Year: 2004

Cycle city

Jae-Ha Kim

That Bicycling Magazine picked Chicago as the best big cycling city in the United States isn’t surprising to us. Chicagoans have been taking advantage of the more than 125 miles of new or improved bikeways for years. More than 100 million Americans own a bicycle, and the number of people biking is growing at a rapid pace. “With Mayor [Richard M.] Daley’s help, cycling has really exploded in the last 10 years in Chicago,” says Theresa Cowen, coordinator for the city’s Bike Chicago program. “Chicago actually is one of the most bike-friendly places. Besides all our bike lanes and paths, we have more bike racks than any other city in the country — 9,400.”

Speaking with Suffrajett singer Simi

Jae-Ha Kim

It’s not often a New York band will admit Chicago might be just as cool — if not cooler — than the Big Apple, but Suffrajett took it one step further by relocating to Wrigleyville six months ago. Of course, it may have helped that guitarist Jason Chasko already was familiar with the city, having worked with Liz Phair in the past. When singer/violinist Simi (that’s right, just Simi) got a look at their new digs, she says her jaw hit the floor.

No Doubt, Blink-182 flood Tweeter with music, theatrics

Jae-Ha Kim

The No Doubt and Blink-182 rock show had it all: great music, good cartwheels and a pair of shirtless and mohawked drummers. Playing to a near-capacity crowd on Sunday at the Tweeter Center, neither band seemed bothered by the heat and humidity as the musicians ripped through sets that have been played before, but still managed to come across as fresh, brash and vibrant.

Avoid June ruin, study this wedding etiquette refresher

Jae-Ha Kim

It’s June. So chances are you’re invited to a wedding, will be attending a wedding or are in a wedding. It’s a confusing time for all of us, especially if we’re not sure we’re even invited. To help make this a less trying time all around, we’ve come up with some do’s and don’ts to help keep this joyous occasion relatively stress-free.

Speaking with Joey McIntyre

Jae-Ha Kim

Before ‘N Sync and the Backstreet Boys, there was the New Kids on the Block.  Joey McIntyre — the littlest kid — is now a married man of 31 who is touring to promote his new solo album, “8:09” (Artemis Records). A successful actor who has starred onstage (“tick, tick … BOOM!”) as well as in film (the upcoming “Tony ‘n’ Tina’s Wedding”) and TV (“Boston Public”), McIntyre is concentrating on his singing now.

It’s the one-hour photo processor’s world — I just live in it

Jae-Ha Kim

One hour isn’t what it used to be. Back in the day, one hour equaled 60 minutes. But take your film to be processed at one of those one-hour film developing shops and you’ll find that one hour often translates into 120 minutes. Or more. I realize the amount of time it takes to develop film depends on how many photo processing machines are available as well as on the number of customers already there before you.

Palm Beach pulse

Jae-Ha Kim

Some might say that the season officially is over in Palm Beach. Try telling that to Lilly Pulitzer. The designer socialite lives year-round in her “jungle” on the island, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. “It’s not the lifestyle in Palm Beach that’s so great,” Pulitzer says. “It’s the life–the sun, the light, the sand, great weather all year round. There’s swimming, sailing, tennis, golf. It’s a paradise. The eyes of the whole world were focused on this little sand spit!”

Speaking with … JC Chasez

Jae-Ha Kim

After the success of his bandmate Justin Timberlake’s solo CD “Justified,” JC Chasez had his work cut out for him. But thanks to controversial songs like “All Day Long I Dream About Sex” and “Some Girls (Dance with Women),” Chasez seems to be doing just fine himself. The other ‘N Sync heartthrob phoned from Los Angeles on his way to rehearsal to chat about his solo album “Schizophrenic,” Clay Aiken and his love for classic rock.

Game Zone: NBA Ballers, Samurai Warriors, Shrek 2

Jae-Ha Kim

“We got out of control playing [PlayStation 2] games on our last tour. We haven’t played that many on this tour, but ‘Grand Theft Auto: Vice City’ is sooooo much fun. But we can’t play it anymore because we lost it somewhere.” –Sharin Foo, lead singer of the Raveonettes

‘Friends:’ The ones we remember

Jae-Ha Kim

Over the past decade, “Friends” has had its share of ups and downs. Some seasons — especially the last two — have been less than stellar, but the shows have been entertaining more often than not. Here’s hoping Thursday’s finale will give us something truly worth remembering. In the meantime, here are one viewer’s 10 favorite “Friends” episodes.

‘Friends’ as lovers

Jae-Ha Kim

With the amount of time they spend together, you wouldn’t think the characters on “Friends” would have a spare moment to even think about hooking up with anyone else. While they couldn’t compete with, say, Samantha Jones, when it comes to the sheer number of romantic conquests, these six friendly New Yorkers have had their share of relationships.

‘Friends’-isms: the lingo of Generation Y

Jae-Ha Kim

Just as “I know you are, but what am I?” became equated with Pee-wee Herman, and “Yeah, that’s the ticket,” is instantly associated with Jon Lovitz’s “Liar” character on “Saturday Night Live,” “How you doin?” has become the cheesy pickup line everyone can laugh at, thanks to a clueless but lovable Joey Tribbiani.

‘The Rachel’ remains a cut above the rest

Jae-Ha Kim

Even if you don’t know much about “Friends,” chances are you remember “The Rachel.” Jennifer Aniston’s hair took on a life of its own a few episodes into the show’s debut season, when her character showed up with a striking new hairstyle: Gone were her long, semicurly locks. In their place was a fluffy, layered ‘do — a modified shag.

I’ll be square for you

Jae-Ha Kim

For a show that’s not really about fashion, “Friends” has had its share of, um, eye-catching looks. From Chandler’s hair (yes, Chandler’s — not Rachel’s) to Joey’s eyebrows to Ross’s armadillo suit, the $1 million-an-episode stars have been willing to appear in getups that are unconventional, unflattering and sometimes just plain goofy