She did her homework, came to America; now she’s ready to become an engineer

HAMMOND | Padmalochini Umakanthan has come a long way from her hometown of Chennai, Tamilnadu in India – educationally, figuratively and literally.

Crown Point grad student took advantage of opportunities on and off campus

CROWN POINT | It’s almost as though Crown Point’s Lauren Sokol has had two identities as a Purdue University Calumet student—three, actually.

At 50, Hammond resident, Chicago native first in family to graduate

HAMMOND | Sue Goodwin, 50, is on schedule to be the first person in her family to earn a university baccalaureate degree.

Governor candidates agree to three debates

INDIANAPOLIS | The three candidates for Indiana governor will meet in three televised debates this fall.

Weird Al beats Mayans to the Alpocalyptic punch

Beating the Mayan civilization to the punch, Weird Al Yankovic unleashed "ALpocalypse" last summer, forever changing the world as we know it as towns and cities fall in succession from the resulting "ALpocalypse Tour."

Singers meet with fans

The four singers starring in "Under the Streetlamp" met with their fans as the group prepares for its national tour.

Vince Gill finds variety really is the spice of life

Since hitting the big time in the 1979 as a member of country-rock group Pure Prairie League, Vince Gill has never stopped moving forward long enough to rest on such laurels as earning 18 Country Music Awards, 27 Grammy Awards, selling more than 22 million albums, and charting more than 40 s…

Crusade of comedy: National touring production of 'Spamalot' comes to Star Plaza

Thomas DeMarcus, who's playing Sir Bedevere, among a few other roles, for a national tour of Monty Python's stage musical comedy "Spamalot," says his friends and family like to guess his identity during the show.

Symphony Orchestra opens season Friday in Merrillville

Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra opens its 2011-12 season Friday as it celebrates the 70th anniversary of the orchestra. The season slate includes six concerts, three classical at Bethel Church in Crown Point, and three pops at Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville.

Behind the scenes of "Under the Streetlamp"

Former members of the Chicago production of "Jersey Boys" are rehearsing for their own show, "Under the Streetlamp," at the Star Plaza Theatre. (8/12/11)

OFFBEAT: 'Hair-raising' winners announced in 'Hairspray' contest

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

OFFBEAT: Star Plaza offers hair-raising contest, dining with princesses

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Celebrate the season with "The Nutcracker"

MERRILLVILLE | Indiana Ballet Theatre begins four performances of "The Nurcracker," the timeless Tchaikovsky ballet today at the Star Plaza Theater. Accompanied by the LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra and a local children's choir, join Clara as she sees the Nutcracker come to life.