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BUSINESS JOURNAL O F
M I D C E N T R A L
NOVEMBER 2015
I L L I N O I S
GOAL!
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November 2015
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YOUR
CALENDAR
Monday, Nov. 2
Saturday, Nov. 14
Decatur Noon Lions Club, Diamonds Family Restaurant, 2959 N. Oakland Ave. Decatur Rotary 180, noon, Decatur Club, 158 W. Prairie Ave. Women’s Progressive Club, 6 p.m., Greater Northside Baptist Church.
Decatur Frontiers Club, 10:30 a.m., Decatur Club.
Monday, Nov. 16
Decatur Noon Lions Club, Diamonds Family Restaurant. Decatur Rotary 180, noon, Decatur Club. Women’s Progressive Club, 6 p.m., Greater Northside Baptist Church.
Tuesday, Nov. 3
Kiwanianne Club of Decatur, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility, 3909 W. Main St. Decatur AMBUCS, noon, Decatur Club. Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club. Noon Sertoma, Decatur Club.
Tuesday, Nov. 17
Kiwanianne Club of Decatur, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Decatur AMBUCS, noon, Decatur Club. Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club. Noon Sertoma, Decatur Club. Decatur Landlords Association, 6 p.m., Doherty’s Pub, 242 E. William St.
Wednesday, Nov. 4
Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce Breakfast, 7 a.m., Decatur Club. Scheduled speaker is Bruce Bird, Macon County engineer. Decatur Golden K Kiwanis Club, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Mount Zion Chamber of Commerce Luncheon, 11:30 a.m., Main Hangar Restaurant, Decatur Airport. Decatur Shrine Club, noon, Scovill Banquet Facility.
Thursday, Nov. 5
Early Bird Kiwanis, 6:45 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Decatur Metropolitan Rotary Club, noon, Decatur Club. Human Services Agency Consortium, noon, Central Christian Church, 650 W. William St. Metro Decatur Home Builders Association, 6 p.m., Beach House, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr. Lincolnland AMBUCS, 6:30 p.m., Independence Pointe Building, 2715 N. 27th St.
Friday, Nov. 6
Decatur Breakfast Sertoma, 7 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.
Saturday, Nov. 7
Decatur Frontiers Club, 10:30 a.m., Decatur Club.
Monday, Nov. 9
Decatur Noon Lions Club, Diamonds Family Restaurant. Decatur Rotary 180, noon, Decatur Club. Altrusa International of Decatur, 6 p.m., location varies
Tuesday, Nov. 10
Kiwanianne Club of Decatur, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Decatur Building Construction Trades Council, 10 a.m., IBEW Local 146 Hall, 3390 N. Woodford St.
Wednesday, Nov. 18
Decatur Area Society for Human Resource Management, 11 a.m., location varies. Decatur AMBUCS, noon, Decatur Club. Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club. Noon Sertoma, Decatur Club.
Wednesday, Nov. 11
Decatur Golden K Kiwanis Club, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Decatur Shrine Club, noon, Scovill Banquet Facility. Decatur Real Estate Investors Association, 6:30 p.m., Perkins Family Restaurant, 2999 N. Monroe St.
Thursday, Nov. 12
Early Bird Kiwanis, 6:45 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. GFWC Decatur Woman’s Club, 11:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Senior Resources Network, noon, Keystone Meadows, 1455 W. Mound Road. Decatur Metropolitan Rotary Club, noon, Decatur Club. Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours, 5-7 p.m., Symphony of Decatur, 2530 N. Monroe St. Decatur Area Women’s Network (DAWN), 5:30 p.m., Decatur Club. Lincolnland AMBUCS, 6:30 p.m., Independence Pointe Building. Mount Zion Lions Club, 6:30 p.m., Lions Club Community Center. Decatur Camera Club, 7 p.m., Rock Springs Environmental Center, 3939 Nearing Lane.
Friday, Nov. 13
Decatur Breakfast Sertoma, 7 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.
Decatur Golden K Kiwanis Club, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Decatur Shrine Club, noon, Scovill Banquet Facility.
Thursday, Nov. 19
Early Bird Kiwanis, 6:45 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Decatur Christian Women’s Connection, 11:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Decatur Metropolitan Rotary Club, noon, Decatur Club.
Friday, Nov. 20
Decatur Breakfast Sertoma, 7 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.
Saturday, Nov. 21
Decatur Frontiers Club, 10:30 a.m., Decatur Club.
Monday, Nov. 23
Decatur Noon Lions Club, Diamonds Family Restaurant.
Tuesday, Nov. 24
Kiwanianne Club of Decatur, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Decatur Building Construction Trades Council, 10 a.m., IBEW Local 146 Hall. Community Thanksgiving Luncheon, noon, Decatur Civic Center. For tickets, contact the Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce at (217) 422-2200. Coalition of Neighborhood Organizations Board of Directors, 5:30 p.m., Decatur public Library.
Wednesday, Nov. 25
Decatur Golden K Kiwanis Club, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Decatur Shrine Club, noon, Scovill Banquet Facility.
Friday, Nov. 27
Decatur Breakfast Sertoma, 7 a.m.
Monday, Nov. 30
Decatur Noon Lions Club, Diamonds Family Restaurant. Decatur Rotary 180, noon, Decatur Club.
Tuesday, Dec. 1
Kiwanianne Club of Decatur, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Decatur AMBUCS, noon, Decatur Club. Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club. Noon Sertoma, Decatur Club.
Wednesday, Dec. 2
Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce Breakfast, 7 a.m., Decatur Club. Decatur Golden K Kiwanis Club, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Decatur Shrine Club, noon, Scovill Banquet Facility.
Thursday, Dec. 3
Early Bird Kiwanis, 6:45 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Decatur Metropolitan Rotary Club, noon, Decatur Club. Human Service Agency Consortium, noon, Central Christian Church, 650 W. William St. Metro Decatur Home Builders Association, 6 p.m., Beach House. Lincolnland AMBUCS, 6:30 p.m., Independence Pointe Building.
Friday, Dec. 4
Breakfast Sertoma, 7 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.
Saturday, Dec. 5
Decatur Frontiers Club, 10:30 a.m., Decatur Club.
Monday, Dec. 7
Decatur Noon Lions Club, Diamonds Family Restaurant. Decatur Rotary 180, noon, Decatur Club. Women’s Progressive Club, 6 p.m., Greater Northside Baptist Church. To submit items for Your Calendar, contact Scott Perry at (217) 421-7976, at sperry@herald-review. com, or click the “Submit an Event” link at www. thebusiness-journal.com
November 2015
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FROM THE EDITOR n several occasions, a co-worker has accurately pointed out that lifeO long residents of Decatur/Macon County tend to be its biggest critics. A lot of times they are the first to talk about what we don’t have and how there’s nothing to do. I think there’s a lot of truth to the idea that you don’t know what you’ve got until you’ve gone – as in left the area for awhile.
BUSINESS JOURNAL 3
BUSINESS JOURNAL OF MIDCENTRAL ILLINOIS
This point was driven home during a recent weekend visit by my son, who is currently away at college.
Volume 20
He told me about a conversation he had and being asked where he is from. After telling the person he was from Decatur, he went on to share information about, among other things, it being the birthplace of the Chicago Bears, the world’s largest mining trucks coming from its Caterpillar plant and the likelihood the person has eaten something that included ingredients from its Archer Daniels Midland Co. or Tate & Lyle plants.
601 E. William St. Decatur, IL 62523 217.421.7976 217.421.7965 (fax)
Had someone asked him that same question three years ago, I’m not sure he would have shared that same pride-filled answer. Yes, things can always get better and there are businesses we would like to see locate here. But we can’t let our desire for more make us blind to the good things we already have.
Issue 11
PUBLISHER: Julie Bechtel GENERAL MANAGER: Gary Sawyer EDITOR: Scott Perry ADVERTISING: AnnaMarie Hanes
Scott Perry, editor Business Journal of Midcentral Illinois
COVER PHOTO: Lisa Morrison
November2015Contents Standing FEATURES Biz Bites
6
Business Clips
9
Fred Spannaus
9
Free Time calendar
22
Health calendar
20
Liz Reyer
17
Office Coach
17
Professional Profile 10 Wendy Gauntt
21
12 Here to help
Check out our annual list of nonprofit groups
ADVERTISING: The deadline for ad and ad copy for the December issue is Nov. 13. Call 217.421.7953 for rate information. STORY IDEAS: Email sperry@herald-review.com or call 217.421.7976 SUBSCRIPTIONS: To order additional copies, call 217.421.7931
The Business Journal of MidCentral Illinois is printed monthly and is a publication of Lee Enterprises, Inc.
In the middle of things A letter from Kristi Niles set the stage for an amazing run by the Decatur area in its quest to become the winner of the Kraft Hockeyville USA contest. While coming up one goal short, there’s no denying the sense of community pride the voting process created. Page 10
11 Building blocks
Children’s Museum offers mix of fun, learning
Information published is the responsibility of the author and does not reflect the opinions of The Business Journal of MidCentral Illinois. To submit articles, mail typewritten and 500 words or less to: The Business Journal, 601 E. William St., Decatur, IL 62523. Articles will not be returned. Any editorial content or advertising published is the property of Lee Enterprises, Inc., DBA The Business Journal of MidCentral Illinois. Herald & Review All rights reserved for entire content.
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November 2015
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YOUR
COMMUNITY
Co-owner George Streckfuss helps customer Rusty Johnson at the Brass Horn on Prairie Avenue in downtown Decatur.
Business Journal, Jim Bowling
Downtown changes offer the perfect fit Improvements make area fertile for growth ALLISON PETTY
Business Journal Writer
DECATUR — After five construction seasons, millions of dollars and 40 separate Decatur City Council actions, the downtown streetscape enhancement is finally done. The project wrapped up earlier this fall with restriping of Franklin Street, the finishing touch on a transformation that business owners say has revitalized
the area and created fertile ground for growth. The new sidewalks, freshly repaved roads, additional parking and smart red benches show clear pride in the area. “It still sort of blows me away that it actually happened,” said George Streckfuss, co-owner of The Brass Horn. Streckfuss said the changes have paid off in many ways for his business, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, with 22 of those in downtown. Other businesses have been inspired to open or enhance their spaces, he said, and customers are happy with the new
layout and additional parking. With more people coming to the expanded restaurant offerings, there are new eyes on his storefront, too. “It brings them past your windows,” he said. “So people who may not have known you were there all of a sudden figure out, ‘Oh, there’s a men’s store.’” Sue Miller, manager of Haines and Essick, said the store has seen an increase in lunchtime foot traffic, and the area looks the nicest it has in the 15 years she’s been working there. “I’ve heard of a few businesses that are working to be downtown,” she said. “As
far as the rest of us, everybody has an interest in making their building look a little bit better.” Taproot restaurant on Merchant Street is among the businesses that opened downtown over the past few years. Owner John Redden said the enhancements definitely played a role in the decision to locate there, and he likes being part of a communal atmosphere among business owners. “We always try to think to ourselves, what are we missing down here? There’s not a lot we’re missing,” he said. “It seems like you can come downtown
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November 2015
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BIZ Now open
Brandon Lockhart has come a long way since 2012, the year he opened a 1950s style barbershop in downtown Decatur. The most recent addition is a second Lockhart’s Barber Shop that opened at 1425 E. Village Parkway in Mount Zion this summer to cater to the following the 2006 graduate of Shelbyville High School has attracted over the past three years. The phone number of the new location is (217) 571-0192, but it shares the same hours as the original shop at 248 W. Main St., open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. No appointments are taken. Staff at both stores are primarily graduates of Lockhart’s Barber College, which opened at 1624 S. Taylorville Road in Decatur in September 2014, including Matthew Daugherty, the Mount Zion native who manages the new store. For more information, visit www. lockhartsbarbershop.com or find the business on Facebook. nnn Ten years and one month after Decatur Cares Rescue Mission closed its Water Street Thrift Store, the ministry opened Hope’s Attic II next door at 1029 N. Water St. Executive Director Jonathan Kelm said the original Hope’s Attic, open since 2002 at 2940 N. Martin Luther King Drive, doesn’t produce enough revenue to support a larger shelter for homeless men, nor does it allow him to find a new home for Grace House for homeless women, housed temporarily at the former Water Street Mission downtown for the past six months. Pershing Road Mission for men has been open since 2013 at 2175 E. Pershing Road. Situated in the former home of Bud’s Billiard, Hope’s Attic II is open from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The store manager is Kristi Andersen. The former Water Street Mission Thrift Store was in the same shopping center but at 1025 N. Water St. when it closed Sept. 1, 2005. Last fall, Decatur Cares Auto opened across the street at 1058 N. Water St. and has since branched out into auto sales, lawn care and handyman services. Call the ministry at (217) 424-2381. nnn Kemper Willcut II has his second Del’s Popcorn Shop open for what is usually a busy end to the year.
A Del’s store opened at Hickory Point Mall in Forsyth in the Center Court area by Von Maur. It has all the tasty treats customers have come to enjoy over the years, Willcut said. He said the new store opened just in time to sell caramel apples this fall along with other items such as flavored popcorn, roasted nuts and fudge heading into the holiday season. “We’ve always wanted to be out there,” Willcut said. “We’ve never had a good footprint in Forsyth.” Items sold at the mall will be able to be produced on site, Willcut said. The new store has opened as repairs continue to the Del’s store at 142 N. Merchant St. in downtown Decatur, which a fire damaged in early April just before Easter. Repairs have been more extensive than originally anticipated in a building that has been around since 1854, Willcut said. He now isn’t anticipating having the downtown location ready until sometime early next year. “We’re going to be sure to give it what it deserves,” Willcut said about the 80-year-old business. “We want to do it right and the type of craftsmanship takes more time to do it right. It has a historical feel.” Once the downtown storefront is ready again, Willcut plans to operate both stores as he considers the mall to be a permanent location. The store in Forsyth will be open the same hours as the mall. nnn Pizza! Pizza! has arrived on the other side of Lake Decatur with a new Little Caesars restaurant at 3611 East U.S. 36 at the corner with 36th Street. It’s the city’s second Little Caesars location and is being served up due to popular demand, said Ellen Cope, one of the franchise owners. “We had a lot of customers coming into our North Water Street location and asking ‘When are you going to put one on our side of town?’ They requested us to be south of the lake,” Cope said. A suitable home was found in a former car wash, fully remodeled with the bonus of a drive-through feature, something the north location doesn’t have. The new restaurant, which is carryout only, is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Working on the principle that if you build it, they will come, Cope said it’s time for her hungry customers to deliver. “So, now that they’ve said they wanted a restaurant closer to where
BITES they live they had better show up, right?” she said with a laugh. nnn Tara Ostlund is open for business as a Farmers Insurance agent at 100 E. Washington St., Suite 100 in Decatur, having taken on the clients of Richard McDonald, who retired earlier this year. His office was in the 100 block of North Main Street. A native of Assumption, Ostlund holds an associate’s degree from Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield and until five years ago worked as a respiratory therapist at Decatur Memorial Hospital. Her office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and evenings and weekends by appointment. Call (217) 428-8844.
Expanding
Town and Country Bank is planning to relocate its branch in downtown Decatur as it announced plans to expand its overall service territory. The bank purchased the building at 303 N. Main St. to renovate into a fullservice location with increased accessibility and convenience, said Micah Bartlett, Town and Country president and CEO. “Decatur has been good to us and we’ve been successful,” Bartlett said. “The new office will feel more like home.” Bartlett said remodeling plans should be finalized and construction work starting early next year. Its downtown branch is currently at 445 N. Franklin St. The anticipated expansion comes as holding company Town and Country Financial Corp. plans to acquire West Plains Investors Inc., the holding company for Premier Bank of Jacksonville. A definitive agreement has been signed for Premier to merge into Town and Country, Bartlett said. The transaction that is expected to
close in the first quarter of 2016 has been approved by both companies’ boards of directors and completion is subject to customary closing conditions, regulatory approval and approval by West Plains shareholders. Premier has branches in Jacksonville, Waverly, White Hall and Edwardsville. Town and Country has offices in Buffalo, Decatur, Lincoln, Mount Zion, Springfield and Quincy.
New owner
Changes are being made to the IHOP restaurant in Decatur after coming under new management in August. The IHOP at 1280 E. Pershing Road is now being run by Brittany Mc Corp, which is owned by Larry McDonald of Springfield. McDonald operates five IHOP franchises in the Midwest along with another one being built in Champaign. “We have made great improvements in a short time,” spokeswoman Jennifer Williams said. “Brittany Mc Corp has a great track record of taking struggling IHOP restaurants and improving all aspects of operations.” The new owner plans to update landscaping to improve curb appeal, along with focusing on providing better service, quality food and a clean environment to promote a friendly, family dining experience, Williams said. IHOP’s menu includes 65 different breakfast items including pancakes and omelettes, in addition to lunch, dinner and dessert options. The Decatur location is now open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including all holidays. For more information, call (217) 877-4467. Biz Bites highlight businesses that are opening, closing, expanding … you get the picture. If you have information for our Biz Bites column, contact Tony Reid at treid@herald-review.com, Chris Lusvardi at clusvardi@herald-review.com, Theresa Churchill at tchurchill@herald-review.com or call them at (217) 421-6979.
THIS HOLIDAY SEASON THINK
DEL’S POPCORN SHOP! LOCATED AT 100 w. DEbby Dr., MT. ZiOn, iL 62549 CALL 217-864-9888 0r ViSiT US On
November 2015
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RCC’s Saunders announces retirement
BUSINESS JOURNAL 7
ANOTHER RECORD DAY
CHRIS LUSVARDI
Saunders plans to spend more time in Florida, but she will remain tied into what is happening in Decatur. It has been DECATUR – Gayle Saunders is hoping a community that Saunders has grown to leave Richland Community College in to care deeply for, as it has shown its a place where it can be successful even perseverance during her time as Richafter she moves on from her position in the spring. land’s president. Saunders announced last “This community will always bounce month her plans to retire back,” Saunders said. “It thrives in spite after 15 years as Richland’s of itself. It is an amazing, resilient compresident. She started the munity.” job as the college’s sixth Saunders said the support of the compresident in August 2001 munity and college board of trustees has and has worked 40 years as helped her decide to stay when she considan administrator in higher ered other possibilities. Saunders education, including 33 The board appreciates what Saunders years in Illinois community college admin- has done for the college, Chairman Bruce istration. Campbell said. “I’m confident and hopeful the college is “She has been a dynamic individual the best it’s ever been,” said Saunders, who within the community,” Campbell said. is a native of Harvard, Ill. “I determined it “The entire board has been extremely supis a good time to step away. We’ve had an portive of her efforts. In many ways it will electrifying way the semester has started, be a loss to the community as a whole.” and the college is going to be good heading Saunders has set a strong foundation into the future.” for the next president despite uncertainty The decision is one Saunders and her from the state budget situation, Campbell husband, Rich, have been contemplating said. He said choosing a president is one of and one they feel is best to allow them to the most important decisions a community spend more time with family. Saunders college board can make. is looking forward to welcoming three “Richland will be an attractive option new grandchildren within the next year for anyone seeking the position,” Campbell in addition to the two grandchildren they said. “We will figure out a way to weather already have. the storm.” Business Journal Writer
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Volunteer Don White of Refreshment Services Pepsi wraps food donations during the 14th annual WSOY Community Food Drive last month at the Airport Plaza Kroger. The unofficial total for the day was 1,271,080 pounds/dollars, up from the 1,040,000 collected in 2014 and set as the goal for 2015. “There is a renewed optimism with Decatur City Limitless, and I think that leads to generosity,” said Brian Byers, vice president of development for Neuhoff Media, who thanked his listeners near the end of the daylong broadcast by saying, “We want you to know we don’t take anything for granted.” This year’s success will allow new charities to benefit, in addition to food pantries at Catholic Charities and the Salvation Army.
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November 2015
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BUSINESS
Succession planning found to be lacking in organizations Companies failing to identify future leaders CHRIS LUSVARDI
Business Journal Writer
DECATUR — Companies aren’t always getting employees in the right seats to succeed, which David Weller said shows the importance of succession planning. Weller was one of the speakers last month during the Decatur Area Society for Human Resource Management annual leadership conference held at Richland Community College. “They’re missing out on figuring out who will be the next leader,” said Weller, a principal with St. Louis-based Leadership Alliance, which helps organizations in a variety of industries with the selection and development of employees. “Less than 25 percent of companies believe they have a ready now talent pipeline.” Companies often confuse performance with potential, Weller said. “Equality and equity are not the same,” he said. “In sports, we can see it. It’s easy to keep score.” Employees within an organization can work their way up by doing things such as establishing a track record of being able
to navigate challenges and learning from experience, Weller said. Weller’s presentation was one of several made throughout the one-day conference on topics ranging from employment law updates to health care reform. A topic of discussion for the past several
years during the meetings has been health care reform, said Tony Johnston, president and chief operating officer for CIBC of Illinois Inc. “We’re still talking about it,” Johnston said. “It’s keeps on changing.” More changes are coming in 2016,
Johnston said. Among them is which groups qualify for community rating, which is used to determine premiums offered based on how many people are enrolled in the plan and more can be charged in areas where health costs are high. With community rating, insurers can’t raise premiums based on health status like they could in the past. “Everybody is in the same pool,” Johnston said. Rates for groups with fewer than 50 participants are based on the community rating, while those with more than 51 are health ranked, Johnston said. Although changes were being considered to include medium-sized groups in the community rating system, he said Illinois is expected to keep 50 as the threshold. Companies have been trending toward self-insured group plans, Johnston said. Those companies can lower the risk of insurance providers by taking on more risk while offering participants lower premiums. “It’s time to take a look at it,” Johnston said. He said companies should work with their tax advisers to ensure forms are filed properly to comply with the changing regulations.
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BUSINESS JOURNAL 9
Children should seek skills away from family business In August, I started a series on transfers of leadership when a parent hands the reins of a business over to a child. I told the true stories of four organizations. Sadly, only one of the transfers turned out exactly as planned. This month we look at the third scenario. This one is in the nonprofit sector. The story is true, but I have changed several Human Resources nonessential details. Here’s a summary: Now 40, Justin grew up watching as his father founded and guided a successful nonprofit health care finance agency. Justin’s father, now on the cusp of retirement, is a recognized and beloved pillar of the community, a familiar face at fundraising events and civic activities. He is in every sense a good and
Fred Spannaus
gracious person. And this dad loves his son without limits. He loves him so much that he created a position for him as special advisor on governmental affairs. Having worked his entire career in his father’s organization, the son acts as if he is entitled to inherit the CEO chair when his dad retires. Devoted to his son, Dad is oblivious to the situation, but Justin’s colleagues are not. They resent Justin’s rise. Some of them have resorted to undermining Justin’s work. What is wrong here? Two things. First of all, the situation is messy because of the nonprofit world they live in. Unlike private businesses, nonprofits cannot and should not be passed down to the next generation as part of a legacy or an estate. Nonprofits do not have an “ownership” in the normal sense of the term; they are not owned by anyone, but they are guided by a (supposedly) neutral board of directors. When nonprofit leadership is transferred from parent to child, it almost never ends well.
BIZ
Cooley
Damante
Tamara Damante has joined the WAND as co-anchor of WAND Today News. Karen Reed has been named manager of My Shipping Place. Scott Preston and Mike Tasch have joined RE/MAX Executives Plus as licensed partners with the Jim Cleveland Home Team. Natalie Binder has joined Twisted Scissors Salon as a stylist.
Promotions
Harrison
Kramer
Munoz
Michelle Oliver has been promoted to chief nursing officer at HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital. Ryan J. Kramer has been promoted to managing partner with Northwestern Mutual based in Downers Grove.
Achievements
Munson
Preston
Oliver
Reed
Tasch
He will have to relate to colleagues who will not see him as “the boss’s kid,” and that will help him immeasurably no matter where he winds up. And most importantly, he will have the chance to remove any hint of doubt in his own capacity to make his way in the world. What will his dad gain? Frankly, not much. He’s already at the top of his game and the organization is flourishing. He has the total devotion and admiration of his staff, who mostly understand and overlook his blind spot toward the son. What will the agency gain? A lot. It will gain the best qualified person to become its next CEO, whether it’s the son or someone else. What’s the alternative? Justin stays put. Maybe he gets the top job. He will never know if he earned it or inherited it. Neither will anyone else in the organization. It will not be pretty. Fred W. Spannaus, principal of Spannaus Consulting, is a senior professional in human resources. He loves feedback to his columns. Fred can be contacted by e-mail at spannaus@ameritech.net or by phone at (217) 425-2635.
CLIPS
New staff members
Binder
Consider the total collapse of California’s Crystal Cathedral, founded by Robert H. Schuller. As Fox News reported: “In 2006, Schuller’s only son, 51-year-old Robert A. Schuller, was installed as senior pastor, the start of a carefully choreographed leadership transition … the Schullers considered the church a ‘family business’ … But the organization fell on difficult times after the younger Schuller’s installation, and he left amid a bitter family feud in fall 2008.” But there’s a second problem here. It has nothing to do with profit or nonprofit status. It is unfair to parent, child, and agency for Justin to prepare himself by working only in this one place. It would be far better for Justin to work for someone else, and only then, perhaps, return to his father’s organization, which by then will be in someone else’s hands. It’s a gamble, to be sure. There’s a decent chance he won’t get to come back. What will Justin gain? He will gain critical exposure to other work environments and thus a more balanced perspective of his father’s organization. He will see different decision-making styles, and perhaps develop more flexibility in his own.
The Decatur/Forsyth Residence Inn is the recipient of the Opening Hotel of the Year award by the Marriott Residence Inn brand. Chris Harrison of Brinkoetter and Associates is the recipient of the Decatur Association of Realtors’ Rising Star award.
HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital’s Nuclear Cardiology Laboratory has been granted a three-year term of accreditation in nuclear cardiology by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission. Paula Cooley of Paula Childs Realtors was named Realtor of the Year by the Decatur Association of Realtors.
Announcements
J. Mark Munoz, professor of management and international business, has been named interim dean of Millikin University’s Tabor School of Business. National Foodworks Services has announced the leadership and members of its charitable organization, Heart of America Foodworks. Tony Caccomo is president and Mark Nicholas is treasurer. Board members are Sue Hemp, Tyrone Cooper and Brian Tucker. Donna Munson of Area One Realtors has been elected president of the Decatur Association of Realtors board. Business Clips are abbreviated versions of paid Business Achievements which appear on Mondays in the Herald & Review. For more information about Business Achievements, go to www.thebusinessjournal.com and click on the Submit a Business Achievement link.
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November 2015
BUSINESS JOURNAL 11
Business Journal, Jim Bowling
Muffley School kindergartners, from left, Nahsyhia Pirtle, Janiah Williams and Kaniyah Scott play in the new Young at Art exhibit in the Children’s Museum of Illinois.
Where imaginations come to play
Children’s Museum of Illinois strives to make learning fun
children in Decatur. “We really do have something special,” said Flemming, who grew up in Decatur. “We want to strengthen our ties because it’s so important to bring sucCHRIS LUSVARDI cess to families by workBusiness Journal Writer ing together.” DECATUR – Kate Flemming wants The museum has been the Children’s Museum of Illinois to be a part of the community a place where the whole family can get for 25 years but Fleminvolved in the learning process. ming said there has been Flemming As Flemming took over as the museum’s an especially high feeling executive director earlier this year, she of change and enthusiasm in the past has devoted a sizable portion of her atten- few years. Adults who grew up visiting tion to strengthening partnerships with the museum when they were younger are other organizations in the community. By starting to visit again with their children working with other groups, the museum and a whole different perspective, Flemhas added new exhibits and expanded its ming said. outreach to create more opportunities for The museum’s contribution to the
quality of life in the community was recognized in August as it was chosen for the Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce’s Non-Profit of the Year Award. New exhibits such as Ready. Set. Build!, Seed to Shelf and Young at Art have renewed interest in attendance and donations to the facility as it strives to enhance opportunities for children to grow socially, academically, creatively and physically, Flemming said. “There are so many things we can do,” Flemming said. “The opportunities for partnerships are endless.” The museum relies on partnerships with local businesses to provide exhibit upgrades, programs and event support. It offers field trips, summer camps, family workshops such as Family Science Sunday developed with Richland Community
College and outreach programs with local schools. “We’ve got to keep moving forward,” Flemming said. “We’ve built momentum with everything we’ve got going on.” Among the newest additions to the Children’s Museum’s programming is Make Space, which is part of a partnership with the Millikin University Center for Entrepreneurship. Make Space is intended for visitors to enhance their problem-solving skills, test and revise ideas, experiment and collaborate, Flemming said. The idea is for children to concentrate on the process, not the product, and to present challenges to solve as the museum has added sets of littleBits, which contain
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Organizations are here to help community The following is a listing of some of the nonprofit agencies serving Macon County. AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY Primary mission: Eliminate cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Services offered: Research funding, cancer information services, support groups, transportation, advocacy and public policy, community programs and patient services. Top local executive: Jeremy Harbin, senior manager, Relay of Life Address: 675 E. Linton Ave., Springfield Phone: (217) 523-4503 Web: www.cancer.org, www.relayforlife. org/maconil Primary events/fundraisers: Relay for Life (July) AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION Primary mission: Build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. That single purpose drives all we do. The need for our work is beyond question. Services offered: Research funding, advocacy, community education, patient care. Top local executive: Karen Gedrose, corporate events director Address: 2141 W. White Oaks Dr., Suite A, Springfield Phone: (217) 698-3838 Web: www.heart.org Primary events/fundraisers: Heart Walk (Oct.) AMERICAN RED CROSS MID-ILLINOIS CHAPTER Primary mission: Prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. Services offered: Disaster services, emergency services, international services, blood donation, health and safety services and services to armed forces. Top local executive: Bryan Soady, executive director Address: 2674 N. Main St., Decatur Phone: (217) 428-7758 Web: www.redcross.org/il/decatur Primary events/fundraisers: blood drives, Heroes of the Heartland (March) BABY TALK Primary mission: Positively impact child development and nurture healthy parentchild relationships during the critical early years. Services offered: Early literacy program, early intervention, family literacy, home visitation, outreach and Early Head Start program. Top local executive: Claudia Quigg Address: 500 E. Lake Shore Drive, Decatur Phone: (217) 475-2234 Web: www.babytalk.org Primary events/fundraisers: Grillin’ in the Garden (June), Lullaby concert (May) BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS Primary mission: Providing children
raised in adversity with strong and enduring professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better forever. Services offered: One to one mentoring. Top local executive: Jeanne Stahlheber Address: 310 W. William St., Decatur Phone: (217) 428-4240 Web: www.bbbscil.org Primary events/fundraisers: Bowl for Kids Sake (March), Night in the Islands (Nov.) BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF DECATUR Primary mission: To enable all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens Services offered: Programs for character and leadership; education and career; health and life skills; the arts and culture; sports, fitness and recreation; and specialized initiatives Top local executive: Bruce Jeffery Address: 859 N. Jasper St., Decatur Phone: (217) 422-9605 Web: www.decaturilbgc.com Primary events/fundraisers: Annual banquet (Nov.), Black History Lock-in (Feb.), National Boys and Girls Club Week (April), Year End Bash (May), Back to School Festival (Sept.), Day for Kids event (Sept.) CATHOLIC CHARITIES Primary mission: Extend to all the healing and empowering presence of Jesus. Services offered: Professional counseling solutions, student assistance counseling, eldercare options, elderly guardianship services, legal services, Faith in Action, Strong for Life, A Matter of Balance, food pantries, Meals on Wheels, MedAssist/SHIP, resale store. Top local executive: Marie Rademacher Address: 247 W. Prairie Ave., Decatur Phone: (217) 428-3458 Web: www.cc.dio.org/area_offices/decatur/home.htm Primary events/fundraisers: Spring fundraiser CENTRAL ILLINOIS CHRISTIANS IN MISSION Primary mission: Provide for the needy as directed by God (Matthew 25:34-40). Services offered: Provide furniture, kitchen items, appliances and beds to low-income and needy families. Top local executive: Bob Thompson Address: 1000 E. Locust St., Decatur Phone: (217) 422-4246 Web: www.centralchristians.com Primary events/fundraisers: Golf outing (Sept.) CENTRAL ILLINOIS FOODBANK Primary mission: To collect donated food and grocery items from growers, manufacturers, processors and wholesalers for distribution to charitable agencies serving people in need. Serve more than 140 agencies in 21 Central Illinois counties. Services offered: Food distribution Top local executive: Pam Molitoris, executive director Address: 1937 E. Cook St., Springfield
Phone: (217) 522-4022 Web: www.centralilfoodbank.org Primary events/fundraisers: Community food drive (Oct.), Harvest Ball (Oct.) CHELP Primary mission: Provides services to seniors and disabled citizens to keep them in their homes and out of nursing homes as long as possible. Services offered: Senior companion, in-home care, adult protective services, coordinated point of entry, respite care and private care. Top local executive: Diane Drew Address: 1429 N. Jasper St., Decatur Phone: (217) 422-9888 Web: www.chelpil.org CROSSING HEALTHCARE Primary mission: Provide excellent, comprehensive health care that is affordable and readily accessible for the medically underserved. Services offered: Comprehensive outpatient pediatric and adult medical care, mental health services and prenatal care. Top local executive: Tanya Andricks, chief executive officer Address: 320 E. Central Ave., Decatur Phone: (217) 877-9117 Web: www.crossinghealthcare.org DECATUR AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Primary mission: To build simple, decent and affordable homes for people in need, providing them with a place to live and grow into all that God intended. Top local executive: Ed Smith, executive director Address: 151 N. Main St., Decatur Phone: (217) 425-6446 DECATUR CARES RESCUE MISSIONS Primary mission: Mission Outreach providing love of Christ through shelter and transition opportunities. Grace House for women, Pershing Road Mission for men, Water Street Mission service and supper for the inner-city, and Hope’s Attic Thrift Store II and Decatur Cares Auto as sources of income. Top local executive: Jonathan Kelm Address: 2175 E. Pershing Road, P.O. Box 1215, Decatur, IL 62521 Phone: (217) 424-2381 Primary events/fundraisers: Hope’s Attic Thrift Store, Hope’s Attic Thrift Store II, Decatur Cares Auto DECATUR DAY CARE CENTER Primary mission: Provide quality childcare for working parents or parents in school. Services offered: Child care for 6 weeks to 12 years Top local executive: Janice Baldwin Address: 2075 E. Lake Shore Drive, Suite B, Decatur Phone: (217) 422-2044 Primary events/fundraisers: Piggy bank, pizza sales, food drive, United Way fundraiser DECATUR FAMILY YMCA Primary mission: To put Christian principles into practice through programs that
build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Services offered: Youth and family programs, sports, health and fitness, Camp Sokkia, preschool enrichment and schoolage programs. Top local executive: Matt Whitehead, executive director Address: 220 W. McKinley Ave., Decatur Phone: (217) 872-9622 Web: www.decaturymca.org Primary events/fundraisers: Backpack Attack (Aug.), KidFest (Aug.) DECATUR-MACON COUNTY SENIOR CENTER Primary mission: Enhance the quality of life for seniors through friendship, services, programs, activities and advocacy. Services offered: Multipurpose senior center, flu shots, information and assistance. Top local executive: Leslie Stanberry Address: 1430 N. 22nd St., Decatur Phone: (217) 429-1239 Web: decaturmaconcountyseniorcenter.org Primary events/fundraisers: Longaberger Binga (Oct.), thrift shop DOVE INC. Primary mission: Coalition of religious organizations, volunteers and advocates that seek to coordinate efforts to address unmet human needs and social injustices. Dove works for justice, equality and understanding among all people. Services offered: Domestic violence program, BABES, Homeward Bound, MAX and DAX, outreach programs, children’s clothing room, RSVP. Top local executive: Tamara Wilcox Address: 302 S. Union St., Decatur Phone: (217) 428-6616 Web: www.doveinc.org Primary events/fundraisers: Point in Time (Feb.), community breakfast (March), National Night Out (Aug.), coat drive (Oct.) GIRL SCOUTS OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS Primary mission: Build girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. Services offered: Serving girls ages 5 through 17 through troops, events and outdoor education. Top local executive: Pam Kovacevich Address: 1100 E. Pershing Road, Decatur Phone: (217) 423-7791 Web: www.getyourgirlpower.org Primary events/fundraisers: Cookies (Jan.), magazine and candy sales (Oct.), Diamonds and Desserts (Oct.) GOD’S SHELTER OF LOVE Primary mission: Show God’s love for all mankind, minister to the needs of the homeless and tell of the hope we have in Jesus Christ. Services offered: Housing, clothing and meals for homeless. Top local executive: Ed Vacon Address: 929 N. Union St., Decatur Phone: (217) 422-2790 Web: www.godsshelteroflove.org Primary events/fundraisers: Blessingdale’s Thrift Shop
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GOOD SAMARITAN INN (DIGG is joining this group) Primary mission: Create opportunities with the support of our community toward improving the lives of our economically disadvantaged neighbors through daily nourishment, life skills education and job training programs. Services offered: Daily lunch program, partner with local organizations for job skills training (Mercy Kitchens and Mercy Gardens). Top local executive: Rev. Stacey Brohard Address: 920 N. Union St., Decatur Phone: (217) 429-1455 Web: www.goodsamaritaninn.org HERITAGE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTER Primary mission: Improve the mental and physical well-being of those we serve and to advance behavioral health in our community. Services offered: Mental health and addiction services, crisis intervention, Oasis Day Center. Top local executive: Candace Clevenger Address: 151 N. Main St., Decatur Phone: (217) 362-6262 Web: www.heritagenet.org HOMEWARD BOUND PET SHELTER Primary mission: Shelter and rehabilitate relinquished cats, kittens, dogs and puppies until they can be permanently adopted into loving homes. Also serves as a job training program for people with disabilities. Services offered: Pet adoptions, grooming, foster care and job training program. Top local executive: Dreux Lewandowski Address: 1720 Huston Dr., Decatur Phone: (217) 876-1266 Web: www.homewardboundpetshelter. com Primary events/fundraisers: Rock the Woof (Feb), Woofstock (June), Dog Days of Summer (Aug.), fundraising drive (Aug.), Pints for Pups (Nov.) INDEPENDENCE POINTE Primary mission: Independence Pointe provides care and services to clients and families with disabilities, helping reach milestones to gain independence and improve quality of life. Services offered: Speech/language therapy services, recreational programming, adult services, autism services, family support services, childcare, respite care and AgrAbility Unlimited. Top local executive: Dreux Lewandowski Address: 2715 N. 27th St., Decatur Phone: (217) 429-1052 Web: www.independencepointedecatur.org Primary events/fundraisers: Bowl-athon (Feb.), celebration day (April), Denim Days (Sept.) LAND OF LINCOLN LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION INC. Primary mission: Pursue civil justice for low-income persons through representation and education. Top local executive: Lauren Pashayan Address: 3085 Stevenson Dr., Suite 202, Springfield Phone: 1-800-252-8629 Web: www.lollaf.org LINCOLN TRAIL COUNCIL, BOY SCOUTS Primary mission: Prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their
lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. Services offered: Youth development programs that provide character development, citizenship training and personal fitness, leadership and self-reliance. Top local executive: Chris Long Address: 262 W. Prairie Ave., Decatur Phone: (217) 429-2326 Web: www.lincolntrailscouncil.org Primary events/fundraisers: Popcorn sale (Oct.), Friends of Scouting Campaign (Jan.) MACON COUNTY CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER Primary mission: Children who have been victims of abuse need people who care for them as people, not as case files. Children and their families are treated with care and concern. Services offered: Assistance and support in coping with abuse, crisis intervention services, assistance with obtaining medical care, social services and counseling; legal advocacy and information about the court process including help with orders of protection, victim compensation and case information as appropriate. Top local executive: Jean Moore, executive director Address: 1990 N. Water St., Decatur Phone: (217) 422-6294 Web: www.mccac.org and Facebook Primary events/fundraisers: Silent auction and 176 Keys Dueling Pianos (Nov.) MACON COUNTY CASA Primary mission: Provide court appointed volunteers to advocate for the abused, neglected and/or dependent children who are involved in the Macon County juvenile court system. Services offered: Court appointed special advocates. Top local executive: Pam Burkhart, executive director Address: 132 S. Water St., Suite 250, Decatur Phone: (217) 428-8424 Web: www.maconcountycasa.org Primary events/fundraisers: CASA for CASA playhouse raffle (April), Tommy Morrissey Memorial Poker Run (July) MACON RESOURCES INC. Primary mission: Promote growth, independence and self-worth in children and adults with disabilities. Services offered: Bright Start, Kid’s Connection, community employment, community support services, residential services, autism services, speech/language therapy, developmental/vocational training, case management, Blue Tower Training, business services, janitorial and lawn care services for businesses, Homeward Bound Pet Shelter, Independence Pointe Top local executive: Dreux Lewandowski Address: 2121 Hubbard Ave., Decatur Phone: (217) 875-1910 Web: www.maconresources.org Primary events/fundraisers: golf tournament (June) NORTHEAST COMMUNITY FUND Primary mission: To assist needy families in our community with the resources available in a caring and Christ-like manner. Services offered: Counseling, emergency food and financial assistance, free clothing room, assistance with prescription drugs,
baby supplies and other emergency needs. Top local executive: Jerry Pelz Address: 825 N. Water St., Decatur Phone: (217) 429-5846 Web: northeastcommunityfund.org Primary events/fundraisers: Letter Carriers Food Drive (May), Christmas basket distributions (Dec.) OLD KING’S ORCHARD COMMUNITY CENTER Primary mission: Provide a safe, healthy environment that offers opportunities for families to improve their quality of life. We will do that by communicating effectively, developing partnerships and providing programs and activities for all. Services offered: Youth after-school and summer programs for K-12, competitive cheer team, Sunday evening open gym for age 13 and older, family advocacy Top local executive: Alida Graham, president Address: 815 N. Church St., Decatur Phone: (217) 428-2782 Web: www.okocommunitycenter.org PARTNERS IN EDUCATION Primary mission: To facilitate through business and education partnerships, the fostering of programs and alliances which provide experiences that expose diverse students to the world of work. Services offered: Link school-based and work-based learning programs to improve student success. Top local executive: Renee Stivers Address: 1 College Park, E193, Decatur Phone: (217) 875-7211, ext. 575 Web: pie.richland.edu Primary events/fundraisers: Youth Leadership Institute, Decatur Area College and Career Fair (Oct.), Archer Daniels Midland Chemistry Days (Feb.), 8th Grade Career Fair (Jan.), Partners’ Salute (March), Careers on Wheels (May) SALVATION ARMY Primary mission: To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in his name without discrimination. Services offered: Disaster services, emergency assistance, family counseling services, housing/residence services, older adult services, worship center and youth services, shelter services. Top local executive: Wesley Dahlberg Address: 229 W. Main St., Decatur Phone: (217) 428-4672 Web: www.sadecatur.org Primary events/fundraisers: Christmas kettles (Dec.) SAIL (Soyland Access to Independent Living) Primary mission: Promote independent living for all people with disabilities. Services offered: Community reintegration, money follows the person, deaf services, family advocacy, home services, independent living, visual services, disability awareness. Top local executive: Jeri J. Wooters, executive director Address: 2449 Federal Drive, Decatur Phone: (217) 876-8888 or 1-800-358-8080 Web: www.decatursail.com SPECIAL OLYMPICS ILLINOIS Primary mission: Provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop
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physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. Top local executive: Joanie Keyes Address: 1950 N. Water St., Decatur Phone: (217) 428-9255 Web: www.soill.org/area10/ Primary events/fundraisers: Polar Plunge in Decatur and Lincoln (March), spaghetti dinner (Dec.), Downtown Mardi-Gras (Feb.) UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY LAND OF LINCOLN Primary mission: To provide innovative strategies to connect people with disabilities to their community. Services offered: Employment services, after-school program, adult day group, assistive technology, camps, case management, toy lending, medical transport and advocacy, play group, adult services, respite care and transition program. Top local executive: Jennifer Dawson Address: 602 E. William St., Decatur Phone: (217) 428-5033 Web: www.ucpll.org Primary events/fundraisers: UCP Miller Lite Barstool Open (Jan.), telethon (Jan.), Life Without Limits (March) UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS EXTENSION MACON COUNTY Primary mission: To enable people to improve their lives and communities through learning partnerships that put knowledge to work. Services offered: Support the 4-H program, the Master Gardening program, the Master Naturalist program, the SNAP-ed Nutrition Education program and provide educational programs and activities related to our mission, education programs related to local foods and small farms, nutrition and wellness programs and horticulture. Top local executive: Doug Harlan, county director Address: 3351 N. President Howard Brown Blvd., Decatur Phone: (217) 877-6042 Web: web.extension.illinois.edu/dmp WEBSTER-CANTRELL HALL Primary mission: Serve children, youth and families in troubled circumstances. Services offered: Physical, social, educational and psychological needs through home- and/or community-based programs. Top local executive: Martin Harris Address: 1942 E. Cantrell St., Decatur Phone: (217) 423-6961 Web: www.webstercantrell.org Primary events/fundraisers: 5K walk/ run (Oct.) YOUTH ADVOCATE PROGRAM Primary mission: Provide a wide range of rehabilitative services to at-risk children and their families through our family intensive program while striving to maintain the family unit whenever possible. Services offered: Parenting skills, one-toone mentoring, supervised visits, youth services referrals, behavior control, homeless youth shelter and mental health counseling. Top local executive: Michael Warner Address: 202 E. Eldorado St., Decatur Phone: (217) 422-7864 Web: www.youthadvocateprogram.org
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Continued from page 11 materials to create magnetic circuits. The facility’s former kitchen has been converted into a Make Space classroom, Flemming said. The Center for Entrepreneurship had not previously ventured into many programs for younger age groups, but director Julie Shields said the goal is to start shifting their way of thinking as they’re learn to become innovative and approach situations creatively. The adults with them can enjoy it, too, Shields said. “As adults, we like to sit around and play with them, too,” Shields said. “Parents and grandparents can have fun with it. Entrepreneurship is important at any age.” Shields encourages children to get involved with programs offered throughout the community, but the Children’s Museum is an especially ideal partner. “They’re innovating and creating at a fantastic rate,” Shields said. “They’re living innovation and their connectivity is a strong model of what we like to see. Play is their work.” As part of its outreach efforts, Flemming said the Children’s Museum is working with the Boys and Girls Club of Decatur by providing times to work with the littleBits kits. Children at the club can find a fun, hands-on alternative to working on their typical paper homework, said Bruce Jeffery, the organization’s executive director. “It’s gotten a good response,” Jeffery said. “It’s something new for us.” Trips to the Children’s Museum can be an extra incentive for doing well, Jeffery said. Many of the children don’t typically visit the museum other than occasionally for school field trips. “They get a whole different experience,” Jeffery said. Field trips remain one of the top ways to draw visitors into the museum, especially during the school year, Flemming said. She said about 10,000 students visited the facility during the 2014-2015 school year. With older children in school during the day, Flemming said it has been important to focus more programming on preschool age children and toddlers. Opportunities for older children, including teenagers, to stay involved exist even as Flemming said they can feel too old for French Academy fourth graders Cordell Scott, left, and Camryn Lingenfelter construct a flashlight as part of the littleBits program.
Business Journal photos, Jim Bowling
Muffley School kindergartners Caden Ballinger, left, and LaTyris Rush explore the automotive shop exhibit at the Children’s Museum of Illinois.
what they previously enjoyed. She said they’re working on adding more to the museum’s volunteer program. With neighboring Scovill Zoo, the Children’s Museum is located in an area where field trips and other events can draw visitors for a full day of activities, Flemming said. The Children’s Museum works with the zoo on various joint events and to coordinate larger events when overflow parking is needed, Flemming said. One of the most successful joint programs has been working together on the Critter Egg Hunt, she said. “It’s gone really well,” zoo director Ken Frye said. “We’ll let each other know about
events. It’s a big draw to be able to make a day of it.” Groups have plenty of space within Scovill Park for picnics between visits to both attractions and allow visitors from farther outside Decatur to stay longer than they might otherwise, Frye said. With such close proximity, Frye said many of the animals from the zoo can easily be brought next door for events such as Fairy Tale Ball and A Knight to Remember. Attendance at both places has been increasing over the past few years, with the addition of penguins helping to attract more than 100,000 visitors to the zoo last year, a target Frye said hopes can be reached again this year.
Flemming said attendance at the Children’s Museum increased to 64,000 in 2014 from 55,000 in 2012. All of the changes and what takes place makes the Children’s Museum an enjoyable place for Katie McVay to work. “It’s fun to see what they come up with,” said McVay, the director of museum experiences. “The new exhibits have really brought a lot of excitement and they’re thrilled to walk in and immediately see something new. It keeps it fresh and exciting for everybody.” McVay enjoys watching as children become inspired, whether it’s for an art project or on stage putting together small plays with puppets on stage.
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YOUR
CAREER
Jobs database targets skills gap Website matches workers, employment, education needs
O N T H E W E B To explore Career Coach, go to richland. emsicareercoach.com.
CHRIS LUSVARDI
Business Journal Writer
ECATUR – Richland Community College launched D a tool last month with hopes of helping job seekers more efficiently navigate through the training process. Its EMSI Career Coach website contains a database of career-building tools and job openings in Decatur and surrounding areas for Richland students and community members to explore. It includes information about what training is needed to qualify for specific jobs, Richland President Gayle Saunders said. “They’ll know when they need to acquire additional education,” Saunders said. “It’s useful to narrow down fields of interest and keep them on track.” The website is part of an attempt to address a skills gap that is attributed to the Decatur area’s unemployment rate, which continues to be above the statewide average of 5.1 percent. The Decatur area rate was 6.4 percent in September as efforts continue to match workers with the correct skills sets for open jobs. Richland partnered with the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur and Macon County along with the city of Decatur to develop the website. The Richland
to work in a particular area of interest will help job seekers find the well-paying positions they seek, said Patrick Hoban, the city’s economic development officer. “This is an opportunity that will show you where the real jobs are,” Hoban said. Saunders said the jobs in highest demand include nursing, truck driving, welding and engineering with skills in the STEM fields. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The online database can be Lee News Service photo used by anyone ranging from high school students to displaced workers, Saunders said. Skilled welders are among the jobs officials say are in the The website includes research tools and a resumé builder greatest demand locally, along with openings in the nursto help prepare job seekers, said Gianina Baker, Richland ing, truck driving and engineering fields. director of institutional effectiveness planning. She said Foundation contributed funding for the program, Saunthe program’s users can find out what degrees and certifiders said. cates Richland offers and enter their military background if Having a qualified, skilled workforce is part of what EDC applicable to link with jobs that are available. President Ryan McCrady uses when marketing the comBaker said the website provides a background assessmunity to interested businesses. ment to give anyone interested a better understanding of “We’re able to say we already have it in place,” McCrady what jobs might match their interests. She said those with said. “It’s another great asset we can use to market.” more questions can seek information and guidance from Being able to research and know about what it takes Richland’s Career Center staff.
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Discussions about raises shouldn’t be confrontational Q: Although I was promoted more than a year ago, no one ever said anything about a raise. I don’t think I should have to go crawling to management for money, but I’m tired of doing more work for the same pay. Since this company doesn’t do performance reviews, the subject will never come up unless I say something. Unfortunately, I am not confrontational by nature Office Coach and I don’t like asking for things. I am also not sure who I should approach. My best friend’s father is one of the owners, so should I go to him? A: Because salary discussions require an appropriately assertive attitude, you must first overcome your discomfort with “asking for things.” This reluctance may have already cost you, since you could have inquired about this raise 12 months ago. Employees who wait for management to correct inequities often experience a long delay, since their bosses may not even be thinking about the issue. Also, describing yourself as non-confrontational seems to imply that you feel confrontation will be necessary to resolve this problem. However, approaching management in a resentful manner will not aid your cause and could easily backfire. So you should view this conversation as a request, not a demand. To increase your odds of success, you must present your case in a businesslike manner. Factors to consider include the
Marie McIntyre
level of your position, management’s view of your performance, your company’s financial situation and relevant salary comparisons. For example: “Now that I’ve held a higher-level position for over a year, I wanted to talk with you about a promotional increase. Since you seem to be pleased with my work, I would like to see if we could agree on a salary that would match my current responsibilities. After researching comparable positions, I thought a 7 percent increase might be reasonable.” Under most circumstances, your immediate manager would be the logical person to approach. Involving the owner could look like you’re trying to pull strings and bypass your boss. But if this business only has a few employees, then talking with your friend’s dad might be OK. nnn Q: I am trapped in my job because of a lying supervisor. A few weeks ago, I applied for a position in another department. Because a supervisory recommendation is required for transfer, the final step was a reference check with my boss, “Norma.” When they asked Norma if she could give me a good recommendation, she said no, so I lost out on the job. Since I have had a spotless record for five years, I asked Norma why she refused to give me a reference. She replied “You’re such a great worker that I didn’t want to lose you.” Some of my colleagues said the same thing happened to them, so Norma apparently makes a practice of blocking employee transfers. I’m afraid to complain about Norma because she’s been with this company for 30 years. Do you have any suggestions? A: Your boss’s behavior is absolutely appalling. In addition to being dishonest
W E E K LY T I P S Can’t get enough advice from the Office Coach? Get weekly column updates at www.thebusiness-journal.com.
and damaging your reputation, Norma is also making a really bad business decision. Under normal circumstances, managers should never block the transfer of a competent and qualified staff member. When employees are denied an available opportunity and forced to remain in a job they have outgrown, they naturally become frustrated and resentful. The ironic result is that by refusing to approve a transfer, management may actually motivate a valued employee to leave the company altogether. Since you aren’t the only victim of this short-sighted strategy, your best hope may be to enlist other injured parties in bringing Norma’s misconduct to the attention of upper management. While one person’s tale of woe may not carry much weight, hearing the same story from several people will have a much greater impact. nnn Q: Even though “Dawn” and I sit right next to each other, she always communicates through email. I feel this is rude, so whenever I need something, I go ask her in person. Last week, I decided that I should talk with her about this issue. Although I gave my feedback in a friendly way, Dawn didn’t seem to appreciate it. She then told me that if I don’t start attending company events, I will never progress in my career. Her criticism made me feel really bad, so I’m trying to decide if I should take this to my manager. A: Instead of creating more drama by complaining to your boss, you need to let
this go. You should also take a long, hard look in the mirror, because you appear to be somewhat self-centered and hypersensitive. Apparently, you have failed to consider that your personal visits may be just as annoying to Dawn as her emails are to you. From your perspective, email is rude and conversation is friendly. But to Dawn, email is efficient and conversation is distracting. The two of you simply have different preferences. Unfortunately, instead of accepting Dawn as she is, you chose to reprimand her. Not surprisingly, she responded with the first insult that came to mind. When verbally punched, people tend to hit back. So if you can’t take it, you shouldn’t be dishing it out. nnn Q: I am both excited and scared about my recent promotion. My manager chose me for this position over many other well-qualified people. I’m pleased that she has so much faith in me, but I am also concerned that I may not be ready for this role. Should I tell her that I’m afraid I can’t handle it? A: No one starts a higher-level job with all the required information and skills, so feeling anxious about a promotion is not unusual. Instead of predicting failure, have a realistic talk with your boss about your strengths and development needs. Find out why you were selected, then suggest specific areas where training or mentoring might be beneficial. Once you have a plan for conquering the learning curve, your confidence may increase. Marie G. McIntyre is a workplace coach and the author. Send in questions and get free coaching tips at www. yourofficecoach.com, or follow her on Twitter @officecoach.
Examine what separates good work days from the bad Q: There are days when I like my work and look forward to the things I need to do and the people I need to meet with. There are other days when I dread the same tasks. What can I do to have a more consistent perspective? A: My hunch is that it’s about context, and understanding the circumstances that set you up for a positive day. Start with the story of the good day. And treat it like a story that happened to someone else, either writing it or recording it to get a bit of emotional distance. What happened? How did you feel
Liz Reyer
going into the situation, and how did you feel as it wrapped up? Then take a step back in time. What was the day before like? How about the preceding week? What about the week to come? Do the same with a hard day, envisioning the hard tasks themselves, and then building rich content around them Having told the stories, take a step back and see what you can observe. It would not be surprising to find that the differences in experience are driven by your general energy level. When you are less positive about the day ahead, are you feeling depleted? Have you been busier than usual? Perhaps you’ve had less time to yourself or been in crisis management mode for a project. If you’re working in an adrenaline-soaked role, this would be even more likely. Understanding is good, but what are you going to do about it? For example, if you find that you don’t have energy for the people you have to meet after a week
when we do it, it makes a difference. So remember to get enough sleep, eat foods that give you energy, if you drink, drink in Get weekly career tips from Liz Reyer at moderation, and stay active. Engaging in www.thebusiness-journal.com. a spiritual practice can also help you stay grounded. Also be sure to build in opportunities for some laughs to keep the positive of travel, you can’t necessarily clear your energy flowing. calendar. You can, however, identify other Regardless of what you do, there will rechargers that can help you get through. be some days when you just don’t feel Look for clues in your “good day” story. like doing what needs to be done. Give Maybe you feel best when you’ve had time yourself rewards when you succeed with to prep for your meetings. If this is a point a task (even if it’s just a YouTube moment of differentiation between good and bad, start scheduling prep time on your calendar at your desk) and don’t beat yourself so that you can feel more ready. If too much up. Notice, though, if the bad starts to outweigh the good so that you can plan back to back does you in, try scheduling next steps when and if you need a more 45-minute meetings instead of an hour to give yourself time to breathe. In most cases, major change. this will be plenty of time to accomplish Liz Reyer is a credentialed coach. Submit questions or the meeting objective (and other people comments about this column at www.deliverchange. will thank you). I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the tried com/coachscorner or email her at liz@deliverchange. com. and true self-care. We all know it, and W E E K LY T I P S
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BUSINESS JOURNAL
November 2015
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YOUR
H E A LT H
The power of pink Man’s Jeep plays for keeps to honor sister TONY REID
Business Journal Writer
ECATUR – Grief for a lost loved one is a D long and winding journey. Wayne Vining is driving down his road of sorrow in a Jeep called “Miracles are Pink,” a vehicle colored in such a shade of screaming pink that it burns itself into the memory of watching retinas. Which is the point. Vining, 41, doesn’t want anyone who sees it to ignore its message of breast cancer awareness or to forget his beloved older sister Christina Bissey, who lost her fight with the disease Aug. 28. She had first been diagnosed with cancer in 2013 and went through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation to beat it. But the disease came back in 2014, this time showing up in her brain. Once again, she fought it with everything she had, every minute of the day, until the 52-year-old had no more time left. Always very close to her kid brother and her younger sister, Cindy Goodlick, during her many treatments she had told them she wanted a dazzling pink Jeep to serve as a public message board about cancer. Vining and Goodlick worked up ideas and Vining, a press operator at Decatur’s DynaGraphics and Wood Printing, didn’t have far to go to turn the concepts into reality. His employer creates dazzling art designs for its customers and can produce them in the form of a vinyl “wrap” that encases a vehicle like a custom paint job. The refurbished 1994 Jeep Wrangler YJ was finished just before Valentine’s Day in time for Bissey to see it, and when her siblings delivered it to Bissey’s home in Odell, she was so happy she did a very rare thing for her, she burst into tears.
FO R M O R E Want to see and read more about the journey of the Miracles are Pink Jeep? Just plug its name into Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
The Jeep is emblazoned with sayings the mother of three particularly liked: “Fight Like a Girl” is accompanied by a pretty pink-haired female boxer with a Band-Aid on her cheek and armed with pink boxing gloves. The Jeep’s bodywork is also draped in giant pink ribbons and other public service messages say stuff like “Attitude is Everything” and “Supporting the Fighter, Admiring the Survivor, Honoring the Taken and Never, Ever Giving up Hope!” DynaGraphics plant manager Dan Niebrugge did the heavy lifting on the design work and got to meet Bissey on May 5 when, although too ill to drive, she visited the offices while driven by her brother in the Jeep. Niebrugge said there is everyday job satisfaction and then there is being swept up in something like this: “It’s rare you get to work on something you feel is such a worthwhile cause,” Niebrugge said. “And this certainly was very worthwhile.” Vining and Goodlick drive the Jeep all over the place to star at cancer treatment fundraisers, survivor rallies and related events. It’s roamed as far as Cincinnati and remains much in demand. Tricked out with a pink undercarriage lighting system, the vehicle represents a $16,000 investment, and Vining, who is already planning another Jeep commemorative vehicle, says
Christina Bissey sitting pretty in her pink Jeep.
no amount is too much to spend in memory of the sister who made childhood a time of joy and remained his best friend. And yet riding the pink high road through grief does little to ease his own pain and frustration at Bissey’s loss. Why, he wonders, is the species that put a man on the moon 46 years ago still not able to come up with a definitive cure for a disease that has terrorized us for so long? Cancer
Wayne Vining will continue to fight for cancer in honor of his sister, who died recently. He covered his Jeep in pink to promote cancer awareness.
Business Journal, Lisa Morrison
Submitted photo
is first described in historical records dating to 3000 BC and, since President Richard Nixon declared a “war on cancer” in 1971, some $200 billion has been spent on research. All that notwithstanding, the estimated death toll from cancer for Americans this year is projected at almost 590,000, or more than 1,600 a day. One of those statistics was the light of Vining’s life, a person he never stopped admiring. “I am fine with the fact that she is not suffering anymore,” he says of his sister. “But I will never get over the fact that cancer took her from me.” He sports various tattoos honoring his sister, including one of a girl boxer mimicking the design on the Jeep. One arm also features a fishing lure design, this time in honor of his keen angler dad, Ron, now diagnosed with colon cancer at the age of 74 but doing well after the surgery-radiation-chemo treatment regime. Vining says that when life seems like a “living hell,” he thinks again of the special woman who kept smiling, never stopped trying and drove the pink Jeep message of fighting like a girl right up to her last breath. “There were no ‘Negative Nancies’ on her bus, no ‘Debbie Downers,’ he recalled with a smile. “If you were going to be that way, then she’d tell you to get off the bus. So I am going to keep on driving and driving that Jeep for her because I want to make her famous; I want everyone to know what an awesome person she was.”
November 2015
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BUSINESS JOURNAL 19
Take steps to stay calm this holiday season JAMIE LOBER
For the Business Journal
Stay calm and chive on.” “ Aside from being a popular saying recently, the stay calm aspect is good advice going into a holiday season that encompasses family gatherings, unusual spending and hectic schedules. “We have so many family get-togethers, children’s Christmas concerts, work office activities and holiday parties that we do not get a chance to slow down and breathe,” said Dr. Tom Campion, psychologist at Campion Barrow and Associates in Champaign. “The biggest thing is to be reasonable with your schedule and know that it is OK to say no to activities and to set priorities,” Campion said. Everyone cannot do everything. There are potential financial stressors in the picture. “People have to save for expenses of the holidays,” Campion said. There also may be relational stressors whether it involves divorce or loss of a loved one. If you are grieving or going through divorce, build a good support system. “This is a time to connect or relax and unplug and make sure you have opportunities to do so even if that is going out for a
walk if the weather is doable or some type of physical activity,” Campion said. Sometimes you may have to reach out. It can be awkward, but it is good to do. Try to share the joy. “Enjoy the good things you have going on and be thankful and appreciative,” Campion said. “We get so caught up in life stress so we have to be intentional about stepping back, breathing and reflecting on a lot of the good things we have going on.” For some, the only way to get time to yourself is to carve it out on your calendar. “Set realistic boundaries and schedules because it is OK to miss an event and maintain your own balance,” Campion said. Work stress can heighten at this time of year. “Have extra patience and understanding and remember to be thoughtful, courteous and helpful in the workplace because it is tough for everybody,” Campion said. Having a healthy lifestyle can make a difference in the way you feel. “I encourage physical activity, eating properly, making sure you are getting good sleep, having realistic perspectives, good healthy life boundaries and taking time to be appreciative of the good things you have going on,” Campion said.
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Jupiterimages
Having planned activities can make a difference. “You could have card tournaments, a puzzle or just an activity you do together or a common project that you focus on,” Campion said. Being intentional about activities can make family get-togethers go smoother.
“It keeps you focused on good stuff instead of rehashing or getting into old stuff,” Campion said. In relationships, focus on one another. “Have some time where it is just you and your spouse and realize that it is not the quantity but the thoughtfulness of gifts that help relationships,” Campion said. The gift could be inexpensive. “It is the thought that counts and for those who are gift-challenged, consult with your spouse’s friends or relatives and ask them what they think would be a good gift because they may be excited and willing to help,” said Campion. The holidays will be here and gone before you know it, so try to keep your mood in check. “Depression can build around the holidays and people have difficulty with the winter months like seasonal affective disorder from not having enough sunlight,” Campion said. The support from family and friends, staying active and avoiding isolation are essential. “The biggest thing to remember is to have fun and know that the holidays are all about people, interacting, relationships and having a good time together,” Campion said.
Making a difference in people’s lives is the true purpose of mine.
”
THAT’S HOW MEGAN PFLEGER, PT IS
ELEVATING HEALTH CARE
every day.
At HSHS St. Mary’s, we invest in our people, our technology and our hospital to create the ideal healing environment. Megan takes pride in assisting her orthopedic patients through anterior hip replacements – minimally invasive procedures that feature faster recovery times, less pain and shorter hospital stays. For more examples of how we are elevating health care, visit stmarysdecatur.com. stmarysdecatur.com
November 2015
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TECH
BUSINESS JOURNAL 21
TALK
Smart tips to keep your smartphone safe For better or worse, many of us are married to our phone these days. Our phones are integrated into every aspect of our lives because they are in our pocket (or purse) everywhere we go. They give us access to everything from family photos to banking apps, financial data, work and personal email, credit cards and even mobile payments. With all this personal and confidential data, losing Technology your phone has a whole new meaning than it did even a few years ago. What’s worse, a cybercriminal can steal from you even if you have your phone in your possession. How do you protect you and your phone? Here are some smart smartphone tips to stay safe.
Wendy Gauntt
Keep track of it
First and foremost, try not to lose your phone. Keep it safe at all times. Remember, if somebody swipes it they have more than just your phone and contacts. It can be used to access your money or steal your identity. Someone can pose as you on your social media accounts, which may sound harmless, but they can locate you and your loved ones or start a lot of trouble in your name. A thief also can use your phone’s SIM card to rack up a large phone and data bill. Be sure to install and activate an app that will help you locate your phone in the event it is lost. These apps use GPS to track your phone’s location. You also can display a message on the home screen with your number, so that anyone who finds it can call you and help you get it back. Not only does this protect your data, it saves you the cost of a replacement phone.
Lock it
If someone gets their hands on your phone, a secure password or PIN code will make it harder for them to access your data. Some people ignore this security feature because it seems inconvenient, but it’s a small price to pay for peace of mind. If you find typing a PIN code to be that much of
an issue, upgrade to a phone with fingerprint recognition. Also, to improve convenience, many phones have an easy short cut that allows you to bypass the lock screen for a few favorite activities, like using your camera, turning on the flashlight and playing music. Leaving your phone unlocked is like leaving your home’s front door wide open with a welcome mat inviting thieves to come on in. Another basic security precaution: if your phone allows data encryption, turn it on. In the event that your phone is stolen, criminals will not be able to access the personal information that’s stored on your phone – if that information has already been encrypted.
using them. And when you open email, THINK before you click any links or open attachments. Hackers are very clever at creating e-mails that appear authentic. One false click could unleash malicious code allowing them access to all your personal data.
Be selective with apps
With so much personal information on your phone, be sure to back up your data regularly. Cloud backups are the easiest and most convenient, and they happen automatically. That way, losing your phone doesn’t mean you will lose your data.
Be very careful what apps you select and use. Check reviews before downloading, and don’t assume it is safe simply because you can download it from the big names like Apple or Google. Many apps include spyware, which puts your confidential data at risk. A sudden increase in data usage is a sign of possible infection. Select permissions carefully when you install a new app. If you’re not sure why an app needs access to your contacts, calls, photos or location, don’t allow it. You may wish to find a comparable app that doesn’t require that access. Also be cautious with GPS. Your location can be tracked if you have it turned on.
Update promptly
Watch where you use it
Backup your data
When updates come out for your smart phone’s operating system, they almost always include patches for security flaws. Don’t delay. Install updates immediately so that your phone isn’t vulnerable.
Install a security app
Your smartphone, just like your computer, can benefit from a mobile security app or antivirus tool. In addition to protection against viruses, these tools come with a variety of antitheft features. Not only can you check the location of a lost or stolen phone, you also can lock the phone remotely, erase all data from the phone, or even snap a photo of the phone thief. If you let your employees access company data with personal phones, consider requiring a tool like this.
Switch off Bluetooth
If you’re not using your Bluetooth connection, consider switching it off. It’s one more way cybercriminals can gain access to your phone. Added bonus: you’ll reduce the drain on your phone’s battery.
Be cautious online
When you go online, you have to be careful, just like when you are on a computer. Don’t download anything you can’t verify. Log out of websites when you are done
BUSINESS JOURNAL Reader Profile: n 72% read The Business Journal monthly. n 17% are 34 and under.
Avoid online banking and accessing confidential information in public or
crowded areas. Strangers can look over your shoulder to see anything you view on your phone; more worrisome is that thieves can use cameras to zoom in from a distance.
Wipe it after you upgrade
If you are switching to a new phone, make sure you have everything copied over, and then erase all data from your old phone. If you sell it or trade it in, you don’t want to trade in your personal data at the same time.
Relax
Smartphones are really just small portable computers, so you want to protect your phone like you’d protect any other computer you own. If you keep these tips in mind, you’ll keep you and your phone safe, so that you can enjoy all the great things you love about your phone without worry.
Wendy Gauntt is president of CIO Services LLC, a technology consulting company that specializes in small business solutions. Go to www.cioservicesllc.com for more information, ideas and free resources.
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BUSINESS JOURNAL
November 2015
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FREE The Arts
Anne Lloyd Gallery: “Exquisite Detail,” photographs by Barbara Hoffman and Sally Van Natta. Opening reception from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6. Call (217) 423-3189. www. decturarts.org Gallery 510: “Nature and Nurture,” oil paintings by Barbara Dove. Opening reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6. Call (217) 422-1509. Blue Connection: “Someone’s Family” by Pamela Houser. Opening reception from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6. Perkinson Art Gallery, Kirkland Fine Arts Center: ACE High School Art Exhibition, through Nov. 14; “Just Use It,” Nov. 16 to Dec. 10. Decatur Public Library: Watercolors and oil paintings by Shirley Buescher. Decatur Airport: Paintings by Judy Kimmons.
YOUR
TIME
Calendar of events
For a complete list of events, go to www.herald-review.com/go/ Decatur Underground Theater presents “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, the Musical,” Nov. 13-15 and 20-22, at the Decatur Civic Center. For tickets, call (217) 422-6161 or go to www.decaturciviccenter.org. Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre presents “A Nightmare on Backstreet,” Nov. 5-7 and Nov. 15-17. For tickets, call (217) 424-6318. www. pdtheatre.org. IMPROV: Games and Stuff, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, Madden Arts Center. Bring your own drinks. Food available for purchase. Call (217) 423-3189.
BANQUET
Guild, will be from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at Paco’s Sol Bistro. Every ticket holder receives a hand-painted martini glass and one drink of their choice. There will be an open macaroni and potato bar. Event includes entertainment and a silent auction. Tickets are $40. Call (217) 422-1509. A Night in the Islands, to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Macon County, will be from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, at the Decatur Club. The event, which is free to attend, includes an evening of music, drinks made by celebrity bartenders and a silent auction. In addition, those who buy a boarding pass put themselves in the running for a host of vacaMusic Charity events tion get-away packages. Call (217) 428-4240. Millikin University School of Music: Fall jazz Kitchen Warriors, to benefit the Culinary band concert, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, Arts Institute at Richland Community ColSymphony Holiday Gala, to support music lege, is at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, in the Westminster Presbyterian Church; Symprograms funded by the Symphony Guild phonic Wind Ensemble and Millikin Men, of Decatur, 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Schilling Community Education Center. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, Kirkland Fine Local chefs battle for culinary supremacy and Decatur Club. Event includes a buffet dinner, you are the judge. Cost is $30. For tickets, call music by Four Other Brothers and a live and Arts Center; Vespers, Dec. 5 and 6, Kirkland silent auction. For tickets, call (217) 423-3189. (217) 875-7211 ext. 537. Fine Arts Center. The Unexpected Boys and Brian Noonan, to benefit Decatur Christian School, 7:30 p.m. On Stage For the kids Millikin University Department of Theatre Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Lincoln Square TheChildren’s Museum of Illinois: Make Space atre. For tickets, go to www.lincolnsquareand Dance and the Millikin-Decatur Symworkshop, 12:30-3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4 phony Orchestra present “The Addams Family,” theatre.com, www.decaturarts.org or call and 18; Music at the Museum, 10 a.m. Fri(217) 706-5229. days; Family Friday, 5-7 p.m. Nov. 6; Family Nov. 13-15 in Kirkland Fine Arts Center. For tickets, call (217) 424-6318. Science Sunday, 2-4 p.m. Nov. 8; Thanks for ARTini, to benefit the Gallery 510 Artists
GUIDE
Featured Business:
Giving floral arrangement workshop, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 21; Breakfast with Santa, 8-10 a.m., and gingerbread workshop, 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. www.cmofil. org. Call (217) 423-5437. “Just Believe” cinema event, three showings on Saturday, Nov. 28, at the Decatur Civic Center. For tickets, go to decaturmoms.com.
Misc.
The Rock Springs Nature Center hosts a long list of mini camps, family adventures and classes. So many, in fact, that there are too many to list. Go to www.maconcountyconservation.org and click on the Programs and Activities tab for a complete listing. Veterans Day ceremony, hosted by the Veteran’s Assistance Commission of Macon County, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, Decatur Civic Center. Mount Zion Convention Center: Christmas Craft Show, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13 and 14. Christmas Extravaganza with Santa, For information, go to www.mtzconventioncenter.com. Turkey Trot, 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, in Fairview Park Pavilion 1. Includes a 5K or 10K run or the 5K recreational walk. Call (217) 429-7750. Decatur Christmas parade at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, downtown Decatur. Downtown Decatur Christmas Walk, 4:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2. Visit downtown merchants for an evening of shopping and other festive activities. Mount Zion Christmas parade, 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, downtown Mount Zion.
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Accommodates: 2 to 3,000 People Assistance with catering, cash bar, & Dj Service available
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Decatur conference center & Hotel Accommodates: 2,000 people 55,000 sq. ft. functional space, food service available
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November 2015
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YOUR
BUSINESS JOURNAL 23
MONEY
Tips for making wise health benefit choices CAROLYN BIGDA
next year. Go in-network. The cost of seeing a doctor typically is cheaper if you If you’re young and healthy, picking a stick to your plan’s list of preferred health insurance policy with the lowest providers. So even if you have a high monthly premium may seem like the way deductible, you’ll save by staying into go. But a lower premium often means sign- network. If you already have a doctor, douing up for a high deductible, or health ble check that he or she will remain care services you must pay for before in-network next year. “Networks insurance kicks in. And deductibles can change,” said Katy Votava, are rising. president and founder of Goodcare. According to the latest annual study com, a health insurance consultby the Kaiser Family Foundation, in ing firm. 2015, single-coverage workplace plans Keep in mind, too, that under the had an average deductible of $1,318, Affordable Care Act, certain prevenup 8 percent from the year before. A tive health care services, such as an decade ago, the average was just $584. annual wellness screening, vaccina(Not all plans have a deductible, but 81 tions and FDA-approved contraceppercent of single-coverage plans did tives, are free. in 2015.) “Look at the list of preventive vis“People should make sure they can afford the costs beyond the premium,” said its that are covered and make sure to take advantage of those services,” Gary Claxton, lead author of the Kaiser Votava said. study and a vice president at the foundation. Check your meds. See how the cost of With open enrollment occurring soon at any medicine you regularly take will be many companies, here’s what to consider covered. A low-premium policy can end as you select your health care benefits for up being more expensive in the long run Tribune News Service Writer
Avoid common savings bond mistakes TIM GRANT
Tribune News Service Writer
While the U.S. Treasury Department stopped issuing paper savings bond certificates four years ago and encouraged people to trade older ones in for an electronic version, many people still have paper bonds stashed away that they will end up cashing in sooner or later. What many investors don’t consider when looking to cash in their savings bonds is finding out exactly how much each of them is worth. That’s not the only mistake they make when it comes to redeeming U.S. savings bonds, according to financial columnist Jane Bryant Quinn of AARP Bulletin. And she said mistakes may be costing bond owners big bucks. “When cashing in savings bonds, the longer you hold it, the more interest it accumulates until the holding period reaches the 30-year mark,” she said. “After that, no more interest accumulates and taxes are due whether you have redeemed the bonds or not. If you sell before five years are up, you pay a penalty equal to three months interest.” Other blunders that can add up to lost income include: cashing in the oldest bonds first; cashing in so many bonds at once that the cumulative, taxable interest puts you in a higher tax bracket; redeeming a bond on the week before a six-month interest payment is due to be paid; and looking only at the bond’s face amount when deciding
how many to redeem. Bonds that add up to $3,000 on their face might be worth $6,000 or more, once the interest is counted. Lynnette Khalfani Cox, CEO of AskTheMoneyCoach.com in Mountainside, N.J., said if a person’s income is close to the next tax bracket, he or she could get knocked into a higher tax bracket by cashing in savings bonds. Also, Cox said, “It’s a mistake to cash in the oldest bonds first because those are the most valuable. The longer you hold a bond the more it’s worth. So unless you need to cash in all your bonds, it’s best to cash in newer ones first. Let the older ones mature, and they’ll be worth more.” The process for buying and selling electronic savings bonds is a more automated one thanks to the Treasury Direct online system. Paper bonds present more of a challenge to the owners due to the phaseout of the paper process and the fact that many of the bonds are quite old. “You can likely redeem a savings bond at your local bank or credit union,” Cox said. “Just be prepared to show identification, like a driver’s license. If your financial institution won’t handle the transaction for some reason, or they put limits on how much you can redeem, you may have to go through the Treasury Department.” Treasury Direct online at www.TreasuryDirect.gov provides a calculator to help people calculate the current value of their paper bonds as well as a set of FAQs for bond investors.
if the benefits for your prescription drugs are puny, Votava said. To check, go to the insurer’s website or call the insurer’s customer service center. Contribute to an HSA. With some high-deductible health plans, you can open a health savings account, which offers key tax benefits. For one, contributions to HSAs are tax-deductible. And if you use the savings for qualified medical expenses, withdrawals are tax-free. To qualify for an HSA in 2016, a single policy must have a minimum deductible of $1,300. For family plans, the minimum is $2,600. Your employer may contribute toward your HSA, but you can also put money in the account, up to a combined total of $3,350 for single policies next year, or $6,750 for family plans. (People who turn 55 or older in 2016 can contribute another $1,000.) What if you leave your job or change insurance plans? The HSA stays with you and you can continue to use your savings for medical expenses. Contributing to an HSA when you’re
young and don’t have big health care needs could be a smart move. “Health care costs continue to shift to the employee, so as much as you can, sock money away in an HSA now,” said Nate Purpura, vice president of consumer affairs at eHealth.com, an online health insurance broker. Know the out-of-pocket max. Finally, keep in mind that although health insurance kicks in after you reach the deductible, you will have to cover co-payments or co-insurance for medical services, up to a maximum out-of-pocket amount per year. Your chances of hitting that maximum, which can be more than $6,000 for single coverage, are probably low. But it’s still a good idea to think of how you might come up with the cash in case you have a medical emergency. “Young people shouldn’t just think about what happened to them last year because for most of them, they didn’t even need insurance,” Claxton said. “You have to consider, what if I get sick?”
Holiday Platinum Visa Special DECU’s
APR* Until June 1st, 2016 on All Purchases Now to December 31st, 2015.
We wish you the very happiest of holidays!
*Annual Percentage Rate. The 2.90% annual percentage rate will be in effect for those purchases until June 1, 2016. Any unpaid balance remaining in June will begin accruing interest at your regular annual percentage rate.
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BUSINESS JOURNAL
November 2015
www.thebusiness-journal.com