Summer is officially upon us and the weather – in between violent thunderstorms – is turning warmer. And, with the change in the weather I've been covering a lot more outdoor events.

The other day while heading home from the dog park with Jack, I stepped off a high curb and heard a peculiar noise.

I never did a science project as child, but that hasn’t stopped me from venturing into vermiculture, or worm composting.

I’m on an environmental kick.

In the 1990s, DVD was the fastest growing technological phenomenon in history. People were buying DVD players faster than their parents bought televisions in the 1950s. Suddenly, high quality digital video made the old VCR look very old fashioned.

Growing up just outside the Southeast Side of Chicago, I remember our family trips to the city being gray and dreary.