Category: Features

Gelsosomo’s in Lemont offers great food and hilarious comedy shows

January 8, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Gelsosomo’s in Lemont offers great food and hilarious comedy shows There are not a lot of comedy clubs in Chicago’s Southwest Suburbs but two stand out you should visit, Riddles in Alsip and Gelsosomo’s in Lemont. Riddles offers the traditional award winning comedy experience while Gelsosomo’s offers a mix that includes music entertainment, great Italian food…

Blogger, Comedy, Commentary, Entertainment, Features, food, General Topics, Opinion, Orland Park, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Theater

Danztheatre Ensemble presents “Getting Old Sucks”

January 7, 2019January 7, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Danztheatre Ensemble presents “Getting Old Sucks” Getting Old Sucks is a Danztheatre work exploring the universality of aging through individual experiences. Getting Old Sucks runs Fridays and Saturdays, 8pm, and Sundays, 3pm, February 22 through March 3, 2019 at Ebenezer Lutheran Church (1650 W. Foster Ave., Chicago). What does aging mean to you?: Getting Old Sucks,…

Entertainment, Features, News, Theater

Steppenwolf Theater announcers premier of “The Children”

January 7, 2019January 7, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Steppenwolf Theater announcers premier of “The Children” Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the Chicago premiere of The Children written by Lucy Kirkwood and helmed by celebrated Chicago director Jonathan Berry. The cast includes previously announced ensemble members Ora Jones (Rose) and Yasen Peyankov (Robin), with acclaimed actress Janet Ulrich Brooks (Hazel) rounding out the cast. Following…

Entertainment, Features, News, Theater

Laws needed to regulate credit card interest rates

January 2, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Laws needed to regulate credit card interest rates There are a lot of challenges facing American consumers, from rising taxes, government corruption and increasing crime, to failing education and deteriorating product quality. But one of the worst challenges facing the American consumer and American taxpayers is the unregulated credit card banking industry. This week, they…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Business, Commentary, Editors Pick, Features, Government, Opinion, rayhanania, Taxes

Men turn into zombie customers during last-minute holiday rush

December 22, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Men turn into zombie customers during last-minute holiday rush As the calendar approaches the Christmas holidays, men experience a transformation, turning into addled, confused zombies desperately searching for the last-minute gift for their wives, girlfriends and significant others. Although the retail business has a name for every experience, they haven’t figured this male zombie shopper…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Business, Commentary, Entertainment, Features, Humor, Opinion, rayhanania

Paul Ciolino co-hosts new WLS radio show on crime

December 22, 2018December 22, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Paul Ciolino co-hosts new WLS radio show on crime Reavis High school graduate and criminal investigator Paul Ciolino is the co-host with former police officer and attorney Lupe Aguirre of The POPO Report every Saturday night on WLS AM 890 Radio from 7 to 9 PM (Chicago time). Each week, the show examines stories about…

Chicago, Crime, Entertainment, Features, General Topics, National, News, Politics, Radio

Protests against “racism” must be effective and civil

December 18, 2018March 30, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Protests against “racism” must be effective and civil Protestors have been disrupting meetings of the Palos Township board for nearly 18 months as a part of a political strategy devised by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle to undermine her anti-tax critics led by County Commissioner Sean Morrison. They are targeting Sharon Brannigan out of…

Blogger, Commentary, Editors Pick, elections, Features, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, Racism, rayhanania, Religion, Suburban Chicagoland

Bob Bong on Business: First Midwest Buys Bridgeview Bank

December 13, 2018December 13, 2018 Bob Bong No Comments

Bob Bong on Business: First Midwest Buys Bridgeview Bank Bridgeview Bank sells to First Midwest Community bank deal valued at $145 million By Bob Bong Bridgeview Bank, a community bank founded in Bridgeview in 1971 and which emphasized a personal and small business focus, has agreed to be acquired by First Midwest Bank in a cash…

Business, Features

My ongoing love affair with soda pop

December 12, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

My ongoing love affair with soda pop Soda pop defines my buying habits. If the cost of soda pop is “comfortable,” I will spend all my money at a store. But, if a store charges too much for soda pop, I will banish that store and defend the honor of my sweet love. It’s unforgivable…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, Features, food, General Topics, Humor, Opinion, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Rabbi & Comedian Barry Schechter & Aaron Friedman from the Bible Players of New York

December 5, 2018December 5, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Comedy night fundraiser for Veterans Dec. 24 Join Weinstein and Piser Funeral Home for a special comedy night “Is Comedy Dead” featuring Rabbi & Comedian Barry Schechter & Aaron Friedman from the Bible Players of New York Our 1st Annual Event: Why do Jews eat Chinese food on X-mas? It’s the only restaurant open. General Admission tickets $18.00; In advance or…

Baby Boomers, Briefs, Comedy, Editors Pick, Events, Features, News, Veterans, Veterans Column

Wallet Hub releases list of safest largest cities in America

December 3, 2018December 3, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Wallet Hub releases list of safest largest cities in America Illinois cities and suburbs barely make this year’s list, but among the safest are Aurora at 13 and Chicago at 133. The Wallet Hub study compares the largest cities in each state based on a range of criteria including number of law enforcement, assaults, hate…

Chicago, Crime, Features, General Topics, National, News, Police, Racism, Suburban Chicagoland, Travel

New comedy club opens in Chicago’s Logan Square

November 29, 2018November 29, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

New comedy club opens in Chicago’s Logan Square On November 1st, 2018 Logan Square Improv opened its doors to the public. Logan Square Improv, or LSI, is the newest addition to the lineup of comedy theaters in Chicago, and the first of its kind in the Logan Square area. Co-founded by Chicago comedians, Andrew Lemna…

Briefs, Comedy, Entertainment, Features

Pappas displays Christmas trees from around the world

November 26, 2018November 26, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pappas displays Christmas trees from around the world Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas’ office is decorated with more than 90 Christmas trees and holiday displays for 15th year. “Christmas Trees from Around the World” highlights different traditions for the holiday season representing every ethnic and national group More than 90 Christmas trees and religious displays that…

Editors Pick, Features, Government, News

Steppenwolf’s Chicago Premiere Production of Familiar

November 20, 2018November 20, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Steppenwolf’s Chicago Premiere Production of Familiar Written by Danai Gurira, Directed by Danya Taymor, Now Playing Through January 13, 2019 A Joy-Filled Comedy Featuring an All-Star Chicago Cast CHICAGO (November 20, 2018) – Now playing in Steppenwolf’s Downstairs Theatre is the widely acclaimed comedy, Familiar written by Danai Gurira, star of “The Walking Dead”, Marvel Studios’ Black…

Chicago, Editors Pick, Features, News, Theater

Chicago’s Top Holiday & Seasonal Events

November 20, 2018May 1, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago’s Top Holiday & Seasonal Events Happy Holidays! With a distinct chill in the Chicago air, we have officially made it to the most wonderful time of the year. From the city’s top shopping destinations, including a one-of-a-kind art show and a beloved antique market, to holiday entertainment opportunities, including a festive musical and elevated…

Briefs, Chicago, Editors Pick, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festival, General Topics, News, Theater

Bob Bong on Business: Gas N Wash to open second Mokena location

November 16, 2018January 9, 2019 Bob Bong No Comments

Bob Bong on Business: Gas N Wash to open second Mokena location By Bob Bong Mokena-based Gas n Wash has announced it will open a second location in Mokena at 6 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 16, at 19990 S. LaGrange Road. It will be the company’s seventh location. The company also operates Food n Fuel…

Business, Features, restaurants, Suburban Chicagoland

Miriam Zayed passing mourned by Chicagolands Arab, Muslim community

October 28, 2018October 29, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Miriam Zayed passing mourned by Chicagolands Arab, Muslim community Local activist fought for the rights of Arabs and Muslims in the Chicagoland area and also for the rights of all in mainstream American politics. Miriam Zayed was among one of the first two Arab Americans in Chicagoland to run for public elective office in the…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Editors Pick, Features, National, News, Obituary, Orland Park, Politics, Racism, Religion, Suburban Chicagoland, women

Longtime Lebanese American activist Jackie Haddad passes

October 28, 2018October 28, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Longtime Lebanese American activist Jackie Haddad passes Jackie Haddad worked behind-the-scenes on behalf of the influential Lebanese and Arab American communities to raise funds for the needy, helped to lead and organize the annual conferences of the Midwest Federation of American Syrian & Lebanese Clubs, and was active in her local community in Elmhurst where…

Editors Pick, Features, News, Obituary, Suburban Chicagoland, women