Gift Of Health For Those Interested

As the New Year approaches, give yourself the gift of health by registering for a 7-week quit smoking class for adults.

Offered by McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) and Centegra Health System, the classes will teach practical ways to end nicotine addiction through group support and behavior modification.  It will also review nicotine replacement products that are currently on the market. Instruction is provided by MCDH staff that are trained in the American Lung Association’s “Freedom from Smoking” program. This project is made possible by funds received from the Illinois Department of Public Health
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Classes will be held on Wednesdays, beginning January 9th, from 6pm-7:30pm, at Centegra Health Bridge Fitness Center, Crystal Lake, located at 200 Congress Parkway. A $25 course fee, payable at the first class, is refundable if all seven sessions are attended. Class members will also receive a free 3-day pass to the Health Bridge Fitness Center.

Quitting smoking can add up to measurable savings - $2,500 a year for those who smoke one-pack a day as well as the money saved on healthcare costs. For more information and to register, call 1-877-CENTEGRA, or visit www.mcdh.info.  To speak with a counselor immediately, call the Illinois Tobacco Quit Line at 1-866-QUIT-YES

Words Of Wisdom

Government has become so vast and impersonal that its interests diverge more and more from the interests of ordinary citizens. For a generation and more, the government has sought to meet our needs by multiplying its bureaucracy. Washington has taken too much in taxes from Main Street, and Main Street has received too little in return. It is not necessary to centralize power in order to solve our problems."

 --Sen. George McGovern (1922-2012)

Snowmobile Safety Certification Courses

The McHenry County Sheriff's Office will be hosting two IDNR Snowmobile Safety Certification Courses:

Saturday, January 12, 2013 – 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

and

Saturday, February 23, 2013  -- 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Both courses are open to children 12 years of age and older and for those who do not have a valid driver's license. Those who do not have a valid driver's license need to have this certificate to legally operate a snowmobile in the State of Illinois. Those who possess a valid driver's license may also attend to expand their knowledge of snowmobile safety.

The IDNR Snowmobile Safety Certification Courses cover maintenance and repair of snowmobiles, proper and safe operation, history of snowmobiling, first aid, protection of the environment, and the state laws. Persons completing the minimum eight hours of instruction and successfully completing the final examination will receive a State of Illinois Certificate of Competency and a graduate patch.

The course will take place at the McHenry County Government Center in the McHenry County Sheriff's Office - Training Division. Please pre-register with Cathy Hardt at (815)334-4739 or cdhardt@co.mchenry.il.us . Class size is limited to thirty students and pre-registration is required.

For further information on snowmobile safety courses or this class, go to IDNR's website: http://www.dnr.state.il.us/safety/snwmob.htm Additional information on this class can be found through the link to North Region, then McHenry.

Keith Nygren, Sheriff

www.mchenrysheriff.org/Media-Releases

Ugliest Yard Contest -- Burr Oak Seedling Prizes

In July 2011, a powerful storm swept through Crystal Lake and brought down a beautiful 125 year-old burr oak tree at Main Beach.

The Park District harvested 170 acorns from that tree and will plant 100 new seedlings in park district parks this spring. Park District staff also wanted to share a piece of this historic tree with our community. The 2013 Crystal Lake Park District Ugliest Yard Contest was created in order to select recipients of the Main Beach burr oak seedlings.

To be eligible to receive a burr oak seedling from our Main Beach tree, please enter our Ugliest Yard Contest by submitting an ugly yard photo by February 28 to intern@crystallakeparks.org or bring it in to the Crystal Lake Park District Administrative Office, One East Crystal Lake Avenue (attn: Ugliest Yard Contest). Please include your name, address, telephone number and email address with the photo.

The Park District will send you confirmation that your photo was received and when to pick up your seedling in May. Entrant must be a Crystal Lake Park District resident.

The first 70 entrants will receive a one gallon Burr Oak seedling. One grand prize winner will receive a land design by Park District Park Planner, Ann Viger and a $500 gift certificate from Two Amigos Landscaping, Inc.

Anyone can vote for the Ugliest Yard, March 1-30 via the Crystal Lake Park District website at http://www.crystallakeparks.org/2013UgliestYardContest.htm, at the Administrative Building or at the Crystal Lake Park District booth at the Crystal Lake Business Expo at Crystal Lake South High School, March 23 and 24. The grand prize winner will be announced April 1.

For more information contact Jacqui Weber at (815) 458-0680, ext. 214, or email jweber@crystallakeparks.org. Contents details available online at http://www.crystallakeparks.org/2013UgliestYardContest.htm

Be Prepared

Before the forecast calls for snow and potential hazardous driving conditions, McHenry County Department of Health reminds residents that taking preventive action is the best defense against winter’s harsh temperatures.  By preparing yourself in advance for winter emergencies, and by observing safety precautions during times of extremely cold weather, you can reduce the risk of weather-related health problems.
 

Prepare your car with emergency supplies –  

Snack food	Chains or rope	Shovel
Windshield scraper	Water	Extra hats, coats, gloves
Road salt and sand	Flashlight (extra batteries)	Bright colored flag; help signs
Booster cables	Blankets	Emergency flares
Cell phone; portable charger and extra batteries		Battery-powered radio (extra batteries)

Travel with caution – 

• Listen for travel warnings.

• Avoid icy roads if possible.

• Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to arrive. Ask them to call for help if you are late.

Freezing temperatures combined with high winds make it dangerous for those inadequately prepared for weather extremes.  If you are trapped in your car in a winter storm, stay in the car.  Do not leave the car to look for help unless help is visible within 100 yards.

Listen to emergency broadcasts. Know what winter storm warning terms mean – 

• Winter weather advisory – Expect winter weather conditions to cause inconvenience and hazards.

• Frost/freeze warning – Expect below-freezing temperatures.

• Winter storm watch – Be alert. A storm is likely.

• Winter storm warning – Take action. The storm is in or entering the area.

• Blizzard warning – Seek refuge immediately! Snow and strong winds, near-zero visibility, deep snow drifts, and life-threatening wind chill.

Shoveling snow is extremely hard work, especially if you lift large loads and throw the snow some distance away.  Overexertion can cause sore muscles, falls and heart attacks.  Know your limits when shoveling, as cold weather itself puts an extra strain on your heart.  Use extra caution to avoid slips and falls when walking on snow-covered surfaces.  Rest frequently and pace yourself.  If you become breathless, go indoors and warm up before continuing.  If you experience chest or arm pain or numbness, stop immediately and seek prompt medical attention. 

Visit CDC’s http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/takesteps/index.asp for more tips.

Starting A New Business? Learn More At MCC

Find out how to start a new business, learn about export documentation, or get tips on what others are doing to market their business at seminars offered by the Illinois Small Business Development Center at McHenry County College.

Registration is underway for the following seminars in January:

Tuesday, January 8

6 to 8 p.m.

Starting A Business In Illinois: An information-packed evening for anyone interested in starting their own business. An ISBDC experienced instructor will discuss many of the basics pertaining to entrepreneurship, as well as distribute various handouts with agencies and resources available to help small business owners. Cost: $25

Wednesday, January 9

6 to 8 p.m.

Marketing Roundtable: The ISBDC offers the Marketing Roundtable group as a no-cost option for small business owners to collaboratively discuss various approaches to marketing and apply the strategies to their businesses. Reservations are encouraged as seating is limited.

 

Thursday, January 17

8am to Noon

Export Documentation:  Exporting from the USA is more than sending your cargo to an export warehouse. Learn about payment terms and Incoterms, possible letters of credit for large orders, and the requirements on the commercial invoice and other documents. This course sets you up for re-vamping or developing current export processes or enlarging your supply chain to outside providers. Cost: $50.

 

Wednesday, January 23

6 to 8 p.m.

Social Media Roundtable: The ISBDC will continue the monthly Social Media Roundtable group for small business owners to discuss the latest trends in social media marketing and share various approaches with their peers. A social media professional will help facilitate the discussion and be available for questions. There is no fee to attend, but reservations are encouraged as seating is limited.

All classes are held at the Shah Center.  The McHenry County College Shah Center is located at 4100 W. Shamrock Lane in McHenry, near Centegra Hospital.

For more information or to register, contact the Illinois Small Business Development Center at (815) 455-6098 or sbdc@mchenry.edu.

Red Tricycle Award For Veteran Acres Park

Veteran Acres Park has won the Red Tricycle 2nd Annual Totally Awesome Award in the Best Liked Hike category.

The Red Tricycle Totally Awesome Awards is an online reader-driven awards program recognizing the best parenting brands, products, neighborhood services and local resources for families with children 0-10.

Totally Awesome Awards were given in New York, Seattle, San Francisco, Portland, San Diego, Chicago, and the Los Angeles markets. Veteran Acres prevailed against seven other beautiful parks in Illinois.

The 8 finalists in the Chicago Category for 'Best Liked Hike' were:

Veteran Acres Park
Devil's Lake
Starved Rock
Fullersburg Woods
Indiana Dunes State Park
Matthiessen State Park
Moraine Hills
Palos/Sag Valley Forest Preserve

Words Of Wisdom

"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman."

 --Thomas Paine, The American Crisis, No. 1, 1776

Raue Center For New Year's Eve Fun

                 7 p.m.--Tickets $50 -- Steve Cochran, John DaCosse, Patty Vasquez
                                                                Home before midnight