Chicagoan Debra Kohnke displays an armload of needy children's letters to Santa. This year she and her friends are buying gifts for more than 150 kids in homeless shelters.
(Brian Jackson/Sun-Times)
Ryan Dempster reaches new deal with Cubs
Woman charged for neglecting son
Earn A's, B's, get free college
Loop offices lose 5 p.m. mail pickups
Ryan Dempster reaches new deal with Cubs
Woman who got kidney tainted with HIV sues
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Having accomplished their top offseason priority more than a week before Thanksgiving, the Cubs start turning their attention today to the left-handed-hitting deficiencies manager Lou Piniella and others in the organization blame for a good part of their last two October flameouts. Whether they can fill that need as ideally as they'd like, considering the makeup of the free-agent market and financial limitations that weren't there the last two winters, general manager Jim Hendry at least has time on his side to get creative after successfully negotiating the return Tuesday of All-Star starting pitcher Ryan Dempster.
Mike Mulligan: The charm of a crazy season was all but drained out during one miserable Sunday in Green Bay, but as much as nobody wants to hear it, Bears coach Lovie Smith is perfectly correct in his uncomplicated statement that his team is left with a six-game season.
Derrick Rose and Ben Gordon have started only a few games together, but the backcourt combination already has proved to be a major headache for Bulls opponents. Overall, the duo was averaging 40.2 points on 47 percent shooting heading into the Bulls' game Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers. That only tells part of the story, though.
Sure, you can just show up at Mom's and stuff yourself silly. But
there's more to this holiday than turkey (and more than one place to
get it, should Mom's run a little dry).
Not a cooker? Our restaurant alternatives
Be a pro: Turkey cooking classes
Where to lend a helping hand
Bar specials on Thanksgiving Eve
Slice and dice: City's best pumpkin pies
Video: 2009 Dodge Challenger
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Pontiac Vibe
Mitsubishi Lancer EVO
Photos: 2009 Volvo XC70
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Brianna Sharp and Max Lacewell share an unlikely bond. Both kids live in Naperville. They see the same primary care doctor. And now Brianna, a 12-year-old seventh-grader at Gregory Middle School, and Max, a 5-year-old kindergartner at Welch Elementary School, are both immersed in the struggle of their lives. They are fighting the same rare pediatric brain cancer -- diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. Just one in 10 of those afflicted with the brain-stem cancer survives past 18. 
Hear a clip of their songs! Sure, the season finale of "American Idol" should have been the deciding bout in the battle between David Cook and David Archuleta. After all, Cook won. The battle, however, is far from over. Archuleta's debut CD dropped last week. Cook's recording is out today. Consider it round two of David vs. David. 
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke waged a stout defense on Capitol Hill Tuesday of their management of a $700 billion financial bailout just one week after the administration abandoned the original strategy behind the rescue. 
Lynn Sweet has the latest updates on President-elect Obama's transition to the White House
After the historic 2008 Presidential election, Lynn Sweet is following Barack Obama's transition to the White House every step of the way. Check back throughout the day for the latest news on Cabinet picks, the inauguration and the forthcoming Presidential pet.
Sasha and Malia Obama tour Washington schools 
It's your turn to write the caption: Obama, McCain meet
Two Chicago legends get rousing sendoffs
