It’s the world we live in. So let’s get off our rears this three-day weekend and direct some resources to some of the folks trying to make that world a better one.

The following is a list of local and regional groups working in investigative journalism, governmental reform or anticorruption efforts or I’d like you to consider donating to.

Yes, you should also donate to environmental groups, legal aid groups, women’s health groups, LGBTQ rights groups, racial justice groups and any other groups doing the work you think needs doing. But if you’re looking for some groups specifically clearing the right for us to speak, think, argue and write, this list is as good a place to start as any.

The Invisible Institute

City Bureau

The Chicago Reporter

WBEZ

Illinois Public Media

CivicLab

The Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting

SouthSide Weekly

Better Government Association

ProPublica Illinois (still being set up — donate to ProPublica in the meantime) [Edit: You can designate your ProPublica donation should go to ProPublica Illinois]

Injustice Watch

To be very clear, I’m not offering this list as a command to cut a check. Research these groups, suss them out to decide for yourself whether these groups are places you feel your money would make a difference. These are groups demanding greater scrutiny from others. It’s fitting, proper and appreciated that you give them a strong look yourself.

Thanks to everyone on Twitter who chipped in with suggestions for this list and the one guy on Facebook who had a suggestion. If anyone knows any groups this list is missing, tweet ‘em to @1001chicago.

Enjoy your bike rides and barbecues this weekend. The grilling will smell a lot sweeter knowing you gave five, 10, 50 bucks to help people doing the work.

And now meet Barbara

And now meet Sam and Fatimah

And now meet Jeanette

And now take the Chicago Corruption Walking Tour

Speaking of which…

What makes this a truly horrifying post-Thanksgiving nightmare is not the concrete proof Puddles Pity Party is a time traveler, but how expectantly the children watch what is clearly a countdown clock to Armageddon.

All dressed for the nuclear winter to follow, one is covering her ears in anticipation of the blast while another attempts to move the Fire Clock forward to the moment the earth will burn and the Empire of the Clown overtakes flame-cleansed streets.

Or else it’s an old radio show or something. Click the photos for the real story.

“Oh god, he’s going to say hi,” Martha nervously thought to herself. “Yeah, I’m sure you totally ‘happened to be here’ and this has nothing to do with you stalking my Facebook. Have some self-respect, Marcus. I’m with Carter now.”

Fun fact: Three of these shiny women have killed before. Which three? The answer may surprise you.

Negotiations with the micro-pope were going well.

And finally…

Next week on “Monkey Hoarders.”

Read five ridiculous sentences from the Chicago Tribune

Read five ridiculous things found at the Vintage Garage

For a change of pace, read about a local woman and Tunisian flutes