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MY SUN DAY NEWS

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News & Features Columnists Editorials Hang Your Hat Obituaries My Huntley News

September 6, 2012

Columnists

Preventative maintenance to keep your fridge running cool

There are several areas of a refrigerator that need to be maintained to keep it operating properly.

How to choose the right dog to share your life

Are you thinking about bringing in a new four-legged family member to join your family? You may be wondering how to decide if and what dog is right for you. There are many options to consider.

A trip to the islands is as close as Schaumburg

During a recent weekend, our family met at Bahama Breeze to celebrate a birthday. Kristin, my daughter-in-law, chose this island-themed grill as the site for her celebration. It was a new venture for most of our family, so we didn’t have any expectations or pre-conceived notions about this place. At the entrance, island music and dĂ©cor set an appealing, feel-good atmosphere.

Ask an Angel: August 23, 2012

Q. My doctor suggested I change my eating habits. It seems overwhelming to tackle this but I see that I am gaining weight so easily these days and I crave foods that are really not good for me.

The value of friendship in difficult times

It is easy to get frustrated and depressed when we contemplate what we are experiencing in our current economy. Gas prices are on the rise again, not only due to the price of oil, but also the cost of ethanol which is produced from corn. Recent estimates state that our food bills will increase an average of $300 per year due to the terrible drought this year.

The Real Group does it all with only its voices

I love it when a new group suddenly catches my interest. This week, it’s all about The Real Group, which actually isn’t new at all. Born and raised in Sweden, TRG recently celebrated its 25th anniversary as Sweden’s number one a cappella group.

High cholesterol helps older Americans

The cholesterol craze is still in full swing. Some of the people who can benefit the least from cholesterol control are the most involved in this fad.

Go back to school with gardening classes

My Grandmother did something in July that she hasn’t done in five decades. Any guesses? She went back-to-school shopping. The process that leaves most moms feeling like they just got off a tilt-a-whirl, she went out of her way to do. She purchased a myriad of supplies including notebooks, pencils, and folders and donated them to children who wouldn’t otherwise have new school supplies.

Laughter by Paul: August 23, 2012

A man and his wife, now in their 60s, were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. On their special day, a good fairy came to them and said that because they had been so good, each one of them could have one wish.

Plenty of food, but Bigo’s leaves some to be desired

It came to my attention that there is, of all things, a Polish restaurant in Marengo! My curiosity piqued, I called Dave and Marlene Mahlke, who agreed to join us for dinner at Bigo’s Polish Buffet. They agreed to help us evaluate this establishment. The restaurant is located on Route 20 on the western edge of town. It’s about a 25-minute ride from Huntley.

Fix a leaky sillcock and change a shower light bulb

We have received two questions about leaky sillcocks; particularly the one in the garage. This can be a real nuisance because the water puddles on the garage floor. If a sillcock leaks when the water is on, you are in luck, as the fix is relatively easy. This leak is caused by a loose packing nut. To tighten it, remove the handle by taking off the screw. It is usually a Phillips head screw.

Ask an Angel: August 9, 2012

Q. I need to hire a caregiver for my father. I’ve been asking around for a good agency and have learned there are definite differences between agencies. I thought price would be my driving decision influencer, but now I’m not so sure. Can you explain the differences?

Making your garden a little more private

Several times a year I get a phone call in which the caller is speaking in hushed tones. At some point in the conversation, the reason for the call becomes apparent. “I want to block my neighbors,” the caller whispers.

Ice cream, the practice is worth it

The hot spell we just went through brought back memories of my teen years when I worked at my uncle’s ice cream store. I can remember the long lines of customers waiting in the heat for their ice cream cones, sundaes, and shakes.

The serious side of statin drugs

A function of the liver is to make cholesterol according to the set point of the body. It has a genetically determined level of cholesterol it prefers, and it will try to maintain this level.

Aging in perfect harmony

It seems to me an awful lot of this whole aging process is overblown.

Satchmo, the one and only king of jazz

There’s no way I can write a column about jazz and leave out the undisputed ambassador of this idiom, the man known as Satchmo: Louis Armstrong.

Malware and Your Computer

“Malware,” a term used to describe malicious software, is most frequently used to refer to a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software. Viruses, Trojan horses, spyware, adware, key loggers, and worm programs are all examples of malware. Malware is used or created by hackers to disrupt computer operation, gather sensitive information, or gain access to private computer systems.

Is you clothes dryer performing poorly?

If it seems to take a lot longer to dry clothes than it used to, it may be because you have neglected some important maintenance.

The reasons behind a dog’s bark

I was sound asleep the other night, enjoying a nice dream, until my four-legged alarm clock began barking at the top of her lungs. As with most dogs, my dog also feels it’s her job to alert me of any squirrel that may be running through my yard. When I tell her I am aware, she typically goes back to sleep, but this night was different.

Do you owe Illinois sales/use tax?

In 1955, Illinois passed the Use tax Act. A use tax (more commonly referred to as a sales tax) is imposed on the privilege of using, in this state, any kind of general merchandise, food, drugs, or medical appliances that are purchased anywhere at retail from a retailer.

Bringing big band into the 21st century

In a previous column, I wrote about the man most responsible for the big band era, Benny Goodman. This week, it’s all about the man I consider the BG successor, bringing big band into the 21st century: Gordon Goodwin and his Big Phat Band.

Staying hip and cool in Sun City

I love Sun City. I get to play with kids my own age. I still like to see an occasional man without earrings, one who limps like me in the morning and has a keg not a six pack stomach. However, living among our own generation has its drawbacks. You have to stay hip and cool or your grandkids won’t understand you and you won’t understand them. So, here are a few tips for living in Sun City without becoming a dinosaur.

What the drought spells for your lawn

“We have to do something about this!” my son demanded as we got out of the car. “Do something about what?” I asked. “The grass,” he responded. “Look at this.” I looked down past his size 8 feet and noticed what he was looking at. His obscenely large Osiris shoes were walking on ugly brown grass as we approached our front door. “We will not do something about that” I exclaimed. “When it rains, it will come back!”

Side effects of statin drugs

Taking statin drugs not only deprives your body of beneficial cholesterol for important body functions but plays havoc with numerous painful, debilitating side effects:

Don’t get tied up in external appearances

Q. I want to try water aerobics, but I have not stepped into a pool for years. I’ve heard so many good things about it from friends, but quite frankly, I am a little self-conscious about the whole thing.