Valerie Blaine
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Strive to make every day Earth Day -- bring about lasting changeApr 21, 2009 11:00 pm - Everyone, it seems, wants to don the emerald glasses and be "green" for a day. Plant a tree and you're green! Recycle pop cans and you're green! Buy earth-friendly hand...
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The gym is great, but outdoors better for total workoutApr 05, 2009 11:00 pm - Last winter I entered the 21st century world of fitness clubbing. This is tough to admit after forty-some years running on trails through woods and fields, in mountains ...
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Peaceful skunks have powerful defenseMar 08, 2009 11:00 pm - It's March and winter is gasping its last breath. You open your porch door to welcome the fresh air of spring. A distinct and unmistakable aroma rises from under the de...
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Message of light pollution spreads at speed of lightFeb 22, 2009 10:00 pm - Those Daily Herald newspaper carriers really get around. Comments on my recent column on light pollution came from as far away as Duluth, Minnesota and New Zealand. Just...
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Hunger and mating keep mammals from hibernating around hereFeb 08, 2009 10:00 pm - It's the dead of winter. Do you know where your wildlife is? As the snow flies and the wind howls, many of us retreat into TiVo'ed hibernation. But look out the window f...
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Shedding light on light pollutionJan 11, 2009 10:00 pm - Remember the story about the three guys in the desert who followed a star in the dark night sky? Remember when there was a dark night sky? Today three men (wise though t...
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Belted Kingfisher equal parts beauty and legendDec 14, 2008 10:00 pm - There's a bird of mythic fame in our midst. It's a symbol of peace, and it wards off bad weather. The bird in question? The Belted Kingfisher. Of our winter birds, the K...
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Coyotes, wolves and foxes, oh my!Dec 01, 2008 10:00 pm - Spotting a coyote is a novelty for some people, as this stealthy predator prefers to remain under the radar. When people do see - or hear - a coyote the questions come p...
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Learn about world of owls at nature programDec 01, 2008 10:00 pm - Want to see for yourself what this wildlife communication is all about? The Kane County Forest Preserve District offers several naturalist-guided programs this holiday s...
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Experience real-life from nature's point of viewNov 02, 2008 10:00 pm - The kids spilled out of the school bus full of enthusiasm for their field trip at Tekakwitha Woods. Before the naturalists could greet the class, one boy announced that ...