Page A2 • Friday, January 10, 2014
8 DAILY PLANNER Today
Sexaholics Anonymous-DeKalb: 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. Fridays at Christ Community Church, 1600 E. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb. This 12-step recovery program is for Internet addiction. Contact: 815-508-0280. SA.org. Weight Watchers: 8:30 a.m. weigh-in, 9 a.m. meeting Weight Watchers Store, 2583 Sycamore Road (near Aldi), DeKalb. Pass It On AA(C): 9:30 a.m. at DeKalb Area Alano Club, 312 E. Taylor St., DeKalb, 800-452-7990; www.dekalbalanoclub.com. Story time: 10 a.m. at Barnes & Noble, 2439 Sycamore Road in DeKalb. Free readings are open to the public. Narcotics Anonymous: Noon at 512 Normal Road in DeKalb; www. rragsna.org; 815-964-5959. There is a Solution Too AA: 12:05 p.m. at DeKalb Area Alano Club, 312 E. Taylor St., DeKalb, 800452-7990; www.dekalbalanoclub. com. ACBL Duplicate Bridge: 12:30 p.m. at Wildwood North Recreation Center, 1 Birch St. in Sandwich. 815-498-4405. Elburn Lions Club Bingo: Doors open at 5 p.m. at 500 Filmore St. Early Bird Bingo starts at 6:30 p.m., followed by the first of four progressive raffles. Regular Bingo games start at 7 p.m. and include two split the pot games. Food and drink are available for purchase. 630-365-6315. Bingo license B-04001. Peace vigil: 5 to 6 p.m. at Memorial Park at First Street and Lincoln Highway, DeKalb. DeKalb Interfaith Network for Peace and Justice Peace Circle follows at 6 p.m. 815-758-0796. Troop support rally: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at First Street and Lincoln Highway in DeKalb, across the street from Memorial Park. B.Y.O.B. Big Book – 12 & 12 Discussion AA(C): 6 p.m. at DeKalb Area Alano Club, 312 E. Taylor St., DeKalb, 800-452-7990; www. dekalbalanoclub.com. Big Book Discussion AA(C): 7 p.m. at Newman Catholic Student Center, 512 Normal Road, DeKalb, 800-452-7990; www.dekalbalanoclub.com. Friday night activities and gallery hours: 7 to 9 p.m. at DeKalb Area Women’s Center, 1021 State St. All are welcome; programs vary each week. 815-758-1351. La Leche League of Sandwich: 7:15 to 9 p.m. at Valley West Community Hospital. For all interested women, especially before baby’s arrival. Babies also are welcome. For information, call Connie at 815498-3431. Fox Valley AA(C): 7:30 p.m. at Salem Lutheran Church, 1022 N. Main St., Sandwich, 800-452-7990; www.dekalbalanoclub.com. County Line Group Big Book AA(C): 8 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 121 N. Sycamore St., Maple Park, 800-452-7990; www.dekalbalanoclub.com. One Day At A Time AA(C): 8 p.m. at DeKalb Area Alano Club, 312 E. Taylor St., DeKalb, 800-452-7990; www.dekalbalanoclub.com. There is a Solution AA(C): 8 p.m. at Kingston Friendship Center, 120 Main St. 800-452-7990; www. dekalbalanoclub.com. Day PAA(C): 9 p.m. at DeKalb Area Alano Club, 312 E. Taylor St., DeKalb, 800-452-7990; www. dekalbalanoclub.com. Saturday Monthly community breakfast: 7 to 11 a.m. at Kingston Friendship Center, 120 S. Main St. Donation is $7 for all-you-can-eat eggs cooked to order, pancakes, waffles, biscuits and gravy, corned beef hash, bacon and sausage, fruit cups, English muffins and drink. Contact: Kingston Friendship Center at 815-7843921. Trinity Lutheran Church’s monthly all-you-can-eat Country Breakfast: 7 to 10:30 a.m. at 303 S. Seventh St. in DeKalb. Donation is $7. Weight Watchers: 7:15 a.m. weigh-in, 7:45 a.m. and 9 a.m. meetings Weight Watchers Store, 2583 Sycamore Road (near Aldi), DeKalb. Overeaters Anonymous Walkand-Talk meeting: 8 to 9 a.m. at The Federated Church, 612 W. State St. in Sycamore. www.oa.org; Contact: Marilyn at 815-751-4822. NICE Food and Clothing Center: 8:30 to 11 a.m. Saturdays, by appointment other days, at 346 S. County Line Road in Lee. This nondenominational food pantry serves the southwest part of DeKalb County and the southeast area of Lee County. 815-824-2228.
MORNING READ
Daily Chronicle / Daily-Chronicle.com
8 WHAT’S HAPPENING AT DAILY-CHRONICLE.COM? Yesterday’s Reader Poll results:
Today’s Reader Poll question:
Do you plan to attend the Northern Illinois Farm Show?
Vol. 136 No. 9
Which of these stores should open in DeKalb next?
No: 89 percent Yes, I did Wednesday: 5 percent I’m going today: 4 percent Will attend both days: 2 percent
• Dick’s Sporting Goods • Macy’s • Costco • Gander Mountain • Crate & Barrel
Total votes: 230
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Coping with seasonal depression I’ve avoided this week’s topic for nearly two years, but I can’t put it off any longer. We have to talk about the weather. In a week that featured local schools and Northern Illinois University closing two days in a row (because of weather) for the first time in recent memory and news reports Tuesday saying that after 36 hours, the temperature had climbed to zero … well, we have an ugly situation. Don’t get me wrong: I’m a fall/winter guy. I like the winters here. But winter wonderland lost a lot of luster this week. Polar vortexes. Ice tsunamis. Wind chills dozens of degrees below zero. Several deaths in the area. Car crashes, travel disruption, broken water pipes and other mechanical malfunctions beyond measure. It can get to be too much, especially if you’re already battling a form of clinical depression known as seasonal affective disorder. It seems appropriate to mention SAD now because even though we seem to have survived the worst of the cold, as of Wednesday evening, freezing rain and more snow had been predicted for the weekend. Isn’t it reassuring that you can count on me for uplifting commentary? SAD affects nearly half a million
THE FINE LINE Jason Akst people every winter between September and April, peaking in December, January and February, according to Mental Health America, a national advocacy organization. Most sufferers are women, and the major onset tends to happen between ages 18 and 30. The “Winter Blues,” a milder form of SAD, may affect even more people, MHA says. Dr. Norman E. Rosenthal (in his book, “Winter Blues: Everything You Need to Know to Beat Seasonal Affective Disorder,”) said the prevalence of SAD is much higher, affecting about 14 million Americans. Regardless, SAD is real. It’s not just you (or me) whining. Symptoms include depression, anxiety, significant mood changes, sleep problems, lethargy, overeating (especially including craving starchy and sweet foods), irritability, wanting to avoid people and social situations, and even sexual problems. SAD symptoms tend to stem from daily body rhythms that have gone out of sync with the sun, according to
one study by the National Institute of Mental Health. Exposure to bright light early in the morning and a low dose of the light-sensitive hormone melatonin can help, the study found. Exposure to bright light at the right time is particularly helpful, according to Psych Central, an online mental health social network. Light boxes, which emit artificial light, mimic the sun’s rays. They’re easy to find and are reasonably priced. Depending on the intensity, you might need to use one between 30 minutes and two hours a day, but as long as your eyes are open and you’re an appropriate distance from the light, you can read, talk on the phone, work on a computer, etc. Not that I have a license to practice, but I would also “prescribe” peppermint tea, some exercise, pets, prayer/ meditation, and funny/uplifting media content. Experts do agree on one thing: if the blues get too dark, ask for help. Now.
• Jason Akst teaches journalism and public relations at Northern Illinois University. He also serves as a board member for the Northern Illinois Newspaper Association, www. ninaonline.org. You can reach him at jasondakst@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter (@jasonakst).
8 TODAY’S TALKER
Christie apologizes for traffic jams The ASSOCIATED PRESS TRENTON, N.J. – Republican Gov. Chris Christie fired one of his top aides Thursday and apologized repeatedly for his staff’s “stupid” behavior, insisting during a nearly two-hour news conference that he had no idea anyone around him had engineered traffic jams as part of a political vendetta against a Democratic mayor. “I am embarrassed and humiliated by the conduct of some of the people on my team,” Christie said as he addressed the widening scandal, which could cast a shadow over his expected run for the White House in 2016. The famously blunt governor fielded dozens of questions from reporters with uncharacteristic patience and at times a sorrowful tone. Christie, who had previously assured the public that his staff had nothing to do with the September lane closings that caused major backups at the George Washington Bridge, said he fired Deputy Chief of Staff Bridget Anne Kelly “because she lied to me” when he demanded weeks ago that anyone who knew anything about the episode come forward. The gridlock in Fort Lee delayed emergency vehicles, school buses and countless commuters for four days. Kelly was the latest casualty in the scandal. Two other top Christie appointees have resigned in the past few weeks. The investigation broke wide open Wednesday, with the release of emails and text messages that suggested Kelly
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AP photo
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks during a Thursday news conference at the Statehouse in Trenton, N.J. A day after revelations that his administration may have closed highway lanes to exact political retribution, the prospective Republican presidential candidate is faced with what may be the biggest test in his political career. arranged the traffic jams to punish Fort Lee’s mayor for not endorsing Christie for re-election. In other developments: • The chief federal prosecutor in New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman, said he is “reviewing the matter to determine whether a federal law was implicated.” The Legislature also is investigating. Using public resources for political ends can be a crime. Democratic Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, a former prosecutor and mayor,
said there was “no doubt” a crime was committed. • David Wildstein, a Christie appointee who resigned from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey after being implicated in the scandal, was found in contempt by a legislative committee Thursday after he invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and refused to answer questions. The Port Authority operates the bridge and other area bridges and transit hubs.
8DID YOU WIN? Illinois Lottery Thursday Pick 3-Midday: 5-5-7 Pick 3-Evening: 4-5-4 Pick 4-Midday: 6-0-3-2 Pick 4-Evening: 0-0-0-7 Lucky Day Lotto-Midday: 6-10-15-25-34 Lucky Day Lotto-Evening: 2-10-16-31-39 Lotto: 14-21-25-32-37-40 (16) Lotto jackpot: $10.75 million
Mega Millions Mega jackpot: $20 million
Powerball Powerball jackpot: $80 million
U.S. parents stuck in Congo with adopted children By DAVID CRARY The Associated Press Justin Carroll is the proud dad of a 6-week-old daughter in Tennessee, but thus far he’s done his doting via video phone calls from Africa. Since mid-November, Carroll has been living in Congo, unwilling to leave until he gets exit papers allowing two newly adopted sons to travel with him. Carroll and his wife, Alana, are among scores of U.S. couples caught up in wrenching uncertainty, as a suspension of all foreign adoptions imposed by Congolese authorities has temporarily derailed their efforts to adopt. While most of the families are awaiting a resolution from their homes in the U.S., Justin Carroll and a few other parents whose adoptions had been approved have actually
AP photo
A photo provided by the Mauntel family shows (from left) Madeline, 6, Moses, 2, and Micah Mauntel, 4, in Holly Springs, Ga. The Mauntels adopted Moses from Congo and brought him home in October. taken custody of their adopted children in Kinshasa, Congo’s capital. However, they say that promised exit papers for the children are now being withheld pending further
case-by-case reviews, and the parents don’t want to leave Kinshasa without them. “Justin is not going to leave the boys,” Alana Carroll said from Jefferson City,
Tenn., where she’s been caring for daughter Carson since her birth Nov. 25. “In a dire situation, we would just move there,” said Alana, referring to Congo. “Leaving our sons there is not an option.” According to UNICEF estimates, Congo is home to more than 800,000 children who’ve lost both parents, in many cases because of AIDS. Until the suspension was announced in September, Congo had been viewed in the U.S. as a promising option at a time when the number of international adoptions has plummeted. Congo accounted for the sixth highest number of adoptions by Americans in 2012 – 240 children. The U.S. State Department, in its latest Congo advisory, says all applications for exit permits for adopted children
are facing increased scrutiny because of concerns over suspected falsification of documents. Congolese authorities earlier attributed the suspension to concerns that some children had been abused or abandoned by their adoptive parents or have been “sold to homosexuals.” In the past two years, Africa Adoption Services has helped dozens of families adopt from Congo, generally for a cost of about $27,000, excluding travel. Among the successful couples were Emily and Mike Mauntel of Atlanta, whose 2-year-old son, Moses, came home in October. “My heart is breaking for these five families stuck in the Congo and for the many more families waiting to bring their children home,” Emily Mauntel wrote in an email.