WBEZ 91.5 Chicago

When Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic and Madness at the Fair That Changed America was published in 2003, it seemed to be only a matter of time before the brilliant book would become a motion picture.

The lavishly told tale of Daniel Burnham's heroic efforts to plan and construct the Chicago 1893 World's Fair juxtaposed with that of serial killer H.H. Holmes who ran a murderous house of horrors mere miles west of the fair captured the attention of actor Tom Cruise's company, which purchased the book's film rights in 2003. At the same time, Leonardo DiCaprio's camp said it had been working on its own film regarding Holmes. You could imagine a heck of a film, with special effects that would allow us to truly see the White City fairgrounds as they were--and how they served as a backdrop for an astounding cast of characters from Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass to Little Egypt (a rumpshaker) and Buffalo Bill Cody.

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Next week's Craft Brewer's Conference and Expo at the Sheraton Chicago is already sold out, but aspiring beer geeks need not despair. Though the official conference is full, you can teach yourself a thing or two just by checking out all of the craft brew-related events happening at restaurants, bars and microbreweries around Chicago all week long. You're sure to meet other beer aficionados and probably even bump into many of the brewmasters themselves, and that's worth raising a pint to.

Lincolnwood-based Louis Glunz Beer, Inc., a nationally-recognized distributor of micro, specialty and import beers, has been a Chicago fixture for 122 years. As one of the sponsors of the Craft Brewer's Conference, Glunz Beer will host exclusive events throughout the week.

Dogfloydapalooza is a chance to enjoy the handiwork of two great breweries: Dogfish Head Brewery in Milton, Delaware and Three Floyds Brewing Company in Munster, Indiana. Brew warlords Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head and Nick Floyd of Three Floyds will be on hand to showcase five craft beers from each brewery. The event will take place at the Bottom Lounge, 1375 W. Lake Street , on April 6th from 9:00 pm to 2:00 am. Tickets are $20, which includes the first pint of beer.

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 Lisa Coughlin is guest-blogging this week for Amy KR. Like Amy, Lisa likes to make things. She is currently making doughnuts (not the kind you eat) and writing. Lisa is a vocal supporter of Amy’s work and is happy to be a part of any mission that makes the world a happier, more wonder-filled place to be.

You told us. You showed us! Show & Tell is such a splendid way for each of us to take our rightful place on the stage of life. I really enjoyed moderating this mission while Miss Amy KR was away. Thank you for telling your stories and sharing your pictures.

For Frisbee Friday, I would like to share this wonderful list:

15 Reasons Mr. Rogers was the best neighbor ever.

May we all practice being model neighbors, like Fred Rogers, building a community filled with everyday magic.

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Editor's note: Robert Feder is on spring break until April 7. While he's away, we're running "The Best of Feder." The following post originally appeared on Dec. 24, 2009:

I think I first fell in love with the idea of being a newspaperman after watching "The Adventures of Superman" as a kid. Reruns of the 1950s George Reeves series aired every afternoon on WGN-Channel 9 in the '60s, and I remember watching all of them with unbounded fascination.

Call it fate, but I always found myself drawn more to Clark Kent, the "mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper," than to the Man of Steel.‚ Clark was always so cool, so intelligent and so dashing in those horn-rimmed glasses and fedora. Years later I came to wonder why you hardly ever saw an actual copy of The Daily Planet, or why Clark and Lois and Jimmy never seemed to have any deadlines. But if being a reporter meant getting paid to go out on exciting adventures and finding things out before anybody else, I knew that was for me!

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(photo by Lee Bey) 

The Truckomat along the Bishop Ford expressway in suburban South Holland is a solid, functional building--during the day. At night, however, the place has far greater allure. Under a zip of cool blue neon, trucks from any point in the US are getting fueled, or washed. A bright spot on the long, lonely highway; a modern oasis for nomads-for-hire.

(photo by Lee Bey)

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Getting your daily jolt of caffeine has become a little political as of late. Like its cousin, chocolate, coffee growers also face issues of fair trade practices. Chicago-based Intelligentsia has been on the cutting edge of sourcing not only great beans, but also finding growers who are taking a more responsible approach with the land, as well as their employees. This story originally aired on Public Radio International's "The World," shortly after Intelligentsia opened their new store near Millennium Park.

Intelligentsia Coffee

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As we stop to take a snack break, I want to take this moment to share a story.

As a mother of a spirited and inquisitive 5-year-old, most of my telling usually involves anecdotes related to my experiences with her.  I just recently introduced my daughter to Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.  And she has questions, naturally.  (I ask a lot of questions, too.)  In the car, she wondered aloud about Mr. Rogers’ plans after he said good-bye and went out the door.  Then she remarked, “You don’t get to see his upstairs.” Nothing gets past my daughter. Her attention to detail would be commended by most professional inspectors.

Watching Mr. Rogers, I am in awe of his nature.

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