Free HIV Testing Offered June 27

Although more than 1 million people are living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the United States, one in five people do not know they are infected, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

The CDC recommends that all people receive at least one lifetime HIV test. Individuals who are at an increased risk (racial/ethnic groups, substance users, gay and bisexual men and youth aged 13-24 years) should be tested regularly. Regular testing empowers those infected with HIV to learn their status, be linked to life-saving treatment and care and prevent the spread of HIV to others.

In recognition of the 19th annual National HIV Testing Day (June 27), McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) is offering free rapid HIV testing by appointment during the week of June 23rd-June 27th. 

The test consists of a small finger-stick blood sample and results are available in less than 30 minutes.  Individuals are also assessed for risk factors and provided educational material.  The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reports, as of December, 2013, there are 123 people in McHenry County living with HIV, 70 of whom have advanced to AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome).

To schedule an appointment, call MCDH at 815-334-4500.  For more information about this national event, visit http://www.cdc.gov/features/hivtesting/.

Veterinary Assistant Program At MCC

McHenry County College is offering a Veterinary Assistant program this summer/fall. Classes are scheduled for 6-9 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday beginning Aug. 12 through Dec. 18 in Room A207. Veterinary assistants work alongside veterinarians and technicians providing care to sick and injured animals.

Students will complete an additional 30-hour externship outside of the classroom hours. The days and times of clinical hours will vary based on availability and hours of the clinical sites. Veterinary assistants work with veterinarians in private practice, animal shelters, animal control facilities, pet stores, kennels and veterinary drug companies. 

With pet ownership on the rise, veterinary assistants are in demand.  Veterinary assistants have been identified by the U.S. Dept. of Labor as one of the fastest growing professions. Anyone who is seeking a new career or side job may consider this opportunity close to home.

Course fee is $1,899. For more information contact: Ruth Kormanak at (815) 479-7879 or at rkormanak@mchenry.edu. To register, contact (815) 455-8588 and reference Class ID: QVT C01 001.

Environmental Defenders Recycling Drive June 14

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County (EDMC) will again conduct a recycling drive on Saturday, June 14th from 9a.m. until noon, at the Farm Bureau building, 1102 McConnell Road in Woodstock .  The Defenders work to collect and recycle materials not collected in curbside recycling and which would be harmful to the environment if put in a landfill.  It costs them to recycle these unusual items and therefore donations of any size would be appreciated from all who bring materials to the drive.

 

The Defenders’ will take household batteries, car batteries, fluorescent tubes, clean Styrofoam™, VHS & Cassette tapes, CDs, DVDs, packing peanuts and re-usable, unpopped bubble wrap. Electronics, such as computers, televisions, phones, printers, clean microwaves, and electronic toys, are accepted. TVs and computer monitors will be accepted for a donation of $10-$35. (Become a new member of EDMC at the recycling drive, at the Basic or higher level, and get two coupons to recycle a television or monitor for FREE!)

USAgain Clothes Collection System (http://www.usagain.com) will be providing a truck at each EDMC drive to accept any kind of cloth items—clothing, linens, or just plain rags, clean and bagged.  They will also accept shoes, tied together by their laces and placed in the bag. 

There are FREE drop off sites for electronics:  Algonquin Township Road District 3702 US Hwy 14, Crystal Lake, 847-639-2700 X6, Computer Recycling Center in Crystal Lake, 815-455-6300 (call for information) and Lakewood's electronics drop-off site at 6570 Haligus Road, south of Ballard Rd. Also, Styrofoam can be dropped off any time at the Lakewood Village Hall or the Lakewood Public Works building on Haligus Road .

You can donate aluminum cans at all recycling drives, but the Defenders will no longer be paying for them. The donation will help fund our educational and advocacy programs.

Defenders recycling drives are held on the second Saturday of each month, alternating between McHenry in odd-numbered months and Woodstock in even-numbered months.  Area residents may drive up and drop off their recyclables with Defenders’ volunteers, who help to unload and sort the materials.

For more information about the recycling schedule and types of materials accepted, or to access the Green Guide recycling directory which is put out annually by the Lou Marchi Total Recycling Institute at MCC, visit the Defenders’ website at http://www.mcdef.org/recycling_information.htm, or find them on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/EnvironmentalDefenders.

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and improvement of the environment. The group provides the community with educational programs and volunteer action on pollution prevention, sustainable land use and energy and natural resource conservation. Donations are encouraged and are tax-deductible as charitable contributions.  For more information, visit www.mcdef.org or call 815-338-0393.

Cholesterol Screening--Woodstock--June 19

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) will offer a cholesterol screening at its Woodstock office, 2200 N Seminary Avenue, Building A, on Thursday, June 19, from 6:30am-9:30am.  Appointments are required at 815-334-4851.  The cost is $35.  The screening requires a 12-hour fast and includes total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, blood pressure, heart age assessment and cardiovascular education.  A nursing consult is available once results are received.

Why is cholesterol important? High cholesterol has a lot to do with your chances of getting heart disease.  Although it usually has no signs or symptoms, it can be treated. In fact, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes are all major risk factors for heart disease.  Certain lifestyles such as being a smoker, being overweight and lack of exercise can also put people at a higher risk for developing heart disease. Everyone can take steps to lower their risk of heart disease and heart attack by addressing these risk factors. 

By quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight, you can keep blood cholesterols down. For more information on cardiovascular disease and its risk factors, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at http://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/what_you_can_do.htm