Lifestyle Columns
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Seasonal garden care: Safety equipment, pinching, and pruning tipsJun 09, 2026 5:00 am - Wear protective glasses and earplugs when using power equipment like weed whips and mowers in the garden, as debris can injure eyes and legs, while prolonged noise exposure can damage hearing.
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Damaged septic system draining onto streetJun 08, 2026 4:00 pm - Smelly water from a neighbor’s damaged septic system is draining onto the street, but they refuse to fix the problem. Is there anything we can do?
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The 400 Club: Meet Illinois’ most dedicated rare bird chasersJun 08, 2026 10:43 am - Meet Illinois’ most dedicated rare bird chasers, some of whom have seen 400 or more bird species in our state.
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Fire up the grill: Charred veggies add smoky depth to a chilled summer soupJun 05, 2026 8:18 am - Time to fire up the grill … and cook some soup. Yes, really. Charring vegetables on the grill is a great way to up your soup game. That’s because cooking veggies at a high heat either by roasting in the oven or on a grill concentrates the natural sugars, creating richer, toastier flavors.
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Metal artist’s ‘Fiddler in the Field’ stands out in St. Charles sculpture parkJun 05, 2026 5:02 am - The sculpture “Fiddler in the Field” stands out as columnist Dave Heun’s favorite so far this year at the Sculpture in the Park gallery in St. Charles’ Mount St. Mary Park.
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Should condo board install fake cameras to deter car thefts?Jun 03, 2026 2:48 pm - There have been some thefts from cars in the parking lot of our association. The board is considering installing “fake” security cameras in the parking lot. Are there legal concerns with this approach?
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3 biggest college mistakes made by students and parentsJun 03, 2026 10:28 am - Rising high school seniors and parents hoping for a smooth transition into college in fall 2027 have their work cut out for them this summer. And it’s all about the planning.
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For authenticity, look to the wines of GeorgiaJun 03, 2026 6:15 am - For those looking for authenticity in their wine drinking, there’s not much more authentic than the wines of Georgia and its Caucasus Mountains, the birthplace of wine production.
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Spring pruning tips: When and how to shape your garden shrubsJun 02, 2026 3:04 pm - It’s a good time to prune back shrubs that bloomed early in spring. However, I’d avoid pruning summer-flowering shrubs like hydrangeas.
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No one disclosed bad sewer pipeJun 02, 2026 11:29 am - We purchased our home two months ago. After moving in, we had plumbing problems. The plumber we called wants $9,000 for a new sewer main to the street.
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