Listen: Bonnie Koloc's creativity still flows

Bonnie Koloc came to the Windy City with a handful of songs, hope ... and a soprano voice smooth as warm honey.

Fixer-upper in Michiana Shores creates serendipity

From the first step inside this home, you can feel the energy – a vibrancy reflecting the couple who live here. Their renovation of this “fixer-upper” in Michiana Shores, Ind., was clearly driven by fearless imagination.

Ask the Expert: Spine Health

The spine is one of the hardest-working components of your body, yet not many people pay attention to their spine's health. Dr. Howard Robinson at Ingalls Health System in Harvey, Ill.

Acupuncture beneficial for mental health

If days are dull and nights are too long, if not much seems to matter, the problem may be the lack of an essential process in the body-and the answer may be acupuncture.

Are anti aging creams effective?

You lean into towards the mirror, and there they are – fine lines, a few wrinkles, some dry skin. You figure it’s time to buy anti-aging cream.

A dream come true

Deciding where to live is challenging for an adult-let alone a little girl. But when two kids vacationed with their families along the Lake Michigan shore for years, they both loved it.

Successful design strategy starts with clear vision

It was just over an acre of rolling land dotted with trees-the perfect site to break ground for their 5,000-square-foot house

Cottage renovation reveals hidden history

When Alene Valkanas and James McComb discovered footprints from the past on their property, they felt compelled to follow them.

The lost art of the love seat

An amorous couple pitches woo in a love seat built for two, a perfect little sitting place for exchanging expressions of devotion. But was the love seat designed for such tender pursuits?

Heart screenings can save lives

Maybe that wasn't indigestion. And really, should carrying a sack of groceries up a few stairs be so fatiguing?

Heart screenings can save lives

Maybe that wasn’t indigestion. And really, should carrying a sack of groceries up a few stairs be so fatiguing?

Success stories give hope for heart disease sufferers

Success stories for patients are among the most rewarding stories of all, for both the patient and the doctor.

Treasured Ornaments: Region notables share their favorite holiday decorations

We connected with a few people who were willing to share stories of their special ornaments, from comic to heart-warming.

Intro: Kay Hartmann, graphic designer, teacher and social activist

Seven years ago at age 53, graphic artist Kay Hartmann battled breast cancer and won—but her research about the disease has left her with troubling questions. Now the associate professor in art and design at Chicago’s Columbia College has poured her frustration into a collection of graphic d…

House and Grounds: Irene and Erik Fiskars' home in St. Joseph is unforgettable

Just one step into the huge foyer, with its polished travertine marble flooring and dramatic, floating staircase, is enough to convince anyone that the rest of Irene and Erik Fiskars' home is memorable. The St. Joseph, Michigan, mansion is 11,000 square feet on three levels, with an open fou…

Handmade, custom-designed lampshades are Delores Lewis' passion

Some 1,800 paper patterns, many yellowed with age, hang in neat rows on a long wall. This is the factory for Lampshades by Delores, and each pattern is for one-half of a lampshade, the size of the shade penciled onto the pattern. Incredibly, Delores Lewis herself designed each shade and made…

IU Health La Porte Hospital neurologist helps man in recovery from Guillain-Barre syndrome

The first worrisome numbness began on a Wednesday; by Saturday, Sherman Lute needed a walker to get around. His battle with a formidable foe had begun.

IU Health LaPorte Hospital touts designation as Breast Imaging Center of Excellence

Women getting mammograms at IU Health LaPorte Hospital are receiving services that go above and beyond ordinary accreditation, according to Dr. Smari Thordarson, a radiologist at the hospital.

First fright, then fight: Bladder cancer survivor tells her story

She was on vacation, and anyway, it was just a bit of pale pink in her urine. It went away. But when it showed up again a year later, it was much more than just a bit of pink.

Journaling can delve into the mind's subconscious

Journaling—is it just another word for a diary?

Nurse Megan Pugh receives national recognition for patient care

When Megan Pugh was called in to see her boss in May, the registered nurse at IU Health LaPorte VNA Services thought it was for a meeting. But VNA administrator Virginia Davis had something entirely different in mind. Megan walked into a reception in her honor, greeted by nearly 25 other nur…

'Twilight in the Garden' exhibit to raise funds for Water Street Glassworks

In brilliant blues, bright yellows and deep greens, the glass sculptures will seem to grow from the natural foliage in which they’ll be exhibited. Some mimic the flora; some resemble strange sea creatures, tall, tubular and gently swaying.

Children can be seriously injured from swallowing batteries

Next time you hand that old cell phone to your young child to play with, better think again. Cell phones, watches, TV remote controls—all can have button batteries. Kids can get at them and swallow them, with serious consequences.

Mansion or beach cottage—a design puzzle

If the architectural and interior design pieces of Jim and Judy Bibbings’ house were puzzle pieces, fitting them together might be perplexing. But at their Benton Harbor, Michigan, home, the pieces do fit together, and beautifully.

Fabulous features

In every home, the design feature that captures or creates a mood is the one people talk about. That's when the homeowner's heart and soul are rewarded for the extra effort.

LaPorte's Firefly Farm offers a haven of peace and the Old West

Renovations included substantial additions to the house, refurbishing the barn, and restoring - true to tradition - a 150-year-old log cabin set deep in the woods.

Fabulous features: These homeowners have an eye for the appeal

In every home, the design feature that captures or creates a mood is the one people talk about. That's when the homeowner's heart and soul are rewarded for the extra effort.

LaPorte's Firefly Farm offers a haven of peace and the old west

On 9/11, family members instinctively gathered at Firefly Farm, the Western-style compound of John Leinweber and Jim Laughlin, seeking the security and safety of the homestead set in the countryside of LaPorte County.

Going to Temple: Unique LaPorte business offers a welcome place for people to meet, enjoy music

Through the screen door at Temple News Agency in LaPorte, past and present meet like good friends.

Giving new life to a Victorian painted lady in South Haven

When a five-year search for a place along Lake Michigan's shoreline ended with the choice of a Queen Anne-style home, Dan and Mary Nulty were to discover the Victorian painted lady had her share of secrets.

Dan and Mary Nulty give new life to a Victorian painted lady in South Haven

When a five-year search for a place along Lake Michigan's shoreline ended with the choice of a Queen Anne-style home, Dan and Mary Nulty were to discover the Victorian painted lady had her share of secrets . . . some delightful, some suggesting she'd seen better days.

One on one with a pain psychologist

A pain psychologist is trained to uncover things that trigger or exacerbate your chronic pain, and give you ways of coping with things that contribute to your pain.

The practice of meditation

That nagging pain in your neck, the back pain that won't go away, the gritty strain of being under constant stress...each can be a condition for a medical doctor to assess. Or, maybe meditation is the answer.

Meditation takes practice but it may be just what you need

That nagging pain in your neck, the back pain that won't go away, the gritty strain of being under constant stress—each can be a condition for a medical doctor to assess. But what if, thankfully, all appears well, except for your suspicion that those symptoms would go away if you could just …

Ask the Expert: One on one with a pain psychologist

Dr. Stephanie Livingston is a pain psychologist certified with Biofeedback Certification International Alliance, with offices in Chicago and Michigan City.

Martha Cares and Fritz Olsen share their passion for their craft

Martha Cares and Fritz Olsen sit across from one another, speaking about the work each loves, and loving to speak of the other's work.

Blood test for ovarian cancer: Should you have it?

If you've heard of a blood test to detect ovarian cancer, you may want to learn more before asking for the test.

How to choose a dentist

You know it's time to choose a dentist - but how?

20 UNDER 40: McFadden serves clients, community with vigor

Having her former and present careers dovetail so successfully came as a surprise to Kelly McFadden, one of this year's winners of the 20 Under 40 Award.

20 UNDER 40: It's always Crunch time for maker of Love Crunch Bars

Sometimes one man and one idea can turn into a helping hand for thousands.

Calumet College of St. Joseph: New degree aims for jobs

Few regions can offer students what Calumet College of St. Joseph is now offering - a degree developed and supported with the expertise of a wide range of private and governmental entities, and with a unique advantage in preparing students to enter the workforce.

Bringing health to the home: Local agencies work to keep patients on the mend

Home health care may seem a natural extension of service after hospitalization when the patient still needs some level of care, but it wasn't always so. Things have changed, even within the home health care industry itself.

Therapy can help people with 'visual learning disabilities'

Ever since glasses were invented, "Eye care is always in a state of improvement," said Patrick Ferguson, optical shop manager and marketing supervisor at Lewyckyj-Taglia-Felton Eye Clinics in Northwest Indiana. "Every year there's new technology coming out."

Self-professed 'foodie' takes on weight-loss journey

Paul Wagner still remembers the fear. The Valparaiso resident had barely been able to walk close enough to cheer his sister on as she participated in the 2009 Chicago marathon.

LaPorte celebrates music with Arts in the Park

Arts in the Park music covers a wide range: bluegrass, jazz, swing, Chicago Lyric Opera vocalists, lively gospel, and more.

LaPorte celebrates music with Arts in the Park

Poppin' in the Park was developed to support the addition of a ninth Wednesday evening City Band concert.

LaPorte celebrates music with Arts in the Park

All Arts in the Park concerts are free for the 300 to 1,200 people of all ages who settle on benches, lawn chairs, and blankets to enjoy the performances.

LaPorte celebrates music with Arts in the Park

On Wednesday and Thursday summer evenings in LaPorte's Fox Park, Arts in the Park entertainment is surprisingly diverse. Under a canopy of trees sheltering a gently rolling landscape, music soothes, swings, blares, twangs, rocks, hoots 'n' hollers or rolls out in majestic beauty.

Calumet College of St. Joseph: New degree aims for jobs

Few regions can offer students what Calumet College of St. Joseph will offer beginning fall 2011 - a degree developed and supported with the expertise of a wide range of private and governmental entities, and with a unique advantage in preparing students to enter the workforce.