Lifestyle
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Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.: A list of suburban eventsJan 13, 2026 3:23 pm - Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Monday, Jan. 19. These upcoming events, celebrations and services will pay tribute to the civil rights leader.
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Inheriting a call to service: How MLK followed in his dad’s footstepsJan 13, 2026 3:00 pm - Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream for peace, justice, and racial equality remains unrealized 63 years after his famous speech. He was heavily influenced by his father, a pastor involved in the civil rights movement in Atlanta, and later embraced his own call to ministry.
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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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A cheese-stuffed sweet potato trend led me to butterkäse, my new crush
Jan 13, 2026 10:01 am - Here’s the meet-cute story of how a food writer fell for butterkäse, a soft, rich cheese whose German name hints at its flavor and texture profile — a cross between butter and cheese. The journey began — as so many do these days — with videos on TikTok.
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This slow cooker braised beef gave me back a piece of myself
Jan 13, 2026 5:41 am - Just three main ingredients — and no chopping or stirring — deliver an astounding depth of flavor in this tender, slow-cooked beef in tomato and garlic sauce.
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These low-ABV wines are perfect for a not-quite-dry January
Jan 12, 2026 12:04 pm - If an all-or-nothing Dry January isn’t for you, consider a Damp January, which entails drinking less throughout the month. It doesn’t have to feel like deprivation, thanks to the availability of excellent low-alcohol wines. These bottles contain less booze than many other wines, and you can find them across varying styles — and at prices that won’t dry out your savings.
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‘He’s a connector of people’: Palatine High Bilingual Biology teacher impacts both students and colleaguesJan 12, 2026 8:35 am - Palatine High School’s Mauricio Orozco is that rare teacher whose excellence can be measured not only by his impact on his students but also his influence on colleagues as an instructional coach.
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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?