Lifestyle
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You’re the reason your home is disorganized. Here’s how to fix that.
Jan 13, 2026 5:07 pm - We asked eight professional organizers to share their tough love advice for clutter problems. Here’s what they want you to know.
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Meet the succulents that look like dolphins and hearts
Jan 13, 2026 3:55 pm - Some of the most striking houseplants are succulents with unusual leaves. Unlike blooms that fade, unique foliage can steal the show year-round.
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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.