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[JULY 27, 2002]  URBANA — The new 20th Century Fox movie "Like Mike" is prompting electric industry concern due to a scene that depicts an extremely hazardous, possibly fatal act. The Safe Electricity program of the Illinois Electric Council encourages everyone to help children understand the difference between the fantasy presented by the movie and reality — that you can be killed by interfering with electrical equipment.

"This is another opportunity for parents to help children understand that what they see in movies or other entertainment for the most part isn’t ‘real life,’" said Molly Hall, director of Safe Electricity. "Children should understand that safety rules are to be followed at all times, even if they see someone do something dangerous and not get hurt on TV or in a movie."

"Like Mike" depicts a child who is struck by lightening while trying to retrieve a pair of sneakers off of a utility line. The child and the sneakers then become "super charged" and enable the child to become a star basketball player like Michael Jordan.

"In reality, such an act is extremely dangerous, and possibly fatal," Hall said. "Contact with a power line can cause serious burns or electrocution."

Children who see the movie should be told never to climb trees or use other means to try to reach power lines, and not to throw objects at or over power lines or other electrical equipment.

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Safe Electricity urges parents and others responsible for children to make sure they understand and follow these basic safety rules:

•  Never climb trees near power lines. Even if the power lines aren’t touching the tree, they could touch when more weight is added to the branch.

•  Fly kites and model airplanes in large open areas like a park or a field, safely away from trees and overhead power lines. If a kite gets stuck in a tree that’s near power lines, don’t climb up to get it. Contact your electric utility for assistance.

•  Never climb a utility pole. Don’t play on or around pad-mounted electrical equipment.

•  If you see a power line on the ground, stay far away from it and warn others to stay away. Assume all downed lines are energized. Call your electric utility.

•  Never go into an electric substation for any reason — even on a dare. Electric substations contain high-voltage equipment which can kill you. Never rescue a pet that goes inside. Call your electric utility instead.

The Safe Electricity program is a nonprofit electric industry forum dedicated to promoting electric safety and efficiency. Illinois Electric Council member companies include investor-owned electric utilities, electric cooperatives and the University of Illinois. For more safety information, visit www.SafeElectricity.org.

[U of I news release]

[JULY 13, 2002]  URBANA — Sibling rivalry is as old as the hills. Going way back to Cain and Abel, the siblings fought to biblical proportions. But disagreements between siblings don’t necessarily have to be a negative part of life, according to Laurie Kramer, University of Illinois clinical psychologist.

Kramer sees these squabbles as a golden opportunity for children to learn how to manage conflict. "It’s a chance for children to learn to deal with negative emotions, such as anger and frustration, in a safe environment," said Kramer. "Conflict can also help children to define their beliefs. It helps foster the development of one’s sense of self."

Through a research and outreach program, "Fun with Brothers and Sisters," Kramer found that with instruction, modeling, role-playing and positive feedback, young children can be taught social skills that facilitate healthy sibling relationships. These children can then go on to use the skills in relationships outside the home.

In the study, 4- to 6-year-old children with younger siblings were taught six important relationship skills. In a laboratory setting, with their parents watching out of sight, the children learned how to invite their siblings to play, how to accept an invitation to play and how to turn down an invitation. They also were exposed to simple strategies for

"perspective-taking" (considering the other’s point of view), handling frustration and negotiating conflicts.

"As they played and conflict arose, the children learned to verbalize their angry feelings instead of enacting them," said Kramer. "And they developed strategies to manage conflict that combined skills in communication, perspective-taking, emotional control and problem-solving. These skills helped them respond to conflict situations constructively and without aggression."

The children were given instruction, but in addition, toys and dolls were used to model appropriate behavior. Then they had hands-on opportunities to try out these new skills in role-playing games in which each child took turns pretending to be the older or younger sibling.

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The instructors used large signs to serve as visual clues, helping the children avoid impulsive behavior. One sign indicated "stop," another triggered them to "think" and the third to "talk." Finally, the children received positive feedback as they attempted these newly learned skills.

"After four sessions in the laboratory, a final session was held in the children’s home to encourage the use of conflict-management skills in their own environment," said Kramer.

These children, when compared with those who merely received instruction through discussion, books and videotapes, were more likely to respond positively to their brothers’ or sisters’ requests to play and to consider their siblings’ point of view. Parents noticed improvements in their children’s relationships and reported that their older children were also using the new social skills with their friends.

"These techniques may be useful for parents," said Kramer. "When the inevitable conflict arises, parents can encourage children to stop, think about their siblings’ perspective and talk things through."

"Learning how to get along with brothers and sisters can contribute to children’s social skills for better or for worse," said Kramer. "Highly divisive sibling relationships can be predictive of later problems, such as anti-social and disturbed behaviors in adolescence. On the other hand, healthy relationships with siblings, where conflict is well-managed, can last a lifetime and can enhance a child’s social competence in the world."

[U of I news release]

Animals for Adoption

Found dog

Rescuers seek dog owner

We are seeking help in finding the owner of a dog found on Monday, Sept. 16, wandering on Old 66 near the Burwell office building. The dog, an unaltered male poodle/terrier or schnauzer mix, was thin and wet, as if he had been out loose for a few days. He had no collar. He was very willing to go with the woman who stopped to rescue him from the highway. He is very friendly and seems to be house-trained. His mostly black fur had been clipped within the last month, so somebody had been caring for him in the recent past.

We have contacted local groomers, vets and animal control with no response so far. If no one claims him soon, we will find a new home for him. The owner can contact us at 735-1413, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Quail management workshop

[SEPT. 19, 2002]  Illinois landowners, sportsmen and others who want to see bobwhite quail numbers improve are invited to attend the free Landowner’s Quail Management Workshop on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 9 to 1 p.m. at the Ulrich family’s Sugar Creek Farm.

The workshop includes a program on quail management, a habitat tour, free lunch and a drawing for a shotgun.

The farm is seven miles west of McLean, or eight miles east of Interstate 155, and just south of U.S. Route 136. There will be workshop signs to follow. Go south on 1600th Avenue for 1.2 miles, then one mile west on Road 2575.

Register in advance by calling (217) 732-2010, Ext. 3 or send your name and the number of people attending to Quail Workshop, NRCS, 1650 Fifth St., Lincoln, IL 62656. Advance registrants will have their names entered in a drawing for a shotgun donated by Quail Unlimited.

For more information, interested landowners and sportsmen may also call the Department of Natural Resources at (217) 784-4730.

The workshop is co-sponsored by Illinois and Logan County Quail Unlimited, Illinois State Habitat Stamp Fund, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Southern Illinois University, Logan County Soil and Water Conservation District, University of Illinois Extension, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

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