the weekly reporter - october 04, 2012

14
“Let us dare to, read, think, and write.” John Adams 1765 Protecting Liberty Through Freedom of Speech We Dare To Speak The Truth Weekly Reporter [email protected] ROMNEY CONTINUES TO FLIP FLOP - HAS NO DIRECTION Says He Has Plans But Offers No Hint of What They Are Mitt Romney came to the Presidential Debate with spunk and arrogance and his George Bush-like willingness not to be truthful. One must wonder why the President failed to strike out at Romney when Romney pounded the drums saying he will create jobs and put people out of work. One must wonder why the President failed to point out that Romney’s wheeling and dealing and questionable business practices contributed to the unemployment rate while putting countless Americans out of work. Romney said if he is elected president he will reach across the aisle to work with members of both parties. He emphasized that he did that in Massachusetts when he was its Governor. He pointed out that he did just that to get his healthcare bill passed in Massachusetts, a plan from which President Obama said the commonly called Obamacare was fashioned. The president did raise that point but Romney retaliated that he thought his plan for Massachusetts was good for his state but not for the nation as a whole. The President has said he wants to repeal the George Bush tax breaks for those earning more than $250,000 per year. That additional revenue would be used to help reduce the national debt. Former Governor Romney said repeatedly he would not reduce what those people are now paying. He has said over and over again he will not repeal the tax breaks for the wealthy and in fact wants to make them permanent. President Obama has repeatedly said the country cannot afford those massive tax breaks. Governor Romney hammered on the point that those tax breaks create jobs. The truth of the matter is that the tax breaks have not created jobs and that in some cases the extra money was spent overseas on fat-cat toys. Most of the extra money the wealthy realized by the rich as a result of those breaks was not spent but was simply saved or invested. The tax breaks did not create jobs or reduce unemployment. The President went after Romney when he said he would cut taxes across the board. President Obama said those tax reductions would cost the country 4.8 trillion dollars the nation cannot afford. Romney denied that but could not explain where the additional revenue would come from to replace those 4.8 trillion dollars in lost national revenue. Romney made it clear that he will play dirty to convince people. He went after President Obama saying that the President had taken $760 million dollars from Medicare. The President explained that the $760 million was not cuts in Medicare but was money that was saved by reducing what the government will pay hospitals and other medical institutions. Although the President repeated that the money was reductions to payment to the hospitals, etc. Romney continued to untruthfully say the President had cut Medicare benefits. Romney may have impressed some of his base with his aggressiveness and distortions but for those who were listening to what was being said it was very obvious that he is little more than a reflection of George Bush who lied the country into the financial mess President Obama inherited when he took office. The President did try to force Romney into giving details of all the things he was promising to do but Romney never offered any specifics as to how he would do anything he suggested he would do if he were elected. Mitt Romney President Barak Obama

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The Weekly Reporter brings local and national news with a focus on wrong doing.

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“Let  us dare to, read, think, and write.” John Adams 1765

Protecting Liberty Through Freedom of Speech

We DareTo Speak

TheTruth

Weekly [email protected]

ROMNEY CONTINUES TO FLIP FLOP - HAS NO DIRECTION

Says He Has Plans But Offers No Hint of What They AreMitt Romney came to the Presidential Debate with spunk and

arrogance and his George Bush-like willingness not to be truthful.One must wonder why the President failed to strike out at

Romney when Romney pounded the drums saying he will create jobs

and put people out of work. One must wonder why the Presidentfailed to point out that Romney’s wheeling and dealing andquestionable business practices contributed to the unemploymentrate while putting countless Americans out of work.

Romney said if he is elected president hewill reach across the aisle to work withmembers of both parties. He emphasized thathe did that in Massachusetts when he was itsGovernor. He  pointed out that he did just

that to get his healthcare bill passed inMassachusetts, a plan from which PresidentObama said the commonly calledObamacare was fashioned.  The presidentdid raise that point but Romney retaliatedthat he thought his plan for Massachusettswas good for his state but not for the nationas a whole.

The President has said he wants torepeal the George Bush tax breaks for thoseearning more than $250,000 per year. Thatadditional revenue would be used to help

reduce the national debt. Former GovernorRomney said repeatedly he would not reducewhat those people are now paying. He hassaid over and over again he will not repealthe tax breaks for the wealthy and in factwants to make them permanent. PresidentObama has repeatedly said the countrycannot afford those massive tax breaks.

Governor Romney hammered on thepoint that those tax breaks create jobs. Thetruth of the matter is that the tax breaks havenot created jobs and that in some cases theextra money was spent overseas on fat-cattoys. Most of the extra money the wealthyrealized by the rich as a result of thosebreaks was not spent but was simply savedor invested. The tax breaks did not createjobs or reduce unemployment.

The President went after Romney whenhe said he would cut taxes across the board.President Obama said those tax reductionswould cost the country 4.8 trillion dollars thenation cannot afford. Romney denied that butcould not explain where the additionalrevenue would come from to replace those4.8 trillion dollars in lost national revenue.

Romney made it clear that he will playdirty to convince people. He went afterPresident Obama saying that the Presidenthad taken $760 million dollars fromMedicare. The President explained that the

$760 million was not cuts in Medicare butwas money that was saved by reducing whatthe government will pay hospitals and other

medicalinstitutions.

Althoughthe Presidentrepeated thatthe moneywasreductions topayment tothe hospitals,etc. Romneycontinued tountruthfully

say the President had cut Medicare benefits.Romney may have impressed some of his

base with his aggressiveness and distortionsbut for those who were listening to what wasbeing said it was very obvious that he is littlemore than a reflection of George Bush wholied the country into the financial messPresident Obama inherited when he tookoffice.

The President did try to force Romneyinto giving details of all the things he waspromising to do but Romney never offeredany specifics as to how he would do anythinghe suggested he would do if he were elected.

Mitt Romney

President Barak Obama

Weekly REPORTER

**FLASHBACK FRIDAY**2004: Congresswoman Judy Biggert Voted

Against Funding to Boost U.S. ManufacturingNaperville, IL – While one of the most

cost-effective investments that our countrycan make is in worker training in support ofadvanced manufacturing, CongresswomanBiggert has consistently voted for policiesthat damaged U.S. manufacturing. She votedfor poorly negotiated trade deals and taxpolicies that encouraged shipping Americanjobs overseas, and as a result one third of allU.S. manufacturing jobs were lost during theyears that her party held power.

In 2004, Congresswoman Biggert votedagainst increasing funding for a successfuland proven program to providemanufacturers assistance with workertraining, advice on business practices, andinstruction on the use of informationtechnology. Instead of helping the U.S.workforce, she remained a party-line voterfor earmark-filled appropriations, poorly-planned wars, tax breaks for the wealthy andbudgets that drove our country into debt.

Flashback 2004: In 2004,Congresswoman Biggert voted against anamendment to more than double the fundingfor the Manufacturing Extension Partnership

program from $110 million to $227 million.The partnership was a nationwide network ofmore than 400 not-for-profit centers thatprovided assistance to manufacturers.

“We need to invest for the long term inmanufacturing and support industries thatkeep jobs here in Illinois,” said Bill Foster.“These programs pay for themselves overtime as trained workers earn higher salariesand company profits are increased with amore productive workforce. ButCongresswoman Biggert voted against theseprograms, and for bad trade and tax policiesthat shipped American jobs overseas anddevastated American manufacturing. As ascientist and businessman, I understand thechallenges that businesses face, and willalways put the interests of Americanmanufacturers and workers before the profitsof transnational corporations that ship jobsoverseas."

Background:Opposed $117 Million Increase to

Help Stem Loss of Manufacturing Jobs

In 2004, Biggert voted against anamendment to more than double thefunding for the Manufacturing ExtensionPartnership program from $110 million to$227 million.

The partnership was a nationwidenetwork of more than 400 not-for-profitcenters that provided manufacturersassistance such as worker training,advice on business practices andinstruction on the use of informationtechnology. [CQ Today, 7/09/04]

Three in 10 American households are uninsured and half say theyneed more life insurance, according to the LIFE Foundation, anonprofit organization that works to educate people about theimportance insurance in protecting their financial futures.

Many people realize that life insurance is an important way toprovide for their families, but buying life insurance can seem daunting.How do you know if you’re picking the best coverage for you andyour family?

The American Council of Life Insurers offers the following tips tohelp you pick out the best plan:

Decide if you need permanent or term life insurance. Permanentpolicies will provide money to your family no matter when you die.Term policies will pay only if you die during a specific period of time.

When you’re trying to decide between life insurance companies,ask family and friends for recommendations. You can also meet withan insurance agent to talk through your options.

Ask for the outlines of several plans so you can compare thefeatures of the various options you’re considering.

Always answer the questions on your application truthfully.Once you select a plan, store the policy with your other

important financial documents, but not in a safe deposit box. Upondeath, boxes are sometimes sealed temporarily by the bank, whichcould delay your family’s access to the coverage.

Review and update your policy from time to time, especially aftermajor life events like marriages or children being born.

Learn more about life insurance and what questions you shouldask before buying a policy

What You Should Know Before Buying Life Insurance

Weekly REPORTER

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FOURTH ANNUAL FUNDRAISER FORDOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS

Circuit Clerk’s Office Still in the Fight Against Domestic Violence

JOLIET- On Friday September28, 2012 the Will County CircuitClerks held their fourth annualfundraiser for domestic violenceawareness.  “We raise our voicesat the Circuit Clerk’s Office, incalling for an end to this hideouscrime”.  The Circuit Clerk’s officeprocessed 2364 orders ofprotection in 2011.  “Domesticviolence has reached immenseproportions that touch everyone. Itaffects our mothers, sisters,daughters, neighbors and friends. It is the ugly monster that too oftenwe are afraid to talk about”, saysPam McGuire, Will County CircuitClerk.

October is nationally known asDomestic Violence Awareness

Month.  The Circuit Clerk’s Officewas personally touched four yearsago, when a clerk’s daughter waskilled by her ex-boyfriend.  Sincethen McGuire’s office holds anannual fundraiser to help the victimsof domestic violence, promoteawareness and to send a strongmessage to the community that thisviolence must be stopped.

McGuire continued, “In thepast four years our office has raised$20,519 for Take Back the NightWill County”.  The money raisedhas helped the victims atGroundworks, Bridges to a NewDay, Lambsfold and the Sexual

Assault Service center. “I am soproud of my staff, their hard work

and their dedication to this mostworthy cause”.

“Take Back the Night will holdits annual rally and march, ThursdayOctober 4, 2012 at the FirstAssembly of God Church at 1741

theEssington Road Joliet.  I urgeanyone who wishes to add theirvoice to ours by calling for an endto domestic violence, to go and bea part of  vigil”, said McGuire.

The Take Back the Nightprogram begins at 6:00 p.m. doorsopen at 5: 00 p.m. with the featuredspeaker Linda King, Founder ofFix the Hurt.

As seen in picture left to right: Katie Schumacher, Jackie Ritchie, Christy Shiner, Lynette Shea, JeffDavies, Andrea Chasteen and Pam McGuire, Will County Circuit CourtClerk.

As seen in picture left to right: Katie Schumacher, Jackie Ritchie, Christy Shiner, Lynette Shea, Jeff Davies, Andrea Chasteen and PamMcGuire, Will County Circuit Clerk

Weekly REPORTER Science

The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has providedus with another outstanding image of a nearby galaxy.This week, we highlight the galaxy NGC 4183, seen herewith a beautiful backdrop of distant galaxies and nearbystars. Located about 55 million light-years from the sunand spanning about eighty thousand light-years, NGC4183 is a little smaller than the Milky Way. This galaxy,which belongs to the Ursa Major Group, lies in thenorthern constellation of Canes Venatici (The HuntingDogs).

NGC 4183 is a spiral galaxy with a faint core and anopen spiral structure. Unfortunately, this galaxy is viewededge-on from the Earth, and we cannot fully appreciate itsspiral arms. But we can admire its galactic disk.

The disks of galaxies are mainly composed of gas, dustand stars. There is evidence of dust over the galactic plane,visible as dark intricate filaments that block the visiblelight from the core of the galaxy. In addition, recentstudies suggest that this galaxy may have a bar structure.Galactic bars are thought to act as a mechanism thatchannels gas from the spiral arms to the center, enhancingstar formation, which is typically more pronounced in thespiral arms than in the bulge of the galaxy.

British astronomer William Herschel first observedNGC 4183 on 14 January 1778.

This picture was created from visible and infraredimages taken with the Wide Field Channel of the AdvancedCamera for Surveys. The field of view is approximately 3.4arcminutes wide.

This image uses data identified by Luca Limatola in theHubble's Hidden Treasures image processing competition.

ESA/Hubble & NASAAcknowledgement: Luca Limatola

Hubble Portrays aDusty Spiral Galaxy

The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has produced asharp image of NGC 4634, a spiral galaxy seen exactly side-on. Itsdisk is slightly warped by ongoing interactions with a nearby galaxy,and it is crisscrossed by clearly defined dust lanes and brightnebulae.

NGC 4634, which lies around 70 million light-years from Earth

in the constellation of Coma Berenices, is one of a pair of interactinggalaxies. Its neighbor, NGC 4633, lies just outside the upper rightcorner of the frame, and is visible in wide-field views of the galaxy.While it may be out of sight, it is not out of mind: its subtle effects onNGC 4634 are easy to see to a well-trained eye.

Gravitational interactions pull the neat spiral forms of galaxies outof shape as they get closer to each other, and the disruption to gasclouds triggers vigorous episodes of star formation. While thisgalaxy’s spiral pattern is not directly visible thanks to our side-onperspective, its disk is slightly warped, and there is clear evidence ofstar formation.

Along the full length of the galaxy, and scattered around parts ofits halo, are bright pink nebulae. Similar to the Orion Nebula in theMilky Way, these are clouds of gas that are gradually coalescing intostars. The powerful radiation from the stars excites the gas andmakes it light up, much like a fluorescent sign. The large number ofthese star formation regions is a telltale sign of gravitationalinteraction.

The dark filamentary structures that are scattered along thelength of the galaxy are caused by cold interstellar dust blockingsome of the starlight.

Hubble’s image is a combination of exposures in visible lightproduced by Hubble’s Advanced Camera for Surveys and the WideField and Planetary Camera 2. -ESA/Hubble & NASA

Hubble CatchesGlowing Gas and

Dark Dust in aSide-On Spiral

Special Events

VOTENovember 6

Weekly REPORTER

Contact: Ines Kutlesa, LCPC, CEOGuardian Angel Community Services1550 Plainfield Road Joliet, IL 60435Phone (815) 729-0930 ext [email protected]

GACS  1550 Plainfield Road, Joliet, IL 60435 – 815-729-0930 – www.guardianangelhome.orgGACS is a Partner Agency of the United Way of Will and Grundy County

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Guardian Angel CommunityServices’ domestic violence program, Groundwork, has planned events to raise communityawareness, educate and spark conversation, breaking the silence surrounding domesticviolence (DV).

One in three women will be affected by DV in her lifetime and annually 15.5 million childrenare exposed to DV. Our communities are not immune. At Groundwork we haveexperienced a 180% increase in hotline calls over the last 4 years. This year alone4,644 people were provided services, 9,226 nights of shelter were provided to victims ofDV, 9,056 hotline calls were received, and 17,218 hours of direct service were provided inthe form of counseling, advocacy, or other services.

The Domestic Violence Awareness Month Vigil and Purple Light Nights kickoff event willbe held on October 1, 6:00pm at Guardian Angel Community Services. Groundwork willlight up the night and building with purple lights. Guest speaker is Neil Schori, Lead Pastorof Naperville Christian Church & witness for State of IL vs. Drew Peterson. Among otherscheduled activities Groundwork will present a revolutionary community education tool, InHer Shoes. This program will immerse participants in the experience of domestic violence.Participants will move, think, and experience the lives of battered women. Guardian AngelCommunity Services will be educating the community about DV throughout the month onFacebook. Groundwork ends the month with the 4th annual Angels Against Abuse 5K Walkon October 27, opening remarks by States Attorney James W. Glasgow.

For more information about domestic violence or any of these programs in specific pleasecontact Ines Kutlesa at 815-729-0930 ext.430 or [email protected]

Established in 1983 Groundwork is a leading provider of comprehensive services to thoseexperiencing abuse and violence in the home. Central to Groundwork’s mission is the strongconviction that all victims of domestic violence have the right to realize their human dignity; regaincontrol of their lives; develop ways of living that promote harmony and well-being within theirfamilies, and exercise their legal rights with and through the support of an informed community. Allservices are offered at no charge.

October Is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Weekly REPORTER Of Interest

Don’t VoteDumb!

Recorder Asks:

Is Your  DD 214 Form Recorded?Along with land record documents, the military separation or

DD-214 is one of the many other types of documents recorded in theCounty Recorder’s Office.  This is an office practice that dates back

to 1919. Anindividual’s militaryseparation papers,if they arerecorded, are in arestricted database or onmicrofilm within theRecorder’s Office.

“Unless youare a discharged orretired militarypersonnel thisreally doesn’tmean much to you,however with theexpected number

of returning military, Recorder Karen A. Stukel with the assistance ofthe VAC – Veterans Assistance Commission wanted to come upwith a way to communicate to our returning service people as well asthose who might have forgotten to record their papers as to why it isso important.”

Recorder Karen A. Stukel recently printed “Recording YourDD-214”.

“Many veterans, in the busy days after discharge, are not awareof how valuable their DD-214 (discharge papers) really are or evenhow often they will need to show them when applying for just aboutanything. That is why I worked with other Recorders and our localVAC (Veterans Assistance Commission) to produce a brochure thatwill assist our returning Military and Veterans. Recording your DD-214 or separation papers will put this valuable document in a safeplace. When you need various copies to apply for college, a loan ormedical assistance you will always be asked for a copy of your DD-214 which we can print recorded copies for you as needed at nocharge. The Recorders office is a repository for all land records, outof country births and marriages and military discharges. It is ourresponsibility to keep our past records safe and secure and record allcurrent records with integrity and respect.

Recorder Stukel proudly works with the Veterans AssistanceCommission – VAC, and the local military organizations to get theword out about this and many other services and opportunities thatare available to discharged military personnel.

A copy of the brochure can be found at many American LegionPosts throughout the county, the Veterans Assistance Commission,Joliet Junior College and many local banks within Will County toname a few as well as the County Recorder’s  website atwww.willcountyrecorder.com, The Will County Recorder’s Officelocated at 58 East Clinton Street Joliet, Illinois 60432 or the WillCounty Recorder’s Satellite Office located at 241 Canterbury LaneBolingbrook, Illinois 60440. For more information contact the WillCounty Recorder’s Office – 815-740-4637.

Many American families will go to the pollson November 6th and rather than cast their voteto help their families and themselves will vote fora the super rich who have all the help money canbuy.

Voters need to be alert and be awake. Theyneed to understand that it is not simply a matter ofmaking your team the winning team, it is a matterof paving the future for your family.

Many rich people of the country constantlycomplain they are taxed too heavily, they havetoo many regulations to keep them honest. They

are being selfish. They are showing nocompassion for you or your family. Don’t givethem your vote. Vote for the middleclass.

It is incredible that so many people who workfor a living are so willing to bow down to the richwho continue to scheme to get more forthemselves, while they scheme to avoid laws thatprotect the environment, they hide moneywherever possible to avoid paying their way inthe United States where they made their money.

Don’t help them get richer. Vote for yourfamily and yourself on November 6th.

IF YOU WORK FOR A LIVING VOTE TO HELP THE MIDDLECLASS WORKING FAMILIES

THE RICH DO NOT NEED YOUR HELP THEY WILL HELP THEMSELVES - OFTEN

Weekly REPORTER

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Tips for seniors on managing health care costs(ARA) - Finding the Medicare coverage that best fits their needs and their pocketbooks is challenging for many seniors.

Health care plans make changes to their coverage. People's health conditions change. Not keeping on top of these changes canmean problems. Suddenly seniors may find they don't have needed coverage, their doctor no longer takes their plan, or they facesteep medical or prescription drug costs.

That's why it's essential to review Medicare coverage andindividual needs each year, and to use the Medicare annual openenrollment period to make changes to coverage. Medicare annualopen enrollment runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, with new benefitchoices effective the following Jan. 1.

“Getting started early is key,” says Mary Dale Walters, seniorvice president of the Allsup Medicare Advisor, a Medicare planselection service. “Choosing Medicare coverage is complicated,even when you have lots of information on the Web. It can bedifficult to get current plan information and to get an apples-to-apples comparison of plans.”

Walters offers these tips for seniors to manage and lower theirhealth care costs.

1. Be an informed consumer. Millions of seniors, their familiesand caregivers will be pleased to know that for the third straight

year the average basic Medicare prescription drug premiums willremain steady.

Since enacted, the Affordable Care Act has helped more than5.4 million people with Medicare save more than $4.1 billion in out-of-pocket prescription drug expenses. These are significant resultsas the law closes the Medicare Part D donut hole coverage gap,according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Seniors can capitalize on those savings by knowing exactly whatthey are paying for — shop around for better prescription pricesand ask about costs. For additional savings, use genericmedications. Take advantage of Medicare preventive services,including many types of screenings, tests, shots, counseling, trainingand supplies now offered without co-pays or other out-of-pocketcosts.

2. Ask for help. In addition to guidance on retirement, estateand long-term care planning, seniors can rely on professionals tohelp them with health care choices. Walters points out this caninclude Medicare specialists such as Allsup or financial plannerswho often consult Medicare experts.

“Health care planning is a quality of life and a financial issue,”Walters says. “If you need assistance sorting through theoverwhelming number of options, it' s important to know that help isout there for you — don't be afraid to ask.”

Grace Hercules used Allsup to research her Medicare needsand found she could save more than $1,000 a year by switchingdrug plans. “I thought a mail-order prescription plan was best forme, but their specialists proved me wrong about this — and I am sohappy,” she says.

“People can probably do their own taxes, but when they pay atax adviser they get better returns,” Hercules adds. “It's getting the

Go to Solutions

Weekly REPORTER

Visit us at

Issuu.com

H

ow OlderDriversCan

Cut VehicleCosts

(ARA) - For most of us, driving is a necessity, and so is doing it as cost-effectively as possible - even inretirement when most of us stay in our suburban homes. Saving money on automobile-related expenses likegas and insurance can help free up cash for other important things.

InsuranceOlder drivers have lower rates of police-

reported crashes per capita, limit their drivingto familiar routes and better weather, anddrive fewer miles than other age groups, butaccident rates per mile start increasing whendrivers reach 70, according to the InsuranceInstitute for Highway Safety. Even if yourpersonal driving record is clean, your agemay put you in a demographic that insurancecompanies view as higher risk - and you'llpay higher auto insurance premiums becauseof it.

Shopping around for auto insurance mayhelp you secure a better rate, but if you'refacing very high premiums, it may make senseto take an extra step. Many insurers offerdiscounts to drivers who complete driversafety courses. Check with your insurancecompany to see if such a discount is availableto you, then look for a program, like AARPDriver Safety's course, that is specificallydesigned to help people 50 and older refreshtheir driving skills and adapt to age-relatedchanges. There are no tests to take for thecourse. To find an in-person course near you,visit www.aarp.org/findacourse, or sign upfor an online course.

Fuel efficiencyAfter insurance, fuel can be one of the

highest costs of operating a vehicle, especiallyfor those who travel far, such as older driverscommuting from winter to summerresidences. Car makers have improvedoverall fuel efficiency for many newer

vehicles, but you can take steps to cut yourgas costs more - even if you have an oldercar.

AARP offers these tips for improving fuelefficiency:* Lighten the load. The heavier your vehicleand contents, the more gas it will consume

moving down the road. Remove excessweight from the trunk and avoid traveling withluggage or bike racks that create drag, addweight and decrease fuel economy.* Watch your speed. While it's important tosafely keep pace with the flow of trafficaround you, keep in mind most cars are atthe optimum fuel efficiency around 50 mph.* Drive smoothly. Abrupt stops and starts,and fast, erratic movements in traffic alldecrease fuel economy.* Try to consolidate trips. Rather thanmaking one trip to the grocery store today,

then the doctor's office tomorrow and yourbook club the next day, try to group errandstogether. Starting a cold engine consumesmore gas than keeping it running longer.

MaintenanceWith the average age of cars on the road

approaching 11 years, according to R.L.Polk & Co., an automotive market researchfirm, routine maintenance is more importantthan ever. Doing simple tasks like oilchanges, windshield wiper replacement andair filter changes yourself can help save youmoney.

Tasks that you can easily performyourself include:* Changing the oil and oil filter.* Changing the air filter.* Monitoring tire inflation and adding air ifneeded.* Checking and cleaning batteryconnections.* Replacing worn windshield wipers.* Replacing headlight or brake lightbulbs.

Other DIY tasks, like replacing brakepads or sparkplugs, or flushing the radiator,require a bit more know-how. Fortunately,plenty of online resources offer step-by-stepguides for doing more complex vehiclemaintenance tasks. And, you can alwayscheck with your local community college tosee if they offer a basic auto maintenancecourse.

Weekly REPORTER

Ingredients: Instructions:

• Crisco® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray

Filling

• 1 (16 oz.) bag frozen mixed vegetables• 1 (10 3/4 oz.) can condensed cream ofchicken soup• 1/2 cup milk• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme• 1/4 teaspoon salt• 1/4 teaspoon pepper• 2 cups chopped, cooked chicken• 1/3 cup chopped onion

Biscuit Topping

• 2 cups White Lily® Enriched BleachedSelf-Rising Flour• 1/4 cup Crisco® Butter Flavor All-Vegetable Shortening, chilled• 2/3 cup buttermilk

1. HEAT oven to 400º F. Spray 8 x 8 x 2-inch baking dish or other 2-quart casseroledish with no-stick cooking spray. Place frozenvegetables in colander. Rinse with hot wateruntil thawed. Drain.

2. MIX soup with milk, thyme, salt andpepper in large bowl. Add chicken, vegetablesand onion. Pour into prepared dish.

3. PLACE flour in large bowl. Cut inshortening with pastry blender until mixtureresembles coarse crumbs. Add buttermilk.Stir just until dough leaves sides of bowl. Drop9 biscuits (3 rows of 3) on top of chickenmixture.

4. BAKE 35 to 40 minutes or until chickenmixture is bubbly and biscuits are goldenbrown. Cool 10 minutes before serving.

Serving Size (1 slice, 1/9 of pie), Calories 290 (Calories from Fat 90), Total Fat 10g (Saturated Fat 3g,Trans Fat 0g), Cholesterol 30mg, Sodium 670mg, Total Carbohydrate 34g (Dietary Fiber 3g, Sugars6g), Protein 16g; Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 20%, Vitamin C 10%, Calcium 10%, Iron 10%.

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutritional Information Per Serving:

MAKES

9

SERVINGS

Weekly REPORTER

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You Can View The Weekly ReporterIn Flip Pages by visiting issuu

(ARA) - The start of a new school year is like a fresh

box of crayons - full of possibilities.Ginny Bean, mother of three and publisher of Ginny's

catalog, suggests families take advantage of this clean slateby establishing some new organizing routines.

Think ahead. Mornings are chaotic in most householdswith school-aged children. Consider handling as manydaytime preparations as possible the night before. Lay outclothes. Pack lunches. Set out the breakfast dishes andcereal. Pack backpacks.

Bean suggests making systems kid-friendly, so younghelpers can feel involved, and save mom some time in theprocess. "Carve out a spot on a lower shelf of the pantryfor lunch boxes and lunch-making supplies. Then makechildren responsible for putting away their empty lunchboxes at the end of the school day, or even packing theirown lunch."

Tackle school paperwork. Make a habit of sortingthrough children's backpacks with them the same daythey come home. Allot time after school, when you arrivehome from work, or after dinner, depending on yourfamily's schedule. Use a tiered letter sorter or filingsystem with designated slots for each child's papers, andan "A.S.A.P." space for teachers' notes, permission slipsand anything else that requires immediate attention.

For schoolwork and artwork you want to keep, try atwo-step approach. First, purge unwanted items as soonas they come in the door. Collect the possible keepers in astorage bin or wheeled cart with color-coded drawers thatallow for easy separation by child or project type. Gothrough stored items at regular intervals, perhaps once amonth or once a quarter. Keep in mind, the more youaccumulate, the easier it will be to pare down, as the bestpieces will stand out from the crowd.

Designate a homework spot. Decide on the best spot inyour home to set up homework central. Take intoconsideration how involved you need to be with homeworkand your child's style. Does he focus better with peoplearound or in a private setting? Is he better suited to sit ata desk or curled up in a favorite chair with a laptop cart?

Once you have a place picked out, gather togetherhandy homework tools and supplies into a nearby bin,drawer or cabinet. Stock up on age-appropriate suppliessuch as pens, pencils, erasers, paper, crayons, markers, aruler, dictionary, calculator and a pencil sharpener.

Create a communication hub. Include the familycalendar, a chalk or bulletin board for posting messagesand reminders, a binder for key documents, coloredmarkers, pens and pencils. If you're a visual person,consider color coding your calendar by assigning eachfamily member a different color.

Remember not to forget. Use wall hooks and basketsor bins near the front door to corral the items you need toremember each day: backpacks, books, lunches, gymshoes, sports equipment and musical instruments.

To request a copy of Ginny's catalog, visit Ginnys.comor call 800-487-9024.

Weekly REPORTER

Courtesy of AraContent

(ARA) - For many people, fall brings coolertemperatures and outdoor activities such as naturewalks and trips to see the leaves change. Butsports buffs across the nation are hitting thepavement in preparation for marathon season.

There is no slowing down fitness enthusiasts,who adhere to training regimens and participate inlong-distance running events. However, rigorousoutdoor activity, combined with heat, humidityand sweat, can make skin more vulnerable to thesun's rays. Even if you are not a marathon runner,it is important to help protect your skin whileembracing the sun and the outdoors.

Although the majority of Americans (59percent) consider putting on sunscreen importantwhen preparing for outdoor activity, only 49percent actually use sunscreen when exercisingoutdoors, according to a survey sponsored by theCoppertone Solar Research Center. Before lacingup your best running shoes, plan ahead with a sunsafety strategy that best complements yourroutine.

“As a practicing dermatologist, I know howchallenging it can be to help keep my skinprotected from the elements, especially now that Iam training for my fifth marathon,” says Dr.Elizabeth K. Hale, clinical associate professor ofdermatology at New York University School ofMedicine and consultant to the makers ofCoppertone. “Simple steps can help ensure thatyou are protecting yourself this marathon seasonand beyond.”

Dr. Hale offers some of her key sun safety tipsfor fellow runners:

* Shield with shades. UV radiation can damagethe eyes and the skin around them, so it isimportant for runners to wear their sunglasses. Toprovide the best protection for your eyes, yourshades should block out 99 to 100 percent of UVAand UVB rays. Choose wrap-around frames,which stay on better while you train.

* Replenish yourself. Drinking water can helpkeep your body and skin hydrated, especially ifyou are sweating. It is essential for runners to pay

attention to how much water they are drinkingbefore, during and after outdoor exercise. “I like toapply Coppertone Sport Pro Series with DuraFlexbefore stepping outside for training. Thislightweight formula sprays on easily and helps

keep my skin hydrated,” says Dr. Hale.* Protect every inch. Runners and other

outdoor athletes tend to forget to apply sunscreenon all areas of their face and body. The mostcommonly overlooked areas when applyingsunscreen are the scalp, ears and backs of hands.Just remember to bring your sunscreen andreapply every two hours.

* Timing is everything. Schedule your outdoortraining when the sun is less intense; avoidexposure between the peak hours of 10 a.m. and 2p.m. If you do run during that time, choose a routethat offers plenty of shade.

* Go safe with your style. Make sure to protectyour skin during your run with the appropriateattire. Try wearing lightweight, sun-protectiveclothing. Also, stay cool with a baseball hat to helpshield your face from the sun.

Before you head out for your next run, checkout sun care tips from Dr. Hale on theSunderstanding page of the Coppertone website tolearn more about how to help keep your skinprotected when you are training your hardest.

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mindset that good help is available. It's really worth getting experthelp and not having the aggravation.”

3. Be proactive. Having known and been around seniors,Hercules says she is saddened that so many settle for high costs orkeep the same Medicare plan year after year because of a lack ofunderstanding.

Just as seniors review their finances or taxes each year, Medicareannual enrollment is the ideal time to review health care coverage,Walters says. “It's OK to admit it's confusing and that help will bevaluable. Look at all your Medicare options and take charge of yourhealth care.”

In addition to annual Medicare enrollment, special enrollmentperiods happen throughout the year for specific situations. For anevaluation of Medicare options, call an Allsup Medicare Advisorspecialist at 866-521-7655, or go to medicare.allsup.com.

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