Community & Lifestyle

Floating on an inner tube in a lazy river. Thrilling to a wild ride down a twisting, turning slide. Riding a wave into shore. What says “summer” more than water on a hot, sticky day? Fortunately, central Illinoisans don’t have to go all the way to oceans, lakes or rivers for relief. Area water parks […]

If you’re a pet owner, you know life is a little sweeter when shared with your favorite friend from the animal kingdom, especially when you’re heading to downtown Springfield in the beautiful summer weather to shop, dine al fresco, or grab a beer and take in the sunset. Doug Mayol, owner of The Cardologist Card […]

ust because we consider our pets part of our family does not mean that people who come over to our home or live there next will be as fond of them, especially if they leave behind any lingering odors. Whether you are hoping to sell your house soon or just want to freshen things up, […]

One of the many considerations when welcoming a dog into your life is what to do when you’re away, whether at work or for longer stretches of time. The concept of boarding kennels has been around for decades, but doggie day care has become an increasingly popular choice for dog owners. Sending a dog to […]

What is it about finding young kittens that makes people want to do something right away? Maybe it’s because we know not to leave helpless, human babies alone. But kittens aren’t humans, and their mothers, though absent when you spy the kittens, may be taking excellent care of them. Stepping in and scooping up the […]

Don’t throw yourself into an all-or-nothing New Year’s resolution mindset, only to give up by mid-February, but don’t give into the temptation to relax your healthy habits over the winter with the justification that you’ll get back on track when spring comes. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for a safe and healthy winter season, says Dr. […]

Many of us grew up keeping diaries where we wrote of our teen dramas, current crush du jour and our most intimate secrets, though this practice was often dropped with the transition into adulthood. If you are looking to improve your mental health, you may want to get back into this habit with its shiny […]

Nearly everything about winter weather is tough on skin. Brutal, cold wind outside and dry heat indoors can result in itchy, chapped and even cracked skin. While the beauty industry has created countless products to help address these issues, some of the best skin care products might already be hiding in your kitchen. Sookyung Suh, […]

At the start of each new year, we are often inundated with messaging about diet and exercise. Several times, I have fallen into the trap of thinking that I have to completely revamp my lifestyle in order to fit it within a tight definition of “healthy.” In years past, this may have meant cutting certain […]