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With more time at home in 2020, people here in Chicagoland and across the country got busy working on their lawns and gardens. With the rise in gardening has come a renewed interest in sustainable gardening practices — which can provide you with the lush, invigorating, and relaxing outdoor oasis of your dreams, while minimizing any negative impacts on the environment.  Sustainable and eco-friendly gardening can mean adopting any number of practices, from avoiding chemicals that contribute to pollution, to opting for manual lawnmowers rather than gas-powered models. Broadly speaking, sustainable gardening really means adopting a mindful mindset and choosing methods, materials, and resources that can lessen your impact — and even benefit the local ecosystem. Feeling inspired to create a garden that gives back to the amazing natural world we call home? Here are seven simple sustainable gardening ideas to try out in your Chicagoland home this summer:

Each June, people across Chicagoland come together for Pride month, a weeks-long event dedicated to celebrating, advocating, and advancing the LGBTQIA+ community.  Originally started as an annual commemoration of the Stonewall Riots in New York City, Pride has grown into a huge event in Chicagoland, with parties, rallies, concerts, street festivals, educational opportunities, donation drives, and more events popping up each June. While last year's celebrations and activities were muted by COVID-19 restrictions, live Pride events are returning throughout the city and suburbs in summer 2021 — along with virtual and self-guided events perfect for those wanting to celebrate, reflect, and learn from home.  Interested in what you can do to observe Pride month in Chicagoland? Here are a few events and opportunities to get involved in the city and suburbs: 

Homebuyers here in Chicagoland and around the country are seriously focused on sustainability. According to a poll from Realtor.com, 85 percent of people surveyed said they would like to own an eco-friendly home, with 68 percent saying that they would pay more money for an eco-friendly residence. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to start making your current home more environmentally friendly, without breaking the bank. Reducing your footprint and making your home more green starts with taking a few conscious steps — from embracing smart appliances and programmable thermostats, to making mindful choices in your garden, to adding insulation that can help lower your utility costs year-round. And did you know that you can also help the planet while furnishing your home? 

For many people, purchasing a home is one of the biggest financial and personal decisions that they'll ever make. Buying a home is a significant undertaking, with lots of moving parts to consider — from the day you start envisioning your next home, to well after you walk away from the closing table with keys in hand. Buying a home can be particularly daunting for first-time buyers, including those transitioning from renting to owning.  Making the decision to leap from renting to owning a home is a personal decision. Deciding on homeownership will ultimately come down to your goals, your preferences, and your unique financial circumstances. Maybe you've decided it's time to stop paying your landlord's mortgage, and start investing in your own future. Perhaps you're ready to put down roots in a beloved community after years of moving from place to place. Maybe you need a home with space for your growing family. .  Whatever your reasons, transitioning from renting to owning is a big step — and it's important to know what to expect. Let's explore some of the ins and outs of moving from renting to owning a home in Chicagoland:

Did you know that May is National Barbecue Month? Memorial Day weekend is often thought of as the unofficial start to the summer season, and for many people here in the Midwest and around the country, that means it's time to fire up the grill or smoker and start cooking up something tasty.  Barbecue is one of America's favorite foods. While you'll find regional variations around the country, it's a hit just about everywhere. In fact, Americans collectively spend more than $1.36 billion on barbecue and grill products in a given year. 75 percent of Americans own an outdoor grill or smoker, and 60 percent of grill owners say that they get their BBQ on year round. A long-time presidential favorite with international roots, barbecue has a rich and storied history — one that keeps growing and becoming more special year after year, generation after generation.  Whether you like it smoky or sweet, meaty or plant-based, ordered from a restaurant or home cooked, there are lots of ways to celebrate all things barbecue in Chicagoland. Here are just a few time-honored ways to celebrate National Barbecue Month in Illinois:
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