YLA is now accepting donations for listings on eBay. All proceeds will be used to support YLA programs and activities. Donations are tax deductible.

For more information, please call 847.214.6910

You can follow YLA on Twiiter. Come check us out!

http://twitter.com/YLA509

What if the Youth Leadership Academy earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Or how about if a percentage of every purchase you made online went to support our cause? Well, now it can!

GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations add up!

GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37 percent of each purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of great stores including Amazon, Target, Gap, Best Buy, ebay, Macy's and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop and every time you place an order, you’ll be supporting your favorite cause.

Just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter Youth Leadership Academy as the charity you want to support. And, be sure to spread the word!

DATE:            Saturday, July 3  (even though we are celebrating the 4^th of July) 

 Time:               Meet at the YLA staging area at 9:00 am

Parade starts at 10:00 am sharp.  The parade will be finished by 11:00 am. 

 Where:             The YLA staging area will be “GROVE – A.”  How to get there….

• If someone is driving you into downtown Elgin, have them drop you off at the Gail Borden Library.  There will be a “shuttle pick up” location in the parking lot on the other side of Kimball street from the library.  Ask the shuttle drivers to take you to “GROVE – A” which is the assigned staging area for the Youth Leadership Academy. 
• If you are walking into downtown Elgin, meet at N. Grove street between Lincoln and Slade Avenues (this is 10 blocks north of the library).  Look for the YLA sign. 

 WHAT to wear:         

• YLA shirts!  (if you have not received one, you will get one there)
• Good walking shoes.  Flip flops and high heels are NOT acceptable. 
• Shorts or skirts that go down to at least middle of your thigh. 

 Important notes:

• The parade will take place RAIN or SHINE!  The parade will be cancelled ONLY if city officials determine that the weather is dangerous, in which case they will post an announcement on www.downtownelgin.comor on their voice mail:  847-488-1456. 
• Please be sure to put on sunscreen, bring snacks, water.

  $5,000 GoodSearch Giveaway - Three Days Only! 

YOU ARE INVITED

to support the Youth Leadership Academy’s annual

CARWASH

When: Saturday, July 31, 2010

9:00 am — 4:00 pm

Where: Buffalo Wild Wings

2540 New Sutton Road

(Highway 59 and Higgins Road / Highway 72 … just north of I-90)

Hoffman Estates, IL 60192

Why: You get a clean car and you make a donation to an organization that

makes a difference in your community!

Who: The Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) serves school districts U-46, 300,

301 and 303 by building leadership capacity in low-income youth and

providing them with full tuition scholarships at Elgin Community College

and Judson University. To learn more, visit www.ylaecc.org.

Tell your friends, family, colleagues

… see you there!

Thank you for your support!

Matching Donations Sponsored by Bigger's Chevy in Elgin

Youth Leadership Academy – Taking Applications

June 10  YLA Student Council interest meeting – ECC downtown campus (51 S. Spring St.) – 4^th floor from 1:00 – 3:00 pm

• Excellence – Reponsibility – Leadership – Energetic – Commitment … do these words describe you?  If so, then come learn about this NEW opportunity for youth to contribute to YLA’s success for the 2010-2011 year.  We need representation from each grade level to give input on how YLA can be improved in many areas.  

June 19   YLA Parent Auxiliary Committee meeting – any YLA parents are invited!  Meeting will be held at Gail Borden Library from 10am – 12 noon.  Come if you:

• Want to help give input on YLA communication
• Learn about YLA Board meetings
• Help plan Parent In-services for 2010-2011 … what topics do you as parents want to learn more about? 

July 3    YLA participation in Elgin 4^th of July Parade (note this is a Saturday!)

• Information on drop-off location, time and other details will be mailed to you before this date, but mark your calendar so you can join in the fun! 

July 31     YLA Car Wash

• Must wear your YLA T-shirt and appropriate shorts and shoes (no heels!).  Jeans are OK, but absolutely no short shorts!
• See car wash schedule – be on-time and ready to help with a smile!  This is a big community fundraiser for us and we need ALL CADETS to participate!

August 9      YLA Field Trip to Chicago – Mark your calendars!  Everyone (parents, siblings invited too) is invited and there will be a range of options, such as Field Museum, Art Institute, Navy Pier and more.  There WILL be a cost per person for this field trip (around $30), and you MUST register by August 1.  Details will be mailed to all cadets in July. 

Chamber of Commerce to Hold Hablamos EspañolExpo March 6^th at The Centre – ALL ARE WELCOME!

All are welcome to the 6^th annual Hablamos EspañolExpo this Saturday, March 6^th , from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at The Centre (100 Symphony Way)!

Over the years, the expo has evolved into a bilingual event that allows Elgin Area Chamber members to market their products and services in English and Spanish.  It also provides attendees with opportunities to learn about community services and a variety of Latino cultures. 

Voter registration, ESL information, citizenship workshops, an “Ask a Nurse” workshop, and food samples will also be available.

Entertainment includes musical ensembles and dance groups from U-46,  Somos Colombia, and Corazon Boliviano USA.  A Magical Balloon Man (Rich Centeno), the EPD’s McGruff, and Ozzie the Kane County Cougar will add a fun twist to the day.

Voter registration and voting workshops to teach new registrants how to use the voting equipment will be coordinated by the League of Women Voters and the Kane County Clerk’s Office.  The State Treasurer’s Office will have information on “Cash Dash” and other programs.

One spectacular feature of the event is the art show, showcasing works influenced by many Latino cultures.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i47jJzephAI

U.S. Census information will also be available.

The U.S. Census Bureau will also have a table with information about census jobs.

Taking a test is part of the application process.  For English-only positions, testing will take place at 12:30 at Hemmens Auditorium on 3/6 – almost across the street from the expo. 

For bilingual (English/Spanish) positions, testing will take place in the East Conference Room of The Centre at 2:00.

Bring either US Passport or Drivers License AND Social Security Card to Test Site

For more details about acceptable identification, testing locations and to download a Practice Test, please visit:

The event averages 2,000 attendees and offers something of interest for everyone – regardless of your ethnic background.

Workshop Schedule

Citizenship Workshops:   11:30  and 1:30 – presented by Centro de Informacion

“Ask a Nurse”  1:00 – 3:00   – presented by Provena St. Joseph Hospital

Voter Registration/Voting Machine Demonstration 10:00 – 2:00 – presented by Office of Kane County Clerk and League of Women Voters

Entertainment Schedule

10:00   Fox Valley Ensemble

11:00   Oakhill Elementary School

11:45   La Rondalla

12:00   Kenyon Woods Middle School

12:15   Corazón Boliviano USA

1:00     Somos Colombia

1:30     Streamwood High School

2:00     Elgin High School

Thanks to our Sponsors:

*  NivelColosal  *

City of Elgin

Reflejos

Sherman Hospital

*  Nivel Grande  *

American Family Insurance – Javier Montoya Agency

*  Nivel Amigos  *

AT&T

Office Depot

*  El donante de los bolsas (Bag Sponsor)  *

State Farm – Michelle Twitchell and U.S. Census Committee

For more information, visit www.elginchamber.com or call 847-741-5660.

Jeanette P. Mihalec

Vice President - Membership

Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce

(847) 809-8911 cell

(847) 741-5660 office

(847) 741-5677 fax

31 S. Grove Avenue

Elgin, IL  60120

Visit www.elginchamber.com to see how over 700 local businesses are benefiting from being part of the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce!

The Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce-

l Informative   l   Innovative   l   Incomparable

#     #     #

Scholarships for Veterans' Children

There is a tuition waiver available for children of Veterans living in Illinois. The waiver may be used for any University of Illinois campus. Up to six waivers per Illinois county are awarded each year, one for each of the following conflicts: World War II, Korean Conflict, Vietnam Conflict, Southeast Asia Conflict, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Applications are now available and the deadline is March 1, 2010.
Any questions can be directed to
The Office of Student Financial Aid
Phone:  217-333-0100.

Saturday December 5, 2009 from 11:45 am to 2:30 pm
at
Elgin Community College
1700 Spartan Drive
Elgin, IL 60123
ICT Building
  (Room # will be posted at entrance)

The workshop topic for next month is all about Effectively Dealing with Conflict. This hands-on workshop is designed to help you identify and apply strategies for effectively dealing with difficult situations and individuals. Conflict is a normal part of life and the ways you deal with it will have a great influence on the quality of your social relationships.  Join us and learn essential skills for collaborating and problem solving when difficulty arises.

A few safety tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission can protect children who plan to go trick-or-treating this Halloween.

Treats: Warn children not to eat any treats before an adult has carefully examined them for evidence of tampering.

Flame Resistant Costumes: When purchasing a costume, masks, beards, and wigs, look for the label Flame Resistant. Although this label does not mean these items won't catch fire, it does indicate the items will resist burning and should extinguish quickly once removed from the ignition source. To minimize the risk of contact with candles or other sources of ignition, avoid costumes made with flimsy materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts.

Costume Designs: Purchase or make costumes that are light and bright enough to be clearly visible to motorists.

• For greater visibility during dusk and darkness, decorate or trim costumes with reflective tape that will glow in the beam of a car's headlights. Bags or sacks should also be light colored or decorated with reflective tape. Reflective tape is usually available in hardware, bicycle, and sporting goods stores.
• To easily see and be seen, children should also carry flashlights.
• Costumes should be short enough to prevent children from tripping and falling.
• Children should wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes . Mother' s high heels are not a good idea for safe walking.
• Hats and scarfs should be tied securely to prevent them from slipping over children's eyes.
• Apply a natural mask of cosmetics rather than have a child wear a loose-fitting mask that might restrict breathing or obscure vision. If a mask is used, however, make sure it fits securely and has eyeholes large enough to allow full vision.
• Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be of soft and flexible material.

Pedestrian Safety: Young children should always be accompanied by an adult or an older, responsible child. All children should WALK, not run from house to house and use the sidewalk if available, rather than walk in the street. Children should be cautioned against running out from between parked cars, or across lawns and yards where ornaments, furniture, or clotheslines present dangers.

Choosing Safe Houses: Children should go only to homes where the residents are known and have outside lights on as a sign of welcome.

• Children should not enter homes or apartments unless they are accompanied by an adult.
• People expecting trick-or-treaters should remove anything that could be an obstacle from lawns, steps and porches. Candlelit jack-o'-lanterns should be kept away from landings and doorsteps where costumes could brush against the flame. Indoor jack-o'-lanterns should be kept away from curtains, decorations, and other furnishings that could be ignited.

For further information on product safety, consumers may call the U.S . Consumer Product Safety Commission's toll-free hotline on (800) 638-2772. Hearing impaired consumers may use TTY (301) 595-7054.

Spartan Drive closes for construction Oct. 12

Spartan Drive, the primary access road to the ECC Main Campus, will close to traffic October 12 through approximately December 1 from McLean Boulevard to Renner Drive.

To access the college from McLean Boulevard during construction, motorists are asked to use Fleetwood Drive or Weld Road to Second Street. From Randall Road, Spartan Drive closes at its intersection with Renner Drive, forcing drivers to turn north on Renner to access the campus.

Detours will be marked with appropriate signage.  All motorists are urged to drive cautiously during construction and observe speed limits.

Final surfacing of the roadway is expected in the spring when, again, closure of Spartan Drive is expected. New lighting, curb and gutter work and landscaping are also expected to be finished by spring.