SouthtownStar (Chicago, IL) back issues from December 2008:
No Depression: Alt-country magazine back in business
Dec 01, 2008 ... By MARTHA WAGGONER The Associated Press RALEIGH, N.C. - Started with a meager print run more than a decade ago, alternative country magazine No Depression helped launch the careers of Ryan Adams and Wilco. As it picked up subscribers and advertising dollars, it also exposed fans to country ...
Biz People
Dec 01, 2008 ... Orland accounting firm promotes two Orland Park accounting firm Mulcahy, Pauritsch, Salvador & Co. Ltd. said it has promoted two employees from supervisor to manager. Rana Sheleheda, of Orland Park, has been with the firm since 2003, and Frankfort resident Greg Mills has been with the firm since ...
Blago: I had no choice closing state parks
Dec 01, 2008 ... Gov. Rod Blagojevich says Illinois residents should know he didn't want to shutter seven state parks and a dozen historic sites, but he needed to make the closings to balance the budget. Blagojevich put out the statement Sunday, the same day the parks and historic sites were to close. In the ...
Book Briefs
Dec 01, 2008 ... BOOK EVENTS nPhotographer Annie Leibovitz will discuss her forthcoming book, "Annie Leibovitz at Work," at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State St., Chicago. nPerformer-writer Mike Houlihan will read and sign "Going East on Ashland" at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Irish ...
DUI offenders will need to buy locking devices in January
Dec 01, 2008 ... By Adriana Colindres GateHouse News Service SPRINGFIELD - A new state law is cracking down on first-time DUI offenders in Illinois. As of Jan. 1, they will have to outfit their vehicles with alcohol-detection equipment if they want to drive legally to work or anywhere else while their licenses ...
Gifts to give; gifts that give
Dec 01, 2008 ... By JENNIFER FORKER THe Associated Press Some gifts give, then give again. Here are some gifts that help support philanthropies or those in need with their purchase: 1. The gift of a goat ($120, or share a goat for $10, Heifer International) is one way this charitable organization ...
Gift card error may not have been fraud
Dec 01, 2008 ... Dear Readers: Recently, we ran a couple of e-mails from readers who said they were scammed when a cashier incorrectly told them their gift card was out of money. The readers suspected the cashiers planned to keep the gift cards and use them later to buy stuff for themselves. One said she was ...
The hottest holiday toy trends
Dec 01, 2008 ... By G. Patrick Kelley GateHouse News Service The stock market is down the drain, and most people are looking at 401(k)s that have lost more than a third of their value since last Christmas. But folks who know say that even during times such as the Great Depression, parents don't completely deny ...
On new CD, the Killers no longer cowboys, but still 'playful'
Dec 01, 2008 ... By MARK KENNEDY The Associated Press NEW YORK - The Killers are back, and this time they've brought the weird. The Las Vegas quartet's third studio album, "Day & Age," sees them tapping into a little of their hometown's oddness in both new image and sound. They break out steel drums, ...
Forum
Dec 01, 2008 ... Room and board for mother-in-law? With all due respect to the office of the president, Michelle Obama during the campaign stated her first priority is raising her two daughters. I find that is refreshing. As first lady, from time to time she will have hostess duties to perform with heads of ...
How to wrap those holiday gift packages
Dec 01, 2008 ... By Donna Vickroy Staff Writer Ribbons, bows, tape. While there's no arguing a nicely wrapped present is certainly worth the effort, gift wrapping can either be a joyful job or the bane of your holiday to-do list. If you fall into the latter category, we've got some tips that might help you ...
Local News Digest
Dec 01, 2008 ... Manhattan Cause of barn fire unknown, but incident suspicious An abandoned barn was destroyed by fire Saturday in the 24000 block of Kankakee Street in Manhattan. The fire started between 8 and 8:30 p.m., according to Manhattan Deputy Fire Chief Dan Forsythe. The 30-by-50-foot barn sat on the ...
Mokena thinks downtown needs a plan
Dec 01, 2008 ... By Elisabeth Kilpatrick Staff Writer Holiday garland and wreaths line Mokena's Front Street this time of year, inviting shoppers to take a walk along downtown's main drag. But local store owners say not a lot of people are accepting that invitation these days. "Business is not up and running ....
Mokena taxing bodies weigh in on TIF
Dec 01, 2008 ... By Elisabeth Kilpatrick Staff Writer As Mokena officials mull giving downtown a makeover, local taxing districts will be paying close attention to a related discussion at village hall: whether to set up a tax increment financing district to pay for it. "We're just trying to factor out how that's ...
Liberals to keep pressure on Obama for results
Dec 01, 2008 ... By BEN FELLER The Associated Press WASHINGTON - Barack Obama promises to steer the nation straight again. He better be ready for a strong force pulling left. The president-elect drew plenty of support from moderates, but the liberal side of the Democratic Party followed him most resoundingly: ...
Oak Forest reaches deal with fire union
Dec 01, 2008 ... By Michael Drakulich Staff Writer After a couple of contentious contract battles recently in Oak Forest, maybe the city was due for a relatively tame negotiation. City officials last week said they have reached a new contract with the Oak Forest firefighters union that will run until April 2012 ....
Oak Lawn set to hire part-time cops
Dec 01, 2008 ... By Casey Cora Staff writer The village of Oak Lawn is moving ahead with plans to add part-time officers to the police department. The village board last week unanimously agreed to move forward with a plan to hire up to eight part-time patrol officers in 2009. Mayor Dave Heilmann said part-time, ...
Orland Township looks forward to more space
Dec 01, 2008 ... By Jim Hook Staff Writer As the towns of Orland Park and Tinley Park continue to expand, so, too, do the demands placed on Orland Township. That's the main reason the township office is moving next spring to a larger facility at 14807 Ravinia Ave. "We've run out of space," said Ellen Friedl, ...
Endeavour ends 16-day mission
Dec 01, 2008 ... By JOHN ANTCZAK The Associated Press EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - Space shuttle Endeavour and its seven astronauts safely returned to Earth on Sunday, taking a detour to sunny California after storms hit the main landing strip in Florida. Endeavour wrapped up a 16-day trip that left the ...
Divorced spouse eligible for Social Security
Dec 01, 2008 ... By Rick Lenoir Q: I am a 62-year-old woman who was married for almost 30 years before my divorce several years ago. I expect a relatively small Social Security retirement check because I mostly worked part-time jobs. My ex-husband is 68 and already getting about $1,800 per month from Social ...
Speak Out
Dec 01, 2008 ... Churches beware A charitable heart for your neighbor is indeed a good thing, but trusting those who are in need is quite another. During a recent Sunday service, our church was robbed. A woman and some children walked in as if in need of help and, while no one was physically watching them, stole ...
Dvoracek injured on second play of game
Dec 01, 2008 ... By Brad Biggs Sun-Times News Group MINNEAPOLIS - Often-injured Bears defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek was lost on the second play Sunday at Minnesota with an arm injury. Dvoracek was taken to the locker room and word was sent back quickly that he would not return, leaving more work for Anthony ...
Inconsistent Bears defense perplexes 'The Bus'
Dec 01, 2008 ... By Brad Biggs Sun-Times News Group MINNEAPOLIS - For Bears fans, it has been replayed far more than they ever want to see. With steady snow falling, there's a big collision near the goal line as Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis bowls over Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher in a ...
Ring thing for Vikes' Frazier
Dec 01, 2008 ... By Brian Hanley Sun-Times News Group MINNEAPOLIS - When Leslie Frazier was patrolling the Bears' secondary on the way to a Super Bowl 23 years ago, he likely never thought he one day would be trying to trip up his former team. But that was Frazier's task as defensive coordinator and assistant ...
Central? West? It's mix and match this season
Dec 01, 2008 ... By Tony Baranek Staff Writer The sports rivalries in the future between Lincoln-Way Central and Lincoln-Way West figure to be pretty intense. But Friday at Town and Country Lanes in Joliet, it was all for one and one for all as the Central varsity and West sophomore team bowled side by side in ...
Comeback kids show growth spurt
Dec 01, 2008 ... BY JOHN JACKSON Sun-Times News Group PHILADELPHIA - Although it was just one game and it's usually not wise to make too much of a single occurrence, the Bulls believe their 103-92 comeback victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday night is a testament to their growth during the stretch of ...
Hughes no fan of coming off bench
Dec 01, 2008 ... By John Jackson Sun-Times News Group With Luol Deng back in the starting lineup for Sunday night's 103-92 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, Larry Hughes moved back into a reserve role. The Bulls need Hughes to provide a spark off the bench and be a leader of the second unit, but it remains to ...
Back home, Hawks look to get cookin'
Dec 01, 2008 ... By Len Ziehm Sun-Times News Group Overall, the Blackhawks enjoyed another November. They were 6-3-3 during the month and are 14-6-5 during the last two Novembers. Even the dreaded circus trip wasn't so bad this time as the Hawks finished it with a 3-2-1 record - their best since 1997. The ...
Will 2009 Irish be Weis guys?
Dec 01, 2008 ... By Neil Hayes Sun-Times News Group Two days after the Irish were bludgeoned 38-3 by USC, it's time to unzip the body bag on Notre Dame's regular season and begin the autopsy. First-year athletic director Jack Swarbrick is scrubbing his hands in anticipation of overseeing the postmortem ...
Panthers stun Pack; Steelers rule vs. Pats
Dec 01, 2008 ... GREEN BAY, Wis. - DeAngelo Williams scored his fourth touchdown of the game with 1:30 left, giving the Carolina Panthers a stunning, come-from-behind 35-31 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday in wintry conditions. The Packers appeared headed for a comeback win of their own after ...
BCS mess favors Alabama, Texas
Dec 01, 2008 ... A week before the final standings are to be released, the Bowl Championship Series already was ticking people off Sunday. Oklahoma - not Texas - is headed to the Big 12 title game with an inside track to the national title game because it's ahead of the Longhorns in the BCS standings. Texas' ...
Irish, Tar Heels both win easily without their brightest stars
Dec 01, 2008 ... Kyle McAlarney scored 32 points and Ryan Ayers had a career-high 19 to lead No. 8 Notre Dame to its school-record 39th straight home victory, a 93-61 decision against Furman in Notre Dame, Ind. Notre Dame (5-1) was playing without star Luke Harangody (pneumonia) but still was too much for Furman ...
Students lie, cheat, steal - and say they're good
Dec 01, 2008 ... By DAVID CRARY The Associated Press NEW YORK - In the past year, 30 percent of U.S. high school students have stolen from a store and 64 percent have cheated on a test, according to a new, large-scale survey suggesting that Americans are too apathetic about ethical standards. Educators reacting ...
From battlefield to backpacks, new GI Bill sends veterans to college
Dec 01, 2008 ... By Duaa Eldeib Staff Writer If all goes according to plan, Phil Bell may just be the only accountant with 20 pieces of shrapnel lodged in his back. The fragments are remnants of an improvised explosive device that detonated on the outskirts of Fallujah in Iraq. Bell, who was a U.S. Army staff ...
Tinley Park tree lighting keeps residents coming back
Dec 01, 2008 ... By Meghan Callahan Correspondent Tinley Park's tree lighting ceremony is an annual tradition for many. This year brought quite a few newcomers into the picture. The lighting of the 35-foot tree took place Sunday at Zabrocki Plaza, 173rd Place and Oak Park Avenue. Britney Kohen, formerly of ...
Orland Park holiday celebration brings fun for all ages
Dec 01, 2008 ... By Guy Tridgell Staff writer Orland Park's civic center Sunday become home to a stilt walker, an elf who specialized in painting faces and a jolly fat man dressed in a red suit. Just your typical cast of characters for the village's annual Winter Festival. As entertainment unfolded indoors, ...
Treats may not be pretty but they taste great
Dec 01, 2008 ... By Donna Vickroy Staff Writer So they're nothing to look at. Can chocolate give new meaning to the phrase, "It's what's on the inside that counts"? Mary Winslow's hand-rolled "ugly truffles" include "messed up mocha," "homely hazelnut" and "put your clothes on chocolate." (An 18-piece assortment ...
First Glance
Dec 01, 2008 ... Looking for something to get you in the holiday spirit? Here are the opening paragraphs of three new novels released just in time for Christmas: "A Dog Named Christmas" (Doubleday, $14.95) by Greg Kincaid: I spend more time now looking back than ahead, sifting through the years ...
Regular KidChris Schworles
Dec 01, 2008 ... Chris Schworles of Frankfort This column celebrates regular kids. You know, those teens who do their best to meet life's challenges without fanfare. They're not rock stars, brainiacs or top athletes. But they are bright and engaged and, well, opinionated. Today, we introduce you to Chris ...
Make holiday gifts a labor of love
Dec 02, 2008 ... Dear Counselor: This Christmas already is looking like a disaster waiting to happen. My husband and I have been really hurting for money in the past six months, and things don't look like they are going to change anytime soon. My family makes a really big deal about exchanging gifts at ...
As winter arrives, watch appliances that can emit carbon monoxide
Dec 02, 2008 ... By Bob Clark GateHouse News Service As temperatures continue to drop, many homeowners will be fumbling with the thermostat or throwing a few more pieces of firewood into the stove. Keeping warm when it's cold outside is important, but it could be dangerous if your home heating system hasn't been ...
Health Briefs
Dec 02, 2008 ... Teaching bro and sis The Big Brother/Big Sister class at Palos Community Hospital prepares children for the arrival of a new sibling. The class is from 4 to 5:30 p.m. today at 12251 S. 80th Avenue, Palos Heights. The class is open to children ages 3 to 10 and an adult must accompany them. Cost ...
Tree lighting brightens spirits in Chicago Heights
Dec 02, 2008 ... By Becky Schlikerman staff writer It's like Chicago Heights' own winter wonderland. With the ground covered in snow and the air nippy, about 150 people gathered Monday evening around the city's Christmas tree to mark the season during the lighting ceremony at U.S. 30 and Chicago Road. The ...
Brother-in-law arrested in Hudson family deaths
Dec 02, 2008 ... By DON BABWIN The Associated Press Police arrested the estranged brother-in-law of Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson on Monday for the murders of her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew, taking him from a prison cell where he'd been held since just after the shooting deaths. Chicago police ...
Putting the Hammer to Ryan pity party
Dec 02, 2008 ... Unlike U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ed Hammer has no compassion for former Gov. George Ryan. Hammer, an Orland Park resident, was an investigator in the Illinois secretary of state's office under Ryan when bribes were routinely paid for driver's licenses. Hammer and his partner, fellow Orland ...
The purpose of journalism remains - if there are journalists to do the job
Dec 02, 2008 ... It's been 10 years since I staggered into this fine profession. I hesitate to broach the subject of journalism, and what it means, for fear of receiving response mail from journalists. Even when my fellows agree with me, it can be unpleasant listening to them listen to themselves. On our best ...
forum
Dec 02, 2008 ... Solution to holding dual elected positions is simple It was interesting to read the article about the Park Forest League of Women voters' consensus position on the holding of two elected offices by one individual. In the article, Tony Brunson, president of the Rich District 227 School Board, ...
Local News Digest
Dec 02, 2008 ... Will County Elected officials take office County officials who were elected in the Nov. 4 balloting were sworn into office Monday, and county board member Jim Moustis (R-Frankfort) was again chosen to be chairman of the board's powerful executive committee. He was first chosen for the position ...
Air marshals ill-equipped to protect us
Dec 02, 2008 ... Air Marshals are federal agents disguised to look like a regular passenger on a commercial airline flight. During your last air travel you may have been seated next to one and not even known it. Each marshal is authorized to carry a gun and make arrests. So think about it an armed person is ...
Man not guilty in fatal car accident
Dec 02, 2008 ... By KIM JANSSEN Staff Writer A motorist police say ran down and killed Oak Lawn Community High School senior Amanda McSheridan walked free Monday after he was cleared of a minor traffic offense by a Cook County Judge. Mohammad Yahya-Ahmad, 57, was cited for improper lane usage after he allegedly ...
Mind spa
Dec 02, 2008 ... By RASHA MADKOUR The Associated Press SARASOTA, Fla. - Seniors in this retirement hotspot diligently packed the local Y, sweating to keep their bodies in shape. But after their workout, several couldn't remember where they put their car keys. Watching this scenario unfold, neurotherapist George ...
New on DVDKids, talking lion reunite in new 'Narnia' installment
Dec 02, 2008 ... By DAVID GERMAIN The Associated Press The following are available on DVD today: "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" - The Pevensie kids and their talking lion pal (voiced by Liam Neeson) meet again in the followup to "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." The new installment of the C.S ....
Obama taps Clinton, Gates
Dec 02, 2008 ... By LIZ SIDOTI The associated press CHICAGO - Barack Obama promised "a new dawn of American leadership" in a troubled world Monday, announcing a strong-willed national security team headed by Hillary Rodham Clinton, who fought him long and bitterly for the presidency, and Robert Gates, the man ...
Portfolio
Dec 02, 2008 ... Chiro One clinic in Flossmoor hosting toy drive Chiro One Wellness Centers' Flossmoor clinic is hosting its annual "Share the Abundance" toy drive to benefit local children and teens in need. Gifts donated through Dec. 15 will be distributed by Aunt Martha's Youth Service Center. Unwrapped gifts ...
It's official: We're in a recession
Dec 02, 2008 ... The federal government told us Monday what we already knew - our economy is shrinking. This is a recession. If you couldn't tell by the layoffs, the business closures and the general malaise regarding all things economic, the National Bureau of Economic Research said Monday that our country's ...
Dec 02, 2008 ... By MARTIN CRUTSINGER The associated press WASHINGTON - It's official. The U.S. economy has been in a recession for the past year. The start of the downturn was announced Monday by the National Bureau of Economic Research. The NBER - a private, nonprofit research organization - said its group of ...
Scully: Airport support sunk chances at state Senate
Dec 02, 2008 ... By Nathaniel Zimmer Staff Writer State Rep. George Scully's opposition to a bill favored by abortion-rights groups and his support for U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson's plan for a third airport are to blame for his not being among the finalists to replace state Sen. Debbie Halvorson in office, according ...
speak out
Dec 02, 2008 ... Sign us up! America land of the free. That is, free bus rides, free groceries, free tuition and coming soon to a neighborhood near you, free mortgages. It's still darn amazing Even if Barack Obama was not African-American, it's still hard to believe that a young guy living on the South ...
Bears' new rallying cry: Win out
Dec 02, 2008 ... By Brad Biggs Sun-Times News Group Here's the problem with the Bears' plan to win out and get some help in the chase for the NFC North title: The Bears have not won more than two consecutive games since 2006. Backed into a corner by their own doing, the Bears now must accomplish something ...
Dvoracek suffers season-ending injury
Dec 02, 2008 ... By Brad Biggs Sun-Times News Group The position at which the Bears could not keep bodies healthy last season took its first hit of 2008 when defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek was lost for the remainder of the year after tearing his right biceps Sunday at Minnesota. Dvoracek was engaged with ...
training through the snow
Dec 02, 2008 ... By Kimberly Sanders Correspondent When December arrived with the first lash of winter, Tom Pukstys couldn't help but smile. He was toasty warm, even though he was in a space seemingly as big as all outdoors - 88,000 square feet of emerald turf and running, hitting and throwing space laid out ...
Rose stays humble
Dec 02, 2008 ... BY JOHN JACKSON Sun-Times News Group The ESPN highlights of the Bulls' victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday consisted of three plays: nDerrick Rose running down Andre Miller to block what appeared to be a breakaway layup as a stunned Miller looked back in wonder that he had been caught ....
purple passion or golden domer
Dec 02, 2008 ... It is at once both a most unlikely and completely reasonable scenario. Pat Fitzgerald, head football coach at the University of Notre Dame. Mr. Northwestern himself following the path once taken by Ara Parseghian to take over a faltering Fighting Irish football team. Those who know Fitzgerald ...
Wood, Howry declined salary arbitration
Dec 02, 2008 ... By GORDON WITTENMYER Sun-Times News Group The Cubs declined to offer salary arbitration to free-agent closer Kerry Wood on Monday night, closing the door on what appeared to be the last chance for Wood to return to the team in 2009. General manager Jim Hendry told Wood last month that the Cubs ...
Hawks take away positives from trip
Dec 02, 2008 ... By Lacy J. Banks Sun-Times News Group If not for a 5-2 loss Saturday at Los Angeles, coach Joel Quenneville would have called the Blackhawks' 3-2-1 road trip a resounding success. "Yeah, 4-1-1, we would have taken that,'' he said after practice Monday. "Now, 3-2-1 is OK. We just had a chance to ...