Charity car show to return this year

7th Annual Spring Fever Charity Classic Car Show will be 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 15 near Doc’s Upholstery along Logan Ave.

This local businessman is known for his work at Doc’s Upholstery, 6544 Joan Ave., which has given him access to many classic and custom car buffs around the region.

The proceeds of the event will help the Special Olympics, His Glory Belvidere Mission and Helping Hands Network.

This charity car show has provided many thousands of needed dollars to the charities it supports with over $17,000 being collected and distributed to these charities in the event’s best year.

The year’s event will also have a silent auction to benefit the Belvidere Boone County Food Pantry, a 50/50 raffle and a variety of foods offered by local commercial and volunteer organizations.

The Belvidere Daily Republican. - Charity car show to return this year

Care mobile is coming to Boone County in March

Ronald McDonald Care Mobile provides free medical and dental care to uninsured or underinsured children up to 18 years

The care mobile will be providing medical exams from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 17 at North Boone Middle School, 17641 Poplar Grove Road, Poplar Grove; March 18 at Capron Elementary School, 200 N. Wooster, Capron; and March 31 at McDonald’s restaurant, 1313 N. State St., Belvidere.
Dental care will be offered from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 29 at McDonald’s restaurant, 1313 N. State St., Belvidere.
Visits are available by appointment. To schedule an appointment, call 815-765-9274.

Copyright 2010 Rockford Register Star. Some rights reserved

Click on the following for more details:  Care mobile is coming to Boone County in March - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Catholic Dioceses major contributors to repeal same-sex marriage

 The following Letter to the editor was published today in the Rockford Register Star: 

Donation questionable

This summer the Catholic Diocese of Rockford donated $5,000 to the “Yes on One” campaign that stripped marriage rights from Maine residents.
While the diocese can spend its money any way it likes, fair-minded parishioners may want to ask Bishop Doran if this was the best use of that money.
Could it have had a greater impact if had been spent locally rather than on a ballot initiative that had zero impact on parishioners, unless of course they had wanted to go to Maine to get married.
They also may want to remember that when they pass the collection basket.

— Mike Macocco, Rockford, Community Viewpoints Board member

For a better understanding what occurred and issues go to the November 25, 2009 issue of National Catholic Reporter:  Dioceses major contributors to repeal same-sex marriage | National Catholic Reporter

Free garage sale for needy

her family will take donations at any time during the next week for the free garage sale. She said anyone who wishes to shop at the sale may do so for free. Those who can afford to donate some food for the Burlington-Hampshire Food Pantry or make a monetary donation for the aforementioned family in need are welcome to do so, she said.

The sale will be held at 233 White Oak St. in Hampshire from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or until all items have been given away.

Click on the following for more details: Free garage sale for needy :: The Courier News :: Local News

Illinois Fair Map Initiative - Press Conference 12-3-2009

League of Women Voters of Illinois

A nonpartisan political organization, dedicated to Making Democracy Work, through voter education, issue advocacy, and citizen participation.

Statement by Nancy Marcus
President, League of Women Voters of Illinois

The League of Women Voters has historically promoted the idea that citizen participation is key to maintaining and strengthening democracy. We are pleased to join with the Better
Government Association, the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform and members of the Illinois Reform Commission to launch a citizens’ initiative and the “Take Back Illinois” campaign, the goal of which is to garner petition signatures to place the Illinois Fair Map Amendment on the November 2010 general election ballot.

The principles embodied in the Fair Map Amendment correspond well with the elements LWVIL believes are essential: a redistricting process that is timely and transparent, includes a formal announced timetable, makes information and related data available to all who wish to participate in the process, offers ample opportunity for public reaction to any proposed maps, maximizes diversity, and results in maps which offer voters a choice of candidates for election.

Illinois has serious challenges ahead. As you may know, a report released by the Pew Center on the States last month reported that Illinois is among ten states where the consequences of the current economic downturn is wreaking havoc, in part because Illinois’ leaders have been putting off making tough decisions and where the political resolve to enact long-term fixes to its fiscal problems is lacking.

The League of Women Voters of Illinois believes that underlying this analysis as well as a myriad of other issues is a lack of accountability on the part of those who’ve been elected to the Illinois General Assembly. Sadly, this includes a seeming indifference to the culture of corruption that has for too long been a hallmark of politics as usual in this state.

The League believes that redistricting is the next item on the reform agenda in Illinois. A citizen initiative involves the public in a significant way both by collecting signatures and also because of the amendment itself which allows for public participation. This proposed amendment makes the process more transparent and creates an independent commission all of which will result in legislative districts that will elect legislators who understand the enormous challenges and respond with laws that reflect the public interest.

To view other political stands of the League go to:  http://www.lwvil.org/

The League is seeking 500,000 signatures  for the redistricting referendum.

Red kettles go high tech

 

Salvation Army chapters in 120 cities, including Chicago, have equipped more than 300 of their red kettles with credit and debit card machines marked with the organization’s red shield logo, according to the organization.

“The test market is predominantly indoor locations, and we’re not exactly sure what, if any, problems there will be in the weather,”

Northwest Herald | Red kettles go high tech

Food stamps and the poverty debate

food security" in 2008 – the highest number since tracking began in 1995. That suggests almost 15 percent of households nationwide struggled to get enough to eat, versus about 11 percent in 2007.

for a family of four to be eligible, their annual take-home pay can't exceed about $22,000.

most of America's poor "are not on the verge of literal starvation." But they may not get adequate nutrition, and if they're using food stamps, may not have access to high-quality foods

Click on the following for more details:  Food stamps and the poverty debate | Daily Chronicle

Rockton to add clause favoring local bids - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

 

The clause will award a Rockton-based company the project if the bid is within 2 percent of the lowest bid.

Click on the following for the rest of the story:  Rockton to add clause favoring local bids - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Northwest Herald | Study finds rise in Ill. poverty

 

Food banks are seeing a big surge in individuals and families requesting assistance, and the Illinois Department of Human Services says the state’s emergency food program has distributed 36 percent more food in the first three quarters of the state’s 2009 fiscal year, which began last July, than it did in the entire previous year.

Northwest Herald | Study finds rise in Ill. poverty

Local fests will go on, despite the recession :: The Courier News :: Local News

 

Falling tax revenue and corporate donations have caused Elgin to eliminate or cut back many of the city's most cherished summer and fall festivals. But in other Elign area towns, while the recession has planners wary, festivals remain on track for a 2009 repeat.

Local fests will go on, despite the recession :: The Courier News :: Local News