Beverly Author's New Book Celebrates the Characters of the South Side

Matthew J. Baffoe's new novel 'A Handyman’s Guide to Paranormal Activity' taps in to his South Side roots.

Matthew Baffoe, 43, has lived a life that seems tailor-made for a career as a writer.  He was raised in Beverly as the youngest of 10 kids and his resume is an eclectic mix of experiences, all of which he draws on in his writing. He spent time as a camera man and once worked for director John Hughes, than spent 10 years working for Ald. Ed Burke and the City Council Committee on Finance. He was the front man for an alternative band, taught in the Chicago Public Schools for four years and now owns his own handyman and contracting business.  Throughout his varied career, Baffoe has always drifted back to writing. In the tradition of a true South Side storyteller, he has set his new novel in the neighborhoods he knows best.  A Handyman’s …

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January Film Schedule at Beverly Arts Center

Check out the list of next month's film showings.

The following films will be playing at the Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., in January 2013.  “Red Hook Summer” (2012) R. RT 2:01. Wed., Jan. 2, 7:30 p.m. $7.50 ($5/50/BAC members).  773-445-3838. www.beverlyartcenter.org. Flik Royale (Jules Brown), a sullen young boy from middle-class Atlanta, has come to spend the summer with his deeply religious grandfather (Clarke Peters) in the housing projects of Red Hook. Having never met before, things quickly get off on the wrong foot with Flik’s grandfather's constant preaching and the culture shock of inner-city life.  When Flik meet Chazz Morningstar (Toni Lysaith), a pretty girl his age, he begins to see the brighter side of Brooklyn. “Side by Side” (2012) NR. RT 1:39. Wed., Jan. 9, 7:…

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Ring in 2013: New Year's Eve Events

Find a place to celebrate New Year's Eve at one of these neighborhood hot spots.

Still need New Year's Eve plans? Patch has your New Year's Eve plans under control with these area events for families and adults. So strap on your party hat, grab your noisemaker and peruse our list of neighborhood events happening for Monday, Dec. 31, 2012: The 19th Ward senior citizen New Year's Eve Party at Noon will be hosted at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences, 3857 W. 111th Street. The event is hosted by local elected officials and will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $5.  If you are looking to leave the neighborhood for the big night, there are a variety of events at clubs and restaurants all across the city. Two unique options might be a revue show at Second City, or a four course meal and lakefront cruise…

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Chicago's Buddy Guy Honored by Kennedy Center for Life’s Work

The legendary bluesman and Southland resident was recently recognized for his immense, and continued, influence and contribution to American music throughout his lifetime.

Update The 2012 Kennedy Center Honors, which include acknowledgement of bluesman Buddy Guy, was broadcasted on Dec. 26 on CBS. Original Post Buddy Guy didn’t have running water or electricity while growing up in rural Louisiana. The 76-year-old first played a guitar around age 14. He used to try making guitar strings out of screen wire, but the flimsy strands would break when he pressed his fingers on them. “But I had to figure it out for myself, man,” Guy said, in an Aol interview, about his desire to play blues. “The first thing I ever figured out was John Lee Hooker’s ‘Boogie Chillen.’ Wore the needle out on it. Took a straw and put in my teeth and put it down on the record. It would skip but I could still hear that boom boom John Lee …

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Make Your Own Marbleized Ornaments

A step-by-step guide on how to make your own elegant additions to the Christmas tree, and avoid expensive manufactured ornaments.

This past holiday season, I set out to look for new decorations for my Christmas tree. My living room was newly decorated with items from Thailand, accented with warm blues, greens, and browns. I hoped to find ornaments that would compliment the color additions to my home. Unfortunately, most of the holiday decorations were bright green, red, and white, and none of them matched my decor. I eventually discovered a glass ornament stand on the upper-level of the mall filled with a spectrum of swirling tones in warm rich colors. I selected a few that I loved the most and checked the price tags - $35 each! Disappointed but not defeated, I sought out a less expensive way to decorate my tree and still keep a sophisticated look. Using a little bit…

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Robert Morgansfield

12:48 pm on Monday, January 24, 2011

My grandson and I followed the steps, he was excited because of all the colors were swirled. On the glass as well as him self. It was fun   more ›

'The Hobbit': Find Trailer, Showtimes and Ticket Information

Before the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, there was 'An Unexpected Journey.' Find area showtimes and ticket information for "The Hobbit", which premieres at 12:01 a.m. Friday, Dec. 14.

Before Frodo and Samwise traveled to Mount Doom to destroy the one ring to rule them all, there was Bilbo Baggins and his unexpected journey.  This year, director Peter Jackson and the rest of the crew that brought J.R. Tolkien's 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy to life, returns to Middle Earth to bring, 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' to the big screen in the first part of a new trilogy centering on Bilbo Baggins, a group of dwarves, their trip to The Lonely Mountain and their quest to retrieve the dwarves' treasure from the fire-breathing dragon, Smaug.  The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journal, official trailer Screenings for, 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,' begin at 12:01 a.m., Friday, Dec. 14, at theaters across the nation. Check out …

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Beverly Students to Perform in Joffrey Ballet's 'The Nutcracker'

Three neighborhood residents will be taking the stage in the annual holiday production.

Three Dance Gallery students, Grace Boyd, Lily Ryan and Faith Carey, were chosen this year to participate in the Joffery Ballet’s annual holiday production of “The Nutcracker.”   Grace Boyd, 10, attends Sutherland Grammar School; and Lily Ryan, 12, and Faith Carey, 12, are St. Barnabas students. All three girls will play the role of soldier in the performance. “We’re so proud to have these three girls represent Dance Gallery in the Joffery Ballet production this year,” said Marylee Sinopoli. “It is exciting to see the girls be invited to participate again this year in this traditional classic production. The girls work hard to develop solid dance training at an early age, which helps them with their auditions and nourishes the love of …

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‘A Christmas Carol’ and ‘The Nutcracker’ Proclaim Holiday Season at Governors State

The GSU Center for Performing Arts bring two classic Christmas stories to the South Suburbs.

'The Ellen Show' Coming to Southland? Mysterious Message Has Fans A Twitter

A tweet from the show's official account tells viewers to stop by Best Buy in Orland Park at 9 p.m. Thanksgiving. But why is still a mystery?

The message appeared on Twitter at around 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20, sent from @TheEllenShow, the official account for Ellen DeGeneres' talk show: If you're around Tinley Park, Orland Park or Oak Lawn in IL, you wanna follow my tweets for a really cool#BlackFriday event! Fifteen minutes later, the post had been retweeted by hundreds of fans of DeGeneres and her show (as well as people just interested in local celebrity sightings). Some simply repeated the message, others expressed their excitement that The Ellen Show had mentioned their hometown. A few people, however, asked the big question: What does it mean? Is The Ellen Show really coming to Tinley Park, Orland Park or Oak Lawn? If so, where will it be broadcasting from? Will Ellen …

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BAC Announces Art Show Finalists

The Beverly Arts Center announced the finalists in their 36th Annual Juried Art Show.

Finalists in the Beverly Art Center’s 36th Annual Juried Exhibition have been selected by judges Bernard Williams and Larry Lee and winners will be announced at the opening reception Fri., Nov. 9, 7 to 9 p.m. Open to artists living and working within 100 miles of Chicago, 112 artists submitted works to the competition, which offers $5000 in cash awards. Finalists are Noelle Allen (Oak Park), Monica Balc (Chicago-60643), Bob Blinn (River Grove), Angela Bryant (Chicago-60640), Sal Campbell (Chicago-60643), Keri Colestock (Pingree Grove), Tony Davis (Chicago-60602), Nicholas Decker (Merrionette Park), Josiah Eidmann (Antioch), Anne Evans (Berwyn), Andrew Hall (Chicago, 60602), Judy Hanacek (Crete), Carolyn Cronin Hughes (Riverside), Bill …

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