Happy New Year! As if you didn't already have reason enough to show up for this evening's 53rd episode of Tuesday Funk, the Chicago Sun-Times today gives you one more.

Featured in today's Entertainment section is an article by David Hoekstra in which four of tonight's participants discuss the pieces they'll read tonight and suggest the perfect beer from Hopleaf's vast menu as accompaniment as you listen:

Chicago Sun-Times: Drink it in: Beers paired with the wisdom of Chicago authors

Be sure to check out the accompanying slideshow as well, with images of our readers and all the suggested beer labels. And we'll hope to see you tonight upstairs at Hopleaf at 7:30 pm!

Hey, Funkers! Our co-host William Shunn will be appearing tonight with Roosevelt University's Gary K. Wolfe on "Extension 720 with Milt Rosenberg" on WGN Radio 720 AM. They'll be talking about science fiction—particularly today's release of the Library of America's new collection, American Science Fiction: Nine Classic Novels of the 1950s, which Mr. Wolfe edited.

Milt Rosenberg's show has run since 1973, during which time he's talked with an intimidating array of world leaders, prominent academics, and entertainment figures. Tonight's program airs live from 10 p.m. to midnight. You can also listen online, or a podcast of the discussion will be available in a few days. We hope you'll tune in!

(And for more information about the collection, please visit the American Science Fiction companion site, which Gary curated.)

This morning on WBEZ, Alison Cuddy of "Eight Forty-Eight" welcomed Patricia Ann McNair as one her guests. Patty talked about her new story collection The Temple of Air. Listen at the link below...

Author Patricia McNair mines Midwestern roots for inspiration

...and then be sure to join us tonight at 7:30 pm upstairs at Hopleaf to hear her read, along with our other guests Jody Lynn Nye, Hanna Martine, John Klima, and Emile Ferris. It's free!