Walk this way to nature events

Jennifer Pallay Times Columnist

Life starts to move outdoors this time of year and many local nature-themed events this weekend can help keep you busy.

Charities receive golden touch

Jennifer Pallay Times Columnist

It’s always exciting to open a real letter. It’s even better when you recognize the handwriting on the envelope and feel instantly happy, like…

Prepare for all 'Taste' has to offer

Jennifer Pallay Times Columnist

It’s the first day of May and it finally feels like summer, that great time of year when our minds drift to warm weather and daydreams about a…

Visit to state capital a worthwhile trip

Jennifer Pallay Times Columnist

“We are now traveling at a speed of 100 miles per hour,” the conductor announced as our Amtrak train sailed toward Springfield, Ill.

Appreciation well done at LARC dinner

Jennifer Pallay Times Columnist

Frank Sinatra sang in the background as chatter, laughter and good vibes filled the room at LARC's annual appreciation dinner Friday night.

All aboard the Springfield express

Jennifer Pallay Times Columnist

Indiana and Illinois seem to have an ongoing feud over which state can claim Abraham Lincoln.

Museum Passports make summer fun affordable

Jennifer Pallay Times Columnist

I have already started crafting my summer bucket list and it includes some day trips to local Chicago hot spots like Brookfield Zoo and the Mu…

Bribery gets you everywhere with Easter Bunny

Jennifer Pallay Times Columnist

There’s a secret to getting a great photo of your kid with the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus and Mickey Mouse. I just haven’t figured it out yet.

Flu bug can hop away any time now

Jennifer Pallay Times Columnist

Our household had its first confirmed case of the flu last week and I was the sufferer, or the culprit depending on how you look at it.

Marian students showcase runway style

Jennifer Pallay Times Columnist

Parents, students and staff at Marian Catholic came together last weekend to stun guests at their Evening of Excellence Senior Showcase.

Mall memories tie together community

Jennifer Pallay Times Columnist

By now I’m sure you have read or heard that Sears in River Oaks Center is scheduled to close in June. Last week I wrote a column that mentione…

Finding rays of sunshine in chilly hometown

Jennifer Pallay Times Columnist

My family just returned home from beautiful Florida, and I am proud to say that I can now add taking a 1-year-old on a plane to my mommy experiences.

Visit a theater near you

By Jennifer Pallay Times Columnist

Watching segments of the Screen Actors Guild award show got me to thinking about local drama and how lucky we are to have so much of it.

Birthday boy will always be my baby

Jennifer Pallay Times Columnist

When my son was a newborn, it didn’t take much to make me cry. One day it was a commercial for baby laundry detergent that said, “You have a c…

Open up little one's world at library

Jennifer Pallay Times Columnist

Baby books are painful to read out loud when you’re a writer. The stories lack cohesion, the wording is awkward and don’t even get me started …

Make 2013 a year of kind acts

Jennifer Pallay Times Columnist

Welcome to 2013. Here are my grand plans for the year.

Overflowing with good food, good hearts

Jennifer Pallay Times Columnist

It’s always uplifting to learn that one of your favorite businesses also invests its energy into its community.

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