Chicagoan Debra Kohnke displays an armload of needy children's letters to Santa. This year she and her friends are buying gifts for more than 150 kids in homeless shelters.
(Brian Jackson/Sun-Times)
Ryan Dempster reaches new deal with Cubs
Woman charged for neglecting son
Earn A's, B's, get free college
Loop offices lose 5 p.m. mail pickups
Ryan Dempster reaches new deal with Cubs
Woman who got kidney tainted with HIV sues
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Special section: Holiday guide
Having accomplished their top offseason priority more than a week before Thanksgiving, the Cubs start turning their attention today to the left-handed-hitting deficiencies manager Lou Piniella and others in the organization blame for a good part of their last two October flameouts. Whether they can fill that need as ideally as they'd like, considering the makeup of the free-agent market and financial limitations that weren't there the last two winters, general manager Jim Hendry at least has time on his side to get creative after successfully negotiating the return Tuesday of All-Star starting pitcher Ryan Dempster.
Mike Mulligan: The charm of a crazy season was all but drained out during one miserable Sunday in Green Bay, but as much as nobody wants to hear it, Bears coach Lovie Smith is perfectly correct in his uncomplicated statement that his team is left with a six-game season.
Derrick Rose and Ben Gordon have started only a few games together, but the backcourt combination already has proved to be a major headache for Bulls opponents. Overall, the duo was averaging 40.2 points on 47 percent shooting heading into the Bulls' game Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers. That only tells part of the story, though.
Sure, you can just show up at Mom's and stuff yourself silly. But
there's more to this holiday than turkey (and more than one place to
get it, should Mom's run a little dry).
Not a cooker? Our restaurant alternatives
Be a pro: Turkey cooking classes
Where to lend a helping hand
Bar specials on Thanksgiving Eve
Slice and dice: City's best pumpkin pies
Video: 2009 Dodge Challenger
Video: smart fortwo
Pontiac Vibe
Mitsubishi Lancer EVO
Photos: 2009 Volvo XC70
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Search: For a new or used car
Blog: Travel with Lori Rackl
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Religion
‘Call + Response’ movie shows slavery exists
Obama's church choice likely to be scrutinized
Horoscopes
Holiday Mathis horoscopes for November 19
Georgia Nicols horoscopes for Nov. 19
Jim DeRogatis: Just shy of eight years after what he said was the band's last show ever at Metro in December 2000, Billy Corgan finally brought the Smashing Pumpkins back home to Chicago Tuesday, marking the return of a key band of the alternative era and one of the best-selling groups this city has produced. Night one at the Chicago Theatre was billed as "Black Sunshine," while Wednesday's return engagement is labeled "White Crosses." (Friday at the Auditorium Theatre is "Black Sunshine" again, and Saturday there is "White Crosses." All four shows sold out.) After the opening night, I still don't have any idea what "Black Sunshine" means.
Photos: Chicago's Class of ’93
What ever happened to the class of '93?
Books
'Real Sex' with photos of real couples
Missionary loses his religion in Brazilian jungle
Local litigator falls for writing, never looks back
Classical
Staatskapelle in a class by itself with Strauss' 'Don Quixote' tone poem
Stage
Collaboraction's 'Jon' has finger on pulse of our robotic, materialistic society
C.S. Lewis' 110th sparks party, discussion at 'Screwtape'
Two Chicago legends get rousing sendoffs
Galleries
David Roeder: Condo developer Warren Barr is grievously disappointed that he can't pursue a project that was to be his mark on the skyline. But he can be thankful he is exiting the deal financially intact. Barr has sold property at 830 S. Michigan where he planned an 80-story building. The financial crisis and overbuilt housing market have rendered those plans moot for probably at least three years, so Barr concluded now was the time to get out. "I really wanted to do this building, but the market today just makes it impossible," he said. An insider said the property sold for around $18 million. 
Lynn Sweet has the latest updates on President-elect Obama's transition to the White House
After the historic 2008 Presidential election, Lynn Sweet is following Barack Obama's transition to the White House every step of the way. Check back throughout the day for the latest news on Cabinet picks, the inauguration and the forthcoming Presidential pet.
Sasha and Malia Obama tour Washington schools 
It's your turn to write the caption: Obama, McCain meet
Two Chicago legends get rousing sendoffs
