Claire Mathiesen, Bloom

Staff Report

Five Rockford Public School District 205 students have been selected as winners of the inaugural Superintendent’s Art Contest.

The students were among nearly three dozen others who submitted artwork for the competition, which promotes the arts, encourages creative expression and will, in the future, help send District 205 students to college.

The 2011-2012 winners are Ryan Bright of West Middle School; Elizabeth Finley of Walker Elementary School; Yuna Hwang and Claire Mathiesen of Bloom Elementary School; and Daniel Strohman, of Washington Gifted Academy.

A panel of community art judges and district administrators selected the winners based on craftsmanship, overall impression of the artwork, and creativity and originality.

Daniel Strohman, Washington

Their work has since been turned into blank cards that the district will sell to benefit the College for All Fund, a central component of the “Readiness Rocks!” initiatives recently outlined by the superintendent. The goal is to provide financial assistance that will help students as they follow their dreams of pursuing college degrees. To date, more than $3 million has been raised to support the fund.

Cards are available for purchase. A set, which includes five envelopes and a card featuring the artwork of each student, costs $5.

Orders can be placed via phone to (815) 966-5299 or by visiting the Communications Department on the fourth floor of the new Administration Building, 501 Seventh St., Rockford. Examples of all winning pieces are posted on the district’s website, www.rps205.com.

From the Feb. 1-7, 2012, issue

Elizabeth Finley, Walker

Ryan Bright, West

Yuna Hwang, Bloom

For the second consecutive year, The Literacy Council is holding the Design on Our Dime (DOOD) Kitchen Makeover Raffle.

For $25, one lucky winner will receive the grand prize of a full kitchen makeover at a value of more than $21,000. Two other winners will be chosen to receive a $1,000 gift certificate to Benson Stone or a large-screen television.

The specifics of the raffle giveaways are as follow:

• Kitchen Makeover — An innovative, quality-designed kitchen including delivery and installation of cabinets, Trend Stone countertops, stainless steel sink, refrigerator, dishwasher, range, flooring and painting. (Makeover items provided by Al Grace Appliance, Al’s Carpet Flooring & Design Center, American TV, Granite Transformations, Iverson Painting River Valley Kitchens & Baths). In lieu of the kitchen makeover, the winner may select a $7,500 cash prize.

• $1,000 gift certificate to Benson Stone Company (donated by WTVO).

• Large-Screen Television — 50-inch LG plasma HDTV with HDMI connectors and 1080p resolution television valued at $749 (donated by American TV).

Raffle tickets are $25 each or can also be purchased in bundles of three for $65, six for $125, 10 for $180 or 20 for $300 at The Literacy Council office, 982 N. Main St., Rockford, by phone at (815) 508-1528 or online at www.theliteracycouncil.org.

Single tickets are also available at the following locations: Al Grace Appliance, Alpine Bank branches, Al’s Carpet Flooring & Design Center, American TV, Benson Stone Company, Granite Transformations, Hilander Foods, Logli Supermarkets, Lou Bachrodt Auto Mall, Red Mango, and River Valley Kitchens & Baths.

Winners will be announced during The Literacy Council’s 100 Men Who Cook event Saturday, May 19. This year, the event will be at a new location, the BMO Harris Bank Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford.

The two events are held in conjunction each year to raise awareness and funds for The Literacy Council’s programs. Winners of the raffle do not need to be present to win.

Tickets will be sold at the participating outlets through Wednesday, May 16. The Literacy Council will continue to sell tickets at its offices and online through noon, May 19, and people who have purchased tickets to 100 Men Who Cook can also buy raffle tickets at the BMO Harris Bank Center the day of the event.

For more about the Design on Our Dime Raffle or the 100 Men Who Cook, call (815) 508-1528 or visit www.theliteracycouncil.org.

The Literacy Council

More than 40,000 adults in the Rockford region read below the fifth-grade level and struggle with many daily tasks. The Literacy Council was founded in 1985 and started with 40 adult students. Currently, the council serves more than 2,000 people annually, including adults with limited literacy skills, those whose first language is not English, and children and families.

From the Feb. 1-7, 2012, issue

Rockford College will host a Visit Day for prospective students from 8:30 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Feb. 4, in the college’s Blanche Walker Burpee Center.

Visit Day gives prospective students and their families an in-depth look at Rockford College including visits with admission representatives, financial aid staff and current students.

Visit Day also includes a tour of the campus, on 130 wooded acres, and an academic fair where visitors can talk one-on-one with college faculty from various departments to learn more about academic programs.

The college’s application fee will be waived if students fill out their application form during Visit Day.

To reserve a spot for Rockford College’s Visit Day, call the admission office at (815) 226-4050 or 800-892-2984. Prospective students can also register online at http://www.rockford.edu/?VisitDay.

From the Feb. 1-7, 2012, issue

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The people of the state of Illinois suffered among the greatest number of losses in the Vietnam War, sacrificing 2,938 service men and women in combat.

The Vietnam Memorial Fund’s (VVMF) mission to honor these heroes continues with the National Call for Photos, a movement to collect photos of the more than 58,000 service members inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (The Wall) in Washington, D.C.

When collected, all photos will be displayed for generations to come at The Education Center at The Wall, a place on our National Mall where our military heroes’ stories and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

With the support of schools, volunteers, friends and family from around the country, VVMF has collected more than 25,000 pictures to date, but only 894 from the state of Illinois.

The task is far from complete. Generous support from volunteers, fellow service members, family and friends is still needed to gather the remaining 2,044 photos necessary to honor our heroes from Illinois for display at The Education Center.

With a groundbreaking planned for November 2012, The Education Center at The Wall is a multi-million dollar, state-of-the-art visitors’ center and learning facility to be built on the grounds of the Vietnam Veterans and the Lincoln Memorials.

Visitors will better understand the profound impact the Vietnam War had their friends and family members, their hometowns and the nation. The Education Center will feature the faces and stories of the 58,272 men and women on “The Wall,” honoring those who fell in Vietnam, those who fought and returned, as well as the friends and families of all who served. For more information, visit www.buildthecenter.org.

“Illinois suffered some of the highest casualty rates of any state in the Vietnam War,” said Jan C. Scruggs, founder and president of the VVMF. “The Education Center at The Wall will allow Americans to put faces with the names of brave men and women who lost their lives, fostering their appreciation and respect for generations to come.”

VVMF urges the citizens of Illinois to assist the National Call for Photos by submitting photographs of fallen service members and generously supporting the Education Center, ensuring the sacrifices of our military heroes are never forgotten.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund

Established in 1979, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (www.vvmf.org) is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., promoting healing and educating about the impact of the Vietnam War.

Authorized by Congress, its most recent initiative is building the Education Center at The Wall, an underground facility near the memorial that will help visitors discover the stories of those named on The Wall and celebrate the values embodied by all service members who served in all of America’s wars.

Other Memorial Fund initiatives include educational programs for students and teachers, as well as a traveling wall replica that honors our nation’s veterans.

Support the Education Center at The Wall by visiting www.buildthecenter.org, calling 866-990-WALL, or by texting “WALL” to 2022.

From the Feb. 1-7, 2012, issue

The Literacy Council is looking for more volunteer tutors to be matched with adults who need to improve reading skills.

Stephanie Groves, literacy coordinator, said: “Many students who come to The Literacy Council have lived with low literacy skills for a long time and have made a conscious decision to improve them. We don’t want to let them down.”

The Literacy Council has a waiting list of adults who want to work with tutors on reading skills. Tutors instruct them in phonics, reading comprehension and writing.

To become a tutor, you must be older than 18, have a high school diploma, possess good communication skills, be flexible and patient, and have the willingness to meet with a student for two hours a week for a minimum of one year.

Anyone who wants to become a volunteer tutor is invited to sign up for The Literacy Council’s free Tutor Workshop series. The council will be offering an online workshop for the first time beginning Feb. 7.

The next volunteer tutor workshop series, consisting of six classes, will be held Mondays and Wednesdays beginning Feb. 6 at The Literacy Council, 982 N. Main St., in Rockford. Volunteers will learn techniques for teaching reading and English as a second language to adults.

After attendance at the workshop, tutors will be matched with a learner for one-on-one instruction for two hours each week for a minimum of one year. They can work with their learners in Rockford, Belvidere or Loves Park.

Individuals interested in volunteering their time to share the joy of reading with an adult may visit www.theliteracycouncil.org to choose a workshop and download a registration form. Or, they may call The Literacy Council at (815) 963-READ.

From the Feb. 1-7, 2012, issue

This three-dimensional confocal microscopy image was featured on the cover page of the October issue of Biology of Reproduction. During sperm development, the enzyme acrosin (shown in red) is released in small vesicles, which fuse into larger vesicles seen in the left of the picture, eventually forming a single large vesicle called acrosome. When the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is absent, the small vesicles fail to fuse and stay dispersed, resulting in a complete loss of matured sperm. (Image provided)

By Phyllis Picklesimer
Media/Communications Specialist, University of Illinois College of ACES News and Public Affairs

URBANA, Ill. — Who knew male fertility depends on sperm-cell architecture? A University of Illinois study reports that a certain omega-3 fatty acid is necessary to construct the arch that turns a round, immature sperm cell into a pointy-headed super swimmer with an extra long tail.

“Normal sperm cells contain an arc-like structure called the acrosome that is critical in fertilization because it houses, organizes, and concentrates a variety of enzymes that sperm use to penetrate an egg,” said Manabu Nakamura, a U of I associate professor of biochemical and molecular nutrition.

The study shows for the first time that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is essential in fusing the building blocks of the acrosome together. “Without DHA, this vital structure doesn’t form and sperm cells don’t work,” said Timothy Abbott, a doctoral student who co-authored the study.

Men concerned about their fertility may wonder what foods contain DHA. Marine fish, such as salmon or tuna, are excellent sources of this omega-3 fatty acid.

The scientists became intrigued with DHA’s role in creating healthy sperm when they experimented with “knockout” mice that lack a gene essential to its synthesis. “We looked at sperm count, shape and motility, and tested the breeding success rate. The male mice that lacked DHA were basically infertile,” Nakamura said.

But when DHA was introduced into the mice’s diet, fertility was completely restored. “It was very striking. When we fed the mice DHA, all these abnormalities were prevented,” he said.

The scientists then used confocal laser scanning (3D) microscopy to look at thin slices of tissue in progressive stages of a sperm cell’s development. By labeling enzymes with fluorescence, they could track their location in a cell.

“We could see that the acrosome is constructed when small vesicles containing enzymes fuse together in an arc. But that fusion doesn’t happen without DHA,” he said.

In the absence of DHA, the vesicles are formed but they don’t come together to make the arch that is so important in sperm cell structure, he noted.

Nakamura finds the role this omega-3 fatty acid plays in membrane fusion particularly exciting. Because DHA is abundant in specific tissues, including the brain and the retina as well as the testes, the scientists believe their research findings could also impact research relating to brain function and vision.

“It’s logical to hypothesize that DHA is involved in vesicle fusion elsewhere in the body, and because the brain contains so much of it, we wonder if deficiencies could play a role, for example, in the development of dementia. Any communication between neurons in the brain involves vesicle fusion,” he noted.

The Illinois scientists will continue to study sperm; meanwhile, Nakamura has sent some of his DHA-deficient knockout mice to other laboratories where scientists are studying DHA function in the brain and the retina.

The study was published in a recent issue of Biology of Reproduction. Co-authors are Manuel Roqueta-Rivera, Timothy L. Abbott, Mayandi Sivaguru and Rex A. Hess, all of the U of I. The work was supported in part by a CONACyT Mexico fellowship award.

From the Feb. 1-7, 2012, issue

CHICAGO — The drinking water for 652,000 people in Illinois could be at risk of radioactive contamination from a leak or accident at a local nuclear power plant, says a new study released Jan. 24 by the Illinois Public Interest Research Group Education Fund (Illinois PIRG).

Brian Imus, Illinois PIRG state director, explained: “The danger of nuclear power is too close to home. Nuclear power plants in Illinois pose a risk to drinking water for more than 600,000 Illinoisans. An accident like the one in Fukushima, Japan, or a leak could spew cancer-causing radioactive waste into our drinking water.”

The nuclear meltdown in Fukushima, Japan, last year drew a spotlight on the many risks associated with nuclear power. After the disaster, airborne radiation left areas around the plant uninhabitable, and even contaminated drinking water sources near Tokyo, 130 miles from the plant.

According to the new report, “Too Close to Home: Nuclear Power and the Threat to Drinking Water,” the drinking water for 652,00 people in Illinois is within 50 miles of an active nuclear power plant — the distance the Nuclear Regulatory Commission uses to measure risk to food and water supplies.

Dr. Sam Epstein, a medical doctor and professor emeritus at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health, said: “This is an important study that underscores the dramatic risks nuclear plants pose to our health. Any radiation from a nuclear plant in Illinois would increase the risk of cancer and other serious illnesses.”

Radiation from a disaster like the one in Fukushima can contaminate drinking water and food supplies, as well as harm our health. But disaster or no disaster, a common leak at a nuclear power plant can also threaten the drinking water for millions of people. As our nuclear facilities get older, leaks are more common. In fact, 75 percent of U.S. nuclear plants have leaked tritium, a radioactive form of hydrogen that can cause cancer and genetic defects.

In December 2005, investigators found tritium in a drinking water well at a home near Braidwood Nuclear Generating Station in Illinois. Levels of tritium above the safe drinking water standard were found near the plant, and much higher levels were detected on the plant grounds. The leak was eventually traced to a pipe carrying normally non-radioactive water away for discharge.

David Kraft, director of the Chicago-based Nuclear Energy Information Service, a nuclear power watchdog organization, said: “Tritium should be considered a major problem issue with nuclear plants. Especially among the Great Lakes region’s 33 nuclear reactors, and especially with the Canadian CANDU reactors, which belch out many more times the tritium than do the U.S. reactors.”

Local bodies of water also play a critical role in cooling nuclear reactors and are at risk of contamination. In the case of the Fukushima meltdown, large quantities of seawater were pumped into the plant to cool it, and contaminated seawater then leaked and was dumped back into the ocean, carrying radioactivity from the plant with it. The Mississippi River provides cooling water for the Quad Cities Nuclear Plant in Illinois and could be at risk.

“With nuclear power, there’s too much at risk and the dangers are too close to home,” Imus said. “Illinoisans shouldn’t have to worry about getting cancer from drinking a glass of water.”

The report recommends the United States moves to a future without nuclear power by retiring existing plants, abandoning plans for new plants, and expanding energy efficiency and the production of clean, renewable energy such as wind and solar power.

To reduce the risks nuclear power poses to water supplies immediately, the report recommends completing a thorough safety review of U.S. nuclear power plants, requiring plant operators to implement recommended changes immediately and requiring nuclear plant operators to implement regular groundwater tests to catch tritium leaks, among other actions.

“There are far cleaner, cheaper and less-risky ways to get our energy,” said Max Muller with Environment Illinois. “Illinois and the United States should move away from nuclear power immediately and invest in safer alternatives such as efficiency and wind and solar power.”

The Illinois PIRG Education Fund is a nonprofit, nonpartisan consumer advocacy group. Visit www.illinoispirg.org.

Environment Illinois Research and Policy Center is a statewide citizen-based environmental group working for clean air, clean water, and open spaces. Visit www.environmentillinois.org.

From the Jan. 25-31, 2012, issue

CHICAGO — The 10th iteration of the American Lung Association’s (ALA) State of Tobacco Control 2012 report gives Illinois a “D” for their 98-cent-per-pack cigarette tax. Ranking 32nd in the nation, Illinois’ tax is one of the lowest and least effective in the country.

“Illinois is missing out on a valuable opportunity to help smokers quit, discourage kids from ever starting, and raise millions of dollars in new state funds,” said Harold Wimmer, president & CEO of the ALA in Illinois. “Cigarette taxes have overwhelming public support and I have no doubt that we could pass a stronger law in Illinois.”

It is estimated that raising Illinois’ cigarette tax by $1 would encourage nearly 60,000 adult smokers to quit and prevent an additional 75,000 kids from ever starting. The new tax could bring in more than $375 million to help chip away at the $8 billion smoking causes the state in health care expenditures and lost productivity every year.

“For every dollar we spend on helping smokers quit, we see a $1.29 return,” Wimmer said. “The American Lung Association in Illinois would like to see a strong cigarette tax pass in the next legislative session to save lives and protect our children from the devastating effects of tobacco use.”

Smoking rates in Illinois have fluctuated over the years with a noticeable decline after the implementation of the statewide smoking ban. The report estimates that smoking rates in Illinois are at 16.9 percent for adults with an alarming 18.4 percent rate for high school students. Each year, tobacco causes an estimated 16,600 deaths in Illinois alone.

Illinois’ remaining grades were an “A” for smoke-free air, “F” for tobacco control and prevention funding, and an “F” for cessation coverage.

To learn more about the State of Tobacco Control Report, visit www.stateoftobaccocontrol.org.

For more about the American Lung Association in Illinois, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or visit www.LungIL.org.

From the Jan. 25-31, 2012, issue

St. Paul Lutheran School, 811 Locust St., Rockford, will host an open house and book fair from noon to 3 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 29.

At the event, families can learn details about St. Paul’s 42 percent tuition reduction beginning with the start of the next school year. Those in attendance can enjoy many activities in addition to the open house for perspective new students and their families.

St. Paul encourages reading for the whole family with their annual book fair, which runs during the entire event. An art show of student work will also be on display.

A 1:30 p.m. concert will feature the school’s fine Beginning and Concert bands. Face painting and other activities will take place during the open house. Participants will also be able to snack on lemonade and popcorn. Ample parking is available in the lot along Kilburn Avenue.

For more about the event, call (815) 965-3335, ext. 215, or visit www.stpaulrockford.org/school.

St. Paul Lutheran School is a kindergarten through eighth-grade institution. The school is fully accredited by the National Lutheran School Accreditation and holds Illinois State Recognition. In addition to regular classroom offerings, St. Paul has computer education, a departmentalized junior high, online accelerated reading, drama productions, instrumental music education, religious instruction, weekly chapel services, Latin instruction, art specialist, hot lunch, and full range of interscholastic sports. St. Paul is also the home to Little Lambs Learning Center and Daycare. St. Paul Lutheran School was established in 1888.

From the Jan. 25-31, 2012, issue

Author and speaker Gloriann Dawson released her second book, Chloe Tales, in late November 2011.

Chloe Tales is the heart-warming and funny story of Rockford’s first K-9 hospice volunteer and the pioneer of the hospice pet visitor program for Northern Illinois Hospice and Grief Center. The story is told by Chloe, through her best friend and handler, Gloriann.

She tells about her growing up and training for obedience competition and then training for therapy dog work and the events that got her and Gloriann volunteering with hospice.

Her life was not always easy as she had several obstacles to overcome, but with her love for Gloriann and their faith, she got through each one and went on to give comfort to the terminally ill and bring a smile to many faces.

This book, as well as Gloriann’s first book, One Daughter’s Story, can be purchased through Amazon.com and Kindle. Follow Gloriann on her blog at www.gloriannchatter.com or on Twitter @GloriannDawson.

From the Jan. 25-31, 2012, issue

Illinois hospitals contributed annual community benefits of more than $4.6 billion in programs and services in their 2009-10 fiscal years, according to the fifth annual report issued by the Illinois Hospital Association (IHA).

Illinois Hospitals: Cornerstones of Health, Foundations of the Community focuses on how hospitals in Illinois respond to the evolving health care needs of patients in their communities as they strive to combat obesity and diabetes, lend a helping hand when needed, and enhance the services they provide in a multitude of ways.

During fiscal year 2010, Rockford Memorial Hospital contributed annual community benefits of more than $48 million in programs and services.

Gary E. Kaatz, president and CEO of Rockford Health System, said: “Rockford Health System is extremely proud of its commitment to the Rockford region. It is a commitment that stretches well beyond the walls of our hospital.”

As reported under the Illinois Community Benefits Act, Rockford Memorial Hospital provided the following:

• $25,117,718 absorbed by the hospital because of underpayments by government-sponsored programs such as Medicare and Medicaid;

• $7,703,418 in health care services for patients who were unable to pay;

• $10,474,384 in free and discounted care at cost;

• $1,299,302 to educate new physicians, nurses and other medical professionals;

• $2,571,197 to subsidize operational losses related to select patient care services (e.g., behavioral medicine, pastoral services, women’s services);

• $382,931 in language assistance services; and

• $1,353,329 in donations, volunteer work and other services.

Despite the continuing economic downturn and Illinois’ challenging political and fiscal environments, the state’s hospitals contributed not only services and programs to benefit their communities, but also billions of dollars in tangible economic benefits as major employers, job creators and purchasers of goods and services.

Illinois hospitals pump $75.1 billion into the state’s economy each year, including more than $14.8 billion in salaries and benefits to employ nearly a quarter of a million people. In nearly half of the state’s counties, hospitals are among the top three employers.

Illinois Hospitals: Cornerstones of Health, Foundations of the Community demonstrates the enormous impact Illinois hospitals have on individual lives as well as entire communities. The report can be seen at http://tinyurl.com/86hb833.

From the Jan. 25-31, 2012, issue

LOVES PARK, Ill. — The Rockford RiverHawks will host a free youth baseball clinic from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 11, at Wallbangers Academy in Loves Park, Ill.

The clinic is for children ages 7-13, and up to 25 kids can sign up. Spots are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.

RiverHawks Manager Rich Austin and other members of the coaching staff will be the instructors.

“Our previous free clinics filled up very quickly, and I strongly encourage parents to sign their children up as soon as possible,” said Chris Daleo, RiverHawks director of operations.

For more details or to reserve a spot, call the RiverHawks’ front office at (815) 885-BALL.

The RiverHawks are members of the Frontier League, an independent professional baseball league that will play its 20th season in 2012. Advertising and season ticket information is available by calling (815) 885-2255. Fans can also visit www.rockfordriverhawks.com.

From the Jan. 25-31, 2012, issue

CHICAGO — Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan released her list of the top 10 consumer complaints for 2011, revealing consumer debt was the upmost concern among Illinoisans.

For the fourth consecutive year, consumer debt complaints in 2011 ranked No. 1 on the Attorney General’s annual top 10 list of complaints. Of the nearly 5,900 debt-related complaints, more than 1,100 were filed against debt collectors who illegally threatened and harassed consumers.

Madigan said the complaints and calls to her office demonstrate the extent to which consumers are struggling to pay off debt and are being targeted by abusive, aggressive debt collectors.

Abusive debt collection is a growing problem nationally, Madigan noted, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting in 2010 its top complaint was abusive debt-collection practices.

While unveiling the list of top consumer complaints, Madigan also took action against a Skokie-based debt collector, PN Financial Inc., filing suit in Cook County Circuit Court. Madigan said PN Financial emerged last year as one of the most egregious cases of illegal debt collection during her tenure as Attorney General.

“As this difficult economy persists, honest, hard-working families are increasingly targets for debt collectors that operate outside the law,” Madigan said. “Though consumers may be struggling under the weight of debt, they still have the right to be protected against illegal harassment and fraud.”

Madigan’s lawsuit against PN Financial and owner, Nelson Macwan, of Skokie, Ill., alleges numerous violations of state and federal laws that protect Illinois consumers from off-limits debt collection tactics. Madigan alleged PN Financial acted illegally by:

• Revealing information about debts to people other than the consumer, including employers or family members;

• Fronting as a law firm and intimidating consumers with fake court case numbers on letters sent to consumers to falsely represent they had been sued for failure to pay a debt;

• Debiting more money from consumers’ bank accounts than consumers authorized, causing some to incur overdraft fees; and

• Accessing consumers’ credit reports without authorization to intimidate them to pay alleged debts.

Additionally, Madigan said in some instances PN Financial attempted to collect debts it was not authorized to collect. As a result, some consumers paid PN Financial, without realizing they didn’t owe any outstanding balances to the collection company, and reported losing at least $9,000. PN Financial also contacted other consumers over debts that had already been paid off.

Fifty-two consumers have filed complaints with Madigan’s office against PN Financial. The Chicago Better Business Bureau (BBB) has received 82 complaints against the company.

“The BBB has received numerous complaints from consumers who allege a troubling trend in the debt collection industry,” said Steve Bernas, BBB of Chicago president and CEO. “According to these consumers, certain debt collection companies are attempting to collect debts that these consumers don’t owe or have previously paid off. We support the efforts of Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan to protect consumers. Currently, PN Financial Inc., against which Attorney General Madigan filed suit, has the BBB’s lowest rating — an ‘F’.”

Madigan’s lawsuit seeks to shut down PN Financial, permanently bar it from debt collection in Illinois, provide restitution to affected consumers and assess an array of civil penalties.

In addition to consumer debt, Madigan said other categories that topped her list of complaints involved identity theft and home repair. In 2011, more than 200,000 consumers contacted Madigan’s office for assistance and a total of 24,516 formal complaints were filed.

The top 10 consumer complaints, with the number of complaints, for 2011 were as follow:

1. Consumer Debt (mortgage lending, debt collections, credit cards) — 5,878

2. Identity Theft (fraudulent credit cards and utility accounts, bank fraud) — 3,207

3. Construction Home Improvement (remodeling, roofs/gutters) — 2,263

4. Telecommunications (wireless service, local phone service, cable/satellite) — 1,903

5. Motor Vehicles/Used Auto Sales (as-is sales, financing, warranties) — 1,160

6. Promotions and Schemes (sweepstakes, pyramid, work-at-home schemes) — 953

7. Mail Order (Internet purchases, catalog ordering, television/radio) — 944

8. Fraud Against Business (consulting, directories/publications) — 843

9. Motor Vehicle/Non-Warranty Repair (collision/body, engines) — 737

10. Utilities (electric, water, natural gas/propane, waste removal) — 574

For more information, visit Madigan’s website, www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov, or contact her following range of hotlines about issues ranging from home foreclosure to identity theft:

• Chicago Consumer Fraud Hotline: 1-800-386-5438

• Springfield Consumer Fraud Hotline: 1-800-243-0618

• Carbondale Consumer Fraud Hotline: 1-800-243-0607

• Spanish Language Hotline: 1-866-310-8398

• Identity Theft Hotline: 1-866-999-5630

• Homeowner Helpline: 1-866-544-7151

From the Jan. 18-24, 2012, issue

Rockford Public School District 205 Interim Superintendent Robert Willis will outline the district’s “Readiness Rocks!” initiatives during the annual Chamber of Commerce dinner, which begins at 6 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 19, at Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford.

During his address, Dr. Willis will announce plans for newly-formed community partnerships and describe how commitment from those partners and efforts by the district will create a world-class learning environment that prepares students to compete in a global economy.

The five Readiness Rocks (listed below) are the foundation for improving and enhancing the school district as it moves forward. These initiatives will put Rockford Public Schools in a position to lead the nation in progressive educational philosophies, teaching methods, resources and student incentives.

1. College & Career Readiness

• College and career readiness benchmarks for all students

• Professional learning communities teaching structure

• High school academies

• Post-secondary education partners

2. Seven Periods to Success (for secondary students)

• Expand dual credit offerings

• Expand fine arts, electives and enrichment offerings

• Provide additional support for struggling students

3. 21st Century Learning Environment

• 10-year facilities plan

• Technology enhancements

4. Preschool for All

• Incrementally expand preschool programs to reach all district children

5. College for All

• Financial assistance to qualifying students for career or College programs

For more about the event, go to http://rockfordilcoc.weblinkconnect.com/cwt/External/WCPages/WCEvents/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1061.

From the Jan. 18-24, 2012, issue

Recognized as one of the top college-preparatory schools in northern Illinois, Keith Country Day School will host its annual Information Fair from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Jan. 21.

Celebrating 96 years of academic excellence, visiting families will have a chance to meet teachers and students, tour classrooms and obtain information about Keith’s curriculum, sports and fine arts programs, scholarships and financial assistance.

“Our information fair is a wonderful opportunity to get to know our school,” said Alan Gibby, Keith’s Head of School. “Both teachers and students take great pride in showing off the campus and informing people about the programs we have.”

The 2011-12 school year has already been loaded with academic, fine arts and sports program successes.

Prior to press time, nearly 85 percent of the senior class had been offered academic scholarships for college admissions in 2012 and almost 25 percent of the junior class was named Illinois State Scholars this year.

In sports, the boys’ varsity soccer team finished the 2011 campaign as the No. 1 seed entering regional play and the girls’ varsity volleyball team won the Northern Athletic Conference title and tournament.

In fine arts, the drama department’s production of The Wind in the Willows was selected to perform at the 2012 Illinois Theatre Festival and more than 30 lower, middle and upper school students showcased art work at the Rockford Public Library and Rock Valley College gallery nights.

Keith Country Day School is an independent, nonsectarian, college-preparatory school founded by Belle Emerson Keith in 1916. Located on a 15-acre campus overlooking the Rock River, Keith serves students from age 3 through grade 12 from the northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin area. The school is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools and fully-accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.

More about Keith School is available at Keithschool.com.

From the Jan. 18-24, 2012, issue

Adult golfers ages 18 and older who want to improve their game in time for the spring season are invited to sign up for Rockford Park District indoor golf clinics scheduled Jan. 16-March 14.

The 50-minute group lessons meet Monday afternoons, 12:30-1:20 p.m. or 1:30-2:20 p.m., at the Indoor Sports Center in Loves Park, and are taught by PGA members and apprentices.

Attend all, some, or one — each clinic will focus on a specific type of shot or skill: Wedges, Irons, Woods, Accuracy and Full Swing.

Fees are $20 per clinic ($23 non-resident). Register online at www.rockfordparkdistrict.org (click Register Now) or by mail, fax (with credit card), or at either Park District Customer Service location (downtown Rockford, or Carlson Ice Arena, Loves Park).

Registration will close as capacities are reached.

A schedule of all clinics and topics, as well as a registration form, are included in the Winter/Spring 2012 Program Guide available on the Park District website, at Park District offices and facilities, or by calling Customer Service at (815) 987-8800. For information about support or adapted golf programs for golfers with disabilities or special needs, call (815) 987-8800.

From the Jan. 18-24, 2012, issue

Rockford College is included in the top 20 percent of colleges and universities in the U.S. to accommodate students with military experience by the 2012 list of Military Friendly Schools, published by G.I Jobs magazine.

The list honors the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members and veterans as students.

Rockford College is among the 1,518 colleges, universities and trade schools on the 2012 list that prioritize the recruitment of students with military experience.

The 2012 list was compiled through extensive research and a data-driven survey of more than 8,000 schools nationwide. Methodology, criteria and weighting for the list were developed with the assistance of an Academic Advisory Board (AAB) consisting of educators from schools across the country.

Rockford College Vice President for Enrollment Management Barrett Bell said: “We proudly participate in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement program and welcome diversity, leadership and the life experiences veteran students bring to the classroom. It is impossible to thank our veterans adequately for their sacrifice and service to our country. Being a partner in their efforts to achieve their education goals is one way we can give back, and we are honored to do so.”

The complete 2012 list of military-friendly schools is available at http://www.militaryfriendlyschools.com/Default.aspx.

From the Jan. 18-24, 2012, issue

For those searching for a better way to stick to 2012 weight loss resolutions, the answer may be simple … tie a string around your finger.

The better your memory and other thinking skills, the better your chances of losing weight and keeping it off.

According to a new study led by Dr. John Gunstad, associate professor of psychology at Kent State University, memory and other mental abilities clearly influence the amount of weight people lose.

“The results of our latest study indicate that better performance on tests of memory and executive function is linked to greater weight loss in persons who have weight loss surgery,” said Dr. Gunstad. “We believe this effect comes from a better ability to stick to the diet and exercise habits that promote weight loss. But, these findings should not be misinterpreted to indicate that cognitive impairment automatically leads to negative outcomes. Instead, it might encourage cognitive screening to help identify those people who might benefit from additional support to help them reach their weight loss goals.”

In short, if you plan to lose weight and keep the pounds at bay, you need a plan and helpful reminders to stay on track. After talking with your doctor to identify the best weight loss plan for you, using strategies such as planning your meals well in advance or using alerts on your smartphone might make a big difference.

“Some people appear to have a better ability than others to keep themselves on task,” said Dr. Gunstad. “Fortunately, a little planning can help those of us that have a harder time doing so still achieve our weight loss goals.”

The results of the study led by Dr. Gunstad will appear in an upcoming issue of Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases.

Dr. Gunstad is an associate professor in the Kent State University Department of Psychology. With specialties in neuropsychology and health, Dr. Gunstad conducts research that examines two broad areas: 1. the effects of aging and disease on neurocognitive function, with a particular interest in cardiovascular disease and obesity; and 2. acute factors that affect neuropsychological functioning, including environmental stressors.

From the Jan. 18-24, 2012, issue

A partnership of Rockford-area workforce development and education-related organizations is announcing plans for an event designed to encourage individuals to complete their GED high school equivalency diploma.

The GED Fair will be from 1 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 18, at Rockford Career College, at the Heartland Church complex, 1130 S. Alpine Road, Rockford.

Numerous organizations will be on hand to speak with individuals about the GED programs and support services they offer. Rock Valley College will be conducting an assessment session for individuals interested in enrolling in GED preparation classes. More about the GED Fair is available at www.rockfordgedfair.org or www.rockfordgedfair.com.

A Southern Illinois University study updated in October 2010 identified 46,916 individuals in Boone and Winnebago counties ages 16 and older not enrolled in school and without a high school diploma or a GED. The report referred to these individuals as a “population at risk.”

According to the organizers of the event, a high school diploma or GED is necessary to meet the qualifications for many of the available jobs and job training in the Rockford area; and to improve workforce readiness for 21st-century jobs.

A recent study from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce suggests the national economy will create nearly 47-million new jobs openings by 2018, and nearly two-thirds of those jobs will require workers with at least some college education.

A group of about 60 business and community leaders from the Rockford-Belvidere area attended a “Business/Education/Workforce” roundtable last summer to address the need for increased GED attainment in the region. The meeting, called by the Boone & Winnebago Counties Workforce Investment Board (WIB), also considered available community resources to address the educational attainment needs. The WIB already funds a number of programs for both in-school youth and dropouts designed to help them graduate from high school or achieve their GED.

Among the organizations participating in the GED Fair are Rock Valley College, the Boone and Winnebago Counties Regional Office of Education, Rockford Career College, The Literacy Council and the Workforce Investment Board.

The GED Fair is part of an ongoing initiative to encourage greater GED attainment in the region, organized as a result of last year’s roundtable.

From the Jan. 11-17, 2012, issue

In commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, JT’s Bourbon Street Grille will host a special dinner at 6 p.m., Friday, Jan. 13 at the restaurant, 1407 N. Main St.

In 1964, Dr. King became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to end racial discrimination through civil disobedience and other non-violent means. Martin Luther King Jr. Day was established as a national federal holiday in 1986. Dr. King is known as one of the greatest orators in American history and perhaps best known for his “I Have a Dream” speech delivered at the March on Washington in 1963.

The commemorative dinner will include some of Dr. King’s favorite foods such as pigs’ feet, pork chops and pecan pie. Cost of the buffet is $10 per person or $6 if reserved in advance. For more information, call (815) 964-4400.

From the Jan. 11-17, 2012, issue

LOVES PARK, Ill. — The Rockford RiverHawks are seeking families interested in housing a player for the 2012 season.

This unique experience will allow a family to get to know a player beyond the field and allow them the insight of the player’s everyday life.

“My family and I became the first host family for the RiverHawks,” said Sally Hoesel. “We started out hosting to give our then 9-year-old son a different experience, and it’s now something we look forward to every summer.”

Players may be assigned housing as early as the first week of May. Pending the length of the postseason, players may be in homes as late as mid-September.

Host families can enjoy many benefits in exchange for providing room and board: up to four season tickets (depending on household size), a VIP parking pass, a discount card for purchases in the team store, and monthly picnics with the whole team, all exclusive to host families.

Many host families have developed relationships with players that have lasted long beyond the players’ days in Rockford.

“We have been blessed with players who have gone on to play in the major leagues, including Jon Garland, Kyle Lohse and Adam Dunn,” Hoesel said. “Regardless of who you host, it is a great feeling to sit in the stands while your player is on the field. You will forever be a part of that person’s life.”

Families unable to host a player for a whole season can host for just spring training May 1-17. For that, families can receive up to four 10-game mini plans.

Families interested in the program should contact Hoesel at (815) 871-5245 or at sallyh@rockfordriverhawks.com.

The RiverHawks are members of the Frontier League, an independent professional baseball league that will play its 20th season in 2012. Advertising and season ticket information is available by calling (815) 885-2255. Fans can also visit www.rockfordriverhawks.com.

From the Jan. 11-17, 2012, issue

The YMCA of Rock River Valley to offer LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, a physical activity and well-being initiative that helps people affected by cancer reach their holistic health goals.

The LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program is available to cancer survivors and their families in the Rockford community, and will be offered starting in January 2012.

“Research shows exercise is the simplest way for cancer survivors to reduce fatigue, improve their mood and bounce back from the debilitating effects of cancer treatment more quickly,” said Andy Miller, LIVESTRONG executive vice president. “But there weren’t enough programs to help people affected by cancer reach their health and well-being goals, so LIVESTRONG and the Y joined forces to create LIVESTRONG at the YMCA. The Y is the perfect collaborator because of its national reach, commitment to meeting the needs of all community members and history of program innovation in support of health and wellness.”

As part of LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, the Y engages cancer survivors through an approach that focuses on the whole person. Participants work with trained Y staff to build muscle mass and strength, increase flexibility and endurance, and improve functional ability. In addition to physical benefits, the program is also focused on the emotional well-being of survivors and their families by providing a supportive community environment where people affected by cancer can connect during treatment and beyond.

The YMCA of Rock River Valley was one of 16 Ys to receive a grant to implement the program as a result of the 2011 LIVESTRONG Community Impact Project, an online community voting campaign, bringing the foundation’s overall investment in the survivor care program to $2.3 million.

LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is part of a multi-year collaboration between YMCA of the USA, the national resource office for the Y, and the Lance Armstrong Foundation, the organization created in 1997 by the cancer survivor and champion cyclist to serve people living with cancer and empower communities to take action. The foundation is now known publicly by its powerful brand — LIVESTRONG — and is a leader in the global movement on behalf of 28 million people around the world living with cancer today. LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, launched in 2008, is designed to improve the health and day-to-day quality of life for the country’s growing population of cancer survivors and their families. By the end of 2011, LIVESTRONG at the YMCA will be offered at 86 Ys around the country. To date, approximately 6,000 cancer survivors have participated in the program nationwide.

“We are excited to collaborate with LIVESTRONG to offer those who have been diagnosed with cancer the support they need to build both emotional and physical strength,” said Martha Rolf, COO of YMCA of Rock River Valley. “With a mission centered on balance, the Y strives to be a leading voice on health and well-being for our community by providing resources and guidance so that all people, no matter what their circumstance, can achieve greater health and well-being in spirit, mind and body.”

For more information, contact Martha Rolf at (815) 489-3330 or mrolf@rockfordymca.org.

From the Jan. 11-17, 2012, issue

The Rockford Foresters baseball team has signed first baseman Geno Larkin from Division I program Wagner College, where he is currently a freshman.

Larkin was the 20th player to sign to play for the Rockford Foresters for the 2012 season.

The 6-foot-3-inch, 230-pound Larkin is a switch-hitting player who has gap-to-gap power. In addition to playing first base, the Minnesota native can also play third base. Larkin played high school baseball at Eden Prairie High School, where he lettered and was part of the team that went to the state tournament.

Larkin is the son of former Minnesota Twins World Series hero Gene Larkin, who played for the Minnesota Twins from 1987 to 1993 and was a member of the 1987 and 1991 World Series championship teams.

Gene is best known for hitting the series-winning single in 1991, a deep fly ball that was not caught by the Braves that scored fellow teammate Dan Gladden from third base during the 10th inning in Game 7 of the 1991 Series. Gene played college ball at Columbia University and was the first alumnus to make it to the major leagues since Lou Gehrig.

Game-worn jerseys for sale

The Rockford Foresters are getting new home team uniforms in 2012. A combination of different game-worn jerseys from 2011 will be for sale. All of the white jerseys (home jerseys) from last season will be for sale, along with a select number of black away jerseys.

Following is a breakdown of the jerseys for sale, by jersey color:

Black jerseys: No. 3, large; and

White jerseys: No. 30, large; No. 3, large; No. 27, extra large; No. 12, extra large; and No. 7, large.

Jerseys are $25, plus tax and $6 shipping. Orders can be placed by e-mailing tickets@rockfordforesters.com.

From the Jan. 11-17, 2012, issue

Stanley Campbell

By Stanley Campbell

Rockford Urban Ministries (for which I work) will be celebrating 50 years of service to the city.

RUM (as it is affectionately known) was started back in 1962 as a way for the United Methodists to pool their resources and do urban work. In 1963, RUM received formal support from the Northern Illinois Conference, and a director was appointed. But the story I would like to relate concerns the second RUM director, the Rev. Charles Jordan.

Rev. Jordan was appointed by the Chicago Bishop to come to Rockford and direct the urban ministries of the church. Rev. Jordan, an African-American pastor, went on to become Bishop of Iowa and presently resides in California.

At the time he moved here, Rev. Jordan sought good housing for his wife and two young children in a north Rockford neighborhood. Funny thing and highly coincidentally, he purchased a house right next door to my family. I was in high school at the time, attending Holy Cross Seminary in Lacrosse, Wis.

My mother relates the story of the neighbors being none too pleased at having a black family move into the neighborhood. Rev. Jordan might have been greeted with a burning cross, except my mother went from house to house asking the neighbors to be more neighborly. The Jordans were received without incident.

I met Rev. Jordan over Christmas break, 1967, during a heavy snowstorm. My mother “asked” me to shovel their driveway. They were returning late from a long trip and expected the worst. They were pleasantly surprised to arrive home to a freshly shoveled driveway. Decades later, he still relays his appreciation. Little acts of kindness last long.

When I was hired by RUM in 1985, I searched the local history for references to Rockford Urban Ministries. The only article I found was about the city’s response to Dr. Martin Luther King’s murder. Rev. Jordan led the first integrated march through the city of Rockford. At the time, there were many people who thought Dr. King was “moving too fast,” or worse, part of a Communist conspiracy. The John Birch Society was quite active in the city back then. But Rev. Jordan overcame those obstacles and brought a large part of Rockford together.

I’ve since met with Bishop Jordan, who still works for inclusiveness and who still holds Rockford Urban Ministries and the city in his prayers.

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

From the Jan. 11-17, 2012, issue

The Rockford Deanery Council of Catholic Women’s 20th Annual Woman of the Year Banquet is set to begin at 5 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 29, at Cliffbreakers, 700 W. Riverside Blvd., Rockford.

The dinner honors women who have been selected by their own parishes for outstanding long-term service and/or community work.

Eighteen women from the Rockford Deanery will be honored this year. Those receiving special recognition are Norma Stein, St. James, Belvidere; Mary Ann Bukoski, St. Mary, Byron; Sue Cocoma, St. Mary/St. Patrick, Durand, Irish Grove; Patti Bishop, St. Bridget, Loves Park; Margaret Bauch, St. Mary, Pecatonica; Sue Sabrowski, Holy Family, Rockford; Marie Falzone, St. Anthony of Padua, Rockford; Phyllis Lee, St. Bernadette, Rockford; Elaine Grygiel, St. Edward, Rockford; Nancy Snow, St. James, Rockford; Danuta Barnhart, St. Mary’s Oratory, Rockford; Anne Murphy and Patricia Stahl, St. Patrick, Rockford; Jean Czerniewski, Cathedral of St. Peter, Rockford; Maria Teresa Garza, SS Peter and Paul, Rockford; Mary Fehrle, St. Rita, Rockford; Anna Bratko, St. Stanislaus Kostka, Rockford; Clare Hughes, Church of the Holy Spirit, Roscoe; and Junie Pospischil, St. Peter, South Beloit.

Social hour will begin at 5 p.m., with dinner at 5:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend.

Cost for the meal is $30 per person. Dinner choices are: Herb Crusted Tilapia and Beef Wellington OR Vegetarian Lasagna. The children’s selection is Chicken Fingers and Fries for $13 per child (ages 4-10). Reservations can be made at each parish or by calling Angie Kelly at (815) 964-4284 by Monday, Jan. 17. Dinner guests will be seated by parish, and no late reservations will be taken.

From the Jan. 4-10, 2012, issue

The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) has announced that applications for the In Youth We Trust Grant Fund are available at www.cfnil.org.

The In Youth We Trust Grant Program urges area youth groups to submit proposals for youth-led community service projects. Suggestions for proposals include, but are not limited to: environmental programs, school beautification, mentorship, intergenerational activities, literacy and violence prevention. Deadline for submission is Jan. 20.

In Youth We Trust is a youth philanthropy program of the CFNIL. Established with a grant from the Ford Foundation in 1994, and endowed by a local donor, this program teaches grantmaking and leadership skills to today’s youth, preparing them to be the positive change of tomorrow.

The CFNIL is the area’s largest provider of grants and scholarships. Its mission is to attract, grow and preserve a permanent endowment for the needs of the people of northern Illinois.

From the Jan. 4-10, 2012, issue

Local author and speaker Gloriann Dawson will sign copies of her new book, Chloe Tales, at Womanspace’s Health & Wellness Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 7.

Chloe Tales is the story of the life of Rockford’s first K-9 hospice volunteer and the pioneer of the hospice pet visitor program at Northern Illinois Hospice And Grief Center, as told by Chloe, herself.

The book starts with Chloe’s birth, and continues through her adoption, her adventures training, experiences in the show ring, two near-death illnesses, and her relationship and love for her best friend and handler, Gloriann.

Early reviews say “very funny” and “heart-warming” and “a must read for anyone who loves dogs.”

Womanspace is at 3333 Maria Linden Drive, Rockford. Call Womanspace at (815) 877-0118 for more details about the fair.

From the Jan. 4-10, 2012, issue

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Nearly 1.5 million families have been able to positively change their financial situation through Financial Peace University (FPU), the 13-week course taught by Dave Ramsey on DVD.

FPU teaches families and individuals common-sense principles like how to make a plan with their money so they are able to free themselves of debt and build lasting wealth.

FPU is available for churches, military, non-profit agencies and businesses. The program will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1225 E. Second St., Belvidere, beginning at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 21. Contact Kurtis Bueltmann at (815) 544-8058 for more information or to register.

Ramsey knows firsthand what it is like to be broke and hopeless. Because of his experiences, he decided to help other people change the way they handle their money and began teaching FPU in 1994.

After each lesson, there is a small group discussion that provides accountability and encouragement. Topics include saving for emergencies, budgeting, relationships and money, and getting out of debt.

Each class participant needs a kit that includes a lifetime family membership to FPU, an FPU workbook, an FPU envelope system, 13 audio lessons, bonus CD, budgeting forms, debit card holders, and Ramsey’s best-selling book — Financial Peace. Kits can be purchased through the host location, daveramsey.com or by calling 888-227-3223.

Visit www.daveramsey.com for more details and class locations.

From the Jan. 4-10, 2012, issue

URBANA, Ill. — New parents have one more reason to pay attention to the oral health of their toothless babies. A recent University of Illinois study confirms the presence of bacteria associated with early childhood caries (ECC) in infant saliva.

ECC is a virulent form of caries, more commonly known as tooth decay or a cavity. Cavities are the most prevalent infectious disease in U.S. children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“By the time a child reaches kindergarten, 40 percent have dental cavities,” said Kelly Swanson, lead researcher and U of I professor of animal science. “In addition, populations who are of low socioeconomic status, who consume a diet high in sugar, and whose mothers have low education levels are 32 times more likely to have this disease.”

Swanson’s novel study focused on infants before teeth erupted, compared to most studies focused on children already in preschool or kindergarten — after many children already have dental cavities.

“We now recognize that the ‘window of infectivity,’ which was thought to occur between 19 and 33 months of age years ago, really occurs at a much younger age,” he said. “Minimizing snacks and drinks with fermentable sugars and wiping the gums of babies without teeth, as suggested by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, are important practices for new parents to follow to help prevent future cavities.”

In addition, his team used high-throughput molecular techniques to characterize the entire community of oral microbiota, rather than focusing on identification of a few individual bacteria.

“Improved DNA technologies allow us to examine the whole population of bacteria, which gives us a more holistic perspective,” Swanson said. “Like many other diseases, dental cavities are a result of many bacteria in a community, not just one pathogen.”

Through 454 pyrosequencing, researchers learned that the oral bacterial community in infants without teeth was much more diverse than expected and identified hundreds of species. This demonstration that many members of the bacterial community that cause biofilm formation or are associated with ECC are already present in infant saliva justifies more research on the evolution of the infant oral bacterial community, Swanson said.

Could manipulating the bacterial community in infants before tooth eruption help prevent this disease in the future?

“The soft tissues in the mouth appear to serve as reservoirs for potential pathogens prior to tooth eruption,” he said. “We want to characterize the microbial evolution that occurs in the oral cavity between birth and tooth eruption, as teeth erupt, and as dietary changes occur such as breastfeeding vs. formula feeding, liquid to solid food, and changes in nutrient profile.”

Swanson said educating parents-to-be about oral hygiene and dietary habits is the most important strategy for prevention of dental cavities.

“Comparative analysis of salivary bacterial microbiome diversity in edentulous infants and their mothers or primary care givers using pyrosequencing” was published Aug. 10 in PLoS ONE. Researchers include Kelly Swanson, Kimberly Cephas, Juhee Kim, Rose Ann Mathai and Kathleen Barry of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Scot Dowd of the Research and Testing Laboratory and Medical Biofilm Research Institute in Lubbock, Texas; and Brandon Meline of the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District. This study was funded by the United States Department of Agriculture-Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (project ILLU-538-396).

From the Jan. 4-10, 2012, issue

MADISON, Wis. — Using an ankle brace? Wise choice.

A new study from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health shows high-school basketball players who wore stabilizing lace-up ankle braces had 68 percent fewer injuries than athletes who did not.

The study, presented at the annual meeting of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine in San Diego, examined athletes who used the lace-up ankle brace — one of the most popular type of braces currently used by collegiate and high school players in the U.S. The study is the first of its kind to examine the efficacy of lace-up ankle braces to prevent both first-time and recurrent ankle injuries in adolescent basketball players.

“The research suggests that wearing lace-up ankle braces is a cost-effective injury-prevention strategy for adolescent basketball players,” said Tim McGuine, UW sports medicine researcher, athletic trainer and lead author. “Basketball has one of the highest rates for ankle injuries, and this study illustrates how a simple brace can help keep an athlete on the court.”

The researchers gathered data on a total of 1,460 male and female basketball players from 46 high schools across Wisconsin during the 2009-10 basketball season. The players, all of whom voluntarily enrolled in the study, were randomly assigned to be part of a group that used braces (740 students) or a control group that did not (720 students).

Players in the control group sustained 78 acute ankle injuries, while players who wore the brace got only 27 similar injuries during the same amount of exposures. An exposure is defined as any coach-directed competition, practice or conditioning session. Researchers found no significant difference in the severity of injuries between the groups.

Study co-author Dr. Alison Brooks, assistant professor in the UW department of orthopedics and rehabilitation, division of sports medicine, says the research provides some hard evidence to support a product that many families have been investing in for years.

“Parents were paying a substantial amount of money for a device that had never been proven effective,” Brooks said. “Our results show that the benefits of ankle braces far outweigh the expense.”

Acute ankle injuries are typically the result of a traumatic event, most often caused by the sudden stops and starts common to a sport like basketball. Ankle injuries are the most common type of injury in high school athletes in the United States, with 78,000 occurring in female and male high school basketball players annually. Each injury costs approximately $11,900 per athlete, in direct and indirect costs, to treat. Furthermore, 30 percent of the athletes who sustain ankle injuries will experience long-term negative consequences that severely affect their ability to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle as adults.

Researchers are completing a similar study on the effect of ankle braces on high- school football athletes, the results of which will be available in the fall.

The study was funded by the UW department of orthopedics and rehabilitation and the UW Sports Medicine Classic Research Fund. The study will appear in the September issue of The American Journal of Sports Medicine.

From the Jan. 4-10, 2012, issue

In recognition of the sixth annual World Hypnotism Day Jan. 4, 2012, Rockford’s enTrance Center, 5844 Elaine Drive, will offer free hypnotism demonstrations and free hypnosis CDs.

Pick up a free Ideal Weight Hypnosis, Smoke Free Forever, or Deeper Relaxation Hypnosis audio CD between 2 and 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 4. These are the same CDs that sell for $21 on Amazon.com. Learn how hypnosis can help anyone achieve positive goals in 2012.

Paul Dale Anderson, MA, MS Ed, BCH, CI will introduce you to hypnosis and provide free demonstrations of the effectiveness of hypnosis.

World Hypnotism Day has proven to be one of the most impressive displays of professionalism and sharing of knowledge and skills by hypnotists around the world. Talks, interviews, workshops and articles were available around the world, all clearing the air and removing the myths and misconceptions of hypnotism while explaining the many benefits it brings. Free resources for the public can be found at www.worldhypnotismday.com.

For more details, contact Anderson at (815) 397-5901 or e-mail pda@entrancecenter.com.

From the Dec. 28, 2011-Jan. 3, 2012, issue

MADISON, Wis. — Sending thorough and timely reports to nursing homes when a patient is discharged from the hospital could help promote patient safety during the early days after a hospitalization.

Yet, these reports, which are called discharge summaries, are frequently incomplete and delayed.

That’s according to researchers at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. Their findings, recently published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, determined that reports regularly lacked necessary information about diet, activity level, therapy and pending laboratory tests of nursing home patients after departure from the hospital.

The study, which was funded by the UW Health Innovation Program and the National Institutes of Health, involved 489 Medicare patients treated for strokes and hip fractures. All were sent to nursing homes after discharge from the hospital between 2003 and 2005.

According to a requirement from The Joint Commission that accredits health care facilities, hospitals must submit discharge summaries (which provide details on the patient’s hospital stay and future care) within 30 days after a patient is discharged from the hospital. Discharge summaries often serve as the primary template for guiding the care of patients discharged to nursing homes, especially in the first few days after hospital discharge.

However, Dr. Amy Kind, assistant professor of medicine in the division of geriatrics and lead author of the study, identified a number of problems with the summaries, including the following:

• They were often completed many days after the patient had already been discharged to the nursing home, some more than 30 days after discharge.

• In addition, as the time grew longer, the quality of the information within the summaries became more poor or incomplete. This forces nursing home caregivers to spend precious time contacting the hospital to determine how to proceed with patient treatment.

“Right now, the Joint Commission standard for the creation of discharge summaries within 30 days is outdated, because this standard doesn’t optimally support patients who need care right after discharge,” she said. “Our study is the first to suggest that the quality of the actual document starts getting worse the longer you wait to create a discharge summary. Important items are omitted, and because of that, patient care may suffer.

“We know that one in five Medicare patients is rehospitalized within 30 days of discharge,” she added. “Experts suggest that care during the hospital discharge and early post-hospital period may be critical in preventing at least a portion of these rehospitalizations.”

Kind said nearly a third of discharge summaries did not include information about the patient’s dietary needs.

“If a patient had a stroke and has trouble swallowing, they may have been put on a specialized diet in the hospital,” said Kind. “If that information is not communicated to the nursing home in the discharge summary and the patient does not receive their specialized diet, it is possible the patient may choke or contract pneumonia. There could be important consequences.”

Kind added that instructions on therapy and activity needs were excluded on more than 40 percent of discharge summaries, and less than 10 percent included information about pending studies and laboratory tests.

“It makes a lot of sense to have a discharge summary completed on the day of discharge,” she said. “It’s pretty straightforward. They are an essential part of communication during the transitional care period. Our study did not specifically look at the impact of discharge summary quality on patient rehospitalization, but our future work will.”

According to Kind, the Rehospitalization Reduction Act, which is part of the health care reform legislation approved by Congress in 2010, may be a positive step in getting hospitals to provide patient health care information to nursing homes more quickly and reliably.

The act would penalize hospitals if their rehospitalization rates for patients with congestive heart failure, heart attacks and pneumonia are above a certain level, starting in 2013.

“The writers of the law said it is not acceptable for Medicare to pay for rehospitalization for one out of five patients,” said Kind. “If we can provide better care, hopefully, we can make the patients happier and save money for the system.”

Reports indicate 2 million nursing home patients require rehospitalization annually at a cost of $17 billion to the Medicare system.

From the Dec. 28, 2011-Jan. 3, 2012, issue

NORTHBROOK, Ill. — Sixty percent of American parents whose teen-age children currently hold a license and nearly half of all parents (46 percent) say the economic downturn has led them to cut back on saving for or spending on their child’s driving, including the cost of a car and other related expenses, according to a survey from Allstate.

Not surprisingly, income is a factor in spending and saving decisions.

Nearly three-quarters (72 percent) of parents in households earning less than $30,000 per year say they are saving or spending less on their children’s driving, while just one-third (32 percent) of those in households earning more than $75,000 say the same.

Interestingly, among parents who already have a child with a driver’s license, 73 percent say their child has their own car, while another 8 percent say their child shares a car with a sibling.

This rate of teen-age car ownership is considerably higher than what parents experienced when they were first driving (just 48 percent had their own car or shared with siblings), and also much higher than what is expected among parents whose children do not yet have a license (just 48 percent expect their children to have their own car).

No free ride

While most parents prefer their children make a meaningful contribution to the costs of driving, the survey shows the actions of parents with teen-age drivers demonstrates the contrary.

As parents get closer to having a teen-ager with a license to drive, they are more willing to pay for car expenses. While just 27 percent of all parents say they believe in fully paying for a car for their child, parents with a child licensed to drive are nearly twice as willing (46 percent). In contrast, only 10 percent of parents whose children are younger than 14 or whose children don’t have licenses say they plan on purchasing a car for their child.

Parents who say they paid for their own car when first driving are more likely to believe in higher financial contributions from their children.

Among all parents, when asked what they would spend on a car for their child, 57 percent say they would spend $5,000 or less, and 41 percent would spend more than $5,000.

Regarding other costs associated with their children driving, parents are most likely to say they’ll pay all or most of inspections and registration fees (51 percent), insurance (45 percent), and general car maintenance (44 percent).

Parents are least likely to believe in paying for gasoline (17 percent would pay for all or most of it), and expenses associated with damage caused by their child (17 percent would pay for all or most).

Safety before beauty

When thinking about the type of car they’d like their children to drive, 76 percent of parents say safety is their top priority, followed by reliability (18 percent), affordability (5 percent) and fuel efficiency (1 percent).

Not a single parent says that appearance is their top priority for their children’s car.

Of those parents whose children have cars, the overwhelming majority, 94 percent, say their child drives a used car with a mean age of 9.3 years. This is almost the same mean age of the cars that the teens’ parents remember driving as teen-agers, which was 9.2 years.

One-third of parents (33 percent) say they would not allow their children to drive the car that they drove when first driving.

Even one-quarter (24 percent) of parents who said they personally started out driving a good car would not let their children drive that car today.

On the road again

Parents believe getting to school (89 percent) and work (97 percent) are good reasons why teen-agers should be allowed to drive.

They also support having their teens drive to lessen the need for parents to chauffer (81 percent cite as a good reason), and so teen-agers can help run errands (88 percent).

Parents are less enthusiastic about allowing teen-agers to drive so they can meet up with their friends (56 percent not a good reason) and because almost every other teen-ager is driving (85 percent not good).

Parents are split on allowing teen-agers to drive because there’s no other way to get around (55 percent cite as a good reason, 43 percent not good).

About the survey

The national survey of 600 American parents with children younger than 18 was conducted Sept. 6-8, 2011, via landline telephone, and has a margin of error of +/- 4.0 percent. The survey was conducted by FTI Consulting, Inc. (FTI) for Allstate.

From the Dec. 28, 2011-Jan. 3, 2012, issue

URBANA, Ill. — Whether you make resolutions or not, the beginning of a new year is a good time to focus on setting goals, said Rachel Schwarzendruber, a University of Illinois Extension family life educator.

“This year, resolve to take better care of yourself,” she said. “When you adopt positive mental and physical health practices, it’s easier to care, share and connect with others.”

Sometimes we are so busy that we overlook the impact our long to-do lists have on us, she noted.

Here are some habits that don’t require extra time yet move you toward taking better care of yourself while building relationships with others.

• Develop the habit of optimism. Individuals who are optimistic believe that when a bad event happens to them, it probably won’t happen again and it has nothing to do with other areas of their lives, making them more resistant to depression. Optimism can be learned. Develop the habit of optimism by beginning and ending each day with a positive statement.

• Be flexible. Look for alternative ways of thinking about stressful situations. Be open to new experiences.

• Have realistic expectations. Know what you can control and don’t spend time worrying about what you cannot control.

• Discontinue the use of words such as “should have,” “if only,” and “someday.” Enjoy the moment rather than feeling guilty about the past or worrying about the future.

• Schedule time for fun with people who are important to you. Don’t leave those enjoyable shared moments to chance. Plan for them.

• Develop healthy sleep habits. Relax with techniques such as imagery, reading a book, or meditating. When it is difficult to go to sleep, it’s helpful to get up and do something else to relax. Then, when you are sleepy, go back to bed.

• Exercise with friends or family. This combination pays off in two ways. You can build a supportive relationship and also gain the physical benefits of exercise.

Taking care of yourself doesn’t require time away from other important tasks nor does it require time away from significant people in your life, she said.

“Taking care of yourself does involve making choices that contribute to positive well-being so that you have the capacity to care for others,” she noted.

From the Dec. 28, 2011-Jan. 3, 2012, issue

In times of economic stress, we all look for ways to cut back on expenses. But if you’re thinking about having a contractor apply a cheap paint to the exterior of your home, you may want to reconsider. A careful analysis shows that in the long run, it’s actually less expensive to apply the very best quality paint, despite its higher initial cost.

Debbie Zimmer, spokesman for the Paint Quality Institute, explains: “Most of the cost of exterior painting goes for labor, not for paint. Paying somewhat more for top-quality paint won’t greatly increase the overall cost of the job, but the better performance you get will greatly extend its life.”

In fact, field tests at the Paint Quality Institute show that while ordinary exterior paint lasts about four years, top-quality 100 percent acrylic latex paint can last 10 years or more when applied to a properly prepared surface, resulting in a lower cost per year of service. That explains how you can save money by spending more for better paint.

To make the point clearer, Zimmer offers an example for an average-size, single-story home: Labor cost for painting would typically be about $2,500, regardless of the type of paint that is applied. About 20 gallons of paint would be needed for a two-coat paint job.

If an ordinary paint were used, costing $25 a gallon, the cost for the 20 gallons of paint would be $500. Add in $2,500 for labor, and the total cost of the job would be $3,000. Assuming, as the field tests show, that the job will last four years, the cost per year of service would be $750.

Now, assume that top-quality 100 percent acrylic latex paint was used instead of ordinary exterior paint. At a cost of perhaps $50 a gallon, the cost for 20 gallons of paint would be $1,000. The labor would again be $2,500, and the total cost of the job would be $3,500, just a little higher than before. But, since this paint job is likely to last 10 years or more, the cost per year of service would be only $350, less than half the yearly cost of the “economy” paint job.

Zimmer says that even this example may not tell the whole story. If your house needs repair work or extensive surface preparation prior to painting, the labor component could be much higher, producing an even greater return on an investment in top-quality paint.

“Plus, professional painters might charge higher rates in your area, further skewing the math in favor of the highest quality, longest-lasting paint,” she says.

Bottom line: By spending more up front for top-quality paint, you can stretch the life of your paint job and end up saving a lot of money. As a bonus, you’ll avoid the hassle and inconvenience of repainting again after only a few years.

To learn more about exterior painting, visit the Paint Quality Institute website at www.paintquality.com, or its blog at blog.paintquality.com.

From the Dec. 28, 2011-Jan. 3, 2012, issue

Is the holiday season leaving your wallet a bit lighter? You can get a little money back from Uncle Sam by donating gently-used clothing and other unwanted household items to Goodwill Industries for an end-of-year tax deduction.

By cleaning your closets and garages, you get more than a tax deduction. Goodwill uses the revenue from your donations for its education and career services for people with barriers such as welfare dependency, homelessness, and lack of education or work experience. Goodwill enhances the lives of those in need in your very own communities.

“End the holiday season and start the new year off right by giving the gift of hope,” says Sam Schmitz, president of Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois. “Every donation to Goodwill helps make 2012 a better year for thousands of individuals who need job training and other Goodwill services.”

Goodwill accepts gently-used clothing, household items, toys, computers, cell phones – even those holiday gifts that weren’t quite right. Donations are sold in nine retail stores throughout northern Illinois and the Wisconsin stateline.

Donors interested in claiming tax deductions should keep itemized lists of their donations. The Internal Revenue Service allows a deduction for each item, but the donor determines each item’s value. Generally, an item’s value should be based on fair market value – what the item would sell for in a thrift store. Goodwill provides receipts to donors at its drop-off sites, and attendants can validate itemized lists when they are presented. For general guidelines, visit www.goodwillni.org and www.irs.gov (publication: www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p561.pdf).

From the Dec. 28, 2011-Jan. 3, 2012, issue

Marijuana use among teens across the nation rose for the fourth straight year, according to results from the highly respected annual “Monitoring the Future” survey released Dec. 14 in Washington, D.C.

In addition, the survey indicates daily marijuana use is at a 30-year peak among high school seniors. The report stated that fewer teens perceive the drug as harmful and that disapproval of its use is dropping.

The annual survey is sponsored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the University of Michigan. The report is considered one of the leading indicators of trends in substance use among the nation’s teen-agers.

Trends in the report, which surveyed 47,000 teens in grades 8, 10 and 12, are echoed at drug treatment centers such as Rosecrance in Rockford. Dr. Thomas Wright, chief medical officer for the organization and a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist, said the report is concerning.

“Cannabis is seen as a potential gateway drug and its use may lead to other drugs and addiction issues,” he said.

Admission trends at the Rosecrance Griffin Williamson Adolescent Treatment Center mirror the big picture. Cannabis has long been the top drug of choice among youth in treatment for substance abuse, and its grip on the population has continued to rise.

Among adolescent patients admitted to treatment last year, 71.4 percent cited marijuana as their preferred drug, compared with 69.5 percent in 2010 and 67.1 percent in 2009.

Rosecrance has the largest adolescent inpatient treatment center in the state of Illinois. More than 800 adolescents receive treatment annually at the Rockford campus.

Other facts from “Monitoring the Future:”

• The proportion of young people using any illicit drug has risen steadily in recent years, primarily a result of the increase in marijuana use.

• 50 percent of high school seniors reported having tried an illicit drug at some time.

• 40 percent of seniors had used one or more drugs in the past year.

• 25 percent of seniors had used one or more drugs in the past month.

Meanwhile, the Rosecrance experience confirms other national trends highlighted in the “Monitoring the Future” survey. Alcohol use and binge drinking have gradually declined. That bit of positive news is countered by the emergence and growing use of “synthetic marijuana” products, such as K2 and Spice, both of which can have harmful and even fatal consequences to users.

These new synthetic formulas have unpredictable effects. Rosecrance is treating a growing number of adolescents and young adults for abuse of these drugs. Use of Ecstasy also increased overall in the past year, while the perception of risk and disapproval of the drug declined.

The report also showed that about one-third of teens surveyed reported using energy drinks, which can be harmful if used often. Young teens consume the most energy drinks.

Here is a Q&A with Dr. Thomas Wright about the “Monitoring the Future” report:

Q: The recent Monitoring the Future report said that marijuana use is on the rise among teens and that daily marijuana use among high school seniors is at a 30-year peak. Can you comment on that?

A: It’s concerning, as cannabis is seen as a potential gateway drug and its use may lead to other drugs and addiction issues.

Q: The report says that, in general, teens today don’t perceive that marijuana is harmful or risky behavior. What are you hearing from teens?

A: When patients come into treatment, this is often the case. However, part of our job is to educate the patient and families about not only the drug, but the disease of addiction.

Q: Meanwhile, the report also says that alcohol and cigarette use are on the decline among teens. Are you encouraged?

A: Well, overall drug use by any drug is still on the rise. So, while we like to see a decrease in some drugs used, there seems to be a tendency where teens just go to something else.

Q: The report also talks about the rise in use of synthetic marijuana, also known as “Spice” or “K2.” Is that also a trend among Rosecrance patients?

A: We have been seeing our patients use synthetic cannabinoids for one to two years. Now, we are beginning to see an emergence of a new hallucinogen called “Bromo-dragonfly.” The availability of this is growing and may be reflected in future data from the Monitoring the Future study.

Q: What advice do you have for parents who suspect that their teens are regular users of marijuana or other drugs?

A: Have a relationship with your teen such that you can discuss and talk to them about these things. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Learn more at http://www.nida.nih.gov/drugpages/MTF.html.

From the Dec. 21-27, 2011, issue

The garbage collection for City of Rockford residents on Monday, Dec. 26 and Monday, Jan. 2 and the balance of each respective week will be delayed one day because of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Residents who normally have garbage pick-up on Monday will be picked up on Tuesday, and so on through the subsequent days of the week.

The Household Hazardous Waste Site at 3333 Kishwaukee St. will be closed for the weekend of Dec. 24 and 25 and also Dec. 31 and Jan.1 because of the holidays.

From the Dec. 21-27, 2011, issue

HELENA, Mont. — The annual societal cost of traffic crashes is $299.5 billion, more than three times the $97.7 billion cost of congestion, according to a report released by AAA.

AAA’s “Crashes vs. Congestion — What’s the Cost to Society?” report highlights the overwhelming and far-reaching economic impacts traffic safety crashes have on our nation and encourages policymakers at all levels of government to ensure safety is a top priority.

“At $300 billion annually, crashes cost our society more than three times the amount of congestion,” AAA Spokesman Tara Hanley said. “This report further supports the importance of a long-term, multi-year transportation bill that will provide the necessary and sustained investments that lead to better and safer roads for all Americans.”

According to the study conducted for AAA by Cambridge Systematics, the overall cost of crashes ($299.5 billion) equates to an annual per person cost of $1,522, compared to $590 per person annually for congestion ($97.7 billion overall). The cost of crashes are based on the Federal Highway Administration’s comprehensive costs for traffic fatalities and injuries that assign a dollar value to a variety of components, including medical and emergency services, lost earnings and household production, property damage, and lost quality of life, among other things.

The report calculates the costs of crashes for the same metropolitan areas covered by the annual Urban Mobility Report conducted by the Texas Transportation Institute. The results showed crash costs exceeded congestion in every metropolitan area studied, from very large to small. For very large urban areas (populations of more than 3 million), crash costs are nearly double those of congestion. Those costs rise to nearly six times congestion costs in small urban areas (populations less than 500,000) where motorists face less congested conditions.

“Almost 33,000 people — 635 per week — die on U.S. roadways each year,” Hanley said. “That’s unacceptable. The decline in traffic fatalities in recent years signifies a positive trend, however our work is far from over.”

From the Dec. 21-27, 2011, issue

CHICAGO — The holiday season is a time families gather and spend quality time with loved ones. It is also a time that can raise questions about the cognitive health of aging family members.

With Alzheimer’s disease in particular, it is important to know what it is and that it is not normal aging. Below is a list of warning signs, along with examples of normal aging. If you notice any of the warning signs in your aging family members, it is recommended you see a doctor.

Warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease

1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life

2. Challenges in planning or solving problems

3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure

4. Confusion with time or place

5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships

6. New problems with words in speaking or writing

7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps

8. Decreased or poor judgment

9. Withdrawal from work or social activities

10. Changes in mood and personality

(Visit www.alz.org/10signs for more details.)

Benefits of a early diagnosis

1. Benefit from treatments that may improve symptoms and help maintain a level of independence longer

2. Have more time to plan for the future

3. Increase chances of successfully finding a clinical drug trial through Alzheimer’s Association’s TrialMatch, helping advance research

4. Participate in decisions about their care, transportation, living options, financial and legal matters

5. Develop a relationship with doctors and care partners

6. Benefit from care and support services, making it easier for them and their family to manage the disease

Anyone with questions about Alzheimer’s disease and/or seeking information should contact the Alzheimer’s Association’s 24/7 toll-free helpline at (800) 272-3900. Experts are available to take calls from individuals concerned with their own cognitive health as well as from family members and friends who may be concerned about a loved one and are seeking resources. More information is also available at www.alz.org/illinois.

From the Dec. 21-27, 2011, issue

URBANA, Ill. — Family mealtimes during the holidays can be memorable not only for the food that graces the table, but for the chance to reconnect with relatives, whether they’re siblings scattered across the country or kids home from college.

Janice McCoy, a University of Illinois Extension family life educator, said: “Family meals are important year round because they provide an opportunity for conversation and connection between parents and children. But, when extended families eat together during the holidays, the story telling and reminiscing that occurs often casts a warm glow that travels through the years.”

Holiday meals that stretch across generations and households provide a sense of security for children and create a powerful ritual for young and old alike, she said.

According to McCoy, family meals are an opportunity to shape family culture and identity, develop respect between the generations, and encourage positive communication skills.

“Sharing intergenerational mealtimes can be mutually beneficial for young and old alike,” she said. “Children feel important and have a sense of belonging when adults other than their parents care about what is important to them.”

And grandparents say that spending time with young people keeps them young and gives them an opportunity to pass on family values and traditions, she added.

When gathering your family, small or large, McCoy said the following communication tips can help keep conversations positive and helpful during mealtimes:

• Pay attention to what is being said, even if it seems trivial. You will seem interested and improve your relationship with the other person at the same time.

• Remove distractions. Turn off the television, lay down the newspaper, and make eye contact with the speaker.

• Listen to the other person and comment about what is being said.

• Give the speaker a chance to finish their comment before responding.

• Accept what is being said, even if you don’t agree. Accepting the person does not mean you accept the idea.

“It would be wonderful if communication went well every time we attempted it, but sometimes we make mistakes,” McCoy noted.

Following are tips to help when conflicts arise:

• Stay calm and try not to get too emotional. Keep your voice even and steady.

• Stick to the subject. It might be tempting to bring up everything that has happened in the past but resist that temptation.

• Comment about the issue, not the person. Regardless of the situation, refrain from blaming, shaming or name calling.

• Talk about your own feelings. When stating a different opinion, speak with “I” not “you.” For example, say “I don’t see it that way,” rather than “you are wrong.”

Done right, your family’s holiday mealtimes will be remembered not only for the turkey and dressing and delicious desserts. Each person can leave the table feeling loved, respected and part of a family that knows who they are, what they’ve been up to, and what some of its members’ individual goals and aspirations are.

“Family mealtimes are too good to save just for the holidays,” McCoy said. “When your relatives go home, be sure to continue the practice with your children at least three times a week. U of I research shows that family meals are associated with many positive benefits for both younger kids and teens.”

From the Dec. 21-27, 2011, issue

URBANA, Ill. — High-quality friendships in kindergarten may mean that boys will have fewer behavior problems and better social skills in first and third grades, said Nancy McElwain, a University of Illinois associate professor of human development and co-author of a study published in a recent issue of Infant and Child Development.

“The findings for girls were different,” said Jennifer Engle, lead author of the study. “Overall, teachers reported that girls in the first and third grade had good social skills, regardless of the quality of their kindergarten friendships. Boys, on the other hand, clearly benefited from the good start that early high-quality friendships provide.”

Engle said the study was unique in comparing how the presence and quality of children’s kindergarten friendships are related to their behavior problems and social skills in kindergarten, first and third grades.

She noted friendship quality was important for both boys and girls in kindergarten. Kindergarten kids with high-quality friendships tended to have fewer behavior problems and better social skills than those whose friendships were of low or moderate quality. In contrast, kids who had low-quality kindergarten friendships had more behavior problems during kindergarten.

The differences in friendship quality for boys versus girls didn’t show up until the children were older, she said.

“Boys who had no friends in kindergarten had more behavior problems, but not until they had reached first and third grades,” she said.

The researchers examined data from 567 children who had participated in the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development.

Mothers in the study reported on whether their kindergarten child had at least one friend and on the quality of their child’s friendships. Researchers then compared the progress of children with no friends, low-quality friendships, average-quality friendships, and high-quality friendships. Teachers provided feedback on children’s behavior problems in kindergarten and first and third grades.

“As we expected, high-quality kindergarten friendships that featured cooperation and sharing, taking turns, low levels of hostility, and little destructive conflict, gave children — especially boys — practice in positive interaction, which they demonstrated in grades one and three,” Engle said.

How can you help your child learn to be a good friend? McElwain stressed that peers become important as children enter kindergarten. Parents should make an effort to help children, especially boys, make friends at this age through play dates and other social activities, she said.

Children also will likely relate to friends in more positive ways if they have experiences in their family that model positive expectations, caring and respect.

When children learn to expect that people will respond positively to them, they will be responsive and friendly to others, she noted.

“Those children will be able to handle their emotions better when the going gets rough, and they’ll learn how to work through conflicts. Conflict isn’t necessarily good or bad; it’s a matter of how kids approach disagreements with their friends or parents,” she said.

McElwain offered reassurance to parents of friendless kindergartners. “Almost all of those children had made a friend by the time they reached third grade,” she said.

The U of I’s Nicole Lasky, now of Chicago’s Perspectives Charter School, is a co-author of the study, which is available in Infant and Child Development at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/icd.706/abstract.

From the Dec. 21-27, 2011, issue

LA CROSSE, Ill. — Opposition is mounting in response to the proposed construction of an 18,000-head factory hog confinement by Junction Acres, LLC, near the town of La Crosse in Hancock County, Illinois.

The Hancock County Board did not elect to have a public hearing on the matter until local residents filed a petition with 75 gathered signatures, forcing them to have one. After the hearing, there will be a vote by the board to issue a nonbinding recommendation to the Illinois Department of Agriculture for or against the project.

Saving Our Rural Environment (SORE), a local citizens group, has grave concerns about the proposal. The facility is associated with Professional Swine Management (PSM) of Carthage, which carries with it a poor environmental track record at many of its other factory farms across the state.

The company has been involved with a number of new hog confinement projects in the area, including Shamrock Acres, LLC, near the town of Industry. While PSM disassociated itself with the Shamrock Acres proposal prior to its McDonough County Board pubic hearing, the company does not appear to be deterred from expanding its factory farm enterprise in the area in the face of public resistance.

“The poor track record of PSM and CAFOs in general causes serious concern for many of us in Hancock County,” said Angela Markey, a neighbor of the proposed Junction Acres site. “A recent hearing in an adjacent county for their South Morgan Acres hog facility near the town of Raritan provided little information to the public, yet they asked the public to ‘trust them to be good neighbors.’”

CAFOs and their waste application methods routinely release dangerous antibiotic resistant bacteria and hundreds of toxic pollutants into the environment. Research indicates that neighboring residents, especially the young, elderly and immune compromised, routinely suffer negative health impacts from such pollution.

SORE is also concerned about the impacts the facility will have to a nearby spring-fed well, groundwater depletion, property values and their quality of life. In addition, the proposal is dangerously close to the La Moine River, which can be impacted by polluted runoff.

The county public informational hearing on Junction Acres, LLC, will be held at the University of Illinois Extension Building, 550 N. Madison in Carthage, Ill., at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012. A press conference will be hosted by SORE immediately prior to the hearing. Citizens and experts will be on hand to discuss its impacts to the area. Details on the press conference will be announced at a later date.

MACOMB, Ill. — A demonstration will be held prior to the McDonough County Board meeting Wednesday, Dec. 21, to protest the South Morgan Acres, LLC, hog facility proposal.

The county board intends to deliberate and issue a decision about whether to recommend approval or denial of the project to the Illinois Department of Agriculture at Wednesday’s meeting.

The South Morgan Acres, LLC, proposal is of great concern to area residents and “Clean Responsible Agriculture No CAFOs” (CRANC). South Morgan Acres, LLC, will house more than 18,000 hogs adjacent to the La Moine River and many nearby residences. The facility is affiliated with Professional Swine Management, which has a poor environmental track record.

The demonstration will be held at the east door of the McDonough County Courthouse in Macomb, Ill., at 6 p.m. Concerned citizens are encouraged to attend.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan (D) announced Dec. 19 an agreement with an Iroquois County swine facility that illegally discharged livestock waste in Spring Creek, which killed more than 110,000 fish across more than 19 miles of the creek and a tributary.

The consent order, filed in Circuit Court of Iroquois County, partially resolves an amended complaint filed in February 2010 by Madigan. R3E, LLC, at 985N 200E Road, Iroquois County, must pay $17,500 in civil penalties to the Illinois EPA’s Environmental Protection Trust Fund and $63,782 to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for the value of the aquatic life destroyed by waste discharge.

“We value the vast natural resources we have here in Illinois,” Madigan said. “It is critical that we protect our water and wildlife and ensure that these precious resources are restored whenever they have been polluted.”

Senior Assistant Attorney General Jane McBride is handling the case for Madigan’s Environmental Bureau in Springfield, Ill. The Attorney General’s office continues to pursue natural resource damage claims for the costs of restoring the stream.

With Christmas just around the corner, Rockford Rescue Mission’s “Bless-a-Resident” program is running short of gifts for the men, women and children who will be staying at the mission over the holidays.

Through the “Bless-a-Resident” program, families and individuals compile “wish lists” of the items they would like to have, and the mission relies on caring individuals, churches and other organizations from the community to provide them.

“The gifts they ask for are items that will give them confidence and help them feel more comfortable during their stay with us,” said Mission Executive Director Sherry Pitney. “Their lists may include pajamas and slippers, jackets and gloves, jeans, sweaters, and Christian books and CDs. And the children ask for things all kids want — the latest toys, games and books.”

The mission needs gifts for as many as 11 women, 26 men and 19 children, Pitney said. The presents are needed by Dec. 22, in time for the mission’s holiday dinner and festivities.

“We want to be sure everyone’s ‘wish list’ is fulfilled and that they know we love and care about them,” Pitney said. “We don’t want anyone to go without presents on this special day, as we celebrate the wonderful gift of Christ’s birth.”

The mission encourages groups and individuals who would like to “bless a resident” at Christmas to call Spring Eldridge at (815) 316-4151 and request a wish list for one or more of the men, women and children in their shelters. They’re asked to shop for the items and wrap and deliver them to 715 W. State St., between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.

“We ask that purchases are limited to a $50 value per resident,” Pitney said. “And please know every gift will be cherished and appreciated.”

Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year since 1964, Rockford Rescue Mission provides nutritious meals and safe shelter for thousands of hungry and homeless men, women and children every year, along with recovery programs and outreach services to rescue, recover and restore the lives of those who are struggling in the Rockford community.

From the Dec. 14-20, 2011, issue

Family and friends are hosting a blood drive in support of 3-year-old cancer patient Christopher Rydeberg, from 2-6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Verdi Club, 782 N. Madison St.

In fact, since each blood donation is separated into components, you can actually help save three lives with one donation! One in three people will need blood in their lifetime. You never know when it might be you or someone you love who will need blood.

For more information or to schedule an appointment to donate, please call (815) 968-8119.

You should be eligible to donate blood if you are at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in general good health.

The Rock River Valley Blood Center serves as a centralized, community blood center and is the only provider of blood products and services to Edgerton Hospital and Health Services, Beloit Health System, FHN, Mercy Harvard Hospital, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, Rochelle Community Hospital, Rockford Health System, SwedishAmerican Health System and SwedishAmerican Medical Center-Belvidere. For more information or to make an appointment to donate blood, call toll free 877-RRVBC-99 or find RRVBC on the web at www.rrvbc.org.

From the Dec. 14-20, 2011, issue

Champion waterskiers will take to the Rock River in 2013 when the Rockford region hosts the 39th Division 1 National Water-ski Tournament.

The tournament will take place Aug. 8-11, 2013, and will draw approximately 14 teams and bring nearly 5,000 competitors, crew, judges and fans.

The tournament will generate an estimated $1 million for local hotels, restaurants and retail outlets.

The Rockford region last hosted the event in 2009.

Ski Broncs Promotion Director Jennifer Pace approached the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (RACVB) about bringing the championship event back to the region at the RACVB roundtable discussions in 2010.

Pace explained: “Hosting a national competition creates stronger community awareness for our organization. The Ski Broncs are more likely to gain sponsors and grow community support, which provides the tools and finances needed for our summer performances. The competition will also bring thousands of people into our community, which will benefit local businesses.”

The Ski Broncs worked with RACVB, the Rockford Park District, the City of Loves Park and other organizations to help find the funding needed to strengthen the team and host the regional competition this past summer. This allowed the team to prove their ability to host a competition and put the organization in a position to be able to bid on the national event.

From the Dec. 14-20, 2011, issue

Crusader Community Health has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for accreditation by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for health care quality and safety in ambulatory care organizations.

The accreditation award recognizes Crusader’s dedication to continuous compliance with The Joint Commission’s state-of-the-art standards. Crusader has received accreditation since 1999.

Crusader Community Health underwent a rigorous, unannounced, on-site survey in September 2011. A team of Joint Commission expert surveyors evaluated Crusader for compliance with standards of care specific to the needs of patients, including infection prevention and control, leadership and medication management.

Since 1975, The Joint Commission has developed state-of-the-art standards for outpatient ambulatory care organizations. Nearly 1,900 free-standing ambulatory care organizations maintain Joint Commission accreditation.

Michael Kulczycki, executive director of the Ambulatory Care Accreditation Program for The Joint Commission, said: “Organizations that strive for accreditation in ambulatory care from The Joint Commission are demonstrating the highest commitment to quality and safety to their patients, staff and their community. I commend Crusader Community Health for successfully achieving this pinnacle and for its dedication to continually improving patient care.”

Gordon Eggers Jr., president & CEO of Crusader Community Health, said: “We recognize Joint Commission accreditation as the Gold Seal for providing safe, high-quality patient care. Achieving accreditation from The Joint Commission is a team effort that will bring confidence to our patients and give us a framework to provide the best care possible.”

Crusader Community Health is a community-based, not-for-profit, Illinois corporation, whose mission is to serve the Rock River Valley area with quality, primary health care for people in need. Services are available on a sliding discount basis.

Crusader Community Health has four locations: Crusader Community Health on West State Street, 1200 W. State St.; Crusader Community Health on Broadway-Uram Building, Broadway and Seventh; Crusader Community Health Belvidere, 1050 Logan Ave., Belvidere; and Crusader Community Health Loves Park, 6115 N. Second St., Loves Park. To schedule an appointment, call (815) 490-1600, or for more about Crusader Community Health, visit www.crusaderhealth.org.

The Joint Commission’s ambulatory care standards address important functions relating to the care of patients and the management of an ambulatory care organization. The standards are developed in consultation with health care experts, providers, measurement experts and patients. Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value.

From the Dec. 14-20, 2011, issue

URBANA, Ill. — For many families, the holidays mean running from one house to the next to participate in family events, purchasing the latest and greatest gifts, sending out cards or notes, and eating all sorts of food. But these families may be missing the boat, said Janice McCoy, a University of Illinois Extension family life educator.

“Remember that young children can become stressed and overstimulated by all the sights, sounds and smells they’re experiencing,” McCoy said. “You don’t want to end up proclaiming that you don’t enjoy the holidays and can’t wait for them to be over.”

For families who celebrate Christmas, McCoy recommends the book Unplug the Christmas Machine. In it, authors Jo Robinson and Jean Coppock-Staeheli urge families to escape the stress of the season and create a more joyful time for families. Much of what they write about, however, also applies to families that may not celebrate Christmas.

“One concern voiced by most parents is shielding their children from the excesses of holiday commercialism,” they write. “While adults can mute the TV when the ads get annoying, children are defenseless against the onslaught of ads.”

According to the authors, as early as the age of 4 or 5, kids can lose the ability to be delighted by the sights and sounds of the holidays. Instead, they may gain a two-month-long obsession with brand-name toys. Suddenly, all they seem to care about is how many presents they will be getting and how many days are left until they unwrap them.

“Many families struggle with slowing down the pace of life at this time of year — and other times, too,” McCoy said. “The task might become easier if we think about the four things other than presents that children really want.”

Robinson and Coppock-Staeheli argue that children don’t really want clothes, toys and games exclusively. The four things they really want are as follows:

1. A relaxed and loving time with the family. Children prefer to be in their own homes in a relaxed atmosphere with their families. Many normal family routines are upset during the holiday season. It’s important to slow down and spend quality time with your kids.

2. Realistic expectations about gifts. Kids enjoy looking forward to gifts and then having their expectations met. The key is to manage their expectations. For instance, you might want to explain to your children that advertisers really want you to buy their products even if you don’t need them.

3. An evenly-paced holiday season. The key is to remember that the holidays are a season! We don’t have to visit everyone and do everything in one day. You may want to spread your family visits out to after New Year’s Day.

4. Reliable family traditions. We typically remember the things we did as a family during the holidays, not the gifts we received. So this year, start or renew a family tradition, such as driving around to look at lights, baking cookies for a neighbor, caroling or brightening your home with family-made decorations. Children will likely remember the traditions, not the gifts.

“This year, try to unplug your holiday season, pace yourself, and spend more time enjoying your family,” McCoy advised.

From the Dec. 14-20, 2011, issue