Up To Date

When religion is part of the news stories of the day, it can be very good - as when people of many faiths work together to provide disaster relief - or very bad, as when religious institutions become embroiled in financial shenanigans or sexual abuse.  In today's pluralistic world, even stories that might never be covered by the religion desk - like foreign policy debates, armed conflicts worldwide, or presidential election campaigns - have undeniably religious angles and implications.

The wait is over. You can breathe easy once again. Up to Date's art, independent, foreign and documentary film critics have broken down the year's best flicks and given us their ten favorites from 2011, in no particular order.

Looking for a great art, independent, foreign, or documentary film to see the weekend of December 16-18, 2011?

Up to Date's critics share their three favorite showing on area screens.

Don't spend this (relatively) balmy winter weekend holed up at home! To help get you out and about before the weather takes a turn for the worst, Brian McTavish offers up these five fun and unique things to do in Kansas City. Now get out there and make Snooki proud!

When it comes to shuttered and abandoned buildings, the terms “adaptive reuse” and “repurposing” are being heard more and more.  Whether talking about the numerous facilities sitting unused within the Kansas City Missouri School District or on iconic building like King Louie West in Overland Park, finding new uses for old sites seems to make good sense for buyers and sellers alike.

From the Ferris wheel to the ice cream cone, some pretty influential things have been unveiled at World's Fairs. For Kansas City, even an upcoming exhibit at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art featuring World's Fair fare is getting some local designers and  architects excited.

A refugee at age 10 and an immigrant at 12, Lidia Bastianich has always associated food with family and home. A wife, mother and restaurateur by age 24, Lidia's passion for bringing the taste of Italy to the American table has made her a favorite among PBS viewers, home chefs and foodies.

Let’s face it, the holidays are stressful, between decorating the house, putting up the tree, throwing a party and out-of-town guests. It’s enough to push even the most well-behaved pet over the edge.  Hey, the holidays are not all about you, you know!

If your animal companion starts exhibiting unusual behavior this time of year, don’t despair. Tuesday on Up to Date,  Dr. Wayne Hunthausen is back to discuss how to limit the negative effects of the holiday season on your pets.

Looking for a great art, independent, foreign, or documentary film to see this weekend?