Community & Lifestyle

Video-gaming couch potatoes are so yesteryear. In 2010, gamers must get on their feet to conquer feats in seventh-generation gaming systems. Two new consoles debuted this year with action-packed adventures for all ages to enjoy. Gift-givers, compare specs below to decide which gaming system will help loved-ones make all the right moves. PlayStation MovePerhaps “Move” […]

Do you remember the last time you used your phone to actually make or take a call? All kidding aside, the truth of the matter is that today we rely on our phones more and more for web browsing, e-mailing, GPS, shooting photos and video, tweeting or doing any number of things that there’s an […]

It goes without saying that 2010 is the year of the iPad. Despite the recession-y conditions in which it was unveiled, Apple’s new tablet device has been the most successful product launch in the company’s history – even bigger than the iPhone launch just a few years ago. Tech-industry analyst iSuppli expects nearly 13 million […]

One of the great pleasures of the holiday season is driving around the neighborhood taking in display upon display of festive lights. Decorating one’s home is a pleasure all its own, an annual activity made all the brighter with a quick stroll through some local seasonal shop aisles. LEDs are hotThe market for LED lights […]

Books open a world of discovery in ways even the coolest toys can’t achieve. This season, tempt a kid to turn off the TV and find an adventure in words and pictures on a printed page. These acclaimed titles were winners or finalists for some of the most esteemed awards in children’s literature for 2010. […]

Want a Christmas tree that’s more than just a reason to dust off old ornaments? Start by considering an overall color scheme, says Michelle Workman, a Los Angeles-based interior designer who has composed spaces for celebrities like John Travolta and Jennifer Lopez. Traditional colors like red, green, white, gold and silver never get old. For […]

Conserving resources, eating organic, using non-toxic cleaning products and recycling everything humanly possible – it’s 2010 and it seems like every household has gone green. The next step? Taking the eco-friendly lifestyle on the road – literally. From stylish bags, outerwear and outdoor dining accoutrements, to sun care, portable toys and transportation devices, this holiday […]

Auto aficionados tend to be a breed apart from mere motorists. No, motor oil does not course through their veins, but their interest in all things vehicular runs much deeper than that of the average driver. Tracking down gifts for a car-loving friend or relative can be a lot of fun. There are more nicely […]

Give what’s in your heart. It’s a phrase that, when applied in the figurative sense, precisely summarizes what most social service agencies ask of their donors, hoping that in those hearts is the generosity to donate precious commodities – time, money, supplies, tools and more. For the Central Illinois Community Blood Center, which offers the […]

Reluctant to dig out the same old, tried-and-true holiday decorations that helped usher in the aughts? Indulge. It’s time to switch up that worn-out Christmas routine. Head to the craft store instead, where, for a little money and just a bit more time, anyone can create handmade holiday decorations that truly inspire the spirit of […]