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Features
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It
really does take a village, not a suburb
[MAY
31, 2003]
URBANA -- Rural
Midwestern towns grew by leaps and bounds in the 1990s as urban
professionals decided that small towns were great places to raise
families. But as many of these towns grew, they lost their
small-town character, said Sonya Salamon, anthropologist and
professor of community studies at the University of Illinois.
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And those
characteristics were valuable. "Small-town communities have a
culture worth nurturing and protecting. The resources, connections
and commitment to young people found in Midwestern small towns
contribute a great deal to the successful development of youth,"
Salamon said.
In her new book,
"Newcomers to Old Towns: The Suburbanization of the Heartland,"
Salamon describes six small towns in Illinois, renamed for the sake
of anonymity and located in the commuting zone of "Central City."
She discusses the circumstances that made these towns resilient or
led to their decline as they faced pressure to change.
In Salamon's study,
one town grew dramatically in the past three decades because it had
easy access to a midsized city via the interstate, interesting
terrain with wooded areas, developers who created new subdivisions
with grand houses, and good school systems. "Prairieview" began to
look and feel more and more like a Chicago suburb.
But, said Salamon,
its growth occurred at the expense of "Splitsville," another town in
the commuting zone, which was populated increasingly by rural
families who couldn't afford the price of housing in newly
fashionable Prairieview. Neglected housing in Splitsville was bought
for back taxes and sold or rented to low-income people. Longtime
residents didn't welcome the newcomers, who kept old cars in their
yards and couldn't afford to have garbage collected weekly. When one
member of the "Old Guard" turned off the water at a newcomer's home
for nonpayment, the newcomer reacted by vandalizing the home of the
water commissioner.
Other towns, called
Corntown and Arbordale, found different ways of handling the
diversity created when Mexican-American migrant workers decided to
live in these communities permanently.
Such challenges are
relatively recent in Midwestern farm towns, long rumored to be
dying. In fact, the population of rural America increased in the
1990s by more than three million people. Some small towns courted
such growth with inducements, such as $10,000 grants to families who
bought land and built a new home.
"People have long
denigrated small towns, calling them fished-out ponds, with the best
and brightest kids leaving. But those farm towns didn't decline,
because they're greater than the sum of their parts. These
fished-out ponds do amazing child-rearing. They just kept producing
more of the best and the brightest -- which says to me that the best
and brightest are not those who have more ability than others, but
that having an entire village involved in the upbringing of its
youth makes a dramatic difference," Salamon said.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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In rural small towns,
families often have a shared background over many generations, and
community members share a social network that links families in
functional and emotional ways. Homes have porches that face the
street to promote neighborliness. These towns have public places, a
central square, a cafe or a bowling alley where people gather.
Families know and watch out for their neighbors' children,
generations interact with each other, and if teenagers drag Main
Street or hang out downtown, adults are tolerant because they know
"they're good kids, and there's not a lot to do here."
New subdivisions are
usually not located near the town center, and they are not designed
with communal spaces for recreation. "Newcomers have a consumption
mentality. They buy a house in a new subdivision and consume the
countryside for its natural setting, its good schools and its low
crime rate, but few of them put anything back into the places they
call home," Salamon said.
"Kids in these
suburban settings have a peer-structured youth culture. They don't
interact as frequently with older adults in the community. The homes
are built for privacy. People come home from work, drive into their
attached garage and they never see each other casually. There's very
little 'neighboring,' and that's important in building a sense of
community."
"Glen Elder, a
prominent sociologist, says that these cultural dynamics produced
Columbine. At about that time, the New York Times published the
floor plan for the most commonly built suburban home -- which has a
children's wing with a private entrance. If the house is
professionally cleaned and the kids have their own TV and computer,
they don't even need to interact with their parents very much,"
Salamon said.
Salamon was struck by
the number of small-town newcomers who didn't go to church in their
home community -- instead driving into a small city for church or
joining one of the huge new churches built by the interstates. "The
older churches helped a lot with small-town festivals and put a lot
back into the community. These mega-churches aren't nearly as
concerned with building community in their towns. They're concerned
about the church community. They're entrepreneurial about souls,"
she said.
"Families in places
like Prairieview often plan to stay only until their children are
out of school, and there is no expectation that children will come
back to that town when they are grown," she said.
In contrast, Salamon
quoted one man who had been raised in a place like "Smallville,"
which lies in a remote corner of a sparsely settled western Illinois
county and has retained many of the strengths of the best agrarian
towns.
"When I got out of high school, the sight
of that town in my rearview mirror was the best thing I'd ever
seen," the man said wistfully, "and I've been trying to get back
there ever since."
[University
of Illinois news release]
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Make sure your home is
ready to beat the
heat
[MAY
31, 2003]
Energy use and costs are
greatest in the hot summer months when air-conditioning use peaks.
The Illinois Electric Council suggests taking measures now so your
home can better weather the summer sun, heat and humidity.
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"There are a number of measures, small
and large, that can make a big difference in comfort and electric
bills," says Molly Hall, Illinois Electric Council executive
director. "Most steps can pay for themselves relatively quickly. For
example, weatherstripping and caulking are inexpensive ways to boost
efficiency and cut energy costs."
Reduce energy costs and ready the air
conditioner with a cleaning and tuneup. An efficiently running
cooling system will save dollars. If you're purchasing a new unit,
check the efficiency rating, or SEER. The higher the SEER number,
the more efficient the air conditioner.
Ventilate the attic and check
insulation. When the outside temperature is in the 90s, your attic
can easily reach 140 degrees. Adequately sized vents and an attic
fan can help keep hot air from building up. If your attic has less
than 6 to 8 inches of insulation, consider adding more. Be sure the
insulation doesn't block vents or cover exhaust fans.
Caulk and put weatherstripping around
windows and doors. This will reduce air infiltration and reduce both
cooling and heating costs. Install awnings over windows exposed to
direct sunlight. Outdoor landscaping that includes shade trees and
insulating foundation plants can also reduce energy costs.
When performing these or any home
improvement projects, the Illinois Electric Council and its Safe
Electricity program offer these safety tips:
* Make sure you've got the right tools,
and check cords for any cracks or frayed insulation.
* Take note of potential hazards in the
work area, such as overhead power lines, especially those connected
to the home. Keep ladders and long metal tools at least 10 feet away
from them.
* Make sure outdoor outlets are
equipped with a ground fault circuit interrupter, or GFCI. Use a
portable GFCI if your outdoor outlets don't have them.
* If your projects include digging,
like building a deck or planting a tree, call your utility locating
service before you begin. For most of Illinois, it's "JULIE," 1
(800) 892-0123, and in Chicago, call "Digger," 1 (312) 744-7000.
Never assume the location or depth of underground utility lines.
Call at least two business days ahead of your dig date. This service
is free, prevents the inconvenience of having utilities interrupted
and can help you avoid serious injury.
[to top of second column in
this article] |
Follow these operating tips for greater
energy efficiency and reduction in air-conditioning costs:
* Throughout summer use, change
air-conditioner filters monthly and more often if pets live indoors.
* Dial up. For each 1-degree increase
in the thermostat setting, you can trim cooling costs by about 3
percent.
* Install a timer or programmable
thermostat to raise and lower the temperature automatically. Leave
it on a higher temperature while you're away, and set it to cool the
house half an hour before you return home.
* Install ceiling fans that circulate
air, and reduce air-conditioning use.
* Turn off unnecessary lights and
televisions sets you're not watching. Don't leave computers on when
not in use.
* Make sure heat-producing appliances
like televisions and lamps are away from the thermostat. They will
raise the temperature at the thermostat and cause the air
conditioner to run when it is not needed.
* Plan to do hot work -- washing and
drying clothes, cooking and baking -- during cooler morning and
evening hours.
* Keep your kitchen cooler by cooking
in a microwave oven, or grill outdoors.
* Keep the sun out of your house. Close
blinds, shades or draperies during the hottest part of the day.
The Illinois
Electric Council is an electric industry forum headquartered at the
University of Illinois. The IEC and its Safe Electricity program
offer information year-round to help consumers use electric energy
efficiently and safely. For more information and tips to help cut
costs and improve home safety, visit
www.IECouncil.org and
www.SafeElectricity.org.
[University of Illinois news release]
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Electrical safety tips for summer
[MAY 24,
2003]
URBANA -- Whether you're
starting a home improvement project, planning to trim a tree, adding
to your garden or taking a refreshing swim, consider the electrical
equipment around you and the potential hazards to avoid during
summer months. Of particular concern are power lines overhead and
the added dangers when water and storm activity are present.
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"Keep your summer season enjoyable and
safe," said Molly Hall, director of Safe Electricity, a statewide
electrical safety public awareness program. "Know what to do when
thunderstorms and lightning threaten. Be aware of overhead power
lines when doing work outside your home. Make sure children know and
follow basic safety rules."
Safety tips to keep in mind this
summer:
--Look up and around you. Always be
aware of the location of power lines, particularly when using long
metal tools like ladders, pool skimmers and pruning poles, or when
installing rooftop antennas and satellite dishes or doing roof
repair work.
--Be especially careful when working
near power lines attached to your house. Keep equipment and yourself
at least 10 feet from lines. Never trim trees near power lines --
leave that to the professionals.
--If thunderstorms and lightning are
approaching, move indoors and stay away from electric appliances and
objects that could conduct electricity. Use only cordless or cell
phones to make calls. If you're in an open area outside, tingling
skin or crackling sounds could signal that lightning is about to
strike. Drop down and make yourself as small as possible -- feet
together and hands on knees -- with minimal contact with the ground.
--Electricity and water are a dangerous
mix. Keep electrical appliances and tools at least 10 feet away from
pools and wet surfaces. Never use electric yard tools if it's
raining or the ground is wet.
--Never step into a flooded area --
especially basements -- if water is in contact with electrical
outlets, appliances or cords. Don't use any electrical appliances or
touch circuit breakers or fuses when you're wet or standing in
water.
--Be sure outdoor outlets and outlets
near wet areas of the kitchen, bath and laundry room have ground
fault circuit interrupters to prevent serious shock injuries.
--If your projects include digging,
like building a deck or planting a tree, call your utility locating
service before you begin. For most of Illinois, it's "JULIE," 1
(800) 892-0123, and in Chicago, call "Digger" 1 (312) 744-7000.
Never assume the location or depth of underground utility lines.
Call at least two business days ahead of your dig date. This service
is free, prevents the inconvenience of having utilities interrupted
and can help you avoid serious injury.
[to top of second
column in this article]
|
--Help keep utility workers safe. Never
post signs or tie banners around utility poles. Posting signs,
hanging banners or tying ribbons and balloons onto utility poles
puts utility workers at risk and often is a violation of local
ordinances forbidding placement of anything on poles.
In addition, Safe Electricity urges
everyone to make sure children understand and follow 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.
--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.
"Storms can also leave electric hazards
behind," Hall added. "It's a good idea to keep utility emergency
numbers close at hand."
If you see a downed power line, stay
far away from it and call your electric utility. Warn others to stay
clear of the wires. Assume that all downed power lines are
energized. For more safety tips, visit
www.SafeElectricity.org.
The Safe
Electricity program is created by a coalition of more than three
dozen organizations, including the University of Illinois, electric
companies and electric cooperatives from across the state. All are
members of the Illinois Electric Council, a not-for-profit
organization dedicated to promoting electric safety and efficiency.
[News release]
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'Heart healthy'
cooking classes offered
[MAY 17,
2003]
Learn how to cook foods that
are lower in fat and sodium in the "Heart Healthy Eating" series
sponsored by University of Illinois Extension, Logan County. If you
have heart disease, including high blood pressure or high
cholesterol, you know choosing and preparing foods can be a real
challenge.
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The program objective is to increase
participants' knowledge of risk factors for heart disease, dietary
factors and their relationship to heart disease, and to review how
individuals can affect their own heart health. Ways to alter foods
to reduce fat and salt will be discussed in the classes.
"Those attending will learn how to cook
with low-fat products, herbs and spices and using less salt,"
explains Jananne Finck, nutrition and wellness educator with
University of Illinois Extension. Finck is a registered dietitian at
the Springfield Extension Center.
[to top of second
column in this article]
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"Everyone will get recipes to help them
plan healthy meals at home," adds John Fulton, unit leader for Logan
Extension. Cost is $10 per person for the two sessions. A minimum of
15 participants is needed, and preregistration is needed by
Thursday, June 12. There will be two sessions, June 17 and 18, from
6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Logan County Extension office, 980 N.
Postville Drive.
For more
details about this program or if you need reasonable accommodations
to participate in this program, please call (217) 732-8289.
Registrations will be taken at the same number.
[News release]
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Animals for Adoption |
Animal Control
open Saturdays
[APRIL
18, 2003]
Beginning
April 28, Logan County Animal Control is experimenting for 60 days
with Saturday hours. The new hours are 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on
weekdays and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. Only registration, payment of
fines and animal pickup can be accomplished on Saturday. Adoptions
must take place during the week.
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At Logan County Animal Control — |
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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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.] |
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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 big boy is Sam.
Sam's a little pushy, so no small kids, please.] |
[This fine looking girl is Snake. She's just a kitten, and
she's ready to slither her way into your heart.] |
[Snowball and Sunshine, a beautiful girl-boy pair, can't wait
to bring joy and warmth into your home.] |
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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.
http://www.petfinder.org/pet.cgi?action=1&pet.Shelterid=IL103
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
NOTE: Beginning April 28, hours will
be 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on weekdays
and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays.
Vickie Loafman, animal control warden
Maurice Tierney,
deputy animal control warden
Tammy Langley, part-time assistant |
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