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CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS – PORTAGE PARK, LAKEVIEW, OLD TOWN, LOOP, EVANSTON

2012-02-15T20:47:00Z

PORTAGE PARK Paczki Day is almost here - February 21 st . This year learn how to make your very own paczki with Pastry Chef Dobra Bielinsky at Delightful Pastries. For those who don't want to wait in line and have the satisfaction of not only making paczki but also "angel wings," then this class is for you. Classes will take place at the baker in Jefferson Park. Cost is only $50 and your place can be reserved by sending an email to student.info@delightfulpastries.com . LAKEVIEW Each...(read more)

KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – SAVE HEAT AND ENERGY

2012-02-14T17:37:00Z

1. Insulate around recessed lights -Most recessed lights have vents that open into the attic, a direct route for heated or cooled air to escape. When you consider that many homes have 30 or 40 of these fixtures, it's easy to see why you lose heat. Lights labeled ICAT , for "insulation contact and air tight," are already sealed; look for the label next to the bulb. If you don't see it, assume yours leak. An airtight baffle ($8-$30 at the home center) is a quick fix. Remove the bulb,...(read more)

TECHNOLOGY TIPS – LIMITING GAME TIME FOR KIDS

2012-02-13T17:09:00Z

When letting your kids play with the myriad apps on your iPhone and/or iPad, you may want to limit the amount of time they spend. Yes, well there's an app for that too! This allows you to limit the time your kids spend playing games or watching videos. It's called Game Time Limit for Parents . The app allows you set the number of minutes and set a secret passcode. Before you give the device to your child, all you need to do is set the timer. Once the timer ends, an alarm appears on the screen...(read more)

THS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO - ARE YOU READY FOR SOME CHICAGO LOVIN’?

2012-02-10T17:45:00Z

It's a great time to be in Chicago as Cupid arrives back in town with some pre-Valentine's Day events sure to please everyone! First and foremost, topping Cupid's list is the 2012 Chicago Auto Show which opened to the public on Friday, February 10 th , and runs through Friday, February 17 th , at McCormick Place (2301 S. Lake Shore Drive) on the Near South Side. Now in its 104 th year, and billed as the largest auto show of its kind in North America, the Chicago Auto Show features nearly...(read more)

CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS - NORWOOD PARK, LAKEVIEW, SOUTH LOOP, OLD TOWN, NAPERVILLE

2012-02-10T04:54:00Z

NORWOOD PARK Chicago Career Tech is a no cost job re-training initiative that strives to close the workforce skills gap. To date, 950 unemployed Chicagoans and more than 150 businesses and nonprofit organizations have participated in the program. Chicago Career Tech offers two types of programs - corporate-based Pathways to Employment and education-based Career Training. The application deadline is February 14. LAKEVIEW You may have heard of this company, Enron . Now there's a play that takes...(read more)

KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – DISHWASHER MAINTENANCE

2012-02-08T06:35:00Z

We usually take our dishwashers for granted that they will do a great job cleaning our dishes. But there are some tricks we can use to make the machine run more efficiently and last longer. Try some of these tips and see if they don't work with your dishwasher. 1. Remove the racks and clean the inside of the machine. Use baking soda as a scrubbing medium. Check the bottom for debris (food particles, flatware, etc.) and remove. 2. While the racks are out clean them. If there is any bare metal...(read more)

TECHNOLOGY TIPS – FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER CREDIT REPAYMENTS COMING

2012-02-06T17:39:00Z

If you are one of the many people who took advantage of the first time homebuyer credit, you may have to start making your repayments this year. The IRS is helping you out with that by offering a tool online that will give you the total amount of your credit as well as your repayment amount. Simply go to the FTHBC tool . You'll need to enter your social security number (or IRS individual taxpayer identification number), date of birth, street address and zip code. The first time you click this...(read more)

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO - WHAT DOES ONE DO ON SUPER BOWL WEEKEND?

2012-02-04T00:11:00Z

That's a million dollar question! Especially for those who have absolutely no clue what the Super Bowl even is!! All kidding aside, Super Bowl is actually the culmination of the football season and is celebrated nationwide in grand-style even by those fans whose teams did not make the cut, like my beloved Chicago Bears . So, without further ado, I bring you - SUPER BOWL XLVI - New England Patriots vs. New York Giants Sunday, February 5 th - Kickoff is approximately 6:30 p.m. Eastern Here's...(read more)

CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS – OLD TOWN, JEFFERSON PARK, LAKEVIEW, LOOP, OAK PARK

2012-02-02T22:26:00Z

OLD TOWN Check out Mama Milano Pizza Bar , a hidden Old Town gem that has pepperoni in its DNA, now open. Come here when you're craving traditional Chicago thin crust. Yes, cut into perfect squares and triangle corners. To find it, poke your way down a cobblestone walkway off Wells, following the scent of warm mozzarella. JEFFERSON PARK Fischman Liquors will be having a Special Tapping Release of Founders All Day IPA & Mikkeller BooGoop. If you like your craft and micro's come on in to...(read more)

TECHNOLOGY TIPS - ANDROID MALWARE?

2012-01-31T04:53:00Z

Owning a Droid, I like to keep up on what's happening in the market especially if there are any threats out there. I found out about a new scare advertised by Symantec, but the experts are unsure if it's really malware or simply PuP . According to TechNewsWorld , security experts from other organizations said the infected apps weren't carrying malware but adware. "We're 100 percent certain that Apperhand isn't malware; it's just a form of an ad network," Tim Wyatt,...(read more)

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO - PLAN – PLAY – CELEBRATE!

2012-01-27T21:57:00Z

Don't look now, but it's the last weekend of January 2012, which can only mean one thing - it's time to "plan, play and/or celebrate!" It's the perfect time to plan your travels and summer activities with these two trade shows in town - Chicago Travel and Adventure Show 2012 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (5555 N. River Road) in Rosemont this Saturday and Sunday. This event is your chance to discover authentic travel experiences, snap up the deals and win trips...(read more)

CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS – NORWOOD PARK, LINCOLN PARK, LINCOLN SQUARE, LOOP, EVANSTON

2012-01-27T21:27:00Z

NORWOOD PARK Under the federal Computers For Learning program, the U.S. General Services Administration is donating about $4 million worth of computers and printers to Chicago schools. The GSA said all of the computers were wiped clean before they were donated to schools, so no sensitive information would be compromised. Schools that receive the equipment will use the computers and printers to supplement existing programs or create new learning programs. LINCOLN PARK In the works since the summer,...(read more)

CHARMING AVONDALE NEIGHBORHOOD - Beautiful Updated 3BR Brick Bungalow - Quite One-Way Street!

2012-01-24T19:28:00Z

• 1,580 sq. ft., 2 full baths, 3 bedrooms, updated "Brick Bungalow" - MLS® $267,400

Avondale, Chicago - Charming Avondale Neighborhood -- one of the Hidden Treasures of Chicago! Lovely 3 Bedroom/2 Bath Brick Bungalow on Quiet One-Way Street. Only Two Blocks from CTA Blue Line L and Three Minutes to Kennedy Expressway, this Updated Home Features Sunny Living Room with Bay Window, Formal Dining Room, Just-Redone Eat-In Kitchen with Solid-Surface Counters, Loads of Cabinets, and Premium Stainless Appliances! First-Floor Master Bedroom features Walk-In Closet. Bedrooms Two and Three are ample, with the Second Floor offering Expansion Possibilities if dormered. Recently-Finished Basement with Full Bath, Exercise Area, Family Room, and Office. Three-Season Room off of kitchen, plus large back yard and patio, perfect for your Summer BBQ’s! Zoned Heat and AC. Many New Mechanicals. Big Two Car Garage. You’ve Got To See This Charmer!

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KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – IMPROVE BRAIN POWER

2012-01-24T16:45:00Z

1. Smart Juice. Blueberries have more antioxidants than any other fruit. Naturally grown rather than cultivated berries have even more. Blueberries have anthocyanins that protect blood vessels from free radicals, improve neuron signals and increase blood flow to the brain. Wild blueberry juice is available at Walmart and online. 2. Sprinting boosts blood levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor ( BDNF ). This is like "miracle grow" for the brain, keeping neural cells growing and functioning....(read more)

TECHNOLOGY TIPS - NEVER MISPLACE YOUR IPHONE AGAIN

2012-01-24T06:25:00Z

Bikn ,(pronounced bee-Kin) an iPhone-based tracking system for your phone and all your other important stuff, available soon. You've got three elements here: an app, an iPhone case with a mind of its own and a bunch of little tags to put on the other things in life you couldn't stand losing. You can even choose your base and highlight colors for more personalization. You'll download the app and slip your phone into the case. The case sends out a signal even if the phone is dead. Then...(read more)