The Rock Island Beautification Commission is sponsoring the 29th Annual Holiday Lighting Contest to recognize Rock Island residents and businesses that decorate with exceptional seasonal lighting displays. To nominate a residential or commercial light display, send the name and address of the display to the Rock Island Beautification Commission, Rock Island City Hall - 1528 Third Avenue, or call (309) 732-2909 with a nomination.

Nominations must be received by 5 p.m., Wednesday, December 17, 2014. Judging will take place on Monday evening, December 22. All displays should be illuminated by 5:30 p.m. There will be awards for the top winners in the residential and commercial categories. Winners of the 2012 and 2013 Holiday Lighting Contests are not eligible.

Every New Year inspires a wave of self-improvement, which for many people includes improving their overall health.

Unfortunately, a recent study from the University of Scranton's Journal of Clinical Phycology says only 8 percent of those who make a New Year's resolution see their goals come to fruition.

Regardless of the specific goal, people establishing resolutions to improve their health need to start with a foundation. A nutritional foundation is required for anyone who is setting out to improve his or her 'health'," says Dr. John Young, M.D., a physician specializing in the treatment of chronic illnesses through biochemical, physiological and nutraceutical technologies, and the author of "Beyond Treatment: Discover how to build a cellular foundation to achieve optimal health," (www.YoungHealth.com).

"Many of us want to lose weight, gain muscle and improve our cardiovascular endurance, but those goals cannot be accomplished without addressing the body's fundamental needs. A healthy body begins with a healthy cellular foundation, and a healthy cellular foundation begins with what we're putting in our bodies."

A protein shake is a common way some people like to supplement their health plans, but Dr. Young says those health drinks are usually missing one or more essential components. He lists them and explains why they're so important.

1.  Whey protein: Can be a great option for protein supplementation assuming it's of the highest possible quality. Look for protein powder that is cold processed (non-denatured), meaning it's never heated to temperatures above 130 degrees. Also makes sure it's made with milk from cows that haven't been pumped full of hormones and that have been grazed on pesticide-free, chemical-free, natural grass pastures. Make sure the protein is completely free of chemicals, artificial flavors and artificial sweeteners.

2.  Omega oils: Because of their molecular makeup, Flax Seed oil and Cod Liver oil are two of the most important oils you can consume. They supply a number of important nutrients for nearly all systems of the body, including the heart and immune system as well as the brain. In order for these oils to be effectively incorporated by the body, they need to be "hidden", or emulsified into a protein so they aren't destroyed during the digestive processes. This is a huge key that most people completely miss.

3.  pH stabilization: pH is a measurement of the acidity or alkalinity in your body and ranges from zero on the acidity end to 14 on the alkaline end. Evidence suggests that a healthy balance in pH increases strength in muscle and bone, improves brain function and decreases the risk of chronic disease. Because our diets are so acidic these days, I use a pH balancing formula in my practice to help keep my patients in the stable pH range.

Along with the three pillars of Dr. Young's approach to healthy protein shakes, he recommends appropriate amounts of fruits and vegetables and an overall balanced diet.

About Dr. John Young, M.D.

Dr. John Young is a medical doctor with more than 15 years' experience working in emergency rooms and pediatric burn units. He's the Medical Director of Young Foundational Health Center, specializing in treating patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes by addressing the physiological issues. He's also the Medical Director of Young Health Products, a company that produces nutritional products developed by incorporating the latest biochemical, physiological and Nobel Prize-winning protocols. Dr. Young is the author of "Beyond Treatment." He answers questions via a call-in conference call every Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. Eastern time by calling 760-569-7676 and using access code 772967

Moline, IL, 12/08/14 - Monster Jam® will be blasting into the iWireless Center on May 16 & 17 with a new 10-city arena based, points-paying Monster Jam endurance showcase, featuring the biggest and best lineup of Monster Jam trucks highlighted by more of what the fans want to see...more racing, more freestyle, more donuts, more wheelies, more trucks, more action...#MoreMonsterJam!.

The Party in the Pits, two hours before doors open for the show, gives fans the opportunity to get a view of the trucks up close and meet the drivers of the massive Monster Jam trucks. Tickets are just $5 for kids and $10 for adults with a show ticket!

Tickets are just $22.50, $32.50 VIP and $47.50 Front Row. For ticket information please see iwirelesscenter.com or ticketmaster.com. For group rates and information,call Lindsey at 309.277.1356 or email llobur@iwirelesscenter.com.

Monster Jam: Performance Schedule:

*No Discounts on VIP or Front Row Seating

*All seats are reserved, and tickets are available at the iWireless Center box office, and by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000.

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By Chris Iliades, MD | Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH 

Many people associate heart disease with obvious symptoms like chest pain. But there are some not-so-obvious connections, like swollen feet or bleeding gums, that should also merit a heart check from your doctor.

Heart disease symptoms in women or in men are indications that you feel or experience, while a sign of heart disease is something your doctor can see or find. Obvious heart disease symptoms include shortness of breath or chest pain. But your doctor may also look for some surprising heart disease signs during an examination.

Knowing the signs of heart disease is important because you may have them before you have any of the common heart disease symptoms. Letting your doctor know about these warning signs could help you get an early jump on heart disease.

Are you doing everything you can to manage your heart condition? Find out with our interactive checkup.

"Signs like ankle swelling or weight gain do not necessarily mean you have heart disease, but taken together with other symptoms of heart disease, laboratory studies, and family history, they are an important part of making a diagnosis of heart disease or heart failure," says Carl E. Orringer, MD, director of preventive cardiovascular medicine at the University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland.

Swelling of the Feet and Lower Legs

Retention of fluid in the feet and legs is known as peripheral edema. Edema may appear as "sock marks" at the end of the day. Mild peripheral edema is common. Your doctor may check for this sign by pressing a finger against your ankle or shin bone to see if a depression is left behind. This is called "pitting edema."

Edema may be a sign of heart failure because, when your heart is not pumping well, fluid from inside your blood vessels tends to leak out into surrounding tissues. The legs and ankles are common areas for edema because of the effects of gravity.

"Peripheral edema may be caused by a host of issues," says Dr. Orringer. "The bottom line is that most people with peripheral edema do not have heart disease, but it could be an important sign if there are other signs and symptoms of heart failure."

Male Pattern Baldness

"If you watched any of the royal wedding, you might have noticed that Prince William is balding on the top of his head. This type of balding of the crown of the head in young men may be a sign of an increased risk for heart disease," says Orringer.

Several large studies have confirmed the link between baldness and heart disease. Compared to men with a full head of hair, men with crown loss have an increased risk of heart disease of about 23 percent. Men with complete loss of hair on the top of their head have an increased risk of 36 percent.

The combination of hair loss, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol pushes the risk even higher. This link may be due to too much of the male hormone testosterone, which interferes with hair growth on the head and causes hardening of the arteries. That doesn't mean you are doomed to heart failure if you are bald, but it does suggest you should be screened more carefully for other signs and symptoms of heart disease.

Yellow Bumps on the Skin

Xanthomas are deposits of fat that build up under the skin. They may appear as small yellow bumps or as flat, wide plaques on your elbows, knees, hands, feet, or buttocks. A type of xanthoma called "xanthelasma palpebra" appears on the eyelids. These yellow, fat deposits can potentially be signs of heart disease because they may indicate high levels of fats in the blood.

"Xanthomas may be a sign of a rare, inherited type of blood disorder in which high levels of triglycerides accumulate in the blood. Xanthomas may also be a sign of increased cholesterol and they may disappear once cholesterol levels are under control," says Orringer.

Gum Disease

Swollen, sore, or bleeding gums are usually a sign of poor oral hygiene, but may also be an important sign of heart disease. "The association between gum disease and heart disease is the real deal," says Orringer. "There is plenty of research available now that backs up this connection."

Gum disease and heart disease may be linked because they are both signs of poor circulation, or there could be common bacteria that are involved in both gum disease and plaque build-up inside coronary arteries. The link may also have something to do with the body's response to prolonged inflammation. In any case, taking better care of your teeth and gums is a good way to cut down your risk for heart disease.

Signs of Heart Failure

Heart failure means the heart is not functioning as well as it should. It doesn't mean the heart has failed. Another term for heart failure is congestive heart failure, or CHF. Heart failure gradually gets worse over time. Some early warning signs may include :

• Weight gain. If your heart starts to fail and fluid starts to build up in your tissue, causing edema, you might see a sudden weight gain.
• Frequent urination. Heart failure may cause decreased blood flow to the kidneys, which causes you to retain more fluid. One of the signs of this fluid may be frequent urination.
• Cataracts. Although the exact connection is not known, studies show that people who have cataracts are at higher risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. "This link is probably more of an association than a sign of heart disease," says Orringer.
• Nighttime cough. "One of the signs of heart failure may be the build-up of fluid in the chest and heart when lying flat at night. This pressure can cause a nighttime cough," explains Orringer.

Remember that all these heart disease signs may have many different causes. They do not mean you have or will get heart disease. But combined with other heart disease signs and symptoms, your blood tests, and your family history, they give your doctor the best chance to find heart disease early and keep you in good health.