Category: Features

Flanagan’s Wake returns to Chicago at new location

September 14, 2017September 14, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Flanagan’s Wake returns to Chicago at new location Chicago Theater Works adds second production to venue line-up CHICAGO – The producers behind Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding are pleased to announce the long-running improv/comedy, Flanagan’s Wake, will return to Chicago Saturday, September 23 through Thursday, November 9. Flanagan’s Wake, which has played in the Chicagoland area…

Entertainment, Features, News

Cruise industry responds to Hurricane Irma, Harvey destruction

September 14, 2017September 14, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cruise industry responds to Hurricane Irma, Harvey destruction The Cruise Industry responded to the destruction caused by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Harvey by cancelling dozens of cruises and coming together to help collect supplies and food for the victims. This update is provided by Alan Fox, Chairman & CEO of Vacations To Go which helps guests…

Features, News, Travel

National Magazine names Ziyad Tahini “Best” Tasting

September 8, 2017September 8, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

National Magazine names Ziyad Tahini “Best” Tasting Cook’s Illustrated crowns the Mediterranean food company’s Tahini as their favorite among leading brands. Cooks Illustrated, the iconic magazine that investigates how and why recipes work, named Ziyad brand All Natural Tahini as the best tasting sesame seed paste on the market. The recognition is the result of…

Editors Pick, Entertainment, Features, food, News, Recipes

Under-appreciated Kirstie Alley deserves better

August 20, 2017November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania 9 Comments

Under-appreciated Kirstie Alley deserves better Actress Kirstie Alley has had fame and controversy, but the one thing she isn’t without is talent. Jettisoned to fame with a great character performance in the TV Sitcom “Cheers,” she has meandered through acting opportunities since. But one of her best efforts, Fat Actress, deserves a second chance. By…

Blogger, Commentary, Editors Pick, Entertainment, Features, Opinion, rayhanania

Best place to find Mediterranean food on Facebook

August 9, 2017November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Best place to find Mediterranean food on Facebook There are a lot of misleading places on Facebook to get information on the Mediterranean Diet and Middle Eastern foods and recipes, but one of the best Facebook pages is called “Mediterranean Foods & Recipes.” You can click here to go to the Facebook Page and join…

Editors Pick, Features, food, Opinion, rayhanania, Recipes

Native Americans deserve better

August 4, 2017February 21, 2020 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Native Americans deserve better Native Americans have been vilified, cheated, brutalized and ignored by mainstream American society. During a road trip through the Southwest, it seemed as if their situation has worsened in this country. The lies and propaganda against Native Americans by the news media and entertainment industry is disappointing. The way America abuses…

Blogger, Commentary, Editors Pick, Features, Opinion, rayhanania, Travel

Chicago celebrates 50th Anniversary of the Picasso on Daley Plaza

July 21, 2017August 16, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago celebrates 50th Anniversary of the Picasso on Daley Plaza The re-staging of the 1967 ceremony will take place on Tuesday, August 8, at noon, on Daley Plaza Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Chicago Picasso at Everyone’s Picasso –…

Features, News

Do you feel like Tiny Tim, and want to play him?

July 13, 2017July 13, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Do you feel like Tiny Tim, and want to play him? The Goodman Theater is putting out a call for all aspiring “Tiny Tims” for a 40th Anniversary production of A Christmas Carol. Auditions will be held Saturday August 12. The production will feature acclaimed Chicago actor Larry Yando who stars, in his 10th year,…

Entertainment, Features, News, Releases

Weather gives Chicago suburbs light show

July 11, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Weather gives Chicago suburbs light show Lightning lights up the skies over the Chicagoland South and Southwest suburbs Monday night in a rapid succession, and some thought might be a scene out of the SciFi movie “War of the Worlds.” By Ray Hanania The skies above gave the South and Southwest Chicagoland suburbs a real…

Features, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Celebrity homes for Martin, Kennedy, Lear for sale

July 5, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Celebrity homes for Martin, Kennedy, Lear for sale Dino Martin’s L.A. kPad Cooler Than Ever; Jackie Kennedy’s childhood home & the Norman Lear estate, up for sale, according to Top Ten Real Estate Deals Dino’s LA Pad Cooler Than Ever! All dressed up and ready to welcome a new Rat Pack, crooner Dean Martin’s…

Entertainment, Features, Photos, Releases

World Music Festival celebrates cultural diversity Sept 8 – 24

June 30, 2017June 30, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

World Music Festival celebrates cultural diversity Sept 8 – 24 19th ANNUAL WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL CHICAGO ANNOUNCES HIGHLIGHT PERFORMANCES OF DIVERSE INTERNATIONAL MUSICIANS CELEBRATING THE RICH CULTURAL DIVERSITY OF CHICAGO, SEPTEMBER 8–24 Headliners and highlights include Salif Keita, an all-night Ragamala featuring Anindo Chatterjee, Satish Vyas, Alam Khan and a special debut of the Bharath Symphony…

Entertainment, Features, News

Bridgeview Food Pantry helps many

June 28, 2017June 28, 2017 Steve Metsch No Comments

Bridgeview Food Pantry helps many Staffed by volunteers, held in community center By Steve Metsch For members of the Oak Lawn Community Church and other volunteers, Wednesday is always a special day. That’s the day they spend hours making sure there’s plenty of food available for their clients, some making a monthly visit, some making…

Features, News

Owners of Remodeled Cicero Bar Commend Restore Construction

June 21, 2017June 21, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Owners of Remodeled Cicero Bar Commend Restore Construction By Staff Contributors, News Wire The owners of a 100-year old bar that had been a center of nightlife in the Town of Cicero until it was damaged by fire last year indicated that Restore Construction not only saved their building but also gave their future new…

Features, News

Vino & Vintage festival at Candlewick Lake

June 10, 2017November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Vino & Vintage festival at Candlewick Lake One of my favorite shows is American Pickers starring antique masters Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, but the next best thing is actually browsing through real vintage antiques and household items that are over 100 years old. So it was a lot of fun Saturday to inspect and peruse…

Features, Opinion, Photos, rayhanania

Lyons announces schedule of Summer concerts

June 8, 2017June 8, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Lyons announces schedule of Summer concerts The Village of Lyons has launched its annual Summer Music in the Parks series which is held every Wednesday evening beginning at 6:30 pm and lasting through 9:30 pm. Every Wednesday, the Village of Lyons will feature a different performer at Veteran’s Park, 4100 S. Lawndale Avenue in Lyons. The…

Events, Features

Bargains found at Summit Flea Market

June 1, 2017September 28, 2018 Steve Metsch 1 Comment

Bargains found at Summit Flea Market Buyers and sellers enjoy bartering over treasures By Steve Metsch Strong winds on a recent Sunday morning weren’t enough to keep bargain-seeing shoppers home. Some, in fact, were blown away by the deals they found in the Summit Park District’s Annual Flea Market held in the district’s parking lot…

Features, News

Midnight Flight: Online book on Race in Chicago

June 1, 2017March 3, 2024 Ray Hanania 5 Comments

Midnight Flight, the online book on race in Chicago An online book that explores the memories of a challenging time in Chicago when race was the dominating factor driving and influencing people’s lives. 1968 and 1969 were difficult times in Chicago and my book “Midnight Flight” offers one perspective on what that experience was like,…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Books & Films, Chicago, Commentary, Features, News, Opinion, Suburban Chicagoland

Pamplona opens at Goodman Theater

May 30, 2017May 31, 2017 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pamplona opens at Goodman Theater Pamplona, Jim McGrath’s newest work, featuring stage and screen star Stacy Keach as Ernest Hemingway, opens at the Goodman Theater Tuesday, May 30, 2017. The world premiere production has been extended for one week, to close on Sunday, June 25. Artistic Director Robert Falls directs the world premiere production about one of the most acclaimed…

Events, Features