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Rick Bayless at the Cooking Theater at The Inspired Home Show this year. He demonstrated making his Dark Chocolate Tres Leches Cake. The show was held March 2-5 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

Truly inspiring: Some nifty new gadgets foodies will want to get their hands on

Every year, Penny Kazmier looks forward to The Inspired Home Show, to see trends coming our way, along with everything from pepper mills and cast iron pans to home pizza ovens and the latest in dessert decorating and displays. Here are some items she thought worthy of highlighting.

The West Suburban Humane Society is raising funds to care for cats and dogs like this puppy at a “Caged for a Cause” event Thursday.

Caged for a Cause fundraiser puts volunteers in the doghouse for a day

Four humans will get a dog’s eye view from a West Suburban Humane Society kennel for eight hours on Thursday. Organizers hope the first Caged for a Cause fundraiser will generate $10,000 to help care for dogs and cats at the shelter.

Pansies and bulbs are the first splashes of color in the spring garden.

Check for winter burn on evergreens

Spring means adding color to your garden — and don’t forget to check for winter damage to evergreens.

This vinaigrette from Chef Grace Goudie is an emulsified dressing just like you’ll find on the menu in restaurants.

Make a restaurant-worthy vinaigrette: It’s as easy as five ingredients and 5 minutes

Visually, spring is a lot of green; that is also the case in the food world. Nothing screams green more than a thought-out yet simple salad to me. While creating various salads during this time of year, one must always include a tasty dressing.

The owners of Graham's 318 coffeehouse in Geneva have announced the business is closing at the end of April.

Graham’s 318 coffeehouse in downtown Geneva to close

The Graham’s 318 coffeehouse in downtown Geneva is closing after 19 years in business.

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias

Illinoisans can now get documents notarized without leaving home

Illinoisans who want documents notarized can do so without leaving their homes, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced Wednesday.

Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli says responding to any death or homicide, especially when it involves a child, has a tremendous impact on officers.

How police, fire departments help first responders cope in the wake of tragedies

Fifteen years ago today, Shelly Engelhardt, her daughter Amanda and son Jeff experienced an unimaginable tragedy when Amanda’s then-boyfriend - in a jealousy-fueled attack - stabbed to death three Engelhardt family members in their Hoffman Estates home. They weren’t the only ones traumatized. The heinous attack also affected first responders, including Kasia Cawley, one of the Hoffman Estates police detectives assigned to the case. “It always stays with you,” said Cawley, now Hoffman Estates chief of police. “You’re never going to forget it.”