OFFBEAT: Lorna Luft's Judy Garland doc event cancelled, Asner still on the mend

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

OFFBEAT: Reader not happy with actor Ed Asner's politics

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

OFFBEAT: Ed Asner here for one-man show about FDR

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Park pavilion on the way out

Valparaiso Parks Department worker Andy Blastick disassembles a light from the Lions Pavilion in Kirkoff Park on Wednesday. The pavilion will be torn down soon.

Park pavilion on the way out

Valparaiso Parks Department worker Andy Blastick disassembles a light from the Lions Pavilion in Kirkoff Park on Wednesday. The pavilion is being torn down soon.

Hammer time at Lakes fest

MC Hammer works the crowd Wednesday at the Festival of the Lakes in Hammond.

Hammer time at Lakes fest

MC Hammer takes the stage Wednesday at the Festival of the Lakes in Hammond.

Festival of the Lakes takes off

HAMMOND | MC Hammer works the crowd at the Festival of the Lakes Wednesday, July 18, 2012 in Hammond.

Festival of the Lakes takes off

HAMMOND | MC Hammer hands out roses during his performance at the Festival of the Lakes Wednesday, July 18, 2012 in Hammond.

Festival of the Lakes takes off

HAMMOND | MC Hammer takes the stage at the Festival of the Lakes Wednesday, July 18, 2012 in Hammond.

Festival of the Lakes takes off

HAMMOND | MC Hammer takes the stage at the Festival of the Lakes Wednesday, July 18, 2012 in Hammond.

Hammer time at Festival of Lakes

Gregory and Tiffany Coleman, of Merrillville, and Karl and Terri Foster, of Chicago, sit in their Circle of Trust as they wait for Naughty by Nature and MC Hammer to take the stage at the Festival of the Lakes in Hammond.

Hammer time at Festival of Lakes

Katie Gonzalez, 9, of Whiting, enjoys her ride Wednesday on the YoYo at the Festival of the Lakes in Hammond.

Hammer time at Festival of the Lakes

Calumet City residents Joyce Smith and Jake Kosarko dance to Michael Jackson music as they wait for Naughty by Nature and MC Hammer to take the stage Wednesday at the Festival of the Lakes in Hammond. The two did not know each other before this night.

Hammer time at Festival of Lakes

Having his brother 6-year-old Ryan Ratajczak with him did not comfort 2-year-old Mason Ratajczak as the two Plainfield, Ill., residents ride the Dragon Wagon on Wednesday at the Festival of the Lakes in Hammond.

Marquette Park Pavilion restored to its former glory

State and regional officials and Gary residents tour the renovated Marquette Park Pavilion on Friday after a ceremony to celebrate the project's completion. The work was done as part of the $28 million Marquette Park Lakefront East project funded by a grant from the Northwest Indiana Regiona…

Marquette Park Pavilion restored to its former glory

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Friday at the restored Marquette Park Pavilion, which features an outdoor patio overlooking a lagoon.

Marquette Park Pavilion restored to its former glory

Reggie Foster takes a photo Friday from behind a freshly refurbished window at Marquette Park Pavilion in Gary.

Inside Out

An artist's sketch depicts the Hollywood-themed interior of the new main lobby of the palatial $65 million pavilion of the Hollywood Casino in Joliet, Ill., enjoying its debut on Dec. 22, 2010 in place of the renamed Empress Casino and Hotel.

Gambling on new look, brand

An artist sketch depicts the interior of the newly constructed $60 million pavilion that will greet guests Dec. 22 to the new Hollywood Casino in Joliet. The Egyptian-themed Empress Casino casino space was destroyed by fire in March 2009.