Summertime activities can leave feet aching
Summertime might be one of our favorite seasons, but if our feet could talk, they might tell us a different story.

Health Calendar

July 23

Pets of The Week

Pet Calendar

July 26

Author shows the dark side of modeling life
As a little girl, Michelle Niemiec loved to wear cute clothes and pose for pictures. She'd play "dress up" and host little fashion shows in her basement while dreaming of modeling and becoming rich and famous through it. What she got instead was her worse nightmare.

Parents get 'kid sick' over summer camps
These days, camp leaders and family counselors say it's an increasingly common dynamic. It used to be the homesick kid begging to come home from camp. While that still happens, they've noticed that it's often parents who have more trouble letting go.

Talk a walk through some master gardens
For years, the master gardeners at the University of Illinois Extension Will County have answered homeowner’s questions about gardening, the types of plants they should grow, insects and diseases. Beginning this year, they will showcase their own gardens as they address those concerns.

Doctor supports natural pain relief in book
When Dr. Thea Flock was a nursing student and injured her back, she went to see a chiropractor after three days of pain medicine failed to fix the problem. She was so impressed with the chiropractor's results that she switched career.

Overcoming challenges of obedience training
With summer in full bloom, families are spending much of their quality time outside and, even those who choose to go fenceless want to have Fido by their side. For some, a fenced-in yard just isn't a good option.

Reunion reflects special student-teacher bond
In the spring of 1964, Kathy Viskant was just beginning her teaching career. That first year, she made such an impression on one of her students that more than 40 years later one of the original students sought her out.

Even Cavalcade goes green
Longevity has its merits, and when an event is backed by a 50-year history, you can expect that many people would sit up and take notice. The Northern Illinois Home Builders Association is again offering the Cavalcade of Homes in Plainfield. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the event, which was first launched in Naperville in 1958.

Greek pastor marks 25th year
There are some priests who only do their job and no more, said Darlene McCarthy. But the Rev. Stephen Bithos, pastor at All Saints Greek Orthodox Church of Joliet, where McCarthy worships, is not one of them.

Not all salads are a healthy alternative
There's nothing like a cool, crisp salad for a summertime meal, but what we like to think of as a healthful, nutritious green lunch can be a gluttonous, fat-laden artery-clogger if we're not careful.

Get relief from gassy barbecue

Fourth of July celebrations are this weekend, which means one thing -- barbecue season is under way.

Wildlife 911
Gracia Regas frantically made one phone call after another one to local animal-related organizations -- two ducklings were trapped below the sewer grate in front of her neighbor's house and needed to be rescued. She repeated this story, asking for someone to help.

Communities hosting Independence Day events
Communities throughout Will and Grundy counties will be celebrating the Fourth of July holiday with a variety of events, including picnics, parades and, of course, firework displays.

Easter Seals telethon

Every year, the Easter Seals Joliet Region telethon brings together a thousand people from the six counties it serves - and most of them come away with the same powerful message.

The wedding planner
The first lesson I learned from Suzie Stockwell was unexpected; she buys her shoes a half a size too big. While this information has little to do with her job, per say, it has much to do with how she accomplishes it while wearing heels. Stockwell is the wedding and event planner.

State's first green-built home in Plainfield
This year's Cavalcade of Homes event includes one house that is the first of its kind in the state. The energy-efficient Tiana Leanor model by St. Thomas Homes of Naperville is the first in Illinois to be designated a gold level green-built home.

Art group to host open house and sale

The Friends of Community Public Art and the Marsha Lega Studio and Gallery will host an open house and sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at 310 N. Ottawa St. in Joliet.

FDA targets false cancer help claims
The Food and Drug Administration is cracking down on teas, supplements, creams and other products that falsely claim to cure, treat or prevent cancer even though they are not agency-approved drugs. All are available for sale on the Internet.

Skin cancer therapy still elusive

ATLANTA -- An Oregon man, given less than a year to live, had a complete remission of advanced deadly skin cancer after an experimental treatment that revved up his immune system to fight the tumors.

Infertility rates rise as couples delay baby
The medical field of helping couples conceive children has changed drastically in the last 20 years, and Dr. Scott Springer is on the forefront. An infertility specialist at the Center for Reproductive Health in Crest Hill, Springer sees couples who are having trouble getting pregnant and having a family.

Treating diabetes is a family issue
At Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center, families who have a child with diabetes can now choose a treatment option closer to home.