SIUE offers tour of Cuba

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Photographers Tour of Cuba is scheduled for March 9-15, 2014. It is the first tour to Cuba available to people in the greater St. Louis area. Travelers will experience a rare opportunity to explore Cuba from a photographer’s perspective. The tour is designed for amateurs, professionals and anyone interested in photography. The group of 24 individuals also will meet with professional Cuban photographers.

A tour guide and translator will lead the group. Highlights will include the Hotel Plaza in Old Havana, exploring Havana and the Morro-Cabanas complex, traveling to Cojimar, Regla and Fototeca (the Cuban photo archives). More information is available at siue.edu/cubatrip.

Prices are based on a Miami departure. Travelers must make their own arrangements to get to Miami for the flight to Havana, which leaves at 1 p.m. March 9. All prices are based on double occupancy: $3,000 for general community members; $2,800 for SIUE alumni basic members or SIUE faculty/staff; and $2,600 for SIUE alumni premium members or SIUE students. A $500 nonrefundable deposit is due Jan. 9 to reserve a spot. Final payment is due Feb. 7. Payment should be made to SIUE Office of Educational Outreach. The trip is restricted to those 18 years old and older. The trip is offered through a partnership between the SIUE Alumni Association and the SIUE Office of Educational Outreach.

Call Cathy McNeese (cmcnees@siue.edu) at 618-650-3208 in the SIUE Office of Educational Outreach or Photographers Tour of Cuba Coordinator C. Otis Sweezey (osweeze@siue.edu) at 618-650-2360.

Blood Center holding drives

The Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center is holding several upcoming blood drives, including: 

• Dec. 20, Scott Credit Union, 12455 Illinois Route 143, Highland, 2-6 p.m.
• Dec. 26, Scott Credit Union, 501 Edwardsville Road, Troy, 1-5 p.m.
• Dec. 27, Scott Credit Union, 1067 Illinois Route 157, Edwardsville, 2-5 p.m.

Visit www.bloodcenter.org.

American Red Cross December blood drives

The American Red Cross is holding the following blood drives in Madison County this December:

• Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2-6 p.m. at Culver’s, 6724 Old Troy Road, Edwardsville.
• Thursday, Dec. 19, 3-7 p.m. at GC Cuisine and Crystal Gardens, 1230 University Drive, Edwardsville.
• Friday, Dec. 20, 1-5 p.m. at Alton Square Mall, 200 Alton Square, Alton.
• Saturday, Dec. 21, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Rivers of Life Christian School and Community Church, 3131 23rd St., Granite City.
• Dec. 26, 2-6 p.m. at Wood River Public Library, 326 E. Ferguson, Wood River.
• Dec. 26, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Alton Memorial Hospital, 1 Memorial Drive, Alton.

MCT announces holiday hours

MCT bus service’s holiday hours are: 

• Dec. 24: normal bus service.
• Dec. 25: no bus service. 
• Dec. 26: normal bus service.
• Dec. 31: normal bus service.
• Jan. 1: no bus service. 
• Jan. 2: normal bus service.

Call 6180797-4636, or e-mail info@mct.org.

Green industry conference announced

The Gateway Green Industry Conference will be held Jan. 14-15 at the Gateway Convention Center, Collinsville. The educational program has a track for sports turf, golf, landscape, arborist, plantscape, parks and recreation as well as green industry. Those who work in lawn care, landscaping, nursery, a garden center, golf course or any other grounds-related industry, can get new ideas and research-based information at the conference. Registration for the two days is $100 or $80 for one day if completed by Jan. 3. The fee includes lunch. Registration fees increase after Jan. 3. There is also a trade show featuring many local businesses that is free to the public.

To obtain a copy of the Gateway Green Industry Conference brochure and registration form, contact U of I Extension office at 618-344-4230 or web.extension.illinois.edu/mms. Online registration is available. 

Pest workshop to be held

University of Illinois Extension’s Madison-Monroe-St. Clair Unit will be offering the Illinois First Detector Invasive Pest Workshop on Thursday, Jan. 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Collinsville Branch office located at 1 Regency Plaza Drive, Suite 200, Collinsville.

This workshop will include sessions devoted to emerging and current oak threats in Illinois. A session will be included on invasive plants introduced as ornamentals, such as burning bush, Bradford pear, and Japanese barberry, along with a discussion on non-invasive alternatives. In-depth training sessions will highlight identification, symptoms, management, and much more. New this year will be a session devoted to how safeguarding and regulation plays a role. 

Cost for the program is $40, which includes on-site lunch and training materials. To register send $40 payable to University of Illinois Extension to 1 Regency Plaza Drive, Suite 200, Collinsville, IL 62234. Online registration or a conference flyer is available at www.extension.illinois.edu/mms. Registration deadline is Jan. 13.

Call Sarah Ruth at 618-344-4230.

Bike Expo in late January

The 2014 Midwest Bicycle Expo and Swap Meet will be 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26, at the Gateway Center, 1 Gateway Drive, Collinsville. Admission is $5; free for children under 10. The exp includes vendors, a bike corral (an area for guests to place their items for sale), and a classic bike show ($5 per entry). Pre-register at trailnet.org to be allowed in a half-hour early at no extra cost. Attendance prizes will be drawn; for every two tires or four tubes brought in for recycling, an extra entry is added for a special drawing. 

This year’s event includes a kids’ corner with a bounce house, an area for test rides, shuttles from the nearby MetroLink station, mini-clinics and fashion shows.

Gardener program accepting applicants

Area lawn and garden enthusiasts can get intensive horticulture training in exchange for volunteer hours through University of Illinois Extension’s Master Gardener program. The training program consists of weekly sessions that run from January through April. Participants get more than 60 hours of in-depth instruction on such topics as soils; botany; insect and disease control; flowers, trees, shrubs and other ornamentals; fruit and vegetable production; turf grass; basic landscaping and a wide range of other topics. An internship of 60 hours of volunteer horticulture-related service completes the training requirements. Some Master Gardeners answer lawn and garden questions from homeowners. Others help design and operate demonstration gardens for the public and some make presentations to local schools and civic groups. The Master Gardener training will be held on Tuesdays, Jan. 7, through April 15, and rotates between Madison and Monroe counties. At all locations, classes run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Registration for the program is $225, which includes a copy of the Illinois Master Gardener manual.

Call Sarah Ruth at the Madison-Monroe-St. Clair Extension Unit at 618-939-3434 or 618-344-4230; or visit web.extension.illinois.edu/mms.

Volunteers needed to help with taxes

It may not be tax season yet, but the time to sign up to volunteer to help with tax assistance is now. United Way of Greater St. Louis’ tax coalition partners want to pair volunteers with low-income and elderly residents for tax assistance from late January through April 15 at various locations in the region.

Trainings take place during January 2014 at various times and locations in Madison and St. Clair counties. Volunteers must attend one or more certification trainings in order to greet, interview or prepare taxes. Previous tax assistance experience is not required. Registration in advance is required; contact the Gateway EITC Community Coalition at 314-539-4062 or info@gatewayeitc.org; Friendly Community Tax Coalition at 314-691-9500 or visit stlvolunteer.org/VITA. There are various volunteer positions available, with varying degrees of tax knowledge necessary. 

The purpose of the coalitions is to offer free Earned Income Tax Credit preparation and education to low-income residents.

County offers help for energy bills

Madison County has obtained funding through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development to assist low-income county residents with the cost of home energy bills. Applications will be taken through May 31, 2014, or until funds are depleted.

The Madison County Community Development Energy Assistance Office administers the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and can help residents with the application process.

Call 618-296-6485 to get information about local offices where applications can be filled out.

2014 Cottage Lakefront Living Show at Novi’s Suburban Collection Showplace

We offer vacationers and homeowners the opportunity to explore new ideas and plan for this summer’s family experiences and memories.

Novi, MI (PRWEB) December 18, 2013

The seventh annual Cottage Lakefront Living Show returns to the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi Thursday, Feb. 27 and runs through Sunday, March 2.

“Our preseason event is for anyone who owns or dreams of owning a cottage or lakefront home,” said Mike Wilbraham, show producer of ShowSpan, Inc. “We offer vacationers and homeowners the opportunity to explore new ideas and plan for this summer’s family experiences and memories.”

The Log and Timber Frame Showcase will include how a cabin is put together, floor plans, profiles, roof options, log species, cedar siding, full logs, post and beam and do-it-yourself or contractor built home packages. Builders and contractors will be available for scheduled private consultations through the show’s website.

Cottage Living Stage experts will explain how to set up cottage ownership within a family for sharing and handing down; describe science-based practical application smart gardening designed to be sensitive to the environment, lower the environmental impact and reduce time and money spent on lawns, soil and plants; and explore other ways to enjoy a cottage more.

Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership will provide informal advice and educational materials from Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Michigan Lake Stream Association and other agencies, organizations, contractors and landscape professionals on shoreline construction projects and natural shoreline landscaping that benefit lake ecosystems and protect Michigan’s inland lakes.

Michigan artists at the Cottage Fine Art Show will present Great Lakes and Michigan inland lakes steel silhouettes, Petoskey stone art, rustic and driftwood furniture, copper-enameled garden art, jewelry, wood lake art, hand-carved cottage décor and signage, chainsaw carvings and wildlife oil paintings for sale. Home décor, furnishings, decorative accessories, handcrafted ceramic art tiles and gourmet and specialty appetizers and foods will be available for purchase at the Lakefront Marketplace.

DreamCatcher BoatWorks of Grand Rapids will display custom-built, lightweight, high performance, wood-covered fiberglass crafts and demonstrate handcrafted building techniques on a stand up paddleboard. Michigan Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society, dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of historic boats, will have boats on display.

The Beach, a giant sandbox complete with carving tools, will be ready for creative building of sand sculptures and castles by children and adults. Children will have the opportunity to fish at the Trout Pond fully stocked by Michigan B.A.S.S. Federation Clubs and play in the kid’s activity center at the Cran-Hill Family Zone.

Cottage Living Center will provide the opportunity to relax and work on a community puzzle, put a pin in an oversized Michigan map to show where cottages are located, listen to the 2014 Cottage Favorite Play List music and read or purchase a 2014 Essential Cottage Reading List book. Patrons owning cottages are able to post them on the Cottage for Sale or Rent Board.

The Water Woods Photo Contest Display will allow voting for the best photo that illustrates cottage and lakefront lifestyles.

Landscaping ideas to increase your outdoor living space are incorporated in landscape displays that include wooden cabins, fireplaces, cooking options, patios, decks and garden products. Other exhibits with information and educational materials for those looking to buy, build, rent or maintain cottage and lakefront property include log, timber frame and cedar homes, cottage rental, cottage furnishings, lakefront homebuilders and realtors, lakeshore maintenance, boats and docks, outdoor recreational equipment, non-profit environmental organizations, government agencies, financing and other products and services. Experts throughout the show will provide tips, advice and knowledge on purchasing, renting, planning and maintaining spring, summer and year-round cottage and lakefront living homes.

Suburban Collection Showplace is located at 46100 Grand River Ave. between Novi and Beck Road in Novi, Mich. Show hours are from 3 – 9:30 p.m. Thursday; Noon – 9:30 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10; $4 for children 6-14 and children 5 and under admitted free. Discount coupons for $2 off Thursday or Friday box office adult admission are available at show’s website and participating Wendy’s restaurants. Free crossover admission from the Cottage Lakefront Living Show to Outdoorama. On-site parking is available for a fee. For more information, visit http://www.NoviCottageShow.com, Facebook.com/NoviCottageShow or call (800) 328-6550.

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TO: Reggie McKenzie, general manager, Oakland Raiders

FROM: Grant Cohn

Reggie, as a favor, I want to help you rebuild the Raiders’ roster.

First, let me commend the job you’ve done the past two years tearing down Al Davis’ and Hugh Jackson’s expensive mess. You’ve made the roster cheap and practically talentless – a blank slate.

Now, you have a high draft pick and more than $63 million in cap space. It’s time to start rebuilding, but you haven’t shown the ability to do that yet. So, I’ve put together some ideas and, if you like them, take them and call them your own. This is between you and me.

Before you go hog wild adding players, you need to fire your head coach, Dennis Allen. Your team isn’t improving under him. He’s a bad head coach, a defensive X’s and O’s guy, a conceptual guy, not a teacher or a leader. You’re going to get your franchise quarterback this offseason and you can’t have Allen around to stunt his growth. You need to replace Allen, preferably with a coach who has a background in offense and experience developing young quarterbacks.

You also have to determine what style of offense and defense your new coaching staff wants to run. There is no sense adding players who don’t fit your new coordinators’ systems.

Next, you must understand this is a two-year rebuild, at least. You’re miles behind every other team in your division – the Broncos and Chiefs are for-sure playoff teams and the Chargers might make the playoffs, too. Adding one franchise player will not propel the Raiders into the playoffs next season.

You need at least two offensive linemen, a tight end, a running back, a quarterback (obviously), at least one wide receiver, two cornerbacks, a safety, two linebackers and two or three defensive linemen. You should have traded Darren McFadden earlier this year, but you didn’t. You will get nothing for him when he leaves in free agency.

You’re learning.

You need to add 17 or 18 players to the roster this offseason via free agency and the draft, mostly the draft. If you sign too many players in free agency, you’ll put yourself right back into Salary Cap Hell, so limit yourself to four free agents.

If you can, sign these four: sack specialist Brian Orakpo, cornerback Walter Thurmond III, wide receiver Golden Tate and tight end Greg Olsen.

See, I’m making it easy for you, Reggie.

Don’t waste your cap space by signing a quarterback. Quarterbacks are expensive in free agency. Draft your quarterback like Bill Walsh drafted Joe Montana. That’s the model.

It appears you’re going to have the No. 3 pick in the upcoming draft. I know it’s tempting to use that pick on a quarterback.

Don’t.

No quarterback is worth a top-five pick this year – not Johnny Manziel, not Teddy Bridgewater, not Derek Carr. “Not nobody not no how,” as the Gatekeeper in the Wizard of Oz would say.

You need to trade down, Reggie. Twice. Trade down from No. 3 to No. 8, and then from No. 8 to No. 17, or somewhere around there. By trading down you pick up an extra second and third-round pick, and maybe a high pick in 2015, too.

That’s your move, Reggie. You should have done this last year. I blame myself – I should have contacted you sooner.

After you trade back a second time, you’re going to draft your franchise quarterback, and you’re going to get him in the second round.

The only two quarterbacks you need to think about are Brett Hundley from UCLA and David Fales from San Jose State. Forget everyone else. Hundley or Fales is your guy, whichever one when you choose in the second round. Hundley is more athletic and three years younger than Fales, but Fales is athletic, too, and a more advanced pocket passer than Hundley. Both guys have everything you want from a franchise quarterback.

Circle their names and underline them three times. Watch their film. Go to their schools and meet them and their coaches and their trainers and their teachers. I can pick you up and we can drive to San Jose State and UCLA together, make it a road trip. I’m really familiar with UCLA. I went there.

Reggie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

What do you say?

Grant Cohn writes sports columns and the “Inside the 49ers” blog for the Press Democrat’s website. You can reach him at grantcohn@gmail.com.