Easy Mason Jar Margaritas
In all its lemon-limey and tequila deliciousness. On the rocks. With salt.
Arts
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Monday, May 6, 2013
Des Plaines on YouTube
Des Plaines on YouTube: Liquid Plumber Commercial Stars Des Plaines Alderman
Does the thick stuff matter? Find out the answer.
You may know him as the Sixth Ward alderman in Des Plaines, and, more recently, as acting mayor, but many people are unaware Mark Walsten starred in one of the most popular television commercials of the 1990’s. Sixth Ward Alderman Mark Walsten is seen here endorsing Liquid Plumber. Walsten worked as an actor on a variety of television and film productions during the 1980’s and 1990’s, he said, including extra roles in Code of Silence with Chuck Norris and Weird Science. Walsten, while not a union plumber, ran a remodeling business in the 1980’s, he said, and currently operates a home inspection company. Walsten said the series of commercials, starring him and another actor, Dave Dykstra, received top ratings at the time they were first …
Film
Cable Movie Depicts Hitchcock As Fiend
The HBO film 'The Girl' shows the Master of Suspense as a sadist, rapist. But are its merits as a film on par with any of Hitchcock's work?
After watching two films about the life and work of Alfred Hitchcock (Hitchcock and The Girl), my love of the Master of Suspense has been severely tested. The Girl is a HBO movie set around the filming of both The Birds and Marnie, both of which star blonde model Tippi Hedren. Now, I know Hedren has never shied away from claiming Hitchcock was mean to her and a spiteful, nasty person…depicting Hitch as someone who controlled every aspect of Hedren’s life…on and off camera. But, this movie takes “mean and spiteful” to new levels. Hitchcock here is depicted as a sexual deviant and even as a rapist. Most books about Hitch do not portray him as an innocent, kind soul when it comes to ladies, but to make accusations like the ones in this…
Monday, April 29, 2013
Maine East High School Student Named Musical Theatre Finalist
Marianna Veneri of Maine East High School is a finalist in the Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards.
A Niles resident and Maine East High School student is among 24 finalists in the 2013 Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards, the Daily Herald reports. Marianna Veneri of Niles will audition today at Broadway Playhouse in Chicago. One actor and one actress will then be selected to head to the national finals in New York this summer, the newspaper reports. The Illinois High School Musical Theater Awards (IHSMTA) began in 2012 to recognize outstanding student achievement in musical theater.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Top Local Artists Get Place in Congress
Congressional award winning art work from area schools will adorn government offices, halls.
Acts of Congress are passed for a variety of reasons and for three award winning North Shore high school artists it means exposure for their creativity. Nicole Otake of Glenbrook North High School, Cullen Casey from Lake Forest High School and Vernon Hills High School’s Kayla Guo were this year’s Congressional Art Competition winners from the 10th District. Earlier: Lake Forest High School Artist’s Work To Be Displayed in Hall of Congress The three winners along with the work of 41 other artists were on display Friday in the office of Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Deerfield) who personally handed out the awards and told the gathering of students, parents, teachers and friends how the contest became a law. “This is an act of Congress,” Schneider …
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Monday, April 22, 2013
Photo of the Day
Photo of The Day: Floodwater Bathing in Des Plaines
Share your favorite pictures from the community; click the green “Upload Photos and Videos” button.
When the rain poured last week, and streets, homes and businesses flooded, we asked Patch readers to share pictures and information. Readers responded with dozens of pictures and lots of helpful information about the impact of the flood in Des Plaines and Park Ridge. One picture sent to us was especially notable for its creativity. In it, Jesse Arnold, 20, of Des Plaines, appeared to be bathing in his backyard. "I woke up and noticed the awesome opportunity in my backyard,” Arnold stated in an email to Patch. “Rain is a gift, no matter how full your basement may be. I liked the idea of taking this gift and using it to put a smile on people's faces." The image was sent to us by Arnold’s aunt, Amy Tookey, whose family has lived in Des …
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Thursday, April 11, 2013
New Movies Released April 12-13: Where to Watch Near Des Plaines
Scary Movie V, 42, Disconnect and To the Wonder all will hit box offices this weekend.
If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, check out one of the new films hitting the box office on April 12. Read the movie storylines below, and click on each movie title to view the trailer. 42 (PG-13) Jackie Robinson's story is told in this iopic from writer/director Brian Helgeland. Robinson paved a new road for minorities by being the first African-American to play in Major League Baseball since the racial barrier was put in place in the late 1800s. Chadwick Boseman stars as Robinson, with Harrison Ford heading up the rest of the cast as MLB executive Branch Rickey. Disconnect (R) A hard-working lawyer, attached to his cell phone, can't find the time to communicate with his family. A couple is drawn into a dangerous …
Film
In 'Iron Lady', Streep's Margaret Thatcher a Marvel
Margaret Thatcher's passing this week calls to mind the excellent 2011 biopic, in which Meryl Streep did possibly her best work ever.
With the passing of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher this week, I thought I would reminiscence on one of the best biopics of recent years…which happens to be about Dame Thatcher. Not being a Margaret Thatcher fan, I was hesitant about watching The Iron Lady. But, as an Anglophile and a movie geek, it was a must see. Meryl Streep won the 2012 Oscar for Best Actress for her role as the tough, feisty politician. At first, I was SURE she robbed Viola Davis of a well-deserved Oscar for Davis' role in The Help. After seeing The Iron Lady, I know why Streep won and I feel that she rightfully deserved it over Davis. Davis' performance was great, but Streep hits close to perfection with her portrayal of Thatcher. Now I love …
Monday, April 8, 2013
Des Plaines Dance School Sends 5 to World Competition
Two dancers from The Dillon-Gavin School of Irish Dance placed at the competition held last month.
The Dillon-Gavin School of Irish Dance in Des Plaines recently sent five qualified dancers to compete at the World Irish Dance Championships held March 24-31, 2013 in Boston, Mass. This annual, week-long competition featured 6,000 top Irish dancers from all over the world. Kristjan Gudmundson (U12), Niles, placed fourth overall and Ronan Donahue (U13), Park Ridge, tied for 11th, in their respective age groups at World’s. Both dancers are now World Medal Holders and are therefore qualified for next year’s World’s competition in London, England. Kristjan earned the distinction of being the highest placing North American dancer in his age group and has proven that you don’t need to be of Irish descent to excel at the sport.
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Pickwick Owner Remembers Ebert Filming There
Dino Vlahakis remembers the time Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel filmed the intro to their "At the Movies" at the Pickwick Theater.
Dino Vlahakis remembers the day when Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel came to the Pickwick Theater in Park Ridge to film the introductory segment for their show At The Movies. Crews came out beforehand to replace the "Pickwick" sign on the marquee with one that said, "At the Movies." Watch the video attached to this story to see it. The shoot showed both film critics buying their tickets at the Pickwick's box office, getting concession-stand items--Ebert's is a reporter's notebook from a vending machine--and proceeding to the balcony. "During the breaks, I had the opportunity to meet them," said Vlahakis, the Pickwick owner. "They were probably the most influential movie critics in the country, but they were very approachable, friendly and …
Richard Curry
9:10 am on Saturday, April 6, 2013
Why all the national fuss over Ebert's death? Siskel died at age 53; much more of a "tragedy", no? Ebert was in bed with the film industry; his reviews never challenged the intellectual, ethical or political premise of the film maker. He was a devout leftist and his film commentary reflected that lack of objectivity. more ›
Laura Wagner
5:23 pm on Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Why sicko? I think it's hilarious. Making the best of a bad situation. more ›