It seems like everyone is unemployed. National unemployment rates are at 9 percent or higher depending on the day. This means that there are a lot of adults with time on their hands. Once the shock of losing a job wears off, most people resolve to stay active. “I'm going to repaint the house, volunteer at my kid's school, never rest a minute until I have a new job.” Those plans quickly fade as the frustration, fear and depression of an unfruitful job search sets in. Soon you're sleeping in, wearing your pajamas all day and losing hours playing 'Cafe World' on Facebook. A great way to fend off…

Have you ever had doubts about your faith, your church or about God him/herself? Have you ever listened to your pastor and wondered if his words were inspired by the Holy Spirit or by alcoholic spirits? Have you ever looked at your life and wondered, “What am I doing?” If you have, you are not alone. The Riverfront Playhouse's production of Mass Appeal features Gary Puckett as Father Farley and Frank Warpeha as Deacon Mark Dolson wrestling with these very issues. The controversial drama by Bill C. Davis is about a passionate young seminarian, Mark Dolson's, struggle to become a priest amid …

The Alley Art Festival in Aurora draws artists from Oswego and throughout the Fox Valley area. Now more than ever families look for free or inexpensive activities to fill their weekends. Up and down the Fox River, communities are rising to this challenge. This summer has had featured festivals, carnivals, outdoor movies, outdoor concerts, commemorative celebrations and block parties. Last weekend Aurora hosted its second art festival of the summer – the Alley Art Festival. In its second year, the festival doubled in size, according to organizer Marissa Amoni. “We had twice as many artists …

Arts education does more than foster creativity. It fosters critical thinking skills, a positive work ethic, confidence and helps improve social skills. Despite limited budgets and tight time schedules parents can do a lot to foster creatively and artistic expression. When schools and parents work together to encourage artistic expression children grow into confident, successful adults. The importance of the arts in school is pretty well established. Study after study shows that children actively involved in art classes are more likely to excel at math and science; to have good attendance and…

As the Oswego Fine Art Fair draws closer, artists from far and near are choosing which pieces to bring and preparing their displays. Earl Heinz, a pottery artist from Warrenville, is preparing for his second year at the fair. “New for me this year are large cups/saucers with a hole in the bottom for plants. I'm intrigued to see the response they will get," Heinz said. Heinz discovered pottery in the early 1970s when he took an elective pottery course in college. That class sparked a lifetime love affair with the art. Many of the techniques he learned during those early years have stuck with …

The annual Oswego Fine Art Fair is just weeks away. Artist from around Chicago and all over the country will be in town to display their work. For many artists it will be their third, fourth or even fifth time at the fair. What keeps bring them back? Michele Bergeron, the village's community relations manager, has her own ideas about that. “I think it's our warm and friendly atmosphere and patrons," she said. "People are genuinely interested in the artists' work and the process the artist uses to get to the finished piece.” Third-time fair participant Shelley Lawler certainly agrees with …

First you get dressed in tight dress clothes and drive to the theater. Then you buy your expensive tickets and walk onto the deep carpeted lobby. Your handed a glossy program as you make your way to your seats. An usher takes your tickets and directs you to your seat. You sit down, wiggle out of your coat and nod to your neighbors as well dressed and uncomfortable as you are. You study your program until the lights dim. You and the rest of the audience wait in the dark with for the prose of the Immortal Bard, William Shakespeare. That is how most people see Shakespeare performed. The …

The Riverfront Playhouse's production of Duck Hunter Shoots Angel is a hilarious comedy, a surreal journey through thoughts and memories and poignant reflection on where the twists and turns of life can take us. Mitch Albom's (Tuesdays with Morrie) play appears, at first glance, to be a classic "culture-clash" comedy where New York meets Deep South and mayhem ensues. Certainly there is plenty of mayhem, but the play is much more than just a slapstick comedy. It is a surreal journey through the mind of Sandy, the jaded tabloid reporter. It is a frank and honest look at regional prejudices and …

Jackson Street Sounds, Oswego's family friendly open-mic night, has settled into its new location—Pearce's at Fox Bend. Up until last March, Jackson Street Sounds met every second Thursday at the Little White School Museum. “We loved the Little White School,” said Kristie Blocker Vest, co-founder and Special Events Coordinator for the Oswegoland Park District. Summertime sessions on the lawn were particularly fun. In the winter, though, the Little White School was too big. Even the biggest jam sessions did not fill the schoolhouse halfway. Regulars of the open mic were also asking for …

Have you ever listened to the Declaration of Independence read aloud? Not many realize that Thomas Jefferson meant for it to be spoken in proud tones from pulpits and in town squares throughout the colonies. There is a growing Fourth of July tradition to watch the Declaration be performed live or on YouTube. When one hears the Declaration of Independence read aloud, one is struck by the beauty of the words, by the eloquence of the argument, by the genius of the ideas. It is impossible not to be inspired by them as if those words were being spoken for the first time ever. The ideas set forth …

Do you remember drive-in movies? “I remember the playground in front of the screen. As soon as the car was parked we were off to the playground while my parents cooked hot dogs on the portable grill," Chris Thomas said. "We played until the ads for the concession stand started. Then we ran back to the car, ate a hot dog and bundled into blankets. Movies sound different outside. I remember looking up at the stars while King Kong rampaged on the screen. When I close my eyes, I can still feel the breeze on my face. It was great.” Most of us who are older than 35 have memories like that. There …

Despite soaring gas prices, people will still hit the road this summer. Whether it's weekend trips to visit grandma, day trips to Starved Rock and Taste of Chicago or a family vacations to the Dells, Americans are on the move during June, July and August. On each and every trip parents are plagued by the dreaded question, “Are we there yet?” Asked by children from 2 to 18, usually after the first mile of travel. Entire websites are devoted to how to entertain children during car trips. Suggestions on these sites include activities like car bingo, printable coloring pages and activity books. …

Scratch just below the surface of the carnival rides and midway games of PrairieFest and you'll find a weekend full of artistic experiences. For starters, the PrairieFest Main Stage features national headliners and local musicians. “We like the Main Stage to feature not just big names but also local talent,” said Margaret Gienger, PrairieFest coordinator. A team of people working with the stage manager decides which acts to include. The team considers bands that are going to be touring the Midwest around the time of the festival. “We pick the bands that we think will be popular and invite …

You don't have to be Michelangelo to make beautiful art. Sometimes we can be intimidated by "Great Art." When we take a trip to the Art Institute, when we listen to music that moves us to joy or tears, when we read a poem that says what we feel so perfectly or when we see a beautiful hand-made item in a shop or a booth, we often think “Oh, I wish I could do that.” Oswego resident Mike Mathews followed “I wish I could do that” with “Maybe I can.” It all started when Mathews began attending Renaissance faires when he was a teenager. “I loved all the cool stuff for sale, especially the leather …

Proud parents and music lovers had two chances last week week to listen to great music and honor the hard work and dedication of the Oswego East High School Choir and Band students. The evening of May 17 the Choir concert was held. The band performed the next day. There was a second band performance on May 19. On both nights the pre-show hustle and bustle was the same. Backstage students were dressed in unaccustomed dress clothes. Some were in choir robes; others were in matching shirts and slacks or skirts. Some students were fussing with last minute hair and make-up details. Others were …

The Oswego Playhouse's new production, Death on The Nile is without a doubt one of the best shows to come out of the Playhouse in the last year. The Agatha Christie thriller is brought to life by director Daina Giesler and a cast of veteran Oswego Playhouse actors. Beautiful costumes by Barb Alexander and picturesque sets by Julie Kinsey augment the performances to carry the audience to the sultry shores of this queen of all rivers. The 12-person cast works hard to weave a spell of mystery and passion. The action takes place on a Nile river tour boat during the early 20th century. Among the …

Oswego’s own internationally known artist Paul Nickless is being showcased just up the river at the Proud Fox Gallery in Geneva. Proud Fox Gallery features one artist's work each month and has chosen Nickless’ paintings as their May feature.   “With the weather finally breaking we felt that we needed something big and bright.” said gallery owner David Frydrychowicz.  “(Nickless) has good control of his pallet.  Plus we love his work.”   The month began with a Meet the Artist reception May 6  The personable and energetic Nickless greeted visitors cheerfully and proudly discussed his work. The …

The Riverfront Playhouse’s upcoming show, Golem: The Monster of Prague promises to take audiences deep inside a classic 19th Century-type Gothic melodrama.   Sometimes dismissed as ‘cheesy’ ‘two-dimensional’ or ‘ridiculously unrealistic’ those old horror stories remain unrelentingly popular.  The big three, Dracula, Frankenstein and the Wolfman, get remade every decade or so. What is the secret of their continued popularity?  They touch something deep within the human psyche.  They take an audience into a deeper, darker part of themselves where love, hate, jealousy, ambition, vanity, passion …

If laughter has the power to heal then Comedy Under the Tap Oswego’s was awash in healing energy last Saturday night.   CUTT held a benefit for Lindsey Jones, CUTT bartender, and her mother.  The Jones’ house burned down on March 20 due to a faulty clothes dryer.  In the aftermath of the fire, Jones' friends at CUTT wanted to help in any way they could.  During a meeting after a Tuesday night show, the idea for a benefit show was born.  The Tap House Grill agreed to let CUTT stage a Saturday night show with all proceeds going to the Jones family. Saturday night’s show began with a opening …

Every day headlines seem to become more and more depressing. We need humor to distract us and to remind us that if we don’t laugh at life, it will make us cry. It's with that in mind that on Saturday Comedy Under the Tap will host a benefit show for Lindsey Jones, whose house was destroyed by fire on March 20. Jones is the bartender and lead of the wait staff for Comedy Under the Tap. Jones was doing her laundry March 20 when the dryer started smoking. She quickly pulled the laundry out and called her mom. Her mom told her to get out right away. Jones said she turned around and the whole …