Recipe | Creamy Mushroom Pasta

Family Features - Memories made and recipes shared are the trademarks of a successful holiday gathering, and this year, you can host your way to a practically perfect party with delicious dishes that resonate with the flavors of the season.

If you and your family enjoy mushrooms dishes or you are looking for a cozy meatless meal to impress holiday guests, then this recipe is for you.

This could be a family-favorite in your house. Start your meal with a main course that looks and smells as good as it tastes. Creamy Mushroom Pasta Nests deliver that festive flavor with a robust blend of breadcrumbs, earthy mushrooms and a homemade sauce crafted with Violife Just Like Cream Cheese. Developed to capture the taste of dairy cream cheese, it’s designed to be enjoyed by everyone at the table this holiday season as a non-GMO solution free from dairy, soy, nuts, gluten, preservatives and lactose.

Serve with a fresh tossed salad and warm bread for a memorable meal.

Visit ViolifeFoods.com to find more holiday-worthy recipes.

Creamy Mushroom Pasta Nests

Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

Marinade:

• 2          tablespoons olive oil
• 3 1/2    ounces hoisin sauce
• 2          tablespoons sesame oil
• 1          tablespoon garlic chili paste
• 2          tablespoons black and white sesame seeds
• 1          teaspoon harissa paste

Breadcrumbs:

• 1          tablespoon Violife Plant Butter
• 1/2       cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1          tablespoon fresh rosemary
• 1          teaspoon dried garlic

Pasta:

• 17 1/2 ounces mushrooms, roughly sliced
• 2          tablespoons olive oil
• 10 1/2 ounces fresh spinach
• 1          package Violife Just Like Cream Cheese Original
• 17 1/2 ounces whole-wheat spaghetti
• 1          teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 3 1/2    ounces Violife Just Like Parmesan Wedge, grated

1. To make marinade: Whisk olive oil, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, garlic chili paste, sesame seeds and harissa paste. Set aside.
2. To make breadcrumbs: In frying pan, heat plant butter. Add breadcrumbs, rosemary and garlic; saute 3-5 minutes until golden. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. To make pasta: Saute mushrooms in olive oil 5-7 minutes until golden. Add spinach, 2-3 minutes, and pour over marinade. Add cream cheese and whisk until creamy.
4. Boil pasta according to package instructions. Sieve and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, adding to pasta sauce. Whisk constantly until combined.
5. Using tongs, make small nests in pasta, place on plates and pour creamy mushroom sauce on top.
6. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs, red pepper flakes and grated Parmesan.

New smoke detector law goes into effect on January 1 in Illinois

Residential fires were responsible for 97 deaths in Illinois last year. In nearly 70% cases, the loss of life happened in homes without a working smoke alarms.

Photo illustration: Николай Егошин/Pixabay

SPRINGFIELD -- In two weeks, Illinois' updated Smoke Alarm Law goes into effect across the state. The new provisions, which applies to homes built before 1988, require any smoke alarm being installed within a single or multi-family home be replaced with models that have a sealed, non-removable 10-year battery.

"With a long-term 10-year battery smoke alarm, there is no need for battery replacement, saving the average homeowner between $40-$60 in battery costs over the life of each alarm," says Phil Zaleski, Executive Director for the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance. "At the end of the 10-year life cycle, the smoke alarm will automatically alert the homeowner to replace the alarm."

He added that, "While many people deactivate their older model smoke alarms or remove the batteries while cooking, the 10-year model is not a cooking nuisance and has a 15-minute silencer button.

Zaleski said in a release that required model is "very affordable with the current retail price being about $15 and as low as $10 if you buy them in bulk."

A quick on search on Amazon today shows 10-year, tamper-proof models retailing as low as $13 each. Order a six-pack, and the price drops to $8.33 each.

Passed in 2017, Public Act 100-0200 required all Illinois homes to have a smoke alarm with the extended-life battery by the first of next month. The bill states that "Every dwelling unit or hotel shall be equipped with at least one approved smoke detector in an operating condition within 15 feet of every room used for sleeping purposes. The detector shall be installed on the ceiling and at least 6 inches from any wall, or on a wall located between 4 and 6 inches from the ceiling."

To avoid ‘false alarms’ from the new detectors, they should not be placed within 15 feet of a stove or within 3 feet of bathrooms because of the humidity to avoid tripping the alarm.

Alarms already installed in dwellings are exempt if the manufactured date is less than 10-years old on date of inspection, does not fail testing, and is in proper operating condition. Residents or landlords replacing smoke detectors that are not hardwired in the home must do so with the new 10-year model. Homes with hardwired systems or systems connected to remote monitoring services are also exempt.

There were 97 residential fire deaths in Illinois in 2021, and nearly 70% of those deaths happened in homes without a working smoke alarm, according to Margaret Vaughn, Illinois Fire Safety Alliance and Illinois Fire Association government affairs director.

According to the bill, homeowners without an updated alarm will get a 90-day notice to install a sealed battery model. After that, they can be fined up to $100 every 30 days until the correct alarm(s) are installed. Also, homeowners and landlords should note the law makes it a Class B misdemeanor to not have a working smoke detector installed as required.

New government act to limit the cost of insulin for people on Medicare starting in January

byMark Richardson
Illinois News Connection

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CHICAGO -- Last month was National Diabetes Awareness Month. With almost 1.3 million Illinoisans diagnosed with the disease, people with diabetes make up 10% of the population, and another 3.4 million people have prediabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association.

Dr. Nicole Brady, chief medical officer for employer and individual business at UnitedHealthcare, said the rising cost of insulin is putting many patients in a bind.

"Many of them may even have to make decisions such as, 'Am I gonna buy food for my family this week or am I gonna spend money on my insulin?' So it puts them in a very precarious position," Brady observed.

A study published last month in the Annals of Internal Medicine showed one in five adults with diabetes is rationing insulin to save money, a practice which can damage his or her eyes, kidneys, blood vessels and heart.

The Biden administration's Inflation Reduction Act, which passed this summer, caps the cost of insulin for people on Medicare at $35 a month starting in January. It also caps Medicare recipients' out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs at $2,000 a year, and allows Medicare to negotiate the cost of some drugs.

Brady added starting Jan. 1, UnitedHealthcare will offer zero-dollar cost sharing for people enrolled in standard fully insured group plans, which would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for certain prescription medications, including preferred brands of insulin.

"This should reduce the risk of expensive hospitalizations and of complications from the high blood sugars that can be an effect of diabetes," Brady emphasized. "And overall should make people just feel better."

In the meantime, Brady has some tips on improving your quality of life while on an insulin regimen. She advised reducing sugary processed foods, limiting alcohol and avoiding tobacco.

"Smoking and tobacco actually decrease the effectiveness of insulin," Brady pointed out. "We can better manage our stress because stress can raise our blood-sugar levels."

She added regular exercise can improve your blood-sugar levels because working out causes your muscles to use more glucose for energy.

Photo of the Day | December 15, 2022

Grin and win it

Jasmine McCullough goes up for a shot between Danville's Cheyenne Walls and Diamond Landfair with a huge smile after beating the two defenders during Urbana's home basketball game last Thursday. The Tigers (2-4) picked up their second win of the season after rolling past the Vikings, 40-25. McCullough, who went 2-for-4 from the free throw line and is currently the third-best 3-point shooter in the Big 12, finished the night with six points for UHS. The team's next home game will be on January 7 against Centennial, who the Tigers play tonight in Champaign.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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The Wright stuff for the Hawks, Oakwood hoops star signs with Quincy University

With family, teammates and friends taking in the moment, Oakwood basketball player Addie Wright signs her National Letter of Intent to continue her basketball career with the Hawks of Quincy University.

Photo provided

Oakwood -- Addie Wright signed her NLI on Monday to continue athletic career at Quincy University. The 6-foot-0 post player for Oakwood is averaging 10 points per game in the first ten contests of her final prep season. She finished the 2021-22 season with an average of 14 points and nine rebounds per game.

The daughter of Greg and Staci Wright, Addie plans to study biology or psychology.

"Addie is a hard worker with a strong presence around the rim. We are excited to add her steady and tough skillset to our program," said second-year head coach Kaci Bailey.

Wright's 3.2 steals per game and blocking ability have bouyed the Oakwood progam with a 5-5 record this season. She has scored 107 points and collected 99 rebounds with a little more than two months left in the season.

The future 2023 grad and 2022 VVC First Team member plays summer ball with the Indiana Elite Havoc, an AAU club team. She also ran cross country in the fall the Comets.

Wright and the Comets host Hoopeston Area tomorrow evening and then play two consecutive road games starting with St.Thomas More followed by a trip to nearby Westville.

Expert says certain risk factors increase your chance of blood clots

by Shelli Dankoff
OSF Healthcare

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Peoria -- In November, Today Show weatherman Al Roker was hospitalized after a blood clot that formed in his leg sent clots to his lungs. After being discharged on Thanksgiving he was readmitted almost immediately because he started showing more symptoms.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), blood clots are a serious and growing health issue affecting an estimated 900,000 Americans each year resulting in nearly 100,000 deaths.

Big swollen leg with discomfort, the discoloration is not normal

Blood clots are a normal response to an injury where a blood vessel gets broken. If it doesn’t clot, you will continuously bleed causing a hemorrhage. The problem is when blood clots occur for the wrong reasons such as a piece of plaque breaking off in the artery to the heart which can cause a heart attack.

According to Mark Meeker, D.O., an internal medicine physician and vice president of community medicine at OSF HealthCare, another example is in the legs. He says blood usually flows relatively rapidly through our body but if something changes that flow, that’s when you could have a problem.

"If you think about if you mix cocoa and milk, and you stir it, it all dissolves. If you just dump it in there, it clumps up. So if our blood isn't flowing, it can tend to clump or clot. So if I have surgery, for example, and I'm laid up in bed, and I'm not moving, and the blood flow in the veins of my legs really slows down and starts to pool I can get a blood clot that shouldn't be there. It's blood that stays there. I might be okay, but if a blood clot breaks off and goes to my heart or lungs that's called a pulmonary embolus. That's very serious and can be life threatening."

Dr. Meeker says the signs to watch out for that you might have a problem depends on where the clot is located and what it’s affecting. In an artery, that is the high pressure system that delivers oxygen from the lungs, through the heart and out to your body. Dr. Meeker recalls a patient of his who developed pain in her leg but no swelling, the leg became pale looking and cold to the touch. The arterial clot prevented the leg from getting oxygen and the leg ended up having to be amputated because the arteries clotted off.

The other side is the low pressure venous system bringing the blood back to the heart and lungs to be re-oxygenated and recirculated. On the venous side, a clot can cause a backup not unlike clogging the drain to a sink. This will cause blood to build up in your leg and the leg to swell, maybe change color, and potentially cause a pain in the calf if the swelling starts to increase pressure inside the muscle. If the clot then breaks off and goes to your heart and lungs, as in Al Roker’s case, you could have chest pain, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations.

"Big swollen leg with discomfort, the discoloration is not normal. If you have one leg swollen and not the other and you've either had recent surgery or a recent illness, or you are sitting for a long period of time, usually. Either you really got into a movie marathon or you're on a plane to Hawaii or something like that, or a long car ride. Some people get in the car and they drive for hours. They don't take a break to go for a small walk. All those are risk factors for those venous clots."

Dr. Meeker says there are risk factors that increase your chances of developing blood clots like smoking or taking birth control bills. But he adds blood clots don’t care, under the right circumstances they will happen to anybody

"If you have a family history of stroke or heart attack, you want to be checked out by your primary care team to see if you have genetic risk factors for heart attack or stroke because you have them in your family. And if you do there are specific things that can be done depending on what that risk profile looks like. From a general standpoint from the venous clots side, maintain a healthy weight, stay hydrated, and don't get dehydrated. Don't sit for unusually prolonged periods of time. You want to be up and moving around because movement is what gets the circulation that veins in the legs need to stay active and not clot."

Learn more about the signs and symptoms of blood clots and remember to reach out to your primary care provider if you are experiencing any of them, or visit your nearest emergency department if necessary.

Natural gas price increase will sting central Illinois pocketbooks

by Mark Richardson
Illinois News Connection

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CHICAGO -- Forecasters are predicting another season of cold, wet weather for Illinois and the upper Midwest this winter, which could bring some high energy bills.

The National Weather Service, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, and the Old Farmer's Almanac are all calling for a snowier-than-usual season, with major storms possible in January and February.

Illinoisans are being advised to take steps now to make their homes and businesses more energy-efficient.

Whitney Hayes, research analyst for the nonprofit advocacy group Elevate, said folks who heat with gas should prepare to dig deep into their wallets.

"There's a couple of things going on with gas prices, one of which is the cost of gas itself," Hayes pointed out. "And so, that does fluctuate depending on the market and depending on what's going on in the world. I mean, gas prices globally are up, it's not just the U.S."

The nonprofit Citizens Utility Board said natural gas prices have doubled or tripled in the past two years, and gas futures just hit a 14-year high. Analysts estimate for November through March, natural gas customers can expect to pay between $1,200 and $1,400 to heat their homes.

Hayes pointed out homeowners could save a significant amount on their energy bills and cut greenhouse gas emissions by switching to electric appliances. While it is not something everyone can afford, she stressed making even minor changes can cut costs.

"Even small things like making sure that there's air sealing around windows and doors, electrical sockets," Hayes outlined. "Even those things can add up when you kind of seal it in -- almost 10% of energy savings -- by doing those small little things."

Hayes added higher gas bills are often a result of regulators allowing utilities to pass along cost increases they incur in what they pay for gas, and the cost of maintaining and expanding the equipment they use to deliver it. She explained both can increase a ratepayer's bottom line.

"In the U.S., and especially in the Illinois-Chicago area, there's a lot of infrastructure costs that people are paying for," Hayes noted. "Gas companies have made all these plans to improve the infrastructure, so that gets funneled down into people's bills."

Illinois teachers are focusing on post-pandemic learning strategies

byMark Richardson
Illinois News Connection

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CHICAGO -- Illinois educators are investing millions of dollars to accelerate the learning recovery process for students who fell behind their grade level during the pandemic.

The State Board of Education is implementing the Illinois Tutoring Initiative, a high-impact instruction program targeting the state's highest-need school districts.

Post-pandemic test data show only 30% of Illinois students read at grade level, and 75% are not proficient in math.

Jennifer Kirmes, executive director for teaching and learning at the Illinois State Board of Education, said the goal is to bring students up to speed as quickly as possible.

"The bottom line is so that students who weren't able to progress at what would have been the expected pace, as a result of the disruptions from the pandemic, are able to grow faster now as a result of this program," Kirmes explained.

So far, they have trained almost 500 so-called "high-impact" tutors to provide learning recovery instruction in 45 school districts statewide, and the department has distributed grant funds to an additional 27 districts to design and implement their own programs.

The initiative is funded by a $25 million grant from federal pandemic relief funds. Kirmes pointed out districts are chosen based on funding levels, their number of low-income students, and the impact of COVID-19 on lost, in-person instructional time.

"High-impact tutoring really works intentionally on the skills and competencies that students need to succeed," Kirmes noted. "Certainly with their homework, but also in classroom assignments and on assessments, with additional content."

She added as many as 45 additional districts will launch high-impact tutoring in early 2023 as the state expands the initiative.

Guest Commentary |None of us are immune

by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator

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Award-winning actress Kirstie Alley was diagnosed with cancer shortly before her untimely death at the young age of 71. Grammy award-winning Celine Dion has recently been diagnosed with a neurological disease called Stiff Person Syndrome. The disease attacks about one in a million and is a very debilitating disease.  She is 54 years old.  

Disease, death and bad news can attack anyone at any age and none of us are immune. 

Good news came to Britney Griner who spent 10 months in a Russian prison for allegedly having hashish oil in her suitcase at a Moscow airport. She was recently released and is now back in the United States. The Bad news is that arms dealer Victor Bout who smuggled millions of weapons to the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Africa was released from prison in exchange for Griner’s release. 

Paul Whelan a former United States marine received bad news in that he is still being held in a Russian prison accused of spying. Russia is apparently holding onto him for another deal with the United States. It’s tragic that he wasn’t released with Griner. 

Please stay out of Russia, North Korea, Iran and China. There are other places to avoid as well but there are plenty of nice places to visit. 

My deceased wife was 37 when she received the bad news that she had multiple sclerosis. The diagnosis was very bad news and Karen died one day at a time for 12 years. The last four years of her life she could do nothing. She required 24-hour care. She became a person trapped inside a body. She died at the age of 49. The toll that such a disease took on our family and my young sons was severe. Such an illness changes the lives of the entire family. Everyone to some extent is involved in the caregiving and are changed by the emotional drain of sickness and death. However, no one suffers as much as the person struggling with the disease. 

Such life struggles play havoc with holidays such as Christmas. Our family never had a normal Christmas for at least 12 years. However, it became our new normal.

Jesus is good news at Christmas. He was bad news to King Herod of Judea. Herod was a mental illness case who ordered the death of all male babies two years old and under in the vicinity of Bethlehem. He hoped to eliminate Jesus because wise men from the East had come to worship him. We must pray for the families of Kirstie Alley, Celine Dion and Paul Whelan and many others. These families are suffering. Fame and fortune never provide a way of escaping bad news and the results of bad news. We should also pray for one another and rejoice with any good news that comes each other’s way.

We are all sojourners in this life. The message of Christmas is a Savior is born, Christ the Lord, peace on earth and good will toward all. 

May good news find its way to you this season of the year and may we all with God’s grace be there for each other when the news is not so good. 

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Dr. Glenn Mollette is a syndicated American columnist and author of Grandpa's Store, American Issues, and ten other books. He is read in all 50 states. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization.

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This article is the sole opinions of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of The Sentinel. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.

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Grab a smaller plate this holiday season to help keep those cheerful pounds off

Photo: Unsplash/Brooke Lark

by Tim Ditman
OSF Healthcare

SAVOY -- December and January bring bountiful holiday meals.

While it’s tempting to chow down, experts are cautioning about how overindulgence can make you feel mentally and physically crummy in the moment, plus open the door to long-term unhealthy eating habits.

Have the right mindset

Andrew Zasada, MD, an OSF HealthCare internal medicine physician in Savoy, Illinois, says avoiding stuffing yourself starts before you sit down for the meal.

“If you come to the meal hungry, you tend to try to make up for not having breakfast. You load your plate up, which is going to cause you to overeat,” Dr. Zasada says. “Instead, have a light snack an hour or two before you sit down to the meal.

“Put the food in one room and sit down in another room to eat. That necessitates you going there rather than having food available for another fill.”

The meal itself

Enjoy holiday meals, Dr. Zasada says. It’s not a race.

Grab a smaller plate, and take smaller portions of each item. Pretend you’re filling the plate up for a child. You wouldn’t take five rolls and two big slabs of meat for a youngster, so don’t do it for your adult self.

Other tips: Chew slowly. Between bites, put your utensil down, take a drink of water and talk to someone. This allows your stomach to fill up and tell your brain that you’re full.

When you finish eating, leave the table, and go to another room. Staying next to the food increases the temptation to keep nibbling.

If you can’t help it

Dr. Zasada says despite our best efforts, sometimes you overeat during holiday meals. Maybe you don’t want to offend your aunt by not having a slice of her famous pie.

If that happens, Dr. Zasada says there are two pitfalls to avoid: Drinking alcohol and lying down right after the meal.

“That opens up the sphincters of your stomach, slows down digestion and increases the chance for heartburn,” Dr. Zasada says.

Try tea or coffee after a meal instead of alcohol. But if you must indulge in a spirit, Dr. Zasada says to wait at least 90 minutes so your stomach can partially empty.

Instead of lying down for that post-meal nap, sit upright, talk to people or play a game. If the weather is nice, go for a walk.

A word on more serious eating issues

Holiday meals may be difficult for people who suffer from eating disorders, such as binge eating (eating a lot in one sitting and feeling you can’t stop), anorexia nervosa (an unwarranted fear of being overweight which leads to things like starvation) or bulimia nervosa (taking unhealthy steps to avoid weight gain like purging your food).

Dr. Zasada says, in the moment, you should have someone you trust who can help you through the holiday meal and check in with you later. Long term, he says these are serious issues that should be talked about with a health care provider.

“Repeated bulimia will damage your teeth. It’s corrosive. You lose electrolytes when you vomit,” Dr. Zasada says. “You become sick. If you do this repeatedly, you will lose weight in an unhealthy way. You will possibly dehydrate. You will start losing muscle mass.

“It’s just not a good thing.”

Bottom line: Don’t get discouraged

Dr. Zasada says one day of extra eating may make you feel bad, but it isn’t going to derail your overall health.

“One day won’t make you fat,” he says.

Get back into your healthy eating habits the next day while enjoying those leftovers in moderation. If you feel you are struggling to maintain a healthy weight or body image, talk to your primary care provider. They may refer you to a specialist like a dietitian or mental health provider. From there, plans could include a diet and exercise regimen, medication or, in rare cases, weight loss surgery.

Photo of the Day | December 14, 2022

Smith receives All-Tournament honors

St. Joseph-Ogden's Logan Smith takes the ball to the hoop during the Toyota of Danville Classic title game against Oakwood on December 3. The junior finished with 10 points in the Spartans' 66-31 victory over the Comets. While helping SJO maintain their perfect early season record, Smith earned a spot on the All-Tournament team.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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Hypertension is a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease

Courtesy The American Heart Association

DALLAS - High levels of lipoprotein(a), a type of “bad” cholesterol, may be associated with a 24% higher risk of cardiovascular disease among people who have hypertension, however, CVD risk was not higher among those without hypertension, according to new research published today in Hypertension, an American Heart Association journal.

“High blood pressure is a known cardiovascular disease risk factor, and lipoprotein(a) is a type of inherited ‘bad’ cholesterol that may also lead to cardiovascular disease,” said lead study author Rishi Rikhi, M.D., M.S., a cardiovascular medicine fellow at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. “We found that among people with hypertension who have never experienced a stroke or heart attack before, lipoprotein(a) seems to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and risk of a major cardiovascular event like heart attack or stroke.”

Hypertension is a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In this study, hypertension was defined as a top number of 140 mmHg or higher, a bottom number of 90 or mmHg or the use of blood pressure medication. In 2017, the Association updated its definition of hypertension to be a top number of 130 mmHg or higher or a bottom number of 80 mmHg or higher.  Previous studies have indicated that when a person has hypertension and lipid imbalance, or dyslipidemia, their cardiovascular disease risk substantially increases. According to the study’s authors, there is less information on how much of an affect lipoprotein(a) may have on cardiovascular disease risk among people with hypertension.

Lipoproteins, which are made up of protein and fat, carry cholesterol through the blood. The subtypes of lipoproteins include low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a). Much like LDL cholesterol, lipoprotein(a) cholesterol may deposit and build up in the walls of blood vessels, thus increasing a person’s risk of a heart attack or stroke.

The research used health data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) study, an ongoing community-based study in the U.S. of subclinical cardiovascular disease—meaning the disease is discovered before there are clinical signs and symptoms. MESA is a research study including nearly 7,000 adults that began in 2000 and is still following participants in six locations across the U.S.: Baltimore; Chicago; New York; Los Angeles County, California; Forsyth County, North Carolina; and St. Paul, Minnesota. At the time of enrollment in the study, all participants were free from cardiovascular disease.

The current study included 6,674 MESA participants who had lipoprotein(a) levels and blood pressure assessed and for whom there was documented cardiovascular disease event data throughout MESA’s follow-up exams in approximately 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2017 and in telephone interviews every 9 to 12 months to gather interim data on new diagnoses, procedures, hospitalization and deaths. The study’s participants were from diverse racial and ethnic groups: 38.6% self-identified as white adults; 27.5% self-identified as African American adults; 22.1% self-identified as Hispanic adults; and 11.9% self-identified as Chinese American (n=791) adults.  Additionally, more than half of the group was female (52.8%).

To evaluate the potential correlation between hypertension and lipoprotein(a) on the development of cardiovascular disease, the researchers first categorized the participants into groups based on their lipoprotein(a) levels and blood pressure measures obtained once at baseline:

• Group 1 (2,837 people): lipoprotein(a) levels less than 50 mg/dL and no hypertension.
• Group 2 (615 people): lipoprotein(a) levels greater than or equal to 50mg/dL and no hypertension
• Group 3 (2,502 people): lipoprotein(a) levels less than 50mg/dL and hypertension
• Group 4 (720 people): lipoprotein(a) levels ≥ 50mg/dL and hypertension

Participants were followed for an average of approximately 14 years and cardiovascular events, including heart attack, cardiac arrest, stroke or death from coronary artery disease, were tracked.

The study’s results include:

• A total of 809 of the participants experienced a cardiovascular disease event.
• Lipoprotein(a) levels had an effect on hypertension status that was statistically significant (meaning it was not due to chance).
• When compared to Group 1 (low lipoprotein(a) levels and no hypertension), Group 2 (higher lipoprotein(a) levels and no hypertension) did not have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease events.
• Less than 10% of Group 1 (7.7%) and Group 2 (participants 8%) had cardiovascular disease events.
• Participants in Groups 3 and 4, all of whom had hypertension, demonstrated a statistically significant increase in risk for cardiovascular disease events when compared to those in Group 1.
• Approximately 16.2% of the people in Group 3 (lower lipoprotein(a) levels and hypertension) had cardiovascular disease events, and 18.8% of the participants in Group 4 (higher lipoprotein(a) levels and hypertension) experienced cardiovascular disease events.

“We found that the overwhelming amount of cardiovascular risk in this diverse population appears to be due to hypertension,” Rikhi said. “Additionally, individuals with hypertension had even higher cardiovascular risk when lipoprotein(a) was elevated. The fact that lipoprotein(a) appears to modify the relationship between hypertension and cardiovascular disease is interesting, and suggests important interactions or relationships for hypertension, lipoprotein(a) and cardiovascular disease, and more research is needed.”

Everyone can improve their cardiovascular health by following the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8: eating healthy food, being physically active, not smoking, getting enough sleep, maintaining a healthy weight, and controlling cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure levels. Cardiovascular disease claims more lives each year in the U.S. than all forms of cancer and chronic lower respiratory disease combined, according to the American Heart Association.

Rockets make a statement bouncing Maroons in home win, 65-56

TOLONO -- Mark Twain said, "It's not the size of the dog in the fight it's the size of the fight in the dog." Unity showed visiting Champaign Central (1-4) that despite more than half their size in enrollment, they can run with big dogs after prevailing 65-56 in the non-conference meeting at the Rocket Center on Tuesday.

Henry Thomas led all scorers with a game-high 25 points, 11 of them, thanks to 13 trips to the free throw line for the Rockets. Also finishing with double-digit scoring for the home team were Dalton O'Neill with 16 points, and Austin Langendorf, who had 10.

Expecting an easy non-league match, the Maroons' comfortable first quarter 15-7 lead evaporated by the end of the second, with the Rockets trailing by one at the break, 30-29.

O'Neill, a junior, drained two of his three treys in the contest in the third quarter igniting the Unity offense.

Central, paced by Chris Bush's 20-points performance in the first three periods of play, couldn't buy a shot in the final quarter. When the sophomore's shooting prowess fizzled out, and the team's offense went colder than a Siberian winter day despite David Riley's attempt to heat things up, scoring all eight of his team's fourth-quarter points.

The Rockets doubled the Champaign school's output, thanks to another three from O'Neill and nine points from Henry Thomas in his best frame of the night.

Improving to 4-2 on the season, the Rockets hit the hardwood again on Friday at Clifton Central and host Pleasant Plains on Saturday at 4:30 pm.

Box Score

Unity       7  22  20  16 -- 65
Central  15  15  18     8 -- 56

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Unity
Thomas 3(0)-0-0--6, Cowan 0(1)-0-0--3, Thomas 7(0)-13-11--25, Meibach 0(0)-0-0--0, Warfel 0(0)-0-0--0, Saunders 1(0)-2-1--3, Porter 0(0)-2-2--2, O'Neill 1(3)-7-5--16, Ruggeri 0(0)-0-0--0, Langendorf 3(0)-8-4--10, Maxwell 0(0)-0-0--0, Bleecher 0(0)-0-0--0.

Central
Robinson 0(0)-2-1--1, Clifton 0(0)-0-0--0, Davis 0(0)-2-2--2, Rhone 1(0)-6-5--7, Swanson 0(0)-0-0--0, Bush 1(4)-7-6--20, Chen 2(1)-4-1--8, Hastentab 0(0)-0-0--0, Baldwin 1(1)-0-0--5, Riley 2(3)-0-0--13, Harmon 0(0)-0-0--0, Christmon 0(0)-0-0--0, Sutton 0(0)-0-0--0, Brandy 0(0)-0-0--0.

Zamora leads Hoopeston Area in 8-point win over Westville

HOOPESTON -- Anthony Zamora stepped up with a 15 point finish to lead Hoopeston Area to a 54-46 conference win over Westville on Tuesday.

Zamora, averaging 12.3 points per game, made six of his eight shots from the field and drained half of his attempts from the line. The senior collected a team-high five steals.

Junior Owen Root and sophomore Trenton Montez also finished with double-digit scores against the Tigers. Root logged two boards and two assist to give the Vermilion Valley team their first conference win of the season with his 13 points performance. Montez came off the bench to score 10 points, four from the charity stripe.

The Cornjerkers improve to 4-5 on the season. The team travels to Milford (5-2) on Thursday to face the Bearcats in another conference test and follows up with another game on Friday evening at St. Anne (2-9), who are 1-3 at home against opponents this season.

Box Score

Hoopeston   13     7   16   18   - 54
Westville      13     5     5    23 - 46

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Hoopeston
Root 4(1)-3-2--13, Montez 3(0)-6-4--10, VanDerVeer 1(0)-1-3--5, Rush 0(2)-0-1--7, Zamora 6(0)-6-3--15, Sigerill 1(0)-2-1--3.

Westville
Not reported

Thanks to property taxes, Illinois ranks 36th out of all 50 states

byMark Richardson
Illinois News Connection

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CHICAGO -- As Illinois residents get ready to pay their taxes next year, they could be in for some sticker shock.

The 2023 State Business Tax Index survey, out this week, ranked Illinois 36th out of the 50 states for the efficiency and competitiveness of its tax code. The results showed while wage earners are doing well, small businesses, homeowners, and consumers are shouldering an outsized share of the state's tax burden.

Janelle Fritts, policy analyst for the Tax Foundation, said even though Illinois finished in the bottom third of the rankings, it could have been worse.

"Illinois' best category is the personal income tax, and that's because Illinois has a flat income tax with a relatively low rate of 4.95%," Fritts pointed out. "That is really what's bringing up the score from being even lower."

The annual survey, put out by the Washington D.C.-based Tax Foundation, ranks states based on how their tax policies affect the state's economy. Fritts explained governments need to earn revenue, but when taxes get too high, the economy is less competitive and can drive people to move to states with lower taxes.

Fritts added Illinois' other tax categories, including sales, corporate, and unemployment, are dragging down the state's rankings, but one particular levy is taking the biggest bite.

"Where Illinois really struggles is property taxes, which I'm sure will come as no surprise," Fritts contended. "Illinois has very, very large property-tax burdens in terms of how much they bring in and how big of a portion of personal income property taxes are."

Fritts noted the effectiveness of a state's tax system often determines the success of its economy.

"States' biggest competitors are each other," Fritts remarked. "As the economy is becoming increasingly mobile, tax competitiveness matters more than ever before. So people are looking at those tax codes. They do make a difference for both businesses and residences. So states do need to be aware of how they compare."

Neighboring states Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin were all ranked higher than Illinois. The top five in the survey were Wyoming, South Dakota, Alaska, Florida and Montana. New Jersey came in last.

Tolono's Giving Place helps 10 families

TOLONO -- Located at 113 North Bourne in Tolono, The Giving Place is seeking donations of canned fruit, canned beans, canned tomato products, canned spaghetti sauce, canned vegetables, peanut butter, jelly, mac & cheese and pasta meals to serve families in the Unit 7 school district. The Christian ministry food pantry is open one day a week on Wednesdays from 4:00 – 6:00.

The Giving Place also publicly thanked The Sweet Adelines "for their generous food donations" at the recent holiday party. Last week, they were able to help ten families with the Food Pantry.

TGP will hold its next monthly free clothing giveaway on Saturday, January 7, 2023.

Cohen Building hosts Holiday Sale & Open House

Guest Commentary: A thankful heart is a healthier heart

by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator

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Thanksgiving always comes and goes too fast. We often think, "We need more time to focus on the Thanksgiving holiday." For many, it seems that Thanksgiving gets sandwiched between Halloween and Christmas. 

By late September, many of the stores and television commercials are focusing on Christmas.

The only way we can fix the “fast Thanksgiving” holiday is to make Thanksgiving celebration every day. We shouldn’t wait until Thanksgiving to give thanks but give thanks every day. 

A thankful heart is a healthier heart. Living in an attitude of Thanksgiving celebrates the gift of life and every opportunity to live life.

Many of us have dreaded the shorter days. Dark by 6 o’clock and soon by 5 or even 4:30 in some areas. I used to always dread that but my attitude has changed. I’m just happy to be alive to experience the changing seasons. Take advantage of these cooler, shorter days to get some rest. Longer days will be back soon and you can mow grass, work or walk until 9:00 or later every evening. Go with the flow and enjoy the differences. 

I miss the Thanksgivings when my mom and dad were alive and mother cooked. If everyone got together, we could have 20 people in the house. This was a tiring time for my mother.  Be sure to always praise the person carrying the cooking load. 

Time passes quickly.  Every day we should embrace the day. When you see someone, talk to someone, share a meal with someone then by all means embrace and savor the moment. Give thanks for all occasions that you have to spend time with others whether family or friends. 

Thanksgiving is not the same for many of us because there are empty seats at the table. We miss moms and dads who have left us for a better place. We miss wives, husbands, children, and siblings who have left this life too early. This makes us sad and dampens our spirits. Yet, look around and see the people who may not be here next year. There are no guarantees. Be kind, be loving. Say good words to them. Lift them up. It will make you feel better to give thanks for people and to anoint them. 

Jesus was anointed by Mary the sister of Martha before his arrest and crucifixion. Some criticized her for doing it but Jesus said she has prepared me for the burial. Let her alone he said she has done a good work. After Mary finished anointing Jesus’ feet the house was filled with the smell of the ointment. When you love and are kind to people it always brings a better fragrance and atmosphere into the house. A part of this is showing Thanksgiving for them and toward them. Mary ended up with that ointment on her hands and in her hair. When you do good stuff for people to honor them a lot of that good stuff comes back to you. 

Have Thanksgiving every day. Give thanks, express thanks and live in a spirit of being thankful. Your attitude will make your day better and encourage others around you. 

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Dr. Glenn Mollette is a syndicated American columnist and author of Grandpa's Store, American Issues, and ten other books. He is read in all 50 states. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization.

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This article is the sole opinions of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of The Sentinel. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.

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Top basketball players at St. Joseph Turkey Tournament earn recognition

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Nominees from the four-team Toyota of Danville Turkey Tournament All-Tournament Team pose with their awards on Thursday, November 17. Pictured with their awards are Josie Armstrong (Tri-County), Kenzie Hales (Tri-County), Thaylee Barry (Tri-County), Durbin Thomas (M-S), Chloe Pruitt (M-S), Addison Frick (SJO), and Mahomet-Seymour's Savannah Orgeron, who was the tournament's Most-Valuable-Player. Champaign Centennial's Heaven Day, the 8th player of the group, was not present at the award ceremony.

ViewPoint | The Merry Go Round’ of PCOS Diagnoses and Disappointments. When does it stop?

by Brianna Dean

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I got my first period when I was ten; by age 12 I spent several days a month hunched over, bleeding, and crying in pain. The gynecologist I went to told me I may have endometriosis, brushed off the pain as “normal” and recommended that I take birth control pills to regulate my period. I thought being on birth control at 12 was normal. It wasn’t until a few conversations with my friends, and the extreme concern expressed by my mother, that I became aware that it was in fact not normal. 

Looking back at that experience, I find myself not only angry at the lack of care I received from my provider but how I didn't know how to advocate for myself. Ten years later when I am talking to my new OB-GYN about my cycle and various physical symptoms I’ve been experiencing, she responded with a question “Do you think you have PCOS?” I didn’t know what that was. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome occurs when ovaries form numerous cysts and overproduce androgens. I didn’t end up having PCOS, but I have met several Black Women who were battling this disease with little to no medical intervention from their OB-GYNs. It was eye-opening when actress/singer Keke Palmer posted on Instagram that she had done her own research and advocated for herself to receive a diagnosis of PCOS, which explained her adult acne and excessive facial hair. 

In order to receive the care, Black Women and other women of color have to learn how to advocate for ourselves.  

According to the National Institute of Health, approximately 5 million women have PCOS. Black Women are disproportionately affected by this disease, but half of PCOS cases in Black Women go undiagnosed for years. Blogger Ore Ogunbiyi wrote that it took her five appointments and nine months before she was diagnosed with PCOS. Of her doctors, Ore says, “They trivialized my pain”. 

A feeling Black Women alike know far too well. Research posits that Black Americans have been historically undertreated due to the false beliefs that Black People perceive pain differently than white people. This notion is harmful and contributes to the lack of accurate medical diagnoses in the Black community. 

My previous classmate, current doctoral student, and PCOS advocate Chanel Brown spoke to me about her journey to her PCOS diagnosis. Chanel recounts that her doctor never took her seriously, which is why it took her seven years to receive her diagnosis. Why does it take so long for Black Women to receive a PCOS diagnosis? 

Many women with PCOS are overweight, and weight bias may add to racial bias in medical settings. Overweight women are often told to lose weight, no matter whether weight actually affects the condition they have. 

Fatphobia is the reason Beatriz Kaye, a Latino PCOS advocate, went seven years without a PCOS diagnosis – her doctors told her that her period would regulate itself if she would just “lose weight”, and delayed doing any lab or imaging tests to check for PCOS.

This “invisible” disease may not appear to be physically impactful or disruptful, but the long-term health implications are. Women with PCOS may experience infertility. They also may have a higher rate of diabetes, heart disease, and sleep apnea, although it is difficult to separate the risks of obesity from the risks of PCOS.

Racism and fatphobia both compromise the care of Black women. For women of color, this healthcare system is a system of misdiagnoses, disappointments, and dismissals. Women of color deserve the right to be heard and respected by their medical doctors.

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Brianna Dean is a Masters of Science candidate in Health and the Public Interest at Georgetown University.