Nov 21, 2013 GO! by The Times of NWI

11.21.2013-11.27.2013

THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

HOLIDAY

COMFORT & JOY A CHRISTMAS STORY COMES HOME BRIAN SETZER’S LIVE MUSIC FEST NW I .CO M /G O

A LOOK FORWARD DECEMBER MOVIES

UPSCALE ASIAN FUSION AT ASPARAGUS

11.21.2013 / THE TIMES MEDIA CO. / GO!

FUN+GAMES

11.21.13-11.27.13

6 / CASINO SCENE The psychology behind high-level poker

THEATER 7 / LIVE The latest local theater productions and shows.

THE BIG SCREEN 8 / HOLIDAY MOVIES PART II Fantasy, reality and Oscar bait 10 / CAPSULES The lowdown on all the latest films at a multiplex near you. 12-13 / 24/7 Your guide to the latest events and happenings in Northwest Indiana and surrounding regions.

SEE+DO 14 / PHIL POTEMPA Phil Potempa’s entertainment column celebrates an anniversary with Franciscan Omni.

FUEL

COVER STORY

MUSIC+CLUBS

A CHRISTMAS STORY COMES HOME SSCVA’s 30th Anniversary exhibit brings classic back to life

4 / SWINGING HOLIDAY Musician Brian Setzer puts some boogie into the season 5 / LOCAL SCENE The Oak Ridge Boys: A holiday staple at Star Plaza

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Deep DiScountS on local FavoriteS dining, golf, spa service, concerts, gifts, family activities

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HOLIDAY

COMFORT & JOY A CHRISTMAS STORY COMES HOME BRIAN SETZER’S LIVE MUSIC FEST

A LOOK FORWARD DECEMBER MOVIES

N W I.CO M/G O

UPSCALE ASIAN FUSION AT ASPARAGUS

11.21.2013 / THE TIMES MEDIA CO. / GO!

ON THE COVER: Scott

Schwartz, the actor who played Flick in the movie “A Christmas Story” poses for photographs during an unveiling of a new statue of Flick in front of the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond.

PHOTO BY JONATHAN MIANO.

15 / ASIAN FUSION Asparagus offers innovative and upscale cuisine. 16-19 / TASTES Your guide to the hottest spots in the foodie scene of NWI.

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HERE’S WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO IN THE NEXT WEEK

OUR TEAM

“Seeing Chris Tucker at The Venue.”

ELOISE VALADEZ / go! editor 219.933.3365 / eloise.valadez@nwi.com

MATT SHARP / music-clubs events-calendar

“Watching football all day!”

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TARA MCELMURRY / social media-content producer

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PHIL POTEMPA / critic-at-large 219.852.4308 / phillip.potempa@nwi.com

KATHLEEN DORSEY / niche managing editor

“Going to see the ‘Hunger Games!’ ”

219.933.3264 / kathleen.dorsey@nwi.com

PAT COLANDER / niche editor 219.933.3225 / pat.colander@nwi.com “Seeing the Ringling Bros. Circus at the United Center!”

BILL NANGLE / executive editor

IAL C E P S P I H S R E fALL mEmB

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CHRIS WHITE / publisher go@nwi.com

WRITERS AND COLUMNISTS Eloise Valadez / food and restaurants Tom Lounges / music and theater Clay Myers / local music Tim Shellberg / picks and tickets John Brokopp / casinos Phil Potempa / events and entertainment Matt Sharp / listings and clubs

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CARE TO COMMENT? What left an impression on you this week? On Marian Theater Guild’s “Spamalot”: STEVE SPEBAR OF WHITING VIA EMAIL: “Loved the very funny run of Marian Theater Guild’s ‘Spamalot.’ It was a great closing weekend of performances.” On Valparaiso University’s “Sweeney Todd”: KEATON STEWART OF VALPARAISO VIA FACEBOOK: “Congratulations on the sold out run and added ticketed performances of ‘Sweeney Todd’ at the Valparaiso University Center for Visual and Performing Arts. The cast was fantastic.” On “A Christmas Carol: The Musical”: STEVE FOSTER OF CHICAGO VIA FACEBOOK: “Larry Adams has a fantastic voice as the lead in ‘A Christmas Carol: The Musical’ at Theatre at the Center in Munster. It really puts you in the holiday spirit.”

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This week’s Top 10 iTunes hits ➙ 1. Royals by Lorde • 2. Counting stars by OneRepublic • 3. Timber by Pitbull • 4. Demons by Imagine Dragons • 5. Let her Go by Passenger • 6. Wake Me Up by Avicii • 7. Roar by Katy Perry • 8. hallelujah by Matthew Schuler • 9. Wrecking Ball by Miley Cyrus • 10. applause by Lady Gaga

Provided

The Brian Setzer Orchestra will perform the Christmas Rocks tour Friday at Four Winds Casino.

Jingle Bell Rock Brian Setzer to spread holiday cheer at Four Winds Casino ELOISE MARIE VALAdEz / ELOISE.VALAdEz@NWI.COM

usic fans can get into the holiday spirit early courtesy of Brian Setzer. The Brian Setzer Orchestra presents its Christmas Rocks Tour at Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo, Mich. at 9 p.m. Eastern Friday. Setzer, of Stray Cats fame, is prepared to entertain audiences with hit holiday tunes and other signature gems from his career. The holiday show will also

Go! / The Times media Co. / 11.21.2013

be performed at The Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, Ill. today. “I’m looking forward to this tour,” said Setzer, during a recent interview prior to the tour’s start. This season celebrates the 10th anniversary of his Christmas Rocks production. The tour kicked off last week in Minneapolis and runs through Dec. 29 with a show in Washington. “I’ll be changing it up a bit this year. I like to change three or four songs

every year,” he said, adding because it’s the 10th anniversary of the popular concert, he wanted to do something special. “I’ll be on the road for two months with the holiday show, and then I go back to being a rockabilly cat,” he said, laughing. The idea for Setzer’s original Christmas Rocks tour was actually sparked after he had several holiday tunes in the late ’90s movie “Jingle All the Way.” Featured on the soundtrack were Setzer and his orchestra performing “Jingle Bells,” “So They Say It’s Christmas” with Lou Rawls, and “Sleigh Ride” with Darlene Love. It was decided it would be a good idea to take a holiday show on the road after that, he said. In addition to this being the 10th anniversary of the Christmas Rocks tour, it’s also the 20th anniversary of The Brian Setzer Orchestra. “To keep a big band going for 10 or 20 years is no easy task,” he said. He added, though, fans seem to love the shows and hearing the fullness of an 18-piece band. Setzer said he’s busy working on a new rockabilly album, which is due out sometime next year. As a songwriter, the musician said various experiences and thoughts inspire him to write. “It all starts out with a great lick. I’ll sit down with a guitar. (A guitar) is my best friend,” he said. Songs can be sparked by anything from watching a baseball game or talking to his daughter about her interest in vinyl records, Setzer said. The musician has also been involved with a guitar project by Gretsch Guitars. His line of Gretsch Guitars is expected to be out next year. Setzer said it’s always great to see the varied ages at his holiday shows and he’s thankful people keep coming back to celebrate the season with him. FYI: The Brian Setzer Orchestra presents the Christmas Rocks Tour at 9 p.m. Friday at Silver Creek Event Center at Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo, Mich. Tickets start at $41. For more information, call (800) 745-3000 or visit ticketmaster.com. For information on today’s show at Rialto Square Theatre, visit rialtosquare.com

RIVERA THEATRE Jamusa.com Umphrey’s McGee, 9pm Feb 20-22. Ticket prices TBa (18 and older)

Tim shelberg / nwitickets@gmail. com THE VENUE AT HORSESHOE CASINO horseshoehammond. com Aaron Lewis, 8pm Feb 22. $31-$61.50 (21 and older) Babyface, 8pm Jan 18, $57.50-$78.50 (21 and older) CITY WINERY Citywinery.com David Crosby, 8pm Feb 8-9. $66-$86 (21 and older) Citizen Cope, 8pm Jan 23-27. $46 (21 and older) 10,000 Maniacs, 8pm Feb 14. $35-$55 (21 and older) Emerson Hart, 8pm Feb 12, $18-$25 (21 and older) VIC THEATRE Jamusa.com Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, 8pm april 11. Ticket prices TBa (18 and older) LINCOLN HALL Lincolnhallchicago. com Delta Rae, 9pm april 19. $20 (21 and older) METRO metrochicago.com Superchunk, 9pm Jan 18. $421 (21 and older)

ALLSTATE ARENA allstatearena.com Miley Cyrus, 7:30pm march 7. $60.25$101.25 SCHUBAS schubas.com Dan Navarro, 9pm Feb 7. Ticket Prices TBa (21 and older) SUBTERRANEAN subt.net Moon Taxi, 9pm Feb 22. $15 (17 and older) CHICAGO THEATRE Thechicagotheatre. com “Experience Hendrix,” featuring Billy Cox, Dweezil Zappa, Buddy Guy, Zakk Wylde, Jonny Lang and others, 7:30pm march 14. $42.28-$113.81 The Head and the Heart, Dawes, 7pm dec 15. $59.44 PARK WEST Jamusa.com “Hard Working Americans,” featuring Todd Snyder, Duane Trucks, Dave Schools and others, 8pm Feb 22. Ticket prices TBa (18 and older) ARAGON BALLROOM aragon.com Flogging Molly, 8pm march 8. $42.60

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Live Music veNues

Oak Ridge Boys sing of Santa, snowmen and Baby Jesus

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or Richard Sterban, it does not feel like 40 years have passed since he got the surprise phone call from William Lee Golden inviting him to join the Oak Ridge Boys. Because Golden picked up the receiver and let his fingers do the walking that day in 1973, Sterban’s trademark bass tones will be heard Nov. 24 at Star Plaza Theatre when the Oaks’ perform their 34th annual Christmas concert there. Star Plaza Theatre’s CEO and talent buyer, Charlie Blum, once told this columnist, “The Christmas season doesn’t start in Northwest Indiana until the Oak Ridge Boys show up at Star Plaza.” Many folks in the region share that sentiment. “The key (to our longevity) is that we still love singing together,” said Sterban of his four decades harmonizing with Golden, Joe Bonsall and Duane Allen. “We still love doing what we do. We look forward to getting on stage and bringing our music to people. We still love the creative process of going into a recording studio and making new music.” Their anniversary year will culminate with the Oaks’ first ever live album. “We recorded several shows on our 40th Anniversary tour. We’re taking the best performances for a new album, ‘The Boys Night Out,’ coming in early 2014,” said Sterban. “We may have 40 years behind us, but I can promise we don’t plan to stop any time soon,” he continued. “As long as the good Lord keeps blessing the four of us with good health you’re gonna see us continue doing what we do.” Sterban was singing background for Elvis Presley as a member of J.D. Sumner & The Stamps Gospel Quartet when the invitation came to become an Oak Ridge Boy. “It really wasn’t a hard decision for me,” said Sterban of leaving the King of Rock ‘n Roll’s high profile entourage to hitch his wagon to

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a vocal group that had not yet cut its first record. “If I could have jumped through the phone when Golden called me I would have,” said Sterban who details his Presley era in his new biography, “From Elvis to Elvira.” “I was that excited. I’d been a big fan of the Oak Ridge Boys for years.” “This is our sixth Christmas album,” said Sterban of “Christmastimes-A-Comin”, released last November on Gaither Records. The album balances biblical-rooted songs with secular songs, and even a rockin’ new tune about Santa commandeering an 18-wheeler, titled “Peterbilt Sleigh.” The 4pm Nov. 24 concert at Star Plaza will feature a mix of hits and Christmas tunes. “We couldn’t go on a stage and not sing ‘Elvira,’ ‘American Made,” and ‘Bobby Sue’,” said Sterban. “The first half is all hits then we come back and sing Christmas songs about Santa and snowmen and Baby Jesus. One of my favorite songs is ‘Thank God for Kids’ from our first Christmas album. Only now we sing it for our kids AND our grandkids.” An Oak Ridge Boys’ Christmas show not only has songs, seasonal decorations, and an appearance by Santa, it even comes with ‘White Christmas’ guarantee courtesy of a snow-making machine.

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“It’s an enjoyable family show,” concluded Sterban. “Christmastime is family time and we love seeing whole families singing along with us.”

MUSIC NOTES:

• Hear more Christmas caroling when Hobart High School’s teen vocal group, Wolffgang, sing live at 6pm on WLPR 89.1 FM – The Lakeshore as guests of “Midwest BEAT with Tom Lounges’ on Tuesday, November 26. Dean Wolff is director of the 12-member female ensemble. Streams it live at: lakeshorepublicmedia.org/radio • Valparaiso University needs local low brass players — tuba, euphonium, baritone, tenor, and sousaphone horns — of all ages for its

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Zodiac 113 N. main st., Crown Point, iN 46307; 219.663.0303; zodiaccafelounge.com woodhollow after darK 200 U.s. hwy 41, schererville, iN 46375; 219.864.8862 BullPen Bar & grill 1013 W. U.s hwy 30, schererville, iN 46375; 219.322.7788; gotobullpenbar.com goodfellas 11200 W. 129th ave, Cedar Lake, iN 46303; 219.374.6700; Goodfellascedarlake.com social 219 2350 Cline ave., schererville, iN 46375: 219.322.3060: socialtwoonenine.com danny Z’s 1860 45th st., munster, iN 46321; 219.924.3500: dzpubngrub.com Beer geeKs 3030 45th st., highland, iN 46322: 219.513.9795: Beergeekspub.com

annual “TubaChristmas” concert on December 8 at the campus’ Chapel of the Resurrection. Get sheet music to practice and participation information at: tubachristmas.com The “TubaChristmas” concert (3:15pm) follows the “Julefest” concert (1pm) performed by the 100-piece Valparaiso Community/University band. Both are free to attend. More: Call Aimee at (219) 465-7819.

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ne definition of sport as a noun is “an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature, as racing, baseball, tennis, golf, bowling, wrestling, boxing, hunting, fishing, etc”. Given the fact a sport requires skill OR physical prowess, can anyone deny that poker deserves a rightful place among the activities included in the “etc.” portion of the definition? The recent World Series of Poker Final Table in Las Vegas exemplified the combination of skill, strategy and patience that is required of people who play the game successfully. There are aspects of poker that make it similar to any arena of competition. The object is to eliminate the competition. In what manner the competition is eliminated often takes the form of a chess game. There’s a

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there are losers. It is a combination of decisions during a hand which determine the ultimate decision, but because there are so many strategic layers involved in getting there, the correlation of poker to sport gets complicated. The mechanics of the game create the tempo for the playing experience. The subtleties which revolve around timing and decision-making are what give it life as a sport. In tournament poker, just as in team or individual sports competition, success seems to feed on success, or better yet, a position of strength. The bigger your stack of chips, the more daring you can be and the more gambles you can take. The damage created by mistakes is minimized by the cushion you enjoy over your opponents. Conservative play, or playing with “scared money”, dilutes the disciplined, tactical behavior that is required to succeed consistently under tournament conditions. One mistake can spell defeat. Failure in poker feeds on impulsiveness and desperation. When you are compelled to gamble big on one hand

to get back in the game, hoping that luck will be on your side instead of relying on skill and strategy, you set yourself up for defeat. The general consensus of opinion among poker experts is that the biggest mistake players make is playing too many hands. Waiting for the opportune moments and then striking while the iron is hot gives credence to the genuine philosophy behind winning poker: Patience… plus nerves of steel!

BONUS ROUND-UP:

BLUE CHIP: The casino’s poker room hosts ongoing promotions and tournament action that stack up to any venue of its kind in the Midwest. The Bad Beat Jackpot for Texas Hold’em games offers players of every competitive level the opportunity to win big. A player with a hand of aces full of kings or better must be beaten in order to qualify for the jackpot. FOUR WINDS: Get ready for Dec. 6 when W Club members can win a new Jeep Wrangler and a share of $23,000 in cash or instant credit/free slot play. Six $1,000 winners will be selected at each of three drawings to be held at 6pm, 7pm, and 8pm. There will be a $5,000 winner at the 9pm drawing. The drawing for the 2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport 4X4 will take place at 10pm. HORSESHOE: The $1Million Bank Roll promotion began on Nov. 15 and will continue every day through Jan. 26. Total Rewards player’s club members are invited to swipe their cards at the kiosks for one free entry per day. Additional entries may be earned for every 25 tier credits received based on play. The grand prize is $1 million in free casino play. MAJESTIC STAR: The Heartland Poker Tour returns to the Gary property for a two-week run starting tomorrow (Fri. Nov. 22) and continuing through Dec. 9. Single-table satellites and multi-table qualifiers are scheduled every day through next Tuesday. The satellites will be held all day while the qualifiers are scheduled for 4pm and 7pm.

THEATER now showing ThRoUgh DEC 22 A ChristmAs CArol the musiCAl Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Rd, Munster, 219.836.3255. theatreatthecenter. com. in this musical twist on a classic Christmas story, Charles dickens’ immortal tale of gets the full Broadway treatment. audiences will revel in the story’s emotional power and the joy that comes from with memorable music as they watch ebenezer scrooge get a chance for redemption.

noV 21-24 seussiCAl the musiCAl 7pm Thu-Sat, 2pm Sun, Munster High School Auditorium, 8808 Columbia Ave, Munster. 219.838.2235. inspired by dr. seuss’ stories and characters, this musical brings several of the author’s most famous characters—The Cat in the hat, horton, The Grinch, Yertle the Turtle and more—together for a story of friendship, loyalty, family and community.

noV 22-23 twelve Angry men 7pm, Crown Point High School Auditorium, 1500 S Main St, Crown Point. 219.663.4885 ext. 11604. cphstheatre.com. originally broadcast as a televised play in 1954, this classic production tells the story of jurors deliberating the fate of a

man accused of the fatal stabbing of his father and the one dissenting juror who slowly convinces the others that the case is not as clear as it seemed in court.

Footlight PlAyers 1705 Franklin St, Michigan City. 219.874.4035. footlightplayers.org. This community theater group has been entertaining audiences in michigan City for more than 50 years with its productions of dramas, comedies and musicals.

noV 22, 24 rumors Great Oaks Banquet Hall, 13109 Wicker Ave, Cedar Lake. 219.365.3197. lctg.org. This hilarious sophisticated comedy is all fun and games until the police arrive. husband and wife Charlie and myra have invited four couples to celebrate their anniversary, but when the couples arrive, the guests of honor are nowhere to be found.

noV 29-DEC 15 little women Memorial Opera House 104 Indiana Street, Valparaiso. Admission: Adults $21, Seniors $18 and Military/Students $18. 219.548.9137. Watch as the march sisters grow up during the Civil War in america. This musical production is based upon the novel written by Louisa may alcott.

noV 29-DEC 21 the sAntAlAnd diAries Chicago Street Theatre, 154 W Chicago Street, Valparaiso. 219.464.1636. Which of santa’s lists will you be on this year? This comedic production of a macy’s department store elf and what happens before, during and after the children visit santa. Join the cast on Nov. 29

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noV 30-DEC 21 Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells BAtmAn smells Chicago Street Theatre, 154 W Chicago St, Valparaiso. 219.464.1636. What would you do if you got the worst secret santa eVeR? in this production adapted from the book series by Barbara Park, Junie B. Jones pulls her arch enemies name, may, for the secret santa gift exchange. Watch what Junie B. Jones will do as santa is watching. Join the company after the show on Nov. 30 for cookies and cocoa at the theater.

noV 30-DEC 14 A FABulous 50’s ChristmAs Towle Community Theater; 5205 Hohman Avenue, Hammond. Admission: $17. 219.937.8780. The show style pays

homage to the Perry Como and andy William’s Christmas specials of the 1950s & 60s complete with original vocal arrangements and commercials from the era. directed by Jeff Casey.

VEnUEs inDiana ChiCAgo street theAter 154 W Chicago St, Valparaiso. 219.464.1636. chicagostreet.org. Now in its 58th season of bringing live theatrical entertainment to the greater Northwest indiana region, the CsT presents a variety of plays and musicals each season, in addition to regularly scheduled theater classes for both adults and children. Nov 29-dec 21: Naughty or Nice holiday double Feature.

the memoriAl oPerA house 104 E Indiana Ave, Valparaiso. 219.548.9137. mohlive.com. This renovated, 364-seat building—with red, white and blue stained-glass windows—was built as a living memorial to the Civil War veterans of Porter County. Built in 1893, the theater has a rich history as a venue for musical and dramatic performances. Nov 21: WiNdiaNa 2013—songs by Women Composers; Nov 23: harbor Lights November 2013; Nov 29dec 13: Little Women. ross musiC theAter 227 Center Street, Hobart. m-mproductions.com. Ross music Theatre is a community theater group whose goal is to

involve everyone who wants to in the magic known as theater. Ross music Theatre in association with m & m Productions puts on a two musical show season every year with an occasional third musical. Nov 29, dec 6-8: scrooge: a Christmas Tradition; dec 20: merry Christmas George Bailey stAr PlAzA theAtre I-65 & US 30, Merrillville. 219.769.6600. starplazatheatre.com. With 3,400 seats arranged in two intimate seating levels, the theater consistently hosts premier performers year-round. With its convenient location in the heart of Northwest indiana’s shopping and dining district and its proximity to the adjoining Radisson hotel, the star Plaza offers a total entertainment package to area theatergoers. the theAtre At the Center Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Rd, Munster. 219.836.3255.

theatreatthecenter. com. This theater, just 35 minutes from downtown Chicago, has the distinction of being the only professional equity theater in Northwest indiana, and showcases the artistry of professional actors, musicians and designers from throughout the midwest. Nov 14-dec 22: a Christmas Carol The musical. towle Community theAter 5205 Hohman Ave, Hammond. 219.937.8780. towletheater.org. To honor its mission of nurturing and celebrating local talent in the arts, the Towle Community Theater presents exhibitions, theatrical productions and musical performances in the heart of downtown hammond. Nov 30-dec 1, dec 6-8, 13-15, 20-22: a Fabulous 50’s Christmas.

illinois Auditorium theAtre oF roosevelt university 50 E Parkway, Chicago. 312.902.1500. auditoriumtheatre.org. a National historic Landmark and a mainstay of Chicago architecture and theatre since 1889, the auditorium continues to provide unparalleled ballet performances and a variety of artistic productions. Nov 22: hungarian state Folk ensemble. BroAdwAy in Seussical the Musical

ChiCAgo various venues, Chicago. 800.775.2000. broadwayinchicago. com. a joint venture between the two largest commercial theater producers and owner/ operators in the U.s., Broadway in Chicago offers the finest of professional stage productions in multiple theaters, all residing in Chicago’s lively Loop. Bank of america Theatre, 18 W monroe st. Broadway Playhouse, 175 e Chestnut. Nov 14-dec 29: Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer—The musical. Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W Randolph st. Nov 26-dec 15: elf the musical. oriental Theatre, 24 W Randolph st. oct 30-dec 21: Wicked. ChiCAgo shAkesPeAre theAter Navy Pier, 800 E Grand Ave, Chicago. 312.595.5600. chicagoshakes.com. Prominently located on Navy Pier in Chicago, this venue mounts renowned productions of the plays of William shakespeare, as well as works from distinguished american and international playwrights and directors. The theater’s mission to reach out to younger audiences is well accomplished with its offerings of children’s productions and student matinees. The architecturally dynamic structure houses both an engaging, 500-seat courtyard theater and a 200-seat black box theater.

FREE 2nd SatuRday SympoSium

Music by AlAn Menken lyrics by lynn Ahrens book by Mike ockrent & lynn Ahrens

Featuring Jackie penrod, set designer

Sat., nov. 23

bAsed on the story by chArles dickens

3pm symposium • 4pm performance

directed by WilliAM Pullinsi

The Musical nw i .co m /g o

1040 Ridge Road Munster, Indiana 463 21

836-3255

219-

TheatreAtTheCenter.com

11.21.2013 / The Times media Co. / Go!

DECEMBER MOVIES

Holiday Movies: December Phase 2 1. ExpEcting

Jessie McCormack’s debut as a director is a comedy about a series of dramatic developments in the life of Lizzie (Radha Mitchell) who has been unable to conceive with her husband Casey (Michael Weston). The situation seems hopeless until Andie (Michelle Monaghan), Lizzie’s best friend, unexpectedly gets pregnant after a one-night stand. When her friend offers to have the baby and give him or her to Casey and Lizzie, the couple finally agrees, but there is a stipulation. Andie must move in with them for the duration of the pregnancy. This contingency results in sticky situations for Andie, Lizzie and Casey but also creates room to explore love, friendship, generosity and the boundaries of relationships with several people living under the same roof. (Tribeca)

2. Out Of thE furnacE

The future looks grim for the Baze brothers—Russell (Christian Bale) and Rodney (Casey Affleck) who live in a deteriorating Rust Belt town. Though they have fantasies about getting out and finding something better, for now Russell works at a blue collar job during the day and cares for their father who is terminally ill the rest of the time. The action picks up as Rodney returns home from duty in Iraq. When Russell finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time and ends up in prison, Rodney gets involved with the real bad guys including Curtis DeGroat (Woody Harrelson) and John Petty (Willem Dafoe). Russell gets out of jail and Rodney disappears. Russell undertakes a risky course of action to serve justice and find Rodney. Scott Cooper, who wrote and directed the

Go! / The Times media Co. / 11.21.2013

award-winning Crazy Heart, is in charge of the movie but there are heavy-hitters on the producing side as well including Leonardo DiCaprio and Tony and Ridley Scott. Also in the cast, Zoe Saldana, Sam Shepard and Forest Whitaker. (Relativity Media)

3. Last Days On Mars

The crew of eight researchers are within 19 hours of completing a sixmonth mission at a base on Mars when one of the scientists decides to make one last visit to obtain a soil sample that he thinks may confirm his theory that there is life on the planet. When he disappears, other crew members led by Charles Brunel (Elias Koteas) and Vincent Campbell (Liev Schrieber) take up the search. When the first two lost crew members return as zombies, a pattern of hunting, killing and reanimation as zombies begins. Crew members including Rebecca Lane (Romola Farai), Marko Petrovic (Goran Kostic), Johnny Harris (Robert Irwin), Richard Harrington (Tom Cullen), Lauren Dalby (Yusra Warsama) and Kim Aldrich (Olivia Williams), continue to try to escape against vast odds as they are increasingly outnumbered by the undead. Though the movie is based on a short story “The Animators,” by sci-fi writer Sydney Bounds and the screenplay was written by Clive Dawson, it has been criticized as a zombie movie with special effects. (Universal)

4. saving Mr. Banks

This film tells the story of Walt Disney’s ultimately successful quest to make the beloved “Mary Poppins,” the creation of Pamela L. Travers into a movie. Almost 20 years of wooing

Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) shows Disneyland to “Mary Poppins” author P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson) in Disney’s “Saving Mr. Banks”.

the writer eventually comes down to a two-week period when the cranky author, played by Emma Thompson, visits Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) at Disney studios in Los Angeles. Disney’s campaign enlists the talent of chief composers Robert B. Sherman (B.J. Novak) and Richard M. Sherman (Jason Schwartzman), screenwriter Don DaGradi (Bradley Whitford), studio exec Tommie (Kathy Baker), his wife Lillian (Dendrie Taylor) and secretary Dolly (Melanie Paxson). Travers is unmoved. She replays scenes from her childhood in Australia in her head, especially concerned about how her father—Mr. Banks—really Travers Robert Goff (Colin Farrell) would be portrayed. The creative tension arises as Walt Disney has to figure out what’s driving Travers’ obstinance by reflecting on his own upbringing. John Lee Hancock directs an all-star cast including Paul Giamatti and Victoria Summer as Julie Andrews, Kristopher Kyer as Dick Van Dyke. (Walt Disney Pictures)

5. tyLEr pErry’s a MaDEa christMas

The first holiday-themed Tyler Perry movie—it’s his 17th film, which is the 7th in the Madea series—sends the gun-toting grandmother Mabel “Madea” Simmons on a journey to a little town out in the country to visit relatives. The town is getting ready for an annual holiday jubilee and havoc ensues. The soundtrack is as widely anticipated as the movie, featuring Smokey Robinson, Mariah Carey, Brian McKnight, James Brown, KEM, Boyz II Men, Kelly Rowland Jeremih, Stevie Wonder, Jackson Five, Ashanti and others, and will be released in late November prior to the opening of the movie. (Lionsgate)

6. thE hOBBit: thE DEsOLatiOn Of sMaug (2013)

The second of three instalments of the Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien picks up with Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) on the road with Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and 13 dwarves. The goal is

get back to the lost Kingdom of Erebor and reclaim the dwarves’ homeland. The adventure will include passage through Lonely Mountain, Esgaroth and Dale, but will end with a confrontation with Smaug, a dragon. Like the Lord of the Rings series, this prequel is directed, written and produced by Peter Jackson and his long time team of collaborators. Richard Armitage, Andy Serkis and Elijah Wood also star in the movie. (New Line Cinema)

12. WAlking WitH dinosAurs 3d

7. AmericAn Hustle

The fictionalized version of the FBI ABSCAM investigation, involving a fake Arab sheik and a drama within a movie, pits Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale), a master con artist partnered up with Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams)—a British grifter in enough trouble with the feds to get pulled into the sting—against the New Jersey mob. FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper) masterminds the operation, which is frequently made even more dangerous by Rosenfeld’s volatile and glamorous wife Rosalyn (Jennifer Lawrence). Director David O. Russell who worked with Lawrence and Cooper on last year’s Silver Linings Playbook tells a complicated story that ends with the indictment of high-level mobsters as well as corrupt government officials. (Columbia Pictures)

8. AncHormAn 2: tHe legend continues

Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell), and his entire crew return to the newsroom. This time the popular San Diego team will make the transition to a 24-hour cycle, while keeping every helmet of hair in place. The news program full of characters includes hapless curbside comAnchorman 2 menter Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd), sports commentator Champ Kind (David Koechner), Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate), wife and co-anchor with Burgundy and meteorologist Brick Tamland (Steve Carell). (Paramount Pictures)

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FranCois duhamel

Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams, left) and Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) attempt to scam an under cover agent in Columbia Pictures’ “American Hustle.”

9. August: osAge county

One of the most highly-anticipated movies of 2013 opens on Christmas Day starring Meryl Streep playing Violet, the matriarch and focal point of Tracy Letts’ Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play. Set during several days of an emergency family reunion, the multi-character drama is loaded with dysfunctional family members from a precocious teenage grandchild (Abigail Breslin) to several full-fledged middle-aged head cases including Julia Roberts’ character Barbara. The story has everything including infidelity, drug addiction, incest, alcoholism, suicide and frequent comic moments. Also starring Ewan McGregor, Benedict Cumberbatch, Sam Shepard, and Chris Cooper. (The Weinstein Company)

10. grudge mAtcH

Another Christmas Day movie brings back a complete roster of formerly famous movie stars including Sylvester Stallone and Robert De Niro as two retired boxers at the center of the story. The rivalry between Billy “The Kid” McDonnen and Henry “Razor” Sharp was as notorious as the fact that fans felt it was never truly decided back in the early 1980s. A fight promoter brings them together for a meeting and the argument turns physical. A re-match is promptly scheduled as the fighters go into an extensive training period creating angst for their friends and family and a social media phenomenon. The comedy, directed by Peter Segal, also stars Kevin Hart Alan Arkin, Kim

Basinger, and Jon Bernthal costar. (Warner Bros.)

11. lAbor dAy

Although an adult Henry Wheeler (Tobey Maguire) is the narrator of this story, he is recalling a long weekend when he was 13 years old played by Gattlin Griffith. While shopping for school supplies he and his mother Adele (Kate Winslet) meet Frank Chambers (Josh Brolin), who ends up coming home with them. Henry needs a father—his real father and Adele’s husband has taken off, overwhelmed by Adele’s depression—and Adele needs adult companionship, but Frank, an escaped convict among other problems, is more than they bargain for. Critics who have already seen the film (shown at film festivals earlier this year) are not much enamored of the story but have nothing but praise for the performances. (Paramount Pictures)

The movie produced by BBC Earth after a very successful documentary series also produced by the BBC in 1999, is as close to real-life as possible, if you can suspend belief enough to deal with giant creatures who talk. The dinosaurs, which are computeranimated, but filmed in locations around the world that are similar to the environment scientists believe dinosaurs original habitats millions of years ago, are caught in a standard adventure with a young hero at the center. The film, directed by Neil Nightingale and Barry Cook from a script by John Collee cost $85 million to make and got no studio backing and will be released in 2D and 3D versions.(20th Century Fox)

13. tHe secret life of WAlter mitty

A re-make of the original Hollywood version of a classic James Thurber short story (starring Danny Kaye in the title role) has a retro-fitted story eliminating the World War II themed adventures of the original. In this version, Ben Stiller is the director and the lead, who still daydreams about invented heroic adventures and longs to impress the girl of his dreams, a co-worker named Cheryl (Kristen Wiig). Ironically Mitty works developing photos for Life magazine, which will soon be history, but gets an opportunity to live an adventure when he is assigned to get the perfect photograph for the historic final edition of Life. Also starring in the film billed as comedy and science fiction: Patton Oswalt, Shirley MacLaine, Adam Scott and Kathryn Hahn. (20th Century Fox)

Walking With Dinosaurs

11.21.2013 / The Times media Co. / Go!

Fandango Top 10 Presales 1. The Best Man Holiday • 2. Hunger Games: Catching Fire • 3. Thor: The Dark World 3D • 4. Justin Bieber’s Believe • 5. Free Birds 3D • 6. hunger Games: double Feature • 7. Last Vegas • 8. Thor: The Dark World • 9. Hunger Games: Catching Fire Imax • 10. about Time

In tHeaters tHIs Weekend

CoURTesY The sTUdios

Hunger games: CatCHIng FIre

2 hr 26 min | PG-13 | Released Nov. 22

Director: Francis Lawrence Katniss everdeen has returned home safe after winning the 74th annual hunger Games along with fellow tribute Peeta mellark. Winning means that they must turn around and leave their family and close friends, embarking on a “Victor’s Tour” of the districts. along the way Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering, but the Capitol is still very much in control as President snow prepares the 75th annual hunger Games (The Quarter Quell) — a competition that could change Panem forever.

Go! / The Times media Co. / 11.21.2013

FrOzen

OldbOy

HOmeFrOnt

Director: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee

Director: spike Lee

Director: Gary Fleder

in “Frozen,” fearless optimist anna teams up with rugged mountain man Kristoff and his loyal reindeer sven in an epic journey, encountering everest-like conditions, mystical trolls and a hilarious snowman named olaf in a race to find anna’s sister elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of arendelle in eternal winter.

oLdBoY is a provocative, visceral thriller that follows the story of Joe doucette, a man who is abruptly kidnapped and held hostage for 20 years in solitary confinement, for no apparent reason. When he is suddenly released without explanation, he begins an obsessive mission to find out who imprisoned him, only to discover that the real mystery is why he was set free.

hoping to escape his troubled past, former dea agent Phil Broker (Jason statham) moves to a seemingly quiet backwater town in the bayou with his daughter. however, he finds anything but quiet there, for the town is riddled with an underbelly of drugs and violence.

1 hr 25 min | PG | Released Nov. 27

1 hr 58 min | R | Released Nov. 27

1 hr 40 min | R | Released Nov. 27

Go! To THE MoVIES AMC ShowplACe 16 875 deer Creek drive; schererville, iN; 219.322.9762; amctheatres.com

Black NaTIVITy

DElIVEry MaN

THE BEST MaN HolIDay

Director: Kasi Lemmons

Director: Ken scott

Director: malcolm d. Lee

as a Baltimore teen raised by a single mother (Jennifer hudson), Langston travels to New York City to spend the Christmas holiday with estranged relatives. Langston soon finds that Cobbs has strict rules, and the youth is unwilling to follow them.

amiable slacker david Wozniak (Vince Vaughn) drives a delivery truck for his family’s company and is content with a life of mediocrity. however, when he finds out that he is the biological father of over 500 offspring and many of them are suing to learn his identity.

after nearly 15 years apart, friends discover each other again in The Best man holiday, the longawaited next chapter to the film that ushered in a new era of comedy. These college friends will discover just how easy it is for long-forgotten rivalries and romances to be ignited.

PG | Released Nov. 27

1 hr 45 min | PG-13 | Released Nov. 22

2 hr | R | Released Nov. 15

AMC ShowplACe 12 1400 eagleridge, schererville, iN; 219.322.9264; amctheatres.com AMC ShowplACe hobArt 12 2590 southlake mall; merrillville, iN; 219.755.0377; amctheatres.com

Kennedy theAtre 6735 Kennedy ave.; hammond, iN; 219.845.5336 Crown theAtre 19 N Court st.; Crown Point, iN; 219.663.1616 hooSIer theAtre 1335 119th st; Whiting, iN; 219.659.0567 CIneMArK theAter 700 Porter’s Vale Blvd; Valparaiso, iN; 800.326.3264 lAnSIng CIneMA 8 16621 Torrence ave; Lansing, iL; 708.418.0300

portAge 16 & IMAX 6550 U.s. highway 6; Portage, iN 46368; 219.764.7469; imax. com/theatres/t/ portage-16-imax/ Art theAter 230 main st.; hobart, iN; 219.942.1670; hobartarttheater.com

cHarlIE couNTryMaN

THor: THE Dark WorlD

aBouT TIME

Director: Fredrik Bond

Director: alan Taylor

Director: Richard Curtis

When his late mother appears in a vision and tells him to go to Bucharest, Charlie immediately boards a plane across the atlantic. But when he meets a fellow passenger, Charlie finds himself with another promise to fulfill.

in the aftermath of marvel’s “Thor” and “marvel’s The avengers,” Thor fights to restore order across the cosmos...but an ancient race led by the vengeful malekith returns to plunge the universe back into darkness.

When Tim Lake (domhnall Gleeson) is 21, his father (Bill Nighy) tells him a secret: The men in their family can travel through time. however, as his unusual life progresses, Tim finds that his special ability can’t shield him and those he loves from the problems of ordinary life.

THE Book THIEf

ENDEr’S GaME

frEE BIrDS

Director: Brian Percival

Director: Gavin hood

Director: Jimmy hayward

in 1938, young orphan Liesel (sophie Nélisse) arrives at the home of her new foster parents. When hans, a kindly housepainter, learns that Liesel cannot read, he teaches the child the wonders of the written language.

in the near future, a hostile alien race has attacked earth. in preparation for the next attack, the international military are training only the best young minds to find the future mazer Rackham. ender Wiggin is recruited to join the elite to save the human race.

Two turkeys from opposite sides of the tracks must put aside their differences and team up to travel back in time to change the course of history — and get turkey off the holiday menu for good.

1 hr 43 min | R | Released Nov. 15

2 hr 7 min | PG-13 | Released Nov. 8

1 hr 51 min | PG-13 | Released Nov. 8

1 hr 54 min | PG-13 | Released Nov. 1

2 hr 4 min | R | Released Nov. 8

1 hr 31 min | PG | Released Nov. 1

the hunger games: catching fire [PG-13] 800 800 1000 1201AM 1210AM DeLiVerY man [PG-13] 800 1035 1215AM thOr: the DarK WOrLD [PG-13] [REALD3D] 1130AM 120 215 405 500 745 1030 [DIGITAL] 1225 310 555 840 the Best man hOLiDaY [R] 100 400 700 1000 Last Vegas [PG-13] 1145AM 225 505 745 1025 enDer’s game [PG-13] 1130AM 220 510

the hunger games DOuBLe feature [PG-13] 520 800 JacKass Presents: BaD granDPa [R] 1145 215 445 12 Years a sLaVe [R] 100 410 720 1030 caPtain PhiLLiPs [PG-13] 1225 345 705 graVitY [PG-13] [REALD3D] 210 [DIGITAL] 1140AM cLOuDY With a chance Of meatBaLLs 2 [PG] 1135AM 210 445 720 free BirDs [PG] 1135AM 200 430

Doors open at 11am, first show 11:30am Starting Nov. 22 first show F-Sun 10am, M-Th 11:30

Assistive Listening and Captioning System Avail nw i .co m /g o

11.21.2013 / The Times media Co. / Go!

Happenings indiana nOV 21

noV 22

Yard Sale Extravaganza

St Matthias Church, 101 W Burrell Dr, Crown Point. 219.629.6346. theyardsaleextravaganza.

com. Packed with treasures for everyone, this shopping extravaganza is an indoor yard sale, flea market and collectible and craft show all in one. noV 23

Ridge Model Railroaders Fall Open House

10am-4pm, Ridge Model Railroaders Association, Ridge Rd and Colfax Ave, Griffith. Ridge Model Railroaders are hosting their free annual fall open house for visitors to see the club’s model train builds. The club is over thirty years old and has undergone many renovations in the last 5 years. noV 23

Record Collectors Show

9am-3pm, Georgio’s Comfort Inn, 8800 W 159th St, Orland Park. recordshowsofamerica.com. A blast from the past will link the best music had to offer from the 1950s through the 1980s at the Georgio’s Comfort Inn, which will be hosting a Record Collectors Show. Thousands of albums and 45s will be presented on 40 dealer tables featuring popular music i.e. Rock, Soul, Country, Jazz, Blues, Metal and more. Special guests are the K-hITS Street Team from 104.3 FM who will greet patrons at 9am with on-site giveaways/prizes, activities/games and more. They will be present until 11am but the show itself will continue until 3pm.

Holiday for Heroes 5pm-8pm, Indiana Welcome Center, 7770 Corinne Drive, Hammond. 800.255.5253. This evening brings a special appreciation for our region’s police, firefighters, ems, military forces and hoosier helpers. This event is open exclusively to all of these individuals and their families. Cookies and hot cocoa will be served, and attendees may take a free photo with santa.

nOV 21 Countdown to Mardi Gras 5-8pm, 22 E US 30, Merrillville. 219.886.4468. Tickets $15. methodist hospitals Foundation presents a Countdown to mardi Gras Party/Fundraiser hosted by Krewe mercury and Krewe majestic eagle. decorate a mardi Gras mask for chance to win prizes, or play in a Bean Bag Tournament. Krewe mercury will also be starting their basket drawing. Buy chances to win a basket worth at least $50 from various vendors.

nOV 22 CHris tuCker 8pm, Horseshoe Casino Hammond, 777 Casino Center Drive, Hammond. 800.745.3000. actor and comedian Chris Tucker will be performing at The Venue. Tucker is well-known for his role in the “Rush hour Film” series and appearances on “def Comedy Jam” in the 90’s. he most recently appeared in the oscar nominated film “silver Lining Playbook” with Robert deNiro, Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper. he is on a standup comedy tour the has received rave reviews all over the world.

KYLe TeLeChaN

nOV 22 duneland’s HoMetown Holiday CeleBration

8:30pm, Historic Downtown Chesterton. 219.926.5513. dunelandchamber.org. The duneland Christmas Celebration begins the Friday after Thanksgiving. Festivities start Friday evening at 5:30pm, with the Twilight Christmas Parade. The Parade starts from Chesterton middle school and continues through downtown from Broadway to Calumet Road and along Porter avenue before returning back to the middle school parking lot. Before the Twilight Parade, visitors and guests are treated to free horse drawn carriage rides provided by Buggies and Things and sponsored by Chesterton’s mistletoe market. after the Twilight Parade, santa will be in his house in Thomas Centennial Park to greet all the boys and girls at 8:30pm.

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nOV 22 10tH annual BlaCk tie affair 6-9pm, Avalon Manor, 3550 E US Rt 30, Merrillville. 219.933.7111. each year, We Care From The heart social services hosts a black tie affair honoring and celebrating

disabled residents and senior citizens in Northwest indiana to help build their selfesteem and enforce that they truly are a vital part of the community. This night of celebration features dining, dancing and entertainment for special guests and their family.

12th Annual Holiday Shopping Spree & Craft Show

nOV 22 Parade of liGHts and tree liGHtinG 6:30-9pm, Merrillville Town Hall, 7280 Broadway, Merrillville. merrillville.in.gov. merrillville’s annual parade of lights and tree lighting offers fun and entertainment for

the whole family, plus an opportunity to take photos with santa and shopping.

nOV 23 12tH annual Holiday sHoPPinG sPree & Craft sHow, 10am-3pm, Kahler Middle School, 600 Joliet St, Dyer. 219.865.2505. shoppers can browse and buy products and services from crafters and home-based businesses at this annual shopping spree and craft show.

nOV 23 feedinG HoPe Vendor & Craft fundraiser 9am-3pm, Avalon Manor, 3550 E US Hwy 30, Merrillville. 219.741.0435.

Admission: $2 donation. This craft fair for a cause features 80-upscale vendors, crafters and direct-sellers, free gift bags to the first 100 shoppers, entertainment, cash bar and concessions and raffles. Brought to You by anne-marie is teaming up with albert’s Jewelers for the wonderful event supporting the communities of Northwest indiana. Please bring in your unwanted gold/silver jewelry and coins and albert’s will pay you top dollar for it! 10% of all purchases made by albert’s Jewelers will be donated to the Food Bank of Northwest indiana. Looking Glass Friends entertainment will be onsite with their fantasy characters.

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Go! / The Times media Co. / 11.21.2013

These events are Editor’s Picks

NOV 23-24 holidaze art and Craft Show 10am-5pm Saturday, 10am-4pm Sunday, Porter County Expo Center, 215 E Division Rd, Valparaiso. 219.464.9918. The holiday shopping seasons begins early with this art and craft show set to feature 150 art and craft vendors from 5 states selling thousands of beautiful items.

NOV 23

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Jazz @ Miller Bakery Cafe 8-10pm, Miller Bakery Cafe, 555 South Lake Street, Miller Beach. 219.427.1446. Patti shaffner and scott Pazera Jazz duo return to miller Bakery Cafe. The Region’s own Patti shaffner, a local singing legend and Jazz Vocalist, and scott Pazera, a standard and acoustic bass artist, will be playing at miller Bakery Cafe. Join the fun for cool drinks, delicious food and hot jazz.

world-famous Gipsy orchestra.

NOV 22-25

NOV 23 CeltiC roCk ConCert 7:30-11pm, Wicker Park Social Center, 2215 Ridge Road, Highland. newelementrocks.com. Tickets $5. New element is a fivemember band which has a distinctive blend of irish/Celtic/Rock music played with a contemporary edge. The group has been playing in the Chicagoland area for the last 15 years and appeals to fans of all ages. sense their passion, energy and precision while playing Celtic rock, bluegrass and americana at this concert sponsored by the North Township Trustee’s office. dancing and refreshments will be available.

NOV 23 GaraGe Sale/Card and CoMiC Show, 9am-3pm, Lincoln Community Center, 2450 Lincoln St, Highland. 219.838.0114. highlandparks.org. more than 150 vendors will display their wares— toys, TY Beanies, Yankee candles, sports cards, coins, mcFarlanes, sports supplies, memorabilia and more—at this indoor market.

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NOV 23

NOV 24

NOV 26

NOV 27

haMMond holiday kiCk-off CeleBration—a triBute to ‘a ChriStMaS Story’ 10am-4pm, Hohman, Sibley & Fayette, Hammond. 219.512.4298. downtownhammond. org The downtown hammond Council kicks off the holiday season with its annual tribute to a holiday classic with fun-filled activities for the entire family. activities include shoot Your eye out and The Parker Family Look-a-Like contests; art and crafts, games; horse drawn carriage rides; antique, crafts and food vendors; and a tree lighting ceremony.

MuSiC of thankSGivinG 3pm, Dyer United Methodist Church, 2016 Church St, Dyer. 219.661.9510. The dyer Wind ensemble presents a one hour holiday performance followed by light refreshments served by church members.

JoSh holMeS at white rhino 9-11:55pm, White Rhino Bar and Grill, 101 Joliet St Unit 900, Dyer. WhiteRhinoOnline.com. indiana native and Chicago area favorite, Josh holmes, melds guitar-driven rock and roll with insightful lyrics and no-holds-barred live performances. The dynamic performances vary in format from playing solo, to the high energy and sound of his full band shows. The band has been described as “impressively cohesive and a group beyond their years.” Reviews like these, combined with an ever-growing fan base, it is no wonder that this project has left such a huge impression on his fans.

waG your tail wedneSday 3-7pm, Indiana Welcome Center, 7770 Corinne Drive, Hammond. AChristmasStoryComesHome.com. Bring in your wellbehaved cats or dogs to the indiana Welcome Center for photos with santa. Photos cost $5 each, with $1 donated to a local animal shelter. The indiana Welcome Center will also be accepting donations for the shelters.

NOV 23 Parade of liGhtS, 7pm, Town Hall Complex, 7408 Constitution Ave, Cedar Lake. 219.374.6157. The 14th annual Parade of Lights leaves hanover Central high school and travels around the lake to the Town hall Complex where hot chocolate and cookies will be served. santa will be on hand to greet children and hand out candy.

NOV 24 aidS awareneSS GoSPel feSt 3-6pm, Trinity United Church of Christ, 1276 W 20th Ave, Gary. Lifting our Voices for aids awareness Gospel Fest is sponsored by the Gary alumnae Chapter of delta sigma Theta sorority. Please show your support and join the event presenters as they kick off World aids day. There will be great music, praise dancers, free hiV testing, information and refreshments. The event is held to get the public talking about hiV/aids, raise awareness and show support by wearing a red ribbon. The event is free and open to the public.

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These events are Editor’s Picks

Wag Your Tail Wednesday

THROUGH DEC 11 Be a Santa to a Senior, Hobart: Brentwood at Hobart, 1420 St. Mary Cir. Merrillville:

Brookdale Sterling House, 8253 Virginia St; Horizon Bank, 8590 Broadway; Towne Centre Senior Retirement Community, 7250 Arthur Blvd. Portage: Spring Mill Health Campus, 101 W 87th Ave. 219.793.9023. beasantatoasenior.com. Run by the local home instead senior Care Center, this program ensures isolated seniors receive gifts and companionship during the holidays. The public is invited to select an ornament with a senior’s first name and gift requests from Christmas trees at participating retailers. shoppers can return the gifts unwrapped to the store and gifts will be distributed by volunteers to the local senior.

illinoiS NOV 22 hunGarian State folk enSeMBle 7:30-11:30pm, The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Pkwy, Chicago. AuditoriumTheatre.org. The hungarian state Folk ensemble returns to Chicago with folk music that inspired Liszt, Bartók and Kodály is put on stage by both the hungarian Folk orchestra and the

Medieval Craft Brew feSt Medieval Times, 2001 N Roselle Rd, Schaumburg. alequest.com. ale Quest is the first and only fusion of a craft beer festival and medieval Times tournament entertainment featuring jousting, swordsmanship, knight competitions, and renaissance-style dinner that is fit for a king. a three-hour craft beer sampling session, divided into five sessions during the three-day festival, includes local, national and international craft beers.

NOV 28 MCdonald’S thankSGivinG Parade, 8-11am, State St from Congress to Randolph, Chicago. 312.235.2862. chicagofestivals.org. every year this televised parade draws more than 400,000 people. The parade features giant balloons, marching bands, horses, floats, performances and more.

ACTIVITIES indiana NOV 27 MallwalkerS: Bodyflow for fitneSS 9-10am, Westfield Southlake Mall, 2109 Southlake Mall, Merrillville. mandy moore, supervisor of group exercise and personal training at omni health & Fitness, will discuss the roles of conscious breathing, stretching and balance in our daily lives. This mini-BodyFlow class also

covers Tai Chi and Yoga exercises. mallwalkers is a monthly program featuring speakers and presentations promoting good health and wellbeing. New mallwalkers are welcome to register for the program, which takes place on the lower level of the Westfield southlake mall, outside of J.C. Penney.

NOV 28 PuMPkin Plod 9-11am, Lincoln Community Center, 2450 Lincoln St, Highland. highlandparks.org. This 38th annual Pumpkin Plod race is put on by the highland Parks & Recreation department and is an official TaC certified 10k flat and fast course through the streets of highland. it will be chip timed by T&h Timing. Traditional pumpkin pies will be awarded to top three runners in each category. Walkers are encouraged to join in a 5k-mile noncompetitive fun walk.

THROUGH NOV 24 turkey Shoot 10am. American Legion Post 502, 429 W 750 North, Valparaiso. southhavenpost502.org. shoot at paper targets from 35 yards at a Turkey shoot. shotgun only, american Legion supply all shells, 12-16-20 and .410 gauge. Guns also furnished if needed. Cost is $3 per line for choice of bacon, sausage or turkey (other choices also available), $4 per line for whole hams. Those who don’t want to shoot, can try tip boards for same items. meat furnished by BeeF mart of Portage. heated shelters complete with color TV to screen sporting events. Free coffee and hot lunch.

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Celeb birthdays Nov. 21: actress Cherry Jones is 57. Bassist Brian ritchie of Violent femmes is 53. Christian singer steven Curtis Chapman is 51. actress nicollette sheridan is 50. singer Bjork is 48. singer Chauncey hannibal of BlaCKstreet is 45. Bassist alex James of Blur is 45. rapper Pretty lou of lost Boyz is 42. actress Jena malone is 29. actor sam Palladio (“nashville”) is 26. Nov. 22: actor richard Kind (“spin City,” ‘’mad about you”) is 57. actress Jamie lee Curtis is 55. actress mariel hemingway is 52. actor stephen Geoffreys is 49. drummer Chris fryar of Zac Brown Band is 43. actress scarlett Johannson is 29. Nov. 23: singer Bruce hornsby is 59. actress Kelly Brook (“smallville”) is 34. actor lucas Grabeel (“high school musical”) is 29. TV personality nicole “snooki” Polizzi (“Jersey shore”) is 26. singer-actress miley Cyrus is 21.

Anniversary Excitement Franciscan Omni Health & Fitness celebrating 40 years of fit fun PhiliP PotemPa / PhiliP.PotemPa@nwi.com

But surprise storms that rocked Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland were not part of the party planning. “One of our events was to invite guests to watch the Bears game and even that was a surprise delay,” said Durochik, who assisted with hosting the games, drawings and events the open house invitation included for guests on Sunday afternoon.

etty Durochik, Franciscan Omni Health & Fitness programming coordinator for the Region’s familiar destination for exercise with locations in both Schererville and Chesterton, wanted last weekend’s 40th anniversary party for the property to be filled with surprises for members.

Settlers’ Day Celebrate our heritage by stepping back into America’s past! Sunday, November 24 • 10am – 3pm • Costumed Living-History Demonstrators • History Hikes and Crafts • Imaginary Wagon Train Adventure Admission is free. Donations of nonperishable food or money, to benefit a local food depository, will be gratefully accepted.

Sand Ridge Nature Center 15891 S. Paxton, South Holland 708.868.0606

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“Get Your Game On” was the theme for Franciscan Omni Health & Fitness’ Fall Open House and Durochik calls it “a day to remember” for many reasons. The open house, planned for months, served as both an opportunity for guests to take tours, see the club space, meet the staff and discover provided services, all while toasting and celebrating the 40th anniversary of Omni Health & Fitness’ Schererville location. “We had 520 of our 20-plus-year members invited to participate in the day and 175 happily accepted,” Durochik said. The unforeseen weather circumstances gave the day “a twist,” as Durochik describes it, for both members and new guests, and serving as evidence for the importance of team safety drills. With their “eyes on the sky,” bad weather was the talk of the day since storms and possible tornado warnings had been issued, but many people still braved the elements and arrived prior to the storms. “At around 1 p.m., most people with smart phones were alerted to tornado warnings in the immediate area and were told via text to take cover,” said Marci Crozier, regional director of marketing & sales, NIR Wellness Centers. “With close to 1,000 people in the building, Omni Schererville staff calmly and quickly moved everyone to the safe zones located in the locker rooms and back hallway. We heard from many of our members and guests of how proud they were of our staff for the handling of a Code Black Tornado Warning so well. It is obvious that we are 100 percent committed to the safety of our members and guests. We put our emergency drills into action. This open house proved this staff is second to none from safety to sales.”

P h o T o C o u r T e s y o f f r a n C i s C a n o m n i h e a lT h & f i T n e s s

Following the theme “Get Your Game On,” staff at Franciscan Omni Health & Fitness in Schererville, including Julia Ladewski, Parisi Speed School Supervisor and Angie Pilat Parisi, Speed School Coach, donned NFL jerseys for last weekend’s 2013 Fall Open House and hosted games and family activities in honor of the property’s 40th anniversary.

Durochik and Crozier said Omni has plenty of special opportunities to offer for anyone looking for a lifestyle change to welcome 2014 with new ideas. Durochik said both the Schererville and Chesterton locations are offering what she describes as “Get Fit Kits” with six visits to either club for $29.95 or 12 visits for $49.95. There’s also a Special Holiday Membership for $99 for the Trim & Fit Membership or a Group Training Membership. “Parisi Speed School at Schererville Omni is also offering Training Packages, perfect for gift giving for the child/teen on anyone’s holiday list,” Durochik said. “And Chesterton Omni recently opened Mystic Tan, a safe spray tan that is available to members and nonmembers alike. Gift certificates and packages are available for both.” • FYI: (219) 865-6969 or franciscanalliance. org/OMNI Mission Statement • Omni Health & Fitness, along with all facilities of Franciscan Alliance, Inc., has the following mission statement: “Continuing Christ’s Ministry In Our Franciscan Tradition. At Omni, we also commit ourselves to provide resources and support enabling personal responsibility for each person we serve in their quest for a quality lifestyle.”

From nwi.com/go ➼Holiday Cookie Contest: The downtown hammond Council will have its holiday Cookie Contest Nov. 23. The contest is part of the holiday Kick-off Celebration in downtown hammond. The contest will be held at the hammond iNovation Center, 5209 hohman ave. For more information, call (219) 512-4298. day of registration is $10 a batch. ➼ Wine Tasting: The Patio, 7706 Broadway, merrillville, will have a wine tasting from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Nov. 30. Call (219) 769-7990 for more information. ➼ Bake Sale: Franciscan st margaret health will have a bake sale as part of its snowflake Bazaar from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 22 at its hammond location, 5454 hohman ave. ➼ Food and drink specials at Mistletoe Market: Chesterton’s annual mistletoe market open house event on dec. 5 will also feature $5 food and drink specials at area restaurants. duneland Chamber of Commerce will present the event. For information, call the chamber at (219) 926-5513.

Asian Delight Asparagus’ menu stars good blend of fusion recipes EloisE MariE ValadEz / EloisE.ValadEz@nwi.coM

or a delicious mix of Asian fare, Region food fans need only visit Asparagus in Merrillville. The restaurant, established six years ago by Tammy Pham and her husband Sapion (Sam) Chung, features a variety of Asian fusion dishes, which executive chef Pham develops on a regular basis. “I love to bring new, quality dishes to the table,” said Pham, whose recipes have a mixture of Vietnamese, Thai and other Asian influences. “I change menu items seasonally,” Pham said, adding experimentation with new ideas in the kitchen “keeps me busy.” Pham has said through the years that experimenting and coming up with new dishes for great tasting food and beautiful presentations keeps her excited about her craft. Restaurant diners, she stressed, “appreciate my passion.” Asparagus regularly gets repeat visitors and Pham said patrons always bring new friends and family members to try the eatery. Among popular and new dishes Pham currently features at the restaurant are a banana curry duck, ($25) which has a mix of flavorings including coconut milk, banana, Thai greenery and basil; Wasabi Herb-Crusted Lamb Rack ($34), which is served with a

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Times arChive

Chef Tammy Pham is the executive chef/owner of Asparagus in Merrillville.

Cabernet sauce; Luxury Seafood Claypot ($35), featuring sea scallops, sea bass fillet, and shrimp; and Grand Marnier Beef Stew ($22), which is a special Vietnamese beef stew simmered in a five-spice broth. Other dishes include Signature Asparagus Delight ($49) starring lobster tail, sea scallops, shrimp, mango, asparagus, onions and pea pods in a gingered soy sauce. Salmon fans will also enjoy Pham’s Sugar Cane Salmon ($25) served with a black pepper caramel sauce. In addition to a menu of creative dishes, Asparagus is also in the spotlight for its bar and beverage offerings. Pham said husband Sam Chung is

the eatery’s official mixologist, and he and their team come up with a variety of interesting drinks. Everything from Green Tea martinis to Red Sea Martinis and more have been created for guests. While Pham spends a great deal of time manning the kitchen, she said her sister Thithi takes charge when she is off the clock, adding the restaurant venture is a real family affair. While Asparagus presented wine and other special dinners occasionally in the past, the team has recently created a series of events to celebrate various libations. A wine dinner with Hartford Family Winery took place in October and a special series of cocktail tastings is

held on Thursdays. Last week, bourbon was in the spotlight. Today, diners can enjoy a Craft Spirits Tasting at 6:30 and 8:30pm while a Martini Tasting will be held on Dec. 5. Asparagus also features live music on Saturdays. Thai food lovers and fans of Pham’s former Thai restaurant Siam Marina should be on the lookout for news of the opening date of the new Siam Marina in Tinley Park. Pham said the new eatery is expected to open early next year. FYI: Asparagus, 7876 Broadway, Merrillville. Hours are 11am-9:30pm Mondays through Thursdays; 11am-10:30pm Fridays and Saturdays; and noon-9pm Sundays. Call (219) 794-0000 or visit asparagusrestaurant.com

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full service Bar & restaurant no One under 21 admitted

smoking allowed

6110 KENNEDY AVE. • HAMMOND, IN • 219-844-9812 • OpEN 7 DAYS A WEEK • WWW.CHUCKANDIRENES.COM

fridays only - All you can eat

Bring in This Coupon on Fridays

BBoneLess oCeAn PerCh - $10.00 $3.00off no coupons or any discounts will apply. dine in only. All food consumed on premise only!

• We have a wide variety of Seafood on Fridays •

a ticket of $800 or more

Tax & Tip Not Included. Limited to one coupon per table, per visit. No carry outs. Dine-in only.

monDAy speCi speCiAl sAturDAy & sunDAy speCiAls Gift Certificates Available

1.75

Domestic Bottles

2.00

• Homemade Soups • Tacos • Daily Specials • Great Variety of Seafood

23 oz. Footballs

DAily lunCh speCiAls

Mon thru thurs. 10 AM to 6 PM for $5.75 Fish speCiAls every fridAy, 10AM to 9 PM

AppETIzERS ARE HALF pRICE, MON - THURS. FROM 3 pM TO 6 pM

FULL MENU OF

Sandwiches, Steaks & Fried Chicken

Come watch all your favorite BIG 10 NETWORK teams on our 9 TVs & two 55" HDTV Widescreens! Starting Oct. 4, we will be having DJ David zane play every Fri. and Sat. night, from 9 pM to 2 AM

Lamb Roast Nov. 23 starting at 11 AM $15.00 per order. FISH FRY EVERY FRIDAY • ADULT DINING • FULL MENU CARRY OUT

Blackhawks Game Day special When the Blackhawks are playing, we will have Labatt Blue import draft on special Pints for $1.50 on Game day

54 Main Bistro

RESTAURANT GUIDE 54 MAIN BISTRO 54 Main St, Hobart. 219.947.2817. bistro54main. com. The ever-changing menu created by Chef scot hinkel is sure to please gourmets, and the spectacular views are sure to entice anyone. This 1895 Victorian cottage is filled with local art offering organic wines,

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craft beers and specialty martinis with a gorgeous deck for outdoor waterfront dining. ASPARAGUS 7876 Broadway, Merrillville. 219.794.0000. asparagusrestaurant.com. asparagus offers a rare opportunity to experience fine dining in a serenely elegant environment while savoring dishes from the cuisines of Thailand, Vietnam and the americas, all informed with classic French culinary artistry. The restaurant offers everything from seafood Pad Thai to honey Kumquat Quail and Wasabi herb-Crusted Lamb Rack as well as the signature lobster mango spring roll and a variety of satays.

RESTAURANT GUIDE BENNETT CURTIS HOUSE 302 W Taylor St, Grant Park, Ill. 815.465.2288. The 18 room mansion was built in 1900 by George m. Bennett, then purchased by illinois senator edward C. Curtis. The house is set on spacious ground shaded by 100 year old maples flanked by bubbling fountains, sweeping lawns, lush cool ferns & colorful flowers. The menu features luxury cuts of steaks, gourmet seafood and other specials prepared to perfection. Their five course wine and dine gives diners the best of everything. BISTRO 157 157 W Lincolnway, Valparaiso. 219.462.0992. bistro157.net. Trained in Paris at Le Cordon Bleu, chef and owner Nicole Bissonnette-sanders has created a menu of classics-like a decadent sautéed veal and gulf shrimp, a pork rib chop with apple horseradish ham, and an herb-rubbed roasted half chicken-combined with her own creative takes on nouvelle cuisine with a number of fresh fish selections. There are some treasures on the extensive list of bottle wines, and many solid choices by the glass. BLACKSTONE WOODFIRE GRILL 7311 Mallard Lane, Schererville. 219.769.0000. blackstonewoodfiregrill.com. Tucked away on old Route 30 in schererville’s Foxwood estates, Blackstone Woodfire Grill is Northwest indiana’s destination for mouthwatering steaks, tender ribs and bone-in chops, tasty chicken, and perfectly-grilled seafood. The selection of wines and decadent desserts will tempt all gourmet’s senses. BURGERHAUS 3304 Calumet Ave, Valparaiso. 219.286.3296. burgerhausrestaurants.com. Burgerhaus serves creatively-delicious burgers based on international cuisine. The traditional burger goes abroad with a custom blend of the finest meat cuts infused with special seasonings from around the world. Burgerhaus is locally owned and operated by the Costas Family, and is a concept created by Jon and evan Costas.

Bennett-Curtis House CAPPO’S CASUAL DINING 6656 US 6, Portage. 219.762.5563. capposcasualdining.com. Cappo’s Casual dining offers a superb selection of italian and ethnic food in a casual, family-friendly environment. Cappo’s features beer and wine along with the meal, and also offers occasional specials to keep regulars coming back for more. CHUCK & IRENE’S BAR, RESTAURANT AND HOTEL 6110 Kennedy Ave, Hammond. 219.844.9812. chuckandirenes.com. Chuck and irene’s offers traditional family cuisine in a comfortable and homey atmosphere. For more than 60 years, Chuck and irene’s has been serving the hessville community with their full-service bar, restaurant and hotel. CIAO BELLA 1514 US 41, Schererville. 219.322.6800. ciaobellaonline.com. The cuisines of three different regions of italy are featured at the newly opened Ciao Bella, a ristorante, pizzeria and wine bar. The extensive wine list focuses on european and Californian wines. delivery and take-out available. CRACKER BARREL Locations in Hobart and Hammond. crackerbarrel.com. For a home-cooked meal away from home, step into any Cracker Barrel to get a warm welcome and a warm, freshly cooked meal. don’t forget to browse through the old Country store before you leave.

Join us this Thanksgiving and enjoy a

hearty turkey n’ dressing meal complete with baked ham, sweet potato casserole, cranberry relish, your choice of vegetable, a beverage,* and made-from-scratch biscuits or corn muffins, as well as a tasty slice of Pumpkin Pecan Streusel pie for dessert.

9.99 Adult 4.99 Child**

Served Thursday, November 28th, starting at 11 a.m.

or bring the meal home and serve six for 54.99*** Available Nov. 23rd through Dec. 1st, with a 24-hour notice * Beverage does not include milkshakes. ** Child meal does not include ham or casserole, and comes with half slice of pie. *** Bulk To-Go meal does not include beverages or pie.

For a location nearest you, please visit crackerbarrel.com. HANDCRAFTED BY

Cracker Barrel

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The

Bennett-Curtis House

Join us for the Holidays! Fully Decorated Nov 15-Jan 31 11am-6pm

“Murder Mystery Dinner” 5-course dinner play! Nov 23, 24 Dec 6, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 28,29 NYE Event Dec 31*

“Paint By Wine Night” Dec 17, Jan 21

RESERVATIONS NECESSARY

$35/Guest • Call for details

We offer a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings: start with an appetizer, then choose soup or salad, fresh baked rolls, mashed potatoes & gravy, stuffing, cranberry, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, corn, Jell-O. HAM ALSO AVAILABLE or *PRIME RIB

Host your own event date with as few as 10 guests*

Open Christmas Eve 2-8pm Speak Easy Event Dec 20 New Year’s Eve Dec 31

$19.95 adults | $9.95 Kids 10 & under 302 W. Taylor • Grant Park, IL • 815-465-2288 • www. bennettcurtis.com PLAN YOUR HOLIDAY PARTY WITH US! Save 10% when you book a party of 20+ * Call for terms and conditions

Limited time, get a FREE $10 Bonus Certificate* when you buy $50 in gift certificates. *Offer ends 12/31/13 T o N y V. m a R T i N

RESTAURANT GUIDE DON QUIJOTE 119 E Lincolnway, Valparaiso. 219.462.7976. donquijoterestaurantandimports.com. Proprietor Carlos Rivero’s authentic spanish cuisine, lively and friendly atmosphere, and conviviality with his return customers make this downtown Valparaiso restaurant a destination. Grilled steaks and lamb and veal chops are abundant and cooked according to family recipes handed down for generations. The house specialty is a flan-textured vanilla cake.

Friday Special

All You Care To Eat - Yellow Lake Perch or Snow Crab Legs

Kids Eat Free Wed Nights

Wine Down Wednesday

Up to 2 kids age 12 or younger can order from our kids 1/2 price any bottle of wine menu for every regularly priced adult entree purchased*

(*Not applicable to sandwiches. Not valid with any other discounts, coupons, or specials. Dine-in only.) *Bonus certificate valid from 1/1-2/28/14.

10 OFF

$50.00 food purchase Mon-Thu 4-9pm Fri-Sat 4-10pm Sunday 12-9pm Pub Open Daily BlackStoneWoodfireGrill.com

Dine-in only. Limit one per table on food only. Not applicable to Friday AYCE or Surf & Turf for two. Expires 12/8/13.

Reserve Now for Holiday Parties! 219.769.0000 7311 Mallard Lane • Schererville, IN • (former Kelsey’s location) 18

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dishes are served with the restaurant’s signature marinated peppers, and entrées include fish and lobster delivered daily. a premium selection of wine, beer and cocktails is available at the full-service bar. JELLY PANCAKE HOUSE Locations in Dyer and Merrillville. The newest breakfast hotspot in Northwest indiana starts early at 6am, with a menu that features eggs that can be accompanied by steaks or pork chops, large omelettes, freshly squeezed orange juice, crêpes, skillets, French toast, waffles and pancakes that take the old favorites to a whole new level. homemade soups, burgers, salads, wraps and varied entrees are among the choices for lunch.

EDWARDO’S NATURAL PIZZA 7920 Calumet Ave, Munster. 219.836.2010. edwardospizzamunster.com edwardo’s Natural Pizza Restaurant has been dishing out quality Chicago-style pizza in the region since 1986. accompanied by their selection of fresh salads, savory pastas, and appetizers, edwardo’s is sure to please.

KELSEY’S STEAK HOUSE 2300 US Highway 30, Valparaiso. 219.465.4022. 5630 US Hwy 6, Portage. 219.762.2242. kelseyssteakhouse.com. This stalwart indiana restaurant has built and maintained a first-rate reputation for a great meal at a fair price over many years. But in recent years, Kelsey’s has expanded the menu in imaginative ways to include a range of choices such as rib bites, escargot and oysters Rockefeller.

GAUCHO’S 597 US Hwy 30, Valparaiso. 219.759.1100. gauchosvalpo.com. at Gaucho’s, diners enjoy delicious and unique cuisine invented by the Gaucho cowboys of southern Brazil, who provided meats for the people of Brazil with their famous “Churrasco” barbecue. all dinners include a 35-item salad bar, Brazilian mashed potatoes, and fried bananas. start or finish dinner in the Twisted martini Lounge upstairs for cocktails, cigars and live entertainment in a modern, intimate setting.

LUCREZIA 428 Calumet Rd, Chesterton. 219.926.5829. 302 S Main St, Crown Point. 219.661.5829. lucreziacafe. com. Lucrezia has been a Northern italian favorite since owners michael and Nada Karas first opened it in the mid-nineties, in a historic downtown Chesterton building. signature dishes include chicken Vesuvio and roasted lamb shank braised in its own juices accompanied by roasted potatoes and braised red cabbage.

GINO’S STEAK HOUSE 1259 W Joliet St, Dyer. 219.865.3854. 600 E 81st Ave, Merrillville. 219.769.4466. ginossteakhouse. com. The chefs at Gino’s, who have more than 30 years of combined experience, use only the freshest ingredients in their homestyle cuisine. all main

MINER DUNN 8940 Indianapolis Blvd, Highland. 219.923.3311. a local favorite for several generations, miner dunn is the quintessential Northwest indiana diner. Their famous burgers are well known, as well as their other sandwiches, sides and desserts.

RESTAURANT GUIDE MARTINI’S 1004 Calumet Ave, Valparaiso. 219.464.0801. martinisinvalpo.com. martinis Culinary Cocktail Lounge offers a full service bar with an extensive martini list of more than 120 selections, top shelf spirits and craft beers there is something for every palette. From the tempting appetizers to the homemade soups, sauces, pastas, seafood and certified angus meats, martinis seeks to be the premier dining and entertainment experience. ROUND THE CLOCK Various Locations, roundtheclock.com. open 24 hours, Round the Clock restaurants have been a Region staple for and a popular favorite for family dining. Breakfast is always robust and flavorful, while lunches, dinners and desserts are sure to please any crowd. Round the Clock restaurants serve as a favorite meeting place for formal and informal gatherings alike. SIAM MARINA THAI CUISINE 16846 S Oak Park Ave, Tinley Park. Chef-proprietor Tammy Pham has evolved into a legend for her mastery of a full menu with dozens of vegetarian options as well as traditionally spiced and marinated poultry dishes. The spring rolls and peanut sauce are prepared in-house daily, along with special soups. The authentic pad Thai has a loyal following, and fresh coconut works in many of the dishes, including dessert. TAPAS CAFÉ 2486 W Lincoln Hwy, Merrillville. 219.769.7008. tapascafe.net. Tapas Café offers a fusion of always-fresh traditional artisan spanish-iberic meals. Tapas include a wide variety of appetizers of spanish cuisine. They may be cold such as salpicon de mariscos or warm like the Calamari a la Plancha. appetizers from the southwest such as the nachos or quesadillas are also available. salads are guilt-less but flavorful.

Round the Clock

PRovided

Siam Marina Thai Cuisine

TJ Maloneys

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T-BONES PIER 11 1111 Lakeside, LaPorte. 219.362.5077. pleastshore. com. This italian steakhouse is carefully tucked into a cove of scenic Pine Lake. The spacious dining room is reminiscent of a traditional supper club, but a terrace overlooks the harbor and instead of being at a roadhouse, you are on the beach. as expected, the seafood hits a high standard; a range of salads, pizzas and pasta selections round out the lighter supper fare. This is the place to indulge in a T-bone, New York strip, filet mignon or flat iron steak grilled over a wood fire.

T.J. MALONEY’S AUTHENTIC IRISH PUB 800 East 81st Avenue, Merrillville. 219.755.0569. starplaza.com/dining/diningtj-maloneys. T.J. maloney’s is one of the area’s top social destinations for meeting with friends, family and business clients. in addition to the genuine atmosphere, the pub features signature, authentic irish menu items, blended and balanced with american favorites. irish classics include Corned Beef and Cabbage, shepherd’s Pie and T.J.’s Famous Fish and Chips, while burgers, hearty sandwiches and homemade soups round out the savory experience.

Local Organic Cuisine Boutique Spirits  Craft Beer

Hobart Riverfront District 54 Main St | Hobart, IN 219.947.2817 www.bistro54main.com 11.21.2013 / The Times media Co. / Go!

O u r r e p u tat i O n i s w O r t h its weight in

After 108 years in business Alber Albert’s Diamond Jewelers is the oldest and most-respected jewelry store in jewelr thwest Indiana! Northwest e have also been voted We #1 jewelry jewelr store in the Best of The Region Contest 19 years in a row! row

need some Christmas mone y? W e A ls o o ff eR

7 1 1 M a i n S t. • S c h e r e r v i l l e , i n • 2 1 9 - 3 2 2 - 2 7 0 0 hOUrS: Mon.-Fri. 10am-8pm, Sat.: 10am-6pm, Sun.: 11am-5pm S O U t h l a k e M a l l • M e r r i l lv i l l e , i n • 219 - 769 - 1976 hOUrS: Monday-Saturday: 10am-9pm, Sunday: 10am-6pm

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lo a n s o N Je W e lR y u p T o $ 1 0 0 ,0 0 0

priVate anD COnF

iDentiaL appOint Ments

DESTINATION NORTHWEST INDIANA

30 Years with South Shore CVA Hollywood Stumps for Hammond

MACY’S WINDOWS

Sharing Yuletide Generosity with Indianapolis

HOLIDAY FOR HEROES Special Gift for Veterans and First-Responders

PULL-OUT SECTION

SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY ISSUE 2013

Saturday

December 710:00

a.m.

The Holiday Parade begins at 10:00 A.M. at Gavit High School and ends at 169th Street. Join us for all the fun and a great kickoff to the 2013 Holiday Season! For more information, call Hammond Parks & Recreation at 219.853.6378 or visit gohammond.com

2 \\ A ChristmAs story \\ November 21, 2013

A speciAl publicAtion of the times mediA co.

KYLE TELECHAN PHOTOS, THE TIMES

“Oh Fuuudge!” Relay Race

“Mommy’s Little Piggy” mashed potato eating contest

Fun Family Events and Contests Planned at Indiana Welcome Center to celebrate 30-year Anniversary of ‘A Christmas Story’

his year marks the 30-year anniversary of both the South Shore CVA and the beloved holiday classic movie “A Christmas Story.” The movie was released in 1983, written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown and Bob Clark and based on Shepherd’s 1966 book “In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash.” The book is a compilation of short stories based on Shepherd’s childhood in Hammond. For the second time the Alderson family of Crete, Illinois is participating

WORDS BY DIANE POULTON \\ TIMES CORRESPONDENT

in the Oh Fuuudge! Relay Race, which will be held at 10 a.m., Dec. 14 at the Indiana Welcome Center, 7770 Corinne Drive in Hammond. In the race, parent-child teams change a tire and run an obstacle course. Prizes will be awarded to the pair with the best time. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. Kathryn Alderson said her husband Darrin and their sons Drake and Ryder will be a team. The family is excited to participate in the event during their annual trip to the Welcome Center to see the “A Christmas Story” Comes Home display, Alderson said.

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

For the past four years, the Alderson’s have taken their children, ten-year-old Drake and four-year-old Ryder to see the animated “A Christmas Story” windows and visit with Santa atop Santa’s Mountain. “It is something we enjoy right in Hammond and we don’t have to drive downtown,” Alderson said. “We love it. We’re really partial to the movie. Our son Drake looks like Ralphie. He loves the movie. He really relates to it.” Three years ago Darrin and Drake participated in the relay. “It was fun,” Alderson said. “It was exciting. People are really serious about

the competition. Some dads had been practicing.” Alderson said her husband is in the contest “just for fun.” “Depending on how cold it is affects your ability to deal with the wrenches,” Alderson said. “Three years ago it was freezing. His fingers were not cooperating.” Alderson said Drake has been watching the movie since he was five. “He loves that movie,” Alderson said. “Drake’s favorite part is the pink bunny pajamas. My husband loves the part See EVENTS, Page 4

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Events when they go out for Chinese food.” Tim Grieger and his sons Dylan, 7, and Dakota, 10, are participating in the Oh Fuuudge! Relay Race for the first time. “My wife saw it on the website,” Grieger said. “The movie is one of the movies we watch every Thanksgiving night to kick off the Christmas season. The kids are repeating the words before they happen.” Grieger said the family is excited about participating. “We are not practicing, it is just more for fun,” Grieger said. “It would be cool to have one of the boys and I actually win though.” “Some of my wife’s family is big into the movie,” Grieger said. “We got my father-in-law the leg lamp one year and I built the wooden crate that said ‘fragile.’ I knocked on the front door and said, ‘Special delivery. It’s a major award.’” The popular “Mommy’s Little Piggy” mashed potato eating contest will be held Saturday, Dec. 7, with registration at 10:30 a.m. and the eating at 11. Greenwood, Indiana resident Scott Horvath’s three children Isaac, 7, Ella, 5, and Ethan, 4 are participating in the eating competition for the first time. The family enjoys doing something special each year during the holiday season, Horvath said. Past excursions have included Santa Claus, Indiana and the Galt House in Louisville, Kentucky. Horvath said he first learned about the contest reading about the unveiling of the Triple Dog Dare Flick statue. “The kids are so excited,” Horvath said. “We watch the movie every year. It is hilarious.” The family has several favorite scenes, Horvath said, including Ralphie’s bunny suit, the Major Award, the window themes and the commentary throughout. Horvath said the plan is to watch the movie together prior to the contest to refresh their children’s memory of the mashed potato eating scene. “The scene cracks up me and my wife,” Horvath said. “We make comments about it throughout the year – ‘here is my little piggy.’ The kids probably remember the Bumpus’s dogs more than anything. Things like that

stick in their minds.” Horvath said his children probably will practice before the competition. “We were heading to Cincinnati a couple of weekends ago and we were talking about this,” Horvath said. “We had a big conversation about the movie and the eating contest. The kids had a lot of questions.” Horvath said they asked if there was something to eat other than mashed potatoes. They said, “We don’t like mashed potatoes.” Another wondered if there were going to be other people participating. “I told them I don’t think they use utensils, they just put their face in it,” Horvath said. “That was interesting to them — how they were going to eat without knives and forks and spoons.” “Nothing can really compare to this movie, given the pop culture event, the memories we have of watching this film,” Horvath said. “We are really excited about it.” The Indiana Welcome Center will be bustling with children’s activities from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 30 to officially kick off the holiday events, including a passenger train that children can ride for $1. “Flick” bingo, movie showings, crafts and sweet treats will all be available. Registration for all the contests is available online at www. AChristmasStoryComesHome.com. Visit the website for a complete list of special events, contests, hours of operation and directions. The gift shop offers an array of movie memorabilia. Bring the family to enjoy live entertainment on weekends and write letters to Santa and drop them in the big mailbox in the exhibit hall. View the movie in the 100-seat theater, vote on the Ugliest Leg Lamp and favorite Christmas tree, or participate in the Write a Theme Contest. Relive the “You’ll shoot your eye out” scene atop Santa’s Mountain and have a picture taken with Santa from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Photos are $5. Have your pet photographed with Santa on Santa’s Mountain on Wag Your Tail Wednesdays. Pet photos will be available from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 27, Dec. 11 and Dec. 18 Photos are $5 and $1 from every photo is given to local animal shelters. Well-behaved animals only.

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SSCVA hosts free holiday for heroes event tonight

onight, Thursday, Nov. 21, the South Shore CVA will host a free event for all veterans and active military, police, firefighters, Hoosier Helpers and Emergency Medical Service personnel and their families. The festivities begin at 5 p.m. at the Indiana Welcome Center, 7770 Corinne Dr. in Hammond and end at 8 p.m. “It is a special evening of appreciation for our region’s heroes,” George DeAngelo said. DeAngelo, aka Santa and a veteran himself, is helping spread the word about the Holiday for Heroes event to local veterans and public safety officials. Light refreshments will be served and there will be free photos with Santa and a letter station for children who want to put their Christmas wishes in writing or color a picture for Santa or the troops. As Ralph Parker said in “A Christmas Story,” a little bribery always helps especially if one is worried about being on the naughty list. A giant mail box is provided for the children’s creative compositions, which will not be graded by Miss Shields, Santa says. So, no need to worry about receiving a C+. Children are encouraged to get their photos with Santa who listens to their requests and interacts with them. Just like the movie’s Santa scene, there is a real slide on Santa’s Mountain. In addition to the free refreshments and Santa photos, DeAngelo said, because the event is not open to the public, it is a great opportunity to see the animatronic scenes of the “A

Christmas Story” Comes Home exhibit without crowds and lines. “It is a day strictly for them that nobody else is allowed in,” DeAngelo said. “It is their very own private party. They can leisurely wander the exhibit and take their time enjoying it.” South Shore CVA President and CEO Speros A. Batistatos said the special event is a way to show appreciation for what these local heroes do and the

risks their profession has put them in. “We want to offer those families the opportunity to enjoy the facility privately,” Batistatos said. “It is a way for us to say thank you.” Batistatos said safety and security are vital to any tourist destination. “I’m not going to have people coming if they don’t perceive that we are a safe place to be,” he said. “What better way to express the thanks to those people who keep not only our residents safe but our visitors safe and who are responding to those visitors in need. It’s a very logical thing to do. It’s the right thing to do.” DeAngelo said participants must show their military or safety personnel identification to enter the private party.

‘A Christmas Story’ Stars Come to Welcome Center Dec. 7 and 8 for Meet and Greet J O N AT H A N M I A N O , THE TIMES

uring the 30 years since Zack Ward portrayed Ralphie Parker’s nemesis bully Scut Farkas in “A Christmas Story,” he has appeared in more than 100 films, starred in four TV series, and was a guest star in 90 others. Ward also appeared in 12 movies of the week and about 60 commercials. Ward’s credits include: “Almost Famous,” “Transformers,” “Resident Evil Apocalypse,” “Freddy vs Jason,” and the TV series “Titus.” “I have been in a lot of big movies and none of them matter like this one does,” Ward said about “A Christmas Story.” “The movie is so popular because it is one of those films that connects with a number of different generations,” Ward said. “The five- or six-year-old little boy or girl can watch the movie and they think it is about them. The 13- and 15-year-old boy or girl can watch it and say it was them. The 20-year-old can say it was him. The 30-year-old man might be having kids and thinking that ‘this was me and my dad and now I am going to be the dad.’ Grandfathers watching the movie are remembering that era and what the kids were like.” Ward said “A Christmas Story” has a realistic approach and doesn’t sugar coat life. He said children can sense when a movie is “schmaltzy or overwritten” which “A Christmas Story” is not. “They keep on coming back to it,” Ward said. “They feel the honesty of the story connects with them.” “A Christmas Story” fans will have a chance to meet Ward and co-stars Scott Schwartz (Flick), Ian Petrella (Randy Parker) and Yano Anaya (Grover Dill) at the Indiana Welcome Center, 7770 Corrine Dr., in Hammond. There will be a VIP reception Dec. 6 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Indiana Welcome Center. Tickets are available at the Indiana Welcome Center for $20 for this intimate meet and greet/”Inside the actors studio” event and

Scott Schwartz, the actor who played Flick in the movie “A Christmas Story” poses for a photograph with fan, Sammy Raykovich, during an unveiling of a new statue of Flick in front of the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond.

reception. There will also be a meet and greet from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 7 and Dec. 8 from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m., here stars will talk to fans, answer questions, pose for photos and sign autographs. Autograph fees apply. Anaya said each time he watches “A Christmas Story” he still gets something different from it. “It is such a unique creative film which people can relate to,” Anaya said. “There is one scene that really tickles me to death still. That is when Randy gets to smash his face into his mashed potatoes when he has the green light from mom to act like a little pig.” Schwartz, who was at the Indiana Welcome Center recently for the unveiling of the Flick statue, said he

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is looking forward to coming back to interact with the fans. “We try to make it so it is worthwhile for everybody to be there,” Schwartz said. “The welcome center is great. The Macy’s windows that are on display in the welcome center are fantastic. They have a really terrific facility there.” Schwartz said the unveiling of the statue was fun. “It was sort of beyond comprehension to know that something I did that was a minor role in the course of the film is recognized in such a way,” Schwartz said. “It’s mind blowing. Most people want to leave a legacy behind of some kind. I have a statue, which is

pretty cool. It’s like me, Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, Wayne Gretzky and Wilt Chamberlain!” Schwartz said fans always ask if his tongue was really stuck to the pole. The answer is “no,” Schwartz said. A real pole with a piece of plastic over it was used to create the effect. “There was a hole in it with a little tube sort of like a vacuum tube into the snow and a vacuum motor,” Schwartz said. “Think of putting your hand over a vacuum and how it sticks.” See STARS, Page 6

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IF YOU GO

Stars Schwartz said his favorite scenes in the movie were Christmas at the Chinese restaurant and “pretty much anything Darren McGavin did.” “He was just wonderful,” Schwartz said. Ward’s favorite scenes were the soap scene and when Ralphie finds the Red Ryder BB gun behind the tree. All three said they enjoyed the experience of being in the movie. “Bob Clark was incredibly kind,” Ward, who was 13 when he played Scut Farkas, said. “He was very much a paternal father figure. Yano and I became very Ian fast friends. And Petrella the rest of the cast played Randy in the and I got along movie. famously. It really was like a fall/winter camp because there were only seven of us kids. It was a lot of fun especially being that age.” Schwartz, who was 14 during the filming, said the experience was enjoyable although the weather conditions outside were brutal. He said “A Christmas Story” was filmed in Cleveland, St. Catharines, Ontario and Toronto. Anaya, who was 10 when the movie was made, describes the experience as “fantastic.” “Being 10 years old, I was getting my first major picture job,” Anaya, who started acting at age 4 said. “So being a very young child I was trained very well by the industry, my manager and my agent,” Anaya said. “It was a lot of fun. It was just me being me.” Anaya said his real-life personality was the opposite of his “A Christmas Story” character bully Grover Dill. Raised by his widowed mom and two sisters, Anaya said he was taught to be kind and respectful. “Being an actor is really emulating who you are in your own personal experience,” Anaya said. “What I was

donuts,” Ward said. “You would get a piece of VIP reception Dec. 6 cardboard and plastic and from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. you would take the big Tickets available at the Indiana Welcome Center for $20 piece of plastic and put the intimate meet and greet/“Inside cardboard on it. Man that the actors studio” sucker was fast.” Dec. 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. Besides asking him about the flag pole, Schwartz said, Dec. 8 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. fans want to know how it Indiana Welcome Center was filming his previous 7770 Corinne Dr. Hammond, IN movie “The Toy” with Richard Pryor and Jackie Gleason. Zack Ward (Scut Farkas), Scott Schwartz (Flick), Ian Petr “People don’t get too ella (Randy Parker) and Yano Anaya many chances to talk with (Grover Dill) will be on hand for someone from the movies,” questions, photographs Schwartz said. “I tell them and autographs (fees apply) it was fantastic working with them. Richard Pryor was everything to me, my muse, my older brother, my friend. Mr. Gleason was my dad in the movie. We had a lot of laughs. He taught me how to shoot pool while we were shooting the movie.” Anaya said he is often asked why Peter Billingsley, who played Ralphie in “A Christmas Story,” doesn’t appear at the autograph signings and fan events. “He (Billingsley) has paved himself a way into Yano Anaya behind the scenes,” who played Anaya said. “He appears Grover Dill KYLE TELECHAN, THE TIMES in movies a lot. He will be signing very rarely gets out autographs for because his job is very fans. demanding.” doing as a child was kind of reflecting While Ward remains in wear. It was two or three on watching other kids either getting bullied or who were bullying people at pairs of socks with plastic bags the film industry, Anaya’s school and just imitating that.” on top of that shoved inside the life has taken a different direction. He works in health and Ward said he has used his Scut Farkas boots.” fitness. Ward said he also used “the role as a catalyst to raise anti-bullying “It has been my quest ever since I newspaper trick.” He would pick up 20 awareness. turned 25 and I reached a point in my or 30 penny saver papers and put them “I am excited about the 30th life where I was morbidly obese and I around his chest as insulation. anniversary to get attention for bully was very unhappy with myself,” Anaya “It would stop the cold from getting prevention programs using Scut Farkas said. “So I made a change. I went to through the crappy jacket that you as a lightning rod,” Ward said. “I’m school and got educated. Now I work wore,” Ward said. “Then you had going around the country and raising as a professional fitness trainer. I am the idiot strings on your mittens. That money.” director of education for the Atlanta was always fun. You were still playing Growing up in New Jersey in the Personal Trainer program. outside even though you were freezing 70s, Schwartz said “A Christmas Story” Schwartz now works with trading your a-off and you were soaking wet.” doesn’t relate much to his childhood card companies getting celebrities to With no money for toboggans Ward experiences. However, for Ward who sign their trading cards. He said he also and his friends would go to the local grew up poor in Toronto, Canada it sells on eBay and works with his dad donut store where donuts were cooling does. who has a sports and movies collectibles outside covered by large sheets of “Since there is a lot of cold weather store in southern California. Schwartz plastic. there, I was dressed up like Randy is writing a book about his life, the ups “We would steal the big sheet when I was a kid,” Ward said. “We and downs and experiences. of plastic but we wouldn’t steal any didn’t have any good clothing to

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Meet and Greet the Stars from “A Christmas Story”

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Albanese Confectionery

Griffith Boy Scout Troop 264

SouthShore RailCats

Buffalo Wild Wings

Opportunity Enterprises

Decorators Go for Wow Factor and Votes in Holiday Tree Contest

hristmas tree decorating has come a long way since the large colored bulbs, silver tinsel and star topper featured in the holiday classic “A Christmas Story.” Visitors who flock to the Indiana Welcome Center for a trip down memory lane as they view the nostalgic “A Christmas Story” Comes Home exhibit which runs through Jan 5 are greeted by 33 festive trees uniquely decorated by local organizations. Visitors are urged to vote for their favorite. Mixdesign of Schererville decorated five of the trees; their own, Fuel Fitness, the City of Whiting, Round the Clock and Buffalo Wild Wings. Mixdesign owner Michaline Tomich said she and her team are all about creating experiences. “Decorating a tree at the welcome center is a holiday win-win,” Tomich said. “Showcasing our pride for being part of Northwest Indiana is something that we love to do. Santa Claus, community, “A Christmas Story,” what is more experience-oriented than that?” Tomich said when Mixdesign found out that this opportunity existed, they signed up all of their Northwest Indiana clients who were not already participating. “I am a huge advocate of helping community and diligent about helping

brands be as local and grassroots as possible,” Tomich said. “It is hard nowadays for businesses to be in parades, at malls, afford marketing, promote public relations, serve customers and be joyful in this tight economy. The visitor’s center is offering a win-win with this one. And the bonus is supporting an awesome movie, getting exposure to thousands and creating a feel-good holiday message which makes people smile.” Tomich said her team approached all the trees they decorated with simplicity, character and brand colors. “For the Mixdesign tree, we simply wanted to wish everyone a ‘Sweet Mixmas,’” Tomich said. “Candy, toys and snow are classics for this time of year. Sweet and simple holiday included exactly those three things.” Mixdesign For the Fuel

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Fitness, Round the Clock, Whiting and Buffalo Wild Wings trees, Tomich’s team worked with their clients to create trees which reflect their holiday messages to visitors and customers, she said. The Buffalo Wild Wings tree features sauce packets, crowns, gift cards and team sports ornaments as accents. The tree decorated by the Gold Star Mothers reflects a patriotic theme with U.S. flags and gold stars adorned with photos of fallen heroes. A banner reads “Our heroes traded in their combat boots for angel wings.” Patriotism is also the focus of the Daughters of the American Revolution tree. The Challenger Learning Center tree sprouts Space Shuttle USA wings. There are trees decorated by the Polish Women’s Alliance of America and the Lithuanian-American Community

reflective of Northwest Indiana’s diverse cultural heritage. Predictably, the SouthShore RailCats’ tree has baseballs and trading cards and the Horseshoe Casino playing cards. When decorating a Christmas tree, Tomich said, it’s more fun when you think outside the box. “It’s pretty typical for people to head straight to the ornament section or last year’s plastic bin and start selecting balls and everything with a hook in place,“ Tomich said. “We like to repurpose and challenge the holiday decorator to find things you like that you can put in the tree instead. Toys, sleds, giant snowflakes, wrapped gifts, themed items and framed photos all make great tree decor. Then, your favorite holiday ornaments can become sparkly accents. If you are bored with your tree at home, change it up by putting your traditional ornaments further inside the branches and the bigger found objects can fill in the larger spaces. Sparkly wrapped gifts and giant ornaments are inexpensive ways to give your tree extra ‘wow’ when a lot of little ornaments get lost.” The “A Christmas Story” Comes Home exhibit is open daily at the Welcome Center, 7770 Corinne Dr., Hammond, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with extended hours some weekends. The exhibit is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

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‘A Christmas Story’ Windows At Home and On the Road

housands of visitors are expected to flock to the Indiana Welcome Center for a trip down memory lane as they view the nostalgic “A Christmas Story” Comes Home exhibit which runs through Jan 5. The exhibit is open daily at the Welcome Center, 7770 Corinne Dr., Hammond, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with extended hours some weekends. The exhibit is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. With room to display only six window scenes, the unveiling of the newest animatronic window “A Hero’s Dream,” meant one display was able to travel, South Shore CVA President and CEO Speros Batistatos said. Reflective of the true meaning of Christmas and the South Shore CVA’s corporate culture, Batistatos said it was decided to share “The Parker Living Room” scene with Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. “We wanted to find the right way to link tourism and family and to create a new partnership,” Batistatos said. “What better way to cut into working with Indianapolis who to me is a very strategic market? What better way to do so than to put it into Riley’s, one of the most respected children’s hospitals in the country. People are there under difficult circumstances. We hope we can give those families and those kids

“A Major Award”

a little Christmas spirit, put a smile on their face and let them know that people are thinking about them.” The South Shore CVA’s staff wanted to be even more involved with Riley’s. They will travel to Indianapolis to express their personal support for those families and to cook and host a party for them. “The “The whole team was Bumpus thinking about where we can Hounds” go and Riley’s was a natural choice for us and I think speaks to the other part of the story,” Batistatos said. SSCVA Board vice chairman Bill Wellman, who has served on Riley Hospital’s Board of Governors for features Ralphie dressed as a cowboy eight years, said the hospital has holding his Red Ryder BB gun in the ’50s impacted the lives of many Northwest era style kitchen with its checkered floor. Indiana children and their families. Ralphie is protecting his family, who are “The fact that they have one window huddled by the kitchen table, from Bad at Riley’s Children’s Hospital is excellent Bart’s gang seen climbing on ropes in the for us,” Wellman said. background. The window will be at the Simon Batistatos said the window was made Family Tower in the main lobby at the by the same company as the other main entrance to the hospital six, New York City’s Spaeth Design. Melissa Sexton, Child Life Special The other windows are: “The Bumpus Events Coordinator at Riley Hospital, Hounds,” “Santa’s Mountain,” “A Major said the animatronic display will a be Award,” “Flick’s Tongue and The Triple wonderful addition to the hospital’s Dog Dare” and “Higbee’s Department holiday display. Store.” “It will attract patients and their Batistatos said the original six families,” Sexton said. “It will give them animated windows were purchased seven something to come down to and just years ago from Macy’s Department Store feel a part of the holiday season within in New York where they had been on the hospital. It will help display. brighten their day and “Through our agreement with Warner brighten their stay for Brothers, we have been able to present patients and families.” “A Christmas Story” Comes Home and Sexton said Riley’s all the ancillary special events that we greatly appreciates the have so much fun with every year,” South Shore Visitor’s team Batistatos said. thinking of them even “We wanted to do a seventh window, though the hospital is such a new window,” Batistatos said. “Last a far distance from Lake year, the staff began asking visitors to the County. “We really do exhibit what other scene from the movie help children throughout they wanted to see displayed. There are the state so it is nice that only six windows, what do you think is the entire state is thinking left out?” about the hospital,” “It was surprising the clear difference Sexton said. between first and second place,” The newest window, Batistatos said. “This scene is the “A Hero’s Dream,”

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“The Hero’s Dream”

T O N Y V. M A R T I N P H O T O S , T H E T I M E S

viewers’ choice.” As part of the movie’s 30-year celebration, which coincides with the SSCVA’s 30 years, Batistatos said it was time for some new fun. “We started with the unveiling of the statue of Flick with his tongue permanently affixed to the flag pole out front,” Batistatos said. “That has been an incredible success. The response was absolutely outrageous.” Wellman said it was his idea to put the Orville Redenbacher statue on the bench in Valparaiso’s Central Park. “I told Speros we have the opportunity to do the same thing here if we could put Flick on the flag pole.” He said 130 media organizations from as far away as London, England has covered the story of the statue’s unveiling. “The statue was encased in one of those big cases like the leg lamp in the movie and marked ‘Fragile,’” Wellman said. “When they cut the ribbon it all flopped down at the same time and there was the statue. Having Scotty Schwartz, who was the original Flick, added a lot to the unveiling.” Families have already been traveling from as far away as Downers Grove, Illinois to have their holiday photo taken by Flick’s statue, SSCVA staff said.

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South Shore CVA Celebrates 30th Year of Tourism Promotion

t began with an effort to invest tax money for tourism. “Built by steel — changed by tourism” is the slogan which appears on an Indiana Welcome Center wall. The center is home to the South Shore Convention & Visitors Authority, which is celebrating 30 years of encouraging economic growth in Northwest Indiana through tourism. SSCVA President and CEO Speros A. Batistatos said Bill Wellman, current vice-chairman of the Board of Directors, played a major role in launching the tourism bureau, originally known as the Lake County Visitor Bureau. “Clearly the role Bill Wellman has played on this board is both visionary and legendary,” Batistatos said. “Bill has been a very important part of my career.” The idea to capitalize on taxes already being collected and use them for economic growth through tourism actually sprouted about 32 years ago, Wellman said. About two years before the bureau began, Wellman said he approached Dean White, noting that all the local motel tax proceeds collected in Lake County were funding medical education. “What can we do about that?” Wellman asked White. “Nowhere else in the country is it used in that way. It is used for promotion of tourism.” Wellman said White agreed something needed to be done. It was a hard fought fight but in the end they were able to get the law changed with the majority of funds funneled into tourism, Wellman said. “That is where we started,” Wellman said. “They set a precedent with that law that any county could do this.” Wellman contacted his friend Charlie Bowman, a partner with Orville Redenbacher, encouraging him to take advantage of the law change in Porter County. “So they did and that is how Valparaiso and Porter County got started too,” Wellman said.

He said Wellman and former state representative Chet Dobis have really shaped who he is as an individual which in turn has shaped what the SSCVA looks like 30 years later. “At our 30-year celebration, we had a Speros breakfast for former A. Batistatos, employees and board and past executive members. directors Bryan “We owe credit to Marshall and Donald every one of them, Thompson as well as every member and current and past board previous employee members of the South Shore who have gotten us CVA. here today,” Batistatos said. “That is very much a team effort — people like Marian Dudley from Hobart, Ernie Dillon from Hammond. We had Bruce White, one of the biggest names PHOTOS PROVIDED in hospitality in the United States, as one of the founding chairmen Wellman said in addition of the board. We have to the tax revenue, the Speros A. had some greatness that head tax imposed on Batistatos, has come through and casino customers is a Cathy Hricik, Katie planted the seeds. major source of funding Holderby, Jim Zaleski and Trisha Poncher at “It’s very vital to for the SSCVA. South Shore CVA’s us not to lose focus The first chairman of 30th Anniversary on the employees and the board of the Lake celebration. County Visitor Bureau board members and was Bruce White. the convention people who were visionaries,” “After we got it going he Batistatos said. “Cathy Hricik started out how big it can be,” Wellman said. left and I took over,” Wellman as my secretary and when she left she “I remember when we opened the said. “My appointment is unusual. was vice president of administration.” Star Theatre with Four Girls Four with It is the only one appointed out of Batistatos said he, Hricik, Katie Margaret Whiting, Rosemary Clooney, the county by the Indiana Lieutenant Holderby, Jim Zaleski and Trisha Poncher Rose Marie and Helen O’Connell. Phil Governor. I have been reappointed by were responsible for the opening of Schmidt’s, Teibel’s and Strongbow both parties for almost 30 years.” the Indiana Welcome Center. The team Wellman said the founders’ vision was called the next day wanting to know worked with local elected officials and our schedule because they got hit with to bring people to local motels. took the message to the streets to big crowds that night. When we fill that “When you put people in motels anyone who would listen, he said. 3,400-seat theater, the restaurants for a you put them in gas stations,” Wellman “We couldn’t be here if not for 30-mile radius around us feel it.” said. “You put them in restaurants and them,” Batistatos said. “I couldn’t be Wellman said 95 percent of the drug stores. It is just amazing how that here if not for them. While we were people who come to the theater on works.” growing, they were a phenomenal weekends eat some place other than Wellman said at the beginning the team.” home before the show. challenge was getting people to realize Batistatos said he has been lucky to that tourism is big business. have great mentors through the years. “They are starting to see now See CVA, Page 10

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CVA The Indiana Welcome Center design holds significant meaning for area residents, Batistatos said. The building has the stainless steel waves of Lake Michigan crashing into the sand dunes. On the south wall are the waters of the Kankakee River and on the main entrance are the smoke stacks of industry and the silo. “It’s as much a story about our people as it is about the architecture,” Batistatos said. “It left a lasting legacy to our industry and the more than 80 different ethnic peoples who call Lake County and Northwest Indiana their home. There is something there for everyone. If you are a steelworker or your father or grandfather was a steelworker, you can see the steelworker stream in that building. If you are an environmentalist, there are views of the water. You can see that in this building, if you are the son or daughter of a farmer you can see that in the silo. There are stories of our people all over that building.” Batistatos said his current team rivals that of any convention bureau in the country. “I don’t care how large or small,” Batistatos said. “The people I work with today are the best in the industry. We got to this point because we always respected our past. We are always looking toward the future and we never rest on our successes.” Batistatos and Wellman agree that the SSCVA is vital to Northwest Indiana. Batistatos cites a couple of reasons for this. “One, it has always had a very strong product development approach,” Batistatos said. “We don’t necessarily have all the assets we would like to have and be able to sell. So we have to be very aggressive about creating new products, creating demand. We have done that in a variety of ways over the years.” Examples of the SSCVA’s forward approach, have been advocating for casinos, for the construction of a convention center and for sports and other facilities which can be used to fill local hotels and restaurants. “That is a very forward approach,” Batistatos said. “The other approach

involves what we have done with the South Shore Civil War Memorial Trail. That is creating products that visitors want using pre-existing assets in a way that people haven’t thought of. I think it is pretty innovative.” Batistatos said SSCVA has a number of focuses and things which have to be done daily. “One of them is sell,” Batistatos said. “We have to get out there and work with our hotels to sell conventions and meetings and sporting events and bring business here. We are on the front line of that every day.” Another major charge is marketing Northwest Indiana, especially digital marketing, Batistatos said. “We hardly produce anything in print anymore,” Batistatos said. “Everything is done in a digital platform. I think another thing we do a pretty good job at is event creation like “A Christmas Story,” like the air show, introducing those events that are going to bring substantial visitation to the community.” The SSCVA has had many incredible accomplishments, Batistatos said. “We have been part of the team working with legislature to get gaming,” Batistatos said. “We worked to open the building, the “A Christmas Story” exhibit; there are some real obvious things you can point at.” However, Batistatos said, he is most proud of the corporate culture and the relationship that exists between the SSCVA board and the staff. SSCVA has an on-site daycare program which allows employees to bring their children to work. “The difference it has made for new parents is the feeling of family that is created,” Batistatos said. “The loyalty that exists to the organization is something that a lot of people don’t hear about. To me the greatest accomplishment I think I will always remember is how this staff and this board is one big family and it is

10 \\ A CHRISTMAS STORY \\ NOVEMBER 21, 2013

Current and past expressed every day when staff members of you come into that office Farms. the South Shore CVA Wellman said Fair and see those 14 kids.” and their families at “I’m the most proud Oaks Farms is still the 30th Anniversary of our people,” Batistatos growing. He said they celebration. said. “I’m most proud of are building a 250-seat the things people don’t restaurant which will see every day at work. We resemble an old farm house have won Best Place to Work a and house a 300-person couple of times in a row. To me that banquet room. Fair Oaks Farm is going to raise or is a significant accomplishment, the way grow about 70 percent of product we have touched people’s lives.” served there including beef, a seafood Batistatos said the SSCVA has a good working relationship with local cities and farm, pork, chicken, milk and produce, Wellman said. towns. As for the future, Wellman said “I would say Mayors Dave Uran Northwest Indiana needs a convention and Brian Snedecor along with Tom center. McDermott are the most aggressive in “Fort Wayne has taken most of our making sure they are getting everything business away because they have a they can and working with everything nice new convention center,” Wellman they can to grow the tourism market,” said. “We need one here to do just Batistatos said. “Whether Valpo, Jasper what the theater did. It attracts a County or Lake County, we have some number of people to our area. When great elected officials with whom we they come they need restaurants; they have created some great partnerships.” need shopping; they need gas and drug Wellman is quick to praise Batistatos stores. It helps give the economy a shot for his accomplishments. in the arm.” “He is probably one of the best ones Wellman said government help is in the state of Indiana,” Wellman said. He is intelligent. He is very good at what needed to fund and run a convention center. he does. He has put together a good “No convention center can stand on staff. They are very loyal to him.” its own,” Wellman said. “They don’t In addition to the Indiana Lakeshore make money. What they do is they and Star Plaza Theatre, Wellman said create the attraction and then spin two of the “super” local attractions are off to all those other things and make Shrine of Christ’s Passion, which draws money.” busloads of tourists, and Fair Oaks

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

nd wn Hammo The Downto

sents:

Council Pre

ff o k c i K y a d i l : Ho n o i t a r Celeb al

nu 6th An

Saturday November 23 10am-4pm Hohman Avenue, Sibley and Fayette Streets

• View the movie — “A Christmas Story” Show times: 11:00am and 1:30pm General seating — first come first serve (Donations Appreciated) • Visit with Santa and elves • Story characters look-a-like contest • Cookie baking contest • Stardust Bowl and Strack & Van Til’s — turkey bowling • Cabela’s — pop gun prize contest

Held annually on the Saturday before Thanksgiving

Make this Downtow n Hammo new holid nd event y ay traditio our favor n that is fi ite Enjoy IND lled with OOR and O nostalgia ! U TDOOR ev for every member o e f the famil nts and activities y! • Horse and carriage rides • South Shore Arts — kids arts project • Food vendors • Arts & crafts and garage sale vendors • Home Depot’s — Santa’s workshop • Vintage classroom: Free book giveaway and letters to Santa • Live holiday music And many more magical surprises!

Visit 5243 Hohman to get your punch card to enter into our drawing for a chance to win your very own leg lamp!

• Design your own ugly lamp shade

The Downt

tnwoD ehT

Hammond IS Happening! www.downtownhammond.org or call 219.512.4298 (Please note that calls are accepted 9am-7pm only) The Downtown Hammond Council is a Not-For-Profit organization comprised of VOLUNTEERS whose mission is to promote, beautify, and revitalize our downtown!

A SpeciAl publicAtion of the timeS mediA co.

VOLUNTEER, sponsorship, member, and vendor opportunities available…join us! Like us on Facebook to receive event notifications or visit us at www.downtownhammond.org

November 21, 2013 // A ChristmAs story // 11

On Display

NOW - JAN. 5 Indiana Welcome Center Hammond, Indiana

p cial evennts & co spe

ntests

Nov.27 2 Wag your tail wednesdays Dec. 11 3:00pm - 7:00pm Bring your pet in Dec. 18 for a photo with Santa! Families welcome. Nov. 30 A Major Event!

t ANNivERsARy 30th

11:00am - 3:00pm First 250 kids receive a goodie bag. Photos with Santa, watch the movie, scavenger hunt, FLICK bingo, ride the train.

OF thE FiLLM! NEW Bronze Flick Statue NEW Animated Scene Meet the ACt ACtORs

Dec. 7 meet the ac actors 1:00pm - 4:00pm Autographs with Flick, little brother Randy and bullies Scut and Grover (fees apply).

FREE ADMissiON

Themed Contests • Gift Shop • Photos with Santa

Dec. 7

Mommy’s Little Piggy Eating Contest

11:00am Following the Hammond Holiday Parade, try eating the most mashed potatoes in the allotted amount of time.

Dec. 8

100% Red-Blooded, Two Fisted, ALL AMERICAn CHRISTMAS! For event details and special hours visit

12 \\ A ChristmAs story \\ November 21, 2013

facebook.com/ achristmasstorycomeshome

meet the ac actors

9:00am - 11:00am Autographs with Flick, little brother Randy and bullies Scut and Grover (fees apply).

Dec. 14 Oh Fuuudge! Relay Race 10:00am Parent-child teams race to change a tire and run an obstacle course. Event details are subject to change. Visit www.achristmasstorycomeshome.com for up to date information.

A speciAl publicAtion of the times mediA co.