Home and Garden
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'Murder hornet' is creating a buzz, but you can relax
May 31, 2020 7:00 am - Just when you think we can't take any more of nature's horrors, along comes a creature right out of "Jumanji." The Asian giant hornet is the jumbo jet of such insects, a...
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A move toward clarity on real estate commissions paid by buyers and sellers
May 31, 2020 6:13 am - Ask a recent homebuyer how much they paid in real estate commissions and they'll say "nothing." Ask a recent home seller how much they paid in commissions and they'll li...
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'Built to code' is a bare minimumMay 31, 2020 6:00 am - Q: Last week, I turned on my washing machine, unaware that a hose connection inside the washer was cracked. For the next hour, the water kept running, but instead of fil...
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Plant-based materials catch on with home-goods designersMay 30, 2020 1:00 am - With an eye toward sustainability, makers of home furnishings are experimenting more and more with plant-based materials. You can find things like bark, leaves and seeds...
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When you see a wildflower, thank an antMay 28, 2020 6:00 am - Ants have never made it to the “most loved insect” list. I venture to guess that the average Joe hates ants. While ants inside our homes means trouble, the presence of n...
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McHenry County garden walk on July 11 to feature 9 gardensMay 27, 2020 11:00 pm - Join the University of Illinois Extension McHenry County Master Gardeners for Garden Walk 2020 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 11, starting at the outdoor Demonstra...
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A longtime Naperville flower shop is struggling to survive - along with the American dream
May 27, 2020 1:00 am - Florists dream of spring, when shops burst in a colorful riot of blooms while ledgers pool in black ink. First Communions, Palm Sunday, Easter, proms, charity events, we...
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Ideas for a more earth-friendly houseMay 24, 2020 7:00 am - Taking care of our planet's natural resources and ensuring a light footprint are factors that encourage today's manufacturers to design and manufacture environmentally f...
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Some perennials perform best with abundant rainfallMay 24, 2020 7:00 am - All the rain that has fallen on our gardens the last couple of weeks may cause some perennials to suffer, especially if the soil they are planted in is not very well-dra...
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Contractor considers doing a home inspectionMay 24, 2020 6:00 am - Q: One of my clients is buying a 20-unit apartment building and has asked me to do the home inspection. I have no experience as a home inspector but have been a licensed...