Paul Sassone

In this 2015 file photo, Tim Hinrichs of California lifts his 6-year-old son, Alex, to rub the nose of a bust of President Abraham Lincoln outside his tomb in Springfield. Local legend says rubbing the nose brings good luck.

Column: A question to consider for Illinois’ 200th birthday – What does it take to become an Illinoisan? An American?

December 14, 2018 at 9:50 p.m.

What are you planning to give Illinois? This year marks the state’s 200th birthday. There doesn’t seem to be a gift appropriate for a 200th birthday celebration. Not a thing,...

It's easy to claim you're brave, argues columnist Paul Sassone. All you have to do is say it.

Column: Is Trump’s claim to bravery the way to voters’ hearts?

December 14, 2018 at 7:45 p.m.

Principles. I've got them. You've got them. The trouble with principles, though, is they can be complex and often are confusing. In politics, this makes it difficult to decide who...

Reading is a gift that you can give to someone in need.

Column: If you can read this headline, maybe you can help

May 14, 2019 at 4:30 p.m.

Sometimes we take it for granted that everyone knows how to read. This, unfortunately, is a false assumption. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates there are more than 30 million adults...

Column: When it comes to movies, what’s old can be new again

May 24, 2018 at 4:00 p.m.

Does Humphrey Bogart still make movies? With the Oscars coming up, I thought I would ask. I have no idea who was nominated for an Academy Award this year. Not...

What's the right way to make an omelet? The way you like it. Here, a Swiss cheese and mushroom omelet from Frances' Deli is shown.

Column: When it comes to omelets, have it your way

December 15, 2018 at 1:09 a.m.

My wife did something nice for me the other day. Not that she doesn't frequently do nice things for me. I don't mean to imply that. On this day, though,...

A homeless woman sits near her tent under the Wilson Avenue viaduct in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago on Aug. 28, 2017.

Column: On Valentine’s Day, consider spreading love to those in need

December 15, 2018 at 8:27 a.m.

Nobody needs candy and flowers. Everybody needs candy and flowers. One of these statements is true, and I always thought if I could only figure which one, I would have...

This cat may not be one of columnist Paul Sassone's, but he says they all have a special relationship with their humans.

Column: Pets occupy a mysterious, wonderful place in our lives

December 15, 2018 at 7:40 a.m.

Before arthritis savaged my legs, I would exercise for a half-hour every day. I mostly used to lie on my back and chug through a series of sit-ups and leg...

The Statue of Liberty is seen on Liberty Island in New York on April 8, 2016.

Column: Trump’s definition of what makes a good American excludes many

December 15, 2018 at 6:35 a.m.

I should pack a bag. I think I might be deported. I was looking recently at what it takes to be a good American citizen, as defined by President Donald...

Columnist Paul Sassone remembers a time when kids did some Christmas-tree recycling of their own.

Column: Kids are experts at salvaging the scraps of Christmas

May 23, 2018 at 11:29 p.m.

Here it comes. There it goes. Christmas. It arrives — and then departs again — so quickly. But kids are clever. They're pretty good at finding ways to make Christmas...

Books and recommendations on display Dec. 20, 2017 at City Lit Books in Logan Square.

Column: Winter is a much better season for reading than summer

December 15, 2018 at 5:01 a.m.

I've always thought we had it the wrong way around. With each approach of summer we'd be told that was the time to read. Newspapers and TV news shows would...

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