Chicago Sun-Times

The King’s rock ’n’ roll princess

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 02:28:15 -0600

For Elvis Presley, 1968 couldn’t look any brighter. The leather-clad singer returned to the hip-shaking spotlight with his comeback special on NBC. And, 44 years ago this month, he became a father to Lisa Marie. A new Graceland exhibit showcases that relationship, marking the 35th anniversary of Elvis’ death. “Elvis ... Through His Daughter’s Eyes,” which opened Feb. 1 for a two-year run as part of Graceland’s VIP tour ($70), consists of 201 items that chart Lisa Marie’s life from birth to celebrity. Although Presley helped curate the exhibit, she wondered whether anyone would really care to see knickknacks from …

Windy City Circus kicks off Chicago birthday celebration

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:33:43 -0600

Chicago turns 175 years old in March. To get the party started, Windy City Circus — the city’s first-ever hometown circus — will make its debut Feb. 17-26 in Festival Hall at Navy Pier as the city’s official birthday kickoff event. The circus is a longtime dream come true for David and Dania Maas — the famous “Quick Change” duo — both of whom come from circus families. Dania grew up in the Moscow Circus — her family of animal trainers (going back 300 years) was renowned for its black bear act. Animal training wasn’t for Dania though; she gained …

Pour Man: Warm up to big beers in cold days of winter

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:20:35 -0600

There is a time for crisp lagers and refreshing, low-alcohol ales. Now isn’t it. In the cold days of winter, you should be drinking big, flavorful, potent, warming beers.

Kodak to stop making cameras, digital frames

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:18:13 -0600

Kodak says it will stop making digital cameras, pocket video cameras and digital picture frames in order to focus on its more profitable businesses.

Husband behind the wheel is cruising for a bruising

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:22:14 -0600

Dear Abby: There is an ongoing issue between my husband and me. It’s his disregard for my personal safety. Our large city is known for its heavy, fast traffic and impatient drivers. “Jon” is a good driver. He likes to drive in the left (passing) lane on the highway or tollway, usually about five miles above the posted speed limit. This is considered too slow for many drivers, who become impatient and aggressive having to be behind us in the fast lane. They flash their headlights and tailgate us, trying to get him to move over into the right lane …

After an affair, a marriage heals

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:18:54 -0600

It’s been a little over a year now since my friend “Denise” (not her real name) discovered her husband’s longstanding infidelity. Married over 20 years with children still at home, she experienced the betrayal like one might a hurricane. But more than a year later, she and her husband are still standing. And they are doing it together.

Gift ideas for her and for him on Valentine’s Day

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:21:33 -0600

For Valentine’s Day, all you need is love.... and some really cool gifts. Click through the photo gallery to see gift ideas for her and for him.

Need a quick caffeine buzz? Just take a deep breath.

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:04:49 -0600

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Move over, coffee and Red Bull. A Harvard professor sees the next big thing: Inhaling caffeine from a lipstick-size tube. The product, called AeroShot, went on the market late last month in Massachusetts and New York. It’s also available in France. A single unit costs $2.99 at convenience, mom-and-pop, liquor and online stores. Each canister contains 100 milligrams of caffeine powder — about the amount in a large cup of coffee — plus B vitamins. Some critics say the novel product could be risky, but biomedical engineering professor David Edwards, who developed AeroShot, says it’s safe. U.S. …

Lies your doctor may be telling you

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:04:22 -0600

WASHINGTON — Trust your doctor? A survey finds that some doctors aren’t always completely honest with their patients. More than half admitted describing someone’s prognosis in a way they knew was too rosy. Nearly 20 percent said they hadn’t fully disclosed a medical mistake for fear of being sued. And 1 in 10 of those surveyed said they’d told a patient something that wasn’t true in the past year. The survey, by Massachusetts researchers and published in this month’s Health Affairs, doesn’t explain why or what wasn’t true. “I don’t think that physicians set out to be dishonest,” said lead …

At the Chef’s Table: Black rice is a bold flavor alternative

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:20:05 -0600

CHEF CHAO THAPTHIMKUNA: Black rice is different than the white or brown varieties in many ways beyond color.

Make a list and check it twice

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 07:36:19 -0600

Want your hospital stay to be mistake-free? A new book suggests that a variety of checklists can go a long way toward avoiding errors during hospitalization.

Dietary restrictions force woman to fend for herself

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:09:13 -0600

Dear Abby: I was recently diagnosed as gluten intolerant. My question is, when dining at a restaurant, while everyone else is eating the bread that is served, is it acceptable to discreetly take a few gluten-free crackers from my purse and snack on them so I’m not starving while waiting for dinner? My husband thought it was inappropriate, so I didn’t take them. I did ask the waiter if he had gluten-free bread or crackers, but he didn’t. I have many medical issues. I thought providing my own crackers was a minor deal. Gluten Intolerant in Florida Dear G.I.: It’s …

Bouts of barking irritating owner

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:21:04 -0600

DOG LADY: The dogs get along well, the problem is that when Boscoe runs outside or gets excited, Chloe goes crazy barking.What can we do to get her to stop this irritating behavior?

Valentine’s Day? Bah, humbug!

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:09:19 -0600

Does anybody over 16 really look forward to Valentine’s Day? Do overpriced roses really say, “I love you”? Does a Hallmark card that costs more than a gallon of milk really make up for bad behavior? If the Grinch stole Christmas, then I’m happy to be the Vrinch who stole Valentine’s Day. And I’m not alone in my dislike for this made-up day. (Festivus, anyone?) KAREN: The tone for all my future Valentine’s Days was set when I was 23 and dating a guy I was really in love with. He told me he had made reservations for us at …

Are women the bawdier sex these days?

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:37:49 -0600

From morning to night, we’re bombarded with crassness and vulgarity on television — reality and otherwise — in magazines and via blogs and Twitter. And it’s notable not only because there’s so much of it and because it’s so gross, but because these days, the worst offenders are women.

Discover Financial puts $10 million toward teens’ financial savvy

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:20:00 -0600

Public high school students will get help in becoming financially savvy thanks to a $10 million, five-year personal finance education program being unveiled Wednesday by Riverwoods-based Discover Financial Services. Discover’s Pathway to Financial Success program seeks to reach 500,000 students. It will provide grants to high schools to cover the cost of implementing a standards-based financial education course and training teachers on the curriculum. The program seeks to combat the high rate of financial illiteracy among Americans. In a National Bureau of Economic Research study, high school students scored a failing grade in financial literacy, and adults scored a C …