Kelly Osbourne first appeared on the radar as a kinda-chunky potty-mouthed brat with daft hair and a house covered in dog-shit. Then, she releases a couple of singles and does a duet with her dad.

Then she almost disappeared.

Well, it seems that, in the interim, she’s been losing weight and now she wants us all to see it as a picture of her looking svelte in a bra appeared on Twitter. That’s not really that newsworthy… but the fact she joined the Pussycat Dolls is so weird that we really ought to relay it to you all.

The thought of Kelly Osbourne gyrating with the Pussycat Dolls goes against everything our puny little brains have ever thought. I mean, they’re the girlfriends of jocks right? Kelly is the snotty little punk in the toilets smoking tabs?

Not anymore. These worlds melded as one peculiar beast on Wednesday night in LA.

Apparently, Osbourne has been working hard on improving her body. She’s a size two these days. We don’t even know what that means. Is it like children’s shoes? If she goes lower does she end up in thirteens?

Anyway, she performed alongside the Dolls during an invitation only show at the Viper Room club… you know the one, the club where celebrities go and die.

She took to the stage wearing a flashy white sparkly corset, hot pants and fishnet stockings.

“It’s the first time I’ve really danced since filming ‘ Dancing with the Stars,’ but it’s so different,’ she said. “This isn’t stiff ballroom – it’s slinky and sexy!”

Robin Antin’s hybrid burlesque act invited Osbourne to join them and Antin wrote on her Twitter page:

“SNEAK PEEK of Kelly in rehearsal for Pussycat Dolls Burlesque Review! WOW, she’s so HOT!”

And then she posted this:

So there you have it. Famous person is now thinner than previous. Everyone continues their lives unchanged.

Follow hecklerspray on Twitter

Four men have been killed in a shooting in southwest Chicago. Authorities say the men were in a garage in the West Lawn neighborhood Thursday night when they were gunned down. Police say they believe the men were specifically targeted in the shooting.



Police - Chicago - Recreation - Guns - Competition Shooting

Healthy deals are stirring up in the financial industry and Fifth Third and KeyCorp are likely to either be in play or acquire another bank soon, says Steven Gerbel of Chicago Capital Management.

A movie extra was badly injured during filming of "Transformers 3" in a Chicago suburb.

• Yankees 5, A's 0: CC Sabathia had no trouble with the A's. The Associated Press even posted a photo of the Yankees ace yawning in the dugout. He pitched eight innings of scoreless, one-hit ball before Jonathan Albaldejo finished the shutout. Curtis Granderson had two homers and Jorge Posada added another as the Yankees finished a four-game sweep. They moved 1 1/2 games up on the idle Rays in the American League East. They play three day games against the Blue Jays starting Friday.


• Mets 4, Braves 2: Hey, a Mets win! Johan Santana left after five innings. The Mets said they were saving him for the playoffs he is day-to-day with a strained pectoral muscle. David Wright, who had done very little against the Braves this season, hit a home run. The Mets move on to Chicago on Friday.

It's nice to see he's staying out of trouble!

R. Kelly returned to Chicago this weekend after his third trip to Africa this year!

"Visiting Africa is always exciting and inspiring for me, both musically and personally," he said. "Even though I hate flying, I'm always willing to get on an airplane if the destination is Africa."

The singer performed in front of President Jose Eduardo dos Santos of Angola during a benefit concert in Luanda for the Special Olympics. He even serenaded the leader to celebrate his 68th birthday.

Kelly is even returning to Africa in December to perform in several other countries.

Tired of the States, honey?! Just make sure to keep your nose clean!

[Image via AP Images.]

American politics makes such little sense nowadays that any random jumble of words you put together is likely to describe a real-world situation. For example: Some Chicago dentist is currently running "Hillary 2012" TV ads in New Orleans. It's true! More »

Half Acre Beer Company isn't content to simply keep brewing tank after tank of Daisy Cutter Pale Ale and Gossamer Golden Ale, although they could; I'll posit that Daisy Cutter is arguably the best locally produced beer currently available. Recent weeks have seen them ramp up their game with new beers, collaborations and improvements to the brewery.

The addition of new 60 barrel bright tanks and fermentation vessels will help Half Acre keep up with the demand for their two flagship ales, while working on limited releases like the stellar "Freedom of '78." A collaboration with Short's Brewing and Piece's Jonathan Cutler, this is an India pale ale brewed with wheat malt and guava is simply badass. The samples I had at Half Acre's tasting room left a sticky sweetness in the back of the palate, but it's also double dry-hopped to remind you this is a Midwestern beer.

Half Acre's newest saison, Bairn, is brewed with lemon and chamomile. It's another in a series of smooth farmhouse ales that don't taste like them, proof that the Midwest could be on the cusp of a Saison renaissance. Those two beers were followed by Sticky Fat, a dark ale using freshly harvested hop cones from California. How fresh? The cones were still sticky from the vine when received at the brewery. Sticky Fat is an all-draft release available only at the brewery starting tomorrow.

Half Acre owner Gabriel Magliaro and Head Brewer Matt Gallagher are doing a masterful job of brewing beers that resonate with their customers and marketing the beers so that they're must-buys, right down to eye-catching labels on the bottles and tap handles.

Picture Uncle Sam wagging his finger at you. Now, imagine instead his hand outstretched, bearing a fresh-off-the-grill bacon-wrapped hot dog. He's handing it to you, and, well, if you're carnivorous, you're finding it hard to resist. You want to eat it. It's a matter of civic pride. After all, you're an Angeleno!

Farmer John, the Southern California-based company that introduced the Dodger Dog in 1966, has mounted a campaign to have the Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dog designated as the Official Hot Dog of L.A. After all, they say, "New York has the Dirty Water Dog. Chicago has the Red Hot. Even Baltimore has the Half Smoke." So why can't L.A. get our own dang diggity dog?

What they want from you is your vote, from now until November 2nd. More incentive to vote: "For every signature collected in support of the Bacon Wrapped Hot Dog, FARMER JOHN will donate one pound of food—up to 25,000 pounds—to local food banks, including the Union Rescue Mission Food Bank in downtown Los Angeles."

We're sorry if this leaves veggies and vegans out. "Eeew, gross, hot dogs!" We know, we know, you're tempted to Tweet out and comment as such. You can always make do with our recipe for Vegan "Bacon"-Wrapped "Pigs" in a Blanket, and leave the rest of us to relish (and mustard and onions and...) our Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs.

Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs on LAist
- Hog Wild: Bringing on the Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs
- Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs Make a Hollywood Comeback
- Slice of Life LA: Killin' the Bacon

Seamus O’Grady is more than an angsty teen. He’s a pissed-off teenager who has a pretty lame social life and even worse family situation. Seamus is not the shy Perks of Being a Wallflower type who will gradually come into his own. Being the main character of 85A Kyle Thomas Smith's new novel is one of the few things Seamus has going for him.

85A, the same name of the bus route that punk-rock Seamus takes to his hoity-toity Jesuit high school, follows Seamus through one of his typically awful days. He’s a bullied outcast. His teachers look down on him, especially because he’s so close to flunking all his classes. His parents’ expectations for his success are based on the accomplishments of his brother. And his only adult ally is his physiatrist, with whom Seamus is romantically involved; the one person with authority who Seamus respects isn’t exactly the best role model.

It’s clear that author Kyle Thomas Smith was inspired by Catcher in the Rye (the back of the book describes Seamus as a cross between Holden Caulfield and Johnny Rotten). Similar to Holden Caulfield, Seamus doesn’t use the standards of his white middle class upbringing to determine how he should dress, act or what he should aspire to be. He’s not stupid, but he’s not motivated. In typical teenager fashion, Seamus doesn’t understand that if he wants more credit, then he needs to earn it. Sympathizing with him is challenging. It’s difficult to feel sorry for a character that already spends so much time feeling sorry for himself. Due to his circumstances, it’s not that the self-pity isn’t justified. But Seamus is smart enough to know that if he wants to leave home and start over in London, failing school isn’t going to help. His one friend - an intelligent, artistic and mature-for-her-age girl named Tressa - constantly echoes the same sentiment. But Seamus has spent so much of his life resisting the inapplicable advice of family and teachers that when some good advice comes along, he either isn’t willing to listen or doesn’t know how.

85A is particularly relevant to Chicago readers because it’s set here. As a loner who hates being home and has a long commute to school, Seamus spends a great deal of time on the CTA. When he’s not riding the bus, he’s on the Blue Line. As he travels south from Jarvis Park, Seamus has a lot of time to observe the different neighborhoods and communities of Chicago. Since Seamus’ social skills are lacking, his opinion of these places and the people who inhabit them is almost purely based on observation and is not always correct.

For example, Seamus describes a brief and forgettable encounter on the El with a stranger named Colby. Seamus spends months dreaming about the idyllic life they could have made together. But when he once again meets Colby, Seamus realizes his vision of their relationship was only based on his imagination. Then again, imagination isn’t a bad thing. Once Seamus is able to imagine something, he is able to start taking the right steps so that he can make it a reality. At the end of the book, Seamus has not yet overcome adversity to find a place he feels always feels happy and comfortable. But he has started imagining that such a thing is possible. And if a guy as miserable as Seamus can envision a happy future, then we all should be able to do the same.

Kyle Thomas Smith will be reading from 85A this Saturday at 7 p.m. at Quimby's.

Phillyist couldn't be more excited that football season is finally upon us—there's really only so much baseball you can watch without questioning why the sport lacks grown men tackling each other to the ground. So, now that football season is here, the first game on our must-see list is the city's second annual Mayor's Cup. This reincarnated cross-city rivalry game starring the Temple Owls and the Villanova Wildcats could potentially be some of the best football played at Lincoln Financial Field this season (if the Eagles' preseason performances are anything to judge by).

The first Temple-Villanova game took place in 1908; the game ended in a 12-0 victory for Villanova, in what we're guessing (looking at the score) was a real nail-biter. It took twenty years for Temple to seek out their revenge—and even that game ended in a tie score of 0-0. Phillyist suspects the game was automatically declared a "tie" after both teams were too drunk to leave the pre-game tailgating lot. Yes, kids, this will be the thirty-first gridiron battle between the Owls and the Wildcats (currently leading the century-old series 16-12-2), and we guarantee it will be a good one.

The Villanova Wildcats (ranked number one in the FCS preseason polls) return to the field equipped with cross-city bragging rights from last year's triumphant Mayor's Cup victory, their ever-so-shiny FCS (Division I-AA for those who refuse to conform to nonsense) championship title, and Matt Szczur—Villanova's ninja-athlete-superhero, whose recent life accomplishments include getting drafted by the Chicago Cubs and saving the life of a small child.

The Temple Owls may not have a flashy championship title to commemorate their 2009 season, but they did manage to record one of the best seasons in school history. The Owls finished 9-4 overall, tied for first place in the Mid-American Conference East Division at 7-1, and even made their first bowl appearance since 1979. Temple is looking for respect and finally has the talent to carry them into another record-breaking season. Temple boasts twenty-one returning starters, including Heisman hopeful Bernard Pierce.

Honestly, Phillyist cannot think of a better way to spend a Friday night. The last two match-ups between these teams remains some of the best football this Phillyist has ever witnessed. In 2003, Villanova, who was losing 7-0 at halftime, somehow managed to win 23-20 in double overtime, after a 47-yard missed field goal attempt by Temple. And who can forget last year's 27-24 fourth-quarter comeback victory for Villanova?

So, this is one game you won't want to miss, so we want to see all of you at the game—this Phillyist will be dressed in red, but we like the blue team, too.

Mayor's Cup: Temple Owls v. Villanova Wildcats

Lincoln Financial Field

TONIGHT, Fri., 9/3/10
5:00 p.m.

Tickets: $18 – $45 (If you're going to the Phillies game tomorrow, you can show your ticket stub at the Linc and it will only cost $10 to view the city's pigskin death match.)

I love stories about old baseball. They all involve games with dozens of runs scored, someone getting punched, and an immigrant with a farm animal cursing a team. One such source of great stories is Jimmy "Pony" Ryan of the variously named Chicago White Sox (my favorite being the Orphans). A bit of a hot-head, he was famous for punching multiple reporters, players, and a clumsy train conductor. He's also the only player ever to hit for the cycle in a game — a 21-17 game against the Detroit Wolverines in 1888. It's possible, if Pony were alive today, he'd punch the 2011 Dodge Durango, which TroyQueef thinks is in the midst of another kind of cycle. More »

New York Daily News

Audrina Patridge Dishes On Her 'Dancing With The Stars' Competition MTV.com With such an eclectic group of personalities, fans seem to be clamoring to find out more about the dynamics of the Season 11 "Dancing With the Stars" cast and how they're adjusting to the hard work and long rehearsal hours ... "Dancing with the Stars:" The Celebs Who Declined to ParticipateCBS News 'Dancing with the Stars' professional partner pairings announcedReality TV World Care to dance? Sly, Coulter and Rice just said noChicago Sun-Times Contactmusic.com -fwdailynews.com -Monsters and Critics.com all 1,619 news articles »

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Two agencies investigating claims that Procter & Gamble Co's Pampers Dry Max gave children severe diaper rash reported Thursday that they have found no specific cause linking the diapers to rashes.

In a city that's trending heavily in recent years towards pubs with thoughtful beer menus and upscale food, the concept of the Japanese-style pub, or izakayas, should be a seamless mesh. While Izakaya Hapa in River North is strumming along with a pedestrian menu, unfortunately the rounds upon rounds of sushi Steven Song served to the stroller brigade at the now-closed Masu Izakaya indicated a disconnect where customers either didn't understand the concept or expected a sushi bar.

Hope is that Chizakaya (3056 N. Lincoln, 773-697-4725) sets the baseline locally for izakayas while putting other bars hopping onto the "gastropub" express that they need to raise their game. Chef/owner Harold Jurado is a Charlie Trotter's veteran whose pedigree includes stints at Japonais and Sunda, so he knows how the balance the fine lines between savory and sweet, and when to load a plate versus tease with an elegant plating. Jurado has tapped L2O vet Robert Rubba as his chef de cuisine. Former L2O sommelier Chantrelle Pabros has crafted a cocktail menu that emphasizes the Japanese concept of washoku, or "harmony of food. " Pabros's program includes a litany of sakes, beers, whiskeys, shochu and house-made syrups, bitters and juices.

The menu follows the break.

Okashi (Snacks)

Black edamame, sea salt 4

Oshinko (seasonal pickles) 5

Barley miso soup 3

Puffed pig ears, togarashi 4

Teriyaki string beans, sesame seed 5

Japanese sweet potato fries, spiced mayo 5

Crispy pork, slow poached egg 5

Raw/Pickled/Salads

Daikon, roasted seaweed, baby anchovies, ponzu 5

Seasonal greens, tofu dressing, crunchy rice 6

Hamachi, bone marrow, garlic, umeboshi 12

Octopus, tomato, cucumber, radish, fish sauce vinaigrette 5

Kombu marinated Tai (snapper), avocado, shiso, lime vinaigrette 11

Home-made basket tofu, bonito, scallion, ginger, soy 7

Beef liver "sashimi," petite watercress, sesame vin 6

Kushi Yaki 3

Chicken gizzards
Chicken skins
Chicken meatball
Chicken and negi

Shishito peppers, bonito
Hakurei turnips
Tomato, shiso

Beef sirloin tip, lime, wasabi
Sweet sausage
Pork meatball
Beef cheek
Beef tongue
Confit octopus

Noodles/Rice

Cold soba, summer vegetables, shrimp tempura 10

House ramen, braised pork, slow poached egg, fish cake 12

Blue crab congee, corn, chives 7

Steamed

Walleye, ginger, scallion 10

Daily gyoza, soy, ra-yu 6

Chawan mushi (steamed custard), radish, dashi 6 with foie gras 11

Fried

Crispy chicken thighs, dashi mayo, mizuna 8

Corn fritter, chili, lime, mayo 5

Age-Dashi Tofu 6

Grilled

Ika (squid), togarashi, lemon vin 10

Whole saba, lemon, cucumber 11

Hamachi kama, ponzu, daikon, ginger 8

Roasted

King oyster, enoki, shimiji mushrooms, soy, lemon-butter 8

Japanese eggplant, sweet miso, apple 5

Clams, beer, black garlic, spiced broth 13

Chicken livers, negi 6

Dessert

Yuzu cake, green tea ice cream 5

Taro, ube, rice pudding 5

Chocolate sesame ganache, puffed barley, soy milk sorbet 5

Ice Cream, daily selection 3

Cocktails

Lie & Cheat
Rice shochu, lychee juice, St. Germain, lime 8

Isao Aoki
Sudachi shochu, yuzu, iced matcha green tea 8

Ume Ume
Sweet potato shochu, plum juice, house-made ginger bitters, umeboshi, ginger ale 8

Shiso Mojito
Sugar cane shochu, shiso leaves, Turbinado sugar, lime 8

Chu Hai
Barley shochu, soda water, lemon 8

Sake by the Glass

Chilled
Tsukosabotan, Junmai, Kochi 6
Light and Clean
Crisp aroma of Rambotan, star fruit, with a bright refreshing finish, hinting of plum

Azumaichi, Junmai Ginjo, Saga 8
Fruity and Fun
Notes of green apple, hints of strawberry, and passion fruit.
Exclusive to Chizakaya by the glass

Daishichi, Kimoto Tokubetsu Junmai, Fukushima 9
Luscious and Rich
Dense and profound character, complex aromatics, herbal, earthy

Dassai Goju Nigori, Junmai Daiginjo, Yamaguchi 7
Milky and Refined
Sweet scented, medium bodied, with notes of coconut and green plantains; dry finish

Warmed

Shirakabegura, Junmai, Kyoto,1800ml
Feminine, soft supple texture
3oz 6, 6oz 12

Kikumasamune, Junmai, Hyogo,1800ml
Masculine, sauvage, dried meat, earthy, incredible depth of flavor
3oz 5, 6oz 10

Small Format: Single Portion

Kikusui Funaguchi, Honjozo Genshu, Niigata, 200ml, 10
Bold and Sweet
Bold warming sweetness, reminiscent of amaretto, with hints of almonds and peaches. Cask strength 18-19% alcohol, great neat, fun on the rocks!

Mizbasho, Junmai Ginjo, Gunma, 180ml, 14
Soft and Gentle
Soft edges with a gentle sweetness, a kiss of melting snow and ripe apricot.

Sake by the Bottle

Kikusui Funaguchi, Honjozo Genshu, Niigata, 200ml, 10
Kubota Senju, Honjozo, Niigata, 720ml, 43
Suigei, Tokubetsu Junmai, Kochi, 300ml, 20
Hakkaisan, Tokubetsu Junmai, Niigata, 300ml, 23
Nanbu Bijin, Tokubetsu Junmai, Iwate, 300ml, 24
Nishi No Seki, Tokubetsu Junmai, Oita, 720ml, 38

Tsukosabotan, Junmai, Kochi, 720ml, 48
served warmed Shirakabegura, Junmai, Kyoto,1800ml, 86
served warmed Kikumasamune, Junmai, Hyogo1800ml, 75

Mizbasho, Junmai Ginjo, Gunma, 180ml, 14
Fukucho Biho, Junmai Ginjo, Hiroshima, 300ml, 30
Azumaichi, Junmai Ginjo, Saga, 1800ml, 123

Dassai 50, Junmai Daiginjo, Yamaguchi, 300ml, 20
Hana Awase, Junmai Daiginjo, Ibaraki, 300ml, 55

Daishichi, Shizen Shu, Kimoto Tokubetsu Junmai, Fukushima, 720ml, 66

Hakutsuru, Sayuri, Nigori, Hyogo, 300ml, 16
Dassai Goju Nigori, Junmai Daiginjo, Yamaguchi, 720ml, 50

Himezen, Sweet Junmai, Miyagi, 720ml, 34

Whiskey
Yamazake, 12 Year, Japanese Blended Whisky 8
Hibiki, 12 Year, Japanese Blended Whisky 15

Elijah Craig, 10 Year, American Whiskey 12
Templeton, Small Batch, American Rye Whiskey 34

Shochu
Kakushigura / Barley 9
Jougo / Sugar Cane 9
Satsuma Hosan / Sweet Potato 11
Awa No Kaori / Sudachi 7
Hakutake “Shiro”/ Rice 10

Beer by the Bottle
Great Lakes Brewing Co., Cleveland, Ohio
Eliot Ness, Vienna Lager 5

Three Floyds Brewing Co., Munster, Indiana
Alpha King, American Pale Ale 7

Goose Island, Chicago, Illinois
Sofie, Belgian Style Farmhouse Ale 6
Matilda, Belgian Pale Ale 22 oz, 14

New Holland Brewing Co., Kolsch, Michigan
Full Circle, Kölsch 7

Two Brothers Brewing Co., Warrenville, Illinois
Cane & Ebel, Red Rye Ale 7

Lambic
Baird Brewing Co., Shizuoka, Japan
Carpenter Mikan, Fruit Ale 5

Beer on Tap
Sapporo Breweries Limited., Tokyo, Japan
Japanese Rice Lager, 3

Goose Island, Chicago, Illinois
Green Line, American Pale Ale, 5

Kiuchi Brewery, Ibaraki, Japan
Hitachino Nest, White Ale 5

Just when you thought it couldn't get much more ridiculous in the Epic Saga of Rod Blagojevich (et al.), ABC7's Chuck Goudie digs just a little bit deeper. Reporting for ABC-7, he and his I-team have revealed that during Blago's first run for governor in 2002, the campaign was preparing to have Blagojevich clumsily attempt to go for the "goofy nickname" voting block, all while assuming that black voters couldn't say his last name.

Based on documents auctioned off from the Friends of Blagojevich storage unit, the campaign was going to focus on calling Blagojevich "B-Rod" in the hopes of connecting with black audiences. Goudie and the I-Team dug through the records and discovered the report never went into action aside from a few B-Rod teams on the city's South and West sides, but the plan itself made it all the way up the chain of command, stopping at former Chief of Staff Lon Monk.

Considering he went on to be called G-Rod and people still can't pronounce his name, in hindsight it appears that the plan would be both a complete failure, a massive success and completely stupid. Why stupid? Because Blago already had plenty of support in the black community based on his connection with Jesse Jackson and his successful trip to Serbia to free imprisoned American soldiers. So naturally, they decided the best way to capitalize on that was to brand Blago as "homeboy," as in "homeboy brought the soldiers back."

"All he had to say was 'I was with Reverend Jackson when the soldiers came back from Serbia,' that's all he had to say. People know that. " said Prof. Robert Starks, Northeastern Illinois University..."To think that African-Americans have to have this special, you know, almost 'ghettoized' approach...there's no homeboy in him," said Starks.

Strangely enough, the normally press-happy former governor isn't doing any interviews about this. Until he does, just assume he's going to say something like this.

After shuffling from a miserably hot and stuffy subway platform and onto a thankfully air-conditioned subway car, we noticed these ads warning straphangers that we were entering "The B.O. Zone." No kidding—this third heat wave stinks! The ads, which are for Gillette's body wash and anti-perspirant, tap into most everyone's pet peeve of B.O. in crowded public transit spaces. When we spoke to Greg Biddinger, Brand Manager for North America Gillette Personal Care, he confirmed that the ads were "definitely consumer-inspired... Inevitably every time we talk to consumers about places where they notice BO, public transportation is the first thing that comes to mind." Time for the Smell Gestapo?

Biddinger says the campaign, created by BBDO, has been especially well-received, "One consumer wished that she could 'point to the sign and hand out a sample to offenders on her train'!" And he shared a "B.O. Zone" story of his own: "I remember a time a couple of years ago.  I was in NYC for the US Open and got on the #7 to head out to the Tennis Center.  It was one of those miserable end-of-summer days when it’s 90 and humid.  I got on the train and was immediately knocked back by BO so intense I was surprised I couldn’t see it.  I decided to jump off the train and wait for the next one rather than risk choking to death!"

The ads are currently running in New York, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Washington DC. One D.C.-area fan of the ads (who also happens to love Robert Pattinson, too) would love for Gillette to put more up!

We are a mere day away from the inaugural North Coast Festival and we know many of you are chomping at the bit. Unlike Lollapalooza or Pitchfork, North Coast's schedule is extremely navigable and void of major conflicts, so chances are you'll be able to see most of what you set out to see. Nevertheless, we've got some picks for acts to check out over the course of the 3-day event. Just to make it a little more difficult for you.

NOTE: We tried to leave as many no-brainers off the list as possible.

Pretty Lights
Groupon Stage
Friday, 7:30-8:30
Pretty Lights blend electro, glitch, hip-hop, and rock into what ends up being electronic music with a jam-band aesthetic. At times reminiscent of Glitch Mob.

The Chemical Brothers
North Stage
Friday, 8:30-10:00
Yes, this is a default pick. We're just here to erase any of those "maybe I'll leave early to beat the crowds" thoughts.

Two Fresh
Coast Stage
Saturday, 2:15-3:15
Instrumental hip-hop heavily inspired by jam and downtempo electronic music. One of those fitting afternoon, sit on a blanket festival sessions.

Laidback Luke
Coast Stage
Saturday, 3:30-4:30
Laidback Luke hails all the way from the Netherlands and yet his music emphasizes a sound that was cultivated right here in Chicago: deep house. This is the set that will kick off your dance party for the rest of the weekend.

Jay Electronica
North Stage
Saturday, 6:30-7:30
Classic sample-based hip-hop that pays homage to the sounds of old. Add some top-notch emcee skills from Jay and you have a must-see set. Reminiscent of Illmatic and even the late J Dilla.

De La Soul
Groupon Stage
Saturday, 7:30-8:30
Pioneers in socially-conscious hip-hop, De La Soul are legends in music. While it's been years since their best music was released, you owe it to yourself to catch a glimpse of what hip-hop in the '90s was all about.

Boys Noize
Coast Stage
Saturday, 8:00-9:00
Say what we will about the state of electro and its stagnation, but Boys Noize defies any notions we have about the genre. Fresh and forward thinking, Boys Noize mends acid, house, techno and electro into a finished product unmatched in the scene. His set will undoubtedly be a highlight of North Coast Festival.

Holy Ghost!
North Stage
Sunday, 4:30-5:30
HG! honed their skills touring with LCD Soundsystem, and now they're back in Chicago to show it off. Cultivating an indie-rock-meets-dance-music vibe, Holy Ghost are one of the better packaged deals on the bill.

Flying Lotus
North Stage
Sunday, 6:30-7:30
Hip-hop meets dubstep meets psychedelic meets downtempo meets grime meets IDM meets so-much-other-stuff. Intrigued? Watch FL mash away on his MPC.

This year's North Coast Festival is a great start in what hopes to be a long standing annual event. Let's make Year One a memorable one.

Filed under: Diet & Weight Loss

Do you wake up about the same time every day sans alarm clock? Does your tummy start grumbling a few minutes past your regular lunch hour? That's your ingrained body clock, and researchers now know that circadian rhythms -- a 24-hour cycle that maintains your body's schedule -- are involved in sleep, weight gain, mood disorders and certain diseases.

Circadian rhythms are indelibly linked to weight loss because they affect body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate and hormones. Research conducted at Oregon Health and Science University suggests that during the "wake phase," you metabolize food faster to provide the body with energy in the form of calories. In the "sleep phase," your digestive tract slows down, body temperature drops and mental alertness decreases.

Make the most of your own circadian rhythms by following our body clock guidelines in order to lose weight, boost stamina and get fitter -- fast!

6 a.m.

Your biological ticktock starts the moment you wake up and is affected by how long you've slept. According to the National Institutes of Health, circadian rhythms are produced by natural factors within the body, but they're also affected by signals from the environment. Light is the main cue, which turns on or off genes that control sleep-wake cycles, hormone release and other body functions.

What to do: Buy blackout curtains, turn your phone off and catch up on at least eight hours of sleep per night.

7 a.m.

Many studies suggest that sleep loss increases hunger and slows metabolism. Sleep loss has, in fact, been shown to affect the secretion of cortisol, a hormone that regulates appetite. As a result, if you lose sleep or wake prematurely, you may continue to feel hungry all day despite food intake.

What to do: Each morning, create a healthy wake-up regimen, such as a few minutes of stretching in the shower or in-bed meditation before bolting out and rushing through a harried morning routine.

8 a.m.

Are you a morning exerciser? Eating 100-200 grams of carbohydrates within two hours of high-intensity exercise (either before or after) is essential to building energy stores for training. Waiting longer than two hours results in 50 percent less glycogen stored in the muscle and a less effective recovery. It may also lead to injury.

What to do: Lace up your walking or running shoes and blast about 300 calories in 30 minutes. If you did not eat a healthy breakfast before exercise, replenish carbohydrates afterward with a yogurt smoothie or a glass of OJ and several wheat crackers until you can hit the breakfast table or coffee shop.

9 a.m.

Stressed about an early-morning meeting and tempted to nosh jelly donuts on your way to work? How about a little exercise instead? "Try releasing toxins first thing in the morning to stabilize your weight loss attempts," said registered dietician Joan Clark, co-author of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Glycemic Index ." "We carry stress in our muscles and getting out the kinks early in the day may relieve tension headaches and backaches."

What to do: Lie in bed or on the floor and bring knees into your chest to stretch the lower back, then rock side to side slowly with eyes closed. Progress to 10 minutes of your favorite stretches.

10 a.m.

The "early bird who gets her worm" also has the longest amount of time in which to blitz off those breakfast calories! The moment food enters your stomach, energy from digestion is allocated to deal with it. Eat lean sources of protein to prevent energy spikes throughout the day.

What to do: Grab a breakfast of lean protein and healthy carbs, such as an egg white omelet with a cup of veggies and a little cheese, or even a whole-wheat English muffin with fruit and a dab of cream cheese.

11 a.m.

Prior to a lunchtime sandwich or, in the face of pizza peer pressure, drink two 8-ounce cups of natural green tea (no sugar added). A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that green tea extract, taken over a 24-hour period, increases metabolic rate by up to 4 percent. These effects are probably due to the high concentrations of catechin polyphenols, which boost fat oxidation.

What to do: Brew natural green tea leaves and keep a chilled batch in your travel mug, in the car, or on top your desk or dresser.

Noon

Drink two or three 8-ounce glasses of water if you have not already done so! Water helps maintain healthy body weight by suppressing appetite, reducing the body's level of sodium and maintaining muscle tone. "It's also necessary for proper kidney function, but it's so easy to take water for granted," said Dr. Donald Hensrud, co-author of "The Mayo Clinic Diet." "Water cushions joints, carries waste away and protects your organs and tissues, too."

What to do: For the body to metabolize properly, you should drink half your body weight in ounces per day, said Hensrud. If you weigh 130 pounds, for example, drink a minimum of 65 ounces of water, about eight 8-ounce cups.

1 p.m.

Plan meals wisely: Lunch should contain protein, healthy fats, complex carbohydrates and nonstarchy veggies to sustain stamina and curb cravings later. Make sure lunch is packed with fiber, too. "The high-fiber content of vegetables, fruit and whole grains bulk up your diet so you feel satiated longer," said Hensrud. You require 25 to 35 grams a day!

What to do: To bypass bloating, feel alert and optimize digestion, incorporate oatmeal and apples into breakfast; whole-wheat bread and vegetables into lunch; and beans, legumes and greens into dinner.

2 p.m.

Have a pickle for a snack! That's right: Acidic foods significantly lower the glycemic index of a midday meal by one-third. What's that mean to dieters? "The slower your carbohydrates break down, the lower their glycemic index and the healthier your food intake," said dietitian Clark. "Acidic foods slow the emptying of your stomach, which is a boon to any weight loss plan."

What to do: Nibble acidic foods such as pickles, tangy salsa, marinated veggies or sourdough bread for lunch or snacks. Other acidic foods include horseradish, pickled beets, lemon juice and pickled herring.

3 p.m.

Watch water intake midday: You may have to increase daily consumption during intense exercise as well as in hotter temperatures. (Psst: Medications require an increase of water intake, too, so check with your doctor.)

What to do: A good way to make sure you drink enough is to carry a stainless steel bottle of water with you at all times. Add sliced citrus to make it tastier and try pouring into a beautiful glass.

4 p.m.

This is your lowest energy point, when body temperature drops and cravings creep up. Sleep loss may interfere with the body's ability to metabolize carbohydrates, which leads to high levels of blood sugar. Excess blood sugar promotes overproduction of insulin, which can lead to body fat storage and insulin resistance, critical to the development of diabetes.

What to do: Your body truly craves sleep now, according to your body clock: Try a short 20-minute power nap to rejuvenate. If that's impossible, trot outdoors in the sunshine to restoke stamina and reset your body clock. If cravings strike, try chewing sugar-free gum or a fiber-filled apple.

5 p.m.

Physical co-ordination, stamina and metabolic rate peak! Perfect time to slate a game of doubles tennis or schedule an early-evening kickboxing class!

What to do: Thirty minutes pre-workout, nibble a handful of raw almonds and drink a cup of green tea or even a small, low-fat mocha to fuel up. Natural appetite suppressants, like the caffeine in green tea or iced coffee, rebalance your brain and curb cravings.

6 p.m.

In the early evening, core temperature is at its warmest, which makes your muscles and joints supple and helps you sidestep exercise strains and side stitches. Early-evening workouts that target your endurance muscles, such as core training, hardcore yoga stretching, and step-interval workouts, are best now.

What to do: Try a Power Pilates class or a Core Fusion DVD and you'll feel pumped and primed for action all night long.

7 p.m.

Hunger levels rise now, so drink another cup of green tea or sip soup before dinner to curb appetite. Scientists at the University of Chicago found that green tea caused rats to lose up to 21 percent of their body weight. Rats injected with green tea extract consumed 60 percent less food after seven days of daily injections, which may have something to do with the blood sugar-regulating effects of green tea.

What to do: If you are still craving solids but don't want to ruin your appetite for dinner, try snacking on fresh fruit slices such as apple, watermelon, peach or orange, since these fruits have high water and fiber content.

8 p.m.

High-cortisol hormone production brought on by, say, a horrid commute or a brawl with your boyfriend, can set off an unhealthy chain reaction that puts your body into evening crisis mode. Rebalancing brain chemistry with a balanced meal and a five-minute meditation sends out signals of well-being to combat these fight-or-flight hormones. More reasons to make dinner a simple, slow and contented affair.

What to do: Eat a p.m. meal high in omega-3 fish oils to help you drop inches and soothe stress. Studies at the University of South Australia found that eating omega-3 fish oil combined with moderate aerobic exercise jump-starts weight loss. Stir-fry a salmon filet (use peanut oil or other omega fatty acids) with two cups of cruciferous veggies and watch the pounds (and anxiety!) melt away.

9 p.m.

Sip a cup of warm milk since the carbohydrate and insulin released makes it easier for tryptophan to be absorbed into the brain, making you sleepy. Being fully hydrated regulates the body's temperature and helps muscles contract, which, in turn, leads to a more productive workout tomorrow, not to mention a more restful night's sleep.

What to do: Wind down gradually during evening hours with great conversation and good company. Alternate: If water or milk won't cut it, sip a glass of antioxidant-rich red wine in the evening as a lower-calorie option to fattening bedtime snacks.

10 p.m.

Can you padlock your fridge? Avoid eating additional calories in the evening, since your body gears up to extract all the nutrients you took in during the day. Eating food late at night and going to sleep forces the body to expend energy on digestion during sleep time, which is neither effective for dieting nor for snoozing.

What to do: Brush and floss your teeth so you're not tempted to nosh.

11 p.m.

Sustained high cortisol levels (and production of other stress hormones) can lead to intense cravings and binge eating at night, so it's important to adopt a calming bedtime ritual, such as taking a bath, playing with your kids or reading a book for several minutes before lying down.

What to do: Jot personal notes into a food and exercise diary before you hit the sack, including workout times, calorie counts and other mind-body notes. Identify your weak willpower moments, as well as your most satisfying meals, and you'll set yourself up for success tomorrow!

Midnight

You should be sleeping now, not stressing! Studies show that decreased amounts of deep REM sleep can lead to increased food intake. Abnormal circadian rhythms have also been associated with depression, bipolar disorder and seasonal affective disorder.

What to do: Understand what makes your biological clock tick from day to day, which will lead to healthy weight loss, regular workouts and a happier life!

Trying to lose weight this fall? Our Fresh Start weight loss guide will help you reach your goals with meal plans, workouts and more.

Permalink | Email this | Comments