Thank you to all who attended the Open House last month. We had a huge crowd, and we appreciate all the kind remarks about our new facilities. We enjoyed the opportunity to showcase some of our programs and resources.

National 4-H Week is held during October. We highlight the world's largest youth organization serving young people in all 50 states and in over 83 countries worldwide.

Last year Illinois 4-H reached just under 210,000 youth statewide. Champaign County reached approximately 6,100 youth through our various programs.

Thank you to all who contribute to our youth programs. Your efforts are making a difference in the lives of young people. The Extension staff appreciates all the time and talents you give to provide learning opportunities.

The Champaign Unit Council has reorganized as of September 1, 1998. Council members help identify community issues and concerns the local Extension staff should address and helps prioritize those needs in accordance with Extension resources. They serve in an advisory capacity to help implement and evaluate the local programs.

Two individuals are joining the Council for the first time. They are Cathy Cunningham of Urbana and Jan Young of Champaign. We welcome their interest in helping develop the local Extension programs.

Retiring Council members include Jack Kelly, Regina Haasis, Betsy McMahon, Dottie Nickell, Bill VanderWeit and Marilyn Whittaker. We appreciate their contributions serving on the Council and wish to thank them for being an advocate for Extension.

Following are the volunteers serving as Extension Council members for this next program year. Please feel free to contact them with any issues or concerns you feel Extension needs to address in Champaign County.

Chairman: Diana Herriott

Vice Chairman: Barry Ramsey

Secretary: Carolyn Schlens

Treasurer: Philip Nyman

Members: Ray Aden, Barbara Anderson, Ruth Ann Burkybile, Cathy Cunningham, Thomas Heinhorst, Dot Hunt, Kaizad Irani, Laura Jordon, Chris Karr, Don Kuhlman, Diane Lecher, Steve Moser, Diane Nesbitt, Jean Swaim, Ruth Walker, Rob Wood and Jan Young.

After many years of doing business as the Cooperative Extension Service, one of the University of Illinois' oldest outreach organizations is changing its name to University of Illinois Extension.

The change is due, according to Dennis Campion, Associate Dean for Extension and Outreach in the U of I College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES). In late 1996, a citizens' commission appointed by Urbana-Champaign Chancellor Michael Aiken urged ACES administration to change the Extension organization's name to more closely reflect the outreach programs' ties to the campus research base.

"It's a credibility issue. Our campus research base is what sets U of I Extension apart from other outreach organizations," Campion said.

The name change is consistent with what some neighboring states have done, Campion said. "Other states' universities did some survey work that showed most people knew of their local Extension programs, but relatively few knew that those Extension programs were connected to the state's land-grant research university. Members of the Chancellor's Commission found the same thing when they held town meetings throughout Illinois," he said.

The nationwide network of Extension programs began in 1914 as a means of presenting land-grant university research information in ways farmers and rural families could easily understand and use. Today, Extension serves both urban and rural areas of Illinois, offering programs in four broad areas:

• 4-H/youth development
• family and consumer sciences
• community and economic development, and
• agriculture and natural resources.

U of I Extension will remain a three-way partnership--in terms of both programming and funding–among the State of Illinois, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and public and private organizations at the county level.

"We're not anticipating any changes in our relationship with funders or clients," Campion said. "Local program priorities will continue to be guided by volunteers who serve on local Extension unit councils."

Eighteen to 30 year olds may be the first generation in American history not looking for charismatic national figures to lead them. According to the findings of a recent poll of "Generation Xers" conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates for Public Allies, young adults believe small groups of resourceful individuals with practical know-how will take the lead, instead of big institutions, experts, and traditional authority figures.

GenXers point to strong leadership in their own backyards, where teachers, coaches, and even family members are working together to solve the problems of the future. When asked who their role models for leadership are, 40% of the respondents cited family members and 26% cited teachers or coaches, while only 4% identified political leaders, sports figures (3%), or entertainers (2%). For a copy of the research, please contact Public Allies at (202)822-1180.

Apples & More is a new website developed by the University of Illinois Extension. The site has information on apple facts, varieties, selection & uses, nutrition, recipes, apple education, orchards, festivals, history, legends and much more.

You can find this information at http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/apples. If you have questions about apples from varieties to nutrition you can also contact the office at 333-7672.

Here are a few tips for using apples that our ancestors knew well, butperhaps haven't been passed down to this "microwave generation." Did you know?

• An apple in your bag of potatoes will keep the potatoes from sprouting.

• An apple in your brown sugar container will help to keep the sugar moist.

• An apple in your cookie jar will help to keep the cookies moist.

• If you cannot brush your teeth after a meal, eat an apple. Eating a raw apple will cleanse your mouth of more than 95 percent of the bacteria that cause tooth decay.

Every family needs money management skills, no matter how large or small their bank accounts. Skills on saving and spending, retirement planning, and credit management are useful throughout a lifetime.

During Illinois Consumer Information Month, the University of Illinois Extension is offering new publications and programs that help consumers manage their money. The theme of Consumer Information Month is "Consumer Information Is Power."

Money 2000 is an educational program that teaches the building blocks of successful financial management. Participants in the program set their own financial savings and/or debt reduction goals that they can meet by the end of the year 2000.

Subscribers receive a bi-monthly newsletter with money-saving suggestions and other money management information. Fact sheets and worksheets are provided so participants can analyze and monitor their financial situation throughout the next two years.

Take Control of Your Finances is a learn-at-home series designed to help you evaluate your own financial situation. Subscribers are mailed a series of six topics, one every week. Topics include determining what is important to you; evaluating your financial situation; developing a spending plan; using credit; saving, and organizing a home financial center.

Retirement Planning Fact Sheets - Three fact sheets are available to help you assess sources of income after retirement, understand investing and retirement planning concepts, and consider tax implications on retirement plans.

Credit Card Smarts Fact Sheets - Nine fact sheets provide information on various aspects of credit card management, including selecting the right cards for you, credit costs and protecting your credit.

Contact the Extension office at 217-333-7672 for more information about these programs and publications.

Your credit report is more important than you think. Landlords, lenders, potential employers, and even your insurance company may use your credit report to determine your sense of responsibility. You should review your credit report at least once a year. Credit reports cost around $13 and you can get them from one of the three credit bureaus–Trans Union, Equifax or Experian. If you've been denied credit, you can get one free.