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The Champaign County Extension office would like to create a data base of individuals preferring to receive the Extension Connections Newsletter by email. If you would prefer this option, please mail the form on the back of this newsletter to the Extension office.

You may complete this form on line by registering on our home page at www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/champaign.

School is finally out and the kids are looking for something to do. Have your 8-12 year old become a member of the Garden Sprouts Club this summer for a fun learning experience on container gardening. The Contain It! gardening series meets at the Extension office once a week for six weeks. Garden Sprouts will learn about different container plants, planting techniques, and make some of their own containers. Parents are encouraged to participate in this fun, hands-on learning experience!

Home Grown Pizza

• Thursday, June 10 at 2pm: Learn about and grow some of the plants that go into a pizza and other foods we eat.

Plants for Your Room

• Thursday, June 17 at 2pm: Become familiar with common houseplants and houseplant pests

A Taste for Flowers

• Thursday, June 24 at 2pm: Discover edible flowers and learn how to keep them blooming.

Hmmmm, What's That Smell?

• Thursday, July 1 at 2pm: Experience fragrant and aromatic plants.

Herbs in a Basket

• Thursday, July 8 at 2pm: Grow herbs for the sun and the shade in a basket.

Good Enough To Eat!

• Thursday, July 15: Become familiar with some of the plant parts we eat.

There is no charge for this series, but please call 333-7672 to pre-register or for more information contact Christine Martinez, at cmartinz@uiuc.edu or 333-7672.

Finding the keys to big success in small towns is among the topics on the agenda June 9 for the Sixth Annual Statewide Leadership Conference. The event, co-sponsored by University of Illinois Extension, will be in the Hawthorn Suites, Champaign.

"Whether we provide leadership through elected office, board membership, community activities, or in front of the classroom, we can all enhance our skills and increase our effectiveness," said Anne H. Silvis, U of I Extension community development specialist. "This conference will provide many opportunities to learn from others who are working in their communities and organizations across Illinois."

Silvis said the conference is targeted at neighborhood and community leaders, Chamber of Commerce members, teachers, school administrators and students, economic development directors, farm organization leaders, clergy members, agency staff, and elected officials. "We're looking for anyone who is interested in working more effectively in his or her community or organization," she said.

Silvis noted that this year's event is organized around three key speakers with morning and afternoon breakout sessions.

Jack Schultz, CEO of Agracel, Inc., and author of Boomtown, USA, will open the conference by addressing "Obstacles to Overcome." Silvis said Schultz encourages small communities to think big and achieve success.

Sivasailam "Thiagi" Thiagarajan, owner of Workshops by Thiagi, Inc., helps audiences develop new ways of thinking about and approaching problems. Mike Wiese, project management director for State Farm Insurance Co., will end the conference with an address entitled, "A Commitment to Courageous Leadership."

Morning breakout sessions cover embracing differences in a community, working through controversial issues, and new realities of leadership. Afternoon breakout sessions will focus on effectively addressing local issues, creating an action plan that works, and community-based character education.

Registration is limited to 150 and is on a first-come basis. The registration deadline is May 20 unless the 150 enrollment is reached prior to that date. Registration is $75 per person and checks should be made payable to the University of Illinois. Those wishing to register or obtain further information should contact go to http://www.communitydevelopment.uiuc.edu or contact Silvis at 222 Bevier Hall, 905 South Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, (217) 333-5126, asilvis@uiuc.edu.

For room reservations, call Hawthorn Suites at (217) 398-3400 by May 9 and mention the "leadership conference" to get the conference room rate.

Farm-Direct started in central Illinois during 2002-2003 to build strong links between local Illinois food producers and consumers looking for fresh, healthy products.

Farm-Direct is a directory to help consumers locate fresh, high-quality agricultural products that are grown and sold in their local communities. Local farmers markets and other ag producers can reach more potential customers by listing their organization or business in the directory.

This initial effort in a 25-county area yielded a listing of more than 200 producers, markets and processors that sold directly to consumers. Now, the Farm-Direct project is expanding to include the entire state.

The Farm-Direct listing will include farmers markets, roadside stands, u-pick operations, and local processors and agricultural producers who sell directly to consumers. There is no fee to register in the directory.

Those who wish to register with Farm-Direct can visit this U of I Extension website for more details and the registration form: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/regions/community. If you don't have Internet access, the U of I Extension office can provide the information. Call 217-333-7672.

Many people have started to Surf the Internet for personal finance information. If you're looking for some helpful information, consider the following websites:

http://www.ssa.gov Visit the Social Security Administration's website to learn about Social Security benefits and request a personal earnings and benefits estimate statement.

www.pueblo.gsa.gov The Consumer Information Catalog (CIC) website contains text versions of hundreds of federal consumer publications. The Money section has brochures on financial planning topics.

http://invest.faq.com The Investment Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) website contains a wealth of information about investment related topics. Simply find a topic of interest and click on it for a detailed discussion.

"Bug Off, I'm Going to Camp" is the theme for the annual State Homemakers' Camp scheduled for July 24-27, 2004 at 4-H Memorial Camp in Monticello, Illinois. Homemakers' from around the state are invited to participate in crafts, square dancing, boating, swimming, skits, fashion shows and nine great meals.

"State Homemaker's Camp traditionally draws over 200 campers each year," says Curt Sinclair, 4-H Camp Manager. "Volunteers coordinate a full schedule of crafts and activities within the beautiful setting of the University of Illinois Robert Allerton Park."

Cost for the entire camp including lodging, program, and all meals is only $100 per person. Call the office (333-7672) for more information and registration materials. "Don't miss this opportunity to enjoy the fellowship of a great group of ladies" adds Sinclair.

• Eating a good breakfast is the best way to launch your day. No time? Not an excuse. Here are some quick, out-the-door ideas: cheese and crackers or melted cheese on whole-grain toast, a raisin bagel topped with fat-free cream cheese and thin apple slices, or peanut butter rolled inside a tortilla.
• Exercise naturally….running, stretching, leaping, climbing, hopping, skipping and walking are all great ways to get exercise. Just think….your jaw gets natural exercise all the time you're talking!
• For quick acorn squash, cut in half and scoop out the seeds. Place cut side down in a glass casserole, adding a couple tablespoons of water. Cover loosely and microwave on high for about ten minutes or until tender. Turn cut-ends up and drizzle with maple syrup. Yum!

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