Commentary

Marge Kullerstrand Phil Potempa Molly Woulfe John Brokopp Tom Lounges Tim Shellberg

OFFBEAT: V-Day 2010 gift inspirations range from vampires and strawberries to rose serum

Valentine's Day gift giving doesn't just have to involve heart-shaped boxes of chocolates and vases of red roses.

Movies

Cruise suits up for `Mission: Impossible IV'

Tom Cruise is starring in another impossible mission.

Television

Discovery Channel: 'Deadliest Catch' captain dies

The Discovery Channel says the captain of the "Deadliest Catch" fishing vessel Cornelia Marie has died.

Music

Root for Gary talent on 'Idol'

When "American Idol's" Hollywood show kicks off at 7 p.m. tonight on Fox TV, Northwest Indiana fans will want to cheer on Marcus Jones.

Arts & Theatre

Stop the madness

The crazy circus that is "Beacher's Madhouse" pulled into The Venue at Hammond's Horseshoe Casino Saturday. And it was entertainment mayhem. The show, which was supposed to start at 9 p.m., didn't actually begin until almost 10:30 p.m. Comedian Jeff Beacher, who's responsible for this madness, acted as MC for the raucous and racy show, which featured the Oompa Loompas, Tiny Kiss, Alvin & the Chipmunks and other over-the-top acts. Beacher's production, also called a costume ball an…

Books

Kid Picks with Philip Potempa

Here's our weekly showcase of the latest and greatest new selections in media for youth.

Food

Frozen sweetness

The brutal cold of a Southwestern Michigan winter as it first spreads across the vineyards freezes the grapes into hard marbles, condensing the sweetness and producing, once pressed, a rich sweet wine. Because temperatures must drop to the mid-teens or lower, the bounty of this harvest is known as ice wine.