Articles filed under Columnists

Show Articles : prev 20 next 20

Consider a ‘universal design’ bathroom remodeling job Jan 6, 2013 12:00 AM
Q. My wife and I are in our early 50s and we plan on completely remodeling our master bathroom. Can you give us some plumbing advice on what we should do now with this project that can save us another remodeling job down the road?
SEC loses ground in college bowl season Jan 4, 2013 12:00 AM
The Southeastern Conference has had a disappointing college football bowl season, and Mike North doesn't like the excuses he's hearing from the SEC. The Louisville Cardinals beat the Florida Gators in the Sugar Bowl, and the Cardinals deserve some credit, North says. And he warns Bears fans not to expect a big name from the team's head coach search.
Would Bears have kept Smith if he made playoffs?Jan 1, 2013 12:00 AM
While Mike North would have been OK if the Bears had kept Lovie Smith as their head coach, he admits Smith wasn't the best choice to develop offensive players. And he thinks it's time to dismiss Tony Romo as a good quarterback with so much other new talent in the NFL. Mike also shares some New Year's Day picks for a few bowl games.
Standby generators are a smart investment for a home Dec 30, 2012 12:00 AM
Q. Like many homeowners in the Northeast, we were affected by the recent storm. While we were lucky and did not get a direct hit, we did lose power for a couple of days. This is the second year in a row we lost power due to a storm and I have decided that I do need to purchase a generator.
Bears fans need big game from Cutler Dec 28, 2012 12:00 AM
Mike North thinks there is plenty of blame to go around if the Bears don't make the playoffs, but with a big game from Jay Cutler, all will be forgotten. Michael Jordan isn't having a very good run as a GM/owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, and North thinks he should hire Jerry Krause.
Pierzynski will certainly be missed by White Sox Dec 25, 2012 12:00 AM
Mike North is disappointed A.J. Pierzynski left the Chicago White Sox. He thinks A.J.'s heads up play will be missed on the team. Tim Tebow has surprised many by his current stance to not play in the wildcat offense for the New York Jets. It doesn't sound like the same player who came into the league. Mike chooses his rookie of the year, and it 's not RG3 or Andrew Luck.
Talk with the Editor: The joy of reporting on Hope for the Holidays Dec 23, 2012 12:00 AM
In this Talk with the Editor, John Lampinen describes the success of the Daily Herald Hope for the Holidays campaign -- and the joy of reporting on it.
Bears fans deserve better from playersDec 21, 2012 12:00 AM
With the price that Bears fans pay for skyboxes, they feel they deserve better treatment from players like Brian Urlacher and Jay Cutler. Mike North thinks the team better realize the NFL could mean Not For Long. He also discusses the disastrous New York Jets season and why hockey isn't even as popular as bowling.
Did you see Bears’ six-week slide coming? Dec 18, 2012 12:00 AM
Like most fans, Mike North can't believe how far the Chicago Bears have slipped in the last six weeks. Their record went from 7-1 to 8-6 in the blink of an eye after North predicted they would be in the NFC title game. Now he wonders if it will really matter how Lovie Smith and the team finish the season.
Little changes can make a big difference in water savings Dec 16, 2012 12:00 AM
Q. My family and I recently moved into a small, older home connected to our local water and sewer utilities. Well, I was very surprised to see our first water and sewer bills, and now realize we have to start conserving water to lower these costly utility bills.
Why is Goodell still in charge of NFL? Dec 14, 2012 12:00 AM
Mike North sees Roger Goodell as a poor commissioner for the NFL. He's had several scandals under his watch and hasn't handled them well. His safety concerns seem like a contradiction when he has teams playing 3 games in 11 days.
Marquez-Pacquiao show boxing still has a punch Dec 11, 2012 12:00 AM
The Las Vegas fight last weekend between Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao was worth the $69 Mike North paid for it. He hopes there is a rematch, and he'll pay again. Mike also picks Northern Illinois to beat Florida State in the Orange Bowl and challenges college analyst Kirk Herbstreit to a wager over the outcome.
Could the Kansas City tragedy have been prevented?Dec 7, 2012 12:00 AM
Kansas City police apparently found Jovan Belcher asleep in his car at 3:50 a.m. the same day he lated committed the murder/suicide. Mike North wonders if the whole thing could have been prevented if the police had acted differently. Mike also has some strong comments for Bob Costas..
Majerus found a way to enjoy life his way Dec 4, 2012 12:00 AM
Rick Majerus may have lived an unhealthy lifestyle, but Mike North contends Rick 's choices of coaching basketball and eating seemed to make him happy enough - and that can't be all bad. Also, Mike says the showdown between the North and the South is on again, and could be the most watched college game ever.
Bridge-style faucet makes splash in kitchen Dec 2, 2012 12:00 AM
Q. I'm going to install a new kitchen faucet and sink in the near future. I'm looking at the new bridge-type faucets. When did they come on the scene, how are they installed, and what special considerations do I need to address?
Harbaugh making a big mistake not playing SmithNov 30, 2012 12:00 AM
Mike North thinks San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh has been on a roll, but questions his decision to not start Alex Smith. North doesn't believe Colin Kaepernick can get them to the NFC championship game.
Notre Dame will beat any BCS challengerNov 27, 2012 12:00 AM
Mike North continues to pick Notre Dame as the champion, and insists they can't lose the national title game regardless of their opponent. He can't figure out, however, why Alabama is ranked second after a Texas A&M loss at home. Meanwhile, the races in the NFL divisions seem to be over early and the parity the league likes to tout doesn't exist.
Consider multi-piece bath in lieu of walk-in shower Nov 25, 2012 12:00 AM
Q. My husband and I are retired, and we're thinking of removing our only bathtub. In its place we want to install a walk-in shower. We plan on staying in our home for as long as we can and would like to feel safe in our own bathroom.
Golden Domers will be smiling very soonNov 23, 2012 12:00 AM
The Notre Dame faithful will be smiling soon because Mike North believes their ship has finally come in and they will come out on top. When the NFL changed its decision in the Ed Reed case, the victory was shared by media, fans,and players alike. It's not often the NFL changes its mind. And Score! Be the Legend at the Luxor is open!
Notre Dame’s return silences ghosts of past Nov 20, 2012 12:00 AM
Mike North thinks that with the resurgence of Notre Dame, coach Brian Kelly just might be NFL head coaching material, but believes Oregon head coach Chip Kelly should stay where he is. Mike also wonders if NFL analyst Tom Waddle forgot how he made his mark with the Chicago Bears.