Female-centric clan celebrates power of motherhood

Between them, Marian Klean and Janet Leslie have knitted and crocheted more baby blankets, booties and tiny sweaters than anybody can count. That's fitting. The mother and daughter lead a close-knit family.

Classic Windy City fare drives menu at Livorno's
A new restaurant just over Naperville's northern edge conveniently makes accessible the iconic Italian beef, sausage and meticulously garnished hot dog regarded by many as mainstays of the Windy City diet.

Cook Mom a meal that will make her proud
Go ahead. Make a mess. This Sunday's commemoration of mothers and all they mean to us offers a great opportunity to dabble in the kitchen a bit, so as to put together something yummy to set before her with a flourish.

Elegant fare at Niche a group effort
There's no "I" in Niche. Jeremy Lycan emphasizes that the sophisticated Geneva restaurant succeeds through mutual effort. "It's not one person, working toward one person's goals," the accomplished chef said. "We all work together, as a team."

Kennel offers doggie aquatic therapy
In the same city that cancelled its annual Centennial Beach Doggie Dip, Naperville pets and their owners have a new place to get into the water together. This month, Kountry Kennels became the first business in Naperville to open a pool just for pooches.

Customers vent about what makes them fume
Oh, the adventures of dining out. What is supposed to be an enjoyable experience too often becomes a nightmare. From pricey side dishes to filthy habits to dining rooms run amok with wild children, the complaints run the gamut.

3 ways to have a spiritual spring cleaning
Spring cleaning is a centuries-old ritual, a time to get organized and energized. A couple of new books suggest that while cleaning out your house this spring, consider cleaning out your life - decluttering the toxic thoughts and relationships that stress you out or hold you back.