the weekly reporter - february 09, 2012
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The Weekly Reporter brings news and events with a focus on wrong doing.TRANSCRIPT
TheWeekly ReporterWillingToSay TheTruth.
Protecting Liberty Through Freedom of Speech
February 09, 2012
TheWeekly Reporter
“Let us dare to, read, think, speak and write.” - John Adams, 1765
EXPANSION OF ROMEOVILLE QUARRY STILL ON TABLE
Citizen Urges Fellow Residents To Attend Zoning Meeting
With February 14th fast approaching, there are still many questions thathave not yet been answered that relate to allowing Hanson Material Serviceto expand its operations in Romeoville into an area known as the SpanglerProperty located west of Route 53 on the Soutrh side of Taylor Road.
On January 6th Mayor John Noak indicated in a special press releasethat he does not envision rezoning the Spangler property to allow miningoperations. Today, during the Village Board meeting Village manager SteveGulden announced that Hanson has resubmitted it's application for rezoningbut the new application does not include a request to expand its operationsto the Spangler property.
After the January 18th Village Board meeting several newspapersindicated that Mayor Noak will not allow changes to the existing blastingstandard. But until now no one from the Village has confirmed or denied thisreport.
Thus a question remains: What is their position as to the blastingstandards? Furthermore, is all Hanson is asking for still on the table forconsideration until the village board votes on it?
In early 1995 many residents fought a similar plan to expand Hanson’squarry operations. Hundreds of residents came forward and spoke inopposition to that expansion.
The people did not fail because they did not put forth a show ofresistance, they failed because of greed and indecision on the part of someof the Village officials at that time.
I call upon all of you Romeoville residents to please attend this publichearing on February 14th at 7 PM in Romeoville High School. Let theofficials hear your voice.
The Hanson Material Service quarry not only negatively affectsresidents who live in the surrounding area but in fact this Quarry might have anegative impact on ALL residents of Romeoville whose children attendRomeoville High School. Those boys and girls could be affected now or atany time in the future as they are the people who will be closest to the
Letter to the Editor from Tomasz Suliga - Romeoville Resident
RESIDENT URGES FELLOWHOMEOWNERS TO ATTEND IN A
SHOW OF STRENGTH AT THEBUILDING & ZONING MEETING
The future of Romeoville Mayor John Noak may be on the table alongwith an application from Hanson Material Service that operates a quarry atRoute 43 and Taylor Road in the Village of Romeoville, IL.
Mayor Noak was appointed by the village board to fill the remainingterm of former Mayor Fred Dewald who resigned under pressure ofalleged wrong doing. The mayor is currently serving his first elected term inoffice and it could very well be his last if the Romeoville Building andZoning Board approves an application from Hanson Material Service toexpand its quarry operations west of Illinois Route 53 in close proximity tohundreds of homes.
The quarry operations, if approved, would also be close to theRomeoville High School. Some residents have expressed fears that dustfrom the proposed operation would contain cancer causing silica dust orother yet unidentified harmful materials.
Professionals were brought in to address the Village Board andassured them and the residents that blasting in the area near homes wouldnot pose a threat either to them or to their property.
The residents believe the blasting may damage their homes and furtherthat it could create health problems for them and their families.
Resident Tomasz Suliga has expressed his concerns that not only maythe shocks from the quarry blasting injure his property but also that the dustfrom the rock that is pulverized during the blasting will be harmful.
Residents say they will elect a new mayor in the next election if MayorNoak fails to fully protect their homes and their families.
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6 PAST ISSUES
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February 02, 2012
January 19, 2012
January 12, 2012
January 05, 2012
December 29, 2011
December 22, 2011
FOSTER ANNOUNCES JOINT FORUMSCHEDULE FOR THE PRIMARY
Naperville, IL – Today, the Bill Foster campaignannounces its planned joint forum schedule in advance of
the March 20DemocraticPrimary. Followingjoint appearancesbefore the ChicagoSun Times¸ KaneCounty Chronicleand Chicago
Tribune editorial boards, his campaign announced that BillFoster will participate in the League of Women Voters of
Naperville Forum on February 25 and a forum sponsoredby the Quad County African American Chamber ofCommerce, which is still being formally scheduled. Thesepublic forums were chosen because will be hosted by well-established community organizations and all candidates onthe ballot were invited.
“I look forward to a serious discussion of the issues,”said Bill Foster. “As a scientist and a business man, I havefirst-hand experience creating jobs and finding solutions forcomplex problems. I look forward to talking directly withthe voters about my vision for ending partisan bickering inWashington, and getting our economy back on track.”
Naperville, IL – Joining the growing list of grassroots supporters lining up behind Bill Foster, the AssociatedFirefighters of Illinois announced today their endorsement of Bill Foster in the new 11th Congressional District.
“I am proud to announce the support of the 15,000 members of the AFFI for Bill Foster in Democratic primary thenew 11th Congressional District,” sat Pat Devaney, President of the AFFI-IAFF. “In times like these we need someonelike Bill, who understands the importance of fighting to create jobs here. Our working families are the priority, and no oneknows this more than someone who has first-hand experience creating jobs here in the Midwest.”
“I could not be more proud of the growing support from working families in this campaign,” said Bill Foster (IL-11). “I have always made it a priority to stand up for the hard working men and women, who keep us safe. The supportof these heroes will not be forgotten, and I am proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with them as we build our grassrootscampaign.”
Associated Firefighters of Illinois Endorse Foster
Naperville, IL – According to FEC Quarterly Fundraising Reports released yesterday, BillFoster outraised Congresswoman Biggert (R-Hinsdale) for the third consecutivequarter. Showing more than $281,000 raised with over $751,000 cash on hand, the Fostercampaign will have the resources to compete in November.
"Together we are building a strong grassroots campaign that focuses on what people areasking from Washington: good jobs and a strong economy and future for our families," saidBill Foster. "I'm honored to have the support of Illinois middle class families so we can takeon the out of touch Wall Street-Washington agenda that's been a problem for too long."
Quarterly Filing Bill Foster Judy Biggert
July 15 Quarterly Report $286,083.15 $267,656.26
July 15 Quarterly Report $289,511.91 $274,048.42
Year End Report $281,139.39 $262,989.89
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One important issue among Conservative Republicans isthe matter of abortion. Candidates who address theconservative right-wing press hard to curry the support ofthe religious right-wing that is firmly against abortion rights –period!
Abortion may be blamed for many ills including theerosion of sexual morals since the Roe v. Wade decision.When it was nearly impossible to get a legal abortion womenwere extremely concerned about the possibility of becomingpregnant.
Promiscuous sex and pregnancy were social ills thatmight cause a girl or a woman to be ostracized within hercommunity.
If an underage woman became pregnant prior to thebirth control pill or prior to the Roe v. Wade decision, thefamily would almost always send her off to some farawayplace to have her child to keep the matter secret.
Men promoted the use of the birth control pill becausethey viewed it as a tool to have more sexual access to morewilling women. In fact the general view at the time was that itwould lead to more women engaging in sex prior tomarriage. It did.
The people who preferred extra-marital sex loved theRoe v. Wade ruling since any accidental pregnancy could beended before it embarrassed the pregnant woman.
There can be little doubt that together, Roe v. Wade andthe introduction of the birth control pill have done a greatdeal to contribute to the moral decay of modern society.
Mitt Romney realizes he needs the conservative religiousright-wing of the Republican Party if he is to be nominated asits candidate in the 2012 Presidential race.
Mr. Romney has therefore done another flip-flop on theabortion issue. If you watch the video above you will hearhim catering to the abortion proponents as he sought electionas the Governor of Massachusetts. He knows well how tosay what voters wish to hear but what he says and what youhear is not what Mitt Romney will do. What is most likely todo is what he has done in his political past and that is tosupport abortion and the funding of abortion across thenation.
In Massachusetts he promised to support abortionrights. He promised not to change the abortion laws. Nowhe needs the votes of those who oppose abortion and so heis willing to tell them what they want to hear, i.e. that heopposes abortion. Mitt Romney is a liar on the issue ofabortion because he either lied to become governor or he islying now to become the Republican Presidential candidate.
On the matter of the gun control; listen to Romney as hesupports gun control and hear his position now when heneeds the national vote. No one can be certain what he maydo because he changes what he says depending upon whohe is addressing at the moment.
Romney cannot be trusted and Romney should not betrusted to carry out the will of Republican voters if they wereto elect him.
Romney Can’t Be Trusted on [email protected]
I've noticed that everyone who is for abortionhas already been born - Ronald Reagan
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StopBullying
VISIT: Stopbullying.govBullying is a widespread and serious problem that can
happen anywhere. It is not a phase children have to gothrough, it is not "just messing around", and it is notsomething to grow out of. Bullying can cause serious andlasting harm.
Although definitions of bullying vary, most agree thatbullying involves:
Imbalance of Power: people who bully use their powerto control or harm and the people being bullied may have ahard time defending themselves
Intent to Cause Harm: actions done by accident arenot bullying; the person bullying has a goal to cause harm
Repetition: incidents of bullying happen to the same theperson over and over by the same person or group
Types of BullyingBullying can take many forms. Examples include:Verbal: name-calling, teasingSocial:spreading rumors, leaving people out on
purpose, breaking up friendshipsPhysical: hitting, punching, shovingCyber bullying: using the Internet, mobile phones or
other digital technologies to harm othersAn act of bullying may fit into more than one of these
groups.Cyberbullying, instead of happening face-to-face,
happens through the use of technology such as computers,cell phones and other electronic devices. Cyberbullyingpeaks around the end of middle school and the beginning ofhigh school.
Examples of cyberbullying include:Sending hurtful, rude, or mean text messages to othersSpreading rumors or lies about others by e-mail or on
social networksCreating websites, videos or social media profiles that
embarrass, humiliate, or make fun of othersBullying online is very different from face-to-face
bullying because messages and images can be:Sent 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a yearShared be shared to a very wide audienceSent anonymously
Effects of CyberbullyingResearch on cyberbullying has found that students
involved are more likely to:Be unwilling to attend schoolReceive poor gradesHave lower self-esteemHave more health problemsCyberbullying can have particular affects on those who
are targeted. Research has found that young people whohave been cyberbullied are significantly more likely to:
Use alcohol and drugsSkip schoolExperience in-person bullying or victimizationMake Cyberbullying StopIf you or someone you know is being cyberbullied,
know that it does not have to be this way. There things youcan do to help you and your friends:
Talk with someone you trust. Talking to someonecould help you figure out the best ways to deal with theproblem. Reach out to a family member, friend or anotheradult that you trust.
Do not respond to cyberbullying. Sometimes peoplepost or text teasing or name-calling to get a reaction. Ifsomeone has posted or sent a message that could be hurtfulto others, refuse to pass it along or respond to it.
Keep evidence of cyberbullying. Record the dates,times and descriptions of instances when cyberbullying hasoccurred. Save and print screenshots, e-mails, and textmessages.
Block the person who is cyberbullying you. Manywebsites and phone companies let you block people. Also,cyberbullying may violate the “Terms and Conditions” ofthese services. Consider contacting the service provider tofile a complaint.
Report the incident to your school. They may beable to help you resolve the cyberbullying or be watchful forface-to-face bullying.
Ask for help. Sometimes, talking to a counselor orhealth professional can help you get through the emotionaleffects of bullying.
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jul/25/news/la-pn-gingrich-worth-2011http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jul/25/news/la-pn-
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journeys, Voyager 1 headingnorthward at about 320 million milesper year, and Voyager 2 headingsouthward at the slower rate of 290million miles per year. As we enter2007 Voyager 1 is more than 100astronomical units distant (one AU isthe distance from the Earth to the Sun),about 9.5 billion miles, with Voyager 2trailing on its southward journey. Bothare way beyond the dwarf planet Pluto,which averages 40 astronomical unitsfrom the Sun and was formerlyconsidered the edge of the solarsystem.
Both Voyagers are also wellbeyond their trailblazing predecessorspacecraft, Pioneer 10 and 11. ThePioneer 10 spacecraft, which returnedthe first close-up images of Jupiter in1973 and was for many years the most
distant spacecraft from Earth, waspassed in 1998 by Voyager 1 at adistance of 69 astronomical units.Communications were lost in 2003, butPioneer 10, with its famous engravedplaque message, continues onwardbehind the Voyagers. Communicationwith its sister ship, Pioneer 11, was lostin 1995, but it too continues itsoutward journey at a slower rate thanthe Voyagers.The Voyager Interstellar Missiontherefore provides an opportunity toexplore for the first time unchartedterritory – interstellar space. Thesejourneys now raise an interestingpractical question – where does thesolar system end and interstellar spacebegin? The answer requires a sojourninto the celestial cartography of oursolar system's edge. That edge, it turns
out, is defined not by objects orbarriers, but by the phenomenon of thewind from the Sun. Early spacecraftdiscovered a steady stream ofelectrically charged gas flowing fromthe Sun; we now know that it creates abubble called the heliosphere (seeimage below). The solar wind travelsoutward at speeds of 700,000 to 1.5million miles per hour, until it begins tofeel the effects of the interstellar windcomposed of gas from other stars. Atthis point, called the "terminationshock," the speed of the solar windslows abruptly. Continuing outward,the solar wind comes to a boundarywhere the pressure of the two winds isin balance, a point called the"heliopause".
The epic journeys of Voyagers 1 and 2 are among themost astonishing tales of the Space Age. Originally plannedto explore the gas giant planets and their satellites, which
they did in brilliantfashion, they havecontinued their journeysand are now the mostdistant human objects inthe cosmos, tossed outinto the sea of space fromour home planet.
Launched in thesummer of 1977, both Voyager spacecraft were designedto last five years, and both encountered Jupiter and Saturnbetween 1979 and 1981. After the flyby of Saturn's moon
Titan, Voyager 1 took a trajectory north of Saturn's orbitalplane out of the solar system, while Voyager 2 headedonward to Uranus and Neptune, courtesy of a gravity assistand a rare planetary alignment. After encountering Uranus in1986 and Neptune in 1989, Voyager 2 took a southwardtrajectory out of the solar system. The last Voyager imageswere taken Valentine's Day, 1990, when Voyager 1 lookedback from 3.7 billion miles to take a portrait of seven of thenine planets in our own solar system, including the "pale bluedot" that is Earth. The data the Voyagers returnedrevolutionized our knowledge of the outer planets and theirintriguing panoply of satellites.It would have been an extraordinary voyage had it endedthere. But it did not. In 1989 the missions were jointlyrenamed the Voyager Interstellar Mission. Both Voyagers
Science
DEEP SPACEPROBES
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Courtesy of ARAContent HEADS UPON FINANCE
(ARA) - "Silly season" - the months of campaigning thatlead up to a presidential election - is well under way, andit's a sure bet the country's money, finances and spendinghabits will be favorite issues for politicos of all persuasions.But while the debate and rhetoric is sure to be heated onboth sides of the political fence, taking control of finances -specifically, your personal ones - is something worthconsidering this year.
"It's nevertoo early or toolate to educateyourself aboutyour finances andto take control ofyour spendingand saving," saysDr. Willie White,program chair and accounting instructor at Everest Collegein Aurora, Colo. White offers four tips to help get youstarted:
1. Assess your financesMake a list of all sources of income and expenses,
including: mortgage payments, rent, utilities, car paymentsand insurance and credit card payments.
If you recently experienced a significant change in yourpersonal or financial life, then you may also benefit fromconsulting a financial professional. Even if you have to paysome money up front, a professional financial manager canhelp you identify possible tax breaks, or advise you onpossible debt management strategies.
Dr. White also advises you to get a copy of your creditreport; you can access it for free by visitingwww.annualcreditreport.com.
2. Organize your financesAfter you've assessed your situation, make a monthly
budget with concrete, manageable goals. Set aside a certain
time each week devoted to managing your finances, andautomate as many of your payments as possible.
If you are not sure how much you currently spend, thenyou should keep a "financial log" for one month, in whichyou record all expenses on discretionary items such asfood, gas, clothing, etc. Transition to online payments."Paying your bills on time not only will save you money byhelping you avoid late payments, but it is a crucial first stepto building your credit score," says White. Moving toautomatic deductions not only makes sure your bills arepaid on time, but can also save you time and hassle. 3.Start saving
"There is only one rule to saving - spend less than youearn," says White. The key to saving is to create andcommit to a reasonable budget that includes manageablesavings goals. If possible, have a set amount go directly toyour savings account by automatic deposit.
To make the most of your saving, White suggests yousee if your employer offers a 401k as part of your benefitpackage, which allows you to deduct savings automaticallyand actually reduces your taxable income. If your employeroffers a matching 401k option, maximize your savings totake full benefit of the matched amount.
4. Deal with your debtFor many, credit card debt can seem overwhelming,
but there are a number of steps you can take to feel incontrol of your payments again. "Your first step can be tocancel credit cards with annual fees," advises White.
Dr. White also urges you to consult debt consolidationcompanies, which gather debt from various credit cardsunder one umbrella account, and help you reduce monthlypayments.
However, the most important piece of advice Dr. Whiteoffers is to get informed. "The more you know about yourfinances and your options, the better consumer and investoryou will be," says Dr. White.
It's never too early or too late totake control of your finances
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Courtesy o fARAcontent KenyHolmes [email protected]
FOR SENIORS
ONLY
(ARA) - The kids are finally on their own and you'reready to reclaim some spaces in your home that werepreviously dedicated to child's play. Even though as empty-nesters you probably won't spend so much on food,
education and gas money, you're still not ready to go intodebt to redecorate the once-kid-centric rooms in yourhome.
Fortunately, it's easy to find redecorating options thatpack grown-up appeal without a grown-ups only price-tag.You can make over bedrooms and play rooms with a fewbudget-friendly tricks.
Not sure where to start? Here are a few helpful hints:Your teen barred you from making decorator decisions
about her room long ago. Now that she's moved out, it'stime to tear down those rock band posters, empty the closetof clothes she'll never wear again, and do something moresedate with those awful candy pink walls.
Whether you're planning to sell your empty nest anddowngrade to something smaller, or just want to enjoy allthe rooms in your home again, redecorating a child's roomhas many advantages.
Start by repainting walls in neutral, sophisticated tones.Then, spice things up - in a mature, adult way - with anaccent wall. For those that are afraid committing towallpaper, repositionable peel and stick wallpaper is a greatoption for creating a unique decorator feature in a room.Whether you're looking for beach wall murals to evoke therelaxed feeling of your last tropical vacation, or a city skylineto create a sophisticated aura, you can find many optionsonline at websites like DecorPlace.com.
Clear all the excess toys out of the playroom, and puttheir X-box on eBay. (If they really wanted it, they'd havetaken it with them.) Now you're ready to put that space toadult use -- as a home theater, craft room or office.
Bring in that big-screen, high-def TV you didn't buybefore because you couldn't bear the thought of stickyfingerprints all over it. Buy that awesome surround passedon for years because you feared how it would sound withyour kids' favorite cartoon blasting out of the speakers.
Finally, don't overlook the bathroom. If you've held offon buying new towels, bath matt and a shower curtain untilthere were no more teenagers in the house to mess them up,it's time to treat yourself. While you're at it, replace theutilitarian shower head with a luxurious multi-head unit or arainfall shower head. Install a towel warming rack now thatthe electrical outlets are free of curling - or straightening -irons. Choose a serene, comforting color and paint over thecartoon fish decals.
Seize the opportunity to re-feather your empty nest toyour tastes. And don't feel bad about doing it. Studies showthat redecorating an adult child's room so they know they"can't go home again" actually helps them better make thetransition to independence.
Ideas for're-feathering'your empty neston the cheap
If they will stop telling lies about the Democrats,we will stop telling the truth about themAdlai Stevenson on the Republican party
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Courtesty of ARAcontent
(ARA) - Giving your significant other the right gift canmake or break your Valentine's celebration. If you're alsogiving something to your best friend, mom and children, youmay need a little help finding the perfect token.
Erasesome offrustrationinvolved infinding theperfect giftand enjoy theholiday of loveand romancewith these
great Valentine's gift-giving tips:* Want to take a unique route but lack a good idea?
Start searching for ideas online. Traditional gifts can bealtered slightly with gifts that incorporate jewels, chocolateor flowers in an unusual setting. For example, a bouquet ofchocolate-covered strawberries designed to look like abouquet of roses, puts a unique twist on several of the morepopular gifting items.
Or deviate completely from the traditional and look forgifts your loved ones would appreciate, but never expectfor Valentine's Day. Use your computer to help you findgreat gift ideas for others on your Valentine's Day shoppinglist like your grandma and best friends. Use search terms
like "gifts for grandma" and "Valentine's gifts for friends" tohelp find ideas.
* If you have an idea in mind, find product reviews andrecommendations from experts and savvy shoppers with afew quick online searches. Use forums like FatWallet toread reviews on products ranging from electronics to travel.This way not only will you be able to confirm that your ideais a great one, but also ensure you find the best prices, andthe best retailer for that product.
* Don't forget to search for coupons and deals tomaximize your savings. Use Ebates.com to purchase thegifts for everyone on your list and earn cash back on everypurchase through thousands of retailers. For example, if youchoose to go the traditional route and order your girlfriend abeautiful bouquet of flowers from FTD, you can earn 20percent cash back from your purchase, on top of anydiscount coupons available on Ebates.com. Keep that extracash back handy to make your Valentine's Day celebrationeven more special.
Many retailers provide free shipping or delivery, andyou may discover you can stack deals, allowing you to saveplenty of money this Valentine's Day and helping to easeyour gift shopping frustrations.
Celebrate the holiday of love and romance this year instyle with great gifts for your loved ones. Go online, gathergreat and unique ideas and don't forget to save whileshopping.
(ARA) - When it comes to tellingyour special someone how you feel onValentine's Day, think traditional, ratherthan digital.
On a holiday that celebrates ourmost genuine feelings, the world ofonline greetings lacks importantpersonal connections. In fact, a recentsurvey, conducted on behalf ofpremium Swiss chocolatier Lindt,showed the majority of women like toreceive traditional gifts on Valentine'sDay.
Keep these ideas in mind as youshop for your loved ones:
* Handwritten cards. What couldbe more meaningful than a heartfeltexpression of love? Taking the time tocraft a note is a great idea that anyonewould treasure.
* Chocolates. Make your giftstand apart by putting a little addedthought into it. Opt for premiumchocolate, like Lindt, which is madewith the finest ingredients and is sure to
be the perfect gift option for everyoneon your Valentine's Day list.
* Flowers . Skip the basic bloomsand put a bit more thought into abouquet. Consider the recipient'sfavorite colors - you don't necessarilyhave to go with pink and red justbecause those are emblematic of theholiday.
For more classic gift ideas, visitLindt.com.
Valentine's Daygift-giving tips
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Educ
ation
Matters
Mark Goodson
Courtesy of ARAcontent
(ARA) - Other than buying a home and automobile, acollegeeducation isone of thebiggestinvestmentsAmericanstypicallymake. Onaverage, in-state tuitionand fees at
a four-year public college increased by more than 8 percentto $8,244 for the 2011-2012 academic year, and room andboard now averages more than $17,000 per year.
Fortunately, you may be able to cut your college costs atincome tax time with a variety of credits, deductions andsavings plans.
The American Opportunity and Lifetime LearningCredits are likely to result in the biggest tax rewards on yourtax year 2011 federal return due April 17, 2012. Thefollowing basic requirements apply to both credits:
* Filing status on the return cannot be "married filingseparately."
* The student must be you, your spouse or a dependentfor whom you claim an exemption.
* A dependent cannot claim the credits if claimed onanother person's (e.g. parents') return.
If you do not claim the dependent exemption (even ifentitled to the exemption), you cannot claim a credit basedon that dependent's expenses.
* Claim credits on Form 8863 and file with your Federal1040.In addition, both credits cannot be claimed for the samestudent, Jessi Dolmage, spokeswoman for TaxACT,explains. "If multiple students are claimed on a return, the
taxpayer should choose the credit thatyields the biggest benefit for eachstudent."
The American Opportunity Credit isa modified version of the Hope Credit.It's worth up to $2,500 for tuition, feesand course materials per student for thefirst four years of postsecondaryeducation. Even if you have zero taxliability, you can get up to 40 percent asa refund. It phases out at higherincomes.
The Lifetime Learning Credit isworth up to 20 percent of the first$10,000 in higher education expensesper family for an unlimited number ofyears. Like the American OpportunityCredit, it phases out at higher incomes.
Several other college and highereducation tax breaks can also beclaimed on this year's federal taxreturns.
Up to $2,500 in student loan interestpaid each year for qualified highereducation expenses can be deducted,even if you don't itemize. The deductionphases out at higher incomes and isreduced by nontaxable distributions froma Coverdell Education Savings Account,savings bond interest used for educationexpenses and scholarships or veteran'seducation benefits. Married taxpayersfiling separately and people claimed as adependent on another return don'tqualify.
Additional exceptions may apply tothe aforementioned tax breaks, andother educational tax benefits exist forQualified Tuition Programs, student loancancellations and repayment assistance,Coverdell Education Savings Accounts,education savings bonds, employer-provided educational assistance andwork-related education. Learn more
about all education tax benefits inPublication 970 at www.irs.gov.
You can also use TaxACT's CollegeTax Whiz, a free interactive tool thatbreaks down 10 college tax benefits atwww.taxact.com/college-tax-whiz. Itexplains the tax benefit, acceptableexpenses, types of education and otherkey qualifiers in a question and answerformat.
"College tax breaks can be tricky tonavigate, but tax preparation solutionslike TaxACT Free Federal Edition makeit easy, " says Dolmage. "The programwill guide you through all education taxbreaks and determine the best credit ordeduction for each student." Learnmore about TaxACT atwww.taxact.com.
Slash college billswith tax benefits
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Health & Wellness
Courtesy of ARAcontent
(ARA) - Whether you are at risk for, have been recentlydiagnosed, or are living with diabetes, it is essential to makesure you have the information necessary to manage yourdisease. It can also be overwhelming caring for someonewith diabetes. The American Diabetes Association aims tomake it easier and the organization's EXPOs are a greatplace to start.
American Diabetes Association EXPOs are free andheld in 11 major cities across the country. They have
everything consumers need to know about diabetes,products, healthy eating and exercise.
One person who appreciates these EXPOs is SteveShaffer of Denver, Colo. Shaffer has had type 1 diabetes for33 years. "EXPO has been a great experience for me overthe years I've attended, exposing me to a variety of usefulinformation on diabetes and what's going on in mycommunity," he said.
EXPOs include health screenings, cookingdemonstrations, product and service exhibitors as well asleading experts talking about diabetes management andprevention. "I learned even more about diabetes fromvendors, key speakers and professionals at EXPO," Shaffer
added. "It's an educational event not just for individuals withdiabetes, but also for those who help take care of a lovedone with the disease."
Shaffer is also an avid cyclist; he learned about the
Association's Tour de Cure cycling event at an EXPO andhas been a volunteer for the cause ever since.
Type 2 diabetes can be prevented if you maintain ahealthy diet, increase physical activity and maintain a healthyweight. If not controlled, diabetes can lead to complicationssuch as blindness, amputations, and heart and kidneydisease.
There are currently nearly 26 million people living in theU.S. with diabetes, 7 million of whom are undiagnosed.Visiting an EXPO event is one way you can become part ofmovement to Stop Diabetes.
For more information about diabetes or to find anEXPO in your area, call (800) DIABETES (800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org/expo.
Nationwide diabeteseducation eventscreate awareness,promote healthy
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TheWeekly Reporter
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
Across
Down
H C T O Z U L D D Y L M
B C C G
1 Female sheep 4 __ matter 8 Uncollected12 Paddle13 Raps lightly14 Aged15 Harsh17 Afresh18 Seed bread19 Servant21 Advance24 Propel with oars26 Vice __28 One-celled animals32 Flightless bird33 Partially frozen snow35 __ of the covenant36 Scolds38 Computer characters40 Dogma42 Bloke43 African country46 Environmental protectionagency (abbr)48 Western state49 Marrows54 Bod55 Acorns56 Genetic code57 Bridge58 Quiz59 Decade
11 Wet16 Greek god of war20 Hawaiian 'hello'21 Always22 Interbreeding population within a species23 Food25 Make27 Crooked29 Composer Johann Sebastian30 Opera solo31 Leap
1 Aurora 2 Western Athletic Conference 3 Stray 4 Attorney (abbr.) 5 Adornments 6 Car speed 7 Sanctuaries 8 Prophet 9 Blink10 Dueling sword
34 Clement37 Dweller of the Beehive State39 Rake41 Exams43 Tussle44 A spinning toy (2 wds.)45 Dalai __47 Insect50 Take to court51 Central daylight time52 Compass point53 __ Francisco
Down (continued)
February 09, 2012
Crossword solution
BEAUTY IS SKIN DEEP
ANSWER
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IMMIGRANTSARE
CHILDREN OFGOD TOO
E W E A L M A O W E DO A R T A P S R I P ES C R A T C H Y A N E W
R Y E L A C K E YE D G E S C U L LV E R S A A M O E B A SE M U S L U S H A R KR E B U K E S A S C I I
T E N E T C H A PM A L A W I E P AU T A H E S S E N C E SS O M A N U T S D N AS P A N T E S T T E N
Rhode Island SenatorProposes “Paying a FairShare Act” Republicans
Expected to Reject It.According to Senator Whitehouse , a Democrat from
Rhode Island, he is close to completing his bill referred toas the “Buffet Rule”. The Buffet Rule stems fromstatements made by billionaire Warren Buffet concerningthe fact that his secretary pays a higher percentage of her
wages in federalincome taxes thanhe himself does.
The billproposed byWhitehousewould impose atax of at least 30percent uponpeople who earnmore than $1million dollars peryear.
Whitehousesaid he has twoco-sponsors tosupport the billbut there is doubtit will survive a
vote in the House which is dominated by Republicans.They have generally sworn to oppose any increasedtaxation on the wealthy. In defense of their position theysuggest they are opposed to any new taxes. They preferto reduce of cost of government programs that assistpeople.
The Republican position is that everyone should beable to take care of himself and that the wealthy deserveto keep more of their earnings because they have earnedtheir riches.
Critics of Whitehouse claim his bill is a political ployintended to bolster his chances for re-election in 2012.
His bill “Paying a Fair Share Act” he says is anattempt to plug loopholes in the tax code that permit thevery wealthy to avoid paying their fair share of taxes.That he suggests places a heavier burden on themiddleclass who pay a greater percentage of their wagesin taxes than the very wealthy generally do.
Recently when Mitt Romney released some incometax information he admitted that he had paid only about14 percent taxes on his $22 million dollar income.
The Weekly Reporter Our BlogThe Squeaking Wheel
During the winter it can be easy to get so busy withwork and your kids’ activities that by the time you go to bedyou’ve barely seen the sun. The lack of exposure to the sun,shorter days and colder weather can cause some people tofeel the winter blues, known medically as seasonal affectivedisorder.
If you think you suffer from a major attitude changeduring the winter months, use these tips from USA.gov tolearn the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder andpossible treatment options.
Recognize the symptoms:Some of the most common symptoms of seasonal
affective disorder are feelings of sadness or emptiness,hopelessness or extreme pessimism. Fatigue, difficultyconcentrating and changes in weight could also be possiblesigns of the winter blues.
When It’s Not Just a Bad Day:Everyone has bad days from time to time and may feel
sad and depressed or even extremely pessimistic. It’snormal for these feelings to come and go. However, if yourmood doesn’t change over a period of two weeks, it’s timeto talk to your doctor to see if you’re suffering fromdepression or seasonal affective disorder. You can use theMood Tracker mobile app to help you track when and howlong you’ve been feeling depressed.
Treatment Options:There are several different treatment options for
seasonal affective disorder. Your doctor may want you totry light therapy. Being exposed to sunlight or a fluorescentlight box for an extended period of time could help toimprove your mood. However, for many people, lighttherapy isn’t enough.
In that case there are many different medicines you andyour doctor could discuss. Before your appointment readthe guide Depressions – Medicines to Help You to learnabout all your different options and possible side effects soyou can make an informed decision.
Don’t let the winter blues keep you down. Use thisinformation to help you take the steps you need to begin tofeel better.
Beat the Winter Blues
Last week the President delivered a forceful call for anAmerican economy that's built to last in his State of the Unionspeech. He said, "It’s time to turn our unemployment systeminto a re-employment system that puts people to work."
We know how to start. Congress has less than four weeksto approve a bill that extends unemployment insurance, fundstax credits to companies that hire workers, and invests in jobtraining and placement. But they deadlocked on this same pieceof legislation last December.So far there's still no permanent deal, and the extension is aboutto run out. Even worse, conservatives in the House arethreatening to kill ANY bill that invests in the 99%. Instead,they want more trickle down tax cuts that give all the benefitsto the 1%.
Here's our plan to beat them:First, we mobilize the grassroots to thank the most
supportive members of Congress on the conference committee,and target those standing in the way of compromise with awave of national pressure.
Then we work on a bill that extends an investment inAmerican workers for 72 weeks or more -- anything less won'tgive workers or employers the stability they need, and it willgive too many concessions to the Tea Party and its 1%backers.
After the conference committee acts, we'll use grassrootspressure on the rest of the House, especially by building acritical alliance between leading Democrats who control mostof the votes we need and a handful of moderate Republicansand Independents who can put us over the top.
The hundreds of USAction members on our live-chatcheered when the President said:
"We can either settle for a country where a shrinkingnumber of people do really well, while a growing number ofAmericans barely get by. Or we can restore an economy whereeveryone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, andeveryone plays by the same set of rules. What’s at stake arenot Democratic values or Republican values, but Americanvalues. We have to reclaim them."
The President called for exactly what we need -- aneconomy that works for the 99%. But the President can'tdeliver it alone, and neither can we. So just like the Presidentasked from Congress, we're asking you to invest in our visionfor an economy built to last. Donate now to our campaign andwe'll start fighting right away for jobs and employment for all.
Aneconomy
thatworks forthe 99%
The Weekly Reporter Our BlogThe Squeaking Wheel
Here a bow shock is created like that of a boat movingthrough water. Beyond the heliopause is interstellar space.
Although the Hubble Space Telescope hasphotographed examples of this bow shock around otherstars, the precise locations of the termination shock andheliopause for our solar system have been matters ofconjecture. Until now, that is. On December 16, 2004, themagnetometers aboard Voyager 1 showed a suddenincrease in the surrounding magnetic field, the result of asolar wind slowdown. At approximately 8.7 billion milesfrom the Sun (94 astronomical units) Voyager 1 passed thetermination shock and entered the heliosheath. "Voyager 1has entered the final lap on its race to the edge of interstellarspace," Voyager project scientist Ed Stone remarked at thetime. Voyager 2, now at about 82 astronomical units, willcross the termination shock in the next few years, certainlyby 2010. The exact timing in uncertain because theboundary changes with changing conditions on the Sun, suchas the sunspot cycle.
What Voyager 1 did not find at the termination shock isas important as what it did find. As expected, it found asteady source of low-energy protons. It was also expectedthat the termination shock was the source of somethingcalled "anomalous cosmic ray helium." But the intensity ofthese cosmic rays did not peak at the shock, indicating thatthe termination shock (at least in the vicinity of Voyager 1)was not the source of this type of cosmic ray. Scientistsconsider it a "shocking" result. As Len Fisk (a former headof space science at NASA) said in the Science magazine
cover story where the Voyager 1 results were announced,"Once again the mantra of space exploration is fulfilled:when we go somewhere that is new, we find theunexpected, and that's what makes it so exciting."
It will take another 10 or 20 years for Voyager 1 toreach the edge of the heliopause and enter true interstellarspace. It will indeed be a race, not between Voyagers 1 and2, but with the electrical power supply that providescommunication with the spacecraft. At these immensedistances from the Sun, solar arrays are useless and nuclearpower is used. But even the radioisotope thermoelectricgenerators (RTGs) aboard Voyager have a limited lifetime,and it is entirely possible the Voyagers will pass silently intointerstellar space.
Even if communications are lost, the silence will not betotal. Long after last contact with Earth, the Voyagers willcontinue their interstellar journeys. Aside from thetechnological message represented by the spacecraftthemselves, both spacecraft carry a more explicit messagefrom Earth. The Voyager interstellar records attached toeach spacecraft carry images, sounds, music, and greetingsin 55 languages. In some ways these time capsules fromEarth already seem quaint even to us in the age of CDs andDvDs. How much more quaint will they seem to anyextraterrestrial civilizations that may intercept them? Buteven if the messages cannot be deciphered, the spacecraftthemselves will be mute testimony that our species, perhapsone among many, has entered the new ocean of space.
DO YOU RECOGNIZE HIM?The FBI is asking the public to be on the alert for the man in the
photo. He is suspected of robbing the PNC Bank located at 495 WeberRoad in Romeoville, IL on February 2, 2012.
The robber is described as a white male in his mid 20’s, about five-feet seven to five-feet eight inches tall. He was wearing a black “puffy”coat, that is a down-filled coat.
No additional information was provided but if you recognize thisindividual you are asked to contact the FBI at (312) 421-6700.
Do not confront the suspect, doing so could be dangerous. The FBI has advised that there is a reward and you are advised to
contact the FBI directly for information concerning it should you haveinformation that might help in capturing the suspect.