The Sentinel

Guest Commentary | Walmart can't take the losses, retailer closing stores around the country

by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator

If your outgo exceeds your income, then your upkeep will be your downfall. This principle applies to us all, even Walmart.

Walmart has been the largest company in the world by revenue since 2014, but they are closing 20 stores this year. Is your town on this list? Most likely, you hope not as most Americans shop Walmart at least occasionally. For many it’s their go to destination weekly for groceries, electronics and much more.

Here are the latest store closings provided by Yahoo.com:

Arkansas:
3701 SE Dodson Road, Bentonville
(Pick-up only concept)

DC:
99 H Street NW, Washington

Georgia:
1801 Howell Mill Rd NW, Atlanta
835 M.L.K. Jr Dr NW, Atlanta

Florida:
6900 US Highway 19 North, Pinellas Park
(Neighborhood Market concept)

Hawaii:
1032 Fort Street Mall, Honolulu

Illinois:
17550 South Halsted St, Homewood
12690 S. Route 59, Plainfield
840 N. McCormick Blvd, Lincolnwood
1511 Camp Jackson Road, Cahokia
8431 S. Stewart Ave, Chicago
4720 S. Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago
2844 N. Broadway, Chicago
2551 W. Cermak Road, Chicago

Indiana:
3701 Portage Road, South Bend

Minnesota:
1200 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center

New Mexico:
301 San Mateo Blvd. SE, Albuquerque

Oregon:
4200 82nd Ave. SE, Portland
1123 N Hayden Meadows Dr., Portland

Texas:
24919 Westheimer Pkwy, Katy (Neighborhood Market concept)

Washington:
11400 Hwy. 99, Everett

Wisconsin:
10330 W. Silver Spring Dr, Milwaukee

Walmart plans to close half of its stores in Chicago. This is a reversal of the retail giant’s high-profile commitment in 2020 to expand in the city as part of its corporate racial justice initiative.

Walmart recently announced that it will close four poor-performing stores out of the eight it operates in Chicago. Three of the locations are located in Chicago’s South and West Side neighborhoods, which are predominantly minority and have long struggled with grocery and retail access. One of the stores is in Chicago’s North Side, which is predominantly White and more affluent.

The announcement comes after Walmart highlighted its efforts in Chicago as a “critical part” of its broader $100 million pledge to advancing racial equity in 2020. (CNN)

Walmart said the closings are due to a lack of profits, theft and security issues. (CHICAGO (WLS)

Walmart is not the United States government. They can’t keep pumping money into a store or city that is losing millions of dollars every year. Walmart is a business that has become the largest company in the world by making a profit. Communities who steal more from their Walmart or any store, than they pay for at the register can most likely expect to see their store closed.

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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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Get off to a healthy start and keep your golf season injury-free

Quincy's Cooper Larson hits his opening shot off the tenth tee during second-round action at the Class 3A IHSA State Golf Finals at The Den at Fox Creek Golf Course in Bloomington, IL, on October 14, 2016. Now that Spring is making its way into the Midwest, it is that time of year when golfers begin their annual pilgrimage to area links for exercise, socializing, and competitive play. (Photo: PhotoNews/Clark Brooks)

by Paul Arco
OSF Healthcare

ROCKFORD - With warmer temperatures starting appear more frequently in central Illinois, it means with the arrival of Spring another golf season is upon us. And that has many golf enthusiasts racing off to area courses.

Before tossing the clubs in the trunk, however, the first priority is getting your body ready for the long season. Hopefully, you’ve maintained some level of fitness during the winter. But if you spent the past few months watching Netflix from the couch, experts have some important advice in order to keep your body injury free, especially to start the season.

“I would just start a stretching routine," says Matthew Davidson, a physical therapist with OSF HealthCare. "Start there, work on flexibility a little bit, range of motion, try and do what you can to counteract that stiffness that you seem to get over the winter months. Cardiovascular exercises are really good because they can not only build up that system, but improve blood flow and help with weight loss for those who might have gained a few pounds over the winter."

For the most part, golf is a relatively safe sport, but injuries can happen, especially as a result of not using proper form or technique. Most golf-related injuries involve the lower back, shoulders, wrists, and elbows. Walking nine or 18 holes can be challenging, especially if you’ve been mostly sedentary for the past several months. Even carrying a golf bag can cause back and shoulder pain. That’s why it’s important to start making changes immediately. Flexibility is the key. It will promote mobility, which helps joints throughout the entire body.

"First of all, depending on your fitness level you might want to start with nine holes before 18," says Davidson. "You might want to go to the range and walk between the range and the putting green. As far as a walking routine, start with five or 10 minutes. Walk your dog around the block and increase the distance and ramp it up from there."

Before starting any round, give yourself at least 10-15 minutes to properly stretch your back, hamstrings, abdominals, arms and shoulders to stay flexible. And make sure to get plenty of practice swings in before you head over to the first tee.

Jenna Dombroski sinks an easy putt during the Champaign Central Class AA golf sectional. The Centennial High School junior finished in second place qualifying for the girls' state golf tournament. She finished the par 76 course in Savoy, IL, with an 80 back on October 8, 2007. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

"One of the main things we do is sit," says Davidson. "We sit at our desk, we sit and watch TV, and we sit to relax. Golf is all about maintaining really good posture. Get to the golf course early, try a few swings, and go to the putting green. If you have time, go to the driving range and start with the smaller irons and work your way up to the driver and not just on the first hole with the first swing."

And remember to swing properly. The keys of a good swing include good posture, a stable lower back, and a slow relaxed swing. Most injuries that happen on the course are a result of poor form and an incorrect swing. An early-season injury, especially during cooler temperatures, can really set back a golfer for a period of time.

"Muscle strains, if they’re simple, can take anywhere from a few days or if they’re severe a month or longer, it just depends on the person," says Davidson. "My advice is to use pain as your guide. If you’re feeling something isn’t right don’t try and go out there and be a hero. Rest up, ice, use heat, whatever you need to do to manage it. And if it doesn’t improve, certainly go see your physician."

For more information on preparing for the golf season, click here.

The bugs are on their way back, three ways to prepare for unwelcomed insects in your home

StatePoint Media - It is easy to believe that bugs simply disappear during the winter and colder months in the Midwest. The truth is that many bug species have evolved to survive all year long, sometimes hiding in the warm nooks and crannies in and around homes. Others go into a hibernation-like state.

With much warmer temperatures and sporadic unseasonably warm days during the past week in central Illinois, household pests like ants, roaches, and centipedes are making their way back into homes or coming out of hibernation.

"Bugs can be a lot smarter and more resilient than you may realize. Even if you don’t see household pests right now, some may still be waiting in your home for those first warm days to signal them to become active, search for food and find a mate," says Emma Klingman, senior products research at Zevo, a maker of pest control products with naturally-inspired ingredients you can feel good about.

To prep your home for bug season and outsmart pests, follow these three steps:

1. Tidy up: Household pests love snacking just as much as people do, but you don’t need to play host to them. After meals, wipe down tables, counters and other kitchen surfaces. Be sure to regularly sweep and vacuum crumbs, as well as mop up to eliminate sticky food residue. Keep a tightly-fitting lid on your garbage bin, and rinse cans and jars before recycling them.

2. Be ready: Even an immaculate home will face pest problems at some point. That’s why it is important to have tools on hand to catch a problem early, before it becomes a much bigger one. Zevo’s Instant Action sprays target and shut down biological pathways found in insects, not in people or pets. Likewise, the brand’s traps use a UV and blue light system to attract and capture flying insects, and they have a discreet design that can serve as a bouncer at your home’s entry points. It’s also smart to use these traps in potential problem areas, such as near trash cans and fruit bowls and near toilet bowls and drains.

3. Safeguard the yard: Defending your yard from pesky pests will not only improve the comfort of your home’s outdoor spaces, it will help prevent insects from finding their way indoors. Be sure to eliminate standing water by properly tending to your lawn and by periodically clearing downspouts of debris. Any water feature in your garden should use running water. If you have a patio or deck, consider screening it in. If you don’t love the look of screened walls, installing ceiling fans can be an effective alternative. Run the fans whenever you entertain to deter unwanted guests, such as mosquitos, from crashing the party.

Of course, it’s always a good idea to apply bug repellant when spending time outdoors. Find a formula that will be easy to use, such as the new on-body products from Zevo, which include a pump spray, aerosol and lotion. They offer eight hours of protection from mosquitoes and ticks and are lightweight, odorless and not sticky.

For more usage tips and more information, visit https://zevoinsect.com and follow on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram (@ZevoInsect).

"As we usher in gorgeous spring weather, it can be an especially challenging time of year to keep bugs at bay at home. But with the right tools and strategies, you can help prevent and combat infestations as they arise," says Klingman.

Recipe | Bacon-wrapped chicken with goat cheese

Seeds online; just because they're easy to buy doesn't mean they’re safe

NAPSI - Online shopping and e-commerce have opened new doors for gardening enthusiasts, offering unprecedented access to rare and exotic plants and seed products from around the world at the click of a button. But before you buy plants or seeds online from overseas sellers, you should know they could pose a significant risk to U.S. agriculture and natural resources, because they can carry harmful plant pests and diseases.

It’s The Law

It’s illegal to import plants and seeds from overseas into the U.S. without the appropriate paperwork indicating they’re pest-free. Just because it’s easy to buy them online, does not mean they’re safe and you, the buyer, are responsible for checking the origin and import requirements.

The Problem

Invasive pests and plant diseases are often not visible to the buyer and, if left unchecked, can easily and rapidly spread. Plant diseases, for example, can be carried in common garden staples grown outside the U.S., such as tomato and pepper seeds. Not only do invasive pests cost the U.S. an estimated $40 billion a year in damage to trees, plants, crops and related eradication and control efforts, they can have a significant effect on America’s food supply.

An Answer

Fortunately, the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has put together clear guidance on the steps online buyers should take to protect U.S. gardens, landscapes, agriculture and forests from this threat.

Six Steps To Safe Seeds And Plants

Here’s what you need to do when buying plants or seeds online from another country:

1.Check whether you need an import permit for the plants or seeds you wish to bring in. If required, apply for and get an import permit from APHIS, which specifies the import requirements before the plant or seed species is allowed entry into the country.

2.Request shipping labels from APHIS, if required under the permit conditions.

3.Inform the seller about the labeling and shipping requirements detailed in the permit.

4.Instruct the seller to include an invoice detailing the scientific name and quantity of plants or seeds in the shipment.

5.Ensure the seller has a phytosanitary certificate from the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) of the country of origin. This means the NPPO has inspected the plants or seeds and found them free of plant pests and diseases.

6.Instruct the seller to use labels provided by the buyer to ensure plants or seeds are delivered to an APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine Plant Inspection Station.

Everyone plays an important role in protecting U.S. food, gardens and trees. If you’re planning to buy plants or seeds online from foreign sellers, take the appropriate steps to make sure you are following U.S. import laws.

Learn More

For questions about importing and exporting requirements, call APHIS at (877) 770-5990 or e-mail plantproducts.permits@usda.gov. To discover how to stop the spread of invasive plant pests and diseases, visit www.HungryPests.com.

Learning the right moves, Flamenco workshop at Boneyard Festival draws local dancers

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

URBANA - Alyssa Teijeiro-Ficht leads a Flamenco dance workshop at Lincoln Square Mall on Saturday during the Boneyard Arts Festival. Teijeiro-Ficht, a senior in Education at the University of Illinois and the dance director, with members of the La Fuerza Flamenca, taught Sevillanas to participants, who later performed the introductory dance steps with Brian Stark's Flamenco-Jazz Collective. Influenced by Flamenco, Sevillanas is a style of dance from the Sevilla region in Spain.

Price is on the money, picks up pitching win for Spartans

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

ST. JOSEPH - St. Joseph-Ogden senior Adam Price unloads a pitch at the top of the third inning during St. Joseph-Ogden's home game against Normal University High School at Meier Field on Friday. Despite giving up 10 hits and six runs on the hill, the Spartans' mighty offensive plated 17 runs in five innings to win 17-7. Price 1-4 at the plate and scored one run for SJO. The Illini Prairie Conference front runners are back at Meier Field on Monday and Tuesday, hosting Prairie Central and Oakwood respectively. First pitch is slated for 4:30 p.m.

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**ST. JOSEPH** - Connor Hale, Tanner Jacob, and Jared Altenbaumer wait at home plate for Luke Landrus after his long bomb over the left field fence that landed five yards shy of Route 150 during St. Joseph-Ogden's home game against Normal University High School at Meier Field on Friday. Landrus, who also plastered a double and collected a stolen base in the contest, went 3-for-3 and delivered five RBIs in the Spartans' 17-7 non-conference win over the Pioneers. Hale and Jacob scored on the play giving SJO a 14-6 advantage on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Tigers win home tennis opener in a dominating fashion

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

URBANA - Luke Pankau hits a forehand shot over the net during his doubles match with partner Ian Peters at #2 doubles on Tuesday. The duo battled back from a 6-1 first set loss to take the second set against Normal West's Brian Bach and Alex Lamboley 7-5, forcing a third-set tiebreak. The pair came up short in the breaker falling in 12-10 thriller on the newly resurfaced courts at Blair Park. The Tigers varsity squad dominated the visiting Wildcats in their home opener, 6-3.

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Not missing a beat, Mateo Sánchez delivers at Master recital

Mateo Sanchez masters recital at the University of Illinois Music Building

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

URBANA - Percussionist Mateo Sánchez keeps the rhythm during his master thesis recital at the Music Building on the University of Illinois Campus on Wednesday evening. He and his 16-piece ensemble performed six numbers, including four original compositions, for his advisor, a small group of music aficionados and friends. A student of Professor Joel Spencer, Sánchez is working toward his Master Degree in Music & Jazz Performance.

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Spartan baseball team blanks visiting Olympia in four innings

Nolan Earley takes a swing at an Olympian pitch on Monday. Earley contributed one run and one RBI in SJO's 15-0 win over Olympia at Meier Field. Already up 4-0, the Spartans scored nine runs in bottom of the third and two more in the next frame for the conference victory. Earley and the St. Joseph-Ogden baseball team are back at home again on Friday when they will host Normal University High.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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