Monday, November 10, 2008

DIABETES SCREENING FRIDAY NOV. 14

Every year nearly 800,000 Americans discover they have diabetes. The disease is dramatically on the rise in all segments of the population – men, women, and children of every race, but the good news is that diabetes can be prevented and controlled.

Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital is offering free diabetes screenings Friday, Nov. 14, which is National Diabetes Day. Appointments are available 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the hospital, 5101 S. Willow Springs Road. Call (630) 856-7525 to schedule your appointment. Walk-ins also are welcome.

The screening is a simple finger stick that measures the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood. It takes just a few seconds and results are available immediately, said diabetes educator Anne Peters.

“Fifty-six million Americans are unaware that they have prediabetes,” Peters said. “That means if they don’t change their lifestyle, they’re on their way to becoming a diabetic. But the good news is that diabetes can be prevented with portion control, regular exercise and a healthful diet.”

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Post Card Show Comes to William Tell

The twice-annual Greater Chicago Postcard Show, attracting some 40 dealers and typically hundreds more buyers and curiosity seekers, will be held over two days this weekend in Countryside.

Show promoter Susan Nicholson, a well-known show organizer and collector over the past 25 years, will host the show from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Operating Engineer's Union Hall, 6200 Joliet Road, just one block west of La Grange Road and across Joliet from the William Tell/Holiday Inn.

Admission is $3 per person with early 8:30 a.m. entry on both days of the show $20 per person.

Nicholson, a Lisle author who has written four books and columns in numerous trade publications on postcard collecting over the years, said many people don't know postcards were a primary means of communication 100 years ago or more.

"Since 1896, people used postcards to wage political campaigns and (the) Women's Suffrage (Movement) was a battle fought and won on postcards," she said. "When a disaster occurred in a small town, it was put on postcards." Those remain some of the most highly sought-after cards, say collectors.

Nicholson, who collects Japanese art cards from the vintage postcard era (1898-1918), said others look for specific images such as firetrucks or ice cream or cards from specific towns, states and historic or eclectic sites.

The offer free appraisals of any postcard collectible or collection all day long on both days offer refreshments, seating at dealer tables and attract dealers from as far away as the Netherlands, Arizona and California. She said it is considered the largest show in the Midwest.

Further information is available by calling Susan at (630) 964-5240.

Monday, November 3, 2008

BATTERIES NEEDED FOR SECRET SANTA

Santa is headed to La Grange and needs loads of batteries to power the toys that fill his sleigh. The Community Nurse Secret Santa program needs the community to “power up” for the nearly 900 children whose Christmas stockings will be stuffed with battery operated games and educational toys. Books for all ages are also needed.

All battery sizes are needed including AA, AAA, C, D, 9 volt and button cell.

Books for all ages are also a high need to fill the empty stockings hanging in the workshop. Every child receives an age-appropriate book including soft books for infants, board books for toddlers and early and teen readers.

Also needed:
  • Underwear (panties or boxers) in children’s’ sizes 4 thru 20
  • long sleeved tops, jeans, sweaters/fleece in children’s’ sizes 4 to 18, especially sizes 14, 16 and 18
  • warm pajamas/sleep pants in sizes 4 to 14, adult size S, M, L
  • hats, gloves (warm and waterproof)
  • action figures & characters (i.e. Dora)
  • building toys (Lego’s, K’nex)
  • books
  • art sets
  • craft sets
  • sport balls/ all types and sizes: volleyball, soccer, football, baseball
This season, nearly 900 personalized wishes will be filled by Secret Santa elves, generous community members and organizations including Indian Guides (they adopt 200 children), LTHS (they adopt 100 children), Adventist LaGrange Memorial Hospital (they adopt 50 children) and local companies.

Community Nurse serves more than 2,750 low income and uninsured families from Brookfield, Burr Ridge, Clarendon Hills, Countryside, Hinsdale, Hodgkins, Indian Head Park, LaGrange, LaGrange Highlands, LaGrange Park, Lyons, Oak Brook, Western Springs, Willowbrook and Willow Springs.

Donations of new items can be brought to CNHA’s clinic at 110 Calendar Ave. in La Grange. Office hours are Mondays-Friday 9am to 5pm. Monetary donations can be mailed to Community Nurse, 23 Calendar Ave., La Grange, IL 60525. For more information, call 708.352.0081.