Lifestyle Columns
-
Along for the ride: Judson in Elgin named Bicycle Friendly UniversityDec 01, 2025 9:49 am - With holidays approaching, my annual book reviews offer suggestions for biking gift lists, your own or others. First, however, positive bicycling news: League of American Bicyclists recently awarded official Bicycle Friendly University status to three Illinois institutions on Nov. 13, including Elgin’s Judson University.
-
What happens if a board does not adopt a budget?Nov 25, 2025 4:37 pm - What happens if a board does not adopt an annual budget?
-
The season for giving and receiving plants as gifts is hereNov 25, 2025 4:05 pm - Chicago Botanic Garden’s Tim Johnson offers tips on choosing, transporting and caring for plants that will be holiday gifts.
-
Questions about asbestos and moldNov 25, 2025 1:11 pm - We just purchased a 1920s colonial style home and are now renovating it. In the basement, we removed the carpet and discovered tiles that we fear may contain asbestos.
-
Brash and beautiful: Blue Jays liven up backyards like no other songbirdNov 25, 2025 3:30 am - Brash, blue and beautiful, the charismatic Blue Jay livens up backyards and forest preserves like no other songbird.
-
Spatchcock, dry brine deliver moist, memorable turkeyNov 24, 2025 6:49 am - After years of trial, error and dry turkey, Don Mauer landed on a Thanksgiving game changer. Now, for a moist and flavorful bird, he roasts a whole, heirloom turkey, spatchcocked and dry-brined.
-
Finally, make-ahead mashed potatoes with only 5 ingredientsNov 21, 2025 6:52 am - Dread making the last-minute mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving Day? This recipe allows you to prepare everyone’s favorite gravy vessel a day or two in advance using only five simple ingredients — potatoes, butter, heavy cream or whole milk, salt and pepper — and the right technique.
-
A map of the past: Geneva history buff relishes portraying land surveyor from 1770sNov 21, 2025 3:30 am - As a history buff who enjoys re-enactments but isn’t drawn to battles or military uniforms, portraying an 18th century land surveyor is the perfect fit for John Schubert of Geneva.
-
Biking smarter: Statewide quiz educates 70,000 Illinois studentsNov 19, 2025 4:00 am - If the past is any predictor, more than 70,000 Illinois students will learn bicycling safety this school year through the Bike Safety Quiz developed by Ride Illinois, the statewide nonprofit bike advocacy organization.
-
Condo buyer’s liability after foreclosure saleNov 17, 2025 6:52 pm - What amounts can a condominium association recover from a new owner after a foreclosure sale of a unit?