Home and Garden
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Elgin programs offer grants for rehab, painting of homes in historic districtsJan 13, 2026 1:09 pm - Elgin residents can apply now for a grant program designed to help restore homes in the city’s historic districts and a painting program for residents of the Elgin National Watch Historic District.
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Who is qualified to inspect gas fixtures?Jan 13, 2026 12:35 pm - You occasionally discuss how home inspectors inspect gas-burning fixtures. In my opinion, home inspectors are not qualified to inspect gas appliances.
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Tips on planning your 2026 garden, organizing pots and protecting new houseplantsJan 13, 2026 12:33 pm - Chicago Botanic Garden’s Tim Johnson offers tips on garden planning, cleaning and organizing pots and protecting new houseplants.
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How to build a better, more efficient fireJan 12, 2026 7:00 am - We get smoke indoors from our wood-burning fireplace, but want to use it to save cut our utility bills. What are some fire building techniques to create less smoke?
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‘There was a gap’: New DuPage County program helps flood-prone propertiesJan 09, 2026 12:47 pm - DuPage County’s stormwater management division is offering financial assistance for certain owners of flood-prone properties.
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Home & garden calendar, Jan. 11-17Jan 08, 2026 4:30 am - Upcoming garden club meetings, workshops, and plant sales in the Chicago area, covering topics such as pruning, soil health, houseplant care, sustainable gardening, and attracting pollinators like hummingbirds.
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20 things to declutter right now to start the year lighter
Jan 06, 2026 4:23 pm - Here are 20 pretty easy things to consider removing from your home, your car or your life in January, in service of a less-cluttered 2026.
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Herbs grown indoors require extra care. Here are some tips
Jan 06, 2026 4:14 pm - Herbs grown indoors require extra care. Here are some tips to help them thrive.
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Before you buy a new door, consider these cost-effective fixesJan 05, 2026 6:28 pm - My old doors don’t seem airtight anymore and they show years of use. What are some inexpensive improvements I can make myself?
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Why home maintenance deserves a spot in the annual health and budget plans