Words Of Wisdom

"How prone all human institutions have been to decay; how subject the best-formed and most wisely organized governments have been to lose their check and totally dissolve; how difficult it has been for mankind, in all ages and countries, to preserve their dearest rights and best privileges, impelled as it were by an irresistible fate of despotism."

--James Monroe, speech in the Virginia Ratifying Convention, 1788

Saturday September 14

4 PM to 9 PM

McHenry Moose Lodge,

3535 N. Richmond Road on Route 31 

Just south of Johnsburg Road

Dinner includes all you can eat

Pasta with Meat or Meatless Sauce, Salad, Garlic Bread, Dessert, Relish Tray

Cost -- $10 Adults -- $5 Kids 10 and under

Silent Auction, Bake Sale, Crafts Sale, 50/50 Raffles and more

More information or to donate an item – call 815-385-0939

Dense Breast Tissue To Be Explained In Layman's Terms

Today, State Rep. Barbara Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake) was proud to see Senate Bill 2314 become law.  The bill was motivated by her desire to protect women from hard to detect breast cancer.  Women with dense breast tissue are four to six times more likely to develop breast cancer, yet mammograms have a hard time detecting cancer in this type of tissue.  Rep. Wheeler passed SB 2314 in the spring which will have the meaning and consequences of “dense breast tissue” explained in layman’s terms.

“Early detection is the easiest way for women to protect themselves from breast cancer,” explained Rep. Wheeler. “This law will help give women the knowledge necessary to help make informed decisions, especially if they are at-risk.”

There are many reasons why woman are not exploring this common, yet risk-filled problem.  The most effective way to detect breast cancer in dense tissue is through an MRI or ultrasound, which can add significant cost to cancer screening.  These tests are typically reserved for woman with a high risk of breast cancer, which can cause a sense of fear among those who are recommended to have additional testing. Regardless, Wheeler believes lifesaving information trumps the potential fear and cost.

“Women have the right to have a full understanding of their health. This law will have the risks and consequences of dense tissue thoroughly explained,” said Wheeler. “With the right knowledge and doctor-to-patient support, women will be able to properly explore their best options in terms of screening and treatment.”

The Governor signed SB 2314 this morning and has now become law.

McHenry County Bat Number Two Found By An Island Lake Homeowner

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) reports its 2nd rabid bat, found by a homeowner, on August 13 outside a dog run at an Island Lake residence.  There was no human exposure.  This incident supports the need for pet owners to keep their animals up to date on rabies vaccinations. 

In order to test bats for rabies, it is important they be in good condition (i.e. head is intact) – either alive or recently deceased.  Specimens in good condition and test negative for rabies eliminates the need for rabies treatment following human exposure.  State-wide, 23 rabid bats have been reported in eight counties and the city of Chicago.  Last year, McHenry County reported two rabid bats -- bats reported statewide totaled 63.  Following reporting guidelines from the State Health Department, only in cases of confirmed exposure will bats be submitted for testing.      

The best way to avoid rabies is to avoid exposure.  Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system and can only be confirmed in a laboratory.  Keeping cats and dogs current with vaccinations will not only keep them from getting rabies but also provide a barrier of protection for you if your animal is bitten by a rabid animal. Most bats leave in the fall or winter to hibernate so these are the best times to "bat-proof" your home. A fact sheet on bat exclusion can be viewed at www.mcdh.info.

Residents are encouraged to take a “hands off” approach to wild animals to reduce their risk of exposure.  Children should also be educated about the dangers. A bat that is active by day, found in a place where bats are not usually seen (such as in your home, in a swimming pool or on the lawn) or is unable to fly, is more likely than others to be rabid. To learn more about rabies prevention, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/.

Questions about exposure should be directed to MCDH’s Communicable Disease Program at 815-334-4500.

All McHenry County Public Beaches Open

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) conducted beach water samplings at 38 licensed beaches on Wednesday, August 14.  There were no reports of increased bacterial levels.  All beaches will be open.

To prevent illness associated with swimming, all licensed beaches on the 13 lakes in McHenry County are tested every 2 weeks for E. coli throughout the summer to determine water quality.  Additional and more frequent sampling is done when elevated bacterial levels are found.    

Water sampling results are reported to the appropriate beach authorities. MCDH will post an advisory or closed signage for beaches with elevated E. coli results.  All beach water results and locations are readily available at the MCDH webpage www.mcdh.info (click Environmental Health, quick links, “beach testing results”) or call 815-334-4585

Free, Online Chemistry Class Offered By McHenry County College

If you think a mole is just a spot on someone’s skin you don’t know the basic unit of chemistry. To learn the skills needed for understanding chemistry, McHenry County College is offering a free, online class that is open to anyone living anywhere in the world. “Exploring Chemistry” begins Aug. 19 and is geared for college students or for anyone who is interested in preparing to take a college-level chemistry class.

The four-week non-credit class is delivered as a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), which is becoming a popular way of providing free courses across a variety of subject matter. McHenry County College was the first community college in Illinois and one of the few throughout the country to offer a MOOC when it offered the “Online Reputation for Career Success” class last spring. That class ended with a completion rate of 11.4 percent, nearly double the 6.8 average completion rate of MOOC classes, according to an article in the May issue of Times Higher Education.

“People are taking MOOCs because of course topics that are of interest to them,” said Ray Lawson, director of Online Learning and Educational Technology. “Our chemistry prep course is offered to better prepare students for a general college chemistry class,” he said. “Offering unique classes such as ours are part of a growing movement to be more inventive and to offer free education for people around the world.”

So far, the demand for MCC’s massive open online course has reached around the world with more than 100 people enrolled the week before the course starts. “Within the first hour of posting the course online, 10 people signed up,” Lawson said. MCC adjunct chemistry instructor and creator of this MOOC, Li Li Zyzak said Exploring Chemistry is ideal for returning adult students, especially those who are pursuing a career in healthcare and haven’t taken a math or chemistry class in several years.

“Hopefully, this will give them the skills, the tools to learn how to approach and how to study chemistry,” Zyzak said. “For some students, chemistry is the last class they need to take for their nursing prerequisites. This is a four-week class, which allows students to get their feet wet before jumping into the ocean.”

Zyzak teaches chemistry and biochemistry at McHenry County College and at other colleges and universities in the Chicago area.   

Students log into the course at their convenience, work at their own pace to view lectures and online lessons, participate in discussion forums and take auto-graded quizzes. Optional lab activities can be done at home and the students may post their results online for the class to discuss.

Students will learn concepts, terminologies, and basic mathematics skills, required for conversions in chemistry, including conversions between the Metric system and the U.S. measurement system.

The course is being offered in collaboration with the Canvas Network, a platform provided by Instructure, Inc., the parent company of Canvas learning management system. connects students, teachers and institutions, through an open, online course network.

Those interested in the Exploring Chemistry class may register online at https://www.canvas.net/courses/exploring-chemistry. For more information, call (815) 479-7796

Words Of Wisdom

"The spirit of encroachment tends to consolidate the powers of all the departments in one, and thus to create whatever the form of government, a real despotism. A just estimate of that love of power, and proneness to abuse it, which predominates in the human heart is sufficient to satisfy us of the truth of this position."

--George Washington, Farewell Address, 1796

Scene Course For High School Actors

For an actor, nailing that big audition is only half the battle-the real challenge comes once rehearsals begin and you start to work on that big scene. 

With this in mind, Sage Studio's fall session features a new four-week course for high school actors focused on the craft of scene study.  Students will work in small groups on scenes from contemporary plays, with a focus on making bold choices, character analysis, and learning practical strategies for making the moment come alive onstage-and making that moment a show-stopper!  The workshop culminates in a showcase of prepared scenes for friends and family! 

Pre-requisites: Age limit is 15-18. Students must exhibit an appreciation and aptitude for theatre. Students are also required to submit a video audition of a monologue and a letter of recommendation from an instructor. If unable to submit a video, please contact Kate Wilford, 815.356.9010 X10, to schedule an audition. 

The application deadline is August 23, 2013.