Art Institute graduate students Katherine Pill, 26 (right), and Francesca Wilmott, 24, operate the Concertina Gallery out of their own apartment. Brian J. Morowczynski for RedEye

By Ryan Smith
For RedEye

Most curators don't make a habit of sleeping next to their exhibits, but Katherine Pill and Francesca Wilmott wake up to their art every morning.

When the roommates take a few steps out of their bedrooms and beyond the kitchen of their second-floor apartment, they enter a living and dining room virtually devoid of furniture.

Where a table and chairs might normally sit, a few colorful, spherical objects are carefully arranged on the hardwood floor. And on the wall, where you might normally find framed family photos, there hang a volcano made of denim and a computer-generated image of faceless sheep floating in a dream world.

Brad Collins, 53,  of Edgewater, wrote to "Going Public" with complaints about the Blue Line. Here's the CTA response to why there are UIC trains. Here's the CTA response on volume of its announcements. Collins' letter continues after the jump.

"A couple of comments on the Blue Line. Why does the CTA run trains that only go as far as UIC? Those trains I see in the early morning are only half-filled. I have to wait for the next train to Forest Park, which usually doesn't come very quickly, and then it's packed!

Invariably, then, the Forest Park train then has to run express to Oak Park because it's late. I thought these intermediate trains went out with the A and B trains on the Red Line. ...

Actress Gabourey Sidibe. Getty Images photo

By Matt Pais
Metromix

In the harrowing film "Precious," the 16-year-old title character struggles to overcome incredible adversity.

Her mother has abused her. She's the victim of incest, producing two children with her father. She is illiterate. She is poor. She is overweight and very insecure.

No one will call this movie fun.

Yet fun comes to mind when describing Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe, the cheerful 26-year-old who plays Precious in the film opening Friday. The New York native and big-screen newcomer is set to break out with her startlingly real turn as a teenager facing unbelievable physical and emotional trauma.

The film--supported by influential executive producers Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry--has taken home audience awards at the Sundance, Toronto and Chicago film festivals. Those wins are fueling Oscar talk for the film, Sidibe and her co-star, Mo'Nique.

What? An Oscar? During a recent chat at the Wit hotel, Sidibe said that doesn't even sound real to her.

Every week before the Bears game, RedEye's sports crew gets to the point. Here's what we expect Sunday vs. Arizona. Let's hear your predictions, peeps.

Brian Moore, twitter.com/redeyesports
Arizona 29, Bears 28
Soldier Field finally sees a real receiver. Unfortunately it's Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald. Take notes, Bears.

Supriya Doshi, redeyechicago.com/practicallygreen
Bears 24, Arizona 23
Remember the Bears comeback in 2006? Yeah, those were the days ...

Leo Ebersole, twitter.com/sharkvshyena
Arizona 31, Bears 20
Aside from last week, Arizona's run defense looks stout; Bears run offense looks more pale ale.

Bag Boy, redeyesports@tribune.com
Bears 34, Arizona 10
Sure, we could have had Kurt Warner back in the day. We don't want him on this day.

Ryan Kiefer wrote to "Going Public" about a change with the Chicago Card turnstiles. Anyone else noticing this at their station? His photo is below.

"This is the turnstiles at Midway. The Chicago Card-only lane used to be second to the right, just next to the handicapped turnstile. Now it's a regular Chicago+transit card lane."

Oprah at her Michigan Avenue Party (AP)

Whoa, Whoa, Whooooa, Oprah baby?

What's this I hear? I'm sitting here, minding my business and I get word you're reportedly skipping town on me? 

According to an exclusive from my homegirl Nikki Finke over at Deadline.com, rumor has it you're thinking about packing up the show and heading to Los Angeles to set up OWN, your long delayed Oprah Winfrey Network.

You're leaving me on my own to start OWN, I get it..

NO, WAIT!!!

Baby, we can work it out! I know I left to go to Florida, but I came back! I know I left AGAIN to go to Atlanta, but I. CAME. BACK!

I can't understand this! We JUST had that big party up the street! All our friends were there! They danced for you, for pete's sake! You can't do this! Do I have to sing to make you stay? I will!

What would make you want to move to Los Angeles though? More movies in the works? Was Stedman trying to get back into the picture? Did that so-and-so Ellen show up and tell you how nice it was? WAS IT THE KOGI BBQ TRUCK?

I'm sorry, I'm just at a loss for words. You & Harpo have been here my entire life. I don't know what Chicago would be without you.


Apparently, you're going to take some time to announce the official decision. I understand that. *sigh* I'm not mad boo, get your money. I'm just...disappointed.  First Jordan, then Kanye, now this.

Enough from me. What about you, Chicago? How are you feeling about the Big O sailing ship?

In front of the new Zara store on Michigan Ave:

Girl to friend: It's like way, way Eurotrash.

Via email from V.K.

Hear something crazy in Chicago? Email it to us at redeyetalk@gmail.com, or tweet us @redeyechicago. Read more OMG!s