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I have more than 40 years in the news business and have successfully evolved into an electronic journalist. Comings & Goings and Southland Savvy track news about businesses in Chicago's Southland.

Jenny McCarthy helps Santa again

Mother McAuley alum Jenny McCarthy (Class of 69) is playing Santa's helper. Again. The actress and autism activist reprises the role of St. Nick's daughter in "Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe," a new ABC Family sequel to a 2006 comedy-fantasy movie. Debuting Sunday, Dec. 13, the tale takes New York businesswoman Mary Class (McCarthy) back to the North Pole when her dad (Paul Sorvino) decides to step down from his usual yuletide duties. Test link, test copy.

El Cortez now open in Mokena

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Fans of El Cortez, the popular Mexican restaurant chain originally based in Blue Island, can now get their fill of tacos, fajitas and cerveza fria at the new location at 10128 W. 191st St. in Mokena.

New owners at Shannon's Landing

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Shannon's Landing, the Irish pub and restaurant at 3280 Glenwood-Lansing Road inside the Lansing Municipal Airport in Lansing, changed hands a few weeks ago. The pub had been owned by Steve and Janet Nemitz, who also own the Northwoods restaurant at the Coyote Run Golf Course in Flossmoor and the Fifth Quarter and Press Room eatery in Homewood.

Aside from a new phone number -- 708-895-3100 -- and a new Web site -- http://www.shannonslanding.net/, which is not yet up and running -- there are few changes. The old cook has remained and the menu is the same.

Now open
MetroSouth has opened a community outreach health center at 12246 S. Pulaski Road in Alsip. The facility has two family practice physicians, Dr. Brian McCollough and Dr. Miranda Huffman. These physicians provide services in family medicine including women’s health (including obstetrics), pediatrics, preventive healthcare, chronic illness management, geriatrics and sports physicals.

Southern Comforts Cafe moves
Chuck's Southern Comforts Cafe has moved to 6501 W. 79th St. in Burbank. It had been just down the street, at 5557 W. 79th St. Chef Chuck Pine specializes in Cajun, Mexican and barbecue dishes and learned his craft from award-winning chef Rick Bayless.

Pine opened the Burbank restaurant in 1998 as Chuck's BBQ. For more information, call (708) 229-8700.

MoJoe's to close
Mojoe's Rockhouse has had its last local show and the music venue at 15750 S. Harlem Ave., Orland Park, will close Dec. 12. Mojoe's moved from Tinley Park into the former Riddles Comedy Club about a year ago.

A sweet Christmas idea
Looking for something unique for that certain someone? Try the Chocolate Peppermint Brown Sugar Scrub at Chic Salon and Spa, 13035 S. LaGrange Road in Palos Park. The sweet rubdown goes for $50 but will not add a single calorie. For more information, call 708-923-1100.

Bears special of the week
White Horse Inn, 348 W. Maple St., New Lenox, has $10 buckets of domestic beer for $10 and free food at halftime during all Bears games. The White Horse also serves free pizza from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, and free snacks from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays.