Real Life

Celebrate Columbus Day with the JCCIA

September 24, 2015

Happy Columbus Day! Monday, October 12, 2015 Mass — 9:00 a.m. The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii, Chicago Wreath Laying — 10:30 a.m. Arrigo Park, Chicago Parade — 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. STATE STREET! Between Wacker Drive & Van Buren Reception 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Casa Italia, Stone Park

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My friends and I thought it would be fun to visit an abandoned insane asylum, but what was fun turned freaky… #Halloween

September 23, 2015

I love Halloween. In fact, I live for Halloween. I wait all year for Autumn, because that’s when I know the leaves change, pumpkin spice lattes are back in business, and Halloween is here. With the territory of loving Halloween, I love scary movies, haunted houses, and real ghost stories. When I was in high school, my […]

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Your Fall Guide: Movies, TV Shows and Books!

September 19, 2015

Movies: The Intern September 25 The Martian October 2 Big Stone Gap October 9 Pan October 9 The Walk October 9 Burnt October 23 Spectre November 6 By the Sea November 13 The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2 November 20 In Their Eyes November 20 TV Shows: The Big Bang Theory CBS September 21 […]

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I Fell in Love with a Guy 30 Years My Senior

August 27, 2015

I met my boyfriend George* when I was out with my friends one night. We were playing pool, and he was playing with a group of guys at the table next to ours. Somehow, our games came together, and we all started hanging out. George was tall, dark, handsome, and… 55. I’m 25. The night […]

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Pumpkin Spice Lattes Will Be Back…

August 23, 2015

Although we all love summer, there are several reasons to love fall. There’s new clothes, TV shows, orange leaves, and… PUMPKIN. SPICE. LATTES. That’s right, our favorite seasonal beverage will be back at Starbucks on Tues., Sept. 8. Hell to the yeah! What’s your favorite holiday drink?

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12 Things We Love About the Return of Fall

August 17, 2015

1. All of our favorite shows are returning to TV. 2. Pumpkin. Spice. Lattes. 3. Layering our clothes. 4. Boots, boots, boots. 5. Catching football on the tube on a Sunday afternoon. 6. Dressing up for Halloween with our man. 7. Snuggling under a blanket and watching a movie with our man. 8. Going apple […]

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Venus Travel Inc. Agency’s President John Conenna: “I’ve always felt like I lived this business in the shadow of my father, but it’s a great shadow to live through.”

July 8, 2015

Where did you grow up and go to school? I grew up in Norridge. I went to Holy Cross High School, and then Loyola University. I played hockey for Holy Cross, and played hockey for Loyola. How did you begin working for your dad, who owned Venus Travel Inc.? I started working for my dad […]

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Polish Immigrant, Julie Krol, Talks Moving to America

July 5, 2015

Why did you decide to come to America? My best friend was working in Ohio and we decided to come to Chicago. We didn’t know anyone, and we rented an apartment in Logan Square. We went to work. We decided to save money, and take it back to Poland. But, after a while, we […]

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Writer’s Block 101

June 22, 2015

Oh, the joy of writing. It can be wonderful or torturous. If you have writer’s block, here are a few things you can do to help yourself get back on the writing horse. 1. Get Out If you’re suffering from writer’s block, get out and do something. Work out, drive around the block, or meet […]

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“Love and Appreciate Your Fathers.” #FathersDay

June 21, 2015

My dad and I never got along. Growing up, he was constantly teasing me about boys, my clothes, my hair, or my friends. Every day we would butt heads on something. I knew he was just doing this to be funny, but it truly bothered me. I hated arguing, and I hated being teased. For […]

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