Fon-Don't: It's More than Bread and Cheese, Guys

Real men eat fondue. At least they should. It’s a recipe for romance.

'Motherhood The Musical' celebrates the perils and blessings of parenthood

'Motherhood the Musical,' a 90-minute ode to maternal instincts has toddled into the Royal George Theatre through May 20.

'Motherhood The Musical' celebrates perils and blessings of parenthood

Motherhood, arguably the world's oldest profession, is forever young. Every newborn restarts the cycle of love, fatigue and burp cloths.

Chicago Flower & Garden Show takes fashionista turn

As the "Hort Couture" theme suggests, the 10-day petal-rama, running through March 18 at Navy Pier, reflects the inspiration of fashion on gardening.

Chicago Flower & Garden Show takes fashionista turn

Mother Nature sashays down the runway at the 18th Chicago Flower and Garden Show. As the "Hort Couture" theme suggests, the 10-day petal-rama, previewing Friday and based through March 18 at Navy Pier, reflects the inspiration of fashion on gardening.

A new exhibit at MCA explores the polarizing '80s

Life was a pop-culture playground in the '80s, with up-and-coming artists seesawing between fluffy froth and grim realities, an imbalance evidenced by a new exhibit at Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art.

New exhibit at MCA explores polarizing ’80s

Like, the 1980s were totally awesome. We wanted our MTV. We tuned into "Three's Company" and "Diff'rent Strokes" and forked over $3 to see "Porky's" at the movies.

Peter Billingsley targets 'Christmas Story' for Broadway

After ducking "Christmas Story"-related projects for more than 25 years, Billingsley is embracing his signature role as Jean Shepherd's youthful alter ego. The original Ralphie is serving as producer of "A Christmas Story, The Musical!"

Peter Billingsley targets 'Christmas Story' for Broadway

He still has those baby blues. Take that, you'll-shoot-your-eye-out worrywarts. Don't get Peter Billingsley, aka Ralphie in "A Christmas Story," started on his peepers. The former child star, 40, admits his eyesight is so bad he'd miss a target the size of Higbee's.

Cater to snowbirds, and they will come

Food is the top priority for snowbirds, bird-watchers say. Feed them and non-migrating species will flock, adding a welcome splash of color and chirps to your yard.

Cater to snowbirds, and they will come

Food is the top priority for snowbirds, bird-watchers say. Feed them and non-migrating species will flock, adding a welcome splash of color and chirps to your yard.

The great pumpkin rises again

Sugar pumpkins are ripe with potential. Turn them into delicious entrees, pastas and desserts now through Christmas.

Chicago actor steps into Shepherd's shoes, past in 'Christmas Story' musical

The scene is Christmas Eve in the mid-1970s. A solitary disc jockey at WOR radio in New York draws late-night fans into the dear, distant past. Growing up in Indiana in the 1940s, his entire kid-year hinged on glorious, beautiful Christmas ....

NWICA not one to blow its own horn (but should)

Members of the Northwest Indiana Concert Association boast a track record that would turn entertainment giant Live Nation pea-green.

Chicago Jazz Festival headliner Orbert Davis trumpets the cause

Name a working jazz or R&B great. Chicago trumpeter Orbert Davis has jammed or recorded with them: Kurt Elling, Gladys Knight, Ramsey Lewis, Wynton Marsalis, T.S. Monk, The Temptations, Grover Washington Jr., Ernie Watts.

Landscape architects angle for respect

In space, comes grace. The old Scottish proverb holds true for landscape architects, who design and plan outdoor spaces for private or public use. But the concept is sometimes a little hard for the average person to grasp.

Serious Oscar nominee Jesse Eisenberg not clowning around

Classic mom line when kids complain they're bored: "Sorry, I sent my clown suit to the cleaners."

Photographer Marc Hauser in spotlight in annual South Shore exhibit

He's burly, bearded and radiates larger–than–life gusto.

Bug-busting bats are needlessly maligned

Chuck Roth has gone to bat for bats for 20 years. He regards the mouse-sized flying mammals as free pest exterminators.

Ho, ho, ho! 'Bad Girls Club' tryouts in Chicago

Santa rewards good little boys and girls, but Oxygen's "Bad Girls Club" transforms extra-naughty girls into short-term reality stars. The badder the attitudes, the better the ratings.