Friday, November 30, 2012
Area farms offer fresh trees, memorable experiences and an environment-friendly tradition.
Most American households, 48 percent, erect artificial trees during the Christmas holiday, according to Christmas Tree Facts from the University of Illinois Extension. But for the 21 percent who prefer a real tree, there’s nothing better than taking a drive to Christmas tree farm to cut down the perfect one. (In case you are wondering about the rest of the respondents, 32 percent said they do not have a tree at all.) For those who aren’t convinced that real is better, consider the environmental benefits. Artificial trees will last for six years in your home, but for centuries in a landfill, according to the university’s Christmas Tree Facts web page. “Many people still perceive cutting trees down as bad for the environment and that is not …
Thursday, February 9, 2012
For this opinion column, we're talking about Baby Boomers on, so "It Happened One Night" and "Some Like It Hot" don't count. I've got my list. What's yours?
I was shocked—shocked!—to find out what Moviefone picked as the Top 25 romantic comedies of all time. Although I might agree with their top choice. Yes, I'm a 54-year-old man, and I shouldn't admit it (in the off chance my high school or college buddies actually read this) but I'm a sucker for romantic comedies. Unfortunately, I don't think we get a lot of good ones anymore. There was a time when it seemed like Hollywood was producing a truly great romantic comedy once a year. Nowadays, the movies that fall under that heading come off (to me, at least) as unscripted or over-the-top, lacking the elegance or charm of their counterparts from the 1980s or '90s. That's my opinion, anyway, and I'm sticking with it. Here are my top 10 of the past…
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
The cards you find in the store seldom hit the nail on the head.
More than once, I've bumped into my neighbor Pat, from across the street, in the greeting card aisle at Jewel. When it happens, it's usually about 7:30 a.m. on Mother's Day or Valentine's Day, when we're both looking for that perfect greeting card. However, that late in the greeting card cycle, the shelves are three-quarters empty and every card has a couple dozen fingerprints on it. If I can find a card that's not too smudgy, and if I can find an envelope that's about the right size, I grab those suckers and trot to the car happy as a dog who found a bone, even if it set me back $8.95. Even if I got there a week early, I don't think I'd find a card with enough unique rhymes on it to justify that sticker price. There ought to be more …
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Police will be out in force tonight to make sure people aren't drinking in driving. If you find yourself needing a designated driver, here's a list of taxis serving the Burr Ridge area.
- POLICE & FIRE
- Sabrina Wu
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Saturday, December 31, 2011
During the last week, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office tracked and arrested more than 35 people wanted on DUI arrest warrants. The Sheriff's Office plans to continue the operation this weekend in order to prevent drunk or dangerous driving. “This is the time of year people like to be out celebrating—there is New Years, watching football, and being with family and friends. If you make the decision to drink, be responsible and please do not get behind the wheel of a car,” said Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart. The Hinsdale Police Department also has announced plans to step up overnight enforcement between the hours of midnight and 3 a.m. If you find yourself in need of a taxi tonight, here are some telephone numbers for cab companies that …
Frosty is waiting in a kennel for someone to bring him home.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Sabrina Wu
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Saturday, December 31, 2011
Name: Frosty Sex: Male Age: 8 months Breed: Polish Lowland Sheepdog Neutered? Yes, as of Dec. 23 and was ready for adoption Dec. 30. History: Frosty was left in a metal shed in 100 degree weather without food or water. A rescue in Burr Ridge found out about him and spent four months in court to take him away from his owners. For the past four months, he has been living at the canine shelter. Personality: "When he goes out he has to go around and meet every dog. Love puppies and people. Gets along great with everybody and anything," said Pat Stryszak, founder of Angel 4 Cause Rescue in Burr Ridge. Adoption Requirements: Person looking to adopt must be an Illinois resident over the age of 25. How to Adopt: Visit www.angel4causerescue.com and…
Thursday, December 29, 2011
New Year's Eve for Procrastinators: If you're a no-reservations, no-plans sort of person, there are still options for New Year's Eve. Here's the scoop on restaurants with open tables and ones taking walk-ins.
If you're one of those last-minute people who won't join the New Year's Eve countdown until it gets to "Three!," you'll be happy to know there are still some options open to celebrate the big night. In Burr Ridge Dao Sushi and Thai—The Asian fusion restaurant will be selling a New Year's Eve package for $50 a person, which includes two appetizers, open bar from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. and a champagne toast at midnight. Customers will still be able to order a regular dinner until 11 p.m., but no reservations for after 8:30 p.m. will be taken. New Year's Eve package ticket holders are guaranteed a table, and walk-ins are welcome. Eddie Merlot's—Burr Ridge's new beef and seafood restaurant will be serving its regular menu to a live band on New …
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Salon Hype and Capri have been showing steady growth in unsteady times.
The current economy has hit many small businesses hard. On Tuesday, Clarendon Hills-based gourmet restaurant Maijean announced that its New Year's Eve dinner service will be it's last. "The only reason we have for our closing is … the unstable economy,” said restaurant representatives in an email to Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Patch. Amongst news that businesses are struggling, two Burr Ridge small business owners are showing steady growth and have even announced plans to expand. Ristorante Capri, in County Line Square, is a 26-year-old family-owned business run by brothers Gigi, Robert and Filippo Rovito. The restaurant specializes in homestyle cooking from the Calabria region of southern Italy. The restaurant currently has three locations …
Monday, December 26, 2011
Taking your new iPhone for a spin? Download the Patch app for quick access to local news and events.
- HOLIDAY GUIDE
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Monday, December 26, 2011
Lucky enough to get a mobile device this holiday season? Let's put it to work learning about your community. Patch has apps for iPhones and Android phones, and also makes it easy for you to upload photos, news and comments from anywhere. Here's a look at a few ways you can connect with Patch through your mobile device. Patch for iPhone Patch for iPhone keeps customers connected to the latest news, weather, local business listings and current events happening in their neighborhood. Patch’s app will keep them engaged and mobile by delivering 24/7 local community coverage. The Patch app's useful features include: Plus, they can save anything from favorite stories to business listings direct to the iPhone for easy offline access. Customer …
Friday, December 23, 2011
Friday is expected to be the heaviest travel day over the holiday. To accommodate the increased volume, the tollway has announced it will suspend construction lane closures.
The Illinois Tollway expects 15.4 million cars to use the tollway system during the Christmas and New Year's holidays. Between Friday, Dec. 23, and Tuesday, Jan. 3, a three percent increase is projected over the same period in 2010. The heaviest travel is anticipated on Friday, Dec. 23, when the tollway expects 1.6 million vehicles to be on the road. On an average day, about 1.4 million vehicles use the tollway. To accommodate increased holiday travel, the tollway will suspend all temporary maintenance and construction lane closures from noon on Friday, Dec. 23, until 9 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 26, and from noon on Friday, Dec. 30, until 9 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 2. Some maintenance and construction may continue behind barriers to keep work on …
No longer confined to cages, the cats at the West Suburban Humane Society can play, stretch and nap anywhere in WSHS' new open cattery.
If you walked into the cattery of the West Suburban Humane Society in Downers Grove a month ago, you'd see some cats playing in a confined space in the middle of the room. The rest waited in their individual cages. That lifestyle changed the cats' personalities, volunteers would say, especially for those who had been at the shelter longer. The cats weren't as friendly to strangers looking to adopt. They were stressed and more prone to illnesses like colds. The humane society's new cattery has changed that. The 15 cats who currently live in the space has free reign to hang out on the couch, snooze in one of the many cat beds or climb the shelves or ramp. They're happier and healthier, said WSHS Director Carolyn Mossberger, and because of…
tasha
8:48 pm on Saturday, December 8, 2012
Well when I was little at my grams she had a artificial tree nd it was the first tree I ever seen ... Now I am 23 and the tree is sittin in my living room for my kids to enjoy so ... I guess it means so much more to me then any real tree ever could . I think they should plant the trees in the forest and let them grow . more ›