FEATURES
By Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz, Tribune Newspapers | February 8, 2012
Although it's best to leave the pixie cut or layered bob to the pros, amateurs can perform a basic trim if they need to save on a salon visit or cannot tolerate their split ends one moment longer. Elena De Vera, master stylist at Avant Garde Salon and Spa in Miami, offered tips for trimming your tresses. Degree of difficulty: Medium. (If you've never done this, it requires a certain level of bravado. But remember: Your hair will grow back.) Tools you'll need: Comb; sharp scissors; clean, dry hair — only the pros should cut hair when wet. To trim dead ends or overall length: Part your hair down the middle, and bring each side forward as though you're making pigtails.
BUSINESS
By Julie Wernau, Tribune reporter | July 19, 2011
Finally, Illinois residents can shop for electricity the same way they shop for groceries — by comparing prices. For the first time since Illinois opened itself to electric competition more than a decade ago, a website launched this month by the Illinois Commerce Commission allows consumers to see how much Commonwealth Edison and Ameren are charging per kilowatt-hour and if they could save by switching to a competitor. Consumer advocates say the site is a game changer, clarifying what has been a frustrating and confounding process.
NEWS
By Katherine Skiba and Deborah L. Shelton, Chicago Tribune reporters | August 13, 2012
The Mayo Clinic on Monday announced that Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. has bipolar disorder, the clearest indication so far of what's kept the veteran South Side lawmaker on medical leave and out of the public eye for more than two months. But Jackson's family, staff members and the clinic would not discuss a timetable on the congressman's return to work or specifics of his treatment. Jackson, 47, is up for re-election Nov. 6. The official diagnosis follows weeks of evolving information on the Democratic congressman's condition, which was first described as a "exhaustion," then "physical and emotional ailments" and later a "mood disorder.
FEATURES
By James P. DeWan, Special to Tribune Newspapers | July 28, 2010
A recently immigrated Irish friend was over for sandwiches, and I asked if she'd like a pickle on the side. She said she'd never had one, but would love to try it. She took one bite of the tart, crunchy spear — my favorite among the popular commercial brands — and proclaimed, "It tastes more like a cleaning product than food." Clearly, pickles aren't for everyone. But, for those of us who crave them, now is the time to get out the brine and make a batch of quick pickles.
NEWS
Mary Wisniewski and Reuters | August 13, 2012
CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. is being treated for bipolar disorder at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, the clinic said on Monday. The Chicago Democrat and son of civil rights leader and former presidential candidate Jesse Jackson "is responding well to the treatment and regaining his strength," the Mayo Clinic said in a statement. The clinic said Jackson was being treated for bipolar II depression, a condition that affects the parts of the brain controlling emotion, thought and drive.
ENTERTAINMENT
Chris Jones and Theater critic | August 7, 2012
Barbra Streisand will play the United Center in Chicago on Oct. 26. The date was added to the celebrated actor-singer's fall tour, which begins in Philadelphia on Oct. 8. According to Streisand's website, the show also will feature Chris Botti and Il Volo. Tickets for the Chicago engagement are slated to go on public sale Aug. 13. A so-called "fan pre-sale" will be available through Streisand's website, beginning Aug. 9.
LIFESTYLE
By Andrew M. Seaman and Reuters | August 14, 2012
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Eating a daily dose of cocoa or dark chocolate - rich in plant compounds called flavanols - may lead to a slight drop in blood pressure for a short period of time, a fresh look at past research suggests. Pulling data from 20 studies published over the last decade, researchers found that people who ate flavanol-rich cocoa products every day for a few weeks saw their blood pressure drop by about two or three points. That's far less than the reduction people taking blood pressure lowering medication could expect, but it's on par with the effects of adding diet changes or exercise to their routine, according to the researchers.
BUSINESS
By Patricia Callahan, Chicago Tribune reporter | August 15, 2012
Under pressure from consumer groups, the maker of a baby chair linked to infant skull fractures on Wednesday began offering parents safety harnesses for the 4 million seats it has sold, its second recall with federal safety regulators since 2007. The quirky and colorful Bumbo chairs, which were the subject of a Tribune story in March about safety problems, allow babies to sit up before they are able to do so on their own. But dozens of children have tumbled out of the molded foam seats and suffered head injuries.
NEWS
Irene Klotz and Reuters | August 17, 2012
CAPE CANAVERAL (Reuters) - NASA on Friday unveiled plans for its Mars rover Curiosity's first road trip, part of a two-year quest to determine if the planet most like Earth could ever have hosted microbial life, scientists said. The one-ton nuclear-powered robotic science lab landed in a large crater near Mars' equator on August 6 to search for organic materials and other chemistry considered key to life. The rover's primary target is Mount Sharp, a mound of layered rock three miles high rising from the floor of Gale Crater.
BUSINESS
By Corilyn Shropshire, Chicago Tribune reporter | July 23, 2012
McDonald'sis tweaking the look of its menu and drive-thru ordering boards, highlighting items that weigh in at less than 400 calories. The campaign, known as "Favorites Under 400 Calories," starts Tuesday and will run in conjunction with the Summer Olympics. The menu and advertising push marks the second time the Oak Brook-based fast-food giant has focused a campaign on calorie counts, following last year's promotion of breakfast items under 300 calories. "We've been looking at new ways we can provide easy-to-find and easy-to-understand, simple nutrition information," said Neil Golden, McDonald's USA chief marketing officer.
SPORTS
Simon Evans and Reuters | August 12, 2012
KIAWAH ISLAND, South Carolina (Reuters) - Rory McIlroy brushed aside any lingering doubts over his ability to be a dominant force in golf by storming to a second major title with a stunning eight-shot victory at the PGA Championship on Sunday. McIlroy's first big triumph, a similar eight-shot victory at last year's U.S. Open, was followed by a series of poor showings in the majors, including a missed the cut in his title defense and tying for 60th place at the British Open last month.
BUSINESS
By Carrie Kirby, Chicago Tribune | March 4, 2011
Public transportation is the frugal way to go places in Chicago. But as my brood has increased, my enthusiasm has diminished when it comes to dragging the kids, stroller and diaper bag up the El stairs. Sometimes I drive to family destinations around the city — if I can figure out a free or cheap way to park there. Fortunately, parents know all the best parking strategies, and the moms in my network coughed up some of their secret spots for me to share. I also tapped a bona fide Chicago parking expert, Mark Lawrence, cofounder of SpotHero, a start-up website that plans to connect would-be parkers with city parking spots, from residential driveways to downtown pay garages.
NEWS
Zachary Fagenson and Reuters | August 16, 2012
MIAMI (Reuters) - Seven doctors and three other suspects were arrested on Thursday in Florida's latest strike against "pill mills" and the illegal distribution of widely abused pain-killer drugs such as oxycodone, authorities said. Florida claims to have made enormous strides the last two years against the criminals behind a nationwide epidemic of prescription drug abuse. But the lucrative trade that gave Florida the nickname "Oxy Express" continues to thrive in some areas. The state once had 90 of the top 100 oxycodone-purchasing physicians in the nation and 53 of the top 100 oxycodone-purchasing pharmacies.