As the second week of Movember drew to a close, I found myself at my first "Stache Bash." I also found myself facing my first pangs of manly inadequacy. more ›

(First-time Movember participant John DiGiio brings his inner Tom Selleck to the surface, raises money for men's health, and interracts with other Chicago a-stache-ionados. It's a month of Mos and Bros and all for a great cause!) more ›

Move over pumpkin pie, November is ‘stache season! Dubbed Movember by the men who are nurturing new caterpillars on their upper lips, the eleventh month of the year is about to get hairier for a good cause. more ›

The internet has been tweeting and crowing about the appointment of Michael Nagrant to the coveted post of Sun-Times dining critic - an appointment that was well deserved. Pat Bruno, the recently fired critic, has fallen by the wayside as ousted figures often do. Many people didn't like him or didn't respect his ethics - but here's one thing that we can respect: he didn't use extenuating circumstances to create buzz around his firing. It turns out Pat Bruno is fighting cancer. And he's also 77, not 68 as previously reported. more ›

It's a big day for Homaro Cantu news here on Chicagoist. It's no secret that we were skeptical about using miracle berries to feed the poor, but this is a potentially good idea - Chef Cantu, miracle berry evangelist, told the Sun-Times last week that he's working on a diet book based on the berries. Why miracle berries? Because it would allow you to eliminate sugar from your diet without loosing the sweetness. more ›

Did you get a chance to dine at Next while it was still in Paris 1906 mode? If so, good for you. If not, we understand - it was expensive and reservations were hard to get. But, it was still one of the best meals of our lives. So, we're ecstatic to see that Grant Achatz and co. are releasing a book documenting the whole experience! more ›

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin had a gastro-intestinal stromal tumor removed from his stomach today. The surgery was performed at the University of Chicago Medical Center and doctors have given him a good preliminary prognosis that the cancer is not more widespread. more ›

Before firing up the grill, consider that what meats you choose to cook, and how you cook them, may significantly affect your health. We know that one crispy, blackened hot dog is not going to pose significant damage, but there are notable health risks associated with grilled meats. Evidence suggests that the combination of meat and intense, direct heat results in the formation of compounds known as heterocyclic amines (HCAs), that factor in to the development of cancer. HCAs are formed when amino acids (the building blocks of protein) and creatinine (a chemical found in muscle tissue, including that of red meat, poultry and fish) react at very high cooking temperatures. Researchers have identified 17 different HCAs that may increase our cancer risk by damaging the DNA of our genes. HCAs are most strongly linked to colon and stomach cancer. more ›

• More on the Scott Cohen fiasco as his divorce papers have surfaced.
• The Chicago Reporter examines if residents who live near rail yards face an increased risk of cancer. [via]
• Officials discovered and recovered a vehicle from the Chicago River earlier today.

Chicago's First Lady, Maggie Daley, is back at home and resting comfortably after yesterday's unexpected trip to the hospital. Daley was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital suffering from "flu-like symptoms" that her doctor said may be an adverse reaction to current treatment for cancer. Maggie was first diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2002 and underwent surgery to remove a tumor from her right breast in 2006. In December, it was announced she was undergoing a new round of treatment for a cancerous bone lesion. more ›

The Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program will have to cut more than half of its services if an income tax increase does not occur, reports Chi-Town Daily News. The state and federally funded program gives free breast screenings and mammograms for women over 40, cervical exams for women over 35 and cancer treatment to eligible women. With expected budget cuts, the program stands to lose $9 million. More than 36,000 uninsured women in Illinois, a third of which are from Chicago, benefit from the program; more than 21,000 would no longer receive services. more ›

• There might be good left in the world after all -- The Windy Citizen tells the tale of the Pittsburgh Samaritan who set out to Chicago to do good deeds for strangers he found on Craigslist.
• A husband and wife were arrested after they were caught at a South Barrington theater recording the Hannah Montana movie with a video camera. Authorities claim a subsequent search of their house turned up over 44,000 bootleg DVDs and CDs. Fortunately we were able to get a copy for our private collection before the bust.
• It might get a whole lot riskier to drive on a suspended license -- Alderman Tom Allen (38th) is pushing an ordinance that would allow police to impound your vehicle if you get caught.

Fran Drescher (most memorably from The Nanny) will be honored at Carnivale on Tuesday, May 5 and all proceeds from the evening will benefit Cancern Schmancer, Drescher's foundation dedicated to ensuring early diagnosis in women with cancer. Drescher battled cancer and continues the fight through her Foundation. If you are unable to attend this event for any reason but would like to donate, please click here. At the event will be lots of food and drink and, if you take out the big guns, dinner with Fran, herself. Tickets available here. more ›

We were just informed of another local connection to National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: the Chili’s at 2 E Ontario St. is participating in the restaurant chain’s fifth annual Create-A-Pepper campaign, running now through the end of September. Chili’s has pledged to raise $50 million over a 10-year period for St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital. The campaign will culminate with an all-day event on Monday, September 29, when Chili’s will donate 100% of the profits from the day’s restaurant sales to St. Jude’s. Last year’s Create-A-Pepper campaign raised more than $5.2 million for the hospital.
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September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and there are a few local events coming up in support of pediatric cancer awareness. If you can't attend any of the below events, but still want to help with the fight against leukemia -- the most common cancer among children and teens -- consider making a bone marrow donation or registering to become a donor at the National Bone Marrow Registry. more ›

Sun-Times columnist Robert Novak was diagnosed over the weekend with a brain tumor. Novak was with his wife in Cape Cod, Massachusetts on Sunday visiting his daughter when he fell ill. He was taken to Brigham and Women's Hospital where the diagnosis was made. Novak issued the following statement following the diagnosis:

On Sunday, July 27, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. I have been admitted to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, where doctors will soon begin appropriate treatment. I will be suspending my journalistic work for an indefinite but, God willing, not too lengthy period.

Former Bush Press Secretary Tony Snow has died Saturday of colon cancer. He was 53. more ›

Tortoise are playing a benefit show for Stella Ackerman -- daughter of Lustre King's Craig Ackerman -- at the Empty Bottle Saturday night. Stella has an undiagnosed blood disease and the benefit is to raise money for the Ackerman both the family's medical bills and cancer research in general. If you want to buy tickets, you have to get 'em at the venue. more ›

Anxious to work off those Memorial Day grill-outs before Beach Season? We can't think of a more perfect opportunity than this weekend's Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. The walk will cover a marathon's worth of ground (26.2. miles) on Saturday and then cover an additional 13.1 miles on Sunday. The event begins at the crack of dawn Saturday morning with the Opening Ceremonies at Soldier Field. The route winds its way along the Lakefront and the North Side before spending the night at Warren Park, then working its way back to Soldier Field for the Closing Ceremonies on Sunday afternoon. more ›