by Reece Rutland, Rend Lake College Public Information

INA, IL –   Rend Lake College’s Community and Corporate Education Division has a slew of hobby classes to help kick off September. Anyone interested will have the opportunity to hit the bullseye, get fit, learn to crochet or make a work of art.

Leading things off is Beginning Archery. Students in the class will be introduced to the sport of archery over a four-session introductory class. Participants will learn about the sport, its equipment, proper form, safety and skills. Equipment will be provided, and the program will follow the National Archery in Schools Program. The course is only for students from 6th to 8th grade.

The cost of the class is $18 and it meets from 6 – 7 p.m. Tuesdays, 9/5, 9/12, 9/19 and 9/26 at the Pinckneyville Jr. High Gymnasium.

Body Toning (previously known as Aerobics) is a full-body conditioning and strengthening workout, improving functional strength, flexibility and coordination. It is excellent for improving vital core strength. Strengthening and toning are an essential part of any fitness regime. Students in the class will use free weights, and all fitness levels are welcome.
Classes run every Monday and Wednesday from 9/6 to 11/29 from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. in the Benton Middle School Choir Room. The cost of the class is $69.

During the second week in September, interested learners can take advantage of Crochet for Beginners. This offering will introduce students to basic crochet stitches and techniques. Participants will learn how to read a pattern, crochet in the round and attach pieces of crocheted work. Over the duration of the course, students will complete at least two products. A list will be provided to students prior to the start of class, so they know what supplies need to be purchased.
The class costs $40 and will meet from 4 – 6 p.m. Wednesdays from 9/13 – 10/4 in the Learning Resource Center, Library, on the Ina campus. Participants should be over the age of 12.
With three, separate options, there will be more than a few chances to take part in Fun with Acrylics. Students will have the opportunity to try their hand at painting with no previous experience necessary. The instructor will guide students through a step-by-step process to create their very own masterpiece to take home. The September painting will be fall themed; October will be Halloween/Thanksgiving themed, and November will be Christmas/Winter themed. Students will utilize acrylics on a 16×20 stretched canvas. All supplies will be provided.
The class costs $15, plus a $10 supply fee at the class. The first class will be held from 6 – 9 p.m. Sept. 12. The second class will take place from 6 – 9 p.m. on Oct. 10, and the third class will be from 6 – 9 p.m. Nov. 14. All classes will take place in the Learning Resource Center, Room 103, on the Ina campus.
For high school juniors and seniors, there will be a SAT Prep course offering. The course is designed to teach reading, English, science and math skills needed to do well on the SAT test. Test-taking skills will be emphasized. Students must purchase Barron’s SAT 2016 Edition text, which will be available at the first session.
The cost of the class is $89 (plus $20.27 for the textbook). The class will meet in six sessions from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. every Saturday from 9/9 – 10/14 in the Rend Lake College MarketPlace Campus, Room 344.
Fall Wreath Making will teach student how to make a mesh wreath. Students will be able to create a one-of-a-kind, fall-themed wreath to adorn their home or give as a gift.
The cost of the class is $10 with an additional $25 supply fee. The class will take place from 6 – 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14 in the Rend Lake College Murphy Wall Pinckneyville Campus, Room 101.

Second annual event will kick-off the 2017 Du Quoin State Fair

Press Release from the Illinois Department of Agriculture,  DuQuoin State Fair

DU QUOIN, IL – The Moo Moo Classic is making its return to the Du Quoin State Fair in 2017 after the success of the inaugural event last year. This is a free event to the public and serves as the opening of the Du Quoin State Fair.

On Thursday, August 24 at 3 pm in the livestock arena near the Exhibition Hall come watch as local celebrities for the title of Du Quoin State Fair Milking Champion! For this competition, each competitor will have three minutes to get as much milk as they can out of a real dairy cow. This takes skill and extreme trust with the animal.

“We are excited to bring this event back to the Du Quoin State Fair,” says Assistant State Fair Manager, Tibretta Reiman. “As a dairy farmer, I love being able to share this with the community and be able to kick-off the fair with a fun, exciting, family event.”
Paulette’s Concessions, located next to the Expo Hall, will be open for business, so you can get your first sampling of fair food to put you in the mood for all that the Du Quoin State Fair has to offer.

“This is a free event that is open to the public,” said State Fair Manager Kevin Gordon.  “There’s no charge to park, there’s no charge at the gate.  We encourage all families to come out, enjoy dinner, and a fun show at the Du Quoin State Fair.”

While you are on the grounds, stop by the Grandstand and pick up a seasonal parking pass, admission ticket booklets, carnival armbands, or concert tickets.  Purchasing these items in advance can save you time at the Du Quoin State Fair.

The cost for carnival armbands will increase slightly when the fair starts on Friday, August 25th.

These armbands can be purchased prior to the fair at the Du Quoin State Fair Box Office ticket window.
• Before the Fair: $20
Armbands are available for purchase at Du Quoin State Fair Grandstand Box Office
• During the Fair:
Armbands $25 (Good for one day of unlimited rides!)
Individual Tickets: $1/ticket (Most rides require 3-4 tickets)
Sheet of 22: $20
In addition, admission booklets contain 11 adult admissions that can be used any day of the fair.  These are perfect for families or a group of friends who plan to take in a night at the fair for dinner or concerts.  These admission booklets cost $22 and can be purchased at the cash office in the Grandstand.

Start planning your visit to the Du Quoin State Fair today.  New information is being added daily to the Du Quoin State Fair website.  You can learn more about the 2017 fair by connecting with us via social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DQStateFair/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DQStateFair
The Du Quoin State Fair runs August 25 – September 4 in Du Quoin, IL.

Press release from State Representative Dave Severin’s office

MARION, IL – A bipartisan bill sponsored by State Representative David Severin (R-Benton), was signed into law by the Governor on Friday. Senate Bill 730/P.A. 100-0220 extends the Petroleum Education and Marketing Act (PEMA) another 10 years to January 1, 2028. The Illinois Petroleum Resources Board (IPRB), which works under the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, will continue to oversee the act.

Representative Severin says that the PEMA is still primarily meant to promote the oil and gas industry. The act will also expand the purpose of the board to include oilfield environmental remediation and restoration activities.

“The PEMA is intended to be mainly educational, by working with teachers to educate students and the general public about the importance of the oil and gas industry in Illinois.” Rep. Severin said, “Under the renewed act, the board will also be able support efforts to clean up and/or restore tank battery sites that are environmentally friendly.”

The bill received support from the Illinois Oil and Gas Association and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources alike. It will go into effect immediately.

https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/wednesday-house-session-postponed-more-education-funding-reform-talks-expected/article_d82249cc-87a6-11e7-9f49-ef45f8c84db2.html

SPRINGFIELD, IL  – (Greg Bishop, Illinois News Network.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Wednesday’s House session on school funding reform was postponed late Tuesday after legislative leaders held “productive” negotiations on compromise legislation earlier in the day.

Meeting for several hours inside Speaker Michael Madigan’s Springfield office, House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, said negotiations on Senate Bill 1, the Democrats’ plan that Republicans call a bailout of Chicago Public Schools’ failing pensions, progressed.

“We went through a lot of issues,” Durkin said, “down to the minutia. And to me, that is positive. It shows that there is a willingness to bring this to a negotiated settlement.”
Durkin wouldn’t divulge the details being negotiated. However, he said Republicans are unified in opposing an override of the governor’s changes to SB1, including removing hundreds of millions of dollars in additional funding that Rauner and other Republicans say is a bailout of CPS’ pension system by suburban and downstate taxpayers.

Press release from the US Army Corps of Engineers, Rend Lake Project Office

BENTON, IL – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake will be hosting the Natural History Education Company as they present Animals Important to Humanity at the Rend Lake Project Office/Visitor Center on Saturday, August 26th, 2017. Some ways that animals are important may surprise you.

Join Bob Tarter of the NHECM as he entertains and educates the audience with his live animals! Animals Important to Humanity will take place on Saturday, August 26th at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Programs in our Environmental Science Series are free, open to the public, and suitable for all ages.

The 2017 Environmental Science Series will conclude on September 2nd with Ancient Survival Arts, presented by wilderness guide Mark Denzer of the Trails of Awareness Project. Learn how to select materials from nature to be used as food, shelter, primitive hunting, rope making, and much more! For more information about Rend Lake’s Environmental Science Series, please call the Rend Lake Project Office at 618-724-2493 or “like” our Facebook page Rend Lake Project Office/Visitor Center.