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Foodie in Chicago
What are some of the scariest haunted houses in Chicago this Halloween season?
The weather is still warm, but the vibes are turning decidedly spooky. (Enguerrand Blanchy/Unsplash) You know Halloween is approaching in Chicagoland when the Spirit Halloween shops start appearing out of nowhere in vacant retail stores across the area. And though it may feel like summertime outdoors, haunted houses are already beginning to open for business.
Chicago is in for a drab fall foliage season due to drought conditions: Is global warming to blame?
Autumn lovers looking for beautiful fall leaves may find themselves disappointed. If you're looking forward to a vibrant autumn this year in Chicagoland, you may not get it. Experts say northern Illinois is more likely to see shades of brown rather than the gorgeous yellow, orange, and red we usually get from the trees in the fall.
Have fun with arts and crafts with your kids: And help them learn and grow while you're at it
Why you should get your kid off their device for a bit and do some arts and crafts together. (Surprising_Shots/Pixabay) When my daughter was little, she was the queen of art projects. I used to scour Pinterest for ideas to keep her busy. Sometimes this led to me taking on projects way beyond my abilities and creating a giant mess.
Emotional outbursts in children: What's normal and how to diffuse them
Experts say temper tantrums are an expected part of childhood development. I have such a different opinion these days than I used to when I see a child throw a fit in public. Before I became a parent, I actually believed there was something the parent could or should be doing to stop their child from having a meltdown.
Why are some conservationists unhappy with Chicago's new single-use plasticware ban?
Critics say there are too many exceptions written into the bill. (Yulia Khlebnikova/Unsplash) The new bill that passed Tuesday by the Chicago City Council doesn't actually place a ban on plasticware. It does propose to limit how much gets passed out by allowing restaurants to provide plastic foodware to customers only when the customer requests it.
What changes can we expect in Illinois, now that the green energy bill has passed the Senate?
It's a key win for Gov. JB Pritzker, who said he plans to sign the legislation as soon as it's on his desk. The energy bill needed 36 votes in the Illinois Senate to pass. It barely made it with 37-17. Though a few senate Republicans voted in favor, most Republicans voted against it.
6 limited-time museum exhibits to see in Chicago this fall
Whether you like art, history, comic books, or nature, there is an exhibit for you. Chicago has its share of world-class museums. Many were closed last year due to the pandemic. But they've reopened their doors and are introducing some impressive exhibits this fall.
Time Out Magazine survey ranks Chicago as the '2nd most beautiful city in the world'
It's about time the world shows Chicago some love. (Gautam Krishnan/Unsplash) It's no secret that the city of Chicago has had our fair share of tough times and bad news lately. So it's a welcome treat to find some good news to report about the city.
Say it isn't so: This Chicago staple tortilla has become hard to find in local grocery stores
Chicagoans are having trouble getting their hands on El Milagro tortillas due to a shortage. I didn't grow up in Chicago and wasn't always familiar with El Milagro tortillas. I was complaining to a friend one day that corn tortillas always fall apart when you fill them with taco meat.
Now that Chicago beach season is over, the Shedd Aquarium is looking for volunteers to help clean up the waterfront
The Shedd Aquarium is hosting Action Days this fall to clean up along the Lake Michigan shoreline and Chicago River. Shedd Aquarium Beach Cleanup Action Day(Raed Mansour/Flickr.com)
A $500 fine may soon be the price to pay if you release a large number of balloons at your next event in Illinois
Proponents of balloon bans cite dangers to animals and the environment when the balloons float back down to land. A host of balloons gently drifting across the sky may be a beautiful sight, but environmentalists warn there are unknown dangers to wildlife and the environment when the balloons deflate and fall back to earth.
The Great Depression gave us some interesting recipes: Have you tried water pie?
This pie that went viral on TikTok is made with surprisingly few ingredients is also surprisingly good. (Oberholster Venita/Pixabay) I'll admit, it's a strange recipe. I became obsessed with watching people on TikTok make and then eat a Great Depression water pie. It is so simple to make that I knew I had to give it a try.
Some of the best hiking trails in Illinois are a short drive from Chicago
These five hiking destinations are all less than a two-hour drive from the city. Indian Dunes Succession Trail(Ted/Flickr.com) The Chicago Lakefront has gorgeous views and paved paths for walking. But it's also full of bikers, runners, crowds, and tourists. If you'd like to step off the beaten path, and head into nature, you don't have to drive very far to get there.
Fans of The Office can rejoice: Buy tickets starting Friday for Chicago's immersive "The Office Experience"
If you've ever wanted to visit Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, now is your chance. The Office set, Jim's desk, 2009(Kristin Dos Santos/CC BY-SA 2.0/Wikimedia Commons) The season finale may have aired eight years ago, but "The Office's" popularity has been soaring. And fans recently have been looking for more immersive experiences to make them truly feel like they have stepped into the world of their beloved TV show.
Animals in need after a hurricane: Here's how you can help the pets impacted by Hurricane Ida
Volunteers from PAWS Chicago will bring back pets in need of homes from Louisiana shelters this week. PAWS Chicago announced on its Twitter page on Monday they will be heading to Louisiana later this week to assist animal rescue groups in the area. PAWS is sending volunteers to Louisiana to a safe area unaffected by the hurricane to meet with shelter workers and bring back animals in need.
See two sides of Al Capone when you browse his belongings on his auction site
Beloved family man or ruthless killer? The belongings of the infamous Chicago gangster are being auctioned off by his family, showing two very different sides of the same man. Al Capone in 1929(Pennsylvania Department of Corrections/FBI, Public domain/Wikimedia Commons)
Immerse yourself in luxury when you stay in one of these 5 unique Airbnb Chicago rentals
Check out some lavish rentals in the city. (CRYSTALWEEDcannabis/Unsplash) The best thing about vacation sites like Airbnb is the ability to rent an entire house. It's such a different experience when you visit a city to stay in a home, rather than a hotel room.
Panera Bread in Plainfield is temporarily closed due to staffing shortages
Labor shortages brought on by the pandemic continue to cause trouble for Chicago-area restaurants. Panera Bread Cafe(Mike Mozart/Flickr.com) The Panera Bread in Plainfield located at the corner of Route 59 and 127th Street, is currently closed until after Labor Day due to a staffing shortage.
You must once again wear a mask indoors in Illinois: Pritzker announces statewide mask mandate
"Wearing a mask continues to be one of the simplest, cheapest ways to reduce the spread of Covid-19." During today's press conference, Illinois Director of Public Health, Dr. Ngozi Ezike said, "Wearing a mask continues to be one of the simplest, cheapest ways to reduce the spread of Covid-19."
Southern states are experiencing the invasion of the armyworms: Will they head north to Chicagoland?
These lawn-killing critters can destroy healthy green grass, seemingly overnight. Larva of fall armyworm(J. Obermeyer/Perdue University Extension) I started seeing complaints on Facebook from my hometown friends in Kansas about their green grass suddenly turning brown. The brown lawns were not from a lack of watering in a hot, dry Kansas summer but from an infestation of caterpillars.
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