To Your Health

Many of us take advantage of warmer weather by participating in outdoor, athletic activities. For adults and children, simple precautions can decrease the potential for injury. Two of the most important things to remember are to stretch before you exercise, and ice afterward to cool …

Charity Briefs for June 18, 2013

Here is a look at charity news in the Southland.

Evergreen Park teen doctors up her resume with activities

There are many opportunities open to high school students these days. Rachel Torrez, who recently graduated from Evergreen Park High School, certainly didn’t miss many of them. She was involved with color guard, varsity soccer and cross country, Snowball, student leadership, student leadership advisory board, …

A Thousand Words for June 17, 2013

A Thousand Words offers SouthtownStar readers the chance to share funny captions for photos.

June 17’s photo features President Lincoln while June 10’s photo featured a duck in a pool.

Think you can write a funny caption? Send in yours, and we’ll be the judge. …

Vickroy: Measure of a great dad: love, respect, support and the occasional act of heroism

Long before he became her hero, flying out to the desert, renting a car and picking her up at a small-town hospital after she’d suffered a serious injury, Kevin McCaffrey was his daughter Caitlin McCaffrey’s, well, hero. “He’s always been my hero,” Caitlin said. “He’s …

Stay-At-Home Dad: Battle summer boredom at Cantigny’s Tank Park

Sometimes heavy artillery is needed to battle summer boredom. Well, there’s a whole field of tanks and cannons to do just that at Cantigny Park in Wheaton. A group of neighborhood parents arranged a trip to the estate of the late Col. Robert R. McCormick …

Religion Briefs For June 14

Here is a look at news from Southland houses of worship

Homewood teen plans to tour the world with dance group

Head bowed. Hands steady. Feet planted, waiting. Her solo music begins. Her head and one hand lift toward the sky, as if she is reaching for her hopes and dreams. She dances from right to center, stretching her hands toward the audience. But then she …

Vickroy: Competing for 45 years, she’s still bringing home the gold

What makes Mary Pat Bekta special? Well, we could start with the 100-plus medals she’s won in Special Olympics events, in which she’s been competing since the Games began in 1968. Or we could talk about her compassion and love for just about everyone. When …

Pets o’ the Week for June 13, 2013

The Thursday Neighborhood Star prints adoptable pets each week. Area shelters should send photos; pet descriptions; and shelter hours, address and contact information to Jessi Virtusio at jvirtusio@southtownstar.com with “Pets o’ the Week” in the subject line.

For Father’s Day, a pairing for every patriarch

Forget the tie. Think bespoke booze for Father’s Day, specifically a beverage tailor-made to suit the hobbies father knows best. Of course, to do that, you first have to decide who, exactly, is your daddy. The type of guy who likes to putt? Or someone …

Serving for June 13, 2013

Here is a look at what Southlanders are accomplishing in the military. News includes Dolton, Lansing, Flossmoor, Olympia Fields, Oak Lawn, Chicago and Blue Island.

A fresh take on Father’s Day surf and turf

When I think surf and turf, I think rich and overwrought. It’s not that I mind big and bold. It’s just that I prefer them when paired with fresh and vibrant, especially as we head into summer. So for Father’s Day I decided to rethink …

What’s Going On for June 13, 2013

Here’s a look at what’s going on in the Southland. News includes Chicago Heights, Tinley Park and Crete.

Safety labels proposed for tenderized beef

WASHINGTON — Beef tenderized by machines before it is sold in grocery stores could soon carry labels warning customers to cook the meat thoroughly. The Agriculture Department proposed to require the new package labels and cooking instructions on the meat, which is poked with needles …