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With the Chicago skyline behind it, a Snowy Owl turns for the camera.

The ‘best birds’ of 2025: Snowy Owl, Mountain Bluebird and more arrived this year

As 2025 comes to a close, “Words on Birds” columnist Jeff Reiter takes a look back at the year in birding.

Christmas-related items are placed on some grave sites at the city-owned Bluff City Cemetery in Elgin. Like many cemeteries in the suburbs, Bluff City does not buy back unwanted plots.

‘I had to go through hell’: When burial plans change, disposing of plots can be anything but peaceful

Cemeteries across the Chicagoland area have a no buy back policy for interment rights, leaving a lot of plots unused and empty and sellers disheartened.

This no-fry chicken parm skips the breading and frying steps for a streamlined, weeknight-friendly version. And, as a bonus, it's all made in one skillet.

No-fry chicken parm is cheesy, saucy and easy to prepare

This no-fry chicken parm features boneless, skinless chicken breasts in marinara sauce under a blanket of cheese and breadcrumbs. There’s no need to pound the chicken until thin, and it skips the breading and frying steps for a streamlined, weeknight-friendly version. And, as a bonus, it’s all made in one skillet.

Years ago, Robin Eisenstot of Buffalo Grove received this picture as a present from her father. She displays it when he visits and tucks it away when he leaves.

Dealing with unwanted gifts takes a little creativity — and a lot of tact

Whether it’s a Big Mouth Billy Bass, a cherub tchotchke or a crime scene pen holder, recipients should remember when it comes to gifts it’s the thought that counts. That said, there’s always regifting ... if you are careful!

Many parents open 529s for their children at birth, when there’s no way to know whether their kids will earn a scholarship or go to college at all.

Should you worry about overfunding your 529 plan?

But what do you do if you still have money left over after covering education expenses?Thanks to Secure 2.0 Act, you can now roll over unused 529 funds to a Roth IRA. But the 529 rollover isn’t a loophole to save extra for retirement; rules limit the conversions.

Aurora woman celebrates 101st birthday with visit from mayor

An Aurora woman had more than Christmas to celebrate on Dec. 25 as she turned 101 years old.

Macy’s renovated the beauty floor of its flagship New York store in time for the holiday shopping season, which accounts for about one-quarter of all U.S. “prestige” beauty sales, according to market research firm Circana.

Department stores try to distinguish themselves as beauty lovers turn to TikTok and Amazon

Competition among retailers for a slice of the $129 billion U.S. beauty and personal care market is fiercer than ever due to the ease of e-commerce and the advice shoppers seek on social media instead of in stores.