Memorial Day BBQ? 8 Money-Saving Tricks (Sponsored)

Who’s NOT planning a BBQ this weekend? If the weather holds and you’ve got propane or charcoal, chances are you’re grilling something with your friends and family. Here, new ideas for keeping your costs down. Sponsored by Home Depot.

Here at Patch, we like to be thrifty, so we talked to two barbeque experts and uncovered some really good ideas to help you save money on your next outdoor party. 1. Start with a marinade. This means planning ahead -- say, Friday. But it’s worth it, says Rick Browne, host of Barbeque America on PBS, because you can pass up that well-marbled ribeye steak and buy a less tender and less expensive choice to grill like a flank steak or chuck steak. Just marinate it or brine for one or two days and then cook long and slow on the barbeque grill to break down tissues but maintain moisture. “You need to include an acid in the marinade, perhaps juice, vinegar or soy sauce, but avoid cola which is so acidic it can turn meat into a soggy mess.” Try …

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Illinois Tollway Expects 7 Million Vehicles Memorial Day Weekend

Construction activities have been restricted to prevent impact on traffic; temporary lane closures have also been suspended.

Information provided by the Illinois Tollway. The Illinois Tollway is expecting approximately 7 million vehicles will travel the Tollway system this Memorial Day holiday from Friday, May 25, through Tuesday, May 29, and is reminding customers to drive safely when traveling in construction work zones throughout the Illinois Tollway system.  Check out Patch's commuter central page before you head out on the road: We've got traffic updates and round-ups of the cheapest gas around town.   The Tollway expects the heaviest travel on Friday, May 25, when nearly 1.6 million vehicles are projected to be on the road. On an average day, about 1.4 million vehicles use the Tollway. The Tollway is restricting construction activity and suspending all …

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Celebrating Memorial Day in Skokie

A round-up of what's going on around town Monday.

Memorial Day is a time to bring the family together to honor our country's veterans. To showcase some celebrations around town, Skokie Patch has provided a round-up of events and tips. Please share how you celebrate in the comments below. Skokie Park District Hosts Rededication, Observance Dignity Memorial Shares Tips to Honor Veterans Share your Memorial Day memories and celebrations on Skokie Patch's Facebook page, or in the comments below.  

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Need Recipe Inspiration for Memorial Day?

Patch serves up some potato salad for the holiday weekend.

Memorial Day Weekend Forecast: Hot and Humid

Hot and humid weather will dominate much of the holiday weekend with the best chance of rain Friday night and early Saturday, and again on Memorial Day itself. The best days for that outdoor barbecue will be midday Saturday or Sunday with no rain expected

Saturday: Mostly cloudy in the morning with a 40 percent chance of showers/t-storms from 12 a.m. through 9 a.m. It will become partly sunny and breezy during the afternoon with a 25 percent chance of an isolated shower or t-storm from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.       Rain Amounts: 0.15 to 0.40 inches       Low temp: 60 degrees Fahrenheit       High temp: 83 degrees Fahrenheit       Wind: Southeast at 10-20 with gusts to 25 mph Sunday: Partly sunny, windy and hot.       Low temp: 65 degrees Fahrenheit       High temp: 91 degrees Fahrenheit       Wind: Southwest at 15-25 with gusts to 30 mph Memorial Day: Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of scattered showers/t-storms from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. 60 percent chance of occasional showers/t-storms from 9 …

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Memorial Day 2012: Scams Target Military

The Better Business Bureau is urging consumers and donors to be on the lookout for deals that seem too good to be true, and also for disreputable charities.

Memorial Day is a time to honor those who serve our country and remember those who have died in service. But sadly, it has also become an opportunity for scammers to target active service members and elderly veterans. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is urging consumers and donors to be on the lookout for deals that seem too good to be true, and also for disreputable charities. “The unique lifestyle of our service members makes them prime targets for scammers,” says Dana Badgerow, President and CEO of the BBB. “It’s imperative that we educate our service members and ensure that the support we give to them equals the effort they make every day on behalf of us.” “Donors also need to watch out for questionable charities that raise funds on …

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Weekly PatchCast: International Drug Ring, Memorial Services, & More

Each Friday Patch will highlight the area's biggest news headlines in the Weekly PatchCast. Tune in to watch at noon.

Click on the video to see what's happened in Patch sites around you this week: Skokians Connected to Large Gambling, Drug, Racketeering Ring. UPDATE: Judge Denies New Trier Senior's Request To Walk At Graduation. Behind The Scenes: Selling The 'Home Alone' House. High School Junior Creates iPhone App. VFW Post Pays Tribute On Memorial Day.  

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A Tale of Two Soldiers

Two Army soldiers from different eras reflect on what Memorial Day means to them.

Two soldiers -- each from different eras -- reflect on their time spent with the military.    Skokie resident Don Nilles enlisted in the military when he was just 17 years old. He would go on to serve in the Army's renowned 101st Airborne Division, also known as the Screaming Eagles, and did several tours during the Vietnam War. He would later join the Army Special Forces and earn the iconic title of Green Beret. The Screaming Eagles received their recognition for their brave performance during Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge in WW II.  Now 61, Nilles spoke about his pride serving in the 101st, adding that his father served in the same unit during WW II. And while his dad survived historical battles such as Normandy, he unfortunately …

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