Homaro Cantu Bringing Cutting-Edge Cuisine to Coffee Shop

The famed chef/owner of Moto and iNG is opening a coffee and pastry shop in the Old Irving Park neighborhood. He'll use a 'miracle berry' to replace sugar in his creations.

See 'The Santaland Diaries' and Have a Polar Party at the Zoo

An adaptation of David Sedaris' hilarious account of working as a Macy's elf runs through Sunday. You can also head to the Lincoln Park Zoo to learn about how animals deal with frigid weather.

Christmas Day – May be the Safest Day of the Year for Your Vehicle

Today's Classroom Lesson: Changes in Teacher Salaries Since 1970

A Chicago blogger has put together a useful and fascinating interactive map for tracking average teacher pay by state since 1970. You can even adjust the figures for inflation. Highly recommended.

Help a 5-Year-Old Cancer Survivor's Family With Its Bills

Also, two sisters are raising money to do relief work in Haiti, a woman heads to Columbia to teach English and a dog owner needs help covering her pups surgery bill.

New Gen X Moms in Town: Best Data Maps of 2013

Are you a new mom with an old Lemonheads t-shirt? The map below shows where you can find other new moms of your generation.

12 Delicious and Surprising Holiday Side Dishes

These sides will take center stage at the holiday table.

Christmas Dinner SOS: How to Save Your Holiday Dishes

Simple tips for making sure all your hard work in the kitchen doesn't go to waste.

10 Weird Facts About Christmas Foods

Here are some fun and weird facts about Christmas foods that might have you rethinking your own holiday menu and traditions.

Morton Grove Teacher Hit By Car, Taken To Hospital In Critical Condition

Her husband and their young adult son were also seriously injured by the hit and run driver, abclocal.go.com reported.

Last-Minute Shopping: Christmas Eve Store Hours

Some major retailers are keeping their doors open around the clock to help last-minute shoppers buy holiday gifts.

1 Dead After Edens Spur Accident

Only one vehicle was involved in the early morning crash on Dec. 20.

7 Fun Christmas Facts and Trivia

Where is the town named Santa Claus? What's the best-selling Christmas song of all time? Find the answers below.

Jobs Available: Attorney, Managers, Drivers, Bankers, Cashier, Home Health, Moodle

Check out these freshly-posted jobs in a wide variety of fields, all nearby, as best we could determine.

Though Medical Marijuana Legal, Employers Can Fire Users, Lab Owner Says

Businesses can still do random drug testing of employees, and discipline those who violate company policy--even if the marijuana is medical-- under the Illinois law that starts Jan. 1, he said.

Photo Gallery: The Most Festive and Wacky Gingerbread Houses

From an entire gingerbread village to a life-sized gingerbread house, these sweet and festive creations are the perfect addition to the holiday season.

This Trick Will Save Your Holiday Fruit Pie

A pie bird will prevent your pies from getting soggy.

Man Arrested For DUI Asks 'Am I On Cops?'

Also, a 24-year-old man reported his girlfriend threw a punch at him. An arrest is merely an accusation, not evidence of a conviction.

Nuclear Winter for IL GOP?

Schneider Views Future in Long Term

Answering questions at employee town hall in Bannockburn, North Shore Congressman talks about solutions which will have impact well into future.

Unique Holiday Dessert Recipes

Spice up your holiday dessert spread with these creative dishes.

Young Blackhawks Fans Visit LifeSource Blood Drive at Westin O'Hare

Your Guide to Holiday Tipping

We reveal how much to tip your babysitter, mail carrier, hairdresser, and more.

Could You Go an Entire Year Without Buying Clothes?

…Or a cup of coffee, or going to the movies? Smart spender Betty Linneman made the ultimate New Year’s resolution in 2013. Could you do the same?

Holiday Viewing Guide: Christmas 2013 TV Schedule

Check out these holiday classics with your family this week.

Best Maps of 2013: Who Has the Worst Commute?

The map below shows a snapshot of how many minutes it generally takes people to get to work.

St. John Brebeuf Announces Its Christmas Mass Schedule

St. John Brebeuf Announces Christmas Mass Schedule

Michael Jordan Relists Home for $16 Million

Experts opine why former NBA Hall of Famer could not get $13 million at last week’s auction.

Boy's Christmas Request: 'To Feed the Homeless'

He's asking for donations, which his parents are using to buy food items for a local food pantry.

Christmas Mass Times and Other Important Things To Know This Week

Also, find out which village services are operating or not, and when, during this holiday week.

Niles and Morton Grove Obituaries for Dec. 23

Visitation and service times.

Niles Home Prices Increase Slightly Over One Year Ago

While the number of homes sold in November 2013 was slightly down from a year previous, the price rose a bit.

What Did It Sell For? Recent Home Sales in Niles

Is the market going up or down? In which direction is the local market moving?

Explainer: Why Holiday Radio Is Such Big Business

Where are the stations playing Christmas music? Everywhere. We looked at the numbers of just how many in 2012.

[VIDEO] What to Do When Cake Gets Stuck in the Pan

Follow this simple tip to ensure baking your holiday cake is a no-fuss experience.

2014 Interest Rate Projections

Drunk Guy Visits Police, Holy Scriptures Stolen

A look at weird crime in the Chicago area this week.

Community Update

[VIDEO] How to Fix Hardened Brown Sugar

If your holiday desserts require brown sugar but it's too hard to use, here's a great tip for softening it in only 10 minutes.