When Ella Neary begins reading, her audience doesn't fully grasp the story. Most of the words are too complicated for Jake, for instance, who fidgets, yawns and periodically licks his hairy legs. But that happens when you read to dogs. The sessions at Ford Memorial Library in Western Springs aren't intended to elevate the literacy of hounds but rather those reciting to them each month during the library's read-to-dogs program, which has attracted 100 kids since early 2009. "This started with the need (for children) to practice oral reading," says Anne Kozak, library director. "These animals are not judgmental. Some early readers might prefer reading to dogs than to people," added youth services librarian Dana Folkerts, who has been thanked by parents of tykes who shy away from reading at home but shine when their listeners have tails. "Kids bond easily with them." The program is one of the many unusual ways that libraries throughout Chicagoland are engaging citizens of all ages. Kids can read to dogs, send their stuffed animals on sleepovers or visit a magical forest, and parents can attend a toga party, taste gourmet chocolate or even meet up at a martini bar, all thanks to their local libraries.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-x-xxxx-library-fun-20110928,0,4120815.story

Present Law, Data, And Analysis Relating To Tax Incentives For Homeownership October 1, 2011 U.S. Senate, Joint Committee on Taxation
The Senate Committee on Finance has scheduled a public hearing on October 6, 2011, entitled "Tax Reform Options: Incentives for Homeownership." This document, prepared by the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation...provides general background on the tax incentives for homeownership. The first part of this document describes the tax provisions that offer incentives for homeownership. The second part provides a discussion of the economic incentives and data related to homeownership. Find link to full report at:
http://web.docuticker.com/go/docubase/65200

Consumer Expenditure Survey September 28, 2011 Bureau of Labor Statistics
Average annual expenditures per consumer unit fell 2.0 percent in 2010 following a decrease of 2.8 percent in 2009. Spending on food and housing fell 3.8 percent and 2.0 percent, respectively, contributing to the overall drop in spending in 2010. Find link to full report at: http://web.docuticker.com/go/docubase/

Employer Health Benefits 2011 Annual Survey September 28, 2011 Kaiser Family Foundation
After several years of relatively modest premium increases, annual premiums for employer-sponsored family health coverage increased to $15,073 this year, up 9 percent from last year, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation/Health Research & Educational Trust 2011 Employer Health Benefits Survey released today. On average, workers pay $4,129 and employers pay $10,944 toward those annual premiums. Premiums increased significantly faster than workers’ wages (2.1 percent) and general inflation (3.2 percent). Since 2001, family premiums have increased 113 percent, compared with 34 percent for workers’ wages and 27 percent for inflation. Find link to full report at: http://web.docuticker.com/go/docubase/65170

Quotes
Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.
The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.
Before every minute of action, there should be an hour of thought.
Henry Ford (1863-1947) American industrialist

Extract of an e-mail from William Lynch, CEO, Barnes & Noble
Dear Borders customer, As part of Borders ceasing operations, we acquired some of its assets including Borders brand trademarks and their customer list. The subject matter of your DVD and other video purchases will be part of the transferred information. The federal bankruptcy court approved this sale on September 26, 2011. Our intent in buying the Borders customer list is simply to try and earn your business. The majority of our stores are within close proximity to former Borders store locations, and for those that aren't, we offer our award- winning NOOK™ digital reading devices that provide a bookstore in your pocket. We are readers like you, and hope that through our stores, NOOK devices, and our bn.com online bookstore we can win your trust and provide you with a place to read and shop. It's important for you to understand however you have the absolute right to opt-out of having your customer data transferred to Barnes & Noble. If you would like to opt-out, we will ensure all your data we receive from Borders is disposed of in a secure and confidential manner. Please visit www.bn.com/borders before October 15, 2011 to do so. Should you choose not to opt-out by October 15, 2011, be assured your information will be covered under the Barnes & Noble privacy policy, which can be accessed at www.bn.com/privacy. B&N will maintain any of your data according to this policy and our strict privacy standards.

Q: How many baseballs are used during a Major League Baseball game?
A: Umpires usually use 96 to 120 baseballs for a nine-inning game, but they prepare about 144 baseballs with rubbing mud just in case, said Mike Teevan, spokesman for Major League Baseball. And Teevan did the big-league math: Between 200,000 and 300,000 balls are used per season.
Q: What did Yogi Berra say?
A: "I never said most of the things I said." The Baseball Almanac.
http://www.thecourier.com/Opinion/columns/2011/Oct/JU/ar_JU_100311.asp?d=100311,2011,Oct,03&c=c_13