Maybe we're reading too much into this, but we couldn't help but notice that James Frey has left Chicago off his upcoming book tour. Frey will be touring and reading in support of his new novel, Bright Shiny Morning. (Wait. Can it really be considered his "first" novel if...screw it, we're not going to reopen that can of worms.) Maybe he just couldn't fit us in. Maybe Ann Arbor is a bigger literature magnet than we ever realized. Or maybe he's going to add Chicago at a later date. Whatever the case, it still struck us that Chicago is the largest major city on this route that he left off the list. Of course, there is one possible explanation. In a recent interview with Vanity Fair to promote his new book, Frey and embattled publisher Nan Telese claim the Big O "duped" him into appearing on That Episode by luring him under false pretenses. Thing is, we actually liked Frey's books, true or not. And someone should have informed Oprah that this was not the first time a nonfiction writer has gotten in trouble for lying in their work. Whatever the reason, we'll just consider ourselves lucky that Frey-Oprah has not escalated to Tupac-Biggie proportions. Yet. more ›

Tony Kerasotes, of Kerasotes Theatres, said he didn't want to show Stomp the Yard in any of his Springfield thaters because it could attract gang members. He's since had a change of heart and will show the movie starting on Friday at more than 40 Kerasotes-owned locations. If you couldn't afford Chicago's most expensive restaurants before, you really won't be able to afford them now. The Chicago-based Johnson and Lee architecture firm will be... more ›

Michigan authorities searched Richard Hebron's home and car last week in their attempts to uphold the law, according to this Business Week article. Which law would that be? Oh right, the one against distributing "raw milk and its various byproducts, including cream, buttermilk, yogurt, butter, and kefir." We've heard kefir can be super dangerous too, especially when it is fruit flavored. Hebron runs his 110-acre farm, Family Farms Co-op, with another family and distributes the raw dairy products to an Ann Arbor outlet as well as two outlets in Detroit and seven in Chicago. more ›

So, you like it spicy? Well, we have got the right beverage for you; another simple concoction from your friends at Chicagoist to help spice up your holiday weekend entertaining. more ›