we're not talking about a play here, folks.

As simple a blog as has ever been created. It's called "The Cubs In Haiku" and it's exactly what it says it is.

Check out the posts from Opening Day and the Cubs' first loss. Very cool blog.

Two Chicago Public Schools principals were  relieved of their duties  last Thursday because of leadership issues including safety concerns, district officials said. Both principals, Clifton Hunt, of Oglesby Elementary, and Darreyl Young-Gibson, of Julian High School, received warning resolutions last year from the Chicago Board of Education, a reader of District 299: The Chicago Schools Blog found.

Sure, the White Sox had to postpone their Opening Day due to the snow but there's still a very good reason to head to the South Side today.

Blogger "Smokin' Chokin' and Chowing with the King" showcases the hot dog stand 35th St. Red Hots. It's a tiny little place that not only serves classic Chicago style hot dogs but breaded shrimp.

There's not a whole lot to be said right now, except OH MY GOD!

And that's just what the vast Bears' blogosphere is doing since it was announced Denver agree to make disgruntled Pro Bowl QB Jay Cutler a monster of the Midway.

Some early samples of what readers of some popular Bears blog are saying:

On Bear Goggles On: "SUPER BEARS???? SUPER BOWL!!!!!"

On Windy City Gridiron: "I am too excited to type"

On Da Bears Blog: "HES COMING TO CHICAGO!!!!!!!!!"

Oh, there's more. A lot of it far more eloquent, but this isn't really a time for eloquent. We'll save that for when Cutler demands a trade out of Chicago. For now, let's just stick with OH MY GOD!

Renegade Handmade, 1924. W. Division St.,  sells handmade crafts. (Phil Velasquez/Chicago Tribune)

Strange Closets has an interview with Sue Daly, founder of the Renegade Craft Fair.

Daly started the fair in 2003 because she was frustrated with the cost of existing festivals. The fair was an instant hit with Chicago's DIY crowd and is now held annually in Wicker Park. Daly has also expanded the fair to San Francisco, Brooklyn and Los Angeles. In addition to the fairs, she now runs Renegade Homemade, a store in Wicker Park.

24/7 North of Howard Watchers notices that yet another fast food joint will attempt to operate on the corner of Howard and Marshfield. With repeat problems of loiterers and trash on that street corner, the blog's contributors write: "Again, it's not up to the police to keep tabs on our kids 24/7. It's a shame that people can't take a few minutes to sit down and consume their meals instead of eating on the sidewalk."