“Let us dare to, read, think, speak and write.” - John Adams, 1765 February 09, 2012
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EXPANSION OF ROMEOVILLE QUARRY STILL ON TABLE Citizen Urges Fellow Residents To Attend Zoning Meeting RESIDENT URGES FELLOW HOMEOWNERS TO ATTEND IN A SHOW OF STRENGTH AT THE BUILDING & ZONING MEETING Letter to the Editor from Tomasz Suliga - Romeoville Resident With February 14th fast approaching, there are still many questions that have not yet been answered that relate to allowing Hanson Material Service to expand its operations in Romeoville into an area known as the Spangler Property located west of Route 53 on the Soutrh side of Taylor Road. On January 6th Mayor John Noak indicated in a special press release that he does not envision rezoning the Spangler property to allow mining operations. Today, during the Village Board meeting Village manager Steve Gulden announced that Hanson has resubmitted it's application for rezoning but the new application does not include a request to expand its operations to the Spangler property. After the January 18th Village Board meeting several newspapers indicated that Mayor Noak will not allow changes to the existing blasting standard. But until now no one from the Village has confirmed or denied this report. Thus a question remains: What is their position as to the blasting standards? Furthermore, is all Hanson is asking for still on the table for consideration until the village board votes on it? In early 1995 many residents fought a similar plan to expand Hanson’s quarry operations. Hundreds of residents came forward and spoke in opposition to that expansion. The people did not fail because they did not put forth a show of resistance, they failed because of greed and indecision on the part of some of the Village officials at that time. I call upon all of you Romeoville residents to please attend this public hearing on February 14th at 7 PM in Romeoville High School. Let the officials hear your voice. The Hanson Material Service quarry not only negatively affects residents who live in the surrounding area but in fact this Quarry might have a negative impact on ALL residents of Romeoville whose children attend Romeoville High School. Those boys and girls could be affected now or at any time in the future as they are the people who will be closest to the
The future of Romeoville Mayor John Noak may be on the table along with an application from Hanson Material Service that operates a quarry at Route 43 and Taylor Road in the Village of Romeoville, IL. Mayor Noak was appointed by the village board to fill the remaining term of former Mayor Fred Dewald who resigned under pressure of alleged wrong doing. The mayor is currently serving his first elected term in office and it could very well be his last if the Romeoville Building and Zoning Board approves an application from Hanson Material Service to expand its quarry operations west of Illinois Route 53 in close proximity to hundreds of homes. The quarry operations, if approved, would also be close to the Romeoville High School. Some residents have expressed fears that dust from the proposed operation would contain cancer causing silica dust or other yet unidentified harmful materials. Professionals were brought in to address the Village Board and assured them and the residents that blasting in the area near homes would not pose a threat either to them or to their property. The residents believe the blasting may damage their homes and further that it could create health problems for them and their families. Resident Tomasz Suliga has expressed his concerns that not only may the shocks from the quarry blasting injure his property but also that the dust from the rock that is pulverized during the blasting will be harmful. Residents say they will elect a new mayor in the next election if Mayor Noak fails to fully protect their homes and their families.
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FOSTER ANNOUNCES JOINT FORUM SCHEDULE FOR THE PRIMARY
Naperville, IL – Today, the Bill Foster campaign announces its planned joint forum schedule in advance of the March 20 Democratic Primary. Following joint appearances before the Chicago Sun Times¸ Kane County Chronicle and Chicago Tribune editorial boards, his campaign announced that Bill Foster will participate in the League of Women Voters of
Naperville Forum on February 25 and a forum sponsored by the Quad County African American Chamber of Commerce, which is still being formally scheduled. These public forums were chosen because will be hosted by wellestablished community organizations and all candidates on the ballot were invited. “I look forward to a serious discussion of the issues,” said Bill Foster. “As a scientist and a business man, I have first-hand experience creating jobs and finding solutions for complex problems. I look forward to talking directly with the voters about my vision for ending partisan bickering in Washington, and getting our economy back on track.”
Associated Firefighters of Illinois Endorse Foster Naperville, IL – Joining the growing list of grassroots supporters lining up behind Bill Foster, the Associated Firefighters of Illinois announced today their endorsement of Bill Foster in the new 11th Congressional District. “I am proud to announce the support of the 15,000 members of the AFFI for Bill Foster in Democratic primary the new 11th Congressional District,” sat Pat Devaney, President of the AFFI-IAFF. “In times like these we need someone like Bill, who understands the importance of fighting to create jobs here. Our working families are the priority, and no one knows this more than someone who has first-hand experience creating jobs here in the Midwest.” “I could not be more proud of the growing support from working families in this campaign,” said Bill Foster (IL11). “I have always made it a priority to stand up for the hard working men and women, who keep us safe. The support of these heroes will not be forgotten, and I am proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with them as we build our grassroots campaign.” Naperville, IL – According to FEC Quarterly Fundraising Reports released yesterday, Bill Foster outraised Congresswoman Biggert (R-Hinsdale) for the third consecutive quarter. Showing more than $281,000 raised with over $751,000 cash on hand, the Foster campaign will have the resources to compete in November. "Together we are building a strong grassroots campaign that focuses on what people are asking from Washington: good jobs and a strong economy and future for our families," said Bill Foster. "I'm honored to have the support of Illinois middle class families so we can take on the out of touch Wall Street-Washington agenda that's been a problem for too long."
6 PAST ISSUES Videos are not available in these February 02, 2012 January 19, 2012 January 12, 2012
Quarterly Filing
Bill Foster
Judy Biggert
July 15 Quarterly Report
$286,083.15
$267,656.26
July 15 Quarterly Report
$289,511.91
$274,048.42
Year End Report
$281,139.39
$262,989.89
January 05, 2012 December 29, 2011 December 22, 2011
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Romney Can’t Be Trusted on Abortion mgoodson@theweeklyreporter.com One important issue among Conservative Republicans is the matter of abortion. Candidates who address the conservative right-wing press hard to curry the support of the religious right-wing that is firmly against abortion rights – period! Abortion may be blamed for many ills including the erosion of sexual morals since the Roe v. Wade decision. When it was nearly impossible to get a legal abortion women were extremely concerned about the possibility of becoming pregnant. Promiscuous sex and pregnancy were social ills that might cause a girl or a woman to be ostracized within her community. If an underage woman became pregnant prior to the birth control pill or prior to the Roe v. Wade decision, the family would almost always send her off to some faraway place to have her child to keep the matter secret. Men promoted the use of the birth control pill because they viewed it as a tool to have more sexual access to more willing women. In fact the general view at the time was that it would lead to more women engaging in sex prior to marriage. It did. The people who preferred extra-marital sex loved the Roe v. Wade ruling since any accidental pregnancy could be ended before it embarrassed the pregnant woman. There can be little doubt that together, Roe v. Wade and the introduction of the birth control pill have done a great deal to contribute to the moral decay of modern society.
Mitt Romney realizes he needs the conservative religious right-wing of the Republican Party if he is to be nominated as its candidate in the 2012 Presidential race. Mr. Romney has therefore done another flip-flop on the abortion issue. If you watch the video above you will hear him catering to the abortion proponents as he sought election as the Governor of Massachusetts. He knows well how to say what voters wish to hear but what he says and what you hear is not what Mitt Romney will do. What is most likely to do is what he has done in his political past and that is to support abortion and the funding of abortion across the nation. In Massachusetts he promised to support abortion rights. He promised not to change the abortion laws. Now he needs the votes of those who oppose abortion and so he is willing to tell them what they want to hear, i.e. that he opposes abortion. Mitt Romney is a liar on the issue of abortion because he either lied to become governor or he is lying now to become the Republican Presidential candidate. On the matter of the gun control; listen to Romney as he supports gun control and hear his position now when he needs the national vote. No one can be certain what he may do because he changes what he says depending upon who he is addressing at the moment. Romney cannot be trusted and Romney should not be trusted to carry out the will of Republican voters if they were to elect him. I've noticed that everyone who is for abortion has already been born - Ronald Reagan
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Stop Bullying
VISIT:
Stopbullying.gov
Bullying is a widespread and serious problem that can happen anywhere. It is not a phase children have to go through, it is not "just messing around", and it is not something to grow out of. Bullying can cause serious and lasting harm. Although definitions of bullying vary, most agree that bullying involves: Imbalance of Power: people who bully use their power to control or harm and the people being bullied may have a hard time defending themselves Intent to Cause Harm: actions done by accident are not bullying; the person bullying has a goal to cause harm Repetition: incidents of bullying happen to the same the person over and over by the same person or group Types of Bullying Bullying can take many forms. Examples include: Verbal: name-calling, teasing Social:spreading rumors, leaving people out on purpose, breaking up friendships Physical: hitting, punching, shoving Cyber bullying: using the Internet, mobile phones or other digital technologies to harm others An act of bullying may fit into more than one of these groups. Cyberbullying, instead of happening face-to-face, happens through the use of technology such as computers, cell phones and other electronic devices. Cyberbullying peaks around the end of middle school and the beginning of high school. Examples of cyberbullying include: Sending hurtful, rude, or mean text messages to others Spreading rumors or lies about others by e-mail or on social networks Creating websites, videos or social media profiles that embarrass, humiliate, or make fun of others Bullying online is very different from face-to-face bullying because messages and images can be: Sent 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year Shared be shared to a very wide audience Sent anonymously
Effects of Cyberbullying Research on cyberbullying has found that students involved are more likely to: Be unwilling to attend school Receive poor grades Have lower self-esteem Have more health problems Cyberbullying can have particular affects on those who are targeted. Research has found that young people who have been cyberbullied are significantly more likely to: Use alcohol and drugs Skip school Experience in-person bullying or victimization Make Cyberbullying Stop If you or someone you know is being cyberbullied, know that it does not have to be this way. There things you can do to help you and your friends: Talk with someone you trust. Talking to someone could help you figure out the best ways to deal with the problem. Reach out to a family member, friend or another adult that you trust. Do not respond to cyberbullying. Sometimes people post or text teasing or name-calling to get a reaction. If someone has posted or sent a message that could be hurtful to others, refuse to pass it along or respond to it. Keep evidence of cyberbullying. Record the dates, times and descriptions of instances when cyberbullying has occurred. Save and print screenshots, e-mails, and text messages. Block the person who is cyberbullying you. Many websites and phone companies let you block people. Also, cyberbullying may violate the “Terms and Conditions� of these services. Consider contacting the service provider to file a complaint. Report the incident to your school. They may be able to help you resolve the cyberbullying or be watchful for face-to-face bullying. Ask for help. Sometimes, talking to a counselor or health professional can help you get through the emotional effects of bullying.
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Scien
DEEP SPACE PROBES
The epic journeys of Voyagers 1 and 2 are among the most astonishing tales of the Space Age. Originally planned to explore the gas giant planets and their satellites, which they did in brilliant fashion, they have continued their journeys and are now the most distant human objects in the cosmos, tossed out into the sea of space from our home planet. Launched in the summer of 1977, both Voyager spacecraft were designed to last five years, and both encountered Jupiter and Saturn between 1979 and 1981. After the flyby of Saturn's moon journeys, Voyager 1 heading northward at about 320 million miles per year, and Voyager 2 heading southward at the slower rate of 290 million miles per year. As we enter 2007 Voyager 1 is more than 100 astronomical units distant (one AU is the distance from the Earth to the Sun), about 9.5 billion miles, with Voyager 2 trailing on its southward journey. Both are way beyond the dwarf planet Pluto, which averages 40 astronomical units from the Sun and was formerly considered the edge of the solar system. Both Voyagers are also well beyond their trailblazing predecessor spacecraft, Pioneer 10 and 11. The Pioneer 10 spacecraft, which returned the first close-up images of Jupiter in 1973 and was for many years the most
Titan, Voyager 1 took a trajectory north of Saturn's orbital plane out of the solar system, while Voyager 2 headed onward to Uranus and Neptune, courtesy of a gravity assist and a rare planetary alignment. After encountering Uranus in 1986 and Neptune in 1989, Voyager 2 took a southward trajectory out of the solar system. The last Voyager images were taken Valentine's Day, 1990, when Voyager 1 looked back from 3.7 billion miles to take a portrait of seven of the nine planets in our own solar system, including the "pale blue dot" that is Earth. The data the Voyagers returned revolutionized our knowledge of the outer planets and their intriguing panoply of satellites. It would have been an extraordinary voyage had it ended there. But it did not. In 1989 the missions were jointly renamed the Voyager Interstellar Mission. Both Voyagers
distant spacecraft from Earth, was passed in 1998 by Voyager 1 at a distance of 69 astronomical units. Communications were lost in 2003, but Pioneer 10, with its famous engraved plaque message, continues onward behind the Voyagers. Communication with its sister ship, Pioneer 11, was lost in 1995, but it too continues its outward journey at a slower rate than the Voyagers. The Voyager Interstellar Mission therefore provides an opportunity to explore for the first time uncharted territory – interstellar space. These journeys now raise an interesting practical question – where does the solar system end and interstellar space begin? The answer requires a sojourn into the celestial cartography of our solar system's edge. That edge, it turns
out, is defined not by objects or barriers, but by the phenomenon of the wind from the Sun. Early spacecraft discovered a steady stream of electrically charged gas flowing from the Sun; we now know that it creates a bubble called the heliosphere (see image below). The solar wind travels outward at speeds of 700,000 to 1.5 million miles per hour, until it begins to feel the effects of the interstellar wind composed of gas from other stars. At this point, called the "termination shock," the speed of the solar wind slows abruptly. Continuing outward, the solar wind comes to a boundary where the pressure of the two winds is in balance, a point called the "heliopause".
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HEADS UP ON FINANCE Editor@theweeklyreporter.com
It's never too early or too late to take control of your finances (ARA) - "Silly season" - the months of campaigning that lead up to a presidential election - is well under way, and it's a sure bet the country's money, finances and spending habits will be favorite issues for politicos of all persuasions. But while the debate and rhetoric is sure to be heated on both sides of the political fence, taking control of finances specifically, your personal ones - is something worth considering this year. "It's never too early or too late to educate yourself about your finances and to take control of your spending and saving," says Dr. Willie White, program chair and accounting instructor at Everest College in Aurora, Colo. White offers four tips to help get you started: 1. Assess your finances Make a list of all sources of income and expenses, including: mortgage payments, rent, utilities, car payments and insurance and credit card payments. If you recently experienced a significant change in your personal or financial life, then you may also benefit from consulting a financial professional. Even if you have to pay some money up front, a professional financial manager can help you identify possible tax breaks, or advise you on possible debt management strategies. Dr. White also advises you to get a copy of your credit report; you can access it for free by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com. 2. Organize your finances After you've assessed your situation, make a monthly budget with concrete, manageable goals. Set aside a certain
time each week devoted to managing your finances, and automate as many of your payments as possible. If you are not sure how much you currently spend, then you should keep a "financial log" for one month, in which you record all expenses on discretionary items such as food, gas, clothing, etc. Transition to online payments. "Paying your bills on time not only will save you money by helping you avoid late payments, but it is a crucial first step to building your credit score," says White. Moving to automatic deductions not only makes sure your bills are paid on time, but can also save you time and hassle. 3. Start saving "There is only one rule to saving - spend less than you earn," says White. The key to saving is to create and commit to a reasonable budget that includes manageable savings goals. If possible, have a set amount go directly to your savings account by automatic deposit. To make the most of your saving, White suggests you see if your employer offers a 401k as part of your benefit package, which allows you to deduct savings automatically and actually reduces your taxable income. If your employer offers a matching 401k option, maximize your savings to take full benefit of the matched amount. 4. Deal with your debt For many, credit card debt can seem overwhelming, but there are a number of steps you can take to feel in control of your payments again. "Your first step can be to cancel credit cards with annual fees," advises White. Dr. White also urges you to consult debt consolidation companies, which gather debt from various credit cards under one umbrella account, and help you reduce monthly payments. However, the most important piece of advice Dr. White offers is to get informed. "The more you know about your finances and your options, the better consumer and investor you will be," says Dr. White.
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(ARA) - The kids are finally on their own and you're ready to reclaim some spaces in your home that were previously dedicated to child's play. Even though as emptynesters you probably won't spend so much on food,
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Ideas for 're-feathering' your empty nest on the cheap
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Start by repainting walls in neutral, sophisticated tones. Then, spice things up - in a mature, adult way - with an accent wall. For those that are afraid committing to wallpaper, repositionable peel and stick wallpaper is a great option for creating a unique decorator feature in a room. Whether you're looking for beach wall murals to evoke the relaxed feeling of your last tropical vacation, or a city skyline to create a sophisticated aura, you can find many options online at websites like DecorPlace.com. Clear all the excess toys out of the playroom, and put their X-box on eBay. (If they really wanted it, they'd have taken it with them.) Now you're ready to put that space to adult use -- as a home theater, craft room or office. Bring in that big-screen, high-def TV you didn't buy before because you couldn't bear the thought of sticky fingerprints all over it. Buy that awesome surround passed on for years because you feared how it would sound with your kids' favorite cartoon blasting out of the speakers. education and gas money, you're still not ready to go into Finally, don't overlook the bathroom. If you've held off debt to redecorate the once-kid-centric rooms in your on buying new towels, bath matt and a shower curtain until home. there were no more teenagers in the house to mess them up, Fortunately, it's easy to find redecorating options that it's time to treat yourself. While you're at it, replace the pack grown-up appeal without a grown-ups only price-tag. utilitarian shower head with a luxurious multi-head unit or a You can make over bedrooms and play rooms with a few rainfall shower head. Install a towel warming rack now that budget-friendly tricks. the electrical outlets are free of curling - or straightening Not sure where to start? Here are a few helpful hints: irons. Choose a serene, comforting color and paint over the Your teen barred you from making decorator decisions cartoon fish decals. about her room long ago. Now that she's moved out, it's Seize the opportunity to re-feather your empty nest to time to tear down those rock band posters, empty the closet your tastes. And don't feel bad about doing it. Studies show of clothes she'll never wear again, and do something more that redecorating an adult child's room so they know they sedate with those awful candy pink walls. "can't go home again" actually helps them better make the Whether you're planning to sell your empty nest and transition to independence. downgrade to something smaller, or just want to enjoy all If they will stop telling lies about the Democrats, we will stop telling the truth about them the rooms in your home again, redecorating a child's room A dlai Stevenson on the Republican party has many advantages.
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(ARA) - Giving your significant other the right gift can make or break your Valentine's celebration. If you're also giving something to your best friend, mom and children, you may need a little help finding the perfect token. Erase some of frustration involved in finding the perfect gift and enjoy the holiday of love and romance with these great Valentine's gift-giving tips: * Want to take a unique route but lack a good idea? Start searching for ideas online. Traditional gifts can be altered slightly with gifts that incorporate jewels, chocolate or flowers in an unusual setting. For example, a bouquet of chocolate-covered strawberries designed to look like a bouquet of roses, puts a unique twist on several of the more popular gifting items. Or deviate completely from the traditional and look for gifts your loved ones would appreciate, but never expect for Valentine's Day. Use your computer to help you find great gift ideas for others on your Valentine's Day shopping list like your grandma and best friends. Use search terms (ARA) - When it comes to telling your special someone how you feel on Valentine's Day, think traditional, rather than digital. On a holiday that celebrates our most genuine feelings, the world of online greetings lacks important personal connections. In fact, a recent survey, conducted on behalf of premium Swiss chocolatier Lindt, showed the majority of women like to receive traditional gifts on Valentine's Day.
Valentine's Day gift-giving tips like "gifts for grandma" and "Valentine's gifts for friends" to help find ideas. * If you have an idea in mind, find product reviews and recommendations from experts and savvy shoppers with a few quick online searches. Use forums like FatWallet to read reviews on products ranging from electronics to travel. This way not only will you be able to confirm that your idea is a great one, but also ensure you find the best prices, and the best retailer for that product. * Don't forget to search for coupons and deals to maximize your savings. Use Ebates.com to purchase the gifts for everyone on your list and earn cash back on every purchase through thousands of retailers. For example, if you choose to go the traditional route and order your girlfriend a beautiful bouquet of flowers from FTD, you can earn 20 percent cash back from your purchase, on top of any discount coupons available on Ebates.com. Keep that extra cash back handy to make your Valentine's Day celebration even more special. Many retailers provide free shipping or delivery, and you may discover you can stack deals, allowing you to save plenty of money this Valentine's Day and helping to ease your gift shopping frustrations. Celebrate the holiday of love and romance this year in style with great gifts for your loved ones. Go online, gather great and unique ideas and don't forget to save while shopping.
Keep these ideas in mind as you shop for your loved ones: * Handwritten cards. What could be more meaningful than a heartfelt expression of love? Taking the time to craft a note is a great idea that anyone would treasure. * Chocolates. Make your gift stand apart by putting a little added thought into it. Opt for premium chocolate, like Lindt, which is made with the finest ingredients and is sure to
be the perfect gift option for everyone on your Valentine's Day list. * Flowers. Skip the basic blooms and put a bit more thought into a bouquet. Consider the recipient's favorite colors - you don't necessarily have to go with pink and red just because those are emblematic of the holiday. For more classic gift ideas, visit Lindt.com.
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(ARA) - Other than buying a home and automobile, a college education is one of the biggest investments Americans typically make. On average, instate tuition and fees at a four-year public college increased by more than 8 percent to $8,244 for the 2011-2012 academic year, and room and board now averages more than $17,000 per year. Fortunately, you may be able to cut your college costs at income tax time with a variety of credits, deductions and savings plans. taxpayer should choose the credit that yields the biggest benefit for each student." The American Opportunity Credit is a modified version of the Hope Credit. It's worth up to $2,500 for tuition, fees and course materials per student for the first four years of postsecondary education. Even if you have zero tax liability, you can get up to 40 percent as a refund. It phases out at higher incomes. The Lifetime Learning Credit is worth up to 20 percent of the first $10,000 in higher education expenses per family for an unlimited number of years. Like the American Opportunity Credit, it phases out at higher incomes. Several other college and higher education tax breaks can also be claimed on this year's federal tax returns.
Slash college bills with tax benefits The American Opportunity and Lifetime Learning Credits are likely to result in the biggest tax rewards on your tax year 2011 federal return due April 17, 2012. The following basic requirements apply to both credits: * Filing status on the return cannot be "married filing separately." * The student must be you, your spouse or a dependent for whom you claim an exemption. * A dependent cannot claim the credits if claimed on another person's (e.g. parents') return. If you do not claim the dependent exemption (even if entitled to the exemption), you cannot claim a credit based on that dependent's expenses. * Claim credits on Form 8863 and file with your Federal 1040. In addition, both credits cannot be claimed for the same student, Jessi Dolmage, spokeswoman for TaxACT, explains. "If multiple students are claimed on a return, the
Up to $2,500 in student loan interest paid each year for qualified higher education expenses can be deducted, even if you don't itemize. The deduction phases out at higher incomes and is reduced by nontaxable distributions from a Coverdell Education Savings Account, savings bond interest used for education expenses and scholarships or veteran's education benefits. Married taxpayers filing separately and people claimed as a dependent on another return don't qualify. Additional exceptions may apply to the aforementioned tax breaks, and other educational tax benefits exist for Qualified Tuition Programs, student loan cancellations and repayment assistance, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, education savings bonds, employerprovided educational assistance and work-related education. Learn more
about all education tax benefits in Publication 970 at www.irs.gov. You can also use TaxACT's College Tax Whiz, a free interactive tool that breaks down 10 college tax benefits at www.taxact.com/college-tax-whiz. It explains the tax benefit, acceptable expenses, types of education and other key qualifiers in a question and answer format. "College tax breaks can be tricky to navigate, but tax preparation solutions like TaxACT Free Federal Edition make it easy, " says Dolmage. "The program will guide you through all education tax
breaks and determine the best credit or deduction for each student." Learn more about TaxACT at www.taxact.com.
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Nationwide diabetes education events create awareness, promote healthy
Health & Wellness Courtesy of ARAcontent
(ARA) - Whether you are at risk for, have been recently added. "It's an educational event not just for individuals with diagnosed, or are living with diabetes, it is essential to make diabetes, but also for those who help take care of a loved sure you have the information necessary to manage your one with the disease." disease. It can also be overwhelming caring for someone Shaffer is also an avid cyclist; he learned about the with diabetes. The American Diabetes Association aims to make it easier and the organization's EXPOs are a great place to start. American Diabetes Association EXPOs are free and held in 11 major cities across the country. They have
Association's Tour de Cure cycling event at an EXPO and has been a volunteer for the cause ever since. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented if you maintain a healthy diet, increase physical activity and maintain a healthy everything consumers need to know about diabetes, weight. If not controlled, diabetes can lead to complications products, healthy eating and exercise. such as blindness, amputations, and heart and kidney One person who appreciates these EXPOs is Steve disease. Shaffer of Denver, Colo. Shaffer has had type 1 diabetes for There are currently nearly 26 million people living in the 33 years. "EXPO has been a great experience for me over U.S. with diabetes, 7 million of whom are undiagnosed. the years I've attended, exposing me to a variety of useful Visiting an EXPO event is one way you can become part of information on diabetes and what's going on in my movement to Stop Diabetes. community," he said. For more information about diabetes or to find an EXPOs include health screenings, cooking EXPO in your area, call (800) DIABETES (800-342demonstrations, product and service exhibitors as well as 2383) or visit www.diabetes.org/expo. leading experts talking about diabetes management and prevention. "I learned even more about diabetes from vendors, key speakers and professionals at EXPO," Shaffer
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Across 1 Female sheep 4 __ matter 8 Uncollected 12 Paddle 13 Raps lightly 14 Aged 15 Harsh 17 Afresh 18 Seed bread 19 Servant 21 Advance 24 Propel with oars 26 Vice __ 28 One-celled animals 32 Flightless bird 33 Partially frozen snow 35 __ of the covenant 36 Scolds 38 Computer characters 40 Dogma 42 Bloke 43 African country 46 Environmental protection agency (abbr) 48 Western state 49 Marrows 54 Bod 55 Acorns 56 Genetic code 57 Bridge 58 Quiz 59 Decade
TheWeekly Reporter February 09, 2012
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
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Rhode Island Senator Proposes “Paying a Fair Share Act” Republicans Expected to Reject It. According to Senator Whitehouse , a Democrat from Rhode Island, he is close to completing his bill referred to as the “Buffet Rule”. The Buffet Rule stems from statements made by billionaire Warren Buffet concerning the fact that his secretary pays a higher percentage of her wages in federal income taxes than he himself does. The bill proposed by Whitehouse would impose a tax of at least 30 percent upon people who earn more than $1 million dollars per year. Whitehouse said he has two co-sponsors to support the bill but there is doubt it will survive a vote in the House which is dominated by Republicans. They have generally sworn to oppose any increased taxation on the wealthy. In defense of their position they suggest they are opposed to any new taxes. They prefer to reduce of cost of government programs that assist people. The Republican position is that everyone should be able to take care of himself and that the wealthy deserve to keep more of their earnings because they have earned their riches. Critics of Whitehouse claim his bill is a political ploy intended to bolster his chances for re-election in 2012. His bill “Paying a Fair Share Act” he says is an attempt to plug loopholes in the tax code that permit the very wealthy to avoid paying their fair share of taxes. That he suggests places a heavier burden on the middleclass who pay a greater percentage of their wages in taxes than the very wealthy generally do. Recently when Mitt Romney released some income tax information he admitted that he had paid only about 14 percent taxes on his $22 million dollar income.
IMMIGRANTS ARE CHILDREN OF GOD TOO
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BEAUTY IS SKIN DEEP
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Beat the Winter Blues During the winter it can be easy to get so busy with work and your kids’ activities that by the time you go to bed you’ve barely seen the sun. The lack of exposure to the sun, shorter days and colder weather can cause some people to feel the winter blues, known medically as seasonal affective disorder. If you think you suffer from a major attitude change during the winter months, use these tips from USA.gov to learn the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder and possible treatment options. Recognize the symptoms: Some of the most common symptoms of seasonal affective disorder are feelings of sadness or emptiness, hopelessness or extreme pessimism. Fatigue, difficulty concentrating and changes in weight could also be possible signs of the winter blues. When It’s Not Just a Bad Day: Everyone has bad days from time to time and may feel sad and depressed or even extremely pessimistic. It’s normal for these feelings to come and go. However, if your mood doesn’t change over a period of two weeks, it’s time to talk to your doctor to see if you’re suffering from depression or seasonal affective disorder. You can use the Mood Tracker mobile app to help you track when and how long you’ve been feeling depressed. Treatment Options: There are several different treatment options for seasonal affective disorder. Your doctor may want you to try light therapy. Being exposed to sunlight or a fluorescent light box for an extended period of time could help to improve your mood. However, for many people, light therapy isn’t enough. In that case there are many different medicines you and your doctor could discuss. Before your appointment read the guide Depressions – Medicines to Help You to learn about all your different options and possible side effects so you can make an informed decision. Don’t let the winter blues keep you down. Use this information to help you take the steps you need to begin to feel better.
An economy that works for the 99% Last week the President delivered a forceful call for an American economy that's built to last in his State of the Union speech. He said, "It’s time to turn our unemployment system into a re-employment system that puts people to work." We know how to start. Congress has less than four weeks to approve a bill that extends unemployment insurance, funds tax credits to companies that hire workers, and invests in job training and placement. But they deadlocked on this same piece of legislation last December. So far there's still no permanent deal, and the extension is about to run out. Even worse, conservatives in the House are threatening to kill ANY bill that invests in the 99%. Instead, they want more trickle down tax cuts that give all the benefits to the 1%. Here's our plan to beat them: First, we mobilize the grassroots to thank the most supportive members of Congress on the conference committee, and target those standing in the way of compromise with a wave of national pressure. Then we work on a bill that extends an investment in American workers for 72 weeks or more -- anything less won't give workers or employers the stability they need, and it will give too many concessions to the Tea Party and its 1% backers. After the conference committee acts, we'll use grassroots pressure on the rest of the House, especially by building a critical alliance between leading Democrats who control most of the votes we need and a handful of moderate Republicans and Independents who can put us over the top. The hundreds of USAction members on our live-chat cheered when the President said: "We can either settle for a country where a shrinking number of people do really well, while a growing number of Americans barely get by. Or we can restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules. What’s at stake are not Democratic values or Republican values, but American values. We have to reclaim them." The President called for exactly what we need -- an economy that works for the 99%. But the President can't deliver it alone, and neither can we. So just like the President asked from Congress, we're asking you to invest in our vision for an economy built to last. Donate now to our campaign and we'll start fighting right away for jobs and employment for all.
The Weekly Reporter
Our Blog The Squeaking Wheel
Here a bow shock is created like that of a boat moving through water. Beyond the heliopause is interstellar space. Although the Hubble Space Telescope has photographed examples of this bow shock around other stars, the precise locations of the termination shock and heliopause for our solar system have been matters of conjecture. Until now, that is. On December 16, 2004, the magnetometers aboard Voyager 1 showed a sudden increase in the surrounding magnetic field, the result of a solar wind slowdown. At approximately 8.7 billion miles from the Sun (94 astronomical units) Voyager 1 passed the termination shock and entered the heliosheath. "Voyager 1 has entered the final lap on its race to the edge of interstellar space," Voyager project scientist Ed Stone remarked at the time. Voyager 2, now at about 82 astronomical units, will cross the termination shock in the next few years, certainly by 2010. The exact timing in uncertain because the boundary changes with changing conditions on the Sun, such as the sunspot cycle. What Voyager 1 did not find at the termination shock is as important as what it did find. As expected, it found a steady source of low-energy protons. It was also expected that the termination shock was the source of something called "anomalous cosmic ray helium." But the intensity of these cosmic rays did not peak at the shock, indicating that the termination shock (at least in the vicinity of Voyager 1) was not the source of this type of cosmic ray. Scientists consider it a "shocking" result. As Len Fisk (a former head of space science at NASA) said in the Science magazine
cover story where the Voyager 1 results were announced, "Once again the mantra of space exploration is fulfilled: when we go somewhere that is new, we find the unexpected, and that's what makes it so exciting." It will take another 10 or 20 years for Voyager 1 to reach the edge of the heliopause and enter true interstellar space. It will indeed be a race, not between Voyagers 1 and 2, but with the electrical power supply that provides communication with the spacecraft. At these immense distances from the Sun, solar arrays are useless and nuclear power is used. But even the radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) aboard Voyager have a limited lifetime, and it is entirely possible the Voyagers will pass silently into interstellar space. Even if communications are lost, the silence will not be total. Long after last contact with Earth, the Voyagers will continue their interstellar journeys. Aside from the technological message represented by the spacecraft themselves, both spacecraft carry a more explicit message from Earth. The Voyager interstellar records attached to each spacecraft carry images, sounds, music, and greetings in 55 languages. In some ways these time capsules from Earth already seem quaint even to us in the age of CDs and DvDs. How much more quaint will they seem to any extraterrestrial civilizations that may intercept them? But even if the messages cannot be deciphered, the spacecraft themselves will be mute testimony that our species, perhaps one among many, has entered the new ocean of space.
DO YOU RECOGNIZE HIM? The FBI is asking the public to be on the alert for the man in the photo. He is suspected of robbing the PNC Bank located at 495 Weber Road in Romeoville, IL on February 2, 2012. The robber is described as a white male in his mid 20’s, about fivefeet seven to five-feet eight inches tall. He was wearing a black “puffy” coat, that is a down-filled coat. No additional information was provided but if you recognize this individual you are asked to contact the FBI at (312) 421-6700. Do not confront the suspect, doing so could be dangerous. The FBI has advised that there is a reward and you are advised to contact the FBI directly for information concerning it should you have information that might help in capturing the suspect.