7 Jobs that Make the World a Better Place

Want to make a real difference in the world? Consider one of these seven "green" careers that help protect—and improve—our planet. Provided by Jobs at AOL.

The following story was provided by AOLJobs.com. By Debra Auerbach for CareerBuilder Have you ever had an itch to quit your job and instead do work that makes a real difference in the world? In honor of Earth Day on April 22, we've compiled a list of seven jobs that help people live a better life – from the buildings they work and live in, to the energy that fuels their homes, to the air they breathe.  1. Conservation scientist: Conservation scientists are hired to help preserve and protect natural habitats. They usually work with landowners and federal, state and local governments to find the best ways to use and improve the land while conserving the environment.* 2. Energy auditor: When a building is cooled or heated, it uses energy. …

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Western Springs Resident Named Queen of Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade

Bridget Fitzgerald was a top-five finisher last year and is the second St. Patrick's Day Parade queen from Western Springs in the past eleven years.

For the second time in just over a decade, the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be led by a Western Springs woman as Bridget McMahon Fitzgerald, a lifetime resident of the Village, was named parade queen at a contest in Chicago last week. Fitzgerald, 24, was competing for the third straight year, having placed in the top 25 in 2011 and the “Queen’s Court” top-five in 2012. At the announcement—a video of which is available on the parade website—she can be seen wiping away joyous tears. “I was just so honored, and that’s why I started crying for a second,” said Fitzgerald. “I’ve worked so hard for this—I’ve gone to every single event with the word ‘Irish’ in it in Chicago for three years, rubbing elbows, shaking hands… I just honestly …

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Follow the Midwest Snowstorm with Weather Map Radar

A storm is headed towards La Grange and Western Springs, the second in a week. As before, check out its progress towards us with our interactive weather map.

Another storm is heading our way, promising to dump at least another three inches of snow on the La Grange and Western Springs area, along with a whole crazy load of wind. As we did last week, we have a radar map from The Weather Channel embedded above so you can follow the storm's progress as it hits us on Tuesday. Keep checking back to find out how close it is and how heavy it's going to be! Get news alerts and Facebook updates from these Patch sites:

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Biggest Snow of the Year on the Way for La Grange/Western Springs?

Considering we haven't had much snow at all, any amount could seem "big."

UPDATED Wednesday, 3:15 p.m.: The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory in Cook Count from 9 p.m. Thursday to 6 p.m. Friday. Snow is expected to develop Thursday evening and continue into Friday, the NWS said Wednesday afternoon. The snow may mix with light freezing drizzle or rain Friday morning, making for slick travel. Storm total snowfall amounts of 3 to 5 inches are expected, with ice accumulation of less than one-tenth of an inch. ORIGINAL STORY: The Chicago area could see its "biggest snow of the year" Thursday into Friday morning, according to Accuweather.com. So far, we've received little more than a dusting, so is the "biggest snow of the year" going to be something on which we can sled? The storm has the…

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Area Flu Cases Continue to Rise, Reach 'Intense' Levels

Chicago and its surrounding suburbs are seeing a steady rise in flu cases.

Area health agencies are reporting that this year's flu season is particularly intense.   According to the Cook County Department of Public Health the number of people experiencing influenza-like symptoms continues to increase in the suburbs. Those suffering from the illness are showing symptoms that are much more severe than in previous years.   Drug manufacturers have also been feeling the effects of the increased number of cases. The makers of Tamiflu, which slows down flu symptoms, reported a shortage of the drug, according to Reuters. The CDC is reporting that the Great Lakes region is the nation's hardest hit with about 60 percent of people checked for the flu testing positive.  Google's Flu Trends page classified the flu rate in …

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Prepare for Severe Winter Weather in Chicagoland

This is Winter Storm Preparedness Month—takes steps now to be safe, and prepare your home to guard against weather damage such as ice dams.

Winter is nearly here, and in the Midwest, that can mean anything from mild conditions and little snow to Arctic blasts and accumulations of more than a foot. Regardless, officials note there is a good chance we will experience extreme winter weather sometime this the season, and they are urging residents to prepare now. Weather Advance Storm Center is predicting a much colder than average winter and some snow in the Chicago area and the upper Midwest. Severe winter weather can cause power outages, create dangerous driving conditions, not to mention dangerous wind-chill conditions. So the city is urging residents to have winter emergency kits for their homes and vehicles so they are prepared for winter’s worst. The Illinois Emergency …

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VIDEO: Obama Supporters Celebrate Win

McCormick Place is filled with celebration as the race is called.

LIVE from McCormick Place: Patch reports live from the Chicago celebration. Comments on this post are set for pre-publication review.

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Orionids Meteor Shower 2012: Tips for Watching in the Chicago Area

Shooting stars will be flying this weekend in the Chicago area. The Orionids meteor shower promises to be a show worth watching, according to info from the Adler Planetarium.

The offspring of Halley's Comet are about to put on quite a show in the skies around Chicago. Earth will pass through a stream of debris from Halley's Comet beginning Monday, which will give us the benefit of the annual Orionids meteor shower—though you probably won't see much until a bit later. According to Adler Planetarium, the shower is expected to peak in the Chicago area just before midnight Saturday, Oct. 20, and continue until just before dawn Sunday, Oct. 21. The moon sets early that night, which will keep the sky dark enough that—barring cloud cover—you should be able to see about a dozen meteors per hour, according to Adler's information. "Despite not being the most spectacular meteor shower, the Orionids have the most well …

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Patch to Open Soon on Chicago's North Side

Five new neighborhood sites in the city of Chicago will open later this month as Patch expands its Chicago-area offerings.

Patch is coming to the North Side of Chicago. Residents of Lincoln Park, Lake View, Roscoe Village, North Center, Bucktown, Wicker Park and Lincoln Square will be the first North Siders to get Patch's unique brand of news, conversation and community celebration later this month. Our web sites operate on the philosophy that an informed, engaged community is a better community. In the summer of 2010, Patch Media set up shop in the Chicago suburbs. Today, 62 Patch sites serve communities from the North Shore to the South Suburbs, from McHenry and Lake counties in the north to Kane, Will and Kendall counties in the west and southwest. For two years, Chicagoans have asked us, "When will Patch come to the city?" To meet the demand, in August, we…

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Weather Watch

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Tuesday Night: National Weather Service

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for our area tonight. Storm could produce winds of over 60 mph.

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for the Chicagoland area for tonight until Wednesday at 2 a.m. According to the National Weather Service, the storm system is capable of creating winds that could reach up to 60 mph. The big danger there is from objects being thrown into the air and from trees falling down. If you have lightweight outdoor furniture, it would be best to secure it, or bring it inside your house or garage to avoid it possibly ending up in your living room. Currently we're looking at partly cloudy skies tonight, but according to AOL Weather, the thunderstorms could begin to roll through out area as soon as 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday. It's looking like it will be a stormy day all day tomorrow and through tomorrow …

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Matthew Hendrickson

2:52 pm on Wednesday, September 5, 2012

You're welcome LO. It didn't seem like it hit us as hard as they expected, but better safe than have the trash all over your lawn! Storms are supposed to hit again tonight around 8 or 9 p.m.   more ›