Lifestyle Columns
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Crispy, sticky, and saucy: Plant-based comforts for fallOct 08, 2025 6:01 am - Fall is the season for cozy comfort food, but that doesn’t mean it has to be heavy. These three recipes highlight how plant-based ingredients can bring bold flavor and satisfying textures to the table.
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Should home inspectors disclose asbestos?Oct 03, 2025 12:16 pm - The home inspector I hired never mentioned that the floor tiles and air duct insulation contain asbestos. Shouldn't he have pointed this out?
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‘Groovy’: Colorful outdoor art installations transform the Tri-CitiesOct 01, 2025 9:29 am - The Terrain Exhibitions art festival started in Oak Park and has spread to other cities, including Geneva, where residents are hosting artwork in their front yards through Nov. 15.
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Each ingredient matters in this simple Red Lentil SoupOct 01, 2025 5:55 am - For the most part, soup gives us freedom. We measure only when we must, cook by taste, and love to experiment. But not this time. For this simple Red Lentil Soup, the flavors depend on following the recipe.
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Chardonnay for autumn’s colors and flavorsOct 01, 2025 5:35 am - As leaves morph to yellow, oranges and eventually brown, our markets provide apples to bake with pork chops, pumpkin to stuff in ravioli and mushrooms to be sautéed for risotto or grilled steak. There’s a shade of Chardonnay for each of these dishes, especially because they incorporate butter.
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A guide to energy-efficient kitchen hacksSep 30, 2025 6:06 pm - The pros and cons of using small countertop appliances versus kitchen ranges/ovens for cooking.
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Who’s who in your HOA? A guide to the key playersSep 30, 2025 5:47 pm - Learn about the roles and duties of officers in your homeowners association.
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Fall gardening tasks to prepare for winterSep 30, 2025 4:17 pm - Now that fall has arrived, it's time to prepare gardens for winter, including moving herbs indoors before frost and installing stepping stones.
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Facts on fungi: A look at 3 common native speciesSep 29, 2025 10:08 am - Stillman Nature Center’s Mark Spreyer takes a look at three common native fungi.
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How father, son with autism bonded through riding roller coastersSep 26, 2025 2:30 am - Tom Callsen and son Thomas, who has autism, have ridden 471 different roller coasters across the United States over the past 20 years, finding joy in the physical thrill and bonding experience.