INA, Ill. – Only three dates are open for reservations at the Rend Lake College Culinary Arts Showcase this year after a wave of interest. Guests can choose from four different reservation times on April 26, May 3, or May 4.

Guests can call today for reservations for Thursday, April 26. The Showcase offers reservation times for 5, 5:30, 6, and 6:30 p.m. for up to six guests per reservation. In addition to pre-registration, guests will also be required to pre-pay for their reservation at $25 per ticket.

Those wanting to make reservations for the remaining two days next month can call to do so starting Monday, April 16.

The Culinary Arts Showcase is an event that resembles a fine dining restaurant run by RLC Culinary Arts students enrolled in the Restaurant Management course. Using the bi-level kitchen and dining area in the Student Center on the Ina campus, students work in a variety of roles, ranging from executive chef, sous chef, server, runner, Maitre D’, and many more to get hands-on experience in all aspects of the restaurant business.

This year’s menu, with the theme “a new twist on old classics,” can be found online here. For questions or to make a reservation, contact RLC’s Community and Corporate Education Division at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1714 or commcorped@rlc.edu. Their office is located upstairs in the Student Center, Ina campus.

Facebook revealed Wednesday that tens of millions more people might have been exposed in the Cambridge Analytica privacy scandal than previously thought and said it will restrict the data it allows outsiders to access on its users.

Here’s the link to the story in the Southern Illinoisan.

INA, Ill. – Parents of three- and four-year-old children can take advantage of free pre-kindergarten screenings through the “Preschool For All” grant at the Rend Lake College Foundation Children’s Center (RLCFCC).

The free screenings are sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education grant during the month of May. Parents may contact the RLCFCC now to schedule a screening on Monday, May 14 through Wednesday, May 16.

To qualify for free screenings, children should be three years old by Sept. 1, 2018. Parents will need to provide proof of income and bring the child’s certified birth certificate. Potty training is not a requirement for entrance.

Results from the developmental screening will be shared with parents the same day. Each child will also have a portfolio to track their educational progress throughout the school year.

Qualified children can receive free morning pre-kindergarten class at the RLCFCC, running from 8 – 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. All day care is also available for a $12 fee per day.

Pre-kindergarten classes at the RLCFCC include free field trips for children and parents, parent education opportunities, parent events, and attendance at Kindergarten Boot Camp to help relieve fears prior to entering kindergarten. A Pre-Kindergarten Graduation ceremony will be held at the end of the year for children entering kindergarten.

To learn more or schedule a screening, contact the RLCFCC at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1393.

CARBONDALE — The Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees is poised to consider a plan to gradually shift state funding from SIU Carbondale to SIU Edwardsville in order to reflect changes in enrollment levels at the two campuses.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

Gov. Bruce Rauner touted the historic education bill as his “biggest accomplishment” last year, but on Tuesday Democratic challenger J.B. Pritzker vowed to kill one of its key components — a private school scholarship tax credit that Pritzker dubbed “a back-door school voucher program” and “a really bad idea.”

Here’s a link to the story at Chicago Sun-Times.

SPRINGFIELD – Several suburban Republican senators are calling for legislative action on a bill that would put stricter consequences on those who are behind the bothersome robo-calls and scam calls, which seem to keep cell phones ringing non-stop.

Senate Bill 2573 was announced last week, aiming to address the growing problem of robo-calls throughout the state. Several suburban lawmakers came together to co-sponsor the legislation, noting that these types of fraudulent calls are an ongoing form of harassment for many throughout the state.

Gay Bowlin, Manager

Last week my father-in-law went to be with the Lord and my heart is broken – he always enjoyed reading my articles and I am dedicated this article to Alva “Bud” Bowlin. Forever loved and forever missed.

WOW! The weather has been really uncooperative all over the state – at least three inches of snow in Bloomington area, about four inches of rain in our area and even tornado watches. Not sure when planting will begin but you can be sure that when the farmers are able to get in the fields that they will be going full force. Once again that means that they will be on the roadways and I really want you to watch out for them. Their equipment is MUCH larger than yours and there are many places that are blind spots for them.

China imposed tariffs on a range of U.S. goods, following through on a promise to retaliate against the Trump administration’s penalties on imports of Chinese steel and aluminum.

~ Farm Bureau opposes any U.S. policy that restricts agricultural exports. The administration’s trade policy represents an open invitation for one of our biggest trading partners – in this case China – to retaliate.

~We export more than 25 percent of our pork. China’s retaliatory 25 percent tariff on U.S. pork will reduce our exports to China and damage farm profitability at an already difficult time for farmers.

~ For a pig farmer, the difference right now between making money and losing money is exports. Without huge markets like China, pig farmers lose money.

~ The timing is never good for a trade fight, and here’s why: o Farmers have endured four years in a row of declining net farm income

~ USDA projects that farm income in 2018 could be the lowest in 12 years

~ Exports represent our biggest demand driver right now and defending our markets tops the list of our members’ concerns.

~ China is a key market for U.S. pork. In 2017, the U.S. exported more than $660 million in pork products to China. China is the United States’ third-largest international market by volume and the fourth-largest by value.

~ Agriculture has a positive trade balance of $21 billion. It is a bright spot on our nation’s overall balance of trade. We must do all we can to halt the spread of this trade war.

~ In addition to our agricultural exports, this is also about American jobs. Any time American agriculture takes a hit, all the jobs that rely on – or stem from – the ag sector also take a hit. This includes everyone from equipment sales and service providers to those working in the financial sector.

The Young Leaders Pork Loin sale was a huge success – thank you to everyone who ordered and to Mike Thomas who, once again, did an amazing job of smoking 60 loins. All proceeds go toward the Young Leaders Scholarship which is due this Thursday, April 5^th by 4 p.m. If you have any questions please call the office at 435-3616.

This past Friday I was honored by the Benton Elks with the Distinguished Citizenship Award – I only mention this because the reason that I was given this award was because of the work that I do with the Franklin County Farm Bureau. I felt humbled in receiving this award and very proud at the same time that there are those out there who are aware of everything that the Farm Bureau is doing.

Remember we are farmers working together. If we can help let us know.

April 2, 2018 – According to the Alzheimer’s Association 2018 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, there are 590,000 people providing 672,000,000 hours of unpaid care to the 220,000 people living with Alzheimer’s or dementia in Illinois. The level of assistance provided by caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias tends to be extensive. As symptoms worsen and the amount of care needed continues to increase, caregivers report stress, anxiety and even depression at high rates. In honor of National Stress Awareness Month, the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter offers tips to help manage stress throughout the role of caregiving.

1. Know what community resources are available. 
Adult day programs, in-home assistance, visiting nurses and meal delivery are just some of the services that can help you manage daily tasks. Use our online Community Resource Finder or contact your local Alzheimer’s Association office for assistance in finding Alzheimer’s care resources in your community.

2. Get help and find support.
Our online Care Team Calendar helps you organize friends and family who want to help provide care and support. Our 24/7 Helpline (800.272.3900), ALZConnected online community and local support groups are all good sources for finding comfort and reassurance. If stress becomes overwhelming, seek professional help.

3. Use relaxation techniques.
There are several simple relaxation techniques that can help relieve stress. Try more than one to find which works best for you. Techniques include:

• Visualization (mentally picturing a place or situation that is peaceful and calm)
• Meditation (which can be as simple as dedicating 15 minutes a day to letting go of all stressful thoughts)
• Breathing exercises (slowing your breathing and focusing on taking deep breaths)
• Progressive muscle relaxation (tightening and then relaxing each muscle group, starting at one end of your body and working your way to the other end) 

4. Get moving.
Physical activity — in any form — can help reduce stress and improve overall well-being. Even 10 minutes of exercise a day can help. Take a walk. Do an activity you love, such as gardening or dancing.

5. Find time for yourself. 
Consider taking advantage of respite care so you can spend time doing something you enjoy. Respite care provides caregivers with a temporary rest from caregiving, while the person with Alzheimer’s disease continues to receive care in a safe environment.

6. Become an educated caregiver.
As the disease progresses, new caregiving skills may be necessary. The Alzheimer’s Association offers programs in-person, online and over the phone to help you better understand and cope with the behaviors and personality changes that often accompany Alzheimer’s. You may also find it helpful to talk to other care partners and caregivers about how they are coping with the challenges of the disease and uncertainty about the future.

7. Take care of yourself.
Visit your doctor regularly. Try to eat well, exercise and get plenty of rest. Making sure that you are healthy can help you be a better caregiver.

8. Make legal and financial plans. 
Putting legal and financial plans in place after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is important so that the person with the disease can participate. Having future plans in place can provide comfort to the entire family.

To shed additional light on this information, I would be happy to arrange an interview with a local Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter spokesperson.

For more information on signs of caregiver stress and ways to manage stress, contact the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900 or visit alz.org/care.

About the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter:

The Alzheimer’s Association® is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s research, care and support. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. The Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter covers an 87-county area with offices in Chicago, Joliet, Rockford, Springfield, Bloomington, Peoria, Quincy and Carbondale. Since 1980, the Chapter has provided reliable information and care consultation; created supportive services for families; increased funding for dementia research; and influenced public policy changes. The Illinois Chapter serves more than half a million Illinois residents affected by Alzheimer’s disease, including more than 220,000 Illinois residents living with the disease. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s®. For more information visit www.alz.org/illinois or call our free 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.