Photo Credit: Malingering

As Chicagoist counts down the days to its third anniversary party, they found all-organic pizza to be underwhelming amidst the hoopla, tried to stay on the good side of Jack White (unlike a DJ who played the unreleased new White Stripes record on-air), detailed the rules and regulations behind sidewalk cafes , and beat up a little more on their favorite political whipping boy.

Phillyist denied the sudden onslaught of summer by taking a look at their snow-covered downtown. But, as much as they may deny it, they know that it's warm outside, and that means baseball, even if it's not particularly baseball. When the Phillies aren't depressing them, though, they're catching awesome live shows, eating awesome Spanish food, admiring responsible dog owners, and reminding their readers to support small bands.

Torontoist had one hell of a busy week. Besides being the first media outlet to get photos of the interior of the gorgeous Daniel Libeskind redesign 0f the largest museum in Canada, they found their prime minister on Facebook (sorta), and interviewed the brain behind PostSecret, Frank Warren. They launched a new feature, Touch Up Toronto (inspired by Londonist's project over the past year). Finally, they decided to give up on Amato, their (now ex-)favourite pizza place in the city.

DCist spent the week asking the tough questions, like whether cops on Segways are hilarious, or helpful, and whether the good people behind Esquire magazine actually know where the best bar in D.C. is. More seriously, they also questioned a plan to close a popular nightclub because a shooting happened outside it, and a heated debate emerged after they wondered if unsupervised kids were back to throwing rocks and attacking people in the Columbia Heights neighborhood. Finally they launched their new wine column, because the real question is, what are you drinking tonight?

Austinist was thrilled that a local landmark finished renovations, but saddened that another classic watering hole might close because of zoning problems. Tickets for the Austin Film Festival went on sale, and a bunch of extraordinary students from the University of Texas embarked on a 4,500-mile ride to Alaska. Local police turned down a chance to be on "Cops", which was still not as disappointing as the Texas House failing to get rid of its speaker. Austinist finally learned what $335.9 million worth of assorted drugs looked like, and are awfully fond of a local buzz band.

If you wear Hooker shoes at Dodger Stadium, LAist is going to catch you (and no Kosher Hot Dogs? What's with that?). Huge news in town is that Kobe Bryant is leaving the Lakers (or maybe... not). In other sports news, bikini races at Hollywood Park anyone? Unfortunately at the Silver Lake Trader Joes, you need to race across the street if you want to stay alive. To rest off all those sporty activities, Los Angeles has another movie theatre full of posh fun including alcoholic drinks, assigned and cushy seating and free parking.

A lot of things to watch at SFist this week. There was a little whale watching, with a mother and calf that had lost their way. With shock, awe, and amusement, they checked out Google's new "street level view" maps. SFist watched and positively reviewed the RiffTrax show. They saw an L.A. paper's take on perhaps their most famous 'hood, The Haight. The whole nation watched on pins and needles as a Bay Area resident won the national spelling bee. All of this while the city ran from zee-oh-em-bee-eye-ee-ess.

Bostonist watched as the Red Sox' Kevin Youkilis continued his consecutive game hitting streak to 23, and started up his very own blog (they even created a slick "has a posse" graphic), took a lesson from Chicago voting (vote early and often) and figured out how to make those 25 all-star votes count best for the Sox. Baseball isn't the only sport in town - the Patriot's Tom Brady is on the platform of a candidate in the commonwealth, or, more precisely his "equipment." The Mooninites attack Boston again, this time using fax machines. And Passim is named top hub club, but it's not the 70's anymore.

Londonist are beginning to think they live in the world's most surreal city. First, there's the High Court judge who speaks in poetry. Then, there's the man who ate a corgi to protest about Prince Phillip shooting animals. And if the royals aren't killing foxes, the suburban giant cats are.

Gothamist marked the final week of May with Manhattanhenge, that day of the year when the sun is lined up with streets perfectly. Gothamist wondered if a Harlem minister's suggestion that the way to save Harlem would be to boycott businesses made sense and thought about the many faces of Rudy Giuliani. The hungry Big Apple blog also enjoyed a delicious meal at Bo Ssam and was impressed by a middle school's noble fight against graffiti. And then there was the City Council fight over naming a street after a radical black activist, that prompted a number of verbals fights, including "jokes" of assassination and criticism of Thomas Jefferson.

Also, check out other favorite stories from Houstonist, Shanghaiist and Sampaist!

Photographs, top to bottom, from Torontoist, Chicagoist's third anniversary invite, Dapper Dan J for SFist

Gothamist headed into the Memorial Day weekend with a number of tasks accomplished. They worried about Long Islanders giving New Yorkers a bad name. They tried a juice cleanse diet. They chatted with Steve Guttenberg. They lamented the crowded L train. They wondered if old, gritty New York was better than safer, shiny New York. And they cooed over baby falcons born on the Throgs Neck Bridge.

Londonist took a tour of their city's great landmarks this week. They visited Trafalgar Square, which, for two days only, was carpeted in grass. On to Greenwich, where a mysterious fire caused severe damage to the Cutty Sark ship, while another vintage vessel sailed along the Thames. Finally, from rags to riches when a hobo who has lived on Hampstead Heath for nearly twenty years was granted ownership of the land.

Three things on Chicagoist really had people talking this week, and it's about time they had a long, restful weekend. This week, the Feds subpoenaed their governor's campaign fund records, there was a big debate about whether the Macy's/Marshall Field's boycott is working, and the CTA threatened to raise fares and cut services... again.

Torontoist celebrated their holidays last weekend (crazy Canadians!) in style: with front porch fireworks. This week, however, perhaps because of the grumpiness of returning back to work, Torontoist was pretty indignant: they got pissed off about Audi vandalizing their public space, some douchebag blaming gun crime in the city on women, and some other douchebag who literally had beef with the mayor. Their commenters endlessly debated potential reform to Ontario politics and the collapse of some gorgeous historical buildings.

Bostonist has been absolutely hopping with breaking news. First, the circuits of the subway system crackled, nearly squashing a commuter between two doors and trapping a group of riders on a train. Then, the city streets got hot when a gang member shot a police officer. In the political realm, the battle over gay marriage heated up – thanks to an impending gay divorce. And, in sports, Bostonist's hopes were dashed when the unlucky Celtics discovered they won't be getting a hot draft pick. So much for wearing green all the time!

Austinist had a chat with Chalk director Mike Akel, who's probably glad that school's out. Another local institution, the Bass Concert Hall, also started its break to begin extensive remodeling work. The Austinist and KEXP-sponsored weekly music residency continued to be a big success. Elsewhere in Texas, a student protest didn't go as planned.

Seattlest got a little excited about the NBA bingo game this week as the top two picks went to the Pacific Northwest. Goats came down from the hills to graze on pets and Seattleite babies. A small group of bikes braved an elevated highway at night and the world as we knew it ended.

Sampaist didn't have a long day weekend, except for the students who are still occupying the São Paulo University dean's office. While the cops weren't getting them out, Sampaist was having drinks at the opening of Brazil's biggest bookstore and fighting for cheaper tickets to see the Blue Man Group.

A Reggae/Jazz festival, an event dedicated to the history of restaurant cafeterias, and a ton of other great festivals are making up this holiday weekend for LAist. For Angelenos leaving town, choices of wine country or crazy times in SFist territory were only the beginning of the list. Travel is good, but moving is too—so why not use abandoned grocery carts to hall your stuff around? A new local magazine is hitting LA with rumored problems (not that the eponymous city mag doesn't have their own), and never moving in were the short-lived Doc Martens ads featuring dead punkers that offended many (and it's hard to offend in a town where the County Coroner has a gift shop). And of course, whether it be movie premieres of Knocked Up, a CalArts graduation or a Chicken Car, the LAist blogarazzi was out in full swing.

On Phillyist, they were talking to their former news anchors, girls were rocking for girls to rock, bees were swarming, Katie was visiting, and they were trying to find out where to grill on the holiday, while not forgetting the real meaning of it all.

Oh No Ed Jew! SFist was all over a member of the city's board of supes who had his office and house raided by the FBI on accusations of taking big bags of cash. Or his house? Now Mr. Jew's jettsetting to China, seemingly playing "catch me if you can," despite being wanted for questioning. Speaking of jet planes—transportation's always big for SFist, but on May 22, it was crazy—"Transportation Tuesday!" Stories on cars (State Senator Migden wasn't driving too well – was it the cancer meds?)! Trucks (blowing up and closing major highways)! Planes (SFO not rated so high by JD Power)! And, of course, Muni (an awesome idea on how to revolutionize it)! And, in response to the city's paper of record announcing 25% layoffs, SFist asked its readers: "Why Aren't You Paying For The Chron?" Whew, an exhausting week: but nobody needs this break more than a girl that had been a fake student at Stanford for the past school year!

Want to know what's going on in the rest of the Ist-A-Verse? Check out this week's favorites on Houstonist, Shanghaiist, and DCist.

Top image of baby Falcons by by MTA Bridges and Tunnels Maintainer Danny Castoria. Photo of Segway mom via this LJ user, via this Seattlest post.

Compiled and edited by Jillian Ashley Blair Ivey.

Seattlest notes the anniversary of the Mount St. Helens eruption, the grounding of a local cruise ship in Alaska and the return of the Blue Angels. Land, sea and air being covered they turn their sites on a nearby resort town and the prickly problem of vague set times at a rock club.

Sampaist had a busy time trying to decide whether to support or not the invasion of the São Paulo University dean's office by the students. Meanwhile, the "1st Whiskey Festival" brought them a very fun Scottish trio playing Brazilian music on the Scottish pipes. Watch
the video! Finally, they were amused to see the first-lady kissing her own hand when meeting the Pope in São Paulo. See the picture.

Like all Brits, Londonist loves two things: cups of tea and their pets. Uber-posh hotel Claridges has the perfect activity – afternoon tea for dogs. Unfortunately, the same place received several tonnes of horse manure from animal rights activists, for serving horse meat. In other dog news, top soccer manager Jose Mourinho almost had his Yorkshire terrier confiscated by police. Back to the rational world, and Londonist interviewed a bunch of urban ironers.

Phillyist discussed how to navigate a breaking circle, how to get happy, how to meet the parents, and how to leave an audience with something to think about.

Houstonist spent the week finding new euphemisms for self-love, considering the merits of slaughtering horses (no, that a euphemism), interviewing DJs and wondering why Houstonians can't handle parallel parking. Fortunately, they always have lovesick haiku to fall back on after a long week ...

Austinist wonders why a local TV network censored a tasteful nude t-shirt and welcomes the arrival of electric scooters to Texas. Two local scout troops broke the Guinness Book world record for most simultaneous rocket launches, and, not to be one-upped, Austin's historic Paramount Theatre seems hell-bent on setting another record for most classic film screenings in a summer. Austinist chats with The Clientele, and previews an exciting new photography retrospective debuting at the Austin Museum of Art.

Ahh, futility was the theme over at SFist. Their local Survivor contestant, Yau-Man, leaves the island. No good for either side of the bike debate comes from the meltdown Critical Mass had in Berkeley. Some folks want to dance on Falwell's grave; their efforts prove impotent as well. Are you a homeowner in San Francisco? The joke may well be on you. SFist got fussy about a San Diegan's claim of burrito superiority, yet their commentors, shamefully, seem to blow in SD's direction. A pro-war rally(?) involving chimps(!!) proves to be flaccid (small favors). Hopefully SFist's guide to a safe, sane Bay To Breakers will empower their readers to enjoy that event this Sunday!

This week Chicagoist announced their 3rd birthday party plans (awesome), dished about The Loop's party (not awesome), and confessed our undying love for meat and this local meat market. They also discussed the big faux paux on the logo designed by for the Chicago 2016 Olympic bid and whether local girl, Jaslene, was too drag queenish to win America's Next Top Model.

DCist felt a lot of forward momentum this week, starting off by rolling into work with city's annual Bike to Work Day. The D.C. Voting Rights Act moved forward with a hearing in the Senate, and the District's changing demographics kept on changing with predictions that the city would no longer be majority African American in the near future. They also noticed an increase in graffiti around town, and said goodbye the D.C. Madam scandal in favor of a new Dominatrix scandal.

Torontoist had a very musical week: they checked out the Arcade Fire, Amy Winehouse, the Silversun Pickups and Mando Diao. Though they might have the mumps, they're breathing easy over an escape monkey (!!!), gave their readers tips for a healthier BBQ, checked out a massive pillow fight downtown.

Gothamist wondered if you're ever too old or too stupid to tempt fate by trying to square off against youths convening under scaffolding. But if it ever gets into a fight, Gothamist would like this 11-year-old girl to be on our side, given she defended herself from a kidnapper and even helped capture him! The Big Apple blog also headed to College Point for some well-done burgers from Five Guys, interviewed John Flansburgh from They Might Be Giants, and visited a jewelbox of Modernist architecture under the Queensboro Bridge. And then there are the fears: Too many skyscrapers on the Far West Side and falling through sidewalk grating. At least there are the cool folks auditioning for the chance to perform in the NYC subway system to inspire them.

Shangahaiist ran hot AND cold. An artist caused a stir by living in a glass box in sexy lingerie and crotchless stockings. Shanghaiist also tried to visit Ice World before it melted, debated the chemical nature of maotais and rode the new bullet trains. But above all, Shanghaiist wants the animal torture to STOP.

And this week the best of Boston were making noises in Washington. Bostonist heard about Barney Frank and his arm injury about which he refused to dish details, Jim McGovern is eating for a week on food stamps, and Mitt Romney is still running for President. It almost seems relevant that zombies marched through Cambridge in the same week as cops were practicing their golf swings in Big Dig buildings. And when the rain forces Bostonist to do something other than watch baseball you're going to hear all about how the names of our players are oddly the names of local towns.

Photographs, from top: Graffiti from Pesky Humans/LAist; Poo at Claridge's from Dave Nicholls on Flickr/Londonist; censored shirt/Austinist (which has the uncensored version); the questionable Chicago Olympic bid logo; Prouve cottage in Queens, NY by Gideon Fink Shapiro/Gothamist

Chicagoist had an interview with Audrey Niffenegger, whose popular book, The Time Traveler's Wife, was based in their fine city. They also had a heated discussion about Rush Limbaugh's controversial Barack Obama parody, talked about whether Uncle Julio's Hacienda is a good place to get Mexican when you've got kids in tow, and looked forward to Looptopia, an all-night party in The Loop.

DCist had a busy time keeping up with all the latest local controversies. First they had a pair of ridiculous lawsuits to follow: one between two rival kickball leagues, and the other, of course, being the infamous suit of a judge seeking $65 million for misplaced pants. Later, they asked their opinionated readers what should be done with a dormant Smithsonian building and encouraged UDC students to give their commencement speaker a hard time. Finally, they spent a little time complaining about how D.C. needs a better concert hall.

In the week when Tony Blair finally, finally announced his departure, Londonist welcomed such unlikely visitors as the Dead Sea Scrolls, a porn site for the blind, thirty-one cast-iron gentlemen, and a pride of giant cats.

Seattlest checks in on organic beer and a soccer rivalry this week. The two go well together, by the way. There's also an interesting case of the blind leading the freeloaders on a metro bus, and in an uneven trade, Seattle lost an icon, but gained an Idol this week.

One thing hasn't changed for Bostonist in the last week: they still hate on the Yankees. But they read up as the state's highest court upheld a libel ruling against the local rag and they decided the former governor and Al Sharpton might best settle their beef in a WWE hair vs. hair match. And the world watched Boston this week as things went Pop at Symphony Hall. Now that's class.

SFist says: GO GOLDEN STATE! At least it's getting a little bit easier to drive to GSW games again, now that they've fixed the bottom half of our highway collapse. In other news, Eric and Danielle won the Amazing Race: All-Stars in our very own Golden Gate Park, a shipwreck from the 1860s appeared on the beach, and a cutie-pie little girl extolled our environmentally-friendly City Carshare program.

Phillyist got a little nostalgic, got a nearly-private performance from Abra Moore, was insulted on , and ate some more food they shouldn't've. They kindly request that you clean up after yourself when using public restrooms, and don't dump human hearts in their rivers—it keeps them from being able to enjoy nature.

Just a week after the May Melee, LAist had to deal with a massive 800-acre fire that raged into the night. So they interviewed a correctional officer who works in a jail similar to where Paris Hilton will do time, snickered when the Sheriffs had their bomb stolen, rocked out for a good cause with the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Eddie Vedder, and then ranted thru a photo essay about fake boobs in LA.

The week started off with a rocket in New York, as Gothamist pondered the return of Roger Clemens to the Yankees. Its readers also debated whether Segway riding was worthy of admiration, mockery, or both. The Arcade Fire caused a mini riot when it invited fans on stage at Radio City Music Hall while a politician suggested that strippers get licenses. And the eternal question of birthday dinner bill splitting was examined, in all its bank breaking glory.

Curious about what's going on across the rest of the Ist-A-Verse? Check out this week's favorites on Austinist, Houstonist, Sampaist, Shanghaiist, and Torontoist.

Compiled and edited by Jillian Ashley Blair Ivey.

Breaking the law, breaking the law We -ist folks love us some crime, and no misdemeanor is too petty for a post on any of our sites. This week, join us for a rogues' gallery of miscreants major, minor, and alleged.

Gothamist gets us started with "Law & Order", muppet style. Oh, you know what isn't a crime? Taking pictures on the MTA. So, why are cops stopping photographers? In other Gotham crime, a group of Asian men was attacked by a group of white guys in Queens. Finally, Boy George reports for his court mandated community service. Sweet.

Londonist brings us the tale of poor Bob Hoskins, shaken at his near-miss with terrorists. Meanwhile, Interpol sweeps in to reclaim a lost Peruvian artifact. Then, there's the slasher who claims he got his weapon from President Bush. Ouch!

Phillyist's bus system, SEPTA, is fighting crime in a whole new way, and it would be a crime in and of itself for you not to read this story about Oreo the cat. Oh, and can we agree that requesting "Piano Man" at a piano bar should be illegal?

Torontoist's thorough coverage of the XVI International AIDS Conference, doesn't fit into the "crime" theme, but it's too great to pass up. But we're back on track with their post on bike rack vulnerability and an interview with a controversial crime fighter.

DCist brings us a murder that gets more mysterious by the day, and we're considering a life of crime ourselves, if it'll allow us to dine out like DCist. And if it's not illegal to sell soiled mattresses, it should be.

SFist muses on the negligent behavior of a public transit employee, covered the questionable confession of a man arrested for the murder of JonBenet Ramsey, and delineated the highway robbery that is the Bay Area real estate market.

Shanghaiist brings us this video of "one of the worst cover bands we have seen in China", which isn't illegal, but should be. We're unclear on the legal status of an "invisible monster cock", and we'd prefer to stay that way. Price gouging on drinks is a criminal act, in our opinion.

Chicagoist gets thrown in the hoosgow by readers who hate the Annual Air & Water Show. Should bottle service be illegal? Chicagoist's commenters debate that, too. And the criminally overdiscussed (and we say this even as we trotted this out as a theme last week) SOAP gets the Chicagoist commenter treatment, as well.

LAist exposes the questionable ethics of Accepted's marketing, tells us how to make the criminally tasty Moscow mule, and creates a criminal amount of garbage.

Houstonist blows us away with the announcement that they wear pantyhose. Someone call the fashion police! Houston's city council takes a bite out of shoddy newspaper rack crime. The only real criminals in Houston seem to be flying roaches. (No, not those kind.)

Those miscreants at Bostonist take their shot at our newest public enemy number one, Mel Gibson. Public enemy number two? Gold bricking spammers. Number three? Bad mergers.

Seattlest gets a photo of missing person Bettie Page, breaks some laws of their own by getting "drunk on clandestine vodka, and yell(ing) at passing cars." When is domestic violence kinda understandable? Now.

Austinist's lovable rogues tell us about issues in their state's gubernatorial race, eagerly anticipate the arrival of the criminally hilarious Onion, and bemoan the firing of a teacher who committed the crime of (gasp!) partial nudity.

Links compiled by SFist Eve "Diversion Program Success Story" Batey