Southland Expert Reflects on The Simpsons' 500th Episode

New Lenox resident Denise Du Vernay considers herself a "Simpsonologist" and a friend of the family.

Last night’s milestone 500th episode of The Simpsons had special significance for me: It’s more than just a TV show, more than just a cartoon. I’ve argued that message at length in libraries, bookstores, colleges and the Wisconsin Historical Society. I’ve been interviewed by Milwaukee’s Fox morning show, public radio, and magazines in Wisconsin and South Dakota. I will speak at the New Lenox Public Library about The Simpsons and my research April 26. Twice last year I visited Fox, including an orchestral recording, a voice recording and a tour of Film Roman, where I met many of the artists and scene planners who work tirelessly to make my favorite thing. Although they are the manifestation of much hard work and dedication, I consider my …

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Denise Du Vernay

10:00 pm on Monday, February 20, 2012

Hi, Noah, You're right . . . it was more ruminations on the event of the show reaching 500, not the episode itself. Sorry if you felt mislead by the headline. (The piece was actually mostly written before the episode even aired). As far as the episode goes, I enjoyed the premise, especially the idea of a secret town meeting. It's always interesting when the family leaves town because …   more ›

Photos: McCord Exhibition Highlights Emerging Artists

A sneak peek at the McCord Gallery's current exhibition.

The McCord Gallery and Cultural Center has built a reputation as a unique place to explore your artistic sensibilities, whatever your skill level might be.  The latest exhibition to grace the galleries walls, and in one case floors, showcases the work of many local artists who are just beginning to reach their potential. Titled "Emerging Artists," the work showcased cuts across many subjects and mediums. This year the work of Matt DeGrado, Kate Lamy, Lindsay Newman, Cheryl Pope and Jessica Price are front and center.  The exhibit runs until Feb. 24. For more information about the McCord Gallery and to leave a review visit their page in the Patch Places Directory.  

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Look Up Local Movie Times

You can find this weekend's movies, show times and movie news with Patch's Moviefone gadget.

  Rate Your Movie Theater: Tell your friends and neighbors about your movie-going experience. Leave a review on your theater's Patch Places page. Was your popcorn fresh or stale? Were the floors sticky? Or the bathrooms clean? Just click on the theater name to get to its directory listing, where you can leave a review of the business. Marcus Theatres, Orland Park AMC Showplace 14, New Lenox Marcus Cinema, Chicago Heights And after seeing the movie, feel free to come back and share with fellow Patch users whether it was worth your time and money. Tell us in the comments.

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Lorraine Swanson

1:04 am on Saturday, February 4, 2012

Where are you selling popcorn, Jason?   more ›

'One Singular Sensation': Park Lawn Players Present 'Dancing Through the Decades'

Thirty-six special needs performers to perform musical numbers ranging from the Charleston to 'Hair.'

With less than a week to go until opening day, 36 special needs performers are rehearsing their big opening number—the Who’s “Talking About My Generation.” There is a sense of urgency among the cast and co-directors Jill Grider and Debbie Leshuga, a pair of social workers at Park Lawn who came up with the concept of pairing intellectually challenged adults with the performing arts nine years ago. “Dancing Through the Decades” starring the Park Lawn Players hits the boards this Wednesday, Feb. 1, at Moraine Valley Community College’s Dorothy Menker Theater. “This has been a dream for me since college,” Leshuga said. “I have a lot of theater background in high school. When I went into social work at Lewis University, I was placed at Park …

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Local Irish Dancers Prepare for International Competition

Eleven students from the Lavin Cassidy School of Irish Dancing are Ireland-bound this February.

The Lavin Cassidy School of Irish Dancing does it again. For nearly 20 years, the school has sent qualifying students to compete in the All-Ireland, a prestigious dance competition drawing Irish dance schools from around the world. The 2012 All-Ireland Competition will be held in Dublin during the week of Feb 11; and the kids from Lavin Cassidy are getting ready to kick up their heels. “We just finished our regional championships and came home with four titles,” said Laura Stack Finn, an instructor at Lavin Cassidy. “Our students worked really hard to get to this point.” Lavin Cassidy students will take part in the group competition—Girls Under 11 Ceili—as well as four solo dance routines. A total of eleven students qualified to compete in…

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5 Holiday Movies to Catch on TV This Week

Want to get into the holiday spirit? Catch one of these holiday movies, and you will definitely get there.

There are five great movies playing this week — catch them if you can. This classic 1946 film never gets old. Jimmy Stewart stars as George Bailey, whose life is touched by a guardian angel. This film was nominated for five Oscars. — 8 p.m. Saturday on NBC. Don't miss this hilarious and touching movie of an Indiana boy that will have you saying, "You'll shoot your eye out," all day long. — Starts at 8 p.m. Saturday and runs for 24 hours nonstop on TBS. Clark Griswold has big plans for Christmas, which naturally turns into a total disaster. This movie is destined to make you laugh and be thankful that you aren't related to cousin Eddie. — 9 p.m. Thursday, 6 p.m. Friday and 10 p.m. Sunday on ABC Family. When Maria feels she cannot cut it at …

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Luther C. Mirasol

9:35 pm on Wednesday, January 4, 2012

I will catch all this movies this week :)!! I love seeing movies wholeday! Wohhooo http://plumbersnorthsydney.net.au/   more ›

Sandburg Actors Set Sights on Scotland (Photos)

Sandburg theater group bests over 3,500 high schools to win coveted spot in the International Fringe Theater Festival held annually in Scotland. They're performing holiday childhood classics to help offset travel expenses.

A group of talented Carl Sandburg High School students are gearing up for a unique trip to Scotland this summer. The high school was selected by the American High School Theater Festival to perform a play at the 2012 Edinburgh Fringe Theater Festival held annually in Scotland’s capital of Edinburgh. The students will have the opportunity for a two-week immersion program in the arts, performing alongside high school students from the United States and other European and Asian countries. “It’s really quite an honor to receive an invitation to the Festival,” said Geoff Epperson, Theater Director at Sandburg. The admission process was extensive. To be considered for the Fringe Festival, schools had to be nominated by the theater director of a …

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Someone You Should Know

Palos Heights Artist Works to Bring the Arts to Town

Maria DeCaprio-Sunta has transferred her love of art to the community where she lives.

Maria DeCaprio-Sunta has been recognized as Greatest Person of the Day on Huffington Post, a feature that spotlights ordinary and extraordinary people in Patch communities whose acts of courage, determination, volunteerism and compassion have made a difference in their towns. These are people who inspire and energize others to strengthen their communities and improve lives. The first thing you notice about Maria DeCaprio-Sunta’s home is the artwork. Each wall is carefully adorned with her own creations and those of her friends. She has so much art that she changes out the paintings for the season.  “When I go into someone’s home and they have bare walls, I just don’t understand it,” she says. But her home isn't the only place DeCaprio-…

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Video: Christmas Caroling in Palos

Students from Sandburg High School entertained shoppers along Harlem Avenue with classic carols.

Students from Sandburg High School entertained shoppers at Palos Heights' first "Home for the Holidays," shopping event last Thursday. Here is a taste of their performance.  Read all of Patch's holiday coverage on the Holiday Guide page. 

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Dan Lambert

12:10 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Thanks, Randy. I appreciate that. If you are going to cover a town, that means paying attention to both the good and the bad. We try to bring you both here.   more ›

Photos: McCord Gallery Christmas Shoppe Offers Unique Handmade Gifts

A look at the gifts available at the McCord Gallery Christmas Shoppe.

If you are looking to shop local you probably can't do any better than the McCord Gallery's Holiday Shoppe. The handmade items come from the easels, kilns and workshops of local artists and craftsmen.  One of McCord's primary missions is to promote the work of local artists. The shop's wide variety of items comes from the hands of dozens of local artists. From handcrafted silver jewelry to wooden birdhouses, the inventory appeals to a wide range of folks.  The shoppe is open for business leading up to Christmas. The hours are Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays the hours are extended to 8 p.m. They will also be open on Sunday, December 18.  

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