BY SARAH TEREZ ROSENBLUM

1. Jennifer Beals, native Chicagoan and former star of the equally asinine and groundbreaking “The L-Word” serves as grand marshal for the 77th annual McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade.

2. Tired of drama queens and infighting? You can take a break from family festivities and head to Century 12 Evanston/CineArts 6 and XD to catch “Burlesque”….for more drama and infighting but with pasties!

3. This weekend Global Rhythms, the yearly, international tap and percussive arts showcase offers the opportunity to watch talented people dance, which is almost like dancing yourself which will totally take off the holiday pounds. Right? Performances are Friday 8 p.m., Saturday 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday 3 p.m.

4. We have Hollaback Chicago, a website devoted to taking the shame out of street harassment. With affiliates across the U.S., Hollaback offers women like this the opportunity to crow or vent. What better way to celebrate Thanksgiving than to peruse the site over pumpkin pie?

5. Over the course of the day, drizzle turns to snow as temperatures drop to seventeen degrees. Be thankful spring is only five months away. Wait, this is Chicago. Make it six.

A freelance writer with an MFA in Creative Writing from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Sarah Terez Rosenblum, when not writing, supports herself as a figure model, Spinning instructor and teacher at Chicago's Story Studio. Inevitably one day she will find herself lecturing naked on a spinning bike. She’s kind of looking forward to it actually.

In junior high school, the most uncool thing a kid can do is care. Only a dork cares. She cares about her grades, about her family, about her future. When something goes wrong, like she sprains her ankle the day the solo singing role is cast in her school’s Mid-Winter Nondenominational Holiday-Season Pageant, and by the time she’s back at school two week’s later all of her friends are sitting at different lunch tables and then the clay Bette Midler head she spent a month sculpting explodes in the kiln, probably a dork cries. And then, she’s even dorkier. But here’s the other thing about a dork, if she cares enough at twelve to create art and strive for lead roles, likely she’ll carry on caring all the way into adulthood while people like Nicole Whitik don’t care enough to use a condom and end up married to Elden Tanhouse who didn’t care enough to finish high school. Hypothetically speaking, of course.

Now, I don’t know this for certain, but odds are Stacey Smith cared. What’s that Nicole? Who’s Stacey Smith? Well, she’s not one of the real housewives of New Jersey, so likely you haven’t heard of her.

Hailing from Long Island, New York, Smith “grew up a total ham,” the stage “the only place in the world [where she felt] fearless.” Now in Chicago pursuing comedy, she’s shaped “Confessions of a Chubby Tomboy,” a one-woman show dealing in part with her awkward journey to womanhood. Smith says revisiting that time is “therapy. To look at things in retrospect and be able to laugh [is] the best closure.” But while therapy is a satisfying byproduct, her goal remains to reach outward. “Chicago [comedy] is very group work oriented. Everyone has been really eager to be alongside me in this journey because it's such a truthful, personal piece,” says Smith. “The one reoccurring note I keep receiving is "more!" and "longer!" I thought it would be impossible to memorize a 40-minute show, and now I can recite it in my sleep!”

Who doesn’t want to go into business for herself? No more nitpicking boss, no more boring spreadsheets, no more coworkers microwaving fish so the whole office smells like the penguin pond at the zoo.

Former architects and current spouses Amanda Eich and Tony Vassallo began living everyone’s fantasy a few years back when they ditched unfulfilling jobs to form Spilled Ink Press. What started as a one-time gig making wedding invitations for a friend became a burgeoning green business boasting not only invitations and stationary, but several lines of cards coming soon to a Target Store near you.

Our Town How did you arrive at your company’s name?
Amanda Eich Seven years ago, [when I did an] invitation job for friends, I thought it would be fun to design a logo to put on the back. I was thinking something “ink”, and asked myself, what would I do with a bottle of ink? The answer was obvious; I’d spill it.

OT What real life experiences have inspired designs?
AE After we got rolling with wedding invitations, we started designing greeting cards based on the life of someone working in corporate America. The original “Daily Grind” line of cards came from ridiculous situations we laughed about on our lunch breaks. An original office humor cards says, “The key to a happy work day is apathy.” Tony used to tell me that when I would get upset about how I was treated at the office.

You go to Idaho for potatoes, LA to gain money and lose IQ points and Chicago to succeed in comedy (before going to LA to gain money and lose IQ points).

So how does an up and coming comedy troupe set themselves apart from other comedy hopefuls? If you’re Cell Camp, you get a hot bi chick to be your spokesperson. Oh, and you hone your work, train at second city and cultivate great chemistry, but back to the hot bi chick.

Below, Marla Depew, writer, performer, and two-year runner up for the Windy City Gay Idol crown discusses Cell Camp.

Our Town How did Cell Camp…um Mitosis. I mean, form?
Marla Depew Matt Kelley, Richie Cross, and I went through Second City Training Center's writing program in 2005/06. The culmination of the program is to write and produce your own sketch show with the help of riotous actors, which is when we found Kate Lambert, Tim Heurlin, and Neil Arsenty through an audition. We're all quite twisted and clicked immediately. At the end of that show's run, we saw no other option than to form an official troupe. We've been together for awhile now and play off each others' strengths and let each individual shine, which in turn lights up the whole group.

As a kid I loved The Keatons. A fictional family, but unabashedly liberal and loving, they reminded me of my own family, just funnier. Like my dad, Steven Keaton even sported a beard. While Alex was my crush and unlikely fashion muse (baseball shirts, dark Levis and red windbreakers? Check check check.), Elise intrigued me. My best friend’s mother, Barb, was a lesbian, an open secret I wouldn’t discover for a few years. For reasons I couldn’t articulate, Elise reminded me of Barb.

When Meredith Baxter outed herself on the Today show in 2009, I felt as if I’d always known. Whether or not Baxter, married three times, spent her life dodging the obvious or truly came to her lesbianism later in life, her sexual fluidity seems part of a recent trend: celebrities like Cynthia Nixon and Kelly McGillis going gay.

Queer culture vulture and lesbian writer Trish Bendix is one of many women writing on the subject in a new anthology, “Dear John, I Love Jane.” A forthright investigation of female sexuality and personal choice, the book is comprised of essays, some witty, some wrenching, about women leaving men for women.

Bendix, who spoke with Our Town about sexual mutability and Elise’s exodus, will read from the collection at 7:30 p.m., Friday November 12th at Women and Children First.

Our Town Tell us about the anthology.

Trish Bendix Seal Press publishes some of the best feminist and queer books, especially when it comes to collections. Around the time the editors were putting out a call for submissions, there was this craze with Kelly McGillis and Meredith Baxter coming out, so a lot of publications were writing pieces on "the late in life lesbian." I came out at age 20 - not exactly middle age. When I heard about “Dear John, I Love Jane,” I wondered if I'd be the right fit or not, but my essay fits right in amongst the writings from women of all ages and places who assumed they were straight until attraction proved otherwise.

BY SARAH TEREZ ROSENBLUM

Seems everyone from Kathy Griffin to Barack Obama has joined advice columnist and all-around messiah Dan Savage’s “It Gets Better Project,” reaching out to gay youth. But director Stu Maddox is focusing his efforts on an often forgotten, perhaps even more vulnerable group, LGBT elders. His film, “Generation Silent” takes an intimate look at the lives of older LGBT people, their struggles with health care workers, homophobic legislation, and yes, even bullying.

Maddox says he became interested in the subject while doing an earlier film “about two guys who have been together for more than half a century. Doing the film, it became clear [seniors] have a whole lot of fears and anxieties around some pretty scary issues like social security, survivor benefits and being able to take care of each other in nursing facilities. The inequality that’s out there between gay and straight couples really magnifies when you get to the other end of your life.”

"Generation Silent," which screens on November Sixth at the Reeling Film Festival, represents Maddox’s effort to direct attention to these issues. Along with Executive Producer, Barrie Atkin, Maddox has been working to raise funds and awareness, opening minds and gaining supporters along the way. According to Maddox, “Making the film was the easy part. As an independent filmmaker, [now] is the most stressful. We’re doing a lot of fund-raising, film festivals, hopefully starting a grassroots effort to raise money and continue growing the viewings of this film. We’re just trying to change people one group at a time.”

Bonobo, Thunderball
9 p.m. at Metro; $16-$22
With the release of his fourth studio album, Simon Green (aka Bonobo) has taken a much-needed step away from his roots in the downtempo scene. Songstress Andreya Triana steps in where Bajka left off, and the result is an undeniable display of musical synergy. For Bonobo's show at the Metro, you can expect both Triana as well as a live band, which ought to give fans the full breadth of what Green is capable of.

Bumps, Bruises and Bedtime Stories
7 p.m. at Zanies; $20
Talk hockey with former NHL goons Stu Grimson, Jim McKenzie and Reid Simpson. Harry Teinowitz of ESPN Radio hosts.

Cupcake Job Fair
2 p.m. at Prudential Plaza (118 E. Lake St.)
The folks at More Cupcakes are passing out free treats today. And as an added bonus, if you send a job lead to cupcakecareerfair@gmail.com, you’ll get a list of all other jobs, including a seed list with companies like PepsiCo, Critical Mass and Edelman Digital.

First Look Repertory of New Work
8 p.m. at Steppenwolf Theater; $20
Big Mama 'wolf continues to nourish the next generation of theater with the sixth First Look Rep, a festival of plays in development. Tonight’s show, “The Old Masters,” is about a man who searches for meaning in the loss of his missing artist friend.

As you know, crushes are my purpose, my sustenance, my raison d’etre (that’s French for grape). Succor for my vacant soul, they distract me from daily hardships.

Standing room only on the Clark bus? Jewel’s out of sandwich meat? Facebook won’t let me sign in? With my crushes to bolster me, these trials, though agonizing, can be endured. November’s crush is particularly potent, necessary as the days grow short and Seasonal Deficit Disorder sets in. Playwright, performer and co-founder of Hell in a Handbag Productions, David Cerda, first drew my unblinking attention as Lt. Betty Blitzen in "Silent Night of the Lambs,” Hell in a Handbag’s 2009 Christmas show.

Since then I’ve been delighted to spot him (purely accidentally of course) at a range of benefits, street fests and theatrical productions. Captivating in drag or out, Cerda is a sort of two for one obsession: dapper man and classy dame.

Bob Dylan
7:30 p.m. Saturday at Riviera Theatre; $60
Like a force of nature, Bob Dylan just keeps rolling on. A few months shy of his 70th birthday, the greatest songwriter of the 20th century remains a force to be reckoned with a decade into the 21st. His Never Ending Tour continues to live up to its name and just out are a pair of albums generating massive buzz: a collection of demos from his first years in New York City and the first CD release of his first eight mono LPs. At one point, Dylan had a rep for delivering wildly uneven results live – either transcendent or mail-it-in bad – but he's seemed more energized lately and is one of the true must-sees.

North Halsted Halloween Parade
4 p.m. Sunday starting at Belmont and Halsted; free
Find crazy costumes and even crazier behavior as the best of Boystown let their hair down for the day. This year, the theme is "Little Street of Horrors" and the event will be emceed by the incomparable Miss Floozie. Think you're creative? Test yourself in the costume contest after the parade. There will be over $5,000 in costume contest cash and prizes.
More: Find all Halloween events.

Ghostface Killah
8:30 p.m. Sunday at Abbey Pub; $20-$22
If there were ever to be a perfect performance scenario, it would have to be Ghostface Killah performing on Halloween. The veteran Wu-Tang alum has always been a fan favorite, and his crafty lyricism and vivid storytelling abilities have placed his name right up there with the legends. Lately Ghosface has kept a relatively low profile, but his last project, Wu-Massacre, with Raekwon and Method Man, has propelled him back into the spotlight. His performance at Abbey Pub will likely be in promotion of Wu-Massacre as well as last year's Ghostdini Wizard of Poetry, but as we all know it's past classics from Ironman, Supreme Clientele and Fishscale that'll turn the Abbey into a Halloween destination.

Walk of Shame Halloween Party
11 a.m. Sunday at Faith & Whiskey; $35
Shake off the Halloween party cobwebs at this catered, open bar party in Lincoln Park. All food and drinks are provided for five hours, and you get five bucks off if you show up in your costume from the night before.

Just missed the cut: JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound, Watermelon Slim & The Workers, Death Toll: A Drinking Game, Clean Halloween

“Mike and Molly,” set right here in Chicago, follows a policeman and a teacher who meet through overeaters anonymous and embark on a romance. Born in Plainfield, Illinois and graduated from Joliet Catholic Academy, lead actress Melissa McCarthy is well equipped to play a Chicagoan of any size. But size takes center stage in the series and in Kelley’s strongly worded blog post.

Although Marie Claire is usually seen as one of the more body positive publications, its Editor in Chief Joanna Coles seems to support Kelly, calling her a “very provocative blogger,” as opposed to an insensitive fatophobe, and adding “this is a subject she feels very strongly about.” Interestingly, many others feel strongly about the subject as well, specifically those compared to drug addicts and told to stay seated rather than walk past a thin person.

Mayer Hawthorne & The County
7:30 p.m. at Subterranean; $17
With his confident onstage demeanor and smooth velvety voice, Andrew Cohen (aka Mayer Hawthorne), has quickly become one of Stones Throw’s most popular artists. Since his first performance in Chicago at the darkroom, Cohen has done a good job embracing the character of Hawthorne, which initially started out as a tongue-in-cheek way to impress close friends. His last performance at North Coast Music Festival was particularly impressive as he displayed a knack for controlling a large-scale crowd without compromising his laidback MO. At this point in his career it seems like fans are ready for Cohen to take things up a notch, and his performance at Sub-T will be a perfect place for him to do so. (J. Min)

Traces
2:30 and 8 p.m. at Broadway Playhouse; $33-$97
"Traces" features several boys and one girl performing acrobatic feats in a grungy faux loft while wearing pinstripe pants and white shirts, as if this is just what they do after they're done being paralegals. Watch out for the male pas-de-deux, which combines sweaty badassery with the kind of homo-eroticism that even straight people can enjoy.

Marshall Krenshaw
8 p.m. at SPACE; $17-$20
The makers of 1987's "La Bamba" were careful to get the music right in their film bio of Ritchie Valens, with Los Lobos supplying the playing for the title character and Marshall Crenshaw doing a spot-on take on Buddy Holly. Nearly 25 years later, Crenshaw remains one of the preeminent purveyors of buoyant, old-school pop with hooks that bury themselves in your head and wry wordplay. Talented local singer-songwriter Phil Angotti opens. (Mike Clark)

Perhaps the most gratifying benefit of being a Pluitzer Prize winning blogger (an award granted to me in 1988 by Jamie Pluitzer for most gummy worms consumed in one sitting) is having the opportunity to ask people I admire questions I want answered. Recently, I spoke with Pushcart Prize winner and National Book Award Finalist, author Bonnie Jo Campbell about her background, writing process and powerful short story collection, “American Salvage.”

Our Town Did you always want to write?
Bonnie Jo Campbell From the time I was in high school, but when you’re young you don’t have anything to write. I went around trying and then gave it up and studied mathematics in a PhD program, but all the while I kept writing. Just about the time I was succeeding in math, ready to start a career as a mathematics teacher or mathematician, I started figuring out how to actually write, so I gave up the whole math thing.
OT Are the two capacities related?
BJC Most of higher mathematics [involves] proofs, and somehow that analytical process of getting through proof after proof helped me with working a story through. Writing is so wrapped up in ego, but with math one is just trying to get it right, although you’re often wrong. I think math helped me become a good critic of myself, come at writing a little less personally.

LCD Soundsystem
Riviera Theater; $41
This is happening. Producer extraordinaire James Murphy brings his dance beats and quirky rhythms to the Riv for what promises to be an upbeat, if not incredibly bizarre, show. Hot Chip opens.

Free Theater
Various locations
This is the last week of a national campaign to introduce people to the theater. Tonight, you can see a variety of shows, including a few different offerings from Comedysportz Theatre. Check out your options here.

Deerhunter, Real Estate, Casino vs. Japan
9 p.m. Friday at Metro; $19
Atlanta's Deerhunter kicks out the most blissfully disturbing sounds on this neo-chill wave bill. Lead man Bradford Cox recently cut his finest lyrics to date, inspired by the "sad" way in which we can "digest" our memories as we please, most likely playing heavily from recently dropped Halcyon Digest. Real Estate, not too keen on the twisted metaphors, rolls on mid-eve with a taste of their Jersey Shore relaxitude, combining beach-comber guitars with floating choruses from their best-of '09 charting self-titled debut. Opener Casino Versus Japan is a ringleader of the Intelligent Dance Music boom, serving up a dream ambient segue into the night’s chill vibe.

Chicago International Children's Film Festival
All weekend at the Center on Halsted, Facets; $6 for kids, $9 for adults
Now that the Chicago International Film Festival is over, the kids take over. See host of films for all ages, chosen by a child-led jury. Check out the schedule of weekend screenings, workshop dates and info on the opening and closing events. Kids can also participate in the Young Chicago Critics Program and tell everyone what they think.

Phantogram
9 p.m. Sunday at Lincoln Hall; $13
After gaining popularity with U.K. label BBE, the hip-hop duo Phantogram (Joshua M. Carter and Sarah D. Barthel) recently signed with Barsuk Records in order to reintroduce themselves to fans here in the U.S., and so far the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Their show at Lincoln Hall will be in promotion of their latest album Eyelid Movies, but don't be surprised if they come to the stage with a set of new material from a forthcoming EP. Opening for Phantogram will be Why? drummer Josiah Wolf, who is also promoting an album entitled Jet Lag.

The Nervous Breakdown's Literary Experience
6:30 p.m. Sunday at Cary's; free
Our favorite arts blog comes to Chicago for a free reading. The event is emceed by Gina Frangello (Slut Lullabies) and contributors include Rob Roberge (Working Backwards from the Worse Moment of My Life), Mathew Frank (Barolo), Davis Scheiderman (Drain) and Zoe Zolbrod (Currency).

Just missed the cut: Zion I, The Ladies & Gentlemen, Whistler Soul & Funk Party, Pistol Pete Band, The Other Cinderella, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Ghostbox.