OFFBEAT: Macy's looking for everyday folks to follow Florence Henderson as next TV commercial star

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Parents struggle to find gender-neutral toys

Parents who hope to expose their children to different kinds of play, like science sets for girls and dolls for boys, for example, can find themselves stymied by a toy industry that can seem stuck in the past when it comes to gender roles.

Voters put separatism, division, hatred asunder

Whew, the campaigning is over. America was subjected to unnatural gas that permeated to every corner of this nation. Zealots came out of the woodwork promoting division, separatism and hatred. Thank our lucky stars that the majority of the voters saw right through this demagoguery.

Right Track Tour stop attracts hundreds of Republicans backing Richard Mourdock

MERRILLVILLE | A local Richard Mourdock supporter credited negative views of President Barack Obama among Republicans in explaining a large turnout for the U.S. Senate candidate at a Merrillville rally.

Congressman remains silent amid new allegations

CHICAGO | With Election Day three weeks away, things could hardly be worse for U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.: He hasn't been to work in months as he recovers from hospitalization for depression. There are whispers he's under investigation for misusing campaign donations. Headlines announce he'…

Shorter campaigns would focus attention on issues

Are you as tired of all the campaign hype as I am? I wish they would only have two months for campaigning. Then maybe the politicians would get down to brass tacks and only talk about what's important to this country and its people!

Donnelly makes campaign stop in East Chicago

Scott Miller, left, Safety-Kleen director of refining and operations, explains plant operations to U.S. Senate candidate Joe Donnelly and former U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, right, on Thursday in East Chicago.

Donnelly makes campaign stop in East Chicago

Former U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, left, and U.S. Senate candidate Joe Donnelly talk to Safety-Kleen employees Thursday in East Chicago.

Donnelly makes campaign stop in East Chicago

Mike Ebert, right Safety-Kleen vice president of engineering and business development, talks Thursday about plant operations to former U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, left, and U.S. Senate candidate Joe Donnelly while in East Chicago.

Donnelly makes campaign stop in East Chicago

Mike Ebert, right, Safety-Kleen vice president of engineering and business development, shows a sample of a base oil to former U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, left, and U.S. Senate candidate Joe Donnelly on Thursday in East Chicago.

Jackson aides say congressman will be back on job soon

Aides to U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., made telephone calls Tuesday to select officials around the south suburbs to assure them that the congressman will be released soon from medical treatment and will be actively campaigning for re-election Nov. 6.

OFFBEAT: William Shatner, Dean Cain and Stan Lee among stars at weekend's Chicago Comic Con

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Unions, not big companies, are biggest PAC contributors

President Barack Obama had it so good in 2008 when he raised $750 million and outspent McCain 7-1. After opting out of the public finance system in 2008, he is now begging for small change with the cry, "I will be outspent!" Oh the tyranny of unintended consequences!

Jill Biden visits Ivy Tech Community College in Gary

Student Janice Gregory, right, greets U.S. Department of Labor Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Jane Oates, left, and Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, during their visit Monday to Ivy Tech Community College's Gary campus. Looking on is Ivy Tech Chancellor J. Guada…

Jill Biden visits Ivy Tech Community College in Gary

Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, talks Monday about the importance of community colleges during her visit to Ivy Tech Community College's Gary campus.

Jill Biden visits Ivy Tech Community College in Gary

Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, chats Monday with Ivy Tech Chancellor J. Guadalupe Valtierra during her visit to the school's Gary campus.

Jill Biden visits Ivy Tech Community College in Gary

Student Janice Gregory, right, gets a hug Monday from Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, during Jill Biden's visit to Ivy Tech Community College's Gary campus. Biden was touched by Gregory's story.

Jill Biden visits Ivy Tech Community College in Gary

GARY | Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, left, and Ivy Tech Chancellor J. Guadalupe Valtierra share a laugh with student Janice Gregory during a visit to the Gary campus of Ivy Tech Community College Monday, April 30, 2012.

United Way celebrates 2011 campaign volunteers

Dr. Larry McAfee accpets the Dorothy Porter Award on Thursday during the United Way of Porter County's annual recognition event in Valparaiso.

United Way celebrates 2011 campaign volunteers

Power of Youth group members hold up cards to announce how much money was raised during the United Way of Porter County's 2011 campaign. The total was $1,709,363.