Archive for December 5th, 2012

Kody Walsh, accused I-90 killer, faces new charges following jail cell incident

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Kody R. Walsh

Online Staff Report

Kody R. Walsh, 23, of Rockford, who is accused of killing 36-year-old Lori Ann Daniels of Beloit, Wis., Sept. 9, faces new criminal charges.

The accused I-90 killer, who is in custody on murder charges, is now also charged with criminal damage to government property stemming from a November incident during which he allegedly broke a sprinkler and a light inside his jail cell. A motion regarding the new charges was heard by Judge John Truitt Dec. 5.

A no-bond, first-degree murder warrant was issued for Walsh’s arrest following the Sept. 9 shooting death of Daniels. Walsh allegedly fatally shot Daniels while traveling on I-90 near South Beloit at approximately 2 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 9.

South Beloit Police located and attempted to stop the vehicle driven by Walsh, and the vehicle fled. South Beloit Police were joined by Rockton Police in attempting to stop the vehicle. The pursuit ended when the vehicle driven by Walsh crashed near Springfield Road and School Street in Rockford.

Following the crash, Walsh fled on foot after shooting a weapon at police. As Walsh fled, he turned and fired at least one round at the pursuing officers. Officers did not return fire at Walsh, and no officers were injured.

A search of the area involving multiple law enforcement agencies was coordinated by the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Police. The vehicle that crashed was found to contain the body of Daniels. According to the Winnebago County Coroner’s Office, Daniels died of a gunshot wound to the head.

Prior to the Sept. 9 incident, Walsh was also wanted on an unrelated domestic battery warrant.

At approximately 2 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 16, Walsh was located near Memphis, Tenn., and arrested by local Tennessee law enforcement after a high-speed chase on Interstate 40.

Tennessee law enforcement attempted to stop Walsh for following another vehicle too closely and driving with an obstructed license plate, but Walsh fled from officers, leading them on a three-county chase.

According to reports, Tennessee authorities first attempted to stop Walsh on Interstate 40 in Haywood County at about 1 p.m. He then fled, reaching speeds of up to 110 mph while being pursued on I-40 through Fayette County into Shelby County.

The Toyota Solara Walsh was driving blew out a tire, and he continued traveling erratically at speeds of about 90 mph.

Officers briefly stopped their pursuit after they were advised of an accident scene the chase was approaching on I-40.

According to a report at www.commercialappeal.com: “Walsh allegedly struck two vehicles at the accident scene before continuing west.

“He later exited I-40 and struck a telephone pole at Summer and Waring, and attempted to flee on foot but was caught soon afterward, according to the affidavit,” the www.commercialappeal.com report added. “Officers reported finding a Draco 7.62 mm rifle in Walsh’s car that was loaded with a 30-round magazine. Rockford police later informed Memphis authorities the rifle was stolen.

“Walsh initially provided officers with a fake name, according to the affidavit,” the report said. “He identified himself after officers located a teardrop tattoo under his right eye that was concealed by makeup.

“Walsh is being held without bond in Shelby County Jail while Illinois authorities arrange his extradition.

“He was charged with aggravated assault, intentionally evading arrest in an automobile, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, theft of property, violation of vehicle registration law, and two counts of leaving the scene of an accident involving injury.”

Posted Dec. 5, 2012

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‘Putnam County Spelling Bee’ auditions set for Dec. 10-11

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Online Staff Report

WOODSTOCK, Ill. — Open auditions have been scheduled for TownSquare Players’ March 2013 production of William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin’s hilarious Tony Award-winning musical that involves four “audience spellers” as well as actors: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Open auditions will be in the lower level of Grace Lutheran Church, 1300 Kishwaukee Valley Road, Woodstock, Ill., from 7 to 9 p.m., Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 10-11.

Artistic Director Roger Zawacki and vocal director Rosemarie Aiello are seeking nine actors (four women and five men) who can sing well for the production, which will be performed March 8-24, 2013, at the Woodstock Opera House. No appointment is needed.

Those auditioning should prepare 16 measures of an upbeat song that shows their vocal range. Zawacki and Aiello suggest the musical number be presented with some staging or movement.

Auditioners should bring a copy of the music; an accompanist will be provided.

Those trying out will also be expected to do a short improvisation and some simple movement/dance.

Callbacks, if needed, will be at Grace Lutheran Church at 7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 13.

After one cast meeting in December, Woodstock rehearsals will begin in earnest Sunday, Jan. 6, and will typically be held three evenings a week (usually Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays) until Tech Week (the week of March 3). Auditioners are asked to bring their list of conflicts to auditions; preference will be given to actors with the fewest conflicts.

Zawacki and Aiello are looking to cast actors as the following characters (who all do some solos in the show):

The spellers (junior high students played by adults ranging in age from 18 to 40s)

• Chip — a Boy Scout and last year’s winner of the spelling bee; athletic, social and expects to win again; sings a lot of high notes.

• Leaf — second runner-up at his school spelling bee and he never expected to compete in the county bee; home-schooled with his many siblings; makes his own clothes.

• William — has a lot of health problems and can breathe out of only one nostril; spells words on the floor with his “magic foot;” he is bullied and is a bully himself.

• Logainne — the youngest speller, she is driven by the pressure of her two dads. She has been drilled on words for hours a day and has a slight lisp.

• Marcy — the ultimate over-achiever; a parochial school student who assumes that God expects perfection from her; she speaks six languages.

• Olive — a word lover and an only child with often-absent parents. She fills her time reading the dictionary.

The adults

• Rona Lisa Parretti (mid 30s to 40s) — Putnam County’s long-time spelling bee hostess and local Realtor, she won the third annual spelling bee and keeps the current bee running smoothly.

• Vice Principal Douglas Panch (40s or early 50s) — junior high principal who is frustrated with his life; he’s a last-minute substitute word pronouncer at the bee.

• Mitch Mahoney (30s or 40s) — the spelling bee “comfort counselor” who has a bouncer’s physique and demeanor; this is part of his community service assignment.

For any additional questions, auditioners should contact the director at rogerzawacki@comcast.net.

Posted Dec. 5, 2012

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Local musicians to play Dec. 8 Christmas concert for charity

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Online Staff Report

Jim Waddell and members of local Christian rock band Epiphany will join Saturday, Dec. 8, for their 17th annual Christmas concert.

The free concert begins at 3 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church, 3555 McFarland Road, Rockford.

Waddell, Epiphany and their children will perform contemporary and traditional versions of several Christmas favorites, both sacred and secular. Special guests include Stephanie Waddell as well as the children of the musicians, who will lead the singing of Christmas carols.

A freewill donation will be taken with all proceeds going to Youth Services Network.

“Christmas has always been a special time for me — a time for family, and a time for sharing and giving back — and that is really what this concert is all about,” said Jim Waddell. “It provides a vehicle to spend time with ‘family’ — our friends from Epiphany and their families — and to do something we truly enjoy while benefiting the local community.

“People should come to share in a spirit of fellowship, to enjoy just a couple hours in celebration of the season,” he added. “We have a lot of fun putting on this concert, and the people who come have fun being a part of it. It is great for families, and a nice respite in the middle of the Advent season.”

Beyond the fun, however, the concert serves an important purpose: raising money for charity. Recent recipients have included MAPS of Illinois, Gigi’s Playhouse and Maya’s House.

“As we tried to decide on a beneficiary for this year’s concert, we talked about what was important to us,” Jim Waddell said. “In general, we felt strongly about helping children in our area. We talked about several options, but in the end, decided this year to benefit Youth Services Network.”

Since 1982, Youth Services Network has provided its unique services to the youth and their families in Winnebago and Boone counties. Their staff provides trauma-informed, holistic and community-based services for their clients. They serve clients from birth to age 21 and provide supportive services for their families.

Difficulties and challenges their clients face include sexual abuse; physical, emotional and/or domestic abuse; various trauma experiences; mental health disorders; social and/or emotional problems; runaway or homeless; teen pregnancy; delinquency; and truancy.

More information is available online at http://www.ysnkids.com.

Waddell, who has organized his annual Christmas concert since 1995, was honored in 2009 as one of the Rockford Area Chamber of Commerce’s “40 Leaders Under 40.” Epiphany, winner of the last four Rockford Area Music Industry (RAMI) Awards for contemporary Christian music, was honored this spring with the RAMI for 2011 Song of the Year.

For more information, contact Waddell at jhwaddell2@comcast.net.

Posted Dec. 5, 2012

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Breakfast with Santa at Nicholas Conservatory Dec. 15, 22

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Online Staff Report

Rockford Park District’s Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens invites all ages to have breakfast with Santa from 8 to 9:30 a.m., Saturdays, Dec. 15 and 22.

Enjoy a tasty, family-friendly holiday-themed breakfast in a warm tropical environment complete with seasonal decorations.

Admission is $8 per person ($10 non-resident); early registration is encouraged for this popular event — register at least one week in advance, either online at www.rockfordparkdistrict.org (click Register Now), by fax (with credit card), mail or in person at Customer Service locations (downtown Rockford or Carlson Ice Arena in Loves Park).

To learn more about the conservatory and its programs, events and rental opportunities, visit www.rockfordparkdistrict.org/ncg or call (815) 987-8858. Nicholas Conservatory is at 1354 N. Second St., Rockford.

For information about accessibility for visitors with disabilities, call (815) 987-8800.

Posted Dec. 5, 2012

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First Lutheran Church to hold Lucia celebration Dec. 8

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Online Staff Report

The community is invited to First Lutheran Church’s annual Lucia Fest from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Dec. 8, at the church, 225 S. Third St., in Rockford’s Haight Village.

The event includes a Santa Lucia and her special guests, as well as a Treasure Table, baked goods, crafts, refreshments and continuous live music throughout the morning. Sixty loaves of Swedish rye bread made with a Lucia braid (cinnamon or cardamon flavored) will be available for sale, as well as Korv made by Tabor Lutheran Church.

Among the featured musical groups and musicians will be students from the Rockford Music Academy, the Windswept Quintet and the Bach Chamber Choir.

First Lutheran’s Lucia Day celebrates the Swedish Festival of Lights holiday. According to legend, Lucia was a medieval saint who carried food and drink to hungry people during a period of famine. She was seen dressed in a white gown with a crown of lights. In Sweden, the Lucia Day is celebrated in every home, school and workplace on the morning of Dec. 13. In the United States, churches with strong Scandinavian roots, like First Lutheran, continue to celebrate the holiday each December.

For more information about First Lutheran’s Lucia Fest, contact the church office at (815) 962-6691.

Posted Dec. 5, 2012

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Oregon High School Madrigal Dinner tickets on sale

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Online Staff Report

OREGON, Ill. — May love and joy come to you this holiday season! This is the Oregon High School (OHS) Madrigals’ wish for you. So, mark your calendars now. Plan to attend the OHS Annual Madrigal Dinner Friday, Dec. 7, and Saturday, Dec. 8, with dinner beginning at 6 p.m.

“The students have been working hard preparing their music and are looking forward to celebrating an evening filled with song and good cheer with your family and friends at this year’s Annual Madrigal Dinner,” said Madrigal Choir Director Mitch Lauer.

This event will be in the dining hall at Lutheran Outdoor Ministries (LOMC), 1834 S. Illinois Route 2 in Oregon, Ill.

Ticketholders will enjoy a “Dinner Theater” re-enactment modeled after the feasts of the Renaissance when Lords and Ladies of large manors would prepare huge holiday celebrations. The full-course meal will be divided into courses, each of which will be introduced with traditional instrumental fanfares and songs, along with a variety of musical and comedic performances by the Oregon High School students throughout the evening.

Cost to attend is $15 per person, which includes dinner and the performance. Make checks payable to OHS Madrigals. To reserve your seat(s), call (815) 732-6241, ext. 1205, or e-mail astarkey@ocusd.net. State your name and how many are attending. Also include your mailing address if you would like your ticket(s) mailed directly to you or your e-mail address if you would like your ticket(s) e-mailed to you. However, note that tickets must be ordered 10 days prior to the event if you would like them mailed to you, and they will be mailed to the name and address provided. Tickets ordered after this time will be available for pickup on the date of the Madrigal Dinner as specified when you placed your order, unless you request that your tickets be sent via e-mail. When placing your order, specify whether any ticketholder will require wheelchair seating.

Funds generated by the dinner will be used to offset the costs of the dinner and to fund future musical productions.

Posted Dec. 5, 2012

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Adults-only evening: Ugly Christmas Sweater Night Dec. 7 at Discovery Center

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Online Staff Report

Grownups (21 and older), release your inner child and experience Discovery Center’s fun exhibits — without the kids! Wear your most hideous holiday sweater and compete for prizes from 6 to 10 p.m., Friday, Dec. 7. WIFR’s Aaron Wilson will judge the contest.

Get creative with art activities as you make your own ornaments or craft your own cards. Shop for unique gifts in the museum store, where you’ll receive 20 percent off along with complimentary gift wrapping. Explore the night sky in the planetarium, and more!

Food will be available for purchase, along with a cash bar.

Reservations can be made online at www.discoverycentermuseum.org or by calling (815) 963-6769. Admission is $3 for museum members and $7 for the public.

Add to the fun by creating a gingerbread house. The museum will provide everything needed to create a masterpiece for your holiday party. Advance registration is required. Cost is $16 for members and $20 for the public public, and includes full Discovery After Dark admission.

Discovery Center Museum is a non-profit organization providing hands-on math, science and art experiences for all ages with more than 250 hand-on exhibits, planetarium, special area for children younger than 5, and an outdoor science park.

Discovery Center is rated the No. 4 children’s museum in the nation by Child magazine and one of the top 12 children’s museums in the nation by Forbes.com.

The museum is inside Riverfront Museum Park, 711 N. Main St., Rockford. General admission is $7 adults, $7 children (ages 2-17) and free to museum members and children age 1 and younger.

For additional information, call (815) 963-6769 or visit www.discoverycentermuseum.org.

Posted Dec. 5, 2012

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‘Eye Candy’ opens Dec. 7 at Monroe Arts Center Frehner Gallery

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Online Staff Report

MONROE, Wis. — Monroe Arts Center Frehner Gallery presents “Eye Candy,” a multi-media group show by members of the Driftless Area Artists. On display from Dec. 7 through Jan. 25, 2013, this exhibit features the work of 14 artists from the south central Wisconsin area, representing the cities of Monroe, New Glarus, Monticello, Blanchardville, Argyle, Blue Mounds and Gratiot.

The exhibiting artists include Sarah Aslakson, Jeanne Ausmus, Elsie Berget, Kathleen D’Angelo, Tina Duemler, Jocelyn Kline, Jane Olson, Carey O’Shea, Nikki Saugstad, Terri Schmit, Joan Stackpole, Helen Staufffer, Jeanne Stietz and Terry Tackett.

A variety of art mediums have been used in the pieces created for this exhibit. They include watercolor, acrylic, gouache, oil painting, photography, colored pencil, gourds and various other multi-media mediums.

An opening reception is scheduled for 5-7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 7, in Frehner Gallery. A brief curator talk begins at 5:30 p.m., which will be followed by a poetry reading by Madison, Wis., poet, Richard Merelman.

Merelman has selected artwork from this exhibit and composed poems relating to those particular pieces. Merelman is professor emeritus of political science at UW-Madison, holds a Ph.D. from Yale University, and taught at Wesleyan (Connecticut), UCLA, U. of Maryland, and U. of Essex (England), in addition to U.W. He is the author of several books and many articles about culture and politics in Western democracies. His poetry has appeared in a number of literary journals, and he has won awards from the Wisconsin Academy of Science, Arts and Letters, the 2011 Helen Schaible International Shaespearean/Petrachan Sonnet Contest, and the Milwaukee Art Museum poetry contest. This event is free and open to the public.

For more details, contact Monroe Arts Center at (608) 325-5700, 888-596-1249 or online at www.monroeartscenter.com.

Posted Dec. 5, 2012

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‘Gloria, The Christmas Angel’ offered Dec. 6-7 at Monroe Arts Center

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Online Staff Report

MONROE, Wis. — Two performances of the musical Gloria, The Christmas Angel will be presented at the Monroe Arts Center Gunderson Stiles Concert Hall, 1315 11th St., in Monroe, Wis., at 7:30 p.m., Thursday and Friday, Dec. 6-7.

This delightful show, which will lighten the hearts and spirits of adults and children alike, is directed by Judy Knudtson, with musical direction by Cindy Blanc, and choreography by Katherine Zastrow. The music was composed by Gary Brubaker and song lyrics written by Judy Knudtson.

Based on the children’s book by Scott A. Asalone, this enchanting musical is the story of Gloria, a “not-so-perfect” angel. Gloria feels unfit and forgotten, but deep down inside herself she finds the power to believe in herself when no one else does.

Because she can see beyond appearances, Gloria gives courage to all those she encounters and reminds everyone that the world is full of imperfect creatures.

“Gloria, The Christmas Angel is a delightful story suited for the entire family to come and experience live theater,” said Knudtson. “It’s the first time on stage for many of these young performers, ages 5 to 18 years, and they have been working very hard to sing, dance and act their way into the hearts of the audience.”

Playing the role of Gloria is Monroe student Maddie Schluesche. Other supporting roles include Louie and Phyllis Studer (Grandpa, Grandma), Maddison Markham and Christina Grenzow (Granddaughters), Anika Nelson (Gabriella) and Cammi Ganshert as Raphaella. An additional 30 students will be playing Angels, Shepherds, Sugar Plum Dancers, Rainbow Dancers and Jazz Dancers.

Monroe Arts Center invites the community to ring in the holiday season and attend this free, heart-warming holiday presentation. Tickets are not required.

For information, contact Monroe Arts Center at (608) 325-5700 or online at www.monroeartscenter.com.

Posted Dec. 5, 2012

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Hurricane Center shares reasoning for non-issuance of hurricane warnings for Sandy

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

By Jillian Macmath
AccuWeather.com Staff Writer

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Nearly two months after Sandy wreaked havoc on the East Coast, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) has revealed the thought process behind the decision not to issue hurricane warnings north of North Carolina, which resulted in much miscommunication and confusion for the government and public alike.

Chris Landsea, the science and operations officer at the NHC, told AccuWeather.com there were three ruled-out options leading up to the final actions made by Branch Chief of the Hurricane Specialist Unit James Franklin, Deputy Director of the NHC Ed Rappaport and Director of the NHC Rick Knabb.

If the NHC had continued to issue advisories after the system had transitioned into a post-tropical phase, it may have resulted in a total system failure, according to the NHC.

“We would have risked completely breaking our dissemination system,” Landsea said. “The system is not set up for us to continue to write advisories once the system becomes post-tropical. So, we could have tried that, but we could have broken our way to get the information out, and that would have been a humongous disaster.”

That was not an option that they wanted to pursue, he said.

After ruling out that possibility, the NHC addressed transitioning the responsibility over to local weather forecast offices, but resolved that it would have been too abrupt of a switch for emergency managers mid-way through the event.

“The emergency managers did not want any part of that,” Landsea said. “That is the worst case for them because they have to switch from dealing with hurricane warnings to dealing with the local warnings — extremely confusing for them and the public.

“So, we heard very strongly from the eastern region — the WFOs — ‘Don’t do that,’” Landsea said.

The decision was made assuming the hurricane would transition to an extra-tropical cyclone, but it was unclear when that would occur. The uncertainty weighed in their decision-making process.

“We were anticipating it to do that transition to an extra tropical cyclone,” Landsea said. “We didn’t know when. We didn’t know if it was going to be two days before landfall, a day before landfall, or right at landfall.”

Had they known the transition would occur right around landfall, this could have been viable option, Landsea explained. But without knowing, there was the chance that this option would have resulted in “chaos and confusion.”

The third option was also a bad option, he said. The NHC could have “faked it” for a day or two and continued to call it a hurricane when it was not, but they feared this could have severely damaged their credibility in the future.

“Yes, that would have worked,” Landsea said. “We could have gotten the advisories out to the U.S. coast, but our credibility would have gone in the tank for us to continue writing advisories on a hurricane when it was clearly a winter storm.”

With these options ruled out, the NHC went forward with writing advisories, but the local WFOs carried the warnings.

“[It was] clearly not good,” Landsea said. “It caused a lot of confusion. We got a lot of grief about it, admittedly.”

After addressing the issue last week at the annual NOAA Hurricane Conference in Miami, the NHC has decided to modify their advisory system to allow for more flexibility, and has revised their official definition of “Hurricane Warning.”

Beginning next year, the NHC will be able to issue multiple advisories on post-tropical cyclones for landfalling systems or close bypassers.

“We’ve made the decision already that if the same exact hurricane, same exact scenario was going to happen, we are going to do things differently,” Landsea said.

Posted Dec. 5, 2012

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Lt. Gov.: Federal intervention needed to preserve Mississippi River commerce

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Online Staff Report

CARLYLE, Ill. — At a quarterly meeting of the Mississippi River Coordinating Council Friday, Dec. 7, Illinois Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon (D) will call for federal intervention to address dropping water levels in the Mississippi River.

The water level from St. Louis to Cairo is at record-low levels and risks being impassable by barges.

“The Mississippi River is a vital economic resource, allowing goods to be transported around the country,” Simon said. “Already, barges are being forced to carry lighter loads, and unless we work together on a solution, barge traffic will halt completely.”

Mississippi River levels — already low following the 2012 drought — are continuing to drop as a result of reduced flows from the Missouri River. Continued drop in water levels will expose rock pinnacles in southern Illinois, which will limit or even halt barge traffic along the river.

Simon, as well as Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn (D), Navistar, Caterpillar, ADM, Great Lakes Dredge and Docks, and others have appealed to the federal government for assistance that will keep the river open.

According to the American Waterways Operators, a potential closure preventing barges from transporting goods would jeopardize $7 billion in products during December and January alone.

Simon is chairman of the Mississippi River Coordinating Council, composed of a diverse group of citizens, not-for-profit organizations, and state and federal agencies. The council coordinates initiatives, projects and funding to promote the ecological health of the Mississippi River and its tributaries by addressing the issues in the watershed.

The council’s quarterly meeting will be at 1:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 7, at Carlyle Lake Visitors Center, 801 Lake Road, Carlyle, Ill.

Posted Dec. 5, 2012

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U.S. corn crop strong despite drought, report indicates

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Online Staff Report

The overall quality of the 2012 U.S. corn crop is high and improves upon last year’s very good marks across a range of test factors, according to the U.S. Grains Council’s Corn Harvest Quality Report 2012/13.

Total U.S. corn production fell in 2012 as a result of the worst drought in decades, but despite the drought, this year’s crop showed a year-over-year improvement in average text weight, protein levels and density, as well as lower moisture and broken corn and foreign material (BCFM) than the 2011 crop. The full report is available at www.grains.org.

This is the second year for the council’s Harvest Report. The Harvest Report assesses the quality of the U.S. crop as it is delivered from farms to local elevators, the first step in entering international marketing channels. It will be followed in April 2013 by the second annual Corn Export Cargo Quality Report, which assesses quality at the point of export.

The council produces the reports so global importers will have access to reliable and comparable data from year to year, with samples being gathered and tested using transparent and consistent methods.

“With an increasingly competitive global market, the availability of accurate information is in the long-term best interest of U.S. farmers, exporters and international buyers,” said Erick Erickson, USGC director of global strategies. “We received a tremendously positive response to the inaugural reports from international buyers, so certainly there is a need for this type of information.”

For the harvest quality report, samples of U.S. corn were gathered from 12 states that combined are the source for 99 percent of U.S. corn exports. Tests conducted on the samples cover grading factors like test weight, physical factors such as stress cracks and other items such as moisture, protein starch, oil and mycotoxins.

“The samples tested demonstrate that this year’s U.S. corn crop, while smaller due to the drought, is of outstanding quality overall,” Erickson said.

Data indicate the average test weight for the 2012/13 crop was 58.8 pounds per bushel, an increase over 2011 and more than 2 pounds per bushel above the grade limit for No. 1 U.S. corn. At the same time, BCFM was lower, as were the number of damaged kernels. Moisture, at 15.3 percent, was also lower than last year.

“Protein numbers were generally higher, starch was marginally lower and oil content was unchanged,” Erickson said.

The frequency of stress cracks, which indicate the relative susceptibility of kernels to break up during handling, are up marginally (from 3 percent last year to 4 percent this year), which could be an indicator that the crop will be more susceptible to breakage during handling, information that may turn up in the Corn Export Cargo Quality Report in the spring.

Erickson noted that the council’s Corn Harvest Quality Report 2012/13 only assesses the quality of the current U.S. corn harvest as it enters merchandising channels, as quality can be affected by further handling, blending, storage conditions and other downstream factors.

The full report is available at the U.S. Grains Council website, www.grains.org, and from the council’s international offices.

Posted Dec. 5, 2012

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12 arrested for DUI in Stephenson, Boone and Winnebago counties between Nov. 11 and Dec. 4

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Online Staff Report

PECATONICA, Ill. — Twelve individuals were arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) by Illinois State Police in District 16 between Nov. 11 and Dec. 4.

The following were arrested by county:

Stephenson County — Douglas L. Hastings, 47, of Freeport, Ill.

Boone County — Abranda Sims, 20, of Rockford.

Winnebago County — Alejandro Ortega, 22, of Rockford; Zachary L. Anderson, 27, of Rockford; Jerry L. Clark, 34, of Rockford; Jose A. Castro, 18, of Belvidere, Ill.; Ishmael Vasquez, 26, of Rockford; Elaine M. Ullrich, 23, of Rockford; Patrick A. Burke, 55, of Loves Park, Ill.; Arthur J. Meador, 25, of Rockford; Lashonda A. Walker, 41, of Rockford; and a 16-year-old male of Rockford (DUI drugs).

Posted Dec. 5, 2012

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Congress remains divided as ‘fiscal cliff’ nears

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

• Democrats reject counteroffer proposed by Republicans Dec. 3

Staff Report

As the nation inches closer to a “fiscal cliff,” set to begin Jan. 1, 2013, the seemingly great divide between Democrats and Republicans in Washington, D.C., appears as wide as ever.

After Democrats presented their own plan to avoid the fiscal cliff last week, Republicans in Congress offered a counterproposal Dec. 3. However, the Republican debt reduction plan reportedly does not concede on the main issue dividing Republicans and Democrats — higher tax rates for the wealthy.

President Barack Obama presented a plan last week that would reduce borrowing by more than $4 trillion over the next decade. The Republicans’ plan would aim to do the same. However, the plan presented by the Obama administration would also reportedly raise $1.6 trillion in new revenue, double the amount in the Republican plan. Obama’s plan would also produce only about $350 billion in savings from Medicaid and Medicare, the largest drivers of borrowing.

Obama’s plan frustrated Republicans, with U.S. Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-Ohio, calling it the president’s “la-la-land offer.”

The Republicans’ Dec. 3 counterproposal reportedly used as its framework a plan presented by Democrat Erskine Bowles in November 2011. Bowles’ plan aimed to raise new revenue through an overhaul of the tax code and also called for cutting $600 billion from federal health programs, partly by increasing the Medicare eligibility age from 65 to 67, and saving $200 billion by applying a less-generous measure of inflation to all federal programs, including Social Security benefits.

The plan would aim to reduce borrowing by $2.2 trillion through 2022, or by as much as $4.6 trillion when spending cuts, interest savings and reductions in war spending are considered.

The Republicans’ plan would raise tax collections by $800 billion over the next decade by removing all new tax money from households earning more than $250,000 a year, the same group Democrats are targeting for higher tax rates, and raising the money by eliminating deductions.

The Republican proposal was included in a letter to Obama. In addition to Boehner, the letter was signed by U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va.; U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis.; Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.; Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp, R-Mich.; Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich.; and GOP Conference Chairman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash.

The offer reportedly does not address a looming battle over the federal debt limit, which will soon need to be raised above $16.4 trillion. The offer also fails to provide any plans for how to carry out the debt-reduction framework and avoid the fiscal cliff, leaving the details open to negotiation, according to Republicans.

Boehner told reporters Dec. 3 that the Republicans’ plan was “a credible plan that deserves serious consideration by the White House.”

Democrats, however, said the Republicans’ proposed cuts to social safety-net programs would outweigh higher taxes. They also said Republicans had yet to explain how they would raise additional tax revenue without imposing new burdens on middle-class Americans.

“The Republican letter released today does not meet the test of balance,” White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer said in a statement. “In fact, it actually promises to lower rates for the wealthy and sticks the middle class with the bill. Until the Republicans in Congress are willing to get serious about asking the wealthiest to pay slightly higher tax rates, we won’t be able to achieve a significant, balanced approach to reduce our deficit.”

Brendan Buck, a spokesman for Boehner, said in response, “If the president is rejecting this middle-ground offer, it is now his obligation to present a plan that can pass both chambers of Congress.”

Fiscal cliff

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke popularized the term “fiscal cliff” in late February 2012 when he stated before the House Financial Services Committee that “a massive fiscal cliff of large spending cuts and tax increases” would take place Jan. 1, 2013.

Essentially, if a number of laws are left unchanged, the result could be an increase in taxes, cuts in spending, and a corresponding reduction in the budget deficit beginning in 2013.

The deficit — the difference between what the government takes in and what it spends — is expected to be reduced by roughly half in 2013. That reduction is the cliff.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the sudden reduction will likely lead to a recession in early 2013, with the pace of economic activity picking up after 2013.

Laws leading to the fiscal cliff include tax increases as a result of the expiration of the George W. Bush tax cuts and spending cuts under the Budget Control Act of 2011.

The Budget Control Act of 2011 was enacted as a result of the failure of the 111th Congress to pass a federal budget and, therefore, as a compromise to resolve a dispute concerning the public debt ceiling.

Deficit spending previously appropriated by Congress was bringing the federal government’s total debt close to the statutory ceiling. Republicans in Congress refused to approve an increase in the ceiling, unless deep spending cuts were made to come closer to a balanced budget and reduce the amount of national debt that was accruing.

The Budget Control Act included an immediate increase in the debt ceiling, along with a mechanism for facilitating two additional increases. It also provided for automatic spending cuts to begin Jan. 2, 2013.

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Nation & World, News | 2 Comments »

Laurent House featured in Landmark Ornament Collection

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Hand-painted images of the Laurent House on the Landmark ornaments are based on two paintings of the house by Rockford artist Jeanne Ludeke — one featuring the front of the house in summer (left) and the other a rear view in a winter setting (right). (Photo provided)

Staff Report

The only building in Rockford designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the Laurent House, is the featured ornament in the Rockford Landmark Ornament Collection for the 2012 holiday season at J.R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 N. Main St., Rockford.

The elegant Usonian home on Spring Brook Road is represented on two different ornaments, one featuring the front of the house in summer and the other a rear view in a winter setting.

The hand-painted images on the ornaments are based on two paintings of the house by Rockford artist Jeanne Ludeke. According to Doc Slafkosky, co-owner of J.R. Kortman, the two Laurent House ornaments are sold separately for $25.

“You can purchase the set of both the summer and winter scenes of the house for $45,” Slafkosky said.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Laurent ornaments benefit the Laurent House Foundation.

The Laurent House, a world-class architectural treasure, is the latest Rockford property to be designated a National Landmark. Kenneth Laurent, a paraplegic from a World War II injury, commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright to design the house for him and his wife, Phyllis, in 1949. It is the only Wright building designed specifically to be fully handicapped accessible.

For 15 years, J.R. Kortman Center for Design has been featuring hand-painted ornaments depicting Rockford landmarks. To celebrate this milestone year, the Kortman Gallery (on the second level) is presenting a group holiday exhibition titled “Landmarks,” which opened Nov. 23. Twenty-four of some of Rockford’s most accomplished artists showcase works inspired by landmarks featured in the Rockford Landmark Ornament Collection.

Besides the Laurent House, the Rockford Landmark Ornament Collection includes a special edition of Memorial Hall, the Woodward Governor building and the North Main Street Armory. Other ornaments available in the Landmark Collection include “Guardians of the Rock” sculpture by Theresa Agnew, the Beattie Park Gazebo, Sinnissippi Lagoon, the Rockford News Tower, the Faust Landmark Building, Coronado and Midway theater buildings, and the Coronado stage, Sinnissippi Bur Oak tree, Old City Hall and “Symbol” sculpture, the best-selling ornament in the collection.

“Other top sellers include four ornaments depicting different scenes of the beautiful Nicholas Conservatory and Anderson Japanese Gardens,” Slafkosky said.

In addition to the Swedish Historical Society’s “Erlander Home,” other historic houses in the collection include the “Limestone Mansion,” home to the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, and the “Cobblestone House,” at 2127 Broadway, one of Rockford’s oldest houses.

All the Landmark ornament images are individually hand-painted on the inside of a glass sphere, utilizing an ancient Chinese technique originally applied to “snuff” bottles. Each collectible ornament is a miniature work of art. All ornaments, with the exception of the Laurent House, are priced at $22 each.

Call (815) 968-0123 for more details.

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Art, Vibe Entertainment, Vibe Entertainment News | No Comments »

Week 14 NFL picks: Bears and Packers will win, Patriots will top Texans

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

By Doug Halberstadt
Sports Columnist

The Chicago Bears’ loss in overtime to the Seattle Seahawks last Sunday, Dec. 2, cost them their lead in the NFC North Division. Green Bay has taken over the division lead. Both teams have 8-4 records, but the Packers have the edge based on their 3-0 record within the division. The Bears are 2-1 in the division. They lost to Green Bay 23-10 during Week 2 of the season.

Both teams face division opponents this Sunday (Dec. 9). The Bears go on the road to face the Vikings in Minnesota, and the Packers will welcome the Detroit Lions into Lambeau. Green Bay and Chicago should come away with wins and set up a showdown when they face one another at Soldier Field Dec. 16.

Tomorrow night’s game (Thursday, Dec. 6) features the hottest team in the league, the Denver Broncos (9-3), going for their eighth-straight win against the lowly Oakland Raiders (3-9). The Broncos have clinched the division title and should have no trouble picking up their 10th win of the season.

The Houston Texans (11-1) and the Atlanta Falcons (11-1) have also clinched their division titles. They both play away from home this week. The Falcons travel to Carolina to take on the Panthers (3-9). I don’t think that’ll be much of a challenge for Atlanta, and they should come away with their 12th win.

The Texans won’t have it quite so easy. They have to try to get by the Patriots (9-3) in Foxboro, Mass., Monday night, Dec. 10. Both teams have won six straight. This will most likely be the best game of the week. I’m going with New England, strictly because they have the home-field advantage and their quarterback, Tom Brady, always seems to find a way to pull out a victory when under the national spotlight.

The St. Louis Rams (5-6-1) and the Buffalo Bills (5-7) square off in Orchard Park, N.Y. Both teams are coming off wins last week. I’m going with St. Louis.

The Cleveland Browns (4-8) will be looking for their third straight win this week. They have a home game against the Kansas City Chiefs (2-10). The Chiefs picked up an emotional win last week. I’m giving the edge this week to the Browns.

The Indianapolis Colts (8-4) are another team playing with a ton of emotion. This week, they are at home against the Tennessee Titans (4-8). The Colts have won two in a row, and the Titans have lost their last two. I look for that trend to continue. They both should make it three straight.

There may be a quarterback controversy with the New York Jets. Last week, starter Mark Sanchez was benched in favor of Greg McElroy during the third quarter of their game. McElroy promptly threw a touchdown, and the Jets picked up the win. This week, they play the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10). It’s not sure whether Sanchez or McElroy will get the start. I don’t think it’ll matter. The Jets will prevail regardless of who’s taking the snaps.

Trying to rebound from four straight losses will be a tough chore for the San Diego Chargers (4-8) this week. They have to try to get back on track against the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5). The game is in the Steel City. I think that virtually assures a fifth-straight loss for the Chargers. I’m taking the Steelers.

The Miami Dolphins (5-7) and the San Francisco 49ers (8-3-1) both suffered losses last week. This week, they face one another in the “City by the Bay.” I think the 49ers are more likely to rebound. I’m taking them.

After their overtime victory on the road against Chicago last week, the Seattle Seahawks (7-5) are at home against the Arizona Cardinals. The Seahawks are a perfect 5-0 in their home games this season. The Cardinals have only won one of their six road games this year. That’s why I’m almost positive the Seahawks will be victorious and make it 6-0 in CenturyLink Field.

The Dallas Cowboys (6-6) will try to make it two in a row when they visit the Cincinnati Bengals (7-5). The Bengals will be going for their fifth in a row. The Cowboys know they have to keep winning if they are going to have any chance of making the playoffs. I think that’s the motivation they need. I’m going with Dallas to break the Bengals’ modest winning streak.

The Philadelphia Eagles (3-9) have lost eight games in a row. This week, they are in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers (6-6) have lost their last two games. I think the Eagles will finally get the monkey off their back this week and stop the losing streak. I’m taking Philly.

The Washington Redskins are hosting the Baltimore Ravens in our nation’s capital. Despite having home-field advantage and Rookie of the Year candidate Robert Griffin III at quarterback, I’m picking the Ravens.

The New York Giants are at home against the New Orleans Saints. This should be an entertaining game with Drew Brees and Eli Manning capable of putting up lots of points. I think the Giants’ defense stands a better chance at containing Brees than the Saints’ defense has at containing Manning. I’ll take the Giants.

At press time, I’m 10-5 with only the Monday night game yet to be determined. I took the Giants over the Redskins in that game.

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

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Sports, Sports News | No Comments »

Eureka! Classifieds: Week of Dec. 5-11, 2012

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

FOR SALE

Appliances

3 ELECTRIC STOVES $95 each, black Whirlpool oven with stovetop $125 815/871-7511 after 5pm. 12/19

WHIRLPOOL UPRIGHT food freezer, very clean, excellent condition $125 OBO 815/968-9781. 12/19

ROPER WASHER, large load capacity and Roper dryer, heavy-duty super-capacity, $150 each. Kinetico brand water softener $100 815/978-7610. TFN

WASHERS, DRYERS, STOVES, refrigerators, ladders & lawn mowers, power tools, furniture items. Warranties included, delivery available. 815/721-6318. TFN

Cemetery Plots

GARDEN OF GOOD SHEPHERD 2 lots $425 a piece + fees, Judy 815/904-6509. 12/12

1 SPACE SUNSET MEMORIAL GARDENS Hymns section, $900, or make offer, seller pays all fees 779/774-5238. 12/12

WILLWOOD CEMETERY 4 spaces Concordia area $1795 each. 815/877-0145. TFN

1 SPACE IN SUNSET MEMORIAL GARDENS (Lutheran section). $1,000 + fees. 941/893-5283. janey0403@hotmail.com. TFN

RIVER VALLEY MEMORIAL GARDENS Dundee, IL. 4 spaces, Catholic section by the shrine. Valued at $5,000 – Make offer. 815/558-1478. TFN

Clothing

CARHART flannel-lined overalls, 50 waist, 28 length 815/633-2049. 12/5

REDWING HIKING/WORK SHOES, new in box, tags on, purchase price $160, will sell $60, men’s size 8 779/774-5238. 12/12

Electronics

NEW XEROX COPIER fax/scan/desktop work center M940, excellent condition, surplus, never used $75 815/969-8899 12/19

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 Frank. TFN

Equipment

FOR SALE ERSKINE model 781RP tractor-mounted snow blower, this is a pull-through model $3700 815/985-0102. 12/19

METAL LAWN TRACTOR TRAILER 30wX45lX14d, with tilt, new tubes $75 815/980-7863. TFN

MEYERS SNOWPLOW & PUMP. $500 OBO. Call Sam 815/505-6833. TFN

Food

HOMEMADE HOLIDAY PEANUT BRITTLE fundraiser for Beverly Park General Baptist Church, 2105 N. Central Ave. If interested 815/961-0811. 12/31

WRAP UP YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING with 100 percent guaranteed, delivered–to- the-door Omaha Steaks! SAVE 68 percent PLUS 2 FREE GIFTS – 26 Gourmet Favorites ONLY $49.99. ORDER Today 1- 866-414-8037 use code 45102AMD or www.OmahaSteaks.com/hgc96 (MCN)

Furniture

BED SETS-MATTRESS SETS New in plastic with warranty. Twin $89, Full $119, Queen $149, King $249. Can deliver. 815/703-3688 12/19

QUEEN PILLOWTOP MATTRESS SETS brand new with warranty $159. Can deliver 815/703-3688. 12/19

NICE, LARGE 55” RCA HOME theater with swivel pedestal stand with glass front doors and shelving $180, 815/489-9006. 12/12

ROUND GLASS COFFEE TABLE $30, if interested, call 815/974-4494, anytime, ask for Leo or Julie. 12/12

CORNER CABINET for large snake, iguana, rabbits or small exotic animals, nice piece of furniture. $500 OBO 815/969-8803. 12/5

entertainment center holds up to 37” TV, $75. 815/988-5796. TFN

ROLL -TOP DESK solid dark oak, 30-year-old, antique, excellent condition, 30” deep, 54” wide, 50” high, 7 drawers. $900. 815/398-7941. TFN

Misc. Items For Sale

TOOL BOX $250, (Craftsman), Hitachi, Ramset, hammer drill $100, snap-on AC leak detector $40 815/494-5325. 12/19

4 OAK CHAIRS $80, washer $100, Kenmore dryer $75, Frigidaire dorm refrigerator $80 815/633-2726. 12/19

1600 FT. ELECTRIC ROPE and stakes. $400 Call 815/566-2020. 12/19

YAMAHA TRUMPET good condition $100 815/494-3627

PRIME GOOSE DOWN king size mattress topper by PillowTex, new $250, now $100. Evenings 815/969-8899. 12/19

SLEEPER SOFA BED $90, female kitten $10, JVL stereo system $30 815/968-7181. 12/19

MARTIN BIRDHOUSES 5′ & 6′ lighthouses 815/335-7675. 12/19

BASEBALL CARDS ’78-’91 sets in full cases, Nordictrack ski exerciser, 36″ wooden storm door 815/505-4731. 12/19

NEW CHILD’S STEP 2 house/cottage $125 OBO 815/968-9781. 12/19

CHRISTMAS TREE 9.5 ft, pre-lit, bought from Ambrose, $100, assorted ornaments for sale 815/721-3963. 12/19

SOFA SLEEPER, $90, new Greico baby swing $40, baby carseat $20 815/968-7181. 12/12

ASSORTED GAME SYSTEMS, TV’s $10-$50, DVD, VHS players, vintage police siren, computer system with desk and chair 815/962-5376. 12/12

ANTIQUE DRESSER $150, flat screen monitor $90, guitar and case, wooden clarinet, lap harp 815/713-5422. 12/12

NEW DOUBLE SHEET SET $8, like new queen 4pc sheet set $6, more used; 815/397-5124. 12/12

MIRRORED BYPASS DOORS to fit 60”W x 80”L opening. $50 OBO, call 815/398-8715 12/12

FOR SALE baby bassinet, two beds, deep freezer, pigeons/cage, two Chicago Bears blankets, slippers, crochet 779/200-1296. 12/5

27” TV $100 OBO, twin size mattress set, pillow top $128 OBO 815/847-8584. 12/5

MISCELLANEOUS TOOLS for sale, Dave 815/441-3. 12/5

17-FOOT COSCO 5-way aluminum ladder $70 815/633-9307. 12/5

WHITE WICKER TABLE 4ft long, 3ft high, Greico baby swing – new in box, stereo 815/394-9281. 12/5

OAKLAND RAIDERS nfl large collector helmet mug, excellent condition $10 779/774-5238. 12/12

DISH NETWORK. Starting at $19.99/month PLUS 30 Premium Movie Channels FREE for 3 Months! SAVE! & Ask About SAME DAY Installation! CALL – 888-543-6232 (MCN)

*LOWER THAT CABLE BILL! Get Satellite TV today! FREE System, installation and HD/DVR upgrade. Programming starting at $19.99. Call NOW 1-800-935-8195 N-12/5

BUNDLE & SAVE on your CABLE, INTERNET PHONE, AND MORE. High Speed Internet starting at less than $20/mo. CALL NOW! 800-291-4159 N-12/5

AT&T U-VERSE for just $29/mo! BUNDLE & SAVE with AT&T Internet+Phone+TV and get a FREE pre-paid Visa Card! (select plans). HURRY, CALL NOW! 800-418-8969 N-12/5

HIGHSPEED INTERNET EVERYWHERE By Satellite! Speeds up to 12mbps! (200x faster than dial-up.) Starting at $49.95/mo. CALL NOW & GO FAST! 1-877-789-9086 (MCN)

Thrift Store

FHC Thrift Shop, 710 Broadway. 815/299-3615, Open 9am – 5pm, Mon-Sat. Call for emergency after-hour appts. TFN

SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH THRIFT SHOP. 318 North Church Street. Open Tuesday 9am – 1pm. TFN

Crusader Thrift Shop,310 7th Street - Open Mon.-Sat. from 11am to 3pm. Our better shoes 25¢ off, many new Christmas articles out. 90% of clothes ½ off. Highchair $25, like new, stroller, like new, $35. Winter purses ½ price. New specials everyday. We put out new supplies every day. TFN

Brooke Road Thrift Shop, 1404 Brooke Rd. Lots of clothes, shoes, knick knacks, and misc. Open Wednesdays, 9-12. TFN

MISSION MART THRIFT Benefits Rockford Rescue Mission. 1405 Kishwaukee St. 1235 Sandy Hollow, M-S 9-5pm. TFN


SERVICES

Adoption

Loving married couple wishes to adopt a child, newborn to 24 months. Stable home. Michelene & Richard 877-507-5471. hope2adopt@comcast.net. Provider ID #012998 TFN

ADOPTION Loving couple wishes to give love, happiness and security to your newborn. Let’s help each other. Can help with expenses. Donna & Al 877-492-8546 (ICAN)

PREGNANT? CONSIDERING ADOPTION? A childless, successful, 40 yr. old single woman seeks to adopt. Financial security. Will be hands-on mom. Expenses paid. Wendy. Please call 1-888-990-0282 (MCN)

Auto Restoration

ANTIQUE AUTO RESTORATION. Looking to have your antique, classic auto restored? References available. Call 815/762-0992. 12/5

Child Care

HOME DAYCARE PROVIDER since 1995. Full & Part-time openings. Hours 5:30am-5:30pm (with flexibility). Call Rachel 815/558-9372. 12/5

Construction

LAND BID CONSTRUCTION call Randy for better quote 779/771-0017. 12/19

Dance

Ballet • Tap • Jazz • Ballroom• Hip Hop• Dancercise Ages 3 – Adult. 815/633-0753. 1/9

Education

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

WORK ON JET ENGINES – Train for hands-on Aviation Maintenance Career. FAA-approved program. Financial aid if qualified – Housing available CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance 866-231-7177. (MCN)

AIRLINE CAREERS begin here – Become an Aviation Maintenance Tech. FAA-approved training. Financial aid if qualified – Housing available. Job placement assistance. CALL AIM 800-481-8312 (ICAN)

ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE from Home *Medical, *Business *Criminal Justice *Hospitality. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. SCHEV authorized. Call 888-336-5053 www.CenturaOnline.com (ICAN)

AIRLINE CAREERS begin here Become an Aviation Maintenance Tech. FAA-approved training. Financial aid if qualified Housing available. Job placement assistance. Call AIM (888) 686-1704 N-12/5

ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE from Home. *Medical, *Business, *Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Call 800-510-0784 www.CenturaOnline.com N-12/5

MEDICAL CAREERS begin here Online training for Allied Health and Medical Management. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. SCHEV certified. Call 800-510-0784 www.CenturaOnline.com N-12/5

WORK ON JET ENGINES Train for hands-on Aviation Maintenance Career. FAA-approved program. Financial aid if qualified Job placement assistance. Call AIM (866) 854-6156. N-12/5

Fill Dirt

FREE CERTIFIED clean fill dirt, delivered, Rockford area 815/965-6625. 12/19

Financial

BUSINESSES ARE YOU TIRED OF PAYING HIGH RATE FOR PROCESSING FEE, For Visa, Master Card, Discover? Well, come see my website at www.edwardson.yourmerchantplus.com In which we offer Process fee of 1% on your sales. We also offer new and used card readers, terminals Guarantee checks machines and ATM machines. In Addition, for Internet business we offer software of Credit and checks which put money directly into your accounts. So see us Frank’s Merchant’s services at www.edwardson.yourmerchantplus.com or Call 1-800 354-0274 ext. 9339 thank you. 12/5

EVER CONSIDER A REVERSE MORTGAGE? At least 62 years old? Stay in your home & increase cash flow! Safe & Effective! Call Now for your FREE DVD! Call Now 866-215-9894 (MCN)

$$$ ACCESS LAWSUIT Cash Now!! Injury Lawsuit Dragging? Need $500-$500,000++ within 48/hours? Low rates Apply Now By Phone! 1-800-568-8321. www.lawcapital.com (MCN)

Hauling

CHAD’S HAULING & GENERAL LABOR 10-year solid reputation. Garage, basement & estate clean-outs. Yard waste removal, gutter cleaning, tree trimming, etc. FREE Estimates. 15% Senior Discount. www.chadshauling.com 815/979-7593. 12/26

Health & Medical

ATTENTION SLEEP APNEA SUFFERERS with Medicare. Get FREE CPAP Replacement Supplies at NO COST, plus FREE home delivery! Best of all, prevent red skin sores and bacterial infection! Call 888-705-4795 (MCN)

CANADA DRUG CENTER is your choice for safe and affordable medications. Our licensed Canadian mail order pharmacy will provide you with savings of up to 90 percent on all your medication needs. Call Today 866-983-1784 for $25.00 off your first prescription and free shipping. (MCN)

VIAGRA 100MG AND CIALIS 20MG! 40 Pills + 4 FREE for only $99. #1 Male Enhancement, Discreet Shipping. Save $500! Buy The Blue Pill! Now 800-213-6202 N-12/5

VIAGRA 100MG AND CIALIS 20MG! 40 Pills + 4 FREE for only $99. #1 Male Enhancement, Discreet Shipping. Save $500! Buy The Blue Pill! Now 1-888-796-8870 N-12/5

TAKE VIAGRA/CIALIS? Save $500.00! 60x 100mg pills $149.00! Plus 8 Bonus pills. Visa/Mastercard Accepted. Order Now! 1-347-753-8138 (MCN)

Landscaping

PROMAX LANDSCAPING general landscaping maintenance, residential & commercial, snow plowing & fall clean-up, free estimates. Ask for Jesus 815/378-3059 or 815/977-4085. 1/30/13

Legal Services

NEED LEGAL HELP? FREE REFERRAL Call 877-270-3855 Courtesy of the Illinois State Bar Association at www.IllinoisLawyerFinder.com (ICAN)

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. iamhealedme@live.com 3/13/13

Misc. Services

REACH 2 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS! Do you have a product, service, or business that would be helped by reaching over 2 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)

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)

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

TO INVESTIGATE OTHER ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES Call PaperChain at 931-922-0484 or e-mail info@paperchain.com (MCN)

NEED TO PLACE YOUR AD in more than 300 newspapers throughout Illinois? Call Illinois Press Advertising Service 217-241-1700 or visit www.illinoispress.org (ICAN)

REACH OVER 14 MILLION HOMES nationwide with one easy buy! Only $1,795 per week for a 20 word classified! For more information go to www.naninetwork.com N-12/5

Santa Claus

A CHRISTMAS TRADITION shared by thousands for 30 years, singing carols & creating memories. A visit from Santa. Sleigh cell 815/742-6258. 12/19




MUSIC

DRUMMER AVAILABLE 30+ years experience, 2-time RAMI winner, any style. Gary 847/710-8002. 12/12

MUSIC LESSONS FOR ALL AGES! Find a music teacher! TakeLessons offers affordable, safe, guaranteed music lessons with teachers in your area. Our prescreened teachers specialize in singing, guitar, piano, drums, violin and more. Call 1- 888-687-0049! (MCN)

MUSIC LESSONS FOR ALL AGES! Find a music teacher! TakeLessons offers affordable, safe, guaranteed music lessons with teachers in your area. Our prescreened teachers specialize in singing, guitar, piano, drums, violin and more. Call 1-888-706-0263! N-12/5


PERSONALS

FEMALE SEEKING FEMALE, to heat things up, let’s play together. Contact 779/537-7397. 12/19

BI-MALE looking for older man for adult fun 605/413-9642 12/19

HANDSOME SWM 48 seeking generous females for dating fun. Call 815/312-9076. 12/5

53 SWM 180 SEEKS love, romance, sharing, sex, willing to hold, own my house 779/771-0573. 12/5

WHITE TALL GUY 31 would like to meet a single white lady 30-45 for romance and LTR, Rockford area. Call or leave message 779/770-7194. 12/12

THIS BISEXUAL MALE is seeking other guys for dating and possible roommate options. For more details call 815/315-7491 Billy. TFN

AFRICAN-AMERICAN ATTRACTIVE TRANSSEXUAL: Educated, outgoing, wants to meet gentleman. Race unimportant. Age 30-60. Serious calls only! 815/516-6298. TFN

MEET SINGLES NOW! No paid operators, just people like you. Browse greetings, exchange messages, connect live. FREE trial. Call 1-877-737-9447 N-12/5

Public Announcement

come worship with us at 10th Street Church of Christ 815/397-1855. TFN

HARLEM – CLASSES OF 1972 & 1973 Our combined class reunion will be held July 13, 2013 at The Venetian Club. We are looking to update our mailing lists. Please send your info to Sheri Lee Cannell at 6385 Foxdale St., Roscoe, IL 61073. Please include your class year and maiden name. You can also update on our facebook page: Harlem Reunion – Classes of 1972 & 1973. 12/12

HOMEMADE HOLIDAY PEANUT BRITTLE fundraiser for Beverly Park General Baptist Church, 2105 N. Central Ave. If interested 815/961-0811. 12/31

HEART HEALTHY-HEART WISE Free health series, Nov. 6, 1-2pm or Nov. 20, 6-7pm, Swedish American 1st Flr conference Room 815/490-5863. TFN

COME WORSHIP WITH US at Kishwaukee Church of Christ. TFN

LOOKING FOR CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS to sponsor underprivileged & special needs children & adults. Call for details. 815/332-2312. TFN

CLASSES STARTING wED. jULY 11 1-3pm, Math tutoring Booker Washington, Every Wednesday & Friday. TFN

GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS Court St. Methodist, Mondays at 6pm. TFN

REIKI ENERGY HEALING resumes at RVC, 3350 N. Bell School Rd. on Wednesdays, Starting February 15, 6-9pm. TFN

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

Looking for answers? Try Bible call. 24-hour automated service – 815/316-2650. (Church of Christ). TFN

Positive Image ChurcH - Basic Life Skills Programs. Free. 1408 Elm Street. For information: 815/967-9061. TFN

Pre-Vatican II church is alive and well. St. Sebastian. Call 815/520-4374. TFN

Power of the Blood SDC Ministry Services currently held every 3rd Thursday & Every Saturday @ 7pm, starting January 1st. APOSTLE EDWARD A. JOHNSON OVERSEER I’ll pray for you & you pray for me. Watch God change things! 815/962-4559, 779/771-0957. Thank you,God Bless. TFN

Welcome to St. Sebastian Orthodox Church. Traditional liturgy every Sunday, 10:30 am, 2415 Charles St., Suite 20×1, Rockford, IL. Call 815/520-4374. TFN

Organ, Blood, & Tissue Donation

Single young mother with 2 children desperately needs kidney donor. Blood type O positive/negative. 779/200-5885. TFN

www.LinksForLifeCampaign.com Read the stories, see the faces of those desperately in need of a lifesaving organ transplant, or set up your own link for free. 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 .

PETS

For Sale

BLACK & TAN KITTEN 5 mos. old, very loving $10 815/968-7181. 12/12

DIAMOND DOVE BABIES Easy to tame! Don’t bite, coo softly. $10 each 815/505-8549. 12/5

FEMALE KITTEN black & tan, very lovable $15 815/608-4095. 12/5

RED-NOSE PITBULL PUPPIES $175 815/670-3841. 12/5

Rescue/Foster

RESCUED KITTIES are looking for loving & caring foster parents to take care & love them until they are adopted into their forever, indoor homes. Please call 815/980-7863 if you can help. Thank you & God bless. TFN

‘PAWS’ neeDs foster homes for dogs. Call 299-PAWS (7297) or visit the website at www.pawshs.org. TFN



WANTED

WANTED: USED 55 GALLON aquarium for use with reptiles, small leak acceptable, call Nick 815/990-3650. 12/19

WANTED: 1980’s Italian and Schwinn paramount road bies, 1970’s 1980’s BMX bikes, Hutch, Skyway, etc.. 815/985-2575. 12/19

WANTED: good mechanic who knows what they are doing. Need oil seals replaced on 1986 Toyota MR-2 815/312-9076. 12/19

WANTED: railroad antiques, old toy trains & old signs, cash paid. Joe 815/742-7878. 12/12

LOOKING FOR NORTHWOODS items and cabin decor, e.g. snow shoes, deer/moose heads, etc. Also looking for a large wooden airplane propeller and railroad lanterns. Tye 815/218-3054. 12/12

WANTED: New Milford resident needs someone to plow this winter 815/713-8135. 12/5

SINGLE LADY ON DISABILITY with kids needs deep freezer 815/315-1912. 12/5

I BUY BMX BIKES from 1970’s, 1980’s. Redline, DG, Hutch, Kuwahara, Skyway, Mongoose, SE 815/985-2575. 12/19

I BUY OLD STEREO EQUIPMENT. Working or not, also looking for tube equipment & testers. Rick 815/871-2538. TFN

PAYING CASH! Diabetic Test STRIPS WANTED. Will pay up to $27 per box. Quick & local. Call Nancy. 815/519-9966. TFN

**OLD GUITARS WANTED! ** Gibson, Martin, Fender, Gretsch, Epiphone, Guild, Mosrite, Rickenbacker. Prairie State, D’Angelico, Stromberg, and Gibson Mandolins/Banjos. 1920’s thru 1980’s. TOP CASH PAID! 1-800-401-0440 N-12/5

CA$H PAID-UP TO $27/BOX for unexpired, sealed DIABETIC TEST STRIPS! 2 DAY PAYMENT & PREPAID shipping. SE HABLA ESPANOL. Emma 1-888-776-7771. www.Cash4DiabeticSupplies.com N-12/5

CASH FOR UNEXPIRED DIABETIC TEST STRIPS! FREE Shipping, BEST PRICES, 24 hr payment. Call 1-877-588-8500 (English) or 1-888-440-4001 (Espanol) www.TestStripSearch.com. N-12/5

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Classifieds | No Comments »

Your Horoscope: Week of Dec. 5-11, 2012

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Denise Guzzardo

By Denise Guzzardo

Week of Dec. 5-11, 2012

This Week: With Saturn in Scorpio and Pluto and Mars in Capricorn, these aspects work harmoniously to accomplish all things. These aspects support hard work and productivity with outstanding results. Romantic aspects will also be clarified during this time frame. Expect to see growth and development concerning affairs of the heart as well. Long-winded battles never accomplish anything, they just create more damage. Sometimes it is best to take a step back and reassess everything before making a final decision. After the first of the year, harmony and clarity will arrive.

Aries (March 21 to April 19) — A person from your past may be reaching out to acknowledge your efforts. Try not to complicate this matter by looking for the hidden motive. There may not be one involved in this situation at all. Take information you receive this week and set it aside for a later date. There will be more to the story by month’s end.

Taurus (April 20 to May 20)­ — Annoying distractions may cloud your judgment early this week. You can’t please all of the people all of the time, so set your priorities and stick to them. A letter or long-distance phone call brings unexpected news. A silver lining must be attached to this somehow — it just may take a while to reveal the purpose of this situation. A long-overdue payment will arrive at week’s end. Don’t spend it all in one place.

Gemini (May 21 to June 20) — A burden that has been weighing heavily on your heart will lift this week. Solutions will arrive to clear the air. With this in motion, try not to “hang on” to this old element. Let it go once and for all. This will only get in your way of future success. Midweek, a “secret admirer” reveals himself/herself to you in an unexpected way. Investigate further options with this individual.

Cancer (June 21 to July 22) — News of a health matter regarding a family member or friend could be very disturbing. Offer emotional or financial support, if at all possible. Travel plans are in the works. Do not allow a nosy female to interrupt your schedule. You don’t have time for all of the “drama” they may want to bring into the mix. Try not to offer any more information than you need to.

Leo (July 23 to Aug. 22) — Usually, what we bring voice to when we are assessing others ends up being true to form for ourselves. Go within and figure out why you need to project your misdirected thoughts and feelings, and then make them real about someone else. The family dynamic needs strong intervention. Boundaries need to be set with those who are attempting to restrict you from personal growth. But first, you need to identify who that really is. Make sure you’re not fooling yourself in the process.

Virgo (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22) — You’re narrowing down your options to the best-case scenario. So many opportunities have been presented over the past few months, it may have made it difficult to decide which way to go. The signs are all pointing to one favorable aspect now, providing the clarity you need to make the choice. The weekend allows time to cozy up with a loved one and enjoy your home environment.

Libra (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22) — Try not to take the odd behavior of another personally. This has nothing to do with you, and if you “make it about you,” it certainly will turn into an issue in real time. Midweek allows new business or career opportunities to come into view. Take advantage of these aspects, and strike while the iron’s hot. You’re ahead of the game by week’s end.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21) — Make room for those who are trying to find a place in your life. Although you may be apprehensive because of past situations with people, you may end up losing out on a rare opportunity in the months to come. Concerns about the health and welfare of an older female may be weighing on your mind this week. Take the time to pick up the phone and check in.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21) — Your intuition is right on the money this week. Check in with those who are concerning you, and use your soothing, healing approach to calm them down. Inspire those who may be feeling stuck in a lose/lose situation to pull themselves up by their bootstraps. This becomes a contagious element that spreads like wildfire. Your own words put a fire under your feet as well.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19) — Pay close attention to how the influences of others may be affecting your health and welfare. Your energy or personality may slowly, but surely, be affected by this emotional vampire. Midweek, you need to set boundaries with another who does not have the respect for your space you deserve. No need to go on a guilt trip over this, and do not allow another to bully you into complying to his or her needs. Your emotional state is just as valuable.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18) — A chance meeting with a female opens doors for career and new social contacts this week. Follow up with invitations to connect with like minds and positive influences. A phone call from far away provides unexpected news. You may need to travel shortly as a result of this. Stay caught up with mundane tasks so emotional pressure doesn’t get the best of you.

Pisces (Feb. 19 to March 20) — You’re just about done with a very long, drawn-out schedule. Now, it’s time to play. Connect with those who bring some humor into your life and positive activity. The love life “dry spell” you’ve been experiencing is about to come to an end. Single Pisces have many options to choose from, while attached Pisces make positive connections with their significant others.

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

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Horoscopes, Your Horoscope | No Comments »

Editorial: Fight big wind now!

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Editor’s note: As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of TRRT, this space was reserved for an editorial on the last five years of our efforts. However, for at least five years, we have been battling against Big Wind’s damage to the Web of Life and its industrialization of our agricultural and natural areas. The vote in the House Ways and Means Committee is coming before the end of the year; that’s more of a priority than a retrospective. We must act now. The following material was provided by Brian VanLaar and the Boone County Concerned Citizens, who have been fighting massive turbines that would ruin their local viewscape, health and safety. Please act today, Big Wind really only pays big companies, many of which are based in other countries such as Spain, Ireland and China.

Facts about industrial-scale wind

1. Wind is a mature industry –— it’s time for it to stand on its own. The Joint Committee on Taxation reports that between 1992 and 20151, the cumulative cost of the PTC, without extension, will be approximately $17 billion with the bulk of this claimed by wind resources constructed since 2006. These costs are in addition to the anticipated $22.6 billion in direct cash outlays under the Section 1603 grant program now expired. Yet, after decades of government support of multiple kinds, the wind industry remains economically inviable.

Note: M. Sherlock Testimony, April 2012.
http://science.house.gov/sites/republicans.science.house.gov/files/documents/hearings/HHRG-112-SY21-WState-MSherlock-20120419.pdf

2. The wind-sector slowdown is not tied to the end of the PTC. The wind industry insists it’s at risk of a slowdown without the PTC and jobs will be lost. But this view ignores crucial factors driving development in the United States. Demand for wind has eroded, in part, due to states meeting their renewable mandates. Lower natural gas prices have further reduced wind’s attractiveness as a “fuel saver.” Faced with these market conditions, wind developers are tabling projects. The Energy Information Administration now forecasts flat growth in the wind sector for this decade regardless of what happens with the PTC.

Note: Energy Information Administration. EIA Reference case for wind energy, June 2012. http://www.eia.gov/oiaf/aeo/tablebrowser/#release=AEO2012&subject=0-AEO2012&table=16-AEO2012&region=0-0&cases=ref2012-d020112c

3. Wind energy is costly, and government efforts to offset the cost distort the markets. Wholesale power contract prices for onshore wind are roughly two to three times the price of more reliable generation, making wind one of the most expensive power sources in the U.S. even after the PTC is factored in. The PTC offsets the high price of wind energy, giving the false impression that wind is competitive with other resources, but at 2.2¢/kWh, the subsidy’s pre-tax value (3.4¢/kWh) equals, or exceeds the wholesale price of power in much of the country. The size of the subsidy relative to wholesale prices is distorting competitive wholesale energy markets and harming the financial integrity of other, more reliable generation.

Note: Northbridge Group, Negative Electricity Prices and the Production Tax Credit. Sept. 2012. http://www.nbgroup.com/publications/Negative_Electricity_Prices_and_the_Production_Tax_Credit.pdf

4. The industry’s job-creation claim is based on one-sided, simplistic modeling. The wind industry insists the PTC enables American jobs but ignores potential jobs that would be created given alternative spending of federal funds. Further, industry job forecasts fail to report on the more important net job creation. In states like Vermont, government models have shown that above-market energy costs tied to renewables reduce any positive employment impacts of renewable energy capital investment. This is without taking into account additional costs associated with wind-related transmission build-out and grid integration costs associated with wind energy’s intermittency.

Note: Vermont Dept. of Public Service, The Economic Impacts of Vermont Feed in Tariffs. Dec. 2009. http://publicservice.vermont.gov/planning/DPS%20White%20Paper%20Feed%20in%20Tariff.pdf

Send a letter or make a call to say ‘no’ to industrializing our rural areas

Because the vote of this tax giveaway is fast approaching, please send the following letter to the members of the House Ways and Means Committee. Their information is: Kevin Brady, (202)225-4901, Fax: (202)225-5524. Vern Buchanan (202) 225-5015, Fax: (202) 226-0828. Tom Reed, (202) 225-3161, Fax: (202) 226-6599. Diane Black, (202) 225-4231, Fax: (202) 225-6887. Rick Berg, (202) 225-2611, Fax: (202) 226-0893. Erik Paulsen, (202) 225-2871, Fax: (202) 225-6351. Kenny Marchant, (202) 225-6605, Fax: (202) 225-0074. Lynn Jenkins, (202) 225-6601, Fax: (202) 225-7986, Aaron Schock, (202) 225-6201, Fax: (202) 225-9249. Adrian Smith, (202) 225-6435, Fax: (202) 225-0207. Tom Price, (202) 225-4501, Fax: (202) 225-4656. Jim Gerlach, (202) 225-4315, Fax (202) 225-8440. Peter Roskam, (202) 225-4561, Fax (202) 225-1166. Charles Boustany, Jr. MD, (202) 225-2031, Fax: (202) 225-5724. Dave Reichert, (202) 225-7761, Fax: (202) 225-4282. Pat Tiberi, (202) 225-5355, Fax: (202) 226-4523. Devin Nunes, (202) 225-2523, Fax: (202) 225-3404. Paul Ryan, (202) 225-3031, Fax: (202) 225-3393. Sam Johnson, (202) 225-4201, Fax: (202) 225-1485. Wally Herger, (202) 225-3076. Fax: (202) 226-0852.

You may send the following letter with any modifications you wish to your member of the House of Representatives or the Senate. Their addresses follow. You may go to this article at www.rockrivertimes.com to cut and paste it for an e-mail or to print out for a fax.

Send this letter

Dear Representative Adam Kinzinger. 2701 Black Rd., Ste. 201, Joliet, IL 60435, 815-729-2308 and Representative Cheri Bustos, P.O. Box 77, East Moline 61244, 309-644-2358, and Senator Mark Kirk, Kluczynski Federal Bldg., 230 S Dearborn, Suite 3900, Chicago, IL 60604, 312-886-3506 and Senator Dick Durbin, 230 South Dearborn St., #3892, Chicago, IL 60604, 312-353-4952:

We are writing to join thousands of other citizens in urging you and your colleagues in the House and Senate to not extend the wind production tax credit (PTC) that has subsidized the wind industry since 1992. This tax expenditure is due to expire at the end of this year, and it should be allowed to do so, permanently.

The Congress and the White House are facing several weeks of intense discussion considering the tax increases and spending cuts due to take effect at the end of this year. We are very aware that you will be under pressure to extend provisions such as the PTC as a part of a compromise to avert some or all of those revenue and expenditure changes. We implore you to resist that pressure, and permit the PTC to end on schedule. Renewing the PTC would cost billions that our nation simply cannot afford, without any material benefit to the economy.

It has been evident for years that government support for wind energy development is very costly, and has utterly failed to establish industrial-scale wind as a self-sustaining contributor to meeting our energy needs.

The attachment to our letter takes a closer look at the reasons the PTC needs to end. The bottom line is that after more than three decades of government subsidy and support in multiple forms, the wind industry can’t support itself, doesn’t make a significant contribution to meeting our energy needs and has no realistic prospects for doing so in the foreseeable future.

Since the PTC was first introduced in 1992, the government has provided $40 billion to the industrial wind energy industry in tax credits and cash grants with these costs dramatically increasing in recent years. In the last year alone, nearly $5 billion has been distributed. There is no plausible justification for continuing this spending, and certainly not when the nation is facing the huge debt and deficits prevailing today.

Please let the wind PTC expire.

Sincerely,

Your signature, plus others if possible.

Note: In addition to federal tax credits, government efforts to support the wind industry have included (1) a mandatory federal requirement (under PURPA) that utilities purchase wind energy from qualifying independent producers, (2) feed-in tariffs or their equivalent in a number of states (these impose a tax in the form of higher electricity rates to subsidize wind development), (3) “renewable portfolio standards” requiring that utilities obtain some minimum percentage of their electricity from wind and other “renewable” sources and (4) various other tax breaks such as sales and property tax exemptions. Points 1, 3, and 4 are preferences, taxes out of our pockets and giveaways we don’t get or want to give. End the advantages for Big Wind that is not “Green” at all, except for the “Green” it takes out of our wallets. Don’t fall for the Greenwashing of Big Wind.

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Commentary, Editorials | 2 Comments »

‘Hoo’ Haven receives grant to provide special programs

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Staff Report

Local wildlife rehabilitation facility, “Hoo” Haven, Inc., near Durand, Ill., has expanded its education program with the addition of the “Owl Pellet Treasure Hunt” and “Pelican Program” featuring “Marshmallow,” a rescued pelican. “‘Hoo’ Haven has been awarded a grant of $1,200 from the Dr. Courtney J. and Margaret Hutchins Hamlin Family Fund of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois,” faculty Director Karen Herdklotz said. According to Herdklotz, the grant will be used to provide several special programs to groups of all sizes in the stateline area.

Hoo Haven will provide seven of the new programs to the community in the coming months. Three programs for small groups will include an “Owl Pellet Treasure Hunt” for youth and/or families to learn about the food chain through dissecting an owl pellet. Four “Pelican Programs” will feature their newest permanent resident, “Marshmallow,” a 2-1/2-year-old pelican who was saved after a near-fatal collision with a cell tower in Erie, Ill. Now recovered and through special permission from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, “Marshmallow “ will remain with Hoo Haven for the rest of her natural life. She has been approved to be featured in educational programs.

“This grant from the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois gives us the financial resources to offer unique educational programs to the community at no cost to them,” said Herdklotz. “Hoo” Haven has provided quality education programs to schools, scouts, corporations and other groups for nearly 30 years and provides approximately 150 presentations annually.

“Hoo” Haven Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that offers federally and state-licensed wildlife rehabilitation services including a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Eagle Recovery Center. Each year, hundreds of animals and birds are treated at the facility, including American bald eagles. Most “Hoo” patients are released back into the wild as healthy animals.

To inquire about “Marshmallow” or to schedule a “Hoo” Haven program, call (815) 629-2212 or send an e-mail to Karen@hoohaven.org. For more information on “Hoo” Haven Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Center, visit the website at www.hoohaven.org.

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Living, Outdoors | No Comments »

Guest Column: Laughter does have health benefits, researchers find

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

By Mark Underwood

Laughing and telling jokes with friends is not just fun, it is good for your brain health.

You’ve probably heard the old saying that you should laugh more because laughter is the best medicine. Laughing is a good remedy for many things in life — we all need humor and levity to combat daily stresses. Laughing is not only a great release; it is available to everyone, anywhere, anytime.

If you’ve wondered if laughter is good for your health, you’re not alone. Can laughter really have hidden benefits other than simply being an automatic emotional response to seeing or hearing something funny?

University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) researchers say yes. They studied people who laugh every day, several times a day to see if there was a connection between laughter and health benefits.

What they found was that on a biological level, laughing introduces additional oxygen into the body. Lymph fluids are circulated, and increased levels of oxygen boost immune system function.

Laughing, in a sense, “pumps” oxygen through vital organs and tissues, which need the oxygen to repair damage, fight infection and keep you feeling healthy.

People who laugh on a consistent basis tend to have lower blood pressure than those who laugh occasionally. Many studies have looked at the benefits of laughing and the heart. The UMMC was the first research university to find a link between laughter and lowering heart disease. They found people with heart disease laughed, on average, 40 percent less than people of the same age without heart disease.

Born to laugh

Humans have a natural instinct for laughter. Babies usually begin to laugh at 4 months old. It appears that laughter may be one of the few universal traits found across human cultures. Laughter is a universal language that humans share.

We know that adults are far less likely to laugh than children. In fact, the average child laughs more than 300 times a day, while the typical adult only laughs 17 times a day. Even worse is the fact that a majority of adults who report laughing on a daily basis fall into the age range of 18 to 34.

Humor and laughter may also have powerful effects on memory, brain health and aging. If the mental effects of laughter are as positive as the physical, then it is time to learn a few new jokes, gather some friends and start improving your brain health the easy way. Make them laugh. Polish those punch lines and improve your brain health.

Laughter is a universal language

If you are an adult who doesn’t laugh enough, then it’s time to start laughing and help your body feel better while having some fun. According to a Stanford researcher, laughing is like jogging while standing in place. Laughing is actually a physical workout. Remember the last time your stomach hurt from laughing too much? You did a whole abdominal workout that was more fun than crunches and sit-ups any day. One minute of laughter is equal to using a rowing machine for 10 minutes.

Use the following tips to add more laughter in your life:

• Find humor in everyday things.

• Be a child again — find amusement in the most ordinary things.

• Increase your exposure to comedy such as funny books, movies and live theater.

• Make sure you have funny friends.

• Take time each day to laugh.

• If you hear a joke that makes you laugh, remember it — chances are it will make someone else laugh, too!

Mark Underwood is a neuroscience researcher, president and co-founder of Quincy Bioscience, a biotech company in Madison, Wis., focused on the discovery and development of medicines to treat age-related memory loss and the diseases of aging. More articles and tips for healthy aging can be found at www.TheGoodNewsAboutAging.com.

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Living, Naturally Rockford | No Comments »

Denny Johnson retires from SwedishAmerican Board

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Denny Johnson

After 24 years of continuous service, Denny Johnson is retiring from SwedishAmerican Health System’s board of directors. He most recently was chairman of the health system’s Pastoral Care Committee and a member of its MSO Committee. Previously, Johnson served as chairman of the board from 1993 to 1994.

Johnson is president of Stockholm Inn, serves on Rockford College Board of Trustees, board of David C. Cook Publishing in Colorado Springs, Colo., and is founder and chairman of Kids Around the World. He was president and CEO of The Johnson Group and served 16 years as City of Rockford Fourth Ward alderman. He and his wife, Evie, have three children and eight grandchildren.

Johnson served SwedishAmerican’s board under three CEOs: Drs. Bob Henry, Robert Klint and Bill Gorski. “Dr. Bill Gorski is a great leader,” Johnson said. “The board has always been one of the best and most committed that I have served with, and we have always been blessed to have had excellent chairmen. The staff and doctors of Swede’s have always been the best. The building of the Heart Hospital and new Regional Cancer Center has and will continue to focus on the very best patient outcomes.”

Gorski said: “The SwedishAmerican board of directors, management and employees thank Denny for his commitment to SwedishAmerican. He has upheld his beliefs and represented the health system and our community well during his tenure. His expertise and congeniality will be missed.”

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Community News and Notes, People In Our Times | No Comments »

If shale gas is another bubble

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

By Drs. Robert & Sonia Vogl
President and Vice President, Illinois Renewable Energy Association

Years ago, when Congress was debating whether to regulate international financial trades or tax them, the CEO of a Wall Street firm commented that he preferred market swings, as that was when real money could be made. After the economic collapse brought on by the housing bubble, it is possible that shale gas is just another bubble.

In 2003, a dominating news item was the shortage of natural gas. Alan Greenspan and Spencer Abrams claimed the economy was in trouble because gas supplies were inadequate to keep the economy growing.

According to Abrams, natural gas supplies could be found within the United States on land and offshore if environmental extremists would not be blocking access to those plentiful supplies. The National Energy Council, composed of business interests, called for streamlining the permit process for natural gas.

In High Noon for Natural Gas, Julian Darley alerted the public to the long-term decline in natural gas supplies. He pointed out the risks of an all-out effort to add to natural gas supplies and building the costly infrastructure to bring those supplies to market.

He reminded us that our relatively low energy prices result from the cost to customers falling far below the real cost to society in terms of environmental damage from its harvest and excessive use, especially in the United States. Our energy costs would be dramatically higher if the costs spent on our military to keep the energy flowing were included in the price of energy.

We eventually pay the military costs through federal taxes or inflation while sending the wrong price signal to consumers. If the costs showed up in our energy bills, citizens might demand changes in our military policies so public money would be left to meet some of the educational, medical, infrastructure and social needs of our society.

We have low-cost natural gas, as the environmental costs of fracking are not showing up in our energy bills. The promise of a 100-year supply of natural gas is another financial bubble, according to Art Berman in an article in the the November-December 2012 issue of Public Power.

As a petroleum geologist and energy consultant, Berman reminds us the existence of a gas deposit does not guarantee harvesting it will be cost effective. He calculates that only an eight-year supply of shale gas exists in the United States. In an area he studied, he found that more than a fourth of the producing wells are sub-commercial after only six to eight years of production.

Through information he gleaned from financial filings of firms involved in shale gas projects, he found their costs are closer to $7 per mcf (million cubic feet) rather than the industry claim that they can be profitable at $3.50 per mcf.

Eventually, the bubble will burst and we will have to pay a much higher price for natural gas. Once again, we are putting our faith and dollars into short-term solutions rather than using less energy, using it more efficiently and investing in renewable energy. Individuals and local communities would be best served by investing in these solutions, rather than accepting predictions of abundance at face value.

Drs. Robert and Sonia Vogl are founders and officers of the Illinois Renewable Energy Association (IREA) and coordinate the annual Renewable Energy and Sustainable Lifestyle Fair. E-mail sonia@essex1.com.

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Renewable Energy | No Comments »

Guest Column: ‘Quest for Living’ columnist reflects on TRRT’s 25 years

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Lisa Rubin Johnson

Editor’s note: The Rock River Times will feature various items from previous columnists and contributors throughout the year as we celebrate 25 years in publication. The following is from former columnist Lisa Rubin Johnson, who wrote the “Quest for Living” column.

By Lisa Rubin Johnson

Introductory note:

Dear Frank [Schier, editor and publisher],

Congratulations on celebrating the 25th year of The Rock River Times. The Rock River Times has served the Rockford community with news items that stimulate and encourage.

I would like to acknowledge my years as one of the colulmnists who forged ahead under the direction of John Gile … the Phelps family … and onward to Frank.

Using a childish expression “I loved writing for the newspaper,” I basked in words that I shared with the readers. I was constantly learning from my writing, and also from each of the editors I worked with.

My fastidious nature insisted I write a column with perfection. It would take me one whole week to complete the perfect column. I learned so much throughout those years, researching — probing into words and archives.

When I resigned, I felt my well had run dry. To pick up, however, I served for two years as president of the Rockford Writers Guild, which allowed mingling with other writers.

Writing is a talent not given to many. I have cherished God’s writing gift. I have honored my writing skills well. My column, “Quest for Living,” was inspirational and motivating. It helped many readers to cope with stress, along with enjoying life to the fullest.

The enclosed “Life is not a stationary commodity” is my gift to you. I wanted to share “me” again with The Rock River Times as it celebrates its 25th year of giving. It takes many minds to achieve success. Peace, be well.

Lisa Rubin Johnson
“Quest for Living” columnist, The Rock River Times

Quest for Living: Life is not a stationary commodity

I have studied the writings of many who are involved in assisting people coping with retirement, the loss of a loved one or living through trauma and grief.

It is a phenomenal moment to live with a sudden crisis in your life. When a loved one is stricken with a debilitating illness, or a loved one passes on, leaving us filled with pain and grief, something deep inside us fights to understand the moment. We survive the only way we know how, and that is to fight back and try to survive this moment of loss and disbelief.

The title “Life is not a stationary commodity” came invisibly, like from outer space, while I was sipping on a cup of coffee. It probably stemmed from many of my own tragic dramas that called for me to stand up and fight or die. I, too, am a victim of one of those moments when my life changed in a second. I learned through this experience to accept, as I had no other alternative.

How to cope with big changes is a big, big question. Change is inevitable. Change affects all people at some time in their lives, as we all know that life does not guarantee permanence. It silently reminds us of change. Life is not a stationary commodity. Life is movement in all dimensions.

How do people react to change? Some falter completely. Others fight back and survive. There are no set patterns. It is wise to put on your warrior’s armor and charge ahead in spite of your grief and sorrow. The warrior’s spirit is demonstrated by your invisible strength and courage, now surfacing to hold you together in this unexpected fight to survive.

We can overcome these periods of defeat. How? After the battle, a new dawn awakens within us. We begin to see life with new anticipation. We begin to smile more. We feel an inner glow of peace surfacing to assist us. Those feelings of lethargic inertia have been replaced with new desires and new anticipations to live our lives with action again.

When you begin to create new plans, you begin to glow. When you begin to change, you begin to replace the old with the new. When you move into action, you take on a new feeling of self-worth. When we remember that our ideas are needed to keep the world alive with creativity, it triggers more ideas and action.

No human being can sit and lull his time away. To live with inactivity is defeating. We must not stop growing. Action keeps our spirit alive. It fuels our souls with joy and enthusiasm. When we recapture the essence that each of us is important and unique, the movement to live again will begin to prod us into action.

One last thought? I have learned that to live with old memories stymies the moment. In overcoming change, we cannot harbor sorrow and nostalgia for too long regarding yesterday’s life.This is not conducive to new beginnings.

Leave yesterday’s memories as your heirlooms. Store them. Once in a while, we peek into their closed doors. Touch base but briefly. Let them remain as yesterday and be done with it.

Daily repeat upon arising that you are thankful to view a new dawn. I relinquish yesterday to my historical archives.

Remember that the most important element in our growth is having respect for our own mind to be nurtured and used daily and keep on appreciating who you are.

Stay tuned to your present surroundings. It’s counter-productive to dwell on what was when we are creating what will be.

Remember, the world needs people like you who make things happen. So, go ahead and anticipate a new dawn. Anticipate a new lifestyle. Anticipate that you have only today. That will give you food for thought.

Life is not a stationary commodity. Life was designed for change. Grasp every moment. Live your life to the fullest.

Lisa Rubin Johnson of Rockford is a certified social worker, community volunteer and former president of the Rockford Writers Guild.

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Health & Fitness, Living | No Comments »

Thanks for a CASA fund-raiser success!

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

CASA of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, which serves abused and neglected children of Lee, Ogle and Carroll counties recently hosted a “Celebrity Waiter Dinner” as a fund-raiser. Local community leaders served as waiters for their guests, our friends and community suppodrters of CASA. Guests “tipped” their waiters generously, with all proceeds going to CASA.

On behalf of the CASA board, I’d like to sincerely thank all those who participated in this fun and successful fund-raiser. Because of your support, our volunteers can better serve and represent abused and neglected children in the juvenile court system. Our volunteers act as the “squeaky wheel” to ensure that children have a voice in court and that permancney is achieved as quickly as possible.

Because of such tremendous community support, fewer children will fall through the cracks. What a gift you have given!

Deborah Crowson
CASA Board Member
Dixon, Ill.
(serving Lee, Carroll & Ogle counties)

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Letters to the Editor | No Comments »

‘Turn Green Into Green’ workshop in Oregon, Ill., Dec. 12

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Staff Report

ROCK FALLS, Ill. — Carol Kulek, consultant for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), will speak at the upcoming “Turn Green Into Green: Illinois Energy Now Public Sector Workshop” at 10 a.m., Dec. 12.

The meeting will be at the Ogle County Farm Bureau, 421 W. Pines Road, Oregon, Ill.

Kulek and other representatives will present information regarding financial incentives that are being offered through Illinois Energy Now. These incentives cover a portion of facility upgrades to electric and natural gas systems including HVAC equipment, motors and drives, water heaters, boilers, lighting equipment, gas furnaces and refrigeration equipment.

The workshop is designed to help local government officials and other public facility managers identify specific ways they can help cut energy costs and access millions of dollars in funding available through the DCEO Illinois Energy office.

DCEO staff will be on site to schedule free energy audits for public facilities and provide application assistance. The presentation will cover a new “Sweet Deal Bonus,” which could increase the qualifying incentive of a project for a limited time.

The workshop is intended for any representatives of public sector facilities in Carroll, Lee, Jo Daviess, Ogle, Stephenson and Whiteside counties.

This workshop is free of charge and open to the public. However, participants are asked to pre-register.

For additional information about the “Turn Green Into Green: Illinois Energy Public Sector Workshop” or to register, contact Blackhawk Hills at (815) 625-3854 or e-mail info@blackhawkhills.com.

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Renewable Energy | No Comments »

‘12 Hours of Salvation’ Toy Drive Dec. 7 at Lou Bachrodt Auto Mall

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Staff Report

Lou Bachrodt Auto Mall, First Northern Credit Union and the Salvation Army partner again this year for the annual “12 Hours of Salvation Toy Drive” to collect toys for families in need in the stateline area.

Friday, Dec. 7, for the 16th year in a row, Lou Bachrodt Auto Mall will host a day-long toy drive benefiting the Salvation Army. The event begins at 7 a.m. and ends at 7 p.m.

During the 12-hour drive, new, unwrapped toys from individuals and businesses will be accepted. The event will feature local choral groups singing Christmas carols, Santa Claus giving candy canes to all of the guests and the Salvation Army accepting toys at the dealership all day.

In past years, more than 90 percent of all the toys collected for the Salvation Army have come from this one-day drive.

The Salvation Army estimates thousands of families will benefit from this year’s toy drive. Toys will be distributed Dec. 20-21 through the Salvation Army Christmas Headquarters at 1515 E. Riverside Blvd. (former Sears Essentials building) to pre-registered families.

In 2011, the “12 Hours of Salvation Toy Drive” collected thousands of toys and more than $7,400 in cash for the Salvation Army.

All toys donated stay locally.

Since January 2000, Lou Bachrodt Auto Mall employees have donated part of their payroll checks every week with a company match, and during the month of November, a group of employee volunteers purchase toys with the funds collected. This year, Lou Bachrodt Auto Mall, Lou Bachrodt Buick GMC and its employees have donated almost $10,000 worth of toys to kick off this year’s drive.

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Local News, News | No Comments »

Tales from the Trough: IceHogs snag three road wins to end week seven

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Rockford IceHogs captain Martin St. Pierre looks for an outlet pass Tuesday, Nov. 27, at the BMO Harris Bank Center. St. Pierre would finish the week with four goals in three games to captain the ’Hogs to a 3-1 record in week eight. (Photo by Todd Reicher)

By Todd Reicher
Sports Columnist

Rockford was riding a three-game winning streak into a rare Tuesday night (Nov. 27) matchup at the BMO Harris Bank Center where the ’Hogs were hosting the Texas Stars.

Early, it looked as if Rockford was going to continue its streak, as the team scored three goals in the first 5 minutes of the game.

1:51 into the game, Jimmy Hayes potted his fifth of the season. Hayes initially took the puck into the offensive zone and rifled a shot on Stars netminder Jack Campbell. A rebound bounced out and Ben Smith was in front of the net to fire off another shot. Campbell blocked this one as well, but Hayes was quick to locate the puck and put it in the net for an early 1-0 lead.

Marcus Kruger extended the lead to 2-0 less than 2 minutes later on the power play. Brandon Saad put a shot on goal and the rebound came out to Kruger, who was on the back door to hammer home his fourth marker of the year.

Hayes would score his second of the night just more than a minute later to give Rockford a 3-0 lead with 4:37 expired. Smith dished the puck to Shawn Lalonde, who made a perfect cross-ice feed to Hayes, who had an open net to deposit the puck.

But Texas started to mount a comeback, tallying two second-period markers to make it a 3-2 affair after the first period.

By the time the second period was winding down, Texas had a 4-3 lead and had Rockford reeling after they had given up four unanswered goals.

Shortly after Rockford relinquished the lead, Andrew Shaw brought the ’Hogs back into the mix, scoring his fourth of the season to tie the game at 4-4. The powerplay goal was Rockford’s second of the night.

However, Rockford’s power play couldn’t match the success of Texas’s power play. Colton Sceviour scored at 9:02 of the third power play to reclaim the lead for Texas, marking their third goal on three powerplay attempts, putting the ’Hogs PK unit at a pathetic 0-for-3 for the game.

Sceviour’s goal turned out to be the difference-maker as Rockford was unable to even things up, despite outshooting Texas 12-3 in the third period, and 37-19 overall.

After a stellar weekend series the previous weekend in Lake Erie, Alec Richards looked more human in net against Texas, and earned his second loss of the season.

Rockford headed out to the Allstate Arena the following night for a matchup against the division rival Chicago Wolves. The ’Hogs haven’t had much success this year against Chicago, with the closest game coming on opening night when the game ended in a 1-0 shootout win for the Wolves.

Things didn’t start out for Rockford as they did the previous night. In fact, Chicago would strike first, 1:13 into the game. What appeared to be a misplay of the puck by Rockford led to an easy goal for Zack Kassian. The puck was being fought for on the boards, and Andrew Ebbett flushed the puck out to the center of the ice, where Kassian was the only player. He shot the puck low and quick to beat Carter Hutton, putting Chicago up early.

It wasn’t until more than halfway through the second period that we would see our next goal, which was another one for the Wolves. The goal was a great setup after a quick up-ice rush, and was scored 1 second after Chicago’s power play ended by Jordan Schroeder.

Rockford finally got on the board just more than a minute after the Wolves increased their lead to 2-0. Saad brought the puck into the offensive zone on a rush and dished a great pass to ’Hogs captain Martin St. Pierre, who ripped a quick shot past Matt Climie to pull Rockford to within one.

The ’Hogs were awarded their fifth power play at 4:25 of the third period, and tallied their first with the man advantage of the night. Saad once again factored into the goal, as he fired a shot on net with Jeremy Morin parked in front. Climie let out a rebound, and Morin was there to bang it home to tie the game at 2-2.

Less than a minute after their game-tying powerplay goal, Rockford was awarded another powerplay opportunity, and once again struck gold. This time, it was Smith who tallied the marker after another rebound cleanup. This time, it was a Brett Lebda shot that Smith put home to give Rockford their first lead of the game.

An empty-net goal by Shaw with 33 seconds left sealed the deal for Rockford, as the ’Hogs rebounded from their tough loss the night before to take a rare win at the Allstate Arena. Surprisingly, there was a large contingency of ’Hogs and Chicago Blackhawks fans cheering on Rockford, which must be attributed to the continued NHL lockout.

The start of December had Rockford traveling to Charlotte, N.C., for a tough weekend series against the Charlotte Checkers. Prior to the start of the series, the Checkers held first place in the South Division, and second overall in the conference with an impressive 12-5-0-2 record and 26 points. The Checkers also brought in the AHL’s top powerplay unit on the season, along with goaltender Dan Ellis (whom Rockford would see on the second night of the double-header), who was recently named the AHL Player of the Week for his outstanding performance in net. On the bright side, Charlotte was riding a season-long two-game losing streak, which the ’Hogs hoped to extend.

Once again, Rockford let their opponent get out to an early lead, with a goal 1:57 into the contest.

The Checkers’ aforementioned top powerplay unit would strike on the first opportunity of the game, as Zach Boychuck scored his 13th goal in this early season at 11:26 to put Charlotte up 2-0 quickly.

Rockford made some good second-period adjustments, holding the Checkers to eight second-period shots while firing off an impressive 17 of their own. Even more impressive was Rockford tying their season record for the most goals scored in a period with four.

In a matter of 5 minutes, Rockford turned their 0-2 deficit to a 3-2 lead, starting at 4:37 of the second period.

St. Pierre got the scoring started for Rockford, notching his sixth goal of the season; a one-timer shot fed from Hayes, who fought for a loose puck behind the net to cut the lead in half.

Saad tied the game just more than 2 minutes later with a feed from Morin.

Smith capitalized on the power play less than 3 minutes after Rockford’s previous goal, as a stunned crowd watched Rockford take a 3-2 lead in just more than 5 minutes.

But Rockford wasn’t done scoring yet. St. Pierre tallied his second of the night, with Hayes once again delivering the primary assist. The goal, scored at 15:35 of the second period, was Rockford’s fourth goal in 10:49.

Standing tall on the other end for Rockford was Hutton in net. On two different occasions in the period, Hutton made some excellent stops on some second and even third chance attempts by the Checkers to keep Rockford in the lead. Even Charlotte’s radio announcer was astonished by Hutton’s game play, questioning how the puck never made it to the back of the net.

Morin put the nail in the coffin just past the midway point of the third period with his team-leading ninth of the season. Morin was stationed in front of the net and cleaned up a Kruger shot to put the game out of reach at 5-2.

Both teams met up again the following day for a 2 p.m. matinée game.

Rockford made it through the first few minutes unscathed, unlike their previous two games, which was a great feat, seeing as how Rockford was under the gun of a 5-on-3 power play for 56 seconds against the AHL’s top-ranked powerplay unit.

In fact, Rockford would turn the special team’s tide to their favor and score on their first powerplay opportunity of the game, coming at 11 minutes of the opening frame. Adam Clendening, who has been an offensive juggernaut (especially for a defenseman) for the team, tallied his fourth on the campaign to put Rockford up 1-0.

Kyle Beach added to the lead at 15:56 of the second period to put Rockford up 2-0. The snipe shot by Beach came less than 2 minutes after he exited the penalty box for a tripping penalty.

As the game wore on, Charlotte continued firing shots in on Hutton, but after two periods, Hutton had stopped all 18 shots and stymied the high-powered Charlotte offense.

Brett Sutter finally solved Hutton with a marker at 7:23 of the third period to cut Rockford’s fragile 2-1 lead in half.

After being denied on an earlier shot, Brandon Pirri, who has been quiet as of late, scored on a snipe shot at 13:36 of the final frame to once again give Rockford a two-goal lead at 3-1.

St. Pierre tallied his fourth goal in three games with an empty-net marker with 1:21 left in the game to seal an impressive 4-1 win for the IceHogs.

After Rockford’s Sunday win in Charlotte, the IceHogs took sole possession of first place in the Midwest Division, edging out the Grand Rapids Griffins by 1 point. However, the Griffins have three games in hand on Rockford as they sit 1 point behind the IceHogs at 24 points, and 3 ahead of the third-place Chicago Wolves. The win also gave Rockford a 7-3-0-0 record in their last 10 games, which is good for fourth place in the AHL in the past 10 games for any team.

Another key statistic shows Rockford first in the Western Conference in goals with 73, which is good for second place in the AHL behind the Syracuse Crunch, who sit at 74. However, Rockford’s 67 goals against ranks them as the third worst in the Western Conference, and 24th out of 30 teams in the AHL.

Keys for the week

1. Playing tough on the road — Just like the weekend prior, Rockford played hard against difficult opponents while on the road. First, a rare win at the Allstate Arena, and then two straight against a tough, high-scoring Charlotte team.

2. Fighting a full 60 minutes — This may sound foolish, but when a team plays hard for a full 60 minutes, it shows. Rockford did exactly that, and also managed a few late empty-net goals to seal the games. Countless times have teams let up in the waning minutes of a game only to lose. A perfect example was this same week when the Milwaukee Admirals scored two goals in the last 85 seconds of the game to overcome a 2-1 deficit and defeat the Chicago Wolves 3-2.

Looking forward

Going into week nine, Rockford plays three key divisional matchups. The first game, Friday, Dec. 7, takes place at the BMO Harris Bank Center against the Milwaukee Admirals. The ’Hogs remain home the following night, Saturday, Dec. 8, and play host to the Chicago Wolves for the team’s annual Teddy Bear Toss game. Fans are encouraged to bring a stuffed animal to the game and toss it onto the ice when Rockford scores their first goal of the game. All stuffed animals collected will be donated to various charities around the Rockford area. Sunday, Dec. 9, the IceHogs head to Grand Rapids, Mich., for the third game in three days to face the Grand Rapids Griffins.

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Sports, Sports News, Tales from the Trough | No Comments »

Jobs and Opportunities: Week of Dec. 5-11, 2012

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

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.-

General Help Wanted

BOOKKEEPER NEEDED for small company, help get caught up with 2012, Quickbooks knowledge a plus. Salary negotiable, call 815/670-0191, must leave message & phone number, will return call. 12/19

COMMUNITY MANAGER Gallina Management, is seeking a, self-motivated, enthusiastic, and sales motivated person to join our team as a Community Manager at our 88-unit Senior housing located in Machesney Park, IL. The ideal candidate will exhibit excellent customer service, effective communication, & problem solving skills. Position requires the ability to work independently & will perform property management, leasing services, community event planning, & various caretaking tasks. HS/GED plus a minimum of 2 years property management exp OR an Assoc degree in sales, marketing or related field plus 1 year related property management exp is required. One yr. related sales experience may be considered in lieu of property mgt. exp. Previous exp at a property of comparable size, and knowledge/application of Section 42 housing regulations/paperwork completion is desired. The ability for follow through & completion of detailed paperwork, knowledge of fair housing laws, and proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) required. This full-time (M-F) position is estimated at 40 hours per week with the ability to respond to after hour emergency calls. Ability to live onsite is preferable. Compensation plan includes base wage, and rent credit and bonus potential. To apply, submit application materials and complete our short questionnaire to our online ad located at www.jobsinmadison.com. Search on Gallina to locate our ad.12/19

EXPERIENCED MORNING COOK WANTED apply within Grandma’s Restaurant, 320 Chrysler Dr., Belvidere. 12/19

Looking for property manager to manage several properties. Must have good customer service. Call 773-382-0446. TFN

Administrative Assistant needed. Preferably with Quickbooks experience. Starting around 20hrs per week. Call Mike. 773-382-0446. TFN

Looking for experienced licensed leasing agents. Great income opportunity. Set your own hours. Work part time, or full time. Call Mike 773-382-0446. TFN

HOME CARE ASSISTANTS Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, Intouch Homecare Services for Seniors, has rewarding positions/ all shifts to help seniors to maintain their independence by providing non-medical personal care & housekeeping tasks. Must be at least 18 yrs of age & have HS diploma/GED (or 1 yr related exp).Exp. w/dementia /Alzheimer’s clients preferred. EOE CNAs ENCOURAGED TO APPLY! Apply In Person: 2222 E. State St. Suite 109 Rockford,IL 61104 Email: Audrey.abboud@LSSI.org 12/12

HELP WANTED!!! Make $1000 a week mailing brochures from home! FREE Supplies! Helping Home-Workers since 2001! Genuine Opportunity! No experience required. Start Immediately! www.mailingcentral.com (VOID IN SD) (MCN)

$8000+ FOR ENVELOPES! Receive $6-$8 for every envelope stuffed with our sales brochures: Guaranteed! Postage, supplies furnished. 1-800-538-7420 (Not Valid in SD) (MCN)

NOW HIRING: Companies Desperately Need Employees to Assemble Products at Home. No Selling, Any Hours. $500 Weekly Potential. Info. 1-985-646-1700 Dept. MW-501 (Not valid in SD) (MCN)

NOW ACCEPTING!!! – up to $1000 WEEKLY PAID IN ADVANCE!!! MAILING BROCHURES or TYPING ADS ONLINE for our company. FREE Supplies! Genuine Opportunity. PT/FT. No Experience Needed! www.HelpMailingBrochures.com N-12/5

Drivers

Experienced OTR flatbed drivers, full and part-time 815/248-4601 ext. 0#, Mon-Fri, 7am-5pm. 10/17

“YOU GOT THE DRIVE, WE HAVE THE DIRECTION” OTR Drivers APU Equipped Pre-Pass EZ-pass passenger policy. Newer equipment. 100% NO touch. 1-800-528-7825 (ICAN)

DRIVERS – HIRING EXPERIENCED/INEXPERIENCED TANKER DRIVERS! Earn up to $.51 per Mile! New Fleet Volvo Tractors! 1 Year OTR Exp. Req. – Tanker Training Available. Call Today: 877-882-6537 www.OakleyTransport.com (ICAN)

TANKER & FLATBED INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS! Immediate Placement Available Best Opportunities in the trucking business CALL TODAY 800-277-0212 or www.primeinc.com (ICAN)

TANTARA TRANSPORTATION is now hiring OTR Company Flatbed Drivers and Owner Operators. Competitive Pay and Home Time. Call Dave @ 800-650-0292 or apply online at www.tantara.us (ICAN)

TRUCK DRIVERS WANTED – Best Pay and Home Time! Apply Online Today over 750 Companies! One Application, Hundreds of Offers! www.HammerLaneJobs.com (MCN)

Business Opportunity

MEN AND WOMEN all ages! Earn up to $500 daily part-time. Hottest money making opportunity in America! Write for FREE report: Dry Tech, Promo # CL46937, 19871 Nordhoff St., Northridge, Ca 91324. 1/9

GOLD AND SILVER CAN PROTECT Your Hard Earned Dollars Learn how by calling Freedom Gold Group for your free educational guide. 888-488-2921 (MCN)

START NOW! OPEN RED HOT DOLLAR, DOLLAR PLUS, MAILBOX, DISCOUNT PARTY, $10 CLOTHING STORE, TEEN STORE, FITNESS CENTER FROM $51,900 WORLDWIDE! WWW.DRSS21.COM 1-800-518-3064 (ICAN)

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Classifieds, Jobs | No Comments »

Agitate, America!: Let’s get along: Finding common political ground

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Nancy Churchill

By Nancy Churchill
A Progressive Visionary

I’m tired of the vitriol. I want to find common ground with reasonable conservatives of compassion who I know are out there, who are not politicians dependent upon giant Super PACS to get themselves elected, who identify more with workers everywhere than with the unimaginably wealthy 1 percent.

I imagine you watch Fox News, are a Rush Limbaugh fan and have a pretty low opinion of liberals like me. That’s OK. I think if you got to know us, you’d see we’re not so bad, even if our progressive sources give us a whole different perspective on life.

I’d like to see how we might agree on some things that you’ll probably never see watching Fox. Like, what business does Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein have arguing that “[Social Security] cannot ‘afford’ to keep funding longer modern retirements …” (Huffington Post, Nov. 20, 2012). He received $12.6 million of stock plus $2 million base salary in 2010, yet he’s against seniors getting Social Security for 30 years.

Why does he care how long seniors work? The Post continues, “Social Security currently has a $2.7 trillion surplus and could strengthen its financial footing further by simply taxing more of the income of wealthy executives like Blankfein himself.”

Aha, so he doesn’t want his taxes to go up. Fair enough (though I can’t see how he’d miss a few hundred thousand!). But could there be more to it? Might Blankfein have his eye on privatizing Social Security, as CEOs like him have wanted to do since its inception? And now with a $2.7 trillion surplus, there’s even more reason to stick it to seniors and pocket some of that change for himself?

Then, there’s the heartbraking story from Mother Jones about mining rare earths, essential elements that power devices critical to our lives, from cell phones to satellites. The tragedy is, these elements occur alongside radioactive elements, and the extraction process requires “a continuous 49 megawatts (enough to power 50,000 homes) and two Olympic swimming pools’ worth of water every day.”

And not only are workers exposed to radiation, but the resulting radioactive waste must be stored for an incomprehensibly long time — between 4.5 and 14 billion years. Earth itself is 4.5 billion years old!

So, companies process these elements where environmental rules are weak and labor is cheap, like the Baotou of Inner Mongolia, “where waste has leached into waterways and irrigation canals, according to several independent investigations. Communities around one former mine in Mongolia blame at least 66 cancer deaths on leaked radioactive waste, and local people complain that their hair and teeth have fallen out.”

Neither these companies nor Blankfein demonstrate a whit of compassion for the lives they casually dismiss, and, unfortunately, they are the ones most likely to finance news organizations like Fox, where you are unlikely to hear these stories.

My question is, now that you know, is this kind of disregard for life acceptable to you? Because it isn’t to me. Let’s start there.

Highlights of Nancy Churchill’s life are growing up in Congo, Africa, until she was 15, racing stock cars as an adult from 1976 until 2001, and writing as a liberal political junkie since the early ’90s. She lives in Oregon, Ill.

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Agitate, America!, Commentary | No Comments »

Award-winning local film to be released as web series

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

• Award-winning film Hand of Glory to be released in four parts throughout December

Staff Report

Following a successful festival run, Hand of Glory will take on a new life as a web series on Facebook throughout December. The acclaimed film will be released for a limited time in four online episodes starting Dec. 1, with subsequent installments Dec. 8, Dec. 15 and Dec. 22.

“The film was initially intended to be a web series, so the story arc works well when serialized into four episodes,” noted Writer/Director Stuart Wahlin, who earned the award for Best Director from the Prairie State Film Festival in Chicago earlier this year.

Hand of Glory follows Joseph (two-time Best Actor nominee Darren Marlar, Loves Park), a lonely widower seeking the affection of a troubled young woman named Karen (Best Actress Heather Dorff, Chicago).

Finding it difficult to lower Karen’s guard, however, Joseph turns to desperate means to win her heart.

The limited-time release coincides with the launch of Wahlin’s new endeavor, Slay Utterly, a modern crime thriller inspired by a series of century-old unsolved murders. Viewers of the Hand of Glory web series will get a sneak-peek at a trailer for the new film, which is to begin shooting in Winnebago County this spring. The feature film will be set mostly in rural locations.

“We’ve got everything we need to make another great film right here in northern Illinois,” Wahlin said. “The key, though, is to get the community involved. Although the final product will look like a million bucks, this is still grassroots filmmaking. Any locations, props, wardrobe or other things our neighbors could help us with would mean the world, and we’re inviting everyone to be part of our team.”

Those interested in either film can find more information at facebook.com/SlayUtterly.

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Community, Vibe Entertainment, Vibe Entertainment News | No Comments »

OSF Saint Anthony seeks public feedback through survey

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Staff Report

OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, in collaboration with the Rockford Health Council, is conducting a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) survey to assess the health needs of the community. The information will allow OSF Saint Anthony to adopt an implementation strategy to meet the community’s health needs identified through the assessment.

OSF Saint Anthony is asking for survey participation from residents of Winnebago, Boone, DeKalb and Ogle counties. The data will be collected through written and online surveys, personal interviews and focus groups.

Area residents who wish to participate in the CHNA survey can access it at www.osfsaint-anthony.org/survey. The survey will run from Saturday, Dec. 8, through Saturday, Dec. 15.

The key goals of the survey are to:

• Assess community perception and needs regarding their personal health and the health issues facing our community at large.

• Identify service gaps from the perspective of those within our community.

• Integrate the strategic planning process at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center and OSF HealthCare System with the identified needs as expressed by those they serve.

• Develop specific, measurable, achievable and realistic implementation strategies to address identified community needs.

• Share the CHNA survey community health status and services gap analysis data with community partners to collaborate and facilitate addressing the identified community issues.

• Use the direct feedback from those served to assist OSF Saint Anthony and community health partners in prioritizing limited resources to best serve the population’s health needs and concerns.

• Create a baseline for longitudinal changes of community health status and behaviors.

• Benchmark our community with state and national averages.

OSF Saint Anthony is required by provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment every three years. Data collection and empirical analysis will be handled under the direction of Laurence G. Weinzimmer, Ph.D., professor of management at Bradley University. The results of the Community Health Needs Assessment survey will be made publicly available.

Questions regarding the survey should be directed to Don Vayr, OSF Saint Anthony director of Strategic Planning and Decision Support, at (815) 395-4553 or don.vayr@osfhealthcare.org.

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Health & Fitness, Living | No Comments »

Lutheran High students distribute Advent books

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

A dedicated group of Rockford Lutheran High School students has written and published a 28-page booklet with a devotional for every day of Advent this holiday season. The booklets were distributed to all the area Lutheran churches as well as four senior living facilities in the area.

The students visited with residents of Peterson Meadows Nov. 27, Fairview Nursing Home Nov. 28 and Spring Ridge Senior Home Nov. 29.

The students involved from Rockford Lutheran represent a group called the Lutheran Links, who meet once a month under the direction of Executive Director Don Gillingham.

“We have selected one student from each homeroom to be scribes and ambassadors for our school,” Gillingham said. “Their role will grow as we strengthen our connections to congregations, civic groups and the wider community.”

If you or anyone you know is interested in receiving a copy of the 2012 Advent Booklet written by RLS high school students, contact Nancee Long at (815) 877-9551, ext. 136.

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Community News and Notes, People In Our Times | No Comments »

4-Hers honored for outstanding achievement

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Ogle County’s top 4-H members were honored for outstanding achievement at a special program Nov. 18 in the Oregon Coliseum.

Top county honors went to 4-H teens Rebecca Eden, Oregon, and Bethany Fike, Pearl City. Eden and Fike were the recipients of the Co-op Watch Awards sponsored by Ogle County Farm Bureau and its affiliates. Watches are awarded each year to the two 4-Hers with the most impressive records of long-term leadership and service at the club level and beyond.

Jill Ebens, Oregon, was the recipient of a $50 cash award sponsored by the Ogle County 4-H Foundation. The Foundation Award is presented annually to a single 4-Her who has shown leadership skill, a willingness to help with 4-H activities, and has served as a positive example to younger members.

Four youth were challenged to greater leadership and service as recipients of the “I Dare You” Leadership Award. New owners of William Danforth’s inspiring book, I Dare You, these youth were selected based on their previous leadership, citizenship and project work. Winners included Tyler Hanlin, Byron; Katie Roush, Malta; Heather Stranberg, Oregon; and Kirstin McIntyre, Stillman Valley.

4-H Fair Animal Exhibit Traveling Trophies are awarded each year to clubs that maintained the most impressive stall exhibits at the 4-H Fair. The second-place trophy, sponsored by Oregon Rotary, went to Carefree 4-H Club, Oregon. The first-place trophy, sponsored by Pomona Grange, went by By-Y-Badgers 4-H Club, Byron.

Other special award winners included: Outstanding Club Presidents: Gracie Mingus, Byron; Outstanding Club Vice Presidents: Carley Ackland, Rochelle; Amanda Headon, Rochelle; Outstanding Club Secretaries: Rebecca Eden, Oregon; Heather Stranberg, Oregon; Outstanding Club Treasurers: Brandon Imel, Polo; Katie Roush, Malta; Outstanding Club Reporters: Karli Miller, Oregon; Grace Mongan, Oregon; Outstanding Club Historians: Callie Ackland, Rochelle; Gabrielle Harding, Rochelle; Outstanding Club Recreation: Mahalia Freier, Rochelle; Garret Moser, Mount Morris; Isaac Charbonneau, Leaf River; Bits ’N Reins Traveling Horse Trophy: Amanda Headon, Rochelle.

Six 4-Hers were selected to represent Ogle County 4-H in the state 4-H records competition in January 2013. They are: Zach Ankney, Stillman Valley; Jill Ebens, Oregon; Rebecca Eden, Oregon; Joseph Ring, Oregon; Michael Ring, Oregon; and Haley Shores, Freeport.

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Community News and Notes, People In Our Times | No Comments »

Autos, boats, motorcycles and RVs: Week of Dec. 5-11, 2012

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

AUTOS

Autos

2000 HYUNDAI ELANTRA good condition $1700 779/771-0017. 12/19

Auto Parts & Accessories

TOW DOLLY for large & small cars $750 815/874-4547. 12/5

TRAILER SALE! “New” 6’ x 10’x 72″ Enclosed Cargo $2095, “New” 6’ x 12’ x 72″ Enclosed Cargo – ramp door $2399, “New” 16’ – 7000# Car Hauler, brakes, ramps, LED’s, $1999, “New” 18’ – 7000# Heavy Duty tilt bed – brakes, LED’s, treated floor $2499. ZACK SHACK 6’ x 10’, 6-hole ice house $4699. Road Dog & Aluma pull-behind Motorcycle Trailers. Aluminum Snowmobile Trailers 2-place, 3-place, & 4-place! 515-972-4554 www.fortdodgetrailerworld.com (MCN)

Motorcycles

MOTORCYCLE FOR SALE excellent condition, Honda Magna 750C, 85 HP, 43 mpg, black & silver $2745 OBO, call for details 815/621-5494 or 815/312-1796, Frank 8am-6:30pm. 12/5

1995 Kawasaki GPZ 1100 sport bike for sale. $1,200 or best offer. Sport bike. Fast. Call for more info. 773-455-4238. TFN

1985 Kawasaki ZN700 LTF for sale. $1,250 or best offer. Bike is in good shape and runs. Might need tune up. Call for more info. 773-455-4238. TFN

WANTED JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE KAWASAKI 1967-1980 Z1-900, KZ900, KZ1000, ZIR, KZ1000MKII, W1-650, H1-500, H2-750, S1-250, S2-350, S3-400 Suzuki GS400, GT380, CB750 CASH PAID. FREE NATIONAL PICKUP. 1-800-772-1142, 1-310-721-0726 usa@classicrunners.com N-12/5

WANTED: All Motorcycles – Pre 1980. Any Condition, running or not. Cash Paid. 845-389-3239 (MCN)

Recreational Vehicles

1994 CHEVY CLUB CAB Silverado pop-up Scamper, no rust $3500 815/874-4547. 12/5

Autos Wanted

WANTED: MONSTER TRUCK 1978-85, old school Call 815/312-9076. 12/5

DONATE YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR BOAT TO HERITAGE FOR THE BLIND. Free 3-Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. 888-757-6941 (MCN)

CASH FOR CARS: All Cars/Trucks Wanted. Running or Not! Top Dollar Paid. We Come To You! Any Make/Model. Call For Instant Offer: 1-800-864-5960 N-12/5

CARS/TRUCKS WANTED! Top $$$$$ PAID! Running or Not, All Years, Makes, Models. Free Towing! We’re Local! 7 Days/Week. Call Toll Free: 1-888-416-2330 N-12/5

DONATE A CAR – HELP CHILDREN FIGHTING DIABETES. Fast, Free Towing. Call 7 days/week. Non-runners OK. Tax Deductible. Call Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation 1-800-578- 0408 N-12/5

A-1 DONATE YOUR CAR! Breast Cancer Research Foundation! Most highly-rated breast cancer charity in America! Tax Deductible/Fast Free Pick Up. 1-800-399-6506 www.carsforbreastcancer.org N-12/5

MISC AUTOS: CASH FOR CARS: Any Make, Model or Year. We Pay MORE! Running or Not Sell your Car or Truck TODAY Free Towing! Instant Offer: 1-888-420-3805 (MCN)

AUTOS WANTED: CASH FOR CARS: All Cars/Trucks Wanted. Running or Not! Top Dollar Paid. We Come To You! Any Make/Model. Call For Instant Offer: 1-888-417-1382 (MCN)

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Cars, Classifieds | No Comments »

Rockford Institute and ‘Chronicles’ host lecture, ‘Taking Christmas Back’

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Staff Report

The Rockford Institute and Chronicles: A Magazine of American Culture is hosting a local lecture at 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 6, titled “Taking Christmas Back” by Tom Piatak.

Our culture has increasingly forgotten that Christmas is a celebration to mark the birth of Christ. Aggravating this situation is the increasing hostility on the part of some toward any public acknowledgment of the Christmas holiday. With each passing year, the war being waged against Christmas and its communal traditions is intensified. Piatak will explore the nature of the assault on this beloved holiday and offer some suggestions on how to take Christmas back before its true meaning fades from our nation’s collective memory.

Tom Piatak’s first article on the War on Christmas appeared in Chronicles in December 2001. He has since written many other essays on the War on Christmas. His writings on Christmas have appeared in Chronicles, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, The American Conservative, Middle American News, and VDARE.com, and he has participated in discussions on the War on Christmas on NPR’s On Point radio and on Wisconsin Public Radio. He lives in Cleveland and was educated at Case Western Reserve University and the University of Michigan Law School.

Admission is payable at the door, but reservations are required. Cost is $15 per person ($20 at the door) or $25 per couple ($30 at the door), or $5 student rate.

For the past 36 years, The Rockford Institute has served as a charitable educational organization, sponsoring both local and international lecture series and events. Chronicles: A Magazine of American Culture is the flagship publication of The Rockford Institute.

For information or reservations, call (815) 964-5053.

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Local News, News | No Comments »

Taproot at Rockford’s Bar 3 Sunday, Dec. 9

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Modern rockers Taproot, from Ann Arbor, Mich., have toured alongside Godsmack, Stained, Halestorm, Rob Zombie, Smile Empty Soul, Hurt and Nonpoint, among others.

Staff Report

Modern rockers Taproot will perform at Rockford’s Bar 3 Sunday, Dec. 9. Opening acts include 12 Stones, Digital Summer, Prospect Hill, Dorydrive, 3 Pill Morning, Gone for Days, Beyond Threshold and In the Hour. Tickets are $18 in advance, $20 at the door.

Taproot mixes their blue-collar work ethic with powerful choruses, magnetic riffs and intense energy to create real American hard rock.

The band celebrated its 15th anniversary with the release of their sixth studio album, The Episodes. “There are no gimmicks or tricks here; just solid rock ’n’ roll, good songwriting and a lot of hard work,” Loudwire wrote of the album.

Vocalist Stephen Richards recently came clean with Loudwire regarding his battle with seizures and talked about the changes he has had to make in his performance. He continues to work relentlessly to make sure his fans are given an incredible show and a memorable experience.

The band — from Ann Arbor, Mich. — has toured alongside some of music’s greatest bands such as Godsmack, Stained, Halestorm, Rob Zombie, Smile Empty Soul, Hurt, Nonpoint and more.

Prior to their Dec. 9 appearance in Rockford, Taproot will be at the Green Bay Distillery in Green Bay, Wis., Dec. 6. After their stop in Rockford, the band will head to the Fillmor in Wausau, Wis., Dec. 12, and Bobby McGee’s in Chicago Ridge, Ill., Dec. 13. The band will conclude its tour with a Dec. 22 performance at The Rave in Milwaukee.

For more about the band, visit facebook.com/TaprootMusic or victoryrecords.com/taproot.

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Music, Vibe Entertainment, Vibe Entertainment News | No Comments »

OSF offers holiday nutrition classes

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Staff Report

We all know the holidays are a tough time to stick to healthy eating habits. That’s why OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center is offering two nutrition classes this December that will arm you with the tools you need to enjoy your holiday get-togethers without overindulging. Both classes are offered at the medical center, 5666 E. State St., Rockford. Registration is required.

Eating to Lower Your Cholesterol — 5-6 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 11. Description: In this course, you will learn how cholesterol is used in the body, the risk factors of high cholesterol and what dietary changes you can make to help reduce your cholesterol. The course will describe the food sources of cholesterol and what guidelines you should follow to best manage your cholesterol levels. Cost: $24. More information: (815) 227-2161.

Eating to Lower Your Blood Pressure — 5-6 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 18. Description: In this course, you’ll learn what healthy blood pressure numbers are, stress-relieving techniques and the best foods to control your blood pressure. Attendees will also receive handouts on food label comparisons of popular food brands and simple lists of recommended foods containing the right balance of minerals to manage your blood pressure. Cost: $24. More information: (815) 227-2161.

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Health & Fitness, Living | No Comments »

Guest Column: Celebrating the First Amendment: Why ‘land of the free’ is more than a lyric

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

By Ken Paulson

The hardest line to sing in the “Star-Spangled Banner” is also the most important. “O’er the land of the free …” with its character-building high note has been the bane of even professional singers.

That’s probably appropriate. Becoming “the land of the free” wasn’t all that easy, either.

Dec. 15, America will commemorate the 221st birthday of the Bill of Rights, the most extraordinary and influential guarantee of individual freedoms in world history.

Every school kid knows this nation was founded on freedom, but sometimes we lose sight of the details. Building a nation from scratch, promising a democracy and ensuring certain inalienable rights were all both ambitious and unprecedented. And though we declared our liberty in 1776, it wasn’t until the ratification of the Constitution in 1789 and the commitment to specific individual freedoms in the Bill of Rights in 1791 that we were truly on our way to a more perfect union.

Over time, the First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech, press, religion, petition and assembly helped abolish slavery, secure the vote for women and establish equal protection for all. Yet, surveys show only 4 percent of Americans can identify all of these core freedoms. A majority, when asked, can come up with only freedom of speech. That is particularly disappointing when you realize how rare these guarantees are globally.

In recent weeks:

• In China, a tweeted joke about a popular horror-movie series and an upcoming Communist Party Congress led to an arrest on charges of supporting terrorism.

• In India, the Information Technology Act criminalizes the posting of “any information that is grossly offensive or has menacing character.” The restriction was applied last month to two women for a post and “Like” on Facebook.

• A court in Egypt sentenced an American pastor and seven Egyptian Coptic Christians to death for their alleged ties to The Innocence of Muslims, an anti-Islam film. The good news for the defendants: None is in Egypt.

Repression, censorship and attacks on minority faiths are commonplace worldwide. Even nations that regard themselves as free and open societies often fail to protect controversial ideas and viewpoints.

In the U.S., our guarantees are so vibrant and effective that we tend to take them for granted. Unfortunately, complacency isn’t good for a democracy.

In an effort to build greater appreciation for First Amendment freedoms, a coalition of educators, journalists, artists and others have come together to form 1 for All, an educational campaign. The First Amendment Center, Knight Foundation, American Society of News Editors, McCormick Foundation and the Newseum have teamed up to help a new generation of citizens more fully appreciate these freedoms.

Part of that effort is a scholarship competition that begins Dec. 1 and continues through Dec. 15, the First Amendment’s birthday. Students are encouraged to tweet about their favorite of the five freedoms, becoming eligible to compete for a $5,000 scholarship. Details can be found at 1forall.us.

The next time you hear the national anthem wind down to that final line, and before you restore your cap and pick up the beer cup, you might want to say a quiet thanks for the many who made “land of the free” more than a hard line to sing.

Whether fighting on our front lines or taking a stand for equality and justice, whether carrying a rifle on a foreign shore or a protest sign on Main Street, millions have made this land of freedom possible through their sacrifices and commitment.

Now that’s something worth singing about.

Ken Paulson, former editor and senior vice president of USA Today, is president and CEO of the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University.

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Commentary, Guest Column | No Comments »

Theater Review: Artists’ Ensemble presents ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ as live radio

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

By Edith McCauley
Theater Critic

Growing up in the age of radio, my media experience was the soap operas — Ma Perkins, My Gal Sunday, and, of course, Little Orphan Annie. With no television and few movies available, our Sunday evening entertainment always included The Jack Benny Show, Fred Allen, and, of course, Lux Radio Theater. The current movies were heard, not seen.

With that background, Artists’ Ensemble’s radio version of It’s a Wonderful Life was especially enjoyable. The set replicated the radio studio perfectly. Ramaad Morris’ performance as the Foley Artist (the sound man) gave authenticity to the show. The table at the rear of the set contained every device needed to enhance the performance from wind and snow to the splash of water as George attempts suicide.

Lance Retallick returns to portray George Bailey, and newcomer Betsy Baker is his wife, Mary. Richard Raether is the Angel, Clarence, seeking his wings, and also the villain of the piece, Banker Potter. Erin Kathleen Philpott plays multiple roles, including the local glamour girl, Violet. Tom Dotson is Uncle Billy, Harry Bailey and the announcer. Finally, Karl Maratos, a talented pianist, provides a musical background and fills in for a few minor characters.

Linda Abronski directs, Tim Anderson is musical director, and Jan Bacino’s gorgeous 1946 costumes complete our vision of this old favorite. The original movie, directed by Frank Capra, was the effort of screen writers Albert Hackett and Frances Goodrich. The three of them designed the piece for James Stewart, and they later named it the favorite film of their careers.

We have seen so many of the holiday shows over and over, so it is with real pleasure that a new version of A Wonderful Life enhances the season. Speaking to Richard Raether following the performance, he informed me that another of the screen writers’ movies will be performed “on the radio” next Sunday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. They created The Thin Man and its many sequels. Another Sunday night radio show would be most enjoyable. For details concerning all performances, call (815) 904-2277 or go online at www.artistsensemble.org.

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Theater, Vibe Entertainment, Vibe Entertainment News | No Comments »

Chrysler raffles Dodge Dart to employees, proceeds benefit United Way

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Mary Scalzitti (from left), UAW 1268 Community Services chairman and United Way Campaign coordinator at Chrysler/UAW 1268; Pierre LaFranca, certified sales manager at Jack Wolf; and Lynn Schmalen, United Way loaned executive from Chrysler/UAW 1268, draw the winning ticket in the raffle for a new Dodge Dart Friday, Nov. 30. (Photo provided)

Staff Report

BELVIDERE, Ill. — United Way of Rock River Valley has had a strong, long-standing partnership with Chrysler/UAW Local 1268 for years. In November, the UAW Local 1268’s United Way Campaign Committee sold raffle tickets to win a new Dodge Dart at Chrysler’s Belvidere Assembly Plant to benefit United Way of Rock River Valley.

Sergio Marchionne, Chrysler’s chief executive officer, made a congratulatory visit to the UAW Local 1268 members at the Belvidere Assembly Plant on their successful launch of the Dodge Dart in May 2012. While speaking to the employees and union members, he made a pledge to donate a Dodge Dart to the Belvidere Assembly Plant and to raffle it off at $2 per chance as a way to show his appreciation to the employees, with 100 percent of ticket sales to benefit United Way of Rock River Valley.

Friday, Nov. 30, the winning ticket was drawn. The lucky winner of the new Dodge Dart is Bob St. Vincent, a first-shift employee at Chrysler’s Belvidere Assembly Plant.

A total of 24,250 tickets were sold at the Chrysler Belvidere Assembly Plant, and $48,500 raised for United Way of Rock River Valley. This donation will assist United Way of Rock River Valley in creating stronger support systems in the areas of education, income and health in our community.

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Local News, News | No Comments »

Guest Column: Addressing the ‘fiscal cliff’

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

By Rep. Jim Sacia

An old military saying that has stayed with me through the years is “drive on,” doesn’t matter the consequences, we must persevere. It will be no shock to any of you that I am disappointed in the outcome of our recent election. The loss of seven seats in the Illinois House of Representatives gives Speaker Madigan a “super majority.” This means nothing can be stopped even by the governor, if Speaker Madigan and President of the Senate Cullerton choose to champion a cause, as both chambers now enjoy a “veto proof” majority.

Many of you will read this the week after Thanksgiving. We in the House and Senate will be in session, and Speaker Madigan has now scheduled the third through the eighth of January for the existing lame-duck session, prior to the new members being sworn in on Jan. 9, 2013. No, the Speaker does not share his thoughts with me, and I have yet to see a schedule, but I’m confident the extra days are to deal with pension reform, which, of course, is very necessary. Why in the lame-duck session? Stay tuned, I’ll certainly let you know. Arguably, there will be many of those members with no political agenda, and arm twisting will perhaps be easier.

The national picture looms even heavier. Maybe by the time you read this, the “fiscal cliff” will have been avoided.

I make no apologies for my conservative values, and in my opinion, if Mr. Romney had let us know exactly what his values were, he might be president-elect today. I will not soon forget Paul Ryan’s comments at the Republican National Convention, “They believe in Free Stuff. We believe in Free People.”

A friend in Springfield sent me the following text: “I’m at the Apple Store in St. Louis. An Illinois resident just used her Link card to purchase an I-Phone 5 (about $200). I asked the associate how the customer was able to use a Link card to purchase an I-Phone. He said they use them daily to make purchases. The Link card also has cash benefits the recipient is supposed to use to pay utilities, etc., but they can use them for whatever they want. Ah, yes, your tax dollars at work.

My good friend, Vince Toepfer, often sends me thoughtful quotes: “Fathom the hypocrisy of a government that requires every citizen to prove they are insured, but not everyone must prove they are a citizen.” He followed it with, “Many of those who refuse or are unable to prove they are citizens will receive free insurance paid for by those who are forced to buy insurance because they are citizens.” Drive on, folks!

As always, you can reach me, Sally or Barb at (815) 232-0774 or e-mail us at jimsacia@aeroinc.net. You can also visit my website at www.jimsacia.com. It’s always a pleasure to hear from you.

Jim Sacia (R) is the state representative for the 89th District in Illinois.

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Commentary, Guest Column | 2 Comments »

Apartments and Real Estate: Week of Dec. 5-11, 2012

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

REAL ESTATE

FOR RENT

Apartments

1-BEDROOM APARTMENT Edgewater area, heat included $425 815/985-0820 M.R.A.A. 12/26

STUDIO APARTMENT, 117 N. Longwood St., $425. 815-316-8864. TFN

2+ BEDROOM APARTMENT 1200 sq. ft., formal dining room, hardwood floors, updated kitchen & bath, tons of character, attached garage with opener, laundry hookups, no pets, security deposit $675/month 815/222-5686. 12/12

1-BEDROOM APTS AVAILABLE se side, new flooring, lots of amenities, $380/$480 – deposit same as rent 815/222-5676. 12/12

2-BEDROOM LOWER 1613 12th Avenue, high efficiency furnace and windows $500 815/226-8644. 12/12

BEAUTIFUL 2-BEDROOM upper unit, washer/dryer, new appliances, fenced backyard, great location 1209 21st Pl. $575 815/540-6757. 12/5

1-BEDROOM APARTMENT heat furnished, 1306 12th Street, $475 815/226-8644. 12/12

DUPLEX 3-BEDROOM upper and lower, 518, 520 N. Horsman $625/month 815/275-9127. 12/12

2-Bedroom Apartment, 1611 12th St., 1 Bath, upper unit, hardwood floors, front sun room, great closet space, off-street parking, on bus route, close to city park, $525, plus deposit. 815-964-0102. TFN

Heat Included 1 Bed Apts Numerous Locations $450-595 815-964-6270. 12/5

$100 Deposit Special 1116 Irving Ave Completely Remodeled 1 Bed $495, 2 Bed $550 815-964-6270. 12/5

NICE 3-BEDROOM, lg. kitchen, lg bathroom, new appliances, washer/dryer in unit, upper unit, $585, 1404 7th Ave. 815/540-6757. 12/5

1-Bedroom, 1-Bath Apartment. One car garage. Shared basement. 2012 Douglas St, Rockford. $425 a month. 815-877-8500. TFN

2-Bedroom, 1-Bath Townhouse private basement w/laundry hookup. 5415 East Drive #3, Loves Park. $695 a month. 815-877-8500. TFN

2-BEDROOM APT. 2208 8TH STREET spacious 1-bath secured building free heat, laundry room, $525, deposit $500 No pets, garages available 815/404-7491. 1/23/13

Studio apartment, 1010 24th St., all utilities are included, $425, 815/877-8500. TFN

1-Bedroom, 1 Bath APARTMENT, 1623 Parmele St., offstreet parking, sunroom off living room, back deck $450, 815-964-0102. TFN

2-Bedroom, 1-Bath Townhouse private basement w/laundry hookup. 207 River Lane #1, Loves Park. $695 a month. Tovar Realtors 815-877-8500. TFN

Studio Apartment, includes all utilities, 1010 24th St, Rockford. $425 a month. 815-877-8500. TFN

2-Bedroom, 1-Bath Townhouse private basement w/laundry hookup. 207 River Lane #2, Loves Park. $695 a month. Tovar Realtors 815-877-8500. TFN

Houses

3-BEDROOM HOUSE 2-bath, 2-car, updated, clean kitchen, private backyard. Alpine & Spring Creek area. No pets. Can do short-term lease. $1200/month + security deposit Call 815/509-3341. 12/19

3-BEDROOM immediately available, over 1200 sq. ft., 1 ½ -baths, basement, central air, popular east area $675/month, $650 deposit 815/398-2122. 12/19

3-BEDROOM hardwood floor, 1 ½ bath, well kept, duplex home, ½ mile from Cherry Vale mall, AC, appliances, washer/dryer, basement, garage, fenced wooded yard, no pets $670 815/299-1703. 12/19

3-BEDROOM, 1 BATH HOUSE, 2114 W. Jefferson St., $695, 815-316-8864. TFN

3-BEDROOM HOUSE new windows, 1½-baths $675 815/226-8644. 12/12

SMALL 2-BEDROOM nice and clean, 404 Lincoln Ave, $525/month 815/275-9127. 12/12

Homes For Rent 2-3 Bedrooms $595-$950 815-964-6270. 12/5

3-Bedroom, 1 Bath house, 1240 5th Ave., $650, 815-505-0685. TFN

3 Bedroom, 1 Bath house with 2-car garage, 1911 Elm St. $675, 815/963-3250. TFN

3 Bedroom, 1 Bath house, 3035 S. 4th St., $650, 815/877-8500. TFN

3 Bedroom, 1 Bath house, 4169 Stage Coach Trail, $1,200 815/963-3250. TFN

3 Bedroom, 1 Bath house, 1713 Lyran Ave., $695. 815/963-3250. TFN

3-BEDROOM, 1-BATH, single family home. Come and see this one. 710 N. Central $695/mo. 815/505-0685 TFN

3 Bedroom, 1 Bath house, 318 Logan St., $795. 815/963-3250. TFN

4 Bedroom, 1 bath house on 1 acre with fenced yard, 1820 Sandy Hollow Rd., $1,200, 815/963-3250. TFN

3-Bedroom, 1-bath commercial/residential home available for rent in Loves Park. Must run business out of home, can live there as well. Lots of exposure on Riverside Blvd. and lots of storage. 2-car garage and 1-car garage along with more storage space and side yard. Parking in front and back. 120 E. Riverside Blvd. Loves Park. Purchase at $64,900 or Rent $625 a month. Creative Financing Available. Call Tovar Realtors 815-877-8500. TFN

2-Bedroom, 1 Bath house, 3416 Oak Grove, garage, $800, 815/963-3250. TFN

3-Bedroom, 1 Bath house, 712 Whitman St. $625 House, 3 bedrm, 1 bath, garage, 815/516-7396. TFN

3-Bedroom, 1 Bath Farm house, living, Halley Road, $1,100, 815/877-8500. TFN

3 Bedroom, 2 bath, home at 1220 Sherman Ave. for rent. $650/mo. Call 815-505-0685. TFN

4-BEDROOM, 1-BATH HOUSE, 943 Grant Ave., $850/mo., 815-316-8864. TFN

4-BEDROOM, 2 BATH HOUSE, 968 N. Church St., $850/mo., 815-316-8864. TFN

2 Bedroom, 1 Bath, single family home. Carpet, 1-car garage. 323 N. Pierpont Ave., Rockford. $550/month. Call 815-505-0685. TFN

2-Bedroom, 1-Bath Home, neutral decor clean and fresh. 2641 Marshall St, Rockford. $595 a month. 815-877-8500. TFN

3 Bedroom, 2 Bath, single family home. Hardwood floors, full basement. 1220 Sherman Ave. Rockford. $650/mo. Call 815-505-0685. TFN

3-Bedroom, 1-Bath Home, hardwood flooring plus HUGE fenced yard. 3035 4th St, Rockford. $650 a month. 815-877-8500. TFN

Storage

hEATED STORAGE with electric, great location, 2314 Charles, rear. $350 815/540-6757. 12/5

Commercial Rental

Commercial radio tower space available on 350-foot tower on Clikeman Road. 815-316-8864. TFN

2 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

115 7th Street. Commercial Office Space Starting at $200 and up. 815/877-8500. TFN

Room for Rent

NEAR HIGHCREST & ALPINE, private room & utilities, must be clean, no drugs. $400/month 815/397-7624. 12/5

Vacation Rentals

CANCUN PENTHOUSE $1050/week, on beach, sleeps 4-6, 3 weeks available in January. Contact sallybnaples@aol.com 12/19

FOR SALE

Homes For Sale

3 Bedroom, 2 Bath manufactured home, 5622 Rockport, Loves Park. Creative financing available. Offered at $37,400. Tovar Realtors, 815-877-8500. TFN

2-YR-OLD HOME on approx. ½-acre. 2-bedroom, 2-bath, 2-car garage. Well-established subdivision near Jefferson HS. Contract available. Mid-100s. 815/398-3762. TFN

Mobile Homes

OPEN HOUSE Sat. & Sun. 1-4pm, Modular home in Forest Hills Village. 3-bedroom, 2-bath, eat-in kitchen, all appliances stay, 2-car garage, deck, 3 ceilling fans, central air, water softener. Priced to settle estate at $36,000. 1 Block off Perryville at 5645 Shale Drive. Call 779/348-2810 for more info. 12/5

14’x66’ MOBILE HOME- 3BR, full bath. Newer windows & furnace. $13,500. 815/871-3801. TFN

Lots For Sale

BUILDER SPECIAL Residential lot, Crosby/Hilton, Multiple unit lot, Zenith Pkwy 815/398-3762. TFN

CANDLEWICK LOTS FOR SALE $6,600. Terms available. With ownership come amenities including fishing, boating, golf, swimming & family activities. Please call 815/398-3762. TFN

Real Estate Services

TROUBLE COLLECTING PAYMENTS? Let me help! Local investor buys seller financed mortgages & trust deeds, call 815/298-2677. 12/12

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Classifieds, Homes | No Comments »

State representative invites public’s ideas for legislation

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Staff Report

As the 2013 spring legislative session approaches, State Rep. Chuck Jefferson, D-Rockford, is inviting constituents to share ideas and suggestions for legislation.

“Civic engagement is crucial to moving our state in the right direction,” Jefferson said. “I encourage constituents to voice their opinions for how we can improve our Rockford community as well as the state of Illinois. I periodically work on citizen-led proposals through local committee meetings, and my office doors are always open to those who would like to meet with me to submit ideas and explore solutions to the many challenges facing our state.”

Jefferson noted his district office, 200 S. Wyman, Suite 304, in Rockford, is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Jefferson’s staff is available as liaisons between state departments, and can pass along concerns and ideas for legislation. Residents may also request to meet with Jefferson personally by calling his office to schedule an appointment.

Illinois legislators will be sworn into office Jan. 9, 2013, and will then begin to represent newly redistricted territories. Jefferson pointed out that House District 67 will have many new residents, and he looks forward to collaborating with them on ways to address the state’s budget crisis and pass meaningful reforms that help local families.

“I believe it’s important to have an open line of communication. Not every idea will become a law, but some can perhaps be addressed in other ways,” Jefferson explained. “My legislative priorities will continue to be creating jobs, making our neighborhoods safer and stronger, and fighting for our seniors and veterans. I encourage anyone who is interested to please let my office know so we can begin the discussion and explore possible legislation.”

To submit ideas for legislation, contact Jefferson’s constituent service office by calling (815) 987-7433.

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in News, Statehouse News | 1 Comment »

Guest Column: Testify for Comprehensive Community Solutions, Inc.

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Editor’s note: Comprehensive Community Solutions, commonly known in the area as Youthbuild, needs your support, lobbying, and if possible, testimony. I will testify on behalf of this organization that has been on the cutting edge of the Green Jobs effort in Rockford, by uniquely offering positions in sustainability to the underserved and disadvantaged youth in the Rockford area. Educating those in poverty by empowering them to learn positive environmental skills is a remarkable vision. Please help. — F.S.

Dear Friends,

In a time of increasing layoffs and rising unemployment rates, education is the key pathway for individuals to transcend poverty and succeed economically and socially. High school dropouts are at extreme risk for economic failure with all the serious consequences that will result. When young people drop out, they are at a crossroads that can either lead to a tragic waste of their talents or an exciting opportunity to rebuild their lives.

Comprehensive Community Solutions, a Rockford nonprofit organization with a mission to bring about fundamental positive change in challenged neighborhoods and in the circumstances of those who live there, has proposed GreenTek Career Academy Charter School, an innovative educational pathway for high school dropouts and opportunity youth.

We are asking for your support for GreenTek Career Academy Charter School. Please join us at a public hearing convened by the Illinois State Charter School Commission and let your voice be heard on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012, from 6 till 8 p.m. at Rockford Public Library, Main Branch, 215 N. Wyman St. This hearing will provide an opportunity for you to speak directly to the Commission in support of GreenTek.

GreenTek Career Academy Charter School, the proposed dropout recovery high school for students aged 17-21, was rejected by the Rockford School Board for the fourth time, since it was first presented in 1999. There is a new opportunity to reverse the Rockford School Board decision. The state created the Illinois State Charter School Commission with the mission of reviewing local charter school rulings and the authority to grant charters that local school districts deny. GreenTek has appealed to the Illinois State Charter School Commission for review, and we are appealing to you for your assistance.

The State Commission’s decision will be strongly impacted by support for GreenTek shown by the Rockford community. There is a compelling need for a dropout recovery high school in Rockford. A Southern Illinois University study (October 2010) found a “population at risk” consisting of 46,916 individuals in Boone and Winnebago counties aged 16 and older who were not enrolled in school and had not attained a high school diploma or a GED.

If approved, GreenTek Career Academy Charter School will be a diploma-granting school that will share facilities and benefit from relationships with CCS’s YouthBuild program and its partners. In addition, it will be held to the same academic standards of operation, teaching and outcomes as similar charter schools in other communities. By attending this public hearing on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012, you will demonstrate your own principles about supporting equal opportunities for all young people who want to serve and give back to our community.

More importantly, you will understand why the Commission should approve GreenTek Career Academy Charter School:

• It fills a critical need in our community.

• It is aligned with District plans for Career Academies.

• It will meet state standards and requirements.

• It will provide desirable pathways for youth out of the education mainstream and clear economic benefits for students and the community.

Those unable to attend the hearing can send e-mail comments anytime from now to next Monday to: Jeanne.nowaczewski@illinois.gov.

If you have any questions about the public hearing, please do not hesitate to call me at 815-963-6236. If you intend to join us, would you be kind enough to rsvp at: www.bit.ly/greentekrsvp. Thank you!

Sincerely,

Kerry Knodle,
Executive Director and Founder
Comprehensive Community Solutions, Inc.

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Commentary, Guest Column | No Comments »

Theater Review: ‘The Elephant Man’ outstanding at Keith Country Day School

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

By Edith McCauley
Theater Critic

No challenge seems too demanding for James Radloff at Rockford’s Keith Country Day School, and The Elephant Man presents another.

Set in the 1880s, The Elephant Man details the life of John Merrick, a devastatingly disabled man who becomes a sideshow attraction viewed by a curious public. A few photos and slides show us how he really looked, but Edward Hall’s body language keeps us aware of who he really is. Only a junior, Hall gives an amazing performance.

Luke Miller, also a junior, is Frederick Treves, the doctor who rescues Merrick from a life of agony. The extensive cast includes Zoe Jensen (Mrs. Kendall), who befriends Merrick, accepting him in spite of his frightening appearance; Luke Chachula (Carr Gomm); Mike Riley (Ross), a devious manager; Kenny Hall (Bishop Howe); and a cast that includes nurses, grand ladies and sideshow “freaks.”

So many talents are shared in local theater, and Jeff Hendry at Rockford College is one who lends his expertise to many venues, and his gowns of the 1880s again become an important part of this production. Radloff’s set design is well done. A few pieces provide the illusion of the many spaces in the play.

The Christmas scene in Act II gives Zoe Jensen the opportunity to display her musical talent, and her song is one of the high points of the production. This year will provide many of the underclassmen the chance to improve their skills and appear on stage. As we left the theater, many of the audience commented about the excellence of the production and Radloff’s ability to achieve such outstanding results with the students.

Another busy weekend.

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Theater, Vibe Entertainment, Vibe Entertainment News | No Comments »

Local Bon-Ton stores offer Goodwill Sale Dec. 6-11

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Staff Report

Before you head to the mall in search of just the right gifts, dig out those sweaters you no longer wear or your children’s outgrown clothing and donate them during the new holiday Goodwill Sale.

When you drop them off at any area Bon-Ton store, your donations will benefit Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois’ job training programs and you will receive a 25 percent off coupon on apparel, footwear and accessories to use toward holiday shopping Dec. 6-11.

For each item donated (20 items equals 20 coupons), Bon-Ton Stores will provide a discount coupon that can be used at any area Bergner’s, Elder-Beerman or Carson’s stores.

“People who donate during the Bon-Ton Goodwill Holiday Sale not only get a discount on the gifts they buy for their families and friends, but they can also take pride in knowing that their donations provide job opportunities for people with disabilities and disadvantages in their communities,” said Sam Schmitz, president of Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois. “This holiday season, take advantage of this unique opportunity to be charitable and save money.”

Nearly 3.9 million pounds of clothing and textiles were collected and donated to Goodwill during the fall Bon-Ton Goodwill Sale. The donated goods have an estimated value of $15 to $17 million in revenue, and support Goodwill’s job training programs, career services and other community-based programs for people with disabilities, those who lack education or job experience, and others facing challenges to finding employment.

In addition to job training and career development programs, Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois also provides access to support services, free tax preparation and financial education.

Customers who donate at any of the Bon-Ton Stores during the Goodwill Holiday Sale can also pledge their support for Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois’ mission by registering their donations on www.millionactsofgoodwill.com. When individuals register, they will receive a coupon for an additional 25 percent off to use at any Bon-Ton Stores location and will also be able to play the “Closet Clean-Out Giveaway Instant Win Game,” for a chance to win a Bon-Ton gift card instantly, and they will be entered into a sweepstakes for a chance to have their Bon-Ton Stores credit card paid off, up to $5,000!

Local participating stores include the following:

• Bergner’s at CherryVale Mall, 7200 Harrison Ave., Rockford;

• Bergner’s in Machesney Park, 8790 N. Second St., Machesney Park;

• Bergner’s at Northland Mall, 2900 E. Lincolnway, Sterling, Ill.;

• Carson Pirie Scott in DeKalb, 2550 Sycamore Road, DeKalb, Ill.; and

• Elder-Beerman at Beloit Mall, 100 Beloit Mall, Beloit, Wis.

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Local News, News | No Comments »

Editorial cartoon by Charles Story: Two Grovers

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Charles Story, Commentary | 1 Comment »

Literary Hook: The calming prelude of ‘The Day After Christmas’

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Christine Swanberg

By Christine Swanberg
Author and Poet

Perhaps you are one of the lucky extroverted folks who find all holiday gatherings fun. Perhaps you come from a perfect family where no one blindsides you with the occasional insensitive remark. But my guess is that if you are human, you have had at least one moment during the holiday that you would rather forget.

I always enjoy the day after Christmas because most of the frenzy is over. It is a prelude to a new year and new energies, which lead you forward in your life and away from the old and stale.

The Day After Christmas

By Christine Swanberg

Today you celebrate nothing,

put your phone on cruise control

so that no one can intrude

upon your uncelebration.

Today is your true Sabbath,

a day when you are free to unplug

work, family, feast, and shopping.

This day was once the blue pine

of too much everything

too sweet and stale,

a tally of cookies,

relatives who say the wrong things.

But today claim nothing

except a good cup of coffee,

streak of blue in the skylight,

a frost terrarium of ferns,

conifers and feathers,

a clean, white computer screen

with only your name on it,

and just hang out in this slow miracle.

This poem was published first in Home for the Holidays, by Papier Mache Press, and reprinted in Slow Miracle, published by Lake Shore Publishing.

Christine Swanberg is a local author and poet. She received the Lawrence E. Gloyd Community Impact Award at the 2012 Rockford Area Arts Council State of the Arts Awards. Her books include Who Walks Among the Trees with Charity (Wind Publishing, Kentucky), The Red Lacquer Room (Chiron Publishing, Kansas), The Tenderness of Memory (Plainview Press, Texas), Slow Miracle (Lakeshore Publishing, Illinois), Invisible String (Erie St., Illinois), Bread Upon the Waters (Windfall, Wisconsin) and Tonight on this Late Road (Erie St., Illinois).

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Literary Hook, Vibe Entertainment, Vibe Entertainment News | No Comments »

Rockford students sought for February production of ‘101 Dalmations Junior’

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Staff Report

Rockford Auburn Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) High School is joining forces with Rockford West CAPA Middle School to produce Disney’s 101 Dalmatians Junior.

Auburn CAPA High School is looking for 101 Rockford Public School students who love theater and black-and-white spots for the combined production of Disney’s 101 Dalmatians Junior.

Auditions will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Monday, Dec. 10, at the Auburn High School theater, 5110 Auburn St., Rockford; and from 4 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 11, at the West Middle School theater, 1900 N. Rockton Ave., Rockford.

Auditions will consist of evaluating the singing, dancing and acting ability of auditioners.

With stage direction by James L. Crow, technical direction by Brandon Severing and musical direction by Charles Matlock, performances of 101 Dalmations Junior are set for 7 p.m., Thursday and Friday, Feb. 7-8; 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 9; and 2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 10.

From the Dec. 5-11, 2012, issue

Posted in Theater, Vibe Entertainment, Vibe Entertainment News | No Comments »