Features

Extension aids displaced workers

[DEC. 7, 2002]  DECATUR -- A community and region hard-hit by three plant closings over a several-month period have gained assistance from a University of Illinois Extension-launched program. The displaced worker program was established in Decatur in September 2001 and has aided to date 1,500 to 2,000 workers and their families.

"This is the only Extension program of its type in Illinois," explains Rex Nicole, who heads the program for the Macon County Extension Unit. "We may be the only unit program that goes outside its county of origin, too, as the plant closings affect not only Decatur but communities in surrounding counties as well.

"A number of people in communities like Shelbyville, Pana and Sullivan, for example, work in Decatur and worked at the factories that closed."

Extension staff in Macon County conceived the displaced worker program as Bridgestone/Firestone, Zexel and Crane Pump announced plans to close their Decatur operations.

While Extension funds were used to launch the program, it received a major boost early in 2002 with a $500,000 grant from the Illinois attorney general's office.

Nicole describes the displaced worker program as a "point of entry" for workers dealing with the impact of job loss. Rather than seek out various agencies and programs, unemployed workers can use Extension's program as a one-stop source of information and direction.

"We network for them and connect them to resources that are available in the community to help," she explains. "This covers a broad range of services. We can also direct them to funding sources for help with grocery and power bills as well as retraining programs."

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Representatives of a broad array of social service and government agencies, educational institutions, and private employers serve on an advisory board for the program.

"The advisory board only meets a couple of times a year, but I am in contact with many of its members at least weekly," said Nicole.

The program's services are free to the displaced workers, and the information they share in one-on-one meetings with Nicole and her staff is privileged and confidential.

Nicole believes the Macon County approach is easily adaptable to other areas impacted by job loss.

"However, you need a strong working knowledge of the resources in your community as well as a good knowledge of the area to make it work," she said. "And to succeed, this type of program must be very collaboration-oriented. Programs that can help these workers are out there, but it can be a confusing and discouraging process for some to try and search them out.

"If agencies and programs partner and cooperate, the help gets to the people who need it much more easily and efficiently."

[U of I news release]

Virus hoaxes can be as troublesome
as real computer viruses

By Jim Youngquist

[DEC. 6, 2002]  Our support group receives about 100 calls a week concerning computer viruses. The majority of these calls come from computer users who are currently experiencing problems related to computer Trojans, worms and viruses that have likely infected their systems, which are now showing some kinds of disruptive symptoms. Computer viruses are a fact of life in our connected computer culture.

Viruses are created on purpose by people who believe they are clever, with the intent to do malicious harm! There are no naturally occurring computer viruses which come about by any other means. Virus-making is a kind of personal, anonymous terrorism that intends to inflict the most harm to the most people and remain totally undetected and anonymous in the process.

Real computer viruses cause a great deal of harm, ranging from lost time, functionality and anxiety to actual physical harm to the computer system, depending on the virus and the amount of time the virus has had to deploy its payload. Any Internet-connected computer must be equipped with the best virus prevention software that is available today and must be kept up to date monthly, at a minimum.

While real viruses cause computer harm, virus hoaxes can be damaging as well. About 5 percent of the virus-related support calls we receive are about virus hoaxes. Virus hoaxes are usually communicated to unsuspecting users via e-mail messages warning them that their computers have probably already been infected by a virus and providing some kind of check to find out. The most common current virus hoax here in the United States is the Jdbgmgr.exe file hoax.

Some person or people who believe they are clever, but with malicious intent, are sending out e-mail messages warning people that they have a dangerous virus called the Teddy Bear Virus on their computers. Unless dealt with immediately, the message says, this virus can cause great harm to your files and even your computer system. There are a few aliases for this virus hoax, such as the "merry widow" virus and the "Odd Job" virus.

This hoax message says that you can validate that you have the virus by having you search your computer for the jdbgmgr.exe file and calls your attention to the icon that is associated with this file. It has a picture of a teddy bear on it (what respectable file would have a picture of a teddy bear?). The teddy bear icon is what cements the idea that this must indeed be a virus. The hoaxster then recommends that you can treat this virus by clicking on the filename in the search window and pressing your delete key, deleting the evil jdbgmgr.exe file.

This is a complete hoax. The jdbgmgr.exe file is actually a part of Microsoft Windows which is there to manage long file names. The hoaxster has caused you to damage your computer without actually taking the time to invent a virus. He did it by merely conning you into doing the dirty work for him.

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Some other virus hoaxes:

•  The "Guts to say Jesus" hoax

•  The "48 hours" hoax

•  The "Osama vs Bush" hoax

•  The "Missing Child" hoax

•  The "Girls of Playboy" hoax

•  And a whole host of others. There's a virus hoax out there to match every kind of interest and concern a person could have.

How do you know if a recommendation is a real concern or a virus hoax?

1.  Be suspicious. Knowing there are people out there posing as helpers might forearm you to pause before following their instructions.

2.  There are no viruses that are cured by simple means. If an e-mail recommends that you can rid yourself of the virus problem by merely deleting a file or two, then it's probably a hoax. All real viruses require the presence of a software tool to clean up the complex messes left behind or to follow a very complex list of instructions to delete files and remove Registry keys.

3.  Check out their recommendations with a computer professional or by going on the Internet to www.mcafee.com (click on virus information, then click on virus hoaxes) or www.norton.com (click on virus information, then search for the virus name).

If you have already been caught by one of these virus hoaxsters and convinced into doing harm to your system, call a computer professional or go to www.mcafee.com and look for the information on how to un-hoax your system.

Every connected computer user should spend a little time becoming familiar with the hoax information up on McAfee.com at http://vil.mcafee.com/hoax.asp. It makes for interesting light reading and will help you be aware of the various schemes hoaxsters use to terrorize unsuspecting computer users. Don't be caught unaware!

[Jim Youngquist]

[DEC. 4, 2002]  Main Street Lincoln has received a $20,000 Illinois FIRST grant that will be used to put new businesses on the courthouse square, Cindy McLaughlin, Main Street director, told the Lincoln City Council this week.

Grant money will be given either to new businesses or to existing ones that want to relocate in the Logan County Courthouse Historic District. The historic district includes the square and areas up to two blocks from the square, McLaughlin said.

Grants may be awarded up to a maximum of $10,000. They will not fund the complete startup of a new business but could fund as much as one-third of the cost, according to McLaughlin. The money can be used for almost anything except inventory, including remodeling, facade renovation or historic signs.

Businesses must invest in a Main Street Lincoln Partnership to be eligible and must provide a business plan based on or similar to the Small Business Administration model.

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The Main Street Lincoln Economic Restructuring Committee had expected to receive the grant a year ago, but it didn't come through until Nov. 7 of this year, McLaughlin said. The Main Street group held a meeting with local bankers and other lenders immediately so these institutions could tell prospective business owners about the possibility of getting the extra funds.

A recommendation from a lending institution, as well as the approval of the Economic Restructuring Committee, is required for the award of the grant. Grant recipients should also consult with the Main Street Lincoln Design Committee to comply with historic district guidelines for signs and facade improvements.

McLaughlin said one potential new business owner has already come in to discuss applying for the grant. She hopes to see the grant money used by the end of March 2003.

[Joan Crabb]

[Click here for eligibility criteria and details on the grant process.]

Shop at ho-ho-home
with Chamber Bucks

[OCT. 30, 2002]  The Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce will issue a new holiday version of their popular "Chamber Bucks" to encourage businesses and individuals to patronize local businesses during the holiday season. The new holiday gift certificates will be available in denominations of $10 and $25 and will be accepted in more than 75 member businesses.

"Individuals and businesses enjoy the convenience of giving the Chamber Bucks, and people love receiving them," said Bobbi Abbott, executive director of the local chamber of commerce. "The certificates can be used to purchase practical items like groceries, gas, health care services or household needs. Or, recipients can indulge themselves and redeem them for fun items such as massages, specialty gifts or dining out."

The holiday certificates take the guesswork out of gift giving. They can be included with a greeting card, tucked in a Christmas stocking or added to gift baskets. Each certificate lists participating businesses and is valid for 180 days from the date of purchase. Certificates can be personalized with a name and a message line.

The Chamber Bucks are accepted as cash, with no administrative charge added for the purchaser or the recipient. Purchasers need not be members of the chamber.

For more information or to order the certificates, please call 735-2385.

Participating members of the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce

J.M. Abbott & Associates

Abe's, Lincoln

ALMH Auxiliary Gift Shop

Advanced Carpet Cleaning

Advanced Eyecare of Lincoln

Alexander Lumber Co.

All About You

Avon, Larry Adams

The Award Shop

B & K Antiques

Beans & Such

Becherer's Jewelers

Big R of Lincoln

Blue Dog Inn

Bode's Welding

Bonanza Restaurant 604

Glenn Brunk Stationers, Inc.

Burwell / Thornton Oil

The Carpet House

Century Dental Center

Closet Classics

Computer Consulting Associates

Cracker Barrel, Lincoln, IL

Domino's Pizza, Lincoln

Eagle Country Market 32

Eckert's, Inc. or Capone's

El Rey Mexican Restaurant

Fifth Street Food Mart

Flowers & Things

Franz Express

Thomas W. Funk Law Office

Graue, Inc.

Graue Pharmacy

Green Oil Co., Lincoln

Guzzardo's Italian Villa

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The Health and Fitness Balance

Hicksgas, Lincoln

Interstate Chevrolet

Kathleen's Hallmark

Key Printing

Kroger, Lincoln

Lincoln Cycle Center

Lincoln Heating & Cooling

Lincoln IGA

Lincoln Land Communications

Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce

Lincoln Medical Equipment

Lincoln Park District

Lincoln Printers, Inc.

Lincoln Vacuum

Logan County Health Department

Logan Lanes

Main Street Lincoln

McDonald's, Lincoln

McEntire Appliance & Repair

McQuellon's Appliance

Meier Accounting & Tax Service

Michelle's Home & Garden Shop

Mitchell-Newhouse Building Center

MKS Jewelers, LTD

The Mustard Moon

NAPA Auto Parts, Lincoln

Neal Tire

Dr. Todd Nobbe, OD

Papa John's Pizza

Prairie Years

R. & H. Farm Supply

The Restaurant at the Depot

Row Motor Sales

Carol Runyon, Creative Memories consultant

Sew Many Friends

Tarter Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning

Team Express

That Place Inc.

The Treasure Chest

Vintage Fare

Wal-Mart of Lincoln

Wibben Computer Service

Jim Xamis Ford-Lincoln-Mercury

The following financial institutions are members of the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce. However, because of the nature of this promotion, they have agreed not to participate:

CEFCU

Central Illinois Bank

Illini Bank

Logan County Bank

State Bank

Union Planters Bank

[Press release]

Announcements

[NOV. 19, 2002]  SPRINGFIELD — In an effort to raise funds for grants, the Memorial Medical Center Foundation is selling calendars and giving away cash prizes totaling $20,000. By purchasing a Memorial calendar for $25, participants are entered into a drawing to win daily cash prizes in the year 2003 of $50, $100, $200 and $1,000. After a person's name is drawn, it will be re-entered in the drawing, making the person eligible to win again.

Since 1981, the Memorial Medical Center Foundation has awarded more than $4 million in grants, not only to Memorial Medical Center, but also to other not-for-profit health-related community organizations. Proceeds from the sale of the calendars will allow Memorial to continue to deliver state-of-the-art health care and take a leadership role in education and research.

For more information about the foundation's grant funding opportunities or to purchase a calendar, please call the Memorial Medical Center Foundation at (217) 788-4700.

[Press release]

The Chamber Report

["Shop at ho-ho-home with Chamber Bucks"]

Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce

Bobbi Abbott, Executive Director

303 S. Kickapoo St.

Lincoln, IL 62656

(217) 735-2385

chamber@lincolnillinois.com
www.lincolnillinois.com

Honors & Awards

Main Street Corner News

[DEC. 4, 2002]  Purpose: To provide partial funding to facilitate new businesses in the downtown area.

Eligibility criteria

1.  Grant recipients must invest in a Main Street Lincoln Partnership in order to be eligible for this grant.

2.  Business location must be within the Logan County Courthouse Historic District.

3.  Business should consult with the Main Street Lincoln Design Committee concerning signage and potential facade improvements in order to comply with historic district standards and guidelines.

4.  As part of the grant application, business must provide a business plan based on or similar to the Small Business Administration model.

5.  Grant is available to potential business owners upon recommendation from the Economic Restructuring Committee and with Main Street Lincoln board approval.

Process

1.  Application for the grant is made as part of the business loan application process at participating local lending institutions. Contacts made to Main Street Lincoln will be referred to lending institutions.

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2.  Grant will provide no more than one-third of the equity or down payment for a bank loan of a maximum of $10,000.

3.  Approval of the grant will be considered at a regular monthly meeting of the Main Street Lincoln Economic Restructuring Committee. A lending institution recommendation is required for the award of this grant. The committee reserves the right to reject any and all grant applications.

4.  Payment of approved grants will be made at the time of the business loan closing.

Reporting requirements

In order to meet Main Street reporting requirements, the business agrees to provide Main Street Lincoln with the following information within three months: listing of capital improvements to the building, dollar amount spent on improvements, number of full-time and part-time employees of the business.

[Main Street Lincoln]

Santa Shopping Spree

[NOV. 30, 2002]  Shoppers in Lincoln have the opportunity to win a $1,000 shopping spree at local businesses through the Santa Shopping Spree, a new holiday promotion organized by Main Street Lincoln.

Booklets of shopping spree entry forms are available at participating businesses and at the Main Street Lincoln office, 303 S. Kickapoo St. The booklets also will be distributed at the Festival of Trees at the Logan County Courthouse Dec. 5-8. In addition, major employers are providing the booklets to their employees.

Completed entry forms can be turned in at participating businesses. The winner's name will be drawn on Dec. 20 at the Main Street office. The winner, who won't need to be present to win, will receive $1,000 in Santa Shopping Spree bucks, good at the participating businesses.

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Those businesses are Serendipity Stitches and Custom Frame Shop, The Mustard Moon, Beans & Such, Three Roses Floral, Kathleen's Hallmark, MKS Jewelers, That Place/Merle Norman, Blue Dog Inn, Action Rental, Lincoln Printers, and McEntire's Appliance & TV.

The Santa Shopping Spree replaces the former Ho Ho Dough program, which was discontinued by the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce and Main Street.

"We created this promotion as a fun opportunity for shoppers to discover what our local businesses have to offer," explained Jeanie Xamis, shopping spree coordinator. "We also wanted to keep the prize money in Lincoln."

[Main Street Lincoln press release]

[NOV. 8, 2002]  Main Street Lincoln and the city of Lincoln have unveiled the design of this year's official Christmas ornament. The new ornament will feature Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary
in 2002.

Fourth in the series, the ornament is 24-karat gold over brass and will be enclosed in a burgundy velvet presentation case with the city seal embossed in gold on the cover. The limited edition ornaments will have a numbered certificate of authenticity, including information on the history of the hospital and a miniature version of the proclamation naming it the official city ornament. The cost is $15.

Ornaments reserved in advance (by Nov. 15) will be available for pickup around Thanksgiving and also for retail purchase at select downtown locations.

A limited number of ornaments from the past two years are available for $20 each. The Lincoln Public Library was featured in 2001 and City Hall in 2000.

For more information, call Main Street Lincoln at (217) 732-2929.

[Main Street Lincoln press release]

Main Street Lincoln

Cindy McLaughlin, Program Manager

303 S. Kickapoo

Lincoln, IL 62656

Phone: (217) 732-2929

Fax: (217) 735-9205

E-mail: manager@mainstreetlincoln.com