Archive for November, 2009

Machesney Park hosts Outdoor Holiday Decorating Contest

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

From press release

The Village of  Machesney Park announces its annual Outdoor Holiday Decorating Contest, and encourages residents to bring holiday spirit into their neighborhoods by decorating their homes.

To make a nomination, residents can call Machesney Park Village Hall, (815) 877-5432, or fill out a contest entry form available at Village Hall, on the Village Web site, www-machesney-park.il.us, or send an e-mail to: lorim@machesneypark.org.

Village President Tom Strickland says the annual outdoor decorating contest always brings a competitive spirit among neighbors. “It’s great to see entire blocks of homes that light up with holiday spirit, and I’m looking forward to seeing what our residents come up with this year,” he said.

Nominations will be accepted now through Tuesday, Dec. 15. The top three winners will be announced and awarded prizes at the Village Board meeting, 6:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 21.

For more information, contact Lori Mitchell, village clerk, or Karen Lemmons, Community Development director, Village of Machesney Park, (815) 877-5432.

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Adler, ComEd challenge students, teachers to ‘Shoot for the Moon’ with essay contest

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

ComEd and the Adler Planetarium have announced the fourth annual Shoot for the Moon contest, awarding a grand-prize trip to Space Camp in Alabama for one high school student and one teacher who provide the most compelling essays about overcoming an obstacle in their lives. (Photo provided)

ComEd and the Adler Planetarium have announced the fourth annual Shoot for the Moon contest, awarding a grand-prize trip to Space Camp in Alabama for one high school student and one teacher who provide the most compelling essays about overcoming an obstacle in their lives. (Photo provided)

From press release

CHICAGO—ComEd and the Adler Planetarium have announced the fourth annual Shoot for the Moon contest, awarding a grand-prize trip to Space Camp in Alabama for one high school student and one teacher who provide the most compelling essays about overcoming an obstacle in their lives.

This year’s topic was chosen to honor retired astronaut Captain James A. Lovell Jr., commander of the Apollo 13 mission and the first person to journey twice to the moon, who overcame seemingly insurmountable obstacles on board Apollo 13 to return the spacecraft and its crew safely home.

ComEd is a sponsor of the Adler’s permanent exhibition, Shoot for the Moon, which highlights the exciting stories of space exploration and American’s bold plans to return to the moon. The exhibition features the Gemini 12 spacecraft and Lovell Collection of personal space artifacts. As an extension of the sponsorship, ComEd is encouraging high school students and teachers throughout its service territory to draft a 200-word essay about overcoming an obstacle in their lives.

“In line with our support of education—science education in particular—ComEd is a proud, long-time sponsor of the Adler Planetarium,” said Frank M. Clark, ComEd chairman and CEO and member of the board of trustees for the Adler Planetarium. “Space exploration is embedded in the fabric of American history, and the Shoot for the Moon essay contest is an optimal way for us to celebrate tomorrow’s space commanders and the teachers who today are sparking their interest in science.”

Participating students and teachers will have the opportunity to win one of three prizes, including:

• Grand Prize: Separate, all-expenses paid trip to Space Camp at the U.S. Rock and Space Center in Alabama will be awarded to one student and one teacher.

• Runner-Up Prizes: One-year family membership to the Adler Planetarium will be awarded to two students and two teachers.

Teacher and student entries are separate; winning teacher and student do not have to come from the same school. The winning teacher does not have to be the teacher of the winning student.

Students and teachers can sign up for the contest by visiting www.ComEd.com/moon. Entries must be submitted by Jan. 31, 2010. The winners will be announced April 1, 2010.

Last year’s student winner, Azza Cohen, a junior at Highland Park High School, gives five tips for students on creating a successful essay:

1. Don’t worry about the word limit until you’ve finished writing. That way you can get all your ideas out and cut the words, but not the ideas.

2. Plan ahead: Write a focused outline with the key points of how you have been able to “shoot for the moon” in your own life.

3. Write honestly. Dig deep and think about the challenges that you have been able to overcome.

4. Relax and enjoy! I love writing, especially about people who have inspired me. If you’re reading this, I’m guessing you do, too. Breathe deeply and try your best. This is an incredible opportunity.

5. Visit the Adler Planetarium…it’s a space-tastic place!

“Forty years ago, Jim Lovell inspired the world with his leadership and perseverance in returning the Apollo 13 spacecraft and its crew safely home,” said Adler President Paul H. Knappenberger Jr., Ph.D. “We honor this American hero and share his life story in Shoot for the Moon, a permanent museum exhibition.

Inspired as a child to pursue a dream, Lovell overcame many obstacles in becoming a pilot and, ultimately, one of the first astronauts. This year, we honor his spirit and ask students and teachers to share their inspirational stories. We are grateful to ComEd for their sponsorship of this exciting contest and its continued support of the Adler’s mission to inspire the next generation of explorers.”

Captain Lovell will serve on the panel of essay judges, along with Frank Clark, chairman and CEO of ComEd; Rep. Fred Crespo, vice chairman of the Illinois House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee; Lula Ford, commissioner with the Illinois Commerce Commission; Paul Knappenberger, president of the Adler Planetarium; Tamara O’Shaughnessy, editor of Chicago Parent magazine; Phil Thompson, editor of The Mash; and LeAnn Trotter, reporter at NBC-5.

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Nov. 24 Winnebago County Board briefs

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

By Stuart R. Wahlin
Staff Writer

Ordinance

Winnebago County Board members authorized Nov. 24 the issuance of collateralized single-family mortgage revenue bonds as part of the county’s low-to-moderate-income homebuyer program.

Resolutions

The board approved up to $30,000 as continued funding for the Illinois State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor (ILSAAP) program in the county for the 2010 fiscal year. Appellate prosecutors are assigned to cases in which the state’s attorney’s office may have a conflict of interest.

Board members also approved a resolution to declare support of a regional policy among county municipalities to collaborate for a unified vision regarding economic development, such as when incentives should be offered.

Vacancy declared

A vacancy was declared for the seat of Randy Olson (R-1), who resigned to accept a job as the Law Enforcement Aviation Coalition’s (LEAC) chief pilot—a county position (read “Comings and goings on county board”).

Art donated

Former Winnebago County Recorder Ken Staaf (D) donated two paintings of Abraham Lincoln and one of the county’s old courthouse for display in county buildings. The art, painted by Staaf, was previously displayed in the recorder’s office before his retirement.

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Eureka! Classifieds for week of Nov. 25-Dec. 1

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

REAL ESTATE

Apartments

NORTHWEST, 1-bath apartments: 1- bedroom, $485 & 2-bedroom from $550. On bus line near stores, library, & hospital. A/C, coin laundry. HEAT, WATER, & GARBAGE included. No pets. Pay rent for December, and get 1/2 month’s rent in January free. Some Sec. 8 OK. Discount for handyman manager. 815/382-7667. 12/9

2206 AUBURN ST. – 1-Bedroom ($425) and 2-bedroom ($525) apartments. Clean, newly painted and renovated. Spacious rooms, hardwood floors. Tenants responsible for gas and electric. Laundry hookup and storage in basement. First month’s rent and Deposit to move in. 964-0102. TFN

1-BEDROOM APARTMENT – Alpine & Harrison location. $445 + deposit. Heat included. 815/703-4875. 12/2

1-BEDROOM APARTMENT: Spacious, clean, quiet neighbors. Convenient location, laundry hook-ups, & large private storage area. $450 deposit, $450 rent. 1205 39th Ave. 815/520-4909 or 563/505-2661. 11/25

1-BEDROOM- Lower unit. 409 9th Street. $400/mo. 815/226-8644. 12/9

2206 SEVENTH ST. ROCKFORD. 1-bedroom apartment. $385/month, $385/deposit. 815/222-7658. 12/9

1- & 2-BEDROOM APARTMENTS: $450 & up. NW & NE. Nice, clean, remodeled, washer & dryer. 815/988-1121, 815/222-0077. 12/2

Remodeled Apartments- Deposit Special. 1-bed, $395-$550.2-bed, $495-$595. 815-964-6270 . 11/25

524 LAFAYETTE AVE. – 2-bedroom apartment, hardwood floors, good neighborhood. $525 plus deposit. 815/964-0102. TFN

NICE REMODELED 2-BEDROOM with hardwood floors. $475/month, $250 security deposit. 517 College Ave. 773/419-6166. 12/16

NICE 2-BEDROOM - Large rooms. $475 + deposit. Renter pays electric. 608/312-1193. 12/9

2-BEDROOM, 1-BATH: Garage, stove & refrigerator furnished, basement, NW Rockford. $625/month + deposit. No Pets. 815/963-2543. 12/9

2-BEDROOM- $500/month, deposit. Nice, newly-renovated unit. Tenant pays gas & electric. Laundry, parking, & storage. 815/964-0344. 12/9

2-BEDROOM APARTMENT – 2nd floor, living room, dining room, office, fireplace, central air, screened-in porch, indoor parking – $700. No smoking, No pets. 1620 Benton St. 815/965-7246. 12/9

APARTMENTS FOR RENT - 1, 2, 3, and 4-bedrooms available. Please call 815/979-9016. 12/9

2-BEDROOM APARTMENT – Alpine & Harrison location. Carport, central air, new kitchen floor. $540 + deposit. 815/703-4875. 12/2

NORTHEAST, 2-BEDROOM, 1-bath apartment. Across from golf course. Air conditioning, carport, coin laundry, heated, non-smoking. From $595/month. Water and garbage included. Get 1 month FREE with excellent credit! 815/262-4332, 815/382-7667. 12/9

SE SIDE Spacious 2-bedroom, upper with living room, dining room, finished & heated rear porch room, carpet & hardwood floors, freshly painted. Appliances included, laundry hook-ups in basement, garage available. $550/mo. + deposit. 847/912-1687. 11/25

(2) SE 3-BEDROOM UPPERS - Ready to move in, $550-$600. 815/914-1337. 12/2

Duplexes

2-BEDROOM DUPLEX FOR RENT - 3330 Sunnyside, Rockford, northwest, full basement. $450/mo. + deposit. 815/962-3344. 12/16

2-BEDROOM DUPLEX NEAR ST. ANTHONY’S HOSPITAL – Lower level exposed, refrigerator, stove, washer & dryer included. $680/mo. + deposit. Available Jan. 1st. For more information contact 815/962-7500 or 815/885-4398. 12/9

Houses

AWESOME BRICK 1-BEDROOM HOUSE SE $550. Groundlevel entrance, off-street parking. Senior discount, Sec 8 Welcome. 815-964-6270. 11/25

3129 BLACKSTONE. Single-family house. Very nice. 2-car garage. $550/mo. 815/978-4567 or 815/378-3296. 12/9

233 GRAND AVE: 2-bedroom, huge yard, $625/mo. LovesPark. Near elementary school. 815/226-8644. 12/9

2-BEDROOM, 1½ BATH – $600/mo. + deposit. Immediate occupancy. Sec. 8 OK. 815/654-7551 or 815/243-2110. 12/2

2-BEDROOM with family room for sale or rent. 332 Huron, Machesney Park. Large fenced-in yard, garage, $725/mo. or buy for $78,500. 815/978-4475. 11/25

3-BEDROOM, 1-BATH – Fireplace, finished basement, fenced yard, 1-car garage. Great location. 815/964-0102. TFN

7504 CADET – MACHESNEY PARK: 3-bedroom, kitchen, living room, dining room, 1-bath. $775. 815/978-4567 or 815/378-3296. 12/9

3-BEDROOM FARMHOUSE near Oregon in Oregon school district. 815/874-2033. 11/25

LARGE 5 -BEDROOM 2.5 bath Nice NW neighborhood, remodeled $1050. 815-964-6270. 11/25

3-BEDROOM 2½-CAR GARAGE Fenced yard. 815 Colonial. $825/mo. or $81,500. 815/978-4475. 12/2

HOMES FOR RENT: ***FREE Foreclosure Listings *** Over 400,000 properties nationwide. LOW Down Payment. Call NOW! 1-800-785-4121. (MCN)

Roommate Wanted

SENIOR CITIZEN looking for roommate with a car to share house in Beloit. 608/299-8127. 11/25

ONE MILE FROM CHERRYVALE MALL - roommateS wanted. Quiet neighborhood, furnished appliances, utilities. $325/$365. 815/299-1703. 12/16

Commercial Rental

FOR LEASE: OFFICE/RETAIL SPACE - N. Second St., Machesney Park. 815/558-9019. 12/9

3 storefronts available. Will build to suit. 917 S. Main. Each space 1,400 sq.ft. mol. Contact Kerry Knodle, CCS, Inc. 815/963-6236, kknodle@youthbuildrockford.org . TFN

COMMERCIAL SPACE – 1500 sqft. $495. Loves Park, IL. 815/621-6937. 12/2

COMMERCIAL SPACE, 1800 sq.ft. Garage door, 10×12 feet. Charles St. – 20th area. $695. 815/621-6937, 815/621-5100. 12/2

FREE RENT FOR 2 MONTHS! 408 Mulberry. Large window, near bus stop, just off Church St., 352 sq.ft. raw office/retail space available—you finish to suit, plus 162 sq.ft unfinished basement. Single bathroom. Includes water, A.C. and heat. You pay electric. Dumpster negotiable. Application, credit check, criminal background, rental references, resume required. $500 deposit and $500 per month rent after 2 months. 2 year lease. Call Frank or Marilyn, 815-964-9767. TFN

Vacation Rental

FOR RENT JANUARY 2010: 2-bedroom, 1-bath home on canal in Bonita Springs, FL. A fun 55 & older park. Offers clubhouse, swimming pool, hot tub, shuffle board, tennis, & boat ramp. Call 608/295-0121 or stateprint@aol.com. 11/25

BRANSON FALL SPECIAL: Only $127.00 for 2 adults, 4 Days & 3 Nights Hotel with 2 Show Tickets. CHRISTMAS shows Available! Call Today – Won’t Last! www.STAYSAVERS.com, 888-257-1996. (MCN)

Timeshare

SELL/RENT YOUR TIMESHARE NOW!!! Maintenance fees too high? Need Cash? Sell your unused timeshare today. No Commissions or Broker Fees. Free Consultation www.sellatimeshare.com . 1-877-494-8246. N-11/25

TIMESHARE OWNERS. Ready to sell? Start today with a FREE market analysis and price report. Call Toll-Free 1-866-323-5671 or visit www.FreeResort
Report.com Vacation Property Resellers. (MCN)

Homes For Sale

MOBILE HOME FOR SALE- OWNER WILL FINANCE! Low Down Payment, Easy Qualify, Good Park. (815)298-6121. M.R.A.A. 12/02

5-BEDROOM, 2-CAR GARAGE – 3031 Gladstone Ave. Rkfd. Financing & IRS credit available. $82,900. 815/742-3690. 12/2

BECOME A HOMEOWNER 100% Available. Low Fixed Rates Prior Bankruptcy ok. Government Loan Expert. WWW.WYKOFFMORTGAGE.COM (888) 833-2181 616 S. Grand W. Springfield, IL 62704 IL Res. Mtg. Licensee EHL. (ICAN)

*BUY FORECLOSURES* Use our Money! Split Bit Profits! You Find, We Fund! Free Kit: 800-854-1952 x 81. N-11/25

Lots for Sale

POPLAR GROVE CANDLEWICK LAKE – Large vacant lat. Sewer water improved. Ready to build or for investment. $9,500. Very low down payment. Broker-owned. 815/621-5406. 12/9

TENNESSEE LAND 100% FINANCING – NO CLOSING COSTS, NO CREDIT CHECKS on all residential homesites, 1 acre to 5 acres fully developed, close to town. Call 1-888-811-2158. N-11/25

STEEL BUILDINGS: Factory Direct 4 only 40×40, 60×90, 80×120, 100×150 You Choose Color, Selling For Balance Owed 800-211-9593 Ask for Owen. (MCN)

LAND FORECLOSURE SOUTHERN COLORADO 35 Acres – $29,900 Rocky Mtn. views, Warranty Deed Survey, Utilities. Enjoy 300 days of sunshine. Low down payment. CALL TODAY! 1-866-696-5263 x5359 www.coloradolandbargains.com.

Houses Wanted

CASH FOR UGLY AND UNWANTED HOUSES! Immediate closing. 815/509-9416. Call NOW!

Autos For Sale

1985 CHEVY ½-TON PICKUP with cap, good rubber, no rust. $1,750 OBO. 815/332-5853. 11/25

1992 HONDA CIVIC – 4-door, mostly highway miles, super clean! $1,995. 815/262-9096. 12/2

2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP 1500- V-8 magnum, weather-guard highside tool box & ladder racks, dark blue. Runs and Looks Great! 40,000 miles. $5,500. 815/873-1913 or 815/708-5297. 11/25

2002 GMC SAVANNA G2500 fullsize van- Includes all inside shelving, cargo side door, rust-free, runs great! Dark blue, 119,000 original miles. $4,200. 815/873-1913 or 815/708-5297. 11/25

Motorcycles

WANTED OLD JAPANESE MOTORCYCLES KAWASAKI Z1-900 (KZ900)1972-1976, KZ1000 (1976-1980), KZ1000R (1982,1983), Z1R, S1-250, S2-350, S3-400, H1-500, H2-750, HONDA CB750 (1969-1975), SUZUKI GS400, GT380, CASH PAID, FREE NATIONWIDE PICKUP. 1-800-772-1142, 310-721-0726. (MCN)

Auto Parts and Accessories

TRAILER- Tandem axle. 77” x 16’, lights & title. $995 OBO. 815/968-1780. 12/9

(2) WEATHERGUARD TOOL BOXES for truck, 90in. long, white, $200 each. Ladder rack for van, $100. 815/874-1953. 12/2

9.5 HP EVENRUDE BOAT MOTOR, $65. Sears chipper/shredder, $65. 815/874-2033. 11/25

Recreational Vehicles

16FT. SEARAY BOAT with 150HP, Evenrude motor. Needs work, $800. 815/299-1703. 12/9

2002 YAMAHA SXR 700 – Snowmobile, 525 miles, great condition, heated hand grips, studded track. $3,500. 815/966-0228. 12/9

1996 POLARIS XLT Special Snowmobile- 600cc, triple. Ready to ride. Cobra windshield. Fast. $1,700. 815/703-6616. 11/25

2005 HITCHHIKER II - Like new! Used 3 days. 700 miles. 4 floor slides, audio/video, fireplace. 815/654-9658. 11/25

2006 PALOMINO 5TH WHEEL Series M-829RL 29′ x 7’6″ Slide-out, many options. $15,500 Call 815/979-6803. 11/25

Auto Appraisals

AREA’S HIGHEST CREDENTIALED CERTIFIED ANTIQUE AUTO APPRAISERS. Established 1966. Collector Car Appraisals, Toll free New number 888/724-3211 ext. 100118. Credit cards welcome. On the web at www.carappraisals.com. TFN

Autos Wanted

WANTED: FULL SIZE cheap Chevy pickup. Automatic, 4×4, V-8 motor. Condition not important. 815/703-6616. 11/25

DONATE YOUR CAR – HELP CHILDREN WITH CAMP AND EDUCATION. Quickest Towing. Non-Runners/Title Problems OK. Free Vacation/Cruise Voucher. Special Kids Fund 1-866-448-3865. N-11/25

AAAA ** DONATION Donate your Car Boat or Real Estate. IRS Tax Deductible. Free Pick-up/Tow. Any Model/Condition. Help Under Privileged Children. Outreach Center. 1-800-928-7566N-11/25

DONATE YOUR CAR…To The Cancer Fund of America. Help Those Suffering With Cancer Today. Free Towing and Tax deductible. 1-800-835-9372 www.cfoa.org . N-11/25

DONATE YOUR CAR! Breast Cancer Research foundation! Most highly rated breast cancer charity in America! Tax Deductible/Fast Free Pick Up. 800-771-9551 www.cardonations
forbreastcancer.org. N-11/25

DONATE YOUR CAR Truck or Boat to HERITAGE FOR THE BLIND Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. 1-877-212-0046. (MCN)

DONATE VEHICLE RECEIVE $1000 GROCERY COUPON. NOAH’S ARC Support No Kill Shelters, Research to Advance Veterinary Treatments. FREE TOWING, Tax Deductible, Non-Runners Accepted. 1-866-912-GIVE. (ICAN)

BUYING PRE-1985 VEHICLES. Junkers to showcars. Please don’t scrap your older car – we can pay more. Finders’ fees paid for successful purchases. New number: 815/243-1130. TFN

Classic Cars

MIDWESTCLASSICCARS.COM 19 Different Classic Car Clubs, 80 Classic Car Events and over 900 different classic and hard to find vehicles for sale. Check out MIDWESTCLASSICCARS.COM.

FORSALE

Appliances

MOBILE HOME FURNACE – Like new, Red T Product. 22,000 BTU’s with digital thermostat, $700. Used only 2 seasons. 815/389-4601 or 608/290-5699. 11/25

SHARP CAROUSEL MICROWAVE - Oven black, $30. 2721 Ellen Ave. Rockford, IL. 12/9

4 AIR CONDITIONERS, window units, like new. $100 for all 4. 815/977-4300. 12/2

DISHWASHER - Portable, white, General Electric, pot scrubber, like new, hardly used! $150. 815/289-2830. 12/2

WASHER & DRYER for sale. 815/978-6044. 12/2

WASHER & DRYER, stackable for mobile home, electric, white. $650. 815/243-2110. 12/9

GAS DRYER, $80 OBO. 3 snowblowers, all for $500. 2 riding lawn mowers. 847/971-5988, Ask for Gator. 11/25

REFRIGERATOR, $100. Exercise bike, $25. Vacuum cleaner, $10. Ladies bike, $50. Upper cupboards, $50. 779/772-2468. 12/2

SIDE-BY-SIDE REFIRGERATOR, $150. Roll-top desk, $150. Entertainment center, $40. All OBO’s. 504/258-5701. 11/25

MINI-REFRIGERATOR- 20”W x 20”D x 32”H. Like new, $100. 815/962-2745. 11/25

Electronics

2 HD WIDESCREEN TV’s - One needs color adjustments,
really good condition. Both for $25. 779/770-4967. 12/9

NEW ZENITH DTT901 Digital Converter Box – Never opened. CASH ONLY. $45 OBO. 815/703-6616. 12/2

SONY 60” DLP TV, $600. Panasonic 42” plasma TV, $400. 1973 Sansui receiver, $60. 815/633-3505. 12/2

RADIO & CASSETTE PLAYER from 1990’s Mazda, $40. Electric stove, white, $50. 815/877-6379. 11/25

SONY CD P-CX355 300-disc CD player, $75. (2) MTX P-215H loud speakers, $325. 815/637-2811. 11/25

KIRBY VACUUM CLEANER, SINGER sewing machine, baby crib, lamps, coffee tables, antique tables, display racks. 815/721-6318. TFN

USED XEROX 5028 black and white office copier. Includes storage base; 15 page sorter; two letter size, one legal size and one 11”x17” size paper trays; one extra toner. Copy cartridge partially used. Automatic doc. feeder needs repair. $500 OBO. Call 815/964-9767 M-F, 9:30-5:00 and ask for Marilyn or Frank. TFN

Fashion & Accessories

UNFORGETTABLE STORE! Designer Jeans, $19.00, Shirts $12.00, Dresses 2&3 pc. sets $35.00 & up. 2638 11th ST. 12/9

NEW MINK RANCH full-length women’s coat. Mahogany color. Tags on $10,995. Sacrifice for $2,000. 815/289-8599. 12/9

BLACK LEATHER JACKET - Men’s, size MED/LG. $20. 815/633-3743. 11/25

Foods

BEEF SOLD 1/4, 1/2 or whole. Small farm raised, corn-fed, hormone & antibiotic- free. $1.80/lb. 815/238-7045 or 815/238-5778. 12/2

Furniture

DROP-LEAF TABLE, 41”x21”, 12” leaf, spindle legs & wooden wheels, $55. Small, 3-drawer chest, $25. 815/874-1953. 11/25

HUGE SEMI-OVAL OAK TABLE: 4’x6’ with leaf, $100. 815/389-4601 or 608/290-5699. 11/25

6 LADDER-BACK CHAIRS, $20 each. Also, other chairs. Oak table, $65. 262/248-2519. 11/25

FUTON WITH PAD, $125. (2) Dinette sets, love seat & chair. 815/494-2577. 12/2

RIDGEWAY CURIO GRANDFATHER CLOCK- Keeps perfect time. Westminster chimes comes with three shelves. Will deliver. 815/262-2489. 12/2

1940’s ART DECO BEDROOM SET- Chifferobe, vanity with mirror, full size bed frame, $150. 815/871-7511. After 5pm. 11/25

COUNTER TOP TABLE – Slate-covered, never used. 4 chairs with cushions. 815/248-2508. 11/25

LIGHTED CHINA CABINET with table, 8 chairs, 3 leaves, Nice! $550 OBO. Call 815/543-3993. 12/9

ENGLANDER PLUSH QUEEN MATTRESS - Paid $1,000, asking $500. Nautilous Queen mattress, $150. 2 anitque dressers, $175 & $150. 815/601-5802. 12/9

MEMORY FOAM THERAPEUTIC NASA VISCO MATTRESSES WHOLESALE! T-$299 F-$349 Q-$399 K-$499 ADJUSTABLES – $799 FREE DELIVERY 25 YEAR WARRANTY 90 NIGHT TRIAL 1-800-ATSLEEP 1-800-287-5337 WWW.MATTRESSDR.COM . N-11/25

CHERRY BEDROOM SET Solid Wood ENGLISH DOVETAIL New in factory boxes! NEVER BEEN USED Originally $4500 FOR ONLY $795 Can deliver! 312-238-8607. (ICAN)

BLACK LEATHER SOFA & LOVESEAT Originally $2500 ONLY $975! Brown Leather Sofa & Loveseat Originally $4000 ONLY $1200. Brand New in Factory Boxes! Can Deliver Statewide! 630-563-9777. (ICAN)

Industrial Products

1ft3 ELECTRIC CEMENT MIXER on wheels, $110. 2 heavy-duty engine stands on wheels, $50 each. 815/988-5713. 12/2

1100 CFM Dust KOP COLLECTOR, 55gal drum, lots of misc. duct work fittings, $350 for all. 815/988-5706. 12/2

Jewelry

DIAMOND- Loose pear (teardrop) shaped. Very slight vs1 inclusions. Nearly carat. Great color! $1,950. 815/969-8899. 12/9

Medical Equipment

GOLDEN ELECTRIC SCOOTER - 2 new batteries, new charger, $500 OBO. 815/395-0776. 12/2

Misc. Items For Sale

5 IBM SELECTRIC TYPEWRITERS as is, $75 for all. 5 Rkfd city directories, 1999-2002, $50 for all. 815/871-7511 after 5pm. 12/9

SOLD HOUSE- Antiques, desk pictures, throw rugs, lamps, fans, kitchenware, curtains, tables, patio furniture. 815/963-5090. 12/2

TWO TON JACK, Wagner cordless painting with compressor, new shopping cart. 815/962-5376. 12/2

VINTAGE COOKIE CUTTERS, aprons, table clothes, other linens, old books, Indian blankets, much misc. 815/395-1572. 12/2

ACOUSTIC GUITAR CASE, $15. 815/874-1888. 12/2

SMALL RUBBISH BURNER- Very nice, $75. Good-sized bird cage, $100. Nice new stapler, $70. 815/397-1406. 12/2

1940’s HORSE-DRAWN PLOW in excellent condition. 2 vibrating foot massagers with footbath. Baker’s rack. 815/962-5376. 11/25

DISHWASHER, eliptical, Nordic Track, abdomen exerciser, stereo cabinet, ceiling fan, VHS movies. Reasonable prices. 815/222-1616. 11/25

BIRD CAGE and small iron stove for sale. Bird cage, $75. Stove, $100. 815/397-1406. 12/2

Sporting Goods

TROPHY HEADS- Bear, elk, boar, deer. Best offer. 815/227-4807. 10/28

HOCKEY SKATES - Men’s size 12, “Rapide CCM 101”, worn twice, $5. 815/623-2781. 11/25

NORDIC TRACK ELITE MODEL, $250. 4-place bike carrier, $25. 815/988-5796. 12/2

Sports Clothing

AUTHENTIC NFL JERSEYS – All names & numbers are stitched on. $75 each 0r 2 for $120. 100% authentic. All teams, most players. 815/494-6666. 1/6

WASHINGTON REDSKINS ITEMS – Belt Buckles, Sweatshirts, Hats, Pins, Jacket. 815/484-4163. 11/25

Tools

CRAFTSMAN TABLESAW SANDDUST collection kit, $35. Small Sears sandblaster with hooded shield, $35. 815/633-4999. 12/2

Yard & Garden Items

UMBRELLA TREE & mother-in-law’s tongues. 815/229-1963. 11/25

Sales

BIG GARAGE SALE! 2812 Woodside Dr. at Harrison & Mulford. Nov. 27-28. Furniture, Toys, Gifts. 11/25

TRAILERS: 20′ 12k skidloader trailer used $2000, 6 x 12 enclosed ramp door $2450, 25′ Gooseneck 14k $4750, 26′ Gooseneck elec tilt 14k $7699, Tow dollies, MCT motorcycle $1299, Owens Dog box now $325, 48″ Hustler Fastrack mower $3949.00 515-972-4554 www.fortdodgetrailerworld.com. (MCN)

FARM NEWS AG SHOW, Iowa Central Community College, Career Ed. Bldg., Ft. Dodge, IA. Dec. 2, 9am-5pm & Dec. 3, 7:30am-3pm. Info call Farm News at 800-622-6613 x 451 or www.farm-news.com. (MCN)

Thrift Store

NOW OPEN-DOLLAR DIGGINS The Thrift Resale Store with More. NEW & USED. Household, furniture, books, movies, apparel, jewelry, electronics, tools, toys, dishes, antiques, & collectibles. 2233 Charles St., Rkfd. 12/9

SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH THRIFT SHOP. 318 North Church Street. Open Tuesday 9am – 1pm. Lots of children’s clothing from infant to 3T & much more! TFN

CRUSADER THRIFT SHOP, 310 7th Street – open Mon. through Sat. from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Christmas room is open! Most ladies shoes 50¢. 50¢-clothing rack. Small vases 10¢. Any glassware in main room ½-price if over 50¢. We accept donations. TFN

BROOKE ROAD THRIFT SHOP, 1404 Brooke Rd. Lots of clothes, shoes, knick knacks, and misc. Open Wednesday’s, 9-12. TFN

FHC THRIFT SHOP, 710 Broadway. 815/299-3615, Open 9-5, Mon.-Sat. Call for emergency after-hour appointments. TFN

SERVICES

Adoption

ADOPTION: Pregnant? Secure your baby’s future in home filled with love and opportunity. Easy to talk to. Confidential. Expenses paid. Please call Glenna toll-free 1-866-535-8080. (ICAN)

PREGNANT? CONSIDERING ADOPTION? Call Us First! Living expenses, Housing, Medical and continued support afterwards. Choose Adoptive Family of Your Choice. Call 24/7. ADOPT CONNECT 1-866-743-9212. (MCN)

UNIQUE ADOPTIONS, LET US HELP! Personalized Adoption Plans. Financial Assistance, Housing, Relocation and More. Giving the Gift of Life? You Deserve the Best. Call Us First! 1-888-637-8200. 24-HR Hotline. (MCN)

ADOPTION: Pregnant? Loving couple longs to provide tons of love, security and laughter to a baby. Please call Carol, and let’s help each other. 1-888-895-8158. (MCN)

PREGNANT? CONSIDERING ADOPTION? We can help you! Housing, financial, medical assistance available. You can choose adoptive family and be involved in plans. Call 24/7. Forever Blessed Adoptions. 1-800-568-4594. (MCN)

Beauty & Cosmetics

AVON! Free Gift w/ your first order, call Pam 815-871-5423 for a current brochure. 11/25

Bella beaulashes Location Suite Bronzing Spa 815-670-1449. Eyelash Extensions. “The Next Best Thing In Beauty”. 11/25

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

CALL SIMPLY KLEEN for Your Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Needs. Introductory Rates Apply Now!! 815/262-6709. 12/2

Cleaning

R&M COMMMERCIAL CLEANING – Guaranteed lowest rates! Free estimates! Commercial/Residential. All supplies included. Fully insured. Best cleaning available! 815/319-2381. 12/23

SPRING FRESH HOME CLEANING. Experienced, reasonable, also free estimates (I am looking for jobs). 815/227-1013. 12/9

ANOTHER CHANCE RESTORATION - Specializing in Home Clean-out, Maid Service, Board-ups, Lawn Care, Snow Removal, & Moving. 815/299-2792. 11/25

BIKINI MAIDS CLEANING SERVICE- We clean your house in our bikinis. Try us out: 779/772-6171. 12/30

Computers

ROCKFORD PC, LLC – Computer and game system repair, Virus-removal $39.99, Specialize in PS3 repair. 815/977-5782. 6817 Elm Ave. Loves Park, IL 61111. www.rockfordpc.com . 11/25

GEEKS-IN-ROUTE & On-site Computer & Computer Networking Services by A+ & Microsoft or CISCO Certified Technicians. If We Can’t Fix It, It’s Free! MC/DIS/AMEX/VISA. 1-866-661-GEEK (4335). N-11/25

OWN A NEW COMPUTER - Payments starting at ONLY $29.99/week. Act Now! FREE GPS! FREE Printer! FREE MP3! Call Guaranteed Consumer Funding 1-866-949-0201. (MCN)

Education

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA! Graduate in 4 Weeks! FREE Brochure. CALL NOW! 1-866-562-3650 Ext. 30 www.southeasternhs.com. N-11/25

ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE from Home. *Medical, *Business, *Paralegal, *Accounting, *Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. Call 800-510-0784 www.CenturaOnline.com. N-11/25

ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE from Home. *Medical, *Business, *Paralegal, *Accounting, *Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. Call 800-401-2385 www.CenturaOnline.com. (MCN)

ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE from Home. * Medical, *Business, *Paralegal, *Accounting, *Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. Call 800-510-0784 www.CenturaOnline.com. N-11/25

Entertainment Promotion

OSIRIS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP is looking for aspiring models and musicians. If that’s you Call 815-985-4802. 11/25

Handyman/ Handywoman

DIAMONDS HANDYMAN SERVICE – Remodeling, Painting, Window Washing, Gutter Cleaning, & Much More. For a FREE Estimate, Call Mike Diamond – 815/601-5802. 12/2

THE FIX-IT GALS- Specializing in painting, drywall repair, general repairs, call us at 815/621-0137. 12/16

PAINTING, HOUSE, & YARD CLEANING, anything that needs to be done. Kathy – 815/289-9022 or Sherry – 815/566-2020. 12/9

Hauling

CHAD’S HAULING SERVICE. Free estimates, yard waste, summer cleanup & removal of anything unwanted. Solid 6-year reputation, 15% senior discount, fully licensed & insured. HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Call Chad, 815/979-7593.12/30

Health & Medical

VIAGRA – 40 Pills $89.00 Cialis – 30 Pills $99.00. Limited Time. Hablamos Espanol! Newhealthy
man.com. 1-888-735-4419.

NEW FEATHER-WEIGHT MOTORIZED WHEELCHAIRS. AT NO COST TO YOU IF ELIGIBLE! WE COME TO YOU! ENK MOBILE MEDICAL 1-800-693-8896. N-11/25

TRAMADOL, 180 Tablets, $112. FREE Overnight Delivery! Also Soma, Ultraset, Flexeril, MORE! NO Prior Prescription Needed. NO Hidden Fees! US Pharmacy. 1-888-738-3822. www.PegasusPills.com. (ICAN)

Insurance

HOME INSURANCE BILL EXPLODING? Call for a quote – Compare & Save. Brian Hand Insurance – 815/397-5566. brianhandinsurance.com. 12/9

Lawncare Services

TREE SERVICE/FALL CLEAN-UP Tree removal and trimming, leaf and brush clean-up, garden rototilling, skidloader work, snow plowing. Full-insured. 815/378-0671. 11/25

LEAF RAKING - 15 years experience. Call Greg – 815/637-6596. 11/25

Legal Services

$$ ACCESS LAWSUIT CASH NOW!! $$$ As seen on TV. $$$ Injury Lawsuit Dragging? Need $500-$500,000++ within 48/hrs? Low rates. APPLY NOW BY PHONE! Call Today! Toll-FREE 1-800-568-8321, www.fastcasecash.com. (MCN)

Massage Therapy

CREATIVE TOUCH THERAPY: Alleviate stress, muscle tension, improve circulation, encourage overall well-being. Techniques meet your needs. Contact Glenn LMT 815/965-1787. itreasurefinds@yahoo.com. 12/16

DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE by Amber Ener-Chi. 510 E. State St. By appointment only. 815-558-7878. www.amberenerchi.com . 11/25

Mechanic

CHEAP, LIGHT AUTOMOTIVE WORK- 20 years experience. 815/637-6411. 11/25

Misc. Services

REACH OVER 30 MILLION HOMES with one buy. Advertise in NANI for only $2,795 per week! For information, visit www.naninetwork.com. N-11/25

WANT TO ADVERTISE TO THE MIDWEST? Place your classified ads in the Midwest Classified Network anytime online at www.midwestfreeclassifieds.com. (MCN)

SEARCH THOUSANDS OF CLASSIFIED ADS FROM AROUND THE MIDWEST! Give it a try! Go to http://www.mw-ads.com. Ads from Free Papers offer you great bargains. (MCN)

REACH 2 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS! Do you have a product, service, or business that would be helped by reaching over 2.7 million households throughout Iowa and the surrounding states? The Midwest Classified Network will allow you to reach these potential customers quickly and inexpensively. For more information concerning a creative classified ad call this publication or Midwest Free Community Papers at 800-248-4061 or get information online at www.mcn-ads.com. (MCN)

DISH NETWORK. $19.99/mo, Why Pay More For TV? 100+ Channels. FREE 4-Room Install. FREE HD-DVR. Plus $650 Sign-up BONUS. Call Now! 1-877-478-1894. (MCN)

DISH TV for $19.99 a month. 100 all-digital channels, plus 50 HD channels. First 100 new customers get FREE HBO and Showtime. Call Now 866-484-8848. Promo code 3474. (MCN)

DISH TV. Best Offer! $19.99/ mo. 100+ Channels, 3-Months FREE HBO & Showtime. Free 4-Room Installation. Plus Sign-up BONUS! Call Now! 1-877-240-4561. (MCN)

DISH NETWORK. $19.99/mo, Why Pay More For TV? 100+ Channels. FREE 4-Room Install. FREE HD-DVR. Plus $600 Sign-up BONUS. Call Now! 1-888-430-9664. N-11/25

DIRECTV FREE MOVIES 3 MONTHS! Ask How! NO Equipment to Buy NO Start Costs! Free DVR/HD Upgrade! Other Packages Start $29.99/mo! Details Call DirectStarTV 1-800-620-0058. N-11/25

DIRECTV SAVE $26/MO FOR A YEAR! Ask How! NO Equipment to Buy NO Start Costs! Free DVR/HD Upgrade! Other Packages Start $29.99/mo! Details Call DirectStarTV 1-800-279-5698. N-11/25

**ALL SATELLITE SYSTEMS ARE NOT THE SAME. Monthly programming starts under $20 per month and FREE HD and DVR systems for new callers. CALL NOW 1-800-799-4935. N-11/25

GET DISH – FREE Installation – $19.99/mo. HBO & Showtime FREE-Over 50 HD Channels FREE. Lowest Prices – No Equipment to Buy! Call Now for full Details 877-242-0983.N-11/25

DIRECTV SAVE $26/ mo FOR A YEAR! Ask How! No Equipment to Buy NO Start Costs! Free DVR/HD Upgrade! Other Packages Start $29.99/ mo! Details Call DirectStarTV 1-800-973-0138. (MCN)

DIRECTV FREE MOVIES 3 Months! Ask How! NO Equipment to Buy No Start Costs! Free DVR/ HD Upgrade! Other Packages start $29.99/mo! Details Call DirectStarTV 1-800-206-6525. (MCN)

* REDUCE YOUR CABLE BILL! * Get a 4-Room All-Digital Satellite system installed for FREE and programming starting under $20. FREE Digital Video Recorders to new callers, SO CALL NOW. 1-800-795-8649. (MCN)

RECEIVE $1000 IN GROCERIES! Real relief program helping people just like you! Pay only $4.90 for your grocery voucher. Use on your favorite brands! Consumer Advocate Response introductory price. 1-800-430-9507. N-11/25

Remodeling

SHAMROCK HOME IMPROVEMENTS- Kitchens & Baths, Drywall, Painting, Electrical, Additions, Remodeling. FREE Estimates! 815/871-4671. 12/9

Repairs

SMALL EQUIPMENT REPAIR- Snow blowers/ mowers, etc. Pick up & Delivery. 815/543-7181. 11/25

Painting

PAINTING- Free estimates, Guaranteed, Very Reasonable. Tom- 815/289-2962 & 815/877-5136. 12/9

ROCK & VICTORY DRYWALL AND PAINTING - Call for FREE estimates. We get the job done. 815/319-5223. 12/9

Santa Claus

HAVE A SANTA FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS GET TOGETHER-Holiday cheer and carols will put you in the spirit of Christmas. Photo ssessions available. Call Sleigh Cell – 815/742-6258. 12/16

Sewing

CUSTOM SEWING- Hems & Alterations, Window Treatments & More. 815/7983-8989. 12/9

Signs

WINTER SIGNS- Car Wraps, Car & Truck Graphics, Banners, Mail. (815) 988-8540. 12/16

Therapy

ROCKFORD LAUGH CLUB. Meeting Tuesdays 7p.m. and Saturdays 10a.m. for stress relief. To join call 815/979-1944. TFN

Towing

WE BUY COMPLETE CARS/TRUCKS. Any condition! 815/378-3489. 6/17/10

Weddings
& Occasions

NEED A CARING MINISTER for counseling or for your special occasion? Inexpensive. 815/342-6064. TFN

JOBS

Courtesy of The Rock River Times - Warning from the Better Business Bureau.

Work-at-home and fraudulent employment opportunities. Work-at-home and business opportunity scams are frequently found online as well as in the classified sections. They promise high income for minimal work and minimal effort. However, when an interested consumer “applies”, they almost always ask for money up-front to pay for materials, training kits, or investment money. After sending payment, most consumers either have their checks deposited and never hear anything again, or obtain something that is completely useless- essentially junk mail. Internet employment opportunities, mostly found on job boards, looking for “shipping” or “billing managers”, “payment processors”, or anything with a financial sounding name, very frequently turn out to be fraudulent listings that are in actuality looking for victims to commit money laundering by accepting and forwarding payments.

Mystery/secret shopping scam. Fraudulent mystery shopping promoters frequently use newspaper ads and internet solicitations to create an impression that they are affiliated with or work for respectable and reputable companies. The website that you will be led to often asks that you “register” and pay a fee in order to receive information about a certification program, a directory of mystery shopping companies, or baseless guarantees of obtaining mystery shopping positions. Most don’t exsist, have already expired, or have nothing to do with legitimate secret shopping offers.

Help Wanted

ON SITE SALES HOURLY PAY PLUS COMMISSION: On-site salesperson for lifestyle community. Energetic, personable, and organized self-starter outstanding sales and customer service skills. This is part-time position, requiring working every Friday thru Saturday. Hourly plus commissions. E-mail to resultsmvp@comcast.net or fax to 847/441-5109. 12/2

WRITER NEEDS COLLEGE STUDENT computer expert for occasional computer work. 815/397-5668. 11/25

BECOME A PUBLIC ADJUSTER -National company expanding to Rockford. Training provided. Service based business – no product to sell, no inventory to carry. For details on the positions being offered, forward your resume or work history to career.mpa@gmail.com . 12/2

REAL ESTATE INVESTORS FORUM- Learn how to create long-term wealth investing in real estate. 815/670-0760. 11/25

GROWING CLEANING COMPANY looking for part-time help days, evenings, & weekends. Floor experience a plus. Must have vehicle. Must have phone. Good start pay. EOE. Reply with name & number, lettler or resume. Fax- 815/963-5804 or cleanit1234@sbcglobal.net. 11/25

MASTERS DEGREED PHYSICS/ENGINEERING for assistance with business plan. 815-540-5313. 11/25

WOULD $1,000 MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO YOUR FAMILY? Part-time flexible schedule. 815/914-3429. 12/9

ARE YOU EXPERIENCED IN PRINT ADVERTISING SALES? The Rock River Times is now interviewing motivated representatives for careers in sales. Competitive wage offered, flexible schedule. Have you seen how our paper is growing?This is where you want to be! Long-term commitment a must. Need own vehicle. Submit resumè to: The Rock River Times 128 N. Church St.
Rockford, IL 61101 815/964-9767 or E-mail: contact@rockrivertimes.com TFN

TRAVEL Needed 10 Guys/Gals over age 18 Travel Entire USA demonstrating “Citrus Clean.” Transportation. Expenses Paid. High Earnings. Immediate employment. 1-800-898-6229 or 407-221-2929. (MCN)

AIRLINES ARE HIRING – Train for high-paying Aviation Maintenance Career. FAA-approved program. Financial aid if qualified – Housing available. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance (888) 349-5387. (MCN)

$$$WORK FROM HOME$$$ Earn Up To $3,800 Weekly Working from Home assembling Information packets. No Experience Necessary! Start Immediately! FREE Information. CALL 24hrs. 1-877-224-0207. N-11/25

EARN UP TO $500 WEEKLY assembling our angel pins in the comfort of your home. No experience required. Call 813-699-4038 or 813-425-4361 or visit www.angelpin.net. N-11/25

AIRLINES ARE HIRING – Train for high-paying Aviation Maintenance Career. FAA-approved program. Financial aid if qualified – Housing available. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance (888) 686-1704. N-11/25

MAKE $384 DAILY! Data entry positions available Now! Internet access needed. Income is Guaranteed No experience required. Apply today. www.datamoney.net (VOID IN SD). (MCN)

AIRLINE MECHANIC – Train for high paying Aviation Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualified – Job placement assistance. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance 866-854-6156. N-11/25

MAKE $$$ AS EARLY AS NEXT WEEK!!! WORK FROM HOME – Go to Income40.com Best Program – FREE Video Earn Great $$$ as early as NEXT WEEK Find out how at www.Income40.com. N-11/25

$$$ START TODAY $$$ Earn $1,400 – $4,600 Weekly Working From Home Assembling Information Packets. No Experience Necessary! Start Immediately! FREE Information. Call 24hrs.1-888-255-2802. N-11/25

GET PAID TO SHOP! Mystery Shoppers Needed to Pose as Customers! Training Provided. FT/PT Call 800-720-3708. N-11/25

EARN UP TO $30 PER HOUR. Experience not Required. Undercover shoppers needed to judge retail and dining establishments. Call 800-742-6941. N-11/25

$$$ START NOW $$$ Earn Extra Income. Assembling CD Cases from home! No Experience Necessary. Call our Live Operators for more information! 1-800-405-7619 Ext 2181 www.easywork-greatpay.com. N-11/25

ASSEMBLE MAGNETS & CRAFTS FROM HOME! Year-round Work! Excellent Pay! No Experience! Top US Company! Glue Gun, Painting, Jewelry & More! TOLL FREE 1-866-844-5091, code 5. **Not available MD**. N-11/25

Drivers

DRIVERS: HOME WEEKENDS! $0.35 -0.38 cpm. Midwest regional runs. Ins. Benefits avail. CDL-A 10 positions open. Jamie: 800-593-6433. 12/2

DRIVERS: REGIONAL TEAMS. Low $ family benefits, Drivers split $.44 CPM. 800.428.6193 x 234, or lbrooks@shevellgroup.com . 12/2

DRIVERS: DEIDICATED CO and Owner Ops. Lease Purchase. Home weekly. Competitive pay packages. 2 years exp. Needed. 888-880-5920×161 or 123. 12/9

DRIVERS: CDL-A OTR. Beat the new CSA2010! .30/mi. Clean MVR, Benefits, 2yrs exp (1yr OTR) Req. www,climateexpress.com. Clyde: 800-397-2623. 12/9

Drivers: CDL-A OTR. Beat the new CSA2010! .30/mi. Clean MVR, Benefits, 2yrs exp (1yr OTR) Req. www.climateexpress.com. Clyde: 800-397-2623. (ICAN)

ATTN: FLATBED DRIVERS: Great home time, Benefits, Vacation, Holiday Pay and More Terminals in Grand Island, NE and Rensselaer, IN. Dedicated Flatbed Carrier for Chief Industries, Inc. Class A CDL / 1 Yr. OTR Exp + 1 Yr recent flatbed exp req’d. Call or visit 1-866-483-5318 www.gicc.chiefind.com. (ICAN)

ARE YOU A CLASS-A/CDL DRIVER with at least 6 mos experience? WE WANT TO HIRE YOU IMMEDIATELY! KNIGHT TRANSPORTATION “We have the small company – family feel you desire & the financial stability you deserve!” – ’07 & Newer Trucks! – Daily or Weekly Pay! – 6 mos OTR experience required! For more info call Masha 800-699-7485, x1. Or apply online at www.knighttrans.com – Owner Ops Welcome too! (ICAN)

Seeking Employment

FORMER MUSEUM REGISTRAR with BA looking fo r similar work. 815/997-8064. TFN

WILLING TO DO YARD WORK, raking leaves, interior painting, & other things. 815/708-7905. M-Sat only. 6:30am-7:30pm.11/25

Business Opportunity

ALL CASH VENDING! Do you earn up to $800/day? Your own local candy route. Includes 25 Machines and Candy All for $9,995. 1-800-453-5882 AIN#BO213. (ICAN)

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY: Stuck in a rut? Want out? Changes in your life need to happen! Are You Ready? Serious and motivated calls only! 1-800-670-6530. (MCN)

ATTENTION READERS. Earn money from home processing mortgage assistance postcards. No advertising. Direct deposit available. References available. No gimmicks. 800-650-2090. (MCN)

BE YOUR OWN BOSS! Potential of $2,000-$4,000/week, owning your own business. Small Investment for HUGE RETURNS! Call 1-800-507-7222 for details. Must use Code# CL30685 (VOID IN SD). (MCN)

MUSIC

STORY & CLARK Cherry Console Piano with bench. Good condition. Perfect for student beginner piano. $700 cash. 815/544-4362. 11/25

4-STRING TENOR BANJO with case. Like new, $275. 815/946-2296. 11/25

Dance

Ballet • Tap • Jazz • Ballroom • Hip Hop. Ages 3 – Adult. 815/633-0753. 12/9


PERSONALS

SWM 33, black hair, hazel eyes. Looking for someone to date. Like to go to movies, shopping, or just hanging out. 815/721-3601. 12/9

NEW IN THE AREA. DSM, Italian, mature gentleman, honest, professional, self-employed who likes to dance, dine out, travel, good conversation, & more. Looking for an attractive lady under 50yrs. the younger, the better. Weight unimportant. 815/621-5406. 12/9

KOKO, WE HAD A MISUNDERSTANDING. Please call me at 815/670-3957. 12/9

SWF, 61 – Attractive, sincere Christian lady seeks Christian man for a companionship. 815/964-4588. 11/25

MALE, 61- Employed Norwegian-Irish non-smoker seeks relationship with woman who enjoys auctions, flea markets, antique malls, & shopping. 815/784-5613. 11/25

SWM SENIOR looking for non-smoking female. Companion/dancing partner/driver. Live-in possible. 815/963-9019.11/25

AFRICAN-AMERICAN ATTRACTIVE TRANSSEXUAL: Educated, outgoing, wants to meet gentleman. Race unimportant. Age 30-60. Serious calls only! 815/209-7989. 11/25

BISEXUAL MALE looking for a male roommate to share my place with extra things. Call 815/312-0018 for more info. 12/2

Public Announcement

IF ANYONE SAW THE ACCIDENT ON HARRISON & 20TH ST. on Sat. Nov. 21, 2009 at 11AM, please contact me 815/963-3878 or leave message. 12/9

PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN! FREE Child ID Kit. For appointment call 815/399-1224 Ext. 111. 12/16

LOOKING FOR ANSWERS? Try Bible call. 24-hour automated service- 815/316-2650. (Church of Christ) TFN

AL-ANON, support group for families and friends of alcoholics. Help-line: (815) 399-0456. TFN

POSITIVE IMAGE CHURCH – Basic Life Skills Programs. Free. 1408 Elm Street. For information: 815/967-9061. TFN

WELCOME TO ST. SEBASTIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH. Traditional liturgy every Sunday, 10:30 a.m., 2415 Charles St., Suite 20×1, Rockford, IL. Call 815/520-4374. TFN

PRE-VATICAN II CHURCH is alive and well. St. Sebastian. Call 815/520-4374. TFN

In Loving Memory

THE COLONEL PLAYS ON- Website for astonishing guitar player David Leis. www.thecolonel.info . TFN

Organ, Blood,
& Tissue Donation

26-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER desperately needs kidney Type A+. Waiting 6½ years. (630)400-6849. TFN

55-YEAR OLD MOTHER desperately needs kidney Type A, waiting 3 years. 815/978-3422 or 815/282-2551. TFN

SINGLE YOUNG MOTHER with 2 children desperately needs kidney donor. Blood type O positive/negative. 815/397-6703. TFN

LOVING HUSBAND, father and grandfather in need of a kidney. Type O. 968-8517, 963-3734, 316-2793. TFN

The Rock River Times
is now offering a special classifieds section reserved for
individuals or families seeking organ donations.
This is a totally free service for those who
are in need. Please feel free to call: (815)964-9767,
fax: (815)964-9825, or e-mail: contact@rockrivertimes.com
your FREE 15-word ad for this special section.
For more information on organ & tissue donation,

visit www.giftofhope.org
To contribute to
The Angela Rushford Children’s Organ Donation Fund, visit the

Community Foundation of Northern Illinois’ web site:
www.cfnil.org .

For Sale

AKC TERRIERS, Westie 3 yrs, Cairon 6 yrs, healthy & friendly. $250 each. 815/378-4976. 12/9

YOUNG SINGING CANARIES. 815/963-1149. 12/9

FREE KITTENS to good home. 779/770-3203. 12/9

SCOTTISH TERRIER PUPPIES, $300. Schnauzer puppies, $400. 815/213-0239. 12/9

2 KITTENS – Gentle, hand-raised, $25 each. Good homes. 815/449-2512. 12/2

EXTREMELY AFFECTIONATE MALE CAT, owner died, white/grey, green eyes, 7 yrs old, neutered, has all shots. 815/226-3676. Call after 11 a.m. 12/2

CUDDLY CALICO CAT 1 yr old, beautiful green eyes, has all shots, spayed. 815/226-3676. 12/2

CHINCHILLAS- 2 babies, parents on site. Ready for adoption! Serious inquiries only. 815/962-5376. TFN

Wanted For Pets

WANTED: LOVING & CARING FOSTER HOMES for rescued kittens & cats. If you can help, please call me at 815/980-7863. Thanks so much. – Lori. TFN

Pet Services

SEE LIVE ELEPHANTS on the elecam at www.elephants.com. 12/2

PUNISH THE DEED, not the entire breed. www.pbrc.net or www.badrap.org. 12/9

WANTED

I WILL BUY YOUR OLD CD’s. Top prices paid.815/218-3054. 12/9

WANTED: CLEAN BED or bedroom set, portable dishwasher, carpet, storage ot kitchen cabinets. 815/742-1513. 12/9

WANTED: WHITE GAS STOVE in excellent condition near Rockford. 815/382-7667. 12/9

WANTED: CARD TABLE or folding table. Pair of lined shoes for winter, size 9½M women’s. Let phone ring. 815/399-2473. 12/9

OLD GUITARS WANTED! Fender, Gibson, Martin, Gretsch, Prairie State, Euphonon, Larson, D’Angelico, Stromberg, Rickenbacker, and Mosrite. Gibson Mandolins/Banjos. 1930’s thru 1970’s TOP CASH PAID! 1-800-401-0440. N-11/25

WANTED DIABETES TEST STRIPS Any Kind/Any brand Unexpired. Pay up to $18.00 per box. Shipping Paid. Call 1-713-395-1106 or www.SellDiabeticstrips.com. N-11/25

WANTED: ROCKS with some weight to them, not gravel. 815/874-1888. 12/9

WANTED: SNOWMOBILES AND PARTS from the 70’s and 80’s., Kitty Cats and other small snowmobiles. 815/623-6591. TFN

WILL PAY MORE FOR silver & gold than anyone. See our ad in the “At Your Service” section, page D4. 815/547-7111. 11/25

WANTED: RAILROAD ANTIQUES signs, locks, signals, photos, keys, etc. No magazines please. Joe 815/742-2878. 12/9

WANTED: DIABETIC TEST STRIPS. Any type. Any brand. Will pay up to $14 a box. Quick & local. Nancy. 815/519-9966. TFN

OLD ROUND GLASS CHINA CABINET, set of very old wooden chairs, & wooden icebox. Reasonable. 815/633-9824. 11/25

WOMAN WITH MS would like factory work or mail order work. Also, pets, electric wheelchair/manual chair. 779/770-3858. 11/25

NEEDED FOR MY SON who is a nursing home resident: his favorite music artist, Bob Seger- albums, records, CDs, etc. Thanks for calling, Don, 815/262-0214. TFN

WANTED: BIDS ON SIDING A 4-CAR GARAGE & installing 2 new garage doors. 815/963-1998. 12/2

WANTED: ANY COINS, antiques, marbles, banks, toys, & watches. 815/962-8379.12/2

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

Posted in Classifieds | 1 Comment »

November is American Indian Heritage Month

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

By Susan Johnson

Copy Editor

This month, we remember the original inhabitants of America. Aug. 2, 1990, President George W. Bush declared the month of November 1990 as
National American Indian Heritage Month.

The bill read in part that
the President is authorized and requested to call upon Federal, State and local Governments, groups and organizations and the people of the United States to observe such month with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities.

This was a landmark bill, honoring America’s tribal people.

The declaration of this month to honor native people was due to the efforts of Princess Pale Moon, president of the American Indian Heritage Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, who contacted various tribes in spring 1990, seeking support for the bill to enact this commemoration. After many letters and phone calls, through the joint efforts of a congressman and a senator, the presidential proclamation was signed, and November 1990 became the first national American Indian Heritage Month.

The American Indian Heritage Foundation, originally in Falls Church, Va., now based in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., according to its literature,
has worked for more than three decades to promote and improve the health, education and welfare of the American Indians. It has also diligently promoted the idea of preserving and protecting the unique cultural and artistic contributions the native peoples have made to the benefit of all Americans.

The American Indian has one of the world’s unique and varied cultures. Its many facets have fascinated and attracted the interest of people from all over the world. The American Indian is one of the most widely recognized but perhaps least understood of any cultural group. Some of this may be due to portrayals in the popular media (movies, TV, books) that are not always fair or accurate, resulting in a big gap between the popular appreciation of the Indians and the reality of both their past and present.

Controversy over Pale Moon’s heritage

Yet, like the people she represents to the public, Pale Moon’s image has been affected by controversy. A Time magazine article of Aug. 16, 1998, called her
a self-proclaimed American Indian

and recounted the story of an appeal that somehow went awry, possibly due to a communication error. The AIHF had asked for donations for
starving Paiute Indians in the Alaskan village of Port Graham.

In fact, the charity attempted to send 1,000 pounds of beef liver to the needy tribe. But two problems immediately surfaced: there was no food shortage, and as the outraged Port Graham officials said, the Paiute tribe lives in Nevada, not Alaska, so they refused the shipment. An officer of the AIHF claimed the whole episode was based on a misunderstanding.

The other major issue concerns Pale Moon’s ethnic heritage. Born Rita Ann Sentz in Asheville, N.C., she is three-quarters Cherokee or Choctaw, according to different sources. A natural performer, she started singing as a child, performing as part of a trio with her brother and sister. Later, she performed as a solo, first for a shoe company promotion, and then in church choirs, pickup bands and one-Indian road shows. She also received some formal training at Sonoma State College, Santa Rosa, Calif.

She met her second husband, Wil Rose, a former Hollywood voice-over announcer and promoter, in 1961. He helped her develop her talent, and she sang at the GOP National Convention in1976 and again in 1980. Wil Rose kept casual contact with her for several years, and he saw that she was making appearances and trying to get a message out, but, as he saw it,
she needed to develop a charitable scope.

With Pale Moon as the spokesperson, they established the American Indian Heritage Foundation in 1973
to provide relief services to Indian people nationwide and to build bridges of understanding and friendship between Indian and non-Indian people,

according to their Web site, www.Indians.org. It was originally founded under the umbrella of the National Heritage Foundation, but as the organization grew, it was separately incorporated under the laws of Virginia on Sept. 20, 1982. The couple were married in 1977 and have two sons who perform today as the White Eagle Dancers.

Wil Rose, who serves as a fund-raising consultant to the AIHF, is the sole breadwinner. All of Pale Moon’s earnings go to the foundation, which pays her travel expenses but no salary. Pale Moon’s earnings, plus donations, enable the AIHF to give about half a million dollars annually in American Indian-language Bibles, Thanksgiving turkey dinners, scholarships to leadership seminars and scholarships to summer basketball clinics at Oral Roberts University, as reported by Mike Sager in The Washington Post.

The
Princess

title may be assumed, but in an effort to aid tribal young ladies who have aspirations, Pale Moon is also the founder of the Miss Indian National USA Scholarship Program, held annually. According to their Web site,
The program theme ‘She Walks in Beauty, As She Walks in Two Worlds,’ encourages young Indian women to balance the traditional ways of their ancestors with the ways of the modern world.

There is also a youth program, the National American Indian Student Eagle Awards Program, for ages K-12, which
seeks to build confidence, self-esteem and self-awareness in American Indian youth through public acknowledgment and reward for their achievements.

Again, from AIHF’s fact sheet:
Recent statistics provided by the Office of Indian Education and Indian Health Service reveal that Indians have the highest mortality rate of any ethnic minority in the U.S., the lowest levels of educational attainment of any ethnic minority in the U.S., the highest rates of unemployment, the lowest per capita and family income of any ethnic minority in the U.S., and they have more people living below the poverty level than any other ethnic people in the United States.

Comments from Native Americans in  northern Illinois

Thunder Ruthven, an Anishinabi/Metis (French/Canadian culture from Sault St. Marie), who was raised on a reservation, spoke with The Rock River Times for this article. He said,
The title ‘Princess’ does not come from the Choctaw or the Cherokee.

He wasn’t sure how she got this title. But on the subject of the commemorative month, he said,
It’s a good thing. It helps people outside the culture to have an opportunity to explore and better understand the things of Native American culture. We are really glad for this holiday [Thanksgiving]. Like the other cultures in America, like the African-Americans, it’s a good way to spread information about various cultures. So we embrace the time heartily. We get a lot of requests for cultural information, to do presentations, to have our impact in ceremonial arts that are retained, and we find that our requests from schools, Scouting groups and things of that nature increase substantially in the month of November. It’s very important that the cultures be represented, which is my concern about Princess Pale Moon. I do not have direct knowledge of her. She is described as a ‘self-proclaimed American Indian’ in one of the articles.

[referenced earlier]

Ruthven is the chairman of the Odanah Project as well as the
Honor the Firekeepers

Powwow at Lake Geneva, Wis. He was interviewed by The Rock River Times for the first  Native American Heritage Days held at Delavan, Wis., Sept. 18-20 of this year.

Mac

MacVenn, of the Native American Awareness Committee, said,
Although the Native American gatherings of thanksgiving had no distinct date as the European thanksgiving [Nov. 26 in the U.S.], it moved with the seasons down the continent with the harvest. It was the last time that clans and villages would be together before they dispersed into family groups for the time of winter. It was a time of celebration of thanksgiving in a spiritual way as well as a time of gathering and celebration [socializing] with family, friends and people in the villages whom they would not see until the next spring.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

Posted in Online Exclusives | 3 Comments »

Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful introduces recycling program

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

From press release

LOVES PARK, Ill.—Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful (KNIB) has announced a new recycling program for the stateline community—Recycle on the Go!.

The program is designed specifically for the collection of aluminum cans and plastic bottles at special events such as art fairs, food festivals and outdoor sporting events.

Lori Gummow, executive director of KNIB, said the organization “continually works to bring new and innovative programs to the stateline area. We saw a need for recycling at special events. Many times, there were no separate containers available to collect aluminum cans and plastic bottles and they would end up in the landfill with all the other trash. To solve this problem, we applied for and received grants from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Anheuser-Busch and Keep America Beautiful to purchase a vehicle, trailer and recycling containers to implement the Recycle on the Go! program.”

The Recycle on the Go! program utilizes a towable trailer to transport container systems to special events. The containers are highly visible with blue metal frames, blue plastic lids that clearly identify “plastic bottles” and “aluminum cans,” and clear or green-colored see-through plastic bags that attach to the frame. When these containers are placed near standard trash receptacles, event patrons can easily recycle their cans and plastic bottles.

Locally, there are several events with high attendance that would greatly benefit from using this program. The Chicago Rockford International Airport draws more than 100,000 people for the Airfest. In 2009, Airfest attendees threw away 800 aluminum cans and 30,000 20-ounce plastic bottles. Alpine Kiwanis Brat Days had more than 20,000 patrons purchase 20,000 20-ounce plastic beverage bottles with their brats last July. Event coordinators from both these organizations have pledged their support of this program, and look forward to utilizing it next year.

To use these containers at an event, organizations need to contact KNIB to arrange for the transport of the trailer to and from their event, as well as for the set-up of the collection bins prior to the start of the event. The organization will also be responsible for ensuring the collection bins are closely monitored and maintained throughout the event.

When the event has finished, the organization is responsible for bringing the bags of recyclables to a facility that accepts aluminum cans and plastic bottles.

By using Recycle on the Go!, organizations will help to conserve natural resources, save valuable landfill space, reduce litter and help the economy through the saving of oil, gas and energy used in the manufacturing and transport of new cans and bottles.

To reserve the Recycle on the Go! materials or for more information about this program, visit www.knib.org or contact KNIB at (815) 637-1343.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

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Chicago Slaughter will compete in IFL in 2010

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

By Doug Halberstadt

Sports Columnist

In last week’s issue of The Rock River Times, I wrote an article about the decision made by Bob Lowe, owner of the Rock River Raptors, not to compete in the upcoming 2010 season. As an addition to that story, I included some information I gathered from the Continental Indoor Football League Web site concerning the Chicago Slaughter and their troubles with the league.

Almost immediately after our paper was distributed last Wednesday (Nov. 18), I received an e-mail that I’d like to share with our readers.

Doug:

Upon reading your recent Rock River Times article, “Raptors bit by slumping economy—to sit out 2010 season,” I wanted to reach out to you with a correction to let you know the Slaughter announced in late October they had left the CIFL to compete in the Indoor Football League (IFL) in the 2010 season. Please see the press release posted below for more information.

Thank you,

Cally

2009 CIFL champion Chicago Slaughter compete in top indoor football league (IFL) for 2010 season

CHICAGO—The 2009 (CIFL) champion Chicago Slaughter, led by head coach and 1985 Super Bowl Chicago Bears star, Steve “Mongo” McMichael, will join the ranks of the Indoor Football League (IFL) for the 2010 season. The Slaughter joins the IFL as one of seven new expansion teams bringing the total number of teams in the league to 24 for the upcoming season that begins in February. The agreement between the IFL and the Slaughter was reached late last week. Previous to that, the team was a member of the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL)

“Being part of the IFL will allow us to showcase our team and the talent of our players on a broad stage in a more competitive environment,” said Alan Perkins, general manager of the Chicago Slaughter. “We’re a championship football team, and we are excited about competing on a higher level.”Chicago Slaughter fans may purchase tickets for the 2010 season by calling the Slaughter office at (847) 310-3190 or visiting the team’s Web site at www.ChicagoSlaughter.com.

Chicago Slaughter

The Chicago Slaughter Professional Indoor Football team was established as part of the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) in 2007. With division championships in 2008 and 2009, the Slaughter, led by McMichael, went 14-0 and captured their first CIFL championship trophy in 2009, capping off a truly historic season. The Slaughter joined the Indoor Football League (IFL) prior to the 2010 season. With headquarters in suburban Chicago, the team hosts all home games at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Ill. For more information about the Chicago Slaughter, visit http://ChicagoSlaughter.com.

IFL

The Indoor Football League (IFL), with headquarters in Richmond, Va., is a professional indoor football league created in 2008 out of the merger between the Intense Football League and United Indoor Football. Under the direction of Commissioner Tommy Benizio, league expansion has been aggressively pursued. With the addition of seven new teams in 2010, the IFL now includes 24 franchises, spanning from Alaska to Maryland. Upon the dissolution of the AFL and the AF2, the Indoor Football League has now become the top indoor/arena football league in the country. For more information about the IFL, visit www.goifl.com.

I guess it’s nice to know that even the Chicago Slaughter brass are reading The Rock River Times. I’d like to take this opportunity to personally thank them and wish them a successful season in their new league.

Now, if I could only get the Chicago Bears’ front office to contact me about my suggestion of firing the entire coaching staff.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

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Charlie Weis on the hot seat at Notre Dame

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

By S.C. Zuba

Sports Columnist

After a devastating double-overtime loss to Connecticut last Saturday (Nov. 21) in South Bend, Ind., all fingers point to Notre Dame’s head coach Charlie Weis.

Weis has been on the hot seat all season as the Fighting Irish fought to regain their once-dominant place atop the BCS standings.

There was a time when Notre Dame was at the top of the college football world, right next to schools like USC, Florida and, at the time, Michigan. But now, the lowly Irish are looking for answers.

The Irish currently sit at 6-5—a record Weis stated simply wasn’t good enough when he was hired as head coach in 2004.

“I still agree with that,” Weis said Sunday, Nov. 22. “If they decide to make a change, I’d have to say I’d have a tough time arguing with them. Because 6-5 isn’t good enough.”

He is right; 6-5 just doesn’t cut it for Notre Dame. Weis also pointed out many of the team’s losses this year have been close games.

“We’ve lost five games by a touchdown or less, and several three-point games right down to the wire,” Weis said. “My intent is to be here. But if that were the rationale, it’d be tough for me to argue with that point.”

Before the start of the Connecticut game, Notre Dame Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick said Weis’s future had not yet been determined. But after the loss Saturday, I would say it would be tough to argue that Weis will be in South Bend next season.

Next year could be a big transition year for the Irish if juniors Jimmy Clausen and Golden Tate choose to skip their senior season and enter the NFL draft.

Neither player has publicly announced his plans for next season.

“I don’t know,” Tate said after setting new single-season receiving records with 83 catches and 1,295 yards so far in 2009. “I’m just trying to get wins. Just worrying about next week and, come December, (Weis) and I, and my family, we’ll talk about what the future is and all the different possibilities. Right now, I’m trying to get it done for the seniors.”

Clausen offered similar sentiments.

“I haven’t talked to my family, coach Weis or anybody about the future,” Clausen said. “I’m going to go in, watch the tape, see what I could have done better in the game, and get ready to go out to California and play Stanford.”

If both players decide to enter the draft, the Irish could fall into a long and painful process of rebuilding with a brand-new head coach.

Share your thoughts with S.C. Zuba via e-mail at samuelczuba@yahoo.com.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

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Youth Orchestra performs holiday favorites at CherryVale Dec. 1

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

From press release

Rockford Symphony Orchestra announces a special appearance by the Rockford Symphony Youth Orchestra (RSYO) Brass Choir performing traditional and popular holiday favorites outside the first-level CherryVale Mall entrance of Bergner’s from 7 to 7:45 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 1.

This ensemble will be directed by RSYO Conductor Dan Black and represents the brass section of the RSYO. The Brass Choir is composed of nine students representing schools from throughout the area, including the following by instrument:

French horn: Colette Metras, Rock Valley College; Rachelle Huffman, Rockton Hononegah High School; and Martin Willette, Rockford Lutheran High School.

Trumpet: Nate Moe, home-schooled, and Paul Milius, Rockford Guilford High School.

Trombone: Mike Kikta, Rockford Auburn High School, and Caleb Johnson, Machesney Park Harlem High School.

Euphonium: K.C. Dietz, Stillman Valley High School.

Tuba: Ashley Johnson, Winnebago High School.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

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Rodeo saddling up for another ride?

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

By Stuart R. Wahlin

Staff Writer

There have been cement trucks, sounds of heavy machinery, and trucks loaded with construction materials coming and going. That much is certain. But out of view from nearby roadways, passersby can only wonder what’s going on at 14852 Hauley Road in Shirland Township.

“We can’t see it,” one nearby resident said, “but we sure can hear it.”

From the adjacent Sugar River Forest Preserve, however, the new 200-foot-long structure on the property is hard to miss.

Winnebago County Forest Preserve District Director of Land & Development Tom Hartley responded, “I have not seen the construction personally, but in checking with our area manager, he did not report anything that we should be concerned about, and we have not had any complaints from preserve users reported to us.”

Complaints and concerns were lodged with the county, however, but inspections by building and zoning staff determined the new outbuilding is in compliance.

The property, owned by Enrique Jaime, was the subject of controversy a year ago when Jaime applied for a special-use permit (SUP) “to allow a recreational facility/commercial entertainment/tourist establishment for an outdoor rodeo facility and equestrian riding trails” in an agricultural district.

Jaime applied for the permit after county officials discovered he’d already been advertising and hosting rodeo and equestrian events—complete with grandstand seating, concessions and portable toilets.

Jaime, who acknowledged charging $10 for admission—later calling it a donation—said he’d not been aware such an operation did not conform to zoning ordinances.

“It was something just for friends and family. Well, people heard about it and started coming. I started getting more and more people. So, with that, there is a need for a place like this,” Jaime told the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) at a hearing spread over two nights. “It didn’t start out for the public. It ended up that way.”

Also during testimony, it was alleged some people living in the area “don’t want to come in and say anything, because they’re afraid that Mr. Jaime will retaliate against them.”

During the hearing, some neighbors complained about previous rodeos on the property, and expressed concerns about traffic safety, drinking, sanitation, the effect on property values, animal welfare and waste, litter, trespassing and crowd control—but mostly about the noise.

Another area resident told The Rock River Times, “The noise is so bad that we can’t even enjoy our property because of it when he does have ’em.”

Police have responded to noise complaints associated with the events, but reached for comment in August, Jaime argued noise wasn’t the real issue.

“They’re coming out under the pretense that they say it’s a noise problem, when it really isn’t. There is no noise problem out there,” he asserted. “They just don’t like the Mexicans coming into the neighborhood and getting together there. That’s what my neighbors tell me.”

During the ZBA hearing, it was noted Jaime had been charged with alleged horse-tripping, an event in which contestants earn points for dropping galloping horses or cattle to the ground by lassoing their forelegs.

Jaime emphatically denied the allegation.

“I haven’t thrown a rope in six years,” he told the ZBA. “That wasn’t the reason they came out. They were looking for an excuse to come onto my property, and it wasn’t horse-tripping.

“I mean, I had…agents in my house,” he noted, “For horse-tripping? I don’t think so.”

According to court records, Jaime pleaded guilty in January to the horse-tripping charge, a misdemeanor, subsequently completing six months of court supervision.

Dec. 11, 2008, the Winnebago County Board unanimously rejected Jaime’s petition for an SUP. But as long as the rodeos are not advertised and no money changes hands, board members admitted, little can be done to stop them—and they did continue.

When county officials got their hands on a flier advertising an Aug. 1 rodeo to be held at Jaime’s ranch, an injunction was filed, causing cancellation of what Jaime described as a private party. Litigation in the matter is ongoing, and a preliminary injunction remains in effect.

Since then, residents say, things have been a lot quieter. That is, until recently.

“This started up a couple weeks ago when I got a call from a constituent who lives out there,” explained County Board member Steve Schultz (R-2). “He was concerned about a lot of material being brought in, so I called [Winnebago County Planning & Zoning Officer] Troy Krup. I asked him to check into it.

“He sent somebody out there one day, and he went by himself and felt intimidated to go on the property, so he went back the next day with two people,” Schultz reported. “What they concluded was, ‘Well, he’s just building a road, and the combination of the concrete and the rebar would explain all this huge amount of material.’

“Subsequent to that, within a few days, there was another constituent who called me. He said he’d been in the forest preserve and took some photos of this building, this great big building, that’s being built on the back of the property on the forest preserve side,” Schultz said. “I called Troy Krup back, asked him if he would check it out. I said: ‘You’re being told part of the story. Yes, they built this roadway, but they also are building this outbuilding.’ Well, he looked in the records and, yes, he had received permission to build an ag-exempt building on that portion of the property.”

Nov. 16, Krup made an unannounced visit, during which he snapped photos of the new structure. In his report to Schultz, Krup acknowledged a large exercise and training area within the building, but stated: “There were no bleachers or any other evidence that he was using the building inappropriately. He received clearance on this building approximately a year ago.”

After reviewing the photos, Schultz indicated: “It has stables. It has an arena-type area, but the explanation was this was just for the training of his own horses. There were no bleachers. There’s nothing like grandstands or anything like that, like he has put outdoors.”

Referencing particular photos, however, Krup noted, “The grading pics show where he moved dirt to level off the rear of the building for a possible future addition.”

Schultz indicated he wouldn’t be surprised if Jaime is planning indoor events.

“He came for the zoning, did not get it,” Schultz said, “and still held numerous rodeo events after that. In light of that conduct, I would think that the likelihood is fairly high that he may have some events, and move it indoors, because it’s obviously that much more difficult to police, or to identify what’s being done where.”

Next month, having been a year since his request was denied, Jaime will technically be eligible to apply for another SUP. But until the matter of the county’s injunction is settled, Schultz is doubtful such a request will be made.

“It seems to me that he would at least want to delay it until that issue has been resolved,” he added. “Although, maybe not.”

Jaime could not be reached for comment.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

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Editorial: The District 205 credibility gap

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

Two individuals are taken from Rockford East High School in handcuffs Wednesday, Nov. 18 (black boxes added, T-shirt modified in attempts to conceal identities.) Mark Bonne, chief communications officer for District 205, said Nov. 18 no students were escorted out of the building or arrested. The Rock River Times learned Nov. 19 from Rockford police that one arrested for allegedly carrying a weapon on school grounds. (Photo by Daniel Jenkins)

Two individuals are taken from Rockford East High School in handcuffs Wednesday, Nov. 18 (black boxes added, T-shirt modified in attempts to conceal identities.) Mark Bonne, chief communications officer for District 205, said Nov. 18 no students were escorted out of the building or arrested. The Rock River Times learned Nov. 19 from Rockford police that one arrested for allegedly carrying a weapon on school grounds. (Photo by Daniel Jenkins)

By Brandon Reid

Assistant Editor

Either Rockford Public School District 205 administrators are completely clueless about what’s going on in the schools, or they think they can pull the wool over the public’s eyes when it comes to telling the truth.

Rockford police and fire units were called to Rockford East High School for two consecutive days Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 18-19, after students pulled a series of false fire alarms and food fights broke out in the cafeteria. Determining exactly what happened beyond that depends upon with whom one speaks.

According to District 205 administrators and Rockford police, the false fire alarms were simply pranks, examples of “kids being kids.” Ditto for the food fights. Little Bobby and Cindy might have had a little mashed potatoes and Jell-O in their hair, but all was well. In the administration’s descriptions of the Nov. 18-19 incidents, the events amounted to little more than a “disruption” caused by a “few” rascally students.

As Rockford Public School District 205 Executive Director of Schools Earl Hernandez said regarding the Nov. 19 incident, “That’s what we’re hoping is that we catch the few who are doing those things and stop it, because the overwhelming majority of the kids in that school just want to go to school.”

In other words, District 205 administrators seem to expect parents and the public to believe not much has changed in the public school system since Carrie, Mary and Laura Ingalls frolicked down a hill on their way to school in Walnut Grove, Minn., in the 1870s and 1880s on Little House on the Prairie.

Parents and students, however, paint a different picture of the Nov. 18-19 incidents at East High School, ones more likely to draw parallels to scenes from the 1989 movie Lean on Me, starring Morgan Freeman as Eastside High School (Paterson, N.J.) Principal Joe Clark. In that movie, based on a true story, Eastside is overcome by gang violence, drug use and urban despair.

Students’, parents’ account

of Nov. 18 incident

Following the Nov. 18 incident at East High School, one parent of an East High student reported seeing approximately five Rockford police squad cars outside the school and about six students running out the back door of the building. The parent described it was very loud inside, and said there was fighting in the stairwells and hallways, and food was being thrown around, along with plates, chairs and tables.

An East High School student said there was a fire alarm earlier in the day Nov. 18, then another leading into the lunch hour. The student said a food fight broke out in the cafeteria, and these fights have become a regular occurrence at the school.

According to the student, the Wednesday, Nov. 18, incident included fighting, hitting, screaming, throwing of trash cans, breaking of tables, and students punching other students in the face. The student said the whole school was practically involved in the incident, and students were coming out of classrooms. The student said approximately 60 percent of those involved in the incident were directly involved in violence, while the rest of the activity included students running and general chaos.

The student also said the incident was likely gang-related, and there would likely be further retaliation and violence in the days ahead. Additionally, the student estimated approximately 30 percent of the school is involved in gangs. The student said Aryan Brotherhood, Latin Kings and the Gangster Disciples are present in the school. The student added regularly seeing other students with knives in the school, particularly in the morning.

Reports from the scene,

District 205’s misinformation

After The Rock River Times (TRRT) first received reports Nov. 18 of what was described by parents and students as “rioting” at East High School, Staff Writer Joe McGehee and Photographer Daniel Jenkins went to the school. They were greeted by a security guard, Juan Reyes, who denied anything happened at the school Nov. 18. Reyes said maybe the reports TRRT was getting from parents and students were in regard to Eastern Illinois University, not East High School. McGehee and Jenkins were also informed they would need to wait until 3:30 p.m., Nov. 18, to have anything confirmed because administrators were in a meeting.

However, a student at the scene said there was a lot of fighting Nov. 18, and also reported seeing a trash can on fire.

While on the scene, McGehee and Jenkins reported seeing what appeared to be two students taken away by police in handcuffs. Jenkins took a photo of the incident (see A1). They also reported seeing two Rockford police squad cars and a police van. Two Rockford police officers were seen in a hallway inside the school.

Upon his return to the newspaper office Nov. 18, McGehee immediately began calling District 205 administration and Rockford police in attempts to confirm whether any arrests had been made Nov. 18. No phone messages were returned.

McGehee went to the District 205 Administration Building at the end of the day Nov. 18, and, after waiting 40 minutes, met with Mark Bonne, chief communications officer for District 205.

Bonne said Nov. 18 no students were escorted out of the building or arrested. He also denied any allegations of mass violence. He said the incident report stated there was a fire alarm, everyone was evacuated, and then another fire alarm was pulled after everyone returned to the building. He said any allegations of violence or students being escorted from the building were unfounded. “We both know how the rumor mill works,” Bonne said. “All these kids have cell phones.”

Whether knowingly or unknowingly, Bonne’s comments would later prove to be misinformation.

Rockford Police Sgt. Mike Spelman confirmed Nov. 19 the arrest of a single male student for aggravated battery for allegedly striking an assistant principal at East High School Nov. 18. Hernandez said Nov. 19 the incident was not related to the Nov. 18 fire alarms.

Later in the day Nov. 19, TRRT learned from Rockford Police Deputy Chief Theotis Glover that there was a second arrest, for a weapons charge, at East High School Nov. 18. Glover would not confirm what the weapon was, but said it was not a gun. “It was an object a student shouldn’t have at school,” Glover said.

Overall, District 205 administrators and Rockford police denied there was any rioting or violence at the school Nov. 18. These denials came despite the fact that one student was arrested for allegedly striking an assistant principal and, somehow in all the calmness described by administrators, a table in the cafeteria was broken.

Meantime, the East High School student who predicted the “calmness” would not end Wednesday, Nov. 18, would prove to be correct.

Nov. 19 incident

Rockford police and fire units were called to East High School for the second consecutive day Thursday, Nov. 19, after students set off a series of false fire alarms.

Hernandez said the first alarm was activated around 12:50 p.m., the second one was set off about 30 minutes later, and a third was activated around 2:45 p.m. The East High School student, cited previously in this article, described the exact same timeline as Hernandez Nov. 19.

Hernandez said two students were arrested Nov. 19, one for activating the false fire alarm and another for allegedly throwing “a large waste container in a reckless manner” in the cafeteria.

Hernandez, who was on the scene Nov. 19, said there were no reports of violence (apparently throwing “a large waste container in a reckless manner” is not violent). Students, however, again painted a different picture.

One East High School student reported there was a lot of fighting again during the first of the false fire alarms Nov. 19. “Just a lot of fighting; no guns or knives,” the student said. “From what I could see, there was only about 2 percent of the school NOT running towards the fight.

“The incident yesterday (Nov. 18) that happened was gang-related,” the student added. “I knew yesterday that this was going to happen again today (Nov. 19), and I’m sure it’s going to happen again tomorrow (Friday, Nov. 20) if they don’t have any security there.”

Another East High School student reported on TRRT’s Web site through comments in reply to an article about the Nov. 18-19 incidents: “Wow, why does the school have to try so hard to cover up something so obvious. We have had MANY riots, and a bunch of fights. On the first day it happened (11/18), they pulled the alarm twice after the fire drill, because they wanted to fight! And they did. Ask anyone, including the teachers. They had to call the police because they couldn’t handle it on their own because of the HUGE riot. …

“Today [Nov. 19], there were food fights, they pulled the alarm twice again, and there was an even bigger riot in the front of the school,” the student continued. “I had to go home early because it was getting too scary, and it was OK that I went home because the officers said we could (it was THAT bad). … I know for a fact a bunch of people had knives for ‘the fights,’ someone got sent home on the first day of all this chaos for that reason.

“When my mother called the school to see what was going on, they lied and said that the fire drills were scheduled, and that everything was under control,” the student added. “Wow I don’t feel safe at that school at all, and the people in charge of the school lying isn’t helping much, either. The new superintendent made it so hard to discipline these kids causing these problems, and they know that, that’s why it’s going to keep happening until something serious happens. … Sorry I felt like sharing this, mainly because it makes me feel sick to my stomach that they aren’t doing anything about it!”

TRRT made 23 phone calls to District 205 and Rockford police Nov. 20 and left 13 messages in attempts to gather information about whether any incidents occurred Nov. 20. Hernandez returned a phone call late in the day Friday, Nov. 20, but reporters were unavailable at the time, and further attempts to reach Hernandez were unsuccessful. All other messages were not returned.

Hernandez said there was an extra security presence at the school Nov. 19. He said the number of administrators, private security guards and police officers were all increased. This begs the question, if there were no violence or rioting, why the need to spend taxpayer money to provide extra security? Simply to try to catch kids pulling false fire alarms, as District 205 administrators claim?

Letters from Superintendent Sheffield, hastily-called news conference

Nov. 23, five days after the first incident at East High School, District 205 administrators sent a copy of two letters, written by District 205 Superintendent LaVonne M. Sheffield, to the media. One letter was addressed to parents of students at East and the other was addressed to Molly Phalen, Rockford Education Association, IEA-NEA.

In the letter to East parents, Sheffield again denied there was any violence or gang-related activity at East Nov. 18-19, and assured parents the school provided a safe learning environment.

In the letter to Phalen, Sheffield accused Phalen of drawing “a false connection between minor pranks at East High School and our discipline code.” She also wrote: “To issue statements in the media that suggest otherwise is doing more harm than good. If you or your members have any information to support such an implication, please send the facts to my office at your earliest convenience.”

Sheffield also said in the letter to Phalen: “I’m sure that you do not want the spreading of half-truths and innuendo to become the norm for the most important group of employees in our education system. Adults should not be perpetuating unfounded rumors.”

The letters by Sheffield were sent to the media by Bonne at 4:58 p.m., Monday, Nov. 23, and included the following line: “Earl Hernandez and I will be available to offer comments between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. this evening in Administration Building.” If the administration were really interested in being upfront and honest with the media, why send a release at 5 p.m., imploring them to be somewhere in 30 minutes if they would like answers to their questions? If the administration were really concerned with being honest and putting an end to “unfounded rumors,” then why all the unanswered phone calls and messages?

Gangs in the schools, similarity to 2007 incident

An East High School student, cited earlier in this article, said of the Nov. 18-19 incidents: “The gangs had a meeting, and it’s all been planned out. They’re using the fire alarms as a way to get out, and they’re having distractions on either the front or the back of the school. So they’re using distractions to start fights in other places.”

Although District 205 administrators said the incidents at East were not gang-related, Glover confirmed the presence of gangs in Rockford schools. He said he doesn’t understand why students don’t come forward with their fears.

The student added that a number of students left school after the incident Nov. 19, and said many students have expressed fear and believe it is all a disruption, “because nobody wants to deal with that. They had the same thing happen [in 2007].”

As reported by the local daily Sept. 28, 2007:

“Twelve students were arrested Thursday [Sept. 27, 2007] at East High School and more may be forthcoming after fights inside the school and on the campus broke out.

“The melees brought as many as 15 Rockford police and Winnebago County officers to the Charles Street campus.

“The fights seemed to be triggered by a fire alarm at 1:42 p.m., prompting a mass exodus of students.

“School officials said it has not been determined what caused the fights, but students say the fisticuffs were gang-related and planned.”

Regarding the Nov. 18-19 food fights at East, the East High School student said these are not ordinary, random food fights adults might remember from their childhood. “It has been happening very, very recently, and it’s not something that…this happens on practically a weekly basis,” the student said.

The student also added that some students who are not directly involved with the incidents like them because it means they get to go home for the day. “Why should they [speak out about the violence], because they like it because they want to leave,” the student said. “So everybody’s going to contribute to helping.”

Credibility gap

District 205’s inability to communicate in a timely, accurate manner with regard to the Nov. 18-19 incidents at East High School is the latest in a series of events that has created a massive credibility gap.

About two weeks ago, TRRT received reports from three students and one teacher at Guilford High School that a gun was found on the school’s Spring Creek Road campus. After repeated phone calls to Bonne for comment, Bonne finally confirmed about a week later that a gun was found, but that it was found in the middle of Spring Creek Road.

Really? A gun was found in the middle of Spring Creek Road? Just like no one was arrested at East Nov. 18? What are we to believe?

Getting back to the incidents at East, if there were arrests Nov. 18, why not be honest about it? If you didn’t know whether arrests were made, why say there were no arrests? Where is the credibility and accountability on behalf of the school district?

There certainly was little credibility or accountability involved when it was revealed in March 2009 that the school district had provided inaccurate truancy rates to the state for the past three years.

The district was bragging about how it had improved upon its dismal truancy rate when, in fact, it had gotten worse!

As the local daily reported March 26, 2009:

“A clerical error by district staff made it appear the district’s chronic truancy rate improved last year when it actually worsened.

“Data from the Rockford Register Star obtained this week from the school system under a Freedom of Information Act request shows the number of chronically truant students increased 4 percent, from 1,868 in 2006-07 to 1,945 in 2007-08.”

The local daily’s article added: “In 2005-06 and 2006-07, a clerical error led to incorrect reporting of chronic truancy rates, but the overall trend was accurate: During the first year of the formal partnership after the creation of city truancy ordinance, the number of chronic truants fell 28.8 percent from 2,625 to 1,868.

“What appeared to be a significant reduction in chronic truancy rates from 6.6 percent to 5.8 percent on the 2008 report card was nothing of the sort.

“The chronic truancy rate had actually increased to 7.5 percent last school year when 321 chronically truant elementary school students were accidentally not included in the count reported to the state.”

This all from the school district that brought us the Bill Neblock vs. David Strommer choking incident of 1997 and the massively expensive school desegregation lawsuit that crippled our schools and, ultimately, our community.

Truancy, ‘dropout factories’

and what’s at stake

The sad part is that while administrators and others in District 205 are scrambling to play politics and spin things in their favor, students are suffering. Did you hear me, District 205? STUDENTS ARE SUFFERING!

Want proof students are suffering? For starters, 7.5 percent of students would rather not show up to school every day than deal with the fear, frustration and hopelessness of attending a Rockford public school. Furthermore, 403 students (or about 5.6 percent) dropped out of the district in 2009—154 from Jefferson, 107 from Auburn, 82 from Guilford and 60 from East.

According to a 2007 study conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins University that looked at retention rates, Auburn, East and Jefferson are all considered “dropout factories.” The study reported the average retention rate, or the number of freshmen who make it to their senior year at the same school, is 53 percent at Jefferson and 45 percent at both Auburn and East.

I could have been a product of one of those “dropout factories” had I not moved from the district. Here are some of my classmates from Rockford public schools (prison information courtesy of Illinois Department of Corrections’ online inmate search):

Classmate No. 1—Murdered in drug and/or gang-related activity.

Classmate No. 2—Murdered in drug-related activity.

Classmate No. 3—Serving six years, six months for manufacturing/delivering 1-15 grams of cocaine; served five years for felony possession/use of weapon/firearm; served four years for aggravated battery of a peace officer/fireman; served four years for the manufacture/delivery of cannabis/30-500 grams.

Classmate No. 4—Serving 20 years for armed robbery/armed with firearm; served eight years for manufacture/delivery of 15+ grams of cocaine.

Classmate No. 5—Serving 10 years for 18+ Del sub<18/PK/SCH/PUB HS.

Classmate No. 6—Serving six years for 18+ Del sub<18/PK/SCH/PUB HS; served five years for manufacturing/delivering 1-15 grams of cocaine.

Classmate No. 7—Served five years for receiving/possessing/selling stolen vehicle; served two years for bad check/>$150 or second offense; and serving seven years for aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a victim 13-16 years of age.

Classmate No. 8—Sentenced to seven years for predatory criminal sexual assault; serving three years for failure to report weekly/no address/second+.

Classmate No. 9—Sentenced to five years for other amount of narcotic sched I & II; serving eight years for armed robbery/robbery w/firearm; serving 40 years for murder/strong prob kill/injure.

Classmate No. 10—Sentenced to eight years for armed robbery; serving six years for other amount narcotic schedule I & II.

I learned fairly quickly in school that these individuals lived a completely different reality than did I. They didn’t so much choose these lifestyles as they felt they had no other choice.

As a community, we must offer our youth something more to aspire to. A giant courthouse and jail in downtown Rockford are not the answer—they send the wrong message. As former Rockford Ald. Victory Bell said in a recent conversation, we need to invest in the heart of the city and bring our services and opportunities back to where they are visible to everyone.

Any kids who live a similar reality to mine, with the dream of going to college, frequently face an uphill battle in Rockford public schools. True, some do make it out, and there are plenty of success stories. But it’s also true the poor quality of our public schools has created a private school empire in this town and contributed to flight and sprawl. Only those with the means to do so can afford to move away and/or send their children to a private school. That leaves those in the middle and lower classes with no options, and contributes to the cycle of gangs, drugs, crime and poverty that has slowly been sucking the life out of this dying city for at least the past 20 years. Need I remind you that Rockford has the highest unemployment and crime rates in the state?

Maybe it’s time we start listening to what kids are saying. They appear to be the only ones with credibility in this district. Our future—Rockford’s future—depends on them. The time to act is now. If we fail to act, what future do we have?

We need to give kids a reason to go to school, instead of punishing them for not going to school. We need to make them feel safe at school, and prove to them that an education does have a purpose. This would require a community-wide effort and a redistribution of resources.

For example, instead of spending so much time and money fighting those who are truant and introducing them to the court system at an earlier age, we should spend more time addressing the reasons they do not go to school and the reasons they drop out.

The truancy and dropout rates are symptoms of a far deeper problem in Rockford. We can focus on the symptoms all we want, but the problem is not going away. The statistics prove it, despite the district’s best efforts to cover it up.

Students are trying to share a message with us right now: they don’t feel safe in their schools. How can students learn anything in an environment largely dominated by fear and hopelessness? Are we listening to what they’re saying, or are we just brushing it off as “kids being kids”?

Kids are more than just kids—they’re our future. It’s time we wake up and take a stand for our kids—our future. We must demand that District 205 quit playing politics with our kids, and start telling the truth and investing in making our public schools better and safer.

Staff Writer Joe McGehee and Photographer Daniel Jenkins contributed to this editorial.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

Posted in Editorials | 7 Comments »

Betsy Youngquist exhibits ‘Fantastic’ works in the Kortman Gallery

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

Opening reception set for 5:30-9 p.m., Friday, Nov. 27

From press release

Celebrated Rockford artist Betsy Youngquist, who creates colorful and compelling beaded works, will be featured in a solo exhibition in the Kortman Gallery for this holiday season. The show, titled
Fable: Explorations of the Fantastic,

opens Friday, Nov. 27.

The artist’s extravagantly-adorned creations, part human and part animal, explore a magical connection with nature through personalized mythology.

Betsy’s works not only have spectacular colors and intricate patterns, but her anthropomorphic creatures are truly a captivating visual journey into the fantastic,

says Kortman gallerist Doc Slafkosky.
It is fun and irresistible art that works so well with the holiday season… perfect for all ages.

Youngquist has been exhibiting her beaded mosaic sculptures at exhibitions across the United States for more than a decade, and most recently featured in the VIDA Museum in Borgholm, Sweden, with six other Rockford artists, and the SOFA show at Navy Pier in Chicago.

Youngquist’s work has shown up in a variety of publications including the cover of The Best in Contemporary Beadwork, produced by the Dairy Barn Cultural Arts Center, 500 Beaded Objects and 500 Handmade Dolls from Lark books, Bead and Button magazine, and in 2005 her beaded rabbit
Masquerade

was featured on the cover of American Style magazine. Betsy’s work has been on display at the Smithsonian Craft Show, and the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C.

The opening reception for Betsy Youngquist’s
Fable: Explorations of the Fantastic,

will be from 5:30-9 p.m., Friday, Nov. 27, in the Kortman Gallery, upstairs at J.R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 N. Main St., downtown Rockford. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, call (815) 968-0123 or visit www.jrkortman.com.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

Posted in Vibe Entertainment News | No Comments »

City to treat contaminated drinking water

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

News and notes from the Nov. 23 Rockford City Council meeting

By Stuart R. Wahlin

Staff Writer

The Rockford City Council agreed to pay up to $203,689 Nov. 23 to Calgon Carbon, of Pittsburgh, for granular activated carbon (GAC) removal at three groundwater processing facilities.

The agreement comes on the heels of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s (IEPA) Nov. 20 notification that trichloroethylene (TCE)—widely considered to be a carcinogen—is in the city’s groundwater and treated water supplies. However, the TCE levels detected in test samples are still considered to be within federal and state standards for drinking water, according to the IEPA.

GAC is said to be an effective method of removing TCE from drinking water.

The source of the contamination has not been identified, but the TCE is not believed to be associated with a June train derailment and ethanol spill.

Meantime, the city’s ongoing $75 million water system overhaul is expected to be complete in 2011.

OSF, RMH to share city training contract

Aldermen unanimously approved a three-year contract with OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center for emergency medical services (EMS) training and licensing of Rockford firefighters and paramedics.

Because OSF is eyeing a spot for an EMS training facility within Spring Creek Development Group’s mixed-use project adjacent to an existing fire station on West State Street, it was initially suggested OSF should be awarded the contract without a bidding process, and that the agreement simply be rotated from hospital to hospital every few years, as had been done in the past.

Although not required for services costing less than $20,000, the city ultimately decided to request bid proposals so that all three area hospitals would have a fair shot.

Rockford Health Systems partnered with OSF to land the new contract, which costs the city nothing, but after another bid was rejected, competition was non-existent.

SwedishAmerican Health System has served as the city’s EMS resource hospital for seven years, at a cost of $15,000 for 2009, but the contract expires at the end of the year. The health system was disqualified for allegedly failing to include Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) records prior to the proposal submission deadline.

Rockford Health System, which will cover training on the west side as its part of the contract, wasn’t likely to make that mistake again. SwedishAmerican first won the contract in 2003 after Rockford Health System failed to submit the same EEO forms.

Ald. Bill Robertson (I-14), who served as Rockford’s fire chief until retiring last year, thanked SwedishAmerican for the level of service provided for the last seven years. Robertson was clearly disappointed the hospital was out of the running for the contract, however.

“A bit silly,” he said of the bid rejection. “Sometimes I think common sense takes vacation around here.”

Reportedly, after learning the EEO file had been absent from their proposal, SwedishAmerican attempted to submit the forms, but they would not be considered, because the deadline had passed.

“I don’t think we need to ask how many times have they been drug into federal court because they didn’t meet some equal opportunity employment—that just didn’t happen, and it doesn’t happen with them,” Robertson asserted. “I think we all know that SwedishAmerican is very compliant in that arena. And from that standpoint, I feel bad that they got tossed out without having their day. But they did, and that’s living within our rules, and I guess that’s the way things happen.”

Robertson has also served on the SwedishAmerican Health System Board of Directors.

Committee reports

υ Approving the city’s $280 million 2010-2014 capital plan, which earmarks dollars for road projects and other infrastructure improvements. After cuts from the residential streets program, which provides funds to individual wards for such projects, aldermen altered the capital plan to infuse a few more dollars back into neighborhood streets. Among the changes, $600,000 previously allocated for Churchill Park flood control bond payments will instead go toward residential streets. It is hoped the $600,000 bond payment for 2010 could be grant-eligible. If that doesn’t happen, it’s unclear where the $600,000 will come from. $125,000 originally slated for the arterial sidewalk program, and $50,000 from city-wide bicycle lane marking and signage earmarks, will also be diverted to the neighborhood streets fund for 2010. Ald. Linda McNeely (D-13) voted “no.”

υ Awarding a $30,009.35 bid to Loves Park-based William Charles Construction, formerly Rockford Blacktop, for work related to the Reed Avenue sanitary sewer. The funding source is Southeast Affordable Housing Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District funds.

υ Approving a $23,000 settlement in the case of Oliver v. See. According to City Legal Director Patrick Hayes, the case alleges Rockford police illegally entered a residence to arrest a subject for allegedly driving under the influence. Hayes indicated a judge ruled the officer lacked probable cause to arrest the subject, and charges were dismissed. “The criminal court ruling exposed the city to liability on the false arrest claim,” Hayes explained. “The city determined settlement at this amount to be preferable to the potential of a larger verdict after a trial, and settled the matter.”

Resolution

In a voice vote with some dissent, aldermen passed a resolution supporting the federal government’s proposed purchase of the Thomson Correctional Center. The prison could be used to house detainees and terror suspects presently held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Council support for the plan was largely based on the thousands of jobs that would be created.

Public comments

Retired Rockford police officer and former Winnebago County Board member Bruce Roberts addressed recent talk of offering incentives for officers to live in high-crime areas.

He indicated, however, such a program would mean an officer would be perceived by neighbors to be on-duty 24 hours per day, which could lead to problems.

“You would also have a liability consideration if they decided to go home and have something to drink,” Roberts noted, “because if something were to come up in the neighborhood, that would be an impingement into their being able to successfully operate as a police officer.”

Referencing a recent editorial in the daily praising Mayor Larry Morrissey (I) for suggesting the idea, Roberts offered, “I have seen circumstances where ‘innovation and change,’ after a while, time showed they weren’t really good ideas.”

Roberts also asked the community to remember its police officers and their families this Thanksgiving.

Absences

Ald. John Beck (R-12) was absent. Ald. Nancy Johnson (D-8) presided while Mayor Morrissey was returning from an economic development forum in Milan, Italy.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

Posted in Rockford News | No Comments »

Editorial: Pricing fear from the bottom up

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

Failure to practice critical thinking and telling the truth institutionalizes a culture of fear

By Frank Schier

Editor & Publisher

Teachers: safely going along to get along in these difficult economic times racks up much higher costs for our children, your students, yourselves.

Why? Because so many supposed adults only pay lip service to protecting education and all that is truly green for our future. When it comes to the moral challenge, too often we fail to practice what we preach. Teaching and educational results inexorably intertwine with our daily bread.

“We have to keep our jobs; we have families to provide for,” many say; actually, they are saying, “I am publicly silent about what is truly right or wrong, as long as the paychecks keep coming. Me and mine first.”

Educators publicly tout the welfare of children and the need for  quality of education. Yet, regarding the riots at East High School and the powder kegs in other schools,  many teachers this paper has approached to speak on or even off the record fearfully declined.

Then, they wonder why their students and parents don’t respect them. Teachers teach, but they lead and truly inspire by example. Largely unconsciously, students and parents beg teachers to stand up for them. Students and parents would love teachers to tell the truth about weapons and gangs in our schools. The teachers would love their union to empower them to speak out, empower them to provide discipline and empower their fine critical thinking to provide real solutions. The teachers are “on the ground”; and political correctness aside, their fear compounds the conundrum. Courage in operation flies as the highest and most effective lesson.

I was taught well, even though I was, and many times remain, a poor student. My mother was a teacher; she was one of the leaders of the teachers’ strike in the early 1960s. My sister thinks there was a picture of her on the front page of the daily with her cane in one hand and picket sign in the other. She fought against the broken projectors and outdated textbooks being shipped from Bloom Elementary and Guilford High School to Lathrop Elementary and West High School, while new technology and textbooks only lived east of the river. By watching her actions, she taught us to fight for people’s rights.

Her last name being Schier (pronounced “sheer”), her students called her “Old Lady Scissors.” As a single mother of four, she could cut it. A brilliant remedial reading teacher, really one of the first special-ed teachers with Dr. Mildred Berry as her mentor, she could bring a student’s reading level up as far as four or five years in one year. While all of her kids bemoaned her strictness, ask me about the “Flyswatter club” sometimes, she never let up, and she followed up with gentle, constant love. As my sister remembers, she never gave up on a kid, and always told them they had value, “You’re worth something!”

To her pride, two of my sibling became union stewards or leaders in the teamsters and suburban schools. Even in the ’60s and ’70s, she spoke of how the union was becoming just like the administration, concerned with its own power, pay and politics. The union was failing to provide for the real interests—the tools for teachers and teacher’s strength for children’s learning. She said essentially the unions were becoming what they fought against, and desegregation was really about the sophisticated maintenance of class structure, and the dumbing down of our population for cheap labor. Teachers, are you learning?

Ever since the school desegregation lawsuit, the administration of District 205 has been bloated, top heavy, and the teachers have paid. That inflation of administrative numbers was supposed to be the solution for equal opportunity education. That inflation has failed, but the inflated number of paychecks cannot admit that politically incorrect truth. Damn critical thinking, especially when it’s not self-serving!

Deceptively, the Pollyanna politicos at the top of this administration try to sell the public that gangs do not exist in our schools. That is a lie. The Rockford Police Department has the guts to admit it, why can’t the supposed true guardians of knowledge admit the truth? The Aryan Brotherhood, Latin Kings and Gangster Disciples may have 30 percent of our high school kids under their lesson plan. The Gangster Disciples are the most powerful adult gang in Rockford with constant imports from Chicago. How soon will it be that we have more teens killing teens, complete with drive-bys, just like Chicago?

Riots and arrests did occur at East High School last week, and to deny that is another lie or unbelievable ignorance of what is happening “on the ground” in the local battle to change the disfunction of the “dropout factories” our schools have become. If someone worked for me and told such lies or displayed such ignorance, I’d be “Old Man Scissors” and cut them loose; yes, I’d fire them, enthusiastically.

We need to enthusiastically reduce this “misleading” administration’s numbers and use that money “on the ground” in our schools.

Here’s the solutions as I see them from what I know of this city’s school history and teachers that have the courage to talk to me, but will not appear, even as unattributed sources in print. Fear is rampant.

1. Reduce class sizes.

2. Hire more teachers, and the unions have to cooperate with lower pay scales at entry-level positions.

3. Aggressively set up an expanded program of parenting skills to educate the kids who have kids, and to help the parents who are at poverty level. Part of this parenting program should dovetail with existing local employment and day-care programs, complete with referrals to existing local drug and alcohol programs. Community organizations and churches must get on board to move at-risk parents into these programs. The solution really begins in the home.

4. Set up more “Roosevelt Academy” schools for dropouts and students with chronic behavior problems.  The striving student must be able to learn and the teacher must be able to teach without chaos in the classroom and hallways. Like Boylan High School, set up a demerit system.  When a student reaches 60 demerits, they’re off to the “Academy.” Set up grade and behavior goals in the “Academy” that allow re-entry into regular schools.

5. Like many courtroom bailiffs who are retired policemen, one policeman should be assigned to each school, and only one. He should become “Officer Friendly” and have the ability  to independently call in for backup.

6. PTOs, or Parent-Teacher Organizations, are essential for moral and to raise funds for extra-circular activities. Set a fund ceiling for each school, with funds above that level going to less successful schools.

7. Institute an arts-based curriculum. Every school on every level should have a literary magazine, a science team, a debate/speech team, a fine art/sculpture team, a modern/classical dance team, spring and fall drama productions, and band and orchestra. These programs define and enhance the basic “four Rs,” and provide the all-important, after-school and weekend activities to keep kids (and some parents) off the street and learning.

The East High School riots and arrests are just the start, unless teachers and their unions have the courage to tell the truth and  operatively display their critical thinking skills. Teachers must lead by example.

This administration is a failure and stifles free and honest speech—a totally unacceptable example. The lesson plan must reduce the administrators by more than half to two-thirds, starting at the top. Bring back the power and funding to the teachers and principals. Teaching the “four-Rs” is an art form, and an arts-based curriculum can conquer any fear from the bottom up.

Wow, the kids might even have fun learnig and feel like they are “worth something!” If we fail to reduce bureaucracy and invest those funds in our kids, we all lose value. Be like Ma, don’t give up on the kids. We really can’t afford to abandon them or ourselves. We’re the supposed adults; let’s act like the adults the kids should like to grow up to be. Shall our kids have courage or fear?

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

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Theater Review: It’s a Wonderful Life at Pec Playhouse

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

By Edith McCauley

Theater Critic

Diane Grosvenor-Johnson, long-time member of the Pec Playhouse Company in Pecatonica, Ill., directs the current production with the expertise of one with many years of experience. The well-chosen cast performs well, and the pacing of the production is excellent. In her notes, she credits those who give technical assistance so vital to a good show. She especially acknowledges the work of Stage Manager Laura Wiegert.

Community theater literally involves the whole community. Many of the actors grew up and performed for the first time in this venue. As adults, some are still here, and others have gone on to pursue careers elsewhere.

The familiar story of George Bailey—his friends, family and the difficulties involved during the Depression—has become part of our holidays for more than 50 years. The dialogue is so predictable, we equate it with ’Twas the Night Before Christmas. Having recently seen the musical version of A Wonderful Life at Fireside, Pec’s efforts fared well. Joel Ramsey as George and Sarah Rupnow as his loving wife, Mary, on stage for much of the evening, deliver their lines with dramatic effect. Grosvenor-Johnson’s direction equips the entire cast with the assurance needed to perform and move well in a space where imagination is critical to the storyline.

George Bates makes his stage debut as the Scrooge-like Henry F. Potter. He keeps us cheering for George and uncle Billy (Jim Thompson). Bates even received a few hisses and boos at the curtain call. He convinces us of his devious strategies.

With so many scenes set in Bedford Falls, creating the illusion of a small town is a challenge. Terry Bouray’s set design involves innumerable changes and the stage crew accomplishes these quickly and with little interruption to the flow of the drama. Arnie Ames’ lighting enables much of the movement to take place while lines are delivered and the play moves forward.

Jerry Vanderheyden is Clarence, George’s guardian angel. He played the role in the same play given at Pec several years ago, and is delighted to reprise the part. As Violet, Arianne Baer adds a bit of glamour to Bedford Falls. Her first effort in theater may be just the beginning; if not a profession, at least “a wonderful life.”

Playing through Dec. 6, It’s a Wonderful Life is a great way to begin the holidays. Pam Barkdoll continues to handle tickets and publicity. For further information, call her at (815) 239-1210 or toll-free at 877-PEC-PLAY.

Michael Dice announced at intermission that the current production may enable the company to pay off their mortgage. Congratulations to Pec Playhouse and its many supporters.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

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Nutcracker Ballet takes Coronado stage Nov. 28

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

From press release

Rockford Symphony Orchestra (RSO) and the Rockford Dance Company are once again collaborating to present Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker Ballet at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 28 at the Coronado Performing Arts Center.

Live music from the RSO, vibrant sets and dazzling costumes make this the premier production in northern Illinois and a wonderful way to celebrate the start of the holiday season.

This year’s performance features professional lead dancers including Rockford native April Daly and her partner Mauro Villanueva of the Joffrey Ballet; returning guest Yumelia Garcia, now also with the Joffrey Ballet; and new this year, Garcia’s partner Miguel Blanco, of Ballet National de Cuba. The year’s performance also features Rockford community arts advocate and dancer Shelton Kay as Herr Drosselmeyer.

Tickets for the performances are available on the Web at rockfordsymphony.com or by calling the RSO box office at (815) 965-0049. Tickets for this year’s performance are $18-$49.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

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Rockford Park District hosts holiday tree lighting event

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

From press release

Gather family and friends for the sights, sounds and fun of the holiday season to enjoy the free annual Holiday Tree Lighting presented by Applebee’s and hosted by Rockford Park District, from 4-6 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 29, at Sinnissippi Park, 1401 N. Second St., Rockford. Due to the construction of the Nicholas Conservatory, the location was moved across the street for this year’s event.

Festivities begin at 4 p.m., with free kids’ activities and photos with Santa and friends until 6 p.m., and music by the Kantorei Singing Boys of Rockford starting at 5 p.m. Santa and friends will light the holiday tree at 5:30 p.m. Letters for Santa can be dropped off at the
North Pole Express

mailbox through Dec. 21 (include a return address for Santa’s reply). Treats and beverages will be available for purchase, with proceeds to benefit the Friends of Lockwood Park volunteer efforts. Event parking will be available in Sinnissippi Park. For more information on the tree lighting, accessibility for people with disabilities attending the event, call (815) 987-8800.

The 21st annual presentation of the Festival of Lights will open at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 29. The holiday light displays are created by local groups and businesses; the display hours are Thursday through Sunday evenings, Dec. 3-31, 5-10 p.m. On Dec. 24, the Festival will be open all night. Admission is free; donations are appreciated. Vote online for the best display at www.mystateline.com. For more information on Festival of Lights, visit www.rockfordfireandice.com or call Project First Rate at (815) 965-0768.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

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Comings and goings on county board

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

By Stuart R. Wahlin

Staff Writer

Winnebago County Board member Randy Olson (R-1) announced he’ll be stepping down after accepting a chief helicopter pilot job offer from the non-profit Law Enforcement Aviation Coalition (LEAC).

Olson has served as chief pilot for five years in a volunteer capacity, but because of increased demand from participating law enforcement agencies for air support, LEAC determined a full-time paid position was needed.

In October, the board agreed to let LEAC use half of the county’s $90,000 support for the program in 2010, by way of federal grant dollars, toward the $102,500 position.

When voting on the issue, most board members agreed it was a foregone conclusion Olson would be offered the job, leaving some to question whether such a vote was ethical.

Until the chief pilot position became a paid one, Olson was rumored to be the strongest Republican contender to run for sheriff, for which he has run before. But when the deadline came, Olson only filed for re-election to his board seat.

Because Olson will be receiving paychecks and benefits from the county, however, his chief pilot and county board positions will be incompatible.

With the sense Olson’s tenure on the board would soon come to an end, his board seat has become the most contested in the county for 2010. Democrats Wendy Schneider and David Hassell are hoping for their party’s nomination, but an objection could strike Hassell from the primary ballot. A ruling in the matter is expected Nov. 30.

With Olson now out of the February primary race, fellow Republicans Robb Firch, Richard Sneath and Lynne Strathman will compete for the nod.

As noted in the Nov. 18-24, 2009, online edition, the term of another Republican board member may also be coming to an early end.

It’s been a waiting game for Ted Biondo (R-9) since the Illinois Supreme Court overturned an appellate ruling in September, thereby upholding Judge Ronald Pirrello’s (D) earlier decision that Loves Park Democrat Carolyn Gardner should have been a candidate in a special election last November—an election for which Biondo did not file as a candidate, because he said he believed he was appointed to serve the entire unexpired term of the late Mary Ann Aiello.

State election statute specifies, however, that if a vacancy occurs more than 28 months before the end of a term, a special election must be held to serve the remaining two years.

The appellate ruling in Biondo’s favor the day before the November elections meant no special election would be held, on the basis that Biondo had been appointed within the 28-month period.

Despite the last-minute ruling, Gardner’s name still appeared unopposed on some ballots, however, and Democratic attorneys are seeking to have those votes certified, in which case Biondo would have to yield the seat to Gardner.

Judge Pirrello will preside in a hearing on the matter scheduled for Nov. 25. Regardless of the outcome, Biondo and Gardner will face off again for the seat in the November 2010 general election.

In other county races, an election commission determined Sheriff Richard Meyers (D) would remain on the primary ballot, despite an objection by another candidate for sheriff, Cherry Valley Township Supervisor Randy Sturm (R).

Prior to the decision, Sturm said he expected either he or Meyers would appeal the decision in the Circuit Court, depending on who’d been ruled against. Meantime, Sturm is competing with Aaron Booker in the Republican primary race for sheriff.

The commission upheld an objection to the candidacy petition filed by Democrat Nancy Edwardsen for not having enough eligible signatures. As a result, fellow Democrat Chuck Knight will run unopposed in the District 8 primary. He’ll face Republican Jenn Tate in the general election.

Posted in Winnebago County News | No Comments »

Hanging Out in Rockford: Old hats, stone eagles and copper pots—part two

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

By Mike Leifheit

Columnist

As I arrive at The Stone Eagle Bar, the construction area is blocked off by a chain-link fence, and I have to drive around to the west side to enter. There is a new gazebo on the west side of the building. Two antique copper cupolas adorn what used to be simple sloping roofs atop the building. They fit in with the dimensions of the former Cheddar’s, and change the look of the building dramatically. The biggest change, however, is a stone archway in front of the entrance with two huge stone eagles at its peak. It looks like something off the Reichstag. Two more gigantic eagles are going to flank it. They sit in the parking lot, quietly awaiting their new perches, which the stone masons are busily erecting.

Inside, I discover Philippe hard at work. He takes a few minutes to show me around, before hooking me up with Jimmy, who then gives me the grand tour. When we go back out front to look at the arch, I tell Jimmy how much I admire him for tackling this project. (I do, it’s high time the chains on the east side have some first-rate hometown competition. My only regret is that we couldn’t persuade him to come downtown.)

Back inside, there are stone eagles everywhere you look. One dominates the entrance way. Immediately to the right is the oyster bar, reminiscent of the one at Shaw’s Crabhouse in downtown Chicago. Behind the oyster bar is a real wood-fired stone pizza oven. I ask Jim, and he says this is a two-person station, someone shucking oysters and a bartender who will also cook pizzas.

Across the way, there is going to be another bar, this one with a beautiful antique back bar. Jimmy is famous for this. Anyone who has been to any of his other places knows what I am talking about. He said he had one that would fit perfectly into the space. The main dining area is along the east side of the building, where it was when it was Cheddar’s, but Jimmy has cut the overall number of seats in the building from 290 to 240 to provide more comfort in dining. He tells me he will have 100 menu items ranging from $6.95 to $12.95.

Down the center middle of the building there are four separate private dining rooms that can be used individually or together. Another unique feature is the drive-up window. I questioned this, as I couldn’t see why he would want to mess with it, and he said he had never had pizza before, and he wanted to see what it would do. He also said trends in the business were leading in that direction.

I don’t want to keep Philippe and Jim from their work, so I am trying to get out of the way, but they get me to follow them back into the bar, where Jim is unpacking some antique pots and pans. They are solid copper, with a lining I guess to be pewter. Jim says he bought them from Susie Kaufman. I try to tell them the story about Susie, but it gets side-tracked. Jim tells me he is going to have an opening by special invitation, and that I will be invited and that Susie Kaufman will get an invitation also. I say I will bring Susie as my date.

On the way back, on the way to have some lunch at the Café Greco, I call Susie on the cell phone to ask her if she will be my date to Jim’s special opening. She says she will. I tell her about the copper pots, and she says she sold some copper pots to Jim. I say, “Were they lined with pewter?” And she says they were. Susie says I should drop by beforehand and have a glass of wine. I promise I will. I ask her if she has talked to Doug Busch, and say that if she does, to remember me to him. I sit there in the gravel parking lot talking to Susie on the cell phone, and then I say I have an appointment for lunch and that I have to go in. Before I get of the phone, she tells me—with a voice that indicates a twinkle in her eye—that she has a hat for me to fix.

Mike Leifheit’s “Hanging Out In Rockford” reviews locally-owned restaurants, businesses and Rockford life. Leifheit is owner of the Irish Rose restaurant in the downtown River District.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

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Literary Hook: March 1, 2010, deadline for Jane’s Stories Press Foundation Poetry Award

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

By Christine Swanberg

Author and Poet

Jane’s Stories Press Foundation announces its 2010 Poetry Contest, “Beyond Borders.”

The 2010 Jane’s Stories Poetry Award is for previously unpublished poems written in English by women. Results will be announced in April 2010.

Guidelines are as follow:

The Jane’s Stories Poetry Award will be awarded to the best poem submitted and received by March 1, 2010. Previously unpublished poems of any length or style written in English by women are eligible. Entries should speak to the contest theme, “Beyond Borders.” The Foundation has a special interest in work by and about women, and is seeking writing that addresses resolving conflicts and boundary issues.

A first prize of $100 will be awarded. A second prize of $50 and two third prizes of $25 each will also be awarded. All winning poems will be featured on Jane’s Web site, www.janestories.org. Authors also grant JSPF reprint rights to publish winning entries in its next anthology.

An entry fee of $10 for three poems must accompany each submission. Include $3 for each additional submitted beyond the first three, up to a limit of five poems. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope for notification and a list of the winners or request e-mail notification to a valid e-mail address. All entries will be recycled rather than returned. Submissions accepted though March 10, 2010.

Enclose a separate sheet, including your name, address, e-mail address and phone number and a list of poems submitted. Do not put your name on the poem itself. The title of each poem should appear at the top of the page. Entries without SASEs of valid e-mail addresses will not be considered. Entries after March 1, 2010, will be discarded.

Send all entries and fees to: Contest, Jane’s Stories Press Foundation, 5500 N 50 W, Fremont, IN 46737.

Christine Swanberg is a local author and poet who has written several books of poetry and formerly wrote a column called “The Writer’s Garret” for this newspaper.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

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Arts Council News: Handel’s Messiah presented by Rockford Choral Union

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

By Anne E. O’Keefe

Executive Director,

Rockford Area Arts Council

Sixty-four years is quite an impressive run for any production. The Rockford Choral Union has been bringing Handel’s Messiah to our community since President Harry S. Truman was in office.

The theme this year is “a musical piece for peace.” It has become a Thanksgiving weekend standard with a production including a full professional orchestra, pipe organ, harpsichord, trumpets, conductor, soloists and chorale of 125 from Rockford and the area covering a 60-mile radius. Soloists this year include Amy Conn, Tracy Watson, William Watson and Dr. Todd Payne.

Coila Davis, one of the performers, serves on the board of directors and works on the publicity. She says the Messiah performances started here in Rockford in 1945 to raise the spirits of the community during wartime. As is the case with oratorios, this piece is divided into three parts: Christ’s birth, death and resurrection, using Biblical passages. This piece is Handel’s personal favorite, and he suggests it was the product of inspiration: “I did think I did see all Heaven before me and the great God himself.”

Begin your holiday season with Handel’s Messiah at Trinity Lutheran Church, 200 N. First St., at 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 28, and at 3 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 29. Since the Messiah’s first performances around Europe, the profits from most of the performances were donated to charity, an effort befitting the true spirit of the season. Free-will offerings are greatly appreciated, and well worth it! For information call, (815) 654-2748.

Don’t miss another holiday classic, Rockford Dance Company and Rockford Symphony Orchestra’s The Nutcracker at the Coronado, Saturday, Nov. 28, at 2 and 7 p.m.—call (815) 965-0049. For tickets to the Sugar Plum Fairy Party, just $15, call (815) 963-3341. Have your photo taken with the Sugar Plum Fairies at the party after the performance, and enjoy crafts, cookies and punch.

Anne E. O’Keefe is executive director of the Rockford Area Arts Council.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

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Tube Talk: USA’s Monk no more

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

By Paula Hendrickson

Contributing Writer

It’s almost hard to remember USA Network prior to the 2002 debut of Monk. The series single-handedly defined USA as the home of character-based television series, something that was in short supply on broadcast networks then (and somewhat still) dominated by procedural series.

Today, it’s almost as difficult to think of USA without Monk, which ends its run in a two-part finale beginning Nov. 27 and concluding Dec. 4.

USA learned a lot from the instant success of Monk. They learned there is an audience for well-executed light drama and hour-long comedies. They also learned how crucial interesting characters are to the success of a series. They also threw out a welcome mat for producers and performers: Characters Welcome.

Without Monk, there would likely be no Psych, no Burn Notice, no In Plain Sight, no Royal Pains and no White Collar, USA’s newest original series. You could argue that without Monk, there would be no USA. At least not as we know it today.

Millions of viewers have watched Emmy-winner Tony Shalhoub bring the “defective detective” Adrian Monk to life, warts and all. Monk’s obsessive-compulsive disorder—inspired by series co-creator David Hoberman’s real-life struggle with OCD—made him a great detective. The character called it “a blessing and a curse.” While most of Monk’s many phobias have been played for laughs, it’s his grief over the murder of his wife, Trudy, that added much-needed gravitas to keep the character from becoming too cartoonish.

About a year ago, I spoke with some of Monk’s executive producers, and Randy Zisk said it took most of the first season to find the right tone. At a certain point they realized going for a laugh in the middle of a very tense or dramatic scene worked. “I think that’s something that’s kind of unique to the show,” Zisk said. “And that’s really about [co-creator] Andy’s [Breckman’s] writing—he takes you down to the depths and then there’s a little tweak of a picture or mirror that brings you back to who Monk is.”

Breckman said that despite the laughs, Monk is a show about loss. Monk lost his wife, his job, his sanity. Even his assistant Natalie (Traylor Howard) suffered the loss of her husband. In many ways, she’s the anti-Monk.

“Natalie is a success story,” Breckman said. “She’s dealing with it. She’s obviously a high-functioning, well-adjusted woman who’s dealing with the loss of her spouse as I think most people would. It is an interesting contrast to Monk.”

So, the question many viewers have of the series finale: Will we leave Monk as he is, struggling with every little detail, or will he figure out who killed Trudy and gain some much-needed closure? Or will something entirely unexpected happen to our favorite defective detective?

We’ll know all too soon.

Meantime, check out the show’s interactive Web site at http://www.usanetwork.com/series/monk/index.html, or relive some favorite Monk moments in USA’s viewers’ choice marathon Sunday, Nov. 29, starting at 8 a.m.

Programming notes

υ “Mr. Monk and the End, Part 1,” airs Friday, Nov. 27, at 8 p.m. and again at 11 p.m. on USA.

υ “Mr. Monk and the End, Part 2,” airs Friday, Dec. 4, at 8 p.m., and again at 11 p.m. on USA.

Paula Hendrickson is a regular contributor to Emmy magazine and Variety, and has been published in numerous national publications, including American Bungalow, Television Week and TVGuide. Send in your suggestions to tubetalking-paula@yahoo.com.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

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Stillman Valley returns to title game

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

By Matt Nestor

Sports Columnist

The Stillman Valley Cardinals are back to a place that is very familiar to them. They hope the result is familiar as well.

The Cardinals defeated Carthage by a score of 21-14 to make their way to the IHSA Class 3A State Championship.

The Cardinals were outgained by more than 150 yards (464-295), but still managed to push the game into overtime. That is when quarterback Dane Green found Matt Arnold for a 9-yard touchdown pass for what proved to be the game-winner.

Green led the Cardinals in all phases of the game. He ran for 74 yards and two touchdowns, as well as throwing for 49 yards and the one score.

The Cardinals will face Tolono (Unity) in the championship game. The game will take place Friday, Nov. 27, at 4 p.m., at Memorial Stadium at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Tolono is the top-ranked team in Class 3A, and the favorites in the playoffs. Stillman Valley is ranked third.

In Class 7A, title favorites Glenbard West, who beat NIC-10 teams Guilford and Hononegah on their way to making the championship game, will face Wheaton Warrenville South Saturday, Nov. 28.

All championship games will be streamed live on IHSA.tv. Radio broadcast is available at IHSAradio.com. Championships will start Thursday with Class1A-4A games, with Class 5A-8A games on Thursday.

The lineup for the games is:

Class 1A—Tuscola vs. Lexington; Class 2A—Maroa vs. Morrison; Class 3A—Tolono vs. Stillman Valley; Class 4A—Metamora vs. Geneseo; Class 5A—Joliet Catholic vs. Lombard Montini; Class 6A—Providence Catholic vs. Cary Grove; Class 7A—Glenbard West vs. Wheaton; Class 8A—Chicago Marist vs. Maine South.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

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Habitat for Humanity ReStore expands, volunteers needed

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

From press release

Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity (RAHFH) ReStore is now open an additional day. Effective immediately, the ReStore has added Thursdays to the schedule. The hours will be 10 a.m.-6 p.m., identical to Wednesdays and Fridays. Saturday hours will be 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

The ReStore has also expanded its floor space into an adjacent storefront. The new space will allow the retail shop to sell donated gently-used furniture. Upholstered furniture will not be accepted or sold.

More volunteers are needed to staff the store, which donates all profits to the Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity building program. Customer service, pricing, staging donations and assembly are all tasks with which volunteer may assist. The ReStore puts back into use surplus and gently-used building materials, keeping them out of our landfills.

RAHFH is committed to building simple, decent, affordable homes to be sold to qualified low-income families. Volunteers have completed 84 Habitat homes since incorporating in 1988.

To learn more about volunteering or donating items to the ReStore, call (815) 713-3184 or e-mail rahfhrestore@aol.com.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

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NFL week 12 picks: Packers, Cowboys, Giants win on Thanksgiving

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

By Doug Halberstadt

Sports Columnist

First of all, happy Thanksgiving! I hope you and your families have a wonderful holiday.

I am very thankful to all of you who continue to faithfully read my columns. I appreciate the feedback, and whether we agree or disagree, it’s nice to know there are people all over the country interested in what I’m writing each week . That makes it all worthwhile.

There are three games on Thanksgiving Day. Green Bay has to go to Detroit. The trip will be worth it for them. They’ll pick up their second win within five days. Dallas hosts the Raiders in the second game. The Raiders are coming off an upset victory over the Bengals. Dallas also is coming off a 7-6 win over the Redskins. It’s almost un-American to pick against the Cowboys on Thanksgiving. I just hope they play better than they have the last two weeks. I’m going with Dallas.

In the Thursday night game on the NFL Network, the Giants are in Denver to take on the Broncos. Eli Manning and the Giants should prove that, despite the great start to their season, the Broncos are still a bunch of turkeys.

Sunday (Nov. 29) Atlanta is at home against Tampa Bay. I like Atlanta in the Georgia Dome. Miami will be in Buffalo to face the Bills. I’m hoping the Dolphins can make it two road victories in less than two full weeks. In the Ohio state championship game, the Browns travel south to invade Cincinnati. The Bengals will bounce back from a tough loss last week and defend their home turf.

The Cardinals have to come to Tennessee to meet the Titans. I think the red birds will get things accomplished and pull out a win in what could be a very close game. The Seahawks are in St. Louis, and will get a win on the road.

Unfortunately for Chicago, their woes will continue. They have to travel to the Metrodome to meet up with an old nemesis, Brett Favre. He is red hot, and I don’t think this year’s Bears team has the tools to put out those Favre flames.

The New York Jets are at home against the Panthers. I’m taking the home team in this game. Philadelphia welcomes Washington into town, and four quarters later, sends them on their way back to D.C. with another loss. The Colts keep winning, and, until they prove me wrong, I’ll keep picking them. This week, they are on the road against the Texans. They should improve to 11-0.

San Diego hosts the shocking Kansas City Chiefs. Even though the Chiefs knocked off the defending Super Bowl champs in overtime last week, they won’t have enough left in their tank to get past San Diego.

San Francisco played the Packers tough last Sunday. This week, they are at home against Jacksonville. I think the 49ers will prevail in another close game. Baltimore has to play the Steelers at home. They’ll come away with their Ravens heads held high in the nationally-televised Sunday night game.

The final game of November is on Monday night (Nov. 30), and it should be a great game. The Saints will try to stay undefeated as they host the New England Patriots. This could be one of the highest-scoring games all season. I like the Saints at home. Look for them to score 40 or more, and New England won’t be far behind.

Last week, I was 10-5 heading into the Monday night game. I took the Titans over the Texans. If I’m right, that’ll put me at 111-49 on the season. Come on, Tennessee; give me one more little thing to be thankful for this year.

Doug Halberstadt can be reached via e-mail at Dougster61@aol.com.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

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Time we start cracking down on several things

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

I went shopping today. It was raining, and to my surprise, no cops out. There were cars everywhere without headlights on. No tickets being given out. There were cars going down the street with parking lights on. No one had told them parking lights are for parking, not driving. No tickets being given for that, either. What I want to know is, why not? Are the police in this town afraid to get wet?

I went shopping today. I went down Forest Hills Road. Guess what? Not a cop in sight, and cars were going 50 mph and faster. The speed limit is 40. All I hear is about how the town doesn’t have enough money for anything. One time I heard we had a million dollars out in unpaid tickets. Indigent, they said. Well, if that is so, why do they have enough money to have a car and get insurance?

It is time we start cracking down on several things. Lights on when raining and dusky weather, speeding, illegal turns. That is good enough for a start?

Beverly Davies

Rockford

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

Posted in Letters to the Editor | No Comments »

Cirque Dreams Illumination at Coronado

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

From press release

Cirque Dreams Illumination will ignite Rockford when it performs at the Coronado Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 29, for one performance only.

Tickets start at $28.50, and can be purchased at the Coronado box office, online at www.coronadopac.org or charge by phone at (815) 968-0595. Discounts are available for subscribers, children younger than 14 and groups of 20 or more.

Journey with fascination into the depths of a city that ignites with illumination when Cirque Dreams’ imagination, suspense and theatrical innovation turn everyday ordinary into bright and extraordinary.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

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OSF Center for Health Fitness offers free introduction to classes

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

From press release

The OSF Saint Anthony Center for Health Fitness is offering a free introduction to several classes during the week of Nov. 30 to Dec. 4 at the OSF Center for Health, 5510 E. State St., Rockford.

Participants can attend a free Gentle Yoga class from 9 to 10:15 a.m., Tuesday and Thursday, Dec. 1 and 3.

Anyone older than 55 is invited to attend a free Golden Motion class offered from 2 to 3 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday, Dec. 1 and 3.

The above classes are free, but registration is required by calling (815) 395-4505.

Other classes are offered for a fee at the OSF Center for Health during the week.

A “Boot Camp” class will be offered from 1 to 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 29. The cost is $10.

An exercise physiologist will demonstrate the proper techniques for training with free weights from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. or from 4 to 5 p.m., Monday, Nov. 30. The fee is $6.

Safety & Self Defense classes, children’s Tae-Kwon-Do and the Weight Management During the Holidays class titled “Tips for Healthy Eating on the Run” will also be held during the week. These classes include a fee.

For information and registration, call the OSF Center for Health Fitness at (815) 395-4505.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

Posted in Health & Fitness | No Comments »

Auburn looks to stay strong with new cast

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

By Matt Nestor

Sports Columnist

When you come off a season like the Auburn Knights had last year in basketball, expectations are bound to be high coming in. A trip to the sectional semifinals will do that for a program.

But having to replace the core of that team and try to bring together a new lineup and find a playing rotation, coach Bryan Ott doesn’t have time to listen to any of that talk.

“That entire group has graduated,” Ott said. “We really only have one player back that had any time. So, we have no returning starters and one kid that really got onto the floor as a junior. So, we’re starting over in every sense of the word.”

The Knights do have a trio of guards that can help lead to some success, however. Senior Joseph Danforth, junior Anthony Strickland and sophomore Fred Van Vleet look to lead the way for Auburn.

Ott said any talk about his team contending with the top teams in the conference is premature. But he said inexperience, not talent or confidence, could be what hurts the team.

“The one thing about our kids is they don’t think they take second to anybody,” Ott said. “Our group does show a great deal of confidence in itself, and the kids do have nice chemistry. I think some wins early on can go a long way to us making more noise than people expect us to, myself included.”

For the Knights to make that noise, they will have to contend with a deep conference this season. Boylan, Hononegah, Jefferson and Harlem all return a deep group, and will look to knock Auburn down a few pegs.

“I hope we can be in the top half of the conference,” he said. “I think that Boylan, with their depth and experience, and talent—the combinations of size and shooting talent—at least on paper, they are head and shoulders ahead of everybody. I think Hononegah can give them a significant challenge, and Jefferson, with all its returning athletes, can do the same.”

One thing that does bode well for Auburn is the offseason work they put in. Ott said his team went 25-12 on the summer circuit against some of the best competition out there.

“We did have a very successful summer, much more than I would have thought,” he said. “We exceeded my expectations pretty much everywhere we went. Regular season and summer are not the same animal. That was encouraging that the guys competed that well against top-flight people.”

With the season starting this week, Ott is excited to get out of practice and see exactly what his team has. But he said wins and losses won’t be the most important thing in the early season.

“I think the first half of the season we’re going to take our lumps some,” he said. “I do expect us to be a much better team after Christmas, and even if you were bringing everybody back, that is what you would want. But in our case, we’re going to have some growing pains.”

Share your thoughts with Matt Nestor via e-mail at sportsnest@gmail.com.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

Posted in Sports, Sports News | No Comments »

Show your holiday hospitality with a sleep-friendly guest room

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

Courtesy of ARA Content

The holidays bring a lot of happiness—and a lot of company.

With so much going on this season, the one thing you shouldn’t have to worry about is your guest room. You want to feel confident that your company will have a comfortable and pleasant stay at your house.

According to a 2009 Wellness Survey by mattress maker Tempur-Pedic, 83 percent of people consider it important that their guests get a good night’s sleep when visiting their home. As such, the guest room will inevitably be on the minds of many who are welcoming family and friends this holiday season.

Luckily for all of the holiday hosts and hostesses out there, a few simple touches can help transform any guest room into a peaceful retreat for visitors, according to Nancy Glass, a home decorating expert, six-time Emmy Award-winning HGTV show creator and Tempur-Pedic wellness adviser.

To really grasp the experience, a host should spend a night in his or her guest room. Many people assume that if their extra bedrooms are clean and equipped with the basics, the room is visitor-ready. But the reality is, no one can truly know how a room sleeps until they’ve experienced it themselves.

“Before your next guest arrives, give the room a try yourself, and see what you discover,” Glass says. “Is the room a little drafty? Are the pillows comfy? Do the windows effectively block light out? These are the things that make a big difference and will ensure you are placing your attention on what the room needs most.”

Next, focus on some key focal points, beginning with the general atmosphere. While many hosts feel comfortable decorating their guest rooms more lavishly than their own, they might overlook providing a relaxing ambiance. Using natural, neutral colors such as soothing celadon greens, pale blues and creams on the walls, avoiding excessive clutter and laundering bed linens with soothing lavender scents will help create an environment where visitors can unwind.

“Atmosphere is essential, and can also be easily enhanced through lighting,” Glass says. “Turn off your overhead lighting and rely on natural light and floor and table lamps with dimmers. For larger budgets, consider adding a small chandelier over the bed. This creates a beautiful tableau, and instantly transforms a room’s atmosphere.”

Another key feature to consider: the bed.

Are the mattress and pillows comfortable? Do they appeal to guests of varying sleep styles and preferences? If not, consider replacing your current mattress and pillows with something more versatile, like Tempur-Pedic’s mattress and pillow collections, which conform to every body’s weight and shape and have been repeatedly ranked at the top of industry sleep satisfaction surveys and studies. The new TEMPUR-Cloud Supreme mattress could be a particularly good fit for a guest room, as it creates a softer sleep surface while still providing Tempur-Pedic’s pressure-relieving comfort and renowned support—something that will ensure guests of every sleep preference have a more-than-satisfactory sleep experience during their stay.

Additionally, does the guest bedroom have the appropriate bed accessories to make it feel just like home? Guests should be provided with both heavier blanket overlays, like duvets or comforters, and lighter throws that, collectively, accommodate varying temperature preferences. Make sure both firm and soft pillow options are available to accommodate different pillow density preferences.

Finally, don’t underestimate the big impression that smaller, less expensive touches can have on a guest. If the floor gets cold in the morning, consider putting bathroom rugs on each side of the bed. If the room basks in abundant natural light, consider investing in thicker curtains or shades so sleeping guests are not awoken prematurely.

“The next time you’re at the drugstore, pick up sample-sized toiletries, as people feel more comfortable opening something new,” Glass says. “You could also consider tucking away a mini-fridge in the nightstand—they’re inexpensive, easy to install, and provide guests quick access to some of the little luxuries, like bottled water, in the comfort of their own space.”

A few simple touches and guests will be more comfortable in no time and appreciate the extra effort—and, let’s face it, a rested guest will be a welcome guest.

To learn more about the Tempur-Pedic sleep experience from satisfied owners, visit www.tempurpedic.com/AskMe.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

Posted in Home & Garden | No Comments »

No flags to remember veterans

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

I write this letter on Veterans’ Day with a very heavy heart. I have my current TRRT opened to Stanley Campbell’s column. It is keeping me from using angry words and insults. (Stanley, I hope you know how much I respect you.)

I’m also thinking of my father, a 13-year veteran as a radioman in the U.S. Navy. An American citizen who, on this day, did not want to visit my dad at the cemetery.

So, after thanking my boyfriend for his service to
our

country, I thought it would be great for me to take some flowers (in my father’s memory) to my local VFW and thank all the veterans for their service.

In doing so, I was very disheartened when I could not find an American flag for sale to put in the flower arrangement, which I had made at a prominent grocer. Not there, not at the local
national

drug store, not even at the famous card shop. Plenty of Santa hats, though. Settling for what I had, I did my deed. Along the way, I noticed no one displaying a flag on their homes. Nowhere! (Except for the banks.) Are we too busy and ungrateful for jobs we have? Not to think of those who are sacrificing their lives just to have a job? Or for a better reason,
our

country?

I say this because the veteran next to me, as I sat the flowers on the bar, asked,
You know what ‘Navy’ stands for?

I responded,
Oh, God, what?

He said,
Never Again Volunteer Yourself.

I’m still wondering if it was a veteran’s joke, or could this be the truth?

Thank the Vet, Not the War

Karen Grass

Roscoe

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

Posted in Letters to the Editor | 1 Comment »

Guest Column: Rep. Manzullo, we need to hear more than ‘I’m sorry’

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

By Dan Kenney

U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo (R-16) described terror suspects that may be brought to Thomson, Ill., prison as “really, really mean people whose job it is to kill people, driven by some savage religion.”

The next day, a spokesperson from his office said Mr. Manzullo was not referring to Islam itself, but to the suspects’ particular beliefs, which he said had perverted the peaceful nature of the religion. Also, Mr. Manzullo has made an apology emphasizing that he really meant terrorists practice a “violent, anti-modernity version of Wahhabism.”

Regardless of his afterthoughts and after-words, the fear and hate hangs in the air, and the hurt continues to burn. And, isn’t it a sad irony that Mr. Manzullo can refer to the detainees as being driven by a “savage religion,” when those very same individuals have suffered the most savage of interrogation techniques by the hands of our own government while he stood by complicit with his silence?

His web site carries the statement, “The terrorists at Guantanamo Bay are dangerous and brutal killers, many of whom were involved in the attacks on our nation.” And he also signed a letter from Rep. Kirk to President Obama saying it would make Illinois the next ground zero. Mr. Manzullo and his fellow republicans seem to find their strength only by spreading terror. Rep. Manzullo, the line between fear and hatred is too thin to be risking such reckless behavior unbecoming of a representative of the United States. One must ask how many were turned against our country with such a statement about a religion practiced by more than 1.5 billion people.

Also, the statement that all of the detainees are “brutal killers” is more fear-mongering. The reality stated by those who have worked with the U.S. government and with the detainees to ascertain the facts all agree that the majority of those being held are innocent. Lawrence Wilkerson, former chief of staff to former secretary of state Colin Powell, told the associated press this March most of those being held were innocent men swept up by U.S. forces unable to distinguish enemies from noncombatants. He said many of those being held in Guantanamo “clearly had no connection to al-Qaeda and the Taliban, and were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Pakistanis turned many over for $5,000 a head.”

When one lives in a dark world of fear, you can begin to see figures in the darkness that aren’t really there. your eyes begin to play tricks on you. Spreading fear can also cause you to become blind to the facts. When one loses the ability to remain open to the human dignity for all people, one slips off the cliff of reason and one can then utter words that lump all individuals of a certain group, religion or race into one large category such as “savage.” When that happens, we need to hear more than “I’m sorry.”  We need to hear a man of character stand up for the rights of all human beings, regardless of their religion. We need to hear, Mr. Manzullo,  that you believe in the system of justice in our country. We need to hear you have faith that our system of justice is capable of separating the guilty from the innocent.

And maybe you need to hear this poem from one of the “brutal killers” held at Guantanamo:

Death Poem by Jumah al Dossari

Take my blood.

Take my death shroud and

The remnants of my body.

Take photographs of my corpse

at the grave, lonely.

Send them to the world,

To the judges and

To the people of conscience,

Send them to the principled men

and the fair-minded.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

Posted in Commentary | 1 Comment »

Christmas G.R.I.P.P. prayer event set for Dec. 3

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

By Susan Johnson

Copy Editor

Greater Rockford In Prayer and Praise (G.R.I.P.P.), an interdenominational organization of local Christian churches, will hold a
City-wide Call to Worship and Intercession

at 7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 3, at 611 N. Court St., Rockford.

G.R.I.P.P. President the Rev. Robert Griffin explained that the organization, founded in 1997, was launched to bring together various churches in Rockford to pray for revival and intercede for the transformation of the city. Various guest clergy and volunteers will participate in the prayer meeting. Some Christmas refreshments will be provided, and carol singing will be included in the activities.

The Rock River Times inquired about topics the prayer meeting wants to address. The Rev. Griffin replied,
The whole passion behind our work is that the church (including Protestant and Catholic) has renewal. Nationally, [the church] has 80 percent flatlined and declined, according to George Barna [polling organization]. When you consider the age of the church, it is on the decline, so we are praying that the church will be renewed and strengthened. I did my doctorate on this subject, and with every major renewal in history, there is radical social transformation that follows. We are praying for the church to be renewed, and we’re praying for the transformation of this region. Topics would include addressing crime, homicides, our school district that needs a lot of help with truancy and expulsions, school dropouts. We also pray for jobs in the region and the marketplace. We are concerned that this [Rockford] be a great place.

The event is free and open to the public. These gatherings, normally held on the first Thursday of each month, are built upon the foundation of prayer efforts in the area over 12 years, sponsored by Rockford Renewal Ministries and a denominationally-diverse team of Christian clergy. For more information, call (815) 962-6246.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

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Charles Story: Thanksgiving

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

thanks-W

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In response to anti-hunting letter

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

I’m writing in response to Mr. [James] Wilson’s anti-hunting letter [“Hunting does not benefit wildlife,” Nov. 18-24, 2009, issue].

Let me start out by saying that I personally do not hunt, though I sometimes purchase a hunting license for political reasons.

I don’t hunt because I’m just too sqeemish to eat something I killed. Other than that, I’m all for it.

The problem I have is that every animal on this earth was given ways to survive, both by means of getting food, and avoiding being eaten itself.

This gift was from God himself. Some are stronger, some run faster, some are camouflaged, and some are just plain sneaky.

Man, some say, is at the top of the food chain. We were given greater intelligence and ingenuity, allowing us to devise ways to take our food in face of greater size and speed.

We survive as a species because we have developed tools to hunt with and protect ourselves with.

Farming, raising our food in a barn, is not natural, not the way God saw it, but necessary because there are just too many of us, in too concentrated areas.

We would be like locusts on a feeding frenzy, with not a morsel left for tomorrow if we all hunted our food.

The logic that killing a few doesn’t keep population growth down is absurd. It’s simple math—if there are 100 deer in a herd, 50/50 male/female, and hunters take 20 deer, one way or another, there is not going to be 50 does get pregnant, even if there were no does killed.

There absolutely is data, by federal and state agencies, that proves that the population of any animal, except endangered animals, is best served by regulated hunting.

As for poor people having canned goods to eat, I’m sure they want variety in their food just as you do, and fresh meat is much more healthy, with no salt or other preservatives, than anything canned.

Of course, it is indeed man’s fault there is a need for regulated hunting—we have exceeded God’s expectations in proliferating.

We overpopulate the land, forcing the rest of the animal kingdom into a corner, because we have adapted to the point that our only natural predators are ourselves.

Keith Fisher

Rockford

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

Posted in Letters to the Editor | No Comments »

OSF St. Anthony classes offer help for holiday weight management

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

From press release

With holiday parties, special dinner menus and home-baked pies, cookies and treats, keeping extra pounds off during the holidays can be a challenge.

OSF St. Anthony Medical Center is offering three
Weight Management During the Holidays

classes in December to help participants maintain or lose weight and to stay healthy during the holidays.

During the sessions, a dietitian and an exercise physiologist will offer tips for enjoying the season’s celebrations while keeping weight in check.

Classes are held from 6 to 6:45 p.m. on Wednesdays, Dec. 2, 9 and 16, at the OSF Center for Health Fitness, 5510 E. State St. Each class is $10.


Tips for Healthy Eating on the Run

will be presented Dec. 2. Participants will discover how to incorporate healthy eating into a busy shopping schedule.

Participants will learn how to stay in shape without having to leave the house during the Dec. 9 class,
Tips for Exercising at Home.


Healthy Holiday Cooking

Dec. 16 will offer healthy, weight-conscious recipes for holiday cooking. Participants are invited to share their recipes with the group as well.

To register for any or all of the classes, call (815) 395-4563.

OSF St. Anthony Medical Center, a Level I Trauma Center, is owned and operated by OSFS HealthCare, an affiliate corporation of The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, Peoria. The Medical Center Web site is www.osfsaintanthony.org.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

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U of I Web site offers tips for success in school

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

From press release

URBANA, Ill.—University of Illinois Extension has launched a Web site to help parents and children make the most of the opportunities ahead.
Helping Children Succeed in School

(http://urbanext.illinois/edu/succeed) covers a range of information to achieve the goal of the Web site’s name.


Studies have indicated that children whose parents and/or other significant adults share in their formal education tend to do better in school,

said Jane Scherer, U of I Extension urban programs specialist and director of its Web sites.
Some benefits that have been identified that measure parental involvement in education include: higher grades and test scores, long-term academic achievement, positive attitudes and behavior, more successful programs, and more effective schools.

All parents want their children to be successful in school, she added. But sometimes, they don’t know where to start.


The Web site has several sections covering the essentials,

said Scherer.

Sections include: parental involvement; instilling a love of learning; school stress; learning styles; study habits and homework; test-taking; grades; getting extra help; and parent-teacher communication.

U of I Extension educators Darla Heath, Rachel Schwarzendruber, and Melinda Jo States, along with former Extension educators Kay Mayberry and Nancy Schreiber, prepared the Web site.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

Posted in Health & Fitness | No Comments »

Twilight: New Moon star Alex Meraz at IceHogs game Dec. 19

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

By Doug Halberstadt

Sports Columnist

In case you haven’t noticed, there is a ton of hoopla about the movie New Moon going on across the country currently. It grossed millions and millions, and then some more millions of dollars during its opening weekend. Fans camped out for days ahead of time to get tickets to the show. So, why am I writing about it in a sports column, you might ask?

Here’s why. My hat goes off to the IceHogs’ marketing and promotions department. They are bringing Alex Meraz from The Twilight Saga: New Moon to appear at one of their games next month. Meraz plays Paul, a volatile teen-ager who can transform into a werewolf to protect the Quileute reservation against vampires in the movie the whole country is talking about, even me, a sports writer/columnist.

He will be on hand to meet fans and sign autographs during the IceHogs game Dec. 19 against the San Antonio Rampage. Meraz will be at the Rockford MetroCentre signing autographs in the concourse from 6 to 8 p.m.

To reserve your seats for the game, call (815) 968-5222. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Rockford MetroCentre Box Office in downtown Rockford, at Hog Headquarters inside CherryVale Mall or on the Web at www.metrocentre.com.

Fans can also register at Hog Headquarters for a chance to win five pairs of exclusive meet-and-greet passes along with tickets to the game presented by U.S. Cellular. Registration will end Dec. 13. Registration will be open during normal mall hours at Hog Headquarters.

The winners will take part in a VIP meet-and-greet session with Meraz in the Dental Dimensions Club Lounge from 5:30 to 6 p.m. before the IceHogs take on the Rampage.

So, whether you are team Edward or team Jacob or team IceHogs, you better get your tickets early and plan on being part of a sell-out crowd.

Doug Halberstadt can be reached via e-mail at Dougster61@aol.com.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

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Guest Column: Are our children in America being overimmunized?

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

By HollyAnne Petrie

OK, let me begin with the statement that I am not a doctor, I am not a licensed anything; I am not an expert in the field of human health—I am a graduate from the University of Phoenix with a degree in criminal justice. I am just a person and a concerned mother. With that being said, I have some serious issues with the vaccinations that are being given to our children. As a mother, I only want what is best for my children. In America, children are required to be vaccinated if they want to enter into school. There are a few exceptions to this: religious beliefs, moral and philosophical views.

What if your child were vaccinated, and you followed the entire rules and regulations to get your child into school? The phone rings; it is the school nurse telling you that there was a problem with your child’s immunization records.
What could this be?

you ask. Well, they hate to inform you that unfortunately, your child was immunized with the MMR shot 10 DAYS before their first birthday. What do you say when the nurse tells you that your child will be kicked out of school in less than one month if they are not re-vaccinated? So you ask yourself,
What in the world is wrong with this system?

We are not talking about months before this first birthday. We are talking about 10 days. According to the vaccine Web site at http://www.geocities.com/fishstep/ILVaccineLaw.html, it stated that,
Illinois school code section 27.8-1 requires all children entering into school to provide proof that your child has been immunized.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I do not have a problem with immunizations. I have a problem when the state steps in and forces people to have more vaccinations even when they had them previously. According to the CDC Web site located at http://www.cdc.gov, people who have previously had the MMR shots should not have them again. The Web site advises against this. It states exactly this:
People should not get the MMR vaccine who have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to gelatin, the antibiotic neomycin, or people who have previously had a dose of MMR vaccine.

My 6-year-old son was threatened with being kicked out of school if I did not comply with the state of Illinois’ request to re-vaccinate him. What is wrong with this situation? I was absolutely floored when I got the call from the school nurse of the Harlem School District telling me this absurd news. I could understand if he had never had the shot before. Anyone who has children knows the controversy behind shots—but specifically, the MMR vaccine. It has been said, but not proven, that it can cause children to become autistic as well as develop ADHD. At Generationrescue.org, the proven side effects to the MMR vaccination are as follows: Atypical measles, arthritis, encephalitis, death, aseptic meningitis, nerve deafness, as well as ear infections (http://www.generationrescue.org/evidence-science/06-pediatric-vaccine-ingredients-and-side-effects.htm).

Now, what it does not state is that your child can have a fever, as well as have all of the symptoms of having the flu (as my son did). Is that a risk that parents are willing to take—if giving your child one shot can cause that many side effects? What would the second set of shots do to a child who has already received this shot? According to the Green Health Watch Web site, the children who had the MMR vaccines were 45 percent more likely to have developed autism compared to the children who had not had the MMR vaccine. I am sorry; as a parent who loves her children more than anything in the world, would I be such a great parent if I allowed the state to come in and re-vaccinate him? He had the shot. I complied with the state’s request. Why is a 10-day period before the first birthday being brought into light as such a big deal? If I re-vaccinate him, and he gets sick from it again, runs a fever and throws up, I am going to feel, as a parent, that I have failed him. I am his mom; I am supposed to be able to protect my children. What do you do when you have no choice, and people look at you like you are a bad parent for not re-vaccinating him with something that could potentially be dangerous?

The CDC warns against having this shot administered once the person has already received it. There is a reason for this; why can I not get anywhere with the state of Illinois? Why should my son have to be kicked out of the first grade over a mistake that the doctor made? Should his pediatrician have caught this? If they are administering the shots, should they not know the regulations of the state? Was this even a regulation when my son was vaccinated? My son would not have to worry about leaving the first grade, had his doctor adhered to the regulations of the state. How, as his mother, am I going to fight the state of Illinois that is withholding my child’s education because of a perceived 10-day mistake?

If I had never had him vaccinated, would he be penalized for having his immunization too late? I think not!! As long as his body has produced the necessary antibodies from receiving this vaccination, why should it matter when it was administered? So the first step for me was to call the doctor’s office and request that he draw blood from my son to see if he had the antibodies built up against these diseases. That request was denied. Step two is to contact the public; this would be you, the reader. I request that any parent in the state of Illinois who is having or has had this problem please contact me at a special e-mail set up for this reason: keepourchildrenfree@yahoo.com. At this time, I am working on building a Web site with friends to allow links for information and research on the MMR vaccinations. Please be patient.

Once we have a group of parents, we will prove that the state cannot and will not be able to isolate us to force us to comply with something that may hurt our children. We can then work together to make this a safer place for our children. We are AMERICANS. We are supposed to be free, and we are supposed to work together with one another to make this a safe and free place for our children to grow. United we may be able to make the difference it will take to do this. I ask that you join me in the fight to protect our children and not let some official on the State of Illinois school board tell us that it does not matter what our doctor says; they know best for our children.

Response from Harlem School District: Caroline Pate-Hefty, director of Special Education for the district, said:
I cannot comment on specific responses to a student or any private information, but I can comment on our immunization policy. In general, we are guided by the Illinois Department of Public Health, who legally requires, through the advice of the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) that students be administered no less than or equal to four days before their first birthday, the MMR and varicella. Any dose administered greater than five days earlier, the dose is recommended to be repeated.

HollyAnne Petrie is a resident of Loves Park.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

Posted in Health & Fitness | No Comments »

Dec. 8 deadline for open RVC Board seat

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

From press release

At the Nov. 17 regular meeting of the Rock Valley College (RVC) Board of Trustees, the resignation of Trustee Chris Beck was accepted. It is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees to appoint a replacement within 60 days.

The length of the appointment to serve is approximately 15 months, until April 2011.

Anyone interested in serving is asked to submit a brief statement of interest, indicating qualifications for the position, to the RVC Board of Trustees, in care of Ann Kerwitz, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford, IL 61114-5699. Include name, address, telephone number, and other pertinent contact information. The following four questions should be addressed:

1. What experiences have prepared you to serve on the RVC Board of Trustees?

2. Why are you interested in this position?

3. Why is RVC an important community resource?

4. Would you consider running for election in April 2011?

A copy of the Statement of Interest information is attached, and can be obtained through Kerwitz.

Candidates must live within RVC District 511, which includes Winnebago and Boone counties and portions of Stephenson, Ogle, McHenry and DeKalb counties. Materials must be received no later than Dec. 8.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

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Your Horoscope: Week of Nov. 25- Dec. 1, 2009

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

This Week: Welcome the sunny sign of Sagittarius, when all of our hopes, dreams and ambitions can come true. Manifest your goals and allow room for your every wish to come true. This is the best time to start a new business or shift your work into a new realm of possibilities. The universe is open for suggestions.

Aries (March 21 to April 19)—A large gathering of people creates fabulous business opportunities for you in the weeks to come. You’re able to network with those of like mind and heart. You may be collaborating with another on a creative project. Try to explore the visions within, and release them out into the real world. You will be amazed at the reaction this creates.

Taurus (April 20 to May 20)-—An annoying neighbor or so-called friend could begin to get on your last nerve this week. It may be time to set a firmer boundary with this individual. He or she just doesn’t seem to “get the hint” on his or her own. Taurus tends to take everything in, then explode when push comes to shove. Don’t allow this person to get the best of you. He or she is not the brightest bulb in the box, and is not aware of his or her own ignorance. The weekend allows time for a getaway. Take advantage of this aspect.

Gemini (May 21 to June 20)—Support the decisions of a loved one this week, especially regarding home and property. He or she may feel a little nervous about changes, and needs you to encourage him or her to come forward. Your financial sector is improving with leaps and bounds. Your hard work and determination is finally paying off “big time.” This would be a good time to look at your long-term goals.

Cancer (June 21 to July 22)—Watch your tongue a little closer this week. You may not be aware of how sharp it has become recently. If you can dish it out but can’t take it, you may be put in an awkward position shortly. Somebody you’ve been poking at may give it to you with both barrels. Midweek provides you with a new business opportunity. Take advantage of this upgrade, and follow through with all of your leads.

Leo (July 23 to Aug. 22)—If it feels like you’re going through a grieving process. Try not to stifle these feelings. Just allow them to flow and move through your system. This will not continue to plague you forever; this is only a temporary vibration. By week’s end, things begin to lighten up a bit. Friends and loved ones find humor in the strangest ways. This becomes highly contagious, and it definitely lightens the load in the near future.

Virgo (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22)—You’re finally back on track financially. Slowly, but surely, you’ve reached your goals and removed restrictions from your life. Your social calendar begins to fill up. You’re trying to balance business and pleasure in the weeks to come. Try not to beat yourself up over everything you don’t get done. Instead, focus on what you do accomplish.

Libra (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22)—You may be worried about a female friend or co-worker this week, and for good reason. A loved one around you feels as though he or she is slipping into a dark place. You can see this, but you don’t know exactly what to do about it. Count on your spirit guides to give you the right insight. After the full moon, you will see improvements in all sectors of your life.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21)—You are very aware of how the past has affected your present state of mind. You have come to the conclusion that you will no longer allow the same pattern to affect the present. This is a huge accomplishment for you. Now, you can receive the benefits of your hard work and efforts without complications. Midweek brings new opportunities for finance. Take advantage of this growth and development.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21)—Over the past week, you may have felt like you’re wearing a sign on your back that says “kick me hard.” This is a spiritual test. The message? Stand up for yourself! You don’t have to please all of the people all of the time. The most important thing you need to do now is please yourself. Opportunities pour in for business. Make sure you’re setting time aside for activities that release tension and stress. The weekend provides you with plenty of time to relax and enjoy your surroundings.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19)—Things begin to simmer down in the workplace this week. After the past few weeks of overdramatic pressure, this is a welcome sign of relief. This is a good time to consider booking a trip and getting away. You have had your ears filled with nonsense, and you’re exhausted with it all. Family is on board for a little adventure as well. Humor is the best medicine.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18)—News from family may start off as a bit of a shock until you get the full story. Don’t jump to conclusions just yet. Listen and gather all of the information. Then, you can come up with a plan to resolve this unusual issue. The weekend may bring some unexpected guests to your home. At first, you may feel a bit annoyed by it. But as the weekend begins to progress, you find yourself surrounded with fun and laughter.

Pisces (Feb. 19 to March 20)—Shocking news that arrives midweek may have you rethinking your life and your long-term goals. It’s amazing how short life is and how much ground we can cover when we are put to the test. You will be in a position to help an older female out with a dilemma. By week’s end, you will see how much of a positive influence you have become.

For an extended astrological forecast or psychic consultation, contact Denise at (815) 398-3983.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

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VIDA Museum lecture at Rock Valley College Dec. 1

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

From press release

Tuesday, Dec. 1, Rock Valley College (RVC) Professor of Art Cherri Rittenhouse will give a lecture titled “Borgholm/7—The Swedish Connection with Rockford.”

Rittenhouse will deliver the lecture twice Dec. 1, at noon in the Woodward Technology Center (WTC), Room 117 on the RVC main campus, and again at 6 p.m. in the RVC Student Center Atrium, also on the main campus.

The lecture will focus on the Rockford Art Museum’s cooperative exchange of art and the seven Rockford artists who are currently exhibiting their work at the prestigious VIDA Museum outside of Borgholm on the island of Öland in Sweden. The lecture will be accompanied by images from Sweden, including the VIDA Museum and its featured artists, the Hydman-Valliens (the most famous glass artists of Sweden) as well as the work of the seven Rockford artists and their story.

The seven Rockford artists are: Karen Harding, Betsy Youngquist, Brad Nordlof, Keith Grace, John Deill, Roland Poska and Cherri Rittenhouse.

These seven Rockford artists will be exhibiting their work at the Rock Valley College Educational Resource Center (ERC) on the RVC main campus. There will be a reception for the artists immediately following the 6 p.m. lecture in the ERC from 7 to 7:45 p.m.

The lectures and the exhibition are free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Cherri Rittenhouse at (815) 921-3352.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

Posted in Online Exclusives | No Comments »

Need new congressman with new ideas

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

Recently, Congressman Phil Hare (D-Ill.) announced he supports moving Guantanamo Bay detainees to the Thomson (Ill.) Correctional Facility, on the basis that it will create thousands of jobs. While his logic is pretty simple, I don’t believe that just one terrorist prison is enough.

To make up for his total job losses, while serving the 17th district as Congressman and district director, Congressman Hare should focus on bringing at least 10 more terrorist prisons. One prison only makes up for the job losses of Maytag and Seaford. What about the job losses that he has overseen at International Harvester, Quad City Die-Cast, Eagle’s Country Market, and countless other small and large employers across the district?

Congressman Hare shouldn’t just stop at Thomson. He should put terrorist prisons in Moline, Rock Island, East Moline, Quincy, Springfield, Canton and other parts of the district that have really suffered. After all, these super max prisons do wonders for local economies, like ADX in Florence, Colo. I hear the unemployment rate there is only at 9.6 percent. God forbid Hare should allow private industry, not government, to bring jobs back to these areas. To him, government seems to be the cure-all.

In all seriousness, if the only way Congressman Hare can bring jobs to our state is by bringing a bunch of terrorists here, then I say we need a new congressman with new ideas.

Rodrigo Quiroz

Rock Island, Ill.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

Posted in Letters to the Editor | No Comments »

Comprehensive Community Solutions receives funding

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

From press release

Comprehensive Community Solutions, Inc.(CCS) has been awarded a $98,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to develop three green job training programs over the next 12 months.

CCS and seven other Illinois Department of Labor grantees were among 62 grant recipients that will use the funds to offer training opportunities and help individuals acquire jobs in expanding green industries.

U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis announced nearly $55 million in green jobs grants, as authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The grants will support job training and labor market information programs to help workers, many in underserved communities, find jobs in expanding green industries and related occupations.

Solis said: “Today’s announcement is part of the administration’s long-term commitment to fostering both immediate economic growth and a clean energy future. It’s an investment that will help American workers do well while doing good. These grants provide an immediate return, and they are part of a larger green initiative that will help lead to increased job placements and promote economic growth.”

As a part of its broader Green Development and Training Center project under development, CCS will work with its partners, local government and business to develop and implement green-collar training programs and partnerships. The programs and partnerships will identify and meet workforce training needs, and create career pathways for low-income residents and other identified populations. These programs will complement CCS’s current YouthBuild training program.

The grant will fund curriculum development, staff training and purchase of necessary equipment to implement the training programs within the next year. Programs will include training in green deconstruction, environmental-brownfield remediation, and weatherization and energy auditing.

Kerry Knodle, executive director of CCS, said: “We are looking forward to moving Rockford and Winnebago County into the new ‘green’ economy, and particularly to bring these training programs to underserved populations. We are looking both at training our existing workforce, but also at finding ways to create jobs and spur economic development in the region.”

CCS is a nonprofit organization in Rockford that operates workforce development, affordable housing and community development programs. Its flagship program—YouthBuild Rockford—works with young adults, ages 16 to 28, who have dropped out of high school, helping them earn their GEDs while they learn job skills and build affordable housing for low-income or homeless families.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

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Leave No Child Inside: Parents: Time to grab your child’s hand and get outside

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

The Four Rivers Environmental Coalition, in concert with the national Leave No Child Inside campaign, is committed to ensuring the children of this region will grow up with a strong connection to nature, and, as a result, be healthier and motivated to become its caring stewards. This column is one of a bi-weekly series contributed by Four Rivers Environmental Coalition members to raise public awareness of the importance of access to nature for healthy childhood development, and to encourage families to explore our member organizations’ wondrous places and programs, such as camping, learning projects, and programs for schoolchildren. Visit www.fourriver.org.

By Tina Dawson

Boone County Conservation District

Who would disagree that spending time outside is beneficial to a child’s physical and mental health? Not many of us. In fact, according to Rhonda Clements, a professor at Manhattanville College, 84 percent of parents feel it is important for their children to spend time outdoors; yet 69 percent say their children spend less time outdoors than they did.

Instead, our children are plugged in, hooked up and tuned in to an electronic world that is barraging them with constant images and sounds. Gone are the days of staying out until dark and coming home with skinned elbows, mud-caked knees and a head full of untold adventures.

How many of us had a box tucked under our bed where we kept hidden our collection of outdoor treasures? Things like butterfly wings, pretty feathers and shiny rocks. Didn’t everyone have a fort hidden in the woods when they were 10?

When did skipping rocks across the water become a lost art? Why would we rather have our children watch movies in the car instead of watch for birds outside the window? Where did we lose that connection to the world around us?

Evolutionary biologist E.O. Wilson theorizes that because humans evolved in the natural world, we are hardwired to be engaged with it and ignoring our natural affinity for nature increases anxiety and stress. A study by the University of Illinois published in the American Journal of Public Health indicates children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) who participate in outdoor activities experience a significant decrease in symptoms.

We do our children a disservice when we don’t allow them to engage with the natural world; to experience firsthand the wonders and mysteries of nature. We can’t shelter our children from every misfortune, providing for them a constant stream of entertainment. How will they learn to entertain themselves, rely on their own skills to solve a problem, or enjoy the restorative effects of feeling the sun on their faces?

According to a Boys & Girls Club survey, 43 percent of kids want their parents to spend more time outdoors with them. So maybe the lost connection is us, the adults; the last children in the woods who have forgotten that which was so magical to us when we were growing up.

I challenge you to kick your kids out the door and see what happens, or at the very least, share the magic. Put down the anti-bacterial soap, grab your child’s hand and get outside…oh, and don’t even think about bringing your cell phone.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

Posted in No Child Left Inside | No Comments »

Yoga Rockford: Thanksgiving and the ‘Season of Yoga’

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

The Four Rivers Environmental Coalition, in concert with the national Leave No Child Inside campaign, is committed to ensuring the children of this region will grow up with a strong connection to nature, and, as a result, be healthier and motivated to become its caring stewards. This column is one of a bi-weekly series contributed by Four Rivers Environmental Coalition members to raise public awareness of the importance of access to nature for healthy childhood development, and to encourage families to explore our member organizations’ wondrous places and programs, such as camping, learning projects, and programs for schoolchildren. Visit www.fourriver.org.

By Tina Dawson

Boone County Conservation District

Who would disagree that spending time outside is beneficial to a child’s physical and mental health? Not many of us. In fact, according to Rhonda Clements, a professor at Manhattanville College, 84 percent of parents feel it is important for their children to spend time outdoors; yet 69 percent say their children spend less time outdoors than they did.

Instead, our children are plugged in, hooked up and tuned in to an electronic world that is barraging them with constant images and sounds. Gone are the days of staying out until dark and coming home with skinned elbows, mud-caked knees and a head full of untold adventures.

How many of us had a box tucked under our bed where we kept hidden our collection of outdoor treasures? Things like butterfly wings, pretty feathers and shiny rocks. Didn’t everyone have a fort hidden in the woods when they were 10?

When did skipping rocks across the water become a lost art? Why would we rather have our children watch movies in the car instead of watch for birds outside the window? Where did we lose that connection to the world around us?

Evolutionary biologist E.O. Wilson theorizes that because humans evolved in the natural world, we are hardwired to be engaged with it and ignoring our natural affinity for nature increases anxiety and stress. A study by the University of Illinois published in the American Journal of Public Health indicates children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) who participate in outdoor activities experience a significant decrease in symptoms.

We do our children a disservice when we don’t allow them to engage with the natural world; to experience firsthand the wonders and mysteries of nature. We can’t shelter our children from every misfortune, providing for them a constant stream of entertainment. How will they learn to entertain themselves, rely on their own skills to solve a problem, or enjoy the restorative effects of feeling the sun on their faces?

According to a Boys & Girls Club survey, 43 percent of kids want their parents to spend more time outdoors with them. So maybe the lost connection is us, the adults; the last children in the woods who have forgotten that which was so magical to us when we were growing up.

I challenge you to kick your kids out the door and see what happens, or at the very least, share the magic. Put down the anti-bacterial soap, grab your child’s hand and get outside…oh, and don’t even think about bringing your cell phone.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

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The Second Half: Get and stay healthy by eating to live

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

By Kathleen D. Tresemer

Columnist

I am always on the lookout for a way to get and stay healthy, so I gave up one of my precious Saturday afternoons to find out how. The expert was David Mulvain, a nutritional consultant with degrees in bio-chemistry, diet and nutrition. The class was a joint effort between Rock Valley’s College of Continuing Education and the Center for Learning in Retirement.

Mulvain lives in Durand—out in my neck of the woods—but I never met him prior to the class. He’s a vigorous, energetic fellow in his Second Half who doesn’t look or act his age at 69 years old. He describes himself as a “Crusader for Anti-Aging.” I figure he’s doing something right.

I was a little bit out of my league—the audience held a former health food store owner and some very enthusiastic health nuts. I, on the other hand, showed up to class with my lunch from McDonald’s and a large coffee. At least it was a chicken flatbread thing instead of a greasy burger—not one person commented, but I could feel their eyes on me.

“Why would you think THAT was a good idea?” I berated myself, trying to distract them from the horrible nature of my food choice by wolfing down those two flatbreads really, really fast. Try eating anything from McDonald’s at a health lecture, and watch the audience gravitate away.

Then, I got cocky. “I’m a grown woman and if I want to eat this stuff I will,” I muttered to the empty space where people once stood. “And I won’t feel bad about it, either!” I drank my large coffee with extra cream very, very slowly.

Once the class started, I was amazed to find out about Mulvain: his angina that started in his 20s, his heart attack in his early 30s, and his decision to take control of his health at a time when doctors wouldn’t treat him because he was “too young to have a heart attack.” Imagine that.

“At that point,” he said, “I lost faith in science.” Well, DUH! I have heard lots of doctors say lots of stupid stuff, too, so I was eager to hear what he did to take control of his own life.

“I went, instead, to the principles of good health,” he told us. Here are three of them:

1) Harmony with Nature

2) Wisdom vs. Knowledge

3) Eat to Live vs. Live to Eat

OK, that last one stung a little. I must have made a face because he stopped to explain it as kindly as he could: “Being overweight is the first symptom of a process that will kill you.”

Crap! I totally get that I am not where I should be, but I remember my then 70-something father telling me about his diagnosis of diabetes: “I didn’t live this long to start eating like a rabbit. I’m going to enjoy the time I have left!”

Yeah, so if I’m honest, while that attitude is appealing, it doesn’t really make any sense. The equation was simple: to live well, eat sensibly and limit sweets and starches; to die after a sickening deterioration, ignore what I just said. “Come on, Dad,” I recall begging. “It won’t be that hard.”

He just smirked at me and lied, “OK, I’ll watch it.”

Now, here’s the best part—he lived another 10 years in relative happiness and health, all things considered. So, given his experience, aren’t my genes on the more tenacious side? If he lived vigorously into his 80s, disregarding all medical expertise, why can’t I?

Hubby helped me out by answering what was meant to be a rhetorical question: “First, you can’t guarantee your genes are as durable as his—after all, your Mom died in her 50s. Second, we don’t honestly know how he felt those last 10 years—maybe he felt lousy a lot of the time. And last,” here’s the kicker, “I thought you wanted to live a lot longer than he did…120 years old, right?”

I have to give in when he’s so logical.

Looking for some concrete answers, I turn to David Mulvain, who preaches good food for good health: fresh, organic, locally grown, and naturally raised. It makes me happy to report he promotes eating meat, too—grass fed and organically grown. Along with the “healthy life” standards—exercise, fresh air, and seven to nine hours of sleep—he is a big fan of spirituality and such things as love, joy and gratitude. In that area, at least, I excel!

“Attitude, stress, and spiritual health are a big part of the mind-body connection,” he tells us; in this area, “The more you do for yourself, the more you do for the people around you!”

This fits right in to my new plan, the one that includes yoga. Happily, Hubby plans to join me in my great yoga experiment. I’m pretty sure he’s thinking it’s better than taking dance lessons, my other suggestion. Besides, Jim Belushi takes yoga classes with his wife on the sitcom, According To Jim, so it has the macho-man stamp of approval.

Mulvain’s class was jammed full of information—too much for a four-hour class, but as an overview, I’d say he knocked it out of the park. He presented us with solid science in an easy-to-digest format—works for me. At home, I found myself browsing through my kitchen wondering, “Where could I start making changes?”

Hey, Dave…now you know your impact!

To contact David Mulvain for a consultation, call (815) 248-4394 or e-mail Mulvain@stateline-isp.com.

In her second half of life, Kathleen D. Tresemer is both a journalist and an award-winning fiction writer. She lives with her husband on a small ranch in rural Shirland, Ill. Kathleen can be contacted by e-mail at kdt-insights@hotmail.com.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

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Obituary Notices week of Nov. 25

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

Melvyn Yurgil, 77, Rockford, 11/13/09

Gloria Cole, 75, Rockford, 11/13/09

Danny Carter, 56, Rockford, 11/13/09

James Broullard, 56, Rockford, 11/13/09

Linda Lipovsky, 68, Rockford, 11/13/09

Elizabeth McDonald, 87, Rockford, 11/13/09

Ruth Ashpole, 89, Rockford, 11/13/09

Carroll Magin, 90, Rockford, 11/13/09

Marie Jones, 87, Rockford, 11/14/09

Jeanette Gibson, 79, Rockford, 11/14/09

Wanda Johnson, 78, Rockford, 11/14/09

Faye Bergstadt, 82, Rockford, 11/14/09

Janette Maggio, 42, Rockford, 11/15/09

Adrian Harsen, 89, Rockford, 11/15/09

James Stewart, 53, Rockford, 11/15/09

Clyde Fountain, 60, Rockford, 11/15/09

Jack Zaiss, 37, Rockford, 11/15/09

Rhonda Kluck, 44, Rockford, 11/15/09

Betty Moore, 87, Rockford, 11/15/09

George Fair, 89, Rockford, 11/15/09

Marvin Wegner, 88, Rockford, 11/16/09

Dennis Johnson, 65, Rockford, 11/16/09

Hardy Henna, 77, Rockford, 11/16/09

Sarah Kieffer, 87, Rockford, 11/16/09

Marion Clikeman, 87, Rockford, 11/16/09

Norman Swenson, 73, Rockford, 11/16/09

Shirley Oberg, 85, Rockford, 11/16/09

Dawn Nelson, 60, Rockford, 11/16/09

Robert Carlile, 85, Rockford, 11/16/09

Robert Green, 75, Rockford, 11/17/09

Earl Tracey, 59, Rockford, 11/17/09

Bedzet Ljumanovski, 86, Rockford, 11/17/09

Mildred Davis, 77, Rockford, 11/17/09

Max Morley, 82, Rockford, 11/17/09

Dale Tuula, 76, Rockford, 11/17/09

Bernice Kamba, 96, Rockford, 11/18/09

Michael Calvert, 45, Rockford, 11/18/09

Jan Kilroy, 55, Rockford, 11/19/09

John Espy, 63, Rockford, 11/19/09

Joe Engebreton, 62, Rockford, 11/19/09

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

Posted in Obituary Notices | No Comments »

Mendelssohn’s preview of A Christmas Symphony Nov. 30

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

From press release

Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center (MPAC) has announced that the next Music on Main performance will be at 5:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 30, with a preview of composer Donald Fraser’s A Christmas Symphony. The preview will be at the historic Emerson House.

In this preview, Fraser will explain the genesis and history of his symphony, with live musical excerpts on the piano and various recorded excerpts of the piece.

This preview is the kickoff event for MPAC’s 125th Anniversary Holiday Gala Friday, Dec. 4. To commemorate the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Mendelssohn Club, Fraser will compose a new prelude and fugue for the symphony, based on the carol “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” by Felix Mendelssohn.

The Holiday Gala concert will feature the Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra; soprano Jonita Lattimore; the Mendelssohn Chorale; Kantorei, the Singing Boys of Rockford; and the Rock Valley Children’s Choir.

The Music on Main concert series consists of brief, intimate musical performances in a casual atmosphere. Complimentary wine and cheese will be served. Admission is free. In lieu of admission, concertgoers are asked to bring a cash donation or non-perishable food item to support the Rock River Valley Pantry. All cash donations will be shared between the Rock River Valley Pantry and the Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center.

For more information, call (815) 964-9713 or e-mail info@mendelssohnpac.org.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

Posted in Online Exclusives | No Comments »

Family-owned business going strong!

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

From press release

A part of Rockton since 1981, The Gem Shop & Diamond Source on Main Street has been growing steadily for 28 years. The Gem Shop has served generations of families who continue to return for full-service jewelry repairs, one-of-a-kind custom design, and unique in-store merchandise including crystals, gems, stones and fossils.

While some stores hold remount events where stock mountings are on hand to reset the customer’s diamond, The Gem Shop encourages fully interactive custom design. Customers are welcome to come in with a sketch, idea, or inspiration to work with co-owner Kevin Mueller to complete a fully detailed drawing. A wax pattern of the design is carefully hand-crafted to further define the piece.

“At that point,” Kevin says, “we call the customer in to review the design and adjust the pattern to suit each person’s unique sense of style.” Once approved, the wax pattern is transformed into a piece of fine jewelry. A plaster cast is made from the pattern and is placed in a kiln where the wax pattern is burned out.

“This step is what puts the ‘lost’ in ‘lost wax casting,’” Kevin explains. Molten gold or silver is poured into the cavity, taking the shape of the original design.

When cool, the mold is broken to reveal the piece within. It is then finished and polished to produce a truly unique creation. As a final step, diamonds or gemstones may be set, and it is ready to wear. The relationship between customer and artist creates a cherished piece of jewelry, “destined to give a lifetime of pleasure. It allows us to stand apart from the crowd,” Kevin proudly states. The Gem Shop has a number of original designs on display to show what is possible in creating beautiful custom jewelry.

Family owners Bruce, Shirley and Kevin, along with their talented staff, truly appreciate and enjoy serving their customers’ unique and personal needs.

From the November 25-December 1, 2009 issue

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