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Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Edison Middle School offering new services for parents

CHAMPAIGN – The room overlooking the cafeteria at Edison Middle School is a comfy space with an easy chair, a couple of tables, computers, colorful banners and framed pictures of students and their mentors.

It's a place where parents can find help with some tough issues.

Toys-For-Troops donation event set for Dec. 7 in Champaign

CHAMPAIGN – Local charity Toys-For-Troops will sponsor a Christmas-gifts-for-soldiers event Dec. 7.

The event will be from 1 to 4 p.m. at Village Inn Pizza Parlor, at Springfield and Mattis avenues in west Champaign.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Hazards from fire close section of Neil Street

CHAMPAIGN – A section of Neil Street is being closed due to possible hazards from a fire that destroyed one building and damaged others Nov. 7.

Champaign fire officials announced Monday that the closure was to be completed Monday afternoon.

Metropolitan Building visitors revisit memories of 'grand lady'

We asked you to send us your memories of the Metropolitan Building after fire destroyed it on Nov. 7. Notes arrived from several eras – the late 1920s and '30s, the '50s and '60s, '80s and '90s.

From the popcorn wagon outdoors to the high ceilings upstairs, the building held a special place in the hearts of residents for a variety of reasons.

Here are excerpts (You can read more — or add your own — by clicking on this link):

Salvation Army toy drive aiming for 5,000 items by Dec. 12

CHAMPAIGN – Local organizations hope to brighten the holidays for needy children and teens by collecting 5,000 toys and gifts in less than a month. But they're going to need a lot of help from local donors to reach that goal, which is 600 more toys than were donated in Champaign-Urbana last year.

The toy drive for The Salvation Army, sponsored by Carle Foundation Hospital, Carle Clinic and WDWS-AM and WHMS-FM radio stations, got under way today.

Eco-friendly Green Mill Village near Arcola gets under way

ARCOLA – A soybean field east of Arcola is being transformed by construction crews into an environmentally friendly resort and tourist attraction.

The developers of Green Mill Village, a partnership between Sullivan-based Agri-Fab and Bob McElwee of Charleston, say the 63.5-acre resort, hotel and conference center will cement Arcola's position as a tourist destination, especially for families from the Chicago, Indianapolis and St. Louis areas.

Hoopeston Public Library planning entrepreneurial seminars

HOOPESTON – Hoopeston Public Library Director Lou Graham wanted to supplement economic development efforts in this city.

Graham decided to apply for an Illinois State Library Grant. The money comes through the secretary of state's office from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Lincoln's Challenge helping one cadet get his confidence back

Rantoul and Philo are only 21 miles apart, but to Lincoln's Challenge Cadet Robby Blaney, it seems the two are worlds apart.

Dressed in a bright-blue academy uniform, the cheerful, red-haired teen says the discipline he has learned on the former Chanute Air Force Base has completely changed his life around.

World traveler's top pastime: Making people feel at home

CHAMPAIGN – Elizabeth Dickerson was in Paris last weekend and Moscow in September. She'll soon make one of her regular trips to India. And she'll likely be in Europe again, or Japan or Shanghai, in the next several months.

Dickerson loves the travel and adventure and seeing new sights that come with her career as an international flight attendant.

Ex-professionals rejuvenated by second career in teaching

"Why do I have to learn this stuff?"

If Lauren Heckelman hears that during the math class she teaches at B.T. Washington Elementary School in Champaign, she can tell students about how she used math in her prior job as an accountant.

When John Parks teaches how to write resumes in his business classes at St. Joseph-Ogden High School, he can refer to decades of working in business and hiring people.

The two teachers are part of the growing ranks of second-career educators, people who either started or completed jobs in other fields before they came to teaching.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Mexican consulate visit for documents changes location

URBANA – A visit by the mobile Mexican Consulate of Chicago has been moved from the Illinois Hotel (the former Park Inn) in Urbana to the Urbana Middle School.

People who need Mexican documents, including passports, should now go to UMS at 1201 S. Vine St. on Friday after 5 p.m. or between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday or Sunday.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Mexican citizens can get documentation help; location changed

URBANA – Local Mexican citizens needing documents like passports or other identification from the Mexican government won't need to drive up to the Mexican consulate in Chicago.

At Urbana Middle School, 1201 S. Vine St. , the Mexican consulate in Chicago's mobile unit will help with documentation from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Candlestick Lane's future doesn't look so bright

It wouldn't seem like Christmas without the bright and colorful Candlestick Lane display in east Urbana. But the residents of Grant Place in east Urbana say they're dialing down their holiday celebration this year.

After 45 years, there no longer will be a lighting ceremony on the opening night (Dec. 6) of the display.

Fundraiser planned this week to benefit Vermilion Toys for Tots

DANVILLE – Former active Marines and volunteers have organized a fundraiser this week for the Toys for Tots campaign that serves the Vermilion County area.

The event is from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Sarge's banquet room, 409 E. Main St.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Diabetes preventable, reversable with right tools, doctor says

CHAMPAIGN – Dr. John Stokes reaches into a pile of magazines in a Christie Clinic exam room and grabs one with a luscious-looking dessert on the cover.

So much of our society centers around eating, he says. Is it any wonder his patients have such a tough time controlling their weight, even when their lives depend on it?

"Everywhere you go, you're bombarded by food," he says.

Urbana issues permit for demolition of old armory

URBANA – The city has issued a demolition permit to tear down the old armory building at 310 W. Main St. that dates back to World War I.

Demolition is expected to begin within the next week or two, according to a city official.

Urbana council OKs revisions to Crystal Lake Neighborhood plan

URBANA – The city council thinks it has worked out compromise language about what should be done if Carle Foundation Hospital expands its north Urbana campus and existing residences are removed.

Council members, meeting in committee, voted unanimously to approve revised language for dealing with replacement housing in the proposed Crystal Lake Neighborhood Plan. Final passage will be considered Monday.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Want to play in the leaves? Get to Urbana, but be quick

From Robin Kearton, artistic director of Community Center for the Arts:

Crane Alley, on the north side of Main Street in downtown Urbana, just east of the Cinema Gallery, 120 W. Main, is hosting the city's largest collection of intentionally placed leaves. This display is at your disposal for dragging feet, breathing fabulous fall smells and generally having fun.

American Legion launches Web site to explain new GI Bill

INDIANAPOLIS – The American Legion has launched a new Web site to help veterans and their families understand the Post 9/11 GI Bill, which takes effect Aug. 1, 2009, and how it compares with other federal education benefits for veterans.

The site, www.mygibill.org, includes explanations of the different GI Bill benefits, news alerts and updates, frequently asked questions, state-by-state benefits and online application opportunities.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Residents astounded, ecstatic about Obama's election victory

John Jennings cast the first vote in his Champaign precinct Tuesday, and he surprised himself by how emotional he'd felt.

"I was thinking about my grandparents and how I came up in Mississippi in this rural, painfully impoverished fashion," he said. "My grandparents were illiterate – they couldn't even have read a ballot – and I'm about to vote for the first African-American president.

"It moved me to tears."

Activist 'works tirelessly when he believes in a cause'

CHAMPAIGN – Randall Cotton has closely cropped hair, wears serious wire-rim glasses and dresses somewhat conservatively. He speaks precisely and succinctly, like the computer engineer he is.

Abbie Hoffman he's not.

But Cotton, a 43-year-old Champaign resident, is every bit the committed, decidedly left-wing citizen activist.

Area World War II veterans' tales keep historical event alive

With each year, World War II survivors become an ever-more precious commodity. To mark Veterans Day this year, The News-Gazette's Paul Wood visits with three World War II veterans.

Bill Karr tells us about watching for snipers on the Pacific island of Guadalcanal. Ralph Langenheim describes the early dawn of D-Day from a small landing craft. And Art Leenerman tells the tragic story of the USS Indianapolis, which was sunk out of radio contact, leaving hundreds of sailors trying to stay alive in shark-infested waters.

A letter sent by Langenheim gives a taste of the times; just days after D-Day, he sent a letter to his family that doesn't even mention the Allied invasion of France because censorship was so stringent.

Friday, November 7, 2008

Champaign school district files plans for reform

CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign school district will assign staff members to students who are failing a class or missing school, use MySpace to contact truant students, provide more cultural training to teachers and give more information and support to parents of black special-education students.

Those measures are a few outlined by the district in a plan to speed up its progress on meeting consent decree goals at the high schools and in special education. The "acceleration plan" was filed earlier this week with the federal district court.

Community group to host food giveaway for needy families

CHAMPAIGN – A community organizing group in north Champaign will host a food giveaway for needy families Saturday.

About 8,000 pounds of food, enough for approximately 250 families, will be given out from 9 a.m. to noon at the Apostolic Faith Church, 101 E. Bellefontaine St., C., near Market Street.

Author says food can be healthful and still delicious

URBANA – Mollie Katzen knew more than three decades ago, when her now-classic "Moosewood Cookbook" was published, that plant foods should play the starring role in a healthy diet.

But people often still draw what she calls an unnecessary line between delicious food and healthful food, and think eating healthy is all about being deprived, she says.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Catholic group eyeing former Sager Campus for senior living

DANVILLE – For 70 years, Hubert Doan, 91, has lived on Bryan Avenue across the street from what was once St. Elizabeth Hospital, later became Provena United Samaritan Medical Center's Sager Campus and is now a grassy, empty lot.

Like other Rabbittown residents, Doan is happy to hear that Mercy Housing, a nonprofit organization sponsored by Catholic Sisters, is considering the former hospital property as the site for a new senior-citizen housing complex.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Champaign county women share love of hobbies, projects

CHAMPAIGN – From pictures taken around the world to a funny costume made out of curtain materials – all were part of cultural enrichment for a group of Champaign County women.

Women who belong to 18 units of the Champaign County Home and Community Education organization met at the county Farm Bureau auditorium Wednesday to hear about each other's charity projects, hobbies and collections.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Turn over a new leaf: How to make this fall's raking duties easier

Leaves left on your lawn over the winter will kill the grass, says Connie Thomas of Champaign, who's training to be a Master Gardener. If you have a mulching mower, shred your leaves. They'll decompose over time.

But don't be too quick to pull out the rake. Generally speaking, you'll rake less if you wait for all the leaves to fall.

Monticello couple reserve an ornament of love

MONTICELLO – It was the end of the 1964 school year, and a couple of Monticello 13-year-olds, Georgia Cooper and Leslie Munster, had been flirting in the hallways for months.

She'd tease her 6-foot-tall future beau by calling him "Tiny." He'd call her "Princess" and "Bright Eyes."

Economics prof puts current crisis into perspective

CHAMPAIGN – America, I don't know if you remember Recession. It's been almost eight years since you last met, and I'd like to reacquaint you, just in case you meet again.

That, in short, is what University of Illinois economics Professor Anne Villamil did for about 75 people as she discussed America's economic climate Friday at a University YMCA forum.

Plight of poor cited in campaign for tax hike

CHAMPAIGN – It's an uphill battle, but two local activists believe that if enough voters understand how little financial help City of Champaign Township provides the extremely poor, they'll support a proposed property tax increase on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Randall Cotton and Martel Miller, both Champaign residents who are active on social justice issues, are leading a grass-roots effort to persuade city voters to increase the township's property tax rate from the current 3.5 cents per $100 of assessed valuation to 5.5 cents.

Provena auxiliary seeks donations

URBANA – Want to help warm some hearts this winter?

Provena Covenant Medical Center auxiliary members will once again be hand-making mittens, hats and scarves to give to local charities, shelters and residents of nursing homes and care centers.

Kids are winners in 'Vote with a Coat!' donations

CHAMPAIGN – The weather's getting colder, which means at least two things: It's almost Election Day, and some children need warm coats.

A Champaign radio station is asking anyone with a new children's coat to spare to stop by Atlanta Bread Co. at 1905 S. Neil St., C, to participate in "Vote with a Coat!"

More flu shot clinics set in Champaign, Vermilion counties

If you haven't gotten a flu shot yet, public health departments in Champaign and Vermilion counties are offering more opportunities early this month.

The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District's "Vote and Vax" project will have mobile flu shot clinics at three polling places from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on election day Tuesday.

Friday, October 31, 2008

All you need to know to get the most fun out of Halloween

Nearly eight of 10 Americans will participate in at least one Halloween activity, and the top two are giving out candy to trick-or-treaters and eating it.

That report comes from the NPD Group, a market research company based in Chicago. Its Halloween Holiday Profile Report tells us:

– Candy has a nearly exclusive hold on the type of treat handed out.

– 82 percent of givers hand out mini or bite-sized candy bars; 45 percent give multiple types of treats.

– Only 20 percent of people let trick-or treaters pick out their own treat from what is being offered.

– More than 40 percent shop for treats within days of the holiday. About 25 percent run out of treats. Those who run out respond by turning off the porch light, buying more, handing out other snacks on hand, giving out coins and giving away treats their kids have collected.

Most schools have replaced Halloween costume events

CHAMPAIGN – Skeletons roamed the hallways at Carrie Busey Elementary School on Thursday, as did witches, angels, Supermen, cheerleaders, action heroes, and lots of princesses.

The school held its annual Halloween costume parade Thursday morning, but it's not something you'll see at many elementary schools. Many hold fall festivals in lieu of Halloween celebrations with costumes.

Danville's automated trash trucks start rolling Monday

DANVILLE – Here are two reminders for city of Danville residents this weekend: Change your clocks and get your trash in the toters.

Daylight saving time ends this weekend, so clocks need to be turned back one hour.

And on Monday, the city's new fully automated garbage trucks shift into high gear on all routes, so any garbage left outside toters won't get collected, according to city officials.

Christmas Food Basket, Toys For Tots sign-ups set

DANVILLE – The Salvation Army will hold sign-ups for both its Christmas Food Basket program and the Toys For Tots program, shared with the Marine Corps League, from Nov. 3 through 26 at its facility, 855 E. Fairchild St.

Signup times are from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, except Nov. 11, when the Salvation Army facility will be closed for Veterans Day.

Power blitz for assistance with bills set for Saturday

DANVILLE – East Central Illinois Community Action Agency will conduct a power blitz between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday at the David S. Palmer Arena, 100 W. Main St.

The event offers income-eligible customers one-time payment assistance with their power bill.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Orthodontist offering trick-or-treaters cash for candy

CHAMPAIGN – Hey kids, that sack of candy you haul home on Halloween night could be worth some cash.

But there's a catch: You can't eat it.

Dr. Wes Chladny, a Champaign orthodontist, says he'll give trick-or-treaters a dollar for every pound of candy they bring to him after Halloween.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Three area initiatives earn 2008 Governor's Home Town Awards

A new village park, an academy dedicated to giving former high school dropouts a new start on life and a new memorial for the men and women who served in Iraq and Afghanistan were honored by the state last week as the 2008 winners of the Governor's Home Town Awards.

The awards are annually presented by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Rantoul woman earns agency's Employee of the Year honor

Georgia Womble's boss says she is the type of person you would want by your side in troubled times.

"She's just very compassionate and a very gentle person," said Rosalie Adkins, area administrator for Community Care Systems, where Womble works as a caregiver for elderly clients.

Womble was recently recognized as an Employee of the Year by the Illinois Department on Aging. There were nine statewide recipients of the award honoring older workers who continue to play a very important role in the workforce.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Area business wins new car in planetarium raffle benefit

CHAMPAIGN – Central Illinois Manufacturing in Bement won a 2009 Saturn Sky on Friday night as part of a raffle by the Parkland College Foundation.

The event raised $45,900 to help pay for a new digital video system at the William M. Staerkel Planetarium.

Home-preservation group seeks Urbana council's support

URBANA – West Urbana doesn't jump out immediately as a neighborhood in need of improvement.

Full of large, century-old homes, it was voted one of the 10 "great places in America" in the neighborhoods category last year by the American Planning Association.

But Dan Folk, Carolyn Baxley and some other residents think more can be done in west Urbana; namely, fixing up some of the older homes that have been converted into student rental apartments and converting them back into owner-occupied homes.

They've formed a nonprofit community development corporation, the Urbana Development Group, whose mission is to carry out that goal. And it appears likely the Urbana City Council will vote in coming weeks to provide the group with financial backing.

Be forewarned: Exotic animals need special care, owners

When it comes to the sale of exotic animals, opinions abound.

Some people will tell you keeping exotic animals in captivity is just plain wrong. Others will say people have the right to choose whichever pets they please.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Neighbors of new Meijer in Urbana complain about noise

URBANA – Megan Repking is a graduate student in veterinary medicine at the University of Illinois. She spends a lot of time studying and she needs her sleep.

But Repking and other neighbors in the 1700 block of Lydia Court in southeast Urbana, part of the Ridge at Stone Creek subdivision, say they are having a hard time getting that sleep since the new Meijer store opened nearby earlier this month.

Local residents honored for cultural contributions

CHAMPAIGN – Looking back 50 years to when he and his wife first arrived in Champaign County, Carl Altstetter said he would not have called the area a cultural wasteland or swamp.

"It was more like a savannah – rather sparse. Now it's a lush, tropical rainforest of the arts," Altstetter said Thursday night at the Highdive in Champaign.

Disability Resource Expo set for Saturday

URBANA – You're in a wheelchair and would like to make your house more accessible. Or you have a child with Down syndrome and don't know where to get help.

The second annual "Disabilty Resource Expo," scheduled for Saturday at Lincoln Square Village in downtown Urbana, could have the answer for you. The expo is designed to give Champaign County residents one central place to learn about available resources and promote a better quality of life for people with disabilities, whether they're physical, developmental, mental or emotional. The theme of this year's event is "Reaching out for Answers."