Articles filed under Lifestyle

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  Affection for 1969 Pontiac GTO grew over time Feb 11, 2013 12:00 AM
  For some, this shared love of automobiles comes naturally, while others require a bit more time to rev up. Jerry Bertram's wife falls in the latter category when it comes to the Palatine couple's 1969 Pontiac GTO.
  

   

• Gene shows who will have early hearing losses Feb 11, 2013 12:00 AM
  So, maybe there were a few loud concerts over the years. You've always loved big fireworks shows. And you don't always protect your ears when using the leaf blower. But you're just in your 40s or 50s, way too young for significant hearing loss. Still, conversations are getting harder to follow and you feel awkward asking people to keep repeating themselves. What's going on? Researchers at the University of South Florida's Global Center for Hearing & Speech Research have identified a gene — known as GRM7 — responsible for age-related hearing loss that is more severe and occurs earlier than expected.
  

   

• Flu affected by changing weather patterns Feb 11, 2013 12:00 AM
  Government epidemiologists insist that many things go into making a flu season nasty or mild, early or late. But a great deal of accumulating research points a feverish finger at long-term weather patterns influencing both the timing and severity of flu season.
  

   

• Establish safety rules for child home alone Feb 11, 2013 12:00 AM
  By the age of 11, some children can stay home alone safely for up to a few hours. Every child matures at a different rate, so it's not just age that matters in making your decision. To stay alone safely at home, your child must be mature enough to handle any potential emergency or stressful situation that may arise.
  

   

• That time again? Here comes the bride(zilla?)Feb 10, 2013 12:00 AM
  Q. My daughter would like to request cash versus the usual wedding gifts. How would you go about wording this request? We are trying not to sound too harsh. I thought I read about this idea in one of your previous columns.
  

   
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  Stiltsville shacks evoke past in Miami waters Feb 10, 2013 12:00 AM
  Perched above the shallow turquoise waters of Biscayne Bay are shacks on stilts that have hosted some of Florida’s wildest parties, from the days when alcohol and gambling were outlawed, to a bachelor party for a member of the Kennedy clan. Seven homes still stand in Stiltsville, as the community is called, located about a mile out in the Biscayne channel in Biscayne National Park, just a short boat ride or kayak trip from the Key Biscayne coastline.
  

   
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  Abu Dhabi much more than just desert Feb 10, 2013 12:00 AM
  The desert is just one of three destinations of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. With a much larger land mass than its better-known neighbor, Dubai, this emirate has not only an expanse of towering dunes, but white beaches fringing luxury resorts and a city of shining skyscrapers and glitzy malls packed with designer fashions.
  

   
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  Some fear Year of Snake may bite Feb 10, 2013 12:00 AM
  As Indiana Jones might say: Why did it have to be the Year of the Snake? When the Chinese-speaking world ushers in its new year on Sunday, its 12-year zodiac will turn from the dragon to one of the world's most despised animals. As undeserved as the snake's reputation might be, its last two years did not go so well: 2001 was the year of the Sept. 11 attacks and 1989 was when Chinese forces crushed pro-democracy protests around Beijing's Tiananmen Square.
  

   
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  Broadway comes to Vegas with slew of hit musicals Feb 10, 2013 12:00 AM
  There's no shortage of stages in the Entertainment Capital of the World, although residents have long found it easier to find a celebrity impersonator than a Tony Award-winning musical. But executives at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts believe that's been changing since their $470 million complex opened last March, and they plan to keep the first-year momentum going with a 2013-14 Broadway calendar that includes "Les Miserables," "The Book of Mormon," and eight other Broadway mega-hits.
  

   
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  Loved Bug: Some insects make good pets Feb 10, 2013 12:00 AM
  Children are fascinated by insects, but many of us eventually grow out of wanting to catch a firefly and keep it in a jar. For the people who never lose that urge, though, it can lead in directions that might be surprising. "Roaches actually make really good pets," says Scott Martin of Rockville, Md.
  

   
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  Cast out of Monopoly, the real-life iron endures Feb 10, 2013 12:00 AM
  When online voters nixed the clothes iron token from Hasbro's Monopoly game, the appliance was held up as passe, as something your grandmother once used to ease the wrinkles out of linens and handkerchiefs. But even with the rise of wrinkle-free fabrics, the iron, it seems, is holding its own.
  

   
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  Kenneth Cole turns out timely cold-weather looks Feb 10, 2013 12:00 AM
  Bet those models are hoping to take home the shearling coats, quilted puffer jackets, elbow-length gloves and hearty boots they wore on the runway of the Kenneth Cole Productions show Thursday night, considering the weather forecast for the next few days. The outfits previewed at New York Fashion Week are for next fall, but they couldn't have looked more timely with blizzard-like conditions headed here over the next 48 hours.
  

   
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  Bensenville Man Writes Money Saving BookFeb 9, 2013 12:00 AM
  Andrew Thies from Bensenville, writes and publishes a book on how to save and budget your money.
  

   
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  Lifestyle, pop culture drive dog breed popularity Feb 9, 2013 12:00 AM
  The American Kennel Club has found that lifestyle changes and popular culture are the biggest forces controlling dog popularity in the U.S. "The No. 1 thing that drives changes in dog popularity is people's lifestyles," said Lisa Peterson, the club's spokesperson. In New York City last year, larger breeds such as the Labrador retriever and German shepherd jumped over the smaller Yorkshire terrier. Peterson attributed to the economic recovery, saying "people are going back to larger dogs."
  

   
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  Not too late to make heartfelt Valentine’s gifts Feb 9, 2013 12:00 AM
  Don't worry if you've yet to find something special for loved ones this Valentine's Day. You can easily and inexpensively add extra heart to gifts by making them at home.
  

   

• 5 churches unite for joint Ash Wednesday services Feb 8, 2013 12:00 AM
  Five local churches in the Northwest suburbs are coming together to mark the Lenten season with shared services featuring prayer, music, and fellowship.
  

   

• PHS Pirate Boosters present annual dinner, auctionFeb 7, 2013 12:00 AM
  The Palatine High School Pirate Booster Club presents “Catch the Pirate Spirit,” the group’s annual dinner and auction fundraising event, on Friday, Feb. 22 at The Cotillion Banquets in Palatine. The event includes hors d’oeuvres, dinner, cash bar, door prizes, 50/50 raffle, prize raffle, live entertainment, DJ, silent auction and live auction.
  

   
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  St. Peter Church to host author of 'The Externally Focused Church'Feb 7, 2013 12:00 AM
  St. Peter Lutheran Arlington Heights Church will host acclaimed author of "The Externally Focused Church." Eric Swanson will challenge community members to think "Beyond Self" at February 8 & 9th Conference
  

   

• Advocate Condell offers free heart health lectures, screeningsFeb 6, 2013 12:00 AM
  Advocate Condell Medical Center is offering community education lectures and screenings on a wide range of heart health issues in February, which is American Heart Month. All programs are free, but registration is required.
  

   
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  Eleven Lenten recitals in memory of series founderFeb 6, 2013 12:00 AM
  Wonderful music, Lenten reflection, and interfaith fellowship are all hallmarks of the Phyllis A. Lange-Connelly Memorial Lenten Recital series. This inspirational series was founded by Phyllis Lange Connelly, who sadly died in July. Her dream, however, lives on with capable leadership and talented musicians.