Do You Use Social Media Platforms?

“Two-thirds of online adults (66%) use social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace or LinkedIn. These internet users say that connections with family members and friends (both new and old) are a primary consideration in their adoption of social media tools. Roughly two thirds of social media users say that staying in touch with current friends and family members is a major reason they use these sites, while half say that connecting with old friends they’ve lost touch with is a major reason behind their use of these technologies.”

The above is from a Pew report “Why Americans Use Social Media.”

The full report is here

Progress Continues On Rakow Road Construction

The Rakow Road construction project began in Spring 2011 and is now over 40% complete. 

All Rakow Road traffic has been shifted to the new south side lanes.  Pavement removal, earthwork and storm sewer installations for the north side lanes have already begun. 

The contractor plans to continue with work as long as the weather will allow prior to shutting down for the winter.  Next season’s program will be to complete the construction of the north side lanes along with all intersection approaches, permanent traffic signals, roadway lighting and landscaping. 

Upon project completion, the south side lanes now being used will become the eastbound lanes and the north side lanes to be constructed next season will be the westbound lanes.

The Rakow Road project will be completed with all new lanes open to traffic in late Fall 2012, weather permitting.  When complete, there will be six thru lanes between Ackman Road and Pyott Road and four thru lanes between Pyott Road and IL 31. 

 All of the intersections along the project will be channelized to improve traffic safety and flow.  The signalized intersections at Ackman Road, McHenry Avenue, Pyott Road, Pingree Road and IL 31 will include dual left turn lanes while Virginia Road will have single left turn lanes.  All will have new/modernized interconnected traffic signals. 

The project also includes the construction of a pedestrian/bicycle bridge over Rakow Road for the McHenry County Conservation District’s Bike Trail just east of Pyott Road. 

This season, abutments, approaches and piers will be completed.  It is expected that the new bridge structure will be placed over the winter with a new concrete deck being poured in the Spring 2012.

New photos have been posted to the Photos page!  Click here to view!

Volunteer Opportunities For Teens With McHenry County Conservation District

Teenagers looking for volunteer opportunities can find a myriad of activities with McHenry County Conservation District.

An informational meeting will be held Sunday, Dec. 4 from 1-2 p.m. at Prairieview Education Center, 2112 Behan Rd. in Crystal Lake.

Teen volunteers at the Conservation District assist at special events, school field trips, become plant or frog monitors, and help out with seed collection, restoration workdays and more.

The Conservation District offers great opportunities for teenagers 13-19 who are looking to earn some volunteer hours for college applications, National Honor Society or who want to explore the conservation field. Many volunteer opportunities are flexible to your schedule, are one day events or offered seasonally. Come find the activity that fits your needs and interest level.   Note: some volunteer positions may require an adult to participate, so please have an adult attend the informational session with the teen.

Sign up for this free program online @http://bit.ly/uYNlly.

MCC Offers Training For Upgraded Healthcare Coding Systems

McHenry County College (MCC) will offer a two-day boot camp training for medical coders and other healthcare professionals to learn ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS, upgraded healthcare diagnostic and procedural coding systems. The training will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 9 and 10 in Room A113 at the college, located at 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14 in Crystal Lake.

The ICD-10 is mandated by the federal government for use in the healthcare industry beginning on Oct. 1, 2013. This two-day boot camp explains the structure, format and content of ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS.  These new classification systems will replace the current ICD-9-CM and ICD-9-PCS classification systems.

A comprehensive explanation of codes, expansions, revisions and guidelines will be reviewed and students will complete exercises to reinforce concepts.  Anatomy, disease processes and illustrations will be emphasized in relation to coding accuracy.

Cost is $799 and includes the required textbook and code manuals. Students will access and use digital copies of ICD-10 files. Students are allowed to bring in and use their own laptops and/or print versions of the coding system.

To register for the training, call the MCC Registration office at (815) 455-8588 and mention course ID: QHC C12-008. For more information, contact MaryAnn Dimitrov at (847) 915-0360.  

POLITICAL SCENE

Libertarian National Committee Chair Mark Hinkle released the following statement:

"I'm not sure what to laugh at more: the 'super committee,' or the media's reporting of it.

"We've already seen one silly article after another about 'missed opportunities' and 'failure,' and an inability to bridge the huge differences between Republicans and Democrats. What a lot of nonsense.

"At best, the super committee was going to cut total projected federal spending over the next ten years by two percent. What an absurdly low hurdle. It never mattered whether they succeeded or failed.

"Even if 'sequestration' proceeds (which it won't, Congress will override it one way or another), that still only means a difference of about 2%. It just doesn't matter. We need to cut spending by 50% or more.

"The federal government currently spends a bigger portion of America's money than it has at any time in history (except a few years during World War II).

"The whole purpose of this ridiculous exercise was to create the illusion of huge differences between Democrats and Republicans. It was all about hype. Keep everyone fixated on the teeny-tiny areas of pseudo-disagreement, so they don't step back and realize that Democrats and Republicans are the same. Both parties want a huge, huge federal government that does everything under the sun. They both want spending to keep going up. Neither party cares much about what's going to happen to our descendants when the huge burden of government spending is compounded with the huge burden of government debt.

"Unfortunately, Washington is not paralyzed by partisanship. I wish it were. Instead, Republicans and Democrats keep getting together, holding hands, and passing massive spending bills. They just passed another one last week.

"The super committee was just another gimmick. There aren't any gaps, or chasms, or gulfs in Washington. If you want to see politicians who actually challenge the status quo, start electing Libertarians."

For more information, or to arrange an interview, call LP Executive Director Wes Benedict at 202-333-0008 ext. 222.

The LP is America's third-largest political party, founded in 1971. The Libertarian Party stands for free markets, civil liberties, and peace.

Pneumonia Vaccine Available For High Risk Individuals

Individuals aged 19-64 who smoke, have asthma or a chronic illness are considered high risk for pneumonia and its complications.

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) recommends these individuals get the pneumonia vaccine before the holidays; others include those 65 and older who have never had the vaccine.  MCDH has a limited supply and appointments are required at 815-334-4931.  The cost is $60.  Cash, check, credit card, Medicaid and Medicare Part B are accepted.   

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can cause mild to severe illness in people of all ages. Signs of pneumonia can include coughing, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, rapid breathing or shortness of breath, chills, or chest pain. Certain people are more likely to become ill with pneumonia such as adults 65 years of age or older and children less than 5 years of age; also those with underlying medical conditions (like diabetes or HIV/AIDS), smokers or asthmatics.

The vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women and people with Guillain Barre Syndrome.  Adults should consult with a physician prior to receiving the pneumonia vaccine. 

Visit the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention to learn more about pneumococcal disease (http://www.cdc.gov/Features/Pneumonia/).

Words of Wisdom

"It is necessary for every American, with becoming energy to endeavor to stop the dissemination of principles evidently destructive of the cause for which they have bled. It must be the combined virtue of the rulers and of the people to do this, and to rescue and save their civil and religious rights from the outstretched arm of tyranny, which may appear under any mode or form of government."

--Mercy Warren