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P*QE » • PLAINDEALER-WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31. !97« Consumer Forum by Illinois Attorney General William J. Scott Has winter taken a toll on your house? Could it use some paint? Could the roof use a patch or two? Would siding cut down on next winter's fuel bill? Are your walkways cracking and crumbling? What about your chimney? Are termites lunching on your woodwork? For every "yes" you answer, there's an eager home-repair- con-artist waiting. This is his -- or her - time of year! The Attorney General's Consumer Fraud and Protection division gets scores of complaints each spring from persons who have lost money in fraudulent home repair schemes. Time and again we talk with people who have dealt with fly-by-night workmen offering quick repairs using "leftover" materials allegedly sold to them at great savings. If you deal with such repairmen you're leaving yourself open for trouble. Referral selling is illegal in Illinois. So if someone offers to fix your home, then use it as a "model," giving you a "commission" or discount" or "rebate" for each home repair sale he makes as a result, you should know right then that he's a con artist. Beware also of "free home inspections." If you know and trust the workman, fine. Otherwise, the piece of damaged drainpipe, the chips of roofing, the container of termites allegedly taken from your home may simply be "props" that the fraudulent repairman uses on all un­ suspecting victims. Don't be misled by a person who represents himself as a building inspector. Insist on seeing his credentials. And, an amazingly small price for an amazingly big job may mean there arte "hidden extras," or that the work­ manship will be so shoddy that the repairman barely will have his tools and himself out of the way before his "work" falls apart. We rarely get something for nothing. And so, here is some home repair "fraud prevention ad­ vice:" * •; . 1. Ask friends and neighbors to recommend a home repair contractor with whom they have been pleased. 2. Deal only with an established contractor with a business address and telephone in your community. 3. Beware of "free home inspections" unless you know the contractor's reputation. 4. Don't fall prey to the "model home" gimmick or the "leftover materials" gimmick. 5'. Whenever possible, get written estimates from several firms. 6. Be cautious about signing a contract requiring a large downpayment. 7. Check the extent of coverage, limitations, length and any other restrictions on any warranty coverage. 8. Get your contract in writing, including both the start and completion dates and a thorough description of the exact work to be done. Don't accept any oral promises. Get everything in writing. 9. Don't sign a completion certificate until the work has been completed to your satisfaction. 10. Be sure all waivers of lien from any subcontractors have been secured. * * * * Men who measure their progress by that of other men usually go short dis­ tances. * ' t Kite Tips In addition to avoiding "dangerous" places such as areas near power lines, TV or radio antennas, trees, and streets or highways, kite flyers also should follow these other safety tips: 1) Make kites from the "old- fashioned" basics-wood, paper, string and cloth. Metal or wire should never be used because they can conduct electricity, causing injury if an accidental contact is made. 2) Never fly kites in the rain. A wet kite string also can conduct electricity or lightning down to the flier. 3) If your kite should happen to be gobbled up by a tree like "Peanuts" character Charlie Brown's, or get tangled in a power line, leave it for his friend Woodstock and the other birds. Climbing trees or utility poles-or entering "off-limits" areas-to retrieve a kite just isn't worth the risk of injury. With an open space, a steady breeze and these tips in mind, it's bound to be a safe kite­ flying season! * * • • Most denunciations are motivated by ignorance. spurgeons 0© STORE HOURS: MON.-FRI. 9-9 SAT. 9-6 SUN. 10-5 % ANMVEFtSAFY SALE LAST DAYS TO SAVEI...HURRY SALE ENDS APRIL 4! f BEST BUYS FOR MEN BEST BUYS FOR BOYS Save 1.44! Men's Walk Shorts Reg. 6.99 No-iron summer shorts in plaids and patterns. Poly/cotton keeps its crisp- ness. Sizes 29 to 42. \ Save 22*! Men's Sport Tube Socks Reg. 1.19 each 97* Assorted colored stripes...perfect for all those summer activities just around the corner! Save 1.44! Men's Shirts £55 Reg. 6.99 ^ Dress or sport shirts with short sleeves! Poly/cotton in solids and small patterns, S to XL. Save 990! Men's Sport Shirts $A Reg. 4.99 "T Knit sport shirts with short sleeves in your favorite solid color wash 'n wear blends! S, M, L, XL. Save 2.11! Men's Dress Slacks 788 Reg. 9.99 # Doubleknit polyester slacks in jac- quards, plaids and solids. All machine washable. 29 to 42. Save *2.02! Men's PVC Jackets U97 So popular! Polyvinylchloride with the look of leather, wears like iron. Sizes S, M, L, XL. Save 600! Boys' Summer Shirts Reg. 2.99 239 Dress shirts, sport shirts or knit shirts, all with short sleeves. Sizes 3 to 7, 8 to 18. Save s1.02! Boys' Jeans Reg. 7.99 Day-in day-out sturdiness! Cotton or poly/cotton jeans in blue, sizes 8 to 18 for play or school. Save 4.39! Boy's Hooded Sweatshirts 560 ; jig! Just a few sizes left on this great buy of thermal insulated, hooded sweatshirts. V Save 1.30! Boys' Pajamas 069 Reg. 3.99 Mm Get him set for summer with short sleeve, short leg pajamas in cool poly/cotton. Sizes 2 to 8. Save 1.22! Boys' Sport Sets Reg. 3.99 277 Shirt and slack coordinates in boys' sizes 3 to 7. All washable poly/cotton or polyester. Save 4.11! Boys' Suits 1588 Reg. 19.99 Knit leisure suits in 100% polyester. Shirt-style jackets, jean-cut pants. Sizes 8 to 18. Club Sponsors Fifth Program - In Travol Series The Crystal Lake Kiwanis club will sponsor its fifth program of the "Travel and Adventure Series" when it introduces Joe Adair with his presentation, "All About England". Tuesday, March 30, at 7:30 p.m. in the Crystal Lake high school auditorium. Joe Adair is a native of Iowa, but he has lived, worked, or traveled in over forty countries in a relentless quest to know this earth and its peoples. Adair originally planned a career in education* He completed his undergraduate work at Georgetown university, Washington, D C,, and the University of Northern Iowa. He holds a Master's degree in Education. But his education has scarcely been limited to the campus. He has followed the Midnight Sun across northern wastes; traced and retraced Africa's grasslands to photograph her people and game at home; signed and sailed with whaling expeditions to the Arctic; and been made to feel equally at home with Moslems in Kuwait, Hindus in India, and Kikuyus in Kenya. He lived for two years in Haile Selassie's mountainous realm of Ethiopia while serving with the Peace Corps. The American Junior Chamber of Commerce recently included him in their annual volume, Outstanding Young Men of America. Unemployment Insurance Due In Illinois Illinois employers - even if they have just one employee -- must pay unemploymnet in­ surance contributions to the state. Donald A. Johnson, Director of Labor, reminded employers that the law specifies that any firm which has one or more workers within twenty different weeks of this or last year, or with a payroll of $1,500 or more in any calendar quarter, must participate in the unem­ ployment insurance program. "We have a great concern that a number of small businesses are not aware of theijr obligation to participate Keepin' Healthy by Mary Richards Being a child back in "the good old days" was very dif­ ferent from being a child in today's world. Back then, children weren't transported everywhere in the family car...they didn't "hang on" the telephone for hours...or sit in front of the television set. In those days, when you were sent to your room, it was a real punishment...childrens' rooms were not equipped with t.v. sets, radios or telephones. If you wanted to go somewhere, chances are you had to walk or, if you lived in the city, take a bus. There are many modern conveniences that make life for today's children easier and more pleasant than it was for their parents and grand­ parents. And, while many people feel that perhaps children today have too many luxuries, most parents will not deny their children whatever modern conveniences they can give them. There is one problem of yesteryear, however, that today's children can live very well without - measles. In the past, having measles was a part of growing up...and, because of this, many people made the mistake of thinking of measles as a harmless childhood disease. Today, we know that isn't true. Measles can be very harmful. In the past thousands of children were left blind, deaf or mentally retarded by measles. But, today, children don't have to get measles...we have a vaccine to prevent it. This is one modern convenience all children should have. It's easily obtainable...it doesn't cost very in this system," Johnson said. "There are cases of employers finding out that they should have been participating months ago. They now must make up what they did not previously pay plus penalites. We want to prevent this from happening," he said. Johnson said that any questions regarding the payment of unemployment insurance contributions should be directed to the local office of the Illinois Unemployment Insurance division, listed in phone books under the Illinois Department of Labor. much...and a measles vac­ cination will spare your child (and you) from the illness itself and from the possibility of having to live the rest of his life with hearing or visiion or mental defects. Why, then, do so many parents neglect measles im­ munization for their children? Why do so many parents, who give their children everything they can, overlook giving them protection against disease? If your children are not protected against measles, why not have them immunized right away? Call your physician or your local health department today, and ask about it. Give your children a gift of health...it sure beats a t.v. set! If you cannot get to a private physician, and live in an area where there is no local health department, contact the Illinois Department of Public Health, Immunization Program, 535 West Jefferson, Springfield, 111., 62761--telephone 217-782- 3300. Arrangements will be made to immunize your child. U.S. Soybean Supply Sets New Record This season's soybean supply of 1,706 million bushels topped last year's by some 23 percent, setting a new record, according to Jim Lucas, county executive* director, McHenry county ASCS office. The second largest soybean crop was the 1975 harvest totaling 1,521 million bushels. "Favorable weather flowed harvest to progress fast® than usual," Lucas said. According to USDA's latest report on fats and oils, three-fourths of the soybean crop had been har­ vested by Nov. 1. At the end of November, 95 percent of the crop was harvested, Lucas said. Record supplies resulted in price declines. Prices received by farmers for soybeans during harvest fell $1 a bushel, from $5.32 in September to $4.28 in December. Soybean production in Illinois totaled 291.8 million bushels in 1975, compared to 202.6 million bushels in 1974. Illinois producers received $4.70 per bushel for soybeans in 1975, compared to $6.49 per bushel in 1974. U.S. soybean stocks in all positions totaled a record 1,246 million bushels on Jan. 1, 1976, up 26 percent from a year ago. Spring Grove Girl At National Jigging Contests Twenty-six Southern Illinois university at Carbondale agriculture students, including members of the livestock and dairy judging teams, spent last week in an SIU-C animal in­ dustries field course while they were enroute to Saturday's national intercollegiate judging contests at West Texas State university, Canyon, Texas. They included Christine Wright of 8407 William lane, Spring Grove. Students observed livestock breeds and production prac­ tices at beef and dairy cattle farms and ranches, swine production and feeding operations, and university livestock research facilities in Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. Participants are ear­ ning college credit in animal industries courses for the field trip. f V A N E W S ! EDITOR'S Note: Following are representative questions an­ swered daily by VA counselors. Full information is available at any VA office. Q - As long as the Post Office notifies the VA of my change of address, why do I have to? A - You are responsible for notifying the VA of any change in address or your cash benefits will be suspended. The Post office does not notify the VA of address changes. You must notify the VA just as you would friends and relatives. Q - What are the Vietnam war dates, for purposes of veterans' benefits? A - Inclusive dates for the Vietnam era are Aug. 5, 1964 through May 7, 1975. Q ~ Which of VA insurance plans pay dividends? A - U.S. Government Life Insurance ("K" policies); National Service Life In­ surance ("V" policies); and Veterans Special Life In­ surance ("RS-W" policies). Q - May a GI loan be paid off before the final payment date? A - Yes. A VA guaranteed loan may be partially or fully paid at any time. However, part payments may not be less than one monthly payment or $100, whichever is less. * * * * Beware of the jolly backslapper. Tirestone 1776 Celebrating 1976 BICENTENNIAL DOUBLE BELTED Deluxe Champion* SUP-R-BELF $1020to$1655()FF r! DOUBLE BELTED DELUXE CHAMPION AS LITTLE AS 1976 new-car tires A really ureal deal on th« tire dnigned with long mileage in mind! Double fiberglass belt and polyester cord body combine for long wear and strength. A78-13, Blackwall Offer expires 4/30/76 Siie BLACKWALLS WHITEWALLS Siie Feb. price NOW Feb. price NOW A78-13 >36.00 •25.00 <40.00 •28.50 B78-14 37.80 27.25 42.00 30.50 C78-14 38.45 28.25 42.70 31.50 E78-H 40.00 29.25 44.40 32.50 F78-14 44.10 32.25 48.95 35.50 G78-14 45.95 33.25 51.05 37.50 H78-14 49.50 36.25 54.95 40.50 J78-14 57.60 42.50 F78-15 45.30 33.25 50.30 36.50 G78-15 47.10 34.25 52.35 38.50 H78-15 50.70 37.25 56.25 41.50 J78-15 52.50 138.25 58.40 42.50 40.25 61.05 44.50 All prices plus »1.75 to *3 14 F.E.T. and old I fiPtttonc 4 p l y p o l y e s t e r c o r d DELUXE CHAMPION AS LOW AS BLACKBALLS Site Price Site Price B78-U $19.95 078-14 (25.95 C78-14 20.95 H78-14 27.95 1)78-14 21.95 G78-15 26.95 E78-14 22.95 H78-15 28.95 F78-14 24.95 L78-15 30.95 Plu» $1.74 F.E.T and old tire. All prices plus $1 84 to $.i.08 and old 1 ire Whitehall add $2. T^cstone ALL TERRAIN® KahUMLAAI Ja.UA y^L.alm M | VnW TVnKVf Tiff! •56" SIZE 10-15LT Plus $4 20 Fed Ex tax. exchange; tube toss 4-pty rating \ tpeeial tire palLrnni after the hmtw Parnelli I00O tire alarh performance le.ied at the famous Raja BIG TRADE-IN ALLOWANCE ON CHANGEOVERS! 189 I6S6 * 4400 W. Rte. 120 McHenry, Illinois 385-4100 4005 W. RTE. 120, McHENRY, ILL PHONE 385-2323 HOURS: DAILY 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. SAT. 8 A.M. to 3 P.M. D E A L V V / f W T H E P R O S McHenry Firestone, Inc. I