Kristi Gilbert considers reality TV and, in response to a comment about her column, discloses the name of the show she appeared on. Check out New Mom in Town. Andrea Knudsen is certain she used the R-word when she was a kid, but she hopes it's disappearing from the playground today. Read Growing Up in the Grove. Being connected to multiple forms of communication not only keeps you wired in, it keeps you wired. Tina Tuszynski looks at simple ways to reduce the stress of multi-tasking without taking a pill, in Forever Fit. Jeff Ward has a theory that "if you treat people like criminals they …
Andrea Knudsen, from The Neighborhood Files: I rarely was allowed to partake in ice cream truck offerings as a kid. Likewise, my kids already know the answer when they hear that blaring electronic muzak, and that answer is “no.” It’s “no” because the “ice cream” is overpriced junk, and I’m nothing if not an ice cream snob. I also refuse to submit to a treat before dinner or a second dessert just because a shady-looking van drives by. (The column prompted 53 comments from readers.) Tina Tuszynski, from Forever Fit: Raw foodists believe that living food in an uncooked state is the most …
Inspired by the story of Marirose Weldon, a 15-year-old pop singer who lost her mother six years ago, columnist Kristi Gilbert reflects on the things she'd like her own 20-month-old daughter to know, if she were to lose her mom. Knowing that two of their children are afflicted with a fatal genetic disease, a mom and dad try to pack of lifetime of family memories into a few years, Wendy Foster reports. Lynn Hudoba's thinking has come full-circle, concerning the intensity of summer vacation activities for her autistic child. For Elaine Johnson, Mother's Day means spring and, usually, a …
Do you have one kid who listens and another who has to learn the hard way? Andrea Knudsen ponders the difficulty of making the process of growing up any easier for your children. Teens trying to hitch a ride in La Grange—Laurie Kapugi wonders why any kid would think that's a good idea. Her husband's a good egg. Paulette Delcourt says he passed up six tickets behind the Cubs' dugout in favor of her Easter dinner. Food, family and religion—when they all come together it's special, Kristin McCann observes. Tina Tuszynski learns to just say no, to Cheese Nips. With her family growing, Kristi …
Maybe every weekend to-do list needs a you-don't list as an appendix. Tony Cesare inadvertently discovered the recipe for a weapon of mass destruction while cleaning the toilet. When you start paying attention to food labels, Tina Tuszynski says you'll realize lite's not always right. Same five miles. Same time every day. Wendy Foster finds that her daily walk brings unexpected rewards. At some point it happened: Lawn service became a necessity of suburban life. Laurie Kapugi tries to figure out why. Kids grow up fast and many parents wish they could stay little a bit longer. But Lynn Hudoba…
Here are some Patch columns from this week you wouldn't want to miss: Wine drinkers are sort of snobbish, right? Lauri Kapugi learned otherwise during a Napa wine-tasting event, when the host provided her with beer to sip from her wine glass. His name is Thunder Ruthven and he has a way of reminding the family dog of its proper place in the pack. Laurie Whitman explains the techniques of La Grange Park's "Dog Listener." Tony Cesare wonders how much better the next round of elections would be if people had to vote based on the candidates' positions on the issues, without knowing their names.
Another Cubs Opening Day is in the books. Jeff Ward laments the fact that another generation of young fans faces a lifetime of heartache. She moved into a new home and got a new phone number. Almost four years later, she was still getting calls for the former owner of that phone number: Midwest Guns. Lynn Hudoba chronicles her efforts to help old, deaf gun owners. One of these things is not like the others: Beer, bacon and Downers Grove. Surprise! They all go together, as Tony Cesare explains.
Tony Cesare says that just because you're a middle-aged dad at home with the kids, there's no reason you can't enjoy a crazy, insane Spring Break, just like the one from years ago that you almost remember. Really, there's no need to share. Jeff Ward wants you to keep your germs at home. They're not needed at work or your kids' school. If all the suburban wildlife could vote, Paul Delcourt thinks they'd have an opinion on a proposed artificial field.
Summer's coming. The snow has retreated; this winter's doggie doo has been revealed. Tony Cesare has plans for every glorious minute of the season of heat. They're living large in La Grange Park. Laurie Whitman describes her block's first "progressive cocktail party" and it sounds like a lot of fun. Preparing to file your taxes is a dreaded task. Laurie Kapugi says it doesn't get any easier when the cat decides to roll around in your records. Jeff Ward thinks of himself as an Old Testament prophet, when it comes to the municipal budget. His message? Woe be onto those who fail to prune …
We face the same questions all the time: Should we tip, and how much? After a discussion about the pizza delivery guy, Laurie Kapugi has more questions than before. If you build it, they will come. Columnist Tony Cesare considers the risks of ignoring, and the benefits of calling, the village building inspectors.
The columnists, reporters and editors of our west suburban Patch sites turn out things you wouldn't want to miss. Here's a sampler of this week's work. All that stuff you've been saving? All the excuses you've made up for keeping it? Tony Cesare thinks it's time to face reality: Nobody wants it. Nobody will EVER want it. We've begun to brace ourselves for the inevitability of $4 gasoline. But, confronted with the idea of a $400 baseball bat, Jeff Ward's mind rebelled. Paulette Delcourt finds that when the other customers in the service waiting room tell you to take your car across the street…
