When Justin Kaufmann asked me back in 2009 to become a part of Vocalo.org, I was flattered. He and I had worked together off and on for more than a decade at WBEZ.

One of the city's largest childhood hunger relief efforts is gearing up for another big-time fundraiser. Since 1988, Taste of the Nation has raised nearly $3 million in Chicago, and will continue that effort August 10th.

I'll let the video do all of the explaining here. Hopefully you've already seen my "Something You Should Eat" post from earlier today, in order for this to make sense and to fully appreciate it.

I've really had a thing for Swedish food lately (yesterday's post made that pretty obvious), and it can't be because I'm working my way through the Stieg Larsson trilogy (just saw the preview for the English language version of "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" the other night, starring Daniel Craig

Summer might officially begin June 21, but the longest days of the year in Sweden are truly celebrated during the weekend after the solstice - this year, June 24 - 26.

Rain or shine, summer has finally arrived in Chicago.

This time of year is just murder on people with special requests, allergies and gluten-intolerance.  There are backyard barbecues, graduation lunches and wedding showers, not to mention menus full of pasta, starch and flour.