Promotions

February is American Heart Month.

Go Red for Women presents: "Just a Little Heart Attack"

www.youtube.com/OfficialGoRed4Women

Featuring actress/director Elizabeth Banks



(Photo courtesy American Heart Association)

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

American Heart Month
The American Heart Association (http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/)

American Heart Month is a time to battle cardiovascular disease and educate Americans on what we can do to live heart-healthy lives. Heart disease, including stroke, is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States.

You are at higher risk of heart disease if you are:
• A woman age 55 or older
• A man age 45 or older
• Or a person with a family history of early heart disease

Heart disease can be prevented. To keep your heart healthy:
• Watch your weight.
• Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke.
• Control your cholesterol and blood pressure.
• If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.
• Get active and eat healthy.
• Talk to your doctor about taking aspirin every day if you are a man over the age of 45 or a woman over 55.
• Manage stress.

Heart disease kills an estimated 630,000 Americans each year. It’s the leading cause of death for both men and women. To prevent heart disease and increase awareness of its effects, Radio One Communications is proudly participating in American Heart Month.

In the United States, the most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease (CAD), which can lead to a heart attack. You can greatly reduce your risk for CAD through lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medication.

For more information, visit www.heart.org

###

There's a public hearing for the State Road 49 and County Road 400 North/Vale Park Road Project Thursday, February 23, 2012.  Open house begins at 5pm. Formal presentation begins at 6pm.  Here's a peek at one of the maps that'll be shown at the meeting:

The public hearing is to provide the community with the latest information on design plans and details on construction schedules for the State Road 49 and County Road 400N/Vale Park Road project. The open house format meeting will include displays and INDOT representatives will be available to address questions.

Meeting location:   Valparaiso High School cafeteria, 2727 North Campbell Street, Valparaiso, IN.

The Orville sculpture sculptor has been chosen... 48-year-old Lou Cella [sell-uh] of Chicago, selected from about a dozen applicants. Last fall, the call went out to artists for proposals for a lifesize sculpture of Orville Redenbacher to sit (literally) in downtown Valparaiso. The Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission wanted a statue made of bronze or something similarly suitable to be placed on a bench in Central Park Plaza  – with enough room for visitors to have a “photo op”...  Cella is a 1985 grad Illinois State University, majoring in fine arts and graphic design...  Among his works...  sculptures of Ernie Banks and Ron Santo at Wrigley Field, Carlton Fisk at US Cellular Field, he was also involved in the war memorial at Community Veterans Memorial Park in Munster. These are the photos submitted by Cella and displayed at the Redevelopment Commission meeting Feb 8th (thanks to Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission for sending them our way) [We're told that is not the artist in the third photo :) ]   --lw

A massive search was underway this weekend for a 46-year old Valparaiso High School graduate who went missing after going for a hike at the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area near Las Vegas over a week ago.  Ronald Kirk hasn't been seen since January 16th and his Jeep was found last Monday.  A candlelight vigil is planned for 4pm Saturday, January 28, 2012, for Kirk at Sweet Woods near Glenwood, Illlinois, not far from the Ford Chicago Stamping Plant Kirk worked at for about 15 years.  Kirk moved to the Las Vegas area two years ago.  More information about the search can be found on a Facebook page that has been set up for him called “Find Ron Kirk”

###

Region Storm Tracker...

We're expecting a round of winter weather in  Northwest Indiana. Count on WAKE, and Region Storm Tracker reports to keep you up to date on the latest changing conditions-- road reports and commuter issues, school information, and the lake effect impact as winter storms move through the area. Both on the air and on-line, keep up with the latest, and make us your first choice as conditions begin to change.

Region Storm Tracker reports tie in the latest information from the National Weather Service, The Indiana Department of Transportation, on-the-scene reporters, plus school and Emergency Management officials across the area, including Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Netwon, Jasper, Pulaski and Starke Counties. It's valuable information that's up to the minute and on target for Northwest Indiana!

For the latest on the Porter County Washington/Jackson Township train collision, listen live on line or tune to Am 1500 WAKE.

 Photo ABC Chicago VIDEO

More photos from AM 1500 WAKE 

On sale starting Monday January 02 2012... a new soft-cover book featuring more than a-hundred pages of photos of Cedar Lake, pictures many likely have never seen before.

Written and assembled by Carol Ann Oostman (ohst-men), a resident for the past few years and someone who's been visiting the town for several years, as her inlaws had a cottage there in the 70s and 80s... our Laura Waluszko [wuh-loosh-koh] recently had a chance to talk to her about the book, called "Images of America - Cedar Lake"

Click here for interview at our Audio On Demand

Oostman will be in town for a book signing Saturday January 7, 2012, at the DeMotte State Bank branch on west 133rd Avenue in Cedar Lake from 8:30 am til noon

###

Click HERE to hear Parrish reading his essay downstate ! (Link takes you to the Audio On Demand section of our website)

From State Senator Brandt Hershman's office:

STATEHOUSE (Dec. 9, 2011) — Van Rensselaer Elementary School student Jacob Parrish had never “been in the Statehouse,” he poignantly stated in his essay that earned first-place in this year’s Statehood Day writing competition.


Winning Essay: Van Rensselaer Elementary School student Jacob Parrish reads his winning essay on “What Indiana Means to Me” during today’s Statehood Day celebration at the Statehouse. Parrish’s essay was chosen from 2,200 essay contest submissions.

Armed with his words, Parrish not only entered the Statehouse for the first time today, he read his winning essay on “What Indiana Means to Me” in front of hundreds of fellow fourth-graders, Hoosier educators and government officials celebrating the state’s birthday.

“Growing up in a farming community in the state of Indiana is the best life for me,” Parrish read. “My family helps the economy of Indiana. As I grow up in Indiana, I learn about my state in fourth grade, along with my visits to Indiana sights. Future fourth graders will read about the 195th birthday celebration of Indiana’s statehood one day, while I celebrate it this year. I am one Hoosier who can say, I know what Indiana means to me! Happy birthday, Indiana!”

State Sen. Brandt Hershman (R-Buck Creek) said Parrish’s essay filled with personal anecdotes about living in the farming community of Rensselaer, fun places to visit in Indiana and interesting historical state facts, helped set his writing apart from the 2,200 submissions.

“Thousands of bright kids throughout Indiana used this contest as a chance to showcase their great writing skills and creativity,” Hershman said. “I am very proud that the winning essay was written by a Van Rensselaer student who was able to share his thoughts about his ‘little city of Rensselaer’ with others attending today’s ceremony. His essay took me back to my childhood and the experiences I had while growing up on our family farm.”

State Rep. Douglas Gutwein (R-Francesville) joined Parrish at the Statehouse to celebrate Indiana becoming this nation’s 19th state.

“Statehood Day is a great opportunity to hear and read about the pride young Hoosiers take in our state history,” Gutwein said. “I am proud of Jacob for sharing what Indiana means to him. He may learn about Indiana ‘in a small-town way,’ but his essay shows his pride in a big way.”

Within his essay, Parrish wrote he wants to go to Lucas Oil Stadium to watch an Indianapolis Colts game. Gutwein personally provided Parrish with tickets for him and three guests to attend a game later this month.

In addition to attending the ceremony where Parrish read his winning essay, Hoosier fourth-grade students participating in today’s festivities toured executive, judicial and legislative offices, met with government officials and learned about the state constitution.

Other contest winners include second-place Dilhara Moonesinghe of Carmel; third-place Xander Wilson of Fishers; and honorable mention student Nicholas Roberts of Sheridan.

The yearly essay contest on “What Indiana Means to Me” is sponsored by the Indiana Statehouse Tour Office and Indiana State Library. Visit www.in.gov/library/statehood.htm for more information.

-30-

Here is Parrish's winning essay:

Jacob Parrish: 4th Grade Student
Angela DelPrinicipe: Teacher
Van Rensselaer Elementary School
902 East Washington Street
Rensselaer, Indiana 47978

What Indiana Means to Me

There is going to be a big birthday celebration and you’re invited! The celebration of Indiana’s Statehood Day is December 9, 2011. I’m an Indiana Hoosier, growing up in rural Indiana. I learn about community, history, and government, in a small town way. I am excited to learn about my state’s government and how it became a state during this celebration. Here is what Indiana means to me.

In my little City of Rensselaer, we study Indiana History in the fourth grade. In September we hold a festival called Little Cousin Jasper. This festival is important because it is named after a character in a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, a famous Indiana poet. The Iroquois River runs through my county, Jasper County. Even though it is not a big river, Charles Halleck, an Indiana Hoosier, and former U.S. State Representative, used to dock his little rowboat at the river’s edge.

Indianapolis, Indiana, is my state capital. I have not been in the Statehouse, but I have been downtown. Did you know that there is a circle right in the center of the city that you can drive around? I have visited the Indianapolis Zoo and the Children’s Museum. One day I plan to go to Lucas-Oil Stadium to see a Colts game.

There are many places to visit and activities to do in Indiana. You can attend The Feast of the Hunter’s Moon at Fort Ouiatenon, in Lafayette. Turkey Run State Park is a great place to camp, with awesome rock formations made by the glaciers of years ago. French Lick is a nice adventure, if you like indoor water parks. I took my first roller coaster ride ever, at Indiana Beach in Monticello. But one of the best places to visit in the summer is the Indiana State Fair. At the state fair you learn about the agriculture of Indiana.

Growing up in a farming community in the State of Indiana is the best life for me. My family helps the economy of Indiana. As I grow up in Indiana, I learn about my state in fourth grade, along with my visits to Indiana sights. Future fourth graders will read about the 195th birthday celebration of Indiana’s statehood one day, while I celebrate it this year. I am one Hoosier who can say, I know what Indiana means to me! Happy Birthday, Indiana!

###

INDOT Prepared To Combat Winter Weather
Drivers Urged To Use Caution And Good Driving Sense As Snow Is Cleared From Roadways

As the cold and snow of winter prepares to move into Northern Indiana, the Indiana Department of Transportation’s (INDOT) top priority is snow and ice removal. INDOT uses all available resources to keep roads open, maximize the mobility of the traveling public and help minimize accidents due to winter traveling conditions.

Once again this winter, drivers will be able to track conditions of the roads across the state. The website www.trafficwise.in.gov will be updated during snow events to let drivers know if road conditions are good, fair or difficult. The information will also be available by calling 800-261-ROAD (7623). In addition to the road conditions, visitors to the website will be able to see National Weather Service watches and warnings. Last winter, nearly a half million people logged onto the website to check out road conditions.

The LaPorte District maintains about 5,600 of the state’s 30,000 lane miles of state highways and interstates. INDOT workers pre-treat state roads with anti-icing materials throughout the day to help melt snow and ice as it begins to fall. After snow begins to accumulate, the LaPorte District uses 173 snow plows to begin clearing state highways safely and quickly. A snow route averages 2-3 hours in length, depending on the conditions.

Because every winter storm is unique, INDOT implements specific strategies appropriate for the conditions. For example, salt may not be used during a snowstorm with high winds because the salt would act as a magnet for all snow blowing across the roadway. Trucks may only plow roadways during a blizzard, because putting down salt in such a heavy snow event does little to keep the road clear. Salt and anti-icing materials are used before and after blizzards.

It’s also important to recognize that salt only melts snow and ice as long as moisture is present and the temperature is 15 degrees or warmer. INDOT utilizes chemicals to help lower the melting point of salt when it’s necessary.

The biggest impact to safe winter travel begins and ends with driver behavior. Drivers are urged to use caution as snow is cleared from roadways. INDOT asks drivers to keep the following safety tips in mind during any winter weather event.

• ACCELERATE GRADUALLY on ice or snow to avoid slipping and sliding
• DRIVE SLOWLY and carefully to avoid rear-end collisions and sliding on curves
• ALLOW GREATER DISTANCE behind the car ahead; it takes more time to stop on snow and ice
• BRAKE EARLY, break slowly, never slam on the brakes; if you have anti-lock brakes, press the pedal down firmly and hold it; if you don’t, gently pump the pedal
• NO CRUISE CONTROL, avoid abrupt steering maneuvers
• MAINTAIN GOOD VISIBILITY, stay alert
• GIVE SNOWPLOWS ROOM to operate; don’t tailgate or try to pass

In winter weather, drivers should remember “Ice and Snow, Take it Slow!” More information is available at www.winterdrivingsafety.in.gov.

INDOT LaPorte District Snow Related Facts

LaPorte District inventory for its 13 counties (Lake, Porter, LaPorte, St. Joseph, Marshall, Starke, Newton, Jasper, Pulaski, Fulton, Cass, Carroll and White):

• 5,668 lane miles
• 173 snow routes
• Average route is 33 miles and takes 2-3 hours to drive
• Two road graders equipped with V plow
• Three heavy duty OshKosh snow trucks
• 23 front end loaders
• 24 tankers for anti-icing, including two 5,000 gallon tankers
• Eight brine producing locations
• 20 salt storage facilities with total storage capacity of 93,200 tons
• 284,450 gallons of liquid salt brine storage capacity

Gary Sub-District (covers Lake County and western portion of Porter County):

• 44 snow routes
• 1,142 lane miles
• Four front end loaders
• 14,700 tons of salt storage capacity
• 25,000 gallons of liquid salt brine storage capacity
• 30,000 gallons of liquid Ice Ban storage capacity

LaPorte Sub-District (covers LaPorte County, eastern portion of Porter County, northern portion of Starke County and western portion of St. Joseph County):

• 31 snow routes
• 1,205 lane miles
• Seven front end loaders
• 30,100 tons of salt storage capacity
• 78,500 gallons of liquid salt brine storage capacity
• 13,500 gallons of liquid Ice Ban storage capacity

Plymouth Sub-District (covers St. Joseph County, Marshall County and eastern portion of Starke County):

• 30 snow routes
• 931 lane miles
• Two front end loaders
• 9,500 tons of salt storage capacity
• 28,150 gallons of liquid salt brine storage capacity
• 8,000 gallons of liquid Ice Ban storage capacity

Rensselaer Sub-District (covers Newton County and portions of Lake, Porter, Jasper and White counties):

• 26 snow routes
• 984 lane miles
• Four front end loaders
• 22,300 tons of salt storage capacity
• 10,000 gallons of liquid salt brine storage capacity
• 11,700 gallons of liquid Ice Ban storage capacity
• 8,400 gallons of liquid calcium chloride storage capacity

Winamac Sub-District (covers Fulton County, Pulaski County and portions of Marshall, Starke, LaPorte, Porter, Jasper, White and Cass counties):

• 23 snow routes
• 750 lane miles
• Three front end loaders
• 9,300 tons of salt storage capacity
• 98,800 gallons of liquid salt brine storage capacity

Monticello Sub-District (covers Carroll, Cass and White counties):

• 19 snow routes
• 656 lane miles
• Three front end loaders
• 7,300 tons of salt storage capacity
• 44,000 gallons of liquid salt brine storage capacity
• 15,000 gallons of liquid Ice Ban storage capacity
• 7,500 gallons of liquid calcium chloride storage capacity

CHESTERTON, IN – The Chesterton High School Trojan Guard marching band has been nominated for a Power a Bright Future grant from The Clorox Company and can win up to $50,000 toward purchasing new uniforms.

Teachers and parents give students the building blocks they need to learn and grow, but sometimes they can use a little outside help. As school budgets nationwide continue to shrink, The Clorox Company’s Power A Bright Future grant program steps in to help fund new or ongoing programs that allow children to play, create and explore.

The Trojan Guard has been nominated in the Create category. The Guard just finished a successful performance season with its 2011 show, “Of Legend and Lore.” The Guard finished the season as an Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) Semi-State finalist in the Class A division, meaning CHS was one of the Top 20 Class A bands in the state of Indiana.

The band program has a long history of state, regional, and national excellence that has been a source of pride for Chesterton and the Duneland community for over 35 years.

The Guard has been the recipient of many marching band invitational titles and awards throughout the Midwest .

“Our current marching band uniforms were purchased 15 years ago and many of the uniforms are mildewed or are beyond repair and can no longer be used.,” according to CHS Music Booster president Lisa Hughes.

“This creates a problem when fitting uniforms for the marching band, especially as our program grows. Students are wearing uniforms that do not fit them, or are held together with safety pins,” noted Hughes. “With the current condition of the uniforms, it is difficult for the marching band to remain competitive.”

Hughes said that receiving this grant will have a huge impact on the Trojan Guard marching program.

“It will provide necessary funding that will help us purchase new uniforms to accommodate recent growth in our marching band, while keeping our marching fees low, added Hughes. “The grant will help our students maintain a sense of pride and enthusiasm in the marching program.

From now through, Dec. 9, adults and children 13 and older can visit www.PowerABrightFuture.com to vote once a day for the Trojan Guard. New this year to the Power A Bright Future contest, neighbors, friends, family and the entire community can now vote for their favorite school right from their phones via text message! Messaging and data rates may apply for some carriers.

The program that receives the highest number of votes will be awarded the $50,000 grand-prize grant, and the next top vote-getters in the Play, Create and Explore categories respectively will each be awarded a $25,000 grant. Clorox’s judging panel, will select one additional lucky school to win a $25,000 judge’s choice grant.

“This is really a unique opportunity for us,” said Hughes. “The Trojan Guard] can be one of only five schools nationwide to win a grant, and the whole community as well as friends and family from all over can help us out by texting their votes or visiting www.PowerABrightFuture.com and voting online.”

The CHS Music Boosters and Trojan Guard families are encouriaging the Northwest Indiana region to vote in one of two ways:

• Text “Clorox3164” to 44144 each day. You can vote once a day via text message. Messaging and data rates may apply.
• Vote online at http://www.powerabrightfuture.com/gallery/detail/?nid=1395

Hughes said the Guard families are also helping spread the word through social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter and sending emails to family and friends.

For more information about the Clorox Power A Bright Future grant and how you can help the Trojan Guard earn a grant for new uniforms, visit www.powerabrightfuture.com or contact Lisa Hughes, Music Booster president, at (219) 477-6559