Laughing in the face of recession
Give people good value for their money, and chances are, they'll buy whatever you're selling -- even in this economy.

Five things to know
Schoenherr Art Gallery: Artist Pieter Favier exhibit, "Two Roads: Of What I Think and What I Think About," to Nov. 13. Multiple media, including paper, crayon, chalk and acrylic. More at http://finearts.northcentralcollege.edu/x48813.xml. At Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Call 630-637-5300 or visit www.northcentralcollege.edu/events.

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Train-themed eatery makes a meal fun
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Five things to know
Schoenherr Art Gallery: Artist Pieter Favier exhibit, Two Roads: Of What I Think and What I Think About, to Nov. 13. Multiple media, including paper, crayon, chalk and acrylic. More at finearts.northcentralcollege.edu/x48813.xml. The exhibit will be open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays and Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays, and one hour before most performances in the Fine Arts Center. At Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Call 630-637-5300 or visit www.northcentralcollege.edu/events.

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MUSEUMS

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.

Five things to do in Naperville
Anderson's Bookshops: George Wendt, reading and booksigning for "Drinking with George," 7 p.m. Oct. 27, Wentz Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., in Naperville. At 123 W. Jefferson Ave. in Naperville.

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.

'Cheers' star revisits South Side roots in new book
He may be a wealthy American icon now, but actor and Chicago native George Wendt has always stayed true to his cultural and comedic roots. Having grown up in the '50s and '60s in the Beverly neighborhood on the South Side, Wendt went on to stalk the mainstage of Second City on North Wells. He retains strong ties to both places.

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.

Gallery features work of Lisle photographer
The change of seasons gives photographer Josh Merrill a feeling of excitement and appreciation of beauty.

Five things to know
Benet drama: The Benet Academy Drama Troupe will present "Return to the Forbidden Planet at 7 p.m. Oct. 15-18 at the academy's St. Daniel Hall, 2200 Maple Ave., Lisle. Doors open at 6 p.m. Call 630-719-2796.

Family Calendar
MUSEUMS

Arboretum plans tree-hugging event
As the autumn colors near their peak, the Morton Arboretum wants people to stop by and give one of its trees a big hug.

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.

Arboretum to present 'Legend of Sleepy Hollow'
The Morton Arboretum in Lisle is the setting for a return engagement of "Sleepy Hollow," a delightfully spooky musical for the whole family.

Five things to know
Staged readings: The New World Repertory Theater will hold "New Words," staged readings of original new plays "Thy Will Be Done" by Michael Burgan at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9 and "In the Latter Days" by Ann Magaha at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at 923 Curtiss St., Downers Grove.

Julie Andrews brings new book to Tivoli
Anderson's Bookshop in Downers Grove will present a special celebration with singer, actress and author Julie Andrews at 6 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Tivoli Theatre, 5021 Highland Ave., Downers Grove.

Arboretum offers exhibit about coffee
For many, getting a cup of coffee is no harder than deciding between the latte or the mocha.

Benet to stage musical
The Benet Academy Drama Troupe will present "Return to the Forbidden Planet," a musical comedy by Bob Carleton loosely based on William Shakespeare's "The Tempest.

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