Ann Patchett’s newest book is “State of Wonder,” about a pharmaceutical researcher, Marina Singh, who must travel to the Amazon jungle after a colleague’s mysterious death. When did you know you wanted to be a writer? I knew when I was 5 years old. It’s the one true thing about me that I’ve always known […]
Are you one of the 25 million Americans who suffer from venous reflux disease, which commonly appears in the form of varicose veins? It’s a lot more common than you might think. One of out every two adults over 50—and two-thirds of women over 60—battle this progressive condition. If you’re tired of dealing with legs […]
It’s 4 a.m. I’m steering a small sailboat through possibly the heaviest rain I’ve ever experienced. The story of Noah comes to mind. Keeping my glasses clear is hopeless, so I’ve taken them off. They wouldn’t help much anyway. Visibility is down to a few hundred feet at best. I grip the wheel tightly, fighting […]
For years, West Michigan has been a travel destination for residents of the northern burbs of Chicago. Now, active vacationers have even more reason to visit with the region’s growing number of interconnected, non-motorized trails. Michigan is now number one in the nation in the number of rail trails. Cycling and hiking on the trails […]
On a summer night in 1999, Ricky Byrdsong, an African-American men’s basketball coach at Northwestern, was walking with two of his children down a residential street in Skokie when he was shot and killed by a self-proclaimed white supremacist. A well-known and beloved public figure, Ricky Byrdsong’s murder shocked the community and served as a […]
Known as “The Big Gig,” Summerfest’s 11 stages host over 700 acts in 11 days It’s no wonder Guinness World Records named it the world’s largest music festival. We’ve gathered tips from seasoned fans to help you make the most of Summerfest 2011, which begins June 29. This year’s schedule includes Kanye West, Katy Perry, […]
When Catharina Maerklin moved to Evanston from Germany, other moms often complimented her on German-made kids’ gear. That gave her the idea to start a children’s shop featuring high-quality German products, Leoleno in Winnetka. Kids can play and also learn at the store, which hosts a weekly story time led by a local librarian, music […]
Take a break from the air conditioning and get outside with your camera on Nature Photography Day. This is the sixth annual National Photography Day organized by the North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA). The goals of this celebration are to enjoy the view of nature through your camera lens and advance the cause of […]
Take a break from the summer heat by sipping something sweet on National Iced Tea Day. While the history surrounding the invention of iced tea is murky, Richard Blechynden is credited with popularizing it in America at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, according to TeaUSA.com. Blechynden was the India Tea Commissioner, and at […]
Certified fitness instructor Amy Hohman of Highland Park has opened a fully equipped free-weight studio that personal trainers can rent to offer their services one-on-one or in small groups. Don’t have anyone whipping your butt into shape? The studio will work with you to help you find the right trainer in their network. “Working out […]
