Home and Garden
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Should agents recommend home inspectors?Dec 11, 2024 1:53 am - Should real estate agents be recommending specific home inspectors? A reader weighs in on advice from an expert.
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Poinsettias prefer perfect conditionsDec 11, 2024 1:33 am - The number of people who tend to indoor plants ... and trees ... significantly increases this time of year. How can you keep your poinsettias perfectly crimson and your live holiday trees looking alive for the whole season?
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‘Peace & Light’: Bidens send a message with final holiday display
Dec 11, 2024 12:55 am - After an election year filled with rancor and ultimately, voters’ rejection of the Biden administration, the White House is calling for a “Season of Peace & Light” with t...
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Boards must follow due process to levy a fineDec 04, 2024 11:57 pm - The board of a condominium cannot simply levy a fine if it thinks there has been a violation of rules. It must follow a statutorily mandated procedure.
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Views on garden insects are changing. Why many former ‘pests’ are now valued
Dec 04, 2024 12:42 pm - We’re all familiar with beneficial insects like ladybugs, dragonflies and bees, but it’s high time we reconsider our definition of “pests” and collectively add other, less-familiar insects to the friendly bug list. Native beetles, assassin bugs and even wasps are among those that make significant contributions to the environment despite their threatening appearance.
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It’s time to maintain your tools, organize garageDec 04, 2024 12:23 pm - As the gardening season winds down, it’s a good time to shift your focus to preparation and maintenance. Taking care of your tools and winterizing your garden now goes a long way when spring comes around.
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Want more shrubs? How to make new ones with hardwood cuttingsDec 04, 2024 11:42 am - The easiest way to propagate woody plants like dogwood, forsythia, hydrangea, rhododendron and viburnum, among others, is by taking hardwood cuttings in late fall or winter.
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Inspector overlooks deck damageDec 03, 2024 5:13 am - Who is liable for costs to repair a deck with obviously rotted wood that was covered on the day of the inspection?
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Decorated for the holidays: Tradition and history come alive in annual house walkNov 28, 2024 6:00 am - Six homes will be open for visitors to take in the spirit of the season on the Mount Prospect Historical Society’s Holiday Housewalk. Among them will be the Colonial-style home of a descendant of one of the village’s founding families.
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Hidden ‘junk fees’ for trash pickup or common areas shock, anger tenants
Nov 27, 2024 8:30 pm - Across the country, consumer advocates and policymakers have warned of a rise in extra fees charged by companies that are not obvious in the listed price. Some government agencies are working to address the issue of rising mandatory fees, but for now, these surprise fees continue to proliferate in rental housing.