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Play board games at Lincoln Public Library

[JAN. 18, 2002] Bored with winter? Lincoln Public Library presents "Board Games Rodeo" from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. every Saturday through March 23 in the Pegram Community Room.

If you are high school age through adult, you are invited to come and compete against your fellow "boardmeisters" in games of Monopoly, Risk, Scrabble, chess, checkers, Chinese checkers, backgammon, Trivial Pursuit and Yatzee. Remember to bring your gameboard so everyone can participate.

Tri-County AmeriCorps volunteers serve as referees.

Light snacks are served.

For more information about this program, visit the library at 725 Pekin St. or call (217) 732-8878 or 732-5732.

Weekend entertainment at The Restaurant at the Depot

[JAN. 10, 2002] Upcoming entertainment in the lounge at The Restaurant at the Depot:

Jan. 25-26

Friday, Jan. 25 — Eleanor Gunderman, piano

Saturday, Jan. 26 — Thomas Anthony Quinn, acoustic folk-rock guitar and vocalist

‘The Healthy House’

[JAN. 23, 2002] ^"The Healthy House," 4^th edition. John Bower, The Healthy House Institute, 2001, 445 pages.

What exactly is a "healthy house"? According to author John Bower, a healthy house combines health-conscious, alternative building materials with construction techniques that minimize the threat of indoor air pollution and common household pollutants.

Bower believes that a house "is not simply a benign structure in which you relax. It’s an active, enclosed system. And, when you are inside it, you become an integral part of that system."

Typically the construction process introduces many substances and materials that are harmful to humans — carpets and floors can be chemically treated to resist stains; construction products (such as wood) can be treated to ensure longevity. Other harmful agents can be introduced through the ventilation systems. Threats such as lead, asbestos, mold or radon can also be the primary source for an unseen danger in houses — outgas. Outgas occurs when treatments or substances release chemicals into the air contained in the living space.

Because of a new awareness of these dangers, the field of healthy house construction has enjoyed a growing popularity during the 1990s. Part of that increased awareness centers around an explosion of research on the healthy house environment.

In his book Bower has called on the expertise of 50 of North America’s leading professionals on healthy houses. Their sidebars lend an additional authenticity and effectively complement Bower’s text.

Among the recurring themes from Bower and his colleagues is using benign building materials and ensuring airtight construction. Bower writes that many people "continue to believe that houses are unhealthy because they are being built too tightly. … the fact is airtight construction is very important in healthy house construction."

"The Healthy House" is divided into five parts:

• Fundamentals

• The System Approach

• Materials and Components

• Detailed Examples

• Resource Material

In "Fundamentals" Bower discusses indoor air quality, health effects, how to find a healthy house and selecting a site. Selecting an existing healthy house or site is an important part of reducing the risks to the occupants’ health. This is especially true concerning the major indoor pollutants — gases, particulates, fumes and vapors, smoke, and radiation.

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"The System Approach" expands on the selection of a site or house through the planning process. This process takes into account issues such as ventilation, heating and cooling systems, air filtration, and airtight construction. The critical strategies here involve balancing your ventilation system with effective heating and cooling, while at the same time treating the air generated from these systems.

In "Materials and Components" Bower continues the theme of using benign building materials to stabilize the physical environment. He examines building materials such as concrete, masonry, wood, insulation and alternative materials (foam-core, steel, manufactured wood, etc.). Bower also integrates these components into his discussion on the construction of different parts of a healthy house. These areas include the foundation, roof, siding, window, doors, floors, walls, ceilings, plumbing and electrical systems.

One of the most important sections of the book is "Detailed Examples." Here Bower describes the six most common pollutants: lead, asbestos, radon, mold, combustion by-products (such as chimneys) and VOCs (volatile organic compounds, the source for outgassing). He explains how to locate them, test for them and the options for treatment.

"Three Healthy Houses" is an account of the author’s personal experiences in building his first healthy house; that experience is shared with readers in the chapter on the new healthy house they later built.

The book concludes with a useful compilation of information in "Resource Material."

The appendices contain contact information on organizations and suppliers; a selected bibliography of books, magazines and videos is also included.

"The Healthy House" has now been printed in its fourth edition and should be considered a logical starting point for anyone seeking information on this subject. Bower is an acknowledged expert in the field of healthy houses. A builder since 1984, he has written books and magazine articles on the subject and has been the recipient of numerous awards from industry associations.

In the introduction he writes that the purpose of this book is not to be a "step by step instruction book on how to build one particular healthy house. Instead, it is a reference book that can help you buy, build, or remodel any house so that it won’t make you sick."

"The Healthy House" is recommended to anyone interested in learning more about the healthy house concept.

For more information, visit the library at 725 Pekin St. or call (217) 732-8878.

[Richard Sumrall, Lincoln Public Library District]

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Vote Republican; Elect
Dr. Robert Turk
Regional Superintendent of Schools
Logan, Mason & Menard Counties

Vote for Experience and Leadership:
Current Assistant Regional Superintendent
Former School District Superintendent
Former Principal and Teacher

Political ad paid for by
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P.O. Box 108, Topeka, IL 61567

Want your political ad to be seen all over Logan County?

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Lincoln Community Theatre
Logan County Arts Association

Merely Players of Richland
Community College present ‘Sylvia’

[JAN. 25, 2002] Merely Players, an educational fund-raising nonprofit repertory company, in cooperation with student activities at Richland Community College, will present the two-act comedy "Sylvia," by A.R. Gurney, in the Shilling Auditorium on Feb. 14-16, 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. All proceeds benefit the Richland speech and debate team known as Forensicaturs.

"Sylvia" is the story of an endearing stray dog that enters the empty nest of Greg (successful commodities broker) and Kate (inner-city English teacher). Sylvia is a mutt who chews ladies shoes and men’s hearts with equal fervor.
Cast members are Carrie Foxx as Sylvia, Joe Strake as Greg, Sam Straka as Kate, and Mike Huff as Tom, Phyl and Leslie.

The production is directed by Karen Becker, assisted by Vicky Gilpin. David Gilpin is technical director.

All members of the cast represent the coaching staff of the Richland speech team. Assistant Vicky Gilpin is also on the coaching staff. Director Karen Becker, a Merely Players company member since 1996, is an academic director of arts and sciences at Richland.

Merely Players has been responsible for over $3,000 in scholarship contributions in its previous theatrical endeavors. The group has presented:

• "Educating Rita" (1987) — P S I, Monticello Theatre Assn., Theatre 7

• "Love Letters" (1996) — Richland scholarship winner: Michael Huff

• "The Importance of Being Earnest" (1997) — Robert W. Thompson

• "Driving Miss Daisy" (2001) — Daniel J. White

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"Sylvia" is part of Richland Community College’s Performing Arts Series subscription. Tickets for the event have been on sale since Dec. 14. Costs are $7.50 for the general public, $5 for Richland alumni and staff, and $4 for students with ID and seniors age 62 and above. The show is not particularly suited to children under 12, so there is no children’s discount.

The show will be presented as written — as a "blue night special" — every performance but Valentine’s Day, when the profanity will be removed. Richland students will be admitted free with current photo ID for the Thursday, Feb. 14, performance. Area high school teachers who would like to reserve seats for their students that evening should phone group ticket sales manager Sam Straka by Jan. 28 at 429-9599.

People with other ticket inquiries should phone (217) 875-7211, Ext. 342.

Profit from the five performances will help offset travel costs for Richland’s speech team, the largest in the state. The team is working with a budget based on previous years’ participation, averaging five students, but the Forensicaturs have more than quadrupled since the spring of 2001. They hope to attend six invitational, state, regional and national tournaments between January and April this year.

[News release from Merely Players]

‘Deathtrap’ cast chosen

[JAN. 18, 2002] Director Anne Thompson and assistant director John Dunn have announced the cast for "Deathtrap," the second show of Theatre 7’s 38th season. "Deathtrap," by Ira Levin, will be presented at the Decatur Civic Center Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 8, 9, 15 and 16 and at 2 p.m. on Feb. 10 and 17.

The cast includes Peter Kareotes as Sidney Bruhl, Mary Wilking as Myra Bruhl, Jeff Cowgill as Cliford Anderson, Missy Grohne as Helga Ten Drop and Lonn Pressnal as Porter Milgrim.

In the drama, a successful writer of Broadway thrillers is struggling to overcome a "dry" spell when he receives a script from a student. Suspense mounts steadily as the plot begins to twist and turn with devilish cleverness that will hold the audience enthralled until the final, startling moment of the play.

The Theatre 7 production is sponsored by Behnke and Company, Inc.

Tickets are on sale to the public at the Decatur Civic Center Box Office, 422-6161.

[News release]

LCT looking for summer staff

[JAN. 3, 2002] Lincoln Community Theatre is looking for talented people to assume the paid positions of artistic director, technical director and musical accompanist for each production of the 2002 summer season.

The LCT board will have interviews for these positions by appointment on Sunday afternoon, Jan. 27, at St. John United Church of Christ in Lincoln.

Interested individuals may write to LCT secretary Roger Boss, 521 Comet, Lincoln, IL 62656, or call (217) 732-8762 for information or to set up an appointment. Appointments will be scheduled through Jan. 25.

Scheduled for the coming season are "Hello, Dolly," June 14-22; "Dearly Departed," July 12-20; and "The King and I," Aug. 2-10. All performances will be produced in the Johnston Center for the Performing Arts on the Lincoln College campus. A scheduled six-week rehearsal period plus one week of technical preparation in the theater prior to the performance is required by board policy for each production.

It is the responsibility of the director to hold open tryouts, cast the show, schedule rehearsals, supervise all staff members, work within his or her budget, and see that the show comes as close to artistic and technical perfection as possible. At the interview, director candidates will be asked to include necessary staff personnel to assist them and be able to suggest ideas about sets, costumes, special effects and any other technical aspects of the production that they may deem advisable.

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The technical director, operating under the direction of the artistic director, is responsible for the building and completion of the set and recruitment of any staff needed. He or she is also responsible for striking the set and returning everything to its appropriate place after the final production.

It is the responsibility of the accompanist to accompany all auditions, rehearsals and performances. He or she is under the authority of the director. At the interview, musical accompanists will be asked to perform a short selection that best displays their talents.

The LCT board maintains the rights of censor with regard to appropriate material selection.

[Judy Rader, LCT publicity chairman]

Lincoln Community Theatre information

Lincoln Community Theatre’s website is at www.geocities.com/lincolncommunitytheatre/index.html. Pictures from past productions are included. The LCT mailing address is Lincoln Community Theatre, P.O. Box 374, Lincoln, IL 62656. E-mail: lincolncommunitytheatre@yahoo.com.

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