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‘Meal Planning for One or Two’
at Logan County Extension Unit
[OCT.
10, 2002]
Cooking for one or two is
typical in American homes. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau reflects
that households and families have become smaller over time. From
1970 to 2000, households with only one or two people have increased
from 46 to 59 percent. According to University of Illinois
Extension, this means someone now lives alone in 25 percent of all
U.S. households.
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But eating alone is not just singles
and seniors eating solo. Often teens fix their own meal after sports
practice, and many parents dine alone after they’re kept late at
work. To help this group better plan and prepare a healthy meal for
one or two, the Logan County Extension Unit is offering an
educational program on "Meal Planning for One or Two." This program
will be on Tuesday, Oct. 22, at the Extension office, 980 N.
Postville Drive.
Jananne Finck, nutrition and wellness
educator with University of Illinois Extension, Springfield Center,
will present this program. Participants will review healthy meal
planning, share ideas for selecting foods, and learn various ways to
prepare meals for one or two people. Samples will be provided for a
light lunch.
Registration
is required, but there is no cost for the program. Please make
reservations by calling the Extension office, (217) 732-8289, before
Friday, Oct. 18. If you need reasonable accommodation to participate
in this program or want more information, please call the same
number.
[News release] |
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Crib or
co-sleeping for baby
[OCT.
5, 2002]
URBANA — Is a crib the
safest place for an infant to sleep, or is sharing an adult bed with
mom and dad just as safe? The question has been in the limelight
recently because of a new campaign recommending cribs as the safest
place for a baby to sleep.
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Aaron Ebata, researcher and extension
specialist in family studies at the University of Illinois, says,
"The place a baby sleeps is not in and of itself safer. The
important thing is that wherever a baby sleeps, it’s a safe place."
Ebata and other family specialists at
the U of I sat up and took notice at the announcement of the recent
campaign called "Sweet Dreams — Safe Sleep for Babies." The campaign
suggests that babies sleep in cribs, but the effort was funded by
crib manufacturers and retailers.
Manufacturers give out free literature
in clinics and stores on a wide variety of topics. "It’s important
for parents to consider who funded the research and who is
distributing the message to make sure that the information is
unbiased," said Ebata.
"Cribs are not necessarily safer than
adult beds," said Ebata. "It’s really a family decision, not just a
safety decision. For some families who work, getting sleep is
important to them, and they need to put their infant in a crib so
that they can get a full night’s sleep." For others, Ebata said,
there is a philosophical opinion that having a child in a "family
bed" is important for a secure attachment relationship, but he added
that there is no scientific evidence that where a child sleeps is
better or worse for their later psychological or emotional health.
The Sweet Dreams brochure states that
"New Consumer Product Safety Commission data shows over a three-year
period more than 100 children under the age of 2 died after being
placed on adult beds." Ebata pointed out that more children actually
die in cribs (from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and other causes); a
safe environment is the key, whether it is an adult bed or a crib.
[to top of second column in this
article] |
Ebata said that there are cases where
parents have unintentionally rolled over onto their children, or
children get wedged or suffocated, but there are steps parents can
take to reduce risks. "It’s important that parents who co-sleep
avoid drugs and alcohol or other conditions that would make it more
likely that they would not notice that their kids were in jeopardy."
With proper precautions, the crib or
the adult bed can be safe. These precautions include making sure
that babies in cribs or beds are not near soft bedding, such as
pillows, stuffed toys, crib bumper pads, and comforters or
sheepskins under or over the baby.
Ebata does research in the area of
families and stress. He develops parenting resources and trains
parent educators. After reviewing and interpreting unbiased research
on the subject of infant safety while sleeping, Ebata and Carol
Pilgrim have produced a report and an abbreviated brochure on the
topic.
The complete U of I report is available
as a printable pdf file (in Adobe Acobat) at
http://web.aces.uiuc.edu/familylife/
sleeping/report.pdf.
For a printable brochure entitled "Good
Night, Sleep Tight" visit
http://web.aces.uiuc.edu/
familylife/sleeping/brochure.pdf.
[Click here to download Adobe Acrobat reader.]
[U of I news release] |
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Step
back and enjoy
the role of grandparent
[SEPT.
21, 2002]
URBANA — "When I was raising
my kids…," "That’s the way we always did it," and "My kids turned
out OK" are common phrases spoken by grandparents when discussing
child-rearing techniques.
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"Grandparents sometimes find it
difficult to let their adult children parent, especially if it
conflicts with their beliefs," said Cheri Burcham, University of
Illinois family life educator. "Opposing values, religious
differences, distance and strained relationships can also add to the
dispute between generations."
Burcham has some advice for
grandparents. The most important thing to remember is that you are
the grandparent, not the parent. Respect your children’s right to
raise their children, and follow their lead. Be supportive and
loving, and ask your children how you can be of assistance to them.
Don’t compare your child-rearing
techniques to theirs. Much has changed in the area of child
development and the information available to parents. "The most
beneficial thing to do is read and update yourself on these new
developments. You still may not agree, but at least you will
understand where your children are coming from," said Burcham.
The most frequent cause of conflict is
miscommunication between generations. Instead of meddling and giving
advice, offer concerns that are expressed tactfully. Pick your
battles carefully. And don’t bring up the past but focus on the
present.
[to top of second column in
this article] |
"Criticizing adult children in front of
the grandchildren is a big no-no," said Burcham. "If grandchildren
sense the stress between generations, they may use this to their
advantage by playing one off of the other."
According to an AARP survey, 50 percent
of responding grandparents stated that they frequently play the role
of friend or companion to their grandchild. "By adopting this view
of the relationship, it certainly alters the grandparent’s viewpoint
of the child in respect to discipline and child-rearing," said
Burcham.
"Step back and enjoy the role of
grandparent — it’s one you don’t want to miss," added Burcham.
Grandchildren can bring out your inner child, make you feel young
again, and give you someone to share your history with. Also, as a
grandparent, you may have more time and resources to share with your
grandchildren than you did with your own children.
"I recommend
that you let your adult children take the lead in rearing their
children and that you don’t interfere unless your grandchild’s
safety and well-being are threatened," said Burcham. "The role of
grandparent can be very positive and fulfilling and can add a
valuable dimension to the family that benefits everyone."
[U of I news release] |
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Animals
for Adoption
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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. |
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At Logan County Animal Control —
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DOGS
Big to
little, most of these dogs will make wonderful lifelong companions when
you take them home and provide solid, steady training, grooming and
general care. Get educated about what you choose. If you give them
the time and care they need, you will be rewarded with much more
than you gave them. They are entertaining, fun, comforting, and will
lift you up for days on end.
Be prepared to take the necessary time when you bring home a
puppy, kitten, dog, cat or any other pet, and you will be blessed.
[Logan
County Animal Control is thankful for pet supplies donated by
individuals and Wal-Mart.]
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Warden
Sheila Farmer and her assistant, Polly Farmer,
look forward
to assisting you.
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[A friendly-faced 2-year-old male mixed Lab is seeking his
human soul mate.
He's not fixed, and he's good with other dogs.] |
[A purebred Doberman with a sweet disposition, this handsome
1˝-year-old male is good with children and other
dogs. His ears are cropped; he is not fixed.] |
[Yes, I have a purple tongue!
That's because I'm a black Labrador and chow chow mix. I'm
male and just 1 year old. I'm not fixed, and I would make a
great farm dog.] |
[Glory is looking for a quiet home where she
can get some TLC. She likes kids. An American bulldog, she is
7 years old and has not been fixed.] |
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Ten reasons to adopt a
shelter dog
1.
I'll bring out your
playful side!
2.
I'll lend an ear to
your troubles.
3.
I'll keep you
fit and trim.
4.
We'll look out for each other.
5.
We'll sniff
out fun together!
6.
I'll keep you
right on schedule.
7.
I'll love you
with all my heart.
8.
We'll have a
tail-waggin' good time!
9.
We'll snuggle
on a quiet evening.
10.
We'll be
best friends always.
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CATS
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[Logan
County Animal Control is thankful for pet supplies donated by
individuals and Wal-Mart.] |
Warden
Sheila Farmer and her assistant, Polly Farmer, look forward
to assisting you. |
In
the cat section there are a number of wonderful cats to
choose from
in a variety of colors and sizes.
Farm
cats available for free!
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[This lovely lady with green eyes is Bailey. She is 3
years old and has been spayed and declawed. She would love a
new home full of love.] |
[This soft-faced 1-year-old male kitty needs a cat lover's
care. He has not been fixed but has been declawed.] |
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These animals and
more are available to good homes from the Logan County Animal
Control at 1515 N. Kickapoo, phone 735-3232.
Fees for animal
adoption: dogs, $60/male, $65/female; cats, $35/male, $44/female.
The fees include neutering and spaying.
Logan County Animal
Control's hours of operation:
Sunday
– closed
Monday –
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tuesday –
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Wednesday –
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Thursday –
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday –
8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Saturday –
closed
Warden: Sheila Farmer
Assistant: Polly Farmer
In-house veterinarian: Dr. Lester Thomson
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Illinois fall trout fishing opens Oct. 19
[SEPT.
27, 2002] SPRINGFIELD
— Anglers, get your poles ready! Beginning Oct. 19 at 5 a.m.,
the Illinois Department of Natural Resources will offer 35 locations
throughout Illinois for its fall catchable trout program, according
to Sen. Larry Bomke.
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"Fishing is a great source of
recreation," said Bomke, R-Springfield. "Illinois has 1.6 million
acres of surface waters and about 203 different species of fish. I
highly encourage area residents to take advantage of this natural
resource and enjoy our Illinois parks and waters."
More than 70,000 trout will be
available Oct. 19 at 5 a.m. All licensed fishermen with an inland
trout stamp and a fishing license may catch up to five trout per
day.
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People younger than 16, blind, disabled
or Illinois military personnel at home on leave may fish without a
license. For all others, fishing licenses and inland trout stamps
are available at sporting goods stores, bait shops, DNR regional
offices and online at
http://dnr.state.il.us.
The IDOT Lake and Washington Park Pond
in Springfield will be stocked for the fall trout program.
For more
information on the program, contact DNR, Division of Fisheries, at
(217) 782-6424 or 1 (800) ASK-FISH.
[News release] |
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