Fresh is the way to go at Bin 48
Bin 48 in downtown Plainfield specializes in making a night out enjoyable and memorable. The wine bar and grill, open since June, features fresh, homemade food with a large wine list, said manager Cheryl Smith. "Everything is fresh, homemade daily," Smith said. "Nothing is frozen."

Getting satire right: Site is a daily show of humor
From Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck to Bill Maher's targets in the 2008 comedic documentary "Religulous," those on the right of the spectrum often wind up as subjects of late-night zingers and scorching sendups. They are less often the originators of those sendups -- standouts such as Dennis Miller and his less comedically accomplished conservative compatriot Rush Limbaugh notwithstanding -- especially when it comes to taking conservative comrades to task.

Streamwood clown joins 'the greatest show'
Earlier this month, 27-year-old Kyle Barker started to live out his dream in earnest, joining the cast of clowns in Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's Circus at Allstate Arena in Rosemont.

Not so 'Good' with details
Paige Wiser: It's one of the hazards of TV viewing: Police watch cop shows and complain that they're not accurate. Critics pick apart reality shows for not being real. And Chicagoans watch "The Good Wife" to look for Midwestern mistakes. Co-creator Michelle King says our city was chosen as the setting for CBS' Tuesday night hit because it made sense for Julianna Margulies' character -- not because any of the producers had personal experience here.

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 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