Aldeen Men’s Golf Association will hold its annual free “Take Aim at Your Health” wellness night from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 12, at Rockford Park District’s Aldeen Golf Club and Practice Centre, 1902 Reid Farm Road, Rockford.

The event, held at the Practice Centre facility, is an evening of fun, health and wellness information designed to improve play both on and off the course.

In addition to wellness screenings, testings and assessments, chair massages and numerous golf-related activities and events are scheduled, including a Practice Centre special, golf tips from the pros, golf club fitting, video swing analysis, equipment evaluation and launch monitor.

Refreshments will be available, and there will be a prize drawing for a four-course Rockford Park District season golf permit for those who visit all wellness stations at the event.

For more about accessibility for golfers and others with disabilities, call (815) 987-8800. For more about the wellness night, call Aldeen Golf Club at (815) 987-1673. To learn more about Aldeen Golf Club and Practice Centre, visit www.aldeengolfclub.com.

From the May 23-29, 2012, issue

FORT ATKINSON, Wis. — Fireside Dinner Theatre is proud to be the first professional theater in the area to produce the hit Broadway musical Legally Blonde, which opened May 10 and runs through July 1.

Scores of folks have been enchanted by the merry misadventures of Harvard’s most unlikely (and most glamorous) law student. Legally Blonde, based on the novel by Amanda Brown and depicted on the big screen in the MGM motion picture, was one of the most popular movies of the last decade.

Every show comes with a fine dining experience, access to several boutique shops right at The Fireside, and free and convenient parking, providing family entertainment value that is hard to beat.

For information about showtimes, menus and tickets, or to reserve seats, call 800-477-9505 or visit www.firesidetheatre.com.

Since 1964, The Fireside Dinner Theatre in Fort Atkinson, Wis., has been the premiere entertainment destination in the Midwest for superb musicals featuring Broadway performers, fine dining, and boutique shops in a one-of-a-kind setting.

Consistently named as a top destination for travel tours across the United States, The Fireside is owned by the Klopcic family, who were awarded the distinction of “America’s Best Restaurant Family” by Jones Dairy Farm and the Culinary Institute of America in 2006.

The theater is at 1131 Janesville Ave., Fort Atkinson, Wis.

From the May 23-29, 2012, issue

R.I.P. Productions will present the “Haunted Slumber Camp Massacre” Friday and Saturday, July 13-14, in Rockford.

The event will feature interactive haunted house workshops, “Gorification” (featuring gruesome gore, airbrushing techniques, and hands-on demonstrations), “The Scarezone” (featuring character development and scare techniques), “Chiller Theatre” featuring Friday the 13th slasher movies, and “Frights, Camera, Action” where you become the horror star in a slasher flick.

“Haunted Slumber Camp Massacre” will begin at 5:30 p.m., Friday, July 13, and run through 11 p.m., Saturday, July 14.

The camp is open to haunted attraction actors, owners/operators and anyone interested in attending (must be 16 years of age or older). Cost is $35 per person, which includes transportation on the “Camp Massacre Bus” (mandatory), workshops and supplies. Visit trailofscreams.com/events for information or a registration form, or call (815) 965-6772. Attendance is limited to the first 50 victims, and registration deadline is July 1.

R.I.P. Productions has been hosting, organizing and facilitating seminars for haunt owners and actors throughout Illinois and Wisconsin since 2005.

Each year since 2002, R.I.P. has brought total fear and mayhem to northern Illinois with the Trail of Screams, Screamatorium Haunted House and Fear Asylum Haunted House. The group strives to continuously stay on the cutting edge of the entertainment industry, utilizing digital technology, Hollywood-quality props and prosthetics, hosting guest appearances by professional horror film actors and providing quality, professionalism and entertainment value to every patron.

The 2012 Fear Asylum Haunted House will open Friday, Oct. 5, at the Belvidere Park District William Grady Pool. (Because of the intense nature of the event, parental guidance is strongly recommended). For additional information, the public is encouraged to call (815) 965-6772 or visit www.trailofscreams.com.

From the May 23-29, 2012, issue

The following five organizations received grant funds from the Mill Foundation at a news conference May 18.

Big Brothers Big Sisters: $16,000

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) has been the leader in one-to-one youth service for more than a century and has been present in the Rockford area since 1956.

Positive relationships are developed through community-based, one-to-one mentoring. These relationships have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of these young people. They feel heard, understood, supported and encouraged to reach their full potential.

BBBS serves children between the ages of 6 and 18 in Winnebago and Boone counties. In addition to coordinating individual mentorships, the organization also provides school-based mentoring at Summerdale Early Childhood Center, Washington Elementary School (Belvidere) and Rockford Jefferson High School.

Visit www.rockfordymca.org/bbbs.

Grant use

The money provided by the Mill Foundation will serve up to 100 additional youth and will be specifically focused on those who have at least one parent incarcerated. More than 35,000 children in Illinois have an incarcerated parent and are living below federal poverty guidelines. These children tend to do poorly in school and are very likely to engage in criminal activity. This perpetuates a cycle of failure within the dysfunctional family structure.

Having a mentor in these children’s lives will improve their relationship interactions and help them to do better in school so they can be more successful in life and break that cycle of crime and poverty that so many of them face. In addition to one-to-one mentoring, Big Brothers Big Sisters will offer services such as counseling; parent, child and volunteer support groups; and specialized training for families and volunteers, as appropriate.

Winnebago County CASA: $10,000

CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates. Winnebago County CASA is a nonprofit, volunteer-based organization that advocates for abused and neglected children within the Juvenile Court system. Trained volunteers are appointed by a judge to represent the best interests of children in the abuse and neglect court.

CASA ensures children are visited at least monthly, and that their needs, desires and circumstances are reported to the court at every scheduled hearing.

CASA volunteers stay with each case until the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. For many abused children, their CASA volunteer will be the one constant adult presence.

Visit www.winnebagocountycasa.org.

Grant use

Approximately 1,200 open cases exist in Winnebago County Juvenile Abuse/Neglect Court, and CASA is able to serve only 30 percent of that need. Also, many of the children served by CASA come from a diverse range of cultures and backgrounds and would benefit from having an advocate who better understands that culture.

Funding from the Mill Foundation will go toward the recruitment of volunteer advocates reflecting the diversity of the children CASA serves. Communities throughout Winnebago County will be targeted through organizations and churches, as well as outdoor and television advertising. Funds will also cover the 35 hours of training volunteers must complete before becoming advocates.

Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois: $10,000

Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois (GSNI) was formed Oct. 1, 2009, through the merger of four Girl Scout councils from Rockford, Freeport, Sugar Grove and Elgin.

GSNI now serves 16 counties in northern Illinois stretching from Galena to the west, Rockford to the north, Dixon/Sterling to the south and Aurora to the east. GSNI is now able to offer expanded programs and experiences for girls to provide the tools they need to be successful leaders now and throughout their lives.

Visit www.girlscoutsni.org.

Grant use

Rockford has a long history of teen violence, and crime and bullying among girls is on the rise nationwide. The funds received from the Mill Foundation will be used to support violence prevention programs.

Blackhawk Area Council, Boy Scouts of America: $7,500

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is one of the nation’s largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship and develops personal fitness.

The mission of the Blackhawk Area Council is to positively change the lives of those served with membership opportunities in quality programs of character and leadership development.

The council serves approximately 18,000 youth across the counties of Boone, Jo Daviess, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside and Winnebago in Illinois and Grant, Green and LaFayette counties in Wisconsin.

Visit www.blackhawkscouting.org.

Grant use

Thousands of youth in the Rockford area are considered to be at-risk because of their environments. Crime is high, income is low and these youth are exposed to drugs, gang activity, crime and hunger on a daily basis.

Many of the common conditions these children live with make it difficult to conduct traditional Scouting programs for them. Recruiting adult leaders was also very difficult, and so, in 2000, the Blackhawk Area Council began to implement the Scoutreach Urban Scouting program.

The Scoutreach program addresses the six critical elements of healthy youth development: personal character, sense of self-worth, caring relationships with peer groups and adults, desire to learn, productive use of time and social adeptness.

The program instills the same values as traditional scouting, but allows for paid leadership positions, as opposed to the traditional volunteer positions.

Special assistance is also given to those individuals who can’t afford the necessary supplies to participate in the Boy Scout program.

In its first year, Scoutreach served 1,200 youth and has grown to serve approximately 2,100. With the funds from the Mill Foundation, the council hopes to expand that number to 2,500.

Rockford Day Nursery Early Learning Center: $1,472

The Rockford Day Nursery provides quality care and education for young children ages 6 weeks to 12 years whose parents are employed or involved in work-related training.

Students are involved in developmentally appropriate learning activities during the day and learn self-care routines, how to make healthy choices, and social and problem-solving skills.

Children receive breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks. Children in the before- and after-school program are given help with homework during school and skills retention and enhancement during the summer.

Grant use

Standards for infant cribs have changed significantly, and the Rockford Day Nursery must replace all the cribs they use with those that are more durable and meet the new guidelines. Funds from the Mill Foundation will go toward purchasing those new cribs.

From the May 23-29, 2012, issue

EAST TROY, Wis. — Beginning Memorial Day weekend, the East Troy Electric Railroad will celebrate 105 years of riding the rails through southeast Wisconsin’s Kettle Moraine countryside.

This not-for-profit railroad continues to be operated and managed by a legion of volunteers committed to the operation and preservation of historic trolleys and interurban railcars.

In East Troy, Wis., 20 minutes from the resort area of Lake Geneva, Wis., the East Troy Electric Railroad operates 10-mile round-trip excursions from its historic depot and museum to the turn-of-the-century-styled terminal at the renowned Elegant Farmer in Mukwonago, Wis.

The railroad and adjoining museum are home to more than 20 rail treasures, including open cars, locomotives, streetcars and interurban coaches.

The railroad also operates the only electric interurban dining car train in North America, recreating the luxury that patrons once enjoyed when life seemed to pass by a little slower.

“The East Troy Electric Railroad allows visitors to seemingly step back in time and ride the rails aboard a variety of environmentally friendly, magnificent rail treasures,” said Chuck Damaske, president of the East Troy Electric Railroad. “These are the same trolleys and coaches that once whisked travelers through the country connecting towns and cities, as well as operating in major metropolitan areas including Chicago, Milwaukee and Minneapolis.”

The railroad is planning several special events commemorating its 105th anniversary, including two weekends featuring stately trolleys that once serviced the cities of Chicago and Milwaukee. A variety of rail treasures will be featured during the events, including cars from the Chicago South Shore & South Bend Line and Chicago’s workhorse “L” cars that debuted in the 1920s, as well as a rare trolley built for the Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Company in 1920 and a lavish interurban trolley from 1908 originally manufactured for the Sheboygan Light Power & Railway.

All special events are included in the daily unlimited ride fare: $12.50 for adults; $10.50 for seniors; $8 for children ages 3-11; children younger than 3 are free. For additional information, visit www.easttroyrr.org.

The 2012 East Troy Electric Railroad summer events calendar includes the following:

• Railfan Weekend, June 23-24 — From a 1907 maintenance trolley that responded to railway emergencies by parent Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light Company to a meticulously restored double-truck streetcar that once served as a storage shed, the entire collection of the East Troy Electric Railroad will be on display during Railfan Weekend. Visitors will have the opportunity to ride on a number of trolleys and interurban coaches, and examine the cars awaiting restoration. This weekend is a must-see for train aficionados of all ages.

• South Shore Days, July 28-29 — The historic Pullman-built cars of the famed Chicago South Shore & South Bend Railroad will be on display and ferrying passengers from the railroad’s historic depot and museum to the turn-of-the-century-styled terminal at the renowned Elegant Farmer. The iconic cars high-arching steel-panel ceiling and frosted-glass pendant light fixtures give the grand feeling of a spacious car, while the leatherette semi-bucket seats, mounted on swivel pedestals to allow forward-facing seating, were the last word in electric line luxury. Tours of the car barn, housing restored coaches and cars undergoing restoration, will also be featured during South Shore Days.

• Chicago Days, Aug. 25-26 — Celebrate Chicago’s railway history during Chicago Days as the East Troy Electric Railroad features its collection of rapid transit cars that once whisked people around Chicago and its suburbs. Riders of Chicago’s “L” line prior to 1970 will remember the iconic 4000-series cars with its interesting interiors, old-time light fixtures, walkover leatherette seats and “bowling alley” seating at the ends. The historic Pullman-built cars of the famed Chicago South Shore & South Bend Railroad will also be running the rails during the weekend, ferrying passengers from the railroad’s historic depot and museum to the turn-of-the-century-styled terminal at the renowned Elegant Farmer. Tours of the car barn, housing restored coaches and cars undergoing restoration, will also be featured during Chicago Days.

• Milwaukee Days, Sept. 29-30 — Home to the only remaining streetcar from the Milwaukee transit system still running the rails today, the East Troy Electric Railroad celebrates Milwaukee’s rich railcar history during Milwaukee Days. Joining the 1920-built streetcar, which once whisked residents from the greater Milwaukee area to the ballpark and shopping centers, is a 1907 line car equipped to respond to trolley emergencies. Also featured during the weekend is L8, a stately locomotive built in 1935 that once provided track maintenance, brush-cutting services and was fitted with a snow plow to keep the tracks clear for line maintenance and freight service. Tours of the car barn, housing restored coaches and cars undergoing restoration, will also be featured during Milwaukee Days.

East Troy Electric Railroad

The East Troy Electric Railroad is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization run by volunteers committed to the operation and preservation of historic trolleys and interurban railcars. All proceeds and sales benefit the education and preservation work of this museum. The railroad operates Memorial Day through October. For information about the East Troy Electric Railroad, visit www.easttroyrr.org or call (262) 642-3263.

From the May 23-29, 2012, issue

URBANA, Ill. — Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has already emerged this year. To determine if a tree has been attacked, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Martha Smith suggests the following steps.

First, identify the tree. EAB attacks only members of the Fraxinus genus, or true ash. On true ashes, buds, leaves, and branches form directly opposite one another on the twig or branch. If they do not, the tree is not a true ash and the EAB cannot attack it.

The most common types of ash in Illinois are green, white, blue, black and pumpkin ash. Some names are misleading — for example, mountain ash is not a true ash. It is a member of the Sorbus genus, and cannot be attacked by EAB.

Second, start to look for signs of decline, starting in the upper third of the tree canopy. If the tree looks unhealthy, look for D-shaped holes about the size of a BB. Anything round or larger has not been caused by EAB.

If bark on the trunk is splitting, lift it and look underneath. Snake-like tunneling under the bark may indicate the presence of EAB. Young sprout growth clustered at the base of the tree may also indicate EAB.

University of Illinois Extension has a checklist that can be used for identifying the tree and determining if EAB is present. The checklist is available for downloading at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/hmrs/. The document is also available from local U of I Extension offices. Because of the volume of contacts, U of I Extension will not conduct site visits.

From the May 23-29, 2012, issue

The submarine crew on Last Resort, the new ABC drama from Rockford's own Shawn Ryan.

By Paula Hendrickson
Contributing Writer

It’s that time of year again when most of us are watching season (and series) finales of our favorite network shows as the broadcast networks take over much of mid-town Manhattan to trot out the stars and producers of next fall’s new and returning series. While it would be fascinating to attend upfronts at least once, I’m actually kind of glad I can stay home and keep track of events by following some of my editors and other industry insiders on Twitter.

Plenty of shows will be returning, others won’t. Some renewals have people scratching their heads: why did the critically panned NBC sitcom Whitney merit a pick-up when the critically acclaimed Awake was canceled? Timeslots. Whitney benefited from a good lead-in and a decent timeslot, while Awake was stuck in a tough timeslot. Also gone? CSI: Miami.

Thirteen-episode orders seem to abound this year. NBC is bringing 30 Rock back for a final 13-epsiode season. While it was expected next season would be the last for 30 Rock, two “bubble” shows I really like narrowly escaped cancelation with 13-epsiode orders. Fox’s Fringe got an order for a 13-episode fifth and final season, and Community — which has the misfortune of airing opposite The Big Bang Theory — was renewed for another 13 episodes, and is slated to move to Fridays. (History indicates fall schedules announced at upfronts are likely to be tweaked over the summer, but the quirky Community might have better odds with a Friday night “death slot” than against a behemoth like Big Bang.)

Fox is building a Tuesday night comedy block, so it’s moving Glee to Thursdays, opposite Grey’s Anatomy and NBC’s comedy lineup. Fox’s Tuesdays will include New Girl, Raising Hope, Ben and Kate (a sitcom starring Dakota Johnson, daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson) and a highly anticipated new sitcom from The Office’s Mindy Kaling (where she plays Kelly Kapoor and serves as a writer-producer of The Office).

A couple new shows I’m excited about couldn’t be any different from each other: ABC’s Last Resort, a pilot from Rockford’s own Shawn Ryan, starring the brilliant Andre Braugher (Homicide: Life on the Street, Men of a Certain Age), and an NBC series that I’m really interested in: Mockingbird Lane, a total re-imagining of The Munsters, with Eddie Izzard as Grandpa Munster.

As the network schedules are being unveiled, TV fans are already planning strategies for watching and recording all of their favorite shows. It gets difficult when three or more programs air at the same time, but thankfully we live in a time when you can watch most TV series online or On Demand the same week they air. Finding the time to see everything you want to watch is the real challenge.

If you want to follow the latest upfront news, go to Twitter and enter the hashtag #upfronts.

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

From the May 16-22, 2012, issue

PECATONICA, Ill. — Pec Playhouse Theatre in Pecatonica, Ill., is in search of several African-American male and female actors to complete its cast of To Kill A Mockingbird, set for June 15-July 1.

The following roles are available:

Tom Robinson, male, 25-40 years old — An African-American, Robinson faces up to the false charges against him with quiet dignity — there is an undercurrent in him of kindness, sensitivity and compassion.

Calpurnia, female, 35-60 years old — An African-American, Cal is the Finch family’s no-nonsense cook and housekeeper. She is black, proud and very capable.

Reverend Sykes, male, 40-70 years old — An African-American, he serves as the Reverend for the First Purchase African Church — an imposing gentleman with a strong stage presence.

Helen Robinson, female, 25-40 years old — An African-American, Tom’s wife, and mother of their three children, Helen Robinson is half numb from the shock of the false charges against her husband — someone who is living her worst nightmare.

Pec Playhouse Theatre is at 314 N. Main St., Pecatonica, Ill. For information, call (815) 239-1210 or call the director, Anita, at (815) 209-6275. Pec Playhouse is online at pecplayhouse.org.

From the May 16-22, 2012, issue

Annual Winnebago County real estate property tax bills for the year 2011, payable in 2012, will be received in the mail by homeowners, businesses and farms beginning May 11, 2012. The property tax is divided into two equal installments, with due dates of June 15 and Sept. 7, 2012.

Tax payments can be made at the Winnebago County Treasurer’s Office, by mail or online at the County Treasurer’s website, www.winnebagotreasurer.com. Payments can also be made at many local banks and credit unions after the bill has been received.

There are two options for payment at the online website: E-check, where tax payments are automatically withdrawn from your checking account. This is a free service provided by Harris Bank, and you do not have to have an account with Harris to use it. Illinois E-Pay, offered by the State of Illinois, accepts credit card payments using MasterCard, American Express and Didsover and credit or debit using VISA. There is a $3.95 convenience fee for using VISA debit, and a convenience fee using a sliding scale based upon the amount of taxes being charged for crdit. Payment through E-Pay can also be made by calling 1-877-690-3729, and enter four digit code – 4070 – for Winnebago County. Please note: This is a new toll-free number this year. The convenience fee is charged through the E-Pay Program; it is not charged or collected by the Winnebago County Treasurer’s Office. Discover Card is the only credit card accepted when paying in person at the Treasurer’s Office. There is also a convenience fee for use of this card for payment in this office. Payments can also be made at many local banks and credit unions after the bill has been received. Tax payment stubs or computer-generated copy of your bill will be required with payments made at banks.

Any property owner who does not receive a tax bill by June 1, 2012, should call the Treasurer’s Office at (815) 329-4400 and ask for a duplicate bill or log onto the Treasurer’s website at www.winnebagotreasurer.com to print a copy. If you have a new address and do not receive a tax bill, and you have not changed your mailing address at the Treasurer’s Office, call (815) 319-4400 to make arrangements to have a form mailed to you, or go to the above website and print out a change form. Changing your address at the post office will NOT change your mailing address for tax bills. Failure to receive the tax bill does not void the tax or prevent the addition of penalties and costs if they become delinquent. The penalty for late payment is 1.5 percent per month.

Taxpayers can receive automatic e-mail reminders about property tax bills and tax sales. Reminders will be sent approximately one week before both first and second installment due dates and again before the tax sale. Taxpayers must register for this service through the Winnebago County Treasurer’s website at www.winnebagotreasurer.com.

From the May 16-22, 2012

Riverside Community Bank launched a Pink Ribbon Debit Card May 8 with a portion of the proceeds from the card to benefit Crusader Community Health.

Gina Caruana, Riverside Community Bank’s vice president/retail manager, explained: “It is estimated that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. More than 200,000 will be diagnosed this year. The good news is that when breast cancer is detected in the early, localized stage, the five-year survival rate is 98 percent. Riverside Community Bank wants to help give every woman in the Rockford community access to the tests and screenings that can save lives.”

Joan, a Crusader Women’s Center patient, is one such woman whose early screening may have saved her life. Joan was already utilizing Crusader’s services for previous medical issues when a clinical breast exam discovered several masses in one of her breasts. She was able to receive a mammogram and surgical biopsy was performed. Thankfully, the results showed no cancer.

“Being aware of what’s going on in my body is a tremendous asset to my future health,” said Joan. “Knowing that the resources at Crusader are available to help me stay healthy is invaluable.”

When Riverside Community Bank’s Pink Ribbon debit card is used for signature-required, credit transactions, a portion of the fees collected will benefit the Crusader Community Health Women’s Center, where women can receive clinical breast exams and preventive care at an affordable cost. The money will help increase access for low-income women who are eligible for Crusader Community Health’s sliding fee scale.

Nancy Halverson, chief quality officer for Crusader Community Health said: “The lack of access for these preventative services is demonstrated by a waiting list of more than 200 women for the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program coordinated by the Winnebago County Health Department. That program provides our low-income female patients with the breast exams they need.”

Crusader Community Health is one of 1,200 community health care clinics in the country. Last year through its four locations, it served 44,684 local residents, many of whom were women and children. Crusader’s mission is to provide high-quality health care for all patients, regardless of their ability to pay. Visit www.crusaderhealth.org for more information.

From the May 16-22, 2012, issue

PECATONICA, Ill. — The 17th Annual Crooked River 5K Walk/Run & Kids’ Fun Run to benefit the Pecatonica Library starts with registration and shirt/bib pickup at 6:30 a.m., Saturday, May 26, at the library, 400 W. 11th St., Pecatonica, Ill.

Day-of registration is from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m., with race starting at 8 a.m. and the Kids’ Fun Run (approximately 1/2 mile) starting at 9 a.m. Kids’ Fun Run is for ages 0-9. The 5K Walk/Run starts and finishes near the library.

Preregistration for the 5K is $20 and $10 for the Kids’ Fun Run by Thursday, May 24. Day of registration is $25 for the 5K and $15 for the Fun Run. Registration includes a moisture management shirt (cotton shirt for Kids’ Fun Run), post-walk/run refreshments, door prizes and awards.

The walk/run is a timed event with awards going to overall top male and female finisher, as well as first-, second- and third-place finishers in male and female age brackets 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, etc.

Registration forms are available at the Pecatonica Library, 400 W. 11th St., Pecatonica, Ill. Downloadable registration forms are available at www.pecatonicalibrary.com. Online registration is also available at Active.com (search for Crooked River 5K).

The Crooked River Walk/Run had raised more than $22,000 to help support the Pecatonica Library.

For more information, call (815) 482-3610 or e-mail crookedriverracedirector@gmail.com.

From the May 16-22, 2012, issue

LOVES PARK, Ill. — Rock Valley College (RVC) Head Coach Kevin Vest has been added to the RiverHawks’ staff for the 2012 season.

Adding Vest to the staff builds on the relationship between the RiverHawks and the RVC baseball program as RiverHawks Manager Rich Austin has served as an assistant coach on Vest’s staff at RVC and RiverHawks pitcher Brett Scarpetta has spent the past two springs as RVC’s pitching coach. In addition to helping with instruction, RVC played a handful of their home games at RiverHawks Stadium this season.

A Galesburg, Ill., native, Vest was a four-year letter-winner and All-Midwest Conference performer as a catcher at Illinois College in Jacksonville, Ill. Following his playing career, he spent two years as an assistant coach at his alma mater assisting Head Coach Ed Puck. Vest was responsible for coaching hitters and catchers during his two seasons on the Blueboys’ staff.

Vest is also active as a camp instructor for a number of organizations throughout the country and is a member of several coaching associations. The RVC skipper has served as a camp instructor at places such as the University of Illinois, Mississippi State University, Springfield College of Illinois, Mickey Owen Baseball School, and Coast to Coast Baseball. He is also a member of the American Baseball Coaches Association.

The RiverHawks are members of the Frontier League, an independent professional baseball league that will play its 20th season in 2012. The RiverHawks open their 11th season May 18 at River City. The home-opener is scheduled for 7:05 p.m., May 25, against Lake Erie. Advertising and season-ticket information is available by calling (815) 885-2255. Fans can also visit www.rockfordriverhawks.com.

From the May 16-22, 2012, issue

Letter carriers at the Rockford Post Office will “Stamp Out Hunger” Saturday, May 12, when the annual food drive celebrates its 20th year. On that day, letter carriers will collect non-perishable food donations from homes as they deliver mail along their routes.

The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Food Drive — held in conjunction with the Postal Service — is the largest one-day food drive in the nation. This joint effort will help feed families in all 50 states.

Last year, 70.4 million pounds of food was collected across the country, resulting in more than 1 billion pounds of food collected since the drive began 20 years ago.

Closer to home, letter carriers at the Rockford Post Office and its surrounding branches are getting ready for this year’s event and hoping to exceed last year’s total of 72,000 pounds of food collected.

“With the commitment of our employees and the support of community, we’re excited to participate in this year’s food drive,” said Rockford Postmaster Ron Calloway. “We’re asking everyone throughout the community to help us make this the most successful food drive in its 20-year history. Leaving a donation is as simple as leaving a bag of non-perishable food by your mailbox.”

To participate in the 20th Stamp Out Hunger food drive, people are encouraged to leave a sturdy bag containing non-perishable foods, such as canned soup, canned vegetables, pasta, rice or cereal next to their mailbox prior to the time of regular mail delivery Saturday, May 12.

Rockford letter carriers will collect these food donations as they deliver the mail and take them to the local food bank.

“Many families are struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table during these challenging economic times,” said Calloway. “Food banks, pantries and shelters need our help as more families count on them for support.”

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

From the May 9-15, 2012, issue

National Police Week is May 13-19, 2012, and it is designated to honor the memory of all law enforcement officers who have given their lives in the line of duty. Locally. the Rockford Police Department is celebrating May 15-20. The following events are scheduled:

Blue Ribbon Campaign: During National Police Week C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors), Inc. encourages the display of blue ribbons on car antennas. Law enforcement personnel are encouraged to tie blue ribbons to squad car antennas. Citizens are encouraged to tie blue ribbons to their car antennas. These blue ribbons are a visible reminder of law enforcement personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifice and in honor of those men and women who serve their communities 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year in and year out.

The Northern Illinois Police Memorial Service: to honor all Winnebago County law enforcement officers who have given their lives in the line of duty will take place at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 17, at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 2400 Bell Ave., Rockford.

The Law Enforcement Display: at CherryVale Mall begins Friday, May 18 through Sunday, May 20, during regular mall hours. Representatives from many Northern Illinois law enforcement agencies put on a display of law enforcement vehicles and other materials.

Rockford Police Open House: from 5-7 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday, May 15 and 16, at the Public Safety Building, 420 W. State St.

Tours will provide an opportunity for our community to see the inner workings of our police department. Information on Community Policing Programs will be available and show how you can partner in reducing crime and making Rockford a safe community. Tours will include viewing several different operating vehicles, Command Video Surveillance Room, Firing Range, Roll Call Room and Shift Commander’s Office. Demonstrations by the K-9 and Bomb units will also be conducted.

Rockford Police Fallen Officers Memorial Tributes: Tuesday, May 15, at 4 p.m., Chief Epperson and Police and Fire Head Chaplain Father Ken Stachyra will dedicate memorials to Rockford’s six fallen officers. This ceremony will take place in the Public Safety building’s Classroom A&B.

Rockford Police Citizen’s Police Academy Graduation: The 7th Citizen’s Police Academy class will graduate at 6 p.m., Wednesday, May 16, in Classroom A&B. Please join Chief Epperson and guests to congratulate these citizens.

Please try to participate in one or all of these special events to honor our police officers. For more information, contact Lt. Patrick Hoey at (815) 987-5744 or e-mail Patrick.hoey@rockfordil.gov.

Rockford Police Department deaths in the line of duty: Lorenzo J. Gillogly, 10/12/1917; Frank Cichella, 2/24/1927; Arthur H. Bassett, 9/22/1927; Charles J. Williams, 6/1/1972; Randall A. Blank, 12/31/1980; Kevin D. Rice, 8/3/2001. May this list never grow!

From the May 9-15, 2012, issue

Mayor Morrissey and his wife Stacy welcomed the latest addition to their family at 8:12 a.m., Tuesday, May 7. Their baby boy weighed in at 8 pounds, 9 ounces and is 20 3/4 inches long.

The Morrisseys had some setbacks and a scare that morning when complications were experienced by mother and baby during and after the delivery. The family is happy to report that Stacy is now doing fine, but their new baby boy will likely remain in the Neonatal ICU for at least two days.

“We are so proud of our new baby,” Mayor Morrissey said. “We’ve been through a lot over the years, and it’s been a long day. We’re so happy that our little guy is doing better this afternoon. He had initial distress but is making good progress. We expect him to recover fully, but we appreciate the continued prayers for our baby. God continues to bless us, and we are so grateful for the love and support we have received.”

Mayor Morissey was to remain at the bedside of his wife and newborn child during, but he continues regular contact with the Mayor’s Office.

“We are waiting to name our boy until Mom and Dad are able to spend a few minutes together with him,” added Mayor Morrissey.

From the May 9-15, 2012, issue

Kantorei, The Singing Boys of Rockford, will perform a Spring Concert at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 15, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 3300 Rural St., Rockford.

Tickets in advance are $15 for adults and $10 for students, or $18 for adults and $12 for students at the door.

Acclaimed for their musical discipline, sensitivity and well-rounded programming, Kantorei represents the finest tradition of boy choirs. Under the musical direction of Joel Ross, Bradley Koloch and Trudy Anderson, the choir will present a varied program including music of praise, promise and peace; folk and world music; and audience favorites from stage, screen and yesteryear.

Celebrating its 48th anniversary, Kantorei offers boys and young men ages 7 to 18 an outstanding musical education while providing opportunities for personal growth. The choir has delighted audiences locally, nationally and throughout the world in prestigious choral festivals and concert tours of Europe, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and Brazil.

This summer, the choir will compete in the World Choir Games, an event attended by 250 of the finest choirs from around the globe. Kantorei has released six compact disc recordings showcasing the boys’ talents in a diverse repertoire. The choir recruits new members on an ongoing basis, and financial assistance is available.

For more information, call (815) 963-2544 or visit www.kantorei.com.

From the May 9-15, 2012, issue

The Land of Lincoln Theatre Organ Society will offer a tour of Rockford’s historic Coronado Theatre beginning at 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 15. Reservations are required by calling (815) 968-2722, ext. 17. Cost is $7.

The tour lasts approximately an hour-and-a-half and includes Coronado’s Grande Barton Theatre Organ; Atmospheric Show; organ chamber; Van Matre — Owner’s Apartment, circa 1927; stars’ dressing rooms; chorus dressing rooms; on stage and under the stage; and audience chamber and public areas in the theater.

The Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, is a 2,400-seat theater that was designed by architect Frederick J. Klein. The theater cost $1.5 million to construct and opened Oct. 9, 1927.

The theater was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. In 2010, the Coronado was voted the “No. 1 Architectural Wonder of the United States” in an AOL/U.S. Travel Association poll.

The Coronado has played host to both movies and live stage shows. Such famous acts as Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Bob Hope, Sammy Davis Jr. and Milton Berle appeared at the Coronado. During his 1960 campaign for president, John F. Kennedy made a stop at the theater.

From the May 9-15, 2012, issue

Paul Hornick, owner of Red Mango, and his wife, Betsy, along with Steve Shannon of 97ZOK. (Photo provided)

Staff Report

Anderson Packaging Inc.’s Tracy Barr Project E.L.L.F. (Enriching the Lives of the Less Fortunate) typically kicks off their annual fund-raising event in November. But this year, Christmas came a little early for the program with their first donation being received in April.

Red Mango of Machesney Park held its grand-opening event Saturday, April 9, and gave away free frozen yogurt to more than 900 people who attended. In return, Red Mango asked visitors to consider donating to Project E.L.L.F.

The customers reached into their pockets and dropped in change and dollars totaling $650 in cash. The owner of Red Mango, Paul Hornick, and his wife, Betsy Hornick, decided to match those donations, bringing the total to $1,300.

“The reason we chose Project E.L.L.F. is because they have raised over $325,000 in donations for the Rockford Rescue Mission, the Red Cross Homeless Shelter, Rockford Meld, The Rock River Valley Food Pantry and others,” said Paul Hornick. “For the first few years after they started this foundation at Anderson Packaging Inc. in

A line of guests waiting for free frozen yogurt at the grand opening. (Photo provided)

2007, Anderson actually matched dollar for dollar what donations their employees raised. Last year, the employees brought in a whopping $61,000, and Anderson Packaging Inc. still matched $50,000 of that, which is pretty incredible.”

Hornick also noted: “From the $650 Red Mango guests donated at our grand opening, along with our match of an additional $650 and Anderson’s generous matching efforts, we could put $2,600 back into the community for much-needed services. All this from making people smile with free yogurt is pretty great.”

Red Mango opened its second area location at 1093 W. Lane Road, Machesney Park, April 9. Its other location is at 6876 Spring Creek Road, Rockford.

Red Mango offers 40 flavors of all-natural, nonfat frozen yogurt, including the company’s core flavors, all at around 100 calories per serving.

The company’s signature product, which is rich in probiotics, low in calories, nonfat, kosher and gluten-free, has been the foundation for a popular menu that now includes 20 varieties of fresh fruit smoothies, made-to-order fruit parfaits, hot

Mike Church, Red Mango Machesney Park manager, with Jeff Craig, winner of the iPad given away during the grand opening. (Photo provided)

chocolate and all-natural probiotic iced teas.

From the May 9-15, 2012, issue

At the April 24 Rockford Park District Board of Commissioners meeting, the board received an initial report about creating a new mountain bike trail system.

The bike trail would be at Anna Page Park, 3102 N. Springfield Ave., Rockford and Lockwood Park, 5201 Safford Road, Rockford.

The Rockford Park District has been working with Rock Cut Trail Crew to develop a comprehensive trail system for mountain bikers, hikers and snowshoers.

The new trail concept would complement existing equestrian trail activities, and encompass 5 miles of connecting trails that would wind through two parks.

The first and second phases (Trails 1 and 2) are brand-new multi-use trails set to open in spring and summer of this year. Depending on the success of Trail 1 and Trail 2, future phases may be added.

The Rockford Park District will work with existing horse and snowmobile clubs about future partnerships and collaboration. The Rockford Park District natural areas maintenance coordinator will assist the club with the trail development to ensure the park’s ecological areas are preserved. The Rock Cut Trail Crew will help develop and maintain the trail system, and will also be donating the trail markers. The club manages trail systems at Rock Cut State Park and Espenscheid Forest Preserve.

From the May 2-8, 2012, issue

Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois (GSNI) is casting local girls, ages 11-16, for roles in its upcoming rock opera video.

The organization is looking for girls with backgrounds in music, theater or dance. Interested girls should e-mail pr@girlscoutsni.org with “Audition” in the subject line. In-person auditions will be held in May with a video shoot in June.

Auditions are open to all girls, not just Girl Scouts. If selected for a role, girls will be expected to attend all rehearsals and video-recording sessions and register as a Girl Scout to perform.

Girls appearing in the video will receive Girl Scout program opportunities and have the opportunity to participate in a Girl Scout Journey Series.

GSNI is working with nationally renowned videographers at Comtech Corporation to produce the video with hopes of raising national awareness to stop bullying through the acceptance and friendship found in the Girl Scout Movement. Comtech Corporation information is available at www.comtechcorporation.com.

GSNI serves nearly 20,000 girls and 6,000 adult volunteers in parts or all of Boone, Carroll, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Jo Daviess, Kane, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside and Winnebago counties.

For more information, visit www.girlscoutsni.org or call 1-800-242-5591.

From the May 2-8, 2012, issue

For over a decade, Rockford’s Burpee Museum of Natural History has been conducting paleontological groundbreaking field work in the Western United States. This exciting chapter in Burpee’s history has led to major discoveries such as Jane, the world’s most complete juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex; Homer and the first Triceratops bone bed; and one of the largest dinosaur graveyards found in the last 40 years, the Hanksville-Burpee Quarry.

Burpee’s expedition leader, Scott Williams, will take you back to the initial discoveries, reconstruct the paleoenvironments of the late Jurassic and latest Cretaceous time periods, update you with Burpee’s ongoing research, and introduce you to the most recent research during a lecture at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 6.

The lecture is free to members, free with paid admission to the museum or $5 for the lecture only. Offsite parking is available at Stepping Stones.

Williams is the director of Exhibits and Science at Burpee Museum. He grew up in Stillman Valley, Ill., and graduated from Stillman Valley High School and later from Rock Valley College.

Williams has always had an interest in natural history, specifically paleontology. As a young man, he volunteered at Burpee Museum under former Director Lee Johnson from 1988 through 1994, and then again in 1999 and 2000.

While a deputy sheriff in Ogle County, Williams helped start and fund the initial paleontological expeditions that discovered and excavated Jane and Homer. He was hired in 2003 to lead the team that prepared both of these specimens for display.

Williams’ involvement with Jane was featured in the hour-long Discovery Channel special The Mystery Dinosaur and an episode of National Geographic Explorer.

In 2008, Williams led the team that discovered the late Jurassic-aged, Hanksville-Burpee Quarry, which has been called one of the largest dinosaur bonebeds found in the last 30 years and made National Geographic’s Top 10 Fossil Finds.

The expeditions Williams leads routinely are covered by the regional and local media. In 2009, he was featured as a “Local Newsmaker” by the Rockford Register Star. He has more than 12 years of field experience in the Hell Creek and Morrison Formations, and has nearly two decades of collecting middle Ordovician invertebrate fossils from the Mifflin and Grand Detour Formations of northern Illinois.

In the last 10 years, Williams has done hundreds of public presentations, authored numerous abstracts for scientific conferences and co-authored scientific papers. He manages the permanent and traveling exhibits at Burpee, plans the successful PaleoFest event and is attending NIU to finish a degree in geology. He is planning Burpee’s return to the West for the 2012 field season.

Williams’ lecture is part of the 70th Anniversary of Burpee Museum Lecture Series in memory of Steve Ellis. Ellis died Nov. 5, 2011. He was active on numerous community boards in Rockford. He was especially active with the Burpee Museum, having served many years on the board, most recently as chairman of the Governance Committee, with particular interest in exhibits and programs about natural history for the community.

The September lecture will be “Archaeology of Northern Illinois,” by Dr. Rochelle Lurie. The lecture will be at 2 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 23.

Burpee Museum of Natural History is at 737 N. Main St., Rockford, and can be reached at (815) 965-3433.

From the May 2-8, 2012, issue

The Kraft Foods Foundation awarded $15,000 to Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB). Pictured, from left, are Kraft employees Nolie Jones, Don George and Ken Ziegler; NIFB Senior Development Officer Hester Bury; and Kraft employees Carolyn Wilson, Natane Scott, Linda Akiyama, Carolyn Chandler and Roberto Hernandez. (Photo provided)

Staff Report

LOVES PARK, Ill. — The Kraft Foods Foundation recently awarded $15,000 to Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB) to help fight hunger in the Rockford area.

Kraft Foods Loves Park Plant Manager Linda Akiyama presented the donation to Hester Bury, NIFB senior development officer, at the food bank’s Northwest Center in Loves Park April 30.

The grant will provide the equivalent of 90,000 meals for hungry neighbors in Winnebago, Boone, Ogle and Stephenson counties.

Akiyama said: “The work of the Northern Illinois Food Bank in Loves Park is critical to helping fight hunger in the Rockford area. We know they can’t tackle the problem alone, and we’re pleased to partner with them on this important work. Kraft Foods and its Foundation have a long history of supporting hunger relief, and we want to do that in the communities where our employees live and work.”

Pete Schaefer, president and CEO of the NIFB, said: “Unfortunately, the need for food assistance in our community is great. Families across the greater Rockford area are facing tough decisions, such as choosing between paying bills or buying food. The support from the Kraft Foods Foundation on behalf of the Kraft-Loves Park plant will make a big difference in helping our neighbors in need.”

The grant is just one way Kraft Foods supports NIFB. Employees from Kraft-Loves Park have also volunteered time packing food at the Food Bank during the company’s worldwide Delicious Difference Week in 2011 and 2010.

The Kraft Foods Foundation is making a total of $300,000 in similar grants across the country through Feeding America, the nation’s leading hunger relief organization. NIFB is a member of Feeding America’s nationwide network of more than 200 food banks.

The grants are designed to help fight hunger by allowing food banks to build access and capacity at the grass-roots level. The funding helps break down barriers and bring more food to our neighbors in need through programs that improve transportation and refrigeration, or provide fresh produce and protein to hard-to-reach service areas, to name a few.

Fighting hunger is not new for Kraft Foods. As the nation’s largest food company, it has partnered with Feeding America for decades to do just that.

NIFB is a non-profit organization that provides food to hungry neighbors in 13 Illinois counties through its more than 600 network partners. The Food Bank acquires, gathers, handles and distributes donated, government and purchased food to more than 60,000 different people each week through local food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, youth and senior centers, and other food assistance sites. In Fiscal Year 2011, NIFB distributed more than 34.8 million pounds of food, the equivalent of 29 million meals. Learn how you can donate, volunteer and get involved at www.SolveHungerToday.org.

The Northwest Center of NIFB, 6315 N. Second St., Loves Park, can be reached at (815) 639-1286.

From the May 2-8, 2012, issue

Rockford’s SwedishAmerican Hospital is the first facility in northern Illinois to offer anterior approach hip replacements — a tissue-sparing alternative to traditional hip replacement surgery. Patient benefits associated with the anterior approach include the potential for less pain, faster recovery and improved mobility.

“With the anterior approach, muscle tissues are spared during surgery,” said Dr. Victor Antonacci of Rockford Orthopedic Associates, who performed the first procedure at SwedishAmerican Hospital in late 2011. “By utilizing this technique, surgeons are able to work between the patient’s muscles and tissues without detaching them from either the hip or thighbones.”

The direct anterior approach also helps to lessen the chance of dislocations, and the use of special X-rays within the operating room maximizes the accuracy of hip implant placement, as well as patients’ leg lengths. Another benefit is that larger, heavier patients may be candidates for the procedure.

Dr. Antonacci completed extensive training to learn the anterior approach, and is the only local orthopedic surgeon trained in the new procedure.

SwedishAmerican Hospital has invested in HANA Hip Arthroplasty Tables, which are specifically designed for anterior approach procedures. The tables allow surgeons to access a patient’s hip joint from the front. Traditional approaches involve accessing the joint from the back (posterior) or side (lateral).

Following anterior approach hip replacement surgery, patients are able to return to normal function more quickly. Although results vary from patient to patient, recovery times typically are reduced from two to four months to approximately eight weeks or less.

Dr. Victor Antonacci

Dr. Antonacci’s practice focuses on hip and knee total joint replacement and revision, and hip resurfacing. In addition to the revolutionary anterior approach, he is the only area orthopedic surgeon utilizing computer navigation in his knee replacement surgeries.

Dr. Antonacci earned his medical degree at Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C., and pursued surgical training as part of his orthopedic residency at St. Luke’s/Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York City.

Following residency, Dr. Antonacci completed additional subspecialty training, or fellowship, in total joint reconstruction and revision arthroplasty at New England Baptist Hospital in Boston, becoming an Aufranc Fellow before establishing his clinical practice in the New York City area.

Dr. Antonacci has been providing orthopedic care to Rock River Valley residents for more than 10 years.

SwedishAmerican Health System

SwedishAmerican is a not-for-profit, locally governed healthcare system, with headquarters in Rockford. The health system is composed of two hospitals, 30 clinics, a home health care agency, a foundation and an exclusive affiliation with UW Health in northern Illinois.

From the May 2-8, 2012, issue

CoCo Key Indoor Water Park of Rockford will be conducting a special promotion this spring to help raise money for the Friends of the Rockford Public Library.

“CoCo’s Spring Book Drive,” which began April 29, offers $5 off admission for the day to the indoor water park with a donation of a new or gently-used book. The promotion will run every Sunday through the end of May.

Organizers of “CoCo’s Spring Book Drive” hope to collect more than 1,000 books. The books will be donated to the Friends of the Rockford Public Library, which will sell them at their book shops at the East State Street and Wyman Street branches of the library.

All the money collected from the book sales will go to the library in the form of grants. Any books that can’t be used are given to Better World Books, an organization that helps provide books to needy people around the world.

For each book donated, guests will receive $5 off admission to CoCo Key Indoor Water Park. One discount will be applied per admission, with a limit of four discounted admissions per family per visit.

Organizers are asking that books be either new or in very good condition to qualify for the discount. The discount must be used at the time of donation, no coupons or vouchers will be issued.

For more about the Friends of the Rockford Public Library, call (815) 965-7606 or visit www.rockfordpubliclibrary.org.

For more information about “CoCo’s Spring Book Drive,” visit www.cocokeyrockford.com.

CoCo Key Indoor Water Park is inside Best Western Clock Tower Resort and Conference Center, 7801 E. State St., Rockford. The Clock Tower can be reached at (815) 398-6000 or online at www.clocktowerresort.com.

From the May 2-8, 2012, issue

DEKALB, Ill. — In honor of 100 years of Girl Scouting, Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois (GSNI) is hosting a family-friendly Centennial Celebration from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 28, at the NIU Convocation Center, 1525 W. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb, Ill.

The Radio Disney AM 1300 Road Crew will be providing interactive entertainment that includes music, dancing, prizes and more.

The event will also feature a live stage performance by pop music sensation Savvy, stars of the TV series The Wannabes on STARZ Kids & Family Channel.

State Street Dance of Geneva, Ill., will be choreographing a dance designed especially for the event, celebrating Girl Scouts’ 100th anniversary.

Thanks to a LEGO Education Showcase Grant, made available through Education Blueprints Association, attendees will use their imagination to create LEGO models depicting the theme of “Girl Scouts — The Next 100 Years.”

Admission includes parking, performances and all activities. Activities include a rock-climbing wall; a play zone with a DJ, inflatables and photo booth; and hands-on activity zones including environmental, financial literacy, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), healthy living and Girl Scouts through the years.

GSNI is teaming up with Goodwill Industries and The Fabric Center of Morris, Ill., to increase the use of reusable bags. Participants can stop by the GSFG station to make a reusable bag from a T-shirt. In fact, they can make two — one to take and one to be distributed to Goodwill shoppers. Participants may bring their own T-shirts, if they prefer.

Vendors include an American Girl booth with an American Girl-themed craft and doll raffle. BMO Harris Bank will also help kids learn about financial literacy through a life-size board game based on their Helpful Steps for Parents program — a free, online tool for parents to teach their kids how to be money smart, accessible 24/7.

Additional vendors include Brookfield Zoo, Brunswick Zone, Discovery Center Museum, Kane County Cougars, KeyLime Cove, Magic Waters, Midwest Museum of Natural History and Raging Waves.

Kid-friendly, interactive booths will also feature Girl Scout history, community groups and exhibitors. The Girl Scout Shop will be open and have a variety of items for sale, including an event T-shirt and patch.

Tickets are $10 per person; $12 per person the day of the event. Children 2 and younger are admitted free. Tickets can be purchased at the NIU Convocation Center box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800-745-3000 or at Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois Shops. Tickets purchased at the Girl Scout Shops can either be purchased in person or by phone. Tickets purchased by phone will be available for pick up at the will call window the day of the event. All ticket sales are final. For information, visit www.girlscoutsni.org.

From the April 25-May 1, 2012, issue

Few people may know the stars and planets have their own special day … Astronomy Day … and Discovery Center Museum, along with help from the Rockford Amateur Astronomers, is planning to celebrate from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 28.

Astronomy Day is an annual event intended to provide a means of interaction between the general public and various astronomy enthusiasts, groups and professionals.

Astronomy Day occurs on a Saturday between mid-April and mid-May, and is scheduled to occur at or just before the first quarter moon.

The event is sponsored locally by Astro-Physics, Inc.

Discovery Center activities will include make a star map, investigate telescopes, take a close-up look at the sun with the Rockford Amateur Astronomy Club, create glittery star crafts, and free planetarium shows featuring the Discovery Center’s new digital projection system.

Discovery Center Museum is inside Riverfront Museum Park, 711 N. Main St., Rockford. Admission is $7 for adults, $7 for children 2-17, and free to museum members and children 1 and younger.

Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Saturday, and noon-5 p.m., Sunday. Call (815) 963-6769 or visit www.discoverycentermuseum.org for more details.

From the April 25-May 1, 2012, issue

The National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW), Rockford Section, will present the Generations Fashion Show from 4 to 7 p.m., Saturday, April 28, at Ellis Arts Academy, 222 S. Central Ave., Rockford.

The event is a fund-raiser for the Black Family Reunion, to be held Aug. 17-19.

The Generations Fashion Show brings together the old and young. Multiple generations from different families will grace the stage donning apparel from several sponsors.

The annual event shows fashions from generations past, present and future. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased through NCNW members, or by calling (815) 601-6904 or e-mailing isiszora@comcast.net.

From the April 25-May 1, 2012, issue

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Anyone in Illinois with a question about a legal matter can call and talk to a lawyer — at no cost — on Ask A Lawyer Day, Saturday, April 28.

Lawyer volunteers will answer phones at five locations from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 28. Any Illinois resident can call toll-free, or a local number in some areas, for a free phone consultation with a lawyer.

The 31st annual Ask A Lawyer Day, part of Law Day activities in Illinois, is a public service sponsored by the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) in cooperation with bar associations in Chicago, DuPage County, Lake County and Will County.

Lawyer volunteers will be able to answer questions about consumer problems, family law, estate planning, personal injury, or any other legal situations affecting individuals.

Callers will be advised of steps they can take to resolve their legal problems and, if they need additional legal services, they will be advised to see their lawyer. If they don’t have a lawyer, they can receive a referral to a lawyer who practices in their area through the referral service offered by participating bar associations.

“We find that many people hesitate to see a lawyer, even when they know they have a legal problem,” said John G. Locallo, of Chicago, president of the ISBA. “Ask A Lawyer Day provides an opportunity to learn about a legal situation, or how best to address a legal problem, in a user-friendly manner.”

Phone numbers to talk to a lawyer on April 28 are as follow:

• The Chicago Bar Association, (312) 554-2001;

• DuPage County Bar Association, (630) 653-7779;

• Lake County Bar Association, (847) 244-3143; and

• Will County Bar Association, (815) 744-1000.

From anywhere in Illinois, call the ISBA at (800) 252-8908 or (217) 525-1760.

Each of the bar associations operates a lawyer referral service for people who need legal services but do not have a lawyer. Lawyers contacted through a referral service provide an initial consultation at a nominal cost. Also, lawyers can be found online at one of the following bar association websites:

http://www.chicagobar.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Need_a_Lawyer (Chicago)

http://www.dcba.org/for-the-public/how-to-find-a-lawyer/find-a-lawyer (DuPage County)

http://www.lakebar.org/find-a-lawyer (Lake County)

http://www.willcountybar.org/content/view/41/124/ (Will County)

http://www.illinoislawyerfinder.com (statewide)

The 33,000-member ISBA, with offices in Springfield and Chicago, provides professional services to Illinois lawyers, and education and services to the public.

From the April 25-May 1, 2012, issue

CALEDONIA, Ill. — Angelic Organics Learning Center in Caledonia, Ill., has purchased the 70-acre Kinnikinnick Fields.

The Learning Center raised more than $500,000 over the last five years to purchase the land through its “Save the 70” campaign.

The partially-wooded 70 acres is adjacent to Angelic Organics Farm on Rockton Road in Boone County and is home to the north branch of the Kinnikinnick Creek, one of the cleanest water sources in the state.

Tom Spaulding, Angelic Organics Learning Center executive director, said: “We are extremely grateful to everyone who contributed to the Save the 70 campaign. Because of their support, this beautiful piece of land will be saved in perpetuity for organic farming, training and education.”

Angelic Organics learning Center will work with a recognized land trust to place the land into a permanent agriculture conservation easement. A portion of the land will be used for the farming operations of Angelic Organics, a 1,500-household member community supported agriculture (CSA) farm. Other parts of the land will serve as a home base for the Learning Center’s educational programs, ranging from youth summer camps to beginning farmer training. The Learning Center has eventual plans to build an ecological educational facility on the land.

“Having a permanent land base will allow us to double the number of people we serve through our educational programs — from 25,000 to 50,000 over a 10-year period,” Spaulding said. “We look forward to the exciting new programming the land will allow us to provide.

The first public event on the land will be a Bioblitz, which is scheduled for Sept. 15. A BioBlitz is a participatory community assessment of the biological diversity on a given property, involving scientists and community members. More details and registration will soon be available at www.learngrowconnect.org.

Angelic Organics Learning Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is a regional leader helping urban and rural people build local food systems. The Learning Center reaches more than 4,000 people each year through its programs at partner farms and urban growing sites in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

The Learning Center was founded in 1999 as a nonprofit educational partner to Angelic Organics CSA farm. One of the largest CSA farms in the country, Angelic Organics provides more than 1,500 families throughout the region with fresh, biodynamic produce each week. Angelic Organics is featured in the award-winning documentary The Real Dirt on Farmer John.

From the April 25-May 1, 2012, issue

URBANA, Ill. — If you think everything around you is conspiring to sabotage your weight loss, you’re onto something, said James O. Hill, director of the Colorado Nutrition Obesity Research Center and the keynote speaker at the University of Illinois’ Division of Nutritional Sciences recent Nutrition Symposium.

“Since World War II, we have engineered an environment in which food is cheap and always available, and physical activity has declined because of cars, computers and countless hours of TV watching,” he said.

Becoming obese is a natural reaction to the world we find ourselves in, he said.

If you want a quick picture of how the world has changed, compare members of the Old Order Amish faith with today’s typical American. Amish men take 18,000 steps a day; Amish women take 14,000. The average U.S. male takes 5,940 steps, the average woman 5,276, he said.

“Now, the fastest-growing segment of our population is adults with a BMI over 50, the average American gains a pound a year, and childhood obesity has tripled — and kids don’t grow out of it,” he said.

Obesity is implicated in almost all of our health problems, from cancer to heart disease to diabetes to arthritis to cognition. And, once you’ve become obese, if you succeed at losing weight, you’ll find that your body has a metabolic drive to regain those pounds, he noted.

So, what can someone who’s fighting the flab do? The news isn’t good.

“The more weight you lose, the more you’ll have to work to keep it off. You have to be active. If you’re active, you eat less,” he said.

Following are some insights Hill gleaned from the practices of members of the National Weight Control registry, people who have lost at least 30 pounds and kept it off for a year:

1. They consume a reduced-calorie, reduced-fat diet.

2. They engage in high levels of physical activity (60 to 90 minutes a day).

3. They limit their TV viewing.

4. They use a high level of dietary restraint (they know how to say no).

5. They weigh themselves frequently (and if they gain 2 or 3 pounds, they do something about it).

6. They maintain dietary consistency.

7. They eat breakfast.

Successful weight-loss maintainers often link their dietary behaviors to other personal values, he said.

“They use walking as their spiritual time or they walk as a way to connect with friends and family,” Hill said.

And many of them have made major changes in their lives to support their weight loss, including changing spouses, their circle of friends, and where they live, he said.

On the whole, Americans are not good at making good choices for the long term, he said.

“If someone is going through a fast-food drive-through and they know they should make a healthy choice, with the reward being that they won’t get heart disease 20 years later, it usually isn’t going to happen,” Hill said. “The choice that’s getting their attention then is whether to supersize their meal.”

But small choices do matter. Eating 100 fewer calories a day will prevent weight gain in adults, and a reduction of 33 calories a day makes a huge difference in weight gain in children.

He praised companies that practice stealth health: Disney for putting veggies and milk in kids’ meals unless they’re asked for substitutions and Starbuck’s for switching to low-fat milk in all their beverages.

He encouraged restaurants to reduce portion size by 5 percent. “No one would notice it,” he said.

Also, to increase activity in adults and children, no student should be dropped off less than 500 feet from school, he suggested.

Citing recent research on exercise and cognition, he advocated a push to convince schools that healthy kids learn better, that weight control will improve test scores.

And, because there’s evidence that better health means greater productivity, employers should make wellness an expectation and provide a way to exercise and purchase healthy foods on site, he added.

Finally, Americans love a bargain — that’s why they love supersizing. Why not leverage the psychology of the deal? If Walmart announced a promotion, saying that for every 2,000 steps you took in their store, you got a discount when you checked out, you’d find Walmart walkers who put things in their cart as they traveled instead of mall walkers hiking past closed stores, he predicted.

From the April 25-May 1, 2012, issue

Saturday, April 21, the Rockford Better Business Bureau (BBB), in conjunction with Super Shredders and the Barbara Olson Center for Hope, invites consumers and businesses to protect their identities by shredding unwanted personal, financial or confidential documents for free at the bi-annual Shredfest at Super Shredders, 3206 N. Central Ave. (behind The Barbara Olson Center of Hope). Free electronics recycling will also be available, provided by Vintage Tech.

Crime statistics show that last year alone, more than 9.9 million Americans were victims of identity theft, costing them roughly $5 billion.

As of Jan. 1, the Electronic Products Recycling & Reuse Act requires consumers to recycle their electronic devices, including televisions, monitors, printers and computers, rather than allow them to be disposed of in a landfill.

TVs, monitors, laptops, PCs, servers, data storage devices, printers, fax/copy machines, cell phones, VCRs, DVD players, video cameras and game consoles are among the types of electronic equipment that will be collected for recycling at the event.

Participants are asked to limit the material they want shred to 10 boxes of documents per vehicle.

Following are some suggestions for deciding how long to keep personal financial information:

• A good rule of thumb is to keep all tax returns and supporting documentation for seven years. The IRS has three years from your tax-filing date to audit, and has six years to challenge a claim.

• Keep credit card statements for seven years if tax-related expenses are documented.

• Keep paycheck stubs for one year. Be sure to cross reference the paycheck stub to the W-2 form.

• Be sure to keep bank statements and canceled checks for at least one year.

• Bills should be kept for one year or until the canceled check has been returned. Receipts for large-ticket items should be kept for insurance purposes.

• Home improvement receipts should be kept for six years, or permanently.

• Items such as birth certificates, Social Security cards, insurance policies, titles or wills should be kept permanently in a safety deposit box.

• If you are going to dispose of documents with sensitive information, be sure to SHRED!

For more about Shredfest, contact the Rockford Regional Office of the BBB at (815) 963-2222.

For more information about how to protect your identity, visit www.bbb.org.

From the April 18-24, 2012, issue

URBANA, Ill. — A new University of Illinois (U of I) study contains a warning for obese women who are planning pregnancies. Even if they eat a healthy diet when they are pregnant, their babies will develop in an unhealthy environment that places the infants at risk for future health problems.

“We can see fat sequestered in the placentas of obese mothers when it should be going to the baby to support its growth,” said Yuan-Xiang Pan, a U of I professor of nutrition. “The nutrient supply region in the placenta of an obese mother is half the size of that of a normal-weight mother, even when both are eating the same healthy diet.”

Pan blames what he calls the obesogenic environment of the mother, which includes increased triglycerides, high levels of the hormone leptin, and elevated amounts of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) circulating in the obese expectant mother’s body. Triglyceride and NEFA levels are nearly twice as high in obese mothers, even when they consume healthy diets during pregnancy, he said.

“My advice is, lose weight well before you become pregnant,” Pan said.

In the study, the scientist compared the placentas of obese rats fed a healthy diet throughout their pregnancies with the placentas of obesity-resistant rats fed the same diet.

“Although the obese females didn’t gain much weight on the healthy diet, the obesogenic environment remained, and it affected nutrient transport regulation in the placenta,” he said.

As a result, obese mothers gave birth to babies that were up to 17 percent smaller than they should have been. The consequences for those infants may be lifelong, making them more susceptible to disease, he noted.

Pan, an epigeneticist, was able to demonstrate for the first time that the DKK1 gene regulates certain aspects of lipid metabolism in the placenta through the WNT signaling pathway.

“Understanding this process should help us identify some biomarkers that would allow a potential mother’s doctor to say ‘Yes, you’ve lost weight, the chemical conditions that were created by your excess weight are gone, and this is a good time for you to become pregnant,’” he said.

Biomarkers could also be useful in testing new babies. If doctors can see that the mother’s pre-pregnancy and pregnancy diets were deficient, there might be ways to compensate for that poor prenatal environment, he said.

“The point I’d like to get across to women of child-bearing age is that they must pay attention to their weight well before they become pregnant if they want to have a healthy baby,” he said. “Obesity creates unhealthful conditions in the mother’s body that take time to correct. A healthy mother will give birth to a baby that is more resistant to disease.”

The study appeared in the March 2012 issue of Biology of Reproduction. Rita Strakovsky of the U of I’s Division of Nutritional Sciences is a co-author.

From the April 18-24, 2012, issue

Items from Infitely Sweet owner Krystine Vermeer’s donation collection were given to dress the underprivileged on her sister-in-law’s recent mission trip to Haiti. (Photo provided)

Staff Report

Local retailer, “Infinitely Sweet ~ One Unique Kids Boutique,” recently participated in a selfless act of kindness and reached out to children who need it more than ever.

In a world where the “bottom line” is crucial for retailers, Krystine Vermeer, owner of Infinitely Sweet, has not forgotten to incorporate giving back into her business plan. She has a “donate-ables” section that she uses to clothe children who need it most.

Items from her collection were given to dress the underprivileged on her sister-in-law’s recent mission trip to Haiti. These kids were also receiving food and an education through a United Christians International Organization.

“At the end of each season, we donate the remaining clothes to a not-for-profit charitable organization,” Vermeer said. “It was perfect timing to be able to extend our reach out to children in another country as well. I was brought to tears when I saw the photos and was overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude.”

Infinitely Sweet opened in the summer of 2010 and is at 1651 N. Alpine Road Rockford. The shop caters to newborn, infant, toddler, children and young lady, sizes 0-3 months up to 14/16. The shop offers clothing, shoes, accessories, gifts, jewelry, hair bows and more.

For more about how to donate in the future or for specific store information, contact Vermeer at (815) 381-0099 or visit www.infinitelysweet.com.

From the April 18-24, 2012, issue

CHICAGO — It’s been 10 years since the first release of the ultimate off-beat travel guide to the Land of Lincoln, Oddball Illinois, and it’s safe to say things have only gotten weirder. Where there was once just a single Popeye statue in downstate Chester, today the town has monuments to Olive Oyl, Swee’ Pea, Bluto and the Old Hag. The creepy Piasa Bird petroglyph on a bluff in Alton now has a roadside pullout with picnic tables and, not to worry — the double-decker outhouse in Gays is newly accompanied by a contemplative garden.

With nearly twice as many destinations as its predecessor, this second edition of Oddball Illinois: A Guide to 450 Really Strange Places (Chicago Review press, April 2011) by Jerome Pohlen gives readers all the more reason to ditch the typical tourist attractions and tropical holidays in search of the strange and wonderful in the heartland of America. Disproving the oft-held notion that there’s nothing to see between Chicago and St. Louis but cornfields, Pohlen recommends stunning cultural gems in the Windy City and beyond — including the World’s Largest Sock Monkey, the Birthplace of the Jungle Gym, a truck stop with a marionette show and a coin-operated fire-breathing dragon. Pohlen also brings an oddball perspective to some usual tourist attractions: Did Ziggy the elephant, today a skeleton at the Field Museum, really kill a Marine trombonist in San Diego‘s Balboa Park? Was Abraham Lincoln buried without his brain, and if so, where is the brain today? Oddball explorers have the right to know!

Filled with the answers to all of these questions and more — such as pictures, directions, websites, hours of operation and admission fees — a copy of Oddball Illinois and a camera is all that’s needed to greatly enhance any Illinois road trip experience.

The book is available from Independent Publishers Group. Call (312) 337-0747 or go to bames@ipgbook.com.

From the April 18-24, 2012, issue

Imagine you just received a $100 tax refund and you’ve decided to use this money to pay down debt. Now, imagine you have two credit card accounts, with a total debt of $1,100. On Account A, you have a $100 balance and a 10 percent annual percentage rate (APR). On Account B, you have a $1,000 balance and a 15 percent APR. Which account will you pay the $100?

According to research done by Moty Amar and associates, most people would choose to pay Account A, which has the $100 balance — even though this has the lower interest rate. (Remember, the APR tells you how much interest you are paying annually on the loan; the higher the APR, the more the loan costs you.)

Why would people choose to pay off a loan at 10 percent APR before paying down a loan at 15 percent APR? In their article, “Winning the Battle but Losing the War: The Psychology of Debt Management,” Amar and associates explain that people tend be “debt-account-adverse.” In other words, people choose to pay off small account balances before large balances, without considering the dollar costs of the interest rates.

You, too, may have done this at some time. And, clearly it is psychologically satisfying to be able to say to yourself, “there, that account is done.” “But, it’s important to realize that there is a real dollar cost to this choice,” said Kathy Sweedler, University of Illinois Extension Educator. “And, while it may not add up significantly for one small debt, there can be a significant cost over a lifetime.”

Sometimes when making financial decisions, we need to experience some psychological discomfort to save money. If you’re inclined to look at the size of the debt rather than the interest rate when deciding which debt to pay, following are some suggestions about how to change your mind-set.

Make a list of all your credit card accounts with outstanding balances. Add up the balances. What is your total amount owed?

Define your financial goal as “to owe less money.” Think about paying down debt in terms of your total debt owed. Don’t define your success by how many accounts you have with outstanding balances. This way, you won’t be as likely to “reward” yourself for paying off one account.

Next, rearrange your list of accounts in order by APRs. List the account with the highest APR at the top of the page. Focus on the APRs; pay off the highest APR first.

Sweedler suggests, “Each month as you pay down your debt, subtract the amount paid from the total amount owed and congratulate yourself!” You are working toward your goal to “owe less money.”

Of course, while you’re working on paying down the account with the highest APR first, you do need to make the minimum payments due on your other account balances. Paying the minimum due is essential to keep a good credit history and to avoid fees. Whenever you can, though, stretch to pay more than the minimum payment due so you will not pay large amounts of interest over time. Soon, you’ll reach that goal of “owe less money.”

From the April 18-24, 2012, issue

BELOIT, Wis. — Registration is open for the Beloit (Wis.) Riverfest Idol contest.

Beloit Riverfest Idol is an individual singing contest held annually as part of the Beloit Riverfest celebration.

Grand prize is $2,012, plus recording time at Sandbox Productions and a National Anthem package at the Beloit Snappers, Rockford RiverHawks and Rockford IceHogs games. Second place is $500 and third place is $250.

First round of auditions begins May 1 at the Road Dog Banquet Hall in Beloit, Wis., and will be held every Tuesday in May until all singers have auditioned.

Round two will be at Beloit Riverfest in late June. Finalists will compete on the main stage at Riverfest. All ages are welcome.

A $25 application fee must be paid before auditioning. All applicants must complete a registration and release form.

Visit www.beloitriverfestidol.com to register online or to print forms to mail in. Registration forms may also be picked up in person at the Road Dawg Restaurant in Beloit, Wis., and Janesville, Wis., or at the Century 21 Affiliated office in downtown Beloit, Wis.

Contact the event hotline at (608) 313-4681 with any questions. Find Idol on Facebook at www.facebook.com/beloitriverfestidol.

From the April 18-24, 2012, issue

The Friends of Rockford Public Library are hosting their annual Spring Book Sale on April 18 and 20-21. Wednesday, April 18, from 4-7 p.m. is the members-only presale. Current members are invited to shop the sale, and new members can join at the door for just $5. The sale is open to the general public from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Friday, April 20, and from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, April 21, in the Main Library Auditorium and classrooms A and B.

The annual spring sale offers thousands of items to choose from, including fiction and nonfiction, paperback and hardcover books, CDs and more. All proceeds benefit the Friends of Rockford Public Library, a 501(c)(3) organization that supports library programs, services and special events throughout the year.

“Our spring and fall sales are always big events for us,” said Annette Smith, Friends of Rockford Public Library Board president. “It gives us the opportunity to raise valuable funds for the library while finding new homes for books and other media that have either been donated to us or withdrawn from the library’s circulating collection.”

In addition to the standard sale, the spring sale will feature “Bag It for $2″ on Saturday when guests are invited to fill a bag with books for just $2. For more information about the sale or the Friends of Rockford Public Library, visit www.rockfordpubliclibrary.org/friends or call (815) 966-6721.

From the April 11-17, 2012, issue

The Katie’s Choice Book Club selection for April is The Descendants by Kaui Hart Hemmings.

Hosted by Rockford Area Lutheran Ministries and Katie’s Cup coffeebar, the book discussion will be at Katie’s Cup at 7 p.m., Monday, April 16. The discussion will be offered again at 10 a.m., Thursday, April 19,, at the coffeebar, 502 Seventh St., Rockford. The Book Club is open to all interested people, free of charge. No pre-registration is required.

The website dedicated to the novel describes the book as follows:

“Narrated in a fearless voice full of bold hilarity and set against the lush backdrop of Hawaii, The Descendants tells the story of an unconventional family forced to come together and recreate its own legacy.

“Matthew King was once considered one of the most fortunate men in Hawaii, a royal descendant and one of the state’s largest landowners. Now, his luck has changed. His thrill-seeking and high-maintenance wife, Joanie, lies in a coma after a boat-racing accident, and will soon be taken off life support.

“Before honoring Joanie’s living will, Matt must gather her friends and family to say their final goodbyes, a difficult situation made worse by the sudden discovery that there is one person who hasn’t been told — the man with whom Joanie had been having an affair — quite possibly the one man she ever truly loved. Forced to examine what he owes not only to the living but to the dead, Matt takes to the road with his daughters to find his wife’s lover, on a memorable journey which leads to both painful revelations and unforeseen humor and growth.”

For more information about Katie’s Choice Book Club, contact Rockford Area Lutheran Ministries at either (815) 962-4279 or RALMmail@ aol.com.

From the April 11-17, 2012, issue

Since the turn of the calendar to 2012, next to the Toronto Marlies, the Rockford IceHogs have been the hottest team in the Western Conference. Unfortunately for Rockford, they were one of the worst teams in the first half of the season. If Rockford hadn’t been so bad in the first half, they wouldn’t be fighting for a playoff spot, they would already have a spot secured.

The ’Hogs had a key two-game series in Lake Erie against the Monsters this past weekend, a series in which Rockford needed to win at least one of the two games to stay in playoff contention. Before the weekend, Lake Erie was only a few points ahead of Rockford, meaning if Rockford was able to sweep the weekend, they would be ahead of Lake Erie in the standings, with a game in hand.

Friday’s game April 6 was a back-and-forth game through two periods with both goalies keeping their respective teams in the game. Carter Hutton stopped all 24 shots he faced in the first two periods, and Cedrick Desjardins fended off 26 Rockford shots.

Early in the final period, Ryan Stoa finally put one past Hutton to give Lake Erie the lead. The goal was scored right after the Monsters fought off a penalty and Stoa was fresh out of the box. The goaltender Desjardins shot a quick pass out that found Stoa on the move, and he beat Hutton.

Rockford’s captain, Brian Fahey, has been playing steady all season but has recently been finding the scoresheet as well. Fahey tallied his sixth goal of the season just shy of the 6-minute mark to tie the score up 1-1. Joe Lavin and Jeremy Morin were given assists on the goal.

However, the Monsters would tally another goal at the midway point of the period to take the lead for good. Rookie forward Brad Malone tallied his 10th marker of the season, putting the Monsters up 2-1.

No late heroics would save Rockford this week, and the Monsters took game one of the weekend series.

The following night, Rockford started the scoring jumping out to a 3-0 lead into the second period.

Morin started Rockford’s scoring, tallying his 17th goal of the season on Rockford’s second power-play opportunity of the night. The goal was set up by Brandon Pirri and Philip Danault, who notched the first professional point of his young career.

The IceHogs struck again at 11:07 of the second with a goal by defenseman Ryan Stanton. Pirri would get the secondary assist for his second point of the night, and Brandon Svendsen had the primary assist.

Peter LeBlanc tied Pirri with his team-leading 23rd goal of the season just a minute after the Stanton goal to put Rockford up 3-0. Veteran Wade Brookbank had the primary assist, and rookie Connor Goggin was the secondary assist.

Lake Erie’s special teams unit came up big, scoring a power-play goal with 2:03 left in the second period to cut into Rockford’s lead.

Going into the third period, the Monsters would get a whole lot more out of their special teams unit, who carried the Monsters to a come-from-behind victory.

With Lake Erie’s Malone in the box for a high-sticking minor, Rockford looked to strike a second power-play goal of the night. However, Justin Mercier received a pass from Barry Goes and scored a shorthanded goal, putting Lake Erie only one goal down.

Chicago Blackhawks first-round draft pick Mark McNeill would put Rockford in a hole close to the midpoint of the frame when he was tagged for a 5-minute major penalty for boarding. The penalty was the catalyst to other penalties for both teams, including a roughing penalty for Kyle Beach, a matching roughing penalty for former IceHogs skater Pete MacArthur, and a slashing penalty for Stoa. However, the damage had been done, and the 5-minute major penalty meant Lake Erie could score as many times as they could in 5 minutes and still have a five-on-four advantage.

The Monsters used the 5 minutes wisely, and Malone would notch his second goal in two games on that power play to score Lake Erie’s third unanswered goal, tying the game at 3-3.

Lake Erie would claim their first lead of the game, which they would not relinquish, when Dean Strong scored with 7 seconds left on the extended power play.

Rockford would never recover, and wound up dropping their second straight game, 4-3. The loss gave the ’Hogs an 0-4 record against the Monsters this season.

One thing to note was that Rockford was without the services of Rostislav Olesz, who remained out of the lineup with an undisclosed injury, which he suffered a week ago during a game against the Milwaukee Admirals.

Although Rockford has not been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, the team is 6 points out of a playoff spot with three games (6 possible points) remaining. Rockford would need the Milwaukee Admirals, Houston Aeros, Peoria Rivermen, Lake Erie, San Antonio and Rochester to lose their remaining games, and Rockford would have to win out to have a chance at making the playoffs.

Keys for the week:

1. Not keeping a lead — When leading after two periods this season, Rockford was a stout 23-3-0-2, but special teams let them down in a big game, giving the team only their fourth regulation loss when leading after 40 minutes.

2. Falling back in the standings — Two wins last weekend would have been a huge push in the standings to put the ’Hogs in series playoff contention. A single win would still have given Rockford a fighting chance, but losing both games in regulation has pretty much sunk the ship for the ’Hogs’ season.

Looking forward:

Rockford’s final week of the regular season has three games, all at home, against familiar Midwest Division opponents. Tuesday, April 10, Rockford takes on the Charlotte Checkers (results not available at press time). Friday, April 13, the Milwaukee Admirals skate in for what could be a heated game since it is the first time these teams have met since their bench-clearing brawl two weeks prior. The IceHogs close out their season with the Checkers returning Saturday, April 14. All games start at 7:05 p.m.

From the April 11-17, 2012, issue

Blain’s Farm & Fleet will open the doors to its 35th store, located at 4567 E. Rockton Road, Rockton, Ill., Thursday, April 12.

The 122,000-square-foot store, designed to be environmentally friendly, is set to host a grand opening celebration April 26-28.

The new concept store focuses on offering customers high-quality products, competitive prices and reliable service. The store is also taking the following measures in attempts to reduce its carbon footprint:

• Clerestory windows are reducing the need for artificial lighting.

• Any oil generated from oil changes in the automotive service center will be turned into an alternative fuel source. This is done through a clean burn waste system that will, in turn, be used to heat the service center in cold temperatures.

• 86 skylights will be used throughout the building to harvest daylight. These skylights will provide approximately 30 percent energy savings.

• Instant water heaters will be used in the building, eliminating stand-by heat associated with conventional tank-type water heaters.

• An energy management system will be used in the building to control lighting and HVAC equipment.

• The steel used in the building was purchased from Butler Manufacturing Company of Kansas City. Steel from Butler Manufacturing Company is composed of 70 percent recycled material.

• The building is a super insulated unit that has 50 percent more wall and roof insulation than the minimum code requirements.

• Throughout the building, light fixtures, which are 20 percent more energy efficient than previous buildings, are being utilized to save energy.

• To reduce overall electrical usage, occupancy light sensors are being used in all office areas and restrooms. Additionally, photo control will be used for the retail sales floor, automatically turning off lights when there is enough natural light and automatically turning on lights when it becomes too dark.

• All outdoor signage will be LED instead of neon, which will provide at least 70 percent energy savings.

• A cardboard compactor has been installed to keep any cardboard that is disposed of from ending up in the landfill stream.

• Three 16-foot ceiling fans in the retail area will be used to circulate air, allowing thermostat settings to be raised in the summer and lowered in the winter while maintaining a comfortable shopping environment for the customers.

Even the general contractor, Building Systems, Inc., based in Madison, Wis., took the following steps to reinforce the green effort during the construction process:

• Local subcontractors and local materials were used whenever possible to save on fuel and travel as well as to promote the local economy.

• Maximized electronic distribution of project documents and information to reduce paper consumption and fuel costs related to travel.

• Reduction of wood studs and drywall scraps by use of pre-planning at the material ordering stage.

Visit RunUpToRockton.com for more about the Rockton location. Blain’s Farm & Fleet is family owned and operated since 1955.

From the April 11-17, 2012, issue

Stanley Campbell

By Stanley Campbell

“The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach,” or at least that’s what I was told. With the variety of food that is in the shopping malls, my heart is where the fresh vegetables and fruits are. And, that’s why Rockford Urban Ministries (RUM) is happy to co-sponsor a program called “Faith at the End of Your Fork.” It’s an all-day workshop Saturday, April 28, hosted at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1829 Rockton Ave. (that’s the church across from West Middle School). Anna Lappe, who wrote Diet for a Hot Planet, will be the keynote speaker in the afternoon. It’s affordable, at $10 for the all-day workshops and speaker, and then another $10 if you want to join in the organic lunch.

People should be interested in what they eat. It’s what keeps us alive. Unfortunately, it’s what also keeps the economy going.

Whenever there’s an economic interest, there’s a chance for cutting corners and sometimes outright fraud. If this were a perfect world, we would have good food available at affordable prices throughout the community; but some neighborhoods only have fast food and others have food sprayed with pesticides to prevent bugs from eating first.

We are blessed here in Rockford with organic farmers and markets that offer good quality, affordable products; and we don’t have to go out of our way to find them. But that depends upon an educated consumer. So, that’s why RUM sponsored this all-day program, hoping to encourage more careful perusals of the food stalls and maybe even get the big producers like Walmart to sell healthy fare.

“Faith at the End of Your Fork,” a day-long workshop program, will be from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 28, at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1829 N. Rockton Ave., Rockford, across from West High School. Cost is $10 registration and $10 for a healthy lunch.

Lappe wrote Diet for a Hot Planet as a sequel to her mother’s (Frances Moore Lappe) Diet for a Small Planet. Anna connects the dots between diet and climate change and, thus, shares personal, local, national and international food justice issues.

Workshops include information about Food and Faith (“My Spiritual Journey as a Vegetarian,” “To Tithe: Plant Row,” “Bread in Empire: The Lord’s Prayer”); Food Practicum (“Starting Your Own Garden,” “Shopping at a Farmers’ Market,” “Purchasing Faithful Meals”); and Food Justice Workshops (“How to Lobby for Food Justice,” “The Meatrix”), to name a few. Registration is $10 and includes an organic lunch for a $10 donation.

Sponsors include the Justice and Witness Committee of the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ, Vegetarians in Motion, RUM, Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, the United Church of Byron, Bread for the World — Rockford, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and Spring Creek United Church.

For more information and to register, please contact Michael Mulberry, United Church of Byron, at (815) 234-8777 or via e-mail to revmikemul@frontier.com. Stay healthy, and live a long and prosperous life.

Stanley Campbell is executive director of Rockford Urban Ministries and spokesman for Rockford Peace & Justice.

From the April 11-17, 2012, issue

An Earth Day spring cleanup will be held along Kent Creek and in the prairie meadow on the grounds of Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum & Gardens from 1 to 4 p.m., Sunday, April 22.

The public is invited to attend the event and assit in collecting debris from along the banks of the creek, from the creek and from the prairie meadow.

Those interested in participating are asked to call the Natural Land Institute at (815) 964-6666 or e-mail kjohnsen@naturalland.org by Friday, April 20, to register for the event.

Check-in location will be the picnic table next to the cottage. Attendees may work as long as they desire or until 4 p.m.

Trash bags, pick-up sticks and gloves will be provided. Participants should plan to wear sturdy shoes and clothing appropriate for the weather.

Adventurous folks can bring waders to wear as they pull debris from the shallow creek. Children may participate as long as they are accompanied by an adult.

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum & Gardens will provide water for those who help with the clean-up effort.

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum is at 411 Kent St., Rockford. Visit www.TinkerCottage.com or call (815) 964-2424 for more details.

From the April 11-17, 2012, issue

The Rockford Park District Board of Commissioners received an annual report on participation at the District’s parks, programs, facilities, partners, and museums during 2011.

According to Executive Director Tim Dimke: “During the past year, the District focused on serving citizens on a neighborhood level through additional partnerships and cooperative efforts with many agencies, including Rockford Housing Authority, Rockford School District 205, community centers and churches, Boys & Girls Clubs, museums, and the YMCA. We were able to significantly leverage resources — both financial and human — to deliver services where they are needed most. At the same time, we contracted out some services we have traditionally provided, with great results for our customers.”

The Commissioners gave highest priority for services to teens and at-risk youth, programs and services during summer and non-school times, introductory level instruction in lifelong recreation skills, providing a safe and secure environment at parks, events and facilities, and activities that are accessible for all in a geographically balanced manner.

Highlights of achievements included:

• The Summer Challenge program cooperative with Rockford School District 205 was expanded. The Park District administered the summer school program for five elementary, and one middle school in conjunction with the School District. The program served 2,300 youth in grades K-8. Summer Challenge offered youth a free summer program that provided tutoring in math and reading, and incorporated several community partners to offer enrichment activities. The YMCA of Rock River Valley, Rockford Area Arts Council, Discovery Center Museum, and Burpee Museum offered students hands-on activities that supported learning through the arts, science, and history.

• The DiVine DiVa’s and Don’s organized events for the neighbors and community in Andrews Park. A total of 1,155 people participated in the “Saturdays in the Park” events.

The Park District and Rockford Housing Authority continued outreach to youth and families, and recruited youth to enroll in the summer playground program that was newly offered at Fair Grounds Park.

• Lockwood Park continued to expand on the low-cost, family-friendly events to the community. Lockwood expanded the concept of its annual October Pumpkin Patch Fest by adding three additional days of festivities, promoted as “Loctoberfest.” The October festivities in the park brought in an additional 20,000 people and $47,000 in revenue.

• Aldeen Golf Club implemented a new system of “demand-based pricing” as part of its partnership with golfnow.com. This third party support of tee time bookings uses the Internet. This change resulted in added customer convenience, and more than 900 rounds booked via the Internet, with $43,000 in revenue generated through this new cost-effective partnership.

• Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens provided accessibility with a free period offered monthly, along with a variety of special promotions. Free admissions during the reporting period equaled 1,753 visitors.

• The Forest City Queen was utilized as a water taxi with a test pilot of the concept held on Labor Day weekend. The taxi ran during the On the Waterfront festival, transporting guests between Martin Park and Beattie Park. The taxi service was utilized by 388 patrons who enjoyed the relaxing 30-minute trip down the river to the Waterfront as an alternative to crowded downtown parking.

• Conservation and fishing programs continued to be well attended, along with youth sports, and youth hockey growing in popularity with boys and girls.

• Therapeutic Recreation had 94 adapted sports athletes, a 33 percent increase.

• Operation Recreation debuted for military families, with special events, discounts and programs.

• The Sinnissippi Ambassador Club began with 31 community members participating in getting better acquainted with RPD facilities and services.

The report also highlighted safety and security measures. In 2011, there was a decrease over 2010 in misdemeanor and felony arrests in parks and facilities. According to Police Chief Theo Glover, “The decrease can be attributed to increased patrols in parks and facilities, specifically those identified as ‘hot spots.’ Hot spots are defined as areas that have the greatest potential for criminal activity. Because crime is not evenly distributed throughout all parks and facilities, it stands to reason that some areas need more resources than others. The word is out in the community that the parks, as well as our facilities, are not safe havens for criminal activities.”

Performance statistical data was provided for Park District programs, facilities, parks, recreation paths, and recreation partners, including youth baseball programs, museums, BMX, Ski Broncs, special event, and many other partners in the community. All totaled, an impact of more than 9.5 million user visits occurred at Park District parks, programs, and facilities during 2011. The entire report is available on the District’s website, www.rockfordparkdistrict.org/reports.

For more information, contact Tim Dimke, executive director, (815) 987-8800, or e-mail timdimke@rockfordparkdistrict.org.

From the April 4-10, 2012, issue

Wilfredo Hernandez

Staff Report

DEKALB, Ill. — The Northern Illinois University (NIU) Department of Communication is preparing to raise the curtain on its popular Reality Bytes Independent Student Film Festival at the Jameson Auditorium, inside the university’s newly renovated Cole Hall.

Free and open to the public, the 11th annual festival will feature student-film screenings from 9 to 11 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday, April 10-11.

Wilfredo Hernandez, an NIU alum and renowned reality TV editor, will be the special guest speaker from 7 to 9 p.m., Thursday, April 12, the final night of the festival.

Hernandez’s credits include Supernanny (ABC), Big Brother 11-12 (CBS) and the critically acclaimed weekly documentary Beyond the Glory (Fox Sports).

Audience members will have the opportunity to learn more about his success story during his presentation, titled “Reality Television as a Profession.” Hernandez also will discuss his current project, Q’Viva! (Fox), featuring Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony.

The winning films will be announced the final evening as well.

The film festival was established in 2001 by Laura Vazquez, professor of media production and theory. She serves as director of the festival, created to give film students the opportunity to competitively screen their work.

“MIJO” (“My Son”) is an intensely personal documentary about the relationship between a young mother who is a professional dancer and her 6-year-old son, as she undergoes treatment for breast cancer. The film is a delicate balance between the son’s innocence and the mother’s attempts to communicate her battle. Ultimately, the film is an affirmation of love and the purpose of life. (Photo provided)

“Seeing the number of submissions increase over the years, and seeing the amount of interest rise, as well as the work put into making these films, I am thrilled to say independent film making is thriving,” Vazquez said. “We are particularly excited about the new category of high school submissions.”

Thanks to the online film submission system Withoutabox, employed three years ago to streamline the film submission and review process, the film festival has received more than 90 submissions from high school, undergraduate and graduate students from across the United States and around the world.

Of the 90-plus submissions, 15 short student films have been chosen to be screened at this year’s festival, including nine short documentaries and seven short fiction films.

The selected films vary in genre from comedy to drama to animation, and focus specifically on strong storytelling. Each film category will also include a “Best in Show” award. There also will be a “Best in Show” award for the high school film category.

More information about the festival is available via Twitter and Facebook (join the Festival Event) or by contacting Jennifer Shelton, lead logistics coordinator, at niurealitybytes@gmail.com.

From the April 4-10, 2012, issue

Northern Illinois University researchers Heather Pierce (left) and Michelle Lilly. (Photo provided)

By Tom Parisi
NIU Media and Public Relations

DEKALB, Ill. — Homicides, suicides, domestic violence, car crashes. For most people, it’s the stuff of nightmares. For busy 9-1-1 emergency dispatchers, it’s all in a day’s work.

Now, a new study by researchers at Northern Illinois University (NIU) suggests that the on-the-job, indirect exposure to trauma puts dispatchers at risk for developing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

“We found that dispatchers report significant emotional distress related to handling duty-related calls, and this type of distress is associated with increased risk for developing PTSD or PTSD symptoms,” said NIU psychology professor Michelle Lilly, one of the authors of the study published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress.

PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can occur after a traumatic event. It is more commonly associated with combat veterans or frontline emergency workers, such as police officers and firefighters.

Lilly said the new research is the first published study to reveal the extent of on-duty emotional distress experienced by dispatchers. The findings will likely contribute to a current debate over how trauma is defined.

“The NIU study suggests that one does not need to be physically present during a traumatic event, or to even know the victim of a trauma, in order for the event to cause significant mental health challenges,” Lilly said. “The findings indicated the need for a broader definition and understanding of what might constitute a traumatic event.”

Lilly conducted the study with her former student, NIU research associate Heather Pierce, who worked for more than a decade as an emergency dispatcher in Chicago’s western suburbs. Her observations and experiences as an emergency dispatcher piqued her interest in the topic and helped shape the study.

Dispatchers are responsible for answering multiple phone lines and radio channels. During a typical shift, Pierce recalled, phones would ring persistently while the police radio buzzed with activity.

“Callers to 9-1-1 dispatchers are often experiencing an emotional crisis and are hysterical,” she said. “Telecommunicators are under enormous pressure to control their own emotions while extracting the pertinent information, securing the emergency scene and communicating with multiple agencies — sometimes during life-and-death situations.

“Afterward, there’s little time to process what happened,” she added. “You have to press on and get right back to work.”

For their study, the researchers analyzed the responses of 171 on-the-job emergency dispatchers from 24 states. The majority of the sample was female and Caucasian, with an average age of 38 and more than 11 years of service.

The dispatchers participating in the survey were asked about the types of potentially traumatic calls they handle and the amount of emotional distress they experienced. They were also asked to rate the types of calls that caused the most distress and to remember the worst call they had dealt with during their careers.

The most commonly identified worst calls were the unexpected injury or death of a child (16.4 percent of respondents), followed by suicidal callers (12.9 percent), shootings involving officers (9.9 percent) and calls involving the unexpected death of an adult (9.9 percent). Survey results showed that dispatchers experience high levels of “peritraumatic distress,” the strong emotions felt during a traumatic event. Participants reported experiencing fear, helplessness or horror in reaction to nearly one-third of the different types of potentially traumatic calls.

A “moderate relationship” was found between the dispatchers’ emotional response and PTSD symptom severity, with 3.5 percent of the survey participants reporting symptoms severe enough to qualify for a diagnosis of PTSD.

“Being a 911 dispatcher is generally considered a stressful profession,” Pierce said. “However, the results from our study indicate the events typically handled by these first responders are also traumatic, and there can be adverse mental health effects. This implies a strong need to enhance prevention and intervention efforts.”

From the April 4-10, 2012, issue

The Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (RACVB) recently partnered with Rockford College to create an online radio program promoting all the great things to do in the Rockford region.

The program is hosted by RACVB Vice President Monica Krysztopa and Marketing Manager Bridget French.

The show, titled It’s a Great Day in Rockford with Monica and Bridget, airs every Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. Each week, the show features a Rockford original restaurant, a local site or attraction, specials offered by the featured guests and conversation about things to do in the Rockford Region.

“The Rockford region has so many unique things to do, and this provides a wonderful forum to let both local residents and visitors know what’s available,” Krysztopa said. “The Rockford region boasts 250 restaurants and just about 100 museums, sites and attractions for everyone to enjoy. This gives us plenty of opportunity to highlight and showcase on our podcast the best Rockford has to offer.”

As part of the radio program, Monica and Bridget are holding a contest for local students to create a jingle to be broadcast at the beginning of each show. Participants must be between the ages of 10-21 and fill out the registration form, which can be found on www.gorockford.com. The contest runs through April 27.

Listen live by logging on to www.live365.com or clicking the link on the website at www.gorockford.com, where you can also catch previous podcasts.

From the April 4-10, 2012, issue

Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center presents its next “Music on Main” concert, “Artistry by Twos and Threes: Music for Viola, Violin and Flute,” at 5:30 p.m., Monday, April 9, at the historic Emerson House, 420 N. Main St., Rockford.

Concertgoers can enjoy the beautiful melodies of these instruments, relax with a glass of wine and light refreshments, and meet the performers after the program, which is about an hour in length.

This performance will feature Carol Yampolsky, violin; Henrietta Neeley, viola; and Scott Metlicka, flute.

All three musicians have also performed in various professional ensembles throughout the Midwest, including symphonies in Rockford, Elgin, Elmhurst, Green Bay, Wis., and Madison, Wis., as well as the award-winning Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra. Program to include selections by Beethoven, Haydn, Bruni and Reger.

Freewill donations will be accepted; suggested amount is $10. Proceeds will benefit the Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center and Shelter Care Ministries.

“Music on Main” is the Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center’s series of brief and intimate after-work concerts with local and regional musicians, held at the Emerson House in the heart of downtown Rockford. Performances take place 5:30-6:30 p.m. on the second Monday of the month, September to November and February to May. Doors open at 5 p.m. Seating is limited.

Visit www.mendelssohnpac.org for more about Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center.

From the April 4-10, 2012, issue

Brenda Richter

By Brenda Richter

Everyone knows it’s healthy to eat fresh fruits and vegetables every day. That isn’t a new concept. The raw food diet simply suggests these foods should be most of what we eat.

When you prepare fruits, vegetables and other natural ingredients without cooking, you preserve the maximum nutrition in these foods. You don’t have to eat 100 percent raw or even be a vegetarian to get started. Anyone can enjoy improved health and vitality by eating at least 50 percent raw foods.

“Raw” does mean uncooked or unheated, but it also means food in its natural or “raw” state. Raw food is food that is unprocessed, unrefined and untreated with heat. The three main raw food groups are fresh fruits, vegetables (particularly green leafy vegetables) and natural fats.

Where do you get your protein and calcium? It’s all right here in raw foods.

Many people are too acidic, which causes many of our illnesses, ailments and diseases. People on the Standard American Diet (or SAD) consume too many acidic foods, which many times is the cause of society’s health issues.

Come to a FREE “Why Raw?” talk and learn about the following:

• The effects of heat and cooking on proteins, fats, micro-nutrients and enzymes;

• The raw food groups;

• Where you get your protein;

• Food combining for better digestion;

• How to maintain your ideal weight;

• How to adapt to a raw food diet;

• How to make raw food prep easy;

• How to increase your stamina and energy;

• The lack of nutrients in SAD; and

• How to prevent and/or reverse degenerative diseases, illnesses and ailments.

Brenda Richter is a graduate of Living Light Culinary Arts Institute, where she received her certification as a Raw Culinary Arts associate chef and instructor. She’s passionate about sharing the living foods lifestyle with others, and teaches raw culinary arts classes in the Rockford area.

From the April 4-10, 2012, issue

For the 2012-2013 school year, all students entering sixth and ninth grades will be required to provide proof of a dose of the whooping cough (Tdap) vaccination in addition to the school physicals required at these grades, according to the Winnebago County Health Department (WCHD).

Numerous outbreaks of pertussis (whooping cough) have occurred recently among school children in Illinois. Pertussis is easily transmitted through coughing and sneezing, and may cause illness that persists for weeks to months.

Pertussis does not typically cause severe illness in healthy students, but can prolong absences from school and extracurricular activities. In addition, pertussis can be transmitted from healthy students to infants and individuals with chronic illnesses, for whom pertussis can be life-threatening.

Protection against pertussis begins to decrease over time. This puts pre-teens, teen-agers and adults at risk for the illness. To address this increase in pertussis disease among older students, one dose of a booster vaccination (called Tdap, containing tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) is required for all students in grades six and nine. However, all students in grades six through 12 should have a record of a dose of Tdap for their own protection.

Mary Weyand, R.N., family health supervisor for WCHD, said: “It’s not too early to protect your child and prepare for the new school year. As we are approaching the end of this school year, I encourage parents to schedule those appointments for the sixth- and ninth-grade physicals and shots. You will be taking steps to keep them healthy and, at the same time, meeting the school entry requirements.”

Some other immunizations that are now also recommended for this age group include the meningococcal vaccine, a second chickenpox shot (if they never had chickenpox disease), and the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine series.

During flu season, it is also recommended that everyone older than 6 months receive a seasonal flu vaccine.

If a child is on Medicaid, does not have health insurance, or their health insurance doesn’t cover the cost of vaccines, participating physicians or the WCHD can provide needed vaccinations through the Vaccines for Children Program (VFC).

Mike Bacon, WCHD public health administrator, said: “Protecting the health of our youth is one of our most vital priorities. The best way to achieve this is by taking advantage of the health protection benefits of age-appropriate immunizations.”

For more information about the new Tdap vaccination requirement, visit www.wchd.org or call WCHD at either (815) 720-4370 or (815) 720-4000.

From the March 28-April 3, 2012, issue

Winnebago County Animals Services in Rockford is one of 108 animal shelters vying for slots in the 2012 ASPCA Rachel Ray $100K Challenge.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) announced 108 shelters spanning the nation have been selected to compete in the “Qualifying Heat” of the competition. The contenders now must get their supporters to vote online from April 5-16, and the top 50 shelters will then go on to compete for more than $500,000 in prize grants, including a grand prize of $100,000.

Bert Troughton, vice president of community outreach for the ASPCA, said: “When we first introduced the Qualifying Heat vote into the $100K Challenge last year, we were amazed by how much energy and passion it injected into the contest. More than 500,000 votes were cast by the public in just 12 days, which showed local shelters that their supporters really care about the animals in their community and wanted to help them save more lives. We’ve now come to regard the vote as a crucial step in the contest, helping the contestants attract and lock in the foundation of support they’ll need to carry them through the challenging contest period ahead.”

Fans and supporters can vote for their favorite shelter daily in the Qualifying Heat vote, from 11 a.m., Thursday, April 5 until 11 p.m., Monday, April 16. The top five vote-getting shelters in each division will automatically earn spots making up 25 of the 50 contestants; the remaining shelters with the most votes will earn the other 25 slots. To vote, visit www.votetosavelives.org.

Once the 50 competing shelters are selected, they will set about to save at least 300 more cats and dogs during the months of August, September and October 2012 than they did during the same period last year.

The ASPCA and Rachael Ray will award a $100,000 grand prize to the shelter contestant that achieves the greatest increase in lives saved during this three-month period.

A second-place prize of $25,000 will be awarded to the shelter with the second-greatest increase in lives saved, and the contestant that does the best job of engaging its community members in helping to save more animals will win $25,000. Those organizations that do the best in their divisions will be eligible for between $5,000 and $40,000 in additional grants.

The ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge is a groundbreaking contest that challenges animal shelters across the country to come up with innovative ways to engage their communities and get more homeless cats and dogs into loving homes. For more information about the 2012 ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge, visit www.aspca.org/100kchallenge.

From the March 28-April 3, 2012, issue