If this year’s glorious fall weather left you lagging behind in preparing your home for the current sub-zero chill, not to worry!  There are still many steps homeowners can take to ward off the winter weather and keep their homes well maintained, according to home repair specialist Bob Nettesheim, owner of RGN Inc. in Libertyville. Simple Fixes Nettesheim says that homeowners can begin with simple fixes, such as making sure  all storm windows are closed and installing new weather stripping around doors that are leaking air.  Also, ceiling fans should be running in reverse (for most fans this …

As the New Year begins, so does the annual ritual of resolving to do better…to be better in 2011. The reality, however, is that most resolutions – 54 percent according to a study in the Journal of Clinical Psychology – are forsaken within six months of New Year's Day. While this statistic may sound discouraging, local family therapist Michael Daly offers some practical advice on how individuals and families can make resolutions that will last throughout the New Year and beyond. Daly offers the acronym S.T.A.M.P. – Specific; Timed; Achievable; Measurable; Positive – to help New Year's …

The lists of top selling holiday gifts on the Web are filled with the latest electronic gadgets, hottest music and most stylish clothing.  These best sellers may not compare, however, to the best-loved presents of all time – handmade gifts that come straight from the giver's heart. While many people cringe at the idea of creating a gift from scratch, local retailers demonstrate that making something special by hand requires only slightly more time than searching and clicking for the right gift. When it comes to homemade gifts, those created in the kitchen are among the most popular of all. A …

There's no better time than the holidays to clear through unneeded items around the home to make way for soon-to-be-arriving gifts.  In addition, it's a great time to help the less fortunate and involve the kids in a project to benefit others. Kids can assist in selecting toys that are no longer favorites, clothing that's not worn and books that could become another child's bedtime story.  Don't forget to sort through the linen closet and kitchen pantry, too.  Many charitable organizations are in need of gently used linens; and area food pantries are especially in need of non-perishable food …

Ah, the season of giving is upon us and, with it, comes a whole lot of receiving. The holiday arrival of new toys, clothes, sports equipment and more from relatives and other gift givers makes this the perfect time of year for families to clear out closets, drawers, toy boxes and storage areas, but not just to purge – to recycle and benefit the needy, as well. Most consumers are familiar with the mantra "reduce, reuse, recycle" as it applies to product packaging and trash.  The National Association of Resale Professionals (NARTS) suggests a similar adage – recycle, reuse, resale – pertaining …

This Thursday, as families throughout Libertyville gather with relatives and friends, Mike Johnson will cruise the local streets, ensuring the holiday remains peaceful. Johnson, a Libertyville resident and 10-year veteran of the Libertyville Police Department, says that this year will be the first time in a decade he is working during the day on the holiday.  "I will miss spending time with my family, but it's part of the job," Johnson said. Johnson used to work the midnight shift, which he says didn't affect the celebration of holidays as much. His new day schedule, however, has required …

What parent hasn't gazed wistfully at the Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving portrait, Freedom From Want, and thought, 'I wish my Thanksgiving looked like that' or sighed at television images of contented children enjoying candied yams while their carefree parents glance at them lovingly? True, there are families whose holiday experiences approach Rockwellian nirvana, but for the rest of us, holiday gatherings require a little pre-planning to be enjoyable for all. This is especially true of Thanksgiving, where the bountiful meal is the centerpiece of the event for the adults, along with the …