Jay-Z, Alicia Keys perform at World Series Game 1
The New York Yankees have been blasting Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind” during their playoff run. Now, the team is having the rap king perform the song live to kick off Game 1 of the World Series. Jay-Z and fellow New Yorker Alicia Keys are set to perform the hit on Wednesday, as the Yankees take on defending World Series champs, the Philadelphia Phillies.

Good scares, fun Halloween diversions
Nothing says Halloween fun quite like the zombies. Just ask Mark Reinholtz, 23, of Joliet. He started a performance group in 2003, when he was still in high school. The group, aptly named the Reinholtz Cemetery, puts together a musical that tells the story of a zombie-infested cemetery.

Train-themed eatery makes a meal fun
Train enthusiasts young and old are sure to enjoy a whistle-stop tour of 2Toots Train Whistle Grill, a train-themed restaurant with two locations in the western suburbs. 2Toots Train, in Downers Grove and Glen Ellyn, aims to be the kind of place both kids and adults can enjoy, said owner Dale Eisenberg. "When people describe us, it's as an adult restaurant that kids love," Eisenberg said.

Five things to do in Joliet
The Spirit of All-Hallows Eve: Theatre on the Hill's "The Spirit of All-Hallows Eve" will be performed from Oct. 23 to Nov. 1, at Bolingbrook's performing arts stage, located at 375 W. Briarcliff. Friday

Queensryche expands on concept album
Inspiration for albums can come from all sorts of places. Geoff Tate of Queensryche had to look no further for the muse for his band's latest release than his father. "American Soldier," released in March 2009, is Queensryche's 12th album since forming in Seattle in the early 1980s.

Steve Martin: Wild and crazy about the banjo
Dave Hoekstra: Steve Martin's commitment to the banjo is funny to much of the pop culture landscape. But Martin is as serious as a blue moon in Kentucky. About 10 years ago, he put a banjo in every room of his house. "Living room, bedroom," Martin said in a recent interview from Los Angeles. "So wherever I was, it was there." Martin will appear with the Steep Canyon Rangers bluegrass band Thursday night at the Cadillac Palace Theatre.

Uma Thurman, 'Motherhood' director raise film together
Bill Zwecker: Uma Thurman and Katherine Dieckmann, the writer and director of the actress' new ''Motherhood'' film, have a lot in common. For one thing, both woman have two children near the same ages. "We both have the same feelings about what it means to be a mother in today's world,'' said Dieckmann, who joined Thurman in Chicago recently to represent their movie as it opened this year's Chicago International Film Festival.

Rally for Rory aids Plainfield man
Family and friends of Rory Shukstor have organized a fundraiser for the 22-year-old Plainfield man who suffered a near-fatal brain injury in a motorcycle accident in July.

Danger lurks in 'Wild Things' adaptation
Spike Jonze recalls how Maurice Sendak urged him to make the movie version of "Where the Wild Things Are" as dangerous as the book was when the children's classic came out in 1963. The question now is whether Jonze made it too dangerous.

LeToya ready for round 2 as solo star
After proving she could do it solo – her debut single and self-titled album both hit No. 1 on the charts three years ago – LeToya is ready for people to call her by her own name, without adding that annoying prefix. "I am now formerly 'the former member of Destiny's Child,'" the 28-year-old says with a laugh.

Area communities trick or treat hours
Trick or treat hours for communities in Will and Grundy counties. All times are on Saturday, Oct. 31 unless otherwise designated.

Haunted houses in the area
The following is a round up of haunted houses going on in communities in Will and Grundy counties:

Where to pick pumpkins
The following is a round up of pumpkin farms in the Will and Grundy counties area:

Destiny plays part for Buddy Holly performer
Billy McGuigan has been on stage portraying rock 'n' roll legend Buddy Holly since 2002. But for his tribute show Rave On!, McGuigan does not see himself as an impersonator. "I consider myself a Buddy Holly performer," he said. "I convey the spirit and energy of Buddy Holly. It is a tribute to the life of Buddy Holly."

Smothers Brothers: 50 years in show biz
For Dick Smothers, the younger of the two Smothers Brothers, relating to his older brother, Tommy, on stage and off stage is a matter of maintaining equilibrium. "The nature of our act is that Tommy lies by omission, or just outright lies," said Dick Smothers, who, along with his brother, will perform Oct. 11 at the Paramount Theatre. "So I try to keep him accountable."