Ashley Brown and John Cudia Star in the Leads in "Oklahoma!" at Chicago Lyric Opera

Ashley Brown and John Cudia star in the lead roles in "Oklahoma!" at Chicago Lyric Opera until Sunday, May 19, 2013.

OFFBEAT: Sunday ends Chicago Lyric Opera fun run for 70th Anniversary 'Oklahoma!'

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

BILL MASTERSON JR.: Goodbye, NWI

The longer I stayed here, the more likely I thought I would never be saying goodbye, but I guess it goes to show that one never knows what the Lord has planned for us.

States squaring off over water 'haves,' 'have-nots'

Water fights used to be a fun thing to do on hot summer days. These days, they are deadly serious and can go all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

"Oklahoma!" at Lyric Opera of Chicago in May 2013

Director Gary Griffin's new production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Oklahoma!" will premiere at Lyric Opera of Chicago Saturday, May 4. The new production, which includes the original choreography by the legendary Agnes de Mille, will have 16 performances and run until May 19 at the Civic O…

OFFBEAT: Chicago Lyric Opera ready to celebrate 70th Anniversary of 'Oklahoma!'

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

PUBLISHER'S LETTER

I follow the same routine each time I start writing this letter: I look at what was going on last year. Golf, the Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs and White Sox were all in full swing in May last year with dreams of Cup, Pennants and Championship trophies all dancing in my head.

PHIL WIELAND: We're not the happiest, but it could be worse

If you think of the region as something less than paradise on Earth, apparently you are not alone or even in the minority.

Small-school guys get their shot at NFL combine

INDIANAPOLIS | Armonty Bryant gets those awkward looks every time he tells someone he attends college at ECU.

PUBLISHER'S LETTER

I thought I might somehow be feeling nostalgic this year because in January 2012, Julie and I were in Kauai, Paradise for a vacation we had looked forward to for years. And though the trip exceeded our expectations I had almost forgotten about it with the non-stop drama this winter. Everyone…

Catfish Photos

Bill Masterson, Publisher, caught these large catfish specimens at Lake Texoma, near Dallas. Read more about his adventures in his publisher's letter in the next Shore Magazine, due out Feb. 18!

Some states unhappy about the idea of happy hours

The concept of happy hour, when bars offer lower prices or two-for-one specials, may seem like an American tradition, but is in fact illegal or restricted in quite a few places.

Long-time friends Sumlin, Stoops to square off at Cotton Bowl

IRVING, Texas | Before Kevin Sumlin became a successful head coach at Houston and Texas A&M, he learned plenty during five seasons and two national championship game appearances on Bob Stoops' staff at Oklahoma.

Clues, hints, begs: twisted tales of elusive gifts

People aren't so sure why their numerous gift hints year after year yield a big fat nothing, even when their sought-after treasures aren't out-of-this-world expensive.

For good and ill, adoption transformed by Internet

In the emotion-charged realm of adoption, the Internet has been a transformative force, often for good, sometimes for ill.

Te'o leads Irish defense, key to perfect season

SOUTH BEND | If Manti Te'o's career at Notre Dame has seemed like something straight out of a Hollywood script, perhaps it is fitting the linebacker is cast as a underdog in the final two scenes of his collegiate career.

Police: Gary cop had 48 pounds of pot

A Gary police officer arrested in Oklahoma this week was a passenger in a rental car carrying 48 pounds of marijuana, officials said Wednesday.

Lyric Opera Season highlights return to International Friendship Gardens

Once again the beautiful Symphony Garden with its reflecting pool, dancing fountains and tall overhanging spruce trees becomes the setting for an afternoon of opera highlights.