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A Spanish delight

My husband had the good fortune of hosting Luis, a Spanish exchange student, during high school, and his family had the good sense to preserve their relationship for decades. As a result, I found myself in the kitchen years ago with Luis’s mother, Carmen Lucy. …

Keep records of vital information for elderly parents

Sometimes we make assumptions about the information that we have or don’t have when it comes to our parents, grandparents or other seniors in our lives. Unfortunately the moment we realize that the information we need is not available is usually during a crisis.

Taking stigma off incontinence

Watching daytime TV, and all of the commercials for incontinence products, one might think that incontinence is a normal part of life and aging.

This Apple has sour taste

Dear Fixer: I cannot download any apps on my iPhone. It says my account is disabled. After I sent a request to the Apple support email address, I received a response from an iTunes adviser who said it appeared that my account had been disabled due to “chargeback orders” they had received from my credit card issuer.

Art of compromise is what’s needed now

In the aftermath of last week’s election, I’ve been listening to my friends on the right and the left. They are saying the same thing, and that’s what worries me.

Christmas shopping, philosophically speaking

Now that that pesky presidential election is over, it’s time to concentrate on what’s really important. Christmas shopping. But before you can shop, you have to decide what to get friends and family, collectively known as loved ones.

Guest Essay: Library not a political pawn

As a current Library Board Trustee in the village of Elmwood Park, I was disappointed but somehow not surprised when a political candidate addressed the Elmwood Park Village Board at the Oct. 15 board meeting. During the public comment portion of the meeting, it was …

Stop ‘straw buyers’ of guns

For years Chicago and Cook County officials have been pushing a law that would help close the spigot of guns flowing illegally into the city. So far, the National Rifle Association has blocked the law in Springfield, but officials here should keep pushing. The so-called …

How about veggie McDonald’s here?

McDonald’s is opening two  vegetarian-only restaurants. Not, unfortunately, in one of the hipper  neighborhoods of Chicago, or even somewhere in California. But in India — in Amritsar and  Katra. This makes sense. For reasons of religion and tradition, Indian diets tend to be low in …

River Grove Public Library gears up for fall

RIVER GROVE — With summer officially over, all of us at the River Grove Library are gearing up for fall programs. Starting the week of Sept. 24, we will once again offer 1-on-1 computer, e-reader and device classes. We are also happy to announce 1-on-1 …

Guest Essay: River Grove police crackdown on drivers through Labor Day

RIVER GROVE As long as I have been a police officer, I’ve never gotten used to the sorrow I feel when I’m called to the scene of a crash where someone has died. Making matters worse is, all too often, those in the crash were …

Tiger Tear 5K raises $4,400

The Elmwood Park High School Athletic Booster Club held its 3rd annual Tiger Tear 5K on May 20. It was a beautiful day, we had over 250 participants and raised over $4,400 for the EPHS Athletic Booster Club. Through our fundraisers we are able to …

A ‘Moneyball’ lesson in life: ‘Get on base’

I’ve decided that the correct answer for just about any question this spring is: “He gets on base.” That answer comes from one of last year’s best movies, “Moneyball.” That simple phrase answers the questions put to Billy Beane, general manager of the Oakland A’s, …

Shimkus: Senator Kirk is coming back

Editor’s note: The following article is an op-ed piece submitted by U.S. Rep. John Shimkus, R-Collinsville, regarding the status of U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Highland Park, who is in recovery from a stroke he suffered in January. As a member of the Illinois congressional delegation, …

Leyden Township property values fall

As we pay the first installment of the 2011 tax bill, many of us wonder why our bill was higher. The Illinois Legislature passed a law ordering that the first installment tax bill be calculated at 55 percent of the previous year’s total tax obligation. …

BBB advises to avoid payday loans

Distressed consumers, worried about paying bills or buying food for their families, are turning to payday loans for fast cash. While many borrowers believe they can pay off the loans quickly, the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and northern Illinois warns payday loans may have …