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M I D C E N T R A L
JUNE 2013
I L L I N O I S
Pride of Moweaqua
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601 E. William St. Decatur, IL 62523
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Community course celebrates 20 years of meeting golfers’ needs Page 4
The Decatur area continues to attract a growing list of teams and business groups with a variety of activities, attractions and facilities.
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June 2013
YOUR CALENDAR
Monday, June 3 Decatur Noon Lions Club, Main Place Bar & Grill, 101 S. Main St. Decatur Rotary 180, noon, Decatur Club, 158 W. Prairie Ave. Women’s Progressive Club, 6 p.m., Greater Northside Baptist Church.
Tuesday, June 4 Forsyth Rotary, 7 a.m., Homewood Suites by Hilton, 333 W. Marion Ave., Forsyth. BNI First Class Professionals, 7:45 a.m., Crestview Christian Church, 4415 N. Water St. Kiwanianne Club of Decatur, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility, 3909 W. Main St. Prairieland Kiwanis, 9:30 a.m., Decatur Civic Center Decatur AMBUCS, noon, Decatur Club. Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club. Noon Sertoma, Decatur Club. Blue Mound Rotary, 6:30 p.m., Pleasantview Township shed.
Wednesday, June 5 Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce Breakfast, 7 a.m., Decatur Club. Decatur Golden K Kiwanis Club, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Decatur Shrine Club, noon, Scovill Banquet Facility.
Thursday, June 6 Earlybird Kiwanis, 6:45 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Decatur Metropolitan Rotary Club, noon, Decatur Club. Human Service Agency Consortium (HSAC), noon, Central Christian Church, 650 W. William St. Thursday Noon Toastmasters, Greater Decatur Y, 220 W. McKinley Ave. American Business Women’s Association (Amacita), 6 p.m., location varies. Lincolnland AMBUCS, 6:30 p.m., Easter Seals’ Building, 2715 N. 27th St.
Friday, June 7 Decatur Breakfast Sertoma, 7 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Decatur Black Chamber of Commerce First Friday Luncheon, noon, Main Street Church Tea Room, 2000 N. Main St.
Monday, June 10 Decatur Noon Lions Club, Main Place Bar & Grill. Decatur Rotary 180, noon, Decatur Club.
Tuesday, June 11 Forsyth Rotary, 7 a.m., Homewood Suites by Hilton. BNI First Class Professionals, 7:45 a.m., Crestview Christian Church. Kiwanianne Club of Decatur, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Prairieland Kiwanis, 9:30 a.m., Decatur Civic Center.
Decatur Building Construction Trades Council, 10 a.m., IBEW Local 146 Hall, 3390 N. Woodford St. Decatur Area Society for Human Resource Management, 11 a.m., Doherty’s Pub and Pins, 242 E. William St. Central Illinois Ad Club, 11:30 a.m., Decatur Club. Decatur AMBUCS, noon, Decatur Club. Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club. Noon Sertoma, Decatur Club. Blue Mound Rotary, 6:30 p.m., Pleasantview Township shed.
Wednesday, June 12 Decatur Golden K Kiwanis Club, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Mount Zion Chamber of Commerce Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. Decatur Shrine Club, noon, Scovill Banquet Facility. Decatur Real Estate Investors Association, 6:30 p.m., Perkins Family Restaurant, 2999 N. Monroe St.
Thursday, June 13 Earlybird Kiwanis, 6:45 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. GFWC Decatur Woman’s Club, 11:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Senior Resources Network (formerly Mature Resources Network), 11:45 a.m., Keystone Gardens, 1455 W. Mound Road. Decatur Metropolitan Rotary Club, noon, Decatur Club. Thursday Noon Toastmasters, Greater Decatur Y, 220 W. McKinley Ave. Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours, 5-7 p.m., Decatur Conference Center and Hotel. Decatur Area Women’s Network (DAWN), 5:30 p.m., location varies. Lincolnland AMBUCS, 6:30 p.m., Easter Seals’ Building.
Friday, June 14 Decatur Breakfast Sertoma, 7 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.
Monday, June 17 Decatur Noon Lions Club, Main Place Bar & Grill. Decatur Rotary 180, noon, Decatur Club. Women’s Progressive Club, 6 p.m., Greater Northside Baptist Church.
Tuesday, June 18 Forsyth Rotary, 7 a.m., Homewood Suites by Hilton. BNI First Class Professionals, 7:45 a.m., Crestview Christian Church. Kiwanianne Club of Decatur, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club. Noon Sertoma, Decatur Club. Blue Mound Rotary, 6:30 p.m., Pleasantview Township shed.
Wednesday, June 19 Decatur Golden K Kiwanis Club, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility.
Christian Women’s Network, noon, Decatur Club. Decatur Shrine Club, noon, Scovill Banquet Facility.
Thursday, June 20 Earlybird Kiwanis, 6:45 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Decatur Christian Women’s Club, 11:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Decatur Metropolitan Rotary Club, noon, Decatur Club. Thursday Noon Toastmasters, Greater Decatur Y, 220 W. McKinley Ave. Decatur AMBUCS, 6 p.m., Decatur Club.
Friday, June 21 Decatur Breakfast Sertoma, 7 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Noon Women’s Network, 11:45 a.m., Decatur Club.
Monday, June 24 Decatur Noon Lions Club, Main Place Bar & Grill. Decatur Rotary 180, noon, Decatur Club.
Tuesday, June 25 Forsyth Rotary, 7 a.m., Homewood Suites by Hilton. BNI First Class Professionals, 7:45 a.m., Crestview Christian Church. Kiwanianne Club of Decatur, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Decatur Building Construction Trades Council, 10 a.m., IBEW Local 146 Hall. Decatur AMBUCS, noon, Decatur Club. Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club. Noon Sertoma, Decatur Club. Blue Mound Rotary, 6:30 p.m., Pleasantview Township shed.
Wednesday, June 26 Decatur Golden K Kiwanis Club, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Decatur Shrine Club, noon, Scovill Banquet Facility.
Thursday, June 27
Tuesday, July 2 Forsyth Rotary, 7 a.m., Homewood Suites by Hilton. BNI First Class Professionals, 7:45 a.m., Crestview Christian Church. Kiwanianne Club of Decatur, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Prairieland Kiwanis, 9:30 a.m., Decatur Civic Center. Decatur AMBUCS, noon, Decatur Club. Noon Kiwanis Club, Decatur Club. Noon Sertoma, Decatur Club. Blue Mound Rotary, 6:30 p.m., Pleasantview Township shed.
Wednesday, July 3 Decatur Golden K Kiwanis Club, 9:30 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Decatur Shrine Club, noon, Scovill Banquet Facility.
Friday, July 5 Breakfast Sertoma, 7 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Decatur Black Chamber of Commerce First Friday Luncheon, noon, Main Street Church Tea Room, 2000 N. Main St.
To submit items for Your Calendar, contact Scott Perry at (217) 421-7976, at sperry@heraldreview.com, or click the “Submit an Event” link at www.thebusiness-journal.com
WINDOWS ROOFING DECKS KITCHENS RESTORATIONS DOORS SIDING REMODELING PORCHES BATHS
Earlybird Kiwanis, 6:45 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. Decatur Metropolitan Rotary Club, noon, Decatur Club. Thursday Noon Toastmasters, Greater Decatur Y, 220 W. McKinley Ave.
Friday, June 28 Decatur Breakfast Sertoma, 7 a.m., Scovill Banquet Facility. American Business Women’s Association (Monarch), noon, location varies.
Monday, July 1 Decatur Noon Lions Club, Main Place Bar & Grill. Decatur Rotary 180, noon, Decatur Club. Women’s Progressive Club, 6 p.m., Greater Northside Baptist Church.
LICENSE# 104.016085 105.005542 PROMAXCONSTRUCTION.COM
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June 2013
FROM THE EDITOR It’s not like this day was a secret. I knew it was coming. But it wasn’t until the middle of church on graduation morning that it really hit me that my youngest child was about to finish high school and take the next step into this wild and crazy world. It seems like only yesterday that he took his place at my side, providing an overwhelming source of joy, happiness and comic relief. We’ve done a lot together — which has included building many costumes — and over the years, he’s grown to be more than the kid I tell to hand me this and hand me that. He’s someone I look to when I need help figuring something out and many of his ideas are right on the money. I hope these experiences serve him well as he pursues a career as an architectural engineer. He has promised to one day design and build a house for his mom and me, but I won’t hold him to that. I’ll just be glad if he has a good job and isn’t living in my basement 20 years from now.
BUSINESS JOURNAL
BUSINESS JOURNAL OF MIDCENTRAL ILLINOIS
VOLUME 19
ISSUE 6
601 E. William St. Decatur, IL 62523 217.421.7976 217.421.7965 (fax)
PUBLISHER: Todd Nelson EDITOR: Scott Perry
Scott Perry, editor Business Journal of Midcentral Illinois
ADVERTISING: Cayla Hittmeier LAYOUT & DESIGN: Ginger Wortman
June2013Contents 12
Standing Features
SUMMER FUN Check out our expanded Free Time calendar
Biz Bites . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Business Clips . . . . . . 10 Fred Spannaus . . . . . . 9 Free Time calendar . . 12 Health calendar . . . . 20
Office Coach . . . . . . . 16 Professional profile . . 11
Wendy Gauntt . . . . . . 17
SUBSCRIPTIONS: To order additional copies call 217.421.7931 ADVERTISING: The deadline for ad and ad copy for the July issue is June 17. Call 217.421.7931 for rate information. The Business Journal of MidCentral Illinois is printed monthly and is a publication of Lee Enterprises Inc.
Liz Reyer . . . . . . . . . . 15
SCORE counselor . . . 10
STORY IDEAS: Email sperry@herald-review.com or call 217.421.7976.
Change of pace John Ninnemann held a variety of positions before taking the plunge into the restaurant business. As owner of the Downtown Cafe, he focuses on good food and friendly service. Page 8
11 MEET TERI HAMMEL New director of Convention & Visitors Bureau
Information published is the responsibility of the author and does not reflect the opinions of The Business Journal of MidCentral Illinois. To submit articles, mail typewritten and 500 words or less to: The Business Journal, 601 E. William St., Decatur, IL 62523. Articles will not be returned. Any editorial content or advertising published is the property of Lee Enterprises Inc., DBA The Business Journal of MidCentral Illinois. Copyright 2013 Herald & Review All rights reserved for entire content.
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June 2013
YOUR COMMUNITY
Golf course boost for Moweaqua Leaders had ambitious vision By TONY REID Business Journal Writer
MOWEAQUA — Building your own municipal golf course is easy: you just borrow more than $600,000 and pick up a spade. Well, not quite. But the village-owned Moweaqua Golf Course now celebrating its 20th year had a beginning that was within putting distance of that kind of scenario. The village saw the project as an economic and recreational boost for the community and selected a board of seven volunteers to take on the job of teeing it off back in 1991. Unhappy mutterings among some families warned of dire consequences if the project showed up on the local tax bills, but the Moweaqua leadership had faith that borrowing the money via bonds would be doable instead. And then the thriving course would generate the income to pay them back, they hoped. So, bonds sold and $650,000 cash in hand, all the new golf course board had to do was get the thing built on 80 acres they had purchased about 2 miles west of the village. Some were even led to believe that great legions of local supporters, spades in hand and perhaps whistling “Hi-Ho,” would appear to help with the grunt work. And while there were those who did assist, the fabled volunteer legions proved noticeable by their absence. Charter board member Peggy “Peg” Gorden, one of the few board members who actually played golf back then and the only woman, said it was suddenly time to put away the clubs and pick up a shovel. “When I was selected for the board, I thought it was kind of an honorary thing, I had no idea what was coming,” recalled the retired registered nurse. “But the board members came to realize that we had to start working manually if we were to get this golf course going and start paying the bondholders.” And so build it they did. Working from professionally drawn plans and hiring expert help for specialist tasks such as constructing the clubhouse (the interior of which they finished) the board members got busy with hired and borrowed equipment. There were trees to shift, ground to move, an old farmhouse, barn and shed to be taken away and on and on. “I worked out there like a man,” said Gorden, 81, who said she had a lot of support and help from her husband, T.J. “All the board members knew we had to get it done.” A crucial early hire was former maintenance man Brett Chaney who proved a Godsend with really complex stuff such as hooking up the irrigation system for
Business Journal photos/Hugh Sullivan
A change in elevation and the angle of the green make this short par 3 a challenging hole at Moweaqua Golf Course. the then nine-hole course. After countless hours of digging trenches, laying and connecting a complex mass of pipes and valves, there finally came the moment to turn it all on. Every test of every sprinkler passed with flying colors. “And we all just hollered because it was working, and none of us had ever done anything like that before,” Gorden said. Everyone connected with the course has pretty much been hollering with pride ever since, cheering when it opened on time on Memorial Day 1993 when 8,000 rounds were played in that first partial season. There were more congratulations in 2003 when a $2 million expansion, built with much more professional help this time, saw the course expand to 160 acres and a full 18 holes. These days, it’s not unusual for the course to see 26,000 rounds played in a season with golfers coming from all over Central Illinois and beyond. Gorden’s own playing days are over now and the only driving she does is heading by the golf course in her car. But every time she glances over at its beautiful greens nestling amid a riot of
CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
Brad Burcham helps a customer in the pro shop. Burcham has been the course pro since 1997 and owns the well-equipped pro shop.
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Continued from page 4
Business Journal photos/Hugh Sullivan
Dewey Suits putts during a round with a senior league at Moweaqua Golf Course.
colorful trees and foliage, she feels a little surge of joy. “In the early days, there were so many negative comments, people didn’t think we could do it,� she said. “But we did do it, and it was well worth it.� Brad Burcham has been the course pro since 1997 and owns the well-equipped pro shop. He said the course will celebrate its 20th anniversary in style during Memorial Day weekend with special rates, a cookout, games and prizes as a way of saying thank-you to its golfers. Burcham said a drought last year and the lingering effects of the recession have made these challenging times for golf courses anywhere, but he’s found being friendly and playing through with good customer service still goes a long way in persuading players to return for another round. “I think it also helps if you enjoy your job, and I enjoy mine,� he added. Frank Paulek is a frequent Moweaqua golfer because he loves the course and the way he is treated when he plays there. He’s also the mayor of the nearby village of Stonington and in a better position than most to judge the economic value of having a facility like this in your community. “As somebody who is involved in the business of running a village, Moweaqua should be very proud of the Moweaqua Golf Course,� said Paulek, 67. “People don’t
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realize how much the course brings to the community: like the golfers who stop in at Casey’s or the local grocery store on their way in or out of town. There is a lot of economic activity generated like that and while you don’t always see it, I know it’s there. I would love to have this golf course in my community.� Every golf course also generates its share of interesting stories, and Moweaqua has one stranger than most: the curious incident of the dog in the nighttime. It turns out that when the facility was being built, the course ended up adopting a dog that had been living on the site. The dog was pregnant and gave birth to a bunch of puppies which the hard-pressed golf board managed to find new homes for. But the dog’s habit of stealing workers’ lunches from their vehicles during the course construction phase became an increasing cause of annoyance. Then one night the dog managed to get inside a board member’s vehicle during a meeting and chewed up a pair of sunglasses before running off with a precious bouquet of flowers left over from a wedding. It proved to be the last straw, and the board passed a formal motion to find the dog a new home. “I seconded the motion but we didn’t know how we were going to dispose of it,� recalled Gorden. “And then one night the dog was just gone, and we have no idea to this day what happened to it.� Gorden actually has some theories, but she’s not telling.
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BUSINESS JOURNAL
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June 2013
BIZ BITES
Now open While the finishing touches were being put on the new Subway restaurant at 1621 E. Eldorado St., the brand-new Noble Roman’s Take-n-Bake P’za in the rear was already satisfying appetites. Gary and Kim Haines, owners and operators of Subway restaurants in the Decatur area, said their desire to make the new Subway location customer friendly led to them also opening the Indianapolis-based Noble Roman’s first Take-n-Bake franchise in Illinois. “Subway isn’t usually self-contained like McDonald’s because it’s a lower-volume store,” Gary Haines said. “But to do things right like the big players do, you need a drive-through and a way to pay for the extra land you need.” So Noble Roman’s opened May 17 making fresh pizzas that customers take home and bake when they’re ready to eat. Hand-tossed, deep dish and thin crusts are available. Prices range from $8 to $12, and there is no per-ingredient surcharge. Other bake-it-yourself choices include boneless chicken dippers, bread sticks, lasagna and chocolate chip cookies. “We’re real excited to be in Decatur,” said Mitchell Grunat, vice president of franchise services. “We think it will be a good market for us.” Noble Roman’s is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Call (217) 791-5264. The take-home pizzeria occupies just 1,100 square feet of the new 4,000-squarefoot building, leaving plenty of room for a larger, updated Subway than the current one at 1499 E. Eldorado St. nnn Dr. Karen Lee has opened a center in Decatur focusing on psychological and neuropsychological services for individuals of all ages. The Center for NeuroBehavioral Disorders in the Logan Square Professional Building, 2490 N. Water St., Suite 9, also specializes in working with injured employees, injured students and others with acquired physical and mental disabilities. The practice will provide differential diagnostics for families and their physicians to help educate individuals as to how their brain is expressing itself. Lee provides research and outcome driven “brain training” therapy to help enhance the ability to pay attention, concentrate, problem solve and memorize information. Testing is offered for children as young as 3 years old. Screening for developmental issues is done for children under 2. Adults might be treated for brain injuries and strokes along with special issues involving senior citizens, Lee said. Call (217) 877-1100.
Now open — again Fans of El Matador, previously in business 18 years at 2912 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, are in luck. The restaurant has reopened under new management and with a new menu. “If people want something they remember, we can make it,” said coowner Samuel Onate, brother of previous
owner Delores Onate. Samuel Onate and his partners, Ramon Mata and Ignacia De Onate, have spruced up the property inside and out, hired 10 people and are open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The telephone number is (217) 875-4548.
On the move A bigger showroom is among the changes a new location in northwest Decatur will offer for Midstate Overhead Doors. The business has moved from East Olive Street to the intersection of Illinois 121 and Mound Road in Decatur, manager Brahn Bloomfield said. Its new address is 2373 N. Illinois 121. While moving is a long process, Bloomfield is excited about the changes going forward. “It’s going to be worth it,” he said. “Our customers will like it.” The company will be able to display more of its products in the showroom, including demonstrating doors and openers, Bloomfield said. Customers often want to see just how quiet many of the new openers are, Bloomfield said. Over the years, Midstate has expanded the services it offers to more than just garage doors, including entry doors, commercial work, industrial loading docks and equipment. As it continues to grow, the new location offers the space to add new buildings, Bloomfield said. The showroom is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Emergency service is available 24 hours a day, including on weekends. Call (217) 422-8030.
New owners The new owners of the Bicycle Shoppe, which has been selling and servicing bicycles in Decatur since 1979, are the former sales manager Wes Hogan of Moweaqua and service manager Scott Magruder of Decatur. Magruder said Frank and Joan Sherman had other chances to sell the business over the years but decided to pass it on to people they thought would keep the core concepts they started with: chief among them is strong customer service. About all that’s changed is some updating and reorganization of the shop’s interior. Hogan and Magruder employ a full-time and part-time service specialist. Located at 1230 E. Pershing Road, the Bicycle Shoppe is open 10 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday, closing at 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday. Call (217) 875-3271.
Closed Ted’s Garage, An American Classic Grill, will not re-open its doors after the building was destroyed by a fire March 31. Owner Scott Baum has elected not to rebuild the restaurant despite an overwhelming influence to reopen from the public. Baum, who has owned the restaurant since 2008, felt that the task of relocating or rebuilding would be too cumbersome to undertake at this point in time.
“I cannot allocate the appropriate amount of time or energy to rebuild Ted’s to its full potential,” said Baum. “I am deeply saddened by the loss of the restaurant, but rebuilding is simply not an option.” The lot previously occupied by the restaurant will be turned into additional parking for Baum Chevrolet Buick as the dealership expands its storefront. nnn P&M Communications has pulled the plug on its Decatur store at 2235 W. Mound Road after 29 years. But owner Bob Metz wants to stress to customers that the business is not going away and will offer all its usual sales and installation services in the Decatur area out of its second store at 616 N. Chicago St. in Lincoln. Calls to P&M’s Decatur number will be routed to Lincoln. P&M offers Dish Network and DirecTV satellite services, along with audio/video equipment, televisions and a pre-paid wireless phone service. It’s already been handling Decatur and Macon County service and installation work from the Lincoln location for more than a year.
Biz Bites highlight businesses that are opening, closing, expanding … you get the picture. If you have information for our Biz Bites column, contact Tony Reid at treid@herald-review.com, Chris Lusvardi at clusvardi@herald-review.com, Theresa Churchill at tchurchill@herald-review.com or call them at (217) 421-6979.
Did you know? Let the fun begin! Six “firsts” in the entertainment world 1. TV toy ad — 1952 (Mr. Potato Head) 2. Roller coaster — 1700s (England, for royals) 3. Movie trailer — 1912 (U.S.) 4. Convention in Las Vegas — 1935 (Shriners) 5. TV cooking show — 1946 (NBC) 6. Jukebox — 1889, S.F. (took in $1,000 first six months, which is equal to $24,000 in today’s money) — Source: World Features Syndicate
Lop-sided Very high percentages 1. Consumers who know Ronald McDonald — 99 percent 2. Time people spend indoors — 90 percent 3. Desert tortoise in burrows — 95 percent 4. Mystery novel readers women — 70 percent 5. Life on Earth in oceans — 80 percent 6. College housing co-ed — 90 percent — Source: World Features Syndicate
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City begins monthly water bills ALLISON PETTY Business Journal Writer
DECATUR — When Decatur residents received their water bills last month, some may not have been expecting it. As part of the city’s transition from quarterly to monthly billing, all Decatur water customers received a bill in May. Depending on when they last paid for water, the May bill reflected one, two or three months of charges. All residents will receive a monthly bill in June, when the 35 percent rate increase approved by the Decatur City Council in April will take effect. That increase is the first in a series that will more than double water rates over the next three years. “Most people seem to be very happy with us going to monthly billing,” said Bob Perkes, the city’s water customer service manager. “... It’ll be easier to budget. The amounts are going to be smaller, so people who are on a fixed income, it’s going to be easier for them to pay it.” Perkes said the biggest misunderstanding is the belief that people will receive a monthly bill that is higher than the amount of their quarterly bill now. In fact, even though the water rate is increasing, monthly bills will be smaller because they are a fraction of the quarterly bill. The city also has begun accepting payments at other locations besides the Decatur Civic Center. Payments can be made at First Currency Exchange, 855 N. Fairview Ave.; First Currency Exchange, 1659 E. Eldorado St.; County Market, 1450 E. Pershing Road; Decatur Jewelry and Antiques, 940 N. Illinois 121; and Hourans on the Corner Florists, 1106 W. Pershing Road. Residents can still pay their bills online or by phone, as they always have. Two organizations, Northeast Community Fund and Macon County Assistance eXchange (MAX) program, offer financial help to people who are struggling with their water bills. Perkes said the city’s five customer service representatives are always happy to answer questions people might have about their bills and the transition. “We know we’re here for the citizens for the city of Decatur, and if they have any questions or there is any confusion, we want them to call us and we’ll do all we can to help them understand what’s going on,” he said. To contact the city’s water customer service representatives, call (217) 4242841 or visit http://decaturil.gov/ reliablewater.
June 2013
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CAT announces more layoffs By CHRIS LUSVARDI Business Journal Writer
DECATUR — Another round of layoffs at the Caterpillar Inc. facility in Decatur are set to take effect in July. The Peoria-based company said an additional 300 employees will be laid off. The announcement brings the total number of Decatur workers to be idled in the next two months to 760. Before the reductions started, Caterpillar employed about 4,000 people in Decatur. Caterpillar spokeswoman Barbara Cox said the actions are necessary to bring production in line with demand. “Products built in Decatur are used in the mining industry, which has witnessed weaker market conditions when compared to last year,” Cox said.
“While some cost-reduction measures such as temporary layoffs, shutdowns and shortened workweeks have already been implemented, further measures must be taken in the nearterm.” The affected employees work in production and support/management roles, with Caterpillar saying the majority are from the production work force. The Decatur-area unemployment rate has been among the highest in the state. It was 11.8 percent in March, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Conditions in the mining industry could remain volatile in the near future, said Craig Coil, president of the Economic Development Corporation of
Decatur and Macon County. “We hope this is the end of it,” Coil said. “It’s all up in the air right now. Caterpillar is doing everything it can to keep the work force in place.” As with its announcement in April, Caterpillar said it plans to help the affected employees. Coil said groups such as Workforce Investment Solutions are available to assist those looking for new jobs. “We know this is difficult for our employees and their families, and the company will do what it can to ensure impacted employees have support during this time,” Cox said. Jobs are available elsewhere for qualified workers, but Coil said likely not in the kind of numbers that Caterpillar employs.
Nomination Form (also online at www.thebusiness-journal.com)
Nominees must be 50 years of age or older as of August 1, 2013. You may nominate more than one person, and you may nominate yourself. Nominees can either work OR live in Macon County. Nominations must be submitted by June 30, 2013 online at www.thebusiness-journal.com. Nominations may also be submitted via mail in care of The Business Journal, 601 E. William St., Decatur, IL 62523 or e-mailed to: Scott.Perry@lee.net Nominator’s Name: Nominator’s Work Phone: Nominator’s E-mail: Nominator’s Mailing Address: Candidate’s Name: Candidate’s Gender: M F Candidate’s E-mail: Candidate’s Mailing Address: Candidate’s Work/Home Phone: Candidate’s Age: Candidate’s Occupation & Company: Awards/Honors Candidate has Received:
Why You Think He/She Should be Selected:
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June 2013
YOUR BUSINESS
Downtown Cafe has personal touch Friendly service invites customers By BOB FALLSTROM Business Journal Writer
DECATUR — Nothing fancy, all good, and fast food in friendly momand-pop style is the winning recipe at the Downtown Cafe. “You feel at home when you walk in the door,” Ginger Young said of the restaurant at 217 N. Main St. in Decatur. She and Marjorie Luck often eat lunch at the Downtown Cafe because it’s friendly and convenient. They work in a law office across the street. What food do they prefer? “Anything on the menu,” Young said. Seated at the counter, Larry Garver is engrossed in a bowl of soup. “I like the soup. It’s homemade,” he said. He visits three or four times a week. Drinking coffee, John Kessinger emphasizes the “personal touch.” And that’s how John and Barbara Ninnemann founded their restaurant business niche 10 JOHN NINNEMANN years ago. From Sheboygan, Wis., John Ninnemann had worked for Standard Oil, owned a gasoline station for 10 years, was a stock broker and was a country club manager. He came to Decatur to manage South Side Country Club. It didn’t work out. Carolyn Ankrom wanted to sell Carolyn’s Downtown Cafe. “In April 2003, we took the plunge,” Ninnemann explains. Ankrom had operated the business for four and a half years after moving from the Franklin Mall. The Downtown Cafe is open for breakfast and lunch from 6:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Differing from the chain locations, the Downtown Cafe serves a hot lunch with daily specials. Fast food? “Grab a seat and we’ll get you out of here in 20 to 30 minutes,” Ninnemann pledges. There’s a breakfast special of two eggs, toast and choice of meat for $3.99. Weekends are particularly busy. “On Sunday, starting at 7:30 a.m., you have to wait for a table,” Ninnemann points out. “Nothing else is open downtown. Come in for eggs Benedict.”
‘I enjoy getting to know people.’
Business Journal photos/Jim Bowling
Owner John Ninnemann chats with regulars Sheila and Richard Ford as server Willow Weller hands out menus at the Downtown Cafe. BELOW: Josh Johnson, foreground, prepares three Working Man breakfast specials, a popular menu item at the Downtown Cafe. Need lunch? Fried chicken is a Wednesday special. Order a catfish sandwich on Friday. Always special is coconut creme pie. Ninnemann goes around to each table to check the satisfaction level and, well, just to talk a bit. “I enjoy getting to know people,” he emphasizes. He finds that 85 percent of the regular diners know what they want to eat and drink without consulting the menu. He’s not the cook. That job is held by Ninnemann’s nephew, Chris Heacox. Ninnemann’s wife, Barbara, worked in the restaurant for a while. She is now a day care teacher. The restaurant is Ninnemann’s life. At age 65, he has no hobbies other than watching Green Bay Packers football. The restaurant is also home to Kathy Spence in the kitchen. “I’ve been in the restaurant business since I was 15,” she said, “and I’m in my 50s.”
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Dangers hidden in comp time proposal There’s a proposal afoot in Congress that you need to know about. It doesn’t matter if you’re the boss. If you work, it might affect you. The plan is to extend the practice of compensatory time off (“comp time”) to all employers. Let’s start by agreeing on what comp time is. Comp time is giving time off later for extra time worked now. A simple example: Tom works an extra four hours next Wednesday evening. Then he knocks off four hours early on July 3 to groom the yard for a family picnic. Government agencies are permitted to use comp time, but they are not required to do so. Public sector Human Resources employees who have comp time systems generally love it. They feel it allows them flexibility for personal needs and family time. For some, it paves the road to longer vacations. Comp time is almost totally illegal in the private sector. There is just one wee little exception. A company can use comp time when it is earned and used within the firm’s established seven-day pay period. Other than that one instance, comp time is banned. You might be surprised to learn that comp time is prohibited. Some nonprofit organizations, and even some for-profits, use comp time. They do it to reward hard-working employees, and they do it to make up for extra work on evenings and weekends Maybe you’ve seen these systems. They are all illegal. And now that I’ve survived beyond the reach of the statute of limitations, I confess that I once administered a comp time system. It fell to me to create a fascinating set of complex rules for managing comp time. One section described how a per-
Fred Spannaus
BUSINESS JOURNAL Reader Profile: n 66% have household income
of $80,000 or more. n 32% are age 55 or older. n 89% are college educated. n 28% are ages 45 to 54.
son could accumulate it and who had to approve and how increments were computed, complete with lovely forms and gorgeous sign-off boxes. Another set of rules prescribed when and under what conditions an employee could use comp time, with its own incredible constellation of requirements and forms. It was a beautiful tribute to bureaucracy. I loved it. Those rules in turn were caused by abuses — creative employees tracking their own comp time and then claiming they were owed extra pay (or time off) when they resigned. Not that they received it, but it was a source of much aggravation and consternation. One day, a lawyer wisely advised that the whole scheme was outside the bounds of employment law. And I killed
comp time and buried the magnificent rules, to howls of outrage. You may now ask your burning question: “Why is comp time illegal?” It has to do with overtime pay. Federal law requires employers to pay overtime to any nonexempt employee who works more than 40 hours in the work week. By using a comp time system, employers avoid paying time-and-a-half for extra hours. And therein lies the danger for organizations that have a comp time system. They do so at considerable risk. Eventually, they could be ordered to issue back pay for uncompensated overtime. Ouch. Those who oppose the new proposal include many labor unions. They fear that employers will use comp time to require extra work without overtime pay.
The proposal specifies that comp time would be optional; employees may request to be compensated in either way — time-and-a-half in cash, or hour-forhour in time off. That provision does not satisfy opponents, who predict that employers will find ways to coerce workers to accept comp time rather than overtime pay. Given the track record of the current Congress, there is some doubt that the proposal will ever be enacted. I’ll keep an eye on it in case it does move forward.
Fred W. Spannaus, principal of Spannaus Consulting, is a senior professional in human resources. He loves feedback to his columns. Fred can be contacted by email at spannaus@ ameritech.net or by phone at (217) 425-2635.
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June 2013
ASK THE SCORE COUNSELOR Q: How can I get past some fears I have that are holding my small business back? A: One of the joys of running your own business is that you get to decide what happens next. But sometimes that can backfire, especially if you avoid doing things that make you scared or uncomfortable. Yes, you may be able to get your business to a certain level of success without ever facing your demons. But if you want to achieve breakthrough growth, you need to push past the fears that are holding you back. Rieva Lesonsky, president and founder of GrowBiz Media, a content and consulting company specializing in covering small businesses and entrepreneurship, shared the following with the Illinois Small Business Development Center Network. Fear of technology: Technology moves so fast today that sometimes it’s tempting to just throw up your hands and say, “I’ll never get up to speed.” Well, your business can’t afford that attitude. Even if you’re a dyed-in-the-wool technophobe, you need to get over it, because today, technology is essential to give your small business an edge. Start by hiring someone (inside or outsourced) who knows the stuff you don’t and can get your company up to speed. Take a class (online or off) to learn the basics, if you need to. Enlist a patient friend to tutor you. Anything that gets you comfortable with what you need to know. Fear of sales: This is a huge one for lots of entrepreneurs. Sometimes you need to be aggressive when going out to ask for a sale. Sometimes a different tactic is best. The more you practice, the better you’ll get. Fear of being a boss: When your company is young and small, it’s easy to feel like you and your tiny team are pretty much equals, and that’s more comfortable for many entrepreneurs who don’t want to be perceived as the distant “boss-man.” However, as your business grows, you’ll have to distance yourself a bit so you can take on sometimes scary tasks such as making unpopular decisions, or disciplining employees who aren’t working out. Not to say you can’t be a nice, friendly boss, but acknowledging that you are the boss is a crucial
BUSINESS CLIPS
GOT A QUESTION? To learn more about being a successful entrepreneur; for one-on-one, face-to-face business counseling; or to submit a question for the “Ask the SCORE Counselor” column, contact SCORE Chapter 296, Millikin University, 1184 W. Main St., Decatur, IL 62522 or call (217) 424-6296.
step in getting your business to the next level. Fear of networking: It’s easier than ever to network through social media today, and many people are great at that. But you also need to go offline sometimes and get up close and personal. Networking has earned an unfortunate reputation as phony “schmoozing,” but in reality, it’s how relationships are built and business is done. If you’re shy, start with things in your comfort zone (such as coffee with one person) and move up from there — but do move up, or your business won’t. Fear of success: When you get stuck in the day-to-day running your business and making payroll, sometimes your sights get set too low. Do that long enough and you may decide it’s not worth dreaming big because you’ll never get there anyway. That’s the surest route to business stagnation and a ho-hum life. To paraphrase Oscar Wilde, take your eyes off the ground and make time to look at the stars. — Carol Harding
Meet a SCORE counselor Dick Chamblin was a founder and partner of a local public accounting firm before joining Millikin University’s faculty as a lecturer of accounting and entrepreneurship. He serves as the accountant for the U.S. Association of Small Business Entrepreneurs and was recently appointed as chairman of Chamblin the Veterans Committee of the Illinois Society of Sons of the American Revolution, where he is also a member of the Audit Committee. He has been a SCORE member for 11 years.
Chamber announces annual award winners The following business and individuals were recognized at the Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce Awards Ceremony. n Outstanding Large Business of the Year: Decatur Conference Center and Hotel n Outstanding Micro Business of the Year: Coffee Connection n Outstanding Small Business of the Year: Dynagraphics Inc./Fast Impressions n Chamber Ambassador of the Year: John Mahaffey n Decatur Leadership Institute Alum-
nus: Gary Birschbach n Downtown Impact Award: Decatur Area Arts Council n Outstanding Development Award: City of Decatur n Entrepreneur of the Year: Keith Brown, Kids Castle Learning Center n Outstanding Non-Profit Organization of the Year: Decatur Family YMCA n Citizen of the Year (awarded by the city of Decatur): Brian Byers
BUSINESS JOURNAL Printed with environmentally safe water-based ink
With The Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award from the American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association.
New staff members David M. Underwood has joined Heritage Enterprises as senior vice president of finance and chief financial officer. Mindy Mosley has Underwood been hired by Land of Lincoln Credit Union as branch manager for its newest branch serving the east Decatur area near WalMart.
Dr. Richard Lohr of the EliteCare Center in Decatur has achieved two certifications — from Parker University in Dallas, Texas, and from the American Spinal Decompression Lohr Association — related to nonsurgical spinal decompression. Prairie State Bank & Trust presented Excellence in Service Awards to Carrie Atwood, business banking specialist in Decatur; Misty McNear, new accounts representative, Mount Zion; and Michele Propst, customer service representative, Mount Zion.
Mosley
Dr. I. Wayne Freilich, M.D., has joined Bella Vein Medical Spa. Zach Shields has been named executive director of the Decatur Public Schools Foundation.
St. Mary’s Hospital was recognized nationally by Practice Greenhealth for the hospital’s efforts in promoting environmental sustainability.
Shields
Promotions
Theresa Churchill, senior writer for the Herald & Review, placed third in this year’s Polly Robinson Feature Story Contest sponsored by the Southern Illinois University School of Journalism.
Benjamin Hart has been promoted to executive vice president of administration for Heritage Enterprises. Kevin Myers has been named managing partner of Chastain & Associates.
Hart
Jacqueline Petersen has been promoted to chief administrative officer for Consociate.
SoloHealth CEO and founder Bart Foster, formerly of Decatur, has been selected for membership to the Dell Innovators Credit Fund Founders Club.
Announcements
Petersen
Bruce Huber, vice president of Agricultural Services for Hickory Point Bank & Trust, has been elected president of the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.
Achievements Linda Roberts, owner of Best Trips Ever, is the recipient of the Collette Vacations President’s Circle Award.
Roberts
Churchill
Business Clips are abbreviated versions of paid Business Achievements which appear on Mondays in the Herald & Review. For more information about Business Achievements, go to www.herald-review.com/app/secure/businessach/
Decatur Memorial Hospital has received the Get
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YOUR FREE TIME
Meet Teri Hammel Hometown: Decatur Family: Husband, Joe, golf professional with the Decatur Park District. Together we have four sons, two daughters-in-law and four awesome grandchildren. Occupation: Executive director of the Decatur Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Education: Graduate of Warrensburg-Latham High School, state of Illinois Real Estate License Association, Decatur Leadership Institute, Pacific Institute, Disney Institute and some classes at Richland Community College. My “I’d rather be …” bumper sticker would read, “I’d rather be golfing.” Hobbies/interests: Golf, reading, traveling, family trips, hanging out with our grandchildren. My first job: Hickory Point Golf Course back in the early 70s. Back then I could not believe how anyone could like driving or walking around chasing a little white ball. Now I would do it every day if I could. Why I do what I do: Sixteen years ago, a great lady, Denene Wilmeth, took me under her wing and taught me all about this wonderful community we live in. Sometimes when you live and work in your hometown, you never take the time to look around and see all there is to do and enjoy. Just being a tourist in your own city can be a treat. I was simply amazed once I became educated. It became a passion to share that knowledge with others — local or from out of town. I love this job and all the relationships I have cultivated over the years. Personal approaches to challenges: In the office, they call me the “processor.” I think and plan quietly, then approach the subject. If it’s a true challenge, I dig right in and try to fix it. Community involvement: Over the years, I have had the privilege of volunteering on many committees. Some of the ones that stick out are those that involved a special connection or give me a better understanding of the community such as the MS Walk, the Rodney T. Miller Triathlon, the Futures Golf Tournament and the Decatur Leadership Institute. Tell us a little about the Decatur Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. We are an umbrella organization that sells to and services all types of travelers. We are an information clearinghouse, convention management consultant, promotion/marketing body for hotels, attractions and our community. We are a coordinating entity that helps bring groups together to fill our hotels and utilize our services and hopefully entice them to return to our area. Anything from meetings/conventions, sports, festivals and events, we are ready to help any way we can. But we could not do our job without our great community partners.
Business Journal/Jim Bowling
mine told me the bureau was hiring. At the time, I wanted to do something different so I put a resumé together and just went for it. In the beginning, I managed Motorcoach and finance, then services, sports, meetings and convention, and now the director’s position. All the positions have been rewarding and never boring. How will your experience prove beneficial in your new job? When you have a history within your office you are the “history,” so there is value. The benefits will be experience, drive and heart and passing on my heart for the job to others.
Funding is always as issue for any agency. How is the bureau funded and how is the money spent? We are strictly funded by the hotel-motel tax. The city of Decatur collects the tax and we receive a portion of that tax to help generate more tax from visitors. We are also fortunate that we receive a portion of the hotel-motel tax collected from the village of Forsyth. We are a state certified bureau and with this certification comes the ability to apply for other state grants to help better serve our community and its visitors.
Do you foresee any immediate changes being made based on that experience? Yes, we have talked about changing the structure within the office. I believe times have changed and we have the opportunity to do more. One thing I have changed is that we will no longer have a sports director. We manage more than 11 market segments and before, one sales person was responsible for sports and events and the other person managed the rest of the markets. I believe we can expand our sales potential with two sales people sharing the markets equally. Of course, sales are in my blood so I will still have my hands in it as well.
How did you become involved with the bureau? What positions have you held over the years? Sixteen years ago, a friend of
When people think tourism, it’s likely they think of vacation destinations. But there’s more to it than that, right? When people
think of tourism, it usually means making plans to pack, buy plane tickets or traveling on a ship. Tourism to us is all the teams that come to our area for three or four days and spend their nights in hotel rooms, buy gas at our service stations, eat in our restaurants, buy souvenirs from our shops and attractions. A tourist is someone who is here for the day from out of town and happens to drive by an antique shop and run in real quick to find a treasure. A tourist is someone who comes for a convention or meeting and at the end of the day finds out we have three great golf courses to choose from and just wants to spend a few hours doing what they love. Or the person who’s here and looks up things to do and checks out Merchant Street or the Hickory Point Mall, and also notices there is a zoo and a children’s museum for the kids. We can go on and on because there is just so much to see and do here in Decatur-Forsyth, Illinois. What are the key assets you highlight when courting potential clients to come here? Location, affordability and the hospitality the Decatur area shows to its visitors. What are some the challenges associated with getting people to choose Decatur? Planners assume big cities have so much more to offer to their attendees, but we are able to change their perception by helping them to discover that our night life is just as vibrant, professional and diverse as any big city.
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Main attractions June 8-16 Macon County Fair, fairgrounds. Livestock, carnival, food, music, shows, truck/tractor pulls, horse races, queen contest, chili and salsa event, barbecue cookoff and much, much more. www.maconcountyfair.com.
Calendar of events For a complete list of events, go to www.herald-review.com/go/
CHILL on the HILL in Fletcher Park, Mount Zion: June 6, The Veggies; June 13, Kilborn Alley; June 20, 360; June 27, 95Q Listener Appreciation Night; July 11, Rosetta Stone; July 18, Matt Carter Band; July 25, Out of the Woods; and Aug. 8, Retrospect. Vendors open at 6 p.m. Band plays from 7-10 p.m.
Aug. 2-4 Decatur Celebration, downtown Decatur. The 28th edition of the free family street festival will include performances by Vertical Horizon, Blind Melon, Naughty by Nature, Foghat, Ce Ce Peniston, David Nail, Devin Fowler, Casey Abrams, Building 429, for KING & COUNTRY, tyler Farr, Eagles tribute band Heartache Tonight and Lisa haley & the Zydekats. Hot dog eating contest, washers tournament and much more. www.decaturcelebration.com
Blues in Central Park: Thursday, June 20: Kinsley Report; Thursday, July 18: Selwyn Birchwood Band; Thursday, Aug. 15: Rick Estrin & The Nightcats. Vendors open at 6 p.m. Band plays from 7-10 p.m. Sounds of Summer Concert, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, July 12, in Central Park. Performances by Decatur park Singers, Young park Singers and B.O.S.S. performers. Box lunches for sale to benefit arts at the Decatur Park District.
Aug. 27-29 Farm Progress Show, Progress City USA. The “Super Bowl of Agriculture” makes its fifth appearance in Decatur. A must attend for many producers in the Midwest interested in seeing the latest in agricultural products and technology. www.farmprogressshow.com
Here Come the Mummies will return to Decatur for a special Celebration Kick Off Concert on Thursday, Aug. 1, at the Lincoln Square Theatre. The show will be ticketed, with $15 to $40 tickets on sale at the Lincoln Square Theatre box office.
The Arts
On Stage
Anne Lloyd Gallery June/July: “Norway: The Marilynn and Dean Madden Collection” featuring art and artifacts from Norway. An opening reception will be from 5-8 p.m. Friday, June 7. August: Watercolor Reflections by Kelly Eddington. Opening reception from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9 Call 423-3189. www.decaturarts.org
Best of Summer Stock: Musical theater performance by area students at the Decatur Civic Center. B.O.S.S. Jr. participants (grades 1-4) will present “The Aristocats KIDS” at 7 p.m. Friday, July 26, and 2 p.m. Saturday, July 27. B.O.S.S. Sr. participants (grades 5-9) will perform a show at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 27, and 2 p.m. Sunday, July 28. A free preview performance will be a noon, July 12, in Central Park.
Gallery 510 June: “Big Brush,” acrylic paintings by Leta Burch. Opening reception from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, June 7. July: Watercolors featuring still life and flowers by Shirley Buescher. Opening reception from 5-8 p.m. Friday, July 12. August: Acrylic paintings by Jane Frey. Call 422-1509.
Decatur Airport June: Abstract paintings by Tom Crawford. July: Watercolros by Marianna Anderson. August: Watercolros by Mike Delaney.
Decatur Public Library July: Acrylic landscapes by Sharon Zimmerman. August: Abstract acryilic paintings by Grace Snively.
Blue Connection Stop by and view the work of Erica Reese, summer artist in residence.
Watch or play June 7-9 Midstate Classic Cup at the Midstate Soccer Complex. This rescheduled event is expected to attract nearly 80 youth soc-
Large Pavilion and Mondays from 7-9 p.m. in Central Park (or alternate downtown location pending park improvements).
Business Journal/Jim Bowling
Ryan Carman, 9, of Princeville, hugs the family duck, ‘Dusty,’ while taking him along for a tour of other animals in the poultry barn at the Macon County Fair. cer teams from across the region.
June 11-17 Decatur-Forsyth Classic, Hickory Point Golf Course. This is a major tournament for the Symetra Tour, the developmental tour of the LPGA. This 54-hole event attracts top female golfers from around the world. www.symetratour.com
July 7 Rodney T. Miller Lakeside Triathlon, Nelson Park. Athletes gather to swim, bike, run and remember Rodney T. Miller, a state police officer killed in the line of duty. The kids race will be held July 6. www.decaturtriathlon.com
July 29-Aug. 4 USTA/Ursula Beck Pro Tennis Classic, Fairview Park Tennis Classic. Players from around the world converge on Decatur to compete. www.ursulabecktennis.com Macon Speedway. Dirt track racing at its very best every Saturday night. Special events include Night of NASCAR Stars II, featuring Tony Stewart, June 13; Herald & Review 100, July 11. www.maconracing.com
Music Decatur Park Singers. For a schedule of summer performances, go to www. decatur-parks.org.
July 13-14 Gus Macker 3-on-3 basketball tournament returns to Decatur on at the SkyWalker International Sports Complex. For more information, call (217) 520-4447.
Little Theatre-On the Square: “Fiddler On the Roof,” June 5-16; “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” June 19-30; “Anything Goes,” July 3-14; “Will Rogers Follies,” July 17-28; and “Monte Python’s Spamalot,” July 31-Aug 11. www.thelittletheatre.org.
Charity events June 7 Grillin’ in the Garden to benefit Baby TALK, 6-9 p.m. at the organization’s headquarters, 500 E. Lake Shore Drive. food, entertainment, auction. Cost is $75 a person or $125 a couple. Enjoy food, live music, an auction and specialty drinks from celebrity mixologists. Call 475-2234.
June 8 Zombie 5k Run, to benefit Friends of Decatur Public Library, 6 p.m. Saturday, June 8, in Fairview Park. For more information, go to www.decaturpubliclibrary.org or call (217) 848-9535.
June 9 Decatur Municipal Band: Weekly concerts during June and July featuring contemporary and traditional music Sundays from 6-7 p.m. in the Fairview Park
Ride United to benefit United Way of Decatur & Mid-Illinois, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fairview Park. Course range from 10, 30, 45 and 62 miles. Call 422-8537 or go to
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www/uwdecatur.org.
June 14 The National Freedom Day Gala fundraiser for the African-American Cultural & Genealogical Society museum will be at 6:30 p.m. in Heartland’s Grand Palace, 3253 N. Brush College Road. Guest speaker will be Lynne M. Jackson, greatgreat-granddaughter Dred Scott. Tickets are $50. Call 429-7458.
June 15 Summer Splash to benefit Gallery 510, 5:30-10 p.m. at the Beach House. Includes music, hors d’oeuvres, silent auction and wine tasting. Cost is $40. Reservations requested. Call 422-1509.
June 15 Woofstock to benefit Homeward Bound Pet Shelter, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Macon Resources Inc., 2121 Hubbard Ave. Activities include a pooch and Rescued Paws (a Homeward Bound reunion) parades, vendors, pet photos, music, food, demonstrations and more. $5 for adults, children 12 and younger free. For more, go to www.homewardboundpetshelter.com or call 875-1910 or 876-1266.
June 15 The Adam Carter Memorial 5K Fun Walk/Run, 8 a.m. at Fairview Park. Adam was a student at Holy Family School who died of cancer at age 12 in 2010. Proceeds will benefit Adam’s favorite charities. Call (217) 423-8009.
June 29 Come Together, Let’s Walk in Fairview Park. An event to fight ovarian, breast and cervical cancers. Includes a selftimed, 3-mile family fun run and a 1-mile and 3-mile walk. www.cometogetherlets walk.com or call (217) 233-3391.
Business Journal/Mark Roberts
Tyrionne Smith, 10, hops across the grass during a potato sack race at Boys & Girls Club in Decatur. The event, part of National Day for Kids, featured games, music, food and free backpacks. fireworks at dusk. www.decatur-parks. org Pony Express Days, Aug. 15-19, Pony Express Grounds, Mount Zion. Carnival, live music and more.
July 19 Relay for Life Macon County, Richland Community College. An overnight event to celebrate cancer survivors and to raise money for research and programs of the American Cancer Society. www.relayforlife.org/maconil
For the kids Children’s Museum of Illinois is host to a variety of activities throughout the summer. For information, go to www.cmof il.com or call 423-5437.
Aug. 24 Zoo-rific Evening at Scovill Zoo to benefit upcoming renovations at the zoo. Enjoy animal encounters, specialty drinks and hors d’oeuvres, an auction of animal artwork and music. Begins at 5 p.m. Cost is $75 per person. Call 422-5911.
Scovill Zoo World Oceans Day, Saturday, June 8. Celebrate the wonder of the world’s oceans. Dad’s Day Dollar Deals, Sunday, June 16. Family Camp Outs, 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. Friday, June 21, July 19 and Sept. 13. Bring your tent and sleeping bag and enjoy supper, a night tour and animal presentations. Cost is $18. Ice Cream Safari, 1-4 p.m. Sunday, July 21. Find all the ice cream stations hidden around the zoo. Call 421-7435.
Misc. The Rock Springs Nature Center hosts a long list of mini camps, family adventures and classes. So many, in fact, that there are too many to list. Go to www. maconcountyconservation.org and click on the Programs and Activities tab for a complete listing. Cruisin’ Nights on Eldo, 6 p.m. Saturdays, June 8, Aug. 10 and Oct. 12. For more information, call James Pinckard at 9729049. Master Gardeners Garden Walk, 3-7 p.m., Sunday, June 9. Call 877-6042. Blue Ribbon Night, Wednesday, July 3,
Movies in the Parks Business Journal/Mark Roberts
Frank Parker, left, plays a trumpet as Charles Tiner backs him up on the keyboard during a blues festival in Decatur. The two men are part of the group The Blues Expressions. Fletcher Park, Mount Zion. Celebrate the holiday with free music beginning at 6 p.m. and fireworks at dusk. Call 864-5424 for more information. Spend the Fourth of July in Nelson Park. The day begins with the Staley Firecracker
Road Run/Walk at 8 a.m. Then, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the park will be filled with cars of all makes and models as part of the Richie Hammel Fore on the Floor Car Show. The day ends with the Decatur Park Singers and Young Park Singers performing at 6:30 p.m. and
Watch movies on a huge inflatable screen at Kiwanis, June 26; South Shores, July 10; Fairview, July 13; Sinawik, July17, and Fletcher park in Mount Zion on June 28 and July 26.
Got an item you’d like considered for publication in the Your Free Time calendar? Send the information to Scott Perry at sperry@heraldreview.com or 601 E. William St., Decatur, IL 62523.
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YOUR CAREER
Going deeper with job-hunting advice Readers do not pull their punches. And I make an effort to learn from every comment. Recently I received an email in response to a column regarding job hunting: “Just read your column responding to what the person was doing wrong in their search. Your answer was the same generic job hunting advice everyone looking for work has heard a million times.” This was thought-provoking; I deliberated on it for some time and found that there is certainly an element of truth to this. In that case, what could provide the support that people need in challenging situations? My conclusion? In many situations, we all know what we should do. If you want to lose weight, eat less and move more. If you want to find a new job, update
Liz Reyer
your resumé and network. Easy, right? And, in fact, the basic steps are straightforward. But it easily falls apart in the execution. It takes a lot of self-discipline to actually make a change. It requires making a plan (easy) and working the plan (hard). A myriad of barriers to success will inevitably spring up, and achieving goals requires overcoming each of them. Otherwise, all you have is a fantasy, not a goal. So, taking it to the next level, here are some things to think about when pursuing a goal. n What will you do when you’re disappointed? Job searches have disappointment built into them, almost by definition, because few are offered the first job they apply for. And only you control your reaction to that disappointment. If your response is harsh, either anger against the potential employer or negative judgment of yourself, try turning that around to acceptance that this is part of the process. If you find that you’re inclined to just give up, take a deep look inside: Is that how you react
WEEKLY TIPS Get weekly career tips from Liz Reyer at www.thebusiness-journal.com. to all challenges, or is this one different? n What will you do when you’re tired of the pursuit? Every goal has a boring aspect, and practicing scales or writing yet another cover letter can get old. Think about breaking down “self-discipline” into some concrete steps you can take. Identifying energizers and rewards can help: “I’ll get one more done, then I can walk around the block.” Remind yourself of the value of your current activity to your goal. Make sure you have enough fun in your life so that this isn’t the only thing taking up your time and emotional energy, n What if you really dislike doing the things that need to be done? Evaluate your plan to make it fit your preferences as much as possible. Many people think
they dislike networking, for example, and have a stereotype in their mind of business-style speed dating. What if you convert that to connecting with people from your past that you know and like? Build in the pieces you like less in manageable chunks, and ask for support to help with them. n What if you hate asking for support? That’s a topic for another column!
Liz Reyer is a credentialed coach with more than 20 years of business experience. Her company, Reyer Coaching & Consulting, offers services for organizations of all sizes. Submit questions or comments about this column at www.deliverchange.com/coachscorner or email her at liz@deliverchange.com.
BUSINESS JOURNAL Reader Profile: n 63% have household incomes of $60,000 or greater. 36% have household incomes of $80,000 or greater.
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Cellphone policies needed for workplace Q: The issue of employee cellphones is driving me crazy. I manage a small medical clinic with 15 staff members who interact with patients all day. Initially, I trusted them to use good judgment about personal calls, but that didn’t work. Next, I asked them not to carry cellphones unless they were expecting an important call. Suddenly, every call became “important.” Because these constant interruptions are unacceptable in a medical facility, I recently announced that cellphones must be kept in employees’ lockers except during breaks and lunch. Now I’m getting so many complaints that I’m tempted to Office Coach ban the phones altogether. A: Actually, phone calls are probably just the tip of this iceberg. Since most people now have smartphones, employees are undoubtedly being distracted by texts, instant messages and various social networking sites as well. While this multitasking may pose no problem in some work settings, in others it can be dangerous or even deadly. For that reason, cellphone policies should be tailored to the needs of each specific workplace. In your case, requiring medical staffers to stash their phones during office hours is a perfectly sensible requirement. However, banning them from the building would not be reasonable. In case of emergency, you do need to ensure that these phone-deprived folks can be easily reached, so provide a clinic number that will always be answered by an actual person. No frightened child or distraught parent should ever have to deal with a lengthy phone menu ending in a voice mail message.
Marie McIntyre
Q: The head of our department has been pressuring employees to purchase products from her husband, who recently began selling diet supplements through a multilevel marketing company. When I was invited to a “party” at their home to hear a sales pitch, I politely declined. But she still keeps trying to convince me to buy the products. I feel that it’s wrong for someone in a position of power to put this kind of pressure on employees. Although I have no intention of using these questionable supplements, I don’t know how to refuse my boss without getting in trouble. Should I tell her how I feel or just complain to human resources? A: Your boss’s self-serving behavior is unethical and unprofessional. No manager should ever try to sell anything to employees, including raffle tickets and Girl Scout cookies. The reason is simple: People fear saying no to the person who controls their performance appraisals and work assignments.
Admonishing the department head might damage your career, so a safer alternative is to simply keep repeating, “Thanks for asking, but I’m really not interested.” Always deliver this response with a friendly smile, and never question the merits of the product. After awhile, she will turn her attention to more promising prospects. Q: I was recently fired from my job as a food server after a customer complained. This woman said that I was rude and impolite, but I was actually trying to make a joke that had seemed to amuse other customers. However, the owner didn’t see it that way, so he let me go. Now I’m not sure how to explain this situation when I apply for other jobs. I want to be honest, but I don’t believe I did anything wrong. My immediate supervisor has said he thinks the world of me and will give me a good reference. A: While you are under no obligation to volunteer negative information, any routine background check will quickly uncover the terms of your departure. So if you still have a civil relationship with the owner, find out whether he would be willing to call this a resignation. If not, then you should just give interviewers a simple explanation. For example: “In my previous position, there was a misunderstanding with the owner about a comment I made to a guest. I was trying to be funny, but I have now learned that joking with customers is not a good idea. However, my immediate supervisor will be glad to talk with you about the quality of my work.” Under these circumstances, your supervisor’s recommendation may be the golden ticket that ultimately gets you hired. Once you land that new job, you should at least send him a thank-you card. Q: I am extremely angry with a colleague who keeps copying my work. When “Jody” was hired three years ago, I let her use my project documents as a model. But she is now quite capable of creating her own. Although I have hinted that I don’t like having my work copied, Jody continues to do it. We used to be friends, but now I try to avoid her. How can I stop this without creating a conflict? A: I hate to break it to you, but if you are angrily avoiding a former friend, then a conflict already exists. The problem is that your refusal to communicate directly makes it impossible to resolve. Like many timid souls, you drop “hints” about your feelings, then become resentful when no one picks up on them. Since you originally allowed Jody to copy your documents, she may have no idea that your feelings have changed. So instead of continuing to send subtle signals, try expressing your concerns like a mature adult. For example: “Jody, I gave you permission to copy my work when you were new, but now I feel sure that you can do a great job on your own. Although I prefer not to have my documents duplicated, I will be glad to help if you should
WEEKLY TIPS Can't get enough advice from the Office Coach. Get weekly column updates at www.thebusiness-journal.com. run into any roadblocks.” If imagining this conversation makes you queasy, then you will have to choose between taking an emotional risk and accepting the status quo. The only unacceptable alternative is to continue acting like a passive-aggressive child. Q: I was recently hired as the executive assistant to a company president. On my second day, he gave me a project to do, then took off the afternoon to play golf. I had questions about this assignment, so I called his cellphone and sent an email, but got no response. Two days later, the president left a note instructing me to send some information “to all our managers.” Being new, I wasn’t sure who should be included on this list, so I tried to reach him. Again, he did not reply. Now, when I have questions, I’m not sure whether to use my own judgment or continue trying to get in touch with him.
I don’t want him to think I’m incapable of making decisions, but I’ve learned over the years that assumptions can be dangerous. How should I handle this? A: Since executive assistants are typically expected to be mind readers, learning to anticipate the preferences of your new boss is obviously a top priority. So instead of making risky guesses or stalking him on the golf course, try to establish a routine for getting the information you need. For example: “Since I’m still learning about the company, I wondered if we might touch base every morning to discuss the day’s events. That way, I can get answers to my questions up front and avoid interrupting you later on. I’ve always been a fast learner, so we should only have to do this for a few weeks.” As you settle into your job, the need for these daily chats will lessen and eventually disappear. Once you are more familiar with the company culture and your boss’s habits, you should be able to accurately predict which decisions you can safely make on your own.
Marie G. McIntyre is a workplace coach and the author of “Secrets to Winning at Office Politics.” Send in questions and get free coaching tips at www.yourofficecoach.com, or follow her on Twitter @officecoach.
www.centralillinoispayroll.com
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June 2013
BUSINESS JOURNAL
17
TECHTALK
Instant messaging for your business Online chat has been around for years. In the business world, it is usually referred to as instant messaging, or IM, and it’s becoming steadily more popular in companies because of huge productivity boost gained by more efficient communications. Usage is expected to continue growing rapidly over the coming years.
Why use IM? Many people ask why IM is necessary when email is so readily available. Although some people do check email constantly, not everyone does. IM is instantaneous, which makes it a great way to get quick answers fast. It’s also more interactive than email because it’s a twoway communicaTechnology tions tool. In many companies, it’s taking the place of phone and voicemail because it is a faster way to communicate. You can also chat with a single person or easily invite a group, and you can have multiple conversations going at the same time. Unlike texting, many IM tools are “presence aware,” which means they can tell from your calendar or phone whether you are busy at the moment. You also can set your status — for example “do not disturb” — to set boundaries and prevent unwanted interruptions when needed. You can also see if someone is away from their desk so you aren’t waiting on a response from someone who isn’t there. Obviously, it’s easier to type from your computer than your phone, and IM conversations are typically recorded and archived as part of corporate records. Other features commonly available are the ability to switch from an IM conversation to video chat, share files or chat remotely from your smartphone, tablet or laptop so you can stay in touch from anywhere.
Wendy Gauntt
Tools available Microsoft Lync is one of the most popular, given its tight integration into Microsoft Office. It can be installed on a server or you can subscribe to it as part of Office 365, Microsoft’s cloud-based service. Google Apps users have access to Google Talk, another popular chat program. Many other tools are available: Salesforce.com offers Salesforce Chatter, and 37 Signals (the makers of Basecamp, a popular project management tool) offers Campfire. Skype is best known for phone and video calls, but it also has IM fea-
tures. Yahoo! Messenger is a consumeroriented product but has been around for years. IBM and Oracle also have instant messaging options, although these are beyond the budgets of most small businesses. Even some phone systems offer chat clients as part of “unified communications,” which is intended to centralize email, voicemail, chat and fax.
IM etiquette Just like email, IM has its own etiquette. Here are some tips: n Use statuses, and read the statuses of others. If you are busy and need a break from interruptions, your status should indicate that. Likewise, if someone else sets their status to “do not disturb,” you should respect it. n If you are IM’ing more than a few questions, consider picking up the phone. IM is great for many communications, but there are times where phone or in person are better. n Know when to sign off. If a question has been answered, the chat is generally considered to be over. There is no need for endless goodbyes. One of the big advantages of IM is that it’s straight to the point. It is not intended for long conversations or complex requests. n Feel free to use common abbreviations, but don’t go overboard, and don’t use anything obscure. “BRB” and “GTG” are important — “be right back” and “got to go.” n Write in a clear and grammatically correct way. This may be chat, but it’s still business correspondence and is likely being recorded. n Share one thought at a time, and give the other person time to respond. If you have a lot of information to share, email may be a better choice. n Don’t share personal or confidential data over IM. n If the conversation gets difficult for any reason, pick up the phone or stop by in person. Chat has the same challenge as email — it can easily be misinterpreted because there is no body language or voice inflection that can be used to filter the intent behind the words. That’s one of the reason emoticons are so popular. n Keep personal IM’ing to a minimum during the business day.
Things to know One of the most common concerns about IM is that it is a constant interruption. The best way to mitigate that is to ensure proper use of statuses. In fact, if done diligently, IM can actually reduce interruptions because people can reliably use IM instead of calling or stopping by in person. In some environments, you may notice the office is quieter because people are typing more than talking.
Security is another concern, especially if you are using consumer-class IM tools such as Yahoo! Messenger or Skype. Business-class products typically allow more control, content filtering, encryption, message archiving, etc. Security is not just about protecting your confidential information. There is also potential for virus and malware infections if staff start downloading files from public messaging tools. Set policies for IM use. Since it is a company resource, employees should not have any expectation of privacy, just like with email and Internet surfing. If you decide to use IM with customers and business partners, you will need to set policy for those communications as well, and you also will need an IM tool that is compatible for use with outside parties.
Now what? If you want to try IM in your organization, the easiest way to start is with a web-based tool. If you are an Office 365 user, you may already have Lync, a very robust IM tool. Otherwise, check out some of the other web-based tools mentioned above. A free service may not have all the features you ultimately want, but it will give you some idea how IM can make your organization more productive. Try it out and see what happens. Once you get used to the ease and convenience of IM, you aren’t likely to go back to just phone and email.
Wendy Gauntt is president of CIO Services LLC, a technology consulting company that specializes in small-business solutions. Visit her website at www.cioservicesllc.com for more information, ideas and free resources.
BUSINESS JOURNAL Reader Profile: n 30% are owner/partner of their business. n 27% have household income of $100,000 to $149,000
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June 2013
Men’s Health - Prostate Cancer
Myths About Fire Sprinkler Systems
Alcohol Awareness
Sebastien S. Kairouz, MD Medical Oncologist Cancer Care Specialists of Central Illinois
Q What are some symptoms of prostate cancer?
Q
What are some common myths about Fire Sprinkler Systems?
A
A
There are many common misconceptions about fire sprinkler system. I have listed some of the common myths below.
Different men have different symptoms of prostate cancer, while some have none at all. Every year more than 200,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, and more than 25,000 men die from it. Symptoms of prostate cancer include: • Difficulty in starting urination. • Weak or interrupted urination. • Frequent urination, especially at night time. • Difficulty in completely emptying the bladder. • Pain or burning sensation during urination. • Blood present in urine or semen. • Persistent pain in the back, hips or pelvis. • Painful ejaculation. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please speak with your primary care physician about your risk and screening options. Men have a greater risk of getting prostate cancer if they are over the age of 50, are African American or have a father, son or brother who has had prostate cancer.
Smoke can activate a fire sprinkler system. • Smoke cannot cause a sprinkler to operate. A sprinkler will only be triggered if a fire increases the heat beyond the sprinkler trigger point. The typical point is between 135 and 165 degrees fahrenheit. All sprinkler heads are activated at the same time causing more water damage than fire damage. • All the sprinklers are not activated at the same. Only the sprinklers that are closest to the fire will activate. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that ninety percent of the time, one sprinkler head will contain the fire. The water damage caused by a 15 gallon per minute sprinkler is nothing compared to the damages from a 500 gallon per minute fire hose.
Amanda Nicholls Sales Manager Prairie Fire Sprinkler, Inc. 2393 East Federal Drive Decatur, IL 62526 217-877-3333 Office 217-877-4444 Fax
St. Mary’s Cancer Care Center
Q
www.prairiefiresprinklers.com
Social Media Not for Selling
How do I protect myself from Identity Theft?
A Identity theft is when someone uses your personal information to commit
fraud or other crimes. It may also involve computer, mail, wire and financial institution fraud. About 12.6 million people were victims of identity theft in 2012, an increase of more than one million from the previous year*. Thieves can steal your identity in many ways, so here are a few tips to reduce your risk:
Todd Hogan VP of Operations 3130 East Mound Road Decatur, IL 62526 Ph: 875-3823 thogan@llcu.org
• Create a variety of online passwords, that contain a mix of upper-and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. • Review your credit report periodically. • Carry only necessary cards on you. • Check bank, credit card and medical statements for unauthorized transactions or services. • Cancel unused credit card accounts. • Shred documents that contain sensitive information with a crosscut shredder. • Don’t share your phone number or birthday on social media sites. • Keep your computer’s security software up-to-date. • Avoid sending personal data over unsecured wi-fi networks and websites. • Set up alerts through your credit union or bank to notify you of large transactions ($150 or more). • Lock your smart phone screen with a password and enable the ability to erase data remotely in case its stolen. *Kiplinger’s Personal Finance For more information visit www.llcu.org. Chris Phillips, VP of Marketing Land of Lincoln Credit Union 3130 East Mound Road, Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 875-3823 cphillips@llcu.org
• Smoke detectors provide a warning signal in the case of a fire, but can do nothing to extinguish a growing fire. According to the NFPA, “As the percent of homes in America that were ‘protected’ with smoke detectors increased from zero to more than seventy percent, the number of fire deaths in homes did not significantly decrease.” In house testing has actually shown a smoke detector will melt within 15 seconds of being exposed to heat/fire. If you are interested in learning more about how a fire sprinkler system can protect your home or business, please call Prairie Fire Sprinkler at (217)877-3333 to set us a consultation.
1990 E. Lakeshore Dr. Decatur, Illinois 62521 217-464-2900
Identity Theft Protection
A smoke detector provides enough protection.
Q
Should Social Media Be Used For Selling?
A
The simple answer to this question is NO. Social media should be used as another form of artillery in your arsenal. It is to be used as a tool that will leverage your business while at the same time achieve your goals. It is okay to introduce a new product. Just don’t try and sell it. For instance, the ads on the right side on Facebook, some are very direct and say “Click Here” and others have a softer tone. How many have you actually clicked on? Chances are, not many. If you have, what made you click it? Were you in the market for it anyway, or was the special too good to turn down?
Carolyn Ridenour President & Marketing Director 132 S. Water St. Ste 418 Decatur, IL 62523 217-428-9950
Social media is not a place for direct marketing. It is a place where people want to connect and share. The key is to make your company sell itself with its content and at the same time engage the readers. So, to stay connected, engage them with content, pictures, questions, surveys and more. Just don’t get too personal. Personal information should not be on your business Facebook page. Big no-no! If you have a very active lifestyle with a lot of social settings, it may not reflect well on your business or the company you represent. Keep your private life private. If you would like to discuss how social media fits your business, please call us.
www.cmsdecatur.com
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June 2013
BUSINESS JOURNAL
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YOUR HEALTH
Donations of blood saves lives More than 44,000 units needed daily By JAMIE LOBER Business Journal Writer
While most people are familiar with the concept of donating blood, they may not realize that many individuals in our community’s lives depend on it. “A cancer patient can go through units of blood during their course of treatment and people in car accidents may need blood,” said Tara Winter of the American Red Cross Mid-Illinois Chapter. Premature babies and people undergoing surgery also count on blood being available. Everyone needs a different component. “Donated blood is usually separated into several component parts, so a single donation could help save the lives of more than one critically-ill or injured patient,” Winter said. Almost anybody is eligible to give the gift of life. “To give blood you must be 16 years old with parental consent,” said Winter. The requirements are fairly basic. “You must weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good general health and not have donated blood in the last 56 days,” Winter said. Criteria like being a male who had sexual contact with another male since 1977, getting tattooed in the past year or living or visiting certain countries where malaria or mad cow disease may be present may rule you out from giving.
The most common reason someone may be ineligible is that due to their hematocrit or hemoglobin level, a loss of blood could make them anemic. Since safety of pregnant donors has not been thoroughly examined, pregnant women are often deferred. When you prepare yourself, you will find it easier to sail smoothly through the process. “Start to add iron-rich foods to your daily diet and have a healthy, low-fat but not necessarily large meal within two hours of your donation,” Winter said. Hydration can make a difference. “Drink plenty of water or juice instead of caffeinated beverages,” Winter said. You want your arm to be easily accessible. “Wear clothing with sleeves that can be raised above your elbow,” Winter said. Know that giving is safe and easy and organizations like the Red Cross are committed to protecting you as a donor as well as the recipients of the blood. On the day you donate you will want to bring picture identification or your American Red Cross blood donor card. “The entire process involves registration, a mini-physical, health history, donation and refreshments so it can be up to an hour,” Winter said. The miniphysical includes checking vital signs and iron levels as well as completing a health questionnaire to ensure that your blood is safe to give others. After you give blood it is advised to keep your bandage on and dry for the next five hours. “Plan your day to avoid heavy lifting or vigorous exercise for approximately five hours after donation and rehydrate by drinking plenty of fluids,” Winter said. As long as you meet the criteria, blood donation is a win-win situation. There is essentially no risk involved. Your body will replace your plasma and platelets within several hours and your red blood cells in a few weeks so you are not losing anything in the long run. Some research published in 2012 actually showed that repeat blood donation is effective in reducing blood pressure, blood glucose, Hba1c, low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein ratio and heart rate. “Be prepared to experience the good feeling that comes with knowing that you may have helped save some lives,” Winter said. Blood donation is a little action that can make a huge difference.
Facts about blood needs
Facts about the blood supply
n Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. n More than 44,000 blood donations are needed every day. n A total of 30 million blood components are transfused each year in the U.S. (2006). n The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately 3 pints. n The blood type most often requested by hospitals is Type O. n The blood used in an emergency is already on the shelves before the event occurs. n Sickle cell disease affects more than 80,000 people in the United States, 98 percent of whom are African-American. Sickle cell patients can require frequent blood transfusions throughout their lives. n More than 1 million new people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment. n A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 pints of blood.
n The number of blood donations collected in the U.S. in a year: 16 million (2006). n The number of blood donors in the U.S. in a year: 9.5 million (2006). n The number of patients who receive blood in the U.S. in a year: 5 million (2006). n Share of the U.S. population eligible to give blood: Less than 38 percent. n Blood cannot be manufactured. It can only come from generous donors. n Type O-negative blood (red cells) can be transfused to patients of all blood types. It is always in great demand and often in short supply. n Type AB-positive plasma can be transfused to patients of all other blood types. AB plasma is also usually in short supply.
Source: American Red Cross
Source: American Red Cross
physical l a n o i t o m e soci al spirit environmental
ual
occupational
WELLNESS is important to us
To obtain assistance with developing a Worksite Wellness Program for your business or organization, please contact:
The Macon County Health Department
at (217) 423-6988 ext: 1115 or visit www.maconcountyhealth.org
This project was made possible by funds received from the Illinois Department of Public Health
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June 2013
Community health calendar Screenings Bone density screening, 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, June 5, Women’s Health and Breast Center, 302 W. Hay St., Suite 117A. Screening to check your risk for osteoporosis. To register, call (217) 876-4377. Cholesterol screening, 7-10 a.m. Thursday, June 6, 1689 S. Franklin Street Road. Cost is $20. To register, call (217) 876-4377.
Support groups Grief to Hope: grief education group, 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 4, St. Mary’s Hospital, Room G24. For more information, call Chaplain Marla at (217) 544-6464 ext. 41850. Growing Through Grief, 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Cancer Care Center of Decatur Complementary Education Classroom, 210 W. McKinley Ave. To register, call (217) 8764735. Helping Hands Bereavement for Children, 3:30 p.m. Thursdays, Cancer Care Center of Decatur Art Therapy Room, 210 W. McKinley Ave. Register online or call (217) 876-4750. Breastfeeding support group, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Monday, June 10 and 24, Baby TALK, 500 E. Lake Shore Dr. To register, call Flo Folami at (217) 464-2334. SHARE support group, 7 p.m. Monday, June 10, St. Mary’s Hospital, Room G24. Support group for those who have experienced the death of a baby during pregnancy, at birth or early infancy. For more information, call (217) 464-2045. Facing Cancer Together, 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 12, Cancer Care Center of Decatur Complementary Education Classrooms, 210 W. McKinley Ave. Register online or call (217) 876-4750. Brain tumor support group, 10 a.m. Saturday, June 15, Cancer Care Center of Decatur
Complementary Education Classrooms, 210 W. McKinley Ave. Register online or call (217) 876-4750.
Ave. Clay, paint watercolor, acrylic draw, print make, collage, weave and more. For information, call (217) 876-4700.
27, Decatur Memorial Hospital, Classrooms – Lobby Level. Registration is required. Register online or call (217) 876-3400.
Essential tremor support group, 6 p.m. Sunday, June 16, St. Mary’s Hospital, Assisi Room. For more information, contact Don Klinker at (217) 423-9667.
Safe Sitter class, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 1, DMH OB Classroom, third floor. This program teaches 11-13 year olds how to handle emergencies and provide safe child care. Cost is $30. Registration required by calling (217) 876-3448.
More
Breath of Life support group, noon Tuesday, June 18, St. Mary’s Hospital, Room 561. Speakers available to answer questions from those with breathing problems. For information, call (217) 464-2603. Cardiopulmonary rehab wellness group, 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, Decatur Memorial Hospital Classroom A. Register online or call (217) 876-2496. Diabetes support group, 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, June 20, DMH Wellness Center, 2122 N. 27th St. Call (217) 876-4249. A New Season young widowed group, 6 p.m. Thursday, June 20. For information, call Dawn Followell at (217) 864-2799. Renewal bereavement support group, 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, June 24, Cancer Care Center of Decatur Complementary Education Classroom, 210 W. McKinley Ave. Register online or call (217) 876-4750. Us TOO prostate cancer support group, 4:30-6 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, Cancer Care Center of Decatur Complementary Education Classroom, 210 W. McKinley Ave. Register online or call (217) 876-4750. Widowed support group, 6 p.m. Thursday, June 27. Monthly dinner gathering. To register, call (217) 428-7733.
Classes Art therapy for cancer patients and families, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, Cancer Care Center of Decatur Complementary Medicine Art Room 409, 210 W. McKinley
Learning to Connect: Relating to the Person with Alzheimer’s, 10-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 4, St. Mary’s Hospital, Assisi Room. This program will provide insight into dementia’s effect on communication and behavior, and will introduce participants to techniques that can be used to make visits more comfortable and meaningful. To register, call (217) 4645121. Eat Right to Help the Fight, 1-2 p.m. Monday, June 10, Cancer Care Center of Decatur Education Classrooms, 210 W. McKinley Ave. Nutrition class for cancer patients. Register online or call (217) 876-4750. Infant CPR Class, 7 p.m. Monday, June 10, DMH third floor OB Classrooms. Register online or call (217) 876-3400. Happiest Baby on the Block – Magic?, 6-8 p.m. Thursday, June 13, St. Mary’s Hospital, Assisi Room. Topics include crying, normal newborn sleep, top 10 myths about babies, swaddling and more. For information, call (217) 464-2334. Real Dads Rock!, 7-9 p.m. Thursday, June 13, St. Mary’s Hospital, Assisi Room. This class enriches the father-to-be with skills to be confident in his major role in the care and birth of the new baby. Call (217) 464-2334. Cardiopulmonary education session, 1:30 p.m. Friday, June 14, and 1 p.m. Friday, June 21, DMH Cardiac Rehabilitation Department. Register online or call (217) 876-2496. Breastfeeding Basics, 7 p.m. Thursday, June
How to eat less at night McClatchy-Tribune News Service
Some successful dieters swear by a strategy of not eating after about 7 p.m., while nighttime bingeing is a major problem for many people. Here are tips from nutritionists: Don’t starve during the day. Never skip meals, and add in healthy snacks if you feel hungry. Otherwise, you’re very likely to overeat at night. Drink plenty of water. If you think you’re hungry, you may actually just be thirsty. Before eating anything, have a glass of water or some unsweetened, decaffeinated tea. Avoid too much alcohol, how-
ever; it may make you crave junk food. Set a regular dinnertime. Your body will come to expect food at that time. Focus on fiber — fruits, vegetables and whole grains — low-fat dairy and lean proteins to fill up. Try making dinner your smallest meal. Some people do well by having their largest meal at breakfast, their second-largest at lunch and only a modest-sized dinner. Brush your teeth. A clean mouth can curb an urge to eat more. Brush right after dinner or at least an hour before bedtime. Chew sugarless gum. You can keep your mouth occupied without
snacking. For many people, mint is the best flavor for curbing cravings. Ban nighttime boredom. Late-night eating often is a result of having nothing else to do. Pick up a new hobby or activity, connect with your spouse, take a walk or call a friend. Form new habits. Stop eating after a specific time — say, 7 or 8 p.m. — for a week. Then aim for a month. By that time, your new pattern should be set. Go to bed. An earlier bedtime will keep you from eating, as well as control production of hunger-triggering hormones.
Cancer Survivor’s Day Dinner, 6 p.m. Thursday, June 6, Decatur Conference Center & Hotel. National Cancer Survivor’s Day is a celebration of life. Each year, the community supports a survivor’s dinner to honor them, as well as honor family, friends and health care providers. To RSVP, call (217) 8766616. Let’s Get Fit, 5:15 p.m. Mondays through June 24 in Fairview Park. Health and wellness presentations in conjunction with the Come Together, Let’s Walk ovarian, breast and cervical cancer awareness walk. For more information, call Lucy at (217) 4645125. Red Cross Blood Drive, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 12, DMH Classrooms and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 12, St. Mary’s Hospital, Assisi Room. Community Health Lecture Series, featuring information from a local health care provider 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, Decatur Public Library. Shoreline Squad Kickoff, 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, Nelson Park. Preparation for the 5k or 10k at the Shoreline Classic in September. For more information, visit www.shoreline classic.com. Men’s urinary health presentation, 6 p.m. Thursday, June 20, St. Mary’s Hospital, Assisi Room. Dr. Tobias Kohler will speak about men’s urinary health. For more information, call (217) 464-2046. Come Together, Let’s Walk, 7 a.m. Saturday, June 29, Fairview Park. Come together against ovarian, breast and cervical cancer. For more information, visit www.cometogetherletswalk.com.
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June 2013
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COMING IN THE JULY BUSINESS JOURNAL! In July, the Business Journal will feature a special section titled, “20 People Under 40 Who Make a Difference in Central Illinois”. This will be the 9th year of this special publication. The section is designed to honor members of our community who make a difference in many ways, some publicly, some behind-the-scenes.
Plan to pick up your copy of this special edition of the Business Journal or call today to start receiving your FREE subscription to the Business Journal of MidCentral Illinois!
Call 217-421-6994 or visit our website at www.thebusiness-journal.com
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June 2013
YOUR MONEY
Health care act could hurt part-timers By CHAD TERHUNE McClatchy-Tribune News Service Writer
Many part-timers are facing a double whammy from President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act. The law requires large employers offering health insurance to include parttime employees working 30 hours a week or more. But rather than provide health care to more workers, a growing number of employers are cutting back employee hours instead. The result: Not only will these workers earn less money, but they’ll also miss out on health insurance at work. Consider the city of Long Beach, Calif. It is limiting most of its 1,600 part-time employees to fewer than 27 hours a week, on average. City officials say that without cutting payroll hours, new health benefits would cost up to $2 million more next year, and that extra expense would trigger layoffs and cutbacks in city services. Part-timer Tara Sievers, 43, understands why, but she still thinks it’s wrong. “I understand there are costs to health care reform, but it is surely not the intent of the law for employees to lose hours,” said the outreach coordinator at the El Dorado Nature Center in Long Beach. “It’s ridiculous the city is skirting
the law.” Across the nation, hundreds of thousands of other hourly workers may also see smaller paychecks in the coming year because of this response to the federal health care law. The law exempts businesses with fewer than 50 full-time workers from this employer mandate. But big restaurant chains, retailers and movie theaters are starting to trim employee hours. Even colleges are reducing courses for part-time professors to keep their hours down and avoid paying for their health premiums. Overall, an estimated 2.3 million workers nationwide are at risk of losing hours as employers adjust to the new math of workplace benefits, according to research by the University of CaliforniaBerkeley. All this comes at a time when part-timers are being hired in greater numbers as U.S. employers look to keep payrolls lean. One consolation for part-timers is that many of them stand to benefit the most from the health care law’s federal premium subsidies or an expansion of Medicaid, both starting in January. The law will require most Americans to buy health insurance or pay a penalty. Yet many lower-income people will quali-
fy for government insurance or be eligible for discounted premiums on private policies. “For people losing a few hours each week, that’s lost income, and it has a real impact,” said Ken Jacobs, chairman of the UC-Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education. “But many low-wage, part-time workers will also have some affordable options under the federal law.” Employers say these cutbacks are necessary given the high cost of providing benefits. Bill Dombrowski, chief executive of the California Retailers Association, said employers are reducing hours because “it’s the only way to survive economically.” The full effect of these changes in the workplace isn’t known yet because many employers are still considering what to do. Many companies waited to see whether the landmark legislation would survive a Supreme Court challenge and the outcome of last fall’s presidential election. Now many employers are scrambling to understand the latest federal rules on implementation and are analyzing what makes the most sense for their work force and for running their business.
There has been widespread speculation that many businesses would drop health coverage entirely in favor of paying a federal penalty of $2,000 per worker. Benefit consultants and insurance brokers say many companies examined that scenario. But they say most rejected it because of the disruption it would cause for employees and the potential for putting an employer at a competitive disadvantage in luring talented workers. Instead, pruning the hours of parttimers has attracted far more interest. “That will be a widespread strategy,” said Dede Kennedy-Simington, a Pasadena, Calif., insurance broker. “Employers will be making sure their payroll system can flag when part-time workers are getting close to the cap they set.” Long Beach officials said they studied the various budget options and opted for a plan that should affect only a small portion of its work force. The city estimates about 200 part-time workers will be among the most affected by a reduction in hours, representing about 13 percent of its overall part-time staff. The city calculated that the federal penalty for dropping coverage completely for its 4,100 full-time employees would have been about $8 million.
Your first choice for loans. When it’s time to trade vehicles talk to the folks at Earthmover. We will work with you to find a payment that you’re as happy with as you are your new car, truck, van, SUV, motorcycle, boat, or whatever fits your needs. Stop in, call, or apply online.
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BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT JUST HARMING YOURSELF
Dividend 2600 East Dividend Drive, Decatur Forsyth 260 West Marion Avenue, Forsyth Mt. Zion 4855 Aldi Drive, Decatur
For more information about how our community can become smoke-free, call the Macon County Health Department at (217) 423-6988 ext. 1115 This project was made possible by funds received from the Illinois Department of Public Health
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Boomers’ financial outlook darkens By DONNA GEHRKE-WHITE McClatchy-Tribune News Service Writer
The Great Recession saw unemployment rates double and the housing bust that proved far stronger and lasted much longer than anyone had expected. Through it all, retirement savings plans took a major hit. The economy is improving now. But for baby boomers who can see the finish line of retirement in the not-so-far-off distance, the race is on to rebuild — or start over — with their retirement plans. The clock is ticking — loudly. Finding work still isn’t easy. Neither is finding safe investments with reasonable returns. For Vilma Hart, 58, an unexpected layoff during the recession undermined her best-laid retirement plans. “It was a rude awakening,” said Hart, a former corporate trainer and state caseload manager who was let go by the state in 2008. “I could not find a job for a year and a half. I exhausted all my retirement savings.” Hart took a part-time job with the AARP Foundation in 2010 so she could scrape by with her bills and also watch over her elderly mother. She hopes to find full-time work, but also understands the challenges ahead. She has nothing saved for retirement now, and hasn’t yet been able to start saving again.
“I have to adapt,” she said. “I thought I had my ducks in a row but it didn’t work out.” Hart is among the 2 out of every 3 baby boomers who are in some kind of unfavorable retirement situation. Surveys spell out the depth of the problem. About 63 percent of displaced workers during the recession dipped into their retirement savings to pay bills, according to a 2012 study by the nonprofit Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies. Middle-aged workers were most at risk, the survey found. Workers in their 40s and 50s had only a median $2,300 left in their retirement accounts. Investment earnings for Americans 65 and over accounted for 10 percent of their income on average in 2006. Now, it’s only 6 percent, according to a separate AARP survey of 2011 trends, the mostrecent year available. “This is going to be a huge story for years and years,” Florida AARP spokesman Dave Bruns said. Many boomers “are in a world of hurt. You have to wonder what their options are. Many say, ‘I’m going to work until I drop.’ ” Sharon Hallback is 65 years old. She went back to school late in life and has two master’s degrees. She still can’t find the right full-time job to help get her back on her feet.
“They say I am overqualified,” said Hallback, who has stopped telling some prospective employers about her degrees. Hallback was a counselor who was hired by a private company to make home visits to help special needs children. But in 2009, her mother became gravely ill and Hallback ultimately lost her job because she refused to give up caring for her mother. “I will never regret what I did.” She went on Social Security at 62 to bring in a monthly check. Her retirement savings accounts had been depleted by putting her three children through college. “I was a single parent,” Hallback said. “I had to pull out my money.” She was able to find work at a juvenile program but has struggled since then to get by. She considers herself lucky that she got into an AARP program, working at a state work force agency in Hollywood, Fla. Even with her Social Security benefits, making ends meet has not been easy. And saving for retirement? Out of the question. Her warning to other baby boomers: If you think you want to get a part-time job to supplement your Social Security, realize it may be harder than you think. “There are so many people looking for work — even part-time work,” Hallback
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said. “It didn’t use to be that way. But now there’s so much competition.” To get to a comfortable retirement level, many baby boomers will have to reinvent themselves by working longer and resuming their saving — even if it means not financially helping their children and further shaving off living expenses, said financial planners and analysts who work with older workers. Most who lost jobs will have to rework their budgets to still save for retirement with smaller paychecks, said Florida’s AARP director Jeff Johnson. “Chances are they are going into a much lower salary than they had before,” Johnson said. Some boomers also will have to adjust to the new reality of more companies eliminating their 401(k) contributions to workers’ accounts, said Boca Raton, Fla., financial planner Mari Adam. But boomers can’t use that as an excuse not to save, Adam said. “They don’t save enough now,” she added. They especially must not help their children through college if that jeopardizes their retirement savings, Adam said. Some laid-off boomers who have managed to hold onto some savings can retire as long as they budget and watch their spending, said Plantation, Fla., financial planner Ben Tobias.
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158 W. Prairie Ave., Decatur Contact: Jeff Ingle 429-4200 4191 U.S. 36 West Contact: 420-8711 242 E. William St., Decatur Contact: 428-5612 727 Weaver Rd., Decatur Contact: Tina McCarnen 421-6657 101 S. Main St., Decatur Contact: Katy Mize 422-4700
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