Greater Chatham Alliance December 2010 Newsletter

8/8/2019 Greater Chatham Alliance December 2010 Newsletter

1/48

CITY, STATE &

COMMUNITY SERVICESHas the Cook County Assessors Office Over ChargedTax Payers in Cook County from 2006 to 2009?

SPECIAL NOTE READ CAREFULLY: The following was sent to us by a neigh-bor so all we can advise is for you to check it out CAREFULLY.

If anyone experiences luck with this, please contact Leslie Honore, GCACorresponding Secretary ( mailto:[email protected] ) so I can getthe word out ASAP that it is legit!

NOTICE GCA RECEIVED: Please be advised that the Cook County Assessor'sOffice has over charged all taxpayers in Cook County from 06' thru 09'. If youhave owned a residence Single Family Home or Condo-minium you may file for aHomeowner Exemption Certificate of Error Application. You will need your PIN(Property Index Number) to apply.

DECEMBER 2010 NEWSLETTER 773.635.6500 [email protected]
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


2/48

-more on this article-

2


3/48

CITY, STATE & COMMUNITY SERVICES contd

Over Charged Tax Payers in Cook County from 2006 to 2009 contd

CLICK ON THE WEBSITE http://www.cookcountyassessor.com/ and go toForms.

Then choose "Exemption Forms" and choose "Certificate of Error-HomeownerExemption". You have to file in person at the Assessor's Office in Room 320 ofthe county Building.

You will need to bring your Drivers License / ID with your address on it and yourVoters Registration Card to proof that you live there. Just to be safe, bring aTelephone and or Utility Bill with your name and address of the residence, justin case (You should not need it!)

They are not advertising this and if you don't know, you just lose out.You canonly file for 06', 07' and 08' right now.

They should tell you what 09' will actually be instead of what your current bill is.Your current bill is wrong! You will get a refund on that one too, if you pay theexisting bill. You will get the check in the mail, in 5 to 6 weeks. (AGAIN GCADONT KNOW IF THIS TRUE!)

Questions About Your Cook County Property Tax Bill

SPECIAL NOTE:This is the only notification we received thatis from the County:You may be wondering why despite lower propertyvalues, your property taxes increased last year. There may be several reasonsfor this including applicable State Legislature votes.

You will definitely want to make sure you are getting all of the exemptions youqualify for. To learn more about the factors affecting rate increases and see a listof exemptions, visit: http://cookcountyassessor.com/

-more-

3

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING!
http://www.cookcountyassessor.com/http://cookcountyassessor.com/http://www.cookcountyassessor.com/http://cookcountyassessor.com/


4/48


Head over to McCormick Place for a fun day of chess, climbing, dancing, skate

boarding, golf, sprinting, football, badminton, gymnastics, volleyball, boxing,basketball, and much more.

Admission and interactive zones at the largest indoor playground are free(parking in Lot A is $10).

There will be special appearances by Chicago sports teams and their mascots.For more information, call 312.744.3316, TTY -312.744.2964 or visit:

http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/special_events/mose/mayor_daley_s_holiday.html

Where: McCormick Place Halls A and B (2301 S. MLK Drive)

When: December 18th and 19th

City of Chicago Winter OvernightParking Ban in Effect!

On Wednesday, December 1, 2010, at 3 a.m. Chicago's Overnight Winter ParkingBan resumes for 107 miles of Chicago's most critical arterial streets.

It will be in effect from 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. every night after that until April 1, 2011,regardless of snow.


4

2010 Mayor Daley's ChicagoSports Fest
http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/special_events/mose/mayor_daley_s_holiday.htmlhttp://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/special_events/mose/mayor_daley_s_holiday.htmlhttp://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/special_events/mose/mayor_daley_s_holiday.htmlhttp://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/special_events/mose/mayor_daley_s_holiday.html


5/48


Winter Overnight Parking Ban in Effect contd!

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW for information on all streets and scroll to thebottom of the site to get PDFs to download for street review and rules. Youdont want to get the monster ticket for this parking blunder:

http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/streets/provdrs/street/news/2010/nov/dec_1st_marks_returnofwinterpmparkingban.html

Chicago Community Policing

Meeting Frequency Cut (CAPS)

The frequency of beat community meetingsa staple of Chicagos communitypolicing program since it was launched in 1993 to improve communicationbetween police and residentswill be cut in many areas of the city from everymonth to every other month starting the first of the year, Ron Holt, the directorof the CAPS program, told the Chicago News Cooperative.

Holt said most of the citys police districts simply dont have enough officersavailable to hold monthly meetings in each of their beats. The scheduling willvary by district depending on available staffing, he said. Holt said he was in ameeting and would provide more information later but did not respond to follow-up calls.


5
http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/streets/provdrs/street/news/2010/nov/dec_1st_marks_returnofwinterpmparkingban.htmlhttp://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/streets/provdrs/street/news/2010/nov/dec_1st_marks_returnofwinterpmparkingban.htmlhttp://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/streets/provdrs/street/news/2010/nov/dec_1st_marks_returnofwinterpmparkingban.htmlhttp://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/streets/provdrs/street/news/2010/nov/dec_1st_marks_returnofwinterpmparkingban.html


6/48


Chicago Community Policing Meeting Frequency Cut (CAPS) contd

City budget constraints have limited police hiring in recent years, leading to a

major reduction in the number of officers and a fierce political debate about howthey should be deployed. To help cope with the drop, Holt and Mayor Richard M.Daley announced in September that most of the roughly 300 officers assigned tothe CAPS program would be redeployed to street duty. They promised that theCAPS program would remain intact and civilians would replace the officers.

25 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in AmericaBy Adam ZielinskiCHICAGO (WLS) - Being first doesn't always mean being the best. The

Chicago neighborhood of United Center Park is the most dangerousneighborhood in America, according to a report on Walletpop.com.

The near West side neighborhood topped the 2010 list of 25 Most DangerousNeighborhoods in the United States, bumping last year's No. 1 neighborhood inCleveland to second.

According to data generated by NeighborhoodScout.com, a person walkingdown Lake Street between Damen and Western has a 1 in 4 chance of being avictim of a crime.

This year, Chicago took the not-so coveted top spot from Cincinnati for the mostdangerous neighborhood, while Atlanta has the highest number of neighbor-hoods making the list (four).

The results are based on metrics retrieved from local law enforcement agenciesby the FBI.

Top three:

1. Chicago, Ill.Neighborhood: W. Lake St.My chances of becoming a victim here (in one year): 1 in 4

-more on this article-CITY, STATE & COMMUNITY SERVICES contd

6


7/48

25 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in America contd

2. Cleveland, OhioNeighborhood: Scovill Ave.My chances of becoming a victim here (in one year): 1 in 6

3. Las Vegas, Nev.Neighborhood: Balzar Ave.My chances of becoming a victim here (in one year): 1 in 7

CLICK THE LINK FOR THE FULL ARTICLE from WalletPop:http://srph.it/bSK64Z

MeterSaveMeterSave is a new program offered by the City of Chicago Department of WaterManagement (DWM) to non-metered Chicago homeowners to voluntarily installmeters to help them save water and save money. Homeowners participating inMeterSave will receive a 7-year guarantee that the home water bill will be nohigher than it would have been if the meter had not been installed.

Upon installation of the meter, and while supplies last, homeowners will beeligible for a rain barrel, an outdoor and an indoor conservation kit, and a watermeter monitor.

Homeowners must have a zero balance or be on a payment plan. Service ordersto install the meter will not be generated until the homeowner registers.

For more information, visit https://www.metersave.org/

SPECIAL NOTE: Read the recent September 30th Sun-Times article on the Cityand your water bill.

CLICK LINK BELOW: Smaller homes but bigger waterbills

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/2761388,water-meters-comparisons-100110.article

-more-

7
http://srph.it/bSK64Zhttps://www.metersave.org/http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/2761388,water-meters-comparisons-100110.articlehttp://srph.it/bSK64Zhttps://www.metersave.org/http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/2761388,water-meters-comparisons-100110.article


8/48

COMMUNITY EVENTS & MISC.

Chatham Food Market is partnering with theSalvation Army's Angel Tree Program.

The Angel Tree program provides gifts and toys to over 41,000 needy childreneach year. As many of you know, Chatham Food Market at 327 East 79th hasalways been a good community friend and neighborhood to the Greater Chatham

Alliance.

GCA especially thanks them for supporting our November end-of-the year pot-luck luncheon. And you can imagine how lucky the winners of the Chatham FoodTurkey raffle felt

We ask that you please support Chatham Food Market this Christmas. Simplypick up an Angel Tree tag at the store. The tag tells you what the child andteenager would like for Christmas. Then you purchase two or three gift itemsand return it to Chatham Food Market by Dec 21, 2010.

Chatham Food Market is open every day 7 am- 12 midnight. For moreinformation, call 773.783. 2880. Happy Holidays from Chatham Food.

-more-

COMMUNITY EVENTS & MISC. contd

8


9/48

ComEd Energy Saving and Weatherization Tips

As cold weather approaches, ComEd offers customers cost-effective ways tomake their homes more energy-efficient for winter weather while better manag-ing energy bills year-round.

Have home heating systems cleaned and inspected by a professionaleach year to ensure safety and optimum efficiency. Be sure to change the filter

prior to the heating season, and check its condition monthly.

Inspect the caulking and weather-stripping around all windows, doorsand any openings for utility services. Replace caulking and weather-strippingas necessary. A drafty house lets warm air escape and is much more costly tokeep warm.

Remove window air conditioners if possible, or install an air conditionercover to eliminate drafts.

Keep fireplace dampers closed tightly when not in use. Reverse the rotation of ceiling fan blades. During the winter, blades

should spin so the warm air that has risen can be re-distributed around theroom.

Switch to more energy-efficient lighting, such as CFLs (compactfluorescent light bulbs), which use about 75 percent less energy than standardincandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer.

"Energy conservation doesn't have to be expensive or complicated," said Anne

Pramaggiore, ComEd president and COO. "ComEd offers simple, low-cost stepsthat will produce annual savings for customers."


9


10/48


ComEd Energy Saving & Weatherization Tips contd

For additional energy saving tips and information on any of these programs,customers may visit:

https://www.comed.com/pages/promo_smartideas.aspx

Or call ComEd Smart Ideas at 1.888.806.2273

FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON: ComEd also suggests customers replacetraditional holiday lights with LED versions that consume up to 70 percent lessenergy.

LED lights last up to 10 times longer are safer since they produce less heat andremain cool to the touch.

ComEd is offering an instant $2 rebate on each set of LED holiday lightspurchased through ComEd's Online Energy Store now through Dec. 31. Thisrebate is in addition to the usual 20 percent discount on energy efficientproducts available through the Online Energy Store, CLICK BELOW:https://www.comed.com/Pages/home.aspx

QuickTime and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompress

are needed to see this picture.

All ComEd customers seeking energy assistance payments for the winterseason may begin applying for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program(LIHEAP) funds. The application period for all customers began Nov. 1 and willcontinue through Apr. 30, or until funds are exhausted.

LIHEAP funds come in the form of a one-time credit on customers' energy bills.Households with incomes up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level areeligible for LIHEAP support.


10

Unemployed, or on Disability?Then check out ComEdsEnergy assistance Program.
https://www.comed.com/pages/promo_smartideas.aspxhttps://www.comed.com/Pages/home.aspxhttps://www.comed.com/pages/promo_smartideas.aspxhttps://www.comed.com/Pages/home.aspx


11/48


ComEd customers seeking energy assistance payments contd

For instance, a family of four with a monthly gross income of $2,756 or lessqualifies for LIHEAP assistance.

To apply for LIHEAP, contact one of the local administering agencies acrossComEd's service territory.

In Chicago and suburban Cook County, the number to call is 312.456.4100 toget more information.

Customers can also find the nearest local administering agency by visiting:

http://www.ildceo.net/dceo/Bureaus/Energy+Assistance/Illinois+LIHEAP/

Urban Weatherization InitiativeYou are invited to an important meeting to hear updates on the State's UrbanWeatherization Initiative.

If you are a licensed contractor, a construction-training provider, or a communityorganization you should make time to attend this meeting.

To learn more about the initiative, visit:http://www.commerce.state.il.us/dceo/Bureaus/Community_Development/Urban+Assistance/Urban+Weatherization+Initiative.htm

When: December 14th at 1pm

Where: Dawson Tech (3901 S. State St.)

-more-

11
http://www.ildceo.net/dceo/Bureaus/Energy+Assistance/Illinois+LIHEAP/http://www.commerce.state.il.us/dceo/Bureaus/Community_Development/Urban+Assistance/Urban+Weatherization+Initiative.htmhttp://www.commerce.state.il.us/dceo/Bureaus/Community_Development/Urban+Assistance/Urban+Weatherization+Initiative.htmhttp://www.ildceo.net/dceo/Bureaus/Energy+Assistance/Illinois+LIHEAP/http://www.commerce.state.il.us/dceo/Bureaus/Community_Development/Urban+Assistance/Urban+Weatherization+Initiative.htmhttp://www.commerce.state.il.us/dceo/Bureaus/Community_Development/Urban+Assistance/Urban+Weatherization+Initiative.htm


12/48


Greater Harvest MissionaryBaptist Church Christmas Baskets

Greater Harvest Missionary Baptist Church will be providing Christmas food baskets. To be arecipient, send in a postcard (or letter) with your name, address, and phone number. Someonefrom the church will get in touch with you to give you more details.

Supplies are limited, so you are encouraged to get these cards in before December 19th.

For more information, call the church office at 773.924.7766.

Christmas at the ShipFellowship Missionary Baptist Church is hosting Christmas at the Ship, which is their annual

holiday event. Food baskets with turkeys and other holiday foods along with toys will beavailable to those in need.

For more information, call the church office at 773.924.3232

Where: Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church (4543 S. Princeton)

When: December 18th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

-more-

12

Share Faith.

May God BlessEveryone this

Holiday Season!

Blessed are the pure in heart, for

they shall see The Kingdom of God.

Tell friends and neighbors in distress!


13/48


2010 has proven to be a lot harder on folks then the economists originallypredicted. If you can, go on-line and support the following legit charities thisChristmas. They truly need your help:

Toys for Tots: http://chicagolandtft.org/mainevent.htm

The Salvation Army: http://www.salarmychicago.org/

Greater Chicago Food Depository:http://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/site/PageServer

Food For the Poor: http://foodforthepoor.org/

Or your local church!

Cell Phone Numbers Go Public this Month!

REMINDER..... all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketingcompanies and you will start to receive sales calls. YOU WILL BE CHARGEDFOR THESE CALLS!

To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 888.382.1222its the National DO NOT CALL list. It blocks your cell phone number for five (5)years. You must call from the cell phone number you want to have it blocked.

-more-

13

Support the Needyon-line this year!

Lets share ourblessings.
http://chicagolandtft.org/mainevent.htmhttp://www.salarmychicago.org/http://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/site/PageServerhttp://foodforthepoor.org/http://chicagolandtft.org/mainevent.htmhttp://www.salarmychicago.org/http://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/site/PageServerhttp://foodforthepoor.org/


14/48

BUSINESS

Please consider making an on-line donation to

Penalty-Proof Your Tax Returnby Mary Beth Franklin, Senior Editor, Kiplinger's Personal FinanceFriday, December 3, 2010

QuickTime and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor


Adjust your tax withholding now to boost your take-home pay or to avoid under-payment penalties when you file your 2010 tax return.

When you file your tax return each year, the amount of tax withheld from your pay-check or submitted through estimated quarterly tax payments ideally should matchthe amount of tax you owe. In reality, that seldom happens.

Most Americans are addicted to tax refunds, as evidenced by the fact that the averageincome-tax refund rose again this year to a record of nearly $2,900. In essence, morethan 75% of U.S. taxpayers gave Uncle Sam an interest-free loan. Many of the remain-

ing taxpayers ended up owing money, and some had to fork over an extra 10% penaltyfor having too little tax withheld throughout the year.

CLICK HERE FOR THIS INFO: [See 5 Tax Moves You Should Make This Fall]


14
http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=Ap.0bT5UueQkyiehSweF7CEhPsR_;_ylu=X3oDMTE2cWZuanUyBHBvcwM1BHNlYwNhcnRpY2xlTWFpbgRzbGsDc2VlNXRheG1vdmVz/SIG=10qke6kt8/**http%3A//yhoo.it/c82PzXhttp://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=Ap.0bT5UueQkyiehSweF7CEhPsR_;_ylu=X3oDMTE2cWZuanUyBHBvcwM1BHNlYwNhcnRpY2xlTWFpbgRzbGsDc2VlNXRheG1vdmVz/SIG=10qke6kt8/**http%3A//yhoo.it/c82PzX


15/48

BUSINESS contd

Penalty-Proof Your Tax Return contd

Both situations are easy to remedy, but you have to act before the end of the year. Just

file a revised Form W-4 with your employer. The more "allowances" you claim on theW-4, the less tax will be withheld; the fewer you claim, the more tax will be withheld.You can also ask your employer to withhold a flat amount from your paycheck.

TO READ MORE ON THIS ARTICLE, CLICK THE LINK BELOW:

http://finance.yahoo.com/taxes/article/111437/penalty-proof-your-tax-return?mod=taxes-advice_strategy

Year-End Car Buying Traps To AvoidClearance sales can be great --if you know how to protect yourself.By Hannah Elliott



Things are looking up for Detroit. According to early reports, Chrysler, Ford and GM saw

double-digit sales growth last month, and expect more of the same in December.

One thing that might help them end 2010 on a strong note: year-end sales events, the annualclearance period when carmakers slash prices to get old models out of their showrooms.

Big deals are good news for consumers. But before you run out to snag a new ride, take sometime to learn what you may face when you hit the showroom. You should know how to handlean ambush from over-eager salesmen or loan officers, and have the confidence to walk out ifunduly pressured to seal the deal.

"People come up with sensational hooks to try and get you to the dealerships, and once theylure you in, the goal is to sell you something and generate as much profit for the dealershipas they can," says Bill Gerhard, AAA's director of financial services. "If you follow some basic

rules, you can protect yourself against getting taken advantage of."

To determine which car-sales tactics can be the most harmful, we culled advice from theexperts at Better Business Bureau, J.D. Power and Associates, and AAA to come up withthe best strategy to avoid getting ripped off. One important note: These scams aren't hugeconspiracies that trick prospective drivers out of thousands of dollars. Instead, they're smallcorners cut, intimidation applied or minor untruths told that add up to one toxic car-buyingexperience.

-more on this article-BUSINESS contd

15
http://finance.yahoo.com/taxes/article/111437/penalty-proof-your-tax-return?mod=taxes-advice_strategyhttp://autos.yahoo.com/chrysler/http://autos.yahoo.com/ford/http://finance.yahoo.com/taxes/article/111437/penalty-proof-your-tax-return?mod=taxes-advice_strategyhttp://autos.yahoo.com/chrysler/http://autos.yahoo.com/ford/


16/48

Year-End Car Buying Traps To Avoid contd

Hidden fees, for instance, could mean a difference of a couple hundred bucks, at most. Buta couple hundred dollars is a lot for many consumers. The scam is easy to avoid: Just read

carefully over any invoice or contract before you sign it (alarms, extra cleaning, "prepping,"rust-proofing, fabric protection and paint sealant are all common but unnecessary add-onsthat sometimes appear on the invoice unknown to the buyer). And consider doing the VIN(Vehicle Information Number) etching yourself. Dealers charge hundreds of dollars to do it,but a home-etching kit costs as little as $20.

The same attention to detail goes for less-than-honest negotiation tactics. "Finance man-agers" will often start the process by talking about monthly payments rather than the totalcost of a vehicle. But by stretching the payments over a long period of time, long-term loanscoax people into buying cars they can't afford--and the car will have almost fully depreciatedby the time it's paid for. Instead, choose the shortest-term car loan available.

TO CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE, CLICK BELOW:http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/1622/year-end-car-buying-traps-to-avoid/

The Best Christmas Shopping DealsBy Tom Van Riper, Forbes.com

Jeans, toys and PCs lead a slew of productsretailers are slashing prices on.



No, not really. Employment rates arent dropping they way they were, but theyre not climbingeither. Shoppers are still cautious. And so, say industry experts, 2010 is shaping up asanother big discounting year at the major retail chains. To get shoppers in and merchandiseout, theres no other way. Price cuts are already underway, a barely interrupted extension ofback-to-school season. Among those items showing the biggest markdowns through the fall:denim clothing, toys and winter wear like sweaters and flannel shirts.


16

Yes, the economy is a bit better. Compared to a

year ago, the market is up and employment is

holding steady. So is this what the Christmas

retailers have been waiting for?
http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/1622/year-end-car-buying-traps-to-avoid/http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/http://shopping.yahoo.com/clothing/denim--shop/http://shopping.yahoo.com/browse/toys-baby/http://shopping.yahoo.com/clothing/sweater--shop/http://shopping.yahoo.com/clothing/flannel-shirt--shop/http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/1622/year-end-car-buying-traps-to-avoid/http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/http://shopping.yahoo.com/clothing/denim--shop/http://shopping.yahoo.com/browse/toys-baby/http://shopping.yahoo.com/clothing/sweater--shop/http://shopping.yahoo.com/clothing/flannel-shirt--shop/


17/48

BUSINESS contd

The Best Christmas Shopping Deals contd

CLICK BELOW TO SEE BEST SALE ITEMS:

Slide Show: The Best Christmas Shopping Deals

TO CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE, CLICK BELOW:http://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingarticles/458/the-best-christmas-shopping-deals/

The sneakiest new shopping scamsEasy ways to avoid the biggest rip-offs online and instores

TIFF (Uncompressed) decompres


Just as important as knowing how to sniff out great buys is understanding what it takes toavoid rip-offs. And with Internet fraud on the rise, it's getting tougher to outsmart the cri-minals. Complaints to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, a joint operation of the FBI and

the National White Collar Crime Center, jumped 22 percent last year. The complaints includeplenty of run-of-the-mill scams, like sellers who steal credit-card numbers or take the moneyand run. But those are child's play compared with what else is brewing.

Think you're too savvy to get taken? OK, maybe you don't fall for those e-mails from Nigerianroyalty asking you to wire money, but digital criminals are getting sneakier every year. Onescam that can trip up even the most cautious consumers involves "skimmers" attached toATMs. Those devices record account numbers and passwords so that thieves can clean outyour bank account.

"These guys are constantly thinking of new ways to swindle you, some of which are quite

sophisticated," says Brian Krebs, a computer security expert and author of "Krebs onSecurity" at Krebsonsecurity.com.


17

By the editors of Shop Smart Magazine
http://www.forbes.com/2010/11/04/best-shopping-christmas-business-best-shopping-christmas_slide.html?partner=yahooshoppinghttp://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingarticles/458/the-best-christmas-shopping-deals/http://krebsonsecurity.com/http://www.forbes.com/2010/11/04/best-shopping-christmas-business-best-shopping-christmas_slide.html?partner=yahooshoppinghttp://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingarticles/458/the-best-christmas-shopping-deals/http://krebsonsecurity.com/


18/48

BUSINESS contd

The sneakiest new shopping scams contd

Think you're safer shopping at the mall?Official purse-snatching statistics show there's been a downward trend, but many of thosecrimes aren't reported to law enforcement officials. And pickpocket activity always jumpsaround holiday time, says Bob Arno, co-author of "Travel Advisory! How to Avoid Thefts, Consand Street Scams While Traveling" (Bonus Books, 2003). But you can outsmart even thecraftiest swindlers if you know what's in their bag of nasty tricks. Here's a guide to the latest,sneakiest scams, and simple tips that can help you protect yourself



http://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingarticles/448/the-sneakiest-new-shopping-scams/

A breakdown of airline fees

Airline fees: What you'll pay tocheck a bag, change your

ticket, & more!

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2010-09-26-airline-fees-breakdown_N.htm?csp

18

FOR THE REST OF THIS STORY CLICK LINBELOW. THIS IS A MUST READ!

FOR THE REST OF THIS STORY CLICK LINK BELOW. THIS IS AMUST READ!

IF YOU TRAVEL, BE SURE TO PRINT OUT & KEEP!
http://shopping.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AqiI059QjgxYquOtcpF1dDIEgFoB?p=Travel+Advisory!+How+to+Avoid+Thefts%2C+Cons+and+Street+Scams+While+Traveling&did=0http://shopping.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AqiI059QjgxYquOtcpF1dDIEgFoB?p=Travel+Advisory!+How+to+Avoid+Thefts%2C+Cons+and+Street+Scams+While+Traveling&did=0http://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingarticles/448/the-sneakiest-new-shopping-scams/http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2010-09-26-airline-fees-breakdown_N.htm?csphttp://shopping.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AqiI059QjgxYquOtcpF1dDIEgFoB?p=Travel+Advisory!+How+to+Avoid+Thefts%2C+Cons+and+Street+Scams+While+Traveling&did=0http://shopping.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AqiI059QjgxYquOtcpF1dDIEgFoB?p=Travel+Advisory!+How+to+Avoid+Thefts%2C+Cons+and+Street+Scams+While+Traveling&did=0http://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingarticles/448/the-sneakiest-new-shopping-scams/http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2010-09-26-airline-fees-breakdown_N.htm?csp


19/48

-more-

19


20/48

FOR SENIORS

STROKE: Remember the 1st Three Letters

S. T. R.STROKE IDENTIFICATION:

During a BBQ, a woman stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyonethat she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) ....she said she had justtripped over a brick because of her new shoes.

They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a

bit shaken up, Jane went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening.

Jane's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to thehospital - (at 6:00 pm Jane passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ.Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Jane would bewith us today. Some don't die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless conditioninstead. It only takes a minute to read this.

-more on this article-FOR SENIORS

20


21/48

STROKE IDENTIFICATION contd

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he cantotally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting astroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared forwithin 3 hours, which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

Thank God for the sense to remember the '3' steps, STR. Read and Learn!

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lackof awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damagewhen people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simplequestions:

S *Ask the individual to SMILE.

T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)

(i.e. It is sunny out today.)

R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergencynumber immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue

NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue.If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other that is also anindication of a stroke.

.-more-

21


22/48

SPOTTY SERVICE BREAST CANCER

Only a third of Chicago area hospitals

catch breast cancer earlyArea racial gap in disease's mortality is growingOctober 21, 2010BYMONIFA THOMAS Staff Reporter [email protected]

Only about one-third of Chicago hospitals are able to show that they find breast cancer whenit's small or provide treatment within 30 days of diagnosis -- two factors that can improve awoman's chances of survival.

Those are among the Metropolitan Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force's findings in its firstsnapshot of how well Chicago area hospitals screen for and treat breast cancer.

New figures from the Sinai Urban Health Institute also provide further evidence that Chicago'sracial gap in breast cancer mortality has grown steadily over the last two decades, outpacingsimilar disparities between black and white women in New York City and the nation as awhole.

Timely treatment and finding small cancers were two of six quality benchmarks included inthe task force's report, which relied on data reported by 40 hospitals involved in the ChicagoBreast Cancer Quality Consortium.

Areas in which Chicago hospitals fared better were following up on suspicious mammograms

and testing tumors for signs of invasive breast cancer, the task force reported Wednesday.But the report doesn't tell the whole story, since the task force wasn't able to tell whether ahospital was falling short in the care it was providing or the records it was keeping, task forceexecutive director Anne Marie Murphy said.

"A hospital may give you a number that would show a low number of small cancers beingdetected. But it could be that's all that they had documented," Murphy said.

Even if hospitals are providing quality care but not documenting it, that's still a problem, sincefacilities won't know where they need to improve until they start tracking the numbers, Murphysaid.

Also included in the report were the latest figures from the Sinai Urban Health Institute, whoselast report in 2008 showed that black women in Chicago were more than twice as likely aswhite women to die of breast cancer. This time, the institute averaged the difference inmortality rates for black and white women during three-year intervals from 1981 to 2007.

Between 2005 and 2007, the most recent period for which data are available, black women inChicago were 62 percent more likely to die of breast cancer than white women, compared witha 27 percent difference in New York City during the same period.


22


23/48

FOR SENIORS contd

Only a third of Chicago area hospitals catch breast cancer earlycontd

The figures also show that the gap between black and white women in Chicago has been

growing steadily since 1987, when the death rate for black women was only 2 percent higher.

Today, the task force is holding a rally to call for an additional $31 million in funding for theIllinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, which provides free cancer screening and low-cost treatment to uninsured women. The additional funding would allow the program toprovide screening to one in five women who qualify for it, instead of the one in eight theprogram currently can accommodate, Murphy said.

ANOTHER MUST READ ARTICLE, CLICK BELOW:

http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/health/2822398,CST-NWS-breast21.article

CONTINUE TO SCROLL DOWNFOR MORE INFO ON:

ADULTS

FOR YOUNG ADULTS & TEENS

FOR CHILDREN

-more-

23
http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/health/2822398,CST-NWS-breast21.articlehttp://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/health/2822398,CST-NWS-breast21.article


24/48

FOR ADULTS

FDA Panel Recommends Lap Band

Expansion for Weight LossLap Band Manufacturer Allergan Requests Expansion to Those Less Obese

By LARA SALAHI, Dec. 2, 2010



A U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory committee voted 8-2Friday in favor of expanding use of the popular Lap Band weight-loss device for use on those who are less obese, potentiallyexpanding the eligibility for surgery from 13 million Americans tonearly 32 million.


24

A MUST READ IF YOU AREOVERWEIGHT & HAVE DIABETES


25/48

FOR ADULTS contd

Lap Band Expansion for Weight Loss contd

The decision comes in response to a request by Lap Band manufacturer Allergan to lower therecommended body mass index needed to qualify for the procedure.

And, like a majority of the FDA panel members, many experts also believe that the time hascome to expand eligibility for the weight-loss procedure.

In Lap Band surgery, an inflatable ring is placed over part of the stomach to reduce theamount of food consumed. The procedure had already approved for people categorized asmorbidly obese, or adults with a body mass index, or BMI, of at least 40, and those with BMI-of 35 who have at least one obesity-related health problem.

The panel now recommends the BMI lower limit drop to 35 for those with no related healthproblems and 30 for those with weight-related medical problems. Patients categorized asobese but who weigh 34 pounds less than the original indication would qualify.

"I do not believe that when we have an effective procedure people should be denied thischoice because of the word 'obesity,'" said Dr. Mitchell Roslin, chief of obesity surgery atLenox Hill Hospital in New York, who said even those who are not categorized as obese ormorbidly obese may still benefit from the surgery.

TO CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE & SEE THE VIDEO, CLICK BELOW:

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/WellnessNews/fda-panel-lap-band-expansion/story?id=12308753

JOB FAIRS

Tuesday, December 14 at 1 PMhttp://www.unitedcareerfairs.com/eventDetail.php?Chicago-West-Sales-Career-Fair-149

Chicago West Sales Career FairDoubletree Hotel Chicago Oak Brook at 1909 Spring Rd. in Oak Brook

Tuesday, January 25, 2011 from 11 AM to 2 PMChicago West Job FairMarriott Chicago - Oak Brook1401 West 22nd Street in Oak Brook

-more-

FOR ADULTS contd

25
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/WellnessNews/fda-panel-lap-band-expansion/story?id=12308753http://www.unitedcareerfairs.com/eventDetail.php?Chicago-West-Sales-Career-Fair-149http://abcnews.go.com/Health/WellnessNews/fda-panel-lap-band-expansion/story?id=12308753http://www.unitedcareerfairs.com/eventDetail.php?Chicago-West-Sales-Career-Fair-149


26/48

Check in to State Representative

La Shawn K. Ford's WorkforceDevelopment forJOB LEADS each week!

Click here http://www.lashawnford.com every week.

TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor


10 Well-Paid Federal-Government JobsBoomer retirement wave means many high-payingopenings.by Carol Tice, PayScale.com (turquoise words are web links)

Accomplished professionals often don't consider the federal governmentas a prospective employer. But they should--half of federal hires in the

past several months have been at starting salaries over $100,000, saysSeattle career coach Robin Ryan. And by some estimates, thegovernment needs to hire more than 270,000 people by late 2012 just tokeep "mission-critical" functions up and going.

With masses of civil-servant baby boomers headed toward retirement,and with the creation of new federal agencies and programs respondingto national-security and economic-downturn issues, our federalgovernment is eager to find qualified hires.

Here's a look at some of the well-paid jobs for which the federal

government has thousands of openings.

Salary figures for these jobs are provided by online salary databaseCLICK:PayScale.com. Projected hiring figures are from CLICK: Wherethe Jobs Are, a nonprofit, nonpartisan website that promotesgovernment-service jobs.

Program manager ($75,497) Government agencies assign projects viacontracts--and then people have to manage those contracts to makesure they stay on budget. The Department of Homeland Security--one of

26
http://www.lashawnford.com/http://www.payscale.com/http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/jobs-c-Government_Militaryhttp://www.payscale.com/http://data.wherethejobsare.org/wtja/homehttp://data.wherethejobsare.org/wtja/homehttp://www.lashawnford.com/http://www.payscale.com/http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/jobs-c-Government_Militaryhttp://www.payscale.com/http://data.wherethejobsare.org/wtja/homehttp://data.wherethejobsare.org/wtja/home


27/48

the agencies hiring the most right now--needs 1,850 program managers.


FOR ADULTS contd

10 Well-Paid Federal-Government Jobs contd

Once you're in as a program manager, you can easily go from project toproject within various government agencies for the rest of your career,says Heather Krasna, the author of "Jobs That Matter: Find a Stable,Fulfilling Career in Public Service."

Logistics manager ($62,782)The Departments of the Army and Navyneed about 2,000 of these experts to help them move goods andpersonnel efficiently and cost-effectively, both at home and overseas.Prior military experience is a strong plus here, says Janet Ruck, acoauthor of "Guide to America's Federal Jobs."

Attorney ($80,009)The Department of Justice alone needs 2,700attorneys, out of more than 5,500 projected attorney hires across allagencies. Qualified attorneys can pick their area of interest--forexample, transportation, treasury, environment, or communications.

Paralegal ($45,761)The Department of Justice also has a big need forparalegals and anticipates hiring 870 by 2012. Also known as legalassistants, paralegals help lawyers prepare cases and may draft

contracts, take depositions, or write briefs. Many get started with acertificate program or by earning a two-year college degree.Intelligence analyst ($60,158)In a world of homegrown terrorists andthreats that seem to come from nowhere, intelligence analysts are indemand. Analysts research and study data to come up with policyrecommendations, says Ruck.

Physician ($112,464)The Department of Veterans Affairs alone needs astaggering 8,500 more doctors, as it gears up to meet the needs ofreturning military members.

Pharmacist ($103,839)The Department of Veterans Affairs is seekingmore than 2,300 pharmacists to dispense medications for returningveterans. Pharmacists must earn a specialized Pharm.D. four-yeardegree from an accredited college or school of pharmacy, the U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics reports.

Auditor ($104,762)The current administration's focus on accountabilityand trans-parency means programs must be closely monitored to makesure funds are properly spent--and that means auditors are in demand.

27


28/48

The Department of Defense alone wants 1,700 more.

Information technology manager ($72,980)Nearly every federal agencywants more tech help--in all, more than 11,000 IT managers andspecialists are being sought. Homeland Security, the Treasury, and the

Army and Navy all have big needs.


28


29/48

FOR ADULTS contd

10 Well-Paid Federal-Government Jobs contd

Civil engineer ($63,059) or Electrical engineer ($69,187)More than

10,000 engineers are being sought by federal agencies, including NASAand the military. Electrical engineers are needed to design equipmentincluding machine controls, electric motors, and transmission devices forthe electric grid, while civil engineers are in demand to design andsupervise projects as America rebuilds crumbling infrastructure such asroads, tunnels, and bridges.

Learn more about federal job opportunities by CLICKING BELOW ON:

the United States Office of Personnel Management website.

Top 10 Vacation Destinations for2011Our experts share their 'must-visit' spots for the coming year

By Frommer's Editors



To tell you about your choices, we turned to our experts in the field: authors and

editors who live in the destinations or who travel there on the regular. We thinkthe best people to share about a city or a region are those who can't stay awayfrom them for too long.

TO CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE, CLICK BELOW:http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-36899212

-more-

29

Each year, Frommer's editors, authors, and experts fromaround the world sit down to talk about the best cities,islands, beaches, and other vacation destinations for thecoming year. We aim for a list that steers clear of too-hotspots or places that are so under the radar you'll findyourself lost.
http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-36899212http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-36899212


30/48

FOR ADULTS contd

7 Foods that Speed Weight LossQuickTime and a

TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressorare needed to see this picture.

By Lucy Danziger, the Editor-in-Chief of SELF magazineNov 24, 2010

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL BLUE WORDS ARE WEB LINKS.

LeftoverHalloween candy, Thanksgiving dinner, holiday sweetswith so much delicious foodfloating around this time of year, who wants to think about dieting? Not me! Trouble is, this isexactly the time of year we undo all that hard work we did to get fit last spring and summer:Americans gain (on average) a pound during the holidays each year, according to the NationalInstitutes of Healthwhich may not seem like a lot, except we also tend to hang on to thoseyearly pounds, and they can add up (10 pounds in a decade!). Here's the good news: Enjoyingmore of certain foods and drinks can actually helpspeed weight lossby boosting metabolism!

And we're not just talking about celery and carrots (although those are good). Cheese, at leastin small doses, could help fend off holiday heavinessnot to mention make your taste budsveryhappy. Try adding a few of these satisfyingfat-burning snacksand sips to your dailyintake andenjoy season's eatingswithout the stubborn pounds!

Weight loss food: cheese

Women who ate an ounce of full-fat cheese (picture a wedge about the size of your thumb)daily gained fewer pounds over time than their less-cheesy peers, a study in The AmericanJournal of Clinical Nutrition shows. Whole dairy contains conjugated linoleic acid, which maystoke yourmetabolism. One low-cal wonder: full-fat ricotta. It weighs in at a scant 49 calories

and 4 g fat (2 g saturated) per ounce and has the lowest amount of sodium of any cheese outthere. For a decadent-tasting dish, toss ricotta with pasta and fresh herbs or stir it into jarredtomato sauce for a flavor upgrade.

Theseimmune system boosterswill keep your body in peak condition while burning off thepounds.

Weight loss food: almonds

These are my favorite go-to snackI carry almonds with me almost everywhere I go (car,purse) in case of a hunger emergency. I rely on them so much to tide me over between meals,

so it's a good thing they have built-in fat-burning power:

Dieters who ate 3 ounces of these nuts every daythat's about 12 almondsreduced theirweight and body-mass index by a solid 18 percent compared with an 11 percent drop in theno-nut group, a study in the International Journal of Obesityfinds. You eat less bread at thelunch table when you're not famished, and almonds are high in alpha-linolenic acid, which canactually speed the metabolism offats. Check out these delicious andhealthy lunch ideas forkids.


30
http://www.self.com/fooddiet/2010/10/avoid-halloween-weight-gain-slideshow?mbid=synd_yahoohlthhttp://www.self.com/goal?mbid=synd_yahoohlthhttp://www.self.com/fooddiet/2009/10/fat-fighting-foods-slideshow?mbid=synd_yahoohlthhttp://www.self.com/fooddiet/2009/12/stay-slim-party-recipes-slideshow?mbid=synd_yahoohlthhttp://www.self.com/calculatorsprograms/calculators?mbid=synd_yahoohlthhttp://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/immune-system-boostershttp://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/healthy-lunch-ideas-for-kidshttp://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/healthy-lunch-ideas-for-kidshttp://www.self.com/fooddiet/2010/10/avoid-halloween-weight-gain-slideshow?mbid=synd_yahoohlthhttp://www.self.com/goal?mbid=synd_yahoohlthhttp://www.self.com/fooddiet/2009/10/fat-fighting-foods-slideshow?mbid=synd_yahoohlthhttp://www.self.com/fooddiet/2009/12/stay-slim-party-recipes-slideshow?mbid=synd_yahoohlthhttp://www.self.com/calculatorsprograms/calculators?mbid=synd_yahoohlthhttp://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/immune-system-boostershttp://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/healthy-lunch-ideas-for-kidshttp://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/healthy-lunch-ideas-for-kids


31/48

FOR ADULTS contd

7 Foods that Speed Weight Loss contd

Weight loss food: coffee

The caffeinein 1 cup of joe temporarily revs metabolism by up to 15 percent, torching an extra15 to 25 calories on average, says Paul Arciero, Ph.D., associate professor of exercise scienceat Skidmore College. Researchers don't know whether drinking more delivers a bigger boon(for those of us who drink plenty all day, there may be even more reasons to love our java!),but for the most benefit, order yours black; sugar and milk reverse the fat-scorching effects.

Weight loss food: peppers

A compound in chile peppers called capsaicinthe stuff that gives peppers their kickcould help you burn up to 100 extra calories a day, according to research presented at theExperimental Biology meeting in Anaheim, California. Experts suspect that capsaicin bindsto nerve receptors and sends fat-burning signals to the brain. Don't like super spicy pepperssuch as habaneros or jalapeos? Go for a milder version like poblanos; research suggests youdon't have to embrace hot-spicy cuisine to get capsaicin's metabolism-boosting benefits.

Weight loss food: green tea

Sipping three cups of green tea a day may kick up your metabolism enough to erase 30calories daily, a study in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise shows. Experts attributethe benefit to a compound called ECGC, and that extra burn can help you shed about 3

pounds a year! Not everyone loves the flavor of green tea, so if you find it too bitter, try abrew that's naturally sweetened, such as The Republic of Tea'sHoneyGinsengor GingerPeach Green Tea.

Weight loss food: eggs

The amino acids in egg whites help build lean muscle that may in turn help rev metabolism.Scramble up a few for breakfast and top with shredded cheeseremember, it's a fat-burner,too! Another good reason to have eggs first thing: Consuming a high-fat morning meal wasshown to help mice burn more fat than those that ate a carb-rich breakfast, a study from theUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham finds. The researchers say that eating a little fat earlymay shift your circadian clock to help you burn more body fat all day long.


31
http://www.self.com/fooddiet/2009/08/coffee?mbid=synd_yahoohlthhttp://www.self.com/fooddiet/2009/08/coffee?mbid=synd_yahoohlth


32/48

FOR ADULTS contd

7 Foods that Speed Weight Loss contd

Weight loss food: Portobello mushrooms

These mushrooms deliver copper and pantothenic acid, which help keep your metabolismhumming. Bonus: Portobellos are also high in potassium, a mineral shown to help shuttle saltout of your body to beat belly bloat. Throw a mushroom kabob on the grill (or make them intoa true veggie burger), or whip up a healthy take on classic eggs Benedict for a yummy fat-burning brunch dish.

Holiday DetoxBy Joy Bauer, M.S., R.D., C.D.N.Dec 01, 2010

If your holiday celebrations are leaving you feeling fat, achy, and lethargic,youre not alone. Millions of your fellow revelers are in the same swollen boat.

Good news! This 3-day Detox will blast away bloat, boost energy, burn fat, andensure you regain your mojo in just 72 short hours. The meals are vegetarian(no meat or poultryyou had your fill on Turkey Day), and theyre loadedwith the ideal mix of antioxidants, protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals.Heres how it works:

Follow the same daily menu for three days in a row.

Eat only what is listed on the menuno added sugar, honey, sugar

substitute, salt, salad dressing, condiments, etc.

Drink only what is listed on the menuno soda, fruit juice, alcohol, or

diet beverages.

Enjoy black coffee or tea at breakfast (regular or decaffeinated).

Drink two 8-ounce glasses of water within 30 minutes of eating your

lunch and dinner meals. Drink as much additional water as youd like

throughout the day.

Drink one cup of regular or decaffeinated green tea after your lunch,

afternoon snack, and dinner.

The plan is vegetarian, but if youd like to make it vegan see simplesubstitutes at breakfast and dinner.

Ready, set, go!

32


33/48

TO CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE AND GET THE DETOX MENU, CLICKLINK: http://health.yahoo.net/experts/joybauernutrition/holiday-detox

-more-

FOR ADULTS contd

Foreclosures weigh onmetro home pricesThe Associated Press, Updated 11/30/2010 9:05 PM

NEW YORK Millions of foreclosures and weak demand from buyers areforcing home prices down in most major U.S. cities.

Prices are falling even in such places as San Francisco and San Diego, whichhad posted strong increases a few months ago. Analysts say many markets

won't improve until they see fewer foreclosures and more job gains.

"Unemployment is still high, people are afraid of losing their homes, and credit

is hard to get," said Maureen Maitland, vice president of Standard & Poor's

index services.

A report Tuesday underscored the weakness. Home prices declined in 18 of the20 cities, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller 20-city index. Prices fell 0.7% inSeptember from August, the second-consecutive monthly drop.



The biggest weight on prices going forward is foreclosures, because foreclosed

homes sell at steep discounts and reduce nearby property values. About 2

million loans are in foreclosure, and another 2.4 million borrowers have missed

at least 90 days of payments, according to LPS Applied Analytics.

Foreclosed properties and other distressed sales are dominating the Tampa

market, said Stephanie LeFew, owner of Tampa Home Buy Realty. The number

33

Unemployment is still high, people areafraid of losing their homes, and credit ishard to get," said Maureen Maitland, vicepresident of Standard & Poor's indexservices.

A report Tuesday underscored the

weakness. Home prices declined in 18 of

the 20 cities, according to the S&P/Case-

Shiller 20-city index. Prices fell 0.7% in

September from August, the second-

consecutive monthly drop.
http://health.yahoo.net/experts/joybauernutrition/holiday-detoxhttp://health.yahoo.net/experts/joybauernutrition/holiday-detox


34/48

of homes there that received a foreclosure notice rose 7% in the July-

September quarter from the previous quarter, according to foreclosure tracker

RealtyTrac.


FOR ADULTS contd

Foreclosures weigh on metro home prices contd

Foreclosed properties and other distressed sales are dominating the Tampa

market, said Stephanie LeFew, owner of Tampa Home Buy Realty. The number

of homes there that received a foreclosure notice rose 7% in the July-

September quarter from the previous quarter, according to foreclosure tracker

RealtyTrac.

"Buyers are getting discounts of 50% and more," LeFew said.

Prices there hit their lowest point since 2003, dropping 0.8% in September

from August, according to the Case-Shiller index. The median price in Tampa

was $115,700 in the third quarter, according to Internet real estate service

Zillow.

Miami and Phoenix are also being greatly affected by foreclosures. One in

every 41 Miami households received a foreclosure filing in the July-September

quarter. Home prices there fell 1.2% from August to September.

In Phoenix, the foreclosure rate was one in 44 in the July-September quarter;

home prices fell 1.5% from August to September.

Las Vegas has the nation's worst foreclosure rate. One in every 25 households

received a foreclosure filing in the July-September quarter.

Still, the city is beginning to show signs of stabilizing. For the second-

consecutive month, home prices ticked up 0.1%, according to the Case-Shiller

report. Buyers are getting prices that are now more than 50% below their peak

from four years ago.

"We're seeing retirees from California and New York, especially, buying homes

with cash," said Steve Harless of Realty One Group.

Washington was the only other city to post an increase month over month in

the Case-Shiller index. The nation's capital has had fewer foreclosures and one

of the best economies.

The outlook for California's cities is mixed. Three California cities in the Case-

Shiller index Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco have seen home

prices rebound sharply in the past year.

34
http://content.usatoday.com/topics/topic/Zillow.comhttp://content.usatoday.com/topics/topic/Zillow.com


35/48

Yet, prices have softened in the last two months in those cities. Demand has

weakened since federal home-buying tax credits expired in the spring. The

Case-Shiller index is a moving, three-month average. The September figures

are made up of prices in July, August and September, so it would be the first

month to show the full impact of the end of the tax credits.


Foreclosures weigh on metro home prices contd

September housing pricesMetro Sept.-Aug. change Aug.-July change 1-yearchange

Atlanta -1.0% -1.0% -3.1%Boston -1.3% -0.3% -0.4%Charlotte -1.0% -0.4% -3.7%Chicago -1.5% -0.4% -5.6%Cleveland -3.0% -0.3% -1.9%Dallas -1.6% -1.2% -2.6%Denver -1.0% -0.1% -1.6%

Detroit -1.3% -0.5% -3.0%Las Vegas -0.1% -0.1% -3.5%Los Angeles -0.1% -0.4% 4.4%Miami -1.2% -0.3% -2.7%Minneapolis -2.1% -0.4% -1.2%New York -0.3% -0.1% -0.1%Phoenix -1.5% -1.3% -1.9%Portland -1.9% -0.9% -3.6%San Diego -1.0% -0.6% 5.0%San Francisco -0.9% -0.3% 5.5%Seattle -0.6% -0.8% -2.6%Tampa -0.8% -0.5% -4.3%

Washington 0.3% 0.2%4.5%

Composite-10 -0.5% -0.1% 1.6%Composite-20 -0.7% -0.2% 0.6%

Source: Standard & Poor's and FiservNot seasonally adjusted

35


36/48

-more-

Roy Ayers performing @ Rumbaon Sunday, December 26351 W. Hubbard312.222.0770

QuickTime and a

TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressoare needed to see this picture.

Thats right, jazz aficionados, Roy Ayers will be in town so you can chill out theday after Christmas.

Doors will open at 3:30 and the shows will start at 5 p.m. Heres the opportunity

to reserve your seat now. Rumba is a small and intimate venue

This is on a first come basis. Before we sent out a mass email, email and let meknow if you are interested in attending.Let me know how many people will be at your table. It will be $25 per person.

The banquettes (the red booths against the wall) are $125 each. The booths inthe middle, I am sorry to say, are already sold. You will be able to invite or

36


37/48

accommodate seating for 6 in your banquette. So, you will get 6 tickets foryour banquette. There are 5 banquettes.

The bar is Standing Room Only and that area goes for $20.

FOR RESERVATIONS CONTACT:mailto:Trudy Murrell

-more-

FOR YOUNG ADULTS& TEENS(13 years old to 21)

1000 full scholarships given by37
mailto:Trudy%20Murrell%20%[email protected]%3Emailto:Trudy%20Murrell%20%[email protected]%3Emailto:Trudy%20Murrell%20%[email protected]%3E


38/48

the Bill Gates Millennium MinorityScholar Program

2011 Application now available due January 2011.The 2011 Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) scholarship application is now available. GMSwill select 1,000 talented students to receive a good-through-graduation scholarship to use atany college or university of their choice.


FOR YOUNG ADULTS & TEENS contd

We provide Gates Millennium Scholars with personal and professional development throughour leadership programs along with academic support throughout their college career.

Our program is more than a scholarshipits an opportunity to change your life! Putting inthe effort now to apply can be a worthwhile experience for super special students like you!

The Gates Millennium Scholars Program (GMS), established in 1999, was initially funded bya $1 billion grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The goal of GMS is to promoteacademic excellence and to provide an opportunity for outstanding minority students withsignificant financial need to reach their highest potential

To start your application: simply click at: http://www.gmsp.org/The deadline for all submission is January 10, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. EST .

Please take the time to read all of the eligibility criteria and instructions before beginningyour application.

Students are eligible to be considered for a GMS scholarship if they: Are African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American

or Hispanic American

Are a citizen, national or legal permanent resident of the United States

Have attained a cumulative high school GPA of 3.3 on an unweighted 4.0 scale or haveearned a GED

Will enroll for the first time at a U.S. located, accredited college or university in the fallof 2011 as a full-time, degree-seeking, first-year student (with the exception of studentspursuing a high school diploma while concurrently enrolled). First-time college

38
http://www.gmsp.org/http://www.gmsp.org/


39/48

enrollees can also be GED recipients. Have demonstrated leadership abilities through participation in community service,

extracurricular or other activities

Meet the Federal Pell Grant eligibility criteria

Have completed and submitted all three required forms: the students application

(Nominee Personal Information Form), an evaluation of the students academic record(Nominator Form) and an evaluation of the students community service and leadershipactivities (Recommender Form) by the deadline



The GMS Scholarship Award Provides:

Support for the cost of education by covering unmet need and self-help aid; Renewable awards for Gates Millennium Scholars maintaining satisfactory academic

progress.

Graduate school funding for continuing Gates Millennium Scholars in the areas ofcomputer science, education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public healthor science.

Leadership development programs with distinctive personal, academic andprofessional growth opportunities.

Elliot Donnelly Youth Center's Teen Program

The Elliot Donnelly Youth Center's After School and Teen Program runsMonday through Friday from 2:30 pm to 8:00 p.m.

The Center offers:

Daily Swimming instruction/recreation

Multi-media program

39


40/48

Arts & crafts

Field trips

Plus dinner served daily. Also ask about CYC-Elliott Donnelley Center's Track

E Day Camp.For information on any & all activities contact Bettye Gill or Rebecca Bunn at773.268.3815 or e-mail:

mailto:[email protected]

-more-

40


41/48


Spelman Students Beat OutHarvard and MIT for BestMobile ApplicationDebra E. ThompsonExecutive Director, GenTechNovember 5, 2010

Thanks to my friend Bruce for sharing this information with me to share with you!

I just think it's important to celebrate and raise up when our folks beat the odds andassumptions about what we're capable of. In past challenges, students from places likeHarvard and MIT won this technical challenge. Check out the hotness:AT&T is pleased to announce that Jonecia Keels and Jazmine Miller of Spelman College, ahistorically black liberal arts college for women, have won the 2010 AT&T Big Mobile onCampus ChallengeSM with their next generation e-learning mobile application, HBCU Buddy.

HBCU Buddy is a mobile application created to educate and inform users, including both

prospective and current college students, about Historically Black Colleges and Universities(HBCU) across the United States. It is a fully-fledged mobile service application that providesdetailed information about each and every HBCU in the nation and integrates all facets ofcollege life.

HBCU Buddy is a mobile application created to educate and inform users, including bothprospective and current college students, about Historically Black Colleges and Universities(HBCU) across the United States. It is a fully-fledged mobile service application that providesdetailed information about each and every HBCU in the nation and integrates all facets ofcollege life.

The application opens with a directory profiling each HBCU with information on academics,admissions, research, student life, alumni, among other details. After selecting a school,students can navigate through the school - literally - by accessing virtual tours of buildings,on-campus videos, and local GPS and directions.


41


42/48


Spelman Students Beat Out Harvard and MIT contd

HBCU Buddy can also provide students with customizable social networking features to

connect with each other, their school and community. The application connects to socialnetworking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, and integrates tools such as chat andcalendar to help students stay informed. Students can use the application to follow the lateston school club and campus happenings, local events, hot spots around the community, andmore.Jonecia Keels and Jazmine Miller were recognized and awarded a $10,000 scholarship(divided between them) and a mobile device of their choice each at the Higher Ed Board ofAdvisors Meeting in Miami, Florida, on October 7, 2010.

The President has been keen to foster stronger STEM education for all American students(science, tech, engineering and math) because the jobs of the future will require strong skills

in these disciplines.

Did you know that there's a Chinese telecom company entering the U.S. market and they got8,000 engineers working in one research and development facility in Shanghai? 8000!

Where in the U.S. have we got 8000 engineers working on anything except for maybe Google?We continue to lose economic ground to foreign competitors and we need to turn this aroundto make sure our kids have bright futures in a prosperous nation.

Jonecia and Jazmine are living proof that innovation is not the exclusive domain of the whitemale geek. There are plenty of us black geeks out there too who need a little more support.

Congrats to J and J - you deserve the recognition and that new iPad or iPhone.

Many thanks to Corey Ealons, formerly Director of African-American Media Outreach at theWhite House for hippin' me to this inspiring story...

White House STEM Video Game ChallengeWorkshop Successfully Launched at GenTech

Chicago, Illinois - November 10, 2010

Answering President Obama's initiative to promote a renewed focus on Science, Technology,Engineering, and Math (STEM) education, the GenTech Challenge Workshop began Saturday,October 30 with 30 third through fifth graders ready to take on the challenge.

The National STEM Video Game Challenge aims to motivate interest in STEM learning amongAmerica's youth by tapping into students' natural passions for playing and making videogames. GenTech students will be creating multi-level, platform, role-playing games and othertypes as they demonstrate game design talents and STEM knowledge.


42


43/48


STEM Video Game Challenge Workshop contd

Led by professional game developers, animators, and artists, the Challenge Workshop will

spend seven weeks immersing students in the ways game design is used to do everythingfrom build bridges and other infrastructures to how disease travels through the human body.Guest speakers will lend insights into topics such as choosing a college major andentrepreneurship.

Each student's game will be submitted into the National STEM Challenge competition.Parents and students were given an extra treat when Executive Director Debra Thompsonannounced that all students were eligible for a free class adding extra development time forthe students who chose to participate.

All 30 students elected to participate in the FREE LAB TIME during the seven-week period.

Other GenTech classes in Video Game Creation & Animation, Xbox Game Development, andMobile App Development also began. Students in those classes will complete a video game,animation, or Mobile App by the end of the session.

The Performance Showcase for all classes will be held Saturday, December 18,2010. The next GenTech session begins Saturday, January 8, 2011.

Early registration is now underway for the January session. While regular tuitionis $398 per session, the special discount price of $198 applies through Saturday,

November 30, 2010.

Interested persons should call GenTech at 773.324.7772.

Welcome to the Exciting World of GenTech Digital Media Education & Training Center on thecampus of the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago!

GenTech offers a full, sequential, enriched curriculum of digital technology classes includesover 30 courses for youth and teens in Video Game Creation, Animation, Web Design, andFilm Production.

Our newest courses include Developing Apps for Smart Phones and Xbox360 GameCreation! Adult classes include Web Design, iPhone Apps, MS Office Software, and ComputerBasics.


43


44/48


STEM Video Game Challenge Workshop contd

The GenTech mission is to engage, empower, and educate youth and teens to creativelyintegrate technology into their academic development in preparation for college, careers,and entrepreneurial opportunities. We help people expand their horizons through:

The Confidence to Explore,the Intelligence to Discover, and

the Leadership to Build with Excellence

Our students are well positioned for entry into top digital media programs in colleges anduniversities around the country.

Visit the website at: www.mygentech.net or call 773.324.7772 for furtherinformation.

All GenTech classes for the January, 2011 session have been reduced from $398NOTE: Tuition will be increasing by $35 each week through December 31, 2010. Registrationfee increases to $75 beginning January 1, 2011

-more ARTICLES-

After School Matters New44
http://www.mygentech.net/http://www.mygentech.net/


45/48

Request for Proposal ProcessHow to Participate in After School Matters



Explore an interest and find your future at After School Matters. We offerhands-on out-of-school programs for Chicago high school teens in the arts,sports, technology, communi-cations, and science. Learn a new skill. Work withexperts. Earn a stipend and have fun. What are you waiting for?

After School Matters is a nonprofit organization that offers Chicago highschool teens innovative out-of-school activities through its science37,sports37, tech37, words37 and nationally-recognized gallery37 programs.

As After School Matters looks to the future, they are excited to announce the launch of a

new, streamlined Request for Proposal (RFP) process that will include both the summer 2011and school year 2011-2012 programs (these proposals were previously solicited separately.)

The new RFP, which will be publicly released and available on their website at:http://www.afterschoolmatters.org/ by December 6, 2010.

This will expedite the review process for returning program providers who meet qualitybenchmarks including enrollment, attendance, CPS high school student participation, andcompliance with program reporting and Youth Program Quality training requirements.

Preliminary responses will be due on December 29.

There are also RFP workshops to help you with your RFP. For potential new providers, aworkshop will be held on December 10th from 10 am to 1 pm at Gallery 37 for the Arts, 5thFloor ( 66 E. Randolph).

For more information including workshop dates and locations for returning programproviders, please call 312.742.6205 or E-mail [email protected]


45
http://www.afterschoolmatters.org/mailto:[email protected]://www.afterschoolmatters.org/mailto:[email protected]


46/48


After School Matters contd

Also visit:

https://youthreadychicago.cityspan.com/Web/sms/OnlineEnrollment/chicago/ProgramFinder.asp

FOR CHILDREN(up to 12 years old)

How to help Your ElementarySchool Student with Math

Join the Black Star Project from December 18th

to January 22nd

with Math Workshops Created to Enhance Your Childs Skills!

The Black Star Project wants to hone their skills to better educate their children.Join them for a series of workshops that show how to improve your kids mathskills, homework and test scores. Available for ages during the workshop.


46
https://youthreadychicago.cityspan.com/Web/sms/OnlineEnrollment/chicago/ProgramFinder.asphttps://youthreadychicago.cityspan.com/Web/sms/OnlineEnrollment/chicago/ProgramFinder.asp


47/48

FOR CHILDREN(up to 12 years old) contd

How to help Your Elementary School Student with Math contd

WORKSHOPS INCLUDE:

December 18 Fractions, Percentages, Decimals, Part 1

January 8 Fractions, Percentages, Decimals, Part 2

January 15 Pre-Algebra

January 22 Homework Help

The cost of each workshop is $50.00. The Black Stars Projects CPSVendor number is 36033 For more info, or to register contact Jami Garton at773.285.9600. The Black Stars Project is located at 3509 S. King Drive, Suite 2B.

Eden Place Holiday Family Fun Fest

QuickTime and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompresso


This event will also feature a live nativity scene, live animals, pictures with Saint

Nick, holiday winter wagon rides, roasting chestnuts on an open fire, familycrafts, and a range of holiday items that you can purchase.

ADMISSION IS FREE! For more information, call 773.624.8686.

Where: Eden Place (entrance at the corner of 43rd Pl. and Shields)

When: December 18th from 11am to 4pm

-more-FOR CHILDREN

47

Bring the children tothe North Pole & visit

with Santa.


48/48

(up to 12 years old) contd

Elliot Donnelly Youth Center'sAfter School Program

The Elliot Donnelly Youth Center's After School Program runs Monday throughFriday from 2:30 pm to 8:00 p.m.

The Center offers:

Daily Swimming instruction/recreation

Multi-media program

Arts & crafts Field trips

Plus dinner served daily. Also ask about CYC-Elliott Donnelley Center's TrackE Day Camp.

For information on any & all activities contact Bettye Gill or Rebecca Bunn at773.268.3815 or e-mail:

ormailto:[email protected]

Greater Chatham Alliance December 2010 Newsletter

Documents

Transcript of Greater Chatham Alliance December 2010 Newsletter