News

HIGHLAND PARK – Watch out. She’ll eat you alive.

LAKE VILLA – It has been nearly 100 years since Abraham Lincoln and Harriet Tubman walked the earth, but a special event will seemingly make it possible to have a conversation with them in the present day.

WAUCONDA – The 11th annual “Jammin’ On Main” celebration will take place from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4, on Main Street in downtown Wauconda.

Pasta e Fagioli (or, if you prefer, ‘fazool’) is one of those comfort food Italian dishes that improve with age and taste better a day after it’s made, writes Robin Robertson in “Vegan on the Cheap” (Wiley).

GRAYSLAKE – Tie on your bibs and get ready to eat your fill of homemade spaghetti at the annual spaghetti dinner hosted by United Protestant Church of Grayslake.

GRAYSLAKE – The Grayslake Lions Club will host its 47th annual Steer Roast from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12, at Grayslake Middle School, 440 N. Barron Blvd., in Grayslake.

SPRING GROVE – Brooke Barrettsmith’s coming home, and she’s ready to rock.

OAKBROOK TERRACE – Spirit and pride of craftsmanship, the true artisan’s trademarks, are all exemplified in the end product, whether it’s a tailor’s new suit, a carpenter’s fine cabinetry or a cheese maker’s latest batch of brie.

"Molly," I say to my 5-year-old granddaughter, who I'm babysitting, "where's your regular home phone?"

Atlanta landmark restaurant Mary Mac’s is steeped in tradition going back 65 years. John Ferrell bought this destination eatery from long-time operator Margaret Lupo who, in turn, had acquired it from founder Mary McKinsey.

ZION – The 17th annual Potawatomi Trails Pow Wow will take place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28, and from 10 a.m. 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29, at Shiloh Park, located near  27th Street and Bethel Boulevard, in Zion

Gazing into the night sky at the moon and the stars with the naked eye can be a beautiful sight.

RUSSELL – Show your red, white and blue spirit from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, and Sunday, Sept. 12, as Russell Military Museum, 43363 Old Highway 41, in Russell holds specials on both tank rides and the gift shop. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children and $15 for tank rides.

GURNEE – Channel your inner idol every Wednesday night starting at 9 p.m. for karaoke. The event takes place at Timothy O'Toole's Pub, 5572 Grand Ave., in Gurnee through Sept. 1. Those attending can pick up the mic, listen to performances, or take advantage of food and drink specials.

WAUCONDA – Farm history is very strong in Lake County, and a local organization has dedicated its mission to preserve as much of that heritage as it can.

A popular spot for Italian-American comfort food in Brooklyn now makes its menu accessible to home cooks everywhere in a new specially adapted book, “The Frankies Spuntino Kitchen Companion & Cooking Manual” (Artisan). It’s the work of veteran chefs Frank Castronovo and Frank Falcinelli, in conjunction with food writer Peter Meehan.

WAUKEGAN – Bill Engvall and John Pinette will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., in Waukegan.

LAKE COUNTY JOURNAL

BARRINGTON HILLS – Investigation Discovery is profiling a case from Barrington Hills in an episode of "Unusual Suspects" that will air at 9 p.m. Monday, Aug. 16.

Not too long ago, we did a good deed — my husband and I arranged to take his elderly mother to Boston to reunite her with her estranged sister, Verna. They hadn't spoken for five decades. It had something to do with who got the better stuff when their mother died.

CHICAGO – The city of Chicago has a remarkable, eye-popping skyline, and one of the best ways to fully appreciate its grandeur and absorb its rich history is to put yourself in the hands of the experts.

GRAYSLAKE – The deadline to submit artwork into the College of Lake County’s 30th annual “Recent Works: A Juried Competition” is Sept. 10.

GURNEE – USA Today has named Six Flag Great America’s Viper as one of the top 10 coasters in the United States.

GURNEE – The annual Gurnee Days celebration will feature a Gurnee Idol competition at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13, at the Viking Park Band Shell, near Old Grand Avenue and Depot Road, in Gurnee.

GRAYSLAKE – Animals and international performers will stop at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, in Grayslake next week to perform under the big top.

Pastry chef, food writer and blogger David Lebovitz, in his latest cookbook, “Ready for Dessert: My Best Recipes” (Ten Speed Press), calls his Fresh Ginger Cake “one of the most renowned” desserts in his repertoire.

MUNDELEIN – Although the costume and makeup may be put away, Dweedle the Clown is far from gone.

WAUKEGAN – During a recent stop in Waukegan, Mexican playwright Tanya Saracho spoke about her play, “Kita y Fernanda,” on the Spanish radio show Union Latina.