Crowd Pleasers for May 24, 2013

Here is a look at some crowd pleasers. Events include the Smiley Tillmond Band in Back to the Delta: A Blues Showcase at the Beverly Arts Center in Chicago.

Donley’s Wild West Town a return to yesteryear

Go West, young Chicagoans. Go West.

Direct your parents to load up the family car and head on Interstate 90 past Barrington, past Elgin and through Hampshire. Go west to Union, Ill., the small-town (population: 579) home of Donley’s Wild West Town, a museum and …

Crowd Pleasers for May 17, 2013

Here is a look at some crowd pleasers. Events include Gaelic Park Players hosting the 20th annual Acting Irish International Theatre Festival in Oak Forest, Grande Prairie Singers' concert in Park Forest, and Suburban Youth Symphony Orchestra’s concert in Orland Park.

Star power — Adler tech revolutionizes sky show

As a pulsing nebula races toward the watchful audience, a hand shoots up to touch it. More hands follow suit, straining skywards. For the kids taking in the Adler’s newest show, “Cosmic Wonder,” outer space is just out of reach.

It’s an illusion created by …

Remembering Herbie: Golf outing to benefit late firefighter’s foundation

How popular was late Chicago Fire Department Capt. Herbie Johnson?

If one were to use golf as a gauge, consider golf outings usually take place on a single course. And then you have the first Herbie Johnson Golf Classic.

The fundraiser, scheduled for June 7, …

Midlothian school kids catch some rays at new Shedd exhibit

One touch, and 8-year-old Sandy Brindl was sold.

“I’m definitely coming back here and I’m going to tell everyone I know about these animals,” she said, clasping her hands. “They are the most gentle animals in the sea.”

She was referring to the graceful cownose …

Vickroy: Get closer view of eagles’ new offspring

It’s not exactly a bird’s-eye view, but the public can now get even closer to a rare eagles’ nest in Palos Township.

Cook County Forest Preserve officials have cleared a path north along the eastern banks of Tampier Slough, enabling bird watchers to get within …

‘Drawing’ exhibit celebrates the influence of Chicago architect

Even without his secret weapon, the Chicago architect Walter Burley Griffin probably would have won an international competition to design Canberra, the Australian capital city, in 1912.

Griffin’s scheme had in spades what those of his far-more-famous main competitors, Eliel Saarinen and Alfred Agache, did …

Farmers markets ready to go

There’s more in store for shoppers this spring at local farmers markets as market managers promise more vendors, special events and parking. Frankfort will have at least six new vendors and an additional parking lot by the time its market is in full swing, market …

‘Dinosaurs Alive!’ exhibit returns to Brookfield Zoo

Lions and tigers and ... dinosaurs?

The unexpected sight of the seemingly living and breathing prehistoric animals might catch Brookfield Zoo visitors by surprise, but no worries. These 24 creatures are animatronic replicas of the extinct reptiles — all part of the zoo’s “Dinosaurs Alive!” …

Registration open for Wade’s ‘Elite’ basketball camp

NEW LENOX — Registration is open for the annual Dwyane Wade Elite Camp for kids ages 8 to 18 who want to improve their basketball skills.

The camp is scheduled for July 25 and 26 at Lincoln-Way Central High School, 1801 E. Lincoln Highway, New …

Reunions for March 28, 2013

Here is a look at reunions connected to the Southland. News includes Indianhead Division Association and St. Leo Grammar School.

‘Inspiring Beauty’ at the Chicago History Museum

In a black and white photo, a pixieish model fluffs up her New Look-style housedress mid-jaunt down a runway, and a sea of impeccably coiffed heads turn toward her.

A famous 1950s supermodel?

“Not exactly,” Chicago History Museum curator Joy Bivins said. “Modeling agencies didn’t …

Kid Zone: Library launches book club for children

Attention, Chicago’s kindergarten, first- and second-graders and their parents.

If you can read this, the Chicago Public Library has something even better for you to read — a whole lot of books and a new book club just for you.

For the first time, the …

LEGO ‘Star Wars’ Miniland exhibit showcases movie

“Star Wars’” and LEGO — for many children, they click together as tightly as one LEGO brick into another.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago recently opened the temporary LEGO “Star Wars” Miniland display, which is billed as the first time an American LEGOLAND will showcase a …