Parents struggle to find gender-neutral toys

Parents who hope to expose their children to different kinds of play, like science sets for girls and dolls for boys, for example, can find themselves stymied by a toy industry that can seem stuck in the past when it comes to gender roles.

SHELF LIFE: The Minimalists explore simplicity as lifestyle

There’s an old joke about how a millionaire on vacation in Mexico tries to convince a fisherman that he should start a business selling his fish, work 60 to 70 hours a week running it, make tons of money and then he can do anything in the world he wants.

Go for charitable 'adoption' as holiday gift

Buy a sheep, "adopt" a soldier or name a piece of rainforest.

Adventures in Everyday Living, Shorelines Thursday, August 2nd

Introducing a Lollapalooza Chicago weekend including filmmaker Michael Moore hosting superstar Kristen Bell and other luminaries at the 8th annual Traverse City FF and Michael Jackson's family plans a birthday party in Gary, Indiana.---Pat Colander, Associate Publisher and Editor, Shore magazine.

New Products for Thursday, March 22, 2012

Digging in

New Products for Thursday, March 15, 2012

Feeling green

DII's new Valentine Be Mine Glass Beaded Coaster Set from Amazon.com

DII's new Valentine Be Mine Glass Beaded Coaster Set is a perfect gift for anytime during the year. These 4-inch glass beaded coasters come tied with a satin ribbon and the weight of the glass beads assure they won't slide on surfaces. They sell for $14 at Amazon.com.

New Products for Thursday, March 8, 2012

Coasting

Study: Failure to collect online sales tax costs Indiana $77 million a year

INDIANAPOLIS | With the holiday shopping season set to kick off this week, a new study finds Indiana loses an estimated $77 million a year by not collecting sales taxes for online purchases.

Angela Ramos: "I'm a Best Selling Author!"

CROWN POINT | Crown Point's Inspiration Fitness Owner Angela Ramos is all smiles this week. And why wouldn't she as her book '3 Steps to Your Best Body in Record Time,' which she coauthored with fitness experts all over the country, hit #80 on Amazon on its official release yesterday.

Online sales tax could go national

SPRINGFIELD | Illinois' online sales tax law soon may go national.

Online affiliates threaten to jump ship over 'Amazon tax'

SPRINGFIELD | Online affiliate marketers such as CouponCabin and Fat Wallet are threatening to move out of Illinois if Gov. Pat Quinn signs a measure requiring major online retailers to collect the state's 6.25 percent sales tax from customers.