Living

Friday, May 16, 2008

Danville housing board OKs cameras

DANVILLE – The Danville Housing Authority board approved buying nearly $10,000 worth of camera equipment Thursday for Churchill Towers from Affordable DVR.

This makes the second housing authority property with security cameras.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Housing board to vote on buying cameras for Churchill Towers

DANVILLE – The residents at Churchill Towers want their snack and soda machines back.

But the 43-unit high rise on Seminary Street first needs security cameras.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Activities planned at Crystal Lake Park for Urbana's 175th

URBANA – Urbana's latest celebration of its 175th birthday will be held Saturday at Crystal Lake Park.

The event will last from noon until 7 p.m. and will be centered around the lake house at 206 W. Park St.

Danville letter carriers double amount of food collected

DANVILLE – Local food pantry officials were preparing for a drop in donations for last Saturday's "Stamp Out Hunger" food drive because of the increased cost of food.

So they were amazed when Danville letter carriers collected twice as much food as they did last year.

Two good reasons to ride

URBANA – About two dozen people, many of them donning yellow, were on their bicycles at Meadowbrook Park Tuesday night for LiveSTRONG Day, to raise awareness and money to fight cancer.

The Urbana bike ride was one of hundreds of events across the country sponsored by the Lance Armstrong Foundation. The foundation supports cancer prevention, research, access to care and quality of life for cancer survivors.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Danville burglaries prompt new crime-watch groups

DANVILLE – In 1990, Thomas Farrell launched a crime-watch group in his neighborhood surrounding the 400 block of Lucas Drive because of some rambunctious teens in the area.

"The kids in the neighborhood were harassing and tearing the neighborhood up," Farrell said.

Friday, May 9, 2008

Museum to sell afghans designed with Danville landmarks

DANVILLE – Several years ago, the Center for Children's Services sold Vermilion County and Danville-themed afghans. The simple designs of separate area sites were very popular and after the initial sale, the Vermilion County Museum carried the items in its gift shop.

The museum has had enough calls that director Sue Richter started looking into creating a new throw specifically for the museum to sell as a fundraiser.

Area Marines return from duty in Iraq

PEORIA – Area Marine reservists who defused roadside bombs in Iraq returned to Peoria today.

The 33 Marines, several of whom are from East Central Illinois, returned after a seven-month deployment to Iraq; five of them are from the Champaign area, said Capt. Justin Miller.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Vintage Vinyl sale set for annual spin

It's that time again when record collectors' hearts start to beat a little faster.

The annual Vintage Vinyl record sale, which features thousands of used records, tapes, CDs and used stereo equipment, is fast approaching. The sale takes place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 17 at Lincoln Square Village in Urbana. However, an admission fee of $5 will be charged from 8 to 11 a.m., with free admission from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The sale closes for one hour then is open from 4 to 6 p.m. with everything at half price.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Letter carriers to collect food on Saturday

When Danville letter carrier Jean Faw goes on her mail route Saturday, her 13-year-old son, Jon, won't be far behind.

As Faw delivers letters and packages and collects others, Jon and an adult volunteer from the Danville Area Food Pantry will help collect nonperishable food items left at the mailboxes.

Despite economy, local arts group keeps grants coming

DANVILLE – A group with a love for the arts began in 1974 in Danville. After managing to bring more than $250,000 to Vermilion and Edgar counties since then, the group perseveres even after seeing funding diminish.

The Danville Area Arts Council applies for grant money through the Illinois Arts Council.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Officials warn of increase in discarded pets

If you're seeing a lot of rabbits nowadays, it's not just because they multiply like ... rabbits.

Stephanie Joos, Champaign County's animal control expert, said every year at this time, she sees an increase in dogs, cats and domestic rabbits on the loose, coinciding with the end of the college semester.

Friday, May 2, 2008

New crisis pregnancy center open near Melvin

MELVIN – Melanie Bauer was working as a cashier in the lunchroom at an area high school three years ago when she wondered how she could help the pregnant teens walking through the line.

"It bothered me," said Bauer, of Melvin. "Can you imagine being 16 and expecting a baby and you don't even have a job? You're going to high school, so how are you supposed to pay for everything?

100-mile fundraising ride set for May 10

RANTOUL – Motorcyclists who belong to Hogs in Ministry want to expand their efforts in the Champaign-Urbana and Rantoul area.

The group's first local event will be a 100-mile fundraising ride from Rantoul to Covington, Ind., on May 10.

Funeral Consumers Alliance official offers advice on planning funerals

URBANA – Josh Slocum admits that even his family is guilty of picking a funeral home just because it served the family in the past.

"This not good shopping," he said. "Do you want to pay $5,000 more for a new Honda Accord just because that's the dealer Dad used?"

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Students repair bikes for kids in need of wheels

RANTOUL – More than 60 needy Rantoul children will get their own bicycles next weekend, thanks to the efforts of some Rantoul special education students.

More than 25 young people in the Rantoul Pathways special education program have spent the school year repairing abandoned and broken bicycles salvaged by the local police department. The work is part of a program that teaches students how to use tools while providing bikes for children.

Couple to co-chair 2008 United Way drive

CHAMPAIGN – Parkland College President Tom Ramage and his wife, Michelle, superintendent of the Thomasboro school district, will co-chair the next fund drive for the United Way of Champaign County.

The couple will oversee the 2008 campaign, working with the United Way board, staff and volunteers. Tom Ramage, a longtime United Way donor, will also join the board of directors. Tom Ramage has been affiliated with Parkland since 1998 and was named interim president in June 2007. The board appointed him Parkland's fifth president in January. He serves on boards for the Urban League of Champaign County, Prairie Center and the University of Illinois Credit Union. The Ramages live in Mahomet.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Mercy Hospital bricks for sale

URBANA – Are you the kind of parent who saves your child's first haircut clippings and first birthday cake candles?

Provena Covenant Medical Center is offering some parents yet another precious souvenir – a brick from the hospital where their child was born.

Feeling the pinch: Monticello food pantry sees more people in need

MONTICELLO – Every time food prices rise, the shelves get more empty at the Piatt County Ecumenical Food Pantry.

The Rev. Michael Eischen, pastor of the Monticello United Methodist Church (which hosts the pantry), said the facility used to have plenty of food and other items to serve the needy of Piatt County.

Monday, April 28, 2008

Grants to seed Rantoul art, garden projects

RANTOUL – The Cultivadores Latino Center on South Maplewood Drive in Rantoul will be awash in color from two projects scheduled to begin later this year.

The center grounds will be blooming both literally and figuratively.

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Fuel rules: Take it slow

Every 5 miles per hour you drive over 60 is like paying an additional 20 cents a gallon at the pump for gas.

So slowing down a bit on the highways can increase gas mileage.

Friday, April 25, 2008

2008 Freedom Celebration display to be at Parkland

CHAMPAIGN – Expect more police officers and more post-fireworks entertainment this 4th of July as planners work to avoid the traffic headaches at last year's Freedom Celebration.

The fireworks will once again be held at Dodds Park, near Parkland College, where cars were stuck in gridlock for more than an hour in some places after the 2007 show.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Sociologist discusses gender, parenting roles

URBANA – A while back, Suzanne Bianchi's son came home with a project for school. He asked his mom, What's the most important thing to happen in half a century?

Said the University of Maryland sociology professor: "Labor force participation."

Monday, April 21, 2008

Four former students added to Unity Alumni Hall of Fame

TOLONO – Unity High School inducted four new members to its Alumni Hall of Fame last week.

Charlena Holl Grimes, Class of 1960; James H. Jones, Class of 1966; Lee O'Neill, Class of 1962; and Todd Frahm, Class of 1994, were all selected for their outstanding achievements and service, and for their dedication to education, youth and community. The Thursday banquet and induction ceremony also recognized new members of the Unity chapter of the National Honor Society.

YMCA's Dump & Run Sale donations to begin May 5

The University YMCA will begin accepting donations on May 5 for its Dump & Run Sale.

Donations can be dropped off at the Y, 1001 S. Wright St., C.

Teen with cerebral palsy will get to meet singer Alicia Keys

CHAMPAIGN – Sometimes wishes really do come true.

And if you don't believe that, you should have been there Sunday when Justin McDonald leaned forward in his wheelchair and read aloud the wish that's coming true for him.

It was written in yellow and blue icing on a cake: "Justin meets Alicia April 27."

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Volunteers gather for clean-up effort in honor of Austin Cloyd

CHAMPAIGN – It didn't start out as great weather for working outside, but Renee Cloyd knows all too well that having a little rain fall on you just isn't one of life's big deals.

"It's only water," she said with a smile that spoke volumes about how much this day meant to her, and how much it would have meant to her daughter.

Soldiers, families prepare for another tour of duty

URBANA – Three veteran veterans are standing around the Urbana National Guard Armory, talking about what they learned in Iraq and how that will help them in their next tours in Afghanistan.

Members of the Urbana unit, now part of the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, will be sent back to the danger zones in coming months – the Illinois Army National Guard headquarters in Springfield doesn't want to say exactly how many and exactly what time. Some units near Urbana already were sent to train Afghan police.

Friday, April 18, 2008

Negotiations over hall of fame's future home continue

DANVILLE – Officials are still in negotiations for a downtown building in which to house the Illinois Basketball Hall of Fame once it moves to town.

Jeanie Cooke, executive director of the Danville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, said a site has been identified but negotiations are ongoing. She didn't specify whether the site would be purchased or leased, but either way, the hall of fame will be in the downtown area.

'Beach Party' planned for twins convention

Twins from around the country will come to Champaign-Urbana this weekend for the 44th annual Illinois State Twins Convention at the Hawthorne Suites Hotel and Convention Center, 101 Trade Center Drive, C.

This year's theme is "Twins Beach Party."

Danville housing board approves manhole repair

DANVILLE – The Danville Housing Authority board voted to fix a sinking manhole along Fairchild Street in front of the Fair Oaks housing complex Thursday afternoon.

The 18-foot-by-18-foot dip in the road surrounds a manhole in the 1700 block of Fairchild Street that the housing authority put in three years ago. Underlying fill surrounding the manhole has washed away, officials speculate.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Group gives shelter residents a place to work out

CHAMPAIGN – A makeover project at the Center for Women in Transition will give homeless women a place to get fit as they put their lives back together.

A professional business fraternity at the University of Illinois, Alpha Kappa Psi, raised $1,650 from corporate sponsors to turn a basement storage room at the center's Forbes House into an exercise room.