The Weekly Reporter - February 02, 2012

“Let us dare to, read, think, speak and write.” - John Adams, 1765 February 02, 2012

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ILLINOIS LOSES A FINE SENATOR Senator A. J. Wilhelmi Announces Resignation John Gab riel - Award winning writer

We gripe, we grumble, and constantly disagree with decisions made by those we elect to public office. Sometimes, of course, that discontentment is warranted, but, most of the time, we are aware of the entire basis upon which decisions have been made.

Illinois State Senator Arthur “A.J.” Wilhelmi (IL43) has served the people of Illinois honorably and with impeccable honesty during the seven years he has been in public office. Originally Wilhelmi was appointed to his Senator Wilhelmii, wife Michelle, President Obama seat (2005) when then Senator Lawrence “Larry” Walsh was elected to serve as Will County’s County Executive.

Illinois suffers a severe blow to the Senate at a time when Governor Pat Quinn and the legislature is busy repairing the state’s image after its past two governors earned prison sentences for themselves.

Wilhelmi has had the distinction of earning respect from both Democrats and Republicans alike for his unwavering sense of integrity and simply doing what is best for the people of the state.

He has not only claimed to have an open-door policy, the senator has always actually had one. He did return telephone calls; he did make appointments to meet with constituents and to hear their concerns.

His resignation is a terrible blow for the Democrats and especially for the people for whom Wihelmi has worked so long and hard.

For an honest hardworking senator such as Senator Wilhelmi there is virtually no time for family or friends. It is likely that a desire to have more time with his family led to this move.

While much of his time is spent in Springfield, he also has had a busy schedule at home where his appointment book was filled with additional

commitments. There was little family time for the senator, for when he did return home from Springfield, he was asked to make personal appearances or to support other candidates. Then there is the constant battle to seek campaign funds to foot the bills for the next election – campaigning for the next election begins the day after the current election ends.

To those who know Senator Wilhelmi personally his resignation comes as a startling decision for some thought he might one day be elected Governor of Illinois. Senator Wilhelmi surely has more than adequate qualifications and he carries a plus with him that is priceless – he is an honest man.

Fundraisers for Senator Wilhelmi attracted supporters from far and wide. He was popular both with business and with labor, somehow managing to maintain his balance while walking that political tightrope. Senators such Senate President John Cullerton (D-6) gave wholehearted support to a man they respected.

Senator Wilhelmi announced that he has accepted a position as The Senior Vice President of governmental relations with the Illinois Hospital Association. It seems obvious that he made the move to have time with his family; his wife Michelle, and their three children. During fundraisers he spent time with his children while mingling with his supporters. In 2008 during a fundraiser for Debbie Halvorson who was running for the 111th District Congressional seat, Wilhelmi wandered away from the crowd to play with his children on nearby swings.

All of Illinois will miss Senator A.J. Wilhelmi, a devoted public servant who does not wish to miss more of this children’s growing up.

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Foster: End insider trading\ in Congress Bill Foster calls on Congresswoman Biggert and Washington Republicans to senda bill to the President banning insider trading in Congress Naperville, IL –Bill Foster today called on Congresswoman Judy Biggert (R-IL) to support H.R.1148, the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act, which would ban insider trading practices by members of Congress. Tonight, the President said in his State of the Union Address that Congress needs to act now to ban insider trading, stating that he would sign their bill.

“Folks in Illinois are fed up with Congress, and Washington isn’t playing by the same rules as everyone else,” said Bill Foster, “We need to increase transparency, whether it’s for Wall Street or Congress, because using government information for

personal gain is as offensive as it is wrong. It is not an overreaction to hold our leaders to the highest standard and it is time for Congressw oman Biggert and her Washington colleagues to send a bill to the President that he can sign.”

Background: STOCK Act would put an end to insider trading in Congress: Amends the Securities

Exchange Act of 1934 and the Commodity Exchange Act to direct both the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to prohibit purchase or sale of either securities, security-based swaps, or commodities for future delivery or swap by a person in possession of material nonpublic information regarding pending or prospective legislative action if the information was obtained: (1) knowingly from a Member or employee of Congress, (2) by reason of being a Member or employee of Congress, and (3) other federal employees. (CRS Summary, accessed 12/8/2011)

The most logical conclusion is that while the Speaker wishes to have us read and listen to what is on his mind but

By John Gabriel Award winning writer he apparently does not care to know what we the public Speaker of the House, John Boehner, regularly sends have to say on the topics he addresses. out an email entitled The Speaker Alert.

This is nothing new. Politicians Sadly, there seems to be no one reading frequently become self-important once we the responses from those who read the have given them our vote. They want the emails. vote to get into office and once there do as There are many people responding; they please not as the voters wish. that is obvious from the diagnosis included We have reached a point in politicalwith the failure to send an email that comes time when we need to rethink how we cast back when a reply is sent. our votes. Do we continue to be politically The message relates that the mailbox is brain-dead and simply vote for the party or full. The truth is that if anyone were do we miraculously recover and begin reading the responses the box would not voting for people who will represent us be full. The moment one message is read there would be regardless of their party affiliation? room for another. John Boehner is not so popular that the vote to get into office and once there do as they please American public is falling over one another to email him. Of not as the voters wish. course if that were the case he could just create an We have reached a point in political-time when we overflow box. need to rethink how we cast our votes. Do we continue to

The Speaker’s Mailbox is Full!

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HICKEY: FIX HOUSING MARKET WITH COMMONSENSE SOLUTIONS Jim Hickey Candidate for the Illinois 11th Congressional district has come out strongly against the bank bailout and stimulus bills saying, “I would have never voted for the trickle down stimulus package. Until all of the foreclosures are cleansed through the system, the market will not recover”.

Hickey a “Licensed Mortgage Originator” and “Licensed Realtor” said he actually has the edge on his opponent Bill Foster former Congressman from the Illinois 14th because he has the experience needed to confront the stagnant housing market.

Jim Hickey For starters he has proposed a multi-step approach that would: “Change the holding period: Millions of Homeowners that faced a foreclosure, short sale or Bankruptcy currently have to wait 3-4 years before they are ALLOWED to purchase a home. I propose that if they have SAVED a downpayment, Can Prove income with Tax Returns and

Paystubs, we should allow them to purchase these foreclosed homes on the market! (No Waiting Period)”.

“We need to bring FHA [Federal Housing Administration] back to the pre-Internet, pre-boom standards,” Hickey said. He believes home mortgage loans should be approved not based upon a credit score but, rather, on the applicant’s income. Hickey pointed out that some people may qualify for a mortgage in cases where as much as fifty percent of the household income must go toward paying the mortgage.

Those whose homes are currently valued at less than the original purchase price would also find relief under the Hickey proposals. For the “underwater” mortgagees he offers this solution: “I propose that the banks lower the outstanding loan balance to the current appraised value at the current historic low interest rates, this will cause hundreds of dollars a month in cash flows. For doing this the bank and homeowner become 50/50 partners on future appreciation of the home above new outstanding balance.”

“Also if the lower payments still do not work for the borrower, we could amortize the loan over 100 years, causing payments to be $526 a month ($200,000 Loan, 3%) compared to $ 842 a month 30 year Fixed.”

Information on Jim Hickey and his campaign is available at: www.JimHickeyforAmerica.com

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be politically brain-dead and simply vote for the party or do we miraculously recover and begin voting for people who will represent us regardless of their party affiliation?

Boehner has steadfastly insisted that we need to continue the tax breaks for the very wealthiest citizens in America because those tax breaks create jobs.

Someone is sleeping on this one.

President George Bush initiated the tax breaks for the wealthy but since 2003 those tax breaks have not created jobs. While those tax breaks have been in place we saw American jobs leave the country at a record pace.

Two hundred American millionaires have signed and forwarded a document to Congress asking the Republican majority to increase their taxes. That group is known as Patriotic Millionaires and is coordinated by a New York think tank Agenda Project and the Wealth for the Common Good. Their willingness to pay more taxes has not moved the Speaker to act.

The wealthy owner of a medical transcription company, Paul Egerman, told the Huffington Post, “I do not know how much I’ve saved over 10 years but I’m sure it is several million dollars – probably in excess of $10 million.”

What did the millionaires do with the extra dollars they saved by the tax breaks? The answers may annoy you.

Dennis Mehiel founder and chairman of U.S Corrugated, Inc. reported that he spend those extras dollars on a 150-foot boat. That did not create any American jobs; the boat was built in Italy.

Another said he built a dance floor in his home, still another, said he probably traveled more than he otherwise might have. Thank you Republicans for giving useless opportunities to these people who did not create American jobs with the money you so vigorously give them. The Congress hates handouts – unless they are to the very wealthiest people. There are too many more to enumerate in this limited space.

No wonder the Speaker’s mailbox is full.

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PAUL A BRILLIANT CANDIDATE DISREGARDED

THE AUDACITY OF NEWT GINGRICH! On January 21, 1997 the United States House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to reprimand Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and to impose a $300,000 penalty on him.

The Republican House voted 395 to 28 against Newt Gingrich. It was the first time in the history of the House that such action was taken against a Speaker of the House.

Newt Gingrich admitted his guilt to violating income tax law and that he lied to a House investigating committee on December 20, 1996.

The charges go back to 1994.

It appears that Newt Gingrich is a man without shame.

He disgraced his party, he disgraced the position of Speaker of the House and, now, he wants you the American public to simply disregard that bad conduct to which he pleaded guilty.

Newt Gingrich is surely not the man to stand before the world as the shining example of our integrity and trustworthiness.

Newt Gingrich by his own admission disregarded the law. Now he is apparently expecting you to ignore his wrongdoing and elect him president of the United States.

Laugh on three 1, 2…

While the fisticuffs continue in the race to win candidates for the Republican nomination as the presidential candidate for the party, one individual is being overlooked who could restore some luster to the GOP. Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney continue to strike vicious blows at one another in a quest to win delegates who will hoist them to the position of presidential nominee come the national Republican Convention.

Gingrich, having a badly stained past and horrendous record in his private and political lives manages to win voters with a glib tongue and posture that at times even sounds sincere. He having admittedly led an adulterous life and now with wife #3 in his life wants the public to accept that he has undergone a miraculous change of spirit.

Forgiveness is of course essential in the Christian life but the Republican Evangelicals are forgetting that it is not up to them to forgive Newt Gingrich for his wrongdoing – that is reserved for God an God alone.

Oh they may forgive him and not hold it against him but exoneration, expiation of this sins is not within the authority of man. You sir or madam cannot forgive Newt Gingrich.

The other tarnished spirit is that of Mitt Romney.

Romney holds himself out to be a believer in Jesus Christ.

That means little for even Satan believes in Christ, even Satan believes in God. Serving him is another matter.

Romney points to his contributions to the Mormon Church as evidence of his good fellowship. Giving to a church does not a Christian make.

Actually if one reads the New Testament it is clear that God is at odds with wealth. In the book of Matthew, Matt.

19:19-24, Jesus tells his followers: “Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” So if you happen to be a Republican Christian looking for a likely candidate neither Gingrich nor Romney should be your choice; that is, unless you put God and your beliefs on the shelf until the election is over.

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jul/25/news/la-pn-gingrich-worth-2011http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jul/25/news/la-pnOur Blog gingrich-worth-201107250725 The Squeaking Wheel

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NASA FINDS THE THREE SMALLEST PLANETS NASA @shawnmariani You can register for free to attend NASA's Feb. 20-21 Future Forum in Columbus with John Glenn at: tinyurl.com/6v2bpxy Astronomers using data from NASA's Kepler mission have discovered the three smallest planets yet detected orbiting a star beyond our sun. The planets orbit a single star, called KOI-961, and are 0.78, 0.73 and 0.57 times the radius of Earth. The smallest is about the size of Mars.

All three planets are thought to be rocky like Earth, but orbit close to their star. That makes them too hot to be in the habitable zone, which is the region where liquid water could exist. Of the more than 700 planets confirmed to orbit other stars -- called exoplanets -- only a handful are known to be rocky.

"Astronomers are just beginning to confirm thousands of planet candidates uncovered by Kepler so far," said Doug Hudgins, Kepler program scientist at NASA Headquarters in Washington." Finding one as small as Mars is amazing, and hints that there may be a bounty of rocky planets all around us."

Kepler searches for planets by continuously monitoring more than 150,000 stars, looking for telltale dips in their brightness caused by crossing, or transiting, planets. At least three transits are required to verify a signal as a planet.

Follow-up observations from ground-based telescopes also are needed to confirm the discoveries.

The latest discovery comes from a team led by astronomers at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. The team used data publicly released by the

Kepler mission, along with follow-up observations from the Palomar Observatory, near San Diego, and the W.M. Keck Observatory atop Mauna Kea in Hawaii. Their measurements dramatically revised the sizes of the planets from what originally was estimated.

The three planets are very close to their star, taking less than two days to orbit around it. The KOI-961 star is a red dwarf with a diameter one-sixth that of our sun, making it just 70 percent bigger than Jupiter.

"This is the tiniest solar system found so far," said John Johnson, the principal investigator of the research from NASA's Exoplanet Science Institute at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. "It's actually more similar to Jupiter and its moons in scale than any other planetary system. The discovery is further proof of the diversity of planetary systems in our galaxy."

Red dwarfs are the most common kind of star in our Milky Way galaxy. The discovery of three rocky planets around one red dwarf suggests that the galaxy could be teeming with similar rocky planets.

"These types of systems could be ubiquitous in the universe," said Phil Muirhead, lead author of the new study from Caltech. "This is a really exciting time for planet hunters."

The discovery follows a string of recent milestones for the Kepler mission. In December 2011, scientists announced the mission's first confirmed planet in the habitable zone of a sun-like star: a planet 2.4 times the size of Earth called Kepler-22b. Later in the month, the team announced the discovery of the first Earth-size planets orbiting a sun-like star outside our solar system, called Kepler-20e and Kepler-20f.

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HEADS UP ON FINANCE

Fixing your credit is doable Editor@theweeklyreporter.com If you find yourself with less-than-good credit, you are not alone. Business Insider, an online business news website, reports that one in 50 households owes more than $20,000 in credit card debt. Coinciding with this alarming figure, the site further states that more than 2 million Americans look to credit counselors each year to avoid bankruptcy.

Before your finances fall into the bankruptcy category, you can take steps to help turn your bad credit around. Just ask James Cheslek, dean of academic affairs at Brown Mackie College Albuquerque. Cheslek is a retired corporate and trial law attorney who helps college students with bad credit get back on track.

"If you want to be successful, it is important to not let credit card debt get out of control," Cheslek says. "Many people get frustrated because their credit is not up to par. They don't realize how easy it is to fix. It may take some time, but it is doable."

Step one: Request a free copy of your credit report.

Every American is entitled to a free copy of their credit report under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Each of the three reporting agencies - Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion - is required to provide it once every 12 months, if you ask for it. To order your free copy, visit annualcreditreport.com, or call (877) 322-8228.

Step two: Read your credit report carefully for inaccuracies.

"Spend some time figuring out what all the symbols mean. Learn what's good and what's bad," Cheslek says.

"Reporting companies get information from creditors. They simply take the information and add it to your report."

Step three: Dispute inaccuracies.

The FCRA further states that a reporting agency must correct any inaccuracies on your report. To dispute an item, notify the reporting agency of the inaccurate information.

"They must investigate by forwarding your information to the company that provided the disputed item," says Cheslek. "When any information proves incorrect, the FCRA calls for all three reporting agencies to remove it from your credit report."

Step four: Request verification of debt.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) gives consumers rights against debt collectors. "Here's the deal," Cheslek continues. "Debt collectors buy old debt for pennies on the dollar. They call and tell you they are collecting on behalf of another company. However, the company that originated the debt has written it off and retired the file."

This may be the best kept secret in America. The FDCPA entitles you to write to the original company and ask for verification of the debt. They have 30 days to complete the process. Usually, they can't find the file or verify the amount," says Cheslek . "You may need to send follow-up letter to the credit reporting agencies to say, 'Take this off.'"

Step five: Once your credit is fixed, keep it fixed.

Cheslek offers the following rules of thumb to follow in the interest of keeping a good credit score: * Pay bills on time. Late payments add fees to the balance owed. * Change the payment due date if the current one is inconvenient. * Pay more than the minimum due, even if just a little.

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(ARA) - Living to 100 years old is a remarkable feat in itself, but now 100 centenarians will have the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy that could radically change medical care for generations to come.

The X PRIZE Foundation and Medco Health Solutions, Inc. are searching for the Medco 100 Over 100 - a group of 100 vital centenarians whose genes could unlock the secrets of healthy aging and improve the way we prevent and treat disease.

These "genomic pioneers" will donate their DNA by way of a simple blood test to the Archon Genomics X PRIZE presented by Medco - a $10 million competition that pits world-class teams in a race to rapidly, accurately and inexpensively sequence the genomes of the Medco 100 Over 100.

The results could identify rare genes

that protect against disease and provide valuable clues to health and longevity.

"The Medco 100 Over 100 will represent a very special group of people who have lived an unusually long life and somehow beaten the odds against the common diseases of aging that substantially impact quality of life and longevity," says Felix Frueh, president of the Medco Research Institute. "Discovering what makes them different from the rest of us could lead to important advances in prevention and treatment of disease that's quite a gift to give by participating in this research effort."

The search for the Medco 100 Over 100 will span the globe looking for centenarians and "supercentenarians" (age 110 and older) to participate in this historic initiative. Anyone 100 years or older,

who is cognizant, currently without any serious disease and is willing to share their story can be nominated to join the Medco 100 Over 100. While good health will be an important criterion for selection, special consideration will be given to supercentenarians, whose extreme longevity challenges the normal notions of aging. Centenarian nominations can be submitted at www.genomics.xprize.org/medco-100over-100 and will be accepted through May 2012.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were more than 53,000 centenarians and only 330 supercentenarians living in the U.S. in 2010. The states with the highest number of resident centenarians are California, Florida, New York, Texas and Pennsylvania.

HO W TO STAY HEARTBURN-FREE

(ARA) - For heartburn sufferers, rich food and drink at can be trouble.

Heartburn is most often described as a burning sensation behind the breast bone that moves up toward the neck or throat.

This occurs when stomach acid irritates the normal lining of the esophagus. People may also experience acid regurgitation with heartburn, which is the sensation of stomach fluid coming up through the chest into the mouth. Less common symptoms that may also be associated with gastroesophageal reflux include unexplained chest pain, wheezing, sore throat and cough.

According to some physicians, planning ahead and knowing which over-the-counter (OTC) treatments may help are essential to keep your gatherings merry and bright.

"I always recommend heartburn sufferers be prepared and bring along a few over-the-counter treatments, like antacids or H2 blockers, when they are heading out for a holiday party," says Dr. Tom Rupp, a Michigan-licensed gastroenterologist.

"With regard to specific medications or brands, I would actually recommend patients just go with a store-brand treatment.

Store-brand OTCs have the same efficacy as national brands and are approved by the FDA, but cost much less."

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Out-of-the-chocolate-box ideas for Valentine's Day treats Courtesty of ARAcontent

Editor@theweeklyreporter.com (ARA) - Valentine's Day usually brings to mind a box of chocolates for your sweetheart. As delicious as solid milk chocolate hearts and raspberry creams are, how about something a little different this year?

Matthieu Chamussy, certified executive pastry chef and chef instructor in the Baking & Pastry Program at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California - Inland Empire, suggests a wonderfully French confection for this Valentine's Day: the macaron.

Not to be confused with the shredded coconut dessert macaroons, macarons have become increasingly popular stateside. Some news articles say it may be overtaking the cupcake as the "au courant" "must-have confection." If you search online for macaron gift boxes you can find a number of options ranging from $20 for a dozen to $90 for 35 from a highend retailer.

If you want to try making your own meringue-based treat, Chef Chamussy offers up his recipe below for pink,

heart-shaped macarons encircled with raspberries for this Valentine's Day. Chamussy, born and raised in Paris, learned the art of bread and confection making from his grandfather early on and had the opportunity to learn from the prominent French pastry chef Francois Payard. Since then, Chamussy has worked all over the world including Paris, New York and Los Angeles.

When trying out the recipe, Colleen Johnson, lead instructor in the Baking & Pastry Program at The International

Culinary School at The Art Institute of California Orange County, advises "macarons look fairly simple, but there are a lot of tricks that you will learn with practice.

"For my baking and pastry students at The Art Institute of California - Orange County, I "Proper presentation and like to have them check out a plating can make YouTube video about the macarons of renowned pastry chef even the tiniest morsel of dessert Pierre Herme. It's in French, but seem sumptuous the video shows you how the and something to be ingredients come together," says savored," Johnson.

Even if your first attempt at baking macarons is imperfect, Johnson mentions that presentation is another important element of the culinary arts. "Proper presentation and plating can make even the tiniest morsel of dessert seem sumptuous and something to be savored," she says. For a plated dessert like heartshaped macarons: "I like clean lines and color. So I would "Let your egg whites sit out at room temperature for 48 say a pink macaron would look simply great on a white hours. I like to use a ceramic bowl and put a cloth over my plate," she says. "Or, if you want to give your treats as a whites. I also suggest grinding your almond flour and gift, I'd put them in long, thin cellophane tube and tie both powdered sugar really well in a food processor, and then ends with a lovely ribbon." sifting it," add Johnson, who also teaches a "Mastering Another great way to make this dessert even more Macarons" course at a cookware retailer in Costa Mesa, special is to serve it with a glass of champagne, prosecco or Calif. cava, adds Chamussy.

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How students can meet the challenges of the evolving health care industry Editor@theweeklyreporter.com (ARA) - Health care reform has expanded access to health care insurance coverage to more than 30 million new patients beginning in 2014, stretching the resources of health care facilities nationwide. Meanwhile, the introduction of new regulations and technological innovations, as well as the rapid adoption of electronic health records (EHRs), have added new layers to an already complex industry.

Health care administration professionals navigate this complicated system from the business side, ensuring that health care delivery processes run smoothly and patients continue to receive quality care. They balance the influx of new patients while maintaining resources.

With the health care industry showing no signs of slowing down, these professionals are in high demand.

Health care is the fastest growing sector of the economy, with its professional positions predicted to account for 26 percent of all new jobs created in the United States between 2008 and 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Employment of health care administration professionals, specifically, is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations.

Graduates with education in health care policy, information systems, accounting, budgeting and analysis in diverse provider settings will be poised for greater probability of career success.

Some universities now offer degree programs specifically designed for this career track. For example, interested students can now enroll in a bachelor's degree

program in Healthcare Administration at DeVry University.

The program is broken down into two specializations: Healthcare Informatics and Healthcare Management. Health Informatics students will also experience lab courses that allow them to explore data requirements for gathering and testing, as well as data analysis for decision-making and business intelligence.

"Industry innovations or expansion often lead to job opportunities, and the health care industry is ripe with available positions for graduates with related education," says Joseph York, national dean for the College of Health Sciences, DeVry University. "Healthcare administration degree holders are particularly valuable. They are equipped with the fundamental business analysis and management skills necessary to adapt and succeed when faced with evolving health care challenges."

The variety of this line of work is appealing to many professionals. From the size of its work settings - from hospitals to health care services companies - to its unique specializations, healthcare administration presents attractive options for each unique professional.

Many industries continue to cut jobs or freeze hiring due to the poor economy, yet the health care industry has remained a beacon of opportunity. Health care administration is one of its most high-growth fields, promising rewarding opportunities for professionals of all ages.

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Move over apples: For some patients, an aspirin-a-day may keep the doctor away

Health & Wellness Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - The statistics are staggering: As the leading cause of death in the United States, cardiovascular (or heart) disease accounts for more than 2,200 deaths per day, or one every 39 seconds.

Furthermore, the American Heart Association (AHA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently estimate that every year about 785,000 Americans will have their first heart attack, and another 470,000 will have a recurrent attack.

And for a number of patients, talking to their doctors about low-dose daily aspirin therapy may be the "heartsmart" thing to do.

For more than 100 years, aspirin has been used as a pain reliever. Since the 1970s, however, studies showed aspirin could also be used to prevent and manage heart "For individuals at high risk of suffering a cardiac event, aspirin really can make a difference," Manohar says.

"For my patients who are prescribed a daily low-dose regimen, I encourage them to purchase store-brand aspirin sold at leading retailers and pharmacies.

These products are regulated by the FDA and use the same active ingredients, but cost significantly less than the brand names."

Allegan, Mich.-based Perrigo is a pharmaceutical company that manufactures and distributes most of the over-the-counter medications found under store-brand labels at leading

disease. There are a variety of patients who may benefit from aspirin therapy, including people who have had a heart attack, stroke or those with any risk factor for heart disease or stroke, as well as men over age 50 and women over age 60 who have diabetes along with any other risk factor.

According to the AHA, aspirin can help prevent heart attack. More specifically, the AHA recommends that people at high risk of heart attack take a daily low-dose aspirin (if told to by their health care provider), and that heart attack survivors regularly take low-dose aspirin.

"You should never start aspirin therapy on your own," says cardiologist Prerana Manohar, MD. "If you feel that a daily low-dose aspirin regimen may make sense for you, be sure to talk with your doctor about its benefits and risks."

Aspirin benefits the heart in several ways. It decreases pain, inhibits blood clots and most significantly, it reduces the risk of death, particularly among people with heart disease.

Additionally, aspirin can significantly reduce heart damage during a heart attack, and can prevent the occurrence of future heart problems.

retailers, grocers and pharmacies.

Perrigo offers consumers a variety of affordable store-brand aspirin choices that compare with a variety of brand names, including Bayer, Ecotrin and St. Joseph.

Another important line of defense in protecting against heart disease is to know and maintain your numbers. This means weight/body mass index, cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure levels, as all have an impact on heart health. Additionally, exercising 30 minutes a day most days of the week and eating a heart-healthy diet low in saturated fats, cholesterol and salt are

some of the very best strategies for preventing heart disease. Avoiding the use of tobacco products, which according to Mayo Clinic is one of the most significant risk factors for developing heart disease, is also critical.

Finally, seeing the doctor for regular screenings is vital for managing and preventing heart disease.

"Remember to be good to your heart by eating right, moving more and working in partnership with your doctor to monitor and manage your health," says Manohar. "Together you can work to control any risk factors and determine if daily low-dose aspirin therapy is a

heart-smart decision for you."

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6 PAST ISSUES Videos are not available in these January 19, 2012 January 12, 2012 January 05, 2012 December 29, 2011 December 22, 2011 December 15, 2011

THE BACK ISSUES ARE PRESERVED IN FLIP PAGE FORM. THEY ORIGINATE AS PDF FILES AND CANNOT THEREFORE INCORPORATE VIDEOS.

IMMIGRANTS ARE CHILDREN OF GOD TOO

ANSWER

KEPPLER PLANETARY COMPARISONS

THERE IS NO FOOL Continued from Science

For the latest discovery, the team obtained the sizes of the three planets called KOI-961.01, KOI-961.02 and KOI-961.03 with the help of a well-studied twin star to KOI-961, or Barnard's Star. By better understanding the KOI-961 star, they then could determine how big the planets must be to have caused the observed dips in starlight. In addition to the Kepler observations and ground-based telescope measurements, the team used modeling techniques to confirm the planet discoveries.

Prior to these confirmed planets, only six other planets had been confirmed using the Kepler public data.

NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif., manages Kepler's ground system development, mission operations and science data analysis. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., managed the Kepler mission's development.

For information about the Kepler Mission, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/kepler

LIKE AN OLD FOOL Crossword solution

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B A M B I

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T E T R S O E T P E T A M H Z A P E T H EW E A N F L C O O L O I L T S D E E S

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The Weekly Reporter

Our Blog The Squeaking Wheel Continued from Heads Up On Finance

MENARDS MADE IN U.S.A SALE

* Do not skip any payments. Skipped payments lead to bad credit. * Do not close old accounts. Creditors look at how long you've had credit. * Keep one account with no balance. * Do not apply for loans you don't need. Every loan request shows on your credit report for two years; a denial becomes a negative mark.

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Brown Mackie College schools offer bachelor's degree, associate degree, certificate, and diploma programs in health sciences, business, information technology, legal studies and design technologies. See bmcprograms.info for program duration, tuition, fees, and other costs, median debt, federal salary data, alumni success and other important info.

put patriotism before profits and re-invest in American As America wrestles with crawling out of an economic manufacturing. hole that has seen millions of American workers lose their Menards has demonstrated its patriotism by devoting an jobs there is a great deal of rhetoric but seemingly little expensive sales promotion to American goods. It is action being taken. refreshing to see page after page filled with over twoMenards, a well known American name in hardware, hundred items on sale that are made in the United States. tools, building materials, and items for the home and auto, The least we can do is to look over the sales items, and has taken a positive step toward helping keep jobs in the then purchase those we need. Menards has given everyone a United States by focusing on products made in the USA. reason to visit a store close to them. There are cleaning Menards has distributed a sales paper for the period of products, home improvement items, tools, shelving, flags, January 22nd thru February 5th that contains twenty pages of containers, wire, flooring, tile, cinder blocks, electrical items, and automotive items. There are just too many items on sale goods made in the United States. To sweeten the pie to describe all of them.

Menards has the items on sale!

Do yourself, and America, a favor get over to Menards The news is filled with commentary on the poor and buy something – look at it and be sure it is an item made economy. Every day we hear how many jobs have been lost, sometimes how many jobs have been gained; while the in the United States. Together, by patronizing firms that do care about our economy, we can turn this monster around real culprit is the market for foreign goods. and put American workers back to work.

World trade may be a good thing – when we have full Menards is not aware of this article and it is simply employment. It is an ugly master when jobs are lost to intended to promote American made goods and to foreign manufactures and when the market for American goods is shrinking. That is when we hope our businesses will congratulate an American company for doing its part to help us all.

The Weekly Reporter

Our Blog The Squeaking Wheel

Continued from Somethin’s Cookin’

Valentine's Day Macaroons with Raspberries Ingredients: Mixture 1 2/3 cup almond flour 2/3 cup confectioners' sugar 1/4 cup egg whites Red color Mixture 2 2/3 cup granulated sugar 1.3 fluid ounces water 1/4 cup egg whites Finishing touches Fresh raspberries Raspberry sauce Rose petals Almond flour, food color and raspberry dessert sauce can be found at Trader Joe's. User may use bottled egg whites from the grocery store.

Directions: Preheat oven at 300 F. For mixture 1: Sift the almond flour with the confectioners' sugar, stir until combined, set aside. Stir the red color into the egg whites. Add the colored egg whites to the almond flour and confectioners' sugar, set aside covered with plastic.

For mixture 2: In mixer bowl, or in a stainless steel mixing bowl, start whisking the egg whites slowly. Mix the granulated sugar with water in a pot, set on stove to boil.

When the syrup reaches 238 F., remove from stove. Start

whisking the egg whites on high speed, add the syrup slowly in a steady stream onto the egg whites. Let mixture whip for four minutes. When mixture is done, it should be dense, glossy, very similar to a marshmallow.

Fold in 1/3 of mixture 2, into mixture 1, making sure the mixture looks homogenous.

Fold in the rest of mixture 2 into mixture 1, folding a little more energetically. Put this mixture in piping bag with a round tip.

On a parchment paper, draw heart shapes, spacing them out evenly to facilitate heat circulation in oven. This will be used as a stencil. Place another sheet of parchment on top.

Pipe the mixture following the traced heart, making sure not to pipe too thick in order to preserve that heart shape. Start with the outside of the heart, finishing with the inside of the heart. Let set at room temperature approximately 30 minutes until a "skin" is formed on the macaron.

Bake in the preheated oven, making sure to leave the door of the oven partially opened for the first 13 minutes of the baking process. Close the door after 13 minutes are up and bake another 10 minutes. Rotate. Bake another eight 12 minutes depending on macaron size. They should be set up, not moving at all on the sheet and with no extra color.

Let cool one hour. The macaron should gently come off the paper and be slightly moist in the center.

To finish the dessert, you will need two macaron shells.

Place one upside down; start placing fresh raspberries on the edges, trim them if necessary to make them sit straight. Fill the inside with a good quality jam of your choice. Place the other side of the macaron on top of the raspberries.

Decorate with a fresh rose petal (organic preferably), and a fresh raspberry. Serve with a good quality vanilla ice cream and a raspberry sauce.

Dont Be Stupid Don’t Vote For an Idiot Because He’s In Your Party!! That’s Dumb!