Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis Spotted in La Grange

E! News snagged a photo of the Hollywood celebrity couple grabbing brunch at the La Grange restaurant Prasino.

O'Laughlin Family: We Won't Forget Your Kindness

The O'Laughlin family writes a letter of thanks to everyone who pulled together to support them and the memory of their daughter, Kelli.

Thank You. Two small words, but they mean so much to us. Since our beautiful girl with the radiant, contagious smile was taken from us last fall, people have astounded us with their thoughtfulness and generosity in Kelli’s name. Kelli’s name is, in fact, now inextricably linked with those willing to help others in some way. It is fitting that so many people—of all ages, literally all over the world—have come together to not only support our family, but to raise funds so that others many benefit. After all, our Kelli Joy was always helping others, whether teaching and playing with children, giving her time and talent to schools, teams and clubs or simply asking someone sitting alone at a nearby lunch table to come join her and her friends. …

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Matthew Hendrickson

12:52 pm on Friday, April 6, 2012

Thank you for your thoughtful comments, Joyce and goirish.   more ›

Fundraiser for Kelli O'Laughlin Tonight

More than 46 area businesses have donated items for a raffle that will raise money for the Kelli Joy O'Laughlin Memorial Fund.

A fundraiser will be held tonight at Mattone Restaurant and Bar in La Grange Park to raise money for the Kelli Joy O'Laughlin Memorial Fund. The 14-year-old Lyons Township freshman was killed after she walked in on a burglary in her own home last month. Forty-six area businesses have donated items that will be raffled off to raise money for the fund that has been set up in her memory. "Everybody that we've talked to about participating with a donation has been happy and eager to be a part of the event," said Erica Alletto, one of the coordinators for the fundraiser. Alletto's brother Johnny and her husband Frank, Lyons Township High School graduates and members of the Acoustic-rock cover band Jank, were scheduled to play at Mattone …

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A Tree Grows in La Grange

A local real estate owner and the Community Nurse Heath Association are working together to bring some character to an empty storefront in La Grange.

An arboretum of sorts has sprung up in a vacant downtown La Grange storefront with the help of a local real estate owner and the Community Nurse Heath Association. Visitors walking by 8 S. La Grange Rd.—formerly Waterware Luxury Plumbing—will see a newly "planted" tree in the window. For Terri Rivera and Marc Cella, it's a great way to spread the word about the work that Community Nurse does and to bring some attention to a storefront with a lot of potential. “I think it’s the perfect partnership between a business owner and local non-profit,” said Terri Rivera, director of development for Community Nurse, in a press release. “[Cella] is letting us bring attention to our cause and we’re bringing attention to the stunning space he owns.” …

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Police Step Up Patrols Around School After Stranger Incident

Burr Ridge police announced Wednesday a report of an attempted child abduction.

Burr Ridge Police are stepping up patrols in the area of Pleasantdale Middle School after an incident with a stranger Monday afternoon. On Tuesday, a Burr Ridge police officer took a report of an attempted child abduction that took place at about 4:30 p.m. Monday. An 11-year-old student, who was waiting for a ride outside the school said a man approached her to offer her a ride home and tried for three to four minutes to coax her into the car by offering her food and transportation.  She refused his offer and walked quickly back into the school. The man left shortly afterwards. "She was a very smart little girl," said Burr Ridge Deputy Police Chief Tim Vaclav. He said students should not hesitate to report incidents like this. "Anytime …

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Mom Talk

Moms Talk: Echoes of 9/11

The place where parents talk.

On Sept. 11, 2001, I was in gym class playing tennis under a clear, blue sky when the first announcement came over the school's loudspeaker at my high school telling students that two planes had hit the World Trade Center towers in New York City.  The rest of the school day was a wash as some teachers took up discussions in class about what had happened, and others attempted to quiet the whispering between students and carry on as normal.  It wasn't until I got home from school and turned on the television that I first saw the images of the planes hitting the towers and then watched as they fell, over and over on the nightly news. In the 10 years since, it seems like the lives of so many people my age and younger have been shaped by that …

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Matthew Hendrickson

12:52 pm on Sunday, September 11, 2011

Thanks for sharing your story Mary.   more ›

Moms Talk: Brown Bag or Buy?

The place where parents talk.

When I was in high school, I'd get up late each morning. Generally that meant enough time for a fast shower, gathering my things and packing a lunch. When I was in school, half my friends would bring a brown bag lunch and half would end up buying food from the cafeterria—grilled cheese and bosco sticks were probably the most popular. So, when it comes to your kid's lunch, what's a parent to do?  As a parent, do you know what the cafeteria options at your kid's school are? Are you satisfied with the school's offerings, or are there some items you would prefer to see over others? This is not to say that brown bag lunches are necessarily healthier options for kids. For some of the kids I went to school with, packing a lunch meant not a …

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Heidi Renner, MD

11:10 am on Thursday, September 1, 2011

I know Cindy. Glad to hear all is well.   more ›

Don't Let the Dog Days Get Your Dog

With heat indices expected to reach 110 degrees, take care to protect not only people but pets too.

The temperatures on Thursday will continue to be oppressive. The experts all say it’s best to stay cool and indoors when possible and the same goes for pets. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory, which will continue until 4 a.m. Friday. The heat coupled with the humidity will create a heat index of 105 to 110 degrees. “This extreme heat and humidity can pose health risks for people, but it’s also a dangerous time for our pets,” said Adam Goldfarb, director of the Pets at Risk program for The Humane Society of the United States(HSUS), in a news release. The Humane Society emphasizes that pets should never be left in parked vehicles on hot days. The temperatures inside a car can rise to 120 degrees within a matter of …

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Mom Talk

Moms Talk: Hiring the Babysitter

The place where moms—and dads too—talk.

Every parent needs a night out once in awhile. But when it comes to leaving the kids at home, sometimes it's easier said than done. A lucky few might have a grandparent or longtime friend nearby who is available to watch the kiddies, but for many parents, a night out means hiring a babysitter. So, today, we're talking about babysitters on Moms Talk: For those parents who are long past needing a sitter to watch the kids, tell our other parents your best practices, tips and experiences. Got any funny, scary, or strange stories to share?  Tell us in comments.

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