Barack Obama's 86-year-old paternal step-grandmother Sarah Onyango Obama outside of her home in Kogelo, Kenya, with a life size photo cutout of the president-elect behind her.
(Andy Isaacson/For the Sun-Times)
Sox swap shop deals in stealth
Daley's budget director resigns
Bears' Adams not a 'down' lineman
Budget chief who installed shower in office washes out
Ancient pot stash found in China tomb
Who's getting it on? Greeks are No. 1
Feds raid pharmacies of Blagojevich fund-raiser tied to probe
Autos
Jobs
Homes
Place an ad
Yellow Pages
'Cadillac Records'
'Punisher: War Zone'
'Nobel Son'
Other Sun-Times' reviews
Roger Ebert's journal
More of Ebert's reviews
Chris De Luca: Trying to get a clear read on the baseball landscape is tricky at this time of year because so much major talent still is sitting in the clearance aisle. But a week from today -- once the winter meetings conclude in Las Vegas -- we should have a much better feel for the six divisions.
When Anthony Adams was notified about two hours before the Bears' season opener at Indianapolis that he was going to be inactive, the one question he knew he couldn't ask himself was ''Why?''
After going 3-4 during their recent road swing, the Bulls returned home confident they could take advantage of a more favorable schedule in December. But two games into the month, the Bulls (8-11) have dropped two straight and are looking to regroup again. Perhaps the least surprised person is coach Vinny Del Negro, who has been saying for weeks that the early part of the season will be a roller-coaster ride.
Are you ready for some holiday fun? Check out our guide to everything you need for giving gifts, giving back and getting out of town.
Green gift guide
Fly globally, eat locally
Drinks: Spirits of Christmas present
Theater: Holiday shows
Party time: New Year's Eve guide
Photos: Upload your holiday decorations
Photos: Upload pictures of you and Santa
Subaru Outback
Truck technology
Jaguar XKR
Photos: 2009 Ford Flex
Photos: 2008 Chevy Vettefest
Photos: 2008 LA Auto Show
Search: For a new or used car
Centerstage: If "Willy Wonka's" Charlie Bucket had lived in Chicago, he wouldn't have been able to visit his local chocolate factory even with a golden ticket; the famed Blommer Chocolate Company doesn't give tours of its River North facility. But he could still get his hands on all the chocolate he desired, thanks to a world of local confectioneries right at his fingertips.
Photos: Holiday chocolate
Religion
What makes God smile? -- and other questions for Lama
Calif. gay marriage ban driven by religion
Horoscopes
Holiday Mathis horoscopes for Dec. 5
Georgia Nicols horoscopes for Dec. 5
If you've heard anything about LivingOprah.com blogger Robyn Okrant, you probably fall into one of two mistaken camps. "One, that I'm an Oprah fanatic," says the Lincoln Square resident. "Or the other, that I'm out to disparage Oprah."
Oprah to take show to D.C. for inauguration
Oprah's annual gift fest latest victim of economy
Robyn's blog: Living Oprah
The "O" blog: All Oprah, all the time
Books
Blogger takes a year to do all things Oprah-approved
Rowling gets post-Potter life rolling with 'Beedle'
People's memoirs. Six words. Surprising results.
Classical
Grammy event wasn't revolutionary, but it was televised
Stage
Horatio Alger musical is where the 'Boys' are
Updated 'Figaro' off the mark too often
Hubbard Street is an avenue of smiles in extraordinary winter program
Galleries
Macy's, Gap, Nordstrom, J.C. Penney, Target, Abercrombie & Fitch and a host of other retailers reported double-digit percentage declines in November sales from a year ago, reflecting both a quirk in the retail calendar and a worsening economy. The miserable November marked the weakest month since at least 1969 amid deepening fears that the critical holiday period could be the most dismal in decades. 
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.
Share photos of your visit with Santa Claus
What deals would you like to see Cubs, Sox make?
Report: Feds Taped Gov. Blagojevich
