Keep Dreaming of a White Christmas

The National Weather Service is forecasting snow for a slight chance of snow on Christmas Eve, but Christmas Day is predicted to remain dry.

Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? Dream on.  The National Weather Service is forecasting a slight chance of snow on Friday and Christmas Eve (Saturday), but none of the white stuff on Christmas Day, the day many folks would actually prefer some powder.  Christmas Day's forecast calls for partly sunny skies with a high around 33 degrees. That night, temperatures are expected to fall to the low-20s, but still no precipitation expected. According to the Huffington Post, a winter storm that originated in New Mexico could turn into rain today and throughout the week.  Chicago's lack of snowy weather is part of a national trend, the Huffington Post report continues, as AccuWeather points out: only about 20 percent of the country is expected…

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Festival of Trees Marks Beginning of Holiday Season

Rialto Square Theatre is full of sparkle and light for the holidays.

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Politics at the Thanksgiving Table: Appetizing or Annoying?

Does political talk go well with turkey, dressing and pumpkin pie? Or does it just make for a dyspeptic holiday?

As you celebrate Thanksgiving this year, consider the the following. The next time you do so, the 2012 presidential election campaign will have just ended. So for those inclined to campaign at the Thanksgiving table, 2011 is it. But is that a good idea? Stories of political arguments ruining holiday gatherings are the stuff of many family legends. Whether you are host or guest, do you favor or dread political conversation over Thanksgiving dinner? Let us know by voting in our poll and sharing your experiences and your advice here.

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Bringing Wine to Thanksgiving Dinner?

Don't pair the wine with the turkey, look to contrast or compliment side dishes instead.

Catherine Anderson has a goal when she teaches wine classes. She wants everyone to walk away having learned something they did not know when they walked in. On Tuesday night, the attendees at the Rialto Square Theatre Festival of the Vine learned a number of things. Anderson explained that a plate of food on Thanksgiving probably has one or two slices of turkey, but the rest of the plate is filled with a variety of side dishes. "When you're going to serve your wines or pair it, pair it with your foods, not with your turkey," she said. She highlighted certain spices like cinnamon, nutmeg or thyme as good starting points. She even recommended a specific brand. "Columbia Crest Chardonnay always has a hint of nutmeg in it," she said. Anderson…

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Photo: Students Help Feed the Hungry

During last month's Red Ribbon Week, students played "penny wars" to collect money for Shepherd's Pantry. The pantry, which serves Romeoville residents, is a joint effort of Good Shepherd and United Presbyterian churches.

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Celebrate Safely: How to Buy, Prep Your Thanksgiving Turkey

Meijer’s dietitian Shari Steinbach and Silver Cross Hospital offer suggestions for how to safely indulge with the holiday staple.

Thanksgiving cooking does not have to be stressful. With a few simple touches, a great turkey will serve as the cornerstone of a pleasing and sleep-inducing meal. Meijer’s Registered Dietitian Shari Steinbach put together advice and a few techniques to make a Thanksgiving turkey safely and with a lot of flavor. The bird can induce a great tryptophan coma among all of your relatives, including the ones you like.   Buy the right size turkey People will need 1 pound of uncooked turkey for every guest. Add another half pound if you want leftovers.  Proper cooking time Turkey thawing and safety tips What's the proper cooking temperature for turkey? Other turkey day dos and don'ts Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet offers the following tips to …

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Churches Hope to Harvest a Bounty for Needy Families

Food drive slated for Saturday, Nov. 19.

Whether your family’s Thanksgiving dinner features baked ham, lasagna, enchiladas or a traditional turkey with stuffing, there’s no doubt the holiday wouldn’t be the same without a table laden with food. For families finding it tough to come up with funds for everyday groceries, let alone a Thanksgiving Day feast, there is Harvest Saturday, an annual one-day, village-wide food drive. Volunteers from four area churches will make the rounds, going door-to-door to pick up donations left outside by residents’ front doors. “We go around and collect it,” said organizer Terry Hinchey. “We do the entire village.” This year’s Harvest Saturday is set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19. Donors are asked to place their donations by their front …

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Promenade's Symphony in Lights Show Set to Open This Weekend

The Symphony in Lights begins at dusk each evening and plays every hour on the hour until 9 p.m. from Nov. 12 through Dec. 31.

The Promenade's popular holiday light show, Symphony in Lights, is slated to begin Nov. 12, Promenade officials announced Monday. The light show takes more than 250,000 computer-controlled lights and choreograph's them to holiday-themed music. The show, according to a Promenade release, involves more than 75 people in six states; 60 miles of electrical wire; half a mile of steel cable; 6,000 ornaments and more than 1,000 hours of computer programming. For more information on the event, CLICK HERE. The show was the brainchild of a group of artists and inspired by the holiday light and music show designed by artist Carson Williams for his home in Mason, Ohio, the release said. The Symphony in Lights begins at dusk each evening and plays …

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Food Pantry Needs Help for the Holidays

Supervisor expects 1,000 families to take part in this year's Thanksgiving distribution.

It’s a time to give thanks — and, as area residents prepare to gather around the table for a holiday meal, organizers at a local food pantry hope they’ll also consider giving back. Shirley Grzenia, supervisor at the DuPage Township Food Pantry, said pantry staffers are expecting a high turnout for this year’s Thanksgiving distribution, set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22. “We’re always looking for volunteers for that day,” she said, estimating around 1,000 families will sign up to receive a boxed Thanksgiving meal including turkey, potatoes, cranberry sauce, stuffing, vegetables and pie. Volunteers are needed to assist with setup and passing out meals at the Nov. 22 distribution at the pantry, 719 Parkwood Drive in Romeoville. “It …

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