9 Gifts You Can Buy Locally

Check out these gifts for friends, family and co-workers.

SEASPAR’s Holiday Spectacular WOWs the Crowds

SEAPSAR held its annual Holiday Spectacular Dec. 5 in Western Springs.

Editor's note: The following was provided by a SEASPAR press release.  SEASPAR’s annual Holiday Spectacular once again exceeded all expectations. Eighteen acts were enjoyed by the audience of 250 in attendance at the Theatre of Western Springs. The event was held on Dec. 5 and featured a variety of musical acts, dance acts, and skits performed by participants of SEASPAR programs. Kitchen Creations participants contributed to the evening’s festivities by making delicious treats for everyone after the performance. Volunteers from St. Francis Xavier School in LaGrange handed out programs at the event and also brought food to serve after the performance. Including the Kitchen Creations participants, there were 67 performers who demonstrated …

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PHOTOS: MacArthur Drive Lit Up for the Holidays

Homes along MacArthur Drive in Woodridge are a sight to see this holiday season.

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15.4M Cars to Use Tollway System for the Holidays

Friday will be the heaviest travel with an expected 1.6 cars on the road.

Editor's note: The following information was provided by an Illinois Tollway press release.  DOWNERS GROVE, IL - The Illinois Tollway expects 15.4 million vehicles will use the Tollway system during the Christmas and New Year's holidays between Friday, December 23, and Tuesday, January 3, 2012 - a three percent increase over the same period in 2010.  The heaviest travel is anticipated on Friday, December 23, when the Tollway expects 1.6 million vehicles to be on the road.  On an average day, about 1.4 million vehicles use the Tollway. To accommodate increased holiday travel, the Tollway will suspend all temporary maintenance and construction lane closures from noon on Friday, December 23, until 9 a.m. on Monday, December 26, and from noon …

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Send Us Your Holiday Recipes This Christmas Season

Woodridge Patch is looking to create a unique recipe collection for the holiday season. What's your best recipe?

Probably one of the best things shared is a good recipe, especially during the holiday season, where family recipes are passed down from generation to generation and become a staple of our year. Woodridge Patch is looking to create an extensive collection of recipes from Woodridge residents. If you have one, feel free to share by leaving a comment below or emailing it to Editor Melissa Tussing at melissat@patch.com.  Then, during the week leading up to Christmas, we'll post them for all to see! Your recipe could become the next big thing at someone else's family Christmas! And if you don't have a recipe quite yet, here's what we've compiled so far.  Cornflake Holly Cookies Ingredients: 1 stick butter  35 large marshmallows  3 cups …

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Vicki Zwart

9:49 pm on Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Chocolate shots are another name for chocolate sprinkles   more ›

It's the Holiday Season

It's The Most Wine-derful Time of the Year

Wine, cocktails and other spirits to make your entertaining season bright

With the holiday entertaining season in full swing, chances are pretty good that you will be attending a party or special dinner. As Emily Post will tell you, it can be impolite to show up empty-handed. Hostess gifts are always a great way to express your gratitude.  "Wine makes great hostess gifts or last minute presents," said Kelly Dean of WineStyles. "We offer a selection of about 30 different wines in our special '6 for $60' section, where you can buy any six bottles for only $60. You'll find a great selection of red and white wines with flavors ranging from sweet to bold." If you're looking for something a little different, Dean also recommends some seasonal, holiday beverages. Consider ChocoVine, ($12.99)  a blend of Dutch …

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It's the Holiday Season

How to Use Food to Set the Stage for Your Holiday Table

Go ahead - play with your food!

Use food to entice your guests, while setting the stage for your holiday occasions. Whether it's a house warming or a holiday occasion, food is the star attraction. You may be surprised that the edible goodies you serve can also be used as a form of personal and creative expression to deck the halls and the holiday table. As a bonus, they're relatively inexpensive and most are found in the produce section of your grocery store. So, get creative and play with your food this holiday season.

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Week in Review: Thanksgiving Edition

Check out our Thanksgiving coverage from the past week.

Woodridge Officials Share What They're Thankful For Check out a video of Mayor William F. Murphy, Superintendent Jerry Brendel and other Woodridge officials sharing what they're thankful for this Thanksgiving. Church Parishioners Donate Thanksgiving Dinners for Families in Need Close to 400 local families were helped by the efforts of nearly 100 volunteers from St. Scholastica Parish. Shoppers Forego Sleep for Doorbusters Were you up early Black Friday? We were. Turkeys Safer in Woodridge Than in Downers Grove, Lisle, Naperville Crain's Chicago Business gives the Chicago suburbs a turkey-friendliness factor. See how Woodridge rated. Thanksgiving Memories Filled (Mostly) With Football A column from one of our sports writers about …

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Bringing Up Woodridge

'Tis The Season to Be Surveyed

Gas, greeting cards and annoying relatives top survey lists.

'Tis the season to be jolly, for helping one another and -- for taking surveys? It seems like this time of year every company out there is conducting some type of holiday-related survey in efforts to get its name in the press. Honestly, I don't know how we average Americans are getting anything done with all these surveys we're participating in. But I have to admit, as a former public relations executive, I've conducted my fair share of these surveys and I love them! So without further adieu I'd like to present to you some of my favorite holiday findings -- care of those very prevalent surveys!

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