Chicago Sun-Times Lifestyles

More chefs are growing their own produce

BY MICHAEL NAGRANT — Wed, 9 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

When Bruce Sherman, executive chef/partner of North Pond restaurant, was studying to become a cook, dealing with fruit thieves was never on his list of expected responsibilities. But for the last two years, some park walker, perhaps a rogue pie baker, absconded with the fresh blood red rhubarb stalks that grow in the tiny garden plot that abuts the Arts and Crafts style former ice skater's warming hut housing his restaurant.

Boating down I&M Canal leads to yesterday

Wed, 9 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

Abe Lincoln did it. Now, you can too. I'm not talking about becoming president. I'm talking about taking a trip in a mule-drawn boat along the I & M Canal, a national landmark that helped make Chicago what it is today. A new, full-size replica of a 19th century canal boat takes visitors on an hourlong, round-trip journey on a small segment of this historic waterway.

Early Christmas shopping helps mom save

Wed, 9 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

Although Christmas is more than five months away, the way Sue Hope sees it, it's not to early to start her Christmas shopping. That attitude has helped her save roughly $500 a year on gifts over the past few years, and its among the means the stay-at-home mother of five children, ages eight through 16, uses to keep a lid on expenses during tighter economic times.

Teen texts (@ least) 100 times a day to prep for title

Wed, 9 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

GL2U, Megan. That's "Good luck to you, Megan" in text for those unhip, old-fashioned folks still insistent on using cell phones strictly for talking. Megan Rach has taken the art of texting to the next level and might even make some serious cash for being "all thumbs."

$9.75M for mom of oxygen-deprived baby

Wed, 9 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

A west suburban mother whose daughter suffered a severe brain injury during childbirth settled her lawsuit with Northwestern Memorial Hospital for $9.75 million, her attorney said Tuesday. Rosa Lopez of Westmont said her nearly 10-year-old daughter, Madeline Maturino, will use the settlement for expanded therapy sessions and to continue her search for ways to battle the oxygen-deprivation injury that left her years behind her peers and struggling each day to communicate.

Voodoo medicine or help for autism?

BY CARLA K. JOHNSON — Wed, 9 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

Pressured by desperate parents, government researchers are pushing to test an unproven treatment on autistic children, a move some scientists see as an unethical experiment in voodoo medicine.

Boating down I&M Canal leads to yesterday

Wed, 9 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

Catch some Bard on the beach, in the woods

Wed, 9 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

A gourmet picnic, a little wine and some Shakespeare under the stars. That's a perfect summer evening in my book.

Travel Talk

Wed, 9 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

Bag a "fourteener" in high style with one of three Park Hyatt Beaver Creek's Hike Week packages offered this summer. They include three or four nights accommodation at the Colorado luxury hotel, hiking poles, a couple of spa treatments, some meals and professional hiking guides to help you summit a 14,000-foot-plus mountain. Prices start at $1,574 a person, double occupancy, for the packages, available Aug. 17-21 and 24-28, as well as Sept. 7-11; www.parkhyattbeavercreek.com; (866) 471-7658.