Unplugged from Evanston

Columnist Christine Wolf headed out of town -- way out of town -- over spring break and gained new perspective on the need to occasionally unplug.

Last week, I wrote this column from a sunny spot in the Caribbean during my children’s spring break from school. Our resort was nestled on the tip of an island, accessed only by boat or seaplane with limited cellular and wi-fi access. Before the trip, we’d assured our three kids there’d be plenty do to keep them occupied without screens, including swimming, sailing, snorkeling, and sleeping. We also told them how much it costs to place a call or receive a text from such a remote place, and so we’d had our wireless carrier turn off their cellular service for the week. “But how do we talk to our friends?” they’d asked. “You can talk to each other,” we'd said. Eyes rolled. Packing continued. When we reached the island and took advantage of …

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Poll: Should We Tax Soda To Discourage Obesity?

Chicago is considering a tax on soda as a way to raise revenue and combat obesity.

  Chicago held hearings this week on whether to tax soda to fight obesity. Alderman George Cardenas proposed a tax of 15 to 35 cents on sugary drinks. Cardenas proposed the tax as a way to fight child obesity rates. The tax also would raise about $129 million in revenue. Childhood obesity in the U.S. has more than tripled in the last 30 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The CDC states that in 2008, a third of U.S. children were overweight or obese. The percentage of children 6 to 11 defined as obese rose from 7 percent in 1980 to almost 20 percent in 2008. “We know that taxing at the right level can reduce consumption of sugary drinks and that reducing consumption will help reduce the prevalence of obesity,” Fox Chicago …

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About Town

Lazy Days Of Summer?

Not for Jonathan Webb and the City of Evanston’s “Let’s Move Dancers.”

Feeling sluggish after a lazy summer?  Someone who hasn’t been lazy is Jonathan Webb, Division Manager for Community Health for the Evanston Health Department. Webb oversees programs related to obesity prevention (i.e. Women Out Walking), tobacco use cessation, chronic disease/diabetes self management, and prostate/testicular cancer screening awareness. Additionally, he serves as staff support to the Mental Health Board, oversees the Children’s Dental Clinic and Vital Records Office, and manages staff that signs residents up for the State’s Allkids/Moms and Babies Insurance programs. I recently exchanged emails with Webb about Evanston’s participation in a nationwide campaign aimed at tackling childhood obesity called the Let’s Move! Flash…

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Christine Wolf

12:24 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Here's the official Let's Move Video, just released from the City of Evanston! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SqCbIuGQSA   more ›

Danieal Manning Rewards Kingsley With Visit

Chicago Bears safety talks with elementary school students after they win competition aimed at increasing exercise.

The gym was packed, the children were screaming and socks were twirling in the air at Evanston's Kingsley Elementary School on Tuesday morning, all in fervor for the day's special guest: Chicago Bears safety Danieal Manning. Manning paid a visit to the school at 2300 Green Bay Road to reward students for their success and involvement in the Bears PLAY 60 Challenge, a program that encourages children to increase their daily level of physical activity. "I hear a lot of good stuff about you guys," Manning said with a smile. "It's very important to stay active. We want to make sure you guys are staying healthy, having fun, making sure you guys are learning a lot about how to … take care of yourself." Founded in 2007, PLAY 60 is a partnership …

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